Chapter 187
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Casting Calls
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Soon, rumors began to circulate that a 'Korean-style zombie movie' was in the works.
It all started with the actors and agencies who received the script for 'Escape,' handpicked by Director Choi Daeman as candidates for the lead role.
Kim Taein, the top candidate for the lead, stared down at the script with a displeased expression. While some said his acting wasn't quite on par with Lee Jiseok's, he was still a decent actor.
'It's his rotten personality that's the problem.'
His manager, well aware of Kim Taein's temperament, fidgeted nervously. He'd heard that Lee Jiseok, on the other hand, had a wonderful personality...
“A zombie movie?”
“Yes. I heard Film Dream is producing it this time.”
“And you want me to do this crap? Have you ever seen a zombie movie succeed in Korea?”
The manager quickly shook his head.
“Uh, no.”
“A zombie movie, and not even in America. And the director is Choi Daeman? Never heard of him.”
“He’s the director of *Malignant Spirit*, the movie Lee Seojun was in a long time ago.”
That was the only reason the script had made it past the agency and to Kim Taein. His agency wasn't holding its breath, though. They were just hoping to generate some buzz by creating an article linking him to 'Lee Seojun.'
“Lee Seojun?”
Even the great Kim Taein couldn't help but show interest at the mention of that name. Though it was just the two of them, Kim Taein lowered his voice.
“Is Lee Seojun in it?”
“...No.”
Kim Taein swore and threw the script on the floor.
“So you want me to do a movie that Lee Seojun isn't even in?”
“Th-then, should I tell them you’re turning it down?”
“Don't state the obvious! Go find out about Producer Choi Minseong's next project! *Secret* just ended, so he must be preparing for his next work soon!”
The drama *Secret* was the next project from Producer Choi Minseong and writer So Eunjin after *Naeuiwon*. While it didn't monopolize the ratings or generate as much buzz as *Naeuiwon*, it still ranked first in its time slot. With a string of hits from *Re-Investigation*, *Naeuiwon*, to *Secret*, they were beginning to be recognized as a star producer and writer duo.
“Yes, sir!”
The manager replied quickly and left, grumbling to himself.
The fact that it was a zombie movie was a significant hurdle. Kim Taein turned it down, and other actors followed suit, one by one. There were many people and agencies connected to these actors. It would have been stranger if the news hadn't leaked.
After that, the film and entertainment industries were abuzz with talk of the wandering script, calls for extras, and announcements for child actor auditions. While some actors were intrigued by the unusual theme of a zombie movie, most shook their heads.
“Film Dream is really asking for trouble.”
“I heard their CEO skipped town. Looks like they're determined to go bankrupt.”
“They’re holding auditions when they haven't even cast the leads yet.”
“Do they even have investors? Or not?”
And so, the rumors began to spread by word of mouth to the general public, and small articles started to appear.
[A Korean-style Zombie Movie is Coming!]
-Oh! A Korean zombie movie? It's doomed.
-?In Korea? Zombies?
-But this seems to be the only article about it? No cast has been announced.
-Aren't they just testing the waters? 'Should we make a zombie movie?' > Netizen reaction: 'It's doomed.' > 'Oh dear, I guess we shouldn't!'
=222 This has to be it. They're just gauging the reaction and will disappear lol
A Korean-style zombie movie.
People's attention was drawn to a genre no one had ever succeeded with. While some chatted about it for fun, simply finding the idea of a 'Korean-style zombie movie' novel, die-hard zombie movie fans dug a little deeper.
-Who's the production company?
=Film Dream.
=Oh. I know them. They make non-mainstream genre films. Their movies are pretty good.
=That's old news. They sold off the rights to all their films. Even *Malignant Spirit*, the one with Lee Seojun.
=They sold *Malignant Spirit*? What? So this is the company that kills the golden goose?
-Who's the director? The screenwriter? The lead actors?
=Nothing's been released yet. Only that they're holding auditions.
-If it were me, I'd be promoting the hell out of it being a zombie movie. It'll probably flop, but... with just this one article and a few comments, most people probably don't even know this movie exists, right?
=222 It'll probably fail because no one even knows it exists.
=Right. Even if they started promoting now, it's a toss-up whether it'd get known... why are they so quiet?
-What's the budget? 10 billion won? 15? Surely... it's not less than 10 billion, right?
=Even if it's not on the level of a Hollywood zombie movie, I hope they spent some money...
-What are the investors doing? Why are they silent when the promotion is like this?
=lol Seems like it's their first time investing in a movie lol
=222 That's why they'd invest in a zombie movie haha
=...As a fan of a niche genre, this is sad.
=...222 T_T
=My apologies.
While the internet was buzzing ever so slightly about the zombie movie, good news arrived at the Film Dream production company. CEO Lee Hansol and the staff's eyes lit up.
“Who knew we’d land such a big fish by widening the age range...”
“We should really thank actor Kim Taein for turning it down.”
“He kicked his own good fortune away, that’s what.”
An actor had finally agreed to star in the film. And what an actor they were. Director Choi Daeman, who heard the news over the phone, was also delighted when he heard the actor's name. CEO Lee Hansol grabbed the contract and left the office, and the staff returned to their work.
“It's a shame about actress Gong Seoyeon.”
“She's probably scared because that non-mainstream genre film she did a while back flopped so hard.”
The project she starred in after that was a hit, but the fact that it was a mainstream film was a major reason why actress Gong Seoyeon was hesitant about this zombie movie.
The non-mainstream film failed, and the mainstream film succeeded.
So, it was natural for her to think that this zombie movie, a non-mainstream film, might also fail.
A staff member who was a fan of actress Gong Seoyeon sighed with disappointment.
“I heard Director Choi Daeman chose her after seeing that movie... It’s a real shame.”
“I know. She would have been filming with Lee Seojun...”
“It’s the same for the other actors.”
The staff members nodded.
After Gong Seoyeon, they sent the script to three other actors. All of them declined. Next, they broadened the age range and sent it to five more actors. They had just received the third rejection.
“What if we don't get anyone this time either?”
“Well, the CEO and the director will figure something out.”
Just then, the phone rang.
The employee who answered said, “Yes, yes,” before their eyes widened. A bright smile slowly spread across their face.
At that reaction, the other employees held their breath.
“Yes. I understand!”
The call ended, and the employee, beaming, shouted.
“She said yes!”
“Who is it?”
“Actress Lee Dajin!”
At the mention of her name, the staff gasped, covering their mouths.
The news of Lee Dajin's casting was immediately relayed to Lee Hansol. After hanging up, Lee Hansol's steps felt light as he headed back to the meeting room.
“Pardon the interruption.”
Across from the seated Lee Hansol was the actor who would be playing the role of Im Jangwoo. As Lee Hansol collected the contract the man had just signed, he spoke before the man could ask.
“That was a call confirming another lead actor has accepted.”
The man had just heard that the role of Go Joowon would be played by Lee Seojun. He, who had been smiling with satisfaction at the unexpected news, asked.
“The role of Yeon Jaehee, you mean?”
Lee Hansol nodded.
“Yes. Actress Lee Dajin's side just contacted us to say she'll take the part.”
The man's eyes widened.
Ha. A small chuckle grew into a loud laugh that filled the meeting room. Lee Hansol also smiled warmly.
Lee Seojun, Lee Dajin, and now himself.
“This must be fate.”
The man, Kim Jongho, said with a cheerful laugh.
* * *
The day of the child actor auditions for the movie 'Escape' had arrived.
Film Dream had suggested that Seojun participate in the audition judging, but Seojun shook his head.
The reason was,
>Jookyung: I'm so nervous!!
>Joohee: Me too!!
>Jaehan: Why are we one after the other?
his friends were participating in the audition.
'I would judge fairly, but...'
That's how public perception works.
If Seojun were a judge and his friends passed, they would undoubtedly face criticism.
'And it's more likely the kids would hear it than me.'
His friends, who were still learning and lacked acting experience, were more likely to be criticized than Seojun, whose acting skills were recognized 'worldwide.'
'It's better to nip it in the bud.'
So he had declined the position of an audition judge.
>Jookyung: I'm first!
>Joohee: Some of our classmates are here too. Kids from Class 2 as well.
Messages poured in from the nervous kids. It seemed that besides the three of them, other kids from Class 1 and Class 2 had also passed the initial screening.
>Jaehan: T_T The kids from Class 2 are really good.
>Jookyung: What about me? Am I not good?
>Joohee: Yeah! Are you dissing Class 1?
>Jaehan: Noooooo
>Jaehan: Seojuna T_T Jookyung and Joohee are hitting me TTTT
>Jookyung: Okay.
>Joohee: Fine.
Seojun burst out laughing at his friends' messages.
“Seojun. Break's over.”
“Yes.”
Seojun, who had been sitting and tapping on his phone, stood up at Joo Younghoon's call.
Today was archery practice.
Seojun skillfully pulled an arrow from his quiver and raised his bow.
'Though it feels more like a hobby than practice now.'
Now accustomed to it, Seojun took a light breath and released his fingers.
Thwack!
“Ten!”
Half regret that such a talent couldn't be persuaded to pursue archery.
Half admiration at how well he was doing again today.
Joo Younghoon's voice, filled with complex emotions, echoed through the archery range.
* * *
“Sir.”
“...Yes.”
“It seems our company will have to handle the care for Evan Block and Richel Hill.”
Seo Eunchan nodded grimly at An Daho's words. It was something he had been anticipating ever since An Daho had informed him of the two actors' casting.
“Evan Block's and Richel Hill's agencies contacted us through King's Agency. It seems they think we'll take good care of them, given our connection and the fact that we're the agency for Seojun, who is also active in Hollywood.”
“...I figured as much.”
Seo Eunchan sighed inwardly.
Two Hollywood stars, no less, and both were slated to film a massive blockbuster next year. They had always been incredibly popular, but Evan Block's popularity had skyrocketed after he was shown speaking Korean at a promotional event for *Assemble 2*.
From the small things, like handling their food and lodging during filming, to the big things, like managing public opinion.
It was hard enough to find a trustworthy agency even in the U.S. where they were active, let alone in a foreign country they had never imagined they would be filming in.
It was a completely unfamiliar country; even sending their most competent staff wouldn't guarantee proper care. And they couldn't just establish a branch office for what might be a one-time film shoot.
A situation similar to when Cocoa Entertainment was managing Seojun's Hollywood activities had arisen.
Just as King's Agency, created and managed by Nara Kim, had been the solution then, there was a perfect and reliable solution this time as well.
There was an agency that was quite trustworthy since they already knew the talent, had experience caring for a Hollywood actor, and was powerful and well-known enough in Korea for the average person to recognize.
“And that company is ours.”
Seo Eunchan rubbed his face dryly. An Daho shrugged and replied.
“After the contract is signed, the two agencies will send the data directly to us, bypassing King's Agency. Everything from the two actors' schedules to their dietary preferences, tastes, and other areas that need care.”
Once again, Seo Eunchan lightly sighed, blaming his Hollywood star nephew for causing such a huge incident.
What's done is done. Let's handle it perfectly and enhance Cocoa Entertainment's reputation.
Not that there's much higher to climb, thanks to Lee Seojun, Brown Black, White, and Red Crown.
The CEO, Seo Eunchan, spoke.
“First, Team 2 will be short-staffed. Requisition a few people from Brown Black's team, since they're on hiatus, and take some from White, who are doing individual activities.”
He didn't even mention the active Red Crown, as they would be too busy.
“Have those staff members handle only Seojun's monitoring, and let's postpone sorting through his project offers for now. He won't have time to look at them during filming anyway.”
“Yes, sir. I'll collect all incoming scripts in the meeting room.”
If you were to name the most tight-lipped team at Cocoa Entertainment, it would be Team 2, the team exclusively for actor Lee Seojun. This was because it was staffed with trustworthy employees who had been with Cocoa Entertainment for a long time. Moreover, they were extremely cautious whenever they hired new people.
“From now on, the members of Team 2 will be in charge of caring for Evan Block and Richel Hill.”
The order came down to Team 2 like a bolt from the blue.
Their experience managing the Hollywood star, Lee Seojun, was about to be put to use.
After hearing the CEO's directive from their team leader, An Daho, the members of Team 2 stared at him with blank expressions.
“W-wait... Seojun and those two actors are different.”
“That's right. We're comfortable with Seojun since we've known him since he was a little kid, and even though he's a Hollywood actor, he didn't need special care. All we really did was monitor his activities and score scripts...”
Besides, he was still young, so there was no basis for rumors to start.
Seeing the worried expressions on the faces of the Team 2 members, An Daho recalled meeting Evan Block and Richel Hill in the U.S.
He'd need more detailed information from their agencies to know for sure, but seeing how well they got along with Seojun, it seemed there was no need to worry too much.
“I don't think you need to be so concerned.”
“Team Leader. I... I can't speak English.”
“Me too... my English is just for tests... practical application is...”
“Actor Evan Block speaks Korean well.”
They knew that. It was impossible not to know if you were taking care of Seojun.
“I have a phobia of foreigners...”
“I also have a disease that prevents me from meeting foreigners...”
To the members of Team 2, who were trying to escape reality even though they knew it was futile, An Daho said one thing.
“The CEO said he'll give you a bonus.”
“We'll work hard!”
Their voices were filled with sharp determination.
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