Chapter 20
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Scene 20. Your Voice Was So Loud.
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Scene 20.
Your Voice Was So Loud.
Returning home, Yu-hyeon noticed that the atmosphere was strangely different from usual.
Was it because of his harsh military life in his past life? It wasn't quite a sixth sense, but something similar sent a jolt of a signal.
“What is this? This dangerous scent?”
As Yu-hyeon looked around the house with a puzzled expression, Kang Man-dong appeared.
“Oh, you're home, son?”
“Yes. I'm home. But, Father.”
“Yeah.”
“Did something happen at home?”
“Happen? What do you mean?”
He looked at Yu-hyeon as if to ask what he was talking about so suddenly.
“It's strange. There's an unsettling scent…”
Kang Man-dong said with a nonchalant expression.
“Earlier. I burned a pot.”
“…A pot?”
Just as Yu-hyeon was about to speak again with a confused look, Kang Man-dong beat him to it.
“Come sit here for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“You're taking a sabbatical after this semester, right?”
“Yes. It's my seventh year, so it starts in two months. But I heard Camu is also taking a break to match. We'll have no income for about a year. Will you be okay?”
It was called a sabbatical, but it really just meant taking a year off.
“That's right. We've been running nonstop all this time. When you rest, I should rest too. Do you want your father to work himself to death?”
“Of course not. It's just that you're the type who never budged even when I told you to enjoy a vacation or meet people, so I'm worried now that you're taking a whole year off. I was wondering if there was another reason.”
Kang Man-dong scoffed, as if to say there was nothing of the sort.
*‘That's right, I have been running nonstop.’*
“So, about that.”
“Yes.”
“While we're on break, I'm thinking of fixing up some things around here that have gotten worn out.”
Yu-hyeon nodded, thinking it wasn't a bad idea.
“Well, managing the pension is your business, Father… Do you need money, by any chance?”
“This kid. Do you know how rich I am?”
Kang Man-dong raised his fist playfully.
“Anyway, don't go anywhere else and help me out then. There will be a lot of physical work.”
“I was thinking of traveling a bit this time.”
“Traveling? Just help your dad. You can get some rest at the same time.”
“Well, I can always travel later. Alright. You'll need an extra hand to fix things up. I'll just stay home and write my book.”
“Good, good. Let's spend some time together, father and son, for a change.”
At Kang Man-dong's words, Yu-hyeon let out a small laugh.
“You're treating me like a son who's come home after years away.”
“Anyway, this is why I need a daughter. Sons are no fun. No fun at all!”
“Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
“Yes. That's all. Get to bed early if you're going to catch your flight tomorrow.”
“Alright. I'm heading up.”
On his way to the study, Yu-hyeon suddenly thought of Writer Kim.
*‘I wonder if she's doing well. Should I go see her before I leave?’*
Once he returned to the university tomorrow, he'd be tied up for about two months preparing for his sabbatical.
*‘Whatever the case, this is a connection of sorts. I should at least say goodbye before I go.’*
***
Yu Han-seong, who had taken Seong-hui's script to meet the station director, returned with a grim expression.
The programming slot had been secured long ago, so that wasn't an issue. However, the director had raised an unexpected problem.
-This is set overseas.
-Yes. Malta, an island nation in the Mediterranean.
-Are you crazy?
-Hey, why are you being so harsh? I'm getting old, you know. Show some respect…
-Respect my ass! This isn't an external production; it's an in-house project. The budget is fixed. An overseas location shoot? Have you gone senile?
-…
-Go tell Writer Kim that Jeju Island is the limit. Malta, my foot. And tell her to change the title to 'Lovers in Jeju.'
-Come on, Hyung-nim. Don't be like that.
-Get out.
-Ah, Hyung-nim! Are you really going to do this? How many times have I cleaned up your messes? Are you really going to do this over a measly production budget?
-Han-seong.
-Yes, Hyung-nim.
-That's why I gave you the slot without any complaints. You brat, if it were anyone else, they would've gotten a flying kick.
-Hyung-nim. But still…
-Out!
“Ha, this is driving me crazy. Why did Writer Kim have to set it overseas of all places?”
They say dramas are the 'flower' of the broadcasting station, but that isn't an artistic expression.
They're called that simply because they're a cash cow that brings in high ratings and advertising revenue.
In other words, the return on investment is significantly different and more noticeable compared to other programs, which meant the director's words couldn't be ignored.
If they poured money into it and the drama failed, the director himself would have to bear the full responsibility.
The writer, PD, and cast would also take a hit, but unlike them, who could at least plan for a comeback, the director was essentially a semi-contract employee and was highly likely to be cut loose.
Furthermore, at GBS where he worked, the director also served as the head of production, and since last year, every show they produced had been crushed by other stations, making him even more cautious.
Given the circumstances, the director's reaction was understandable.
“This is nuts. If I tell Writer Kim we have to shoot in Jeju instead of Malta, she's going to throw a fit. How am I supposed to convince her?”
Just a while ago, he was pulling his hair out because the script wasn't coming in, and now the script itself was making his head split.
As he wracked his brain, tearing at his hair, the smartphone on his desk buzzed.
A glance at the screen showed it was Writer Kim Seong-hui.
“Oh, yes. Writer Kim. Listen. I have something to tell you.”
-Let me talk first.
“Can't I go first?”
Judging by her voice, it sounded like she'd stirred up some trouble again. He had to get his point across before the problem got bigger.
But the impatient Kim Seong-hui beat him to it. And it was about the very problem that was giving him a headache.
-Our drama. You're having trouble securing a location because of the budget, right?
“Ha… I was just about to say…”
-I solved it. The farm and pension here in Malta!
“Writer Kim. We Jeju… huh?”
-What? Jeju? Jeju Island? Don't tell me you're suggesting we change the filming location from Malta to Jeju Island?
Kim Seong-hui's voice instantly sharpened. Yu Han-seong didn't even pause to breathe before feigning ignorance.
“Jeju Island? Who? Me? Hey! PD Park, was that you again?”
Yu Han-seong flatly denied it, blaming a non-existent PD Park.
-But CP-nim Yu, you just said Jeju!
“No, no. The connection must be bad over this distance. I didn't say Jeju, I said, ‘Jeez, you're so talented, Writer Kim!’”
-Really? You weren't saying we have to shoot on Jeju Island?
“Of course not!”
-Hahaha. Is that so? Well, I am quite talented.
“So what was that you were saying? Tell me the details.”
In an excited voice, Kim Seong-hui rattled off everything from securing the location to plane tickets and even filming permits.
“Is that for real? Really, the farm and pension for free…”
-Not for free. The cost is being treated as an investment.
“Same difference. If it succeeds, we share the profits; if it fails, we pretend it never happened. That's what they call an investment.”
Yu Han-seong, who had been agonizing over how to change the location, was suddenly full of life again, as if he'd never been worried.
With this, he now had enough leverage to go to the director and try to make it work somehow.
***
“Writer-nim. Are you in…”
Yu-hyeon, calling for Kim Seong-hui, paused. It was because of her boisterous voice coming from inside.
-That's right. Filming starts in two months. Yes, CP-nim Yu. 1.1 billion won! 1.1 billion! I got it as an investment. Hahaha. Who am I? The queen of romance, Kim Seong-hui! Kim Seong-hui the negotiator!
-Axe Man? Already? I knew it. You wouldn't be a true Korean actor if you didn't covet that role. Hahaha. Oh my, actresses are interested too? Come on, you're kidding. It hasn't even been that long since I sent the script. You're just throwing things out there. Hahaha.
-Delegate some work to PD Park and fly over here ASAP. Come sign the contract properly. And do some location scouting! Yes. Really? Ah, I see. Understood. Okay, I'll call you back in a bit.
Even after ending the call, Kim Seong-hui couldn't contain her excitement, screeching like a madwoman, “Kyaa! Kyaaaaaak!”
Just from the contents of her call, Yu-hyeon had a good idea of what was going on.
*‘Father. You said it was a sabbatical. What is all this?’*
He was concerned about how she was doing and had planned to say his goodbyes, but from the sound of it, she was going to be on the phone for a while.
*‘I guess I'll see her again, even if it's not today.’*
Promising himself another time, Yu-hyeon quietly turned to leave, but he stopped before he could even take a step.
*‘But why didn't he tell me about this?’*
Whether they filmed a drama or a movie here, it wasn't his business. After all, anything related to the farm and pension was entirely up to his father.
Of course, he couldn't just stand by and watch things go wrong, so he occasionally offered advice and sometimes stubbornly put a stop to risky ventures.
Did he think I would be dead set against it?
*‘No. It's not like this is such a big deal.’*
It wasn't as if people hadn't come before, wanting to film at Camu. And every time, it was his father, not him, who refused, saying it was too much trouble.
In other words, there was no particular reason for him to object.
Then, he remembered Seong-hui mentioning production costs.
*‘Hmm. It seems they're having trouble with the budget because of the overseas location. Should I lend a hand?’*
His father was already helping by lending them the location; it wouldn't be right for the son to pretend he didn't know. Besides, he was genuinely curious about the work she had written.
“Writer-nim. It's Kang Yu-hyeon. May I come in?”
Hieeeek? Crash! Bang!
A startled cry and the loud sound of something breaking came from inside.
Yu-hyeon tilted his head at Seong-hui's reaction.
He wondered if his visit was really that surprising.
“Writer-nim?”
When Yu-hyeon called for her again, the door to the residence creaked open, and Seong-hui peeked her head out.
*‘What's this? It's not like she's naked. Why all the fuss?’*
“Wh-what can I do for you?”
“I'm returning to the university tomorrow, so I stopped by to say goodbye before I leave.”
“Ah~. I see.”
Seong-hui looked somewhat relieved, as if that was all it was.
“May I come in for a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Please, come in.”
Seong-hui opened the door wide and stepped aside, welcoming him in.
Seong-hui offered Yu-hyeon a spare chair.
“Here.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Yu-hyeon gave a short nod and then spoke directly.
“You're filming a drama here?”
“....!”
“I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. Your voice is just quite loud.”
Seong-hui's face went white as if she'd seen a ghost, and she even started to hiccup.
“Hic! Hic!”
This can't be happening. He said Professor Kang must never find out!
What do I do? What do I do now?
Is it all going to fall through?
You crazy bitch, so what if you were happy? Why were you screaming your head off!
Kim Seong-hui! What are you going to do now