Chapter 61

Chapter 061

The meeting began at 10 a.m.

Before the meeting, each of us submitted five works that we thought had the potential to become hits from the 300 scripts we had read over the past month, along with analyses of the reasons and elements that could make them successful.

I quickly scanned Oh Sang-min and Joo Han-young’s materials with my eyes.

Some of the scripts they had chosen overlapped with the ones I had selected.

I had chosen mine using information about the future that I already knew, but the fact that the two of them had independently selected the same works from 300 scripts through nothing but analysis was rather impressive.

“You’ve all worked hard reading scripts for the past month. As I mentioned earlier, we’ll select five scripts again from among the ones you presented today.”

Kim Eun-kyung explained that the five scripts selected this time would be ranked after a public pitching session attended by the CEO and other team members, and then the winning projects would be made into movies.

That was more or less what I had expected would happen.

“All right, shall we take turns presenting?”

The first to present was Joo Han-young.

“The first work I selected is a screenplay titled ‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas.’

Every year, seasonal movies targeting Christmas are produced.

‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas’ is a gift-like story that contains warm themes such as snow, reunion, forgiveness, hope, family, and lovers, making it suitable for that purpose...”

‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas’ was a work that both Oh Sang-min and I had selected as well.

Later, the story would be revised by lowering the ages of the main characters considerably, and it would actually be released in time for Christmas 2007.

It would also achieve fairly decent box-office results.

Joo Han-young continued presenting her other selections, including one horror movie, two thrillers, and one romantic comedy.

Next was Oh Sang-min’s turn.

Oh Sang-min had selected ‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas,’ ‘Escape of Fury,’ one thriller, and one comedic spy movie, choosing scripts from a variety of genres.

Unlike Joo Han-young, however, most of the movies he had selected were large-scale blockbusters with huge budgets.

“Lastly, there is ‘Crossing the Line of Fire,’ a screenplay written by Director Go Chang-seok.

It is a story about the love, friendship, and betrayal of four men and women against the backdrop of the Korean War.

Director Go Chang-seok already has a previous work that surpassed six million viewers thanks to its solid story and direction.

There are also high expectations from the public for his next project.

So, if we can successfully cast recognizable leading actors...”

It was still a time when the term ‘tentpole’ was not particularly familiar, but the concept Oh Sang-min was describing was the typical structure of a tentpole movie.

Unfortunately, however, Director Go Chang-seok’s ‘Crossing the Line of Fire’ was never made.

I couldn’t remember the details perfectly, but I did remember rumors circulating in 2007 that the movie ‘Crossing the Line of Fire’ was going to be produced.

However, after several blockbuster movies released in 2006 and 2007 failed miserably at the box office without even reaching their break-even points, the movie by Director Go Chang-seok, which was rumored to have a production budget of 10 billion won, was eventually canceled midway through production.

Well, it wasn’t as if that was the only movie that had been canceled...

And finally, it was my turn.

Like the other two, I had also selected ‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas’ and ‘Escape of Fury,’ along with one thriller and one comedy.

But in truth, those movies were merely supporting acts for the final movie I was about to introduce.

The real one started now.

“And the final work I selected is... ‘Family Scandal.’”

‘Family Scandal’ was a movie that delivered both laughter and emotion through its well-structured story and took the Korean theaters by storm in 2007.

**“Most importantly, this movie can be produced with a budget of around 2 to 2.5 billion won.

Even if it doesn’t perform particularly well at the box office, the relatively low production cost means we can significantly reduce the risk.”**

At this time, the average production cost of a Korean movie was around 3.5 billion won.

In reality, this movie, which was released in 2007, would achieve enormous box-office revenue despite having a low production budget of only 2.5 billion won.

It would also provide many valuable lessons to the struggling Korean film industry at the time.

After all the presentations were finished, Team Leader Kim Eun-kyung, who had been quietly listening the entire time, finally spoke.

“You’ve all worked hard reading and analyzing the screenplays.

As I mentioned earlier, we’re going to make a final selection of five screenplays from the ones you chose.”

Team Leader Kim Eun-kyung first placed ‘The Probability of Snowing on Christmas,’ which all three of us had selected, and ‘Escape of Fury,’ which Oh Sang-min and I had both chosen, on the shortlist.

“And for the remaining three spots, let’s each choose one of the works we selected.”

Joo Han-young put the romantic comedy ‘Love at Twelve’ into the final five.

After some consideration, Oh Sang-min included Director Go Chang-seok’s ‘Crossing the Line of Fire.’

I chose ‘Family Scandal’ without hesitation.

And just like that, the final five screenplays were selected.

In truth, ‘Family Scandal’ alone would attract as many viewers as all the other movies combined.

So, as long as ‘Family Scandal’ was selected, I didn’t particularly care which other movies were chosen.

“Good.

From now on, we’ll spend the next month strengthening the overall production materials for these final five projects.

Then, one month from now, we’ll conduct the final pitch in front of the CEO.”

The meeting ended there.

We then added detailed information to our respective projects, including rough budgets, potential casting choices, and suitable directors, and began preparing in earnest for the final pitch one month later.

Even as time passed in a blur, I arrived at the café where I had arranged to meet Ma Sang-hee and discuss the next projects for Gil Bo-young and Moon Hyun-bin.

Ma Sang-hee and Gil Bo-young, who had arrived before me, waved happily when they saw me.

“Oh?

Noona Bo-young!

You came too?”

I hadn’t expected to see Gil Bo-young, so my voice naturally became more excited when I saw her.

“Yeah.

I’ve been a little free lately, so I came along.”

“Oh, right.

Your filming is almost finished, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.

Only the ending scene remains in November.”

Gil Bo-young smiled comfortably.

“By the way, I hope we didn’t drag you out on your day off.

Chang-soo said you’ve been so busy that your face has become a complete mess.

And now that I see you... he wasn’t exaggerating.”

Ma Sang-hee clicked her tongue as she examined my face from different angles.

“Ah, well, it’s not that bad.

Ahem...”

No, seriously, what was wrong with my face...?

Feeling awkward, I lightly touched my face.

Then—

“Why are you saying that?

You look handsome to me.”

Gil Bo-young scolded Ma Sang-hee before giving me a small smile.

“Ha...

Well, it’s not like I’m saying he’s that handsome... Haha...”

Ma Sang-hee raised an eyebrow incredulously at me as I smiled foolishly.

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject.

“Ah, anyway, Noona, was there nothing among the projects you received that you liked?

I can advise you on which projects are better from a professional perspective, but what matters most is the role you actually want to play...”

Ma Sang-hee suddenly interrupted my question to Gil Bo-young.

“You probably know this if you’ve looked at the proposals and roles that came in for Bo-young, but honestly, the importance of the roles is a little ambiguous.

There are supporting roles and then there are supporting roles.

But all of these are basically roles that exist only to support the main character...”

Ma Sang-hee wanted to wait a little longer until a better role came along.

Gil Bo-young, however, didn’t care about the size of the role.

She wanted to keep acting without taking another break.

**“Maybe because I took seven years off, but working these days, acting again, is so enjoyable and fun.

So even if it’s a small role, I want to keep acting without taking a break.”**

“What are you going to do if you keep getting only those kinds of roles?

You know that once actors become associated with a certain image, it becomes difficult for them to rise to leading roles.”

Listening to the two of them, I fell deep into thought.

After returning to the industry, Gil Bo-young would continue working steadily.

However, most of the roles she received would be supporting characters who helped the protagonist.

As a result, Gil Bo-young herself would never become an actress who gained enormous recognition and fame as a leading star.

Perhaps the reason I had continued to like Gil Bo-young from her childhood acting days all the way into adulthood was because I admired her attitude.

Even when she was merely playing a supporting role, she always gave her absolute best.

“For now, I think movies would be better than dramas.

Even if they’re both supporting roles, the position of a supporting actress in a drama and that of a supporting actress in a movie can be completely different.”

No.

In some ways, a female supporting actress in a movie could even have an impact similar to that of a female lead in a drama.

For example, in a movie where the story primarily revolved around male characters, a female supporting actress could be treated almost like a leading actress.

“Come to think of it, you’re absolutely right...”

Ma Sang-hee understood what I meant.

Her eyes lit up as she quickly picked up one of the proposals and scripts she had brought with her.

“Then how about this one?

It’s a movie called ‘A Mobster’s Banquet.’

It’s technically a supporting role, but she’s practically the only major female character, so it’s almost like being the female lead.

Filming starts next month, too.

Apparently, because the role is so small, they still haven’t found a female actress willing to take it.”

According to my memories from before my regression, ‘A Mobster’s Banquet’ would be released the following year, in the summer of 2006.

However, it would fail to attract even one million viewers and receive harsh criticism.

It had performed so terribly that I could barely remember that the movie had even existed.

“I’ve read that screenplay, too.

But the director is a newcomer, so the filming set could be somewhat chaotic.”

“Oh, really?

Then there really isn’t anything particularly suitable...”

Not long ago, while talking with my team members, I had heard that Director Kim Ji-hwan’s movie ‘A Radiant Holiday’ was currently going through the casting process.

‘A Radiant Holiday’ would become one of the movies in the second half of 2006 that successfully achieved both critical acclaim and box-office success.

The moment I heard about it, Gil Bo-young came to mind.

“I...

As far as I know, Director Kim Ji-hwan’s movie ‘A Radiant Holiday’ is currently casting.

How about we submit your profile for it?”

“‘A Radiant Holiday’?”

“Yes.

I heard there’s also a role in that movie that’s practically the only major female character...”

“Now that you mention it, I think I’ve heard about it, too.

Then we’ll submit your profile for Director Kim Ji-hwan’s movie first.”

As Ma Sang-hee quickly organized the situation, Gil Bo-young smiled with satisfaction.

“Oh, and that movie will probably need quite a few child actors.

Manager Ma, you should submit the profiles of Seong Na-hyun, Kim Do-yoon, and Seol Gi-chan as well.”

For a moment, surprise flashed through Ma Sang-hee’s eyes.

“What?

I only mentioned them in passing once, but you remembered all the kids’ names?”

“Ah, yes...

Well...

Ahem...”

How could I possibly forget their names?

They were future superstars who would lead the Korean Wave...

“And for Hyun-bin-hyung, I think it would be better to look for a drama.

Preferably a romantic comedy where he can play the male lead.

From what I’ve seen, there aren’t any particularly good scripts available yet.

Hyun-bin-hyung still has plenty of time before his current filming ends, so I think it would be better to take our time and look for the right project.”

The drama in which Moon Hyun-bin would make his first appearance as the lead would not even begin casting until around the first half of next year at the earliest.

Suddenly, I realized that I had not only become involved in these people’s lives.

I had also come to hold the key that could determine the direction of their lives.

The thought gave me a strange feeling.

And once again, time passed in a blur.

Before I knew it, the day of the final pitch had arrived.