Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Why Are You Worried About That?
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Scene.54
Why Are You Worried About That?
The siblings, Jae-yoon and Jae-eun, quickly studied their father's face on the screen.
But contrary to their expectation that he would be furious, he was nodding with a calm expression.
“When a bad person does bad things, standing by and watching idly makes you even worse than them.”
-Ahem.
“I have no desire to live my life that way. And I have no intention of doing so. What about you, sir? Whether you knew or not. Whether you turned a blind eye or not. Your son was going around doing things like this. Did you really have to let it happen?”
-I only learned the full details today...
“They say a child's wrongdoing is the parent's fault, and when a child misbehaves, it's like they're smearing filth on their parents' faces.”
At Kang Man-dong's blunt words, Lee Won-cheol on the screen offered a half-hearted excuse before letting out a string of sighs.
That son of his, Yu-hyeon, had a knack for picking out brutally honest truths that left one speechless, and now it seemed the father was cut from the same cloth.
“Hey! Lee Jae-yoon!”
“...”
When Kang Man-dong raised his voice as if he were about to throw another punch, Lee Jae-yoon subtly shifted closer to his sister, cautiously watching him.
“You happy?”
“I don't know what you mean...”
“I’m asking if you enjoy going around smearing filth on your father's face.”
Wow, Dad doesn't pull any punches.
Lee Jae-yoon couldn't say a word and lowered his head.
Just as Kang Man-dong was about to say more, Yu-hyeon gently intervened.
“Dad. Take it easy. Besides, we didn't set this up for you to vent your anger. Please give Mi-ra the floor.”
“Ahem. Right.”
Kang Man-dong looked at Mi-ra with an embarrassed expression.
As the atmosphere settled for a moment, Yu-hyeon brought out appetizers and drinks.
On the screen, Chairman Lee Won-cheol also had an employee place a bottle of soju and a plate of anchovies on the table.
Noticing this, Kang Man-dong spoke with a curious expression.
“Sir, your choice of drink is quite humble.”
-I've drunk this my whole life. It can't be helped if I'm meeting someone or at a formal event. Otherwise, soju and a few anchovies are all I need. But you're no different, President Kang.
While the others had more elaborate appetizers, in front of Kang Man-dong was just soju, anchovies, and a small dish of gochujang.
As it turned out, the chairman of HS Group and the owner of Camu's farm ended up with a matching set.
Kang Man-dong glanced at Yu-hyeon's face.
‘Did you set this up on purpose?’
‘Yes. A similar setup helps build a sense of camaraderie.’
‘But how did you know this?’
‘It’s all on the internet.’
‘Really? Well, what do you know. The world’s really changed. To think even a conglomerate chairman's tastes are all out there on the internet.’
Just as Lee Won-cheol had, Kang Man-dong spoke as if it were nothing special.
“I like this too. When I think back on the hard times, even this is more than I could ask for.”
At Kang Man-dong’s words, Lee Won-cheol seemed to reminisce as well, nodding for a moment.
-Well, the drinks are ready, just as you wanted, President Kang. Now, if you have more to say, go ahead.
“It's not me. Han Mi-ra will be the one to speak. Mi-ra.”
“Yes, President-nim.”
“All those things you’ve kept bottled up inside. Say everything, don't leave a single thing out. When I said we should get things out in the open, I didn't mean anything about forgiveness or whatnot. Don't say anything you don't mean. Just let it all out, Mi-ra. All the pain you've been holding onto. That's why we're here.”
“...Is it really okay for me to do that?”
Han Mi-ra glanced nervously at Chairman Lee Won-cheol and the siblings, Jae-yoon and Jae-eun.
“Sir, you should say something. To think she was tormented so much that she's still this cautious even in a situation like this. It pains me to see it.”
At Kang Man-dong's words, Lee Won-cheol silently poured himself a shot of soju and drank it.
-Ms. Han. I have no excuses.
“What? No. Chairman-nim, you didn't...”
-No. Everything President Kang said is correct. With a son like mine, how could a father hold his head high?
I will make you a promise. From this day forward, no matter what happens, there will be no harm or interference in your life. So. The story you've kept inside... Just let it out.
Han Mi-ra hesitated for a moment with a look that said, ‘Is this really okay?’ before her eyes asked Kang Man-dong and Chairman Lee Won-cheol again, ‘Can I really?’
When both Kang Man-dong and Chairman Lee Won-cheol nodded as if to say there was no problem, Han Mi-ra's gaze began to change.
After staring silently at Lee Jae-yoon for a long moment, Han Mi-ra snatched the soju bottle in front of Kang Man-dong and—gulp, gulp!—downed it in one go.
Everyone was caught off guard, letting out sounds of surprise.
Han Mi-ra slammed the bottle down with a thud and walked over to Lee Jae-yoon. Then, she wiped the soju from her lips.
“Tell me. Why did you do that to me?”
*
From a punk college kid driving sports cars on his father's dime to an investor and writer in one fell swoop. On top of that, by some unknown means, he had not only extracted an apology from HS Group but also secured additional investment and sponsorship. To put it crudely, a man with as many layers as an onion, a rising star in Malta—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him that. This man of the moment took his seat.
“What is it this time? You said you had something urgent to discuss.”
He was quickly briefed on Seong-hui's current situation.
“So, what's the problem?”
At Yu-hyeon's question, everyone wore an expression that screamed, ‘Everything is the problem!’
“Hmm. I don't consider myself slow on the uptake, but I still don't understand. So, what is the problem?”
When Yu-hyeon asked again, not only Seong-hui but also Yu Han-seong and the entire production team blinked in confusion.
Yu Han-seong nudged Seong-hui's leg as if to say, ‘Do something,’ prompting her to shoot him a quick glare before speaking.
“Well, you see. First, the drama's broadcast has been moved up by a month.”
“Then we'll just have to film it faster.”
“Yes, we’ll film it fas... What?”
Seong-hui looked at Yu-hyeon, her expression clearly saying that wasn't the point.
“What's the other problem?”
“The casting issues.”
“Are the cast members threatening to quit?”
Yu-hyeon looked towards Lee Ha-na, Seong Ye-rim, and Jo Seong-hyeon. The three of them stared back with wide eyes and shook their heads. The managers sitting quietly behind them did the same.
“No, it's not that.”
“Then did they say they were unhappy?”
Once again, Yu-hyeon’s gaze shifted to the main actors, and all three shook their heads again, as if to say nothing of the sort had happened.
“No, if anything, they're probably happy.”
“Then what's the problem?”
“We’ve been getting constant calls, to the production department, to my phone, to CP Yu’s phone. It's a kind of protest.”
Yu Han-seong added to Seong-hui's explanation.
“They're demanding we cast their actors, but this isn't a variety show. It’s a drama with a set script and characters.”
“Tell them to come if they pass a background check and have no issues. But make it clear that we don't guarantee any roles, whether it's a cameo or a minor part. That is, after all, the writer's prerogative. Isn't that right, Writer Kim Seong-hui?”
“Huh? Yes. The roles are, yes, the writer's decision.”
“You mentioned a Reporter Hwang, didn't you? The one who helped with casting?”
“Yes. From Algorithm. It's an online news outlet that covers the entertainment industry...”
“Perfect. We have plenty of investment money. Tell them to use this opportunity to vet the entire Korean entertainment industry.”
“What?”
What! We're not an investigative news program, why are we suddenly vetting the entertainment industry!
Things are chaotic enough as it is; that's like pouring oil on a fire!
“What's their reason for wanting to be in our drama?”
“Well, it’s about character...”
“They talk a big game about character, but it's really just about picking normal people who haven't crossed any major lines in their careers. We're not looking for saints or ethics teachers, are we? The actors here were selected based on that standard.”
At the phrase ‘that standard,’ Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim looked slightly hurt.
“Yes, that’s true.”
“But what if they can't even pass ‘that standard’? Do we really need to worry about people like that while making our drama?”
“No, of course not.”
“If the calls are burdensome and difficult to refuse, then we just need to respond with rules. Make a formal request to Algorithm. When you get an application, send the list to them, and they can appear on the show once they've been vetted.”
Gasp!
Not only Seong-hui but Yu Han-seong and the entire production staff's jaws dropped.
“If... if we respond like that...”
Seong-hui stammered and shook her head, but Yu-hyeon was unfazed.
“Writer Kim, are you not getting it? If you make a public announcement like that, only the confident ones will step forward. Anyone with skeletons in their closet won't even dare to knock on our door.”
“Uh...”
He had a point, but wouldn't throwing something like that out there just cause more of an uproar? Seong-hui couldn't bring herself to answer, her eyes darting around.
“And for those who pass Algorithm's vetting, tell them to come on their own according to the schedule. Whether it's flight tickets or accommodations.”
“Um, tickets and accommodations are usually handled by the production team...”
“You seem to have forgotten. We didn't ask them to be in the show; they're the ones begging us for a part. So why should we be responsible for everything? Have you considered the courtesy we owe to the actors who were cast first?”
At Yu-hyeon's words, the expressions of Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim, who had been stuck at ‘that standard,’ brightened considerably.
Who would actually come all this way under these conditions? Then again, the entertainment world was a place where you could never know what would happen.
It would be upsetting in its own way to see someone higher up the ladder than them show up and start making demands.
But Yu-hyeon had just shut that possibility down completely.
“Ah... well, that's true, but.”
“And the lodging here, the right to assign rooms, is entirely my father's decision. Do you think he'd just let anyone the production team brings over stay here? If Writer Kim Seong-hui hadn't clung to him like a leech and pestered him, we wouldn't have been able to use this place to begin with.”
At Yu-hyeon's words, everyone looked at Seong-hui with an expression that said, ‘You went through a lot.’ However, Seong-hui, who had suddenly been treated like a leech, clamped her mouth shut.
It wasn't exactly wrong, but still!
“I'm saying this just in case, but if anyone causes trouble or gets into an accident during filming, they'll either be written out of the script and sent back to Korea, or, if they're lucky, they'll have to commute from a hotel in downtown Malta instead of staying at this pension. Because he'll tell them to pack their bags immediately.”
“...”
“My father is the man who went head-to-head with HS Group. Do you think he can't do it?”
“No, not at all!”
Everyone shook their heads so hard it looked like their necks would break.
“From now on, post on social media about this farm's scenery, the pension, and of course, the grape festival.
Those who are vetted aren't coming to film a drama; they're coming to attend a festival. Whatever the reason, if our drama becomes one that many celebrities want to be a part of, it will only help its success.”
“Hmm. That’s a good idea, but still, their pride...”
“That's ridiculous.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don't see why I should have to care about their pride. I don't know about anything else, but as the original author of *Urus*, I'm not pleased.
Don't be afraid of the noise back in Korea. This drama, however it started, is now an international co-production, and the one who set its creative direction was me, not you. So.
If anyone says anything, blame it on me.”
When the words ‘original author of *Urus*’ came out of Yu-hyeon’s mouth, everyone's expressions brightened as if they had woken from a trance.
That was right. *Lovers in Malta* was a drama in which the original author and screenwriter of the famous *Urus Club* was personally involved, even providing investment and location sponsorship.
“Come to think of it, I think we've been too much on the defensive.”
“Exactly. Why are we worried? The ones who couldn't get cast should be the ones worrying. Besides, didn't you say HS Group is backing this project full-force?”
“Isn't that better than having strange people come in and mess things up? Their fame only works in Korea, anyway. It doesn't mean anything here.”
At the lighting director's words, Director Bae Cheol-su chuckled and nodded.
“President Kang would kick them out immediately.”
As the mood in the room shifted to align with Yu-hyeon's opinion, Yu Han-seong looked at him with a worried expression.
“It's not difficult to do as you say, but if we do, Writer Camu's image might...”
“I've heard most writers are prickly. Am I not allowed to be? I refuse to play the nice guy just to get pushed around.”
Yu-hyeon drew a firm line with a resolute gaze.
This might be a good chance to transform into the ‘prickly dictator’ type.
That way, he could kick the asses of anyone who needlessly meddled, spouted nonsense, or delayed production.
“And it's possible these calls are coming in because of the news articles creating a certain atmosphere, with people thinking they might as well give it a shot. In other words, this could all just be a storm in a teacup.
Rather than wasting mental energy on things that haven't even happened yet, I think it would be better to focus on the filming schedule and the revised timeline.”
At Yu-hyeon's words, everyone nodded.
Their top priority was to ensure there were no problems with production in line with the advanced broadcast date.
Just then, Yu-hyeon raised his hand as if to ask them to wait, and checked his smartphone.
“Annie?”