IJLMT 49

Chapter 49

Film Set of Chalk and Window

Actress Lee Joo-ah sat inside the apartment set. They say a great actor can even change the atmosphere of the background, right? The set felt cold and heavy.

“You can’t affect me at all.”

Joo-ah, playing Yoo-jung, spoke with trembling lips. Ironically, the very act of saying it betrayed that she was affected. She must have known that contradiction herself, yet her stubborn pride endlessly generated paradoxes.

Though she played the antagonist, her love for her husband and child was genuine. She didn’t want to be abandoned by anyone.

“Cut!”

Director Shin Dong-jae called out, a satisfied expression on his face.

“Wow… this is art. Art. I feel awkward saying this since I wrote the script, but if this doesn’t succeed, then what will?”
“Thank you.”

I felt the same way. If this movie doesn’t succeed, what will? I’m confident it will. Besides, Yangpa had already foreshadowed it.

Knowing that this work would succeed made me want to promote it even more. I wanted everyone to notice.

• “Brother, congratulations on your promotion to team leader, even if it’s a bit late. Taking care of us is good, but you know your health is most important, right?”

• “If you get sick while taking care of others, I’d be insanely disappointed.”

Honestly, I felt that desire. I wanted those who gave me their hearts to succeed no matter what. Not just succeed, but succeed beyond expectation, so they would feel that giving me their hearts had been the right choice.

“Director, when will the teaser be released?”
“Probably at the end of next month, unless Mr. Ahn Yeon-hong’s OST work takes longer.”

If we accept the proposal from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, campaign videos and promotional posters would be displayed starting early next month. Perfect timing.

“Before that, there’s something I’d like to discuss. Can you spare some time?”
“Of course, Yoo team leader. If it’s you, we’ll make time even if it’s tight.”

I explained the proposal from the commission: I, or I and one actor, would participate in the campaign (the actor can be suggested by us) to shoot a 30-second short-form promotional video and poster. I had even negotiated the possibility of adding one more actor.

Director Shin Dong-jae initially had a “why are you telling me this?” expression, but then his eyes widened as if he had caught on.

“Team Leader Yoo, you mean…”
“The short-form script will be produced by a private contractor. We asked if we could make it ourselves, and they said it’s fine if it aligns with public interest.”

I had also had a deep discussion with Yangpa yesterday—not whining like when I first met him using a “castaway meta.”

Yangpa was a good teacher, but also a strict boss.

• “You and Im Yoo-joo will film together. Since it went viral through the Pale Moon Gate, doesn’t it fit the theme of ‘integrity,’ Mr. Yang?”

The leaf growing from Yangpa’s bracelet made a triangle, neither a circle nor a cross. Just so-so.

• “Is it because it’s not specific enough? Should we go with an image of confronting corruption…?”

Triangle.

• “Or should it be a lively concept?”

Cross.

• “…Alright. Let’s list all possible options.”

And so, after staying up all night, today arrived.

Director Shin Dong-jae said to me:

“…You’re focusing on Team Leader Yoo, right? Using this as a chance to promote Chalk and Window… is that really okay? This could even reflect on your personal reputation.”
“What good is a manager’s honor alone? The celebrity I manage has to succeed for it to matter.”
“That’s true. But I wonder how many people actually think that way.”

Dong-jae nodded with satisfaction and then began speaking.

“If you’re using this opportunity for us, I’ll do my best. If we’re making the 30-second short-form script…”

He paused, thinking.

“Hmm… it’s not easy to come up with immediately. We need to convey the theme of ‘integrity,’ while connecting it to Chalk and Window? If it leans too much toward promoting the movie, the commission won’t accept it. If we focus only on integrity, it diverges from our purpose… I need to think…”
“What if Yoo-jung appears?”

I suggested. Dong-jae’s eyes lit up.

“Lee Joo-ah appearing in the public service ad, keeping her character from Chalk and Window… oh, that could work.”
“And the story could go like this…”

I shared the result of yesterday’s discussion with Yangpa, which had received his approval. Dong-jae sighed in awe.

“…Did you think of that alone?”
“I’ve been pondering it for a while.”
“Even if you think for a long time, not everyone could come up with this. You’ve essentially done my job too. Now we just add dialogue and details, and it’s done?”
“Does the story make sense?”
“It makes perfect sense! How could you develop this in just one night? The commission will love it. And if we release the teaser during this campaign…”
“Great. Then let’s tell Lee Joo-ah, and if she agrees, we proceed immediately.”

Dong-jae nodded.

I approached Joo-ah, who was resting. I felt she would accept my proposal. Yangpa had approved it, so it was likely fine. But that aside, I still had my duty as her manager.

Public event fees are lower than private ones, which causes mixed preferences among actors. Some join for the cause, others avoid it due to low pay.

So, I had to explain the pros and cons and get her consent.

“-So we’re suggesting this to promote Chalk and Window, but the fee might be unsatisfactory, so—”
“Now.”

Joo-ah frowned.

“Are you a genius or an idiot? You think I care about the fee?”
“I’m your manager; I have to explain.”

She shook her head.

“No, what you should explain is something else.”
“What?”
“Why you chose me to participate with you.”

I intended to say, “You fit the event best,” but a prick on my wrist stopped me. A thorn from Yangpa’s bracelet had jabbed me.

‘Don’t say it like that? Then what should I say?’

I thought of a few lines, but only one was approved. Why? To me, the content seemed hardly different.

“You fit best. There’s no one else suitable.”
“…Really?”

Joo-ah’s expression lit up like receiving a gift.

“Do you really think I fit better than Im Yoo-joo? She’s too busy to suggest it to me, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Hmm…”

She seemed thoughtful. I said:

“So, deal? About the fee and payment schedule…”
“Forget it. I don’t need to hear. I’ll do as you say, just proceed.”
“Oh, really?”

Done. At that moment, the future changed. Now the success of Chalk and Window was much more…

Then Joo-ah said:

“By the way… after filming today, how about a beer?”

She looked unusually cute, kicking her feet under the chair alternately.

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Meeting Room

“The video will even feature actress Lee Joo-ah. Won’t this attract public attention?”

Publicity Planning Director Lee Gwang-hoon shouted excitedly.

To him, this was a surefire event. Just getting Yoo Jae-hyun was effective, but adding Lee Joo-ah!

“Oh! Lee Joo-ah, the one from The Thief?”
“She agreed immediately. It was right to contact Yoo Jae-hyun.”

Yet the chairman and vice-chairmen seemed indifferent. Gwang-hoon thought:

‘Why don’t these older guys get why this is impressive?’

They tend to ignore entertainment or cultural issues, or act like they do. They think appearing indifferent is stylish.

“Do you know the size of Lee Joo-ah’s fandom? It’s huge. She once mentioned liking a snack, and it sold out! With Yoo Jae-hyun and Lee Joo-ah together, people would clap even if they played jegichagi.”

Vice-Chairman Jeong Yong-gi said:

“Yes, I know it’s good. But I’m worried—these kids are filming a movie, right? Chalk and Window or whatever… will this feel like we’re promoting it? Public ads need message over stimulation.”
“If the short-form script is fine, isn’t that enough?”
“Right. But they’ll want promotion. Will the script align with public purpose? Better to leave the script to another company even if we keep the casting.”

Gwang-hoon thought, “So what if it’s tied to the movie? Better to get attention than have the public ignore a taxpayer-funded ad.”

If left to a private company, it would just become a bland “Let’s make Korea honest!” message. Do we want Yoo Jae-hyun and Lee Joo-ah involved in that?

If Yoo Jae-hyun sends a script, I plan to make minimal revisions and try to convince the higher-ups.

But persuasion wasn’t needed.

By the end of the meeting, Gwang-hoon received Yoo Jae-hyun’s script by email. Printing and reviewing it was enough.

“…I think we can go with this.”

Vice-Chairman Jeong, who was concerned it would feel like promoting the movie, said:

“Nothing better will come out.”

Chairman Kim Cheol-woon added:

“What do you call this? Perfectly hits the mark?”
“Old-fashioned way of saying it, but yes.”

Everyone in the room read and reread the script, blank-faced. Non-experts couldn’t explain why it was good, but agreed it was. They had to.

Gwang-hoon was speechless. He had dealt with countless private firms before.

Most of the time, he would ask, “What’s the purpose?” “What needs emphasis?” Government points aren’t immediately clear to private firms.

Many private firms propose fun ideas, but government ads can’t rely on fun alone. Balancing fun and purpose often produces twisted results and ends up a crude “Everyone must be honest” message. Not because the government is clueless.

But Yoo Jae-hyun’s script… it understood all the key points, delivered the message persuasively, and even accounted for their interests. The script exuded the essence of Chalk and Window.

‘Has this person worked with the government? Wait, they’re only 27… how?’

Chairman Kim Cheol-woon looked up from the script:

“Yoo Jae-hyun… I think I saw him next to the president during the 3-Hoon monument visit?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“At that time, he was nothing. But now, so quickly, he’s at the center of the entertainment world?”
“Yes.”
“Clever kid.”

Kim Cheol-woon reflected deeply. Previous chairmen treated the position like a crown, but he saw it as a responsibility. He was precise, likely because of his business background. The script clearly impressed him.

“I’m warning everyone: be mindful of your attitude. The media sees Yoo Jae-hyun as righteous, warm, smart. How he sees us matters. We’re not just outsourcing; we’re being assessed.”

Gwang-hoon was surprised. He had never heard Cheol-woon speak like this before.

“Give them the best treatment allowed by the budget, and tell all staff to maintain proper conduct, like when foreign VIPs visit. Think of them as our most important guests!”

‘Why was this discovered, why! How did they handle it!’

Park Min-gyu barely restrained himself. He knew shouting at Director Lee would be unfair. Doing so would only push Yoo Jae-hyun further away.

“Yoo Jae-hyun found out… then we have to give up on Ahn Yeon-hong.”
“Sorry, I’m ashamed.”
“No, anyone would have figured it out the same way.”
“…What about Team Leader Lee Eun-sang?”
“Hah.”

Lee Eun-sang has no merit for recruitment now. Skilled but jealous. My attempt only embarrassed him.

“We promised, so we have to give him a minor role.”

Clumsily intervening only brought loss. Actually, I didn’t even ask for company secrets or risky attempts. Just a few phone calls—how did Yoo Jae-hyun know what Valhalla tried?

What hurt most was feeling even further from Yoo Jae-hyun. His chances of moving to Valhalla seemed gone.

‘Things are worse than expected.’

NobelBiz’s popularity lagged behind Nova Girls. The Island Village Doctor’s ratings hit rock bottom. La Do Re Mi’s acquisition plan was withdrawn; stock prices slowly fell.

We need to show the power of being industry number one. Recent attempts all failed. Everything tied to Yoo Jae-hyun.

Still, there was hope. Valhalla’s strength is marketing. Their massive capital and connections are unmatched by JM.

“Can’t move forward just watching the fish we missed.”

Look! Yesterday, Thieves of the Heart mentions on SNS surpassed Chalk and Window!

“Wait, what?”

Min-gyu blinked.

“Why?”
“Look at this.”

Real-time trend #1 — #AhnYeonHong #ChalkAndWindow

Min-gyu rushed to a portal site. An article was there:

[Ahn Yeon-hong surprises! Will Premiere Self-Composed Chalk and Window OST at Concert!]

“Why… is he doing this?”
“He said he wouldn’t compose for a while…”

The missed fish had created a tsunami.