WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Potter
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Why Do My Dramas Keep Becoming Hits!? ◈
Chapter 14: Mistaken for Someone Out of the Blue (5)
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Time passed quickly, and a great deal happened in the meantime.
First, the drama had been assigned a weekend 9 p.m. slot, prime time.
That was unusual even within tvM. A rookie writer's debut drama was usually shoved into a weekday late-night slot, or its broadcast slot was postponed. It showed just how much the network expected from <Living with an Ex-Boyfriend>.
Location scouting and set construction also proceeded without a hitch.
And now, the final hurdle of pre-production had arrived.
Once today's script reading was safely over, filming would begin in earnest.
“Whoa, how many behind-the-scenes cameras are there? Anyone would think we were shooting a blockbuster.”
“I feel pressured just being here. How do actors perform in a place this suffocating?”
The large conference room in the annex of tvM headquarters was already packed.
There was barely room to stand between the lead and supporting actors, production staff, cameras, and lighting arranged around the room.
But more suffocating than the cramped space was the grave aura coming from the actors seated around the central table.
“Did they pick today for it or something? The actors' mood is no joke.”
“Was Choi Tae-kyung always this type? He's memorizing the script so seriously.”
Top star Cha Ye-rin, who commanded hundreds of millions of won per episode.
Male lead Choi Tae-kyung, with a massive fanbase to rival hers.
Baek Kang-min, the recently rising second male lead, and more.
Prideful stars who never had to bow their heads anywhere had been gathered in one place. Their battle of nerves was bound to be intense.
The atmosphere between Cha Ye-rin and Baek Kang-min, seated across from each other at the center of the table, was especially murderous. It felt as though blood would spray if someone poked it.
Anyone in the industry could guess why.
Rumors had spread far and wide that the two had gotten into a huge fight while filming their previous drama, leading to bad blood between them.
“Sunbae, is your insomnia still bad these days? This project has a lot of emotionally demanding scenes, so it must be hard on your stamina. I was wondering what we'd do if you were sensitive again like you were on the last set.”
Baek Kang-min ended with a gentle smile, but the real meaning was clear.
Go ahead and throw another hysterical fit and ruin the mood.
However, Cha Ye-rin had held onto her place as a top star for years. She was not about to fall for such a shallow punch. Instead, she smiled brightly at Baek Kang-min as if she pitied him.
“Oh my, Kang-min. Thank you for worrying about me. But I've been in title roles for ten years, so this kind of schedule suits me. It won't affect my condition, so don't worry.”
“Ahaha. Is that so?”
“Yes. I'm more worried about you, Kang-min. I heard you've been busy filming commercials lately. Did you even have time to look at the script?”
“...”
“You've delayed filming more than once before because you were too busy to learn your lines. You can't do that this time. We shouldn't make the staff suffer, right?”
“Come on, Sunbae. Those NGs weren't entirely my fault. Anyway, I'll do my best to accommodate your condition this time, so please don't give the writer a hard time by asking for script changes in the middle like last time. It'll disrupt the writer's pace.”
To outsiders, it sounded like warm encouragement between senior and junior actors.
But the staff members who knew their history found it hard to breathe. With every line exchanged, even the sounds of breathing around them faded.
That was not all.
Amid this chaos, Choi Tae-kyung had practically shut off his ears, scratching away with his pen as he filled his script with underlines. Across from him, veteran actors sat with their arms crossed and their chins raised proudly, looking as if they were thinking, Let's see how well these kids can do.
How should one put it?
It felt like an ice age could arrive at any moment.
“I heard the writer plans to give more behind-the-scenes footage to people who perform well. That's probably why everyone's acting like that.”
At those words, the staff's eyes turned toward one spot.
The empty seat beside Director Woo Young-taek, still waiting for its owner.
The seat reserved for rookie writer Ji Yeon-woo.
“Seriously, it's fascinating. Those arrogant actors are walking on eggshells around one rookie writer.”
“Exactly. I've never seen Cha Ye-rin sit so quietly and just study a script.”
“The actors are one thing, but even Director Woo is completely taken with him. It's like he's been hypnotized.”
Click.
The conference-room door opened, and Director Woo Young-taek entered beside Writer Ji Yeon-woo.
The heavy atmosphere in the room changed as if by magic.
The top stars who had looked ready to tear one another apart softened their gazes and straightened in their seats. Their eyes now clearly showed that they were watching themselves, trying not to offend the rookie writer.
“Ha ha. Sorry for keeping you waiting. I'm Woo Young-taek, the director. And this is our Writer Ji Yeon-woo.”
“I'm Ji Yeon-woo. I look forward to working with everyone today.”
Ji Yeon-woo's expression as he gave the simple greeting was unusually dark.
The reason was obvious.
The dazzling lineup of actors seated before him.
Fuck. This really is a hidden-camera prank, right? Why is everything working out like this?
He had openly scattered salt to drive them away, yet they had come running back and were even picking up the salt off the floor to eat it.
Ji Yeon-woo was still dumbfounded by this absurd turn of events.
Gulp.
Of course, the actors had no way of knowing the unfair inner thoughts behind that expression. Their tension reached its peak.
Determined not to fall out of the writer's favor by making even one mistake, they gripped their scripts again.
“Then we'll begin the reading right away. We'll start with Episode 1, Scene 1.”
In suffocating silence, the script reading began in earnest.
#
The air inside the conference room was overwhelming for an entirely different reason now.
Huh. They're all trying their hardest not to be outdone.
Not only the leads, but every supporting actor was pouring their heart and soul into their performances.
The faintest breaths, the rhythm of their exchanges, the rises and falls of their emotions.
It was a stunning ensemble that immediately proved why they were proven top stars.
“Haah, this has been going on for more than a day or two. Why are you like this? Let us have a nice date today, okay?”
“See? You're sighing again! You're always the only one who feels wronged, the only victim! You never think about how I've been watching your mood and accommodating you!”
It was the kind of argument between lovers one could commonly see anywhere, whether on the street, in a cafe, or elsewhere.
Yet because it was such a familiar, lived-in scene, it drew the audience in deeply.
Even Woo Young-taek, a veteran with abundant experience on set, was stunned by the sight before him.
This is... better than I expected.
Actors usually did not give their all during script readings.
It was only practice, so why exhaust themselves?
The unspoken custom was for everyone to keep their energy in check and simply trade lines. There were plenty of actors whose lack of effort made it hard to tell whether they were acting or reading from a textbook.
But not a single actor here was taking it easy.
“That's what I think. A-young, you seemed much happier when you and your boyfriend were flirting than after you started dating.”
“That's exactly what I'm saying! The guy changed! Before we got together, he acted like he would give me everything. But do you know what he's like these days? When I said I was sick, he got annoyed and said, ‘That's because you should've dressed warmer.’”
“Tsk, tsk. Once they've caught the fish, they stop caring. They all change once you start dating.”
Some actors added their own ad-libs to enrich the written text. Others looked directly into their scene partners' eyes as their emotions exploded.
Every one of them had completely immersed themselves in the scenes, giving one hundred and twenty percent.
“...Hey, Young-taek.”
Huh Jin-man, the cinematographer seated beside Woo Young-taek, lightly poked him in the side.
“They're possessed. We could shoot this with our feet and it'd still look good.”
“You think so too?”
After blankly watching the reading for a while, Huh Jin-man added with a short, hollow laugh.
“This won't do. I think we need to change the direction of the behind-the-scenes footage.”
“The direction? How?”
“You've got eyes. You can tell, can't you?”
The selling point of the behind-the-scenes footage they had planned was the glamorous casting.
They had intended to promote the drama with the familiar faces and recognition of its top stars.
But look at what was happening before them.
The first weapon they needed to sell for this drama was not their names, but their chilling acting ability.
“The more I watch, the stranger it feels. These guys aren't normally this intense at readings.”
“Heh heh. It's because they've finally met their match.”
Woo Young-taek smiled faintly as he glanced at Ji Yeon-woo.
Then.
“...?”
Ji Yeon-woo's expression did not look good.
A deep furrow had formed between his brows, and the fingers supporting his chin were pressing firmly against his lips.
Anyone could see that he was either deeply displeased or struggling with a serious problem.
It was proof that he was not satisfied with the actors' passionate performances at all.
Huh... This still isn't enough for him? Just how high are his standards?
Then again, he had watched countless masterpieces come to life at Writer Seo Eun-hye's side. Perhaps it was only natural that ordinary acting could not satisfy him.
Heh. I need to stay on my toes too.
If the writer's standards were that demanding, he would surely judge the directing with the same severity.
Woo Young-taek tensed inwardly and renewed his determination as a director.
However, Ji Yeon-woo's true thoughts were speeding down the exact opposite lane from Woo Young-taek's misunderstanding.
For fuck's sake, don't be so good, people.
He could hear it.
The barrage of angry viewers who had watched the drama flop.
The criticism from fans saying their beloved stars had been wasted on such a script.
Even the headlines that would fill the entertainment pages the day after the finale were already flashing before his eyes.
[Star Director and Acclaimed Actors Gathered... So Why Did It Fail? A Rookie Writer's Painful Limitations]
[Not Even Godlike Acting Could Save the ‘Brain-Dead Script,’ a Debut Writer's Arrogant Self-Destruction]
[Actors Worth Hundreds of Millions per Episode Assembled... Writer Repays Them With an ‘Elementary School-Level’ Story?]
Ha, this is driving me insane. How am I supposed to walk around outside later?
No, seriously, I told them to leave on their own. Why weren't they leaving? Why were they putting on this ridiculous acting showcase here instead?
Ji Yeon-woo could only resent the actors for being needlessly good at acting.
Why isn't anything going my way...?
Even as he cried tears of blood inside, the actors' impassioned performances continued.
Before long, the lengthy script reading for Episodes 1 through 4 came to an end.
“Whew! Great work, everyone!”
“Everyone worked so hard!”
The moment the final line ended, applause erupted throughout the conference room as though everyone had finally released the breath they had been holding.
The actors finally relaxed their tense shoulders and exchanged brief greetings. The staff, their faces flushed with excitement, also shared their admiration.
“Wow... I got chills in the middle. It felt like they were actually possessed.”
“Don't you think this is going to be more than just a hit? Are we about to set a ratings record?”
“I can't wait for the Episode 5 script. How am I supposed to wait until filming?”
The mood on set quickly became heated.
Everyone was still immersed in the strange afterglow of the reading. Then Ji Yeon-woo, who had remained silent with a serious expression throughout, slowly pulled the microphone toward himself.
“I enjoyed your acting today.”
His calm, cool voice flowed through the speakers.
At that one sentence, the excited atmosphere in the room sank as if someone had thrown cold water over it.
Still frowning, Ji Yeon-woo slowly swept his calm but weighty gaze across the tense actors.
“To be honest, the reading was better than I expected. The chemistry and emotional lines you showed just now were... remarkable enough to be wasted on a rookie writer's lacking script.”
“Ahem. Ahem...”
“On the other hand, I even feel that it is more than I deserve for all of you to pour this much energy into my debut work.”
It was high praise.
And it was approval from the exacting writer they had least expected to praise them.
The actors could not fully control their expressions as the corners of their mouths slowly rose.
But Ji Yeon-woo's next words made them doubt their ears.
“So before we begin principal photography, I would like to ask one more time.”
Ji Yeon-woo took a brief breath and leaned close to the microphone.
“After today's reading, if anyone has decided that this production does not suit their worth or artistic direction, you may state your intention to withdraw now.”
“...!!”
The warmly charged air froze solid in an instant.
“I will take full responsibility and settle matters smoothly with the production company, so there will be no penalties or media fallout. I do not want to force outstanding people like you to stay tied to this project without certainty.”
A suffocating silence fell, so complete that no one could breathe loudly.
The actors looked at one another in shock. As Ji Yeon-woo's gaze slowly reached them, several even trembled from the tension.
Not missing that moment, Ji Yeon-woo spoke.
“Yes, Cha Ye-rin.”
“...!? M-me?”
Cha Ye-rin's shoulders stiffened at the sudden call.
The actors beside her also looked flustered.
“Yes. You seem to have something to say, so please speak freely.”
“Ah, no?! I-I don't!”
“Then why were you about to raise your hand?”
“Ah, I... I wasn't trying to raise my hand. I just...”
She had merely been trembling from nervousness. How could he misunderstand that so badly?
Unable to tell him the truth, Cha Ye-rin denied it in silence.
“It is truly fine. You may speak without pressure, even now. Kang-min, if you have anything you are dissatisfied with, please feel free to raise it as well.”
“N-no, I don't!”
“Is that so? Hmm, I heard that Kang-min seriously hesitated about appearing in this drama because of discord with a certain actor. You can speak honestly now if you wish.”
“I-I really am fine! I am extremely satisfied! I will devote myself body and soul to this production!”
...What is this, the military?
Baek Kang-min's thunderous answer, delivered with perfect posture, left Ji Yeon-woo even more flustered.
Nevertheless, he persistently continued asking the actors for their intentions.
“No one? If you tell me comfortably right now, I can discuss it with the director and...”
#
After the hellish script reading ended, they moved to the set for a good-luck rite marking the start of principal photography.
A smiling pig's head sat atop the grand ritual table prepared in the center of the set.
Normally, it would have been a dependable symbol meant to bring good fortune. But to me, that pig bastard only looked like it was mocking me.
Oink, oink. You're fucked now.
Maybe it was my imagination, but I could even hear it.
Still, that pig kind of looks like Ji Seo-yoon.
That made it even more annoying for some reason.
“First, Director Woo Young-taek will make his bow!”
At the staff member's cue, the people involved hurriedly began the ritual.
Some carefully stuffed bundles of 50,000-won bills into the pig's nostrils and mouth, while others prostrated themselves in solemn bows.
Hm. From a distance, it looked exactly like a cult revival meeting.
“Writer, aren't you going to bow?”
“Well... I don't really see the need.”
My family was nonreligious to the bone.
Far from believing in this sort of fortune-seeking faith, I had never even taken an interest in it.
Perhaps Director Woo Young-taek had read my inner thoughts from my displeased expression. He gave a good-natured smile and spoke casually.
“Ha ha. I was the same when I first debuted. I thought it was just superstition, so I would only put an envelope on the table and move on. But after having to scrap several drama productions, I found that I needed to do even this much for some peace of mind.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. A set is full of variables, you know. Don't feel too uncomfortable about it, Writer. Think of it as managing your mental state and give it a try.”
“Hmm...”
While I was having that brief conversation with Director Woo, the ritual was in full swing.
Network staff came in groups to bow and leave, only to be replaced by the production crew.
Then came the actors and staff from every department.
I'm the only one not doing it.
Everyone looked quite earnest as they pressed their hands together and prayed for the drama's success.
One person whispered, “Please let the premiere ratings exceed ten percent.”
Another bowed their head and said, “Please let us finish filming safely without any accidents.”
And someone else muttered, “Please let this become a huge hit so I can sweep all the commercials this year.”
Of course, the last person was Cha Ye-rin.
That woman already had plenty of commercials, yet she was greedy too.
Anyway, seeing how sincere everyone was about the ritual began to make one corner of my heart uncomfortable too.
In the end, I reluctantly stepped toward the ritual table.
“Oh. Have you changed your mind?”
“Yes. I'll skip the bow and just stand in silent prayer for a moment. I have a wish to make while I'm at it.”
“Ah, good. Put your offering in that envelope and place it on the table.”
I put the bills into an envelope and quietly set it beside the pig's head.
Then I closed my eyes and pressed my hands together.
“...”
I did not pray for the drama to become a hit like everyone else.
I had a conscience. Hoping for success with a script I had written would be a miracle beyond mere luck.
So there was only one humble wish I wanted.
Please let one huge accident happen. Let the project be scrapped before we can even begin the first shoot. Please, please, please.
Since it was going to fail anyway, my only way to survive was for it to meet an honorable death before it could even begin.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A few days later, on the long-awaited first day of filming.
Before they could even start shooting, the set had become complete chaos.
“You bastards! What are you going to do about this? Find a solution somehow!”
Director Woo Young-taek was raging, his face bright red.
In front of him, staff members stood with their heads bowed like criminals, utterly devastated.
Anyone could see that a major disaster had occurred.
I quietly approached them and listened in.
“This is insane! We can't film like this! At this rate, we'll have to pack up and go home!”
...Huh?
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