CHAPTER 6
So what exactly is that supposed to mean!
“Don’t think of it as strange. In a world full of deception, both of us have survived quite well.”
Heejae let out a small scoff.
It was amusing to hear such words from someone who had lived like a princess thanks to being born with a silver-spoon father.
As he thought that, Heejae raised his eyebrow slightly.
Didn’t he also have someone like that?
Someone whose discovery would completely ruin him.
“That movie. Kang Taeyoon invested in it.”
“Kang Taeyoon?”
“You’re surprised, right?”
“I only heard it was ‘BIG T Investment.’”
“There were rumors that the real power of BIG T isn’t CEO Yoo Juntek, right? That Yoo Juntek is actually ‘Small T.’”
Since this was completely unexpected, Heejae failed to manage his expression.
Eventually, he stood up and began pacing restlessly before stopping in front of Yewon with one leg propped.
“Wow. I had no idea. So this is what Sol Studio was hiding. No wonder Director Moon is so arrogant despite being a rookie. He’s got backing.”
“It’s an incredible backing.”
“But how did you find out?”
“I guess it’s no longer top secret. If it reached my ears, it probably means that casting is having difficulties.”
“But still, whether Kang Taeyoon is involved or not, there’s no reason for So Yewon to go through me.”
“No. There’s a reason why I absolutely need you, CEO.”
“Didn’t you pick the wrong person? Looking to me for a role in ‘High Tension’ seems quite off the mark.”
“If CEO Kang Taeyoon chose it, this movie will succeed. You know Director Moon contacted me first, so if I say I’ll do it, I’ll definitely get cast.”
“……”
“Let’s make it a win-win. The condition isn’t difficult if you hear it.”
Heejae let out a sigh that lightly dispersed into the pale air.
People who proposed conditions rarely made normal offers, but Heejae was in no position to be cautious.
If he could avoid lava, he would have to sit even on a boiling furnace.
“Let’s hear it then. That condition.”
“There’s someone named Seo Jeongha in Director Moon’s film art team.”
Seo Jeongha?
The name sounded familiar, but Heejae couldn’t quite recall it.
“Seduce that woman.”
—
The blinds in the Production Team 1 meeting room were all raised.
Although it seemed like the meeting would end soon, unfortunately, there was no sign of it ending.
Inside the meeting room were only Kang Taeyoon, Director Moon, and the Production PD.
The ‘Go Jina’ incident had been dominating social headlines every day, and whether due to its negative image or the replacement factor, subsequent casting wasn’t going smoothly either.
“Among the actors we contacted, the top priority is So Yewon. The film she did previously was also a socially critical one.”
Director Moon explained while pointing to the top of the casting list.
“Didn’t she decline?”
“Yes. The excuse was her advertising schedule, but as you know, it’s because actress So Yewon doesn’t trust me……”
Since it was difficult to reach an agreement, Director Moon brought up something he had been holding back.
“If you would step forward publicly, CEO…… You’re not just the investor, but also the one who adapted the screenplay. With your influence, many would agree to join. So Yewon as well.”
Director Moon was neither a master, nor a star director, nor an up-and-coming prodigy.
He was a director personally scouted by Kang Taeyoon after he highly գնահատed his graduate film from the Korea National University of Arts.
Since this was his first commercial film, actors were not eager to take a risk with him.
That was why the first casting had also taken a long time.
Therefore, Kang Taeyoon’s name value was necessary.
His reputation of guaranteed box-office success.
“Was the script delivered?”
“It was, but the answer came in just one day. She even asked the production team who wrote the script, but as per your instructions, we didn’t tell her. That’s probably why she hesitated.”
“We don’t need an actor who declined for such a reason. It means she didn’t even properly read the script. Let’s look at someone else.”
Sigh. Director Moon let out a deep breath and marked an X over the name.
It hurt his pride as a director, but Kang Taeyoon was someone with immense influence, not only owning a distribution company but also connections extending to OTT platforms.
He was certain to give him wings, so he suppressed his youthful spirit.
Kang Taeyoon had declared that once filming began, he would not interfere in the director’s duties.
“Who’s next?”
“Second priority is Ha Jungyoon. She stands out in comedy, but she has unmatched acting skills among her peers. She recently switched from comedy to action and uses her body well. Her facial expressions are also diverse.”
“Ha Jungyoon.”
“She comes from a good family, so she’s not tempted by money, and her parents closely manage her, so her private life is clean. She also has a conservative personality. There’s no risk.”
As Kang Taeyoon slowly dragged out “Yoon” without saying much, Director Moon alternated his gaze between the list and Taeyoon.
Thinking he wasn’t pleased, he was about to cross it out when the Production PD muttered quietly, “Oh, that’s Seo Jeongha.”
Kang Taeyoon quietly lifted his gaze.
Within his narrowed eyes, a small woman beyond the glass wall came into view.
Her shoulders seemed barely two spans wide.
With weightless movements, she walked down the corridor as if her eyes were fixed on only one destination, not sparing a glance elsewhere.
It was a rather neat and simple walk.
Her hair, which had once been styled with a yellow butterfly, was now let down long, and she was pulling a suitcase with one hand.
When Seo Jeongha bumped into a production staff member in the middle of the hallway, she moved her lips saying something and smiled brightly.
She’s smiling again.
An unrefined emotion stirred his nerves and boiled up.
As he frowned irritably, Seo Jeongha turned her head.
Their eyes met.
The smile on her lips instantly faded.
Though clearly flustered, Seo Jeongha bent deeply at the waist and greeted him politely.
Kang Taeyoon turned his gaze away before she even straightened up.
“Looks like she came to get her belongings.”
“She’s a mother, right?”
Director Moon asked the PD as the atmosphere loosened slightly.
“I think I heard that.”
“How old is her child?”
“It’s not like I’m doing a background check, so I don’t know. Probably quite young. She’ll need a lot of money going forward.”
“Well, if she has a husband, she’ll manage.”
“That’s true, I guess. But I’m worried this incident might affect her career.”
Tap, tap. The sound of the pen tapping the list grew sharper.
“Should we cancel the film?”
“N-no, of course not. We have to work.”
The PD adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and began pulling out documents when Kang Taeyoon closed his fountain pen cap and stood up, pushing his chair back.
“Call in the production staff outside.”
—
The art team office was silent.
Seo Jeongha had come to pack her belongings while all the team members were out on external assignments.
Packing alone in an empty place made it feel like she was running away, but right now, she didn’t want to attract attention.
Questions like what her relationship with Kang Taeyoon was, whether she had run away after embezzling money, or whether she had left malicious comments on articles about him.
She couldn’t answer their curiosity, and even the comfort they might offer felt burdensome.
Because seeing her would only bring him unhappiness.
Because her father had killed his father.
Because she had caused his younger sister to collapse.
And because she had almost killed him as well.
She had thought that someday, if everything were exposed, she would calmly accept it, but it seemed that was just empty resolve.
It was she who had wanted him, yet he was the one who bore the misfortune.
“So now.”
“Sleep with me.”
“I saved someone drowning, and instead of gratitude, you’re asking for my body? Hey, Seo Jeongha. Won’t you regret this?”
Recalling a question she could never answer, Seo Jeongha covered her forehead with her palm.
“Jeongha!”
Just then, Gong Ji-seon, who had stopped by the office alone during an external assignment, called out to her.
Ji-seon set aside what she was doing, pulled out a chair, and sat beside Seo Jeongha.
Then, seeing the nearly emptied drawer, she let out a deep sigh.
It felt as if all the effort she had poured into her work had vanished.
“Are you really quitting like this? What about all your work?”
“I’m fine.”
“The director hasn’t given up on you yet. He hasn’t even hired a replacement. We went through so much together. How can he just let you go? Everyone gathered today, and the atmosphere was terrible. Right now, the director just needs a chance—”
“No.”
Seo Jeongha cut her off.
