Chapter 18: The Production Presentation and the Rookie Showdown

It had been a while since I had a reason to wear a suit.  

Maybe because it was off-the-rack, my shoulders felt a bit tight, and the collar of the shirt was buttoned up way too snugly.  

When I first put it on to go meet Director Kim, it definitely fit well.  

It's definitely not because I spent the whole day at home watching Netflix, never stepping outside, sitting in a hunched posture in front of my laptop, and gained weight.  

No, it’s because I bought a cost-effective off-the-rack suit instead of a custom-tailored one.  

Just thinking about wearing this uncomfortable outfit to an uncomfortable place made my stomach churn even more.  

“Ugh, I don’t want to go.”  

As I adjusted my uncomfortable clothes in front of the mirror, a message popped up from Ji-won.  

Writer, what time are you coming today? 
 
Sorry, I think I can’t make it today because I have COVID.  

what self-quarantine at home! How can you have COVID? 
 
This doesn’t fool anyone.  

I had no choice but to click my tongue softly and open the front door, stepping outside.  

The heat of summer was finally starting to subside, but the piercing heat still lingered.  

“I should get a custom summer suit while I’m at it.”  

Since spring and autumn were gradually losing their power and meaning, it seemed best to tailor just two suits—one for summer and one for winter.  

Because the car had been parked outside all summer, the inside was filled with suffocating hot air.  

After turning on the air conditioner to push out the heat, I immediately opened the navigation app on my phone.  

Holding the microphone close, I clearly spoke my destination.  

“250 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul Special City, Goryeo Hotel Grand Hall.”  

- I will navigate to the destination.  

I wasn’t wearing a suit for some important occasion like a wedding.  

It was just the production presentation day of .  

***

The Goryeo Hotel, where today’s production presentation of  was being held, was a six-star hotel with an overnight stay cost exceeding one million won.  

Despite the exorbitant and wickedly high venue fee, the proud production company was not supposed to attempt anything in such a luxurious place.  

Yet, EH Studio pulled off that difficult feat.  

How?  

“Honestly, I didn’t expect the CEO himself to come.”  

“It’s not just anywhere. It’s the production presentation for the drama starring our son, so of course I’m here.”  

Thanks to the sponsorship of Mom’s Food, my top favorite company in my heart, the  production presentation was able to be held at the Goryeo Hotel.  

CEO Jung Se-jin was dressed in a high-class, calm dark gray blouse paired with a white flared skirt that fell just below the knees.  

Next to her stood Ahn Yu-seok, dressed neatly in a bright blue suit and shirt.  

Unlike before, when his appearance was shabby, he now looked very neat and presentable.  

An actor is an actor. When they put on makeup and dress up, their good looks stand out even more.  

Passing people in the lobby glanced at Ahn Yu-seok, and although he wasn’t my son, I felt inexplicably proud.  

I bowed my waist sincerely to show respect for CEO Jung’s generous capital, or rather, her maternal love.  

“Thanks to your care, CEO Jung, we were able to hold the production presentation in such a wonderful place. I truly don’t know how to repay your kindness.”  

“Not at all. Compared to the grace you’ve shown to our son, it’s just a tiny drop in the bucket. I’m sorry we couldn’t host you at an even better place given the scheduled date.”  

“This place is more than perfect. Heh heh.”  

CEO Jung was supporting  production wholeheartedly in every aspect.  

No matter it was for her son, from a business perspective, it was a luxurious arrangement for such a small production company.  

I caught Ahn Yu-seok’s eye, who was standing stiffly behind CEO Jung.  

He looked anxious as if he had heard some unsettling rumors, so I gently rubbed his shoulder to comfort him.  

“Relax your face.”  

“Writer… I heard Park Tae-won’s drama aired on the same day and time slot as ours. How can this coincidence be possible?”  

“That’s no coincidence. It’s obviously intentional.”  

“Why?”  

“Because I, Lee Jung-hyuk, am a proud single man who has broken free from the crowd.”  

I patted Ahn Yu-seok’s shoulder as he whimpered, “What should I do?”  

“Look, Hong CEO and Director Kim are coming too. Yu-seok, go quickly to the photo zone and take pictures with them. Smile.”  

“Aren’t you coming to take pictures with us?”  

“I’m not really into photos. I’ll wait inside, so go ahead and take them.”  

After pushing Ahn Yu-seok towards the photo zone where key production members were gathering for pictures, CEO Jung quietly approached and asked.  

“Are you avoiding the photo zone because you’re worried about damage to the drama’s image?”  

“To some, I might look like an unknown young actress’s affair partner—some lowlife scoundrel.”  

The production presentation is an official event where the cast and project status are publicly revealed for the first time before the drama’s release.  

Usually, it’s held one to two weeks before the first broadcast. Since it’s the first official event, the location of the production presentation is an important matter.  

While it mainly involves reports about the filming episodes, honestly, the audience is more interested in who looks good and who looks prettier.  

In other words, 90% of the production presentation’s focus is on the outfit and the venue.  

Nobody really cares much about whether the story plot has twists or if the staff saw a ghost on set that will bring luck.  

“Thinking otherwise is just naïve.”  

What really matters is producing dozens, even hundreds, of photos of unrealistically beautiful young men and women with the vibe of “We’re starting today!”  

That’s the kind of production presentation I think about.  

So, it was unacceptable for someone like me, with a history of white lies, who had been holed up in the office all day and gained weight, to stand side by side with the actors at the photo zone.  

Despite idol actress Seo Mo sending me glances and mouthing “Why aren’t you coming?” while shaking her head, I purposely ignored her.  

“Well, they’ll all be photographed during the interview anyway.”  

“I just want to stay hidden here like a stone statue.”  

While I was joking around, CEO Jung continued in her usual soft voice.  

“Group owners usually aren’t arrogant. You must have gone through a lot.”  

“Haha, after being kicked out naked while just playing a gigolo, it was tough.”  

“Well, from what I see, you managed to come out looking pretty put together.”  

Her words, as if she already knew everything, stopped my smile for a moment.  

“So you know I received shares.”  

“I didn’t investigate secretly. I checked the media shareholder list. I own quite a bit of media stock myself.”  

Since it’s rare for an individual to hold 0.01% shares, it stood out on the list.  

Given the same name and that suspicious background, she seemed to deduce I received shares from Lee Hon, a rational guess.  

“In media, there’s no one better than Media. It was an investment decision.”  

“I’m pretty good at reading people. I think this writer will become even bigger than now. The more I see, the deeper they seem.”  

CEO Jung’s eyes softened.  

If you want to understand a person, you can never miss such fleeting moments.  

“Every time I look at you, I envy Ahn Yu-seok.”  

“Why?”  

“Because he can call CEO Jung ‘mother’.”  

“Ho ho ho ho.”  

After a round of laughter, CEO Jung returned to her usual wise gaze and requested earnestly.  

“Our Yu-seok seems to really look up to you. Please take good care of him from now on. I’ll help as much as I can too.”  

“I should be the one thanking you.”  

As the conversation with CEO Jung ended, I saw the actors and production staff finish taking photos at the photo zone and move inside the hall.  

Only after seeing dozens of reporters crowding in did I reluctantly walk into the hall.  

The ceiling was adorned with lavish crystal chandeliers, and the floral decorations combined to make it feel like a French aristocratic church from the Middle Ages.  

Neatly arranged seats and tables were already occupied by journalists and industry insiders who had come to cover the event.  

An interview panel was set up on the stage in front, so I tried to move cautiously to the best seat.  

Suddenly, chatter erupted from the seats where the reporters sat.  

Here he is, the divorced man!  

What are you doing, rookie? Hurry up and shoot! 
 
What? You say his posture is too awkward and looks weird? 

That’s the point! Shoot him to look as uncharming as possible!  

As expected, since I was the divorced man who broke away from the media, reporters couldn’t help but focus their attention on me.  

It seemed like some had even been bribed—both their gaze and actions were blatant.  

Some even blatantly fired their flashes, showering me with bright light. I regretted not pretending to be sick and skipping this.  

Trying to stay calm, I climbed the stage and sat at the far end of the long table.  

To my left were seats for Director Kim Seung-pyo and the lead actors.  

“The production presentation of  welcomes all of you. I’m Director Kim Seung-pyo.”  

Director Kim stood and greeted as the production presentation officially began.  

Since this was basically the second photo zone session, a routine Q&A followed.  

Surprisingly, reporters directed more questions at Director Kim, who had arrived in his usual shabby clothes, rather than the actors who were dressed up extravagantly.  

& Director Kim, you’re good at making movies, so why did you suddenly decide to film a drama?  

I always wanted to do dramas, but the script really attracted me.
  
I heard the lead actor dropped out before filming began. Was casting a rookie really the right choice? 
 
Let me introduce the rookie actor Ahn Yu-seok. He’s charming and acts well.  

Why cast a rookie as the lead?  

Because he’s good looking and acts well. 
 
Right after the answer, Director Kim blushed as if thinking, “What kind of grudge does that guy have against me?”  

Assistant director Park Sang-tae silently pleaded with Director Kim, “Please calm down.”  

After calming the chaotic atmosphere, the Q&A continued.  

Why cast a rookie as the lead? 
 
You f*cking bastard!  

Unable to hold back, Director Kim loudly cursed, and cameras flashed repeatedly to capture his outburst.  

I closed my eyes tight and rubbed my swollen eyelids with my palms.  

“So this was a planned, deliberate move right from page zero.”  

At this rate, the main articles of the production presentation would not be about [The Promising Rookie Ahn Yu-seok Wrapped in Mystery] or [Undeniable Beauty Seo Ji-won].  

Instead, it would be headlines like:  

[Director Kim Seung-pyo verbally abuses reporters at production presentation] 
 
[Unverified rookie cast as lead! Director’s unilateral abuse of power?]  

Not only that, but there would be glowing articles like [New Work by Park Eun-sook Already Raising Expectations] and [Laughter-Filled Production Presentation], hyping Park Eun-sook’s new work.  

Jeon Min-jung was the kind of woman who would concoct such an extremely hostile and malicious plot.  

As far as I knew, there was only one way to overcome this awkward situation.  

Seated in a corner, dodging the barrage of camera flashes, I quietly raised my hand.  

“I’m Lee Jung-hyuk, the drama writer of . Does anyone have any questions for me?”  

As I raised my hand silently, reporters from the O media company in training bombarded me with questions.  

I heard you received an enormous appearance fee from E Hon Media. Is that true?  
It’s said the divorce was due to your affair. Is that true?  
Have you had any recent contact with Jeon Min-jung?  

All sorts of rumors were pouring in, but most were about my personal past, not worth answering.  

However, as expected, at least one reporter asked the question I wanted to hear.  

I understand that your work’s time slot overlaps with Park Eun-sook’s new drama, which has massive casting and production investment. How do you feel about competing with such a work?  

The reporter was a trainee from the internet newspaper called Weaving Tree.  

I recognized him by his red horn-rimmed glasses and curly hair.  

He was the one who had been sneaking pictures of me with a fixed expression just moments ago.  

Ignoring his useless question, I grabbed the microphone.  

“You, please repeat the question for me.”  

The trainee, seizing the opportunity, cleared his throat and asked hesitantly,  

“You’re scheduled in the same time slot as Park Eun-sook’s new drama. How do you think the results will turn out?”  

I looked at all the reporters waiting for my answer and replied.  

“Hmm, I think Park Eun-sook’s era has already passed.”