Perfect Takes and Corporate Gambits
Just because the two-man scene was perfect didn't mean filming wrapped up right away.
They still had to shoot Kang Min-sik and Jeon So-ra's single shots and reaction shots, cut by cut.
Jeon So-ra, flaunting her experience, knocked hers out in a flash, but Kang Min-sik was struggling with his reaction shot staring down the camera.
But no one was mocking him for it.
Everyone knew it wasn't a lack of skill—he was just unfamiliar with it.
Watching him, Do Hyun-woo glanced around.
Kang Min-sik's wife had come for his first shoot, but after a quick greeting that morning, he hadn't seen her since.
Did she head out early?
Then a voice came from behind.
"Looking for something?"
Turning, there stood Jeon So-ra in a super oversized padding jacket. It seemed mismatched for March weather, but it suited her well.
"Nothing much. Great work on the shoot."
"That guy's fun."
"Kang Min-sik?"
"Yeah. Theater actor vibe, maybe? I like how he ignores my breathing."
"I thought it made for an interesting rhythm too."
"Why didn't you do that with Kim Ra-un?"
Straight to the point—no small talk. Top star trait?
It felt a bit like chatting with a more polished Seo Jae-yeon.
"I knew a little pressure would bring out his best."
"The type who crumbles after one second of messing up?"
"Not quite. He's a close acquaintance, so I directed boldly—you could say."
"Hmm."
Watching Jeon So-ra tilt her head, he hesitated briefly.
They'd communicated plenty about the project, but this was their first casual chat.
He wanted to ask why she'd joined their drama...
Would she answer if I asked now?
As he gauged her mood, she beat him to it.
"Feel free to direct me starting tomorrow. You seem to be avoiding it."
"Me?"
When did I avoid it?
He'd watched all day and hadn't seen a need to chime in.
And he'd direct if needed, permission or not.
But Jeon So-ra seemed to take his question as "Me? Direct you?"
"Your co-star's to my liking."
With that, she walked off.
Hmm, definitely similar to Seo Jae-yeon.
Do they know each other?
As that thought crossed his mind, someone unexpected filled the spot Jeon So-ra had vacated.
"Sh-she just said she likes my husband...!"
It was Kang Min-sik's wife.
"Hyun-woo! How—how did this happen?!"
Sister-in-law, sorry to interrupt, but Kang Min-sik's not that level...
Of course, he couldn't say it out loud.
"SSK's exclusive project started shooting yesterday."
At the Tvic Korea executive director's words, the managing director set down his espresso cup.
At Your Fingertips.
A rather irritating project.
When they heard Jeon So-ra had been cast in the drama they'd rejected on budget grounds, it had thrown them for a loop.
He'd called Han Sung-hoon right away to renegotiate, but SSK's response was a flat no.
Budget already allocated.
An excuse anyone could see through.
But he couldn't fathom why they'd use it.
"What the hell is Han Sung-hoon thinking?"
"Who knows. Betting big on Jeon So-ra?"
"Dumping ten billion on one top star? Not even the lead? He's not that optimistic a guy."
Whatever the case, if At Your Fingertips succeeded, Tvic would be in a bind.
With SSK holding 100% IP rights, Tvic got scraps no matter how well it did.
Headquarters would see them as fools who funded flops but missed hits.
He couldn't admit disliking Do Hyun-woo or refusing Joo Young-hoon's plea.
But unlike the managing director, the executive director stayed calm.
"No need to worry. Our second-half flagship is Oxygen Alarm anyway."
The executive director tapped his tablet.
"Double the budget, massive launch ads, top-notch quality. Joo Young-hoon will deliver."
"Yeah?"
"We're competing on Tvic platform. Even if production values match, it'll crush them."
A thought flashed through the managing director's mind.
Competing on Tvic platform?
Really?
"Han Sung-hoon isn't an idiot, right?"
"True. Stiff, but capable."
"What if it's not on Tvic?"
"Pardon?"
"Think about it—it was odd. We offered to reassess budget once Jeon So-ra joined, and they said allocation's done."
Sounded petty, but Han Sung-hoon wasn't emotional.
People like that don't build big companies.
"SSK's griped about revenue shares for ages, exclusive supply renewal's due, no word...
The managing director's mind raced.
"Oxygen Alarm's the last contracted project. If At Your Fingertips drops same time..."
They could test the waters before renewal.
Not necessarily end it, but gain leverage.
If At Your Fingertips really hit big, countering that claim would be tough.
One success like Criminal Community could be luck or miracle, but two? No.
The executive director's face hardened at the managing director's words.
SSK was necessary yet troublesome for Tvic Korea.
They supplied stable Korean content, but getting too big was a problem.
Then the executive director had a clever move.
"Pull Oxygen Alarm's launch forward two months?"
"Advance the schedule?"
"If Han's testing us, doesn't that mean he's scared to split outright?"
"Probably. One flop costs billions. Two or three, and the company's shaking."
"If Oxygen Alarm drops two months early, they decide renewal before seeing At Your Fingertips' buzz."
Last contract obligation ended at Oxygen Alarm's launch.
Renewal decision within 30 days after.
Shifting October's Oxygen Alarm to August neutered At Your Fingertips.
Clever indeed.
But.
"Will it work? Hard to dictate SSK's schedule."
"Blame headquarters' August promo slot."
Best excuse for subcontractors: HQ.
But the managing director, respecting Han Sung-hoon, shook his head.
"No excuses—make it real."
"Request from HQ?"
"Why not? Last year's results were solid, tons of new subs. They can push one big title."
"True, lead actor's S-grade."
Oxygen Alarm's lead, Tae-woong.
His Goodbye, Goodnight topped 93 countries on Enflicks last year—a goldmine for Tvic.
"No chance At Your Fingertips speeds up too?"
"Impossible. Shooting started yesterday. Jeon So-ra's comeback, vengeful Kim Ra-un, Min Jae-yul at peak timing... How's one music video director gonna whip that into shape?"
After a moment's thought, the managing director nodded.
Too reasonable to argue.
"Fine. Lock it in. But Oxygen Alarm quality can't slip."
The executive director pledged confidently.
"Joo Young-hoon's all-in. Lots of underwater scenes, so shooting's ahead. No worries."
About three weeks after the first shoot.
He headed to a non-set workplace for once.
D.P.
He'd heard shocking news.
"No, CEO. This really puts me in a bind."
"How so?"
"Another actor I scouted signs with D.P. People will bash me; I might not survive the backlash."
"Doesn't backlash extend your life?"
"Exactly. I'll outlive my allotted years."
D.P had signed Kang Min-sik.
Per Team Leader Ko, as soon as Baek from site praised "Kang Min-sik acts great," Yoon CEO pushed the deal.
Agency-less actors could sign anywhere, but D.P was the issue.
Many still believed he got backroom deals from D.P.
But Yoon CEO was unfazed.
"Hyun-woo, think carefully."
"Yes. Thinking."
"No—hear me out first."
"Got it."
"You said it yourself: roles flopping due to Joo Young-hoon? Prioritize D.P actors."
"...Right."
"But review my ass—you filled 'em with Kang Min-sik, Jeon So-ra, and that idol kid whose name I forget."
"...Yeah."
"We scooped Kang Min-sik, so your promise held. You kept faith with me, we got a gem. What's the problem?"
Wow, pure results-driven mindset.
No wonder he runs a top-three agency.
"You win, CEO."
"Why sweat side-eye? No money changed hands. Wait—did I miss a hint for backroom cash?"
"No!"
His shout drew Yoon CEO's cackle.
Hearing it sparked curiosity.
"But seriously, CEO—what made you snag Kang Min-sik? And with a solid advance?"
"Trusted you. Great actor? One hit and he's set. Met him—no fixed image."
"If the drama flops?"
"Would it?"
Maybe Yoon CEO trusts me second only to Mom.
"That why you're here?"
"Partly. Gotta coord Kim Ra-un's personal marketing too. Post-scandal, better loop in agency."
"Perfect. Top decision-makers huddling—easiest thing."
"I'm not top decision-maker. That's Han CEO."
"Ha. Word's out you pulled 1.5 billion drama budget."
"For real?"
"Hit drama? Scout offers'll flood. Though you committed here."
"Me? When?"
"Three years from now? Six months down?"
"Just considering."
"Like Kim Seong-tae?"
"Cancel it now."
They wrapped business playfully after.
They said no mixing friends and work, but he disagreed.
No probing, no tiptoeing—super comfy.
"Gotta go."
"Sure. Pump up our supporting cast's screentime."
"Four casts—satisfied yet?"
Heading out, he went straight to the conference room where Team Leader Ko waited.
"Here?"
Pre-arranged meet.
He'd reviewed next scripts for Criminal Community actors.
Or ex-Criminal Community actors now.
All thriving.
Eum Sung-hyun's especially dazzling.
Funny guy, but didn't expect variety show success.
"Script thoughts?"
"Sung-hyun signed a film, right?"
"Yeah. Good film's rare. Yang Ho-seok directing? Stamped it blind."
"Smart call. Script's fun. Short screen time, but key role."
As they chatted scripts for Criminal Community actors,
the conference room door burst open.
Four actors poured in.
"Director!"
They'd heard he was coming—free schedules mobilized.
Long time no see—fun times.