Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Script Revision Chaos
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Is this really the revised version? For real?"
The PD in charge of producing Oh, My Cat, Ha Chae-rim, glared daggers as she asked. President Lee Sung-hoon averted his gaze and let out a series of awkward coughs.
"Come on, President! I'm asking you right now! Is this seriously how it got revised?!"
"Ah! Yeah, it is!"
He finally snapped, his frustration boiling over into a shout, as if to say whatever happens, happens.
"What was I supposed to do? Tell Writer Seo Ji-hye not to revise the script? You think I knew it'd change this much?!"
"You might not have known before seeing it, but after you did, you should've put your foot down! What am I supposed to tell the actors we've already cast? I'm not some punching bag shaman here!"
"You think I didn't try saying no? Huh?"
President Lee Sung-hoon irritably shoved a cigarette into his mouth, then remembered they were indoors and pulled out his vape instead.
He puffed and exhaled repeatedly, thick white clouds billowing up to obscure his view.
Phew.
Can't see a thing. Much better.
Free from PD Ha Chae-rim's piercing stare, he started making excuses with a slightly more relaxed expression.
"PD Ha, I'm not an idiot. The second I saw the script, I said, 'This won't do!' and tried to stop it. But do you think Writer Seo listens to me? No way, right?"
"You still should've fought harder! How am I supposed to fix this? It's not like the existing actors' parts got expanded—they got cut!"
"I said no even if they held a knife to my throat! But Writer Seo didn't come at me with a knife—she brought a cannon!"
"Want me to shove a real knife under your nose?"
Through the dispersing smoke, PD Ha Chae-rim's eyes gleamed menacingly. President Lee Sung-hoon hurriedly blew out more vapor to escape her gaze, but her sharp voice pierced his ears.
"No smoking indoors!"
Damn, it's just a vape.
He waved his hand to scatter the vapor and continued in a relatively calm tone.
"Anyway, it's done now, so you'll have to figure it out, PD Ha. What can we do when Writer Seo's so stubborn?"
"Ha..."
Ha Chae-rim let out a deep sigh at his shameless remark.
"What is it about Lee Do-jun that she likes so much? He was even late to the audition."
"The accident made him late, so we cut him some slack. His acting was good, though. A bit raw, sure."
If he hadn't added those unscripted actions at the end, she wouldn't have called it raw at all.
But to Ha Chae-rim, who had missed the audition due to urgent business, it was baffling.
"A bit raw, and that's enough to overhaul the script like this? Did you even watch properly? No other reasons? I told you to focus more usually."
Her rapid-fire scolding finally made President Lee Sung-hoon explode.
"Argh, then go ask the other kids who were at the audition! Or grill Writer Seo yourself!"
"Is that something the president should say?"
"...Damn it."
"No swearing."
Ha PD's anger was understandable, but they couldn't undo Writer Seo Ji-hye's decision now.
Lee Sung-hoon rubbed his dry face and continued in a weary, quiet voice.
"...Sorry. Anyway, PD Ha, bear with it. No choice when Writer Seo insists."
"Ugh."
Having vented enough, Ha Chae-rim softened her tone.
"I'm not letting this year's salary negotiation slide."
"If the drama does well, I'll be the one not letting it slide. Don't worry."
"Fine, then we need to rework the promo strategy. Lee Do-jun needs an official interview too. Schedules are almost set—what a mess."
"Handle it like always. Just do a good job."
"Got it."
Click.
The president's office fell silent after she left. Alone, President Lee Sung-hoon stared at the revised script on his desk and muttered.
"What the hell is Writer Seo thinking?"
The Lee Do-jun he'd seen was a decent rookie—nothing more.
He'd shown solid acting skills that belied his idol background, but who knew how he'd perform on set.
Did a few minutes of acting really have that much charm to warrant overhauling the script?
Writer Seo Ji-hye was a veteran who knew the industry inside out; she wouldn't ignore the backlash from sudden changes.
"Well, we'll see soon enough."
Who knew? Maybe she'd spotted something special in Do-jun that he hadn't.
With that thought, President Lee Sung-hoon reviewed the revised script once more.
❤
My mouth got me in trouble. I'd complained about having nothing to do and getting antsy, and now I was swamped with work.
Of course, having work was good. Really good, but...
"...Am I even doing this right?"
I muttered while staring at the Oh, My Cat script. If I screwed this up, Writer Seo Ji-hye would chew me out big time.
Should've practiced more.
I'd underlined and analyzed it diligently, but the more I read, the more doubtful I felt.
Pida's acting trainer had even visited the hospital to teach me nuances and help analyze, but that was just a moment.
Daily line practice with Kim Han-soo earned praise, but my anxiety only grew.
Ultimately, it was my acting, judged by the production team—not someone else.
"Do-jun, time to sleep. Schedules start tomorrow again."
The clock showed midnight. Since I'd gotten hurt staying up late practicing, Kim Han-soo checked on me nightly to manage my sleep.
"Just a bit more, then bed."
I'd been shocked by the increased lines at first. From a near-extra supporting role to practically the sub male lead.
But learning my character was crucial throughout the drama only added pressure.
From the initial incident to the spark between the leads—it's all tied to me.
Starting with treating the heroine's cat, maintaining flirty tension with her, even clashing with the male lead later.
Worlds apart from the original brief tension-builder between the leads.
No wonder Writer Seo called to tell me to analyze it well.
The vague pressure made me reread endlessly and text the trainer for advice, but it felt fresh every time.
Luckily, hospital time was plentiful. Schedules often meant sleeping and waking at dawn anyway, so late-night reading wasn't tiring.
Kim Han-soo clearly disagreed.
Click.
He turned off the room lights entirely and spoke from the darkness.
"Resting properly is self-care too. Schedules tomorrow. Put it down and sleep."
He added one last thing as he slowly closed the door.
"I'll check if you're asleep."
...How'd he know?
Fine! Sleeping, sleeping. I do what I say I will.
I lay down, pulling the stiff blanket to my chin. Over a week in, the hospital smell still hadn't grown on me.
But discharge tomorrow would make up for it...
"Do-jun."
"Y-Yes?"
I jolted at Kim Han-soo's sudden call.
What? Caught pretending to sleep?
"Get up. Morning. Time to discharge."
"...Huh?"
I reflexively checked the window. The pitch-black night was now bright daylight.
Really morning?
I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep. Dazed, I let Kim Han-soo lead me through discharge prep.
By the time we reached the first-floor billing desk with bags packed, everything was done—no waiting.
He'd handled it all while I slept like a log.
"Thank you! Take care!"
Feeling light-hearted, I headed out.
"W-Wait a sec!"
"Yes?"
"Um... if it's not too much, could I get an autograph? I'm a fan!"
A nurse thrust paper and pen forward, glancing around cautiously.
Early morning, lobby mostly empty, but a few sat there.
"Of course!"
"Wow, really? Sorry, but could you do three? My night shift coworker’s a fan too."
I'd gotten requests during my stay, but never outside the room—felt pretty good.
I smiled back at her beaming face and took the pen.
"No problem. Names for your friends?"
"Thank you! I'll brag to everyone."
"A fan? I'm the thankful one. Looking forward to your support."
"Hehe, you bet! Oh, and a photo maybe...?"
She glanced at Kim Han-soo beside me, voice shrinking.
"Sorry. You just got discharged—too soon for pics?"
"Haha, no. Freshly showered."
"Eek! Really? Thank you!"
She squealed, whipping out her phone and arm-extending. I bent to match heights, grinning wide.
Bare-faced felt awkward. Lately, heavy stage makeup for schedules.
Billing staff who'd seen joined in for photos, drawing stares—clicks pulling attention.
"Isn't that the guy from the news?"
"Where?"
"Eyes front! He's heading out."
Nearby elders whispered. Didn't know my name, but recognition felt nice. Left the hospital in high spirits.
Once out, Kim Han-soo—stuck like a bodyguard—spoke up.
"Gotta do even better now."
"Obviously. I'll work harder than during the break."
"Not what I meant."
"Huh?"
He strode to the car, continuing.
"Saw the staff and patients recognize you? Really watch your behavior now."
"Of course. Always careful."
"People slip up anytime. Just saying—think twice."
"Come on, have I messed up so far? Don't worry."
We hadn't known each other long, so I teased lightly, but he stared, then burst out laughing.
"Nope. So keep it up. Like I said before, you've got something special."
"...Huh?"
Something special? What? He hadn't explained properly last time either.
Wait... had Team Leader Kim Han-soo always smiled this brightly?
Might be my imagination, but he felt a tad closer than pre-accident.
As I pondered, he opened the car door and headed to the driver's seat.
"Busy again starting today. Let's push through."
"Yep! You got it."
A week later, B.O.Y's first mini-album promotions wrapped up.
And right on cue, articles about Oh, My Cat started popping up on portals.