Nam Hyun-ho’s take on Nam Hyun-a’s script was roughly as follows:
It was set in a fictionalized version of the Joseon era where various monsters lived hidden among humans, and told the story of half-human, half-monster warriors who prevented rampaging youkai.
Truthfully, there wasn’t much to criticize about the concept itself.
Any material can work if used properly.
However, this one’s story was terribly sloppy.
Even a cursory read revealed numerous problematic areas.
It seemed that the person who wrote it had no talent for screenwriting whatsoever, to the point where it was beyond help.
“Also, this is a fusion historical drama?”
“That’s right.”
“With monsters involved, it’ll definitely require heavy CG work. The production costs will be high.”
“Probably?”
“Do you think this will work, Senior?”
“To be honest, I’m skeptical.”
“And yet they want to shoot it?”
“You’d think so too, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah, extremely so.”
“Damn…”
It was clear even to Nam Hyun-ho, who had poor judgement in appraising works, that this wasn’t going to fly.
Really, it was obvious even without trying that this was a terrible project.
Yet they brought this to me…
“It seems persuasion didn’t work at your level, huh?”
“Actually, yes. The director’s incredibly stubborn. To begin with…”
“To begin with?”
“They’re using me just to shoot what they want.”
“So, you’re okay with failure?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Indeed, they truly were siblings.
To think they could care so little even about the prospect of failure.
I guess I’m similar in that regard, so it felt less like someone else’s problem to me.
If I were the writer and one of my relatives in the company was the actor, I probably wouldn’t care that much either.
Actually, if this matter hadn’t involved me personally, I would have probably turned a blind eye.
“This script makes it seem like it’ll be hard to secure investors…”
“That’s why they brought you in – to somehow secure funding.”
“What did the investors ever do to deserve this?”
“They must have confidence that they can create impressive visuals despite the poor script. If the acting is good and the visuals are great, it shouldn’t fail completely.”
“Their confidence is impressive.”
In any case, it seemed like all artists had some level of delinquency as a passive trait.
“What is it?”
“Oh, Director Yoo-a.”
“Ah, is this the new script for Si-woo’s project?”
“Director Su-yeon.”
While I was contemplating what to do, somehow both Heaven Yuah and Moon Suyeon appeared and surrounded me.
What was this setup?
Surrounded by Yuah on the left and Suyeon on the right, I had no choice but to surrender the script without any resistance.
While I didn’t exactly intend to hide it, I also didn’t expect for it to be forcibly taken like this.
Since I had intended to seek advice from Heaven Yuah, who had a better eye for scripts than me, I didn’t particularly try to stop them from taking it.
“Hmm… What is this?”
“Why?”
“I mean, how can this even be called a script…”
“Really, Director Yuah, it seems problematic to you too?”
“Isn’t it the same for everyone? Surely we’re not seriously considering being part of this project?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
“Whose work is this?”
“Director Nam Hyun-a.”
“Ah, the person who made ‘Brother’? Upon reflection, they’re siblings with Nam Hyun-ho, aren’t they?”
Both of them cast a cold glance at Nam Hyun-ho.
Even the shameless Nam Hyun-ho found it difficult to withstand their icy glares, briefly dropping his eyes.
To be able to defeat the stubborn Nam Hyun-ho in a single move was no small feat.
“What was the point of winning that bet?”
“It wasn’t for this. Things got complicated.”
“Doesn’t this take all the fun out of it? What do you think, Nam Hyun-ho?”
“It’s not confirmed yet. Please calm down.”
Watching Nam Hyun-ho try to explain the project I was supposed to star in was somewhat amusing, though I didn’t feel the need to intervene.
No, I probably shouldn’t interfere.
It would be embarrassing for me too to be given such a terrible project.
Still, I couldn’t just stay angry forever.
What mattered in the end was finding a solution.
Although Nam Hyun-ho said I could pass on the project, I didn’t want to just run away from it.
Wouldn’t it feel like losing twice if a huge betting ring involving all the company actors ended this way?
“The main problem is the script.”
“Our only option is to request revisions.”
“But isn’t that unlikely? It seems like the director is fairly rigid.”
“Hmm, that’s certainly true. Most film directors have strong personal visions.”
“Thinking about it here isn’t really meaningful. We should take action.”
“You’re right. Hyun-ho Senior, let’s meet with Director Nam first.”
“Oh, our eccentric director is going to do the persuasion?”
“You should be the one doing the persuasion. I’ll just assist.”
“There’s no way they’ll listen to what I say. Isn’t your household the same?”
“…That’s true.”
With that, it became clear.
Given the relationship between my stubborn relative and me, it was evident that Nam Hyun-ho’s persuasion was futile.
However, it seemed odd for me to intervene in someone else’s work.
While rejecting a role is the actor’s decision, I didn’t have enough credibility in my career to meddle in someone else’s project.
Besides, this being my first venture into film, it would be pretentious to act so arrogantly.
“I’ll go as well.”
“Director Yuah?”
“Yes, there are various things to discuss, so it would be better if I were present.”
Certainly, with someone like Heaven Yuah, the situation would definitely change.
As a veteran actress with ten years of experience and two box office hits under her belt, Heaven Yuah wouldn’t be intimidated even by directors.
There’s truly no one more dependable than Heaven Yuah in these situations.
“Hmph…”
“What’s with the sigh?”
“I mean, why are these two causing a ruckus about your project?”
“Hmm, well…”
Heaven Yuah disappeared along with Moon Suyeon.
They instructed me to notify them once the meeting was set.
Moon Suyeon, who had many external schedules, seemed quite regretful about not being able to spare much time.
If not for that, she probably would have joined as well.
Watching the two of them walk away, Nam Hyun-ho sighed and criticized me silently.
Even the obstinate Nam Hyun-ho found it difficult to withstand their pressure.
“Also, now that I think about it, something seems a little odd. That position earlier and the fact that this sofa is so wide, but there was no particular reason for her to sit so close to you…”
Realizing something, Nam Hyun-ho suddenly exclaimed, looking at me with a curious expression.
“Hey, are you maybe… dating? No no, that can’t be. If both of them approached you, it might be some casual flirting? Is that really true?”
Hmm, caught finally?
I couldn’t avoid Nam Hyun-ho’s gaze, who practically lived in the company.
While I’m careful outside the company, these two have no reservations within.
Moon Suyeon may be more mindful, but even Heaven Yuah shows little caution within the company.
While this indicates they have a firm grasp on the company’s internal dynamics, I’m worried about potential leaks.
If it were a genuine relationship, I wouldn’t mind, but if a scandal breaks out over this, it would be somewhat unfair.
Given the circumstances, it’s almost certain I’d be the one scrutinized the most.
“More or less. Still unclear, so please pretend not to know.”
“Wow, impressive. Having two such beauties on either side, what did you do in your past life?”
“…”
Exactly, somehow…
It wasn’t exactly from a past life, but something did happen.
Their attachment to me wasn’t solely due to recent events.
Without my memories of Martial Forest, they probably wouldn’t have approached me so actively.
Although, upon reflection, Moon Suyeon might have acted similarly even before her memory was awakened…
“Well, personal matters are handled as one pleases. It’s surprising to see two people known for their walls breaking down, but don’t push too hard. You know, timing is crucial in relationships. Missing the right moment can lead to awkwardness, so remember that.”
“…Understood.”
Timing. That’s certainly true.
Speaking of which, regarding myself, the Heavenly Demon, and Yeon-i…
“Oh, that was it.”
It was a bit strange.
Objectively, two remarkable individuals were eagerly coming toward me.
Yet, I couldn’t readily accept their feelings.
Although my conclusion was that it was difficult to choose between the two, there was also a certain hesitancy beyond that.
Our Heavenly Lady, whose life in Martial Forest was largely spent by my side, had created an ambiguous situation that troubled me.
Of course, partly due to the Heavenly Demon’s lofty position, but in the end, it was about not having made a firm decision personally.
Simply put, had I made a decision and pursued it, things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated.
And then Wolyeon, Moon Suyeon, the only one in Martial Forest who truly connected with me emotionally.
Even after confirming their mutual affection, she chose to end her own life out of a failure to trust me, due to her allegiance to the Hao Moon Clan and her belief that she couldn’t harm me.
Of course, I understood her feelings, but human emotions aren’t that simple.
Now that they’ve both reflected on past events and are determined to fully commit to me, yet, well…
Honestly, the timing is past due.
The fact that my heart isn’t responding freely also seems to stem from lingering wounds from earlier events.
Or bluntly put, since they so deeply troubled my soul, perhaps enduring a bit of hardship following a fan rule is a rightful repayment.
Not that I intend to exploit this to manipulate them, but if they’re to captivate my heart again, it will require tremendous effort.
“That’s why karmic retribution is difficult. Karma isn’t something that’s easily resolved.”
Indeed, since both approached me through Martial Forest connections, their karma was also their responsibility.
The choice can be reconsidered when my heart genuinely begins to move.
It feels as if I’ve finally realized the true issue, bringing clarity to my thoughts.
Of course, what results this current choice will lead to remains to be seen as we wait for my heart to move.
