“Thank you for the opportunity!”

Director Joo Jaechan bowed his head. His lips were subtle trembling due to his excitement. He had his debut project in his hands. It wasn’t an independent film but a commercial one to boot.

Although his confidence took a blow after bowing down to moneylending investors, it had its value. He was able to take Director Oh Hyunkyung’s edited scenario and position in one fell swoop thanks to it.

He planned on making City Jungle a success.

If he is able to make a box office hit once, production companies and investors will stick to him for his next project. Also, he could make those who didn’t even give his scenarios and directing skills a glance regret not working with him.

“I will work hard in making the move to make you not regret investing in it.”

“Please do.”

Director Hwang’s eyes narrowed into slivers as he said,

“Director Joo, do you know the return on national movie investments?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s in the negatives. -7%. You know that commercial films that released last year? The ones with at least a billion won in budget, not overall costs. According to the Korean Film Council, half of them flopped without being able to recover their budget. Only 16 actually reached their breakeven point. Investors go crazy about that. But do you know why they still invest…?”

Director Hwang placed the City Jungle scenario, which was in the seat beside him, onto the table.

“There are occasionally big hits. Not a large-scale blockbuster that every investor wants in on. Ones with good scenarios but lack public appeal or trendiness. Ones people don’t have an eye one like this.”

Director Hwang continued while tapping on the scenario with his chopsticks.

“If something like this succeeds, we’ll get a 200-300% return. This is why we are investing in this. That’s why, please work hard in making it. It is why we changed the directors.”

Director Joo Jaechan frowned. Director Hwang continued,

“While you’re better than a director, whose past projects failed, you aren’t really a great pick either. We decided to bring you in as the director as you were the writer of the original scenario and told us that you would be most cooperating. If things don’t seem to work out, then, like you said, directors could change mid-production.”

“… Do not worry. I am confident in making the film a success.”

Director Joo Jaechan said with a crooked smile.

He didn’t plan on being swayed by the investment company like this. He planned on quickly bringing in other investors. If the number of investment companies increased, then Ant Captial’s stake and influence would shrink.

He also had bait to lure other investors.

Team Leader Jung Sunwoo, who was receiving a lot of attention from investors with his Midas’s Hand title. Lee Songha, the international star that created hype whenever she decided on a project. If he put those two out there, other investors would undoubtedly be interested.

Also, Director Joo Jaechan was confident in persuading Jung Sunwoo.

***

The two people across from me were boring holes in me with their eyes.

The project producer, who rushed out, returned in ten minutes like he said. Along with the CEO of SBE Films. He seemed to have looked into the situation around City Jungle, as his expression was stranger than before.

The project producer started the conversation.

“I looked into it, and the production situation is a complete mess.”

“It is.”

A production company that couldn’t assign a director they wanted due to the sway the investment company’s move had.

The fight between an unknown director and a rookie director, who argued the project was theirs.

To be honest, it was surprising that a project being produced in a situation like this to have had such box office appeal and quality. This was probably why people said projects fated to succeed would succeed even if covered in crap, while project not meant to succeed could not no matter how hard they tried.

I let out a breath and said,

“It’s true that the situation is a complete mess, however, it’s a project I would like to bring in. I believe the film’s potential will greatly increase once the environment improves. That is why I was hoping to actively intervene and create that environment.”

I shook my fishing rod with my quiet voice.

“A good environment?”

“For example, if a skilled production company joined.”

I looked at the project producer briefly before turning to the CEO.

“Or looking for a trustworthy joint production partner.”

“A joint production.”

The CEO rubbed his chin. He didn’t look completely uninterested, so I explained in more detail.

“The film production company, Forest, started off as a mid-sized import distributor, so they had many lacking areas in terms of production. That is why they are very open to joint production.”

Saying they were very open to it was a bit of an understatement. When I asked Forest’s CEO on what he thought about a joint production, he held onto my words like they were a lifeline. While their profits would be split if it became a joint production, but he seemed more interested in splitting the burden.

The CEO, who had been silently listening to me, crossed his arms and nodded.

“While we would have to read the scenario again, vaguely remembering it, it didn’t really pull me in. I think the scenario was good, but because there isn’t a lot of popularity for noir genre films in the country, I don’t think it’ll be a box office success. Comedy-dramas are mainstream right now, and this one is too dark.”

“Mainstream? You’re the one who created a zombie film with tens of billions of won and an all-star cast.”

The CEO coughed at my words. I saw the corners of his lips rise. I heard he liked the review about how he persevered and pushed a nonmainstream movie to success while other production companies came out with mainstream movies that standardized the industry.

Anyways, I also came here because the CEO had a hand in various different genres.

On top of that, the project producer, the production producer, who was on Alive’s set, as well as the investment support team that mediated investment companies. They all knew the industry like the back of their hand and were highly skilled.

The project producer asked,

“But if you’re actively intervening, then are you going to decide the leads?”

“I am. Or else, there is no need to be so aggressive.”

“Who are they?”

Their ears perked as they leaned towards me.

“We are still discussing it. I’ll let you know once it’s been decided. It’s a promise.”

The project producer’s eyes narrowed at my words.

“Have you gone to other production companies?”

“I came to SBE first. I was thinking about going to Well-Made if I got rejected here…”

“First.”

The CEO cut me off and picked up the scenario.

“Let’s talk after reading the scenario.”

“Ah, but I heard that two directors are vying for the megaphone? While the scenario is one thing, due to the characteristic of the genre, the directions of the director are very important as well. Depending on their directing skills, it could go from being ‘charismatic’ to ‘corny’.”

“Of course.”

I nodded while replying. The project producer said,

“Have you decided which of the two you will have direct?”

“Yes, I did.”

The reason for rejecting CEO Baek Hansung’s offer was because I wanted to walk my own path instead of one someone else created for me. In order to not be swayed by the opportunity, but instead use it to my advantage. To not be swayed by my future visions, and instead, use them.

Did I want to make this project?

I did. It wasn’t simply because it was a success in the future. I sincerely wanted to.

Then how did I want to make this project?

What would I have done if I didn’t see the future?

My heart raced as I thought this. Then, I decided to take a different path from the one my future visions carved me. I stepped onto an uncertain path. I thought that the path would disappear and would be dark, but that was not the case. After stepping off the path, I could see countless paths at my feet.

A path that could lead to failure. A path that could lead to even greater success.

Under these uncertain circumstances, I was certain of one thing.

Each step I took was more enjoyable.

***

Director Joo Jaechan and Director Hwang from Ant Capital entered the restaurant together.

This was a meeting to decide on our next steps now that the City Jungle director has been decided over a meal. They also planned on bringing up the topic of lead roles to Team Leader Jung Sunwoo.

“Director Joo, you said you haven’t heard back from Team Leader Jung Sunwoo yet, right?”

“Yes, it seems he’s planning on bringing it up when everyone’s here.”

“I think Team Leader Jung Sunwoo reserved this restaurant, so I think we can consider it a certainty.”

Director Joo Jaechan laughed heartily at Director Hwang’s words.

The restaurant employee who guided them opened the sliding door. There were already a few people sitting inside. The two greeted them as they entered but stopped. Beside Forest’s CEO, who was sitting rigidly, seemingly nervous, was Director Oh Hyunkyung.

Director Joo Jaechan spoke in an irritated voice,

“Director Oh, why are you here?”

“To talk about the film, of course. Do you think I came to see you?”

Director Oh Hyunkyung said, raising her eyebrow.

“No, what I mean is, why are you…!”

Director Joo Jaechan barely managed to contain his voice. He saw the people sitting across from Director Oh Hyunkyung. Team Leader Jung Sunwoo was sitting next to some people he was seeing for the first time.

Team Leader Jung Sunwoo shrugged.

“Everyone’s here. Shall we discuss the film now?”