Familiar Yet Unfamiliar
Familiarly, Strangely
Parts 1-6.PDF
He'd put off going home to review the six scripts that had arrived via email.
Even if he ripped them apart during the pitch, it was only polite to read the actual manuscripts.
And damn, they were good.
Way better than he'd expected from the planning documents—several times more entertaining, in fact.
These would probably do well.
Which made him wonder all of a sudden.
Am I really that reckless?
His convictions were firm, but rationally speaking, the division head was spot on about everything.
In the end, he called Sung Tae-chang.
Wasn't that what the system was for? Asking when you didn't know something.
The call connected, and a voice thick with exhaustion came through right away.
"Don't tempt me. I'm pulling an all-nighter—no drinks for me tonight."
"What're you up to?"
"You got the script too, right? Moon A-young's. It's joint with broadcast TV, so tons to sort out. Those network folks are picky as hell."
"The total director has to handle that stuff too?"
"That's why they call us total directors—we shoulder the blame and get the grief."
"Oh... Solid line. Been a while since you dropped a good one."
"Right? I thought it landed well too. But what's up?"
He relayed what had just happened.
Company politics were involved, but there was no need to hide anything from Sung Tae-chang.
Hell, he'd probably confess even if he hit-and-ran.
Though Sung Tae-chang might drag him to the station for a self-surrender instead of snitching.
Pay up quick and get out.
What the hell am I even thinking?
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"What're you agonizing over? Trash Moon A-young's and do what you want. Duh."
It came out as naturally as saying 1+1=2.
"Why?"
"Every time you've gone with your gut, it's been a hit. So why change your style now?"
Was that true?
It was a fresh angle.
"You stick with what you're good at until you fail. Then blame others and try once more."
"And if you fail?"
"That's where you pivot. If you gave it your all, drop it. If not, try again. Usually it's the latter."
It sounded sloppy but rang with undeniable conviction.
His mind cleared up like magic.
"And if you'd only chased safe bets, you wouldn't be where you are. I wouldn't have scored that incentive I've never seen before."
"Still jealous?"
"Shut up. But you think this one's a winner?"
"Yeah. Unless the writer and director throw down on set and tank it."
"Surprisingly, that happens."
"For real?"
They were chattering away excitedly when Sung Tae-chang shifted gears.
"Hey, I've been mulling something over the past few days."
"What?"
"Whether to join D.P."
"D.P? Our D.P.?"
He blurted it out reflexively, then it hit him.
"They scouted you as total director?"
"Obviously."
Of course Yoon CEO wouldn't limit the love calls to just him.
A guy like Sung Tae-chang was prime real estate in this industry.
"You cool with that? Starting from scratch?"
"Might be better than scum sitting over my head. I belted out that At Your Fingertips tune for a reason—think HQ used me as an excuse?"
"Bro, they used you as an excuse?"
"Dunno. Guessing. Anyway, I figured I'd stick it out till you locked in Moon A-young... but no need now."
What? So he'd done good?
"Anyway, I'll let you know once I decide. Sorry in advance."
"For what?"
"It's time for your next plan reveal, but I doubt it'll shock me anymore. Criminal Community and At Your Fingertips built up my immunity."
"Fair. You won't be surprised."
He knew him way better than the division head did.
"Spill. What's the play?"
Casual as ever, but silence fell.
"Whoa, shit. Feelings of defeat hitting hard."
"Huh?"
"You a total lunatic or what?"
Moon A-young's face lit up as she stepped into the cocktail bar alone.
She'd wrapped dinner plans and popped in for a light drink, spotting a familiar neighborhood face.
"Drinking solo?"
One-sided delight, though.
The other woman's expression soured the instant she saw Moon A-young.
Moon A-young plopped into the seat beside her and opened up.
"Oxygen Alert did well, huh?"
"Lived up to the name value."
"Exactly. Just the name value."
"Gonna pick a fight? Beat it."
The local was Hong Hee-young, the writer.
Truth be told, they were long-time rivals.
Not some media-hyped fake feud—the real deal.
Drama academy classmates, debuts around the same time, same age to boot.
Rivals usually grow to understand each other over time, but not these two.
Always "I gotta beat her."
Call it camaraderie if you want.
Moon A-young ordered a cocktail, hummed a tune, then spoke.
"You know I'm doing Tvic, right?"
"How the hell would I?"
"Didn't know? Tvic."
"What's your point?"
"Teaming with Do Hyun-woo. Said he loved my script."
Out of nowhere, but a name that made Hong Hee-young flinch.
Of course, she was a vet who'd drunk deep from the drama scene.
Long past hating over whose work topped charts.
But Do Hyun-woo was different.
Word from Joo Young-hoon: he'd flat-out rejected the Oxygen Alert CE offer.
She'd scoffed at the time, but the project he'd picked? At Your Fingertips.
Honestly, envy kept her up nights reading it.
All the crowd-pleasing clichés, repackaged as e-sports for freshness.
At first, just professional jealousy over the work.
Then she dug into the writer and her mind shifted.
A 15-year-old volleyball script she could almost call the original.
And she'd read that one too.
How the hell do you transform something so clichéd like that?
Keep every character arc intact, just swap the wrapper?
After 15 years, the stubbornness must be off the charts.
Using Criminal Community writers as assistants? Possible?
If she's that good, why'd she trash mine?
The thoughts wouldn't quit.
Made her resent Do Hyun-woo a bit too.
She knew it was petty for a 20-year vet, but couldn't help it.
And now... that same Do Hyun-woo was taking Moon A-young's hand?
Worst news she'd heard in weeks.
Practically said she was inferior.
Sure, Oxygen Alert succeeded.
Data showed no regrets.
But folks remembered "The Rep I Made" while forgetting "Boss's Boss", launched same time and did solid.
Showbiz gonna showbiz.
First place sticks; the rest is noise.
Among the noise, profit vs. loss.
"He trashed yours, right?"
"Good ears."
"I hate working below manager level... but Do Hyun-woo seemed fine? Polished, sharp instincts. Right at his peak."
"Yeah. Standing tall."
Successful creators all hit that phase once.
Everything they touch turns to gold.
But it doesn't last.
Three years tops? Five if lucky?
Do Hyun-woo's edge was at its keenest when it sliced her.
"Yeah. Knock it out of the park."
"Leaving?"
"Cocktail tastes bitter now."
She started to rise—
Both phones on the bar table buzzed in perfect sync.
Hong Hee-young shrugged at the flawless timing and picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Hong Hee-young?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
Unknown number—not a big deal.
"Nice to meet you. Do Hyun-woo from SSK. Free to talk now?"
Do Hyun-woo?
The Do Hyun-woo they'd just been yapping about?
Hong Hee-young glanced at Moon A-young without thinking; her face was twisted.
Instinct screamed it.
She got trashed too.
But damn, what balls? Trashes me, then her?
Annoyance flickered, but curiosity won.
"Yes. Sure. What's up?"
"I'd love to meet. Give me your schedule—I'll make it work."
"Why me?"
"Time an issue?"
"No, but wanna know if it's worth meeting first."
Then Do Hyun-woo dropped the absurd line casually over the line.
"Wanna work together on a project."
"Asking for my new one?"
"Nah, that'd be nuts. You just finished it."
"Planning project then?"
Does he think I'm a joke?
Pitching a planning gig to a writer of her caliber was rude.
Said "My ideas trump yours—just execute."
Even with prior rapport, rude. Cold-calling?
Because he smashed Oxygen Alert?
Should she snap?
"As if. I'd never pitch a planning project to you."
"Then? Not new work, not planning—what's left for Director Do Hyun-woo to offer?"
She felt Moon A-young's flinch of a stare.
Call was so ridiculous, she'd forgotten her.
"Tug of War. You know it?"
"My work? Of course."
"Season finale—female lead Chance and male lead Inevitable get their happy ending, right?"
What was he getting at?
"Say five years pass. What then? I can't see them staying together. They'd never forget each other, but..."
In that instant, Hong Hee-young got it.
"No way... Season 2? For a drama done 10 years ago?"
"Yes."
"You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
Hong Hee-young didn't know it, but she'd uttered the line Do Hyun-woo had heard a thousand times.
"Are you insane?"