Top Management - Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Once You Start Being Swayed (4)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

“Well, let’s hear what the situation is . ”

Director Hwang of Ant Capital said in a leisurely manner .

Seeing this, Director Joo Jaechan also suppressed his agitation . There was no need to get agitated . Even if Director Oh Hyunkyung came here clinging onto someone’s pant leg, she couldn’t push him, who had strong support from the investment company, out .

Jung Sunwoo introduced everyone in this restless atmosphere .

“Also, this is the project producer from SBE Film . ”

“Hello . ”

The business card the man handed out had his position, project producer, and name clearly printed . Director Joo Jaechan dazedly stared at the business card . SBE Film . The production company that produced the megahit film, Alive, with Director Choi Sungwon . It was also one of the places he brought his scenario to and was rejected .

Director Hwang opened his mouth with an ‘Ah’ .

“No wonder you seemed familiar . How are you here together?”

“City Jungle may be a joint collaboration with us . ”

“With SBE Film?”

Director Hwang’s eyes widened . Then his gaze alternated between Jung Sunwoo, SBE Film’s project producer, and Forest’s CEO . Then, as if he understood the situation, he nodded .

“It seems Team Leader Jung Sunwoo acted as the bridge . It’s great for investors if an experienced production company joins . You’ve also worked with Ms . Lee Songha before . ”

At this time, Director Joo Jaechan was doing his best to calm his excitement . This excitement was not of fury but high hopes . The higher the level of the production company, the higher his level and value, as the director, rose .

While Director Joo Jaechan was hyped up, the project producer licked his lips and replied,

“We are familiar . Also familiar with Mr . Nam Joyoon . ”

“Pardon?”

“With Mr . Nam Joyoon and Ms . Lee Songha as the leads, there shouldn’t be any scuffles on set . ”

“Wait, I think there is a misunderstanding . We only wanted to cast…”

Director Hwang glanced back at Director Joo Jaechan . His gaze clearly asked how he handled the casting matter . Flustered, Director Joo Jaechan shook his head and looked at Jung Sunwoo .

“Team Leader Jung! I clearly only extended the offer to Ms . Lee Songha . ”

“Yes, I received two offers . One for the male lead and another for the female lead . ”

“No, but we explained the situation . There was an internal miscommunication regarding Mr . Nam Joyoon…!”

“I hope that we can proceed with both . ”

Jung Sunwoo said with a smile . At the same time, Director Hwang’s expression stiffened .

“If we don’t take Mr . Nam Joyoon, you won’t give us Ms . Lee Songha, is that it?”

“That makes it sound like I’m selling you untalented actors . Especially when the casting offer first came to Joyoon hyung, Mr . Nam Joyoon . The male lead . I am certain he’ll be able to do it better than anyone else . If you don’t believe me, I’m fine if you hold an audition . ”

“Of course, you will be certain . He’s your actor . And I don’t think we need to hold an audition . Our views are clear . ”

Director Hwang said resolutely .

“I oppose having Mr . Nam Joyoon as the lead . What are your thoughts, Director Joo?”

“… To be honest, I wanted to ask for Mr . Seo Jijoon as the male lead . The reaction when he worked with Ms . Lee Songha was quite good too . It just happens that he hasn’t decided on his next project yet . ”

Director Joo Jaechan agreed, nodding his head subtly . He had been planning on bringing up Seo Jijoon once Lee Songha was decided . Any investors would drool with that lineup .

“Team Leader Jung . Could you reconsider with Mr . Seo Jijoon…”

“I think the role will better suit Mr . Nam Joyoon than Mr . Seo Jijoon . ”

His reply was as firm as Director Hwang .

While Director Joo Jaechan was figuring out what to say, Director Hwang clicked his tongue .

“Team Leader Jung, I think you believe that investors are going to rush to give you their money if you act, but that’s only if you push the right actors . We’re talking about the lead here, the lead . It’s too early to trust in Ms . Lee Songha since it’s her first time playing the female lead in a film . If the movie flops, at least the actors will have played lead roles . The investors are taking all the losses . If you are going to pull Ms . Lee Songha too, then do just that . ”

After saying those sharp words, Director Hwang looked at Forest’s CEO .

“CEO, if this is how you’re going to proceed with casting, then we can’t invest in this film . How about we make you a list and you choose from there?”

The mood in the room became even colder .

Director Joo Jaechan’s eyes quickly darted back and forth . If the investment company took command of the casting, then his plan would go belly up . Director Joo Jaechan was about to persuade Jung Sunwoo once more when he shut his mouth . Jung Sunwoo’s reaction was strange .

He wasn’t shaken up in the least in a situation like this . It was the same for Forest’s CEO and SBE Film’s project producer . They simply let out a short sigh or clicked their tongues . As though what was coming had finally arrived .

“What do you think, Director Oh Hyunkyung?”

Jung Sunwoo abruptly asked . Director Oh Hyunkyung replied in a serious manner,

“I said this multiple times, but I think Mr . Nam Joyoon is perfect as the male lead . ”

“Now really, here I was wondering what was going on . ”

Director Hwang couldn’t help but laugh . Director Oh Hyunkyung continued,

“I also received positive replies from other investors I have been working hard to persuade . Because they are partial investors, individually they don’t make up a large amount, but I’ll be able to persuade more partial investors once our leads are set . ”

“CEO!”

Forest’s CEO flinched in surprise . Avoiding Director Hwang’s sharp glare, he supported Director Oh Hyunkyung with a gloomy face . Director Hwang, who had been drinking cold water with a dumbfounded face, eventually place his cup down in a tossing manner before getting up .

“Then do what you want . ”

The sliding door loudly opened and closed . Director Joo Jaechan blankly looked at the door Director Hwang slammed . The situation was progressing weirdly . At this rate, there was no doubt he would end up no better than an abandoned duck egg .

His eyes darted around . He looked at Forest’s CEO, Director Oh Hyunkyung, and SBE Film’s project producer .

And finally, at Jung Sunwoo .

He hastily spoke,

“Team Leader Jung, please give me a moment of your time . ”

Jung Sunwoo readily got up .

On their way out of the building, Director Joo Jaechan’s mind was churning . This was a chance that the heavens had given him . He couldn’t lose his scenario and his debuting work like this .

Although the CEO with no backbone supported Director Oh Hyunkyung, this was only because Jung Sunwoo and Director Oh Hyunkyung were of the same opinion . It was Jung Sunwoo who brought in SBE Film . The one who was in control of the current situation was also Team Leader Jung Sunwoo .

This meant that all he had to do was persuade him .

“Thinking about what you said, I think Mr . Nam Joyoon will also be fine . No, good . I can also persuade the partial investors Director Oh Hyunkyung mentioned . ”

Director Joo Jaechan said with confidence . Of course, he was certain .

Under the same conditions, he was certain that Jung Sunwoo would choose him .

“Please let me take care of the actors as we discussed . You also prefer my directin…!”

“I don’t know . ”

“Pardon?”

“I saw Director Oh Hyunkyung’s previous works, and I really liked her directing . It was surprising . ”

Jung Sunwoo tilted his head . It was difficult to read what he was thinking . That expression made Director Joo Jaechan feel more uneasy . He almost clung to him, trying to persuade him, but Jung Sunwoo’s expression did not change . Director Joo Jaechan raised his voice .

“Team Leader! No matter how good her directing was, weren’t they all failures in the end? Unless you’re crazy, how can you entrust your actors to a director like that…!”

Director Joo Jaechan, who was expressing his frustrations, paused .

Jung Sunwoo was grinning .

“People asked me whether I was crazy on multiple occasions, but these actions weren’t crazy to me . But this choice really is crazy . Logically speaking, the decision is clear, but I am making the illogical choice . ”

Jung Sunwoo, who was mumbling incomprehensibly, said in a clear-cut manner,

“Anyways, the person I want to entrust my actors to is Director Oh Hyunkyung . ”

Director Joo Jaechan swore under his breath . His chance was slipping from his fingers . Malice surged up from his belly . If they were bent on pushing him out, then he also had a way to make this a complete mess .

Director Joo Jaechan revealed a crooked smile .

“… I’ll sue . ”

“Sue?”

“City Jungle is my work!”

It was now Jung Sunwoo’s turn to laugh . Laughing like he was refreshed, he said,

“We’ll put your name in the credits . ”

“…!”

“So that it’s not even worth suing over . ”

***

“You’re going to regret today once the film flops!”

I let Director Joo Jaechan’s curse in one ear and out the other as I went back in the building . Director Cha Jaeho, who was directing Supernatural, also mocked me, saying that I would regret it . I didn’t know why they were all so impatient to pray for my future .

I was returning to the room when I saw someone standing in front of the room .

It was Director Oh Hyunkyung .

“Team Leader Jung . ”

“What are you doing outside? It’s time we go in and discuss the film for real . ”

“I wanted to thank you . You undoubtedly had other options . ”

Options, huh?

Director Joo Jaechan, or even other, more trustworthy, directors .

I did consider it . Even while I was watching Director Oh Hyunkyung’s previous works and thinking she really didn’t lack skills but was really unlucky . Even while I reminded myself that the emotions I was feeling from the scenario were all from Director Oh Hyunkyung . Even while seeing her constantly on the move to change the situation .

Still, the tips of the scales didn’t fully lean towards her .

“They said they wanted to do it . ”

“… Pardon?”

Looking at Director Oh Hyunkyung, who was confused, I remembered .

“What project do you want to do?”

As soon as I asked, Lee Songha, as if waiting, put out three stacks of paper . One was a drama script, the other two were drama proposals . Just as I gulped dryly, Lee Songha spoked,

“I’m still undecided between the three of them . I haven’t picked out the drama, but for the film, this . ”

Lee Songha placed a scenario over the drama script and proposals . City Jungle . I relaxed as soon as I saw the title on the front page . Then my suspicions began to bud .

“Did you hear anything at the company?”

“About what?”

“No, what do you like about this scenario . ”

Lee Songha replied nonchalantly to my question,

“The scenario is fun . And, above all, the female lead is impressive . She also has a large role . There are a lot of dramas where the female lead has a large part, but it’s rare to find in movies . I think I’ll regret it if I miss out . Also…”

Lee Songha smiled slightly before adding,

“It made me think that the director who wrote the script became very attached to the character as she wrote it . I thought she would film me with that sense of attachment . ”

I asked Nam Joyoon the same question .

“Hyung, which one do you want to do?”

“This one . ”

Nam Joyoon took out a scenario from a tower of them .

“City Jungle . The one you gave me last . It interests me the most . ”

“… Why?”

When I asked with narrowed eyes, Nam Joyoon calmly replied,

“Because it’s fun . ”

“You find all scenarios fun . ”

“It’s more fun . Also… This caught my eye . ”

He took out something that was carefully placed in a transparent file . A colorful paper . It was the casting offer that I first received from Director Oh Hyunkyung . The sincere, earnest, embarrassing offer .

“It’s been ten years since I last received something like this . ”

Although I gave it to him in hopes he would be charmed by it, I didn’t think it would be this effective .

Nam Joyoon scratched his neck as he said,

“I don’t care if it’s a brief role, I want to do this movie . ”

“That’s what they said . Both of them . ”

I looked over after speaking . Director Oh Hyunkyung had a strange expression on her face . Her brows were contorted, and the corners of her lips were raised . Like someone who didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry . I let out a short breath before greeting Director Oh Hyunkyung once more,

“So please take care of us from now on . ”

Leaving Director Oh Hyunkyung, who was standing rigidly, I opened the sliding door .

The room was filled with dark clouds . SBE Film’s project producer was on the phone wearing a serious expression, while Forest’s CEO’s deathly pale face seemed to have already been soaked in the rain . He looked over at me and mumbled,

“Our main investor is gone . Now, what do we do…”

“We need to find other investors . ”

Immediately, from now on .