Chapter 67
Before my regression, Director Song Jaehyun’s movie had been distributed by a major distributor, which was rare for an independent film, all because of the influence of an actor named Yoo Haein.
Thanks to that, the movie had also become a box-office success.
Of course, we had Moon Hyunbin now, but he still wasn’t as well-known as Yoo Haein had been back then. It would be difficult to approach a major distributor with Moon Hyunbin’s name alone.
I have to make sure the same thing happens this time too…
I couldn’t just sit back and watch.
“Producer, I’ll look into the Film Market side as well.”
“The Film Market? I’d be grateful if you did. Actually, I’m going back to the U.S. next month. So I’m in a situation where I need to wrap up the distribution deal as quickly as possible.”
“The U.S.?”
“To be honest, while producing Director Song’s movie, I realized that working on set doesn’t really suit me. So for now, I’m going to finish my doctorate and seriously think about what I want to do next.”
“Ah…”
As expected, it looks like Jeong Inbeom is going to move toward film criticism…
I remembered that before my regression, Jeong Inbeom had become famous as a critic covering not only movies but culture and the arts in general.
While I was talking with Jeong Inbeom, the interview came to an end.
Since we had gathered together again after so long, we decided to have a small celebration of our own for Home Sweet Home entering the competition section of the Busan Film Festival.
We headed to a bar located in Busan’s Jagalchi Market.
Later, the cinematographer, Assistant Director Park Youngsoo, and script supervisor Woo Jeongin joined us as well.
It had been almost a year since we had all met after filming the movie, and once we started talking, none of us even noticed the night passing.
Drinks went back and forth, and before I knew it, I was fairly drunk.
I stepped outside for some fresh air and found Director Song Jaehyun already standing there, smoking a cigarette.
“Oh, Gibaek. Perfect timing. I was looking for a chance to talk to you. I read the script you showed me.”
The alcohol seemed to vanish from my system in an instant.
My mind became completely clear.
After deciding on the direction of the revisions with Writer Jo Aram, I had emailed Director Song both the original script and our planned revisions and asked him to review them.
He had said he would contact me after reading it, but I hadn’t heard anything from him since.
I had secretly been getting nervous.
“H-How was it?”
I waited for Director Song’s answer like a student waiting for the results of the college entrance exam.
“It was good.”
His answer was short and simple.
“Good?”
“Yeah. Really good. I don’t know who ends up making it, but it’s good enough to make me jealous.”
Yes!
I cheered inwardly.
“I heard the writer is still a rookie, but the story is incredibly polished for someone new.”
“Right?”
“Honestly, because it was science fiction, I started reading it while wondering whether it could really be made into a movie. But after I saw the revision plan at the end, I thought it definitely had potential as long as it was revised in that direction.”
Director Song paused before asking.
“But is this a project that ‘Big Picture’ is developing? Has the director already been decided?”
Instead of answering, I shook my head.
“What? Then you’re saying this is something you’re personally developing on your own?”
I explained everything that had happened and how I had ended up working on revising the script for Timeless.
Director Song’s eyes widened.
“Oh~ Min Gibaek, you were a real man after all. You’re pushing ahead with a project even though your team leader already said no.”
Director Song repeatedly gave me two thumbs up.
“You’re making fun of me right now, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not. It’s actually the opposite.”
The opposite?
I tilted my head.
Director Song continued.
“I think it’s impressive. When you become interested in a project or a person, you don’t hesitate. Most people can’t do that. They’re too busy weighing the pros and cons. But you’re different.”
A broad smile appeared on Director Song’s face, as if he were remembering something amusing.
“You were the same when you said you wanted to join my movie. Just a few days earlier, Seungjun had been saying he was going to work on a commercial movie, but somehow you convinced him and dragged him over without any proper plan. Then you said you were joining my production team too.”
He chuckled.
“And on top of that, you said you didn’t even need wages. You just wanted shares in the movie instead… Hahaha.”
Hearing the story from someone else’s perspective made me realize that my behavior must have looked completely insane to other people.
A laugh escaped me before I knew it.
Director Song looked at me and continued.
“I think Timeless is that kind of project for you too. Am I right?”
I slowly nodded.
And I realized that now was the time to tell him the real reason I had shown him the script.
“Director, would you be interested in directing this movie?”
Director Song hesitated at the sudden offer.
A complicated expression appeared on his face.
“…Honestly… while I was reading the script, I kept wanting it.”
He gave an awkward laugh.
“I kept thinking, ‘How would I direct this if it were mine?’ and ‘Who would be good for the roles?’ Before I knew it, I was imagining all kinds of things in my head. Hahaha.”
My eyes widened.
“Wait… Does what you just said mean you’re accepting?”
Director Song hesitated for another moment before speaking again.
“Before that, there’s one thing I want to confirm.”
He looked directly at me.
“What if your team leader—no, what if ‘Big Picture’ keeps saying this movie can’t be made until the very end? What are you going to do?”
I answered without hesitation.
“If the company refuses until the very end, then I’ll have to find another way.”
I continued firmly.
“The important thing is that even if it takes time, I’m not giving up on this project.”
Perhaps my tone sounded a little too serious, because Director Song let out a small laugh.
“Then that’s enough.”
He smiled.
“I’ve been worrying about what to do for my next project anyway. I think Timeless is challenging enough for me to want to try it.”
Then he shrugged.
“Besides, throwing myself headfirst into impossible situations is practically my hobby and specialty. And this time, I even have someone willing to do it with me…”
His grin widened.
“So what the hell? Let’s see how far we can take it. Hahaha.”
Looking at Director Song, I suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.
It felt as though someone had finally acknowledged that my decision to choose Timeless had not been wrong.
“Ugh… If I ever drink again…”
Holding my aching stomach from the hangover, I pushed myself up from the sofa and looked around.
I was inside Director Song Jaehyun’s hotel room.
Director Song and Producer Jeong Inbeom were sleeping on the bed in nothing but their underwear.
On the floor, Assistant Director Park Youngsoo and Moon Changsoo were sleeping while hugging each other.
