Team Leader Shim Jun contacted production company Hwa En Su’s Director’s Office, which could be considered their powerhouse. The Director was out of office, and the secretary who answered the phone asked why they wanted a meeting with the Director.
Team Leader Shim Jun said a KK member was a fan of Writer Jung Eun Soo and wanted to meet her, as he and Do Wook had discussed.
Celebrities or famous people often called the company because they wanted to meet each other.
Of course, if that were their true intentions, the manager would have contacted them, not the Album Production Team Leader. However, this way was more natural and had higher chances of getting a meeting, so it couldn’t be helped.
They hadn’t had any prior consultation, so they couldn’t say that they wanted to do the OST out of the blue.
The call just now was the secretary getting back to them.
Getting a call back was obviously a good sign.
Thus, a little later, Do Wook met the Director of the production company Hwa En Su and Jung Eun Soo, who could be considered the top star writer in dramas, in one place.
Team Leader Shim Jun came with Do Wook.
The four of them met at a high-end Korean restaurant in Ilsan. It was because Writer Jung Eun Soo’s studio was in Ilsan.
Team Leader Shim Jun and Do Wook, who had arrived first, ordered 4 orders of the A course.
About ten minutes after the agreed meeting time, Writer Jung Eun Soo and Hwa En Su’s Director Kwon Mi Jung arrived. When the two of them slid open the tatami door and entered, Team Leader Shim Jun and Do Wook, who were sitting in their seats, stood up.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
“Gosh, I’m sorry we’re late. Sorry.”
Director Kwon Mi Jung apologized as soon as she started talking. Team Leader Shim Jun quickly replied that it was ok. Writer Jung Eun Soo, who was standing behind her, gave a greeting by quietly nodding her head.
Writer Jung Eun Soo had short hair with a perm and was wearing horn-rimmed glasses. She was around 45 years old, but had a baby face and could pass as being in her late 30s.
Of course, it could be that she looked younger because she didn’t have any makeup on.
Writer Jung Eun Soo looked very tired as she sat down.
“Thank you for even meeting with us. I went ahead and placed the food order, is that ok?
“Of course, of course.”
Director Kwon Mi Jung replied with a friendly smile. She was definitely someone who managed numerous broadcast associates while taking care of Writer Jung Eun Soo at the same time.
As soon as everyone sat down, the waitress served the appetiser.
Team Leader Shim Jun and Director Kwon Mi Jung continued their conversation as they ate the appetizers. It was noticeable that Writer Jung Eun Soo was tired. Noticing that Team Leader Shim and Do Wook were paying attention to Writer Jung Eun Soo’s countenance, Director Kwon Mi Jung said,
“Right now, our dear Writer Jung is filming a drama…and it’ll be airing soon too. So she’s a little busy. Writing the script. Even today she practically pulled an all-nighter, slept during the day, and woke up just before coming here.”
Hearing Director Kwon Mi Jung’s explanation, Team Leader Shim and Do Wook could understand Writer Jung Eun Soo’s situation. She wasn’t fully conscious yet but was dragged to this outing.
Team Leader Shim Jun asked with a slightly apologetic expression,
“‘You’re talking about ‘Successors’ right?”
“You’ve heard of it. We did promote it. Yes. That’s right. ‘Successors’,”
Director Kwon Mi Jung replied with delight.
“You must be busy working on the script…sorry to bother you, ma’am.”
“Oh, no no. She has to eat anyway. Isn’t that right, Writer Jung?”
Director Kwon Mi Jung asked as she nudged Writer Jung Eun Soo’s side. Writer Jung Eun Soo seemed to have come to her senses after eating a little bit of the cold vegetables that were served as appetizers.
“Yes. I’m doing this job so I can eat and live after all…”*
(TL note: “eat to/and live” could have been translated better but I left it like that since the Director talked about eating.)
Team leader Shim Jun laughed heartily at what Writer Jung Eun Soo said.
“And I came because I heard Do Wook reached out. Honestly, if it had been anybody else I wouldn’t have come out.”
“That’s right, that’s right. We wanted to meet Do Wook too,”
Director Kwon Mi Jung said in agreement.
Team Leader Shim Jun glanced at Do Wook. It seemed like he was saying, “See, I told you. At this rate you might become the main character.” Do Wook held back his laughter. It was nice that Team Leader Shim Jun had acknowledged him, but he was thinking too highly of him. The drama had already started filming.
“It’s an honor, ma’am.”
“I heard you’re a fan of mine. Is that true?”
Writer Jung Eun Soo asked bluntly. Do Wook didn’t get flustered and answered that it was true.
“What’s your favorite? Among my dramas?”
“I…!…Ah, I like ‘Currently On Air’ best.”
Do Wook caught himself. He almost said he liked a drama that hadn’t even come out yet. Jung Eun Soo said, a little taken aback,
“There aren’t many people that answer ‘Currently On Air’ when asked which of my dramas they like. I thought you’d say ‘Secret Garden’ or ‘Lovers in New York’. Ah, were you too young when ‘Lovers in New York’ was airing?”
Team leader Shim Jun smiled and replied excitedly, “He was young, totally!”
It was obvious that Writer Jung Eun Soo was happy that Do Wook said he liked ‘Currently On Air’. She was wide-awake now and she was in a good mood, so the way she talked changed.
When ‘Lovers in New York’ was airing, Do Wook, or rather Kim Bo Myung, was young too. Nevertheless, even Do Wook knew the catchphrase ‘Honey, lets go!’. It was popular enough for everyone in the whole country to have said it at least once. Writer Jung Eun Soo, who made a nationally acclaimed drama with the rich man poor woman cliche, had continued to flourish since then.
‘Secret Garden’ was a drama that dominated last year. This time, a slightly fantastical element was added to the love story between a rich male protagonist and poor female protagonist, and there were many people who copied the male lead’s way of speaking.
‘Currently On Air’, which was released between the two dramas, was quite popular too, although it couldn’t compare to the other two. It flipped the relationship between the male and female lead that Writer Jung Eun Soo usually followed, and realistically captured the relationships between staff in broadcasting, such as an actor and writer, producer and manager, etc.
“Ahhh…does romance not interest you much since you’re a guy?”
Writer Jung Eun Soo asked with suspicion that that might be the case. There were some actors that said they were not interested in romance in front of a professional romance drama writer, but Do Wook was not one of them.
That didn’t mean that he was lying and pretending to be interested. Writer Jung Eun Soo’s dramas really were very fun.
“No. I like your other works too…and ‘Currently On Air’ is also a romance drama, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. All works from a snobby writer that only uses rich male leads are like that.”
Writer Jung Eun Soo said a self-deprecating comment as if she were joking. Popularity and the number of haters correlated for drama writers just like it did for singers. Writer Jung Eun Soo was often labeled as a snob writer who pursued ratings without being artistic.
The fact that she could laugh it off meant she was that composed. Do Wook hit back without being embarrassed.
“That’s why it’s a drama. It’s not that you’re a snob, you’re giving us fantasies and dreams that reality can’t give us.”
“Ah, geez. A young person just needs to be handsome, but you’re even a smooth talker too?”
Writer Jung Eun Soo said as she laughed, genuinely in a good mood.
Director Kwon Mi Jung was also smiling brightly.
“I had heard you’re a fan, but I guess you really are. Really. Whew.”
Even as she had been dragging Writer Jung Eun Soo to the meeting, she had been worried that the writer might get her feelings hurt at the meeting.
It would have been ok if it was any other time, but she was deep into working a script these days. There wasn’t much time left until the first broadcast either, so she was very sensitive.
Fortunately however, writer Jung Eun Soo seemed to be in a good mood thanks to Do Wook.
There was a reason why Director Kwon Mi Jung wanted to meet Do Wook with writer Jung Eun Soo even though it was a busy time.
“Are you by chance interested in being in a drama? That’s why you wanted to meet…”
Director Kwon Mi Jung openly brought it up. They had thought that it was the obvious reason Do Wook, who was also an actor, wanted to meet.
Do Wook said, shaking his hands,
“No! That’s not it. We really did reach out because I’m a fan and wanted to meet you. It didn’t even cross our mind how busy you must be writing your script. I’m sorry.”
Director Kwon Mi Jung looked puzzled at Do Wook’s words.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I’m sure.”
Do Wook seemed sincere, which confused them more. Of course, Do Wook meant it. He also had no intention of asking them to cast him. He had to focus on KK activities right now, it wasn’t time for him to do a drama alone.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Sorry?”
Do Wook asked what Writer Jung Eun Soo meant.
“Honestly, I, as well as Director Kwon here, we are fans of yours. When we saw your debut project, we wondered where Director Shin Yoon Ho found someone like you…an idol.”
“Ah, I see…”
“I don’t know much about idols. At least, back then. But I saw ‘Blue Whale’. Someone I know is a cinephile so I watched it with them at a small theater. You were so different in it that I wondered if it really was the same actor from ‘Get Ready’.”
“Thank you.”
“First of all, to be the male lead in my drama, your face is important, and your face is perfect. I think it would be great if you could do it.”
Do Wook simply thanked her for the compliment. Do Wook was genuinely bewildered. Writer Jung Eun Soo was a writer who would be even more successful in the future..
The snobby writer label she had now won’t last long. Once she consecutively writes hit projects that have ratings of over 50%, people won’t be able to put that kind of label on her anymore. Furthermore, the world of Writer Jung Eun Soo’s work becomes more and more something that captures both fun and depth.
He didn’t expect that he would catch the attention of someone at her level.
‘Seriously….each day is different in this lifetime. This life is beyond what I dreamed of,’
Do Wook thought to himself in awe.
“Phew, our dear Writer Jung actually has a drama that she’s been planning for a long time.”
“Is that so? What kind of…”
“Well, I’m not ready to tell people about it yet, but I mean that we’ve met now and we get along, so it’d be nice to work together later.”
Team Leader Shim Jun and Do Wook nodded their heads at what Director Kwon Mi Jung said.
“Reach out to us anytime. If it’s a drama from Writer Jung I absolutely want to be a part of it.”
Director Kwon Mi Jung and Writer Jung Eun Soo’s expressions brightened at Do Wook’s words.
Honestly, they had wanted to cast him for ‘Successors,’ but it fell through because of issues with the investment company. When it happened, Director Kwon Mi Jung was really disappointed.
Director Kwon Mi Jung and Writer Jung Eun Soo were veterans who had been in the field for a very long time. Do Wook had already become a star, but they were certain he’d be even more successful in the future. They wanted to catch him before that happened. That’s why, when they heard Do Wook had reached out to them first, they were very happy.
Seeing as he did an art movie, they were worried that he’d get into doing movies and wouldn’t want to do dramas like a handful of other actors.
As they ate, they exchanged stories about the drama world and singer world that the other wasn’t familiar with in a friendly atmosphere.
While telling the story about going to America to work on a project with LIL, Album Production Team Leader Shim explained the difference in techniques and about how technicians were treated. There was agreement as fellow entertainment industry people, saying that they’re far behind the US market in dramas too.
While on the subject, Team Leader Shim Jun brought it up.
“Ah, actually, because we’re fans of Writer Jung Eun Soo, we might not be able to be cast in the drama, but…we did want to work with you in some shape or form.”
Team Leader Shim Jun’s words caused the corners of Director Kwon Mi Jung’s eyes to slightly wrinkle. She felt that they did have an ulterior motive as she had suspected. However, she pretended not to know and asked excitedly what it was.
“Oh my, what is it, what is it? We’d love to work together too, whatever it is.”
“An OST…”
“Ah…”
As soon as OST was mentioned, Director Kwon Mi Jung’s expression became gloomy.
“It just so happens that that’s been stressing me out a lot lately. You might know, but there are so many people that want to be a part of it. It’s crazy. It’s a bit much.”
This time, Team Leader Shim Jun’s expression darkened slightly at Director Kwon Mi Jung’s words. After thinking about it a bit, Director Kwon Mi Jung continued speaking. It wouldn’t be a loss at all if KK were to do the OST.
“Also, there’s already a song that even Writer Jung is pushing for…I think that song will become the main theme…If you’re ok with not being the main theme…”
When Director Kwon Mi Jung beat around the bush, Writer Jung Eun Soo also interjected.
“Yeah. There’s a song I’m set on. I was actually going to contact them tomorrow. It’s too bad you didn’t reach out a little sooner,”
Writer Jung Eun Soo said, feeling that it was a pity. Do Wook said it was ok and asked,
“What kind of song is it that you’re so set on it?”
“Ah. You probably know songs better than I do, would you like to listen to it? He’s a rookie so I’m a bit nervous even though I’m recommending them.”
Writer Jung Eun Soo took out her cellphone and opened the music app.
Soon, the music that Writer Jung Eun Soo was set on started to play.
—
TL Comments: Happy 3 year anniversary Superstar!! Thank you all for your continued support. We still have about a year and a half to go~~
Next chapter: The secret behind the song may surprise you!