Chapter 246: Its Fine Even If You Cant Speak English (2)

[The ghost,

The Breath: Dragon Rider

, that has been traveling across L.A., has finally spread its wings]

[Ha Jae-Guns newest fantasy novel, which was secretly in preparations, has officially entered the U.S. market, mainly focusing on California]

[Representative from Open House: We will do our best in marketing and connecting with readers of Writer Ha Jae-Guns published works]

[L.A. Times and San Jose Mercury News introducing

The Breath: Dragon Rider

; The partners.h.i.+p between an abandoned knight and dragon]

[On-site photos of the long line of readers trying to buy Dragon Rider: Its taken too long, Poongchun-Yoo!]

Open House had kept its promise.

The Breath

was now known beyond L.A. and had expanded its target to the entire California state, continuing its aggressive marketing efforts.

They had connections to almost everywhere: major newspapers and magazines, Korean communities, and all large and small genre literature sites. Responses from L.A. were conveyed to Korea in real-time through the Internet. The words

The Breath officially released in the U.S.

dominated the major search portals in Korea.

The novel's sales volume soared once again.

The interest shown by Korean readers had also broken through the roof. Even Ha Jae-Gun, who did not usually use his social media, posted a short post after a long while.

The t.i.tle that I had initially come up with,

Dragon Rider

, which was shot down by everyone else, has finally been proven to be a global preference through this publication.

- Ohhh kekekeke crazy TTTTTTTTTT Seems like hes had a hard time whenever he had to come up with the t.i.tle for his works kekekeke

- Writer Lee Yeon-Woo had also mentioned it on his blog kekeke. He said that Writer Ha Jae-Gun has bad naming sense but thinks otherwise kekekeke. The writers in the office would always let out a sigh whenever he tells them the t.i.tle of his latest works kekeke.

- Whats wrong with

Dragon Rider

?! Its intuitive and good!

- Person above, are you Writer Ha Jae-Gun? Please comment with your own account.

- Is there a difference from the original? If there are new ill.u.s.trations, I would buy the entire set for my personal collection.

The response on the internet was so great that everyone could feel the heat through their monitors. It was a given since

The Breath

was Ha Jae-Gun's bestselling novel out of all of his works in Korea.

Thanks to this, Chae Yoo-Jin couldnt stop smiling despite being busy preparing for her upcoming childbirth. Her days pa.s.sed quickly, just monitoring related news, reading the reactions of the readers in the U.S., and calling up various media outlets and agencies in New York.

It was also part of Chae Yoo-Jins job to put together a doc.u.ment that included the above information to disseminate to reporters, including Hyun Sung-Beom from Weekly Trends. Despite working from home, her workload was still quite heavy, making Oh Myung-Suk worry to no end.

What? All 140,000 copies were sold out? We're already going into reprints? Ohohohoho! How could I not laugh, Eden? It's not even three days since the delivery began!

The response of the teens in California was extremely high, as they were able to relate better to the story, especially since the knight had met the dragon just when he had just been abandoned and had turned his back on the world.

The internet conveyed the endless emotions of adventure, romance, friends.h.i.+p, and love they had experienced in this fantasy world.

I've got a very good feeling about this right off the bat. It's tugging at the heartstrings of the teens. The romance element is quite strong in this novel as well, so we have a considerably healthy number of female readers, too. Chae Yoo-Jin said as she took over Oh Myung-Suk's coat, who had just returned home from work. I'm not worried about California now. Should I say that I've had this feeling all along?

"I just have to compile all the hot responses and soaring sales and then send it over to New York. Barnes and n.o.bles, Trident, and Harvard Square should all just trust me with promotions.

You must be ecstatic. It's good to see you enjoying yourself, but I'm worried that you're working too much, so I can't be happy with you for too long. Oh Myung-Suk looked down at the ground.

Chae Yoo-Jin smiled brightly as she caressed her belly, where his gaze had fallen upon. How happy our child must be when mommy is so happy? Dont worry, Im eating and sleeping well while working.

Chae Yoo-Jin stretched and murmured, I should repay him.

Repay?

Chae Yoo-Jin nodded and locked eyes with Oh Myung-Suk. Mr. Ha. Dont you want to repay him as well?

Yeah we owe him a lot, Oh Myung-Suk said as he ruffled Chae Yoo-Jins scattered hair.

Chae Yoo-Jin giggled like a young girl and buried herself into his chest.

***

However, not everyone was happy. This was especially so for a certain movie director who had suffered a crus.h.i.+ng defeat at the box office for his latest production.

Having nothing to do since he couldnt find any investors for his movie, Woo Jae-Hoon had been spending more and more time holed up in his house.

These d.a.m.n b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, its such an interesting plot! Woo Jae-Hoon growled as he clenched the tattered doc.u.ment in hand.

It was the scenario he had completed quite some time back. It was t.i.tled Final G.o.dfather. The comedy depicted the story of a boy who had just learned about the existence of his fathera wealthy mafia boss in the U.S. The boy then went on a journey, looking for his father.

The true value of scenarios would only appear once it was turned into movies.

However, no one was willing to invest in it. Even Newdown, the distributing company with which his relations.h.i.+p had gone down the drain, had been ignoring his calls. It was due to the messed up interview he had done using the company as an excuse after his movies failure.

h.e.l.lo? Please deliver a large set of pig trotters here. Service? Itll be soju, of course. Whats with that mindless question?

Woo Jae-Hoon had been drinking alone a lot more often now that he had nothing to do. After roughly two bottles, he lost his mind and was filled with anger. Unable to withstand the shame and boredom, Woo Jae-Hoon pressed the power b.u.t.ton on his computer.

What, this punk? Woo Jae-Hoons eyes burned in anger as soon as he accessed Navin.

The internet was swarming with news of Ha Jae-Gun once again. His name was plastered all over the keyword search rankings and even the main news.

First edition sold out in just three days?

Tsk

, America is huge, and its not even sold out in three hours, so whats so great about that?!

Woo Jae-Hoons teeth chattered in anger just hearing Ha Jae-Guns name. He began reacting in this way when Ha Jae-Guns name became an indicator of his incompetence. His impulsive production of

Summer in My 20s

was the start of his nightmare.

Argh!

The American market would be easy peasy for me as long as I can find some investors! Woo Jae-Hoon seethed, but he didnt have any concrete plans nor any alternatives.

Woo Jae-Hoon looked around his house with a distorted face. If he were to secure funds for his new movie, he would require cash and even had to put up his house for collateral.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough.

'

I have to crush my own pride!'

Woo Jae-Hoon finally picked up his phone and looked up his contacts list. After most of his relations.h.i.+ps had turned sour, there werent many people who would answer his call. There was only one person left, whom he believed would answer his call.

h.e.l.lo?

D-Do-Joon! Woo Jae-Hoon stuttered, surprised to find Park Do-Joon willing to answer his call at this point. H-how are you? Ive been watching your news, and youve recently become very popular in China. I knew youd make it big, boy!

What is it?

Hmm?

Why did you call? I answered immediately, hoping that we wouldnt have to come in contact ever again. I have to go out soon.

Park Do-Joons cold voice sounded on edge. Woo Jae-Hoon realized that the latter had lost all affection but still persevered. Y-yeah. You must be busy, so Ill go straight to the point. Will you invest in my latest movie?

No.

Woo Jae-Hoon raised his voice intuitively to Park Do-Joons quick response. Why are you so determined?! You haven't even asked about it yet! You havent even read a single word in the scenario either!

I just have no interest in yourno, Director Woos movies. Can I hang up now?

Do-Joon! W, wait, dont hang up yet!

Woo Jae-Hoons voice raised sharply, feeling anxious. Ill be straightforward. I have to get back on my feet. Hmm? I have to make a comeback, but Im totally pushed into a corner right now. Otherwise, why would I call you if I werent in a desperate situation?

Im not asking for a lot. Youre earning big bucks anyway, so just ten large pieces would be sufficient. Lets talk in person. Let me show you the scenario and buy you a meal. Im really confident this time.

Director Woo.

Park Do-Joons clear-cut tone was heard.

You just said that Im earning big bucks, right?

Y-yes. I did. Why?

Its all my hard-earned money. I should be using them in the right places and have no intention of throwing them into the trash.

W, what?! What did you say, you punk?! Woo Jae-Hoons eyes widened in shock. His body temperature shot up as well, which was fueled by the alcohol. What did you just say?! T-trash?! I was the one who helped you become who you are today! How dare you speak to me like that?!

Ive repaid you many more times as compared to how much youve done for me. And I saw that youve gone on a debate on TV, sharing your so-called objective views and righteous att.i.tude. Is that something a movie director should be doing? You should act like your t.i.tle.

What?! Are you done? Come see me right now! Lets see this until the end!

Ill be hanging up now.

Beep!

H-h.e.l.lo? Hey! Do-Joon! Do-Joon! That darned punk!

Woo Jae-Hoon hurled his phone to the floor. Then, he grabbed his head and stepped out of his room into his living room, roaring, Sure, f.u.c.k it! So, youve decided to forget about the old days now, huh? Lets wait and see! Did you think I wouldnt be able to produce a movie without your help?!

"Im Woo Jae-Hoon! I can definitely enter the U.S. market on my own! Woo Jae-Hoon waved his arms in the air. His frenzy did not stop until a security guard arrived.

***

[Director Woo Jae-Hoons social media post directed at Ha Jae-Gun?: 140,000 copies in America? Whats so great about it when its equivalent to 1,400 copies in Korea?]

[Original post deleted four hours later, but the situation has evolved significantly]

[Anonymous official from Chungmuro: Woo Jae-Hoons new movie is struggling without investors]

The movie is interesting. Im sorry for not showing up at the movie preview.

If you are, order one of everything on the menu.

Just dont waste any of the thick black bean sauce noodles[1].

Ha Jae-Gun and Park Do-Joon sat together in the lounge bas.e.m.e.nt of Ha Jae-Guns house, enjoying their lunch. Rika and Nun-Sol were holed up in the corner by the stairs, playing among themselves.

Wow, but you really sounded like a native Chinese speaker. How is that possible?

Ive only practiced whatevers in the scenario. Im not a genius at all, Park Do-Joon said, but he still cast a surrept.i.tious glance at Ha Jae-Gun. Did I really sound like one?

Yes, I just told you.

Would you be able to give me the role of someone who speaks Chinese if you were to produce a movie?

Yeah, I would.

Park Do-Joon grinned. Since Ha Jae-Gun had said so, he would believe it, even if it were flattery. Feeling happy, Park Do-Joon changed their topic to one about Ha Jae-Guns work.

I heard that the second reprint of

The Breath

is already sold out. Is that for real?

Yeah, I heard it personally from Open House on the phone. Response from California is good overall; it seems like the word of mouth is going well. Ha Jae-Gun then tapped on his phone and added, I receive hundreds of emails from my readers. Its exhausting to even translate and reply to each and every one of them.

"Its torture when I have to refer to the dictionary and use a translating program while reading and replying to them.

Youre obviously liking it. What if your novel becomes a hit like

Harrison Potter

?

Im a person with a conscience, so I wont have such ridiculous expectations.

How would I know? Did

Harrison Potter

become a hit right off the bat? Every publis.h.i.+ng company rejected it, and it also started from a small company specializing in childrens books. On top of that, the CEO also mentioned that they couldnt make money as a childrens book, but look at it now. How much have they earned so far?

I understand why youre so excited. Alright, thank you. I believe itll work out.

Whats most important is word of mouth.

Aish

, if I knew things would turn out this way, I would have entered Hollywood first and promoted

The Breath

for you instead. Its my mistake to hold myself back from toppling the rice and bowl of the Hollywood actors.

Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Guns phone rang, and his phone showed a phone call from Lee Soo-Hee. Ha Jae-Gun put down his chopsticks and answered it.

Yeah, Lee Soo-Hee. Have you had lunch?

Yeah, I had

ssambap

[2] with Director Nam, your brother-in-law.

Haha

Im having lunch with Park Do-Joon now.

Good. Anyway, I called to ask about an overseas article I read about while looking up on the Internet. But Im not sure what I should say about it.

What do you mean?

Ill send the link to you, so just take a look at it. Its not so long, so interpret it on your own, Writer Ha.

Alright, I got it. Ha Jae-Gun hung up the call, feeling strange.

A while later, he clicked on the link sent by Lee Soo-Hee and an English article popped up on the screen.

Whats this? Ha Jae-Gun murmured, sounding interested.

Park Do-Joon looked over as well. What did it say? I cant read English, so interpret it for me.

So It says that there was a shooting in Orange County and an eighteen-year-old young man was saved by a book he was holding up to his chest? Ha Jae-Guns eyes then focused on the articles main body.

An eighteen-year-old student went to a barbershop, but he unfortunately ended up getting caught up in a robbery. He was shot and was sent to the hospital afterward.

Huh?

The photos included throughout the article made Ha Jae-Guns eyes grow wide. The victim on a stretcher was holding a book in his arms, and the bookwith a gaping hole in itlooked extremely familiar to Ha Jae-Gun.

Hey, Jae-Gun. Isnt that

The Breath

?

Looks like it Ha Jae-Gun was baffled as he checked the date of the incident. It was on the very same day when

The Breath: Dragon Rider

was released.

Park Do-Joon shook his head, and then he chuckled in disbelief. Wow, Soo-Hee has hawk eyes. How did she find this article among so many articles? Theres no mention of

The Breath

at all in here.

How do you know when you dont even understand English?

Why are you looking down on me? Why wont I be able to read the words

The Breath

on the picture? Look at yourself, Jae-Gun.

Im joking. Ha Jae-Gun consoled Park Do-Joon, who had leaned back into the sofa, pretending to be upset. Thinking about the victim whose life he had indirectly saved made him heave a sigh of relief, even though he wasn't familiar with the victim.

Wow, even a book can save a man. Youve written a great book, Jae-Gun. Wouldnt he be happy if you could write an email to him? Looks like hes your fan.

Yeah, I should probably ask Soo-Hee to help me with it after she returns from work, Ha Jae-Gun said without much thought. Then, he stood up with his emptied bowl in hand. The article soon disappeared from his memory.

1. A dry version of the usual jjajangmyeon. Image

2. Rice typically wrapped in various types of leaves. Image