Chapter 80

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 080

Chapter Title: Interest

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It was right around the time the rumor spread that top star Yu Na-bi and veteran actor Choi Man-cheol had cut ties with Crime City 4 and headed straight for Tamra.

'What...?'

Director Kim Hwa-wook, who happened to catch wind of the news at the police station, could only gape in shock.

No way. A lie.

'Of all things, why now.'

It was more unbelievable than anything else.

'They stole my lineup?!'

Shin Yi-han's next project, Tamra, had snatched them away.

The very thing he'd wanted to smash to pieces had left him stunned.

'Why the hell would Actor Choi Man-cheol?!'

This was the veteran star he'd fawned over and buttered up just to barely cast in Crime City 4.

The guy had such a picky eye for scripts—it had been so damn hard to win him over...!

And now that star had been lured away so easily.

It didn't make any sense! Resentment boiled up inside him.

'Even Yu Na-bi too?!'

He'd lost the hot trending actress he'd been eyeing as well.

Damn it! Damn it all!

Kim Hwa-wook was so furious he felt like he might burst a blood vessel. His fists clenched involuntarily amid the bubbling rage.

But then.

"Mr. Kim Hwa-wook. What do you think you're doing? Focus."

Bam!

That was right up until the detective in front of him slammed his desk.

"Th-that's..."

With the police interrogation still ongoing, Kim Hwa-wook could only shrink back completely.

The ultimate bully picks on the weak.

What a petty, pathetic end.

And at that very moment.

Tamra ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was drawing massive attention—enough that even Kim Hwa-wook, in the middle of his interrogation, had heard about it.

Of course, not all that attention was positive.

In the midst of the film industry's chaos with drugs and assaults, suspicious glares turned toward it.

Of course, the controversy died down quickly.

Once production company Red Film and Shin Yi-han's agency Winter Entertainment stepped in for real.

The crew from Innocent Boy, which had ranked third in all-time indie box office records, and...

Shin Yi-han.

That alone wiped away the doubts and suspicions surrounding Tamra.

Before long, Crime City 4 faded from talk, replaced entirely by chatter about Tamra.

Especially once proper info on the film started leaking out.

Zombie historical drama.

The unique genre mix started sparking all sorts of reactions.

The cheers kept coming.

But...

Lots of people were baffled.

Even some Shin Yi-han fans voiced concerns.

And Shin Yi-han was the one checking out those articles.

He flashed a small smile at the buzzing internet.

He got why people were thrown off by the out-of-left-field historical zombie flick.

But he knew that atmosphere would flip completely once the trailer dropped.

From worry to hype, doubt to curiosity.

'Just like in my past life.'

It had pulled in 7 million viewers back then, after all. That said it all.

He didn't think this time would be any different.

'Ah, but the situation now is way different from my past life overall.'

Back then, it hadn't gotten this much early buzz. Especially not at the casting stage.

Innocent Boy had been out for a while before Tamra even got written.

And lack of budget meant no big stars.

But now?

The name Tamra was popping up everywhere online.

Yu Na-bi, Choi Man-cheol. Two famous, talented actors already on board.

Unheard of in normal circumstances.

And it was all thanks to Kim Hwa-wook who'd created this mess.

In the end, the guy who'd tried so hard to sabotage it had only boosted it before crumbling.

Shin Yi-han couldn't help but smirk a little.

Of course, the real credit went to one person.

Tamra's assistant director, Kang Heon-su.

It was all because of him.

Because he'd given up everything he'd built to stop Director Kim Hwa-wook.

Unfortunately, that meant tough times ahead for the assistant director.

Daily police grillings were just the start, plus resentment from everyone dragged down with Kim Hwa-wook.

But in the end, as a whistleblower, he'd get leniency.

And unlike Kim Hwa-wook, he'd make a comeback.

'As a full-fledged director, not just an assistant.'

Kang Heon-su was someone who knew how to craft great stories. His talent deserved to shine.

His soft heart would toughen up from here on out.

Plenty of people would root for him.

Having seen the future already in his past life, Shin Yi-han had zero worries.

'Yeah, figured as much.'

He nodded, recalling Kang Heon-su from his past life.

'Only good things left for him.'

This uproar would blow over soon anyway.

Now he could focus purely on Tamra.

Casting wasn't even done yet, either.

Child actor auditions were still coming up.

The part Shin Yi-han was most looking forward to. The day he'd meet the best actor from his past life.

Ten years younger this time, sure.

But the anticipation was real.

Only...

'Huh?'

Something came up first.

'Moving?'

It was such a generous gift from his agency, he wondered if it was okay.

'Of course we have to! That one-room you're in is way too remote anyway...!'

'And a Porsche in that neighborhood? Super suspicious from the jump?!'

CEO Choo Gyeo-ul was pushing with such momentum.

'Newflix's hottest actor can't have a better car than house!'

'This could leak your address and start rumors you're car-poor!'

Security concerns aside, no more one-rooms—she'd straight-up contracted a place.

A massive officetel at that.

"So, anyway."

Shin Yi-han couldn't help but be shocked when she dragged him to tour the new place.

"This is really it?"

"Yes!"

At Choo Gyeo-ul's bright reply, Shin Yi-han's jaw dropped.

Even better than expected, and that thought crossed his mind.

Uh...

Winter Entertainment... richer than I thought.

Meanwhile, Shin Yi-han was swamped with moving prep.

And Korea was still abuzz over Director Kim Hwa-wook's scandal.

This place was lively too.

The short film contest where Bobby Pax had submitted the piece he'd shot with Shin Yi-han.

- Production Company A Haunted House (Ghost House)

Horror specialist studio.

The judges had finally selected the finalists from countless entries.

- 15 finalist shorts.

Now, just two would be picked from these.

No first or second place distinction.

Both would go up on Nutube under A Haunted House's name.

If they got good reactions, full features would follow.

Maybe even both—hopeful terms that could drum up interest in horror films.

The execs were gathering to choose those two.

"Wonder what came in this year."

The company president was even sitting in as a judge.

"Last year we picked 'em but neither went to features."

"Right? Features my ass... didn't even hit Nutube views."

"Reactions sucked, no helping it."

The president cleared his throat awkwardly.

Nutube flops happened sometimes. Ahem.

Couldn't be helped. He'd genuinely enjoyed them... last year had been a real shame.

And right as all the judges assembled...

"Huh?"

Execs spotting someone entering stood up one by one.

"Whoa! Kevin?!"

"...!"

Eyes widened all around.

"Wow, you really came?!"

"Honored to meet you! Huge fan!"

Considering last year's flop, they'd invited a famous actor this time. Didn't expect it'd actually work.

"Thanks for accepting the invite, Kevin."

Even the president shot up to greet him warmly.

Kevin Peters.

Because the guy was Hollywood royalty.

The name everyone thought of for thrillers.

Still massive in his early 40s.

Tall and lean, giving off a slightly neurotic vibe.

"Come on, no need to stand. Everyone."

But he was an exceptional actor always dead serious about his craft, fame or not.

"Nah! Worth standing for! Thought you'd be too busy!"

"Kevin Peters judging? Articles gonna explode already."

"This year's got good vibes thanks to you."

Kevin Peters chuckled, dimples flashing at the warm welcome.

"I've got deep ties to this studio. Had to come."

Shoot location nearby was the real reason, but still.

Kevin was pretty invested in this horror short contest too.

After all, it'd been this contest that first put his name on the Hollywood map.

A nice change of pace amid grueling shoots.

"Curious too. What rookies showed up this time."

Watching someone's dreams take flight was always fun.

Once Kevin Peters sat down.

The team lead who'd reviewed all entries and picked the finalists stepped forward—as contest manager.

"So, 15 shorts for finals judging this time."

He passed out scoring sheets while explaining.

"Huh? Hold up, 15?"

But then.

Spotting the number of entries, the president and execs blinked.

"Why so few finalists this year?"

"Yeah, record low?"

"Usually like 30, right?"

No good ones to pick?

They tilted heads at the team lead, top dog on this.

"Well."

Facing the judges' reactions, he explained it was out of his hands.

"There was a powerhouse."

Bold claim.

"Raised the bar so high, clear hits from misses."

Having screened shorts for years, the team lead spoke confidently.

Blame one entry.

That one submitted on the last day.

...handshake.

The title naturally popped into his head.

Not just the first finalist he'd chosen.

Its overwhelming impact made everything else taste bland.

Standards had shifted inevitably.

"...?"

But the team lead's overconfident tone filled judges' faces with question marks.

Powerhouse?

Rare words even for this annual contest.

'Huh. Something good this year, huh...?'

A vague excitement stirred.

Not fully buying it, though.

'Overhyping after last year's flop?'

'Kinda feels like it.'

Haha. Awkward laughs and shrugs all around.

Kevin Peters included.

'Higher hopes, bigger letdown.'

'Eh, either way could be fun.'

Small smile as he waited for the shorts to play.

The team lead, unfazed by their expressions.

Everything was blind judging anyway.

No plans to spoil more.

In horror, where scaring folks was key, spoilers were the worst.

"Alright, let's start judging. First one is..."

He kicked off proceedings smoothly.