Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 187

Soon, rumors began to circulate that a ‘Korean-style zombie movie’ was coming out.

It all started when director Choi Dae-man sent out the script of ‘Escape’ to the actors and actresses he had chosen as the main cast candidates, and their agencies.

Kim Tae-in, who was ranked first among the main cast candidates, looked at the script with a displeased expression. 

He was not as good as Lee Ji-seok in terms of acting skills, but he still had decent talent.

‘His personality is just terrible.’

His manager, who knew Kim Tae-in’s character well, fidgeted nervously with his feet. Lee Ji-seok was said to have a very good personality…

“A zombie movie?”

“Yes. It’s being produced by Movie Dream.”

“You want me to do this? Have you ever seen a successful zombie movie in Korea?”

The manager quickly shook his head.

“No, no.”

“Zombie movie? This is not even Hollywood. And the director is Choi Dae-man? Who is that?”

“He’s the director of The Evil Spirit, the movie that Lee Seo-jun starred in.”

That was the reason why the agency didn’t reject it and passed it on to Kim Tae-in. But Kim Tae-in’s agency didn’t have high expectations either. 

They just wanted to create some buzz by associating with ‘Lee Seo-jun’.

“Lee Seo-jun?”

Even Kim Tae-in, who was known as the king of the world, couldn’t help but be interested in that name. 

Even though it was only him and his manager in the room, Kim Tae-in lowered his voice.

“Is Lee Seo-jun in it?”

“…No.”

Kim Tae-in spat out a curse and threw the script on the floor.

“Then you want me to do a movie that doesn’t even have Lee Seo-jun?”

“Should I tell them you’re not doing it?”

“Of course! Don’t ask me stupid questions! Find out about Choi Min-sung PD’s next project! Secret is over, he must be preparing for his next work soon!”

The drama ‘Secret’ was the next work produced by PD Choi Min-sung and writer So Eun-jin after ‘Inner Doctor’. 

It didn’t achieve as much popularity or ratings as ‘Inner Doctor’, but it still ranked first in its time slot. 

The consecutive hits of ‘Reinvestigation’, ‘Inner Doctor’, and ‘Secret’ started to create a reputation for them as star PD and star writer.

“Yes!”

The manager quickly answered and left the seat with a grumble.

The zombie movie was a big hurdle.

Kim Tae-in rejected it and other actors and actresses also declined one by one.

There were many people and agencies related to those actors and actresses. 

It would have been strange if the news didn’t leak out.

After that, the script that was looking for an owner, the extra casting, and the child actor audition announcements made the movie and entertainment industry buzz. 

Some actors and actresses were amazed by the unique theme of zombie movie, but more people shook their heads.

“Movie Dream is really losing it.”

“The president ran away and they decided to go bankrupt.”

“They don’t even have a confirmed main cast yet, but they’re holding auditions.”

“Do they have investors? Or not?”

And then the rumor spread to the general public, and small articles started to appear.

[A Korean-style zombie movie is coming out!]

-Wow! Korean-style zombie? It’s doomed.

-? In Korea? Zombie?

-But this seems to be the only article? There’s no news about who’s starring in it.

-Did they just throw it out there? Let’s make a zombie movie? > Netizen reaction: It’s doomed. > Oh well, let’s not make it then!

=222 I agree. It’ll probably disappear soon lol

Korean-style zombie movie.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the genre that no one had ever succeeded in. Some people just found it interesting and amusing that there was such a thing as a ‘Korean-style zombie movie’, but the maniacs who loved zombie movies dug deeper.

-Who’s the production company?

=Movie Dream.

=Oh. I know them. They make non-mainstream genre movies. Their movies are good.

=That’s old news. They sold all their movie rights. They even sold The Evil Spirit with Lee Seo-jun.

=They sold The Evil Spirit? Wow? There’s really a place that cuts off its golden goose here?

-Who’s the director? Who’s the scriptwriter? Who’s the main cast?

=Nothing has been revealed yet. They only announced that they’re holding auditions.

-I would have promoted it like crazy if it was a zombie movie. It seems like it’s going to fail anyway… But with this kind of article and comments, other people might not even know that there’s such a movie, right?

=222 That’s why it’s going to fail.

=Yeah. Even if they start promoting now, I wonder if it’ll get any attention… Why are they so quiet?

-How much is the production cost? 10 billion? 15? Don’t tell me… it’s not less than 10 billion, right?

=I hope they spend some money, even if it’s not Hollywood level…

-What is the investor doing, with this kind of promotion and no complaints?

=They must be new to movie investment

=222 That’s why they invest in zombie movies

=…It’s sad to be a minor genre fan.

=…222

=Sorry.

When the internet was very slightly buzzing about the zombie movie, a good news arrived at Movie Dream production company. The eyes of Lee Han-sol, the representative, and the staff shone.

“We widened the age range and… we caught such a big fish.”

“I’m really grateful that Kim Tae-in rejected it.”

“He kicked his own luck away, right?”

The first actor who agreed to star in the movie appeared. And he was amazing. Director Choi Dae-man, who heard the news on his phone, was also happy to hear the name of the actor. Lee Han-sol, the representative, took the contract and left the company. The staff went back to work.

“Kong Seo-yeon must be regretting it.”

“She must be scared because of the non-mainstream genre movie she did before that failed miserably.”

The next work she starred in was a hit, but it was a mainstream movie. 

That was a big reason why Kong Seo-yeon hesitated to do this zombie movie.

Non-mainstream movie failed, mainstream movie succeeded.

Then it was natural to think that this non-mainstream zombie movie might fail too.

A staff member who liked Kong Seo-yeon sighed with regret.

“I watched that movie and director Choi Dae-man chose her because of that… It’s such a shame.”

“Right. She could have filmed with Lee Seo-jun…”

“So could the other actors and actresses.”

The staff nodded.

After Kong Seo-yeon, they sent the script to three more actors and actresses. But they all refused. 

Then they widened the age range and sent the script to five more actors and actresses. The third rejection call had just arrived.

“What if this doesn’t work either?”

“Well, the representative and the director will figure it out.”

Then, the phone rang.

The staff who answered the phone said yes, yes. 

He answered and then widened his eyes. 

He slowly smiled brightly.

The other staff held their breath at his reaction.

“Yes. I understand!”

He hung up the phone and shouted with a big smile.

“He accepted!”

“Who is it?”

“Actress Lee Da-jin!”

The staff gasped at the name of the actress.

The news of Lee Da-jin’s appearance was quickly delivered to Lee Han-sol. 

He walked back to the conference room with a light step after hanging up the phone.

“Sorry for the interruption.”

In front of Lee Han-sol, who sat down, was the actor who would play the role of Im Jang-woo. 

Lee Han-sol picked up the contract signed by the man and spoke before he could ask.

“I just got a call from another lead actor who agreed to join.”

He had just heard that Lee Seo-jun would play the role of Go Ju-won. T

he man smiled with satisfaction at the unexpected news and asked.

“Are you talking about Yeon Jae-hee?”

Lee Han-sol nodded.

“Yes. I just got a call from Lee Da-jin’s agency saying that she would join.”

The man’s eyes widened.

He started with a small laugh, which soon turned into a loud laughter that filled the conference room.

Lee Han-sol also smiled faintly.

Lee Seo-jun, Lee Da-jin, and himself.

“This is quite a fate.”

The man, Kim Jong-ho, said cheerfully.

***

The day of the audition for the child actors of the movie ‘Escape’.

The production company, Movie Dream, suggested that Seo-jun participate in the audition as a judge, but Seo-jun shook his head.

Because,

Joo-kyung: I’m nervous!!

Joo-hee: Me too!!

Jae-han: Why are we right next to each other?

<LOL Maybe we submitted our applications at similar times.

His friends were participating in the audition.

‘I would judge fairly, but…’

People’s eyes are like that.

If Seo-jun participated in the judging and his friends passed, he would surely hear some bad words.

‘And it’s more likely that they will hear it than me.’

Compared to Seo-jun, who was recognized for his acting skills by the ‘world’, his friends were still learning and lacked acting skills.

‘It’s better not to cause any trouble in the first place.’

So he refused to be an audition judge.

Joo-kyung: I’m first!

Joo-hee: There are some kids from our class too. And some from class 2.

Seo-jun received a flood of messages from his nervous friends. There must have been some kids from class 1 and class 2 who passed as well.

Jae-han: T_T The kids from class 2 are good.

Joo-kyung: What about me? Am I bad?

Joo-hee: Yeah! Are you ignoring class 1?

Jae-han: Nooooo

Jae-han: Seojunaaa T_T Please be nice to Jookyung and Joohee T_T T_T

<Please understand, you two generous people

Joo-kyung: Fine.

Joo-hee: Okay.

Seo-jun laughed at his friends’ messages.

“Seo-jun. The break is over.”

“Yes.”

Seo-jun, who was sitting on a chair and tapping his phone, got up from his seat at Joo Young-hoon’s call.

Today was the day to practice archery.

He skillfully took out an arrow from the quiver and raised his bow.

‘It’s more like a hobby than practice.’

He let out a light breath and released his fingers.

Thud!

“Ten!”

It was a pity that such a talent could not do archery, half regret.

But he’s really good today too, half admiration.

Joo Young-hoon’s voice filled with mixed feelings echoed in the archery range.

***

“Boss.”

“…Yes.”

“I think we have to take care of Evan Block and Rachel Hill’s affairs in our company.”

Lee Eun-chan nodded heavily at Anh Da Ho’s words. It was something he had thought of since the day Anh Da Ho told him about the two actors’ appearance.

“Evan Block and Rachel Hill’s agencies contacted us through Kings Agency. They probably thought we would take good care of them since we have connections and we are also Seo-jun’s agency who works in Hollywood.”

“…I expected that to happen.”

Lee Eun-chan sighed inwardly.

They were two Hollywood stars, who were about to shoot a huge blockbuster next year. They were popular before, but their popularity soared when Evan Block spoke Korean at an event for Assemble 2.

From small things like meals during shooting to big things like public opinion management.

It was hard enough to find a trustworthy place in America where they often worked, let alone a foreign country they had never thought of going to shoot a movie.

A completely unfamiliar country where even sending competent staff would not guarantee proper care. And they couldn’t open a branch for a movie shoot that might happen only once.

It was a similar situation to when Cocoa Entertainment took care of Seo-jun’s Hollywood activities.

Back then, there was a perfect and reliable solution called Kings Agency, which was created and managed by Nara Kim. This time, too, there was a very suitable and certain solution.

An agency that knew their actors well enough to trust them, had experience in taking care of Hollywood actors, and was famous and powerful enough to be known by the general public in Korea.

“That’s our company.”

Lee Eun-chan washed his face. Anh Da Ho shrugged his shoulders and answered.

“After the contract, the two agencies will send us the information directly without going through Kings Agency. From the schedules of the two actors to their preferences, tastes, and anything else that needs to be taken care of.”

Once again, he cursed his nephew who caused such a huge trouble. Lee Eun-chan decided to do his best and raise the reputation of Cocoa Entertainment.

Thanks to Seo-jun, Brown Black, White, and Red Crown, there was nowhere else to go up.

“Boss.”

“First of all, team 2 will be short of staff. Take some people from Brown Black team who are on break and from White who are doing solo activities.”

He didn’t mention Red Crown who were busy with their activities.

“Leave Seo-jun’s monitoring to those staff and postpone Seo-jun’s work classification for now. He won’t be able to see it anyway because of the shooting.”

“Yes. I understand. I’ll keep the scripts that come in in the conference room.”

If there was a team that had the tightest lips in Cocoa Entertainment, it would be team 2, which was dedicated to actor Seo-jun. It was because they had placed long-time and trustworthy employees in Cocoa Entertainment. And they were very careful when hiring new people.

“Team 2 members will take care of Evan Block and Rachel Hill from now on.”

A bolt from the blue came down to team 2.

Hollywood star, Seo-jun. They had experience in taking care of him.

The team members who heard the boss’s order from Anh Da Ho looked at him with blank expressions.

“No, no… Seo-jun and those two actors are different.”

“That’s right. Seo-jun is comfortable because we’ve known him since he was little and he didn’t need any special care even though he was a Hollywood actor. All we had to do was monitoring and scoring scripts…”

And he was still young enough not to have any rumors.

The team members who couldn’t help but escape from reality even though they knew it wouldn’t work received a word from Anh Da Ho.

“The boss said he would give you a bonus.”

“We’ll do our best!”

Their voices were full of spirit.

Anh Da Ho thought of Evan Block and Rachel Hill he met in America.

He would be able to figure out more details when he received more information from their agencies, but they seemed to get along well with Seo-jun, so he thought they wouldn’t have to worry too much.

“I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

“Team leader. I… can’t speak English.”

“Me neither… I only know test English… not practical…”

“Evan Block speaks Korean well.”

He knew that. Anyone who took care of Seo-jun would know that.

“I have foreigner phobia…”

“Me too… I have a disease that makes me unable to meet foreigners…”

He knew it wouldn’t work, but he couldn’t help but escape from reality. Anh Da Ho said one thing to them.

“You’ll get used to it.”