Top Management

"Cho Soo-young? Cho Soo-yooooung?"

Director Lee Bongjoon burst into the office in a flurry. He slammed his cellphone onto the desk with the screen showing an article.

[Cho Soo-young cast in the lead role of the movie 'Spy'... Teaming up with Park Hyeseung?]

Several sources confirmed, "Director Lee Geumhyeong indeed handed the script to Cho Soo-young,"... The movie 'Spy,' anticipated early on for Park Hyeseung’s participation, features Cho Soo-young as the son of a North Korean operative...

"Did our Ji-Jun really get pushed out by Cho Soo-young?"

"He wasn’t pushed out."

An agitated Director Lee Bongjoon was calmed and seated on the couch, and the office door was shut. Outside, employees were wide-eyed with curiosity, and other team members appeared to watch the spectacle.

"It was our own decision to leave."

"But that’s just between us, the production company and Director Lee Geumhyeong don’t know that! They were really keeping an eye on both Ji-Jun and Cho Soo-young before firmly grabbing Cho Soo-young and tossing Ji-Jun aside, weren’t they?!"

"...Well."

Right. It’s a bit harshly put.

Director Lee Bongjoon, hands on his hips, grunted indignantly.

"Ah, I never thought Director Lee Geumhyeong would do this. He got Ji-Jun’s hopes up by asking to work together and then just shut up and turned his back after a few days? Ji-Jun saw this article and has lost all appetite!"

"The article came out less than thirty minutes ago."

"He’s even skipped lunch, lunch! He usually goes crazy for soft tofu stew."

He seemed to choke up with frustration.

"Seriously. With the article out, even if they change the actor, shouldn’t the director at least call Ji-Jun? They should at least say, 'This is how it turned out, sorry.' That’s basic decency when working with people, isn’t it? They’re not using an object. This is about basic courtesy!"

Finally, Director Lee Bongjoon swore, his face flushed and veins popping.

"And, even though Ji-Jun received the script first, why does the article only talk about Cho Soo-young? Now that I think about it, that feels bad."

"We’ve been denying it whenever reporters asked."

But those who should know probably know.

"Maybe the production company or Peter Pan Entertainment leaked it to the press? Trying to firmly pin it down this time?"

"It was me."

"...What?"

"I was the one who leaked it to the press."

It was a hassle trying to launder the source.

"Why...?"

"To pin it down this time."

His phone rang. The CEO of GH Media.

Already the fourth call. At this rate, they must be desperate.

"Just a moment."

As soon as he answered, an urgent voice came through.

-Director Jung? Director, about that article...

"I was actually in a meeting because of that."

-How did it happen? We contacted first,

"Ji-Jun is currently so shocked he can’t eat."

"..."

Director Lee Bongjoon made a strange noise up front.

"When’s the meeting with the director rescheduled? He was so looking forward to shooting. I don’t know how to console him."

-Director, I’m really sorry...

"We know production companies weigh their options with this actor or that, but isn’t this a bit too much?"

-Yes, that’s true, I’m really sorry... No, the article,

"If you were going to do this, you shouldn’t have promised to work together. It really doesn’t feel good."

He struggled to keep his anger under control, still showing a prickly emotion. Letting the other side feel unsettled. The nuance was that they had messed everything up.

"Anyway, we’re pulling out."

-No, Director...!

"The press is already calling to confirm. They’re asking if Ji-Jun got pushed out by Cho Soo-young, if he lost his role to a senior, what happened."

On the other side, the representative swallowed hard. The film hadn't even started shooting yet. They certainly wouldn’t want articles plastered everywhere about how the production’s greed caused casting chaos from the start.

He listened to the CEO's rushed words with one ear.

"It can’t be helped now. I hope the movie does well."

He hung up the phone.

Tension immediately dissolved.

It was a refreshing downpour after a long drought.

All the sticky things clung to him washed away. Despite the tumultuous last few days, at this moment, all worries were pushed back, leaving only a refreshed feeling.

Director Lee Bongjoon said with a drained face.

"I’ve been in this business a long time, but you, I really can’t work with you, Director Jung. It’s not good for my heart

."

"Go and eat soft tofu stew with Ji-Jun who’s been abstaining from food."

After cracking a joke, Director Lee Bongjoon’s mood sank again.

"Do you think he can swallow tofu right now? It’s only been a few days since he lost his role to another guy. He might be smiling on the outside, but how could he not be hurting inside?"

"...Let’s go together."

They immediately took the tofu stew they liked to Ji-Jun's house. Ji-Jun, who was groaning like a cat, opened the door with one arm, his hair completely disheveled from lying down.

Contrary to Director Lee Bongjoon’s words, he wasn’t smiling even on the outside.

"Thanks, but I’m really not in the mood to eat right now."

"Just keep it, and eat it slowly when you feel like it."

His usual sly, smooth smile was gone, making the Ji-Jun in front of him seem unfamiliar. He seemed like someone being chased, with no leisure to spare.

"Forget about 'Spy.' It’s not worth being upset about."

"Yeah. Well... I’ll shake it off soon enough. It’s not like this doesn’t happen often. It’s just that right now, it feels a bit empty."

Ji-Jun slumped down under the sofa in the living room.

"When Director Lee Geumhyeong asked me to work on this project together, he said I was the best fit for the role. And yet, it only took two days to replace me with another actor."

He pressed his chest as if exaggerating his pain.

"I’m not arrogant enough to think there’s no other actor who could replace me in the world, but still... it hurts."

"..."

Everything had gone according to my plan.

Ji-Jun had disembarked safely, and we would just watch from afar as 'Spy,' Director Lee Geumhyeong, and Peter Pan all went down together. It was a satisfying outcome, yet...

Watching Ji-Jun so deflated left a bad taste.

"Ah, it’s because the director and the production guys are blind."

Director Lee Bongjoon snorted.

"You would have been fresher and gotten a better response, right? What, Cho Soo-young? Ah, I've already seen the whole movie. It's always the same old stuff."

"Really...?"

Ji-Jun murmured, hugging the cat and stretching out.

Looking down at his pitiable state, I finally said,

"Ji-Jun."

"?"

"I was the one who suggested we quit this movie. That’s why we quit."

"Right."

"You joined this team trusting my abilities. So trust me a little longer. I’ll find you a much better project than 'Spy.'"

I choked out the words that were crawling up my throat.

"By any means necessary."

I needed a good project.

Despite understanding, he had listened to me and given up a role everyone envied, a decision he shouldn't regret.

I wanted to make sure he didn’t regret trusting me.

***

Just as I arrived on the fifth floor.

I bumped into Director Jo Byunghwan, who was loitering near the marketing team’s office. Spotting me, he approached with a healthy flush on his face, beaming.

“Did you see Ji-joon? How is he? He must be quite shocked, right?”

Wondering why he greeted me so enthusiastically, he continued.

“He’s been growing up so well in our company, losing projects like this, getting knocked down; he’s not quite used to it yet. The former team leader, Director Lee Jang-yeop, could never stand to see his 'son' disregarded like that outside.”

“So?”

“I’m just worried about Ji-joon. There’s a reason why he’s the team leader, you know? If the guardian is easy-going, his kids get pushed around too.”

Staring at his smirking face, I finally spoke.

“How is Ms. Son Chaeyoung doing?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

Director Jo Byunghwan’s face hardened instantly.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“I got a call from Ms. Son Chaeyoung a while ago.”

“What? Why? What for?”

“I don’t know, couldn’t pick up. Been too busy to remember since.”

Now rigid, I spoke again to Director Jo Byunghwan.

“Director Jo. My life has been too... spectacular lately. I’d prefer not to get stressed over trivial issues. Let’s just mind our own business, shall we?”

“What? You to me...!”

“I’m quite busy.”

And with that, I walked past his flushed face.

***

In Team 4 of the Management Business Division, road manager Park Seungho craned his neck towards the director’s office. His peer, Jang Seo-jeong, approached with a toothbrush in mouth. Park Seungho gestured to her quickly.

“Hey, the director just returned.”

“And?”

“Seems like there’s an issue with Ji-joon’s next project. I heard our director lost a project he filmed, got pushed out.”

“And?”

“Ah, Lim Joowon’s next project seems to be settling too. Someone from the road said today Joowon went to shoot a variety show holding the ‘Doctor 25 Hours’ script like a precious talisman.”

“And?”

With a frustrated look, Park Seungho responded.

“Aren’t you curious about what’s going on?”

“Are you a reporter? We’ll know when it’s scheduled anyway.”

Jang Seo-jeong scowled as if annoyed.

It was a common plight for employees of Team 4, reportedly affiliated with Jung Sunwoo, to be harassed by reporters. The next project Sunwoo would pick was the hot topic among journalists lately.

“Hey, everyone will know once it’s fixed. The point is we know it first, before others. You don’t get it.”

“Buzz off, you’re like a paparazzo.”

With a disgusted expression, Jang Seo-jeong stormed past.

Park Seungho lingered, continually glancing at the director’s office door.

***

At the film production company Studio People.

A lemonade filled with small ice cubes sat in front of me.

Representative Do Hyeong-tae looked more like a middle school teacher than a film producer, with his round, broad face and long eyes reminiscent of a Buddha statue, emanating a friendly vibe.

Though his mind was probably running numbers.

“What brings you here, really?”

“I just came to see you, wanted to catch up.”

Representative Do Hyeong-tae chuckled reluctantly. His face read, ‘What are you up to? We’re not that close.’

That was true. We’d only exchanged greetings in passing.

But I had no choice.

I had been searching everywhere for the ‘Accomplice’ script, but no one seemed to know. The director was unreachable.

The person was somewhat introverted and during work, hardly took calls. The fastest way to approach Director Lee Chang-in was through him.

Smiling back at Representative Do Hyeong-tae, I said.

“It would be nice to browse through some good scripts while I’m here.”

“Well... I don’t really have anything impressive to show you. I’ve sent you a couple of scripts before and they were all sharply rejected.”

True.

Both were subpar.

One script was evidently doomed from the start, and indeed it flopped.

The other’s synopsis was so off that it didn’t last a week after release. Wonder if the actors even got their fees.

Of course, saying this would earn me a lemonade splash.

Instead, I spoke as if I had missed a precious item.

“I was positive about them, but schedules always clashed. It’s a pity because we only have one body but multiple good projects. We can’t overwork the actors.”

Being a bit sycophantic

 when needed was familiar. Although it was just lip service, it did help ease the awkward atmosphere.

Especially since many seem to have a negative bias against my personality, being cheeky, picky, or arrogant. When I spoke politely, it usually had a good effect.

Representative Do Hyeong-tae’s expression visibly softened.

“Hope the schedules align better next time.”

“If you let us know in advance, it’s easier for us to adjust. Are you preparing any new projects?”

Diving straight into the main topic, I prompted.

He scratched his nose bridge.

“Our company isn’t really in a position to start big projects right now...”

After ruining two projects consecutively, the financial pressure must be mounting, and if they failed another, the company would likely falter. He probably wanted to work with a director who could reliably bring in revenue.

A director he had previously collaborated with, a close friend.

Someone like Lee Chang-in.

“For now, I’m waiting for a script from Chang-in, from Director Lee Chang-in.”

Indeed.

“Director Lee Chang-in? I really admire his work. I’ve seen ‘The Perfect Mistake’ like three times in the cinema.”

“Really? Chang-in would be pleased to hear that.”

“What’s he preparing now?”

“Well...”

He started to speak then hesitated, contracting his throat.

“Chang-in told me not to blab about it until he’s done with the script. He’s a bit timid. During work, he literally blocks out everything else and hardly goes outside.”

“I’ll keep it to myself. Good works should be known to few.”

“True, Director Jung isn’t one to gossip.”

Excited to share, he blurted out.

“It’s a crime thriller. Chang-in’s recognized in this genre. This one’s really solid. I saw the first draft, and it’s definitely going to work.”

“Oh, a first draft is already out?”

I inquired lightly.

“Do you have a title yet?”

“The Accomplices.”

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