Chapter 5: Unemployed Shut-In. Becomes a Writer? (5)
Two months? For his first script? That’s absurd.
The words from the 28-year-old sipping soju in front of him left Park Chan-young stunned.
Beginner’s luck, perhaps?
Just moments ago, Kim Si-woo had been a nervous rookie writer at the audition. Now, he seemed like a genius unaware of his own talent. Catching Kim Dong-su’s eye, Park Chan-young nodded. They were in sync—Kim Si-woo might just be a golden goose.
“So, do you have any ideas for your next project?”
“Not really. I’m working on a web novel right now, but it’s not going as well as I hoped.”
“A web novel?”
To think that someone who wrote a script like this was working on a web novel… Sure, web novels were hot these days, but still…
As a former film director, Park Chan-young couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment, as if the industry was losing talent.
“No plans to write another script?”
“Hmm… maybe if the web novel flops or ‘Revenger’ does well?”
“Really?”
Relieved that Kim Si-woo wasn’t fully committed to web novels, Park Chan-young let out an internal sigh of relief.
“Then you’ll be back soon. We’re putting everything into this movie.”
“I really hope it succeeds.”
“Don’t worry, just drink.”
Their heartfelt wishes seemed to ripple in their soju glasses.
***
Time passed, and Kim Si-woo sent the revised ‘Revenger’ script. His web novel had crossed 15 episodes, moving to the general serialization section a week ago. Now at 22 episodes, it had over 500 bookmarks—a decent start for a first work.
“Phew… finally done for today.”
With the protagonist’s first major ordeal concluded, he could catch his breath.
“High tension, huh… feels like I’m suffocating…”
The most common comments he received while writing were demands for resolution. When the satisfying payoff finally arrived, the comments shifted from complaints to praise, as if they’d never criticized.
“These guys are too much. I get that it’s frustrating, but 20 episodes of hate comments? Really?”
The gap between a writer who knows the story’s direction and readers who don’t was wider than he’d expected. Still, seeing a flood of positive comments lifted his spirits, and he made a bold decision.
“Mom!”
“What?!”
“How about beef for dinner?”
“Beef? What?”
His mother, Lee Mi-ja, was dumbfounded. Her son, who spent all day typing in his room, suddenly suggesting beef?
“You must be rolling in money. Did you already earn something?”
“Oh?”
He realized he hadn’t told his parents about the contract advance.
“I just… got a little money.”
“Oh… my son’s going to be rich soon! Make enough so I can quit my job, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
With just over 5 million won in his account, Kim Si-woo thought wealth was a distant dream. Little did he know what awaited him six months later…
That evening, he went to the store and bought premium Hanwoo beef, which naturally became the dinner menu.
“Where’d you get the money for beef?”
His father, still assuming he was a jobless bum, questioned the beef’s origins.
“I earned a bit from writing.”
“Oh? Things must be going well.”
To his surprise, his father reacted calmly to the news of his earnings.
“Let’s eat.”
As his father grilled the meat and sipped soju, a faint smile played on his lips.
Light began to creep back into Kim Si-woo’s life, which had been cloaked in the darkness of his room.
***
Two weeks later
At Park Chan-young’s request to attend a script reading, Kim Si-woo arrived at W Film’s building.
“Hello…”
Entering cautiously, he found the room already filled with supporting actors, Park Chan-young, and other staff.
“Come in, Kim. Your seat’s over here.”
“Thank you!”
Guided by Park Chan-young, he sat at a desk with his name and title, greeted by others around him.
“Writer!”
Shim Ji-young, the actress, waved at him from across the room. Soon, the main cast arrived, exchanging greetings and taking their seats. Park Chan-young stood up.
“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s do introductions and start the reading. I’m Park Chan-young, overseeing Revenger.”
Clap, clap, clap.
Following Park Chan-young’s lead, introductions began. After the male lead, Choi Do-hyun, came the father, Choi Sung-chan, the ally Lee Chil-gu, and the friend Kim Dong-jin. Then it was Lee Soo-yeon’s turn.
“Hello, I’m Shim Ji-young, playing Lee Soo-yeon. I was lucky enough to pass the audition. Nice to work with you all.”
Her playful introduction was followed by a booming voice that startled everyone.
“Hello!”
- Geez, what a loud voice.
A few muttered in surprise, but the actress continued unfazed.
“I’m Kim Ji-hyun, playing Park Min-hye. I’ll do my very best despite my shortcomings. Please look kindly on me.”
Wait, not candidate 1, but that actress was chosen?
The woman with the booming voice was none other than candidate 34, the one Kim Si-woo had suggested. Stunned, he glanced at Park Chan-young, who responded with a wink. The gesture made Kim Si-woo realize Park Chan-young had taken his opinion into account.
‘Oh… President Park considered my input.’
Moved by this realization, Kim Si-woo barely noticed it was his turn to introduce himself. Despite his nerves in front of the renowned actors, he stood and addressed the room.
“Hello. I’m Kim Si-woo, the writer of Revenger. It’s my first work, so I’m nervous, but I trust the amazing actors, directors, and staff. Please take good care of Revenger.”
He spoke as if sending a child off to school, and the room responded with applause. After everyone’s introductions, the script reading began in earnest.
From the scenes of the protagonist, Choi Do-hyun, growing up, to his father, Choi Sung-chan, revealing his ambition for promotion, to the revised scene where a criminal with a grudge against Choi Sung-chan kills Lee Soo-yeon, and later, Choi Do-hyun’s burning desire for revenge clashing with his friend Kim Dong-jin and Park Min-hye’s attempts to stop him, only to create friction with his ally Lee Chil-gu—the actors fully embodied their roles, showcasing their skills. Everyone present was satisfied.
Except for one person: Kim Si-woo, the script’s writer, who occasionally felt a sense of unease.
“Phew… great work, everyone.”
As the final script reading concluded, Ahn Sung-joon, the veteran actor playing Choi Sung-chan, kicked off the wrap-up remarks, with everyone chiming in about the hard work.
“What do you all think? Will this movie be a hit?”
“Well, that depends on how well the director shoots it, right? The script and actors are perfect,” Ahn Sung-joon quipped.
“Hahaha!”
His joke turned the room into a sea of laughter.
They were brimming with confidence—no, conviction. Every person there was a professional. Even the supporting actors were chosen for their exceptional talent. With a stellar script and a skilled director, their certainty was justified.
As the script reading wrapped up and the actors prepared to leave, Park Chan-young brought up a team dinner.
“Shall we call it a day and head to dinner?”
“Sounds good!”
Most of the staff agreed to join, but several lead actors, including Ahn Sung-joon and Kim Min-ho (playing Choi Do-hyun), cited scheduling conflicts and left, along with a few others.
“What? Hardly any actors are left,” Shim Ji-young grumbled at the dinner venue, her dissatisfaction clear, making the nearby managers and staff tense.
“Some things never change—actors skipping the team dinner,” she added.
“Hello, sunbaenim. I’m Kim Ji-hyun, playing Park Min-hye. Nice to meet you,” Kim Ji-hyun said, bowing respectfully.
Shim Ji-young’s expression softened, clearly pleased by Kim Ji-hyun’s polite greeting.
“Hey, good to meet you, Ji-hyun. Let’s head in.”
“Kim, let’s go in,” Kim Dong-su said, placing a hand on the shoulder of Kim Si-woo, who was hesitating outside the restaurant.
As people settled in and food arrived, Park Chan-young filled everyone’s glasses with soju, stood, and gave a toast.
“Everyone’s got their drinks? Eat well, drink moderately. To Revenger!”
- Cheers!
The atmosphere grew lively as conversations turned to Revenger. Kim Si-woo was no exception, especially with Shim Ji-young sitting beside him, eagerly engaging him while holding a tattered copy of the script.
“Writer, I’m struggling with the emotional arc in this part. Could you explain it?”
“Oh… sure. That part is…”
Grateful for Shim Ji-young’s passion for his work, Kim Si-woo explained enthusiastically, even reciting lines himself.
“Oh! That’s the vibe.”
Nodding as if something clicked, Shim Ji-young performed the scene again, seeking Kim Si-woo’s feedback.
“That’s it. That’s the feeling.”
“Wow, chills! Writer, you could be an actor yourself. You’ve got the looks, and with six months at an acting school, people would believe you’re an actor.”
“Me? If I acted, the movie would probably flop… haha.”
Perhaps loosened up by the soju, Kim Si-woo felt the distance with Shim Ji-young shrinking.
“Oh, by the way, I heard you recommended that actress?” Shim Ji-young said, glancing at Kim Ji-hyun, who was busy greeting others and drinking.
Despite lacking a filmography or a major agency, Kim Ji-hyun was making the rounds, politely engaging with everyone.
“Any special reason? Her acting wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t standout either.”
Curious about why Kim Ji-hyun was chosen, Shim Ji-young pressed Kim Si-woo for an answer.
“Well… she matched the look I envisioned for Park Min-hye. Her height, her cool demeanor.”
“Hmm… appearance does matter in this industry.”
“And… she just felt the most like Park Min-hye to me.”
“Really?” Shim Ji-young said, a mischievous glint in her eye as she stood.
“Hey, Ji-hyun!”
“Yes, sunbaenim!” Kim Ji-hyun responded instantly, almost like a soldier snapping to attention.
“The writer here has something to talk to you about!”
Her words drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Unbeknownst to Kim Si-woo, he was garnering significant interest as a rising genius writer.
Oblivious to this, he tried to clarify, but Shim Ji-young’s interruption and Kim Ji-hyun’s response drowned him out.
“Got it!”
Kim Ji-hyun downed her drink in one gulp and swiftly moved to sit beside him.
“Hello, Writer. I’m Kim Ji-hyun. Nice to work with you.”
“Oh… hi. Nice to work with you too.”
Unaccustomed to a beautiful actress greeting him so closely, Kim Si-woo felt out of his element.
“What’s this? Why’s Kim getting shy? You weren’t like this with me! I’m starting to feel hurt. Am I too old or something?” Shim Ji-young teased.
“No, it’s not that…”
Flustered by her playful jab, Kim Si-woo struggled to respond. Finding his reaction amusing, Shim Ji-young laughed heartily before turning to Kim Ji-hyun.
“Did you know? Kim here is the one who recommended you.”
“What?”
Kim Ji-hyun’s eyes widened even more as she turned to look at Kim Si-woo, clearly unaware of this fact.