Chapter 37:
Director Gu Chanik, as much as he shied away from public appearances, was shrouded in rumors. There were whispers about his nasty temperament, stories of office windows shattering during fights with actors.
However, one undeniable fact was the excellence of his films.
In terms of artistic quality and box office performance alike.
Now that I think about it, it's been a while since he released a film.'
His last work, Black Nails,' was released eight years ago.
Han Yooil quietly nodded. Time may have passed, but Gu Chanik remained a beloved name among cinephiles.
"Isn't it strange, no matter how you think about it? At this point, isn't he losing his mind?"
Yooil headed towards the source of the shrill voice. He saw two figures near the emergency exit.
It was only after getting closer that Yooil realized he knew one of them.
"Hello, senior."
"Ah, damn you startled me."
The appearance of Han Yooil seemed to greatly surprise the two men. Particularly, the slender man who appeared to be a manager looked as if he might vomit any second. He seemed to recognize Yooil.
"What?"
A man with tanned skin and thick double eyelids spoke sharply.
Seems like he doesn't recognize me.'
Yooil took a step closer.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Han Yooil."
"Ah."
Recognition didn't seem to change his demeanor much. Yooil continued to smile as he looked at him.
Brion spoke in a stiff voice.
That's actor Son Jisoo. Just as the rumors say.
Son Jisoo. He had been an actor since he was a child.
Twenty years ago, he debuted in the EBC drama Open the Magic Door' alongside Park Younghyun from JJ Entertainment, and he is currently 28 years old.
Yooil, listening to Brion's explanation, locked eyes with Son Jisoo. Jisoo was sizing him up.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Eh, whatever."
His manager was almost in tears, alternating his gaze between Yooil and Jisoo. The sight was almost pitiful.
Han Yooil spoke calmly.
"I guess we'll be seeing each other more often."
"What do you mean?"
"I heard you were going to be part of Director Gu Chanik's next project."
Technically, he had overheard it.
"Hah."
Son Jisoo scoffed, a sound teetering between mockery and a sigh, then roughly ran his fingers through his hair.
"Did you already get a call from Director Gu Chanik?"
Taking Yooil's silence as affirmation, Jisoo shook his head.
"Sorry to hear that. Looks like you're getting your hopes up for nothing."
"Getting my hopes up for nothing?"
"In my opinion, it seems like he's just using an unknowing rookie to cut down production costs. Don't get swayed by it."
Son Jisoo spoke slowly, feigning a relaxed demeanor.
He should have gotten the hint by now.'
Son Jisoo considered himself a rare gem among male actors in their twenties, known for his acting prowess. Throughout his career, he'd received ample praise for his performances and, since becoming an adult, had been the lead in a variety of genres. Precisely, he'd only taken lead roles.
However, lately, he was feeling the pressure, both internally and externally. The recent performances of the dramas he starred in weren't stellar, leading to a dearth of scripts offering him lead roles.
It was in this frustrating moment that he received the casting offer for Director Gu Chanik's new project.
But not as the lead, rather the friend of the lead. And to be overshadowed by a rookie, at that!
There will be more opportunities in the future, don't think too negatively. That's just how this industry is. You know that, right?
"Well, I guess."
Son Jisoo looked at Han Yooil with raised eyebrows, irked by his unusually calm demeanor.
Yooil kept smiling without batting an eyelid.
Eventually, Yooil spoke,
As far as I know, Director Gu Chanik is not someone who often changes his mind once hes said something.
"Huh?"
A soothing, almost pacifying voice flowed from Yooil's lips.
"And, senior. Don't think too negatively. Sometimes, the characters around the protagonist can be more interesting."
With a sparkling smile, Yooil echoed Jisoo's own words back to him.
He could say this because he had just seen the last message sent by Min Woojin.
Manager Min Woojin: The director wants to cast you as the lead!!!!
Manager Min Woojin: Ive arranged a meeting for you when youre free.
"Have a good day."
After politely saying goodbye, Yooil disappeared into the elevator that had just arrived.
Son Jisoo, trembling with clenched fists, started swearing loudly as soon as Yooil was out of sight.
"That Was he making fun of me just now? What the hell is he? Ha, wow F**k Ah, damn it!"
He began to vent his frustration by kicking a vending machine.
Completely forgetting his own rudeness, the manager watched his actor with a sigh. He felt like he was aging years in a single day.
I'll definitely quit next month'
He gazed at the ceiling with a distant look in his eyes.
* * *
A few days later, in the late afternoon.
Yooil got out of the car and entered a house with neatly tended gardens and white walls.
It looked like a cozy home, but the reality was different. This was Director Gu Chanik's villa, where he stayed and worked when he was immersed in a project. Only a select few were invited to this place.
"Hello, Director. It's nice to meet you."
As soon as Han Yooil entered Director Gu Chanik's studio, he greeted the director.
Director Gu Chanik, who was sitting on an old but stylish leather sofa, slowly lifted his head.
He looked even more formidable than in photos. Despite his age, his eyes were like those of an eagle eyeing its prey.
Without responding to Yooil's greeting, Director Gu Chanik slightly lifted his left hand in a gesture beckoning him closer.
Yooil slowly approached him.
The sofa seemed to be for three people, and in front of it was a long wooden table. Apart from the sofa, there was no other furniture suitable for sitting.
As Yooil stood in front of him, Gu Chanik waved his hand again, looking quite bothered.
"Just sit down."
"Oh. Yes, thank you."
Yooil sat down beside him without a word. He expected the old furniture to creak, but the sofa was sturdier than he thought.
He silently brewed oolong tea, then placed a small cup in front of Yooil.
"I don't like teen stars, you know."
"Pardon?"
"Joo Bonhee, Yoo Heejae Starting from those types, all these so-called teen stars are the same. Relying solely on their looks without a shred of acting skill, their arrogance reaches the skies."
Joo Bonhee and Yoo Heejae were stars who were active 40 years ago, the so-called bookmark' stars.
After brief careers in the entertainment industry, their names had faded into memory.
Yooil was slightly taken aback by the sudden mention of these veteran actors. Brion too seemed to be silently assessing the situation.
Yooil decided to just nod and listen attentively. Gu Chanik continued.
"It's the same nowadays. The world has changed so fast But you see, popularity corrupts people."
But then again, maybe that's just an old man talking.
Yooil quietly observed Gu Chanik, who was mumbling like a fortune teller.
Gu Chanik turned his head to look at Han Yooil.
"Do you know why I chose you as the lead?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure."
"Is that so?"
He chuckled, sounding deflated, then searched for something on his desk.
"Here. Take a look."
Gu Chanik handed Yooil a stack of papers.
This is'
A script.
On the cover, written in cursive, was the title.
[The Mysterious Garden]
The title alone had Gu Chanik's signature all over it. Han Yooil's heart started to beat faster.
"May I read it now?"
"Of course. That's why I gave it to you."
Gu Chanik answered with a faint smile. As he sipped his pale green tea, Yooil slowly turned the pages.
Wow.'
The story was interesting. Surprisingly sophisticated for a script written by a 70-year-old director.
Hyukjin, a florist with a suspicious past, and Sooil, a smart but brash part-timer, work together in the flower shop. The story, which starts as a calm healing tale, gradually shifts.
The turning point is the florist owner's secret. As it is revealed, the story transforms into an action thriller.
In the silent studio, where only the ticking of the clock could be heard, Yooil flipped through the script page by page.
Finally, he reached the last page.
Yooil's eyes sparkled as he looked at the director.
"I'm not just saying this It's really interesting, Director."
"Huh, you read it already?"
His eyes, full of disbelief, locked onto Yooil. But as Yooil began to recite the content of the script, Gu Chanik's doubts quickly faded.
It's an unusual work. Quite different from Director Gu Chanik's previous films.
Yooil agreed with Brion's assessment.
"It feels completely different from the scripts you've written before."
"You noticed that? Well, of course."
There seemed to be a mix of pride and melancholy in his voice.
"It's not my work."
"Oh, is there a different writer?"
"Yes."
He took a slow sip of tea, then continued with a sigh.
"The writer of this script is my daughter. I did add a bit to it, though."
"!"
Yooil, startled, pressed his lips together, trying not to reveal his surprise.
Brion spoke calmly.
If it's the daughter of Director Gu Chanik known to the world, it would be Gu Hyeyoung, who died in a car accident 8 years ago.
Yes.'
Gu Hyeyoung was the daughter Gu Chanik had in his forties, and she passed away in a tragic accident in her mid-twenties.
Director Gu Chanik continued slowly,
"A few years back, while cleaning out my daughter's room, I found this I felt that if I didn't make this into a film, I'd regret it until my dying day."
Yooil's eyes deepened.
Director Gu Chanik shared various snippets of stories. He was someone who had never laid bare his own story to anyone, not even to those close to him.
Yooil, listening intently and nodding slowly, then spoke softly,
"The character Sooil in the script I get the feeling he resembles the writer a lot."
At Han Yooil's words, Director Gu Chanik looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.
"Yes. He's very much like Hyeyoung."
How did he know that?
But the moment Director Gu Chanik saw Yooil's face, he realized.
Han Yooil wasn't just understanding his situation; he was genuinely empathizing.
With all his heart.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced in Director Gu Chanik's mind, a story he'd almost forgotten because he'd only caught a glimpse of it.
It was about Han Yooil's family history.
"I have something like that too."
Yooil opened his palm slowly and continued,
"It's about this size, a notebook the size of my palm. Soaked in mud and water, so you can't make out anything in it but still, it's the most important thing to me."
"That is"
As if reading Director Gu Chanik's expression, Yooil nodded.
"Yes. It was the last thing I had with my parents."
That worn notebook was the most precious item Yooil had.
Director Gu Chanik moistened his lips with the tea.
The tea, once hot, had now cooled down.
"You."
Director Gu Chanik slowly shifted his gaze. Yooil's eyes were shining clearly.
The old director felt a certainty.
Yes, if it's this person'
He seemed like someone who could solve the homework he'd been putting off for so long.
"Would you be willing to take on the lead role in my film?"
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