Chapter 79: Top Secret
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79: Top Secret
The tedious negotiations over the appearance fee between Han Ji-woo and Steve Feinman finally came to an end.
A thoroughly exhausted Steve spoke with a haggard face.
“I don’t know if you realize this, but a contract like this has never been signed in Hollywood before. Please remember that we have accepted exceptionally unconventional terms.”
“As you well know, there has never been an actress like Yu-jin before. Please remember that I made reasonable concessions for a project whose box office success is guaranteed even before it begins.”
The spoils Han Ji-woo secured after the tug-of-war were as follows:
An appearance fee of 50 million dollars.
However, the entire amount would be converted into production equity. In other words, Lee Yu-jin would hold a top-priority stake equivalent to 50 million dollars (70 billion won), equal to that of the production company.
In the unlikely event of a box office failure, the production company must guarantee a minimum appearance fee of 50 million dollars.
Additionally, Han Ji-woo injected 90 billion won of her own money as external investment. This was so that all profits could be given to Lee Yu-jin.
“Director, please just remember that this is treatment even S-Grade actors don’t receive.”
“Please remember that our actress isn't just an S-Grade actor; she’s an actress who flips the IP level itself.”
Steve let out a dry chuckle despite his fatigue.
“I am aware. That’s why I tried to secure Yu-jin’s casting above all else. Even a Navy Admiral stepped in.”
“I heard from our actress what it meant for a child who lost her mother to land at Osan Base. Since I knew the Navy was desperate for this project, I figured this deal would go through.”
The negotiations were over.
From now on, they were partners cooperating with each other, not adversaries.
“Yu-jin is an idol in the US Navy. The spark ignited in Hwan’s Torch caused a massive explosion in Game of Scenes. It’s practically nuclear-grade.”
“Well, that secures a baseline audience as large as the Navy. Including their families.”
“Actually, she’s an idol revered in the Air Force as well. Right now, besides Osan Base, almost every US Air Force pilot in the world flies with a photo of Yu-jin stuck in their cockpit.”
“Surely not the married ones too?”
“The older married men have children clamoring for them to put up Yu-jin’s photo. The younger married men are urged by their wives to put it up. But above all, the pilots themselves want it the most.”
“I suppose soldiers would like her even more.”
“There’s her transcendent beauty and acting skills, of course, but more than anything, she has an untainted purity, doesn't she? Anyone would have no choice but to love her.”
Steve explained his marketing strategy.
“I intend to hold the contract signing at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan. Commander Chad will also be in attendance.”
“That sounds like a good symbol. Above all, it’s close to home, so I think our actress will like it because it’s convenient.”
“But is Actress Yu-jin really a Navy enthusiast?”
“Yes, she is. I was surprised to find out recently myself.”
“Our Navy sailors will be thrilled to death when they find out later.”
Steve continued with a mischievous smile.
“In that case, please deliver one more piece of news that Actress Yu-jin will truly love.”
“Now I’m getting excited. What is it?”
“It won’t be the Nimitz; the Ford is coming.”
Even Han Ji-woo didn't understand this for a moment.
She had heard of the Nimitz, but unless one had a significant interest in the field, they wouldn't know much about the recently deployed Ford-class aircraft carrier.
Especially so for a busy woman who was a daughter-in-law of a chaebol family and a gallery director.
“If you just tell her that, she’ll probably be very happy.”
“I understand. I’m looking forward to it too.”
*
For a moment, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me.
“Pardon? What did you say?”
“He told me to tell you that it’s not the Nimitz, but the Ford that’s coming. I didn't look it up on purpose, but what does that mean?”
“The Ford is coming? Really? Whoa, whoa-whoa! Whoa-whoa-whoa!”
Jang Ji-hye, I’m so damn excited right now.
To think the bucket list of this life is being checked off with such massive upgrades?
“It’s the latest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier deployed a few years ago. Anyway, it’s the strongest in the world. The most expensive ship ever built by humans.”
“Oh, I see. Now that I’ve heard it, I’ll have to look it up later.”
I paced around, unable to sit still. I couldn't calm my excitement.
“The Ford... the Ford is coming. Since it’s for a movie, it won’t be a full complement, so will maybe two Arleigh Burkes come along? Or just one?”
I was biting my nails without realizing it.
“A supply ship will follow, and ah, right. If the Ford comes, the Blue Ridge probably won't. I wonder if a Virginia-class will come too? I hope it does! Aaaaah!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I can see that Lee Yu-jin likes military weapons as much as she likes League of Legends.”
Even after Han Ji-woo left, my excitement didn't cool down, so I eventually sought out my brother.
“Little brother! It’s time for physical training! Hurry up and put on your headgear and gloves!”
“Fine! Don't be too surprised by how much I've grown, Sis!”
“You two really get along well.”
After giving my brother a good thrashing and sitting on top of him once he was down, the heat finally subsided a bit.
“If you’re this weak, how are you going to protect your wife and kids from a gang of armed robbers later in life?”
My brother, pinned beneath me, let out a pained groan.
“S-Sis... have you been... taking it easy on me all this time?”
“If I went all out, you’d be physically dead.”
I had seen the Nimitz anchored when I went to Busan for fun once.
I wanted to board it so badly back then, but to think the Ford, not even the Nimitz, is coming.
“You brat! If you had made this big brother an actress sooner, I would have cleared ten more items off my bucket list by now!”
“Agh! It hurts! Save me!”
“Peter Pan, please, just don't call yourself 'big brother' in front of other people...”
*
Before the craze brought by the 'High Heel Lee Yu-jin' content could even cool down, another massive piece of bait was dropped in Lee Yu-jin’s fan cafe.
[Title: Is the Goddess Elf filming a US Navy movie?]
(Photo of a Cullinan entering Osan Air Base.jpg)
(Photo of a Clipper transport plane with a clear US NAVY mark parked.jpg)
(Photo of Commander Chad spotted in Seoul.jpg)
└ Mildeoks, stop talking among yourselves and give us a kind explanation;;;
└ No, if you just throw photos out like that, how are we supposed to know what’s going on? It just looks like she went to a military base for a troop entertainment event.
└ Ah, let the explanation begin.
└ A US Navy three-star landing at Osan Air Base in a VIP transport plane is something that almost never happens.
└ And a Cullinan visited Osan Base on that exact day? This is definitely a casting for a US Navy promotional movie.
(Photo of Hollywood producer Steve and Commander Chad in civilian clothes eating boiled pork with fresh kimchi at a Korean restaurant in Seoul.jpg)
└ A famous producer eating boiled pork with fresh kimchi in Seoul with a US Navy general? This is the real deal.
└ Whoa, then is the Goddess Elf appearing as a Navy pilot? Are they filming Top Gun? This is huge.
[Title: To those asking how the Goddess Elf can be a pilot, look at this]
(GIF of Yeon Si-ho’s intense battle scene, nimbly slicing through warriors)
└ Wait, guys;;; why would an actress actually fly;;
└ It’s a pilot role, so of course she’d fly?
└ Actors obviously drive in motorcycle and car chase scenes, right?
└ No, that’s for normal vehicles. It’s different for pilots. Actors never fly the planes.
└ Then who flies them?
└ The pilot in the front seat flies, and the actor in the back seat acts like they’re flying while filming themselves.
└ Ah, what a disappointment ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ Did you... have to... crush... our... fantasy... so... ruthlessly...
Lee Yu-jin is appearing in a US Navy movie!
At this hot news, the fan cafe showed no signs of cooling down, reproducing countless pieces of bait.
[Title: But those US Air Force guys have no pride lol]
└ Seriously, they have no right to tease the Navy for being squids anymore lol.
└ Since it’s the end of the year, will production start around March or April next year?
└ That’s only if all the settings are finalized.
└ Which will come out first: Hwan’s Torch Season 2 vs. Game of Scenes Season 2 vs. the pilot movie?
└ Hwan’s Torch Season 2 won't be able to come out. Because I’m going to f*ing kill the writer and director. Haha!
*
Inertia is a scary thing; I’ve now reached the point where I can wear blouses and skinny jeans.
Of course, this is strictly limited to when I’m doing official activities as an actress.
Otherwise, I still can’t wear them. I won’t wear them. Anyway, I refuse.
“It’s okay. This much is already huge progress. It’s like the difference between the Nimitz-class and the Ford-class.”
“Jang Ji-hye, for you to use such a metaphor... this big brother is tearing up with emotion.”
Today, I am participating in the launch event for a pediatric cancer patient support foundation.
‘A foundation in my name... it’s a bit embarrassing.’
My share of the VIP ticket auction proceeds from the event match between the two prideful skinheads, 155.2 billion won, goes directly to the foundation without passing through me.
I heard this prevents taxes from being generated altogether, but anyway, Han Ji-woo handled all the complicated stuff.
"The important thing is that the income never became Lee Yu-jin’s money. Whether it passes through you or not is the core of taxation."
"Does the foundation not pay money?"
"It’s 100% public interest corporation activity, so it’s tax-exempt."
I didn't have the heart to brag, "I’m going to do something good, so please praise me!" so we just held a quiet launch ceremony among ourselves.
There was a suggestion to bring in the families of the first patients to receive benefits to make it look official, but I begged them not to.
We really just took some photos among ourselves and hurried through it.
The foundation’s name is something like 'Pediatric Cancer Whatever,' but I decided to support all children and adolescents suffering from incurable or rare diseases who are struggling with medical expenses.
“How can our Yu-jin have such a beautiful heart? 155.2 billion won is a staggering amount even for a chaebol, yet you decided on the spot to use it all for young patients without hesitation. How can your heart be like that?”
“I just did it because I was afraid that looking too money-hungry would leave a negative image with fans and lead to a long-term downward trend...”
“And you’re even humble.”
No, I’m serious.
I can’t exactly rip open my chest to show how much my heart bled while making that decision.
“You’re so beautiful today. Seeing you in person, I can’t help but gasp. I understand why the fans at Gocheok Dome were all clutching their hearts and collapsing.”
“Ugh... thank you...”
I intentionally didn't invite my parents.
There was no reason to show them the magic circle where their son’s 155.2 billion won vanished into thin air. Imagine how much their hearts would bleed.
Surprisingly, my brother was calm.
“What’s with you? I thought you’d be wailing for me to give you just 0.1% of that money. Don't you think it’s a waste?”
“155.2 billion won hasn't disappeared. It wasn't a donation either. It was an investment to build a good long-term image for you, Sis.”
“Oh. What’s gotten into you?”
“Today’s investment will drop a huge golden flake for me in the distant future, so why would I think it’s a waste?”
“You’ve grown up. All that thrashing I gave you was worth it.”
I felt good, so I put some pocket money into his account, and he tried to hug me while crying, so I thrashed him again.
“It’s over! I’m off the clock! Time to go play LoL.”
After saying goodbye to Han Ji-woo, I headed straight home in the Cullinan.
My brother, sitting in the passenger seat in front of me, suddenly spoke through the intercom.
“Something else popped up!”
Kang Yong-su's Mildeoks, the military community I frequently visit. A sanctuary where high-quality content is constantly flowing in and accumulating.
“Cough! Cough!”
“Yu-jin, what’s wrong?”
“M-my eyes have been assaulted. I clicked on it because the title tricked me.”
“What assault? Ah, why is this an assault? It’s a great photo.”
“No, if you click on something because it says a new tank has been released, and suddenly my photo pops up, wouldn't you be surprised or not?”
Scanning the board, the US Navy promo movie was the hot topic. Naturally, I was being mentioned alongside it.
“What exactly did Yu-seok want me to see... Huh?”
[Title: The Department of the Air Force Public Affairs Director has appeared!]
(Photo of the Air Force Public Affairs Director clearly spotted at Osan Base.jpg)
└ Seeing how he’s openly letting people take photos, it seems like he’s spreading a clear message from the moment he entered the country.
└ Your entry echoed across the Korean Peninsula like the roar of a Raptor...
└ (Author) (Photo of an aircraft that looks like an F-22 but is somehow different.jpg)
Does anyone know this model?
└ First time seeing it?
└ It looks like an F-22, but it’s subtly different from an F-22.
└ Huh? It really is. Something’s different. What is this?
└ Could this be a Top Secret model?
└ They’re showing that off so openly?
└ Either the Air Force has gone crazy, or they’re that serious, or there are 'adult reasons' involved.
└ Or all of the above.