Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
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Despite Netflix's proposal, filming continued unabated.
Episode 5 had been uploaded, but they were still shooting Episode 6. Considering editing and other tasks, it was a slow pace.
The dish was decided, and the script was ready. The issue was with the props. Episode 6 featured a spear.
It was essential to the story.
The storyline involved treating returning tribesmen from war to a meal.
In the novel, it was a significant scene where the protagonist earned the recognition of the tribe's warriors.
Even though the content had changed, this was an important moment from the novel, so he wanted to include it.
The problem was the spear's appearance.
The spear was described in detail in the novel where it played a key role. It even appeared on the book's cover.
As a result, readers had a fixed image of it in their minds.
Of course, since the medium was different, a spear of a different shape could appear. It was just a brief shot in the video. Most people would overlook it.
Even so, his fixation stemmed from a stubborn streak.
"Let's look a bit more."
Tae-seong gazed at the sketch on his desk. He'd lightly drawn the spear for Episode 6.
If worst came to worst, he'd make it with a 3D printer. The biggest problem was that he didn't have time for that right now.
Bzzz-!
His smartphone, set to vibrate, buzzed.
[Actress Park Eun-bi]
He hadn't seen the name in a while, so he answered happily and stood up from his seat.
* * *
That evening.
Tae-seong sat in a restaurant.
Across from him were Park Eun-bi and Lee Seong-woo.
"I'll never forget the taste of that samgyetang we had in Japan."
"I agree. Seong-woo and I went for samgyetang again on the hottest day of summer, but it was such a letdown compared to that one."
After filming *Her of the Black Knight*.
The two, being around the same age, had grown close. Even after wrapping, they stuck together so much that dating rumors had surfaced a few times.
'So the rumors were true.'
They didn't seem like just friends. They were actors, still young.
It made sense. He pretended not to notice and wet his throat with wine.
"If the chance comes, I'll treat you."
"Oh! You have to keep that promise."
"Yes."
"By the way, I've been watching your Nuttube videos lately, Writer-nim!"
"Nuttube videos?"
"You didn't know, Seong-woo? Writer-nim's been producing a drama and uploading it to Nuttube."
"Really?"
Seeing Lee Seong-woo's wide-eyed, surprised stare made him chuckle.
"It's not a professional drama. It's an omnibus format where each episode centers on a main dish and unfolds a short story around it."
"Hmm... Sounds like a J-drama."
"Yes, exactly."
"Check this out."
Park Eun-bi handed over her smartphone.
It was Episode 5, the chicken one, from the sound of it. As the frying scene played, Lee Seong-woo let out an "Oh!" of admiration.
Park Eun-bi smiled faintly at his reaction and asked Tae-seong.
"Writer-nim, why hasn't Episode 6 gone up yet?"
"There's a slight issue with a filming prop. Most scenes are done, so once that's sorted, it should upload in two days."
"I see. Upload it soon! I refresh every day when it's supposed to go up."
"You've... been waiting."
He realized his mistake.
*Otherworld Chef*'s Nuttube uploads weren't on a fixed schedule. But Episodes 1 through 5 had all gone up on the same day and time.
Viewers naturally expected the same. It had become an unspoken promise.
'Breaking that promise over just one prop.'
Artists pursued different ideals.
Some prioritized artistic value, others speed or money.
Tae-seong put his fans first.
Yet he'd hung up on a prop without even making a direct promise.
He felt sorry for all the people waiting.
"I'll get it up soon."
"No, take your time. Delays happen when creating art. Oh, and if you need a female actress, give me a call."
"Eun-bi, your appearance fee is too high for that."
"Come on! What's a fee between friends? I'll do a cameo! Of course, that means tasting your food that day, right?"
Her bright smile brought one to his face too.
"Yes, of course."
"Call me too!"
Lee Seong-woo, glued to the phone, jumped in.
Top stars offering cameos? No reason to refuse.
"Of course."
"Ah, should we move spots?"
"Suddenly?"
"This is making me crave chicken. I know a killer chicken place. Chimaek there?"
"Call!"
"Sounds good."
With agreement reached, they all stood up without another word.
* * *
The next day.
Tae-seong arrived at the office as usual and was shocked. A spear stood in one corner. It was identical to the one he'd been searching for.
'So intricate. Matches my sketch perfectly.'
Perfect was the word for it. It embodied exactly what he'd envisioned.
He knew who'd made it.
Ki Min-jeong.
No one else.
'She saw the sketch on my desk?'
That was the only explanation.
'Too perfect.'
Until now, Ki Min-jeong had focused on figures using a 3D printer.
Handling a 3D printer didn't mean you could make anything.
Everyone had their specialties, and different ways of applying them.
That's why he hadn't asked her. It was outside her experience; he didn't want to push her.
'She's even more talented than I thought.'
Producing this quality from just a sketch.
If it were his first time with a 3D printer, he couldn't have done it.
He'd known she was skilled, but she harbored a monster far beyond expectations.
'I owe her a big treat next time.'
Thanks to this, he could wrap the final scene.
* * *
*Otherworld Chef* Episode 6 uploaded.
Views climbed fast, as many had been waiting.
The central dish was braised fish. Sweet and soy-based without chili powder, it was plenty appetizing.
A familiar, predictable taste—that's what whetted appetites most.
After the main episode, Tae-seong appeared in chef's attire before the camera.
But instead of cooking, he bowed his head.
-I'm sorry, viewers.
A sudden apology?
[We apologize for the irregular upload times of the *Otherworld Chef* drama version so far.]
Irregular, sure, but Episodes 1-5 had been every two weeks on Wednesdays.
Times varied slightly, but it was understandable.
No need to apologize, he thought.
[From now on, we'll upload every other Wednesday at 10 PM to avoid inconveniencing viewers. We'll announce any unavoidable delays via channel notices.
Now, let's start cooking.]
The notice ended, and cooking began.
Viewer reactions varied.
Everyone had their opinions, shared online.
But one thing was clear: many felt the sincerity in that notice.
* * *
Preparations for Episode 7 filming began.
Before starting, Tae-seong consulted with cinematographer Oh Young-tae on angles, movement, and food close-ups.
Since the chicken episode, this had become routine, now a settled system.
"The dish for Episode 7 is pork cutlet. Like with chicken, I'd like to fix the camera overhead for the frying scene. What do you think?"
"......"
No response.
Tae-seong looked up at Oh Young-tae. He stared blankly into space, lost.
Instead of calling him, Tae-seong dropped his pen.
Clack-!
"Ah, excuse me."
The jolt snapped him out of it.
When he picked up the pen, his eyes were back to normal.
But Tae-seong read worry and concern in his expression.
'Everyone has secrets they don't share.'
He didn't mind.
Everyone had their troubles. If he wanted to talk, he would have.
"Shall we continue?"
"Ah, yes. From the Episode 7 script, it looks like pork cutlet. Fixing the camera like with chicken seems good."
Hearing his own words echoed back made him smile. But Oh Young-tae added more.
"And in the chicken episode, the frame felt too static. For this one, I'd like to add another camera for more life in the shots. What do you think, Director?"
"That sounds good. Yeah, chicken was too static."
"Yes, so I'll shoot various angles, mix with fixed shots in editing—should make for better footage."
Even lost in thought, he was a pro cameraman.
"Let's do that."
The pre-meeting for Episode 7 wrapped.
* * *
Filming *Otherworld Chef* meant Tae-seong spent many days away from the office.
But he couldn't neglect writing.
He had a stockpile, but skipping dulled his touch.
Writers had styles.
Tae-seong wrote straight through, riding momentum.
Pausing drained it, stalling progress.
So, even with other work, he wrote a bit daily.
But not just anywhere on set.
Bringing office work to a job site wasn't ideal.
So, he rented a nearby studio short-term, writing during breaks.
It wasn't far, and used his rest time—no complaints.
Even the employer wouldn't complain.
Today, after lunch break, he finished a chapter of *Reincarnation of the Swordmaster*.
He aimed for one per day, never missing—deadline panic wasn't in his vocabulary.
Before heading to set, he stopped at the convenience store next to the restaurant for a snack.
As he approached the door.
"No, delaying payment out of nowhere? You pay up, then we take care of our kids!"
A familiar voice from the alley. He knew who without looking.
Oh Young-tae.
Short exchange, but the situation was clear. Better not intrude. He turned away.
Staying out avoided awkward misunderstandings.
Still, he pieced together Oh Young-tae's plight.
'Most crews are freelancers. Payments tie to production schedules—often delayed.'
He knew the basics.
Prepping shoots, he'd met industry folks.
Productions varied, but most paid post-shoot on set dates.
Delays hit crews hard—mostly small outfits.
Oh Young-tae wasn't popular on sets despite skill.
Due to personality.
A near-perfectionist, he spoke up to directors without fear.
Even demanded reshoots often.
In Korean society, challenging a director's authority as a DP? Rare.
Same title, but hierarchy ruled.
Directors didn't welcome his candor.
'With his company's state, a delayed payment hits hard.'
That explained his recent spacing out.