Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 769: The Owner of the Script (1)

Kk Talk messages from Wang Mi-In started coming in rapid succession.

[MBS Writer Wang Mi-In: About the script you sent—it's mine, even if the title's different! I originally wrote it under the title She Was Beautiful as an assignment for Director Go Gi-Dong's scriptwriting class.]

[MBS Writer Wang Mi-In: But how did it end up in your hands, Mr. Jung?]

So Wang Mi-In was the true author of Reborn Idol. And the original title was She Was Beautiful, the same title I had known before the regression. That meant Go Gi-Dong had taken the script Wang Mi-In submitted for class, changed the title, and circulated it among potential investors and distributors.

It also explained why no plagiarism lawsuit had emerged in my previous life. Once the film got greenlit and the investments rolled in, they must have quietly paid off Wang Mi-In, who at the time had been a struggling writer.

'What thieves!'

Now that I knew who the rightful owner was, the outrage pouring from Cheon Yi-Sang, Park Eun-Bin, and Go Gi-Dong felt almost laughable. However, I couldn't show my emotions. Securing the rights to Wang Mi-In's script was the top priority.

Besides, the fact that Cheon Yi-Sang had dragged both Go Gi-Dong and Park Eun-Bin here was suspicious in itself. It was the perfect setup for a media stunt to paint Yoo-Jin as someone who stole Park Eun-Bin's lead through coercion.

I needed to get out of here fast. Without hesitation, I quickly stood up. "I understand. Then I'll step away from Mr. Go's film."

"What the hell? What game are you playing?"

"You said to drop out, right? I'm just doing what you asked. Why question it?" I shrugged and helped Yoo-Jin to her feet. "Let's go, Yoo-Jin."

Yoo-Jin, who had been trading stares with Park Eun-Bin, tilted her head in confusion but followed my lead. "Okay."

Right then, Park Eun-Bin shouted after us. "What the hell? Why are you backing off so easily? Huh? You were just trying to steal the lead from me and now this?"

Park Eun-Bin practically shrieked, and that only confirmed my suspicion. So I didn't respond, and instead led Yoo-Jin out of the café.

Ding.

The bell on the door of Café M rang as we stepped outside.

Yoo-Jin looked puzzled. "Oppa. Why? Didn't you say Mr. Go might've plagiarized the script? If he's acting so bold about it, we should've said something!"

"Before that, look at this."

I showed the confused Yoo-Jin the Kk Talk messages from Wang Mi-In. Her eyes went wide in surprise.

"That script... Ms. Wang wrote the original?" asked Yoo-Jin.

I nodded. "Yeah. Which means we need to head to MBS right now and secure the rights!"

I explained that now wasn't the time to fight. We had to lock down the script rights first.

Yoo-Jin finally nodded in understanding. "Ah~ If we'd stayed any longer, we might've fallen into their trap. Got it, oppa. Let's go!"

Only, there wasn't a Peking duck restaurant near MBS.

"There's no Peking duck around MBS, so let's get pork bone stew today."

Yoo-Jin smiled brightly. "Oppa, honestly, I've always liked pork bone stew more than Peking duck."

"Okay then~ After we meet Ms. Wang, let's grab pork bone stew!"

"No, let's pack it and take it home. I want to eat it with Miso."

"Deal. If I land that script today, dinner's on me with all the extras!"

"Yes, sir~"

With that, I gave a cheerful shout and called Wang Mi-In.

Wang Mi-In answered the call with a flustered voice.

-I'm in the broadcast writers' room. You can come here.

"We're on our way."

Yoo-Jin and I headed straight for MBS.

***

Back at the café now empty of Jung Yoon-Ho, Cheon Yi-Sang casually placed his phone on the table.

Tap.

He pressed the stop button.

[Recording stopped]

"Damn it. How did neither of them slip up even once?!"

Muttering to himself, Cheon Yi-Sang turned to glare at Park Eun-Bin.

"Hey, Park Eun-Bin! I told you to provoke Jung Yoo-Jin so we could get something usable in the press, and you're the one who lost it first?! All the recording caught was you screaming like a lunatic! If Chief Jung was recording too, you'd be finished!"

Park Eun-Bin, still fuming, pointed at the door Yoo-Jin had walked out of. "That bitch made me lose it!"

"Bitch? Bitch? You're still calling Jung Yoo-Jin that bitch? She's way out of your league now! If you can't admit that, you'll never beat her."

Park Eun-Bin trembled as she snapped back. "I know, okay?!"

"If you know, then don't ever act like that again!"

Park Eun-Bin turned her head sharply without answering. She might have accepted that Jung Yoo-Jin was now Korea's top actress in her head, but accepting it in her heart was another story.

Then Go Gi-Dong spoke up cautiously. "So... is that it, Director Cheon?"

Cheon Yi-Sang stared at the door Jung Yoon-Ho had exited through. "No. That bastard Jung Yoon-Ho... There's no way he's letting this go. He's up to something." Just then, a thought hit him and he shot up from his seat. "Wait... no way... right?"

"What?" asked Go Gi-Dong.

A chill ran down Cheon Yi-Sang's spine. From experience, he knew Jung Yoon-Ho always moved one step or two ahead.

"Damn it!" Cheon Yi-Sang turned and shouted at Go Gi-Dong. "Director Go! The Academy has a claim to the script rights too, don't they?"

Go Gi-Dong swallowed hard. "Yeah. For scripts created through MBS Broadcast Academy, the Academy holds partial rights." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Then we're heading there now. That bastard Chief Jung was eyeing his phone earlier. I didn't like the look of that."

"Huh? Are you saying Chief Jung knows I used Writer Wang Mi-In's script for the movie? How?"

"How the hell should I know?!"

Trusting his instincts from countless run-ins with Jung Yoon-Ho, Cheon Yi-Sang started moving. If he wanted any chance of catching up to Jung Yoon-Ho who always seemed a step ahead, he had to act on instinct. Even if he couldn't explain it logically, he knew now was the time to move.

Cheon Yi-Sang immediately called Ga Ae-Joo, the president of MBS Broadcast Academy and someone he was close to.

"Hello, President Ga? I need to see you right now. Please, it's urgent! Yes, right now!"

Cheon Yi-Sang's lips were bone dry. The fear of being outplayed by Jung Yoon-Ho again was creeping in fast.

***

The MBS Broadcast Writers' Room, mainly used by writers for variety shows, was buzzing as Wang Mi-In led us into a small meeting room.

After her show Talk Show! Entertainment World scored 15.5% viewership ratings this past Wednesday, she had become the lead writer and was in the middle of writing next week's script. However, the shock of learning that Go Gi-Dong had tried to produce her script without permission had left her paralyzed, unable to work.

Once Yoo-Jin and I showed up and reassured her, she began to calm down. "I'm sorry. I never imagined I'd experience something like this. But I'm okay now."

Now that Wang Mi-In had calmed down, the first thing we needed to do was confirm whether she still possessed the script.

"Ms. Wang, do you have any objective proof that you're the original author of this script? Like an email you sent to Director Go Gi-Dong?" I asked.

Wang Mi-In shook her head. "No. Mr. Go Gi-Dong always asked for hard copies of scripts."

Some instructors at MBS Broadcasting Academy required printed submissions. They claimed it was because producers and investors preferred to read scripts on paper. However, a printed copy wasn't easy to use as objective proof.

"Then did you write the script on a laptop?"

I asked to see her device, hoping to check the file's original creation date. She pulled out a slim, shiny white laptop from her bag beside the chair. Yet the laptop she produced was a brand-new model released just this year.

"Wait... did you get a new laptop?"

"Oh, yes. I moved my files to this one about a month ago."

Having spent her whole life writing, Wang Mi-In wasn't tech-savvy. She tilted her head, unaware of the problem.

'If the file had been transferred to a new computer, forensics can't help much...'

"What about your old laptop? To do a digital forensic analysis, we'd need the original machine."

Wang Mi-In's face went pale. "It was completely broken, so I threw it away with the electronics recycling... What should I do?"

Panicked, she began to fidget. But I reassured her. "Don't worry. There are still other ways. Did you ever submit this script to any contests? If you submitted it via email, the record could be used as proof."

Wang Mi-In shook her head. "No, I didn't. It was originally written as a drama script, but I rushed to convert it into a film script for Mr. Go Gil-Dong's class."

'Wait, drama script?'

Suddenly, a light went on in my head.

"Hold on. So this was originally a drama script?"

"Yes. She Was Beautiful was something I wrote for a drama script contest. I didn't have time to write something new for the assignment, so I revised what I already had and turned it in."

If she still had that original drama script, then proving Go Gi-Dong had stolen her film version would be a piece of cake.

"Did you submit that drama script to a contest?"

"Oh, yes. I submitted the first four episodes."

"Could I see the email?"

"Just a second."

Wang Mi-In searched her inbox on the laptop.

"Here it is."

[Subject: Korean Drama Script Contest]

[Date: May 13, 2019]

[She Was Beautiful, Episodes 1–4]

'Bingo.'

Attached to the email was the exact drama script she had submitted for the contest nearly two years ago.

"May I take a look at the file?" I asked.

Wang Mi-In turned the laptop toward me. "Sure. Go ahead."

I started reading She Was Beautiful from the beginning.

Click click.

As I scrolled through the first page, I nearly let out a cheer. The character names, the setting, the core premise, and even the side characters were all identical. And compared to the film version I knew, this was longer, better structured, and much more solid. The quirky supporting cast added charm and depth to the story.

Before I knew it, I read through all four episodes.

'This would make a great drama too. Wait, there's no time for that right now.'

Click.

I tapped the last arrow key with satisfaction and looked up.

"With this drama script, we can prove that the film script also belongs to you."

"Really? With this?"

"Yes. The characters, the setting, and even the first episode all match. The major plot elements are the same. It's undeniable."

"Phew... Thank God."

"Congratulations, Ms. Wang."

Yoo-Jin offered her congratulations as Wang Mi-In let out a deep sigh of relief. To protect the screenplay rights, I decided to start by securing the drama script contract first.

"Ms. Wang, has this drama script been contracted anywhere?"

Wang Mi-In shook her head. "Oh, no. It didn't even win the contest."

"Then let's sign a contract with us."

"Excuse me? Does Hoop Entertainment produce dramas too?"

"No, we'll just purchase the rights. We'll work with Mirinae on production. Of course, the movie comes first, but we'll push to start the drama not long after."

Wang Mi-In's eyes widened. Out of nowhere, her original dream of becoming a drama writer was about to come true.

"Oh, what do I do~"

Yoo-Jin grabbed Wang Mi-In's hand and jumped in excitement. "What do you mean? You sign that contract, right now!"

'Nice assist, Yoo-Jin.'

Yoo-Jin was extra charming today.

Wang Mi-In eagerly nodded and excitedly said, "Yes, yes. I'll do it. I'll definitely do it. I want to sign with you, Mr. Jung!"

We needed to get the paperwork over right away.

"Then I'll prepare the contract."

"Okay. We have a fax machine in the writer's room, so you can send it over."

"Will do."

With that verbal agreement secured, I checked Everyday. However, the schedule entry hadn't changed.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 27, 2021]

-10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

<Entertainment Everywhere> "Is Jung Yoo-Jin's New Movie a Plagiarized Work?"

[Entertainment All TImes] "Jung Yoo-Jin's First Film Production Falls Through."

[Industry Daily] "A Blow to Hoop Entertainment's Rising Star as IPO Faces Unexpected Crisis."

(Emergency Meeting: More than 80% overlap confirmed between Director Go Gi-Dong's script and the original script.)

'Huh? Why hasn't this disappeared? Maybe the contract has to be signed to change things?'

Just then, the door to the writers' room creaked open, and voices followed.

Clunk.

-Yeah, I get it. I'll head out after finishing up here. Wait in the director's office.

Click.

Someone entered the writers' room and called out.

-Where's Writer Wang?

-She's probably in the meeting room. Should I call her?

-No, we'll go ourselves.

Two voices grew louder as they approached. I quickly closed the script file on Wang Mi-In's laptop.

Clunk.

MBS Broadcasting Academy President Ga Ae-Joo and last week's Talk Show! Entertainment World head writer Choi Eun-Se entered the room.

MBS Broadcasting Academy was a subsidiary created to train writers and staff for the broadcasting station. All instructors were either MBS staff or industry professionals. Ga Ae-Joo was a major figure treated like an executive within MBS, and she was also personally close with Cheon Yi-Sang.

Choi Eun-Se, aside from her position on the show, was essentially a director-level figure here.

It was obvious they were sent by Cheon Yi-Sang. They were here to try and acquire the film script rights. If that was the case, then I needed to deal with these two before the timeline could shift.

Ga Ae-Joo was surprised to see us. "Oh, Chief Jung and Miss Yoo-Jin are here too?"

"Hello, Ms. Ga."

"Hello."

As Yoo-Jin and I greeted her, Ga Ae-Joo quickly adjusted her expression and smiled politely. "How are you doing~? Miss. Yoo-Jin, I always enjoy Hwaranjeon. Our students are all your fans. You should come by for a guest lecture sometime."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly..."

"Oh come on. You can just come in and talk comfortably. That's enough."

"I'm sorry, I'm still struggling just with my own acting."

"Really? That's too bad. Well, if the chance comes, please do drop by."

"Okay."

As Yoo-Jin had become a top star, Ga Ae-Joo remained warm toward her despite the situation. Afterward, Ga Ae-Joo turned toward Wang Mi-In. "Right, Writer Wang. Do you mind stepping out for a bit? I need to have a word with you. It's nothing bad. Actually, it's a great opportunity for you."

'A great opportunity? That's always how they bait subordinates.'

I looked at Wang Mi-In and shook my head slightly. Wang Mi-In seemed to catch on and nodded.

Then she politely declined. "I'm sorry, Ms. Ga. I'm in the middle of something important. Could we talk after this?"

"It'll only take five minutes."

"Still, I'm sorry."

Ga Ae-Joo's face twisted. She was clearly offended at being rejected by a junior writer.

Then Choi Eun-Se lashed out. "Hey! Where do you get off refusing like that? Ms. Ga said she needs to speak with you!"

Wang Mi-In shook her head. "Sorry. I need to finish this talk with Mr. Jung first."

At that moment, Choi Eun-Se snapped. "You keep acting this rude and out of line, I'll make sure you never work in MBS again! Got it?"

'Threatening the owner of the screenplay for Yoo-Jin's next film? How dare you.'

I stepped in front of Wang Mi-In and looked Choi Eun-Se in the eyes. "From now on, you talk to me, Ms. Choi."

I was going to protect Wang Mi-In's script no matter what. And anyone who teamed up with plagiarists, I would make sure they crash and burn.