Expansion (2)
With Day Moon House closing in on four million admissions, Cha Chunghyun estimated its projected earnings at around ten billion won. He had a pen in hand and was idly scratching his head over the diary spread open before him.
"Of course, that's before tax, and it isn't exact. I'm just giving you a rough estimate for now."
He started writing numbers in the diary, tossing out lines like, "I'll give you a proper report later." The totals were already settled in his head, but he was organizing them neatly so the boss could see them at a glance.
"So far, let's say Day Moon House has brought in about forty-five billion won. Roughly ten percent goes to the film development fund or taxes. That leaves us with about forty billion."
Kang Jaeha's mind was moving just as quickly as Cha Chunghyun explained, because he knew film revenue inside and out too.
From forty billion, about half gets shaved off through the theater split. That leaves around twenty billion. Take out what goes to the distributor, and you're down to sixteen billion. Split that sixteen billion between the production company, namely Cheongyeon Studio, and the main investor, MEG, and ... yeah, I'm looking at nearly ten billion for myself.
Right on cue, Cha Chunghyun reached the same conclusion aloud.
"It might not be a full ten billion, but it's close. That's a killer return, honestly."
Sure, if you subtracted taxes later and factored in all the finer points, the profit would shrink a little more, but even so, for an investment of one billion won, this was an absurd result.
"And once the theatrical run ends and it gets released on TV and OTT platforms, there'll be secondary and tertiary revenue too."
That was true. As Cha Chunghyun said, Day Moon House still had money to make after its theatrical release. Even now, the press was already screaming about how it had set a new record for a domestic animated film, so there was no question the second and third rounds of distribution would sell well too.
Kang Jaeha gave a faint smile.
Not bad.
Cha Chunghyun went on.
"What's huge is that we're the only investors in Day Moon House. The more people you have taking a bite, the smaller the share gets. Kk - how did you know to pour money into such a monster hit?"
"Bought low. I saw enough potential, so I took the shot."
"And the point is, this isn't even the end of Day Moon House's numbers. The audience count is still going to keep piling up."
That was true. Day Moon House had already moved past its second week and was heading into the third. Attendance would taper off, sure, but it was guaranteed to blow past four million and keep pushing toward five.
The more that happened, the more revenue would come down to Kang Jaeha.
The ten billion estimate was only the number so far.
"Tenfold on a one-billion investment. No, if you look at the future too, it's more than that. This is insane. Man - impressive, Commander. Loyal and obedient."
"Are you copying Lee Chanhoo?"
"That too, but honestly, it just feels like you really are the Commander again."
Cha Chunghyun let out a bored little smile as he recalled their time in the other world.
"Well, it was kind of the same back with the mercenary company. You brought in all sorts of stuff then too - relics, treasures, mana stones, and so on."
Thinking back over the future Jaeha had already laid out, he answered, "We're nowhere near done. This is only the beginning. Get some sleep."
It meant he should brace himself, because he was going to make far more money than this.
Morning of the 12th, Oh Jongman's rented studio.
Seated alone in the studio, Oh Jongman kept tapping away at his laptop. His face looked even harsher than usual, perhaps because of how serious he was. It was because of the first production meeting for Netflix Korea's Short Drama Project held the day before. Director Baek Jeongha had asked for something during that meeting.
The request was simple.
A small revision to the short-form script Oh Jongman had written. It wasn't a major issue, and the same revision had been passed along to the other five writers as well. Following Director Baek Jeongha's instructions, Oh Jongman was carefully editing the script.
Then he stopped.
"..."
His fingers, which had been hammering the keyboard, froze. All at once, he remembered what Director Baek Jeongha, with her rough, dry skin, had said in yesterday's meeting.
'How about joining this Short Drama Project as an actor too?'
Of all the things she had said, that one hit him hardest.
"...As an actor too."
Muttering to himself, Oh Jongman replayed the conversation he'd had with Director Baek Jeongha. It had begun with her asking whether he might want to participate as an actor as well.
"Writer Oh Jongman. Once the Short Drama Project opens, it'll absolutely become a hot topic."
Baek Jeongha's tone had been a little blunt, but there was sincerity in it, and a cold-eyed realism too. That was only natural. She was a brutally practical person.
"It'd be a lie to say I didn't have some prejudice because of your past as an actor. Honestly, I was surprised when I read your script. Out of the six scripts selected, yours is the most interesting. Your talent as a writer is overflowing."
The praise from a director of her caliber left Oh Jongman at a loss for words.
"T-thank you."
As if to show she meant it, Baek Jeongha curved the corner of her mouth.
"But from my position as the director in charge of the Short Drama Project, I think your acting filmography is a little too good to waste."
"..."
"We haven't worked on anything together, but I've always liked your acting. I heard praise from other directors too."
"...But I'm not the same as I was back then. My acting's gotten a lot duller. You'll be disappointed if you see it."
Baek Jeongha nodded.
"Probably. But it's fine. I'm not planning to recommend you for a major role anyway. A scene-stealer would be enough."
With the same matter-of-fact air, Baek Jeongha lowered her voice further. She knew everything about the incident from Oh Jongman's past.
"Let me say it again: you're going to get attention. Things will get pretty noisy because of you. But that's exactly why I want to stage your comeback more dramatically. Actor's career stopped by an unjust incident. Then you return as a talented writer. And then you come back as an actor in the work you wrote yourself."
"..."
"That kind of comeback story is enough to grab the public's eyes and ears. I've already talked it over with Executive Director Heo Seongjin."
"Mm."
"Don't be afraid of the public. There may still be people who curse you. But the more they do, the more confidently you need to stand your ground. Even if the dog barks, the train keeps going."
At that point, Oh Jongman thought of someone who had said something similar to him before. Kang Jaeha. He had told him not to be afraid and to just charge in.
The minds of exceptional people are probably all built the same.
As Oh Jongman was thinking of Jaeha, Baek Jeongha continued.
"The Short Drama Project has already grabbed the public's attention. And the stage is Netflix. But I want to make this a few times bigger than that. That's the only way the writers will truly have a new path open up after this."
"I think so too."
"Yes, well. It may look like I'm using you, and I won't deny that. Directors are all the same that way. But I'm not forcing you. Consider it a proposal. The choice is yours."
"I'll think about it."
"Think it over properly and let me know."
There, Oh Jongman pulled his thoughts back to the present, to his rented studio. He still had lingering regrets about acting. But because this was his first time facing something like this, he couldn't help thinking it over hard.
Would it really be okay?
If Baek Jeongha was right, then writing would be the main thing and acting would be more like a side dish. More than that, if the project became a hit, what couldn't he do? Top stars appeared on variety shows over and over again just to win public favor.
Promotion and marketing were that important.
Still, fear of the public remained in Oh Jongman's heart. The sensations and memories from that incident came rushing back, and without realizing it, he let out a small laugh.
"So I still haven't completely forgotten, huh."
Apparently the wound went pretty deep. Well, it had been that kind of incident. Someone came to Oh Jongman's rented studio late that afternoon.
-Swoosh.
The moment he saw the visitor, Oh Jongman brightened.
"Manager!"
It was Kang Jaeha. He accepted the greeting with his usual indifference.
"Yes, Writer."
Oh Jongman murmured with an apologetic look.
"Sorry ... I know you're busy, but I reached out anyway."
"No. I was actually planning to see you soon."
In fact, Kang Jaeha had been keeping an eye on Oh Jongman all along. He was one of the key people in the rapidly expanding MEG, after all. In any case, after giving that brief answer, Jaeha studied Oh Jongman's face.
He's worried.
Sitting in a nearby folding chair, Kang Jaeha asked, "How did the first production meeting with Netflix go?"
"Ah - well ... I'll have to tell MEG, the agency, too, but I got a proposal that's making me hesitate."
"Let me guess. Netflix wants you to appear as an actor too?"
"!!!"
Oh Jongman jumped.
"H-How did you know?"
"Well, if it were me, I think I'd have made a similar plan. From Netflix's point of view, it'd be a story worth salivating over."
"..."
"There's no reason to see it badly. The content market is saturated these days, and the public always wants something stimulating."
"No. I don't see it badly at all. Honestly, I'm grateful they even took an interest."
"Who's directing the Short Drama Project?"
Netflix had not yet revealed Director Baek Jeongha's name publicly, but Oh Jongman decided it would be fine to tell Kang Jaeha.
"Director Baek Jeongha."
"Ah, that woman. Don't worry about any confidentiality clause. It'll stay between us."
"Yes, yes."
With one leg crossed, Kang Jaeha rested his chin on his hand.
Director Baek Jeongha, huh.
Not a bad choice.
No, thinking about the nature of the Short Drama Project, where several shorts are being directed, maybe there's no better fit than her.
To Jaeha, Baek Jeongha's image was that of a woman obsessed with direction. She was so bullheaded that people around her didn't always have a good impression, but the results she produced as a director were always strong.
"So Director Baek Jeongha asked you to appear as an actor too?"
"Yes."
Oh Jongman explained the conversation he'd had with her. Kang Jaeha listened in silence, then answered in his usual unruffled way.
"If it doesn't interfere with your writing life, I think it's fine."
"R-Really?"
"Think of it as enjoying yourself. Your main job isn't actor anymore, it's writer, so the burden's lighter. It'll add to your experience too."
"..."
As he measured Oh Jongman, who nodded slowly, Kang Jaeha thought, The public is what's bothering him. He's afraid of getting cursed at again. But if he can't break through that, he'll stay stuck.
Then he added, "Don't think the whole world is made up of just your wife."
"Huh?"
"Write and act only for your wife. Throw everything else away. Treat the rest like it doesn't matter."
"Only for my wife ..."
"You have to keep moving forward. You didn't switch to writing just to stop here."
His tone was extremely matter-of-fact, but for some reason Oh Jongman drew courage from it.
"Right. This is only the beginning."
His eyes burning with resolve, Oh Jongman answered, "Yes, I'll do it, Manager."
Then Kang Jaeha let out a rather sly smile and spoke again.
"But if you just say you'll do it, that's a little disappointing. Ask Netflix for a few things too. Right now, you're closer to the one with leverage."
"Huh? What kind of-"
"Double the writer's fee and appearance fee, first release priority once the project opens, and a contract for your next work too. As for that next work, turning your short Murder is also a Spec into a full series of about ten episodes would work nicely too."
Murder is also a Spec was the title of the short script Oh Jongman had written, and his eyes widened at once.
"Would Netflix really accept that much??!"
"Who knows. Just throw it out there. I think Netflix will take it seriously enough. Give and take is easier for them too."
Uncrossing his legs, Kang Jaeha added, "You don't have to handle it yourself either. Tell MEG, and the agency will take care of it."
"Ah."
That meant MEG and Netflix Korea would be meeting soon.
The next day.
The entertainment press was in an uproar from morning. Naturally. Top actor Woo Jeongcheol, whose drug case had exploded, was finally showing his face.
The public reacted in exactly the way that proved it.
The comments were nothing but curses.
Woo Jeongcheol was no longer a top actor. He was just a criminal now.
Whatever the case, articles about Woo Jeongcheol dominated search portals all day, and on the night Yu Giltae was meeting Lee Chanhoo after watching the situation unfold, the director's face was grave.
The location was the same broad meeting room at the film company where they'd met before.
In that vast space, Director Yu Giltae and Lee Chanhoo sat facing each other. No one else was there.
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere was quiet for the moment. Director Yu Giltae's expression was serious, while Lee Chanhoo across from him wore a faint smile. The first to speak was Director Yu Giltae.
"Th-thank you."
He meant, thank you for saving him. Lee Chanhoo, looking relaxed, shook his head.
"No. It wasn't just help I gave you. This was a deal with definite terms, wasn't it?"
"...I have a lot to say about the whole thing, but I should ask about that condition first. Our promise was that your new film, The Murder of Masks, would get investment from us."
"That's right."
"How much investment are you planning to put in? I need to know the size so I can make my own calculations."
Lee Chanhoo nodded as if he understood, and recited the line given to him by the Commander.
"We can exclude the other investors, and it would be no problem if our MEG invested alone."
At that, the legendary Director Yu Giltae's eyes widened sharply.