Our School Has a Prince (1)
Web drama Our School Has a Prince production company.
"Are we really going ahead with this?"
"Casting's all done. What choice do we have?"
"...Money really can buy anything, huh. Tch, I should've been born a guy."
"Hey! Watch your mouth—if the writer hears that, you're toast. And the script's not bad at all."
"A total newbie writer and a total newbie director? Come on, what kind of confidence lets them cast idols as leads? We should've at least gone with actors who've studied the craft. You're deliberately trying to tank this, right?"
"But the budget's fat. The writer's wife invested big."
The wife of the writer behind Our School Has a Prince had poured in a massive sum to get the web drama greenlit, and with cash like that on the table, there was no reason to say no. Surprisingly, the script wasn't half bad, so there was optimistic buzz that it could turn into something decent early on.
The problems started when the parachute director dropped in. The director was the writer's older sister.
She bulldozed ahead with her whims, obsessed with visuals and dead set on casting idols to grace the camera. With the investor in her corner and the writer too, she had the perfect playground to run wild.
"Even so, these kids? They're idols."
"Face-wise, that guy's hotter than most actors right now. Even I can't argue with the visuals."
"We have to compromise on the casting to some degree!!"
"If you hate it that much, go complain to the director. I'm dying here too."
"Huh?! You want me to get fired?"
"If you can't hack it, just do as you're told! Whining won't change a damn thing. Will it make the shoot go smoother? Or un-cast the ones already locked in?"
"......"
The staffer pursed her lips at her senior's cold logic.
"Don't take it out on the cast just because you're pissed. It won't make the drama better. I'm saying don't sour the vibe over your hurt feelings. Got it?"
"...Yes."
"That's not convincing."
"Got it! I heard you!"
"Tsk tsk tsk. No maturity at all."
She'd joined the company aiming to direct someday. He got why she was pushing back—without the investor's pull, she'd have been directing the next web drama. They'd worked together for years with her as his assistant director, and her talent was legit. Good enough that handing her the reins on the next one wouldn't have been a waste.
She was all pumped for her debut, but it got yanked away. No wonder she's sulking. But what can you do? That's showbiz reality.
Even if this shoot bombed, the production company was fine— the investor had contractually shouldered all the risk. She just wanted her husband to work without getting crushed during filming. A loving wife—what wouldn't she do for him? And that over-the-top love was tanking the web drama.
How could rookies like a newbie writer and director grasp the grind of on-set life?
They'll learn once they get burned proper. This ain't a game.
She let them run wild on purpose, ignoring obvious red flags. It was a project doomed from the start, propped up by the investor. Nothing beat real-world failure for humbling a cocky writer and director backed by money.
"Are these kids lucky or unlucky?"
Noobs with zero experience could call landing a throwaway gig 'luck.' This flop would be a brutal lesson for the writer and director, but a huge one for the actors too.
"We're heeere~"
"Director Han, there you are. Good lunch?"
"Yeah~ sure. You kids eat well? I scarfed down some hearty gukbap."
Here they came—writer Choi Heemin and director Choi Youngji, dressed like they were strolling the park instead of working, meaty scents wafting off them. If you're eating out, invite folks—stingy much.
Matching the whims of young punks at my age. Gonna drive me nuts.
He ground his teeth inwardly but kept a straight face—amateur move to show it.
"Heard the news—you got cast!"
"Your script's killer, Choi. They jumped right on it."
"See, sis? Told you no worries."
"Whoa~ So Jin Haesol's really in my drama? They say he's a total knockout in person!"
"...Probably. We got a firm yes from Kang Jun too—same group."
"Fuck, can't wait to shoot. When's prep done?"
Director Choi Youngji's words left Director Han speechless in disbelief.
She was directing Our School Has a Prince, not him. Yet here she was, whining to him about prep timelines. Investor politics or not, this was unacceptable.
Her attitude screamed: dump the grunt work on him, do whatever she wanted.
"Whoa now~ Since when was I directing your script, Choi?"
"Huh? What're you talking about? I'm the director."
"Then why ask me when prep's ready? Almost had me fooled."
He flashed a sly grin, playing dumb. Her face crumpled predictably.
"This is my debut! You said you'd help, Director Han."
"I did! Poured it on thick! Lent you my whole staff, even my AD. Want more? Keep pushing and this gig might just get snatched by me—what a naive thing to say."
"It's my sister's script—why would it go to you? I'm holding the megaphone!"
"Haha! Who said otherwise? Still your baby. So work hard—don't tank your talented sister's good work."
Director Han's cheeky jab sharpened writer Choi Heemin's glare—not just at him, but her sister too.
"What're you doing, sis?"
"Huh?"
"Debut or not, you should've checked everything yourself! Planning to dump it all on Director Han? If my script flops 'cause of you, it's on you."
"Hey, does a director have to sweat the grubby details?"
"Everyone else does. Aren't you a director?"
"My situation's different! We brought the investor. They should cut us slack."
Director Choi Youngji was a shameless prick, and writer Choi Heemin was no slouch either—family bias in full swing.
"You know, that makes sense? Director Han, does my sis really need to handle the grunt work?"
Fuck, that's not grunt work—it's making a damn movie!!
He wanted to keel over from high blood pressure.
"Prep ain't something you brush off as busywork. You scout locations, plan shots, cast actors..."
"Oh, who said no? I'll handle casting, obviously. We'll audition the rest. Female lead still open, right?"
"Even bit parts need filling, few lines or not."
"You pick those, Director. I'll focus on the lead. I'll be picky on acting chops. Wait—no, with Jin Haesol and Kang Jun, visuals are locked. Go ugly for the girl lead. But killer actress."
"...Huh. Unexpected."
Director Han thought: Figured she'd fixate on pretty boys after casting the male leads for looks. Guess not?
Writer Choi Heemin was decent-looking—not idol-level, but top-tier civilian. Explains landing a rich wife who bankrolled this.
Her sister, Director Choi Youngji? Not so much. Must've heard "How's she related to that hottie?" plenty. Explains the face obsession in casting—but only for guys, apparently.
"Sis! Ugly girl lead? No way! Pretty girl!"
"Come on, needs realism. Fantasy guys? Pair with everyday girl for viewer buy-in."
"Buy-in?"
"Yeah, they imagine themselves as her. Like, fantasy stuff happening around me. Delusional shit."
Three hot guys into a plain girl? Pure fantasy. Director Choi Youngji figured sprinkling "realism" MSG on the lead would hook viewers despite the overkill princes.
Director Han scowled. Why'd heaven bless her with talent and a sharp eye?!
She was helping it flop with prayers, yet the director nailed key drama points. He found himself nodding unwittingly.
Damn, the writer's script is solid. Sibling prodigies?
Infuriating. World was so damn unfair. Director Han sighed softly.
Despite his daily flop rituals, Our School Has a Prince was polishing up nice, ready to sail smoothly.
"More gifts?"
"Yeah."
"Hyung's got fans for days. They can even see you?"
"Nope. Help a guy out. And it's not tons of fans—this whole pile's from one person."
Company stopped me on the way into the dorm, handed over a mountain of gifts. Shockingly, all from the same sender.
"Eek! All this from one? That's the scary part."
"Manager said it's probably the car-gifting fan."
The car fan apparently planned to ghost—no company contact. Just scammers impersonating. Instead of taking the car, they dumped small stuff on me in bulk.
"Can I watch you unbox?"
"Sure. Speak up if you want something."
"Nah, your fan's gifts—I can't just take."
"Stash 'em in the dorm, say they're communal."
Wondered how I'd unpack solo, but members' interest meant free labor.