<Episode 62>
Producer Yoo contacted me, suggesting we have dinner together. Since most producers like and can handle alcohol well, I took a hangover cure before leaving the company.
‘It’s essential if I want to work again tomorrow.’
I arrived at the restaurant first and waited for Producer Yoo. It was a pork belly restaurant, and most of the seats inside were occupied by office workers in their 30s.
It seemed like a place often used for company dinners.
“Looks like you got here first.”
Producer Yoo greeted me as he entered the restaurant.
“It’s been a while.”
I stood up to welcome him.
“It really has.”
Perhaps because he had been to Thailand, Producer Yoo’s skin looked noticeably tanner than the last time we met.
“I should’ve contacted you first, but I’ve been busy with the Spade Joker members. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. You had to prepare for the comeback, and there were other incidents too, weren’t there?”
It was a relief that he understood.
“More importantly, let’s sit. If we’re at a restaurant, we should eat first.”
“Alright.”
As soon as we sat down, Producer Yoo placed an order.
“Two servings of pork belly and one serving of pork neck, please!”
“Got it.”
“This place grills the meat for you over there and brings it out. It’s convenient since there’s no need to fight over the tongs.”
Producer Yoo pointed to a grill set up in a corner of the restaurant. That likely explained why there were so many men in their 30s.
“Is the Spade Joker comeback preparation going well?”
“Yes, it’s going smoothly.”
“That’s good to hear. By the way, a film music video? I heard you’re making something like that.”
“Yes. But how did you know about that?”
I hadn’t expected Producer Yoo to know about the film music video.
“After spending a few days with the Spade Joker members in Thailand, I realized they’re really good kids. So I subscribed to and follow various sources to keep up with related news.”
“Thank you.”
It was very encouraging that a broadcasting station producer was paying attention to news about our company’s idol group.
“You sound like a parent hearing praise about their child.”
“I may not be their parent, but I am their guardian right now. And honestly, considering my age, it wouldn’t be strange if I had a child.”
John Raid Lombardi was currently thirty-six years old.
If he had married early and had a child, that child could already be in middle school.
“That’s true. Don’t your parents say anything? Like telling you to get married? Your business seems fairly stable now.”
“It’s stable, but there’s still a long way to go. The company is still small, and even though the practice room and office are in the same building, they’re relatively far apart. And my parents live in the U.S., so it’s fine.”
Perhaps because they lived in the U.S., they respected my life and never nagged me about marriage or business.
That made things easier.
They were completely different from my parents in the past.
They always tried to control me… my studies, relationships, dating, even marriage.
That had felt suffocating.
‘In a way, maybe that’s why I was able to adapt relatively easily to this absurd situation of possessing a game character, because it felt like I’d escaped that restraint.’
“Oh, they’re in the U.S.”
“Yes.”
“You must miss them.”
“Well, we don’t see each other often, but isn’t that how it is at this age? And it’s not like I’ll never see them again.”
“That’s true.”
Producer Yoo nodded in agreement.
“Here’s your meat.”
An employee approached with the grilled meat.
“Thank you.”
As the employee placed the meat on the grill, they glanced at me.
‘Did they recognize me?’
“Excuse me, are you the CEO of Spade Joker?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I saw you on YouTube. You’re the first celebrity I’ve seen.”
The employee said that while bouncing slightly with excitement.
“Ah, thank you for the kind words.”
“Um… could I take a picture with you?”
“I’m not a celebrity, though. And you still want a photo?”
“Yes.”
“Sure. It’s not a difficult request.”
Since it wasn’t a big deal, I took a photo with the employee.
Producer Yoo chuckled softly as he watched.
“Thank you, sir!”
The employee thanked me loudly with what sounded like diaphragm projection, making everyone in the restaurant glance at me.
“CEO, you’re quite popular.”
There was clear amusement in Producer Yoo’s voice.
“What are you talking about?”
“I think I’m just stating facts. Why are you embarrassed?”
“It’s just a temporary interest because I’ve been on broadcasts. Before long, people will forget who I am.”
“You think people forget easily?”
“Yes.”
“Surprisingly, they don’t.”
Producer Yoo said that while looking at me and picking up a piece of meat.
“This is good. Go ahead and eat.”
“Yes.”
I picked up my chopsticks as well.
After eating some meat, I realized we hadn’t ordered alcohol yet.
‘Usually producers start drinking even before the food arrives.’
“By the way, you don’t drink?”
“Alcohol? If you want to drink, go ahead. I don’t really like it.”
“I don’t enjoy it much either.”
It seemed like I had taken the hangover cure for nothing.
“Really? I heard you drank heavily with Producer Ki before. Did you just match his pace?”
“Yes. I’d appreciate it if you kept that a secret from him.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“Producer Ki can really hold his liquor. How did you keep up?”
“I took hangover medicine beforehand and even during drinking. I had to work the next day. Otherwise, I’d have been dead.”
Producer Yoo burst out laughing. He seemed to know very well how heavy a drinker Producer Ki was.
“So why are you making a film music video? Trying to get the members into acting?”
“No.”
My firm answer made Producer Yoo look at me with curiosity.
“I just want to try something new. I don’t really plan to push them into acting. Right now is the time to focus on the group rather than on individuals. And even if they want to act, it’s not something they can start immediately.”
“If you want them to act, just let me know. I know a PD who’s preparing a drama right now.”
I appreciated the offer, but I had no intention of accepting it.
As I was about to decline politely, unexpected words came out of Producer Yoo’s mouth.
“Was it [Soohan and Hansoo]? Or [Hansoo and Soohan]? I don’t remember the exact title.”
It was a very familiar title.
‘Why is that title coming out of his mouth?’
“It’s a comedy about the daily lives of fraternal twins, I heard. It would be hard to land a major role audition, but I could open a path for a supporting role audition.”
So this is why connections are important in business.
“Producer.”
“Yes?”
“Would it be possible to get the script?”
“It might be difficult to get the script. Because of leak issues, they usually don’t hand it out unless you’re a supporting-level actor or higher.”
That made sense.
‘If the script leaks, the drama could be ruined instantly. They can’t just rewrite everything suddenly.’
“If it’s not for the Spade Joker members, would it be possible?”
“Huh? If not them, who are you giving it to? Did you recruit an actor or something?”
“No. Our company isn’t big enough to recruit actors yet. That’s not it. I want to give it to actor Kang Woojin.”
“Kang Woojin?”
Producer Yoo tilted his head in confusion.
“Yes. I met him a few days ago, and he seemed to want to transform his image.”
“Are you close enough with him for him to share that kind of concern?”
He seemed surprised that I even knew a top actor like Kang Woojin.
“I cast him as the lead in Spade Joker’s film music video, and since I run an entertainment company and he runs a one-man agency, I guess he thought we could share deeper concerns. That’s how we naturally became closer.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, he seems to be thinking a lot about changing his image lately. Since he’s been playing heavy roles, he’s worried about being typecast.”
“Even Kang Woojin has those concerns.”
“Yes.”
Producer Yoo’s voice rose with interest.
“Well, Kang Woojin is basically a guaranteed box office hit.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll ask about it. But since it’s not my project, I can’t promise anything.”
“I understand.”
Even if Kang Woojin was a famous actor, the director or writer might already have someone else in mind or think he didn’t fit the image.
If it were Producer Yoo’s own project, I could at least ask for a reading opportunity, but that wasn’t the case.
For now, all I could do was step back and wait.
“I’ll at least ask that guy.”
“Thank you. Please let me know after you ask. I’ll be waiting.”
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