Too Filthy to Collaborate
I'm not particularly wronged, nor particularly angry.
That's just how it is.
Someone holds the money, someone the power, someone the connections.
Am I any different?
I hold something no one else has—a superpower.
This time, it's just SBX gripping the IP rights.
The problem is they're trying to shake me with it.
"It seems there's some misunderstanding. I've long given up on Tug of War. I'm shooting an original webdrama because it would've been a waste not to expand on the groundwork."
The National Director scoffed.
"Do CE. I told you—pulling cheap tricks just leaves me flustered."
"I'm curious what makes it cheap."
"You snagged writer Hong Hee-young and the original director, right?"
"Yes. Got the script and brought on Director Lee Eun-soo."
"Ko Eun-ah and Ji Seok-woo too—the leads from Tug of War?"
"Yes. Their schedules luckily opened up."
"Even Oh Ha-eun from Surfer Entertainment, and you put real effort into casting those no-names?"
"Yes. That's right."
The National Director wasn't revealing any groundbreaking intel.
I'd never moved cautiously to begin with.
"But an original drama? Isn't that a bit too white a lie after feasting on the expensive stuff?"
"If you want, we could do Dutch pay."
"Haha, this guy's got some nerve. I was trying to talk nice."
The National Director dropped the smile and continued.
"You must've shelled out at least 250 million to Hong Hee-young, and 200 million to Lee Eun-soo, right?"
"Fair estimate."
"Ko Eun-ah and Ji Seok-woo probably pocketed 50 to 60 million per episode, and you didn't skimp on Oh Ha-eun either?"
"Sharp as a ghost."
"That's nearly 700 million already. Then shooting costs? OST? Supporting cast fees? A few location shoots and rates skyrocket... Want me to list every ancillary expense?"
"No need. Even shooting cheap like you said, it's 1.5 billion."
In reality, I'd given Hong Hee-young equity instead of cash, and D.P Studio took shares over shooting fees.
Hell, they even invested 200 million.
There was a huge gap from what the National Director imagined, but from the outside, it looked like a reasonable price tag.
"You spent all that to secure Tug of War's script, direction, and cast, and now it's an original webdrama? You think that flies?"
"Then does 500 million in IP fees make sense? Plus, a 1.5 billion drama balloons to 5 billion if SBX shoots it?"
The National Director smirked.
"You said it earlier—let's be honest. You think I was really gunning for that money? You splash our cash freely, shoot to your heart's content, and we hold the IP. That so hard?"
"Since you're being honest, National Director, I'll be straight too."
I stood, locking eyes with him.
"It feels too filthy to work together."
Left alone in the Japanese restaurant, the National Director sank into deep thought.
Honestly, it was unexpected.
He hadn't anticipated Do Hyun-woo coming out so hardline, or airing emotional grievances.
Confusing.
Was that really sincere?
Do Hyun-woo...
The current industry consensus on Do Hyun-woo was "talented, but lucky as hell."
No denying the talent, but was even the project setup all his doing?
Gongbeomche and At Your Fingertips were too uniquely odd for that.
That was the prevailing view.
In short: production skills proven, but pre-production was luck.
But the National Director saw it differently.
He rated Do Hyun-woo extremely highly.
Everything from one to ten—except snagging Jeon So-ra—seemed like his planning.
So today's behavior felt off.
Storming out emotionally with no apparent Plan B.
Had he overrated Do Hyun-woo?
Just a young director whose pride swelled with success?
That doesn't sit right...
Switch perspectives.
What would I do in Do Hyun-woo's shoes?
Against cowardly SBX lording IP rights—what's the play to hit back?
A way to shoot Tug of War Season 2 free of SBX's influence...
That was the moment.
"Hahaha!"
The chef bringing dessert jumped at the booming laugh.
"N-National Director? Dessert?"
"Ah, Chef Lim. Hand it over. Oh man, this is gold. The kid's got real talent."
As the chef stared, flustered by the solo laughter, the National Director grabbed his phone.
Recipient: Nam CP.
"National Director. What'd Do Hyun-woo say? Gonna shoot with our money?"
"Nah, he's out."
"Pardon?"
"Too filthy to stomach. Stormed out pissed."
"For real? Said that straight to your face?"
"Yeah."
"Crazy bastard? So what now? Tell O Ji-tae to halt development and scrap it? The punk finished team setup and gets cocky..."
"No, no. That's a lie."
"Pardon?"
Confirming the chef had left the room, the National Director gripped the phone tighter.
"He's acting emotional to drag it out until we're forced to sell the IP."
"Forced to sell? Where's that situation? We don't sell, it's done."
"It exists. Enflicks."
The National Director explained cheerfully.
What if Do Hyun-woo nailed Tug of War Season 2 perfectly?
Enflicks, holding the original's SVOD rights, would drool over it. A smash hit Season 2? Jackpot for them.
Do Hyun-woo finishes the show, takes it to Enflicks: "Made this, but SBX won't sell IP, can't launch."
Morally, he's in the right.
SBX demanded absurd fees.
Outraged Enflicks storms in as white knight—what then?
A mere National Director like him folds.
Can't beef with a global OTT; settle for a decent cut, IP sorted.
"No way that holds up..."
"Exactly. Only a madman attempts this."
Do Hyun-woo's plan hinged on one massive premise.
My show will be insanely good.
Sheer, colossal confidence in his work—otherwise, no dice.
Worst case: mediocre Tug of War Season 2, Enflicks passes, Do Hyun-woo dumps 1.5 billion into the void, idiot exposed.
Trust from Gongbeomche-At Your Fingertips crumbles.
But...
"Damn, I like how he works."
A director worth his salt needs that conviction.
Makes the project even more tantalizing.
Slot it prime time, re-air Tug of War—ratings gold?
Way better than 2-3% filler dramas.
Lucky? Nostalgic viewers flock.
Or chop into short-form for rerun channels?
Exec promotion in sight?
"But why blow up at you?"
"Gotta give a reason. I belittle him, bruise his ego—he snaps, right? Can't just sit pretty."
"Anything we can do?"
"Plenty. Why not?"
The National Director decided.
Liked Do Hyun-woo's style, but if power-tripping, do it right.
"Nam CP. Prep a press release."
"What kind?"
"We're officially producing Tug of War Season 2. No need to drop it now—release when he's too deep to back out."
Nam CP got it.
"No production details? Keep it vague?"
"Right. Fill with content that blends seamlessly if his drama falls to us."
Builds an ironclad excuse Enflicks can't breach.
Why the insane IP fee?
We were really making it!
Not demanding 500 million outright—we were politely declining!
Even a global OTT can't demand IP for a show we're producing, right?
That logic.
Ultimately, Do Hyun-woo finishes, knocks on SBX's door.
Gotta recoup costs.
Pay 105% production, seal over drinks.
The National Director grinned contentedly.
Do Hyun-woo entered the grilled pork belly joint, and Team 4—mid-celebration with Kwon Cheol—erupted in cheers.
"Hyun-woo!"
"You made it quick?"
"SBX National Director kept it simple. Straight to business."
"We just got here too. Boss! More glasses!"
As Do Hyun-woo sat and dug into the pork belly, Chae Seo-hee beside him tilted her head.
"Weren't you at a fancy dinner with the National Director? Hungry already?"
"Yeah, weird. Goes down so easy."
"Your face is glowing though? Things went well?"
"That obvious?"
"Yep."
Do Hyun-woo chuckled slyly.
"My acting chops haven't rusted. Been a while."
"A while? You cameo'd in Gongbeomche and At Your Fingertips."
"Ah, At Your Fingertips—hated doing that."
"Heard different. 'Gonna be Korea's Stan Lee,' you said?"
Stan Lee—Marvel's father, CE forebear (or final evolution)—famously did witty cameos in Marvel films.
Hitchcock, Peter Jackson—directors loved self-cameos. Not unusual.
"...Who spouts that nonsense?"
"Director Jo Tae-seok."
"No, I only did it because of Director Jo."
"For 'forced,' you sold it. League #1 team analyst, right?"
"Shut up and eat your pork."
"How with my mouth shut?"
"Plagiarism."
Team 4 was peaceful as ever today.