Glory Film Company

Episode 39. Foe

It’s better for one’s mental health to think positively, but Youngkwang had always approached his work by imagining the worst-case scenarios.
Fortunately, none of those worst-case assumptions had ever truly become reality. He always managed to find a way to overturn even the direst situations.

“Stand by, cue!”

The filming of 300 Days After We Break Up was proceeding smoothly.
Thanks to the increased initial production budget and Jeil Entertainment’s investment decision, the morale of the filming staff, actors, and Director Ha Pilsung was at an all-time high.
The bonds formed while shooting the 20-minute edited clips, and the near-perfect teamwork that developed, were shining brighter with each passing day.

“Two million viewers, right?”
“Go higher. I’m betting on three million.”
“Let’s aim for 4.5 million.”
“Wow, wow. In that case, I’ll factor in IPTV as well…”

During breaks, people would place bets on the film’s potential performance. There were no unpleasant disputes over the 52-hour workweek regulation that often caused issues on other sets. The atmosphere remained smooth and harmonious every day.

“So, when will it be finalized?”

Ha Pilsung beamed and rose from his director’s chair when Youngkwang visited the set after a long absence. He looked eager to know the exact amount and timeline for the funds Jeil Entertainment had agreed to invest.
Although staff wages and location costs were being covered without issues for now, the looming challenge was the set they needed to build soon.
The budget would affect everything from the scale and design of the set to the materials used.

“I’ll meet them on Friday. Just two more days. But the discussion will include projects other than this one, so it might take some time.”

“Ah.”

In the past, Youngkwang would have boldly declared, Let’s just build the set first. I’ll find a way to secure the money.
But now, he no longer had the clout to ensure things would proceed that way. Still, while it might take longer, the outcome would remain unchanged.

“It might not be decided in a single day, but as I’ve mentioned, this film is operating on a 3.5 billion won budget, so don’t worry.”

Youngkwang gave Ha Pilsung a reassuring smile. Producers had to handle everything from managing logistics and staff to, most importantly, securing production funds, allowing directors to focus solely on the movie.
Whether it was 19 years ago or now, Youngkwang had never stepped back from what needed to be done.

****

Park Sunghoon, the head of My Way Pictures, who had suggested a meeting, suddenly had Yang Hyesoo summon Youngkwang separately.
It was Thursday evening, the day before their formal meeting on Friday.

It’s a last-minute meeting, but they said it’s casual, so don’t feel pressured.

“Calling me separately already feels like pressure. Who’s going to be there?”

Haah…

Yang Hyesoo sighed at Youngkwang’s sharp response.
In their university days, Youngkwang had been so timid that a harsh word from Hyesoo would have made him cry on the spot. But something had changed in him over the past few months. His intuition and quick-wittedness were nothing short of extraordinary.

If his newfound sharpness came from a delayed enlightenment about filmmaking, Hyesoo might have chalked it up to the accumulation of years of experience finally clicking into place.
But his growth extended to social skills, interpersonal relationships, and even political acumen, leaving her both amazed and wary.

She was beginning to think he might become a partner worth collaborating with for steady growth in the future.
Of course, not yet.

Hyesoo was still an assistant manager at Jeil Entertainment, a major investment and distribution company, while Youngkwang was just a rookie producer at a modest film company with potential but little scale.
For now, she intended to observe him cautiously to determine whether he was worth partnering with in the long term.

Director Ahn Junseok will be there tonight.

Hyesoo didn’t hide information from Youngkwang.

It seems like Director Ahn was intrigued by what you said last time. Although it doesn’t mean the next project will go exactly as you suggested, he seems to want to hear more.

“As I said before, I’m not in a position to design anything related to franchise films.”

True, but…

Hyesoo hesitated momentarily. She wasn’t sure how much to reveal to Youngkwang, nor could she confirm whether her own suspicions were factual.

“Hyesoo.”

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Youngkwang softly called her name.

“It’s okay if it’s not certain. Just tell me what Jeil Entertainment, especially Director Park Sunghoon, is planning. I have my own suspicions as well.”

What?

“If you’re honest with me, I’ll find a way for both of us to win.”

Youngkwang’s firm words drove the point home.

“I told you before—I only do things that lead to a win-win.”
Youngkwang’s confident words caused a flicker of hesitation in Yang Hyesoo’s eyes.

****

“Ah, over here! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Park Sunghoon, head of department, casually addressed Youngkwang, as if they’d met at least three times before.
Sure, I’ve heard all about you running around busily these days.
Fully understanding the situation, Youngkwang maintained a professional smile while silently returning the greeting in his head.

“Good evening, Director Park.”

“Here, Director Ahn.”

“Ah, Director Ahn, it’s good to see you again. I’m Youngkwang.”

“Oh, right! Producer Youngkwang. I actually wanted to meet you again. Heard you’ve been busy?”

“Me? Haha, well, I suppose so.”

“Busy, busy. Ah, this is the guy who mentioned that edited version last time. Do you remember, Director?”

Park Sunghoon’s acting wasn’t as bad as that of Gu, the infamous amateur, but it was still quite contrived.
He launched into a grandiose account of how My Way Pictures’ film had passed the investment committee, peppering it with small talk.

“Ah, I remember. That romantic comedy by the former erotic film director, right?”

“Yes, we saw it on our end, and it turned out to be pretty fun.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“It’s refreshing. A style we haven’t seen in a while, and the actors did a great job. So, we’ve decided to invest.”

“Well, that’s something to celebrate.”
Director Ahn smiled broadly at Youngkwang.

“It’s a bit early for that. We haven’t signed the contract yet.”
Youngkwang subtly tempered the mood.

“Well, that’s something we can fine-tune as we go. But that’s not the main reason we’re here today…”

Park Sunghoon waved off Youngkwang’s comment and began laying the groundwork for the main topic.

“This is confidential… but Jeil Entertainment has decided to take on Director Ahn’s project.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s great news.”
Youngkwang blinked innocently, playing the part of an outsider unaware of the full scope of Jeil Entertainment’s plans beyond investment.

“We’re planning to properly develop this film into something big—whether a series or a franchise. We’ll be assembling the best team for this project, of course.”

“Excuse me? A production team?”
Youngkwang feigned surprise again, delivering a calculated reaction that Park Sunghoon seemed quite satisfied with.

“Yes, Jeil Entertainment will take on the production directly.”

“Wow, is that so? Then what about Stay Film…?”

“Well, they’ve got plenty of other projects going on.”
Park Sunghoon trailed off, then fixed his gaze on Youngkwang.

“Are you interested?”

“Sorry?”

“I’m asking if you’d like to join this team.”
Park Sunghoon’s voice dropped, exuding the authority of someone holding the keys to the kingdom. Youngkwang quickly put on a look of astonishment.

“Are you… talking about me?”

“Of course. Who else here would I mean?”

“Uh… but I’m currently affiliated with a company.”

“That’s a problem we can solve, isn’t it?”

“It would be an honor for me, of course.”
The moment Youngkwang answered eagerly, Park Sunghoon shot a satisfied glance at Ahn Junseok.
It was the kind of look that said, See? I can move anyone on this board as I please, from kings to pawns. Someone like Youngkwang is a piece I can manipulate with a single word.

Seemingly satisfied, Ahn Junseok gave a light nod.

A scouting offer, made the day before My Way Pictures was set to finalize their investment decision. For Youngkwang, it wasn’t something he could outright refuse.

If I want tomorrow’s meeting with My Way Pictures to go smoothly, that is.
Park Sunghoon had undoubtedly orchestrated the meeting schedule to apply this kind of pressure.

But it didn’t matter.

Youngkwang had already coordinated with My Way Pictures in advance.
Thanks to Yang Hyesoo’s help, he had a good grasp of what would unfold in a few hours and had already calculated how to shake things up moving forward.

Accepting the offer, therefore, was entirely Youngkwang’s deliberate choice.

“Welcome.”
Park Sunghoon, the department head, poured Youngkwang’s favorite drink into his glass with a smile.
Youngkwang beamed, wearing an expression that seemed to wonder whether this was a dream or reality, and glanced at Yang Hyesoo with a cheerful grin.
Watching this, Yang Hyesoo nearly burst out laughing in disbelief.
Was he always this kind of person?
Or had he been an eccentric all along, and she simply hadn’t noticed?

****

Three hours earlier.

“If it’s an offer like that, of course, I should accept it.”

What?

“Why wouldn’t I? My Way Pictures is giving us money, and Jeil Entertainment is offering more. My salary right now is laughably low—I can’t even comfortably buy meat to eat.”

Do you even understand what this means?

Yang Hyesoo had openly shared her suspicion that Park Sunghoon not only betrayed Stay Film but was also using investments to target My Way Pictures’ equity.
But to her surprise, Youngkwang simply accepted it without hesitation.

“I get it. They want to use us in two ways: as bait to reel in Director Ahn Junseok, and as fertile ground to grow profitable projects for themselves.”

“Exactly. But while it might provide short-term relief thanks to the investment, in the long run, My Way Pictures might…”

Lose its identity, be unable to make the films it wants, or—if results fail to meet expectations—be sold off at a bargain price.
Youngkwang already understood what Hyesoo left unsaid. He grinned.

“I’ll guarantee this much: nothing will go the way Park Sunghoon wants.”

What?

“Sure, they might get Director Ahn’s film. But even that project is a tough road ahead.”

What are you planning? You’re not underestimating Park Sunghoon, are you? That guy is no pushover.

The best way to deal with scheming types was something Youngkwang had learned through years of experience.
Recalling his past, he leaned in and shared his plan with the still-dumbfounded Hyesoo.

“Let them come. We’ll secure the maximum investment from Jeil Entertainment and protect our equity at the same time.”

Hah, if only the world worked exactly how we wanted. But this isn’t the time for such optimism.

“Hyesoo, I told you, didn’t I? I only take actions that lead to a win-win outcome. Let me be more specific: My Way Pictures will secure a big investment, and when it comes time to share the results, you’ll be at that table too.”

What?

“I’m planning to bring in Director Ahn Junseok.”

When Youngkwang laid out his vision, Hyesoo’s eyes widened in realization.

****

And now, three hours later.

Wow. Maybe Youngkwang is even scarier than Park Sunghoon, thought Hyesoo, watching Youngkwang deftly play the mediator between Park Sunghoon and Director Ahn Junseok.

“…So now I can candidly share my thoughts on the matter.”

“Oh, I’ve been dying to hear them,” Ahn Junseok said eagerly.

“How do we expand a four-hour story into six separate films? That’s the question, right?”

“Exactly.”

“There are several ways. The first idea is dividing it by timeline. If you break down the director’s book into a timeline, it neatly splits into six distinct stories.”

“What? Really? Oh, wait—there were shifts in the years. But the weight of each section varies, so making each into a standalone film might be tricky.”

“I had a question about that, actually. What intrigued me most was the first ‘powered individual’ the protagonist encounters—the sisters in the Faroe Islands.”

“Oh, those two.”

It was as if Youngkwang had been holding back a flood of ideas.
He unleashed an overwhelming torrent of thoughts and suggestions, so much so that one might wonder how he’d restrained himself before. Director Ahn, utterly captivated, hung on every word.

Park Sunghoon, seeing how smoothly everything was unfolding according to his expectations, wore a satisfied smile.
But Hyesoo, glancing at Park Sunghoon, couldn’t help but smirk bitterly.

You really shouldn’t be smiling right now…