WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Potter
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◈ Why Do My Dramas Keep Becoming Hits!? ◈
Chapter 42: Fake Madness, Real Madness (3)
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This noir drama, which had to go head-to-head with the two writers currently hailed as the best in the business, had finally entered full-scale pre-production.
There was a mountain of tasks to handle: assembling the production crew and staff, scouting locations that fit the tight budget, designing the sets, and creating storyboard panels that could get past Korea Communications Commission review. None of it was unimportant.
But above all else, the most urgent and critical priority was casting.
To find actors who could put flesh and blood on the skeleton of the story and drag the drama forward by the collar, Studio Miracle's major conference room was packed with top production staff, all putting their heads together.
"Wouldn't Huh Sang-ho be better for Cheon Mubeom? He matches the role well, and his buzz is at its peak lately."
"His comedy image got overused in his last project, so it'd be hard to immerse ourselves. That actor would be better. He has that naturally chilling atmosphere, and his vocal tone is perfect for noir."
"Baek Seong-jun? He's good in every other way, but he's too short. Honestly, it kind of ruins the illusion whenever he stands next to the other actors."
A massive whiteboard against one wall was covered in dozens of actor profile photos.
The casting board meeting was in full swing, and the key staff, including the casting director and planning producer, were huddled around the table in a heated discussion.
At the end of that fiercely contested table sat Pyo Won-ho.
As always, he was half-reclining crookedly in his chair, doing nothing but twirling a pen.
"Director. Please focus. How can the main director be this checked out during casting, of all things?"
The casting director finally snapped at him, but Pyo Won-ho merely held back a wide yawn and replied casually.
"Haah. Do I really need to chime in too? Our capable casting director will handle it all just fine."
"...Then why are you sitting there?"
"You think I want to be? The department head told me to attend meetings before he tears me apart."
The casting director secretly swallowed a deep sigh and cautiously glanced across the table.
Ji Yeon-woo was sitting quietly there.
The main director was showing that kind of attitude even during the most important casting decisions.
Ji Yeon-woo might have only just finished his debut work, but writers held the highest authority in the drama industry. It would have been understandable if he were thoroughly annoyed.
And yet...
"...."
Ji Yeon-woo's face was utterly calm.
There was not the slightest sign of displeasure. He simply studied the actor profiles covering the whiteboard with remarkably tranquil eyes.
The production staff, who had been anxiously watching him, all breathed sighs of relief at his merciful, gentle demeanor.
'Thank God. Seriously, thank fucking God.'
'If the writer had a temper too, this meeting would've fallen apart today....'
'Why couldn't our director be even half as pleasant as that writer....'
The writer maintained his composure despite Pyo Won-ho's outrageous behavior, displaying deep consideration and broad-minded tolerance.
The staff gave Ji Yeon-woo fervent internal applause of gratitude and respect, then threw themselves back into the meeting.
After some more time passed, the candidates for the four most essential lead roles had mostly taken shape, with only one exception.
The casting director, who had been pointing at the whiteboard, picked up a file.
"Let's narrow down the candidates for the supporting leads and major supporting roles next. This is for the female detective, Kim Su-jin. I heard actor Jang Yu-jin from C&M is interested in the role."
"Sounds good. Jang Yu-jin has been gaining popularity in Japan and China too. She'd help us get a better price from OTT platforms."
"What do you think, Director? ...Yes, I see you're fine with it."
In response to the question, Pyo Won-ho waved a hand as though telling them to handle it themselves.
The casting director then turned to Ji Yeon-woo.
"Writer? What do you think?"
What was he looking at?
Ji Yeon-woo was holding one actor's profile, merely blinking blankly at it.
Only when the casting director called to him again did he turn and meet their eyes.
"Ah, yes. Did you call me?"
"Yes. What do you think of Jang Yu-jin? She's good, right?"
Jang Yu-jin was a top-tier A-list actor whose price tag had soared through the roof.
She would have been perfectly suited to a main role in most dramas, yet she had voluntarily expressed interest in this role. Who would turn her down?
The question had only been asked as a courtesy.
But then...
"I'm not sure. I don't think she's right for it."
"What? Not right? Wh-Why not?"
The writer who had done nothing but say yes until now had said no for the first time.
Then who was on that profile, someone who could make him forget all about Jang Yu-jin?
"Could it be that there's another actor you want...?"
Even at the casting director's flustered question, Ji Yeon-woo did not answer rashly. He only let out a low, thoughtful hum.
He was still staring intently at the profile in his hand.
Pyo Won-ho stopped twirling his pen and muttered to himself.
'Who the hell is it that he's taking so long over?'
Just as he leaned forward to check the profile in Ji Yeon-woo's hand...
"This actor would be good."
Ji Yeon-woo tossed the profile into the middle of the table.
Everyone's attention naturally focused on it.
And at the same time...
"...!!?"
"W-What?!"
"Y-You're joking, right?! Out of all the actors available, why her...?!"
Fierce opposition erupted from all directions.
Even Pyo Won-ho, who had been pretending not to care, sat up in curiosity.
"What is it? Who is it?"
Pyo Won-ho picked up the profile.
The moment he saw the photo and name, the facial muscles that were always loosely smiling stiffened.
"...Ha ha. Our writer has fixated on a very strange actor."
Pyo Won-ho pushed the profile away with an exaggerated flourish.
"Or was that a joke to lighten the mood because the meeting was getting too stifling? If so, I'm disappointed. You don't have much of a sense of humor for someone who doesn't look the type."
"No. I'm serious."
"...Really? Come on, this isn't it. You're practically saying you want to flip the entire table."
"I want to cast this actor as our first choice."
Ji Yeon-woo's unyielding attitude made Pyo Won-ho grimace and scratch his head roughly.
Had this person slept wrong or something?
The writer had quietly gone along with everything until now. Why was he suddenly being so stubborn?
"Listen, Writer. Are we filming some cartoon for children? We're making a flagship production that costs tens of billions of won. Do you really think that'll work?"
"Why wouldn't it? Casting priority belongs to me anyway."
A hollow laugh escaped Pyo Won-ho's mouth.
So that was it, right? He was throwing a tantrum to get revenge because he disliked Pyo Won-ho's attitude?
There was no other way to interpret this.
'That writer has more of a temper than I thought.'
He had thought their hierarchy had already been settled, so the betrayal stung even more.
"Whew, come on. That priority only applies to the four lead roles. Isn't it a little greedy to insist on handling every second- and third-tier supporting role by yourself?"
"Is that so? Then I'll just put this actor in a lead role."
"What?"
As Pyo Won-ho asked stupidly, Ji Yeon-woo pointed toward the whiteboard.
There was one remaining blank space, the only role for which they had not even assembled a pool of candidates.
It was the role of a lead actor who would be the most vital scene-stealer in this bloody noir drama, dragging the tension forward by the collar.
"My casting priority for lead roles. I'll use it to put this actor in that empty role."
At those insane words, the staff were too shocked to even rise from their seats.
Before they could, a curse burst from Pyo Won-ho's mouth.
"N-No, fuck!! Are you out of your goddamn mind...?!"
At the harsh shout, everyone around them widened their eyes.
Pyo Won-ho came to his senses a moment later, cleared his throat as though nothing had happened, and sat back down.
"Cough. Writer, if you have a complaint about me, just say it. Don't throw a tantrum like this."
"...? A tantrum? I've been telling you I mean it."
"...Fine. Let's say we cast that actor, just as you say. Then what? We'd be carrying a bomb from the very first episode. Do you think the ratings will do well? If the drama flops completely, will you take full responsibility? Huh?"
By then, Pyo Won-ho's face clearly showed both exhaustion and disbelief.
Ji Yeon-woo, however, tilted his head as though he genuinely did not understand.
"I don't understand. Why do you care about ratings, Director?"
"What? What kind of nonsense is that..."
"Isn't that right? You said you wanted to make art without caring about ratings, so why do you care now?"
"...?!!"
Silence fell.
His own bullshit philosophy from their first meeting had been thrown right back at him.
"And I feel the same way as you do, Director."
"...."
"Regardless of ratings, I want to create my own art and make a well-made production. Ha ha."
Pyo Won-ho truly was what people called an art-sick director, someone who put art before money.
But he was still someone with a bit of capitalism in him, someone who ranked art first and money second.
But that writer?
'Is he seriously saying that shit...?'
It was real.
Those were not the eyes of someone posturing or trying to win a battle of wills.
That writer was a lunatic who would fill every blank in first, second, and third place with one word: art.
Whether the drama became a huge hit or a total failure, regardless of what ratings it got.
'I've never seen such a fucking lunatic!'
The instant Pyo Won-ho met Ji Yeon-woo's clear eyes, his mind began to turn blank.
#
There had once been an absolute role model whom every actress admired and looked up to.
She was more than merely popular. She had been a massive phenomenon and an icon of the era.
Woo Yeon-hee.
She had debuted as a child actor at the tender age of six and dominated the entertainment industry for a full twenty years.
Her career had been nothing short of brilliant.
Her invincible hit filmography had made even broadcasting station directors grovel before her, and every year-end awards trophy had found its way into her display case.
Number one in brand reputation by an overwhelming margin. At the height of Woo Yeon-hee's popularity, every television channel seemed to air one of her commercials.
Cosmetics, fried chicken, apartments, soju, telecom companies. It would not have been an exaggeration to call South Korea the age of Woo Yeon-hee.
But it took only a moment for that lofty, radiant actress to plunge into the gutter.
Drugs.
It began at the birthday party of an acquaintance she had been close to.
It was only a special drink that would make her feel good, they had said. Just try it once.
Without any suspicion, she accepted and drank the glass. Tragically, the clear liquid had been mixed with bad drugs.
The pleasure had begun against her will, but the result was terrible.
Once her brain had tasted drugs, she fell uncontrollably into the swamp of addiction. Eventually, Woo Yeon-hee lost her reason and began fearlessly taking all kinds of stronger, more stimulating drugs herself.
The ending was obvious.
One morning, her name was splashed across a 9 a.m. breaking-news broadcast: a top entertainment star suspected of habitual drug use.
The rumors that had circulated only as gossip became public fact alongside the police investigation. The massive sandcastle she had painstakingly built for twenty years collapsed without a trace in a single day.
The public's icy rejection and uncontrollable rage, lawsuits demanding billions of won in penalty payments, and the scarlet letter of drug addict that would follow her for life.
The icon who had once defined an era was completely buried by the broadcasting industry.
In other words, the name Woo Yeon-hee was the quickest and surest card of destruction. Cast her in a main role in any production, and it could bring fierce public boycotts, a barrage of protests, and the complete collapse of the drama.
Meanwhile, outside a firmly closed door, Han Young-soo, a team leader at Hi-Up Entertainment and Woo Yeon-hee's dedicated manager, carefully knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Yeon-hee. It's me."
Han Young-soo had watched Woo Yeon-hee's rise and fall from closer than anyone for nearly ten years.
There had not been the slightest sign of life from inside the room for days, as though it were empty.
Afraid of further grating on the nerves of the person inside, Han Young-soo lowered his voice as much as possible and spoke soothingly.
"I brought porridge. I heard you haven't had a proper meal for three days. You need to put something in your stomach to get your strength back. At least let me see your face, okay? Open the door."
Heavy silence followed for a moment.
Then...
"Get lost!! Please just leave me alone!!"
Bang!
Something hard struck the door with a dull crash, followed by a shriek-like shout from inside.
But the voice, filled with rage, was badly cracked and trembling.
That voice weighed heavily on Han Young-soo's heart.
Han Young-soo could not bring himself to force her to open the door any longer. He carefully hung the plastic bag on the doorknob and stepped back.
"It's abalone porridge. You like it. I'll leave it at the door, so make sure you eat it when you're hungry."
Leaving the unresponsive door behind, Han Young-soo rubbed his face and worried.
'What are we supposed to do now?'
Even after a long period of reflection, the world's gaze remained cold.
Sensational drug-related articles about Woo Yeon-hee still appeared every now and then in the social and entertainment news. YouTube scavengers obsessed with views gleefully spread malicious, unverified rumors every day, claiming they were digging up the truth again.
Of course, even in that hopeless situation, Hi-Up Entertainment had run itself ragged trying to restore Woo Yeon-hee's image.
They sent her profile to countless drama and film production companies and humbly expressed her willingness to appear in their projects so she could return to work. Naturally, not a single place accepted her.
She had effectively been erased from the entertainment industry, little more than someone awaiting a predetermined retirement.
Han Young-soo could only sigh heavily in pity for the actor he was responsible for, who had fallen so far.
Bzzzt, bzzzt.
Then a loud vibration sounded from his pocket.
[Studio Miracle, Casting Director Jin A-young.]
It was one of the places where Han Young-soo had submitted Woo Yeon-hee's profile not long ago, grasping at straws.
Assuming it would be a rejection, Han Young-soo answered the phone without much expectation.
"Hello, Casting Director. This is Han Young-soo from Hi-Up."
"Ah, Team Leader Han. This is about actress Woo Yeon-hee's profile you sent us."
At the voice from the other end, Han Young-soo closed his eyes in resignation.
This was the moment when the familiar words were supposed to come next: Sorry, but this casting will be difficult...
"Our writer would really like to meet with actress Woo Yeon-hee."
"...What? Wh-What did you say? Is that really true?!"
It was an unexpected, miraculous offer that made Han Young-soo doubt his ears.
When Han Young-soo cried out in shock, the casting director reassured him.
But soon, she hesitated slightly and drew out her words.
"Yeees, but... instead of the detective role of Kim Su-jin that you proposed... the writer would like her to audition for another role. Would that be all right?"
"Of course it would! We'll work hard at absolutely anything you give us!"
"...All right. Then I'll send the character synopsis right away. Please read it carefully and give it some thought."
"Yes! Thank you!"
They said that even when the sky fell, there was a hole to climb through.
Even after the call ended, Han Young-soo could barely hold onto his wildly pounding heart.
At last. At last, Yeon-hee had a chance to return.
'But another role? Who could it be?'
If it was not Kim Su-jin, the detective role, perhaps it was someone else in the police organization?
In any case, overflowing with emotion, Han Young-soo hurriedly opened the synopsis and character description in his inbox.
He scrolled down and read the description beside the character's name.
At the same time, the corners of his mouth, which had been rising toward the sky, slowly fell.
[Mantis: A drug-addicted boss steeped in drugs. An unpredictable person who runs wild because she has no tomorrow....]
Han Young-soo blinked.
He read it again, rubbed his eyes, and read it once more, but the words did not change.
A drug-addicted boss steeped in drugs.
"...."
What the fuck was this? Were they trying to pick a fight?
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