The catering truck didn’t show up, leaving the entire staff, including the actors, without food.
This was an accident Taeha hadn’t anticipated at all.
He didn’t even have a good solution ready.
At least, as soon as he became aware of the problem, the director of Team B, who was filming with Taeha today, called for a catering truck, but it would take at least three hours to arrive.
That was because the time needed to prepare the meals had to be factored in.
‘What should I do?’
Just as Taeha was thinking that, Im Chan-hyung, who had been waiting for filming with Taeha, approached and spoke.
“I asked if there was a plan. They said they’ve sent people to nearby supermarkets and convenience stores to buy some snacks. To tide over the actors and staff’s hunger until the catering truck arrives.”
It was indeed the only and best method available in the current situation.
However, there was no way this alone could soothe the hearts of the actors and staff, who were already full of complaints.
After all, all they could do was wait patiently for the same daily menu from the catering truck.
That meant this mistake couldn’t be covered up.
That’s why Taeha, who had been agonizing over it, spoke to Im Chan-hyung.
“I need to meet the director directly.”
And so, Taeha faced the Team B director.
The moment he saw Taeha, the Team B director began to apologize.
“I’m truly sorry, Actor Kang. I should have identified the problem and acted sooner. I’ve told the staff to somehow buy some food, so please wait just a little longer.”
“I’m fine. It’s not like I haven’t been on a diet for just a day or two to look good on screen. I’m more worried about the others. Even if they bring snacks and the catering truck arrives later, I don’t think today’s incident will be forgotten.”
“Well… that’s true.”
“So, I’m asking, is there really not a single restaurant nearby?”
At Taeha’s question, the Team B director hesitated before opening his mouth.
“There are no restaurants, but there’s a four-star hotel about thirty minutes away. And there’s a Western restaurant inside… but the menu is too expensive to feed all the actors and staff here…”
The Team B director trailed off while talking about the price.
Although The Sick Flower’s production budget was relatively generous, a Western restaurant at a four-star hotel was a bit excessive for feeding over a hundred people.
Moreover, strictly speaking, the Team B director’s position was only slightly higher than an assistant director’s.
So, it was only natural that he would feel burdened about using that level of meal expenses due to his own mistake.
However, hearing the Team B director’s story, Taeha was instead pleased.
“That’s perfect. Then let’s take all the actors and staff there. I’ll speak well of you to Director Jo.”
“…Are you really going to do that?”
“Yes. And don’t worry even if Director Jo doesn’t give permission. I’ll treat everyone even if I have to use my own money. Everyone’s worked hard. Since it’s come to this, let those who want to stay and sleep at the hotel do so. If the hotel has a bar or something usable, let them use that too.”
Even a rough calculation showed it would cost tens of millions of won.
But Taeha didn’t feel it was a waste at all.
The actors and staff were all precious people who spared no effort for his work.
It pained him more that these people might harbor complaints due to poor working conditions.
As Taeha presented the solution, the Team B director bowed his head.
“Then I’ll trust Actor Kang and proceed that way. I’m truly sorry. And thank you.”
The Team B director hurriedly moved to give instructions to the staff.
Meanwhile, Taeha called Jo Joong-hoon as promised to the Team B director.
Upon hearing the situation from Taeha, Jo Joong-hoon spoke from the other end of the line.
“Ah. I was already worried hearing the catering truck was late, so something like that happened. These kinds of problems should be solved and taken responsibility for by the person in charge, but I’ve caused you unnecessary inconvenience, Actor Kang. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. It was an unforeseen problem. And how could this be just one person’s mistake?”
“That’s true. I’ll reflect on it too. And thank you for handling the situation well. I’ll settle the expenses for that from the production budget.”
Taeha pondered for a moment after hearing Jo Joong-hoon’s words and then replied.
“Then let’s settle the meal costs from the production budget, and I’ll cover the accommodation and bar expenses.”
“Ah, that’s really not necessary. The production budget still has room.”
“I think that would make me feel more at ease.”
“If that’s the case, I can’t stop you… but are you sure?”
Taeha concluded the conversation with Jo Joong-hoon with an affirmative answer.
But a short while later.
A call came from Choi Daepyo, who had somehow heard the news.
“Writer. I heard the catering truck didn’t come, so you couldn’t eat?”
“Ah. I just resolved the problem. I heard there’s a good restaurant at a four-star hotel nearby. We’re about to go and have a meal now.”
“I did hear that at least the meal cost is being handled by production. But you’re putting up the actors and staff at your own expense and even paying their bar tabs?”
“It seems better that way. It puts my mind at ease. They’re working hard for my project, after all.”
“My goodness, as expected of the Writer… Then at least let Salamander Studio cover the accommodation costs. We share some responsibility too.”
Strictly speaking, the production company wasn’t greatly at fault.
It was impossible for Kim Seoan to manage down to the situation of the catering truck not arriving properly.
This was a problem for the directing staff, including Jo Joong-hoon, who had the duty to manage the schedule.
Ultimately, Choi Daepyo, like Taeha, was stepping forward to ease his own discomfort and boost the morale of the on-site personnel.
Understanding this sentiment, Taeha replied.
“Hmm… Then you cover the bar tabs. I’ll take care of the accommodation costs.”
And so, a few minutes later.
Everyone arrived at the four-star hotel.
Since they had placed their orders in advance before leaving, the food came out fairly quickly.
It was said they had coordinated with the hotel to redirect food used for their dinner buffet.
Certainly, if not for that, it would have been difficult to quickly cook over a hundred servings of food no matter how prepared they were.
Of course, the actors and staff having a satisfactory meal was greatly helped by the concessions that started with Taeha.
“Please make sure to take care of others’ meals before mine.”
Taeha stepped forward and said this.
Then, not only other lead actors but even the head directing staff yielded their meals to others.
Thanks to this, the ordered menus could be served starting with the supporting actors and junior staff, and the worrisome atmosphere of discontent gradually dissipated.
On the contrary, after using the bar and even staying at the four-star hotel, most people felt a sense of satisfaction.
Having resolved this unexpected problem, Taeha continued to focus on filming.
Episode 10 of The Sick Flower depicted the process of Kim Seong-wol, who had vowed revenge, meeting Jeong Mun-bu in Hamgyeong Province, joining the righteous army, and achieving his first victory.
In the early stages of the war, the Joseon army was helplessly defeated.
But after two months of war, the situation changed dramatically.
Numerous righteous army commanders like Gwak Jae-woo, Jo Heon, Go Gyeong-myeong, Kim Cheon-il, and Park Chun-moo rose up and launched offensives against the Japanese army.
The regular army also retreated, reorganized their forces, and fought the Japanese army on equal footing.
Because of this, the Japanese army felt great pressure on their land supply lines.
The damage from the war also accumulated to a level that couldn’t be ignored.
If at least their naval supply was intact, the situation might have been better, but due to the heroic efforts of Yi Sun-sin, the savior of the nation, even this wasn’t functioning properly.
Kim Seong-wol also heard this news and hoped to join the righteous army.
But he wandered the northern lands without finding a suitable place.
Then, by chance, he heard news that a man named Jeong Mun-bu had recaptured Gyeongseong, which had been taken by the Japanese army.
Thus, he met Jeong Mun-bu.
“I want to fight too.”
At first, Jeong Mun-bu, seeing Kim Seong-wol’s haggard appearance, thought he was just another refugee.
But soon he learned Kim Seong-wol’s identity and that he wished to join the righteous army, feeling puzzled.
He couldn’t understand why the son of a noble family wanted to engage in righteous army activities instead of going to Uiju.
However, impressed by Kim Seong-wol’s passion and spirit, Jeong Mun-bu entrusted him with an important task.
“A battle will break out soon. Can you lead the charge there?”
“I came here prepared to die, so even if I die, I will secure victory.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese army, having received news that Gyeongseong had fallen to the righteous army, hastily sent soldiers for reconnaissance.
Seizing this moment, Jeong Mun-bu had Kim Seong-wol and Kang Mun-woo lead the vanguard cavalry.
And Kim Seong-wol, defeating dozens of Japanese soldiers, led the first battle to victory.
“Waaaah!”
Because of this, his standing within the righteous army became more solid, but Kim Seong-wol did not rejoice.
For Kim Seong-wol, revenge was just beginning.
In Episode 11, Kim Seong-wol, together with Jeong Mun-bu, captures and executes Guk Se-pil, who colluded with the Japanese army, recovers Hoeryeong and Myeongcheon, and devotes himself to righteous army activities.
And as they advance toward Gilju Fortress, some people try to dissuade Jeong Mun-bu.
But Kim Seong-wol steps forward and explains why they must advance to Gilju Fortress.
“The Japanese enemies who killed our parents, spouses, and children are right before our eyes! If we leave them be, even if we survive, it will not be a true life!”
Persuaded by this, under Jeong Mun-bu’s command, the righteous army succeeds in surrounding Gilju Fortress.
Also, during this process, they hear an astonishing rumor: among those active as righteous army commanders in the south, there is a woman.
Sure enough, one person appears, felling Japanese soldiers with ghost-like archery skills.
Han Seung-hye.
But Kim Seong-wol, having no idea Han Seung-hye might be alive, focuses on righteous army activities in the north.
Episode 12 slightly moves the timeline forward, depicting how Han Seung-hye joined the southern front.
Han Seung-hye, who was heading north a step too late, judged that if she continued, she might be caught by the Japanese army and suffer hardship.
Changing her mind, she headed south and on the way helped people being oppressed by the Japanese army.
This led her to join Gwak Jae-woo, a righteous army commander who had greatly distinguished himself in the Battle of Jeongamjin.
Like other righteous armies, Han Seung-hye, together with Gwak Jae-woo, pressures the Japanese army’s land supply routes.
During this process, Han Seung-hye tries to find out about Kim Seong-wol’s fate.
“Ah, about that, I heard something.”
She hears from a subordinate the news that Kim Seong-wol’s family moved to the temporary capital Uiju following King Seonjo and feels relieved.
Along with this, she also hears news that Yi Sun-sin won a great battle (the Battle of Hansando) at Hansando.
In Episode 14, believing Kim Seong-wol is safe, Han Seung-hye decides to devote her strength to the southern front.
Thus, she joins Kim Si-min, the governor of Jinju, together with Gwak Jae-woo.
And after five days of fierce fighting, Han Seung-hye succeeds in preventing the fall of Jinju Fortress (the Battle of Jinju).
However, Han Seung-hye is deeply saddened by the fact that she couldn’t prevent Kim Si-min’s death.
“Why…?”
And to the grieving Han Seung-hye, another piece of sad news arrives belatedly.
The news that Kim Seong-wol, defying his family’s opposition, remained in Pyeongyang, and that Gwanghaegun, who had been hastily installed as crown prince and was leading a branch court, failed to defend Pyeongyang Fortress from the Japanese army.
“Could it be…?”
Greatly shocked by this, Han Seung-hye decides to part ways with Gwak Jae-woo and head north to confirm Kim Seong-wol’s fate.
Having finished filming up to Episode 14, Taeha.
On a rare day off, Taeha met with TT and the Prequel members.
It was to work on the OST for The Sick Flower.