NOVEL NEXT Episode 16
Ji-won asked in shock, “What if Choi Jin-hyun decides to appear, but Han Se-gyu doesn’t? How do you plan to handle that?”
PD Kim Jong-su suddenly lowered his voice and asked, “Do you only live for tomorrow?”
“Huh? What do you mean all of a sudden…?” Ji-won replied, confused.
“I live only for today.”
“Don’t tell me it’s Won Bin(1)?”
PD Kim Jong-su nodded. “Yeah, you saw the old man, right?”
“Yes, you’re the senior old man, right?” Ji-won quipped.
“No, I’m asking if you saw the old man.”
“I did, but what are you getting at?”
“Actually, I have a brilliant plan.”
“What’s this brilliant plan of yours?”
PD Kim Jong-su clasped his hands together dramatically. “From today, we’re going meta with prayer.(2)”
“That’s really a brilliant plan!” Ji-won exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
“If it goes wrong, I’ll just leave this world without regrets using a sharp object.”
PD Kim Jong-su narrowed his eyes. “Sometimes, a sharp object can be a brilliant plan.”
“No way! Then I’d have to clean up all the mess!” Ji-won protested.
“So why don’t you try nudging Han Se-gyu via text?”
“Senior, thank you for everything so far. Rest in peace over there,” Ji-won said, mimicking a funeral tone.
“You’re sending off your most respected senior so easily? Just like that?” PD Kim Jong-su chuckled.
“It’s more comforting than you pressuring Han Se-gyu,” Ji-won replied, stifling laughter.
The two giggled like fools for a moment before Ji-won got serious again. “Anyway, once we secure those two, we can proceed with open auditions for the rest…”
PD Kim Jong-su pulled out a few more profiles. “Next is the production team, but what would you know! I’ve already shortlisted everything.”
He flung the papers one by one toward Ji-won, as if tossing a clipboard. “Kim Jung-yoon for cinematography, Kang Tae-yeop for lighting, Lee Ho-jin for art direction. With this troika(3) assembled, this project can’t possibly fail.”
Ji-won caught the fluttering papers like a goalkeeper. “Isn’t it that hard to recruit them?”
“What did I say earlier?” PD Kim Jong-su said, pointing to himself with a grin.
“I’m Kim Jong-su, the well-connected man in this industry.”
His eyes blazed with enthusiasm. “I’ll take responsibility and bring them all in.”
* * *
“Sorry, PD Jong-su. My appendix burst.”
“What are you talking about? You had your appendix removed five years ago.”
.
.
.
“Jong-su, my schedule is already full this year. Sorry.”
“What’s wrong with you? I called after confirming you only had one movie pushed back.”
.
.
.
“Ah… This year is my sabbatical…”
“Freelancers have sabbaticals too?”
“I’m trying to take one starting this year—my first in the industry.”
“But didn’t you film a drama earlier this year?”
-Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep…
PD Kim Jong-su tilted his head, then searched for contacts again to make another call.
I should at least check the intentions of the second-choice directors…
“What should I do? I’m planning to be seriously ill around that time.”
The number you have dialed is not in service…
“I’m really sorry! My father’s first birthday party is coming up!”
PD Kim Jong-su stared at his phone intently for a moment, then his large body began to tremble.
* * *
A strange tension filled the air inside a nearby franchise café.
Kim Jong-su sat at the head of the group table…
On both sides sat the directors he had gathered.
-Bang-!
PD Kim Jong-su slammed the table, looked around at the gathered directors one by one, and asked,
“Brothers, why are you all doing this?”
His growling face looked like he might bite at any moment.
“You need to tell me the real reason!”
As everyone frantically avoided PD Kim Jong-su’s gaze, the eldest among them, Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon, turned to the side irritably.
“What is it? Why are you poking my side?”
Lighting Director Kang Tae-yeop spoke up.
“You’re the eldest here, hyung. Hurry up and take the lead.”
At those words, everyone present turned to look at Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon. Feeling the desperate gazes of everyone, he finally sighed and spoke with difficulty.
“How should I put this…”
“Yes, hyung. Please speak.”
After hesitating for a moment, Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon took out his smartphone and began to look up PD Kim Jong-su’s filmography on a portal site.
“Our Jong-su’s first drama was really amazing. Who would have known he’d hit it big right from his debut?”
The lighting director and art director chimed in.
“Right, it was amazing!”
“It was incredible.”
Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon continued,
“And then the second drama…”
The ratings for the second drama were dismal.
“Let’s just skip that one…”
As Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon spoke, the other directors added their comments.
“Ahem, yes, let’s skip it. Skip it.”
“How can there only be uphill?”
“Right, there should be downhill too.”
Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon continued,
“The third drama was hot too. Didn’t Jong-su practically carry the network’s ratings that year?”
The other directors agreed like baby birds.
“Yeah, we really saw a drama of reversal then.”
“Script by Kim Jong-su! Directed by Kim Jong-su! Starring Kim Jong-su!”
After checking the ratings for the next drama, Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon pulled his beanie down to cover one eye.
“Um, let’s skip the fourth work too.”
Once again, the other directors added their comments.
“I thought we’d never see Jong-su in this industry again back then.”
Surprised by those words, the art director responded,
“Oh my, what joy would there be in life if we couldn’t see our Jong-su?”
“Right, we might live without kimchi, but not without Jong-su.”
“One! Two! Three! What if Jong-su wasn’t there—♬”
Then the cinematographer continued,
“And then he made a comeback with his fifth work and won the grand prize at the end of the year, right?”
At those words, the other directors clapped as if on cue.
“Wow, Jong-su’s acceptance speech was a pot of emotion.”
“It was like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes.”
“Kim Jong-su! The man who knows how to make a hit! The man with a hidden ace up his sleeve!”
Then Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon spoke again,
“The sixth one after that…”
“……”
“Let’s just skip that one again.”
.
.
.
And so, those gathered finished reviewing Kim Jong-su’s filmography from the past 14 years.
“PD Jong-su, this is your tenth work, right?”
“……”
“It’s an even-numbered work?”
“……”
“We all know PD Jong-su’s skills well. We know, but…”
“……”
“As you know, this industry is sensitive to superstitions…”
PD Kim Jong-su was left speechless by the directors’ long-winded skit.
Jong-su roughly knew how they referred to him behind his back, knowingly or unknowingly.
—The ping-pong man of the drama world.
The saying goes that if you mess up one, the next work will definitely be a hit.
Conversely, if the previous work did well, you should definitely avoid the next one.
Strangely enough, Kim Jong-su had been consistently repeating this pattern for 14 years since his debut.
And now this script, which came like fate.
But of all times, it’s the tenth work.
“So, brothers, are you saying you can’t work with me because of that nonsensical jinx?”
Filled with disappointment, Kim Jong-su finally raised his voice.
“Are you joking with me right now? I’m Kim Jong-su! Don’t you know I’m a man who does what I say I’ll do? When have I ever let you down, even when a project failed?”
Kim Jong-su looked around at everyone.
“When the production budget was cut, I took it out of my own salary to take care of you all—even your families! Have you forgotten? Let’s be honest: when projects did well, you all benefited from me! Is there anyone here who hasn’t benefited from me?”
He then pounded his chest.
“Wow, Kim Jong-su the human! I’ve lived in vain! In vain!”
He looked around at everyone again and asked,
“Is Ham In-ju’s script that bad?”
“We haven’t seen a script this good in a long time.”
“Oh, come on! We all know Jong-su’s abilities!”
“Then, are your abilities not up to par, brothers?”
“Hey, don’t cross the line.”
“Then, what exactly is the problem?”
PD Kim Jong-su exclaimed, as if putting a period at the end of a sentence.
“That damn jinx. I’ve benefited from you all too, so let’s try to break it. It’s also the first time we’ve all gathered like this. Aren’t you excited?”
He slammed the table with his hand.
“My heart raced when I thought of you all. I’ve secured a big budget. I’ll make sure your pay is more than satisfactory, okay?”
Silence enveloped the study room after those final words.
The first to break the silence was Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon.
“Oh, whatever. Okay, let’s do it.”
It was because the years they had spent together suddenly flashed before his eyes at Kim Jong-su’s impassioned speech.
-”Don’t worry, hyung. I’ll take responsibility for your and your family’s wages, even if I have to take out a loan.”
-”Me? I’ll manage somehow. I’m a full-time employee after all; they can’t fire me just because a project failed, right?”
It was exactly as PD Kim Jong-su had said earlier.
There are many skilled people in this industry, but those who combine skill with loyalty are rare.
Most would make excuses about the company and abandon external directors like him when things got tough. Cinematographer Kim Jung-yoon closed his eyes tightly.
“I’ll trust you one last time, even if I’m being fooled.”
After finishing his words, the cinematographer looked at the art director and the lighting director.
“We all owe Jong-su, don’t we?”
“……”
“If Jong-su fails again because we didn’t help him…”
PD Kim Jong-su flinched.
“Will your hearts be at ease? Won’t you feel uneasy?”
The art director, who had been wearing a bitter expression, opened his mouth.
“The drama world is boring without Jong-su.”
“Yeah, let’s do it! Superstition—who cares…”
At those words, PD Kim Jong-su stood up with a broad smile.
“Really? You can’t go back on your word later!”
He then raised his two clenched fists.
“You really won’t regret it! Brothers, I stake the rise and fall of all my remaining works on this promise!”
“Hey, why are you staking something so precious! I’m already regretting it! So don’t stake it! Quick, take it back!”
Kim Jong-su spoke again.
“…Then I’ll promise you on my name.”
“Nice to meet you, Director Kim Soo-jong.”
“…If you regret it? I’ll retire!”
“We have to help with our Jong-su’s final work.”
“Come on, are you all going to keep this up?”
Then the trio of directors burst into laughter. Kim Jong-su did the same. In the end, he laughed heartily along with them.
They’re all specialists in this industry.
It felt reassuring, as if he had gained a thousand-strong army.
* * *
Before they knew it, time had passed, and the day of the open auditions for Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju had dawned.
“Please wait here. When your name is called, you can enter.”
Ji-won looked around as he guided the audition applicants. Whether the news about the good script had already spread or not, he could spot quite a few well-known actors among those waiting.
Soon, the intercom in his ear rang, and a participant’s name was called.
“Kim Jae-ung, Kim Sang-jae, Lee Ho-seok, you may enter now.”
As the called actors were entering and the door was about to close, suddenly—
Whoosh-!
The door opened again, and PD Kim Jong-su poked his head out.
“Hey, what are you doing standing there?”
“I’m managing the audition participants’ progress…”
“Am I making this drama alone?”
A moment of silence passed.
“I’m asking nicely. Come in. Are you trying to take advantage of your senior?”
With those words, his face disappeared back inside.
“……”
Originally, as an assistant director, he didn’t have the rank to participate in the audition judging. Therefore, although he had secretly wanted to participate, he had consoled himself that this wouldn’t be his only chance.
Senior…
Kim Jong-su must have directly proposed to Director Go that he should participate in the open auditions.
“Yes, sir!”
Ji-won grabbed the closed door handle firmly and entered the audition room.
(1) Won Bin:
Won Bin is a famous South Korean actor. He’s known for his good looks and acting skills, and has starred in several popular Korean films and TV series. Some of his most notable works include the movies “The Man from Nowhere” and “Mother”, and the TV drama “Autumn in My Heart”.
In the context of this story, when the character asks “Don’t tell me it’s Won Bin?”, they’re likely referencing Won Bin’s reputation for being very selective about his roles and rarely appearing in new projects. Won Bin is known for taking long breaks between acting jobs, sometimes years at a time. So, the character is jokingly suggesting that the elusive actor Won Bin might be the one they’re trying to cast, which would explain why it’s so difficult.
(2) meta with prayer:
So, in essence, PD Kim Jong-su is jokingly suggesting that instead of following conventional methods to secure their cast, they’re going for a more spiritual or reflective approach; essentially hoping for the best outcomes through “prayer.”
(3) troika:
is a term that originates from Russian, meaning “a group of three.”