Chapter 121 (1/2)

Chapter 121: A Never-ending Cycle, Whether That's Power Dynamics or Psychological Warfare (3)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

A chill blew in the reading room.

Her lips crooked, Writer Jang said,

”If you're like this in front of me, I bet you grab new writers by their hair and swing them around?”

”Writer Jang, that's not it.”

”If you get bigger from this, I guess you'll bring the script after marking it with a red pen the next time we work together.”

”That's not it. I just…”

”Don't think about having your way with writers and the script and move me with your scenes. If you do, then I'll increase your screen time even if you don't want it. Do you understand?”

”… Yes.”

Seo Eunkyo made an awkward smile as she looked around. Those who looked at us with expectant gazes were now giving her the same look.

”What about you, Mr. Taekyung?”

Writer Jang suddenly asked. Having observed Seo Eunkyo get beat down first, Yoon Taekyung quickly made a polite smile.

”Me?”

”I heard you wanted to talk about the script. Tell me your requests.”

”I think there was some miscommunication. There aren't any requests, rather I wanted to tell you that the script was really great. I will act according to the script without a word.”

”There's no need to be like that or I'll be known as a tyrant in this industry.”

”That's…”

”It's a joke.”

Smiling by only curling the edges of her lips upwards, Writer Jang turned her gaze.

Wherever her gaze landed, managers and cast members floundered to greet her. Since the two highest stars here had lowered their tails when faced with power, those beneath them shrunk back on their own.

”We need to stay alert.”

Chief Sung said after coming next to me.

”Since tensions between actors and writers become so taut during shoots, it seems Writer Jang is planning on taking control from the beginning.”

”Don't worry about me. Women in their thirties and forties like me.”

Im Joowon made a boyish smile. His smile brought out women's maternal instincts. He had a scowl on his face just before due to being conscious of Yoon Taekyung, but he seemed to be in a good mood after seeing how Writer Jang treated him.

”Of course, I'm not worried about Mr. Joowon.”

Chief Sung said with a flattering tongue as he looked in Lee Songha and my direction.

”Ms. Songha, you should be careful. I don't think you're skilled in the art of getting along with people.”

”I can do it. Don't worry, oppa.”

I was extremely worried.

Rather than being skilled at it, Lee Songha was hopeless in this art.

She was fine during Cat Guardian Ghost. The relations.h.i.+p between the staff and the cast was extremely good, and everyone sympathized with her since she was receiving millions of hate comments thanks to her acting controversy.

I didn't have many thoughts then, but I abruptly realized that that was a heavenly place rarely seen in the drama industry.

This place was situated in reality. A place with strict power dynamics and psychological warfare.

”She's coming. Smile.”

Chief Sung whispered. It seemed it was our turn as Writer Jang was walking towards us. People moved back to open up a path. It was like the miracle of Moses.

Chief Sung licked his lips and poked my side.

”If the mood is very bad, what if we try getting friendly with Director Woo. It looked like the director had a very favorable impression of you.”

”If the mood is bad, then I guess we have to.”

I said while glancing at Director Woo who other actors were greeting.

I would be relieved if Writer Jang was at least half as friendly as Director Woo.

Didn't she smile slightly when she saw me before?

”Just trust me, Chief Jung. I'll make her warm up to us.”

Im Joowon confidently whispered to me before taking a step forward.

”Writer Jang! Thank you for casting me in such a great project. From now on-”

”I wasn't the one who cast you, Mr. Joowon. That was the director's suggestion.”

Im Joowon, who had told me to trust him, instantly crumbled.

”Of course, I agreed because I thought the same.”

She added as she looked at Lee Songha.

Lee Songha made a 90-degree bow.

”h.e.l.lo, Writer Jang.”

”It's been a long time. But since the press causes such a fuss about you, it feels like I'm seeing you again after meeting you yesterday.”

This woman seemed determined to drive a thorn in every greeting.

Did I really have to try and cling to Director Woo?

The other cast members who had suffered were looking in our direction, especially Seo Eunkyo, whose eyes s.h.i.+ned. She looked expectant, hoping that Writer Jang would embarra.s.s Lee Songha like she did her.

However, it seemed Writer Jang wasn't interested in Lee Songha.

She immediately walked elsewhere.

Towards me. She approached closer.

Just as I considered stepping back, she grabbed me with outstretched arms.

”Writer Jang?”

”Wait. Just once.”

”Pardon me?”

”I wanted to wait until everyone left after the reading session, but I felt urgent.”

”What…”

…Kind of nonsense is that?

Wait for what? She felt urgent?

Everyone was looking at me from behind Writer Jang's shoulders. Everyone. Even Lee Songha stood frozen as she looked at me. Her eyes were so wide open that it felt like her eyes could pop out at any moment.

Im Joowon silently asked while opening and closing his mouth.

What was happening?

I was very curious about this myself.

”I pushed Park Dojin as the male lead.”

Writer Jang whispered.

”I almost c.r.a.pped all over my script.”

”Ah, okay.”

”Uneasy, I looked at my fortune, and apparently, I'm currently caught in three years of misfortune. That's why I wanted to receive some luck from you. It could drive away bad luck.”

It was not enough that the Neptune girls treated me like a talisman, now I could drive away bad luck?

Just as I thought this, hairy arms stretched out behind me.

”I'm also caught in three years of misfortune.”

d.a.m.n it. Director Woo whispered as he hugged me from behind.

”Director Woo, you already did it once, why are you doing it again?”

”There are a lot of eyes watching. As a man, I'm fine, but isn't it a bit weird if a man and woman are hugging each other like this?”

”What do you mean 'man and woman'? He's my nephew's age. Go away. I'll receive your bad luck.”

”I'm the one directing so let's drive away bad luck together.”

Yeah, okay. This was all fine and well.

But could they not whisper next to my ear? I felt like I would die from chills.

”Writer Jang, Director Woo, could you let go of me first…”

I raised my arms to get out of being the patty wedged between two hamburger buns.

Then I stopped after meeting Chief Sung's gaze.