Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Something's Going On, Don't You Think?
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The characters, events, places, etc., appearing in this story are works of fiction created for the novel and may differ from reality.
Scene.29
Something's Going On, Don't You Think?
After finishing his call with Korea, Choi Pil-yeon approached Seong Ye-rim, who was taking a break.
"Ye-rim. Just like you said, it seems UN went through something similar to us."
"Right?"
"But how did you know?"
"I've got a good head on my shoulders, you know. You think I got into Hanguk University for nothing?"
At Seong Ye-rim's words, Choi Pil-yeon nodded with a smile.
"Right. Our Ye-rim was the engineering goddess. And from Hanguk University's Computer Science department, no less!"
Seong Ye-rim grinned and continued.
"I was thinking about it. About Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra."
"What about them?"
"And all the other actors, too. They all have a similar common thread."
"A common thread?"
Choi Pil-yeon thought for a moment about what it could be, but nothing specific came to mind.
"Do you remember what the owner said earlier?"
"That he'd upgrade us if we do well with the filming?"
Seong Ye-rim shook her head at his words.
"He talked about *how* we should do well."
"By being pretty?"
"Yes. And he also said he can't stand people with twisted personalities."
As if something had clicked, Choi Pil-yeon clapped his hands.
"I see. So that was it."
"Yes. The people participating in this drama. Every single one of them is known for having a great personality. Though there are some outspoken ones like Han Mi-ra."
"Han Mi-ra might be rough around the edges, but she doesn't talk nonsense."
Seong Ye-rim continued.
"I'll have to confirm if my guess is right, but what if."
"Yes. What if."
"The condition for the owner here investing in the drama was..."
"No casting for anyone with a twisted personality?"
"It's just a 'what if,' but if that was the condition, wouldn't that explain why Choi Seon-yeong was rejected? Honestly, there's no other real reason, is there?"
"Hmm."
Choi Pil-yeon looked skeptical, but his eyes showed he couldn't be entirely sure it wasn't true.
"This drama. It seems to have more hidden stories than we know, right?"
"It does seem that way."
"And the way that man acted, too."
"That man? Ah, the pension owner's son. Camu, was it?"
"Yes. Earlier, when the limousine stopped for a moment. He was talking about something with Writer Kim."
"Hmm. That happened?"
"Exactly. So, from now on, you need to find out what it is."
"And do what with it?"
"We need to get an upgrade. To the premium suite. Before Lee Ha-na does."
Choi Pil-yeon had expected something grand, but he chuckled as if to say, "All this for that?" However, knowing Seong Ye-rim's personality, he knew she was only half-joking.
To succeed as an actor, you had to be good at acting, but you also had to be quick-witted and good at reading the room.
He didn't know what kind of story was entangled with this drama, but it was better to know something than to be caught off guard. That way, they could respond in time if a problem arose.
This industry was like a minefield where you never knew when or where something would blow up, so being cautious was the way to have a long career.
'And a manager's job is to handle things like that.'
Choi Pil-yeon quickly organized his thoughts and nodded.
"Pfft. Alright, I get it. I'll start by checking out the broadcasting staff."
"Whatever the reason, I feel good."
"About what?"
"That Choi Seon-yeong couldn't come here because her personality is shot to hell."
"Hey, now. 'Shot to hell?' An actress should speak prettily. And don't go around spreading baseless rumors. It's not like anything's been confirmed. I nearly got a bald spot from listening to all of Seon-yeong's whining and tantrums after she was dropped from the role."
"Anyway, her personality really is weird."
"Stop worrying about other people's tempers and watch yourself. If any strange rumors start spreading, you won't get off with just having your hair pulled."
"Let her try. I'll just hit back with a roundhouse kick. Losing a bit of hair in exchange for a couple of her ribs seems like a good trade."
At Seong Ye-rim's bold remark, Choi Pil-yeon just shook his head.
"Does your mother even know you go around like this?"
"Who do you think I learned it from? I learned it all from Mom."
"This mother-daughter pair. You two are something else."
"Uncle. I take after my mother's side, you know. You shouldn't treat your niece like a stranger's kid."
"If only you weren't so sharp-tongued. I don't know who's going to marry you, but I pity that poor guy's life. I really do."
"He'd be blessed."
"Oh, would he now? I feel so sorry every time I see my brother-in-law, my palms are raw from wringing them."
"Then who told you to introduce Mom and Dad?"
"What am I even doing talking to you?"
"Call the makeup team for me."
"The makeup team? Why?"
"I need to get ready to go out. It's the first night in Malta. I bet Lee Ha-na will be coming out looking just as fierce."
"You've got a point there. Alright."
As Choi Pil-yeon was heading out of the pension, his phone vibrated, and he immediately checked it.
"Park Sang-do?"
*
"Ha-na."
"Yes, Chief Park."
"Something's a little strange."
Lee Ha-na looked at Park Sang-do with a 'What is it?' expression.
"Writer Kim, CP Yu... it feels like they're hiding something."
"What makes you think that?"
"I tried to get our room upgraded and got shot down without any warning. Turns out the owner of this pension is an investor in the drama."
At Park Sang-do's words, Lee Ha-na's eyes widened. She hadn't heard that from anyone.
"If there was an investor like this, wouldn't it be normal to advertise it and let people know? An independently produced drama with an outside investor, who even sponsored the location. But no one mentioned a word about it until we got here."
Lee Ha-na nodded, agreeing that it was indeed strange.
"That's true, but it's not like they're obligated to tell us."
"Technically, you're right, but..."
Park Sang-do stroked his chin again and continued.
"The owner here... he's tougher than he looks."
"His personality? Did something happen outside?"
"When I brought up the upgrade, he cut me off, saying room assignments were his prerogative. And CP Yu couldn't do a thing about it. It was like the owner had some dirt on him."
Lee Ha-na's expression turned to one of intrigue.
"Come to think of it, the casting for this was a bit strange, too. This role wasn't originally supposed to come to me, was it?"
"No, it wasn't."
The moment she saw the script, she had coveted the role, but the first person to show interest was her agency senior, Kim Ji-yeon.
Known for her keen eye, the moment she saw the script, she said, "This is going to be a hit," and immediately gave the green light without a second thought.
But the answer that came back was no.
They gave excuses, saying her image didn't fit or whatever, but in any case, Kim Ji-yeon was rejected, and the opportunity came to her.
But did that make any sense?
Kim Ji-yeon was one of the most recognizable actresses in all of South Korea. If she said she wanted a role, people should have been rolling out the red carpet for her. But Writer Kim and CP Yu Han-seong just kept repeating that it was impossible.
And that wasn't all. According to rumors, TNT had also been interested in Choi Seon-yeong for the role, not Seong Ye-rim.
Choi Seon-yeong was just as popular and top-tier as Kim Ji-yeon. But both of them were passed over, and Seong Ye-rim, who could be considered a step below them, landed the role.
Of course, being a step below didn't mean she was less attractive or a worse actor. It just meant the other two had higher overall recognition and more impressive résumés.
"Chief Park. About this script."
"What about it? You said it's the best quality you've seen in years."
"Exactly. It feels like Writer Kim's writing has someone else's scent on it, you know?"
"A ghostwriter?"
"No, not like that. This, here."
Lee Ha-na held out the script's cover.
"What?"
"These initials written in small letters here."
"KM?"
"Yes."
"What about it?"
"Isn't it strange? To have something like this next to the writer's name?"
"CP Yu said it's the name of Writer Kim's studio."
"And you believe that?"
"What if I don't?"
"The way I see it, Writer Kim didn't write this alone. It's definitely a co-written piece."
"Whether it's a collaboration or a solo gig, it doesn't seem like our business."
"You're no fun."
"Maybe your eyes go to things like that because you majored in literature, but my job is to take care of you and handle things meticulously so there are no problems."
"A script that smells of co-authorship, an investor they never told us about, an owner who seems to have dirt on the CP... and look at this pension. Does this look like a place a writer could book just by asking?"
"Hmm. You have a point there. Yes, like you said, it seems there's something going on."
"Right? If it's nothing, then it doesn't matter. But if it's closely related to the drama, we can't ignore it. I'm already on edge since this is a co-starring role, not a solo lead."
Even without Lee Ha-na's words, he'd had a nagging feeling from the start that there was something more to this drama.
"This is making me uneasy."
"What are you going to do?"
"First, I'm going to go talk with Director Choi. You should wash up and change. They said dinner will be outdoors, so be ready for that."
"Outdoors?"
"It seems the owner here has prepared something like a welcome party."
"Okay. Go on."
After stepping outside, Park Sang-do immediately called Choi Pil-yeon.
"Director Choi? Yes. If you have a moment, I'd like to talk. Yes. I'm outside."
A moment later, Choi Pil-yeon appeared.
"What is it?"
"I have something to ask you."
Choi Pil-yeon took out a cigarette and lit it, then nodded for him to speak.
"From what I saw earlier, it seemed like you had no idea the owner here was an investor either, Director Choi."
"So what?"
Choi Pil-yeon responded dismissively.
"Isn't it strange? I can understand not telling the supporting and minor actors, but for UN and TNT, they could have at least given us a heads-up that there was an investor."
"You called a busy person out here just to ask that?"
Choi Pil-yeon frowned as if he was wasting his time on something trivial.
"Just confirm one thing for me."
"You're being a pain."
"I heard Choi Seon-yeong originally wanted this role, right?"
"What are you trying to ask?"
"The thing is, for us, it was Kim Ji-yeon who wanted it first, not Ha-na."
"...."
"If Kim Ji-yeon says she wants a role, they should welcome her with open arms. But both Writer Kim and CP Yu said no. I was wondering if something similar happened with TNT."
At Park Sang-do's words, Choi Pil-yeon just smoked his cigarette in silence.
"Director?"
"And so what?"
Choi Pil-yeon looked at Park Sang-do as if to ask why any of that mattered now.
"It's strange, that's what. They didn't tell us about the investor, they rejected top-level actors for no reason, and you saw it yourself earlier, Director. CP Yu groveling to the owner."
Choi Pil-yeon looked around as if searching for something.
"What are you looking for?"
"I don't see an ashtray or a trash can."
"....."
A look of displeasure crossed Park Sang-do's face. He was trying to have a serious conversation, and the response he got was about a lack of ashtrays.
"Just toss it anywhere."
Park Sang-do replied indifferently, as if wondering why he was worrying about something so minor.
However, Choi Pil-yeon only flicked off the ash before putting the cigarette back in its pack.
'I can't do that. What if I get my room downgraded for carelessly tossing a cigarette butt? How could I face Ye-rim in that shameful state?'
Considering the owner's immense pride in the pension and the glimpse he'd gotten of his personality, he seemed like the type of person who would do just that.
Seeing Choi Pil-yeon's action, Park Sang-do's expression turned to one of disbelief.
'What's his deal? We may be competitors and he may have a higher rank, but this is too much.'
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
"We're in a foreign country. We can't have some unexpected problem pop up, can we? For managing the actors and everything."
"Look here, Chief Park."
"Yes, Director Choi."
"Do you think I have some brilliant solution?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm saying if you're curious, ask the people involved directly. Don't waste a busy person's time by grabbing the wrong guy."
Choi Pil-yeon waved his hand dismissively and went back inside.
Park Sang-do stared after him with a dumbfounded look, then kicked the ground in frustration.
"What the hell! Wow, seriously. I know he's a senior in this industry, but I'm not a rookie. Isn't he going too far? It's not like I'm doing this just for my own benefit."
Hearing the grumbling from behind, Choi Pil-yeon let out a smirk.
"And that, Park Sang-do, is why you're still just a chief. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
*
"Let's see, Lee Ha-na is a graduate of Yeonseo University's Korean Literature department, and Seong Ye-rim is from Hanguk University's College of Engineering."
At Kang Man-dong's words, Kim Seong-hui spoke in a weary tone.
"Are you satisfied?"
"Of course. I'm very satisfied with this. What's the use of a pretty face? A man and a woman should at least be able to hold a conversation."
His son had been playing the 'friendly nephew' card since the airport, and now his father, unable to wait, was investigating the academic backgrounds of the blind date candidates.
"The last one is coming with the second team?"
"Yes, yes. She'll arrive with the B-team after the shoot in Korea is finished."
"And what about that young lady's education?"
"Haa... She went to Goyeon University. Majored in modern dance, I'm told."
"Oh, is that so? Dance isn't bad either. Our Writer Kim, you've got skills. Real skills!"
Kang Man-dong nodded repeatedly with a satisfied expression.
*That's what I'm saying. I should be using these skills to write dramas. Why am I using them for something so bizarre?*
Seong-hui was having an identity crisis, unsure if she was a drama writer or an international matchmaker.
"Sir."
"Yes, Writer Kim."
"But why did you leave this pension empty?"
Kim Seong-hui pointed to the pension where she had stayed.
"After the premium suite, it's this one."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"Do you remember when I told you not to touch the room assignments?"
"Yes. You were very insistent."
"This place, you see. I'm going to give it to the young lady who gets close to Yu-hyeon. It's right next to the main house."
"So, what you're saying is..."
"She might become my son's girlfriend, so I need to keep her close and take care of her. I'll have her eat at the main house, too."
*Wow... that's insane! So that's what that meant?*
"But... the facilities here are the worst. It might be an upgrade from your perspective, sir, but for an actress, it's a downgrade."
"If she doesn't want it, she doesn't have to take it. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
"....."
"If an elder tells her to use this room, and she scrunches up her face and says she can't do it? Well, that's the end of that. Let's call it a sort of final test."
*Sir. Really.*
*Just how far have you planned this all out!*