How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor – Chapter 151

Author: Cireng

Chapter 151

“What do you think of PD Oh Sein?”

“…Oh Sein?”

Writer Koo tilted her head for a moment.

Her eyes searched through her memories before suddenly widening.

“Oh my, that PD Oh Sein? The assistant who worked with me on my very first project??”

“You remembered. I was surprised too when I heard that story.”

“Did you talk to PD Oh? Does she want to work with me?”

“No. I heard about it through someone close to PD Oh. I haven’t contacted her yet. There’s an order to these things.”

I explained that I wanted to confirm Writer Koo’s wishes before making any moves.

Seeing how respectful and accommodating I was, Writer Koo smiled, apparently pleased.

“You’re very thoughtful, Seulho. But even if I say I like the idea, can it actually happen? She might be busy.”

“I heard she’s currently considering her next project. I don’t know the exact details, but if the timing works out, I think it’s possible.”

“Oh my, then we’d better hurry.”

“So if you’re okay with PD Oh–”

“I’d love that. We already have history together. Besides, she has an excellent reputation.”

Writer Koo’s voice rose an octave.

She looked like someone who’d unexpectedly received the perfect gift.

‘Perfect.’

Just as I’d expected.

Simply replacing PD Kim Sungjin with a competent director wasn’t enough.

The replacement needed to be someone who worked well with Writer Koo Nahee… Someone who wouldn’t get on my nerves… And someone who had such obvious advantages that replacing PD Kim would be completely justified.

‘First of all, they can’t be someone who mistreats the people around them.’

The reason I’d first decided to replace PD Kim had been because of a single drop of spit that landed on my face.

But objectively speaking… He simply wasn’t someone worth working with.

If he’d merely been unpleasant to work with, that would’ve been one thing.

But according to the data, people like him always caused problems.

PD Kim treated people differently depending on their status.

The inferiority complex he felt toward Writer Koo, he vented it on people beneath him.

Simply put, he was the type who relieved his own insecurity by exercising power over others.

Producing a drama was already exhausting enough.

With someone like PD Kim involved… People could burn out and quit.

‘And he already had a history of it.’

So the replacement had to be the complete opposite.

Someone confident in their own abilities.

Someone relaxed enough to treat both superiors and subordinates equally well.

I’d found the perfect candidate after talking with Director Seo’s friend, Choi Myungseok.

“How about Director Oh Sein? Ah, I suppose she’s PD Oh Sein now.”

“PD Oh Sein?”

“Yes. She’s around Writer Koo’s age, she’s also a woman, and if I remember correctly, the two of them worked together years ago.”

PD Oh Sein was someone who had slowly built her skills while moving back and forth between theater and film.

When Writer Koo had been a rookie writer in her mid-twenties… PD Oh had been in her early twenties, working as a junior staff member and getting chewed out right alongside her.

People who’d gone through that kind of hardship together developed a bond that didn’t require words.

‘Being the same gender helps too.’

Women who’d survived in an industry overflowing with men were never people others could take lightly.

PD Oh wasn’t at Writer Koo’s level… But she’d consistently produced successful works.

‘More importantly, she isn’t overly prideful.’

No matter how talented someone was, if they seemed like the type who’d try to challenge Writer Koo’s authority, Conflict would be inevitable.

PD Oh was safe in that regard.

She got along well with everyone.

Her reputation was excellent.

Even Choi Myungseok had spent ages praising what a wonderful person she was.

“Then shall we move forward with it?”

“I’d love to. Ah, but…”

Writer Koo hesitated.

“No matter who I am, I can’t simply order them to replace a PD. I have my own reputation in this industry to think about.”

Her eyes quickly studied my face.

She seemed worried I’d be disappointed after she’d talked so confidently only to back away.

But what she’d said was perfectly reasonable.

‘This isn’t children playing house.’

This was a semi-major project involving tens of millions of dollars.

No matter how much influence Writer Koo had… The production company and the platform that actually held decision-making power still had to be persuaded.

“Don’t worry. I’m not planning to dump everything on you and quietly disappear.”

My words visibly moved Writer Koo.

“What’s gotten into you? How can you speak so beautifully? I’ve seen plenty of people flatter me only to dump all the work on me in the end. But you… you’re such a good kid.”

“Taking responsibility for the things I say is only natural.”

“No. More people don’t think that way than do. The world’s overflowing with slippery little snakes.”

She stared at me for a moment before speaking decisively.

“Seulho. Then we have to convince both the production company and NetXlix, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll handle the production company. You meet with the NetXlix representative.”

“Writer, I’m grateful you’re willing to do that… but I actually don’t think you should meet with the production company.”

“Hm? Why?”

I slowly explained everything I’d discovered.

At first, after learning through the private investigators that PD Kim Sungjin had caused far more problems than I’d expected… I’d been puzzled.

‘Why would they assign someone like him to Writer Koo?’

The current production company had worked with Writer Koo for years.

They had a relationship built on trust.

If anything, they should’ve treated her even better.

So why deliberately pair her with a problematic PD?

I used every connection available to me… the investigators… Choi Myung-\seok… Everyone.

Eventually, I discovered the answer.

“PD Kim Sungjin… is the production company’s CEO’s brother-in-law.”

“…Ha.”

Writer Koo’s expression immediately hardened.

Putting on an awkward smile, I deliberately defended the production company.

“Of course, I don’t think that’s the only reason they chose him. He genuinely has ability, so they probably thought he’d be suitable for your project.”

“No. Honestly, I was surprised the first time they introduced him to me. I wondered why they’d pair some nobody with me… So in the end, they were just taking care of family?”

Writer Koo ground her teeth.

She looked furious.

Doing my absolute best to subtly drive the wedge deeper, I spoke carefully.

“Writer, don’t think about it too much. The CEO probably believed this was for the best. Besides… PD Kim treated you well, didn’t he?”

“Hah… Right. That’s just how this industry works.”

After running a hand through her hair, Writer Koo asked what we should do next.

I calmly explained my plan.

At present… Decision-making authority over the drama was divided among Writer Koo, the production company, and NetXlix.

If Writer Koo and NetXlix agreed… Two votes against one… The production company would have no choice but to follow.

In other words, there was no need to persuade the production company at all.

Convincing NetXlix alone would end the game.

Writer Koo immediately contacted the NetXlix representative and arranged a meeting for that very day.

“Seulho, are you coming with me?”

“Of course. I can’t send you there alone.”

“Haha. You’re so reassuring.”

“But, Writer…”

I spoke cautiously.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to take the lead during the meeting the way I did just now.”

“Why?”

“To the representative, I’m just one of the actors. If I start leading the conversation, it’ll look strange.”

“That’s true… Hmm. Then can you tell me what I should say?”

I coached Writer Koo on exactly what needed to be said.

She listened carefully.

Later, when the meeting began, she spoke without a moment’s hesitation.

“Let’s not deliberately choose the harder road.”

“Pardon? Writer, what do you mean…?”

The NetXlix representative looked flustered.

Meanwhile, I quietly sat beside Writer Koo like a well-behaved little pet.

To the representative, I probably looked like nothing more than Writer Koo’s favorite mascot.

“If PD Kim Sungjin causes trouble on set and delays filming, we’ll lose millions of dollars a day.”

Writer Koo moved exactly like my avatar.

Delivering every line I’d prepared without missing a beat.

The sheer charisma with which she spoke left the representative scrambling.

“What happens if articles come out after filming’s finished? He already has allegations of sexual harassment. If another “Me Too” movement erupts, what happens to our project?”

“You’re absolutely right, Writer. But then what should we…”

“We’ve already found a replacement. I just called her, and she’s willing to do it. She can join the project immediately.”

Writer Koo handed over the documents I’d prepared.

They contained organized data on PD Oh Sein’s commercial performance and global results.

For people motivated by money… Data was ultimately the most effective weapon.

The representative slowly read through the documents.

‘Game over.’

After all, NetXlix hadn’t invested in the project because of the production company.

Nor because of PD Kim Sungjin.

They’d invested and agreed to distribute it for one reason alone… Writer Koo Nahee’s next work.

If the writer herself wanted a different director. That alone was reason enough.

The moment the meeting ended that day, NetXlix pressured the production company.

The very next day, A group message was sent announcing that the chief director had been replaced.

— “Seulho, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

— “You know PD Kim Sungjin? Apparently, after he found out he’d been fired, he stormed into the production company and caused a huge scene. They say he even punched the CEO. The police got called and everything.”

The production company had absolutely no idea I was involved.

From their perspective, Writer Koo and NetXlix had simply and unexpectedly demanded a director replacement.

The CEO had reluctantly agreed.

Unable to accept the decision, PD Kim had completely fallen out with him.

“My goodness… That’s shocking. How could someone hit another person…?”

— “Exactly! If he could hit the CEO, who says he couldn’t have hit me?”

On the other end of the line, Writer Koo clicked her tongue.

— “It’s all thanks to you, Seulho. You saved me from a huge disaster.”

“What did I do? You solved everything yourself, Writer. Watching you in that meeting was incredibly reassuring.”

— “Oh, come on. I couldn’t have done any of that without your help.”

Writer Koo didn’t bother denying my compliments.

At the same time… Like someone who’d survived the entertainment industry for years… She said something very wise.

— “Let’s keep this between us from now on. I’d love to tell everyone that you saved our project, but… someone did lose their job. It just wouldn’t feel right.”

Exactly what I’d wanted to hear.

Smiling, I answered in the kindest voice I could manage.

“Of course. Let’s keep this just between us. I’m already happy enough just knowing I’ll be able to finish this project safely with you.”

— “How do you always say such lovely things? Next time, let’s have dinner with my husband. He’s become very interested in you too.”

“I’d be honored.”

Our cheerful phone call came to an end.

In the end… Everything had been resolved cleanly… Without my name ever being exposed.

“That was way too easy.”

A whistle escaped my lips all by itself.

***

“You’re Yoo Seulho, right? Come over here.”

The following day, I went to action school for the first time.