Chapter 151
Chapter 151
Creating More Stories
Director Lee Jeong-hun’s film, However, was a critique of what was being called the “However Law”—the practice of giving light sentences for crimes whose gravity was immense.
The story was about a victim who, enraged that their appeal was rejected despite the lenient sentence, decides to personally punish the criminal and the judge colluding with gangsters.
The protagonist, who seems to have a complicated past, doesn’t hesitate to break the law. A bad guy catching a bad guy—it was a concept used so often it had become a cliché.
‘This is exactly what the public likes. Releasing next month gives it a good matchup… It should be a moderate box office success.’
‘Oh… he’s a rookie, but his directing is quite…?’
‘It’s predictable, but it’s fun? Why is it so fun?’
The reporters, who had been indifferent at first, found their eyes glued to the screen with growing interest as time went on. The action was slick and spectacular, the actors’ performances were solid, and the characters’ backstories were revealed through just a few lines of dialogue.
(Why did you come here?)
(I know someone here.)
And in the middle of the film, an unexpected figure appeared. As the protagonist opened the door to a shabby warehouse, a lavish and antique interior, completely at odds with the exterior, came into view.
(What the?!)
The woman, captivated by the sight, belatedly swallowed hard as a knife flew past her ear and embedded itself in the wall behind her.
[Since you’re here, would you be willing to do a cameo? I have the perfect role for you….]
[Me?]
[I should use every resource I have. You’ve invested so much, after all.]
Lee Jeong-hun, who had been flustered at first, now spoke with considerable nerve. A playful Yu Yeon-seo shot back.
[I’m expensive, you know?]
[Come on, if the movie does well, it’s good for you too, Yeon-seo.]
[Ha, as if my cameo will guarantee its success… What do you need me to do?]
Besides, if However became a hit, it would only benefit Yu Yeon-seo. There was no reason to refuse.
(J, your games are getting old.)
(Says you.)
On what was said to be the largest screen in South Korea, Yu Yeon-seo’s handsome face filled the frame. A gasp of admiration rippled through the audience. On screen, Yu Yeon-seo, as J, was dressed like a man who’d struck it rich, wearing a gold chain and a shirt with a flashy pattern.
The story was already flowing well, but this unexpected cameo left a powerful impact.
The man called J moved with a dance-like grace, approaching the woman who was glaring at him from behind the protagonist.
(Is this your partner?)
(…That’s a rough way to say hello.)
(Oh, my bad. Sorry. Did he pick you because of me?)
With a pitiful expression, J took the knife the woman had pulled out. He then began to toss and spin it in the air. Miraculously, it stuck to his hand as if it were a magnet. Though a brief action, it exuded an untouchable aura.
In reality, while waiting for his cameo, he had been fiddling with the prop, and upon seeing it, Director Lee had spontaneously decided to add it to the scene.
(Why are you here? The side you stabbed still itches whenever it rains.)
(What did you say?)
(Don’t trust him. He’s the king of sons of bitches.)
J grinned at the woman as he spoke. Profanity flowed from his mouth, yet his gentle tone and movements were flippant. The audience, mesmerized by Yu Yeon-seo’s face, only then began to wonder about the history between J and the protagonist.
“There he goes again,” the protagonist muttered, looking up at the sky in stoic silence.
(I need your help.)
(I don’t help just anyone.)
(Judge Hong Chang-won. You know him, right?)
It was the name of the character played by Oh Jin-seong, the villain of However. The moment he heard it, a fleeting hatred crossed J’s leisurely smiling face.
(This bastard is trying to get a free ride.)
Despite his words, J laid out several weapons, and that was the last of his appearance.
‘He was on screen for longer than I thought.’
The rest of the film was a satisfying revenge story led by the protagonist, who had gathered other victims. The movie ended with Hong Chang-won’s death. It was a perfect popcorn flick. The break-even point was 2.5 million tickets, wasn’t it? It seemed it would easily surpass that.
“You worked hard, Director.”
The main OST played as the ending credits rolled. Yu Yeon-seo glanced at Lee Jeong-hun sitting next to him and paused.
<Special Appearance>
Weapons Dealer “J” Yu Yeon-seo
Leaving Lee Jeong-hun in his seat, he got up and headed outside. Just then, Yu Yeon-seo’s name appeared on the screen.
“Where’s Jeong-hun?”
“I thought it would be best to leave him be.”
Lee Jeong-hun was crying, silent tears streaming down his face. Yu Yeon-seo didn’t want to disturb his moment. Understanding his meaning, Director Cheon nodded.
“I get it. I’ve been there myself.”
“You have, Director?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t leave right away like this. I’d stay and read the name of every single person in the credits.”
From a lowly staff member who wasn’t even allowed a name in the credits, he had clawed his way up to the position of a master. Only now did Director Cheon truly realize that the adaptation writer who had once worked under him had become a fellow director.
“Anyway, thank you so much.”
“What did I do? Seeing the final product, he’s very talented.”
“It’s a talent that would have been hard to discover without you.”
As he exited the theater and entered the lobby, reporters swarmed him. Im Seung-hyeon and Cha Yun-ho, who had been waiting, stepped in to block them, stating that photos were not allowed.
“Mr. Yu Yeon-seo!”
“Could we have a moment for an interview?”
Yu Yeon-seo bid a brief farewell to Director Cheon and stopped in front of them.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Uh… we heard that you provided the best support in the industry for the production of However…”
“Did Director Lee say that?”
“Yes, he called you his savior. What was your reason for providing such support?”
So, Lee Jeong-hun had been chattering about this behind his back. Yu Yeon-seo gave a standard answer about investing in potential.
“As most people know, Director Lee Jeong-hun was involved in an unfortunate incident before However, wasn’t he?”
“Involved? He was a victim.”
“What? Oh… right.”
For cleaning up Lee Jeong-hun’s mess, some had called Yu Yeon-seo an eccentric. I think I did the right thing, yet they call me eccentric… how strange. It was probably someone from Gusang Film Company.
“In that case, do you plan on nurturing more people like Director Lee Jeong-hun?”
“‘Nurturing’ isn’t quite the right word. Let’s say ‘supporting.’ I plan to back anyone with talent, regardless of whether they’re a rookie or a veteran.”
Due to Yu Yeon-seo’s recent moves, some were speculating that he was building his own circle by handpicking and cultivating promising newcomers.
“Do you think that will work out well?”
A reporter raised his hand and posed a cynical question, but Yu Yeon-seo responded with a relaxed smile.
“Yes. Haven’t I already proven it with my actions?”
Even before 2018, Yu Yeon-seo was known as the “hope for rookies.” Although it was a half-mocking title, suggesting his acting was only good enough for rookie projects, it was also rumored that ‘if you have a work you truly cherish but can’t get it adapted, send it to Yu Yeon-seo.’
His actions after the accident were even more pronounced. White Tiger, which had drifted without investors, and Dreaming, whose writer almost had his work stolen by an established author, were prime examples.
“You all enjoyed the movie today, right?”
Moreover, he hadn’t just thrown money around blindly. Director Lee Jeong-hun’s film was so well-made that it was hard to believe it was a rookie’s work. He had always had potential, having been Director Cheon’s adaptation writer…
“I’ll take a question from that gentleman and then I’ll be on my way.”
Yu Yeon-seo pointed to a reporter in the very back who was eagerly raising his hand.
“Could you tell us about the direction you’re pursuing as a director of JSENM, rather than as an actor?”
“A direction…”
Yu Yeon-seo paused, lost in thought. Lee Jeong-hun didn’t just have the script for However. He had countless ideas and synopses.
[Why didn’t you try to make these into movies sooner?]
[Why do you think I’m learning to direct?]
[Because it’s hard to survive in the film industry as just a screenwriter?]
[Exactly. Fortunately, I have some talent for directing. But… there are others who don’t, right?]
He had heard that people like Lee Jeong-hun in his writer days or Kim Dae-seong, the writer of White Tiger—people who only create stories—often had their fees withheld or didn’t receive their promised royalties even after their films were released and taken down.
Furthermore, they were often overshadowed by directors… Kim Dae-seong would occasionally send him messages saying how lucky he was to have met him.
‘Truthfully, I first invested in Lee Jeong-hun to get on Director Cheon’s good side…’
He couldn’t say that, of course.
“First of all, we need to create more stories.”
“So, uh… you mean writers?”
“Yes.”
“In film, not dramas?”
“I’m not limiting it to one field… I just plan to invest in people who can bring their own stories to life.”
Writers should be able to focus on creating fresh stories, and he would ensure they were fairly compensated. Lee Jeong-hun had the talent to succeed as a director, but he was saying that those who didn’t shouldn’t have to waste time learning to direct.
‘And in the process, I can pick works I like and act in them.’
Usually, synopses are circulated throughout an actor’s entire agency. The reason he had accepted Choi Yu-jin’s offer to become a company director in the first place was the advantage of being able to review more works sooner than anyone at an acting agency.
‘The sooner the word gets out, the better.’
Yu Yeon-seo grinned.
“I look forward to the interest of aspiring creators.”
While it sounded like he was willing to invest heavily to grow the industry, a few reporters saw it from a different perspective.
If the films or dramas he cultivated in this manner became hits… he would not only monopolize the stories but also own the intellectual property itself.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
While the reporters furiously scribbled notes, he left the cinema with his two secretaries and manager.
However Press and Industry Screening Met with Rave Reviews
Yu Yeon-seo, Involved in However’s Production Investment, Declares, “I Will Foster the Power of Storytelling.”
Yu Yeon-seo, Who Made Bold Investment in Rookie Director of However, “I Will Invest in Anyone with Potential.”
The screening for However was held in a theater boasting the largest screen in South Korea. The seating capacity was massive, and apart from five or six empty seats, it was completely full.
Lee Jeong-hun didn’t have many acquaintances or press contacts, and even after inviting all of However’s staff and minor actors, there were still plenty of seats left. To boost the rookie director’s morale, Yu Yeon-seo had mobilized people.
Yu Yeon-seo Mobilizes JSENM Employees for However Industry Screening
Controversy as JSENM Employees “Forcibly Mobilized” for However Industry Screening
In response to that article, posts began popping up one after another on an employee community site.
-Were we forced to go?
They showed us a movie and didn’t even deduct it from our half-day leave, so I went excitedly.
└We saw the movie during lunch and got to leave right after, it was a sweet deal.
└└Wow, I’m so jealous T_T
└I’m not kidding, I actually cried when I didn’t get picked in the lottery.
└Forcibly mobilized lol. This article is manufacturing controversy.
-What is this nonsense about a screening controversy?
The competition to go was intense lol. For those who went, how was the movie?
└It was awesome.
└Wonder if we’ll get a bonus if it’s a hit? I’m already excited.
└Btw, did you know our Vice Chairman also didn’t get picked in the lottery?
└└Couldn’t the Vice Chairman have just gone?
└└└I heard he said he wouldn’t go if he didn’t get picked to avoid any accusations of special treatment.
-To the guys who went to the screening, how did Director Yu look?
Why have I never seen him even though we work at the same company?
└Director Yu was there? All I saw was a radiant light.
└It’d be faster to see him if you go to the Juseong Electronics headquarters lol.
└└For real, the screen quality in that lobby is better than IMAX lol.
└└└I want to see him in person!
└Hey, I was in the seat right in front of him. I kept pretending my seat was uncomfortable and turning around, and he gave me this huge grin. For a second there, I d—
└Did the person above die while typing?
Following these reactions, the controversial articles quietly disappeared, leaving only the community posts from fans who were angered by the fabricated controversy.