Chapter 117: Casting Is My Decision (1)
The next day, upon arriving at the Siwoo Film office, Kim Si-woo scratched his head.
It was clearly morning, but the office was already packed with people.
‘The response is better than I expected…’
He had told them to come to the office if they wanted details, but now that he had to deal with them, Kim Si-woo felt lazy.
“Everyone, please come inside.”
At his words, people from various production companies and investment firms entered.
“What would everyone like to drink?”
“I’ll have coffee.”
“Water for me…”
“Orange juice, please.”
People named their preferred drinks, and Kim Si-woo looked at Lee Yoo-jin.
She bowed her head slightly and went out, returning with the drinks.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
The atmosphere in the office was heavier than expected.
No one spoke first.
It felt a bit different from what Kim Si-woo had anticipated.
They seemed wary of revealing their offers too soon.
“Why is everyone so quiet? Didn’t you come to invest in the film?”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
Even at Kim Si-woo’s prompt, people just silently handed over the contracts they’d brought.
‘Ah…’
Only then did Kim Si-woo realize why they were quiet.
They didn’t want to show their cards.
If someone offered better terms, it would spark a bidding war, and conditions would escalate wildly.
“For reference, the production company will be decided after discussing with Director Park Woong-deok. And full casting authority is mine.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll review the conditions in the documents and contact you separately.”
The meeting ended faster than expected, and Kim Si-woo saw them off feeling relieved, but his expression soon hardened.
“Sigh…”
More people had already arrived and were waiting in the office.
“Uh… Yoo-jin, you go back to your work. Assign one of the newbies to help.”
“Yes, writer-nim.”
“Alright, come inside.”
Kim Si-woo spent most of the day meeting with investors and production company representatives.
“Whew… That’s everyone, right?”
“Yes.”
“Everyone, head home when you’re ready. I’m leaving first.”
Kim Si-woo went home earlier than usual.
That day, upon arriving home, he called Park Woong-deok, who answered immediately as if expecting the call.
“Director, are you busy?”
-You’re probably busier than me.
“Hahaha… Anyway, what do you think about this project?”
-Well, I don’t think I can do this one.
“Really?”
Kim Si-woo was greatly flustered, not having anticipated a refusal.
As if he’d expected that reaction, Park Woong-deok offered to recommend another director.
-Instead, I’ll recommend a good guy I know. He’s amazing at framing shots. He’ll nail the battle scenes, at least.
“That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Then I’ll wait.”
-Yeah, Writer Kim. I’ll contact you soon.
“Yes, director. Thank you.”
After ending the call with Park Woong-deok, Kim Si-woo went to bed.
***
For three days after the announcement of <Peerless Joseon>, Kim Si-woo dealt with people coming to discuss investment or production.
Lee Yoo-jin organized the documents they’d handed over and sent the file to Lee Hae-soo.
Blindly accepting the best conditions could lead to disaster.
Investigating the production companies, investors, and individuals who submitted documents—who they were and what companies they represented—was essential.
‘Well… honestly, asking around would be simple.’
There were plenty of people like Park Woong-deok, Pyo Bong-soo, Kim Jin-man, and Shim Ji-young who could tell him which ones were reliable.
But he couldn’t ask every time he made a film, so he decided to compile a list this time.
He had a capable information source, after all.
“Ji-yoo-ssi, how’s the investigation going?”
“Ah! Yes, writer-nim. I should finish investigating the people who visited Siwoo Film by tomorrow.”
“Send it to me and Director Lee Yoo-jin as soon as it’s done.”
“Yes, writer-nim.”
One more day, and he’d be able to make the final decisions.
Once the production company, investors, and distributor were settled, the next step would be casting.
***
A day passed, and Kim Si-woo received the research materials from Hwang Ji-yoo. He hurriedly began reviewing them.
“As expected, big corporations are the best…”
As shown in Hwang Ji-yoo’s data, the major production and investment companies at the top offered conditions befitting their names—extremely favorable.
Kim Si-woo called Lee Yoo-jin and Hwang Ji-yoo into his office for a meeting, narrowed down the list to reduce the candidates, and organized their own terms.
Full casting authority and freedom for Kim Si-woo to participate in official events—trivial conditions compared to the massive profits they’d bring.
“Then, Yoo-jin, contact them and set up meeting dates.”
“Yes, writer-nim.”
“Ji-yoo-ssi, finish the investigation you were working on before.”
“Yes!”
Time passed, and Kim Si-woo received a call from Park Woong-deok. He headed to a restaurant in Gangnam to meet the potential director for this project.
“Hello.”
“Hey! You’re here, Writer Kim.”
When Kim Si-woo arrived at the reserved spot, Park Woong-deok and the director he was introducing were already there, welcoming him.
“Introduce yourselves. This is my junior, Park Se-yong.”
“Hello. I’m Kim Si-woo.”
“Ah, hello. I’m Park Se-yong. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Park Se-yong, who looked to be in his early 40s, bowed excessively deeply to Kim Si-woo.
“No, no—the honor is mine.”
“Alright, enough with the formalities. Sit down.”
“Ah, yes…”
Soon after sitting, dishes began arriving one after another.
“Then enjoy your meal.”
Once the restaurant staff placed the food and left, the real conversation began.
“Writer Kim, do you know this guy?”
“Uh… sorry.”
At Park Woong-deok’s question, Kim Si-woo couldn’t even lift his head.
“Hahaha! It’s fine if you don’t. Every film he’s made has flopped.”
“Hey, sunbaenim.”
“What? It’s true. Puhahaha. Still, critics rave about his films. They say his direction is phenomenal. But what’s the point if he can’t write a script?”
Kim Si-woo quickly searched Park Se-yong on his phone and looked at his filmography.
“Huh?”
“What? Something wrong?”
Seeing Kim Si-woo’s surprised expression, both Park Se-yong and Park Woong-deok looked at him. Kim Si-woo spoke.
“I know Director Park Se-yong’s work. I’ve even watched several of them.”
“Oh… Impressive, Park Se-yong.”
“Haha…”
“I really enjoyed <City of Bad Guys>.”
“Really?”
“Of course, the story was a bit disappointing…”
“Ah…”
Once Kim Si-woo recognized Park Se-yong’s skill, the conversation flowed easily.
It was decided that Park Se-yong would direct Kim Si-woo’s script.
The talk went smoothly, but the situation did not.
“Cough…”
As the price for the introduction, Kim Si-woo had to drink with Park Woong-deok.
Park Se-yong had already given up; his eyes were unfocused as he drank.
It even looked like alcohol was leaking from the corner of his mouth…
‘Damn. Drinking from noon. They say daytime drinking makes you forget your parents… Sigh…’
Kim Si-woo managed to escape the gathering six hours after meeting Park Woong-deok.
With the director now decided, production preparations were progressing smoothly.
The next day, the Siwoo Film team members were shocked seeing Kim Si-woo arrive looking haggard.
“Writer-nim, what happened yesterday?”
“Nothing… Anyway, the director for this film is set. Director Park Se-yong—introduced by Director Park Woong-deok.”
“Huh? Director Park Se-yong?”
“Yeah. You know him well?”
“Of course! He’s considered top-tier in Korea for direction.”
Everyone at Siwoo Film except Kim Si-woo knew Park Se-yong, leaving Kim Si-woo embarrassed.
‘Am I… even a real filmmaker?’
While he felt awkward alone, an excited Lee Yoo-jin approached, practically snorting.
“Then I can learn from Director Park Se-yong this time, right?”
“If you want?”
“Yesss!!!”
Seeing Lee Yoo-jin shout for the first time in a while, Kim Si-woo thought it was worth drinking yesterday to get Park Se-yong introduced.
“Have you narrowed down the production company list?”
“Yes, I’ve shortlisted five for now. For investment, it’d be cleanest to get it from the distributor.”
“Meeting dates?”
“I’ve scheduled them over two days, morning and afternoon, starting tomorrow.”
“Good work.”
“Thank you.”
After a brief update from Lee Yoo-jin, Kim Si-woo entered his office and took out his smartphone.
“I should call the definite ones first.”
It was the official start of casting.
“Hello?”
-Yes! Writer-nim.
“Are you busy right now?”
-No, not at all. Not busy one bit.
The person Kim Si-woo called was Kim Ji-hyun.
The very first actor he had personally selected, now called the princess of the drama world for her string of consecutive hits.
“For this film, the role of the grand prince’s wife…”
-I’ll do it. Of course I’ll do it.
Kim Ji-hyun answered before he could even finish.
“Is your schedule okay?”
-My drama shoot wraps up next week, so I’m free. Plenty of time.
Kim Ji-hyun’s determination overflowed—she’d clear her schedule if needed.
“Got it. I’ll send the script and contract to your agency right away.”
-Yes, writer-nim. Thank you. I’ll give it my absolute best.
After ending the call with Kim Ji-hyun, Kim Si-woo continued dialing.
The jimil nain (close palace maid) to Shim Ji-young, the bodyguard to Park Jun-ho, the king to Park Seung-hwan, the queen to Lee Ok-ja—he called nonstop.
All of them accepted.
Every actor expressed their intent to join.
“Thank goodness… Everyone agreed.”
But there was one issue: it felt like the same actors were appearing in every one of Kim Si-woo’s projects.
Park Jun-ho had already been in four consecutive works, and Shim Ji-young had appeared in most of his films.
“For the next one, I should completely recast around Soo-yeon.”
He decided that after this film, he’d stop repeatedly casting the same actors.
The major roles were cast, leaving only the protagonist and smaller supporting roles.
“Promises are promises. I’ll check the kids from the winning MT team and put them in minor or supporting parts…”
With rough casting complete, Kim Si-woo stood up. The sun had already set outside the window.
“Already this late?”
Hurrying to prepare to leave, Kim Si-woo made eye contact with Lee Yoo-jin, who was still alone in the office.
“Huh? You haven’t left yet?”
“Ah… no. I was just about to.”
“Yeah? Then let’s go together. I’ll drop you off.”
“Yes! Writer-nim.”
Walking out of the office with him, Lee Yoo-jin clenched her fist inwardly.
In truth, she had been aiming to leave with Kim Si-woo.
Seeing he rarely stayed late, she had pretended to have leftover work after everyone else left, waiting for him. As predicted, Kim Si-woo spoke to her and offered to drive her home.
‘Perfect. Tonight, we’re definitely eating alone together.’
Getting into Kim Si-woo’s car, Lee Yoo-jin cautiously spoke.
“Um… writer-nim.”
“Yeah?”
“Could you buy me dinner?”
“Hungry?”
“Yes…”
“Sure, let’s do that. We can talk about the film too.”
It was the moment Lee Yoo-jin—who had been quietly biding her time—began her counterattack.
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TL Note:
This novel is now translated and finished at Chapter 176
If you’d like to continue right away, the remaining 59 chapters are available on My Patreon Premium tier, along with extra chapters from my other 5 ongoing translated novels.
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