Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Director Woo Jeong-han, who was looking at his phone, suddenly got up from his seat.

The spoon that was about to enter the mouth of the cinematographer sitting in front of him stopped in mid-air.

What, what is it?

Ive decided on the next project.

The cinematographer blinked his eyes.

What does that have to do with what just happened? Well, its good that hes working on a project after three years.

The reason why the cinematographer came to see Director Woo Jeong-han today was also because of the next project.

He felt more comfortable working with Director Woo Jeong-han, who he had collaborated with for a long time, than with other directors.

Besides

He could shake off the pressure of box office performance that haunted him throughout the shooting, because Director Woo Jeong-hans works hardly ever failed.

The cinematographer smiled broadly and said.

Really? Are you going to shoot a historical drama?

Yeah.

Lets see Which era havent we done yet?

The cinematographer put the spoon in his mouth and counted on his fingers the works they had done so far.

We did Sejo, Yeongjo, Sejong, and Seonjo. Hmm How about Taejo Yi Seong-gye? It would be very interesting if Jeong Mong-ju and Yi Bang-won appeared

The cinematographer lifted his head from his thoughts.

But why are you still standing?

Director Woo Jeong-han, who had jumped up from his meal, was still standing in the same posture.

Oh, sorry.

The cinematographer glanced at Director Woo Jeong-han, who was still tapping his phone even after sitting down, and continued his meal.

Director Woo Jeong-han was like that. 

He would neglect everything else when he was focused on one thing.

While the cinematographer ate casually, Director Woo Jeong-han was contacting the place that had sent him a message.

***

After finishing school, he should have headed to his new house with his mom, but he got a call from Da-ho hyung.

He gladly accepted Director Woo Jeong-hans request to meet him.

He went to Cocoa Entertainment with Da-ho hyung, who came to pick him up in front of the school.

Seo-jun tilted his head at Ahn Da-hos footsteps heading to the conference room instead of the usual practice room.

Hyung, arent we going to the practice room?

Its under construction right now.

Construction? What broke?

Something must have happened at Cocoa Entertainments practice room while he was practicing acting in his home studio.

Ahn Da-ho laughed at Seo-juns surprised voice.

No. Nothing broke. Theyre installing cameras in the companys practice room just like in your home studio. When you showed the president your practice room photos, he said he couldnt lose and started construction right away.

Oh.

Seo-jun nodded with sparkling eyes.

So theyre doing it exactly like my home studio?

Yeah. But the companys practice room is bigger, so itll be more convenient when you need more movement for a character.

Seo-jun nodded at Ahn Da-hos words.

Theyre going to renovate the other practice rooms too while theyre at it. The debutants and trainees are all looking forward to it.

When are the unnies going to debut? Ill promote them to my friends!

Ahn Da-ho burst into laughter at Seo-juns words.

The girls of Cocoa Entertainments third group and first girl idol group Red Crown would have loved it if they heard it.

Seo-jun and Ahn Da-ho chatted as they arrived at the conference room.

Seo-jun sat down on a chair and read Danjong that Ahn Da-ho had printed out for him.

As he was immersed in the script, he heard a knock on the door.

Seo-jun-ah, the director is here.

Yes!

Seo-jun got up from his seat and greeted Director Woo Jeong-han.

Hello, Director Woo Jeong-han. Im Lee Seo-jun.

Nice to meet you, Seo-jun-ah. I saw your performance video well.

Hehe.

Seo-jun smiled at Director Woo Jeong-hans compliment.

When Director Woo Jeong-han sat down, Seo-jun and Ahn Da-ho also sat down.

Thank you for accepting the role.

The script is interesting. I want to act it so much.

There was no better compliment for Director Woo Jeong-han, who had written the script himself.

Director Woo Jeong-han smiled softly.

Im glad you liked it.

I was happy that you offered me the role.

I wouldnt have made this movie if it wasnt for you. Im the one who should be thankful.

Huh?

Seo-jun blinked his eyes at Director Woo Jeong-hans words. Director Woo Jeong-han paused at his expression.

Ahn Da-ho, who had been quietly watching the conversation between the director and the actor, sighed inwardly.

The conference room became quiet.

Seo-jun tilted his head at Director Woo Jeong-han, who didnt know what to do.

Im sorry, I made a mistake because I was so happy. I apologize.

No, I should have told you in advance

Seo-jun looked back and forth between Director Woo Jeong-han and Ahn Da-ho. 

He wouldnt have made it if it wasnt for me?

What do you mean by that?

Seo-jun asked, and Ahn Da-ho opened his mouth.

Danjong didnt have a production company or a distributor, right?

Yes.

Da-ho hyung said he couldnt find them because the deadline was tight.

Could that be wrong?

When the script came in, the second team speculated that Director Woo Jeong-han might not make the movie at all if Seo-jun didnt play Danjong.

Why is that?

Director Woo Jeong-han always makes sure that his movies break even and protect the investment. His works are popular among investors because they can make money or at least not lose money.

Ahn Da-hos words made Director Woo Jeong-han look embarrassed. He knew it well, but it was still awkward to hear it in front of him.

Seo-jun nodded. 

He didnt know much about investment, but he knew that Director Woo Jeong-hans works were fun.

Even though it was a short time of ten days, if it was Director Woo Jeong-han, he could easily find a production company and investors. But nothing was decided yet, so we thought that Seo-juns casting was the start of this project.

The existence of the work depended on his appearance.

It was an unbelievable story, but it didnt seem impossible.

Seo-jun nodded, and Director Woo Jeong-han, who had sent him the script, opened his mouth.

I was thinking of finding a production company and a distributor if you did it, but I was going to bury the work if you didnt.

This is interesting Cant you just find another actor and do it if I dont?

He had heard that Over the Rainbow would have been filmed with another child actor if Seo-jun hadnt appeared.

Emily, the assistant director, had said at the award party that she couldnt even guess what kind of movie it would have been if the production cost had been halved.

Director Woo Jeong-han smirked at Seo-juns words.

Ive been waiting for ten years, but I couldnt find a Danjong that I liked.

Ten years.

Seo-jun blinked his eyes. 

That was when the movie Sejo came out.

Director Woo Jeong-han spoke as if recalling an old memory.

The original script of Sejo was this Danjong. I wanted to make this work, but there was no child actor that suited it. I had no choice but to give up because they didnt catch my eye. I still had some regrets, so I put some of Danjongs lines in Sejo.

What?

Both Seo-jun, who heard it for the first time, and Ahn Da-ho, who didnt know this behind-the-scenes story, widened their eyes.

Director Woo Jeong-han laughed.

Yes, it was the line that you showed me in your performance video.

I see.

I saw it and thought that I wanted you to play Danjong. If you didnt do it, I was planning to leave it on a shelf somewhere like I did for the past ten years.

Seo-jun nodded at Director Woo Jeong-hans words.

So thats how it was. Well, thats that.

Seo-jun looked at Ahn Da-ho. At his intense gaze, Ahn Da-ho let out a light sigh and opened his mouth.

The story that the movie would be made or not depending on Seo-juns appearance is not a special story.

Huh?

Some of the works that came in before were like that. This movie can only be made if Lee Seo-jun appears, this drama was made with Lee Seo-jun in mind, and so on.

Ahn Da-ho continued his explanation.

When we first heard such stories, we wondered whether to tell you or not in the second team. At the end of the meeting, we concluded that those stories would interfere with your work selection. So we hid them.

Hmm.

Seo-jun wasnt the type to decide on his appearance because of someone elses story.

But for Ahn Da-ho and the second team, who wanted Seo-jun to choose his work without any external influence, hiding those stories was the best way.

I was worried that it would burden you, so I asked the director not to tell you until the end of the shooting, but it turned out like this.

Ahn Da-ho scratched his cheek.

I was going to tell you after the shooting. Its bound to come out in interviews anyway, and its a good story for promotion.

Seo-jun nodded at Ahn Da-hos words.

Well, it wasnt a story I had to know.

Regardless of the story of waiting for ten years, Seo-jun was going to do his best as always.

I understand. Thank you, Da-ho hyung.

Thank you for understanding.

Ahn Da-ho sighed with relief at Seo-juns words.

He was honestly worried. Would he be angry that he hid the truth, or would he understand?

The reason why Ahn Da-ho kept his mouth shut was because he wanted Seo-jun to do what he wanted without any interference.

And he was going to do that in the future as well.

As the atmosphere in the conference room eased up, Director Woo Jeong-han, who had been watching Seo-jun and Ahn Da-ho, opened his mouth.

I have to decide on a production company to take charge of the movie production. Do you have a place you want to work with?

Do I have to decide?

Director Woo Jeong-han laughed at Seo-juns words.

I was wondering if you had a comfortable place. It would be a big problem if I chose a place that didnt suit you.

Im fine. The only movie I filmed in Korea was Evil Spirit, which was my first and last one, so I dont really know any production companies.

Really? Then can I choose a good place?

Yes!

At Seo-juns words, Director Woo Jeong-han thought of the work he had filmed most comfortably.

***

The planning team leader of the movie production company Dahong turned pale at the message he received. 

He jumped up from his seat and checked his schedule.

What are you doing? Team leader?

Director Woo Jeong-han, hes doing his next work.

The planning team all laughed heartily at the sound of Director Woo Jeong-han.

Director Woo Jeong-han was easier to work with and get investment than other directors.

Is it a historical drama again?

Oh, isnt that the one these days? Danjong.

Lee Seo-jun?

We already did the story of Danjong in Sejo.

The team leader answered the team members question.

Then we have to think about it again, dont we? If Lee Seo-jun films Danjong, it will come out around the same time as ours, and I think well be pushed back.

Well, if I had to choose one of the two, Id go see Lee Seo-juns movie.

Me too.

The team leader crossed his arms at the team members words.

We just have to film it and see the timing for the release. Its quite common for the release to be delayed by a year. When Lee Seo-juns movie is released, everyone will naturally avoid it. We just have to avoid it too.

Thats true.

If it was a completely different target group like animation or childrens movie, or a completely different genre, it would be different.

There was no movie that had the courage to release at the same time as Lee Seo-juns movie.

Director Woo Jeong-han, did you decide on the lead actor?

He has several actors he worked with before and his name is there, so he doesnt have to worry about the lead actor.

Just a minute.

-Director, do you have an actor in mind for the lead role?

It seemed like Director Woo Jeong-hans message would arrive soon, but it took some time.

While the planning team members were betting on what era they would film this time, the reply arrived.

Bing-

The phone rang and the planning team leader stopped breathing.

Isnt Goryeo okay?

Goryeo is too far away. How about the story of Sado Seja?

Thats fine too. Team leader, did you get a reply?

The team members who were chatting called the motionless team leader.

Uh

Huh?

Aaaah!

The team members were startled by the team leaders scream. 

People from other teams also gathered at the sound of the scream from the planning team office with the door wide open.

One of the planning team members who realized that the cause of the scream was on the phone looked at the phone screen.

Aaaah!

One banana talk message turned the movie production company Dahong upside down.

-The lead actor is Lee Seo-jun. The era is Danjong.

-Im going to film the story of Danjong.

-I cast Lee Seo-jun.

-(A picture of Lee Seo-jun and Woo Jeong-han together)