Chapter 9: Casting and Calculations

The private room of the omakase specialty restaurant Gourmet Sushi located in Nonhyeon-dong.

Hong Joohee, the CEO, arranged this meeting as a celebration of securing the core casting for , bringing together the lead actors, director, and writer.

In the room, there were five people present except for Park Taewon, who had informed them he might be late.

Since they were all familiar with each other, it went without saying that actress Seo Ji-won was there, and Hong Joohee, who usually preferred a stylish business setup, had also made sure everyone was properly dressed.

On the other hand, Director Kim Seungpyo’s attire appeared quite casual.

Without any fuss, he wore a crumpled checkered shirt, jeans that stretched down to his knees, and a baseball cap that seemed to be hiding his messy hair sticking out.

He looked more like a street vendor than a film director.

Before the main courses arrived, a smooth steamed egg custard came out, topped with sweet shrimp and dried pollack, giving off a rich aroma.

Director Kim Seungpyo eagerly scooped the steamed egg with his chopsticks as if eating pudding, quickly finishing the cup.

Watching him, Hong Joohee smiled gently and asked, “Director, does this suit your taste?”

“Ah, uh... yes. It’s delicious.”

“Do you like omakase?”

“My preference leans more towards soondae guk or bone hangover soup rather than high-end restaurants like this. Heh heh...”

Kim Seungpyo, having completed his homework, buried his nose into the steamed egg custard again.

Next, the attentive waitstaff served a series of dishes one after another.

There were fermented fish, steamed fish dishes, fried items — appetizers served before the sushi proper.

Though these dishes were intimidatingly expensive to imagine in terms of price, Director Kim ate them as if they were bar snacks, popping bites into his mouth while continuing the conversation.

“You’re Lee Junhyuk, right? I really enjoyed the  script, writer.”

“Thank you.”

“Actually, I was a bit worried when I heard revising the script would be difficult, but after reading it, you had already carefully written considering the shooting angles and scenes.”

“Was it okay?”

“More than okay. It felt like you wrote the script after watching the completed footage.”

Hearing that, I choked on the steamed abalone with mushroom sauce that I was eating.

How did he know?

I hastily covered my mouth with a tissue and looked at Director Kim Seungpyo with surprised eyes.

“Scripts with such a deep understanding of filmmaking are rare, especially in dramas. Have you studied directing?”

“Ah, haha. Just a little bit of casual curiosity.”

“You must have watched a lot of movies too. Who’s your favorite director? Choi Ae? Quentin? Sage?”

Just as the conversation about film directors was getting long and Director Kim was unable to answer properly, Seo Ji-won smoothly joined the conversation in her soft voice.

“I like François Ozon. Personally, I think Director Kim is the Ozon of Korea. You shoot so sensuously.”

“Exactly. Well... thank you.”

Director Kim grew somewhat awkward whenever the women spoke to him.

Come to think of it, when talking to me, he was fluent and smooth, but oddly enough, when speaking to Hong Joohee or Seo Ji-won, his words were halting and his voice trembled.

It seemed he was uncomfortable around women, and Seo Ji-won, unaware of this, kept trying to keep the conversation going, which only made him more uneasy.

“So, what do you think about the female lead character in ? Ozon’s  is also about twins and a woman’s love story. But the female lead Chloe there seemed overly sexualized.”

Usually, Seo Ji-won was reserved, but when it came to discussing works, her eyes would sparkle.

She had come to the writers’ room multiple times asking questions about the script, causing me to almost lose my ground.

At first, her attitude was so enthusiastic it almost seemed like she had other intentions.

Today, it seemed she had come prepared to question Director Kim as well.

She sat in the front row, raising her hand eagerly like a top student in class.

“Ah, uh, yes. I saw it too, but for today...”

“Shall we talk about the work slowly? By the way, do you remember Sixty Wonwoo, who worked with Director Kim? That friend just joined our Aitch Studio.”

Hong Joohee, more experienced in social life than Seo Ji-won, noticed Kim Seungpyo’s discomfort and changed the topic.

The problem was, even Hong Joohee seemed unaware that the reason Director Kim looked uneasy wasn’t because of the topic, but because he found dealing with women difficult.

As the tense triangular conversation between the shy director, Seo Ji-won, and Hong Joohee continued, the door suddenly slid open with a click.

Park Taewon entered.

“Sorry, I’m late. The traffic was terrible.”

An actor is truly an actor.

That was my first impression upon seeing Park Taewon.

Hong Joohee had the aura of a model, and Seo Ji-won was, of course, the leader of a popular idol girl group.

But actor Park Taewon was on a different level.

Not just handsome, but his face alone carried a commanding presence.

With that face, his excuse about traffic congestion during rush hour felt as natural as a five-car pileup.

Park Taewon smiled softly as he greeted everyone.

“Wow, director, it’s been a long time. I don’t think we’ve seen each other since the last shoot. How have you been?”

“Yes, about four or five years ago, I think. Nice to see you.”

“The person beside you must be the famous CEO of Aitch Studio, Hong Joohee, right? Not just a CEO, but more like a model.”

“Thank you. Park actor, you look even better in person. Oh, and it’s not Aitch, but Aitch.”

“Oh right, Aitch. And this must be the writer, right? The script was really good.”

“Thank you, I appreciate Park Taewon’s kind words...”

“Excuse me, just a moment, just a moment.”

Right as Park Taewon stepped forward to greet Seo Ji-won and me, he pulled out his phone and checked something on the screen.

“Where did we leave off? Ah, by the way, our shooting schedule isn’t out yet, is it? Looking at this, October looks pretty tight.”

“Yes, we received the schedule through the manager. I’ve already discussed it with the director.”

Park Taewon’s greeting to Seo Ji-won and me was somewhat brief as he shifted quickly to the schedule discussion.

Hong Joohee took over the conversation, but I noticed Park Taewon avoided eye contact with us, focusing only on his own speech.

“Damn this guy.”

Even if it was just me, I found it off-putting that he didn’t properly greet Seo Ji-won, his co-lead, and jumped straight to his agenda.

I suddenly spoke to Park Taewon, who was only talking about the schedule.

“Park actor, you know Seo Ji-won, right?”

“Ah, my mind’s all over the place. Why wouldn’t I know Seo Ji-won? She’s a singer, an idol. I like idols too.”

I saw Seo Ji-won’s face stiffen instantly.

Calling her a singer instead of an actress in a meeting where the lead actors, director, and writer gather for introductions was a blatant insult.

Among actors, there’s a tendency to look down on idols during their careers.

Though he showed a polite, friendly smile, I thought maybe he was that kind of person.

“I liked your earlier works too. Looking forward to working together.”

But Seo Ji-won was unfazed and responded firmly, even calling him senior first.

Seven years in the entertainment industry shows.

After that, the meal proceeded with omakase courses served one by one, the atmosphere was all about saving face.

Since Park Taewon had another appointment, the dinner didn’t last long.

“Sorry, I have a lot of places to prepare for my comeback. I’ll leave first.”

The last to leave, claiming busyness, Park Taewon quietly exited the room first, leaving behind a lingering uncomfortable feeling.

“Park Taewon seems really busy.”

“Yeah, he sure is.”

Only the four of us remained in the room after Park Taewon left.

Everyone seemed to share my feelings, and the mood didn’t become lively.

Still, while eating the last sweet blueberry sherbet to lighten the mood, Hong Joohee was the first to speak up and change the topic.

“Oh, writer, do you have time to help with the audition?”

“Actor audition? Hmm... I don’t think I know enough to help.”

I still had to finish the script work, and generally, writers don’t join drama casting auditions, so I tried to decline indirectly.

Director Kim Seungpyo looked at me with that confident gaze and said,

“From the script, it looks like the characters are already fully visualized. If you have time, please come help. I’m asking you.”

“I’m not sure if I’d be much help, but alright.”

That’s how the first meeting for  ended.

*…

“Hey, writer! Ah, long time no see, good to see you!”

My longtime friend and personal doctor Kim Changsoo boldly greeted me with an aged phrase that was once trendy. How embarrassing.

“I can’t express how glad I am to see you. You’ve lost a lot of weight since you almost looked like a corpse when you returned home.”

“I told you, I’m starting a drama. Sit down. Draft beer?”

A glass of cold draft beer so transparent it was almost icy was brought to the table.

Along with freshly fried whole chicken, I had long forgotten the omakase appetizer that cost tens of thousands.

Hearing that I was working with Seo Ji-won, Director Kim Seungpyo, and Park Taewon, Kim Changsoo was genuinely delighted.

“This guy, huh? Even a rat hole has its star day... wait, I don’t mean you’re a rat hole! You’re the star now, the star!”

The problem was he didn’t handle alcohol well, and after a cool 500 ml, his tongue twisted.

“Hey, drink slowly. I have something to ask you.”

“Am I drunk? Huh? Ask? Sure! For our top writer, I’d do anything!”

“Alright, we’ll talk next time. Hey, drink some water. Don’t throw up after a beer.”

“Uh-huh? I’m really not drunk! Hurry up, man. What is it? What?”

“Apul—”

“Ugh ugh, brb brb!”

He stood up shouting loudly enough to scare the pub away, so I quickly covered his mouth and sat him down.

“Alright, alright. I’ll tell you, just keep it down.”

“Hehe. What is it, my friend?”

“You said you have a university friend at Minguk Bank?”

“Minguk Bank? Yeah, Jo Daepal!”

“I’m thinking about investing in a fund, but I want to know if he’s trustworthy.”

“Oh, our Daepal is just as solid as his name. Which branch was it again? Wait, let me check…”

Kim Changsoo, who looked like he was already drunk, raised his glasses and checked his phone screen.

“Yeah, he’s currently near that branch. He’s talented, got promoted to manager fast, and soon will be a deputy general manager. So, you finally liquidated your assets?”

What assets?

“Shares in 0 Media!”

When money talk came up, the twisted tongue disappeared and he sharpened his eyes.

“Well, not yet. I signed the contract and got some cash.”

Even though we’re close friends, I couldn’t tell him I threw all my money away.

Last time, after casting Seo Ji-won, I put the 20 million won reward into my bank account intact, but it felt insufficient.

The contract money from  was enough for living expenses.

I could sleep in the writers’ room, so no worries about rent, and how much could a single man in his 30s spend on food and clothes?

The success bonus from Godflix was basically pocket money, but I wanted to use it wisely.

Stock market was not the right time yet.

The overall economy was in a slump, and I didn’t want to risk the capital for immediate livelihood.

Now was not the time to deplete the granary but to plant more crops.

I had to convert the cash I had carefully saved into Sid Money and build a reserve.

“Give me his contact?”

I took the contact details of Jo Daepal, manager of Minguk Bank’s Hapjeong branch, from Changsoo.

…

Minguk Bank’s Hapjeong branch boasted the largest scale of any bank I had ever been to.

Unlike regular banks in commercial buildings, the bank occupied the entire third floor of a tall building, giving the impression of a large corporation rather than a bank.

The place where I had deposited money from Godflix was large but not comparable.

I took a number ticket and waited for nearly an hour before meeting Jo Daepal.

“Wow. You brought 20 million won in cash?”

The diminutive Jo Daepal greeted me from behind the counter.

Along with the number 101 ticket, I laid down the cash bundle.

“Have you ever invested in a fund before?”

“No. I’ve only heard about them, never tried.”

I was embarrassed but hadn’t cared much about money.

Or rather, I didn’t know how to make it.

I lost my parents in an accident when I was in high school, and there was no inheritance left.

I worked part-time jobs wherever I could.

Then I started as a drama assistant writer, a job I did for five years.

It wasn’t easy, but I liked it.

Keeping busy helped me forget about my troubles.

Making enough money for food and shelter was enough.

Writing on a secondhand laptop I barely saved up for, I was proud of my work.

But the world isn’t a fairy tale.

While hardworking and honest people get rewards, the demon Jeon Minjeong fell upon me, dragging me into a deeper abyss.

All I wanted was to love my wife and live happily with her and our daughter.

“Junghyuk, as Changsoo must have told you, I’m an expert in this field. I have one theory: money never betrays.”

Jo Daepal confidently explained fund products while subtly promoting his own skills.

Finally, he asked if I preferred a high-risk, high-return fund or a safer asset management product.

* If you have enough capital to make Sid Money your capital, we recommend diversified investments, but low risk, low return funds are also an option.

He explained the products so fairly that I couldn’t tell which he favored.

He seemed professional, valuing client choice over his own profit.

Just then, behind Jo Daepal, a man with a shaved head hurried out of the manager’s office, adjusting his tie.

Soon after, a distinguished elderly man in a navy blue striped suit entered the bank.

The man who looked like the branch manager opened the reception partition and stood before the elder.

“Welcome, Chairman Kang. Sorry we weren’t ready to greet you as we hadn’t been informed in advance.”

“No worries. I just stopped by for a quick drink, no need to fuss.”

“Please come inside. We have some precious Pu’er tea just arrived from China.”

“Pu’er tea is good.”

The branch manager signaled to a female staff near the copier, who nodded and quickly went toward the pantry.

Seeing her bring out neat ceramic cups and a tea kettle, I guessed the elder was a VIP client of the Hapjeong branch.

The treatment the elder received was far different from mine, who was waiting to get fund information at the reception.

Watching the VIP enter a discreet back room of the bank, I asked Jo Daepal.

“That must be a private room, right?”

“Yes, our VIP clients receive separate consultation in the lounge dedicated to their asset management plans.”

“How much do you have to deposit to get VIP status?”

“Well… the lounge isn’t at every branch, and the standards vary, but generally…”

Jo Daepal pondered for a moment, then leaned forward and whispered.

“To be precise, in our bank, if you maintain at least 3 billion won in cash in your account, you can be registered as a VIP.”

“3 billion, I see.”

I had often heard stories during my time with Jeon Minjeong about investing hundreds of billions here and losing tens of billions there.

She went around many VIP rooms, but I had never experienced such treatment alone.

Because the VIPs were not me but my wife and the owner of the O group.

“There’s no law saying I can’t be a VIP too.”

I had a goal now.

I wanted to receive VIP treatment on my own merits, just like them.

I asked if I could invest the entire 20 million won in cash plus the remaining balance in my account into funds.

“That totals about 50 million won. You’re planning to invest all of it in funds?”

“Yes, please. I understand there might be some loss, so put some into high-risk, high-return funds as well.”

At those words, Jo Daepal’s eyes gleamed.

“Understood. I’ll make sure you don’t lose money after trusting us.”