LIGHTNOVELSTORY Episode 11
Inside a private room of a Chinese restaurant, Director Ko Dong-guk sat with his arms crossed, lost in thought. About five minutes passed before the door opened, and a middle-aged woman peeked her head in.
“Come in, Writer Kim! Have a seat here.”
Director Ko Dong-guk smiled brightly as if nothing had happened and raised his hand.
“Director Ko, how have you been?”
The woman had a somewhat frosty expression. She entered with a faint smile on her lips.
“We’re always fine thanks to you, Writer Kim. Was it a long trip? Did you hit any traffic on the way?”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon smiled at Director Ko Dong-guk’s overly warm welcome.
The reason was obvious. It must be about the writing contest win and a request to do well on the remaining scripts.
“Did you call me about the writing contest?”
“As expected, I like how straightforward you are, Writer Kim.”
“It was obvious, even though you tried to hide it?”
“Can writing talent ever be hidden!”
“Well, you do like my writing, Director.”
“…”
Director Ko Dong-guk quickly changed the subject and spoke again.
“Shall we order first? You haven’t eaten yet, right?”
Director Ko Dong-guk rang the bell, and a staff member entered. After taking their order and leaving, Writer Kim Seung-yeon spoke up.
“Has the broadcast date been set? I have other dramas to prepare for, so this year is impossible.”
As Director Ko Dong-guk took a sip of water and hesitated, Writer Kim Seung-yeon slightly furrowed her brow.
“Don’t tell me it’s this year?”
“Well, you see…”
“Sigh, I get it.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon answered as if doing a favor.
“Since it’s JTVN and not some other broadcaster, I’ll try my best to accommodate. But I won’t do it unless it’s in the weekend lineup.”
“Of course. It’s Kim Seung-yeon we’re talking about! We’d be disappointed if it wasn’t on the weekend too. Don’t worry about that…”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon paused for a moment and looked at Director Ko Dong-guk. His hesitant tone didn’t seem quite right.
“Is something wrong?”
Director Ko Dong-guk opened and closed his mouth before speaking in a careful tone.
“Um… would the second half of next year work?”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes narrowed.
The writing contest prize clearly stipulated that drama production would start within a year. The second half of next year, as Director Ko Dong-guk suggested, would far exceed the promised year.
“No way.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon spoke with a stunned expression.
“Are you saying there’s another grand prize winner besides me?”
Director Ko Dong-guk responded sheepishly.
“Ha, well. Who would’ve thought this could happen?”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon stared blankly at Director Ko Dong-guk before speaking again.
“…This is unexpected. I suppose it can happen.”
After gathering her thoughts for a moment, Writer Kim Seung-yeon continued.
“Who else submitted? Park Hee-ji? Kang Eun-hye? Don’t tell me it’s Kim Eun-soon?”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon leaned forward.
“You know, Director? I submitted out of loyalty. I have other broadcasters lined up if I come out with a new work.”
“Of course I know. I know it very well. You’ve got a tight grip on romantic comedies in this industry.”
As Director Ko Dong-guk finished speaking, a fire slowly rose in Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes.
“Then, who is it?”
-Gulp.
Seeing the change in Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s demeanor, Director Ko Dong-guk swallowed hard.
“Well, you see…”
“Please tell me quickly.”
“It’s, well…”
“I’m getting upset!”
Noticing the fire half-filled in Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes, Director Ko Dong-guk sighed and spoke.
“It’s a rookie.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes widened, still holding her glass.
“What?”
Director Ko Dong-guk answered with difficulty, as if he were a criminal.
“I’m sorry, Writer Kim.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon paused before asking again.
“Are you telling me I just got beaten by a rookie?”
She knew very well that rumors of her submitting a script for the contest had already spread throughout the broadcasting station.
“And you want me to believe that? That you’re postponing my work to air a rookie’s first? Did I make a mistake somewhere? Tell me quickly!”
Soon, rumors would spread that her script was pushed aside for an unheard-of rookie’s work.
“Are you trying to embarrass me? Are you picking a fight with me now? That’s what this is, right?”
Just then, the door opened, and the food they had ordered arrived. Director Ko Dong-guk quickly placed the jeonbok-jjim (stewed abalone) in front of Writer Kim Seung-yeon and said,
“Let’s calm down and eat first. We can talk while we eat, Writer Kim.”
Director Ko Dong-guk stirred his jajangmyeon while glancing sideways at Writer Kim Seung-yeon.
“Forget it, what’s there to eat?”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon remained motionless, staring only at Director Ko Dong-guk, regardless of whether food had arrived or not.
This is dangerous…
Director Ko Dong-guk had worked with Writer Kim Seung-yeon for quite some time. That’s why he could gauge her current state: one step away from exploding.
Director Ko Dong-guk put down his chopsticks again, adjusted his posture, and met Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Writer Kim. There are some internal circumstances I can’t talk about. I’ll try to create a good opportunity for you next time. You know me. I may forget grudges, but I never forget favors.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon continued to stare at Director Ko Dong-guk as she spoke.
“Do you have the script?”
Director Ko Dong-guk took out a thick script from his bag and placed it on the table. Writer Kim Seung-yeon glanced at the script once before shifting her gaze back to Director Ko Dong-guk.
“That’s unusual. You’re showing it to me willingly.”
Director Ko Dong-guk sighed and replied, “You’d find a way to get your hands on it anyway. If that’s the case, it’s better I hand it over myself.”
As he watched Writer Kim Seung-yeon pick up the script with an irritated gesture, he spoke again. “Still, I thought it wouldn’t be right between us to do this over the phone. That’s why I called you here. I completely understand your disappointment.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon placed the script in her bag and said, “You know me, right? I can’t stand losing.” The fire in her eyes blazed.
“Not only did I lose to a green rookie, but now I have to wait in line? I can’t do that.”
Writer Kim Seung-yeon added as she put on her jacket, “Let me know when the broadcast schedule is set. Let’s have a showdown.”
Director Ko Dong-guk looked up in shock. “What do you mean by that? Are you saying you’ll go to another broadcaster for a ratings battle?”
He continued, trying to placate her. “Don’t do this, Writer Kim. I’ll really try to create a good spot in next year’s lineup, I promise.”
“I’ll be leaving now. Finish your meal. There’s a lot of food left. Why don’t you pack it up and give it to that rookie writer?”
SLAM—even after Writer Kim Seung-yeon left, Director Ko Dong-guk’s expression didn’t soften.
“Hah…” It was a long while before he picked up his chopsticks again, the jajangmyeon now cold.
* * *
The next morning.
“Good morning, PD Kim Jong-su.”
Ji-won greeted PD Kim Jong-su energetically.
“…”
PD Kim Jong-su glared at Ji-won, who was arriving at work, with his fingers interlocked. Ji-won flinched at the blatant stare and sat down at his desk.
Is he still upset about yesterday’s project proposal…?
Ji-won unpacked his things and headed to the pantry. The coffee machine installed in the office whirred to life, filling Ji-won’s mug. As he watched the coffee being extracted with a gurgling sound, Ji-won organized the tasks he needed to complete today.
Forget about the treatment I received as a director in my past life. It’s time to start over from scratch.
He had already made up his mind last night to begin again carefully.
Today, I should clean the production team’s pantry a bit. Ah, geez!
When he turned his head, Kim Jong-su, who had followed him to the pantry door, was still glaring at him with his arms crossed. Ji-won barely managed to calm his pounding heart and asked,
“Would you like me to make you a cup of coffee too, PD?”
“No need. Don’t mind me; just do what you were doing.”
As Ji-won left the pantry with his mug, PD Kim Jong-su followed right behind him. He returned to his desk, put down his mug, and headed back to the pantry. Of course, PD Kim Jong-su came along.
Swish, swish…
As Ji-won wiped the counter with the cloth provided in the pantry and restocked supplies, he could feel PD Kim Jong-su’s gaze on his back.
Just say something! Say something, will you…?
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, Do Ji-won. Come see me for a second.”
Then he strode ahead, taking big steps.
Conference Room.
Only silence filled the empty conference room. PD Kim Jong-su rested his chin on the table, silently glaring at Ji-won.
A mere 4-year rookie wrote a project proposal of that caliber? It doesn’t make sense…
As PD Kim Jong-su glared without saying anything, Ji-won asked in a low voice, “Um, senior?”
Meanwhile, PD Kim Jong-su’s silent contemplation continued.
Did someone else write it for him?
The project proposal exuded the polish of a seasoned veteran. It contained details that one could only discover after being intensely involved in the industry for at least 20—no, 25—years…
No, that’s impossible. If Ji-won had such connections, there’d be no reason for him to be here doing this.
If they were close enough for someone to write such a meticulous proposal on his behalf, it would be better to stick by that person’s side. So, it was an absurd fantasy.
“Senior…?”
Despite Ji-won’s repeated calls, Kim Jong-su didn’t answer and just continued to stare at his face.
What’s with this kid?
The longer he looked, the more irritated he became for no reason. Come to think of it, his features were quite refined. If someone who didn’t know better were told he wasn’t an ordinary person, they might have believed it. He had a delicate look. His appearance was in a different category from Kim Jong-su’s own.
I’m sure I felt a similar displeasure recently…
As Kim Jong-su sorted through his memories, he muttered lowly, “Right, that time.” It was when he met the CEO of Won Management last time. He had felt the same kind of displeasure then.
“Oh—?”
Kim Jong-su narrowed his eyes and asked sharply, “Do you know CEO Choi Won-jae by any chance?”
Ji-won responded nonchalantly, as if it were nothing. “Huh? Who? CEO Choi Won-jae? I’ve heard that name somewhere…”
“Are you a robot? Why is your way of speaking suddenly changing, you bastard?” PD Kim Jong-su glared.
“Oh ho, I’ve caught you.”
Ji-won’s heart began to race. He hadn’t left a single clue that could lead to any connection with Won-jae. Yet, PD Kim Jong-su was pinpointing and asking about the hidden answer.
Indeed, there’s something different about a veteran PD’s intuition?
This was a disaster. If it were someone else, it might not have mattered, but having her relationship with Won-jae discovered by PD Kim Jong-su, who harbored unfavorable feelings toward her, was truly the worst-case scenario.
“You don’t know who Choi Won-jae is? You didn’t properly look at the materials I gave you, did you? Geez, so careless…” Kim Jong-soo said.
Ji-won let out a shaky breath he didn’t know he was holding and answered,
“Ah, I just remembered. CEO Choi Won-jae—the one who manages Writer Kyu-kyu of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju…”
Kim Jong-su responded in a low voice, “Right, CEO Choi Won-jae.”
Then he tilted his head slightly. “You two have similar looks. Looking like gigolos… Hmph, I don’t like either of you.”
…
His intuition is indeed different. As Ji-won remained silent, unable to think of a response, Kim Jong-su suddenly spoke again.
“Anyway.”
Having lost interest, PD Kim Jong-su turned his attention back to the project proposal. What mattered now wasn’t whether Do Ji-won and Choi Won-jae looked alike. It was the incredibly high-quality project proposal the rookie had written. To put it mildly, with just a little exaggeration, it was at a level where they could finish the casting board and go straight into filming.
Right, it must be a fluke. He just happened to get lucky once. These things sometimes align by chance…
PD Kim Jong-su’s interlocked hands tightened.
I need to test him.
After adjusting his posture, PD Kim Jong-su spread out the materials he had prepared on the table.