Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Classic Masterpiece Movie
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Oh Sena, the female lead actress in the movie A Sunny Day, was a little flustered. Most young men turned polite when she flashed them a smile.
But Na Gang-in remained utterly indifferent.
She wouldn't back down just because of that—that wasn't Oh Sena's style.
She quickly regained her usual confident demeanor.
'Playing it cool to make me lose interest? Trying to draw my attention by acting aloof?'
There had been guys like that before. But they crumbled soon enough once she switched tactics and went on the offensive. And the moment they turned polite like everyone else, she dumped them.
She planned to use the same playbook now. First, she reached out to slip her arm through his left one, acting all chummy.
"Can I call you Gang-in oppa?"
"No."
"Heh. Playing hard to get..."
Suddenly, Shin Eun-ha appeared on Na Gang-in's right.
"Oh my. Sena unnie. Aren't you the same age as Gang-in oppa? You can't call him oppa then."
Oh Sena's expression stiffened slightly.
"Hi, Eun-ha. Looks like you got a nice boost from our movie."
"Of course. It's all thanks to the director, the people who helped with the reshoots, and Gang-in oppa."
Oh Sena hadn't participated in the reshoots.
As Shin Eun-ha's screen time increased, Oh Sena's had decreased.
Shin Eun-ha had skyrocketed to lead-actress status in one go. The spotlight that would've gone entirely to the female lead was now split between Oh Sena and Shin Eun-ha.
Oh Sena's agency had analyzed the situation and reached a conclusion.
—If Oh Sena had been at the Gangwon-do shoot site that day instead of Shin Eun-ha, she could've claimed all the popularity that came with being the actress in a ten-million-viewer hit.
Oh Sena hadn't actually lost out in any real way. With A Sunny Day breaking ten million viewers, her own popularity had soared even higher. Even sharing the spotlight, she'd gained more than if they'd just released it as-is without reshoots—no losses there.
But she still felt the sting.
'I could've had it all.'
She'd been mulling over strategies. This movie was already out, so nothing to be done there.
'I missed out on this one, but the next movie? I can take it all.'
For that, she needed Na Gang-in's full cooperation.
That's why she'd approached him today, acting all friendly.
But his reaction was too lukewarm. And every time she tried to make a move, Shin Eun-ha popped up to block her.
Oh Sena smiled sweetly at Shin Eun-ha from Na Gang-in's left.
"Oh, totally. Your big break this time was all thanks to Gang-in-ssi."
Oh Sena meant it as a jab. Her goal was to prick Shin Eun-ha's pride.
But Shin Eun-ha wasn't hurt at all. She knew it was true, after all.
"Obviously."
Instead, Shin Eun-ha was wary of something else.
'Why is she trying to grab Gang-in oppa's arm?'
She'd heard all the rumors about Oh Sena.
'They say no guy's ever escaped once she sets her sights on him.'
Oh Sena hooked her arm through Na Gang-in's left while eyeing Shin Eun-ha, flashing a smug grin.
Sparks flew from Shin Eun-ha's eyes. She hurriedly tried to do the same.
Na Gang-in raised his right arm, foiling her attempt.
Shin Eun-ha panicked.
'Huh? Why'd it work for her but not me? Has he already fallen for that vixen? Even if it's Oh Sena, isn't this way too fast?!'
Na Gang-in smoothly pushed Oh Sena's hooked arm off with his right hand.
"What's this about?"
"Huh?"
"Getting touchy with a star actress like this could spark a scandal, and I'd be the one dealing with the hassle. Who're you trying to make suffer here?"
Oh Sena was caught off guard.
"Huh? Who's the one getting tired? Who's suffering?"
Shin Eun-ha beamed.
'That's right! No way this iron wall would fall that easily!'
Na Gang-in turned to his right.
"Eun-ha. Let's go."
This put his face toward Shin Eun-ha and his back to Oh Sena.
Shin Eun-ha lit up.
"Okay!"
She flashed Oh Sena a grin before skipping after Na Gang-in with light steps.
Na Gang-in said to Shin Eun-ha,
"Even for show, no arm-linking. With this many witnesses, it'll turn into a scandal."
He'd said something similar to Oh Sena. His tone was softer with Shin Eun-ha, though.
That thrilled her even more.
"Hehe. Got it."
Male lead Kim Yu-chan approached Oh Sena, the female lead.
"Whoa. Sena got shut down hard today."
Oh Sena shot him a sharp glare.
"You think this is funny?"
Kim Yu-chan smirked.
"Hilarious."
"What's his deal? Is he impotent or something? No reaction to my killer smile?"
Kim Yu-chan had seen Na Gang-in's combat skills firsthand during the fight with the Nakgwi Pirates. He'd also heard the rough details of the Gangnam Jackal incident and plenty of other rumors.
"Gang-in isn't your average guy. Cheap tricks like that don't work on him."
"Average or special, he's still a man. My smile should've worked."
"Didn't work on me either."
Oh Sena glared at Kim Yu-chan.
"Want me to seduce you for real sometime?"
Kim Yu-chan raised both hands in surrender.
"Pass. Tragic romance endings aren't my thing."
When a movie breaks ten million viewers, the actors love it. Slapping that ten-million poster onto their online filmographies changes everything.
The staff loves it too if a film they're involved in succeeds. Beefs up the resume.
No one lost out; everyone gained. The party vibe was electric. Plenty of drinking going on.
Once you cross a certain line with booze, it starts drinking you. Drunks started multiplying.
Child actress Lee Min-ji only stuck around the early part of the party before heading home. Too many drinkers for an elementary kid to hang out amid.
Director Son Tae-min, pretty tipsy, approached Na Gang-in.
"Gang-in! We gotta do the next movie together too!"
"Eh. Kinda busy."
"I know, I know you're busy. But you gotta do movies, Gang-in. Next one's front of the camera. I'll make you look killer!"
"Never acted before."
"Heard you crush it! Let's do a camera test first. Camera test!"
Na Gang-in said to Kim Yu-chan standing nearby,
"Director's pretty wasted."
"Yeah. Better get him laid out over there. Director. This way."
Kim Yu-chan and the assistant director hauled Son Tae-min to a corner couch and laid him down.
As Son Tae-min flopped onto the sofa, he mumbled,
"If our movie bombed, I'd be done for. Losing all my money? I'd be out on the street."
A Sunny Day was directly produced by THO Entertainment. Not 100% funded by them, though.
Lee Tae-ho hadn't brought in outside studios, but he'd taken money from folks riding the same ship, like Director Son Tae-min.
The investment flowed from Son Tae-min to THO Entertainment, then back into the film. So if the movie and company tanked, Son Tae-min would've tanked too.
Son Tae-min kept rambling from the sofa.
The assistant director watched and said,
"He's not usually one to drink that much. Must be over the moon today. Wonder when I'll get to make a movie and feel this hype."
Kim Yu-chan chimed in from the side,
"Heard you've got some offers too, Byun Hyung-chan?"
Assistant Director Byun Hyung-chan gave an awkward laugh.
"Heh. This hit's got places talking to me, but they want script tweaks, so I'm hesitating."
"You got something written?"
"Been working on a script forever. Just the script for now, though."
"Yeah? What's it called?"
"Fate's Spear."
Na Gang-in muttered softly,
"Ji-in. Didn't you say you don't have movie files?"
"So that means it'll be a hit when it comes out?"
Na Gang-in nodded, convinced.
"Box office success isn't guaranteed, huh. Movies flop early due to circumstances and get rediscovered later sometimes. Or do okay commercially but win acclaim for artistry. So when did that one come out?"
"Originally a whole decade out, then."
He could guess why.
Without Na Gang-in's intervention, A Sunny Day—which broke ten million—would've bombed without even hitting theaters.
"If A Sunny Day flopped, THO Entertainment goes down, Director Son Tae-min loses his investment and tanks too. Assistant Director would've caught major shrapnel, pushing his own film way back."
But the movie was a smash hit, breaking ten million.
"With that success, Fate's Spear production might get bumped up instead of delayed."
"That why you're happy?"
Na Gang-in had one nagging doubt.
"But if they shoot it now, will it match the level of the one made ten years from now?"
"Yeah. Can't say."
In ten years, Assistant Director Byun Hyung-chan's skills might improve, upping the odds of a better film.
But shooting now wasn't necessarily worse. Could end up more unique.
Even an identical shoot might yield different results. Coming out a decade early could earn better reviews—or flop if it doesn't fit the times.
Lead actor Kim Yu-chan asked Assistant Director Byun Hyung-chan,
"Fate's Spear? Like a spear of the heart or something?"
"No. Not a window—a thrusting spear."
"Ah. Action flick then."
"Decent amount of action. Story revolves around a spear relic that's discovered. Modern incidents tied to the relic interweave with events from centuries ago as the film unfolds."
Kim Yu-chan gave an awkward laugh.
"Filming ancient stuff too? Budget's gonna be... haha. Tough sell for any studio."
"Yeah. That's why I'm debating their suggestion to skip past scenes via dialogue. It's not even a firm offer—just casual—but I'm stressing it. Got too cocky?"
"What's wrong with dreaming? Doesn't cost a thing."
Na Gang-in added,
"Might turn real someday."
Byun Hyung-chan laughed.
"Should I just cut the past parts from the script and go present-day only? Would work, honestly."
Na Gang-in shook his head at Byun Hyung-chan.
"Don't cut the past storyline. Keeping the past-present interweave is key to making it great."
Byun Hyung-chan's face brightened.
"Think I'll hit it big too then?"
"Dunno, but it'll get high praise."
Byun Hyung-chan asked cautiously,
"Thanks. If I get to make it, could Na Gang-in-ssi help with the action parts...?"
Na Gang-in grinned.
"If it's just action help, sure."
"Thank you!"
"Cut the past era for budget, and I'm out entirely. Feels like it'd kill the masterpiece vibe without it."
Byun Hyung-chan looked troubled.
"But finding a studio to fund that..."
Kim Yu-chan cut in smoothly.
"Send me the script too."
"Pardon?"
"Easier pitching with my name in the lead slot than just a script. 'Course, it has to be good first."
Byun Hyung-chan's face bloomed.
He bowed to Kim Yu-chan.
"Thank you!"
"But I've got a condition. Gang-in-ssi has to join, like he said."
"Huh?"
Kim Yu-chan flipped his hair with a laugh.
"Then I get that 'feral flower boy' rep again. Grabbing my spoon too. Haha!"
Shin Eun-ha, drawn by the good vibes, overheard and jumped in, hand raised.
"Then I'm the female lead!"
Na Gang-in said,
"Deciding without reading the script?"
"Right. Send me one too."
Byun Hyung-chan grinned wide, nodding furiously.
"Shin Eun-ha too! I'll email it tonight!"
The mood grew even warmer.
The booze, great food, and fun atmosphere had everyone in bliss.
The director had been happy from the start. The assistant director's real happiness was just beginning. Even Oh Sena, shut down by Na Gang-in, got swept up in the joy of the night.