## Chapter 1290 – ##10_Top Star(3)
##39
1.
A Korean traditional restaurant that looked like it came straight out of a movie.
Park Jin-jung, the director of investment and distribution company Hanbit Films, and Kim Do-yul, the CEO of production company Tuntun Productions, couldn’t hide their greedy smiles.
“Is she on her way?”
“Yes, she is. She’s having a bit of trouble finding her way since it’s her first time here.”
“I’m having an experience like this in my life. I thought Director Moon was a nobody, but he had a magic wand like this.”
“We’ll have to see. Anyone can talk a big game.”
“Still, he’s been a director in the industry for almost 10 years, so he wouldn’t have said something completely absurd, right? We’ll see today.”
Director Park, with his receding hairline and narrow eyes, grinned slyly.
CEO Kim also spoke curtly, but he couldn’t hide his excitement.
“Director Park, did you read the scenario Director Moon sent?”
“I did. But it was a bit disappointing.”
“I guess so, right? If we’re going to cast a strong lead, we should add a lot of CG and production costs to aim for the overseas market. What’s with a melodrama? It’s embarrassing.”
They exchanged subtle glances.
“With an opportunity like this… wouldn’t it be better to attach a better director and a better project? For us and for that witch. It’s a win-win.”
“That’s the best. Director Moon has some kind of artistic disease and stubbornness because he’s made some independent films. Ugh, even if I tell him that commercial films are different, he just says yes on the surface. That’s incurable, right? He needs to shed some tears this time to come to his senses.”
“Director Park, if you say that, we sound like villains.”
“Villains? What villains? It seems like Director Moon is trying to take a naive witch and mold her to his liking. We’re helping her. She should play in bigger waters, shouldn’t she?”
At this point, the two accomplices had reached a tacit agreement.
If they could, they would ditch Director Moon and take the witch to start their own production, a sinister plan.
“Ah, Director Park.”
“Yeah?”
CEO Kim said as if he had suddenly remembered something.
“I’m saying this out of caution, but please be careful this time. The other party is a witch, after all.”
CEO Kim knew that Director Park, who was married with two daughters, would hit on actresses or propose sponsorship deals whenever he had the chance.
He also knew that most actresses couldn’t refuse an offer from Park Jin-jung, the director of Hanbit Films.
“Hey, CEO Kim! I’m not someone who doesn’t know when to stop. Don’t worry.”
“I said it was out of caution, caution.”
Director Park got angry instead.
CEO Kim, who couldn’t add more to the conversation, soothed Director Park.
2.
A meeting was scheduled with the production and investment distribution companies.
This was the first time in Director Moon’s life that things had progressed so smoothly.
It was also the first time he had a meeting at a high-end Korean traditional restaurant where a pond, stone lanterns, and a traditional house were in perfect harmony.
He had completely revamped the female lead’s character after meeting Periwinkle and rewritten the scenario, but it wouldn’t have been to the liking of the planning PD.
The title of ‘a witch movie starring a real witch’ would have been an opportunity that neither the production company nor the investment company would want to miss.
“Oh, Director Moon, you’re here?”
“Haha, you’ve worked hard to come all this way. I’ve heard CEO Kim praise you to no end, but this is the first time we’ve met. I’m Park Jin-jung, the director of Hanbit Films. I heard that the lucky witch has promised to appear.”
“…That’s right.”
“Wow, she was supposed to come with you today, but I don’t see her…?”
“I received a call that she’ll be about 10 minutes late.”
“Let’s go inside and continue our conversation.”
Like luring a sucker before a con, the two villains’ flattery was like oil.
“Hahaha, I think very highly of Director Moon.”
“That’s right. There’s no one who works as well as him. Commercial viability? That’s not the essence of a movie. It’s art! Art.”
“But the witch is a bit late?”
Director Moon, who had been very nervous at first, and the other two were starting to get flushed from the alcohol.
-Sliding door sound
“Sorry I’m late. The traffic was terrible on the way. It’s so annoying.”
A guest who had arrived 30 minutes after the scheduled time opened the sliding door.
“Oh.”
Director Park’s gaze was drawn to the witch, who was taking off her sunglasses and putting them in their case.
He had expected her to be beautiful.
He had seen her photos and commercials.
But seeing her in person made him realize that neither of them captured even half of her actual beauty.
Director Park, feeling his manly spirit of challenge boiling, kept glancing at the witch’s figure throughout the meeting.
“Witch-nim.”
“Yeah, why?”
After the meeting, Director Park, who had sent Director Moon and CEO Kim, who were drunk and excited, back first, quietly approached Kivele.
“I’d like to talk to you quietly alone. Is that okay with your time?”
“Talk? About what?”
“Of course, it’s about work.”
He understood it rationally.
The being in front of him was a witch, different from humans, and perhaps an investment that would change Director Park’s life.
Unlike the other actresses he had easily hit on, she was not someone to be flirted with out of foolish desire.
“Okay, I have some time.”
“That’s great. I know a quiet bar nearby.”
“Lead the way.”
But the moment he saw the witch’s profile as she glanced at her wristwatch and nodded readily, an uncontrollable desire surged within him.
Director Park and Kivele arrived at a private bar in Cheongdam-dong that operated on a membership basis.
“I’ve heard countless times that witches are dazzlingly beautiful, but this is the first time I’ve seen a rumor that doesn’t live up to the real thing.”
“Really?”
“Do you think I’ve only met one or two actresses? This is the first time I’ve seen someone so radiant.”
“I’m honored.”
Director Park flattered her appropriately while glancing at Kivele’s mood.
She spoke casually, but she was quite compliant.
She seemed to be pleasantly drunk, and she even had a faint smile and sent subtle glances.
Based on his past experiences, it wasn’t bad.
If she had no interest at all, she wouldn’t have followed him here, and even if that were the case, he thought he could somehow manage if he talked well.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“How about working with us instead of Director Moon?”
“Was it a scout offer?”
“Director Moon isn’t a bad director, but he’s not that great either. His capacity and talent are small. Just look at the project he submitted this time, it’s too small. It’s going to be your debut work, Witch-nim. I’m just so disappointed.”
“Hmm, really?”
As Kivele seemed to be listening, Director Park got excited and shifted gears.
“I’ve already finished talking with CEO Kim. I’ll attach a famous director who has won several awards. The setting will be much better, and I’ll give you a generous running guarantee.”
“Hmm. How much?”
“Double the existing guarantee, and the running guarantee will be double, no, triple the industry standard. And do you have any plans to make more movies in the future?”
“I do. I’m in the middle of self-actualization.”
“Then you should definitely cut ties with Director Moon. You know how important a filmography is for an actor, right? If you sign a regular contract with our entertainment company, we’ll treat you with the best conditions. I’m sorry to Director Moon, but how about cutting ties with him and working on a larger scale in a bigger house? Our investment and distribution company is Korea’s number one. I have a firm grip on the Korean screen industry.”
“Oh, really?”
In Director Park’s view, it was an offer that had no reason to refuse.
Hanbit Films had always been the top dog in the film industry, and Director Moon was a nobody among the film directors who were losing power these days.
“I’ll prepare the contract and send it to you. Would you like to check it?”
“It doesn’t look bad.”
Her eyes looked intrigued, and the distance between them had become slightly closer.
Her alluringly crossed thighs seemed to have both elasticity and softness, making them look appetizing.
His dick and brain were fighting.
He had to hold back.
He had to hold back, but Director Park’s dick, which had always been dominant when negotiating with any actress, moved first.
“Instead. Although it’s not really a big deal…”
Director Park’s hand subtly moved up Kivele’s thigh.
“Shall we move to a quieter place?”
“Oh my, didn’t I say I’m married?”
Kivele’s eyes leisurely followed his hand.
She didn’t frown, shake off his hand, or show any signs of dislike, but smiled softly.
At that point, Director Park gained confidence.
What is this?
Am I a middle-aged man who is attractive to witches? He thought.
“As long as there are no prying eyes, what does it matter? If I’m with you, you’ll have a thousand soldiers on your side for your successful acting career.”
The moment he tried to move a little more boldly.
Director Park gasped.
In the dim light, Kivele’s navy blue eyes were shining, dropping sparks.
“Scouting is fine. Stealing a contract? Okay. If that’s your skill, then it’s your skill. I can let it slide.”
Something was wrong.
He was going to die.
“But Park Jin-jung, the balding, pot-bellied man. I did some background checks on you, and your ass is a bit dirty, isn’t it? How many people have you knocked down like that?”
“Hiiiik! I, I’m sorry! Please spare me!!!”
A fear that he had never felt in his life was consuming Director Park.
Even a modern Korean who was unlikely to have his life threatened could instinctively sense the danger, and Director Park quickly took his hand off her thigh and bowed his head.
“I enjoyed the good drinks. Let’s forget about the investment. I don’t work with people who work dirty.”
But she didn’t set Director Park on fire with terrifying flames.
She didn’t cut off his head.
She just left the place gracefully, leaving her handbag behind.
“……”
Director Park, who was left alone in the private room, trembling, wondered if it was some kind of delayed attack, and trembled in fear.
But as time passed, and as he confirmed that nothing was happening to him.
A sense of humiliation began to creep in.
“…You bitch.”
Come to think of it, the location point prohibits the witch from meaningless killings.
There was no need to be scared and tremble.
“You flirted with everyone, gave everyone a chance, and what? You did a background check on me? Okay, I’ll show you what real dirty is. Director Moon and you are both going down!”
Director Park, who was shouting and trying to calm his anger, made a decision.
He would do anything to get rid of Director Moon (but the witch was a little scary, so he would go after the easier target).
He picked up his phone to bury Director Moon by mobilizing his strong connections, when something started flying in.
-Booooooom
-Ding ding ding
“What is it?”
Text messages and messenger notifications were flying in at an incredible speed.
It was the sharp sound of the phone ringing, foreshadowing Director Park’s thorny path ahead.
3.
The story after that.
“Why are you so late? Oh my, why did you drink so much?”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone! I almost got forced into a reception. Sob sob.”
“…You didn’t kill him, did you?”
“Not yet. But he’ll die soon, won’t he?”
“Huh?”
“Socially, and economically too.”
