Special Privilege
Insight
"?"
How to put it.
It was remarkably unhelpful.
The same feeling she'd had the first time she received a special privilege.
"Just hanging there by itself — what am I supposed to do with that?"
And then—
Sensory Sharing
It wasn't even a game, and yet it claimed something had been enhanced.
"Like Sensory Sharing +1 or something?"
The problem was she had no idea what an enhancement was even supposed to do for her.
"Doesn't feel any different from usual, does it?"
Whoosh—whoosh—
Ara waved her hand through the air, and the translucent system window warped like smoke before vanishing.
"Still no word, though."
It had already been over a month since she'd been cast as Cheon Eun-bin in Stalker, and yet Director Bong Jun-seo's last message had been nothing more than a request to wait a little longer. After that, silence.
With nothing else to do, Ara turned on her computer.
.
.
.
"AAAAAAARGH!!"
Contact always arrived without warning.
At Director Bong Jun-seo's request to meet, Ara headed into the YW building for work.
Hmm……. Feels like it's been forever, somehow?
Aside from a few photoshoot sessions, she had done nothing but loaf around — and CEO Jeong Yeo-un truly hadn't so much as touched her schedule.
I do feel a little bad. Should I at least take one variety show……?
From what she'd heard, entertainment programs were still flooding them with offers.
She was turning that half-hearted dilemma over in her mind when Director Bong Jun-seo stepped into the reception room.
Rattle—
"Hello, Director."
"Ara. You've been well?"
"Yes."
It had been roughly a month since she'd last seen him. Bong Jun-seo looked far more alive than before — and yet, somehow, drained of energy all the same.
After a brief exchange of greetings, he went straight to the point.
"There are two reasons I wanted to see you today. First, take this."
What he held out was a slim booklet.
"This is……?"
"The new script for Stalker. I've thought about it a great deal since that day. What kind of film I truly want to make. I reworked the script while I was wrestling with that."
There was a heavy resonance in his voice.
Ara set the script down carefully and waited for whatever came next.
"And the second is about production."
As expected.
She'd roughly seen it coming.
"I reached out to everyone I could. Not a single person was willing to invest in me — even after I told them Ara was attached."
High risk, high return.
Of course, that phrase only applied when there was a return to speak of.
In the current film industry, Director Bong Jun-seo's reputation was rock bottom. Who would want to throw money on the floor?
And what about Ara's image?
A lead with a 40.2% share of the screen. Her public persona right now was simply that of a crazy bitch. Completely at odds with the tone of the project — investors would have been skeptical for that reason alone.
Still, the fact that absolutely no one had put money in owed more to Bong Jun-seo himself. He hadn't fallen alone. Promising actors, idols-turned-actors — people who had appeared in his films had all started walking a path of thorns afterward. Once called the Midas touch, he had become a Midas touch of an entirely different kind.
To the investors, Gil Ara must have looked like the next sacrificial offering.
"But don't worry."
"Pardon?"
"In the end, the investors are simply reluctant about any film I make. So we just need a different director."
That was the final solution he had arrived at.
"Fortunately, there's a director willing to step in for me. So you'll still be able to shoot without any trouble, Ara."
What was he talking about now?
Even with the same script, every director pursued something different — and the finished product could end up worlds apart.
Ara had chosen Stalker.
No. More precisely, she had chosen Bong Jun-seo's Stalker.
She had wanted to fill out her filmography as quickly as possible, but this was a matter that came before that. Ara was a proper actress now, with principles of her own. If things went that way, she would have no choice but to reconsider.
"I……"
"Of course. I have my own ambitions too. My pride as a director. That scenario won't happen until the absolute last resort. I promise you."
As if he had anticipated exactly what she was about to say, Director Bong cut her off and pressed in.
"……Understood."
So Ara answered reluctantly, and Director Bong left behind a bitter smile.
"Well, that's everything I came for. I'll be on my way — still have investors to chase down."
"Yes, Director. Take care."
Rattle—
The scrape of a chair being pushed back. He gathered himself and left the reception room.
Tick. Tick.
The empty space he left behind. Only the hollow ticking of the clock filled the seat.
A long, heavy sigh followed, clashing against the silence.
"What a shame."
If Forest of Crime and Train to Ulsan had fallen into her lap by accident, this time — Stalker — was something Ara had chosen herself. He said he would keep trying, but the future was already drawn so clearly that the disappointment cut deeper.
Not that she could invest herself. She had no idea how much it cost to make a film, but it certainly wasn't pocket change. And Ara needed money of her own, after all. Besides, knowing Bong Jun-seo's personality, he would never take investment from her.
While that unsettled feeling sat heavy in her chest, the new script caught her eye.
"A new script……. I should at least take a look."
Ara picked it up.
"Huh? Wh-what is this?"
Something astonishing happened.
Stalker(3.8/5)
A translucent window, just like the special privileges, had appeared in midair. And next to the title — a number she had never been able to see before.
"A fraction? No, that can't be it. This is……"
Something she couldn't see before, but could see now. The difference was obvious.
"Insight……"
Then what did the number mean?
"Like a star rating……?"
That didn't quite fit — the rating for Forest of Crime in her filmography had been out of ten. She still didn't know. She needed more samples.
Ara opened the previous Stalker script on her phone.
Stalker(3.5/5)
A number appeared there too. Three-tenths of a point lower than the new script.
"Hmm……. What is this?"
From these two alone, she could at least infer that it was definitely a score. But she still couldn't make sense of how it differed from the filmography.
▶ Forest of Crime(9.58/10)
"Ah — then what about this?"
Ara worked her phone again and opened the Forest of Crime script.
Forest of Crime(4.5/5)
"Huh?"
It was different.
A flash—!
Ara's formidable(?) brain kicked into gear for a single instant.
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
Her fingers flew across the screen at blistering speed as she searched the internet.
"Found it."
What she had looked up was the netizen rating for Forest of Crime.
Forest of Crime (9.58)
It matched her filmography exactly.
"Right……. Filmography is ultimately a career record."
A career was a record. An objective metric.
Then what about the scores that appeared on scripts?
Stalker(3.8/5)
The numbers roughly lined up with a star-rating scale.
"I should read it first."
That was the only way to understand the difference.
.
.
.
"Hmm……."
As far as Ara could tell, this was—
"Quality……?"
It was still only a guess, but somehow she felt certain. The previous script had been endlessly entertaining and excellent — but the quality and internal logic she felt from the new one were even more finely detailed.
"If I'm right. Th-this. Isn't this completely broken?"
Confirmation first. She needed to check the other scripts she'd received as well.
Rrrring—
"Hello?"
"Manager. It's Ara."
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Do you still have the scripts that came in for me?"
"Of course I do. Why? You need them? Didn't you already decide, though?"
"Yes. There's just something I want to check for a moment."
"Got it. Where are you now — the reception room?"
"Yes."
"I'll bring them over. Hang tight."
"Thank you."
Click—
The call ended, and a little over ten minutes later Nam Tae-woo handed Ara a stack of paper bundles piled high.
"Let me know when you're done looking. I'll come get them."
"Yes. Thank you."
Once Nam Tae-woo left, Ara began analyzing the scripts.
.
.
.
The time it took for a guess to become certainty.
It didn't even take thirty minutes.
"This is broken……."
And that was why it hurt.
The newly rewritten Stalker. The one she had found the most fun of all of them — and the one that scored the highest.
"For now……. All I can do is trust him and wait……."
Fighting, Director.
Ara sent him her support, if only in her heart.
An upscale Korean restaurant in Cheongdam.
Jeong Yeo-un stepped inside.
"Welcome."
A server greeted him with a bright smile.
"Reservation under Jeong Yeo-un."
"Yes. Right this way, please."
He was led to a private room.
Rattle—
Sliding the door aside, he found a guest already seated inside. Jeong Yeo-un neatly removed his shoes and entered.
Thock—
The paper-screen door closed with a clean, soft sound.
"Hello, sir. It's been a while."
Jeong Yeo-un bowed politely to the man waiting within.
"Jeong Yeo-un. Long time no see. Or should I be calling you CEO now?"
He was the CEO of AC — Jeong Yeo-un's former boss, and the company's representative: Im Tae-o.
"Just call me whatever's comfortable. That's easier for me too."
"Fine."
Knock-knock-knock—
The moment greetings were done, a soft knock came from outside, and the meal was brought in.
"Have a drink."
Glug—
"I've been into wine lately."
"Wine at a Korean restaurant? Traditional liquor would have been fine."
"I'm the one freeloading, so I'll let it slide this once. Here — you take one too."
Glug—
Clink—
The two ceramic cups touched. Only Jeong Yeo-un turned his head slightly as he knocked the drink back.
"Ahh—"
"Good stuff."
"It is."
A short murmur of appreciation.
"So. Why'd you call me? Thinking of coming back?"
Im Tae-o hated dragging things out, so he went straight to the point.
"Hardly. I walked out with my head held high — you think I'd crawl back? I'd be too embarrassed."
"Figured as much. Your two just blew up with their projects, didn't they? Here to brag?"
"No, sir. How could I dare show off in front of a master?"
"You little smartass."
Glug—
Glug—
Jeong Yeo-un poured again.
"Sir."
"What."
The look in Jeong Yeo-un's eyes, cup in hand, turned serious.
"Invest in just one project for me."
"……"
Slurp—
"Ahh—"
Thock! Thock!
"An investment, huh……. This about Director Bong Jun-seo."
"Yes. Exactly."
Bong had called around so widely that word was bound to spread through the industry. Naturally, a major agency like AC Entertainment had been among the first to get the call.
And of course, they had turned it down.
"I don't get it. Why?"
"Because our actress wants to do that project."
"No. You know that's not what I'm asking."
The film Bong Jun-seo wanted to shoot was a short film.
"It's just a short. There's no way YW doesn't have that kind of money lying around."
"True. We've got a fair bit."
"Then why are you specifically asking me to invest?"
Glug—
Thock—
"Ahh……. I'll be honest. It's been weighing on me. I did poach a few actors from AC on my way out."
"You did."
"So. I figured I'd use this chance to lighten that load a little. Fair enough?"
"?"
Is this bastard insane?
That was his honest reaction.
Who was Bong Jun-seo? It went without saying.
"Sir. I know what you're thinking — but please trust me on this one. No. Trust our actress. She's a little unhinged, sure, but — look, the point is she has a real eye for these things. And Director Bong seems different this time too. This is a genuine opportunity."
Jeong Yeo-un spoke with real conviction.
"And it'd be nice for me to pick up a solid backer while I'm at it, wouldn't it?"
"You call stabbing someone in the back a backer?"
"Well, if it's a back, even a backstab is still a back, right?"
A back-attack was still a back! Jeong Yeo-un thought, half-joking.
"Hmm……."
Im Tae-o considered it.
Jeong Yeo-un. He had kept the man close and raised him — he knew him. This was not someone who made things up. No sane person would push this hard to someone's face unless they meant it.
"Send me the script."
"Huh? Really?"
"I'll at least think about it."
"Hahaha. That's more than enough. Have another drink."
Glug—
Glug—
"Ahh—"
"Ahh—"
"So that was the only reason you called?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll ask you something this time."
"Eh? What is it?"
"Gil Ara. What the hell did you offer that kid? She won't budge no matter what."
"What? Sir — you tried to poach our girl?"
"I tested the waters, at least. She's the most promising actress right now, isn't she? So what kind of contract did you lock her into that she doesn't even blink?"
Drip—
That wasn't liquor being poured.
It was tears.
"?"
"Please don't ask……."
Glug—
Jeong Yeo-un poured himself a drink through his tears and downed it alone.
"Ahh……. I had finally managed to forget……."
"?"
Flutter—flutter—
"Hmm……."
The next day.
Stalker
Im Tae-o was reviewing the script that had arrived by courier. Then he picked up the internal office line.
Rrrring—
"Yes, sir."
After a brief signal, a businesslike woman's voice came through the receiver.
"Yeah. Have the finance director and the head of the talent division come up."
"Understood."
.
.
.
Knock-knock—
"Come in."
Creak—
"Sir? You called for us."
"Yeah. How much free budget do we have right now? I've got a place to invest. Nothing too large."
"If it's not a large sum, we should be fine."
"Good. I'll explain in detail later. And you — Division Head?"
"Yes, sir."
"Which of our actors are free right now?"
"Pardon?"
April arrived.
The next day.