abcnovels
Chapter 20.1
Chapter 20.1
Chapter 20.1
"Bro, I heard you were called over by Yeon Seo."
Thanks to the generous production budget, the staff had plenty of time for meals and breaks. Productions featuring Yeon Seo were desirable places to work due to their high budgets. Sure, being on the receiving end of Yeon Seo's arrogance was unlucky, but he didn't bother the lower-level staff, so the relationships among the staff were generally good.
"You know what I got from Yoo Yeon Seo?"
"Whoa, an envelope."
"How much is in it?"
Staff members who had been eating their boxed lunches put down their chopsticks to inspect the contents of the envelope Yeon Seo had given. The crisp cash inside wasn't of Sejong the Great (10,000 won), but wads of notes featuring Shin Saimdang (50,000 won).
"Why did he give this to you?"
"He said it's for us to buy drinks later."
"I heard the lighting team got some too yesterday. Ah, if I had received it, I would have eaten all the money."
"So that's why I got it. How about pork belly and soju tonight?"
"Sounds good."
‘Baekho-ham' unfolded almost entirely in the confined space of a ship. Consequently, shooting primarily occurred on pre-built sets, which was an advantage as there was no need to move between different locations.
"That's right, Hyung Tae. You were in Yoo Yeon Seo's drama before."
"Yes, I was in ‘Our Moments'."
"Was he always like this? It's so different from the rumours I heard."
"No, he wasn't like this before."
The one called Hyungtae couldn't forget Yeon Seo's demeanour in ‘Our Moments'.
[Do you think your script would've seen the light of day if it wasn't for me?]
[Yes! I acknowledge that! But the contract states that whatever happens, it's up to the writer's discretion! I have the authority over the story!]
[Ah, enough! It's not working out. Let's replace the writer.]
[Great! Go ahead and replace me! A lead actor causing trouble and the writer is being replaced with only four episodes left! That would make for some juicy gossip!]
[You think I'm afraid of a little gossip? Who do you think will suffer more if this collapses? Rewrite the script, I'm the lead actor.]
Yet, the writer didn't back down. It seemed that once produced, the work would be ruined by the lead actor's performance. The writer, who cared too much about the work's performance, became anxious when the ratings started to fall, even though the piece was critically acclaimed for its artistic merit.
"It was no joke. He vented his anger on the writer, snubbed Go Hyun Tae, and the PD was just happy as long as he kept his mouth shut, watching the mess unfold from afar."
"Really?"
"Do you think I'm making this up? I thought he was a completely different person watching him here."
"Well, his acting has improved a lot."
"Including the way he acknowledges greetings."
"He didn't use to acknowledge greetings?"
At the time, it was Park Hyung Tae himself who had intervened in the dispute between the writer and Yoo Yeon Seo. Back then, Yoo Yeon Seo had threatened him, saying he would make sure Park Hyung Tae couldn't find work in the industry, just for trying to mediate the situation.
"Huh? But that's strange…"
"What is?"
"No, it's nothing."
But when they crossed paths on ‘Baekho-ham', it was strange. Despite seeing him up close and greeting him, Yeon Seo just returned the greeting and acted as if he didn't know him. ‘Our Moments' was the work Yeon Seo had done just before his accident. It hadn't even been a year yet.
"They say there's no smoke without fire, rumors don't just start out of nowhere."
"I heard he also cursed out another actor and called him a vulgar guy?"
"Oh, him? What was his name… isn't he doing well these days?"
As Park Hyung-tae was deep in thought, the other staff members mulled over the rumours about Yoo Yeon Seo. Then the staff member who had received the envelope of money broke the silence.
"He might be a bit rude, but he's not a bad guy, right?"
"Oh, he's just managing his image."
"So, that means he is making an effort to manage his image. That Yoo Yeon Seo."
At those words, the other staff members fell silent. Yoo Yeon Seo, the one who often became the topic of rumours for all the wrong reasons, was managing his image?
They all turned their heads to look in one direction. Just then, Yoo Yeon Seo was stepping out of the set.
"….If his image improves, it would be a hit, wouldn't it?"
"Absolutely."
With his privileged background and improved reputation? Everyone would be clamouring to cast Yeon Seo. Of course, this thought was based on the assumption that Yeon Seo's acting had improved to a decent level.
Making the most of his lunch break, Yeon Seo reached a restroom that wasn't much frequented. Noticing a ‘cleaning in progress sign, he placed it outside and showed thoroughness by locking the door.
He placed both hands on the sink and looked into the mirror.
"Beta, initiate memory synchronization."
<Should I proceed with synchronization in a way that does not strain your body, as last time?>
"No."
Yeon Seo spoke decisively.
"To the limit. As long as I don't die."
<That does not seem like a good choice. Master, it's too dangerous.>
Well, it was indeed a bit dangerous, wasn't it? A sudden laugh erupted from him.
"It's okay. Begin."
<As the current synchronization rate has exceeded 10%, more detailed memories can be recalled. Therefore, there is a risk of being swept up by the emotions of the original body. Are you sure about this?>
Yeon Seo nodded his head.
<Memory synchronization will commence.>
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