Chapter 74…
Gamdong’s Worries
Director Gu Bong-han spoke to CEO Jang Sang-su with a cautious expression.
“It’s a ‘something.’”
“‘Something’? Are you sure?”
“He’s making a move. Today, too, he called Si-yeon separately and made sure they were alone under the pretense of practice.”
“Are you certain?”
At CEO Jang’s question, Director Gu smirked slightly.
“You know my eye for these things.”
“Really?”
“He acted as if they were just practicing the script, but I’m not someone who’d fall for that.”
“Ha ha ha!”
CEO Jang burst into laughter.
“Well, well, we didn’t even need to push him along, did we?”
“No. It was still well-handled. A ‘something’ can break if the other side rejects it. Since we’ve set things up properly, it should go smoothly.”
“True. These days, youngsters mess around with ‘somethings’ and get hurt. Better to handle it carefully. Keep an eye on them until we tie them properly.”
“Yes.”
Director Gu bowed and stepped back.
“Tch. All this fuss for nothing. Well, once they get closer, we’ll have them clear up any misunderstandings. If we make Hyun-soo apologize too, that’s a bonus.”
With a satisfied expression, CEO Jang turned the monitor to play Su-han’s acting scene.
“Damn. And I only realized this now.”
One of the reasons CEO Jang succeeded in this field was his eye for raw talent.
Of course, like other CEOs from organizations active at the same time, he didn’t shy away from any methods.
But what ultimately grew Pure Entertainment into a mid-sized company was his ability to spot potential stars.
To his eyes, Su-han was clearly promising. He only regretted not noticing earlier.
“No, it’s fine. The contract is for three years anyway…”
Three years in this business is short.
Besides, GB Entertainment is one of the Big Five in the industry.
The comprehensive entertainment company he dreamed of was GB Entertainment.
With GB Entertainment, this level of actor could be elevated even higher.
“Then we’ll bring him in later.”
He preferred bringing in a fully grown actor. At that point, marketing is easier. They can choose from roles that come automatically.
“This isn’t a one-day business. Think long-term. Hmm, now that I think about it, maybe we should handle Si-yeon properly too…”
Recalling Ye Si-yeon, CEO Jang smirked and shook his head.
“No, it’s better to tie her up appropriately and then pull apart at the right time. That’s when weaknesses appear.”
He even planned the timing to pull things apart. After that, once Su-han becomes aware of love, they could pair him with another woman.
Better than just simple romance, it’s more effective. Designed manipulation works best that way. CEO Jang felt pleased just imagining it.
“Do you know this?”
Gam-dong’s eyes looked suspicious. He had a gaze that seemed familiar from somewhere.
“What do you know?”
“What you’re doing now is stalking.”
“…What?”
“What? Stalk-ing? Stalk-ing?”
“Yes. Just because you got the lead role, you keep clinging to the actress. That’s stalking.”
“Hey! No! That’s not stalking! It’s a ‘something’!”
“Nonsense. If that’s a ‘something,’ then all the stalkers dragged to the police station should be released.”
Damn… this is shocking.
Seeing Gam-dong’s reaction, I wondered if I was the only one thinking it was a ‘something.’
Thinking back, maybe the actress found it annoying.
As I grew serious, Gam-dong looked at me as if I were garbage and continued.
“Excuses aside, it’s full of personal interest. No conscience, none at all.”
“Whew, Gam-dong, actually, this is…”
I tried to explain. From Pure Entertainment’s schemes to ghostly tales.
Listening, Gam-dong’s skeptical expression shifted closer to shock.
“Amazing, right? Such an incredible thing… Kehehek!”
“Hey, you damn human! We’re shooting a film right now, and if you want to jump off the knife, do it alone, what are you doing!”
Damn… he slipped into casual speech. I got angry.
Thinking about it, this movie was his lifelong dream.
If even a minor disruption occurred, the film could be affected.
I couldn’t even relax, and my head was figuratively patching itself in real-time.
“Talk about this later! Later! I’m gonna die!”
“Shut up! I won’t kill you! Even if I did, I’d finish the movie first!”
Ah, this ruthless guy. Even now, he would film the movie and then kill.
Right, finishing the film and then the director strangles the lead—viral marketing, in a way.
“Your eyes are spinning!”
“If Chairman Yang finds out, about production investment and all…”
“He already knows.”
Click.
Gam-dong’s grip on my collar loosened as his hand weakened.
He hesitated, stepped back, and with a trembling voice asked for confirmation.
“What, what did you say?”
“He knows.”
…Gam-dong, focus. Don’t lose your mind.
“Ah, are we doomed?”
“What do you mean doomed?”
“The investment… my movie… No. We can’t stop here. How much are kidneys these days?”
Watching Gam-dong slowly lose his mind in real-time was a new experience, but I helped him regain focus due to his grandmother’s last will.
“All that info was checked by the old man. He even cut out all Pure Entertainment ads, you know?”
“Gah! He cut the production investment! This insane person manipulates people…”
Ah, what a crazy guy. No wonder people find me weird.
I pulled his ear and clearly spoke, focusing on diction.
“Not the production investment! He cut the Pure Entertainment ads!”
“Really?”
“Yes. The old man is actively helping too.”
“Then the movie?”
“Filming continues, without problems.”
“Ah… hahaha! Hahaha!”
Even scarier. He laughs while tears stream down.
“The old man told me to properly manage it. He’ll help if needed. I! Ate with him too! The old man!”
“Enough. But reconsider a bit.”
Gam-dong, now slightly calmer, spoke seriously.
“Why? You said it’s about Yeon-ju, so check carefully.”
“That was to handle her well. It’s also good for the child.”
Slightly calm, but now getting worked up again.
Face red, he fired words like a rapper spitting rhymes.
“But what about seduction, and such a dangerous place? What if something goes wrong? Do you know how easy it is to ruin a movie?”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Of course! Your body is precious now! Take care of it! Live like a human, dream a little! You never worried about your own life, right? But why does the you I see care only about others?”
Some gratitude came through. He wasn’t just worried about the movie, he also cared about me.
“Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. But Yeon-ju… heart attack, yes. Malnutrition caused organ bleeding, leading to shock and heart attack.”
“What?”
“You may not have seen, but she was cheerful. Well, sometimes we talked when she ate something delicious.”
“….”
“She had no wrinkles, right?”
Gam-dong was shocked and couldn’t respond.
“But she died like that. Neck damaged, not taken to hospital, blamed for not trying, starved, locked up.”
“Haa…”
“She could be beaten if she failed. She was eighteen.”
Honestly, I didn’t want to tell this.
Why spread someone’s pain?
Gam-dong only knew of her existence, not in detail.
I didn’t want to distract him from filming. But I couldn’t avoid telling.
Gam-dong sat quietly for a long time, then slowly stood, dusted off, scratched his head, and looked into the distance.
“Sorry.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t know.”
“Yes. I didn’t tell you. You’d worry otherwise.”
“…Damn.”
He hung his head and sighed, cursing quietly.
“I wanted to make a short… maybe a micro-budget indie film, but now a low-budget commercial one, I see nothing. Just do what you want.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t give up running guarantee.”
“What are you saying?”
Gam-dong glanced at me and snickered.
Yes, he’s always like this. Tsundere-like.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come this far with me, even following the director or fulfilling his grandmother’s last wish.
He’s just kind.
“Gam-dong, you’re good, right?”
I hugged him warmly. This is how we argue and reconcile.
[Honey, their picture is nice.]
[Yes, like ours.]
[Then should we kiss?]
[Heh.]
“….”
While hugging Gam-dong, I looked at the two male ghost couples sitting aside and hesitated.
I’m not against homosexuality, but now I was annoyed. Should I release them immediately?
“Wow! Delicious!”
“Eat a lot.”
“Today’s special day?”
Jo Gam-dong, disguised as Su-han, flinched at Jo Yeon-ju’s question.
“Huh? Why?”
“Just… you said eat a lot.”
“Hmm, was that it?”
“Hehe!”
“…Ugh.”
Gam-dong couldn’t adapt.
Su-han’s face, shoulders shrugged, trying to look cute.
He soon regained focus.
“Actors must control themselves forever. If you get used to delicious food, later diet becomes a torment. Not now, but…”
“Yes. I don’t like sweet potato, eggs, cherry tomatoes.”
“But you eat chicken well? Chicken breast often too, right? As a trainee?”
“No. Only healthy stuff. Hehe!”
“Fat is the enemy. During filming, let Yeon-ju feed you at home. Even if taste changes, stomach fills.”
Yeon-ju, quiet, carefully spoke.
“You know… Oppa wanted me to tell you something.”
“Hmm, what?”
“Do I really have to say it?”
Like a conversation with multiple personalities.
“…Just say it.”
“Someday, a ghost will inhabit your body too… he said.”
Gam-dong, next to chicken bones, wondered if it was Yeon-ju or Su-han.
