Top Management Chapter 137-138

Chapter 137: Chief Jung, Your Actors are a bit (2)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

As soon as the cameras began rolling, a tense air hung in the film set.

Stunt staff got in position on the ground and on the crane. The jib camera was rolling in the air, and a cart carrying a camera rushed down the rails. And Lee Songha, she stood on top of the a/c unit hanging outside the apartment.

Her waist and thighs were supported by wires.

"Is she about to climb up the building?"

The reporter blankly mumbled.

"Won't a stunt person take her place after she just acts as if she will?"

"Or will they just take closeup shots now and film the rest on another set?"

While the Weekly Entertainment staff were discussing, Lee Songha bent her knees. Then she kicked off the a/c unit and jumped up. They gulped. At the same time, her small hands gripped the rusty banister on the second floor. She then began to steadily climb the building.

To a higher banister, to a higher a/c unit.

Extras, dressed up as zombies, flailed their hands through each window. Lee Songha narrowly avoided and slowly yet surely made her way up.

"So that's why they set it up so that she wanted to be a gymnast. To film scenes like this."

"It doesn't even seem like she's being pulled up by the wires either. She really is climbing her way up."

"What do you think she wore underneath her skirt?"

The producer smacked the back of the production a.s.sistant's head repeatedly.

The reporter admired the scene as he said,

"But doesn't it seem like she really learned gymnastics? Like look at her actions."

"She did learn it."

A staff member who wore his baseball cap backwards suddenly joined in.

He was the staff member Chief Jung Sunwoo asked to comment on Lee Songha. The Weekly Entertainment staff quickly picked up their camera and handed him a wireless mic. The staff coughed and continued,

"She worked hard to learn it because she wanted to do her own stunts. She went to a gymnastics coach to learn too. And parkour and climbing? The one where you climb inside a building. Apparently, she learned those too."

"All of them?"

"While alternating between filming her drama on top of that. I heard she went back and forth between China and Korea during weekends. I saw her schedule, and it was incredible. Chief Jung, who balanced that schedule, is hardcore, and Lee Songha, who actually handled it all, is even more incredib-"

"Oh, oh, oh!"

The production a.s.sistant leaped up and down.

"Isn't that dangerous?"

The staff member hastily turned around. Lee Songha lost her grip on an a/c unit while trying to avoid a zombie's hand. Her slender body crashed onto the banister below. Then she powerlessly fell into the veranda.

"Th-that!"

"It's an act."

After saying this, the staff member laughed.

"See how the camera is still following her movements? It's all an act."

The Weekly Entertainment staff quickly looked around. The jib camera was hovering over the veranda Lee Songha fell in.

"The action looks incredibly real, right? We were all surprised during the rehearsal. We thought she would be seriously injured."

The amazed staff gestured to them.

"Come over here."

He led them to monitors Director Choi Sungwon and other cast members were gathered in front of. The Weekly Entertainment crew cautiously and quietly stood behind them. The staff member whispered,

"You see the monitor showing the one-shot, right? Look at that."

Their gazes focused on it.

The scene of Lee Songha getting back up and climbing again was clearly reflected on the screen. At first, it looked like she was barely making her way up, but her actions soon looked visibly lighter. There was no hesitation in her steps.

Staring at the screen, the camera director blinked.

"She's trembling?"

Lee Songha's shoulders, arms, and even her fingers were trembling.

"You're right. Is that also her acting?"

"I think it's half-and-half. Even if there are wires and mats, how scary do you think it is?"

"Her chin is trembling too. Is she crying?"

They stopped speaking at some point.

The camera, which tilted up from her trembling shoulders, captured her face. She wasn't crying. Lee Songha was smiling. A face messily mixed with fear and euphoria.

As though she couldn't contain how happy she was climbing up a wall.

"Good…"

Director Choi Sungwon had a pleased smile as his gaze focused on the screen.

Even the other actors behind him cried out.

"My G.o.d. Look at her expression. How can she express the feeling of being suppressed finally breaking free so well? It's incredible."

"Did she experience a lot even though she's young? Unless she has family issues like Lee Yeonwoo, there's no way she can express that feeling so clearly."

"Didn't she do an interview with a smile just now? How can she get into her role so quickly? Does she have a switch?"

"Should I tell you something more amazing? Before we started filming, she was mumbling something with a serious face. I thought she was memorizing her lines, but it turns out she was mumbling how she wants to eat ice cream."

"Oh, that girl makes this veteran anxious."

Even veteran actors commented.

Director Choi Sungwon shouted, "Cut!" in satisfaction and said to the actors,

"You were all great too."

"It's no good if we are similar, director."

The actress Park Saeryung grumbled.

"I'm being paid much more than her so I need to be much better than her."

"Director, my one-shot before, could we refilm it? I want to try saying my line a bit more quickly."

Lee Kihwan said while scratching his chin.

Director Choi Sungwon's eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Of course you can. If an actor is dissatisfied with his scene and wants to redo it, of course, he can."

"Look at her. She's so happy."

Park Saeryung mumbled with a dispirited look. Lee Songha was smiling happily as she dangled from the wires on the fourth floor while waving at Chief Jung Sunwoo, who was looking up from below.

Seeing this, Park Saeryung suddenly said,

"Director, the second villain appearing on scene 24. You said he was also Chief Jung Sunwoo's actor, right?"

The actors' gazes gathered on Director Choi Sungwon.

Even the Weekly Entertainment crew perked their ears at this new information.

"That's right."

"Is he also like her?"

"I don't know. I haven't been able to confirm myself."

Director Choi Sungwon said as he looked at Jung Sunwoo in the distance.

"I wish he was."

"… A zombie disaster blockbuster? I can already smell its failure. Just don't attempt to screen it in the States or it'll be an embarra.s.sment for the entire country. Watching American dramas would be much better than pay 10,000 won on this."

"Stop it."

His frowns deepening, SBE Film CEO waved his hand.

The other employees attending the meeting looked gloomy as well. The PR Team employee shook her a.n.a.lysis as she said,

"We expected this sort of reaction considering the genre."

"We did expect it, but it still hurts."

"There are other reactions. My a.n.a.lysis resulted in very polarizing opinions."

The PR Team employee began reading again.

"With the trustworthy Director Choi Sungwon and a slew of trustworthy actors on board, it could be incredible. I heard that the budget was over 30 billion won, I can't wait. Such a large-scale movie, I bet more than ten million people will go watch for sure."

"Stop, stop!"

The CEO waved his hand even more intensely than before. The other employees looked so gloomy that clouds seem to form above their heads. The newest employee of the Planning Team, who was sitting at the end of the room, whispered to the employee sitting next to him.

"What's with this mood? Isn't it good if there are good reactions? They said that they couldn't wait."

"That's what's scarier."

The Planning Team employee replied with a frown.

"If the audience is expecting a perfect movie, we've only broken even if we deliver a perfect movie. It ends up becoming an okay movie. If we want to satisfy an audience like that, we need to give them a movie beyond perfect, and that's not easy. Also, if the movie quality is lower than perfect…"

The employee trailed his words. The eyes of those who heard him became hollow.

The CEO slapped the table and said,

"Let's not worry about it right now! We just need to make it a success! In… In the worst-case scenario, we will still break even. Marketing is going smoothly, and we have Director Choi Sungwon and a great cast, how could it flo…"

His speech, which started confidently, slowly crumbled and finally crushed completely.

"… What do we do if it flops?"

"It's a disaster. All the scenarios we are prepping will be put on a halt."

The CEO laughed dispiritedly at the project producer's words.

Just then, the project producer slowly raised his hand,

"CEO, I'm sorry to tell you this at this time."

"If you're sorry, don't say it."

"The budget…"

"Don't bring up the budget! Don't!"

"The director said he needed a bit more. Just a little."

People groaned when they heard this.

The CEO's hands shook as he shouted,

"Why isn't the budget enough?! We've poured all the money in it, yet how could it not be enough?!"

"It's because of the computer graphics. Apparently, they need to hire more people for the visual effects team."

"We brought over our team working in China! Are they not enough?"

"Almost half the scenes require CG. The current team has already been separated to fill positions, but we still don't have enough. What should we do? Should I tell him that we don't even have enough even if he kills us?"

"Hey! You-!"

The CEO barely managed to take deep breaths after his outburst.

"… Tell him that we got it. And don't let the fact that we talk about this slip on set! The director and cast must be feeling a ton of pressure, we can't add to that and have it influence the project!"

"Yes!"

The project producer immediately replied. The glaring CEO said in a hoa.r.s.e voice,

"Tomorrow's set visit with investors and foreign sales agents, the preparations are perfect, right? That's our only avenue for more money."

"Tomorrow's scene will be a full shot of the cast. Since it's a large-scale, dynamic scene, it should be worth spectating. They brought on almost a hundred extras dressed up as zombies as well."

"The scale is obviously large considering how much money we're pouring into it. They already know who's starring in the movie as well. I wish there was something that could entrance those fellows."

The CEO rubbed his temples as he mumbled,

"We don't have that extra factor…"

"Joyoon! Nam Joyoon!"

Nam Joyoon, who had just changed into his movie outfit, turned his head.

Kim Hyunsup, the actor who pressed his baseball cap down on his head, gestured to him. The actors and staff who worked on the independent film were gathered around him looking at a phone. Nam Joyoon picked up his bag and went over there.

"What?"

"Weekly Entertainment is showing what they filmed on set."

Nam Joyoon looked at the screen. At the top was the subt.i.tle {International Star, Lee Songha, and the set of the hot topic, 'Alive'}. They just finished showing an exclusive interview with Lee Songha and they showed sketches of the set.

The independent film cast and crew sighed at once.

"The scale is amazing. The size of the blue screen is as big as a building."

"That means they are going to paste the entire background with CG. Oh d.a.m.n, look at those zombies."

"That looks like fun. Even if it's tough, working on a set like that must be worth it."

"When will I get to star in a film with those actors?"

"Just think they live in a different world than us. It's only painful for you if you're jealous."

"What's a different world?"

The a.s.sistant director joined in.

"There could be a day when we work on a set like that! No one knows the future. Even Mr. Nam Joyoon here is appearing on that film! Didn't you say tomorrow would be your first scene? Right?"

He said while placing his hand on Nam Joyoon's shoulder. The staff and actors' congratulatory, jealous, and even unpleasant gazes focused on him.

Just then, an interview of a crew member began to play.

-She worked hard to do her own stunts. She went to a gymnastics coach to learn, even parkour and climbing…

"She really prepared a ton. But Mr. Joyoon, do you not have to prepare for anything?"

Someone asked.

The independent film director licked his lips and added,

"It's really great that you keep coming on time for shoots, but I'm a bit worried as well. This could be the opportunity that changes your life. It's not enough to focus on that film completely, yet your time is being taken up by us-"

"Maybe his role doesn't need to prepare for anything."

A piercing voice shot out from amongst the actors.

"Mr. Sunghyun. Why are you like this?"

"What? If he doesn't have a big role, then he doesn't have much to prepare."

Lee Sunghyun shrugged before leaving. A few actors glanced at Nam Joyoon before following after Lee Sunghyun.

The heated mood cooled. The remaining people examined Nam Joyoon's expression, but there wasn't any change. Nam Joyoon continued to watch the screen.

The a.s.sistant director patted Nam Joyoon's shoulder.

"Don't worry about him. And you said you're playing a supporting role? Then it's a success!"

"That's right. Just think of it as learning from the big boys. Be directed by the famous Director Choi Sungwon. There must be a ton of top stars there so have a look around. But, can you get me Park Saeryung's autograph?"

"Lee Kihwan for me! I'm a huge fan!"

"If it's okay, Lee Songha for me! My daughter sings their songs."

The set quickly became noisy again.

After taking a sip from a water bottle, Nam Joyoon took out his phone. It vibrated, indicating he received a text. After checking its content, he sent his usual reply.

Kim Hyunsup tilted his head behind him and asked,

"What? Is it Chief Jung Sunwoo again? What is he saying this time?"

"That he'll come pick me up tomorrow before the shoot."

Nam Joyoon said, laughing silently.

"That young man's really genuine. At first, I thought he would stop after a couple of visits, but he's been helping you out for the past few months. Seeing as he cares about you even though he has an international star like Lee Songha, he must…"

Kim Hyunsup narrowed his eyes.

"… Been your mom in your past life. This is parental love."

"Shut up."

"But, you know, I'm a bit worried since you're acting like normal."

Kim Hyunsup said while scratching his neck,

"Are you really preparing for your shoot properly?"

Although summer had fully arrived, the morning wind was still a bit chilly. A young man wearing varsity jacket ran into a gym.

"I think a celebrity lives near here! I saw that person outside!"

"Who?"

"Why, that manager…!"

"Jung Sunwoo?"

"Uh, yeah! That person! How did you guess right away?"

A few people inside the gym laughed simultaneously. A muscular employee swept a mop along the floor as he said,

"His actor works out in our gym. He's close with our manager."

"Really?"

"He came by frequently for the past two months. You must have missed him because you're new."

"Wow. An actor. I want to see him. When does he usually come?"

"He comes at night when he has a shoot and comes whether it's day or night on days he's free so you should see him soon? Get me a towel from the cabinet behind you."

The university student approached a tall cabinet. When he opened the door, he was met with two chilling objects.

They were someone's eyes.

"Euah! f.u.c.k! What the h.e.l.l?!"

The university shouted as he backed away. He even tripped over his feet and fell on his b.u.t.t. The people who had been flashing glances his way fell back laughing.

The student pointed.

"Wh-who is this person?! And what is he doing in there?!"

"You said you wanted to see him."

The employee laughed so hard that he began coughing.

The shocked student quickly looked back at the cabinet.

The man who had been standing straight in the cabinet walked out. Although the student didn't know how long he was in there for, his steps were wobbly. His eyes, which formed a frown as though they weren't used to the light, still shined in a cold light.

The student's shoulders trembled without knowing as he slowly approached the employee.

"Euah. That man, what was he doing inside?"

"He doesn't do anything. He just stands in there all the time."

"All the time?"

"Apparently he needs to do it for his acting? There are times he's in there overnight."

The student paled.

"Is he crazy? It looks like he might be mentally ill. No, his eyes weren't normal!"

"Right?"

The employee shrugged. Just then, the gym door opened, and Jung Sunwoo entered. He lightly greeted the people there and walked over to the man leaning against the cabinet.

"Hyung, were you in there again?"

"Just for a bit. A few minutes."

"I told you to stop doing this. There are other ways so there's no need to keep doing something so dange-"

"I won't do it again."

The man smiled faintly at Jung Sunwoo, who clicked his tongue in worry, and said,

"I think I can play my role properly now."

/ /

Chapter 138: Chief Jung, Your Actors are a bit (3)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

A rotten arm shot out.

This was only the start. Zombies poured out from the building entrance.

Zombies even jumped off the roof and through the shattered windows.

The party of survivors narrowly got in a delivery truck. The tires spun in place against the shattered concrete. Dust filled the air. The tsunami of zombies charged at the survivors.

"What are you doing?! Drive!"

"Quickly, quickly! At this rate, we're all going to f.u.c.king die!"

Shouts, screams, and the roars of zombies jumbled together.

"It's quite a sight, isn't it?"

The production producer said with a bright smile.

"It's difficult to see something like this in a film from our country."

The group of people in suits stretched their necks out to watch the monitor. They were from corporations that had or were planning to invest in Alive as well as sales reps that exported Korean content overseas.

"It's really thrilling. It'll be amazing to see this on the big screen."

"Right? It'll be quite a sight seeing this after they've added music and retouched the scene."

"The zombies look realistic. It really shows a lot of money went into this."

"I was worried because it would release at the same time as Hollywood blockbusters, but this might be worth competing against them."

Positive comments continued. The production producer was all smiled as he said,

"The cast is top-notch and so is their chemistry."

The monitor displayed the party of survivors fighting desperately against the zombies.

The marketing employee from SBE Film, Kang Minjeong, added,

"It's only possible to cast such actors because it's Director Choi Sungwon's scenario. You can't cast a lineup like this just by waving money at them. You know that, right?"

"There's nothing more to say about the actors. They are all top stars."

"They also sell a ton of tickets."

"I hope the movie poster is a full shot of the cast. Making sure their faces are visible."

The production producer and marketing team employee smiled at the scent of money.

After the long escape scene was over and while the investment team was meeting the party of suits, the production producer stepped back and wiped off his smile.

"… They've opened their pockets, right?"

Kang Minjeong chewed on her red lips.

"Yes, their reaction isn't bad, but it's not as much as we expected."

"Ah, d.a.m.n it."

The producer pulled his curly hair.

"The CEO told us to knock their socks off!"

"It seems they expected this much. I thought that seeing the shoot would push us beyond expectations, but I didn't expect their reactions to be lukewarm from seeing around 100 people dressed up as zombies. With this sort of reaction, it'll be difficult to squeeze more investments from them."

"Is there some other way? We pretty much have no other way to get money than this."

"What we can show them… What did you say the next scene was?"

"Scenes 24 and 25. It has Lee Kihwan and Lee Songha as well as the appearance of an unknown actor."

The production producer replied. A complicated sigh followed after.

Kang Minjeong quickly flipped through the scenario she had held under her arm.

Soon, she too sighed.

"d.a.m.n it."

"I know."

"The unknown actor appearing in this scene, it's him, right?"

"That's right. The rookie Chief Jung Sunwoo brought on."

Kang Minjeong closed the scenario and asked,

"That actor, what is he doing right now?"

The minivan's doors were wide open.

A strange mood hung in the air.

Lee Songha was staring at the pa.s.senger seat with eyes dripping with longing. To be precise, she was looking at Nam Joyoon, who was sitting in the pa.s.senger seat. To be even more precise, she was looking at the lunch box in his hands.

Under her uncomfortable gaze, Nam Joyoon had a difficult expression.

He handed her his lunch box.

"Would you like some?"

"No, I don't steal other people's food."

She refused with a sorrowful face.

Nam Joyoon's lunch box was filled with thick grilled short rib patties and side dishes. There was even a fried egg on top of the perfectly-cooked multi-grain rice.

Lee Songha looked down at her unique lunch box.

It had pieces of chicken breast and greens around it with no dressing. She had been eating this for the past two months. Tormented by it, Lee Songha secretly asked,

"Then should we trade a single bite? Two of my chicken b.r.e.a.s.t.s for a quarter of the short rib patty…!"

"You can just eat it. I can't eat all of it anyways."

Lee Songha held her breath back.

"You can't eat all of this? How can you not eat all of this?"

"Not eating much has become a habit of mine."

Nam Joyoon said while scratching his neck.

Lee Songha looked at him. Her wary gaze had completely disappeared, instead, she looked like she was looking at a comrade whom she would even share half a bean with.

"Hey, you can't!"

Her stylist quickly intercepted just before her chopsticks touched a patty.

"Songha, I'm going to tattle on Chief Jung. Hurry up and eat your food."

"This isn't food."

Lee Songha grumbled in a gloomy voice.

"This is feed. Dogs eat better than this."

"I heard that Chief Jung got up early in the morning to personally make it for you."

Lee Songha's eyes widened.

"If you're not going to eat it, pa.s.s it here. Let's have a taste."

"It's mine!"

Lee Songha hastily took possession of her lunch box.

Her stylist giggled. Then she whispered to Nam Joyoon,

"I'm letting you know now because the two of them had a scandal, but you can consider Lee Songha as more of a fanatic."

"A fanatic?"

"She has this pseudo-religion she believes in. Call the Church of Jung Sunwoo."

Nam Joyoon cracked a smile.

Just then, Lee Songha, who had been gazing at her lunchbox like it was a treasure box, blinked. She had been staring down at her lunchbox like she was going to wolf it down, yet she suddenly put her chopsticks down.

"What? Why? Are you not going to eat it?"

Lee Songha smiled happily as she replied,

"If I touch it, the heart will be destroyed."

"Heart? Where's the heart?"

"Look closely. From here to here. A heart."

Her fingers outlined a crooked circle. It was the shape of the veggies surrounding the pieces of chicken b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The stylist examined her lunch box with a strange expression before looking at Nam Joyoon.

'Does that look like a heart to you?' She asked with her gaze.

Nam Joyoon shook his head.

"How is it? Does it taste okay?"

Jung Sunwoo asked as he suddenly got in the minivan.

Lee Songha was surprised, and because of it, the lunch box in her hands lurched. Lee Songha quickly looked back down at her lunch box before she despaired like a person who had lost her country.

"Ah, she kills me!"

The stylist rolled over laughing.

A faint smile hung on Nam Joyoon's lips as well.

Only Jung Sunwoo looked at them with lost eyes.

"… Chief Jung Sunwoo's actors."

Kim Minjeong said as she looked at the white minivan in the distance.

"Don't even have a sliver of tension."

"I know, right? They are the only ones that seem like they're on a picnic."

The production producer agreed with a dispirited laugh.

"Considering they are about to do an emotional scene, they are excessively easygoing."

"Even if we give Lee Songha a pa.s.s since she's the type to get in character quickly, that rookie, Nam Joyoon… What gall… On his first day to boot."

Kim Minjeong clicked her tongue as she came to a decision.

"I'll bring the investors somewhere else."

"Pardon? Still, it'll be difficult to convince the investors with-"

"The next scene is one that could be almost completely edited out depending on the shoot. If we disappoint them by showing a rookie we're not confident in, it's worse than not showing them the shoot."

Kim Minjeong resolutely said,

"It's better not to show the investors the next scene."

"Can't we watch the next scene before we leave?"

Kim Minjeong's smile crumbled at one of the people from an investment company's question.

"Team leader, there isn't much to see in the next scene."

"I heard that, but I'm still curious."

It wasn't just one person. Other people were curious as well.

Kim Minjeong barely managed to smooth out her frown as she asked,

"What… are you curious about?"

"The actors aren't leaving after finishing their shoot."

"Sorry?"

"They are apparently going to leave after seeing this scene?"

Kim Minjeong and the production producer hastily turned around.

'Starcraft' vans{1}, as well as other vans, were still parked despite their actors having finished filming for the day. The two also saw actors gathered behind the director's chair, talking with Director Choi Sungwon.

Their expression crumbled.

Scene 24 was an inside shoot.

A monitor reflected Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon, who were checking positions. The actors who were done filming for the day were sitting in the chairs with their names on the back as they looked at the monitor. Each of them had a bag of chips in their hand.

"He looks different from what I expected reading the script."

"Since Lee Songha leaves a strong impression from head to toe, I thought he'd be similar. But he looks normal."

"Obviously, people like Lee Songha aren't common."

Director Choi Sungwon chuckled when he heard them discussing like middle-aged women at a laundromat.

"Why are you all like this? Putting pressure on him."

"We're going to leave after checking the beginning. We just want to see how he is."

"Let us see. Little old me wants to feel some thrills."

The actors said as they planted their b.u.t.ts in their seats.

A few steps away, the investors whispered,

"Nam Joyoon? I thought I'd know his face even if his name was unfamiliar, but it's my first time seeing him."

"His role also has quite a few lines. Isn't his popularity too low?"

"Right? There are much better actors I know…"

"Let's talk to SBE Film after the shoot…"

Their voices were tinged with dissatisfaction. The production producer and Kang Minjeong, who overheard their conversation, let out frustrated sighs. Looking around, Kang Minjeong went to a man standing with his arms crossed.

"Chief Jung, there are a lot of people watching."

"That seems true."

Chief Jung Sunwoo nodded.

"We aren't worried about Ms. Lee Songha. We already know she's great at acting and have seen how hard she worked preparing for her role. However, we are a bit worried about Mr. Nam Joyoon."

Kim Minjeong's eyes narrowed.

"Can we believe in him?"

"They both worked hard for their roles."

He said with a meaningful smile.

"So please believe in them."

Gazes with various thoughts focused on the monitor.

Just then, the slate smacked together.

The living room was a mess.

A child flopped on the floor sniffled. The female high schooler Lee Yeonwoo checked up on the child with quick glances. She did this while her hands moved all the objects blocking the way to the bathroom.

A man's faint voice seeped out from behind the slightly opened door.

{… This was the only place to hide because the front door was broken.}

{At first, I thought people trapped a monster in here from the sounds. How could people leave someone here alone…}

{I couldn't ask them to bring me along when even the lives of perfectly healthy people were at risk.}

The weak voice gradually gained strength.

{It was bearable. It's a bathroom so there's a toilet, water from the sink, and they left some food for me.}

Soon, the objects in front of the bathroom door were completely cleared. Just as Lee Yeonwoo stretched her hand out to grab the doork.n.o.b, the door flung open. Lee Yeonwoo retreated in surprise. The man, who she had been talking to just now, was standing at the entrance.

{I thought I'd die like this.}

The man smiled brightly like someone who had been rescued from h.e.l.l.

The hallway was quiet thanks to all the zombies having gone outside.

Lee Yeonwoo took the lead. She held the child with one arm and hung a bag with foods like instant noodles and canned hams and other necessities.

A man limped behind her. He too was carrying a heavy bag.

What broke the silence was when they discovered someone approaching them from across the hall.

{Mister!}

{Oh, Yeonwoo! Why are you- Did you remain as well?}

Jang Taeyoung, a well-built man in his thirties, came over with a surprised look.

A young woman stuck behind him with slumped shoulders.

{I escaped with Jinjoo, but we ended up having to hide. How about you?}

{I found a few other survivors on the higher levels so I came to save them.}

{I also found one. Here-}

Jang Taeyoung abruptly turned his gaze.

The hand tightly gripping his clothes fell away. The woman, who had followed behind him as though she would be in trouble if she didn't keep up, stood still with a pale-white face. As if she saw something terrifying.

{Th-that person…! It's him! The crazy guy I told you about!}

Her trembling finger pointed at the man standing behind Lee Yeonwoo.

{He killed people! We trapped him…!}

The moment the fl.u.s.tered Jang Taeyoung hesitated and the moment the man's lips curled upward, Lee Yeonwoo acted as quick as lightning. She threw the bag she was carrying and ran with just the child. She managed to take five steps by the time the man caught up and pulled her long hair. She let out a suppressed groan.

{I wasn't crazy.}

The man said, seeing their shocked faces.

{Some things are inevitable in situations like this. That was all.}

{Yeonwoo! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Let her go!}

Jang Taeyoung finally overcame his shock and began running towards him.

The man flung his bag. It smashed through the window in the hallway, and shards of gla.s.s fell. Lee Yeongwoo crouched her body. Seeing this, Jang Taeyoung stopped for a moment.

The man s.n.a.t.c.hed the child away from Lee Yeonwoo.

"Urrk. Urrk."

The child's frightened cries leaked from his mouth.

Grabbing the child by his collar and sitting on the window sill, the man said.

{After being trapped in that cramped, damp, and dark place for so long… I feel like I might actually be crazy now. I feel suffocated like I'm still in there.}

He didn't look angry.

He wasn't threatening or mocking them. At a glance, the man's expression seemed no different from before. He seemed calm like this was just a normal day. However, something was different. His voice, eyes, everything about him felt disturbing.

The young woman, who had taken a few steps back, turned around and fled.

The man looked outside the open window and mumbled.

{How long will it take to go down to the first floor? Will 30 seconds do?}

{What?}

{I'm throwing in 30 seconds. If you're quick, you should be able to catch him.}

{Just what are you!}

{One, two, three…}

The man began to count.

When he reached seven, Lee Yeonwoo, who struggled as her hair was tightly held by the man, shouted.

{Go! Mister, go quickly!}

{d.a.m.n it!}

Jang Taeyoung, who was hesitant, unsure whether he should charge at the man or run down, turned around with a distorted expression on his face. His footsteps quickly grew distant. The only ones remaining in the hallway was Lee Yeonwoo, the man, and the crying child with snot dripping from his nose.

The man counted past 20.

Lee Yeonwoo charged at him, clung to him, and even pleaded, but he didn't react to any of them. The man finally reached 30. And still, Jang Taeyoung hadn't come out of the building yet.

The man said as if this was troublesome.

{He runs slower than I expected.}

{Don't do it. Wait, please wait a litt-!}

Before Lee Yeonwoo could finish her words, he tossed the distressed, crying child out the window.

The marketing team employee, Kang Minjeong, took a few steps back.

Only then did she take in her surroundings.

The vision widened, and she heard someone gulp.

She slowly moved her eyes.

Director Choi Sungwon was looking at the monitor with shining eyes. The crinkling sounds of chip bags had stopped long ago. Even the actors who were talking with each other had shut their mouths.

It was the same for the investors.

They all looked entranced as they stared at the monitor like an audience staring at the screen in a dark theatre.

Within this seemingly black and white scene, the only one moving was Chief Jung Sunwoo.

He observed people's reactions.

Kang Minjeong exhaled the breath she had been holding.

"Chief, about Mr. Nam Joyoon."

"Yes."

"I wish he didn't have any interviews with reporters before the movie releases."

He looked back at her.

"…Interviews?"

"We are going to remove him from marketing material as well, and we won't put him in the trailer either."

Slowly, Chief Jung Sunwoo's lips curled upwards.

Kang Minjeong gulped before saying,

"That actor, I wish the audience met him for the first time on the big screen."

{1} No relation to the game. A company that modifies Chevrolet Express vans that are commonly used by Korean celebrities.

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