Bab 13: Film Pendek (2)
PD Song Man-woo yang berjanggut jenggot tipis segera memesan begitu duduk.
"Kalau datang ke restoran ceker ayam, ya harus pesan ceker ayam."
Dia lalu menuangkan soju ke gelas kosong milik sutradara berahang kotak yang duduk di hadapannya.
"Memang benar manusia itu produk dari lingkungannya. Kalau hidupmu menyedihkan, hidupmu pun jadi ikut menyedihkan."
Sutradara berahang kotak itu menggaruk kepalanya karena canggung.
"Kau kan sudah tahu, Hyung. Hidupku memang sedang menyedihkan sekarang, untuk apa pura-pura tidak?"
"Kau ini brengsek gila. Hei, Shin Dong-chun. Apa kepribadianmu juga ikut mati?"
PD Song Man-woo dan Sutradara Shin Dong-chun. Keduanya adalah sahabat karib sekaligus mantan rekan kerja dari Departemen Drama SBC. Meskipun Shin Dong-chun tidak sesukses PD Song Man-woo, pada masanya ia juga seorang sutradara terhormat dengan rekam jejak yang lumayan. Namun, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun selalu punya satu impian.
Membuat film layar lebar.
Meski tampak mirip, drama dan film jelas merupakan bidang yang berbeda. Sudah biasa bagi PD drama beralih ke industri film atau sutradara film pindah ke dunia drama, tetapi kenyataannya, jumlah kegagalan jauh lebih banyak daripada yang berhasil.
Itu sama sekali bukan jalan yang mudah. Perubahan karier yang sangat terjal.
Namun, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun dengan berani memilih jalan perfilman. Mungkin ia begitu berani karena sedang berada di masa kariernya yang relatif stabil sebagai PD drama. Atau mungkin karena ia masih lajang. Apa pun alasannya, mengabaikan segala bujukan orang-orang di sekitarnya, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun mulai menulis naskah. Tentu saja, itu dilakukannya setelah meninggalkan SBC.
Naskah yang ia selesaikan lewat kerja keras itu adalah 'Exorcism'.
Dua tahun kemudian. 'Exorcism' karya Sutradara Shin Dong-chun terkatung-katung tanpa kejelasan selama sekitar dua tahun, membentur tembok kenyataan. Di industri perfilman, memproduksi film pendek atau independen secara langsung hampir mustahil seperti keajaiban, sehingga hal itu berubah menjadi masa vakum yang panjang. Sialnya, di tengah masa itu, ia menghadapi musibah. Ia ditipu oleh seseorang dari sebuah perusahaan film, dan jaminan rumah orang tuanya berantakan.
Pada akhirnya, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun jatuh miskin. Kesialan bertubi-tubi menimpanya sekaligus.
Fakta bahwa ia masih berpikiran waras saja sudah layak mendapat pujian dari orang lain. Apakah akhirnya ia bisa melihat sedikit titik terang? Untungnya, 'Exorcism' karya Sutradara Shin Dong-chun baru saja berhasil mendapatkan pendanaan.
Tentu saja, ada masalah karena ada aroma kecurangan yang menyertai pendanaan tersebut.
Bagaimanapun, saat ceker ayam pesanan mereka disajikan, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun bertanya kepada PD Song Man-woo yang sedang menuangkan soju ke gelasnya.
"Ngomong-ngomong, apa Penulis Park kabarnya baik?"
"Tentu saja, dia sedang sibuk menulis naskah."
"Sekarang kan kalian sedang di tengah proses casting untuk 'Profiler Hanryang'. Sudah berapa bagian naskah yang ditulis?"
"Kira-kira... sekitar dua atau tiga bagian.
"Kalian sebentar lagi akan melakukan pembacaan naskah dan mulai syuting."
"Besok seharusnya sudah ada pemberitaan di media tentang rincian yang dikonfirmasi."
Sekitar waktu itu, PD Song Man-woo dengan santai melanjutkan percakapan sambil memegang sepotong ceker ayam.
"Hei, bagaimana kabar film pendekmu 'Exorcism'?"
"Masih berat."
"Kalau separah itu, kenapa tidak berhenti saja dan bergabung dengan tim B drama kami? Kalau aku bicara pada C-Blue Studio, sangat mungkin menempatkanmu sebagai PD eksternal."
Biasanya, menjadi PD tim B drama membawa berbagai arti. Itu bisa merujuk pada pengganti atau PD yang pernah membuat masalah, dan lain-lain. Konotasinya negatif. Tapi kalau itu adalah tim B milik PD Song Man-woo yang bertaraf 'kelas berat', ceritanya tentu berbeda. Itu pasti akan menjadi hit. Mengingat situasi saat ini, itu adalah peluang besar.
Meskipun begitu, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun menggelengkan kepala.
"Kalau aku melakukan itu, para staf akan bergosip di belakangku. Untuk apa kau harus ikut disalahkan karena merasa kasihan padaku?"
"Kau bodoh, kau harus bertahan hidup dulu. Lihat dirimu. Kau sekarang hanya separuh dari dirimu yang dulu. Jadi, apa yang sebenarnya terjadi sekarang? Ceritakan padaku."
Tak lama kemudian, setelahhelaian napas panjang, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun menjelaskan situasi saat ini dalam bentuk ringkas.
"Aku cukup beruntung menemukan seorang investor."
"Bukankah biaya produksi film itu sekitar 30 juta? Itu kabar baik, kan? Tapi..."
"40 juta. Dan itu bahkan belum dikonfirmasi. Bisa naik lagi. Meskipun film pendek, durasinya sekitar 50 menit. Pokoknya, investor itu berasal dari industri hiburan. Mereka bilang sebagai ganti investasi itu, mereka ingin memastikan salah satu aktor mereka ikut dilibatkan."
"···Yah, hal seperti itu sering terjadi bahkan saat kau masih menjadi PD. Bukan masalah besar."
"Aktor yang ingin mereka masukkan sebagai pemeran utama di antara wajah-wajah baru itu adalah Park Jung-hyuk."
Seketika itu juga, PD Song Man-woo mengerutkan keningnya.
"Pemabuk itu? Orang yang merusak kariernya sendiri karena kasus perkelahian? Jadi investor itu berasal dari GGO Entertainment."
"Tepat sekali."
Mendengar situasi tersebut, PD Song Man-woo langsung memberikan tanggapannya. Sebagai seorang sutradara, ia berada di puncak rantai makanan di industri hiburan.
"Mereka berusaha membersihkan imejnya. Mereka mengeluarkan 40-50 juta untuk menebus Park Jung-hyuk dan menghidupkan kembali kariernya. Itu bisnis yang menguntungkan kalau mereka berhasil melakukannya."
Setelah meneguk segelas soju dengan kasar, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun tertawa getir.
"Tapi panggung untuk bisnis yang menguntungkan itu adalah 'Exorcism'... Rasanya... aku tidak menghabiskan waktu bertahun-tahun untuk berjuang demi membersihkan nama bajingan seperti Park Jung-hyuk."
"······"
Jika mereka memaksakan seorang aktor dengan masa lalu kasus penyerangan berat sebagai pemeran utama, kemurnian 'Exorcism', meskipun hanya sebuah film pendek, akan tercoreng. Tentu saja, ada cara agar semuanya berjalan dengan baik, tapi stigma sebagai proyek 'pembersihan imej' tidak akan hilang.
Terlebih lagi, usaha dan kesabaran Sutradara Shin Dong-chun yang telah bekerja keras selama bertahun-tahun akan sia-sia begitu saja.
Pada titik ini.
"Hmm—"
PD Song Man-woo, yang duduk di seberang dengan tangan bersidekap, tiba-tiba bersuara sambil menatap Sutradara Shin Dong-chun.
"Bagaimana kalau kuperkenalkan seorang aktor padamu?"
"Hah? Bukankah semua aktor di sekitarmu itu papan atas?"
"Meskipun begitu. Hanya karena mereka papan atas, bukan berarti mereka tidak melirik naskah film independen atau film pendek. Bahkan Hong-star saja masih menerima naskah independen."
"Yah, itu masuk akal kalau kita bicara soal Hong Hye-yeon yang begitu bersemangat dalam berakting."
"Tapi yang akan kuperkenalkan ini bukan salah satu bintang papan atas itu, melainkan orang lain. Aku tidak yakin apakah dia akan tertarik atau tidak, sih."
"······Siapa?"
Sebagai tanggapan, PD Song Man-woo teringat pada aktor unik yang baru saja ia ajak bernegosiasi kontrak beberapa hari lalu.
"Dia sudah terpilih untuk drama kami. Tidak mudah mendapatkannya. Namanya Kang Woojin. Dia pendatang baru, jadi kau mungkin belum mengenalnya."
"Kang Woojin? Begitu ya, ini pertama kalinya aku mendengarnya. Sepertinya pendatang baru yang potensial. Tapi tunggu, kalau dia sudah terlibat dalam dramamu, dia pasti sibuk dengan itu. Apakah orang seperti itu akan tertarik membuat film pendek tanpa bayaran?"
"Yah... Begitu drama kami tayang, dia pasti akan langsung melesat populer. Kalau kau menggaetnya sekarang, kau mungkin bisa mendapat investor baru. Kenapa tidak dicoba saja?"
Mendengar itu, Sutradara Shin Dong-chun menghela napas dalam-dalam.
"Selama dua, tidak, hampir tiga tahun. Seperti yang kau tahu, banyak hal terjadi padaku selama masa itu. Aku lelah filmku 'Exorcism' terus diremehkan."
Ia meneguk soju dengan kasar.
"Aku lelah, Hyung."
***
Keesokan harinya.
Begitu Selasa pagi menjelang, berita hiburan langsung ramai. Mereka membocorkan rincian final dari proyek yang diantisipasi dan telah dikonfirmasi selama beberapa hari terakhir.
『[Pilihan Isu] Karya terbaru pembuat hit, penulis bintang Park Eun-mi, siap meluncur』
『Apakah Penulis Park Eun-mi dan PD Song Man-woo akan kembali sukses? Susunan pemeran yang memukau untuk drama baru mereka』
Berita itu membahas tentang 'Profiler Hanryang'. Kang Woojin telah dikonfirmasi memerankan karakter Park Dae-ri sekitar lima hari lalu. Sejak saat itu, PD Song Man-woo langsung menggenjot persiapan.
『Karya mendatang dari penulis hit papan atas Park Eun-mi sudah membuat pemirsa antusias/foto』
Dengan Hong Hye-yeon sebagai pemeran utama sejak awal, cetak biru untuk para pemeran pendukung sudah jelas, dan yang tersisa sebagian besar adalah hal-hal terkait negosiasi kontrak. C-BLUE Studio memanfaatkan apa yang telah dikonfirmasi untuk promosi mereka.
Dengan kata lain, promosi 'Profiler Hanryang' resmi dimulai.
『[Eksklusif] Jajaran pemeran karya baru Penulis Park Eun-mi terungkap... 'Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon' sebagai pemeran utama』
『Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, Jang Tae-san, Lee Do-jong, dan lainnya, jajaran pemeran baru untuk karya terbaru 'Penulis Park Eun-mi'!』
Selain itu,
『[Isu Hiburan] Karya baru Penulis Park Eun-mi mungkin tayang perdana paling cepat bulan Mei, kru produksi katakan
Chapter 13: Short Film (2)
Translator: Dreamscribe
The goateed Song Man-woo PD, who took a seat, started to order right away.
"If you come to a chicken feet restaurant, you should order chicken feet."
Then he poured soju into the empty glass of the square-chinned director sitting across from him.
"It's true that people are products of their environment. If you're miserable, your life becomes miserable."
The square-chinned director scratched his head in embarrassment.
"You already know, hyung. My life is miserable right now, why pretend it's not?"
"You crazy bastard. Hey, Shin Dong-chun. Has your personality died too?"
Song Man-woo PD and director Shin Dong-chun. The two were very close friends and former colleagues from the SBC Drama Department. While Shin Dong-chun wasn't as successful as Song Man-woo PD, he was also a respectable director with a decent filmography at the time. However, Director Shin Dong-chun always had a dream.
Making a movie.
However, despite the apparent similarities, dramas and movies are clearly different areas. It's common for drama PDs to go to the film industry or film directors to move into dramas, but in reality, the number of failures far outweighs the successful cases.
It was by no means an easy path. It was a rough career change.
However, Director Shin Dong-chun bravely chose the path of film. Perhaps he was bold because he was in a relatively stable period in his career as a drama PD. Or maybe because he was single. Regardless, despite dissuasion from those around him, Director Shin Dong-chun embarked on screenplay writing. Of course, this was after he left SBC.
The screenplay he completed through this work was 'Exorcism'.
Fast forward 2 years. Director Shin Dong-chun's 'Exorcism' had been drifting aimlessly for about 2 years, hitting the wall of reality. In the film industry, the immediate production of a short or independent film was close to a miracle, so it became a long hiatus. Unfortunately, during this time, he faced misfortune. He was swindled by someone from a film company, and there was a situation where his parents' guarantee went wrong.
In the end, Director Shin Dong-chun became penniless. Misfortunes piled up and struck him all at once.
In fact, he was still sane deserved praise from others. Is it finally seeing the light? Fortunately, Director Shin Dong-chun's 'Exorcism' has just barely received funding.
Of course, there's a problem because there's a whiff of foul play associated with the funding.
Anyway, as the ordered chicken feet were being set up, Director Shin Dong-chun asked Song Man-woo PD, who was filling his glass.
"By the way, is writer Park doing well?"
"Of course, She is busy writing the script."
"Now that you are in the middle of casting for 'Profiler Hanryang'. How many parts of the script have been written?"
"Roughly- about 2, 3 parts."
"You'll be doing script readings and starting filming soon."
"By tomorrow, there should be news articles about confirmed details."
Around this time, Song Man-woo PD casually continued the conversation while holding a piece of chicken foot.
"Hey, how's your 'Exorcism' short film coming along?"
"It's still tough."
"If it's that tough, why don't you quit and join our drama B team? If I talk to C-Blue Studio, it's entirely possible to have you as an external PD."
Normally, being a drama B team PD carries various meanings. It could refer to a substitute or a PD who has caused problems, among other things. It has a negative connotation. But if it's heavyweight Song Man-woo PD's B team, that's a different story. It would definitely be a hit. Given the current situation, it's a huge opportunity.
Despite this, Director Shin Dong-chun shook his head.
"If I did that, the staff would talk behind my back. Why should you get blamed for taking pity on me?"
"You idiot, you have to survive first. Look at yourself. You're just half of what you used to be. So what's going on now? Tell me."
Soon, after a long sigh, Director Shin Dong-chun explained his current situation in a condensed form.
"I got lucky and found an investor."
“Wasn't the production cost of that movie about 30 million? That's good news, isn't it? But…”
“It's 40 million. And that's not even confirmed. It could go up. Despite being a short film, it's about 50 minutes long. Anyway, that investor is from the entertainment industry. They say that in exchange for the investment, they want to confirm one of their own actors.”
"···Well, that's something that often happened even when you were a PD. No big deal."
"The actor they want us to include as the main lead among the new faces is Park Jung-hyuk."
At that moment, Song Man-woo PD furrowed his brows.
"That drunkard? The one who messed up his career because of a fight? So that investor is from GGO Entertainment."
"Exactly."
Upon hearing the situation, Song Man-woo PD immediately gave his response. As a director, he was at the top of the food chain in the entertainment industry.
"They're trying to whitewash his image. They're spending 40-50 million to redeem Park Jung-hyuk and revive his career. It's a profitable business if they can do it."
After harshly downing a shot of soju, Director Shin Dong-chun laughed bitterly.
"But the stage for that profitable business is 'Exorcism'... It's just... I didn't spend years struggling to whitewash a guy like Park Jung-hyuk."
"······"
If they were to push an actor with a past of a major assault case as the male lead, the clarity of 'Exorcism', even if it's a short film, 'Exorcism' would be tarnished. Of course, there are ways for it to turn out well, but the stigma of being a 'whitewashing' project would not disappear.
Moreover, the efforts and patience of Director Shin Dong-chun, who had been working hard for years, would all be invalidated.
At this point.
"Hmm-"
Song Man-woo PD, who was sitting across with his arms crossed, suddenly spoke up while looking at Director Shin Dong-chun.
"Shall I introduce an actor to you?"
"Huh? Aren't all the actors around you top-tier?"
"Even so. Just because they're top-tier doesn't mean they don't look at indie, short film scripts. Even Hong-star still takes indie scripts."
"Well, that makes sense if we're talking about Hong Hye-yeon, who is so passionate about acting."
"But the one I'm about to introduce is not one of those top stars, it's someone else, I'm not sure if he would be interested though."
"······Who?"
In response, Song Man-woo PD remembered the quirky actor with whom he had negotiated a contract a few days ago.
"He's been cast in our drama. It wasn't easy to get him. His name is Kang Woojin, he's pretty new, so you probably don't know him."
"Kang Woojin? I see, it's my first time hearing about him. Seems like a promising rookie. But no, if he's already involved in your drama, he must be busy with that. Would such a person be interested in doing a short film with nothing?"
"Well... Once our drama airs, he'll definitely blow up. If you catch him now, you might get a new investor. Why not give it a try?"
Upon this, Director Shin Dong-chun sighed deeply.
"For two, no, almost three years. As you know, a lot happened to me during that time. I'm tired of my film 'Exorcism' being disregarded."
He took a rough gulp of soju.
"I'm tired of it, hyung."
***
The next day.
As Tuesday morning dawned, entertainment news was bustling. They were revealing the finalized details of the anticipated project that had been confirmed over the past few days.
『[Issue pick] Hit-maker, Star-writer Park Eunmi's new work, all set』
『Will Writer Park Eunmi and Song Man-woo PD succeed again? The dazzling cast line-up for their new drama』
It was about 'Profiler Hanryang'. Kang Woojin was confirmed to play the role of Park Dae-ri about 5 days ago. Since then, Song Man-woo PD had picked up the pace.
『Top Hit-writer Park Eun-mi's upcoming work already excites viewers/photo』
With Hong Hye-yeon as the main lead from the beginning, the blueprint for the supporting actors was clear, and what was left was mostly related to contract negotiations. C-BLUE Studio is using what has been confirmed for their promotion.
In other words, the promotion of 'Profiler Hanryang' officially kicked off.
『[Exclusive] Writer Park Eunmi's new work's line-up revealed... 'Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon' as leads』
『Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, Jang Tae-san, Lee Do-jong and more, new line-up for 'Writer Park Eunmi's' new work!』
Also,
『[Entertainment Issue] Writer Park Eunmi's new work may premiere as early as May, production crew "The early script has already been written"』
They ambiguously leaked the premiere date, stirring up the curiosity of the public. Among those, an article that sparked a bit of curiosity showed up.
『'Writer Park Eunmi', gives a cryptic declaration in an interview "There will be a real scene-stealer actor in this work."』
Anyway, from Tuesday morning, the entertainment articles were aflame with 'Profiler Hanryang', and the curiosity and expectations of the public were at an all-time high.
PD Song Man-woo's influence was certainly there, but to the public, the Hit-maker, writer Park Eunmi was the main draw.
In fact, in any hit drama, the writer is more important than the director. But this is a natural progression. Therefore, the media also emphasized that it's Writer Park Eunmi, who has released numerous hit works.
By early lunchtime on the same day, the official drama title was released.
『Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, Jang Tae-san, Lee Do-jong, and others join Writer Park Eunmi's new work... the title is 'Profiler Hanryang'』
This news quickly spread to various areas. SNS, YouTube, etc. Even on YouTube, it was enough to climb the real-time video rankings. They were videos from so-called 'Reaction YouTubers' covering the issue.
And just by looking at the comments on these videos, you could feel the level of expectation from the public.
-"I've been waiting for this drama since the rumors started, finally!!!"
-"Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon as leads... but the writer is Park Eunmi? It's already epic... when is the premiere?"
-"I heard that writer Park Eunmi mentioned a scene-stealer actor in her interview. I wonder what kind of surprise she's going to give us this time..."
-"Park Eunmi's new work...? It won't be an ordinary drama, can't wait to watch it"
-"What? The director is Song Man-woo with writer Park Eunmi?? And the leads are Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon???? This is going to be a smash hit right from the start."
-"But why is Hong Hye-yeon getting prettier as time goes by?????"
-"The line-up of supporting actors in this is also crazy!"
-"My beloved writer! Always cheering for you!"
.
.
.
Sure enough, the project that brought together heavyweights attracted tremendous attention in a short time. And then.
『Interest pours in as 'Profiler Hanryang' promotion begins... Will it be this year's best drama?』
This was just the beginning of the promotion.
On the same day, in the early afternoon. Blue Vision Film Company.
Around 3 PM. Director Shin Dong-chun was sitting alone in the shabby Blue Vision Film Company office. He seemed to be waiting for someone.
While waiting, he said.
"This is impressive, truly impressive."
He was checking out the articles related to 'Profiler Hanryang', which were creating quite a stir right now. He was both happy and envious about his close brother's success.
But then.
"He said they'd be here at 3, why haven't they come yet?"
Director Shin Dong-chun grumbled. According to the representative of the Blue View Film Company, investor GGO Entertainment's Executive Director Park was supposed to arrive around 3 PM, bringing a few newbies with him. However, it was past 3:05 and there was still no sign of them.
With a hint of irritation, Director Shin Dong-chun sighed.
"They think they are the boss."
15 minutes later, at 3:20 PM, the people who were supposed to come hadn't arrived yet. Just when Director Shin Dong-chun was about to light a cigarette and get up,
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