Chapter 111: Loud Cheers (6)

Oh Myung-Hoon admired the night view of the cityscape from his office studio in the high-rise building at the city center. He was listening to the meeting recordings through his earphones recorded by Hye-Mi.

This NPC is a knight guarding the dungeons entrance, right? Hes not even the subordinate of the demon lord, but hes just there wanting to meet a true warrior?

Hah,

seriously. Does it make any sense? I cant tell if hes stupid enough to forget his duty as a knight or if he has nothing else to do.

Oh Myung-Hoon frowned and bit his lips.

Director Nam Gyu-Ho was constantly criticizing the scenario which he had written.

I mentioned previously that this teahouse girls quest was boring, but its still the same? Just how stubborn is he?

This part about the adventurers friends, do friends really scold each other like this? Its really irking me. Does Writer Oh talk like that with his friends?

Ah, Im getting a headache. Do I have to keep looking at this? Where is Team Leader Lee Soo-Hee? Ask her to come here now!

All Oh Myung-Hoon heard were Nam Gyu-Hos harsh words. Oh Myung-Hoons hand that was gripping his phone shook like an aspen tree in the wind.

His patience had also run out. The moment he couldnt stand to listen to the criticisms and was about to yank out his earphones, Nam Gyu-Ho started,

Team Leader Lee, are you still in contact with the writer you mentioned before? What was his name again? Ha Jae-Gun? I think we need an additional writer on the team.

...?!

Oh Myung-Hoons eyes shot wide open. Lee Soo-Hees reply came next.

Yes, he also agreed to hold a lecture.

Really? Ill see him on that day then. Lets end this here now.

Oh Myung-Hoon threw his earphones down. He placed both his hands on the full frontal gla.s.s windows and dropped his head facing the floor. Behind him, the door opened and in came Hye-Mi, who was only in her lingerie.

Mr. Myung-Hoon, are you not going to sleep? Hye-Mi asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. Her hair was in a mess, and she was still wearing her makeup.

Oh Myung-Hoon didnt turn around.

Hye-Mi walked to him quietly and hugged him from behind.

Ah,

youre so warm

Take a shower.

What?

The chauffeur is waiting for you downstairs. Hell drive you home, Oh Myung-Hoon said calmly and turned around.

Hye-Mi was stunned at his cold tone. She then covered her chest with her arms at the belated embarra.s.sment and realization.

She cant even compare to her.

Lee Soo-Hees face overlapped with Hye-Mis face in Oh Myung-Hoons mind. It was too shameful to even compare Hye-Mi to Lee Soo-Hee. It was also his mistake to bring her into his office.

I get it, Ill leave.

Hye-Mi washed her face and put on her clothes. Oh Myung-Hoon followed her to the foyer, pulled out his wallet, and said, Thank you for today. Buy whatever you want with these.

Hye-Mis gaze quivered upon seeing the three million won in Oh Myung-Hoons hands. She revealed a tearful look and asked, Why are you giving me money? It feels weird like that. Im not dating you for your money.

Hye-Mi looked like she was about to cry. Oh Myung-Hoon stared at her affectionately before pulling her into a hug and comforting her.

Im just thankful to you, but this is all I can do for you now, so dont feel burdened or have any foolish thoughts. Just accept these.

Oh Myung-Hoon slipped the money into her bag.

He pulled away from the hug and smiled at her.

Hye-Mi couldnt find words to reply and slowly turned around.

Phew, shes so annoying! Why is she talking so much when shes still going to keep the money, anyway?

Oh Myung-Hoon ruffled his hair as soon as Hye-Mi left his studio. He should have known earlier that she was such a sentimental woman.

Tadadak! Tadak! Tadadadak!

Left all alone, Oh Myung-Hoon started working on the scenario. He started editing the areas that Nam Gyu-Ho had pointed out during the meeting. He could no longer stand the hyena that was trying to step into histhe lions territory.

***

On an August day, the heat wave reached its peak.

The movieSummer in My 20swas released nationwide.

The films distributor and investor, Newdon, secured more-than-average screens and pushed ahead with aggressive marketing. The main players in the marketing fell on two key people.

One was on Ha Jae-Gun, the bestselling author of the original novel

Summer in My 20s

, as well as the currently most popular actor, Park Do-Joon.

The movie was released, but Ha Jae-Gun remained calm, as he had already seen the movie during the preview. Even on the day of release, Ha Jae-Gun was focused on writing his scenario in the office.

He was almost done with the scenario. He only needed to write the ending.

Writer Ha, well be heading out first, then.

Kang Min-Ho spoke cautiously from behind.

Ha Jae-Gun turned around with a smile to see everyone else prepared to leave the office.

Enjoy yourselves. Please dont return with curses for me after watching the movie.

Hahaha,

no way. Well be back later.

Bzzt!

As soon as they left, Ha Jae-Guns phone rang.

Oh, noona.

Are you really not going to come? Your novel is being adapted into a movie, we should all watch it together as a family.

Ha Jae-Gun could feel Ha Jae-In stamping her feet while saying that.

Ha Jae-Gun looked into the air and said dryly, Im not feeling well. You can just go ahead with Mom and Father.

Lies again. Wait and see. Whatever, bye.

Ha Jae-Gun let out a sigh as he comforted himself. He knew his familys preferences the best. His family would definitely feel disappointed in the movie. He didnt want to see them pretending to be fine after the movie while trying to cheer him up.

Rika, come here.

Rika jumped onto the desk and sat next to the keyboard. They rubbed noses, and Ha Jae-Gun said, Bite me if I look up

Summer in My 20s

on the internet, all right?

Meow?

Mm,

thank you. Im going to work now.

Tadadadak! Tadak! Tadadak!

Ha Jae-Gun focused once more and started working on his scenario again. He decided not to waste any more time and emotions on a movie that had left his hands long ago.

***

The late summer days pa.s.sed quickly as more characters filled up Ha Jae-Guns monitor. Articles kept pouring even ten days after the release of the movie

Summer in My 20s

.

[

Summer in My 20s

broke even in just ten days since release. The audience response, Huh?]

[

Summer in My 20s

overseas blockbuster in talks]

[Audience count hits 3 million, Looking into

Summer in My 20s

]

[Popularity never falters, how high will

Summer in My 20s

go?]

Most of the people around Ha Jae-Gun had gone to the cinemas to watch the movie, and they all told him that they had enjoyed the movie.

Ha Jae-Gun appreciated their words, but he also felt disgusted. No one had given him a detailed review of the movie, perhaps out of consideration.

Aside from one personhis best friendPark Jung-Jin.

Park Jung-Jin was one of the last few people who watched the movie due to his busy schedule at work. Park Jung-Jin raged as soon as he met Ha Jae-Gun.

f.u.c.k, how is this Director Woo Jae-Hoons level of movie? Its not even worth my money. I want to request a round of sparring right now.

Ha Jae-Gun laughed despondently as he filled Park Jung-Jins gla.s.s with soju.

The best friends met at a bar near the cinema. Their meeting was long overdue, but it was filled with curses.

It would have been different if I had watched the movie first before reading your novel. I might even watch it just to kill time as well. I really didnt expect them to destroy your original work to such an extent.

Stop it.

I havent even started yet, why are you asking me to stop?

Wow,

I almost fainted at the scene when Han Joo-Hee fought with the former martial arts athlete one-on-one. Everyone laughed at how ridiculous that scene was.

Park Jung-Jin kept on pointing out the bad parts of the movie, as well as the huge difference it had from the original novel.

Ha Jae-Gun quietly emptied his soju shots while listening.

Look, its not just me. Park Jung-Jin handed Ha Jae-Gun his phone.

Ha Jae-Gun looked down and saw many one-liner reviews from the audience.

- This is crazy kekeke I shouldve known this when Woo Jae-Hoon was the director of this movie. Whos to blame here?

- You cant watch this with the original novel in mind I think high school film clubs or indie films would do even better than this. Im curious about this directors double-play

- You guys talk too much. Why dont you guys just film it yourselves? I find it funny since I watched it without any thoughts in mind hahaha

- Ive just experienced the quality of Koreas films once again. Im an idiot for having any expectations for the movie just because I enjoyed the original novel.

- Ive recovered from all sorts of diseases after watching this movie.

- Wow, I never knew they could ruin such a great novel.

- I think Writer Ha Jae-Gun must be having soju now. T.T

Wow, that last review was spot on. How did they know youre drinking soju now?

You can still joke right now?

I know. You watched it at the preview and were even prepared. But you should be relieved that the responses turned out this way. I thought it would flop, but you still got over three million viewers.

Bzzt!

All of a sudden, Ha Jae-Guns phone vibrated on the steel table.

The call came from Oh Myung-Suk.

Ha Jae-Gun excused himself and took the call.

Yes, editor-in-chief.

h.e.l.lo, Mr. Ha. Im relieved that the viewers.h.i.+p is better than expected. At this rate, we might hit four million viewers soon.

Its quite fascinating since many online reviews are curses.

That is how it usually is. There are countless popular movies with bad ratings in the market.

Oh,

Ive got some good news as well. Thanks to the movie, the sales of

Summer in My 20s

increased once again.

Again?

Yes, itll soon hit 1.5 million copies. Congratulations.

Hahaha,

thank you. Its all thanks to your marketing efforts.

Anyway, I think we can proceed with Gangsters Sea as it is. The film treatment version you sent is quite clean, too. Its much better to have the gangster living happily with the female lead at the end instead of ending it with his death. People are into happy endings recently since it gives them hope.

Thats good to hear. Ill go ahead and start working on the novel, then.

Yes, please. Enjoy your evening.

Oh,

and Ive transferred the advanced royalties to you, so please verify that as well.

Ah,

the advanced royalties? I havent even written the novel yet, but thank you. Please enjoy your dinner as well, said Ha Jae-Gun before ending the call a few moments later.

Park Jung-Jin asked, Advanced royalties? Are you talking about Gangsters Sea?

Yeah, Ill be writing a novel with the scenario as the foundation and publish that first, Ha Jae-Gun replied as he accessed his banks online banking.

Indeed, a hundred million won had been transferred to his account from the OongSung Publication Group.

How much did you get?

Mm,

a hundred million.

Park Jung-Jin

reeled

in shock. A hundred million? How could you say that number so casually? Your novel hasnt even been penned just yet but what? A hundred million in advanced royalties?

Youre getting 14%, right? I heard it from someone I know who works there. Arent you getting the best treatment among the writers of Korea? Arent you already on Lee Man-Yeol or Gong Ji-Yongs level?

Park Jung-Jin was right.

Ha Jae-Guns contract had the best terms in the entire of Korea.

The company couldnt give above 14% in royalties, as they could only break even if the novel sold over 100,000 copies in the first print. This was the market standard because of the additional costs like marketing.

Of course, bonus royalties would be given after the release depending on the number of copies sold.

Its my treat tonight, so stop it.

Of course, you have to. But not alone. Ill call Hyo-Jin and Soo-Hee to join me in this feast.

Ive called them over already. They should be on their way now.

What, really? Wow, youre the best!

Youre so obvious, man.

***

On the same night, Director Woo Jae-Hoon appeared on the entertainment news.

He was sitting with his legs crossed as he answered the hosts questions.

Word is youve made a successful comeback with

Summer in My 20s

. How do you feel about it?

First of all, I feel relieved. I am most grateful to actor Park Do-Joon for his great acting.

Ah,

but there are also reviews saying that the movie was very different from the original novel and that it also failed to bring out the best parts of the novel. Could you share your thoughts about those reviews?

Woo Jae-Hoon glared at the host. His gaze seemed to be saying, Why did you bring up such a ridiculous question?

However, he couldnt possibly show his brazen side in front of so many cameras.

Woo Jae-Hoon calmed himself down and replied,

Hmm,

there were a lot of issues with the original novel in the first place.

Issues?

So

um

We faced a lot of difficulties while filming. The characters in the story are ambiguous, and the timeline of the background is quite complicated as well. We have to amend quite a bit of all those throughout the filming process. Anyway, Im relieved to hear that the people liked it.

Click!

Woo Jae-Hoons face disappeared as the screen abruptly turned black. Ha Jae-Guns face appeared on the screen, and he looked like he was in despair as he stared blankly at the black screen.