Chapter 181
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: The American Scale
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From 0 Years Old Superstar, Chapter 181
In a conference room on the third floor of Cocoa Entertainment.
An Daho smiled as he welcomed Director Choi Daeman and Assistant Director Park Jaemin.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m An Daho, actor Lee Seojun’s manager.”
“Hello. I’m Director Choi Daeman.”
“And I’m the assistant director, Park Jaemin.”
After exchanging greetings, the three of them sat down. Sensing they were looking around for Seojun, An Daho spoke up.
“Today is the last day of school before break, so Lee Seojun is at school.”
An Daho smiled, recalling Seojun’s message filled with disappointment.
“Ah, I see.”
Director Choi Daeman nodded and rummaged through his bag, pulling out a bundle of papers.
It had been a week since Cocoa Entertainment had contacted him. During that time, Director Choi and Assistant Director Park had worked hard to prepare a treatment and a portion of the script.
“This is the treatment for the film, and this is a small part of it that we’ve written as a script.”
Longer than a three- or four-page synopsis, the treatment was about ten pages, broadly outlining the film's overall scenes. Seeing it and the slightly thicker script, An Daho smiled in satisfaction.
“I was a bit worried a synopsis would be too brief, so thank you.”
“It might be revised, but for now, we plan to film according to the treatment.”
“Yes, I understand.”
An Daho took the treatment and script to show Seojun when he arrived after school, then opened his mouth to speak.
“Next, we need to find a production company... Do you have one in mind?”
At An Daho's words, Director Choi flinched. His eyes darted to the side. An Daho tilted his head.
“Director?”
“Well…”
Director Choi rubbed the back of his neck.
For his first three attempts, he had thought of production and distribution companies, as well as other roles. Three times he had excitedly written the synopsis, dreaming up a production company, distributor, and cast that perfectly suited his tastes.
After all three of those attempts failed, Director Choi had decided, ‘Let’s just get a confirmation from Seojun first!’ and hadn't thought about anything else.
“We’re fine with whatever company Seojun, I mean, actor Lee Seojun is comfortable with.”
Hearing this, An Daho stroked his chin.
The production companies Seojun had worked with in Korea were Film Dream for *The Evil Spirit*, Pado for *Naeuiwon*, Gureum for commercials, and Danhong for *Yeok*.
Excluding the commercial producer Gureum and the drama producer Pado, that left Film Dream and Danhong. Danhong would be busy all year with *Yeok*, so the only one left was Film Dream.
“How about Film Dream?”
How about it, he asks…
Director Choi thought back to working with Film Dream on *The Evil Spirit*.
They were the company that had allowed him to produce an exorcism film, a rarity in Korea. They were also a great company that had indulged his stubbornness to the very end, spending a month and a half searching for the perfect location. He had even worked with Film Dream on his next project.
Director Choi nodded. Assistant Director Park Jaemin, who had been dragged along by the nervous director, also nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“That’s a good choice. They’re great.”
“Shall we go with them, then?”
Choosing a film production company was simpler than expected.
There was no point in weighing too many options; hardly any Korean production companies had experience with zombie films. Since they were all more or less the same, the best choice was to work with a company the director was comfortable with.
‘Besides, as long as we have the production budget, even a small company can handle it.’
An Daho and Director Choi, unconcerned about funding, exchanged smiles.
“Then I’ll contact them.”
An Daho nodded at the director's words.
* * *
After the meeting, Director Choi Daeman left Cocoa Entertainment and searched for Lee Hansol, the planning team leader at Film Dream, in his phone contacts. Park Jaemin took the wheel.
“Hyung. Where to?”
“Hmm. Let’s head to Film Dream.”
“Okay.”
As the car started to move, Director Choi sent a message to Team Leader Lee Hansol.
<Team Leader Lee. It’s been a while.>
>Director Choi! Are you planning your next project?
A reply arrived so quickly it was as if he’d been staring at his phone all day.
“Ah…”
Director Choi rubbed the back of his neck at Lee Hansol’s message.
<How did you know?>
>You only ever contact me when you have work, Director.
>No, it’s fine. But are you really planning your next project?
<Yes. I was hoping to work with Film Dream again.>
>Ah… You must not have heard yet.
“Hmm?”
As Director Choi’s fingers paused over his phone, Park Jaemin asked.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just, Team Leader Lee’s reaction is strange.”
Just then, the car stopped at a red light. Park Jaemin leaned over to look at the phone screen. A new message from Team Leader Lee appeared.
>Hahaha, we went bankrupt.
“…!?”
* * *
Inside a noisy barbecue restaurant.
Former Team Leader Lee Hansol, currently unemployed Lee Hansol, laughed hollowly as he followed a restaurant employee to a private room.
“Team Leader Lee!”
“Director Choi! It’s been a long time.”
“Hahaha. Please don’t emphasize how long it’s been.”
“It’s been four years. That’s a long time.”
Director Choi and Lee Hansol sat down. After greeting Park Jaemin as well, Lee Hansol downed a shot of soju. Uh, oh. Director Choi and Park Jaemin stared, dumbfounded, as Lee Hansol literally poured the soju down his throat.
“Um… Team Leader Lee… Film Dream went bankrupt?”
“That bastard… CEO Park cleaned out the company to fund his gambling habit and fled.”
“Cleaned it out?”
“Yes. He sold off all the film rights the company owned and skipped town. We couldn’t make movies, there was no money coming in, so we couldn’t pay salaries, and all the employees left.”
Lee Hansol said, grinding his teeth.
“He even sold the rights to *The Evil Spirit*, starring Lee Seojun!”
“…He sold that!”
That film still brought in money from broadcasts?! Director Choi and Park Jaemin were horrified.
“T-to where?”
“…Plus+.”
Director Choi and Park Jaemin let out a sigh of relief. It was a small mercy, at least.
Lee Hansol raised his soju glass and said.
“So you’ll have to look for another production company.”
“What about the other employees…?”
“Some are like me, still unemployed, and some have found new jobs.”
He’d wondered if the man spent all day on his phone, and it seemed that as an unemployed person, he really did. Feeling sorry for him, Director Choi placed some pre-grilled meat in front of Lee Hansol.
“Is there no way to start over?”
“…Well, the company name still exists. It would work if someone acquired it. There’s nothing left, so the acquisition cost would be next to nothing, but the problem is getting work. Who would entrust a film to a production company whose CEO ran off?”
“People can trust you, Team Leader Lee.”
The reason Director Choi had been able to search for locations for so long was thanks to Team Leader Lee Hansol's efforts. At the director's praise, Lee Hansol smiled for the first time in a long while.
“Heh. Thank you.”
“How about you acquire it, Team Leader Lee?”
“What… I could, but…”
“I’ll invest too.”
At Director Choi’s words, Lee Hansol’s eyes sparkled.
It wasn't uncommon for directors in Chungmuro to start their own production companies. After all, a production company often earned more than a director.
“Are you sure? We could go bankrupt again.”
“I have a great movie. One that can make a lot of money. We can think about what comes after that, then.”
“A great movie?”
The faces of Director Choi and Assistant Director Park Jaemin seemed to glitter in the light as they looked at Lee Hansol. Lee Hansol blinked.
‘Wait, I’ve seen this expression somewhere before.’
Lee Hansol searched his memory. It felt faint, just on the tip of his tongue.
A long time ago, the face of Director Choi cheering that he had cast someone suddenly came to mind. Lee Hansol’s eyes widened.
“…Huh?”
“I’m preparing a film. We’ve already decided on one of the lead actors.”
“…Huh?”
“You’ve met him before, Team Leader Lee.”
“…Wha-?”
Finally, at the name of the actor that came out of Director Choi’s mouth, Lee Hansol let out a cheer that was almost a scream.
Having decided to acquire Film Dream, Team Leader Lee Hansol contacted the employees who had left and then, this time with a joyful heart, downed another shot of soju.
“You can still really hold your liquor, Team Leader Lee. Or should I say, CEO Lee!”
“You have some too, Assistant Director! It’s on me!”
“Do you have money?”
“…I’m cashing out my savings!”
The private room grew lively with the three men’s cheerful conversation.
Director Choi spoke.
“Cocoa Entertainment recommended an investment company. They said it was the one that invested the most, but they were great because they didn’t interfere.”
“A recommendation from Cocoa Entertainment!”
Cocoa Entertainment. Anyone who wanted to work with Lee Seojun knew the name of his agency. Since it was practically a recommendation from Lee Seojun himself, Lee Hansol’s eyes sparkled as he asked Director Choi.
“Where is it?”
* * *
Plus+ Korea Branch.
In one of the conference rooms, Lee Hansol, the new CEO of the film production company Film Dream, waited for the investment manager, his face tense with nervousness. It wasn't because he was afraid of being rejected. There were plenty of other places to get funding.
It was just that the incredible thing inside his bag was hard to believe. No one here could possibly guess what was inside.
Lee Hansol grinned foolishly. For any other movie, he would have been running around trying to find investors, constantly worrying about the production budget, but now his mind was completely at ease.
After a short wait, the investment manager entered. They exchanged greetings and got straight to business.
The investment manager, who had spread the synopsis and treatment on the table, was cold from the start.
A zombie movie in Korea.
Even for Film Dream, which was known for taking an interest in niche genres, this seemed a bit reckless. The makeup would have to be done for every shoot, and the acting of all those extras couldn't be sloppy. CG was a must, and on top of that, the setting was…
Should they invest in this movie? If so, how much? The investment staff who had discussed it had all shaken their heads.
The investment manager spoke.
“A zombie movie. We are well aware of Film Dream. You have some recognition in niche genres, but your profits haven't been that high for the past few years, have they? Just enough to break even…”
They had also sold off their film rights.
‘Well, even Hollywood production companies sell off rights when they’re in a tight spot… so that doesn’t matter… but the former CEO gambled… The CEO has changed, but still, hmm.’
The investment manager scribbled something on a piece of paper while observing Lee Hansol's face. Despite his cold reaction, Lee Hansol was simply smiling comfortably and nodding continuously. Feeling awkward at his attitude, the investment manager spoke evasively.
“Of course, in this field, just breaking even is a great achievement. If it’s serviced on our platform, it could generate more profit. How much investment is Film Dream looking for?”
“Before that…”
Lee Hansol lowered his voice. The investment manager tilted his head.
“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know who our lead actor is?”
“? No. It wasn't in the documents you sent. Have you already cast the lead? I hope it's a famous actor. The investment amount could increase.”
A famous actor.
At those words, Lee Hansol could no longer hold back his rising smile and said brightly. Lee Hansol’s moving lips seemed to magnify.
Not understanding the word, the investment manager asked him to repeat it. When the actor’s name was mentioned a second time, the investment manager froze on the spot.
Hahahaha. While Lee Hansol laughed brightly, the investment manager realized. This was not something he could handle at his level.
The matter was immediately escalated to the head of the Plus+ Korea branch.
“My goodness! A zombie movie! With actor Lee Seojun!”
The head of Plus+ Korea shot up from his seat.
Oh my god! Holy cow! What the!
The branch head, who was reacting with a mix of American and Korean expressions, calmed his breathing and sat back down.
“He made an unfamiliar historical drama a hit, and now a zombie movie. Is he planning to sweep up all the money in the world?”
Though his face still showed a hint of excitement, the branch head had become composed. Lee Hansol let out a sigh of relief. He knew he'd be excited, but not this much. Still, it was a relief that he could secure the investment easily.
“So, about the investment…”
However, the branch head’s calm demeanor was a trap.
In the brief moment Lee Hansol was feeling relieved, the branch head’s mind was racing.
*Yeok*, released in an unfamiliar language, had yielded profits beyond expectations and was scheduled to be uploaded to Plus+ soon. The profit from the film investment, plus the profit from Plus+. As if that wasn't satisfying enough,
He was preparing a zombie movie!
Isn't that a genre where action takes precedence over words!
It could have the heart-pounding suspense of a disaster situation like in *One Step*, and perhaps the nerve-wracking tension between life and death from *Yeok* that made you hold your breath.
Furthermore,
The branch head swallowed hard.
Furthermore, isn't this Lee Seojun's first action movie!
‘My god! Yes. His first action movie!’
It would be released even before *Shadowman 3*, which was guaranteed to have 100% action scenes. It would be actor Lee Seojun’s very first action film.
The branch head’s eyes gleamed.
“We’ll do it! We’re in! What do you need? Since it's a zombie movie, you’ll need a special effects makeup team, right? We have one on our side. If we request it from headquarters, they’ll come right away. If you don't like them, we’ll bring in the most famous makeup team in the world!”
The branch head started getting worked up again. At this, Lee Hansol awkwardly leaned back, only to be stopped by the back of the sofa. He pressed his back into it as if trying to merge with it.
“Props? Shall we bring in a Hollywood art team? Staff? We’ll bring in any expert you want! Funding? Spend as much as you want! Location? Renting? Why bother! Let’s build it! With the latest construction methods, it’ll be up in no time. Just say the word! Whatever you need, we’ll get it from anywhere.”
The branch head, speaking without taking a breath, seemed ready to get a meteorite on demand, whether by winning it at auction or raiding NASA. And "anywhere"... surely meant not just Korea, but the entire world.
Lee Hansol’s shoulders shrank back from the gleam in the branch head’s blue eyes.
‘The sheer scale of Americans…’
It was scary because it felt like he would actually do anything.
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