pappabearbooks Chapter 100: Four People (2)
Chapter 100: Four People (2)
Kang Rojun blinked as he looked at Writer Han Seo-ryeong standing right in front of him. Writer Han Seo-ryeong? Is she really that star writer Han Seo-ryeong? Though she had a simple vibe with short hair and glasses, the aura in her gaze was anything but ordinary.Even more, she was calm and composed.
“Team Leader, do you want to fall flat on your face?”
A threat delivered in a cultured tone. Rojun, while gazing at Han Seo-ryeong's profile, recalled the things he had searched just yesterday. Starting from the major management company ‘Culture Drawer’ all the way to Writer Han Seo-ryeong.
The information was easy to find.
The power of ‘Culture Drawer’ was immense.
《[Movie Issue] Horror film master Director Kim Oh-jun joins ‘Culture Drawer’》
《‘Culture Drawer’ thriving even in content production》
《[Feature] Bullying by broadcasters is a thing of the past… digging into the den of giants, ‘Culture Drawer’》
Writer Han Seo-ryeong also had massive influence in the entertainment industry.
《Three star writers with undeniable ticket power including Han Seo-ryeong, all to be seen this year》
《Jaw-dropping per-episode script fees… even casting is in her hands, Writer Han Seo-ryeong begins her comeback》
Her career, her numerous hit works, and so on. Thanks to the writer management meeting, Rojun had searched her name out of pure admiration. And that very star writer, Han Seo-ryeong, also co-CEO of ‘Culture Drawer’, had shown up in person.
Kang Rojun’s mouth opened slightly.
‘I thought for sure it’d just be Culture Drawer employees.’
He hadn’t imagined that the co-CEO, Writer Han Seo-ryeong, would personally appear. There hadn’t even been any mention of her coming. Apparently, Team Leader Seo Woo-tae of ‘WW Creative’ was in the same boat.
“Writer-nim, why are you here......”
The panic spread across his wide face. On the other hand, Han Seo-ryeong, radiating elegance, spoke in a tone between a neutral face and a faint smile.
“Are you just going to ignore my question?”
“Pardon??”
“I asked if you wanted to fall flat on your face.”
“...Ah, no. Writer-nim. The thing is-”
Han Seo-ryeong slowly shook her head.
“No explanations or persuasion. Just answer.”
“......”
“I’ve been listening to everything Team Leader Seo said from the beginning. I get the situation. So, what are you going to do?”
In truth, she had arrived here for her next scheduled meeting, and as the time for the meeting with Rojun came, she had shown up, only to witness the situation by chance. Team Leader Seo Woo-tae, unaware of this, visibly lost color in real time.
“This is a misunderstanding, Writer-nim.”
“That’s strange, because no matter how I look at it, forward or backward, it doesn’t seem like a misunderstanding.”
Glancing briefly at Kang Rojun standing next to her, who wasn’t particularly intervening, Writer Han Seo-ryeong spoke again.
"Persisting stubbornly until they break, falling flat on your face, how could any of that be a misunderstanding?”
“T-that is…”
"It is true though, Team Leader Seo and I have both been in this industry for years, right? There’s no market as polished yet rotten as this one.”
“......”
“But do you realize? The things you said, Team Leader, could apply even to producers like me or you too.”
Letting out a soft sigh, she pointed at Kang Rojun.
“The market is already small enough, and you treat writers like this? In a writer management company? I don’t understand.”
“I-I must’ve gotten a little too worked up.”
“Team Leader Seo, how many times have I warned you in the past? All the careless words you toss out are knives, so don’t treat writers or directors poorly.”
Just a few minutes ago, Team Leader Seo Woo-tae had been yelling at Kang Rojun with full confidence. Now, he was like a gentle lamb. No, more like prey cowering before a wolf. Watching it up close, Kang Rojun could only be amazed.
‘Whoa- seriously badass. This is real power.’
It was like a scene straight out of a drama, and Rojun just decided to enjoy it like popcorn in his mind. At that point, Writer Han Seo-ryeong took out her phone.
“If I send just one text here, Team Leader Seo won't be able to get back up once you fall. You really should’ve known your limits.”
“W-writer-nim!! I’m sorry!”
Team Leader Seo Woo-tae suddenly began begging writer Han Seo-ryeong desperately. It was understandable. The writers under ‘WW Creative’, the actors belonging to ‘WW Entertainment’, and even the CEOs of both companies, one text from Han Seo-ryeong could mean execution for Seo Woo-tae.
A breeze from her was a typhoon to him.
Writer Han Seo-ryeong then spoke quietly.
“Leave.”
Team Leader Seo Woo-tae bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, then
“Thank you!!!”
He disappeared with the female employees as if fleeing. Watching their backs for a moment, Writer Han Seo-ryeong turned to Rojun and gave him a small wink with one eye.
“He said thank you, so I should at least send a text as response, right?”
She wasn’t letting him off the hook? As Rojun murmured inwardly, Writer Han Seo-ryeong sent a text to someone. It didn’t take long. After putting her phone back into her handbag, she locked eyes with Kang Rojun again.
“I’m kind of close with ‘WW Entertainment’.”
‘WW Creative’ was a subsidiary of ‘WW Entertainment'. Hearing her words, and recalling the wide-faced Seo Woo-tae, Kang Rojun was certain.
‘Guess I won’t be seeing that old man again.’
A short while later.
Inside the meeting room, Kang Rojun and Writer Han Seo-ryeong sat facing each other. Given the situation, it was natural for Rojun to feel slightly nervous, after all, he was face-to-face with one of the top three star writers in the country.
‘Especially after seeing her annihilate that management company team leader, makes it even more intense.’
Writer Han Seo-ryeong didn’t speak or act in an overbearing manner. On the contrary, she was unassuming. But the weight she carried was considerable. Probably the natural aura of a giant in the industry.
At that moment.
“Writer Rojun.”
With a calm tone, Writer Han Seo-ryeong gave a soft smile.
“When I saw you on TV and in articles, I thought you looked really handsome, but even that was an understatement.”
“Huh?”
“I saw a comment saying you don’t look human, and it was true. I’ve never seen a visual like yours in my life.”
Rojun’s shoulders involuntarily rose.
“Th-thank you.”
“Your face... ‘beautiful’ is the right word. And the fact that you’re a writer makes it even more amazing.”
“Is it that amazing?”
“Yes. It’s amazing. It’s like a fairy tale, the path you’ve walked, Writer Rojun.”
A fairy tale? Maybe it was because she was a star writer, but Rojun thought her expressions were different, and let out an awkward cough.
"Ahem, I was surprised that Writer-nim came."
“To be honest, I insisted. There were other staff members who were supposed to come.”
“Ah.”
“I’m the type who can’t stand not knowing. I really wanted to see you.”
Was this really the same Han Seo-ryeong who just executed Seo Woo-tae? She now seemed endlessly gentle.
“Writer Rojun, how did you come to write?"
It was the first time he had been asked that in any of the meetings so far. How did I come to write, again? After thinking briefly, Rojun answered honestly.
“I think I didn’t want to be bored or feel empty. Because when I started thinking too much…”
When Kang Rojun was at his worst, he had to do mind control every second and minute. Even the slightest lapse would allow despair, hopelessness, pain, and negativity to consume him. Those feelings grew even worse when time was spent in emptiness. That’s why Rojun worked however he could and also wrote in his spare time.
"Fantasies and imagination end if they stop in your head, but if you record them in writing, they remain in the world, so I wrote for that reason too."
“That’s a wonderful way to put it. Taking fantasies and imaginations and pulling them into the world.”
With affection pouring from her eyes, Writer Han Seo-ryeong asked something else.
“Do you enjoy writing?”
“......”
Enjoy it? Hmm. Honestly, he hadn’t in the past. It was just one of the tools that helped him endure life. But now, it was a bit different. Since his trash writing, those worthless words, were now being recognized, writing had started to feel enjoyable.
“It used to just help me endure, but now I think I actually enjoy it.”
"Scary. A writer who enjoys writing is the hardest to beat. You'll grow by leaps and bounds, Writer-nim."
"Do you think so?"
“Yeah. I think so. Lately, I feel like my own growth has stalled, being tangled in so many interests and obligations. So when I see someone like you, my eyes are dazzled. Makes me think of the old days.”
“You were seriously cool earlier, too, Writer Han Seo-ryeong.”
Her smile deepened, and she brushed her short hair back.
“Thank you. Writer Rojun, make sure to keep that my-pace attitude you showed to Team Leader Seo. That kind of determination and energy will help keep your center.”
“......”
How should he put it, Kang Rojun genuinely liked this conversation. Until now, the meetings had all been about complex, realistic matters.
‘But this finally feels like a real writer-to-writer conversation, doesn’t it?’
Moreover, when else would he ever get advice from such a renowned writer? If 'Rental Lover' hadn’t surfaced, he probably wouldn’t have met her at all. While Kang Rojun was deep in thought, Writer Han Seo-ryeong tilted her head slightly.
“I heard you consider being an idol your main job. Then how far are you thinking about your side job as a writer?”
“How far, as in-”
“You know, things like that? ‘At the very least, I’ll reach this point'. From what I’ve seen of you, Writer Rojun, I figured you’d have some kind of goal set even if it’s just a side job.”
Kang Rojun answered quickly.
"A world-class hit work, maybe? I heard you're supposed to set your goals big.”
Han Seo-ryeong’s lips twitched.
“A world-class hit?”
“Yes.”
“Then what about being an idol?”
“Universe-class?”
In the end, Writer Han Seo-ryeong burst into laughter.
“Sorry, not laughing at you, it’s just so impressive. You’ve already achieved one of those.”
“Which one?”
“Your face. I think your face is already universe-class.”
At that moment, Writer Han Seo-ryeong checked the time and stood up.
“I have another schedule, so I’ll have to wrap this up. Hmm, about the matter of bringing Writer Rojun on board, I think this should be enough. Our ‘Culture Drawer’ can be a stepping stone for you to reach that world-class, universe-class level a bit faster.”
She offered a handshake.
“Think it over and let us know. I’m really glad I got to meet you, Writer Rojun. You gave me a lot of inspiration too.”
With a faint smile in his eyes, Kang Rojun made his decision on the spot.
“I’ll join ‘Culture Drawer’.”
After that.
A slightly surprised Writer Han Seo-ryeong asked if he was sure, but Kang Rojun was firm. With a smile lingering at the corners of her mouth, Han Seo-ryeong exchanged numbers with Rojun.
“Someone from ‘Culture Drawer’ will come to see you within a few days.”
She explained that the official contract process would begin soon. She added that most of the terms would be met without issue. After finishing her conversation with Kang Rojun, Writer Han Seo-ryeong got into her parked foreign car.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, she didn’t start the engine right away.
“......”
For a few seconds, she recalled Kang Rojun from earlier, then made a call. The person on the other end was CEO Heo, her fellow co-CEO at ‘Culture Drawer.’
“Yeah, I just met him. Writer Rojun, he far exceeded my expectations.”
In the call, she confirmed that the contract was moving forward.
“Meet all the major conditions, and we’ll need to tweak the contract ratio too.”
After exchanging some rather practical points, the call ended. At the same time, her phone rang.
-♬♪
This time, an incoming call. The caller ID showed top actress Choi Rina. Smiling lightly, Han Seo-ryeong held the phone to her ear.
“Are you a ghost? How do you manage to call the second the meeting ended?”
“Really? You’re done?? How was it meeting Rojun-nim??”
“Writer Rojun, he’s something else, something I’ve never seen before.”
Recalling her conversation with Kang Rojun, Han Seo-ryeong felt a strange shiver run down her arm.
“He might just accomplish something no one else has ever done.”
The next day, Tuesday morning.
Kang Rojun could be found in the hall with a stage on campus. Of course, he wasn’t alone. He was with the nine other contestants who had just finished their break. What was interesting was that in front of the lineup of contestants, cameras and lights had been set up.
In other words, filming was in progress.
Naturally, dozens of staff members were present, along with the writers, and PD Woo Han-suk, too, stood among them with a serious expression. At that moment, several cameras filmed each contestant individually, and writers including Kim Se-hee began calling out the contestants one by one, starting with Kang Rojun.
It was to record simple interview cuts.
About an hour later, Rojun and the nine participants lined up again at the front of the stage.
-Swish.
PD Woo Han-suk, who had been on standby, appeared while adjusting his glasses. His face looked even more serious than before.
“Did you rest well?”
“Yes-”
“Yes-”
After hearing their answers, PD Woo Han-suk ran a hand through his messy hair.
“‘Produce That 100!’ has now aired 13 episodes. From a planning standpoint, we’re already entering the final stages.”
He continued in a calm yet serious tone.
“Starting now, I’ll announce the details of the 5th evaluation.”
The contestants murmured softly. Regardless, PD Woo Han-suk’s briefing remained steady.
“And after this 5th evaluation, only four survivors will remain.”
In other words, this fifth one was the final evaluation.
“Those four will be the final winners.”
Out of the current ten, six would be eliminated. Only four would survive. Kang Rojun thought to himself.
‘Already the final evaluation, those four will debut as an idol team.’
At that moment, PD Woo Han-suk lifted a tablet and spoke.
“The fifth. No, the final evaluation theme is ‘freedom’.”
*****
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