William White and the Sorcerer's Stone (2)
"MBS in Korea has accepted the proposal, Director."
"...Yeah."
"They kept asking if we were really sure about this, over and over."
"Figures."
Kim Cheol nodded bitterly.
Any country would do the same. They'd think we'd all lost our minds.
'But this was pretty much the best option we had...'
If they just let Kang Min go like this, he'd and S&W would be left holding the bag for this insane mess.
And no one would buy that it was all that punk's fault anyway.
So what could they do? Keep the connection alive for now, at least.
'Just hold out a little longer. Soon everyone will see how batshit crazy that guy really is.'
The silver lining was that even the press seemed shocked that a powerhouse like S&W was taking such a low posture with Kang Min.
Reporters huddled in groups, whispering.
"It's not like Kang went rogue all on his own like that ugly lie from Director Kim suggests, but he's no ordinary actor either. He must've had a hand in the shoot."
"Oh, absolutely. I figured he had some stake even without that ugly lie, but it's bigger than I thought. Maybe even more than half."
"In that case, shouldn't we poke at the William White angle through the actor himself?"
"Director Kim is just so pathetic anyway!"
Well, there were some side effects.
'.......'
As the image of the world-renowned director kept tanking, Kim Cheol humbly accepted it all.
My fault. I was the crazy one.
Why did I get whimsical there?
Why did I think I'd show him a thing or two, like some damn fool...
"Don't worry, Director Kim. Lloyd Gonzalez, our consultant team lead, will work with that brilliant actor and producer to deliver something better than William White."
"Don't make it, you bastard!"
"?"
For the consultant heading to MBS's Must Die to Live, they'd selected Lloyd Gonzalez—the root of all evil who had summoned Kang Min here in the first place.
There were plenty who spoke Korean, but few who could communicate professionally. It was an inevitable choice.
The rest? Once they posted the notice, applicants swarmed like bees.
"This Steve Young has stunt coordinator experience! Only I can match that actor's insane skills!"
"Ha, what bullshit! I'm a former stuntman myself! Who the hell are you showing off to?"
"If Director Gonzalez is going, we'll need someone to wrangle the team under him. That's me—"
"Shut your trap, Peter! Weren't you the first one pushing to screw over Kang?"
"That's rich coming from you! Forgot who jumped in first to agree?"
"Calm down, everyone! Calm down!!"
Most were folks genuinely awed(?) by Kang Min the actor, but some eyed their careers, and others just wanted out of S&W's current shitshow.
Just sorting, coaxing, and placating them was enough to turn Kim Cheol's hair white.
By the time Kang Min and Han Ye-seul's departure day rolled around, he was utterly drained, of course.
Before heading to the airport, Kang Min gratefully clasped Kim Cheol's hand.
"Thank you so much, Director! I never dreamed you'd go this far for me!"
"Ahem..."
"I owe you big time too. Truly grateful..."
"Er, well, it wasn't that much..."
Kang Min, the culprit behind it all, was one thing—but even level-headed Han Ye-seul bowed deeply in thanks, which softened Kim Cheol a bit.
She had a lot in common with his own daughter, in many ways. Whether she realized it or not, her feelings for Kang Min were pretty obvious.
If he thought of it as suffering for a promising young pair, maybe it wasn't such a bad gig after all...
'They suit each other pretty well.'
Still, saying it outright wouldn't be cool. Better to let the kids figure it out themselves.
Just as Kim Cheol was grinning like some old geezer,
His phone rang.
Kang Min checked the number and stroked his chin. "Hm? Sorry, give me a sec."
"What, if it's not too personal, why not take it here? No need to hassle."
"Thanks... Yes, I've got the call. Writer Baek?"
Writer Baek?
As Kim Cheol tilted his head, Kang Min's face turned a bit troubled.
A slightly pouty woman's voice chattered from the receiver.
"Yes, yes."
"Right, 3 PM today. No, you don't need to come to the airport..."
"No, it's not that I hate the idea."
"...Well, saying I 'ditched' you as a writer? That phrasing's a bit much, even as a joke."
"Got it. See you then."
Kang Min sighed and hung up, turning to say something.
But before he could, the phone rang again. This time, a younger voice.
Kim Cheol's expression twisted oddly.
"Hey, Yun-a. What's up?"
"Yeah, today's the day."
"Hm, no need really. Got people seeing me off already. You're busy too."
"No, no, it's not that I mind. Just don't need it. What's with your tone?"
"It's not a bother... Sigh, fine, come if you want."
"Yeah, see you soon."
Kang Min hung up, looking awkward again, and turned to speak.
Then the phone rang once more.
Kim Cheol's face grew even stranger.
"Hey, Ye-an. What's this about? Should be busy at the orphanage."
"Uh, yeah."
"...Bom? Asking if she can come pick me up?"
"Eh, don't think it's necessary—plenty of people already coming. Why's she routing through busy you anyway? Should I give her a piece of my mind..."
"What do you mean 'just pass on that it's not needed'?"
"Don't laugh like that."
"Yeah, sorry we've barely talked. I'll swing by sometime."
"Sure."
...Huh?
"...Bom? Asking if she can come pick me up?"
Han Ye-seul tilted her head at the familiar name, but Kang Min just sighed and turned back.
"Busy day for calls, huh. Sorry about that."
"......."
"Anyway, Director Kim, I owe you huge. Hope we cross paths again soon so I can repay you?"
"Doubt it. Probably never in this lifetime."
Kim Cheol's face had turned serene, like a temple Buddha.
He smiled faintly.
"Gotta stay alive first to meet again."
"Pardon?"
"Live nice, Actor Kang Min. Not everyone gets a miracle to survive being quartered."
"?"
#
"Korea's going nuts, oppa!"
Jo Yun-a, whom he hadn't seen in ages, was buzzing with excitement.
She'd been bouncing around the airport like crazy, and once in the car, she whipped out her phone to show a folder crammed with William White specials.
...Only one issue.
"?"
Yun-a...
Seeing stuff like this...?
"N-no! Th-this is, uh... I hit it by mistake!"
Jo Yun-a frantically mashed the back button, but it only got worse.
Every time a nationalist YouTube vid popped up gushing about Kang Min this, Kang Min that, or their "relationship," her face drained pale.
Lloyd Gonzalez, the only one who'd come with Kang Min's group ahead of time, came to her rescue.
He looked intrigued.
"Oh, not wrong at all."
"...Pardon?"
"Dunno about Japanese jealousy or Chinese nail-biting, but the American reactions are spot on. A bit sensationalist, but within bounds."
"Th-thank you! Thank you!"
"Hm? No need to thank me. It's just facts."
Lloyd Gonzalez opened the YouTube app and commented "ThisWhyJin" on one.
He ran a hobby channel, so replies flooded in: "?" "What?" "Real Gonzalez?" "Legit??"
Kang Min wondered why this guy had bothered with English during that meeting.
"...Hello."
"......Hi."
Meanwhile, PD Han Ye-seul and writer Baek Chae-i shared a subtly awkward vibe. They'd worked on Unbelievable together, but it had been a while.
Kang Min had hoped to grab a meal with his writer friend and little sis to catch up, but that plan shattered fast.
Thanks to Lloyd Gonzalez, naturally.
"If possible, take us straight to MBS. The editing bay, ideally. I want to check if I have advice to give ASAP."
"No need to rush, Director. Rest up today and..."
"Good lord, Actor Kang Min! After showing me that scene, you say that?"
Lloyd shook his head.
His face was downright ashamed.
"That footage was phenomenal. And I missed the potential, spouting nonsense. I need to prove this noggin ain't just a knothole!"
"Erk."
"Plus, Must Die to Live succeeding means our next shoot will be flawless too. No reason to hesitate."
"...Well, if you're that set on it."
Kang Min reluctantly parted ways with his friends and writer, postponing for later.
He could've sworn one of the writers glared murderously at Lloyd, but nah, must be his imagination.
The next victim? MBS Drama Department, naturally. PD Kim Kang-hyun had figured they'd give a heads-up in a day or two at least—boy, was he wrong.
He freaked at the uninvited guests.
"Oh, no need for such a welcome. Just show us to editing."
"Y-yes, sir..."
Easier said than done. As the world-class director gravely reviewed raw footage in editing, the ADs fidgeted inside, and the PD sweated bullets in his office.
'Damn it, why's a hotshot Hollywood director wasting time here!'
'How the hell did Kang Min drag this guy along...!'
Undeterred, Lloyd spent a solid five hours glued to the screen. Terrifying focus.
Emerging, he stroked his chin.
"No beating around the bush—I'll be straight, Producer Han."
"Please do."
"The story's awfully generic. Betrayed heroine teams with helpful hero for revenge. Throw a rock on the street, hit three bullseyes."
"...Yes."
"Great graphics, perfect action, death scenes—that's the hook, but it's too niche. Nothing for me to advise there."
"I see."
Han Ye-seul sighed softly.
If even Lloyd Gonzalez said so, were they doomed to barrel ahead in this what-the-hell mess?
But Lloyd wasn't done.
"One bit of advice, though."
"Yes?"
"Mr. William White's action scale is too small. Make it flashier."
"?"
"Don't worry. I know folks flashier than anyone, suddenly interested too."
#
A few days later,
Stunt actor Kim Ho-jin for Must Die to Live—hearing Kang Min was back—holed up at home, faking illness, not daring to budge.
He was tormented.
More like, quaking in terror.
'Damn, shit...! Knew Kang Min wasn't your average psycho...!'
During King and Sovereign shoot, Kang Min had dubbed himself William White and pummeled Kim Ho-jin senseless. He'd lain bedridden for days, trembling in fear.
Back then, William White was just actor babble.
Even recently.
But now? That name had exploded across America, a global sensation.
In just a week.
'Kuh...!'
Cold sweat beaded automatically.
How far,
how far was that lunatic serious about William White...!
Kim Ho-jin was scared.
And that's why he finally steeled himself.
He gritted his teeth.
'No more! Can't keep getting dragged by that maniac, no matter what!'
Kang Min was terrifying. But being chained to him forever? Way scarier.
A real man had to draw the line, impossible or not.
Kim Ho-jin's brain kicked into overdrive.
'Play sick first. Make excuses, bolt overseas! Work'll sort itself—can't stick with that freak!'
Resolve hardened into ironclad plan.
The most thorough, perfect scheme of his life.
...Until he met the bizarre new stunt crew.
"You're the fencing guy—Ho-jin Kim, right? Justin Gilbreth here. You launched that actor airborne recently."
"Kenny Stewart."
"Gilford Lance."
"Uh, y-yeah..."
Kim Ho-jin blinked blankly.
He prided his own muscles, but these guys? Half a head taller, hands like manhole covers. Shaking them left him dazed.
What the...?
Why are these monsters here—
Stunt legend Justin Gilbreth answered soon enough.
"Heard you're our stunt team's new lead from now on. Nice working with ya."
"......Come again?"
Kim Ho-jin wore the dumbest look of his life.
End of William White and the Sorcerer's Stone (2)