Yoo-Jin's screen debut, She Was Beautiful, had just completed its first script reading.

After finishing the second script reading next weekend, we had planned to wrap filming between mid and late July. However, President Shin Jong-Ki was saying we had to finish filming by the end of May. No matter how famous Director Yeo Ik-Hwan was for shooting quickly, telling us to wrap everything up in just a month and a half was absurd.

I couldn't understand it at all, so I asked Shin Jong-Ki again, "What do you mean we suddenly have to finish filming by the end of May?"

Shin Jong-Ki spoke with an apologetic look. "It turns out Director Jo Jae-Kyung is submitting a film to the Bucheon International Film Festival. The problem is, it's also set in the entertainment industry, like She Was Beautiful. And the story is similar too."

The Bucheon International Film Festival was a major celebration for filmmakers held in July. To screen a film there, shooting had to be completed by the end of May and an edited cut submitted, so it could pass review in time for screening. And now, at that very festival where countless fans would gather, a film with a similar genre and similar plot to ours was going to be shown.

"Don't tell me Director Jo copied the script for She Was Beautiful?" I asked.

Shin Jong-Ki shook his head. "No. I read the script. It's not a copy."

"Then what is it?"

"It's a script that's been circulating for about three years. It seems Director Jo Jae-Kyung discovered a story with a plot similar to ours."

Jo Jae-Kyung's A Week with a Top Star was a romance about a top female singer who went through all kinds of incidents over the course of a week with her stoic bodyguard and talent agent, eventually falling in love.

On the other hand, She Was Beautiful was a romantic comedy. It followed a singer from an idol girl group who rose to become a top star, blending a light romance with her talent agent and a subplot of revenge.

"Even if they're both about the entertainment industry, the details are different."

"That's how it looks to professionals like us. The public won't know the difference."

"I suppose that's true."

"So we submit to the same festival and block any pointless debate about who copied whom before it even starts. We might as well use it for promotion too."

In the end, Shin Jong-Ki was saying we had to finish filming by the end of May to prevent unnecessary plagiarism controversy and submit to the Bucheon International Film Festival. It was obvious that CK Entertainment and Jo Jae-Kyung were targeting us, but we couldn't recklessly move up our schedule without knowing anything about the competing film.

"Could I see the script?" I asked.

Before my regression, a film titled A Week with a Top Star had never actually made it to theaters. So I asked to see the script to find out what kind of project it was.

Shin Jong-Ki held out the tablet he had been carrying. "Here."

I took the tablet and carefully began reading through the script. Yet, the moment I read the first page, the title of a film that had been released before my regression flashed in my mind.

'What the hell? Isn't this Lovely Days?'

Lovely Days, which had been released before my regression, was a hit that drew six million viewers. It was originally slated to hit theaters five years from now, but because of its clichéd and predictable storyline, it had long been rotting in the script room without becoming a film.

Investors had also avoided it because its plot was strikingly similar to the American movie The Bodyguard from twenty years ago. But when the newly appointed investment chief at CK Entertainment took interest and pushed it forward in earnest, it had shot straight to number one.

Flip.

As I skimmed through the pages on the tablet and checked the story, I became certain that although the character names were different, it was the same film I knew.

Shin Jong-Ki watched my expression and asked, "What do you think?"

I answered, "It's clichéd, but I think it has a high chance of succeeding."

Shin Jong-Ki's face twisted instantly. "Damn it. I was hoping to hear you call it a flop, Chief Jung. To be honest, Managing Director Lee and I felt the same. Even if it's clichéd, this will work."

I handed the tablet back and asked, "For a romance like this, casting is crucial. Who's been chosen for the roles?"

"The female lead has been confirmed as Min Gyu-Ri."

Before my regression, the female lead had been a rookie actress named Go Yoo-Yung, but now the caliber had gone up. In other words, the chances of success had increased even more.

"Then what about the male lead?"

"That hasn't been decided yet. They're carefully considering a major rookie actor who can rival Deok-Bae."

"So Jo Jae-Kyung and CK are really set on crushing our project."

"Exactly. That's why we have to submit to the festival no matter what. For the record, Director Yeo Ik-Hwan already said he's in."

If that was the case, there was no way we could back out. If we avoided this fight, they would only push us harder. Still, filming for Hwaranjeon was ongoing, so the priority was to ask Yoo-Jin, the lead, what she thought. After all, we couldn't meet the schedule unless Yoo-Jin could handle the grueling pace.

"Then I'll ask Yoo-Jin first and get back to you."

"Yeah, do that."

I immediately called Yoo-Jin. She answered while filming Hwaranjeon.

-Yeah, oppa. What's up?

"Yoo-Jin, they want to move up the She Was Beautiful schedule and finish shooting by the end of May. Would that be okay?"

-All of a sudden?

"Yeah. Actually... CK Entertainment and Jo Jae-Kyung are trying to crush She Was Beautiful."

The moment I explained the situation, Yoo-Jin replied in a combative tone.

-Oppa. Have you ever seen me back down from a fight someone picked?

"Then we go ahead?"

-I'm in. But how are we adjusting the schedule?

"I'll handle that."

-Okay. Call me once the schedule's adjusted. I'll start reviewing the script again.

"Alright."

After hanging up, I fell into thought for a moment. Yoo-Jin said she would do it, but there were still plenty of obstacles.

Once I organized my thoughts, I spoke to Shin Jong-Ki. "If we're going to wrap by the end of May, there's a lot we'll need to prepare."

At once, Shin Jong-Ki's eyes lit up. "What do you need? Just say the word. I'll take care of it."

"First, please handle clearing time with MBS yourself. If I try to manage it at my level, it could cause friction."

"Okay. I'll talk to the MBS president and free up three and a half days a week."

"And please set up the She Was Beautiful set next to the Hwaranjeon set in Gyeongju and Seoul. That way we can cut down on travel time."

"I'll have the Gyeongju set ready within three days. I'll prepare the Seoul set so we can use it depending on the situation."

"Perfect."

"What about the broadcast station set? Should we use MBS in Seoul?"

"No. Let's use the convention hall at Jinseong Resort in Yeongjongdo. It's empty except for when they hold the Project I.O.A competition."

"Done. What else?"

"Lastly... please have a helicopter on standby at all times. So we can cut down travel time between Incheon and Seoul."

Operating a helicopter would cost a fortune, but Shin Jong-Ki didn't even blink. "Consider it done. And no matter how much the production budget increases, just make sure Yoo-Jin and Deok-Bae are fully prepared."

His decisiveness made me ask just in case, "But... the budget could multiply several times over. Are you sure?"

Shin Jong-Ki burst into laughter. "Since I started the film business, this is the first time I've beaten CK Entertainment. That's all thanks to partnering with you. Why would I hold back? Don't worry about the money."

A chaebol really was on a different level.

"Understood. Then please call Mr. Yeo Ik-Hwan right away."

"Sure. As soon as he finishes his Happy & Happy meeting, we'll see him."

"Yes, sir."

Just as I finished greeting him and turned to leave, Shin Jong-Ki spoke up belatedly. "Oh, and don't lose track of Director Jo Jae-Kyung's movements. I've been hearing that aside from going up against us with A Week with a Top Star, he's been subtly provoking fellow directors to frame you. Mainly ones who might be jealous of you, Chief Jung."

"Directors are jealous of me?"

"Of course. Haven't you heard people talk about the Jung Yoon-Ho team? You're already involved in film production to that extent."

"That's just talk. In reality, I only help out here and there."

"It doesn't seem like the directors see it that way. Do you know how many Korean directors look at you with resentment right now?"

Come to think of it, even Director Yoo Sang-Jin's attitude earlier had been like that. Normally, he would have stormed off out of pride, yet he stayed until the end trying to secure the directing role for Happy & Happy. It was as if he disliked the idea of me being involved in the film at all.

However, I soon shook my head. Whatever schemes they had, whoever came at me, I would block every single attack against any project my actors were part of.

***

At basement level two conference room in CK Entertainment, Yoo Sang-Jin sat at the table alongside five hit directors who had each drawn more than four million viewers.

Yoo Sang-Jin, Park In-Ho, Kim Chae-Moon, Ye Jung-Seok, and the only female director among them, Yang Song-Hee, all worked in different genres, but they shared one thing in common—hostility toward Jung Yoon-Ho.

Their films had been released around the same time as projects Jung Yoon-Ho had touched, such as Beyond the Boundary, Jiri Mountain, Ballerina of Time, and Somehow, Kim Chul-Soo!, and had suffered at the box office because of it.

There were predictions that, without Jung Yoon-Ho's involvement in those competing projects, each of their films could have drawn at least one million, and at most three million more viewers. So whenever they had the chance, they chewed on Jung Yoon-Ho like butter-grilled squid.

Moreover, the fact that a mere talent agent, not even a film director, was said to have a so-called "the Jung Yoon-Ho team" deeply bruised their pride.

At that moment, Yang Song-Hee, who had been slumped over the conference table, asked Yoo Sang-Jin. "Sunbae. I heard Chief Jung stole your project today?"

Two years ago, Yang Song-Hee had directed Mama Choir, about former high school girls' choir members reuniting after thirty years to compete again, and had drawn five million viewers.

Yoo Sang-Jin narrowed his eyes and warned Yang Song-Hee of her careless tone, despite being more than a decade older. "Hey, Yang Song-Hee. Shut your mouth. I'm already pissed off. Why are you poking at me?"

"Why are you snapping at me? You're the one who let that clueless screenwriter get snatched away."

"You little—! Did you just say all that to me?"

"Tsk. The moment you open your mouth, you start yelling like a damn lunatic."

"What? Lunatic? A lunatic?"

At that point, Park In-Ho, who was thirty-eight, stepped in to mediate. He was the director who had recently drawn 4.1 million viewers with the youth drama Summer of the Boy, made on a budget under ten billion won.

"Hyung, just let it go. You know what Song-Hee's like. Ever since she hit it big with Mama Choir, she's been puffing up her chest."

"Like no one here has ever had a hit before?"

Then Kim Chae-Moon flicked his fingernails and spoke in a bored tone. "If you're going to fight, take it outside. What are you, elementary school kids?"

Kim Chae-Moon, now thirty-six, had drawn 5.8 million viewers two years ago with the action blockbuster Artificial Human.

Yoo Sang-Jin and Yang Song-Hee stopped arguing and glared at him.

"What? Elementary school kids?"

"Did you just call me a brat?"

At that moment, Ye Jeong-Seok, thirty-two, cut sharply through the bickering. "We gathered because of Chief Jung. What's the point of fighting among ourselves?"

Ye Jeong-Seok was the director of the thriller Murder Weapon, which had pulled in 4.5 million viewers despite being rated 19+.

Yoo Sang-Jin scratched his head awkwardly. "Damn it. By the way, where the hell is Jo Jae-Kyung? Huh?"

Right then, as if on cue, Jo Jae-Kyung opened the door and walked in. "Sorry. I'm a bit late."

They had expected him to come alone, but standing beside Jo Jae-Kyung was Director Hong Ah-Yoon of HK Entertainment.

Hong Ah-Yoon bowed her head slightly. "I'm sorry. I had something to take care of today and ended up making Director Jo late as well. Please allow me to apologize on his behalf."

Yet, Yoo Sang-Jin responded irritably. "I heard HK had quite a lot going on today. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be busy cleaning up?"

"We've already taken all the articles down. Didn't you see?"

Yoo Sang-Jin replied with a faint sneer. "You must've spent a lot of money."

Hong Ah-Yoon smiled sweetly. "We're a chaebol family, after all."

The unexpected answer left Yoo Sang-Jin momentarily speechless.

On the other hand, Yang Song-Hee burst out laughing. "Wow, that's so cool. Chaebol unnie. Let's be friends."

At the remark from Yang Song-Hee, often called the eccentric director, Hong Ah-Yoon smiled. "Unnie? Ms. Yang, you're a year older than me."

"If you've got more money and more ability than me, that makes you unnie."

"Then how about we just be friends?"

"Okay! Deal!"

Watching them click instantly, Yoo Sang-Jin turned to Jo Jae-Kyung. "Director Jo. Start with why you called us. You said you'd tell us how to take down Chief Jung?"

Jo Jae-Kyung spoke calmly. "You all know my uncle is the president of CK Entertainment, right?"

"That's why we're here."

"My uncle said he'll greenlight distribution for your next projects. No questions asked."

"For real...?"

No matter how successful a director was, unconditional distribution approval was never guaranteed. Even hit directors had all experienced flops more than once.

"What's the catch?"

"You'll have to use scripts selected by us."

At that moment, Yoo Sang-Jin flared up immediately. "So you're telling us to become CK Entertainment's dogs?"

"Dogs? Not at all. It's simply an offer to become partners."

Yoo Sang-Jin shot to his feet. "I may hate Jung Yoon-Ho, but I won't kneel under you. I'm leaving."

That was when Hong Ah-Yoon spoke toward Yoo Sang-Jin's back. "A minimum production budget of fifteen billion won per film. After reviewing the script, we can support up to thirty billion. And for any director who competes against a Jung Yoon-Ho project and beats him in audience numbers, we'll provide a separate bonus of five billion."

Yoo Sang-Jin stopped mid-step. It was too much money to refuse.

Gulp.

Yoo Sang-Jin slowly turned his head. "You're saying we just produce the script you give us?"

"Yes. You simply release it on the same day as Jung Yoon-Ho's film."

"That's it?"

"Why? Are you scared to go up against Jung Yoon-Ho?"

Yoo Sang-Jin returned to his seat, glaring. "Scared? Of who?"

"Great. Then HK Entertainment will gather the best actors for you. Let's make this work together."

Yoo Sang-Jin glanced to the side. The other directors' lips were already curling upward in anticipation. They had wanted a showdown with Jung Yoon-Ho anyway, and now money was being offered on top of it.

At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung handed out the tablets he had brought.

Swipe, swipe, swipe.

"We at CK have narrowed down scripts in the genres you directors excel at—drama, romance, blockbuster, thriller, and comedy. They've been carefully selected, so I believe you'll be pleased."

The five directors began reviewing the scripts CK Entertainment had prepared.

Then Jo Jae-Kyung spoke again. "As for me, I'll be entering the Bucheon International Film Festival with A Week with a Top Star. I'll take the first shot, so I hope you'll all back me up."

At that moment, Yoo Sang-Jin gripped the tablet and smiled in satisfaction. "Then I suppose I should pick something that'll turn Happy & Happy into unhappy."

And so, in a corner of CK's underground conference room, a covert alliance was forming with the sole purpose of keeping Jung Yoon-Ho in check.

***

Around the time we finished the script meeting for Happy & Happy at Park Sun-Jae Production located in Samseong-dong, Jung Sang-Bong arrived. I asked him to send Haru and Director Jung Na-Mi home first.

Afterward, we called Yeo Ik-Hwan of She Was Beautiful over and finalized the scheduling meeting with Shin Jong-Ki.

Shin Jong-Ki turned off his tablet and said, "I'll wrap up negotiations with MBS and adjust Yoo-Jin and Deok-Bae's appearance schedules by tomorrow. We'll skip the script reading and go straight into the first on-site shoot in Gyeongju three days from now."

"Yes, sir."

With that, it was officially set. She Was Beautiful and Jo Jae-Kyung's A Week with a Top Star would clash at the Bucheon International Film Festival.

Shin Jong-Ki stretched and spoke. "Chief Jung. Want to grab dinner together?"

It was currently 6:45 p.m. I had a dinner appointment at 7 p.m. at the Jinseong Hotel in nearby Samseong-dong with Chairman Jin Dae-Woon of Jinseong Inc., so I shook my head.

"I have an appointment tonight. Let's have dinner together on the first day of shooting."

"Busy man. Alright. Good work."

I hurried down to the underground parking lot and arrived at the Jinseong Hotel in less than ten minutes.

I took the elevator up to the Chinese restaurant on the 11th floor. Guided by a server, I entered the VIP room, where Jin Dae-Woon, Chief Secretary Seok Han-Joong, President Jin Sung-Joon, and Acting President Jin Ah-Ram were waiting.

Seated at a round table with a rotating tray, Jin Dae-Woon let out a hearty laugh. "Chief Jung, I hear you landed another blow on HK Entertainment today?"

"They were the ones who picked the fight first. I didn't start it."

"Oh dear. Then I suppose I should be careful too."

Jin Dae-Woon raised both hands jokingly. He seemed much more relaxed than when we first met, but he was still the titan who had single-handedly built a company ranked twenty-fifth in Korea's business world. I couldn't judge him by his playful exterior.

"What reason would I ever have to clash with you, Mr. Chairman?"

"Hahaha, you never know."

At that moment, Jin Ah-Ram pulled out the chair beside her. "Please, have a seat, Mr. Jung."

"Thank you."

As soon as I sat down, Jin Dae-Woon immediately ordered the standing server. "Bring out the prepared course."

"Yes, sir."

The server bowed and left the room.

Click.

As the door slid shut, Jin Dae-Woon rested his chin on his hand and began. "We'll talk business over the meal, but first, let me tell you about the shares I promised you."

"Yes, sir."

I had expected something modest—perhaps one percent at the low end, three percent at most—so I responded calmly.

However, Jin Dae-Woon named a percentage I hadn't anticipated at all.

"The shares I intend to give you are..."