Chapter 55….
When You Want to Make a Movie:
Seeing Gam-dong’s head slowly turn gave me the sudden feeling that the genre had switched to horror.
Careful. Just act natural.
“Mm. Unlike the shitty reality, in here you’re the best! And then, when the main character refuses, the incubus suggests making a deal—says he’ll grant him power!”
“……”
Like a statue.
Gam-dong’s face was stiffening more and more. My mouth was stiffening too.
“So, instead of agonizing, the main character just goes, ‘Sure! Let’s do it!’ Because he thinks it’s a dream. But then…”
“You read it?”
This bastard.
Those eyes looked like an axe.
So this is what people mean when they say “axe-eyes.”
The murderous intent was dripping.
Best to play dumb…
“Huh? Read what?”
“My script.”
“Huh? You were writing a script?”
[That acting is soooo bad.]
Yeon-ju, shut up for once.
Gam-dong, still stiff-faced, kept pressing me.
“Then… you didn’t look at my reference files?”
“What, are you interrogating me? Of course I didn’t look at those…”
[If you say it like that, you’re admitting you read the script!]
…Am I an idiot?
Gam-dong sighed at my awkward eye-rolling and asked again.
“The password?”
A chill ran down my back.
“Yeon-ju…”
[Aagh! We agreed not to tell him that!]
Sorry. But survival first, right?
Beep-beep beep.
“Who are you calling—”
“Man-soo hyung. Gonna ask him to exorcise one wandering spirit here.”
[Aaaaagh! He’s gonna exorcise me! What do I doooo?!]
Damn it.
Because of Momo’s shrieking my eardrums almost burst.
I reflexively dashed over and snatched the phone away.
Beep—
“Huh? Exorcise? What’s Gam-dong on about all of a sudden?”
Park Man-soo, surprised by the cut-off call, redialed.
“Customer, I think you were talking about work just no—”
Don’t take this call, you idiot!
Beep—
“……”
Man-soo stared at the disconnected phone and muttered.
“Damn beggar bastard. What the hell did he do this time?”
His mouth felt bitter after being cursed out for no reason.
To be honest, Jo Gam-dong was pissed.
Woo Su-han noticed his mood and carefully opened his mouth.
“Ahem. Calm down first.”
He tucked the stolen phone under his butt while glancing nervously.
Gam-dong glared in silence.
Then Su-han scratched his head and asked:
“Can I not?”
“What?”
“Your movie.”
Gam-dong blinked.
“I… want to do it.”
“…Do what?”
“Your movie. Remember last time? I asked you to let me act in it.”
“…What?”
“Not possible?”
Gam-dong froze.
He had been watching Su-han for a while now.
Honestly, if he hadn’t been the one who scouted him off the street, he never would’ve guessed Su-han was a beggar.
Even if he had known, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Su-han’s acting was rough, but it had pull.
Sure, he lacked versatility—his life experience was skewed one way.
But that was the only thing lacking.
As an actor… his potential had no visible end.
And such an actor wanted to be in his film?
“Sorry. Overstepped. I thought I was starting to get acting, but I guess not.”
“No.”
“Well, I’m not saying I’ll just do it randomly. It looks fun. If I just wanted to mess around, why would I sneak Yeon-ju in to steal a peek?”
Gam-dong stared, stunned.
“Fun… really?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it worth imagining? Dreaming of a change from this beggarly reality. I even dreamed something like it before.”
“……”
Now Gam-dong could tell he was sincere.
Sure, he was still pissed about the script stealing…
“I’ll apologize for peeking.”
“Yeah.”
He hadn’t expected Su-han to apologize that earnestly.
Then Su-han went on:
“It’s partly because it’s yours, but also because the script is good. And when else will I ever get to play a lead role? Realistically, it makes sense.”
“…Wow.”
He looked so childishly flighty most of the time, but here he was, speaking calmly.
It was hard to stay angry.
Especially when he said it was fun, and when he reasoned it was a realistic step.
“So… not possible?”
“Well, first…”
“Yeah?”
“We’d need to send the script to your agency. It’s not just up to the two of us.”
Su-han’s face lit up like a wish had come true.
Honestly, Gam-dong felt grateful too.
Catching Su-han while he was this hot would guarantee attention for his film.
And recently he’d heard that horror directors were eyeing Su-han to cut CG costs—since he could handle eerie roles so well.
Not exactly the same, but Gam-dong did need one actor to play dual roles.
And he’d seen how Su-han could entertain himself like multiple people.
The offer was more blessing than nuisance.
“Yessss! Yeon-ju, I’ll take you for a drive in the parking lot! Let’s go!”
“Just the parking lot! Don’t end up on the highway again!”
“Okay!”
As the man and ghost dashed off excitedly, Gam-dong chuckled.
But then he erased the smile.
“Phew.”
It wasn’t about favors or fate anymore.
Even if Su-han wanted it, the agency’s approval was key.
He had to clear that hurdle.
Eyes gleaming, Gam-dong opened his laptop.
He had to polish the script.
First the synopsis.
He opened his file explorer.
White Flesh Director Nakamura
Director’s Secret Folder (Uncut)
The Cuckoo Cried with Byeon Kang-se (Uncut)
“…You son of a—!”
His recent playlist showed these titles.
Must’ve been while he was asleep.
“Woo Su-haaan!”
Rage boiled over.
“Hmm.”
At GB Entertainment, CEO Lee Ji-yong closed the script slowly, nodding.
“This is good. But it’s indie? Shame about the scale.”
“Well, yes, but the script’s tight.”
“True. Sometimes indie films blow up too. And Su-han wants in?”
Manager Park Yu-cheon nodded.
“Yes. Honestly, he read it first.”
“This one? Did you recommend it?”
“No. The writer is… PD Jo Gam-dong.”
“Huh? This is his?”
Lee was surprised, flipping back through.
“Really? Didn’t know he could write like this.”
“Neither did I.”
“A bit of a waste. Is he directing too?”
“Seems he wrote it for that.”
“Mm.”
Lee mulled it over.
Then looked up.
“He didn’t tell us it was his script—wanted us to judge it on its own. And you think it’s solid?”
“Yes. Honestly, very.”
Lee nodded.
“And as a director?”
“He’s well-regarded. Even Director Kim Hyun-chul wanted to collaborate, but he declined politely to pursue his own project.”
“I see…”
Park continued,
“He’s not fully proven yet, but he has potential. And if Su-han headlines—even in an indie—it’ll help his career.”
“Lead role, huh…”
Su-han was rising, but still mostly a supporting actor.
Variety shows kept him popular, but nothing lasts forever in this business.
“There’s a time for indie, too.”
“Exactly.”
Some agencies even funded indie films just to give their rookies lead roles.
Web dramas, even short-form dramas now.
Indie still had its charm.
“And if he nails it, it’s a golden chance for Su-han.”
“True.”
Finally, Lee nodded decisively.
“All right. Let’s circulate this for internal review. If no objections, set up a meeting.”
“Understood.”
Park left the office smiling.
He immediately called Su-han.
“They’re positive about it.”
“Yesss!”
Hearing Su-han’s cheer, Park chuckled.
“There’ll be more review, but at this point it looks good. Don’t worry too much.”
“Got it!”
“Oh, but don’t tell Gam-dong yet. Better to wait until it’s 100% confirmed.”
“You’re on speaker.”
“Huh?”
“Gam-dong’s crying tears of joy right now! Woohoo!”
“Wait, what?”
“If it falls through, it’s your fault, hyung!”
“What—?”
Beep.
Call ended.
“‘Random Trip’? What kind of name is that?”
“You’re going overseas with a web novelist called Do-in81.”
Gam-dong’s indie script had passed with praise.
I wanted to start filming immediately.
But reality said otherwise.
Even though the script was done, they insisted on more revisions. Apparently that was “normal.”
At least they said it’d be tailored to me.
Meanwhile, Manager Park nudged me toward another variety show.
I worried it’d overuse my image, but his answer was basically, “Pfft, you? Nah.”
Besides, since the indie film needed prep time, I could do this show in between.
And since it was pre-produced, it would air close to the indie’s release—perfect promo.
“Heh. Overseas, huh? Where? I’ve already mastered Bali. Hawaii? Or… Tsushima Island?”
“Those are the only foreign places you know?”
“Argh!”
It’s not like I’ve traveled much. Trying to name places gave me a headache.
“India.”
“Huh? Like… sidewalks?”
“No, like Mahatma Gandhi’s India.”
“But that’s not a resort?”
“Pfft. Spoiled, are you? Fine, then how about some backwater survival show in the middle of nowhere? Actually, that sounds good too.”
Why’s he writing notes? Creepy.
“Let’s do it! I’m in!”
“It’s a sudden opening. Another idol was supposed to go, but got injured.”
“Oooh!”
“And I think you’ll get along with this Do-in81 writer. You two are alike in some ways.”
“Ah… that’s… awkward.”
Park tilted his head at my face turning pale.
“Why?”
“Just the thought of dealing with someone like me… makes me dizzy.”
“…Do you even know yourself?”
“What about me? It’s just a bit of self-hate, that’s all.”
“Anyway, you’re doing it?”
“Yes… I’ll do it.”
Something felt off.
But it was a rare chance.
So I’d take it.
First step—research.
