Superstar From Age 0

“Having a good relationship with actor Seo-jun Lee would be helpful.”

The project team members were swayed by another employee’s remark, but soon another opinion emerged.

“But he might not do it because of that. He could feel burdened by the fact that he would be directing a work starring Seo-jun Lee, following his uncle Ryan Will’s movie.”

“Besides, we can’t avoid talking about connections.”

“If we cast him based on connections, the director or the actor might resent it. Having a friendship with Ryan Will means having a similar taste…”

Hmm.

The team members nodded unconsciously, recalling the ‘conference room arm-crossing incident’ that came down like a legend.

They thought it was possible, thinking of the formidable Ryan Will.

“Jonathan Will is a fairly well-known director in the independent film industry, but I wonder how he would do in the commercial film industry, especially in the hero movie genre.”

“Ryan Will was in a similar situation when he filmed Shadowman 1. He had fewer awards than Jonathan Will does now.”

“That was when he was making a movie to replace Redbone 2. Along with Greenwing.”

Everyone in the room knew that Shadowman and Greenwing were the movies that filled in the gap when the production of Redbone 2 was postponed due to an accident that actor Davis Garrett had while avoiding the paparazzi.

“At that time, it would have been enough if we could just recover the production cost, or even if we couldn’t, if we could just kill some time and check the skills of the two directors.”

The employee said with a serious expression.

“But now it’s different.”

A serious and passionate voice filled the conference room.

“The Jin Natra series will be a crucial project that will be the center of the next-generation hero movies. It will be a series that can bridge the fans who loved the first-generation heroes to the second-generation heroes. We need a plan that can ensure success more than ever.”

Everyone knew that this meeting would be an important turning point that would determine the success and failure of the next-generation hero movies for the next few years, so the conference room was burning with enthusiasm.

“I think a pro director would be better. How about the directors who handled the first-generation hero movies?”

“Of course, I’m not saying that the old directors’ styles don’t appeal to the current audience, but I think we need a new director as the times are changing.”

“Rather, wouldn’t we need the veteran’s skills as new stories unfold?”

“We might get bored of the familiar style.”

The opinions clashed fiercely.

Veteran director and rookie director.

Both sides were understandable, making the situation more difficult.

“Alright. Everyone calm down.”

The leader of the project team, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“Remember that this is not the place to decide the director. We are here to discuss the method that would help us in the meeting tomorrow.”

The leader shrugged his shoulders.

“If Seo-jun Lee says he won’t do it, all these opinions will be useless. We can’t think of Jin Natra without Seo-jun Lee.”

That was true.

It might be different if more time passed, but it had only been six years, and for the generations who grew up with ‘Seo-jun Lee’s Jin Natra’, Jin Natra without Seo-jun Lee was strange, alien, and enough to cause dissatisfaction.

In such a situation, if Seo-jun Lee said he wouldn’t do it, this meeting would be a waste of time.

“It would be easier if we could negotiate with the appearance fee.”

Someone sighed and said.

It was Marina Studio , who could cast ‘It was too much money to refuse.’

“I heard that Seo-jun Lee doesn’t decide his appearance based on the appearance fee.”

There were some actors who didn’t care about the appearance fee in Hollywood, so it wasn’t a special case, but it was frustrating for the production company that had lost one card to offer.

The leader smiled bitterly at the sighs from everywhere and opened his mouth.

“So today, let’s try to roughly decide on the candidate directors and the direction of the future development. Of course, remember that the director and the story can be changed at any time.”

That’s how the meeting started in earnest.

“That director had a conflict with actress Jessica Kim. His remarks at a private event were also… He seemed like a racist.”

“Then he’s out.”

It would be a big issue if the director was a racist when the main actor was Asian.

In the social section of the newspaper.

“This director treats the actors harshly. He makes them retake until he’s satisfied.”

“That’s… a bit vague.”

It was natural to shoot several times for a good scene, but if it was a useless retake and a useless hardship, it was a problem.

“But do we need to investigate this thoroughly? I think we just need to know the directing style…”

Some of the employees who had worked on the Shadowman series laughed at someone’s question. They looked bored.

“This is nothing. Jun’s manager is not ordinary. If we don’t prepare this much, we’ll be ripped off.”

“It seems like a day is not enough… But we have no choice.”

Marina Studio had made a lot of movies, so they had a lot of information about the directors.

Looking at that information, the meeting of the project team for the Jin Natra series (tentative title) continued until late at night.

***

The next day.

It was a day when an important meeting was held for both Seo-jun and Marina Studio .

“/Don’t worry, this is not the final decision. Just talk comfortably, Seo-jun./”

“/Okay. I got it./”

“/Tae-woo, you’re not participating, but keep an eye on it./”

“/Yes! I understand!/”

Unlike Seo-jun and Da Ho, who headed to the conference room comfortably, Choi Tae-woo was tense.

Marina Studio .

For Choi Tae-woo, who grew up watching Marina Studio ’s hero movies, it was nothing short of a dream come true.

“Nice to meet you, Lee.”

“Hello.”

There were already some people who had arrived in the spacious conference room.

They had decided on the number of people according to the information that Seo-jun Lee would come with two managers and one agency staff. It looked like they wanted to show that it was an equal meeting.

“How have you been, Jun?”

“Yes. I’ve been well. Mr. President.”

“I heard you finished your military service. Good job.”

“Haha. It wasn’t that hard.”

Richard Bowen and Phelan Park, who had exchanged greetings with Seo-jun several times while filming the [Shadowman Series] for a long time, were also there.

“Please take good care of today’s meeting, Ahn. Feel free to share your opinions.”

“Yes. I understand. This is Tae-woo Choi, Jun’s new manager. If he is cast, the new manager will take care of Jun from now on.”

“Oh, I see. Nice to meet you.”

“Me, me too! I look forward to working with you!”

After being introduced to the new manager Tae-woo Choi by Seo-jun Lee’s manager Da Ho Ahn, they shook hands warmly. The leader and the staff of the project team breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the meeting would go well.

“Doesn’t that director have a scandal?”

The meeting had barely started for 10 minutes, and it was already a mess.

Based on the data that the Kings Agency staff gave him in real time, manager Da Ho Ahn stepped on the mental state of the leader and the staff of the [Jin Natra Series (tentative title)] project team.

They had a lot of information on their side too. But they didn’t panic.

“That director is just an example. If you like his directing style, we will find a similar director.”

“Hmm. I see.”

The manager’s eyes were sharp as he scrutinized the director candidates.

Flap-

A sheet of paper turned over.

“This director would make a fun hero movie!” 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Seo-jun Lee kept smiling and creating a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere. But the leader and the staff of the project team were not relaxed.

“But he mostly shoots daily genres, so he might be a bit weak in using CG for action scenes. Is that okay?”

If manager Da Ho Ahn was well-versed in the personal information of the directors, Seo-jun Lee was well-informed about the public information.

He seemed to have watched every movie, and he knew everything about the directing, the story progression, and the character utilization of each director candidate.

“I enjoyed watching this director’s movie. It was a pity that he didn’t win any awards.”

Richard Bowen and Phelan Park stuck out their tongues at Seo-jun Lee, who even knew the directors who only worked in the independent film industry.

The backs of the leader and the staff of the project team were already soaked with cold sweat.

Scary.

This actor. This manager.

They thought that one day was not enough, and the leader of the project team announced the last director candidate.

“…Oh…”

There were various stories as soon as they saw the name of the director, but this time there was silence.

[Jonathan Will]

He was the last director candidate.

“Jonathan Will has no commercial film experience yet, but he has a record of winning awards at various independent film festivals, and he has the advantage of being able to show similar directing as he learned under Ryan Will. That doesn’t mean that Jonathan Will doesn’t have his own style. Besides, there is no bigger strength than having participated in the production of the Shadowman Series from the beginning and knowing the characters well in the production of the Jin Natra Series.”

As they listened to the leader’s explanation, Seo-jun and Da Ho’s eyes met.

They remembered the conversation they had at dinner last night and smiled a little.

But they couldn’t just let it go.

Rather, they became more cold-hearted as they had a connection.

***

The endless meeting was finally over.

There was nothing that was decided enough to write a contract, but it was a place where they could confirm each other’s thoughts to some extent.

“It was a good time. I’ll think positively. Please send me the script as soon as it comes out.”

“Let me know right away if you don’t like the script. I can change any part at any time.”

‘I’ll change it from beginning to end if you say so. Even if it’s the director!’ Richard Bowen’s eyes were full of sincerity, and Seo-jun smiled slightly. Phelan Park, the leader and the staff of the project team behind him, had similar expressions.

“Yes. I will. I want to continue the story of Jin Natra too.”

Everyone smiled brightly at Seo-jun’s words.

“But I won’t change it too much. The script and the directing are the director’s job, and the actor’s job is to act.”

Richard Bowen nodded his head seriously at Seo-jun’s words.

“Choose the director well, okay? Remember that.”

‘…No.’

I don’t know why he understood that.

‘It was just a statement that I would be faithful to the role of an actor…’

Seo-jun just smiled.

He thought they would interpret anything he said differently, seeing the serious eyes of the Marina Studio side.

***

“Hey! Jun! How was the meeting? Did you choose the director?”

Apparently, they were curious about the director of the [Jin Natra Series (tentative title)] that would follow the [Shadowman Series], so Ryan Will and Jonathan Will came to Seo-jun’s house again.

“No. Nothing is decided yet, and we only narrowed down a few candidates. I also heard roughly the direction of the story. Of course, it might change depending on the director.”

“That’s right. The script changes many times until the crank-in.”

“Sometimes it changes even during filming!”

Ryan and Jonathan nodded their heads.

“Who were the candidates? Oh, is this a secret?”

“Yes. It’s a secret until it’s decided.”

“I can keep a secret! Can’t you just tell me a little bit?”

No. I can’t.

One of them is your brother.

“Tell me the initials and I’ll guess!”

“Um. J.W.”

“J.W… J.W… Uh. Who is it?”

Unlike Jonathan Will, who was pondering, Ryan Will realized it right away.

His slightly enlarged pupils moved from Seo-jun to Jonathan, and then back to Seo-jun as if to confirm.

Seo-jun nodded his head with a smile.

Ryan Will smiled and ruffled his nephew’s hair as if to praise him.

“Ouch?! Uncle. Why?”

J.W.

Jonathan Will looked at his respected uncle with a puzzled expression, fixing his messy hair.