Chapter 146
Translator: uly
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Ki Han-hyang?
An investor who had suddenly poured a massive sum into a low-budget film that was struggling just to cover production costs. Thanks to him, the movie had turned out with godlike quality... but still.
"Ah, Investor! It's nothing, really..."
The staff member's voice, which had been bubbling with excitement like they were possessed, gradually trailed off.
"It's just... haha... something we were saying among ourselves."
"Y-yeah. We would never say something like that about a regular person..."
Another staffer chiming in from the side even bit their tongue mid-sentence.
"..."
Yeonwoo swallowed a sigh as he watched. A generous investor who freely shelled out a fortune for a low-budget film without nitpicking the details or asking too many questions. And that wasn't all. He hadn't skimped on staff welfare either—insisting on catering trucks and upgrading flights and such, even though no one expected it.
Of course, the staff appreciating it and feeling the mental burden were two different things.
All things considered, Woo Do-gyeom was the ideal investor in every way.
But.
'Why is he suddenly acting like this?'
'Why is he suddenly acting so chummy...'
'He never even talked to us before, so why...?'
It wasn't for nothing that question marks were popping up in every staff member's head.
He was a hugely grateful person who'd elevated the film's quality, but he was still someone hard to approach.
Woo Do-gyeom.
The only time he seemed even remotely human was when that one person was around.
And everyone present knew exactly who that one person was without needing to be told.
-Are we actually breathing properly right now?
-I don't know... My mind's completely blank. Why is he staring like that? Did we mess up or something?
-No, no. That's just how he normally is, right? Think about it. He's always been like that around us.
-Huh? Now that you mention it, yeah...
The very natural change that only happened in the presence of that one person.
The staff knew it.
They knew which side was the real Woo Do-gyeom.
Their usual view of him was probably his true self.
-When's Yeonwoo coming today...?
-No idea. He's already doing us a favor by stopping by after filming's done—how could we ask?
-Ugh...
He used to visit the set almost every day, but the fact that they still weren't used to it was proof.
Memories of the staff squirming in unease came creeping back.
And they all thought the same thing.
'Hmm. Almost impossible to contact him when Yeonwoo's not around... The twins are cute, but let's scrap this plan.'
'He dotes on those kids so much... If we cast the twins, we'd have to deal with the investor again?'
'For our mental and emotional health, let's drop that idea...'
That's when they all reached a unanimous decision.
"Fine."
"Sorry... Pardon?"
A staffer reflexively started apologizing to the low voice that popped out, then froze.
"I said fine."
"So... the young ones...?"
"I'm aware their photos have already been leaked quite a bit online, so calling them regular civilians at this point is a stretch anyway."
For some reason, it sounded like, 'You leaked my kids' photos, so atone with your death.'
Woo Do-gyeom was the one who'd approved it, and Cheongwang had led the fake marketing, but they still felt like criminals.
Maybe because they hadn't properly controlled the set security, leading to this mess.
They even felt like they should resign from their positions to take responsibility.
"So it's fine. Go ahead."
"Really, it's okay. We're sorry for getting too excited and saying things we shouldn't have."
"Hm?"
Woo Do-gyeom's eyebrow rippled like a wave.
The mood turned icy, like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on it.
He wasn't your average investor, and his unique aura made them self-conscious for no reason at all.
Finally, unable to stand it, Yeonwoo stepped in.
"They're telling the truth."
There was no need to take Woo Do-gyeom's side, but...
'Rescuing pitiful herbivores is half the fun.'
They were all straightforward, diligent, hardworking folks without a single rough edge.
They were just buckling under Woo Do-gyeom's presence.
[Truth]
Yeonwoo spoke, eyeing the Intent Discernment result floating before him.
Woo Do-gyeom tilted his head toward Yeonwoo, his lips curving.
"Exactly. Everything I say is genuine, just like he said. I don't know why no one believes me."
*That's because you always seem like the type who wouldn't bother with stuff like this.*
No matter how much Woo Do-gyeom tried to hide it, Yeonwoo could tell what kind of person he was.
"Anyway, since he says it's real, you can believe it."
"Uh... so we really can cast the twins...?"
The question was aimed at Woo Do-gyeom, but oddly directed at Yeonwoo.
"I don't make empty promises. More importantly, do you take requests for the promises?"
"Yes?! Requests... like what kind...?"
*He's not going to use the kids as an excuse for something weird, is he?*
That anxiety seemed to float above the staff's heads.
"A request from an investor is never just a normal request. Why are you butting in?"
A light scolding, like *you're playing well, so why jinx it?*
Woo Do-gyeom tilted his head again and answered innocently.
"Yeah. I'm the investor—can't I make one little request?"
*This guy's definitely enjoying this.*
He didn't seem like he actually planned to request anything.
"Seems like someone's here who doesn't know when to join in or bow out."
The soft voice pierced the still-tense atmosphere.
Kwon Seonghyeon, who had approached unnoticed, placed a hand on Yeonwoo's shoulder.
"In a setting like this, the sensible thing is to make yourself scarce. But because of someone who doesn't get that, Yeonwoo's the one in a tough spot."
"Is that directed at me?"
"Strange. I swear I hear some dog barking from outside."
Kwon Seonghyeon replied with perfect innocence.
Not for nothing was he an actor with multiple blockbusters under his belt—the delivery was flawlessly natural.
Everyone there might have fallen for that calm tone.
They might have actually checked outside for a barking dog.
If not for Woo Do-gyeom's smile turning icy cold.
"You need to get bit by a dog to come to your senses."
"Crazy dogs need a good whack with a stick."
"..."
*Why are these two acting up here of all places?*
"Yeonwoo. Know what you call someone who crashes a fun afterparty and ruins it?"
"..."
"Old fogey."
The atmosphere, which had briefly thawed with Kwon Seonghyeon's entrance, froze solid again.
"Hmm..."
The staff watched Woo Do-gyeom's fingertips tapping the table with bated breath, accompanied by that subtle laugh.
Whew.
Yeonwoo sighed and stood up.
"Yeonwoo?"
"Yeonwoo-ssi?"
Yeonwoo jerked his chin toward the outside.
"If you're gonna act childish because you're getting on in years, both of you get out."
Maybe because of that laughing remark.
The awkward air cleared up quickly.
"Both of you, go on."
"Yeonwoo... I'm your manager, though?"
"And I'm the investor here."
"You two didn't make this movie. You're in the way, so go over there. Now."
Their excuses fell on deaf ears, and after glaring at each other for a moment, Kwon Seonghyeon and Woo Do-gyeom rose.
They'd probably sensed it instinctively.
Sticking around would only make things worse.
With the two one-man-army types gone, the staff finally started patting their chests in relief one by one.
"Whew, thanks. I nearly choked."
The pricey steak they'd enjoyed nearly came back up.
The assistant director next to him leaned in and whispered to Yeonwoo.
His face looked refreshed, like he'd just cleared ten years' worth of indigestion.
"..."
Someone else silently expressed their gratitude with thumbs up.
Anyway.
What interesting people.
In a world where everyone fawns and flatters when an investor shows up...
'They're busy shrinking back like they've seen a ghost.'
That's why Yeonwoo cared about them.
With the two troublemakers gone, the mood gradually livened up again.
Yeonwoo watched it all with a relaxed feeling.
A happy ending where good people get good results always felt nice.
'That said... things are gonna get busy from here.'
The premiere's perfect success.
It was the signal for hectic days ahead.
But it didn't worry him.
It was exactly what Yeonwoo wanted too.
*
"The casting offers are insane."
"Word's already spreading. It's rare for a domestic romance to get this kind of buzz in years."
The agency had prepared two directions for the schedule.
Plan 1 if the premiere flopped.
Plan 2 if it succeeded.
"The schedule's already packed, and they're still coming in—hard to say if that's a good thing."
The premiere had been a smash, so they'd gone with Plan 2 as scheduled.
"I don't know about you, Seonghyeon, but here's what I think. Good thing Cheongwang's handling distribution too, instead of someone else. Ah, no. Don't look at me like that—I'm not exaggerating. When else would I think something like that?"
Lee Gyu-han muttered in lament, then jumped when the neat, handsome man shot him a reproachful glare, stirring guilt.
"No, seriously—who told you to film it so locked down! If you'd just sprinkled breadcrumbs slowly, wouldn't it have been better?"
There had been some near-disastrous media leaks mid-production, but those didn't count.
"Ugh. Can't argue with Director Ji's style. And approving the Nutyube uploads was a huge step forward too, so yeah, I know that was probably the best."
Lee Gyu-han ruffled his hair vigorously.
A gesture full of frustration.
"What a happy problem this is. Or wait—is it miserable because it's miserable? The movie's succeeding, so it should be happy, but why do I feel so tormented right now?"
After the premiere.
Rave reviews poured in from everywhere.
Pre-sale rates were climbing steeply.
Securing theaters had been a breeze too.
A pretty good—no, successful—start.
"Why did it have to be Han-hyang personally requesting, of all people?"
Lee Gyu-han scratched his head again.
This was the main culprit twisting up their already packed schedule.
Ki Han-hyang.
Commonly called Han-hyang.
A film critic fairly well-known for his cynical wit, endlessly sarcastic and merciless evaluations.
His main turf was online, but that wasn't because he lacked talent.
He hated being tied to any affiliation and refused tons of casting offers because he didn't want to give insincere reviews.
He hated TV because he couldn't speak freely...
-If you're gonna put on that act, TV? Just don't appear at all.