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."
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?"