He Only Plays Villains - Chapter 55: Many for One? One for Many? (4)
"Keep climbing! Shoot right up!"
"10 million? Let's aim for 12, 13 million!"
Rewinding time to right after the internal premiere ended.
Hwang In-jun received a summons from Park Si-hong.
"Director Hwang. It turned out great. This film's gonna do well."
"Thank you."
"I especially loved the scene where you torched the Lamborghini."
"Yes, sir. Thanks to you, Seo-hoon got to make a grand entrance burning a car in front of the audience."
"That's good, right?"
"Absolutely. That first movie appearance will be talked about for years in Seo-hoon's acting career. And it came out so cool and flashy—perfect."
Hwang In-jun rubbed his hands together inwardly, laying on the flattery.
"It's all thanks to your bold decision, President. Setting a brand-new 700-million-won supercar ablaze... Nothing like that in Korean film history."
"Really? Foreign films burn Lambos and Ferraris all the time."
"The budgets are astronomically different. Try that in Chungmuro, and investors would riot on the spot."
In truth, Hwang In-jun was sweating bullets inside.
'He won't try to add the Lamborghini's cost to the budget now, will he?'
That would bump production costs from 30.4 billion to about 30.9 billion. He'd valued the Lambo at around 500 million after depreciation.
"But that ending felt off."
"In what way...?"
"Kim Chan gets betrayed and dies so pathetically—it left a bad taste. Kim Su-jin flies off to America with tens of trillions, living it up, while poor Kim Chan, who busted his ass, gets offed by his own men."
"......"
"Hate to say it, but it felt like watching my own story. Kinda bummed me out."
He was probably talking about his girl group sugar baby cheating on him.
"Kim Chan's screentime is low early on, but after the NIS and Customs get wiped out, he wraps up the back half with Kim Su-jin, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
"The scenario's different from the original. Not just swapped roles."
"Right. The cheating Kim Chan and Jeong Seo-hoon's Kim Chan can't be the same. That's why we added the kiss scene."
"Still feels lacking. What if Kim Chan turns out to be alive and goes after Kim Su-jin for revenge? Perfect sequel hook."
Hwang In-jun shuddered, chills running down his spine.
Park Si-hong eyed him curiously.
"Cold? What's with the shaking?"
"Well, actually, we shot a cookie video for the director's cut Blu-ray."
"Cookie? Wasn't one today."
"Yes. Unreleased cookie. Not even in the theatrical cut."
The investor's instincts were buzzing hard, and Park Si-hong snapped sharply.
"When can I see it?"
Not can I see it? but when?
The tone of someone who assumed the world revolved around him.
"Right now. It's on my phone. Short, since it's a cookie."
"Play it. Now."
Hwang In-jun quickly pulled up the video on his phone. Park Si-hong stared holes into it.
He didn't watch once—he looped it multiple times.
Hwang In-jun pumped his fist inwardly. 'Yes!'
Park Si-hong turned with a wicked grin.
"You sneaky bastard. Hiding this?"
"I get called sneaky a lot."
"Why not show it sooner? Think 13 billion investors are a joke?"
"Nothing was set in stone yet."
"Two days till official release? Can you add this? It's already in theaters nationwide."
"All digital now—no film prints left. Not even an hour to redistribute. Just splice in the cookie. Rendering's quick."
"Stick it in now. And make a sequel."
"But my budget estimate..."
"I'll front 40 billion. Hit 10 million, I'll do 50."
In film biz logic, independent production investment without a distributor was tough.
Korea's big distributors owned the franchise theaters, so no investment from them meant screen disadvantage.
Park Si-hong knew that well. Couldn't invest more even if he wanted.
"Not saying don't take other investments. Just guaranteeing up to 40 billion—no budget worries, go wild."
"Oh, I get you perfectly."
Not forcing the full 40, but backing it up to 40—go nuts. 50 if 10 million hits.
"But first—right now—you gotta do something."
"Grab Jeong Seo-hoon."
"Bring him. Wait, he's doing stage greetings—call him. Now."
"Yes, sir."
Hwang In-jun dialed Jeong Seo-hoon excitedly.
"Yes, Director."
"Seo-hoon, remember that cookie we shot?"
"Of course. For the director's cut Blu-ray..."
"We're adding it to the theatrical. Need your firm yes. Sequel—you in?"
"Director Hwang, that's not how you negotiate. Speaker mode."
"Oh, right. Seo-hoon, President Park's here too—switching to speaker?"
"Yes."
On speaker, Park Si-hong boomed as if Jeong Seo-hoon were right there.
"Director Hwang, how much did you pay our Jeong Seo-hoon actor?"
"Five million. A-list supporting rate."
Quick on the uptake, Hwang In-jun chimed in.
"What's top lead pay these days?"
"B-list leads usually..."
"S-list only."
"S-list: 700 million base plus extras. Running guarantee on box office."
"Jeong Seo-hoon actor."
Park Si-hong's voice turned warm, giving Hwang In-jun chills.
Hard to believe it was the same guy who'd threatened to kill the project at their first meeting.
"Our Director Hwang guarantees 700 million plus. Sequel in?"
"I'm in."
"Both busy now—no contract yet. Top industry terms, those conditions baseline. I guarantee as investor and witness. No backing out later, Jeong Seo-hoon actor?"
"Of course. Already promised Director Hwang I'd lead his next one."
"Good. Contract later. Oh, and I'm investing in the sequel too."
After hanging up, Park Si-hong jerked his chin arrogantly.
"What're you waiting for? Get editing."
"On it!"
Truth was, no editing needed.
Prepped in advance.
"Hey. Why no 10-million pledge?"
Jeong Su-ryeon's question puzzled Jeong Seo-hoon.
"Pledge? What's that?"
"Actors make fun promises to fans. 'Hit 10 million, I'll do this; 11 million, that.' But you breezed past 10."
"Had no idea. Should I now?"
"Bit late. About to hit 12. Pledging 13 now looks forced."
"15 million then?"
"How 'bout: Hit 18 million, I'll go to grad school. Wait, just that prof would love it."
"Crosses the line. Fans hear that, blood sis or not, you're done. I know better now."
"18's impossible anyway. 17.61 mil record unbroken for 8 years."
Deep in thought, Jeong Su-ryeon snapped her fingers.
"This: Hit 15 million, strut Gangnam as Kim Chan. Big actors do it."
"I'll think."
"Decide quick. Announce after 18 and it looks like desperate last push."
"Strutting's a no. I'm shy."
More like, crowds overload his mid-level senses.
Trained enough for daily life, but masses tire him.
Even stage greetings were rough—he endured.
"Hold up. Call from writer Kim Sang-hee."
"Yeah, go."
Jeong Su-ryeon stood. Jeong Seo-hoon answered.
A bright voice bubbled out cheerfully.
"Congrats on 11 million. Looks like 13 easy."
"Thanks."
"Watched the film. Killer job. Back half erases Choi Seong-bin and everyone—pure you as lead."
"My screentime's still low."
"Pay? Won't tell. Skip if uncomfortable."
No doubt her friendly curiosity.
"Five million. Keep secret."
"Too low. Without you, maybe 70-80 million cap."
"Nah. Would've hit 10 anyway."
"No running guarantee? A-list supporting, figures. Hwang got a steal."
"Sequel's solid."
"Can ask?"
"700 million base, running % guaranteed."
"S-list treatment. Hwang making up for part 1. Congrats."
Kim Sang-hee's voice always rang true.
That's why she was surrounded by good people.
Competent, diligent, bright, healthy core. People magnet.
"Seo-hoon, want booze from your rich, well-spoken noona? Got stuff to chat."
"When?"
"When you free?"
"Today works."
"Today then. My place. Already sipping—come whenever."
She cackled brightly.
"Super pricey booze—expect the best."