Chapter 145: Export and Re-import (1)
While Lee Yoo-jin was preparing for the next project, several emails arrived in Kim Si-woo’s inbox.
They were proposals to remake or adapt his existing works in other countries, including a re-import offer from Korea for <The Way a Genius Loves>, the film he had secretly released in Japan.
“This is actually happening?”
Kim Si-woo made a troubled face, never expecting a work he released in Japan to come back to Korea as a remake.
“Sigh… no helping it…”
After replying to each email, he finally sent a final acceptance to Only One Film in Japan.
Not long after, replies poured in from every company he had responded to.
Most said they would discuss the details in person, while Only One Film informed him they would send a representative directly to Korea.
“No way…”
A sudden chill ran down Kim Si-woo’s spine.
And that feeling turned out to be completely accurate.
A few days later, among the representatives sent by Only One Film was none other than Arimura Noa.
“Ahaha… Hello, Writer-nim.”
“Ah… yes. Hello.”
Ever since the day Arimura Noa confessed, things between them had become extremely awkward.
Unaware of the situation, a staff member from Only One Film cheerfully extended a hand to Kim Si-woo.
“Writer-nim. Meeting in Korea feels strangely fresh.”
“Yeah… it does. Have you been well?”
“Well… the movie became one of the highest-grossing films in Japanese history, so we all got pretty big bonuses. We’ve been doing great. It’s all thanks to you, Writer-nim.”
“You’re too kind.”
As they were about to begin discussing the details of the remake of <The Way a Genius Loves>, Arimura Noa suddenly asked,
“By the way… why isn’t Attorney Lee Hae-soo here?”
“Ah…”
At Arimura Noa’s question, Kim Si-woo’s expression darkened sharply.
In that instant, Arimura Noa realized her mistake—and also saw an opportunity.
“I’m so sorry. That was thoughtless of me. Let’s focus on the remake discussion first.”
“Yes.”
With a new lawyer present, Kim Si-woo discussed the specifics with the Only One Film team.
A short while later, the Head of Production and the Drama Department Head from CBS—the only broadcasting station Kim Si-woo had permitted—walked in side by side.
“Hello. I’m Pyo Bong-soo, Head of Production at CBS.”
“And I’m Kim Jin-man, Head of the Drama Department at CBS.”
Seeing the familiar faces, Kim Si-woo smiled. Their expressions were equally bright.
Pyo Bong-soo and Kim Jin-man had no idea the remake proposal was for one of Kim Si-woo’s own films.
Not until they confirmed the meeting place was Siwoo Film’s office.
“Wait—Writer Kim, when did you break into Japan?”
“Well… it just kind of happened…”
“Wow, Koreans are going to lose their minds when they find out.”
“They’ll know eventually…”
Kim Si-woo still had no intention of announcing it publicly yet.
“Anyway, here are our contract terms.”
“Ah… yes.”
Even though CBS had a good relationship with Kim Si-woo, they were currently teaming up with Only One Film.
Just being given the rights to air the remake was already a huge benefit for them.
After reviewing the conditions, Pyo Bong-soo and Kim Jin-man exchanged glances and nodded.
“Let’s sign.”
“Understood.”
With the lawyer’s assistance, the contract was prepared and stamped by both parties.
“Ah, and please promote this film well.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve already secured spots on all the highest-rated variety shows.”
“Thank you.”
After also asking for promotion support for <Peerless Joseon>, Kim Si-woo suggested they all go for lunch together. The two from CBS agreed.
“Then let’s head to a place I know that serves great set meals.”
“Sounds good.”
“Only One Film team, you’re welcome to join too.”
“Is that really okay?”
“Of course. While you’re in Korea, you’re my guests.”
Kim Si-woo still remembered how kindly the Japanese team had treated him during his time there. Now, he felt it was his turn to return the favor.
They arrived at a modest Korean set-meal restaurant and ate while continuing to discuss the project.
“Then, for the script, we’ll have one of our writers at Siwoo Film handle it.”
“Yes, that works.”
“But… would it be okay to change the ending?”
“Hm?”
“I was thinking… instead of the female lead ending up with the male lead, maybe they part ways this time.”
“You think that would perform better in Korea, Writer-nim?”
“Yeah… I feel like it might.”
“Then feel free to do whatever you think is best.”
“Thank you.”
After receiving permission to change the ending, they finished their meal.
Pyo Bong-soo and Kim Jin-man returned to CBS, while the Only One Film team headed back to their hotel.
Except for Arimura Noa.
“Noa-ssi, aren’t you going back to the hotel?”
“No… Could you show me around Korea a little?”
“Huh?”
Arimura Noa stared straight at Kim Si-woo with resolute eyes, clearly having made up her mind.
“You already know why I came all the way here, Writer-nim.”
“Ah… Then… how about coming to my place for a drink?”
“Yes.”
In the end, Kim Si-woo took Arimura Noa home with him.
When they arrived, Danbi the cat was waiting at the door to greet them.
“Nya~.”
“Writer-nim, you have a cat?”
“Yeah… it just kind of happened.”
“Come here. What’s your name?”
Arimura Noa crouched down and called to Danbi, but the cat ignored her completely, walking straight over to Kim Si-woo and rubbing against his legs.
“You’ve been good?”
“Nya!”
Kim Si-woo petted Danbi a few times, then washed his hands and took out some liquor from the cabinet.
“Why isn’t the cat coming to me?”
“He’s… not really friendly with anyone except me.”
“Ehh?”
Hearing that, Arimura Noa’s competitive spirit ignited.
“Can I borrow some treats? What’s the cat’s name?”
“Danbi.”
“Danbi… I’m going to win you over before I go back to Japan.”
The words somehow felt directed not just at the cat, but at Kim Si-woo as well.
Arimura Noa spent the entire time until evening trying to tempt Danbi with treats, but the cat refused to even glance at her.
He simply climbed to the top of the cat tower and groomed himself.
By the time they sat down to drink, Arimura Noa looked dejected as she slumped at the table.
“How is it possible for a cat to ignore Churu?”
“Uh… he eats it a lot normally, so maybe he’s just full?”
“Still… I’ve never seen a cat like this in Japan…”
Having encountered a cat completely unlike any she’d known, Arimura Noa was visibly frustrated.
“The cat and the owner are both…”
“Hm?”
“Nothing. I just said the cat takes after its owner a lot.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not what you meant…”
“Just pour me a drink already.”
“Ah… okay.”
Kim Si-woo opened the bottle and poured liquor into Arimura Noa’s glass.
“So… why did you break up with Attorney Lee Hae-soo?”
After downing a shot, Arimura Noa finally asked the question that had been on her mind since earlier.
But to Kim Si-woo, it was a question he was already tired of hearing.
“This is like… the fifth time someone’s asked me the exact same thing… She just said she felt like she was becoming a burden and wanted to break up.”
“Besides me, who else asked?”
“Well… yeah.”
“Women?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
Hearing directly that there were other women around Kim Si-woo who felt the same way she did, Arimura Noa let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh… There really isn’t a moment to breathe, is there?”
Kim Si-woo had no response to her words, and as the atmosphere grew awkward, she quickly changed the subject.
“By the way… is it really okay for Only One Film to handle all the remakes?”
“Yeah. Well… you guys are the only production company I actually know. And at least I’m sure you won’t treat the projects carelessly after working together before.”
“Thank you. For trusting us.”
Kim Si-woo had granted Only One Film the remake rights to all of his works.
Of course, for other countries, he would still need to carefully vet the production companies, but for Japan specifically, he handed over remake rights to every single project to Only One Film.
“And… actually, I’m planning to stay in Korea for a while longer.”
“Huh?”
Kim Si-woo, who had thought she would return home after this business concluded, was caught off guard.
“Why? I want to play around in Korea for a while and do some work too.”
“Work, you say…”
“I run a fashion brand, remember? I figured now’s a good time to expand into Korea.”
“…”
When Kim Si-woo fell silent at Arimura Noa’s words, she narrowed her eyes at him with a pout.
“Do you hate having me around that much?”
“Huh? No, it’s not like that…”
Kim Si-woo panicked and waved his hands as Arimura Noa suddenly leaned in close.
“When I was in Japan, I showed you around as part of the deal. Now it’s your turn to do the same for me in Korea.”
“That was… in exchange for releasing the project…”
“Ah, come on! That’s so petty for a guy… I even confessed to you!”
At Arimura Noa’s words, Kim Si-woo quickly changed the subject.
“Sigh… Anyway, let’s decide where to go tomorrow first. Oh—and I have to prepare for my next project too, so I won’t be able to guide you for too long.”
“That’s fine. I’m only planning to play a little before getting back to work.”
While drinking, the two began picking out places to visit the next day.
***
The next morning.
Kim Si-woo busily finished getting ready.
He had only ever enjoyed Korea as a resident—he had never guided anyone around before.
“I haven’t even explored Seoul that much myself…”
Kim Si-woo had always lived in Gyeonggi-do, near but not in Seoul proper.
“Let’s go!”
Arimura Noa came down from the second floor, fully dressed up and looking almost proud of her appearance.
“Are you going to a photoshoot or something?”
“In Korea, hardly anyone will recognize me… and in Japan, it’s hard to dress up like this and walk around freely.”
Her answer carried the subtle hardships of being a top Japanese star.
“Anyway, let’s get going.”
Kim Si-woo drove Arimura Noa across the Han River and headed toward Gangnam.
Their first stop was Garosu-gil in Gangnam.
“There aren’t many people since it’s still morning.”
“That’s part of the romance of being an actor, isn’t it?”
While office workers were busy at their jobs, actors with no schedules could leisurely stroll the streets.
“Oh, shall we start with this shop?”
Spotting something she liked while walking, Arimura Noa pulled him into a store.
“Shopping, huh…”
“Writer-nim! Hurry up and come in.”
“Yes…”
Kim Si-woo followed behind her, eventually ending up carrying her shopping bags.
“Isn’t this overconsumption?”
“Overconsumption is when you spend a lot while short on money. I have plenty, so it’s fine.”
Knowing about Arimura Noa’s family background, Kim Si-woo couldn’t argue further, but he still looked subtly uncomfortable.
Noticing his expression, Arimura Noa stopped shopping, left the store, and apologized.
“Haha… I guess I got a little too excited. Sorry.”
“Let’s go get lunch. It’s already past 1 p.m.”
“Okay! Lunch is on me.”
At a quiet nearby restaurant, Kim Si-woo and Arimura Noa each ordered the pasta they wanted.
“Is pasta okay? We could get something more expensive.”
“I’m in the mood for pasta today. Oh—and let’s order pizza too.”
“Sure!”
In the end, they finished one pasta dish and a whole pizza. To help with digestion, the two began walking along the Han River Park.
“So this is the Han River…”
“Noa-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“Have you really never been to Korea before?”
“I have, but… I’ve never wandered around outside like this.”
Kim Si-woo had a slight suspicion in the back of his mind, but since he himself had received plenty of help in Japan, he decided to let it go.
“Oh? They’re taking photos over there. Let’s take some too!”
Seeing couples taking pictures, Arimura Noa grabbed Kim Si-woo’s hand and ran toward them.
“Wait—slow down…”
Despite her first impression, Arimura Noa often showed a surprisingly innocent and playful side.
Of course, this was a side only Kim Si-woo—and very close people—ever got to see.
And from somewhere nearby, the faint sound of a camera shutter began to click.
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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 chapters are available on My Patreon Premium tier and Plus Tier, but if you want to read my other 5 translated novels, join the Premium Tier
Link: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Vritratls
For this novel specifically, check the collection under “Genius Writer”
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