Chapter 79:

Chapter 79:

Chapter 79

Im Back as a Lawyer, The Story of Walgok, Jeongsangok, The Song of the List, A Man and a Woman, The Chronology of Seo Sang-il

Kim Sang-do, the president of the Korean Theater Association, recites the titles of the plays that will be performed at this years theater festival.

The lineup is arguably the most dazzling in the history of the festival, with a series of powerful works.

They are all plays that have been popular nationwide, and the actors are also well-known figures in the Korean theater scene. And last but not least.

Spring of Joseon.

It is no exaggeration to say that the past glories have come rushing back like a slogan.

The actors who once dominated the Korean theater scene have returned to the stage.

The script is also written by Jung Yong-dae, a playwright who was once called the Shakespeare of Joseon, and the stage director is Sung Ji-hoon, who was known as the giraffe of the directing world. But the most important thing is the casting of the leads.

It was amazing.

As with any theater troupe, it was almost unheard of for a rookie actor to land a leading role on stage.

That was because theater was different from movies or dramas, where editing techniques could fix any mistakes.

On stage, one had to perform from start to finish without a break, so the lead role, who had the most appearances and lines, usually went to an experienced actor.

But in Joseons Spring, both the male and female leads were newcomers with virtually no theater background.

They were the only exceptions.

Everyone else involved in Joseons Spring, from the actors to the playwright and the director, had deep theater experience.

They must have seen something more than just buzz in the rookies, because they wouldnt risk their comeback stage on them otherwise.

After all, nothing could be worse than having the lead actor mess up on their return to the spotlight. In that sense.

I cant help but wonder what convinced them.

I wonder what kind of acting skills he had to be able to get the lead role as a rookie actor.

Just then, an association staff member enters the presidents office to get approval.

President Kim, this is the list of sponsor companies related to the stage production of this years theater festival. More companies than expected showed interest. Especially Hanol promised to spare no support for the overall lighting of the stage.

Huh, they wouldnt even answer my calls before.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

President Kim Sang-do gives a bitter smile. Theater doesnt have a high status in Korea.

Not to mention, in a situation of economic recession, its hard to expect a sold-out ticket even if a famous theater actor stars in it.

They say that theater is the least profitable art form.

There are statistics to prove that it is the most miserable industry in the cultural sector. But then.

How could everything change with the appearance of one person?

Ever since the name Jang Young-guk showed up in the articles, the landscape of the Korean Theater Festival started to shift.

Not only were the tickets sold out, but even the reporters requested to attend officially.

He must be an actor who is attracting attention from the broadcasters and the media.

The chairman of the association looked up after finishing the payment.

By the way, isnt today the day to decide the order of the festival? The results should be out by now. How did it go?

Mr. Chairman.

The employee cant open his mouth properly, mumbling something. Chairman Kim Sang-do gives him another puzzled look, and he finally speaks up.

Theres a commotion in the auditorium right now. The staff are trying to intervene.

A commotion?

Actor Park Sang-chul is causing a scene because he cant accept the results of the play festivals order

Go Byung-man snaps at Kim Young-min. Kim Young-min feels a pain in his shin, but he clenches his teeth and doesnt show it. Go Byung-man keeps pushing Kim Young-min for a long time, then narrows his eyes and says firmly.

If this weeks broadcast goes bust, its all on you.

Go Byung-man leaves the editing room and the drama department finally quiets down. The senior PDs act like they dont care, as if its a common occurrence. The junior ADs occasionally send sympathetic glances at Kim Young-min. Thats when it happened.

Why are you so down?

A hand lands on the shoulder of AD Kim Young-min, who is sitting at his partition. He lifts his head to see who it is.

Its none other than PD Yoo Myung-han. He gives a brief smile and points to the rooftop, then walks ahead.

Put this on before you get bruised.

Yoo Myung-han tosses a jar of Vaseline to Kim Young-min, who is climbing up to the rooftop.

Kim Young-min catches the Vaseline, which flies in a parabola, and lowers his head with a sheepish expression.

Thank you, senior.

Hey, relax. Theres no one else here but you and me, since its meeting time on the rooftop. But why is senior Go so angry with you since this morning?

Well, you know. The mini-series that senior Go was in charge of flopped big time. And Kim senior, who was working on team B, had his appendix burst and took a sick leave, so I had to fill in for him for a while. But he didnt like the footage I shot.

Forget about him, hes always like that. He blames everyone else but himself when the ratings dont go well. You were only a substitute for the last weeks shooting anyway. I heard Kim Yang-soo is coming back today.

Yes. Thats a relief. I might be overstepping my bounds here, but Im human too, and its too hard for me. At least there are people around today, so it ended at this. Last time, he grabbed me by the collar at the emergency exit stairs. How is it my fault that the ratings keep dropping?

You have to let it out somehow if youre having a hard time. But you also have to know when to let it go. Thats how it is in the drama department. You have to survive, you know

Yoo Myung-han shows a bitter smile.

The drama department is the most sensitive to ratings in the broadcasting station.

Thats especially true for PDs like Go Byung-man, who have been in the business for 10 years.

They are pathologically sensitive to ratings.

No matter how well they follow the trend, they can never become CPs, let alone spend their whole lives as average PDs, if they lose in the performance competition.

Young-min, you dont have any schedule from now on, do you?

Who would give me any work after senior Go got so mad at me? Ill just do some small tasks in the drama department. At this rate, Ill never get to wear the PD badge and end my AD life. I heard theres a rumor that I might be transferred to the entertainment department like senior Jung, but that might be easier for me. My dream was to direct a music program, you know.

Kid, dont say that. Why dont you try to sync with me for once?

Sure?

AD Kim Young-mins eyes widen.

Yu, I mean, hyung, youre not working on any project right now, are you?

I think Ill be taking one soon. The director is really pushing for it.

Dont tell me its that historical drama. Just say no and lie down on the floor. Its like playing with a time bomb, no matter how you look at it. All the seniors are avoiding it because they dont want to ruin their careers. Why do you have to pick up that bomb, hyung? You said you cant stand the drama department because its so dirty.

I want to give them a taste of their own medicine in that dirty place.

Give them a taste of what?

I want to become a CP before those so-called senior writers.

Kim Young-min looks around the rooftop in shock. Fortunately, no one is there. Just as he is about to sigh in relief, Yu Myung-han pats his back and adds.

Get ready. We have to go on a business trip today.

What? A business trip, all of a sudden?

Its already approved by the director. We have to cast the lead actor at the Korean Theater Festival. Itll be nice to watch some plays after a long time.

Hyung, what is casting the lead actor, and what is a theater performance? And I didnt even say Im going with you

Kim Young-min still looks bewildered. But he snaps out of it when he hears the next words.

Dont you want to join me in this?