Chapter 110: The Multi-Billion Won Date

The VIP private room of Goryeo Hotel, a five-star hotel in Seoul.

I had been passing the time here with nothing but a single iced Americano, and finally, I broke the long silence and turned to Director Kim Seung-pyo.

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Life is more dramatic than any drama'?"

"Oh, who said that?"

"You know Shonda Riley, the famous American drama writer?"

"Of course I do, she wrote the famous  series. Did she say that too?"

As we traded questions, I took a sip of the sharply acidic iced Americano through my straw and answered.

"No, actually, I just made it up right now."

"Aha. I see."

The momentary break in silence faded, and once again, the only sound in the private room was that of grown men anxiously tapping their legs.

Seeing this, Seo Soon-ae frowned slightly and shook her head.

"Would you all please stop shaking your legs? Why is everyone so nervous?"

There was good reason for our nerves.

I’d been through a messy divorce, turned my life around with a strange app, and now found myself in contact with some of the most prominent actresses in Korea. I thought nothing could surprise me anymore.

'Or so I thought.'

Two weeks ago, another incident occurred that was even more dramatic than any drama.

Before going to a meeting at Setflix Korea, thinking there was nothing to lose, Kim Seung-pyo had sent the script for  to an actor he knew through production company acquaintances from his time in the US.

Then, miraculously, that actor responded with a willingness to accept the casting offer for .

And that wasn’t all—today, we received notice that the actor would come to Korea in person and insisted on a face-to-face meeting.

All of this happened in less than a month, so even for someone as battle-hardened as me, I was left speechless.

"Maybe you don’t know, CEO Seo, but Grace Kim is called the star among stars, even in Hollywood."

I nodded vigorously, agreeing with Kim Seung-pyo’s words.

"Honestly, you men are so easily shaken."

CEO Seo Soon-ae appeared calm as always, maintaining her poker face, but the faint dark circles beneath her eyes made it clear she hadn’t slept well last night.

"Anyway, they should be arriving soon…"

As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear—the door to the private meeting room opened smoothly, and in walked Grace Kim and a white man who seemed to be her manager.

Kim Seung-pyo and I jumped to our feet as if in the presence of a high and mighty boss, bowing deeply in greeting.

"Hello. I’m Lee Jung-hyuk."

"I’m Director Kim Seung-pyo."

Kim Seung-pyo, ever prepared, politely offered his business card with both hands.

Not so long ago, he’d been hopelessly awkward in front of unfamiliar women, but now here he was, transformed into a proper businessman.

It seems people really do change when they experience the wider world.

‘He must’ve changed after spending time in America.’

Kevin, who received the card on Grace Kim’s behalf, returned the gesture just as politely, as if well-accustomed to these Eastern greetings.

"I’m Kevin, Grace Kim’s exclusive manager."

The business card Kevin handed over was stamped with the company name ‘William Morris Enter’.

Known as WME, it’s a major Hollywood agency representing countless top stars that come to mind when one thinks of Hollywood.

No sooner had Kevin finished his introduction than Grace Kim reached out her hand to me.

"I’m Grace Kim. You must be Writer Lee Jung-hyuk, right?"

I knew she was a Korean-American, but her Korean was so much more fluent than I expected that I had to hide my surprise as I shook her outstretched hand.

Once the introductions were over and we sat down, a hotel server brought in the prepared afternoon tea set.

On a three-tiered tray were delicious-looking strawberry shortcake, muffins, cookies, and more.

The muffins, topped with generous swirls of pink whipped cream, looked especially tempting.

But—

"We don’t have much time, so shall we get right to the point?"

Grace Kim and Kevin didn’t touch the desserts, jumping straight into talk about contract terms.

Seo Soon-ae, unfazed by their brisk and practical attitude, immediately pulled out the documents she’d prepared and spread them before Grace.

"We’ve already exchanged information and carefully reviewed everything with Setflix, but it’s best to look everything over formally one more time."

"No matter how little time we have, a contract must be checked thoroughly."

Kevin, scrutinizing the English contract, took his time reviewing the contents.

But more than Kevin’s cautiousness, it was Grace Kim who caught my attention.

Or rather, I was the only one paying attention to her.

‘Why does she keep staring at me like that?’

Since entering the meeting room, aside from the initial greeting, Grace Kim hadn’t spoken a word, only fixing her gaze on me.

Grace Kim’s first impression was, how should I put it…

She was the real deal—a true star.

Let’s set aside the obvious compliments about her looks and figure.

‘So that’s what people mean by “star quality.”’

As the face of Hollywood, she simply sat there and yet her gaze sparkled with an unmistakable brilliance.

No matter the space, she exuded an aura that said, ‘I am the protagonist here.’

Facing such eyes directly made me feel as though I was standing exposed.

After what felt like an eternity, Kevin finally spoke after reviewing the contract.

"There’s nothing major that needs changing in the clauses. However, for Grace’s treatment, we may request a few additional provisions from our side."

"Of course. We accounted for that and kept the basic terms within reason."

"The content is fine, but the guarantee will need some negotiation." As soon as Grace’s fee became the topic, Seo Soon-ae took a sip of her iced Americano, perhaps to soothe her suddenly dry mouth.

"Is there a figure you have in mind?"

"Grace’s guarantee per episode is 1.7 million dollars, which is about 2.5 billion won."

"2.5 billion… I see."

Actually, Seo Soon-ae had been collecting information on Hollywood guarantees since Grace Kim first requested a meeting, so this amount wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Still, even with Setflix’s production support, I wondered if we could really afford such a staggering sum.

It was hard to estimate the exact numbers, but just the CG budget for this series would already be a massive outlay.

‘And if Grace appears in just ten episodes, that’s 25 billion won!’

Seo Soon-ae had already been looking into every possible way to reduce the guarantee, and just as she was about to try persuading them—

"You’re handsome."

Out of nowhere, Grace Kim complimented my looks.

And anyone could see the target was me.

"Thank… you. I don’t hear that often… haha."

"Are you married?"

"All of a sudden? Uh…"

Caught off guard by Grace’s sudden question, her manager Kevin, sitting beside her, slapped his forehead and quietly muttered, "OMG," with a sigh.

"Grace, you know we’re in the middle of business, right?"

"I know. That’s why I’m negotiating. In a business sense."

With Grace staring expectantly at me, I had no choice but to answer.

"I was, but I’m divorced."

"Great, then do you have a girlfriend?"

"I don’t."

"Do you like men?"

"No, I like women."

Grace fired off her questions one after another like an interrogation, then crossed her arms and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, then let’s go on a date."

"A date? With me?"

"Yes, with you."

"Why?"

"Because I want to. Or do you not want to?"

When I didn’t say yes right away, Grace uncrossed her arms and shrugged as if she couldn’t understand.

"You’re divorced, have no girlfriend, like women—so why wouldn’t you date me?"

"Is it really that simple?"

"Of course. I have money, talent, a great body and face—any normal man should say yes."

She was so confident, her words felt almost like an immutable law of physics.

[Men like beautiful, capable women.]

She’s right, actually. Even I wondered why I hesitated to say yes.

‘Why am I reluctant to answer “okay”?’

But Grace didn’t give me time to dwell; she pressed on immediately.

"Wow. I like people who aren’t so easy."

"I’m not trying to be difficult…"

"Then what’s the reason?"

"Uh… just…? I just don’t feel drawn, I guess?"

Seo Soon-ae and Kim Seung-pyo, sitting beside me, stared at me with expressions that screamed, ‘Are you out of your mind?’

But what could I do if I truly wasn’t drawn to her?

It wasn’t that I didn’t find her attractive—it was just that admitting I wanted to date Grace here would fill me with a strange, inexplicable guilt.

It was a feeling I thought I’d once experienced in my distant childhood.

A feeling I still couldn’t quite define with a single word.

In a barely audible whisper, Kim Seung-pyo muttered, "He’s nuts…"

Yet, Grace Kim—unfazed and unyielding—fired back with a counteroffer.

"Then what would it take for you to go on a date with me?"

Since the issue wasn’t with Grace herself, I didn’t really expect or want anything from her.

So, trying to clear up this misunderstanding, I started to speak.

Suddenly, I noticed CEO Seo Soon-ae clasping her hands together in silent, desperate prayer.

I later heard that she was just hoping I wouldn’t blow the contract.

But at the time, I interpreted her look this way.

"Could you lower your guarantee a little?"

"My guarantee? Are you suggesting a date as a condition for a discount? Why would I?"

"By your logic, I’m the guy a beautiful, talented, rich woman wants to date, right?"

For a moment, silence filled the room, then, a beat later, hearty laughter rang out and filled the meeting room.

"Hahahahaha! Wow!"

Grace laughed so hard she wiped away tears and clapped, as if she’d just heard the best comedy of the year.

She slapped Kevin’s arm as she laughed, but Kevin only slumped further as if his batteries had run out.

"Okay. All right. I’m convinced. Kevin, don’t stop me. I absolutely want to do this contract."

"Do as you like. As always, I’ll be the one to clean up afterward."

Grace’s gaze sparkled even brighter as she spoke.

"For every date, I’ll knock a hundred million won off my per-episode fee. How about it?"

"Huh? Is that really okay?"

"Sure, why not?"

As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Grace changed the terms on the spot.

Kevin could only shake his head in resignation.

"But I’ll decide the time and place. See you later. We’ll revise the contract with today’s terms. That’s it for now."

With that, Grace’s party left the meeting room for their next schedule.

I got up awkwardly to see them off.

Watching their retreating backs, I found myself blurting out my thoughts.

"This actually worked?"

Thanks to this, Seo Soon-ae—who’d landed the biggest win out of all her scenarios—approached me with tears of gratitude and gently hugged me, patting my shoulder.

"Thanks to you, Writer, we saved at least several billion won from the budget. If you keep it up, we might save over ten billion. I love you, Writer."

Next, Kim Seung-pyo, now free to pour the saved budget into CG and action scenes, also rushed over and hugged me tight.

"I love you too, Writer."