pappabearbooks Chapter 196: Activities (9)
Chapter 196: Activities (9)
In a meeting room with a glass wall covered in posters from various works. Two people were sitting across from each other. Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin and PD Jung Soo-ryeong. Executive Director Lim reacted with surprise to what Jung Soo-ryeong had just said and asked again."So, you mean. PD Jung, you want to take an interview...why? What about SBC?"
When she first received contact from PD Jung Soo-ryeong, she wondered what it was about. The idea that Jung wanted to attend an interview as a director was odd from the start. After setting a record for the first-ever milestone with 'Rental Lover' as a one-act drama and sweeping awards at the year-end awards ceremony, it was widely accepted that PD Jung Soo-ryeong would be promoted to a senior executive, possibly even a CP at SBC.
She was even speculated to become a director in the future.
But now, suddenly showing up for an interview at Netflix Korea? Naturally, Executive Director Lim met her filled with curiosity. On the other hand, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, casually scratching her chin, remained calm.
“Haven’t you heard the rumors in the broadcasting industry yet?”
"Huh? Ah...I've been a bit busy lately. Did something happen?"
“It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but I’ve decided to leave SBC.”
“What??”
Executive Director Lim’s eyes widened instantly. As if to calm her, PD Jung continued.
“Well, that’s how it ended up. Once I finish handing over my duties, the procedure should be done in about a month, so I’m basically unemployed already.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong displayed her characteristic nonchalance. But Executive Director Lim’s widened eyes remained unchanged.
“This is quite surprising. I really thought you’d stay at SBC no matter what, PD-nim.”
“There were various circumstances, but long story short, I just prefer directing simply.”
“......”
“Anyway, I’ve been taking it easy for a while, but I figured it was time to start moving again. That’s why I came.”
With a faint smile, PD Jung Soo-ryeong quickly shifted the topic.
“I’d like to interview as the director for the project currently being prepared by Netflix Korea.”
Suddenly switching to a firm tone and straightening her posture, PD Jung caught Executive Director Lim slightly off guard again.
“...How do you even know about our project?”
It made sense. The project, namely 'Tale of the Strange Moon', was still top secret. To this, PD Jung Soo-ryeong brushed back her coarse brown hair and answered.
“When you’ve been in the industry this long, you start to hear things from here and there. Of course, I don’t know everything, but I heard Netflix is preparing a big project. Something like that?”
“Ah.”
After hearing that, Executive Director Lim could mostly understand. In this entertainment industry, while you can hide things from the public, it’s impossible to keep them 100% secret from the industry as a whole.
‘True. We did send out quite a few feelers, starting from early writer agents to recent production companies and PDs. For someone like PD Jung, she’d have heard about it somewhere.’
At this point, Executive Director Lim regained her composure.
“As expected of PD Jung Soo-ryeong. You’re right. We’ve been preparing a large-scale project lately, which is why I've been so busy. But do you know what the project is exactly, and what its centerpiece is?”
"I don't know exactly, but I can roughly guess."
“But you came to interview just like that??”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong shrugged.
“Ah, I’ve grown tired of the rigid directing environment at broadcasting stations. The constant interference from above and below, being told this doesn’t work because of this, or that doesn’t because of that, it’s exhausting.”
“You’ve been doing it for decades, so I understand.”
“As you know, at a broadcasting station, the director has to handle everything from production to advertising, and it just drains all your energy. And that’s why they’re the slowest to respond to changing trends. Above all, I always wanted to work with Netflix someday. I’ve always been curious, what would that be like?”
Executive Director Lim slowly nodded.
‘The freedom in directing must be the greatest appeal. After all, broadcasting stations are entangled with complicated interests. Anyway, it’s interesting that someone of PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s caliber is going freelance. If I’d known, I would’ve reached out to her first.’
Across broadcasters, production companies, agencies, and OTT platforms, PD Jung Soo-ryeong was naturally regarded as SSS-tier. The same went for Executive Director Lim. She likely received many offers even before coming here. The only reason Lim hadn’t contacted her was because she was still affiliated with SBC. Had she known about this move, PD Jung would’ve been her top pick.
‘She’s a bonafide star PD. Not just 'Rental Lover', but many of her past projects were hits too. Come to think of it, every historical drama PD Jung directed became a massive success.’
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin’s lips slowly curled upward.
“Would you like to take a look at the synopsis for our project?”
“Does that mean I passed the document screening stage of the interview?”
“Of course. You're not just anyone, you're PD Jung.”
“If you show it to me, I’d be happy to take a look.”
“It’s still strictly confidential.”
“I’ll keep it secret! Don’t worry.”
Soon, a few pages of the synopsis were handed to PD Jung Soo-ryeong, and she checked the title first.
“‘Tale of the Strange Moon’? Just from the title, this is clearly a historical drama.”
Next was the writer's name.
“‘Writer Rojun’.”
But PD Jung didn’t seem very surprised.
“As expected. My guess was right.”
Rather, Executive Director Lim asked in surprise.
“Guess? You already knew it would be Writer Rojun?”
“It was just a kind of intuition. Plus some added reactions from people around me. And I heard you went to GN Entertainment recently, right?”
“Huh?”
“Someone I know said they saw you there. Why would Netflix Korea go to GN? The most likely reason would be Writer Rojun. Plus, the atmosphere at Culture Drawer also hinted at it. More than anything, if it’s Netflix Korea, which is probably the most trend-sensitive, wouldn’t they want Writer Rojun? Especially since ‘Vanguard’ is flying high these days.”
“You should have been a detective, PD-nim.”
“I just stumbled into it.”
With a faint smile, PD Jung Soo-ryeong turned her gaze back to the synopsis for 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. At the same time, her heart was pounding without pause. Expectations and excitement were soaring wildly. A historical drama written by that Writer Rojun? How could she resist?
She read the synopsis with full concentration.
“......”
A few minutes later.
“...This is insanely good. In the midst of being busy with 'Vanguard', has his sense as a writer been elevated even more? Truly impressive.”
“If you were the director, how would you handle ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’?”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong, lowering the synopsis she had been reading, immediately began listing her thoughts.
“I’d have to see the script, but for now, it’s a fusion historical drama blended with fantasy. The way elements like shamans and monsters are mixed with a hint of horror is impressive. It feels like folktales might appear too. From the synopsis alone, it seems to aim for a Korean-style historical superhero genre? That means it should be written with a seasonal format in mind rather than a single-shot. And if it’s a seasonal series, then the characters need to be strong as well.”
“......”
“Writer Rojun is great at building characters and using them effectively, so that should be fine, but the key would be the VFX team’s capability. CG and visual effects need to be seamlessly integrated to avoid making it look tacky, and the monster or occult aspects need to be properly reinforced.”
All she had seen was the synopsis. Yet PD Jung Soo-ryeong spoke as if she could see right into Executive Director Lim’s mind, without missing a beat. And her briefing continued on without pause, gradually captivating Executive Director Lim.
‘This is the power of experience and of a star PD. It’s no wonder every project she touches hits ratings gold. Her sense is sharp and her eye for detail is incredible.’
Come to think of it, it was also PD Jung Soo-ryeong who first discovered Writer Rojun and started his debut project with him.
‘Her understanding of Writer Rojun is incredibly deep.’
The more she saw and the more she heard, the more PD Jung Soo-ryeong seemed like the perfect fit to direct 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. After finishing her briefing, PD Jung tapped the synopsis with her index finger.
“Ah, now that I’ve read the synopsis, I’m dying to see the script. Could I maybe get a taste, just a single page?”
With a look of certainty now in her eyes, Executive Director Lim said,
“Not just one page, I’ll give you the entire script.”
“Huh? What?”
She reached out her hand to PD Jung.
“You’ve passed the interview. Please direct ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’.”
At the same time, filming site for ‘A Tranquil Day’.
Around late morning, Kang Rojun and Do-kyung were busy digging up potatoes in the field. Of course, Jang Seo-young, Seo Da-in, and Choi Rina were doing the same. Today, Rojun and Do-kyung were scheduled to stay here only until lunch. They’d had a simple breakfast, and once noon passed, they would head to a nearby town for lunch and then say goodbye.
Soon, veteran actress Jang Seo-young, who had grown quite close to Do-kyung, began nagging him.
“Hey Do-kyung! Don’t just skim the surface, you need to dig deeper! Look at this, there are still so many potatoes left where you passed.”
“Roger. I’ll focus more.”
“You know, you’re fine usually, but when you get nervous, your speech gets really stiff?”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
Do-kyung, now wearing his straw hat again, resumed digging up potatoes with effort. Watching him, Jang Seo-young chuckled as if she found him cute.
“Do-kyung is really, how should I put it... he's handsome, but gives off that ‘disobedient younger brother’ vibe, right??”
Do-kyung replied while still digging, as if correcting her.
“I’m very obedient!”
By now, Kang Rojun, with a towel around his neck, was also diligently harvesting potatoes. Next to him was Choi Rina, panting beside him.
“Rojun-ah, why are you so tough? Aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine. Why? If you’re tired, sunbae, take a break.”
“No way, I can’t lose to you!”
As Choi Rina suddenly sped up, Rojun smiled. At that moment, the main PD of 'A Tranquil Day' shouted.
“This looks great right now?? Let’s shoot the poster like this! Everyone, strike a pose with your potatoes!”
Kang Rojun and Do-kyung stepped out for a moment while Jang Seo-young, Seo Da-in, and Choi Rina continued with the poster shoot first. Then Rojun and Do-kyung rejoined.
“Next, let’s get some still cuts for Episode 1!”
About 30 minutes later, the cast gathered around the monitor. The first to react loudly was Seo Da-in with her short bob haircut.
“Wait, why does it look like we can only see Rojun and Do-kyung! Especially Rojun! You’re just digging potatoes, so why is your face glowing??”
Do-kyung, perhaps feeling a bit proud, chimed in.
“Even if Rojun hyung were a potato, he’d still be handsome.”
Kang Rojun shoved Do-kyung’s shoulder.
“Don’t turn me into a potato.”
After all the fuss, the morning schedule ended. Kang Rojun, Do-kyung, and the actresses changed into casual outfits and headed to town. Naturally, top celebrities showing up in a quiet village drew a crowd quickly.
“Oh my, isn’t that Jang Seo-young?”
“Who’s that? An actress?”
“Of course she’s an actress. A super popular one. Didn’t you hear they’re filming a variety show at the house up there??”
“Ahh! I need to get a photo!”
The funny thing was...
“Hyung. Isn’t it kind of weird that no one’s recognizing us?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
Kang Rojun and Do-kyung were getting the cold shoulder. Noticing this, Jang Seo-young patted both of their shoulders.
“What do you think? Around here, I’m the ‘Vanguard’ and the idol, okay? It’s fine, it’s fine. There are a lot of older folks around, that’s why they don’t know you. When younger people show up, they’ll be all over you.”
And sure enough, a few couples and young kids soon began waving at Rojun and Do-kyung, but the actresses, especially Jang Seo-young, still had far greater star power.
Then, Kang Rojun placed a hand on Do-kyung’s shoulder and, as the leader of 'Vanguard', solemnly declared,
“Let’s work even harder.”
With a firm expression, Do-kyung nodded.
“...Yeah.”
Their lunch was banquet noodles from the town market. After wrapping up the lunchtime shoot, Kang Rojun and Do-kyung began wrapping up for the day. They carried their suitcases out of the house. The actresses, full of regret, sighed as they watched.
“Ah, such a shame. They are leaving.”
“Rojun! The food you made was seriously good! And Do-kyung was hilarious!”
“...Travel safely, Rojun. You too, Do-kyung.”
The final goodbyes lasted over five minutes. Eventually, after bowing repeatedly to the staff, Kang Rojun and Do-kyung headed toward the waiting van. Among the actresses still waving, Seo Da-in murmured,
"Wow, even Rojun's back view is handsome."
Veteran Jang Seo-young strongly agreed.
“I... I can’t remember anything except how good-looking he is.”
“......”
Choi Rina said nothing. She was silently repeating what her favorite had once said to her.
‘Okay, noona.’
Meanwhile, in the van, after finishing a brief chat with the production crew, Kang Rojun and Do-kyung transferred to the vehicle where the 'Vanguard' team was waiting. Sitting inside was Manager Kim Ki-baek, who hadn’t been there yesterday, now waving weakly.
"Did you enjoy your healing well?"
Rojun and Do-kyung replied sincerely.
“It was fun.”
"Right, time flew by so fast."
Just as the van carrying the two started to move, Manager Kim Ki-baek added,
“That’s a relief.”
Then he mentioned another schedule.
“Rojun, the first shoot for ‘Blood Hunt’ has been scheduled.”