Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: How's That? Satisfied Now? (2)
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The screen was already filled with articles featuring photos. Moreover, today's events were being highlighted alongside yesterday's, giving them significant coverage.
-It's not just about expensive gifts. Sharing something from the heart feels so nice.
-My peers are all eating mint choco after seeing this.
-Doesn't it taste like toothpaste? The reactions are great, though? Guess I should try it.
-Look at the scale of these gifts; being a fan is too expensive...
The comments on the articles were overwhelmingly positive. For those unfamiliar with support culture, fans gifting items to celebrities often came off negatively. But this support was different. The unique items made them feel fresh and clever instead.
The ripple effects didn't stop there. For a brief moment, the movie title and Yeonwoo's name had even climbed the real-time search rankings.
‘...So the real gift wasn't that giant fountain, but this?’
It wasn't a one-off event. It used that as a bridge to something bigger. Novel, but effective. No wonder he'd placed that eyesore there...
As Yeonwoo's expression softened, a lazy, amused voice whispered through the phone.
-How's that? Satisfied now?
***
"Romance needs stunning visuals. Visuals are the true delicacy, right? It has to have that liberating feel from nature and vibrant colors to be romance!"
The location scouting, originally planned domestically, had been a hassle with the limited budget—hunting spots, prior surveys, permits, and cooperation weren't easy. One scene was set in summer: the leads' first meeting and falling in love, starting at a travel destination. It was the film's most tingling, electric chemistry moment.
But with fall turning to winter, finding such a spot was the biggest issue.
"If we must, we'll use CG. But that's the last resort. Let's find a location somehow. We can't delay filming till next year. If we scour the south, something decent should pop up, right?"
Ji Director had been gloomy, lamenting the crank-in hadn't come sooner. His 180-degree turnaround—crying out, ‘Yes... love is... summer...! Leisure...! Romance...! Lush nature...!’—had a simple reason.
"I'm nervous... First time... First class..."
"Director, same here."
"Even overseas films were always... economy..."
Ji Director muttered, his frame twice the size of most. Overseas film fests meant economy seats and back pain that felt like yesterday.
"I'm kinda scared..."
"What’s to be scared of, Director? Just enjoy it. When will we meet such a generous investor again?"
"True..."
The generous investor had happily footed the bill via his secretary, upgrading seats for all cast and crew. Lavish spending? Whatever.
‘Feels nice and comfy.’
Yeonwoo had snagged nearly exclusive first and business seats, relaxing comfortably. But his mind was busy, unlike his body. The overseas scout overlapped with drama OST deadlines.
‘Intent Discernment aside, composition too—extra stats aren't all-purpose.’
The A+ grade ‘Heart-Stirring Composition’ from Salieri only assisted Yeonwoo; it wasn't omnipotent. Intent Discernment had hit a poker face wall, a different case...
‘Well, grades aren't there for show.’
Low-grade abilities manifested weakly. Higher grades shone vividly. But there was a catch.
‘Why heighten my ears, of all things?’
Stat boosts tied strictly to grade. To reach higher realms, boosts wouldn't cut it. And that's exactly where Yeonwoo stood now.
-Bro, remember that track I debuted on Hand in Hand? The drama PD requested a sample after. They've been hounding me for the final since.
It was nearly done, but felt 2% off. Busy with filming, he'd shelved it, hoping revisions would click later. But the schedules clashed. The new drama's slot opened early due to an early end for the current one—bad luck.
‘Last time was a solid harvest, though.’
Gazing at clouds out the plane window, Yeonwoo pondered. Another hefty stat gain would be nice. Half his excitement for this time-eating overseas scout was for that.
‘If needed, combine stats for a breakthrough. More is better.’
Simple reason: ‘Honestly, I'm curious?’
What would a proper OST yield? Street performances, shaky uploads, radio improvals—those auto-harvested decent lifespans. A major broadcast drama's main OST? Especially one he'd poured effort into.
‘Really curious.’
So he had to fill that 2% gap. Thirteen hours flew by in contemplation. Preemptive motion sickness meds worked wonders.
‘They really do the trick.’
Kwon Sung-hyun had gotten them from some herbal clinic. No nausea made for a blissful flight.
And.
Stepping off at the airport amid swarming ghosts, Yeonwoo quickly confirmed one thing.
The hunt for stats had begun.
***
The location was a serene South Pacific island, where the protagonists serendipitously meet—just as Ji Director wanted, with stunning natural beauty.
"Wow. The water's emerald?"
"Real nature looks like a painting."
"See? Told you I'd nail it."
The location manager, who'd scouted ahead, beamed proudly.
"Finding spots Ji Director loves? That's my specialty."
"Truly... Ma Team Leader..."
Ji Director gave a thumbs-up without words. He'd approved the site instantly upon seeing the footage.
"Ahem! Bonus incoming...?"
"Of course..."
Staff cheered the manager too.
"Feels like vacation."
"Anything shot here is art!"
"Our film’s festival-bound?"
The island was paradise. Sun kissing white sands, crystal emerald seas, exotic trees casting cool shade. Breathtaking.
"But Team Leader, how'd you find it? We know your skills domestically—no spot unknown to you—but overseas? An actual island."
It wasn't tourist-open. Only crew, cast, local guides, interpreters, medics, minimal staff.
"Yeah, that."
The manager replied.
"Got a proposal from Cheongwang. They heard outdoor shoots—asked if location was set."
"Cheongwang? Our investor?"
"Huh? Cheongwang?"
Ji Director blinked, surprised.
"Why the shock? Told you, Director."
"...Did I?"
"Sigh. You were glued to footage, ignored me. You were stunned they'd support that too."
"Right..."
"No surprise with your tunnel vision. Anyway, they even handled flights. Came skeptical—not some scam?"
Staff groaned at the pause. He shrugged helplessly.
"Perfect fit. Ji Director's taste! He OK'd, here we are."
"But... is Cheongwang a charity?"
A staffer tilted his head. Indie vet, but this scale was unheard of.
"Charity? Nah, monopoly kings. Swallows everything."
Infamous for hostile takeovers, aggressive investments—Cheongwang as charity? Someone scoffed.
"But renting a private island?"
Why?! Everyone wondered.
Cheongwang's sudden involvement remained mysterious, somewhat explained...
Eyes shifted to Yeonwoo, standing toward the lush forest—like a magazine cutout amid beauty.
Some glanced at his intent stare, but staff saw nothing.
‘They send meals too...’
‘Cheongwang Chairman knows Kwon Sung-hyun...’
Silence sometimes speaks.
"Ahem. Not totally free."
"Gasp. We paying? Private islands cost a fortune..."
"Nah. Why pay? They'd not connect us. Cheongwang just bought it—for development."
"Development? Resort?"
"Seems so."
"No way?"
"Lend to our film, success boosts their marketing. Win-win. Our flight tab? Pocket change. Hit big, they rake millions more."
"Ahh, makes sense. Felt off with the freebies. Smart play. Film succeeds, crowds flock—exposure, naturally..."
"No fool, running biz. Freebie with strings."
All nodded in understanding.
"Anyway, good for us. Just film hard, right?"
"Yeah."
Mystery solved, lighter faces resumed scouting—comps, frame hunts. Though excitement undercut professionalism.
And.
‘This is nuts.’
The lone outsider. Yeonwoo frowned at empty air, pained.
‘What are those freaky things?!’