Chapter 80: Round Two (1)
Following Kim Jin-man down the hallway, Kim Si-woo arrived at the waiting room, where the actors who had filmed the movie with him were already gathered.
“Writer-nim, you’re here?”
“Oh, hello.”
“Well then, I’ll be leaving now. If anything happens, just call me—I’ll come running immediately.”
“Thank you.”
After Kim Jin-man left, Si-woo greeted the actors in the room and sat down, trying to look over the script for today’s variety show appearance.
If the actors had let him, that is.
“Writer-nim, what exactly is your relationship with the Drama Division CP?”
“We just… know each other a bit.”
“You know him ‘a bit,’ and he treats you like that?”
As they pointed out, for people who supposedly “barely knew each other,” Kim Jin-man’s attitude was ridiculously deferential.
Feeling awkward, Si-woo scratched the back of his head—but Park Jun-ho quickly stepped in to explain for him.
“The drama that ranked #1 on CBS recently—Our Teacher—that was written by Writer Kim.”
“Ah… I see.”
“Alright, let’s take a look at the script too. It’s a variety show, but we can’t take it lightly.”
“True.”
Thanks to Park Jun-ho, Si-woo escaped having to talk about his own achievements himself—something he found cringe-inducing.
They went over the script in the waiting room, discussing who would answer which questions and how.
“Ah, as expected, there are questions about Choi Do-hyun.”
At the mention of Choi Do-hyun, everyone glanced nervously between Si-woo and Park Jun-ho.
“I’m fine. Honestly, an actor collapsing during filming because they couldn’t manage their condition properly—well, that’s not professional.”
“….”
Jun-ho tried to reassure the others, but Si-woo simply stared silently at his script.
“The thing is… Writer-nim seems really angry this time. I’m worried…”
Jun-ho knew Si-woo was angry on his behalf, and while he was grateful, he was also uneasy.
He worried Si-woo might suffer because of him.
But those worries vanished the moment they entered the studio.
As if flipping a switch, Si-woo’s stiff expression immediately relaxed back into his usual calm.
Filming began.
To his relief, variety filming was much easier than the script suggested.
He simply had to respond and follow the lead of the veteran hosts.
And judging by their reactions, the PDs seemed to have been warned in advance by Kim Jin-man—whenever an actor stumbled, they laughed it off.
The drama Division and the Variety Division were separate.
Above them was the Production Headquarters.
And the chief of that division was Pyo Bong-soo.
Since Pyo Bong-soo’s right hand, Kim Jin-man himself, had personally visited to ask a favor, even irritated comments were swallowed.
Filming continued smoothly according to the script—until the topic of Choi Do-hyun finally appeared.
“It must not have been easy producing two movies back-to-back like this. Is there a reason you decided to follow one release with another?”
“Yes. It’s all because of him.”
“Him…?”
“Yes. Actor Choi Do-hyun.”
Si-woo answered with a smile, but the hosts and actors beside him swallowed hard.
“He keeps taking shots at someone in every interview. Honestly, I don’t mind criticism. Some people won’t like my work—everyone has different tastes. There’s no way to please everyone.”
“True…”
“But disrespecting an actor who gave their best? That, I can’t tolerate.”
“Ah…”
“I heard he’s shooting something now too… I’m looking forward to it.”
Si-woo waited for them to continue the topic, but the PD and hosts clearly sensed danger and avoided any further discussion of Choi Do-hyun.
Filming ended on a slightly unsatisfying note, and Si-woo immediately called Kim Jin-man.
Rrring—
The call didn’t even finish its first ring before Jin-man picked up.
—Yes! Writer-nim, this is Kim Jin-man.
“Ah… CP, filming just ended. Could we… talk about the script now?”
—I’ll head to the studio right away.
Since Kim Jin-man knew the ins and outs of the broadcasting station better than anyone, having him come fetch Kim Si-woo was inevitably faster than Si-woo navigating the building alone.
After waiting about ten minutes in the studio, Jin-man appeared.
“Writer-nim, just a moment.”
He approached the PD who had just finished shooting and whispered something in his ear before returning to Si-woo.
“What did you say to him…? The PD’s face…”
“Oh, nothing much. Just asked him to take good care of things.”
“Ah… I see.”
Of course, Si-woo fully understood that “Please take good care of things” actually meant a polite threat, but pretended not to notice.
Everyone had their own internal politics. As an outsider, interfering would only make things messier.
“Anyway, this way, please. I’ll take you to the conference room.”
“Thank you.”
Following Jin-man, Si-woo entered the Drama Division conference room.
Inside, many staff members were seated, waiting.
“Hello.”
As soon as Si-woo walked in, they all hurriedly stood and bowed deeply.
“Oh—hello…”
The excessive politeness made him uncomfortable, and he sat down next to Jin-man.
“Is the script and PPT ready?”
“Yes! Everything’s prepared.”
A rookie-looking staff member rushed over with printed scripts, and the PPT was projected on the screen.
In truth, Si-woo had already sent the script and PPT to Jin-man earlier through Lee Yoo-jin, so the meeting had been fully prepped.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
The theme of this new drama was similar to Idol, his recently completed project.
But unlike Idol, which focused on the brighter side of the entertainment world, this drama leaned heavily into its darker aspects.
The title of the drama was <Celebrity Secret Rescue Team>
The story began with a devoted fan who, devastated by the death of an idol, got drunk and, on his way home, was hit by a car—sending him back into the past.
Using knowledge of future events, he earns money, recalls key moments, and begins saving celebrities who originally died.
“It’ll save a lot on production costs.”
Since the setting involved many scenes inside broadcasting stations, production costs would be lower.
“We can secure studio spaces internally.”
“Next is the list of recommended lead actors.”
When the slide changed, a list of actors appeared.
“Their visuals and vibe match the characters pretty well.”
The male lead was a pathetic yet quirky, fourth-dimensional type of character.
He needed to exude an eccentric charm, and voice tone and speech patterns were especially crucial.
“Anyway, today we’re just sketching the big picture. You can take your time thinking after the meeting. I just wanted you to understand the overall tone I had in mind while writing.”
Everyone nodded, and the meeting continued.
After two full hours, the discussion wrapped up.
Then Si-woo spoke again.
“For two of the supporting roles… would it be possible to cast the actors I recommend?”
“Of course. Two supporting roles are no problem.”
In truth, with someone of Kim Si-woo’s status, he could push for main roles and no one would complain.
“In that case, I’d like to take a slightly lower script fee.”
“What? No, absolutely not! We must pay you the best in the industry.”
“No, instead—use that amount to increase the pay for the supporting and minor actors.”
“Ah… understood.”
Kim Jin-man wasn’t sure what Si-woo was planning, but the writer’s stance was firm—so he agreed.
“Other than those two supporting roles, I won’t interfere with casting. So please—handle this like last time.”
“Last time.”
His previous drama, Our Teacher, had revived CBS’s ratings.
Depending on interpretation, he might as well have been saying:
“Make sure it ranks #1 in its time slot again.”
But Si-woo simply meant, “Please work hard like before.”
Even though they misunderstood, no one felt pressured.
“Don’t worry.”
Working in CBS’s drama department, this was the first time they received admiration and envy from others.
And they were certain it would happen again.
The script was written by Kim Si-woo, after all.
Morale in the 2nd Drama Team skyrocketed.
“Move it! Hurry! This quarter, the #1 drama in the ratings will be ours—CBS!”
“Yes!”
At Kim Jin-man’s command, the staff quickly filed out of the conference room.
“They’re in full combat mode.”
“Of course. After Our Teacher aired, they finally had something to brag about. Being part of a major hit drama is a huge credential in this industry.”
“Hahaha…”
Only now did Kim Si-woo realize why Jin-man and the other employees seemed far more deferential than before.
So this is why people say career experience matters…
Once he proved his talent, their attitudes changed completely.
Before, he was only acknowledged in the film industry.
Now, even the drama industry recognized him as a top-tier writer.
“Um… Writer Kim Si-woo.”
“Yes?”
“If by chance another broadcasting station reaches out to you…”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of handing my scripts to another network.”
“Hahaha… Thank you.”
Jin-man, who had been quietly terrified that Si-woo might defect elsewhere, let out a sigh of relief.
“Anyway, please contact me once prep for the next meeting is ready, CP-nim.”
“Yes, Writer-nim. Please get home safely.”
Receiving Jin-man’s 90-degree bow, Si-woo left for home.
***
The Next Day
With no schedule the day after the variety show shoot, Si-woo lay on his bed and dialed someone.
“Hey, are you busy?”
—No, why?
“You’re still working as a coach, right? Ah… wait, you’re enlisting soon.”
—Did you call just to tease me?
“That’s part of it. Also—do you know anyone looking for work? Someone quick, can drive, decent personality. Preferably female.”
—Why?
“You know Soo-yeon, right?”
—Your YouTube actress?
“Yeah.”
The person he called was none other than his younger brother, Kim Seung-oh.
“I’m looking for a manager for her.”
—I’ll ask around. How much is the salary?
“About 4 million won a month. And if you find someone good, I’ll give you a little something too. So come visit home once in a while, you brat.”
—Got it. I’ll come soon.
After ending the call, Si-woo groaned and sat up sluggishly.
“I’ll leave the manager problem to my brother… and get some sleep.”
He fell asleep again, and by the time he woke up, the sun was already setting.
“It’s already afternoon… ugh. I should wash and eat.”
After a shower and a meal, his mind felt clearer—probably from the long nap.
He called Lee Yoo-jin.
“Hello?”
—Yes, Writer-nim.
“Are the actors still there?”
—One moment. I’ll check and call back.
“Okay.”
Two minutes later, Yoo-jin called back.
—They’re all here, Writer-nim.
“Good. I’m heading to the practice room now, so tell them to stay put.”
—Now? Right now?
“Yeah. I told the network I’d place two actors, so we need to get ready.”
—Understood. I’ll gather everyone in the biggest practice room.
“Alright. See you soon.”
After hanging up, Si-woo changed into comfortable clothes and headed to the Siwoo Film practice rooms.
This moment would soon become the spark that elevated Siwoo Film’s reputation to an entirely new level.