Return of the Genius Photographer

Chapter 85



“PD Jung, you know you have to treat me right, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

Kim Jin-goo, who’d been deep in thought, spoke up.

“Oh, come on. Why are you acting clueless? I mean editing—editing. I’m taking on a bit of a risk to do what you’re asking, so shouldn’t there be something in it for me, too?”

Kim flashed a grin wide enough to show his gums.

“Of course. Don’t worry about the editing, Photographer Kim. I’ll make sure your image is spot-on.”

While answering Kim Jin-goo, PD Jung thought to himself, ‘What a sly old fox.’

Despite looking heavy and clumsy like a bullfrog, Kim Jin-goo was someone who always looked out for his own interests.

‘That’s probably why he’s still here, despite his bad reputation.’

In a way, it made sense. Kim Jin-goo was a photographer who worked closely with celebrities. Whether it was from experience or picking things up from the stars, he had a knack for understanding the media and how it worked. He knew the value of fame and how to exploit it, which made him untouchable—even with his unpleasant personality.

‘Definitely not someone who’ll let things slide easily.’

Carefully hiding his inner thoughts, PD Jung asked, “By the way, I heard Nam Woojin is a protégé of Jung Woong. Are you okay with that?”

“What? Jung Woong?”

PD Jung’s tone sounded cautious, as if he were testing the waters. Sure enough, Kim took the bait immediately.

“PD Jung, are you saying I’m somehow below Jung Woong?”

Kim bristled, his previously grinning face now turning red.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I just didn’t want to impose on you.”

Jung subtly stroked Kim’s pride while feigning concern.

“I just thought maybe if Jung Woong stepped in, the outcome could be…”

As if genuinely clueless, PD Jung trailed off, causing Kim to explode with indignation.

“Hey! PD Jung!”

“Oh, come on. Why are you getting so worked up? I’m just concerned for you, Photographer Kim.”

“How many years do you think I’ve been in this industry? Even with Jung Woong backing him, do you think I’d produce work worse than some kid who barely knows the smell of ink?”

Spitting with rage, Kim was restrained only by PD Jung’s intervention.

“You know I didn’t mean it that way, right?”

PD Jung’s reassurance finally calmed Kim down, though he was still seething.

“PD Jung, don’t bring up Jung Woong in front of me again, got it?”

With a fierce glare, Kim warned PD Jung, who nodded without further provoking him. Watching him, Kim Jin-goo mused to himself.

‘A protégé, huh? That could work.’

What if he subtly pretended to help Woojin but actually undermined him, framing it so Woojin came off as stubborn or reckless on camera?

‘That would be perfect.’

He could shape his own image and spark interest online, creating a noise marketing effect. And being seen as a “mentor” to Jung Woong’s protégé? Just the thought made him grin.

“Anyway, PD Jung, don’t forget what I said. Make sure you edit it right.”

“Haha, Photographer Kim, you don’t trust me? Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your image and airtime.”

Kim nodded, smiling at the PD’s seemingly genuine reply.

‘Trust a producer? Yeah, right. Most untrustworthy people on earth.’

Playing along with PD Jung’s fake smile, Kim abruptly asked, “By the way, how’s the vibe over at the flop house?”

Aimed squarely at Woojin’s team, the PD understood immediately.

“Like a funeral, probably…”

“The meeting isn’t over yet, right?”

PD Jung tilted his head, wondering why Kim asked.

Photographer Kim had finished his own meeting ages ago and was just passing time on the rooftop, but officially, the meeting time hadn’t ended.

“Huh? No… the other teams are probably still at it.”

“Hmm… is that so?”

Hearing PD Jung’s reply, Kim nodded to himself in thought, then tapped out his cigarette and spoke up.

“Guess I should head down now.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I need to pay a visit to my cocky junior.”

With that, Kim left without hesitation. PD Jung watched him go, then, once Kim was out of sight, spat on the ground, cursing under his breath.

“Ugh, that guy. Such a pain to deal with. Irritating enough that he followed me here to smoke.”

Still, Kim’s personality could guarantee plenty of high-tension moments.

PD Jung had high hopes for Photographer Kim. Dramatic scenes meant higher viewership. And in a survival show, nothing captured attention better than conflict. No matter how much the contestants or the guest panel ended up in hot water, it was all ultimately to PD Jung’s benefit.

‘And looks like that rumor about him and Jung Woong was true…’

Thinking back to their earlier conversation, PD Jung recalled Kim’s explosive reaction to Jung Woong’s name. He’d only hinted at it, but Kim had reacted so strongly it seemed the rumor was real. Word was that Kim Jin-goo and Jung Woong had a major fallout at some point…

‘He probably didn’t “argue” so much as get put in his place.’

While Kim was known to the public as a relatively famous photographer, in PD Jung’s opinion, Kim’s skill and character were nothing compared to Jung Woong’s.

‘Not that it matters to me.’

Regardless of his shortcomings, Kim was perfect for the survival show format, stirring up drama and injecting excitement. Audiences always craved the sensational, and as long as their appetites were satisfied—through noise marketing or otherwise—it would ultimately mean profit.

‘Maybe I should head down, too. I’m curious to see what Kim’s planning.’

After venting about Kim, PD Jung put out his cigarette and started down from the rooftop, intending to check in on the meeting room.

***

The meeting was in full swing.

Team Underdogs, who had been despondent and drained just moments ago, were now moving with new energy, seemingly fueled by Woojin’s words.

“We need to recreate a paparazzi shot of a famous fashionista. Who would be the best choice?”

“Who’s a big celebrity these days?”

“Wonder Girls? Jeon Do-yeon?”

“Would it be alright if we used idols?”

Team members tossed out ideas, fired up with a renewed determination to claim first place this time.

The atmosphere among them was the complete opposite of what PD Jung Yoon-cheol and photographer Kim Jin-goo had anticipated.

At the center of it all, Woojin quietly listened to their ideas.

‘First, they need to get comfortable with the theme.’

The mission required reinterpreting paparazzi photos of well-known celebrities. While I intended to lead the main aspects of the photoshoot, this was ultimately a shoot for the models. Not only did they need to engage with the process, but their skills had to be elevated as well.

So, I decided it was essential to create a supportive atmosphere where they felt free to share their ideas.

“Photographer, how about this idea?”

“Sounds good.”

“Can we shoot it in a style like Hollywood actors?”

“Of course, we can.”

I nodded in agreement with each of their ideas, easing the previously tense atmosphere that had filled the room.

‘Alright, the vibe is good.’

Considering that the most important part of a shoot was connecting with the models, this was a very positive sign. It felt as though the meeting was already halfway to completion.

“Shall we take a quick break?”

After exchanging ideas non-stop for a while, we decided to take a brief recess. Being in a cramped meeting room, talking continuously, was making things feel a bit stifling.

“I’ll go get some fresh air.”

“Sure, go ahead, photographer.”

After informing the now more cooperative team members, I stepped out of the meeting room. And just then—

“Oh! Junior! Looks like the meeting’s done?”

A voice called out from nowhere.

“Photographer Kim Jin-goo? What brings you here…?”

“Ah, well, as your senior, I came to check if you were managing alright.”

Senior?

Junior?

I felt taken aback by his choice of words. At that moment, I noticed him casting a sidelong glance at the cameras.

‘He’s no ordinary person either.’

Just as I was here to show my capabilities, he was also clearly here to achieve something for himself.

With a grin that didn’t suit him at all, Kim Jin-goo approached me.

“This must be your first time shooting with so many people. If there’s anything you find difficult, just let me know. I’ll help you out.”

I couldn’t think of anyone who looked less suited to a friendly smile.

I nodded politely in response to his forced, capitalistic smile.

“No, thank you. I appreciate the thought, though.”

There was no reason to play along with an act so transparent.

“Wow, as expected from my junior. You’re quite the impressive guy.”

He drew close and placed an arm around my shoulders, speaking in a voice only I could hear.

“Hey, you feel good playing leader among a bunch of amateurs who aren’t even real models? You’re going to end up dead last anyway, so why not cut out the pointless effort?”

A sudden provocation.

I knew he was up to something, yet a wave of anger surged through me. I hadn’t liked him from the start, and I’d held back enough, hadn’t I?

But before I could respond, Kim Jin-goo pulled away, smirking slyly as he spoke.

“As a junior, the polite thing to do would be to appreciate your senior’s offer of help, don’t you think? You think you can handle it all by yourself?”

He kept smirking, trying to get under my skin. For a brief moment, I was on the verge of yelling at his frog-like face, but I managed to hold back.

‘Calm down, just calm down.’

Whatever his goal was, it clearly involved goading me. I wasn’t about to let things go his way.

‘Kim Jin-goo, you’re going to regret this.’

If he wanted a clash, I would show him that I could give as good as I got. I took a breath, exhaled, and then turned to him with a relaxed smile.

“Thanks, but I think I’ve already received enough help. Your advice just now reassured me—I feel confident we’ll win. I appreciate it.”

To an outsider, it might have seemed like a simple expression of gratitude. But to Kim Jin-goo, who had just tried to provoke me, it was anything but.

His face turned frosty.

“Heh, alright then. Do your best.”

His face flushed slightly, hinting at the frustration bubbling beneath his forced smile.

He, too, was clearly mindful of the cameras.

Maintaining a grin that didn’t suit him, Kim Jin-goo finally turned away and headed back to his own meeting room. I watched him go for a moment before I re-entered the meeting room where my team was waiting.

***

After the short break, I promptly called the team back in to resume our meeting.

“I think it’d be good to find some famous paparazzi shots and shoot something similar.”

“Maybe we could do it at a quiet café somewhere?”

“That way, we could save on costs, and the pictures would still look good…”

The team members started brainstorming ideas again.

But unlike before, I felt differently as I listened to them.

‘That’s not enough.’

Though Bullfrog’s taunt failed, it gave me the motivation I needed.

Initially, I planned to respect the models’ ideas and proceed with a shoot around them, but…

‘This setup feels way too modest.’

I realized these suggestions wouldn’t be impactful enough to knock him down a peg.

We needed more. A shot powerful enough to leave a lasting impression…

Something that would immediately reveal the level of professionalism we were aiming for.

“This approach won’t work.”

As I spoke up, the team members who had been enthusiastically discussing their ideas all turned their attention toward me.

“We’ll need a set.”

“A… set?”

“If we want to incorporate all of your ideas, a simple café or street location won’t suffice.”

“So, then…?”

“Let’s just build a new set.”

Their eyes widened, surprised by my suggestion.

“I’ll choose the concept for the group shot, but we’ll use your individual ideas for each model’s solo photos.”

Just like when I first convinced them, I looked each team member in the eye as I spoke.

“But if we keep changing locations each time, it will waste time, increase fatigue, and could ruin the shoot.”

“But… where would we set up a studio?”

“We could rent an empty space in the Paju industrial complex. There would be enough room there to gather the props and build a set as needed.”

“Wow…”

The participants expressed their admiration.

It was certainly an unexpected suggestion for them.

And understandably so…

“Photographer Nam Woojin… I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s feasible.”

At that moment, PD Jung Yoon-cheol, who had quietly slipped into the meeting room at some point, interrupted.

“Ah… sorry for cutting in. But this idea is just not realistic…”

Listening to Woojin, Yoon-cheol was stunned.

‘Does he think money grows on trees?’

Renting a set at the Paju industrial complex for the shoot?

Separating individual and group photos on top of that?

‘Does he even know how much it costs to rent and decorate a studio?’

It was an ambitious, unrealistic idea.

The reason was simple—purely a matter of budget.

“Photographer Nam Woojin, I understand you want to make this shoot great, but we’re short on budget…”

Though he spoke politely, he was internally dismissive of Woojin. In his eyes, Woojin looked like an inexperienced kid who didn’t know the first thing about the world.

“I see. Then I’ll cover the shortfall myself.”

“Pardon?”

Woojin offered to cover the extra cost out of his own pocket.

To some, this might have sounded admirable, but to PD Jung, it was laughable.

‘This kid has no sense of reality, does he?’

He had to be totally detached from reality. Setting up a studio like the one Woojin suggested would cost several millions at the very least, yet Woojin’s fee for participating couldn’t be more than a few hundred thousands. That wouldn’t be enough to even rent an empty warehouse, let alone set it up.

‘Is he just being defiant, or is this all bravado?’

Suppressing the urge to laugh, PD Jung asked.

“Just out of curiosity… do you have a number in mind?”

The question was a test.

In truth, he fully expected Woojin would have no clue. He thought that if he casually threw out an estimate, Woojin would be so embarrassed he wouldn’t even lift his head.

But then…

“If we can find an empty set in Paju, we could cut some costs, and since the shoot won’t be long, with the rental fee and prop costs…”

“Excuse me?”

“Around fifty million should cover it.”

PD Jung looked at Woojin with a startled expression.

He was shocked not only by Woojin’s accurate estimate but also by the fact that Woojin was willing to cover such an amount.

“Are… are you really saying you’ll pay the entire fifty million won yourself?”

Stammering slightly, he asked Woojin again. He couldn’t believe a high school junior had that kind of money. And even if he did, the idea of readily offering to fund the shoot was baffling.

‘Is he some hidden heir from a chaebol family or something?’

PD Jung had already checked into Woojin’s background and knew that his family was ordinary, if not on the poorer side.

But…

Whether he understood PD Jung’s confusion or not, Woojin replied calmly with a smile.

“I saved up for this exact kind of opportunity.”

As silence filled the room at this outlandish statement, Woojin casually added,

“I want to take photos without any restrictions due to budget.”


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