Chapter 98: Fireworks (10)

Translator: Dreamscribe

'Condensation: Euphoria' already had Moon Ji-a, the top of the top actresses, cast and confirmed. The contract work was done too. Naturally, the contract included the matters concerning the running guarantee, along with a few simple requests from Moon Ji-a.

Whatever the case, the bottom line was top actress Moon Ji-a, confirmed as the female lead of 'Condensation: Euphoria'.

The female lead she took on in 'Condensation: Euphoria' was, going by the short film 'Condensation', the role An Ji-hee had played. The role of 'Ji-su', the one who carries the entire drama.

'Condensation: Euphoria' had a world expanded beyond the short-film version and a richer story, and, naturally, a more commercial flavor than the short.

A revenge drama a touch more brutal than the short 'Condensation', and many times more cathartic.

Regarding this 'Condensation: Euphoria', Kang Jae-ha had set the timing for CEO Jeong Tae-woo of 'FilmMEG'. Namely, when to leak top actress Moon Ji-a's casting.

The targets were film-industry press and domestic actors.

The main goal was the actors, though. Actors who'd received the 'Condensation: Euphoria' screenplay and ignored it, actors who hadn't paid it any mind at all, and so on. It was to smooth along the whole casting process.

Because 'Condensation: Euphoria' was being produced in an unprecedented, somewhat unusual way.

They had to lure in top-tier and A-list actors on a running guarantee alone, and, as expected, most actors ignored the 'Condensation: Euphoria' screenplay. There were actors who nibbled, sure, but pretty negligible.

But the moment they quietly leaked Moon Ji-a's casting, just as Jae-ha had instructed, the actors' reactions changed in a flash.

"Moon Ji-a?? Moon Ji-a's really doing that 'Condensation: Euphoria'?! But why?"

The negligible curiosity and interest shot up. Well, 'Condensation: Euphoria' had already had a certain profile among actors to begin with. That was because the original short had put up considerable results at BIFF. On top of that, with the three syllables of Moon Ji-a's devastating name thrown in, the hotshot actors couldn't help but have their heads turn.

"Moon Ji-a doing 'Condensation: Euphoria', huh... then that changes things a bit."

Among the many reasons the hotshot actors were drooling, it was the ticket power Moon Ji-a held. Ticket power, reckoned the foremost of an actor's assets. Moon Ji-a carried the epithet, bestowed by the public, of 'an actor you can trust to watch.'

That made up a large part of Moon Ji-a's considerable price tag.

"Hmm, if Moon Ji-a's doing it, there's probably a fair number of people like me who blew off 'Condensation: Euphoria' and are getting interested now?"

"Probably. More might jump on it than you'd think, especially since the original short already hit the jackpot at BIFF. But did Moon Ji-a really sign on for nothing but a running guarantee too??"

"Dunno. Anyway, hyung, just get in touch with the film company behind 'Condensation: Euphoria' right away and set up a meeting."

"You wanna do it?? Hmm... but still, taking on a project on nothing but a running guarantee is way too big a gamble."

"Let's just take the meeting first. Something about how this whole thing's playing out is weird. The way the project's moving is unusual, and out of nowhere Moon Ji-a's attached too. There's something strangely out of the ordinary about it."

"True. When a project like this hits the jackpot, it can flip the whole market on its head."

Around the time the actors' interest was at its peak, Moon Ji-a leaked word of her next project on a live stream.

"Is there anyone here who knows the short film 'Condensation'??"

It wasn't some unilateral move on her part. It had all been arranged with the film company 'FilmMEG'.

"Oh, quite a few of you know it? Well, the short film 'Condensation' was a big deal, wasn't it?"

The one working all of this behind the scenes was Kang Jae-ha. Because everything fell within Jae-ha's design.

"I've decided to do 'Condensation: Euphoria', the feature-film remake of that short film 'Condensation'. Please look forward to it!"

The fans logged into Moon Ji-a's live stream were soon buzzing away about 'Condensation: Euphoria'.

-Woahhhhhhhh!! Unnie, I've been waiting for your next project!!!

-Moon Ji-a's starring? Instant ten-million-viewer film!

-I wanna see it so bad ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅜ

-Condensation!! That was such a huge topic at BIFF, right?!! So excited!!

-Going to see it the second it opens!!!!

-ㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠㅜ Ji-a unnie is gorgeous today too....

-FYI: the short film Condensation was the first domestic film to take a triple crown at BIFF

-I actually saw that short film Condensation!!! So they're remaking it as a feature! Totally hyped hyped!!

-If trustworthy actor Moon Ji-a's in it, it's a must-watch, no question!

Before long, this news was set to seep into the film press.

Then, about two hours later, another actor's contract was underway at 'FilmMEG'. The sight of Director Kwon Sung-min, pushing up his glasses, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

"After the short film, I'm counting on you for this 'Condensation: Euphoria' as well, An Ji-hee-nim."

It was An Ji-hee accepting the greeting, her bob swishing. The role she'd take on was 'Jeong-hui', the part Yoon Da-yeon had handled in the short film. A supporting role, but a scene stealer.

"Yes! Director-nim! I'll give it my all!!"

With this, An Ji-hee had signed on to three projects in total. Debuting at BIFF had been no ordinary thing to begin with, but signing three projects back-to-back right after her debut was a fairly rare picture too.

Just then, the broad-faced CEO Jeong Tae-woo, who'd stepped out for a moment, burst into the meeting room. An excited look on his face.

That CEO Jeong Tae-woo shouted to Director Kwon Sung-min.

"Director-nim! Inquiries from actors are pouring in! Meeting requests too!!"

An Ji-hee wore a slightly bewildered expression, but Director Kwon Sung-min, who'd been anticipating this the whole time, went wide-eyed. Soon, Director Kwon Sung-min recalled the cold-eyed General Manager Kim Ha-jae of 'MEG', the one who'd engineered the setup for all of this, the man he'd met with a while back.

Director Kwon Sung-min, with no idea it was in fact Kang Jae-ha, let out an inward gasp of awe.

'Wow, it's really unfolding just like he said. Jackpot.'

The next day.

In Japan, the 'Matsuda Hideo' scandal was still going off, bang after bang. No, if anything it blazed even hotter. Because the sexual exploitation of male trainees was so shocking to begin with, and additional victims kept surfacing one after another.

As a result, it had taken firm hold as a hot issue in Korea too, with the news carried on and on.

《[Issue Pick] Another Victim Comes Forward! The Endless Fall of Japanese Entertainment Titan Matsuda Hideo / Photo》

《The Matsuda Hideo Fallout Is Enormous, Japanese Public's Fury Reaching a Fever Pitch》

《Is the Political World Tangled Up in This Too? Japanese Politicians Trembling Over the Matsuda Hideo Fallout / Photo》

Around early afternoon, the film-industry press was scattering fresh, piping-hot information.

《Top Actress Moon Ji-a Reveals Next Project on Live Stream... It's the Expanded Version of 'Condensation', Which Hit the Jackpot at BIFF》

《Moon Ji-a, Who Randomly Revealed Her Next Project's Title on Live Stream, "Please Look Forward to 'Condensation: Euphoria'" / Photo》

It was about the 'Condensation: Euphoria' news Moon Ji-a had revealed on her live stream.

《[Movie Pick] What Kind of Film Is 'Condensation: Euphoria', the Next Project Revealed by 'A Top Actress You Can Trust to Watch' Moon Ji-a?》

《Kwon Sung-min, the Most Anticipated Rookie Director in Chungmuro Right Now, Teams Up With Top Actress Moon Ji-a!》

Meanwhile, 'FilmMEG'. That is, Director Kwon Sung-min and CEO Jeong Tae-woo threw themselves right into casting actors.

"Hahaha, hello there, Seo Tae-woo-nim."

"Hello, I'm Director Kwon Sung-min."

"Yes, Director-nim. I've been wanting to meet you."

Because interest in 'Condensation: Euphoria' was hotter than ever. Top-tier and A-list actors, and the public too. Director Kwon Sung-min had more than five meetings with actors booked for today alone, and, naturally, the running-guarantee condition was identical for every actor, just as with Moon Ji-a.

In any case, at this pace, locking down the once-sluggish cast of 'Condensation: Euphoria' looked set to go several times faster.

And no wonder, because 'FilmMEG'...

"Director Kwon, at this rate, wrapping up casting within next week is entirely possible."

The plan was to finish all the casting within about two weeks.

Then, the morning of Friday the 16th.

Kang Jae-ha could be found at Japan's Haneda Airport. This Japan trip of his ran three days and two nights, through the weekend. He'd told Leon Entertainment it was a business trip regarding An Ji-hee.

In any case, the moment he entered the country, Jae-ha...

'First, put on the Mask.'

He put on the 'ability' Mask first, taking on his A-face. And Kang Jae-ha wasn't alone. Several people trailed behind Jae-ha. First, Kamijo Yuu, wearing a hat and sunglasses.

'I wasn't in Korea all that long, and yet... it feels like the familiar Japan isn't the Japan I used to know. Is it because I came here with the Commander-nim? To think my heart could be this at ease.'

And then there was Cha Chung-hyeon, radiating boredom with a wide yawn. The reason Jae-ha had brought Cha Chung-hyeon along to Japan too was simple. Because this Japan trip also included meetings with the agencies that would become MEG's Japan branch.

Then Kang Jae-ha...

"Hmm."

He calmly took in the mood of the Haneda Airport lobby. What caught his eye was the crowd swarming in front of the TV mounted on the wall. On the TV, Japanese news was in full flow.

["Yet another victim who suffered sexual exploitation at the hands of Matsuda Hideo came forward yesterday, and with this, the fallout is expected to grow even greater..."]

The subject was the godfather of Japan's entertainment world. No, news of 'Matsuda Hideo', now reduced to nothing more than a common criminal. The dozens of Japanese gathered in front of the TV were busy cursing 'Matsuda Hideo'.

"Disgusting bastard. Another victim's come forward?? How many does that make now?"

"To think a bastard like that reigned over the entertainment world calling himself a titan, a godfather... it's a disgrace, an utter disgrace."

"A scandal this size'll drag on for months."

"Think about what other countries make of this. Korea especially. This is exactly why we're getting devoured by Korea, our content market first."

"With trash like that sitting at the top of the entertainment world, how were we ever going to beat Korea?? Absolutely impossible."

"I feel so sorry for the victims."

Kang Jae-ha, who'd been reading the room, turned his gaze. It was then that Kamijo Yuu carefully spoke up.

"I figured it would be, but... it really is chaos."

Jae-ha smiled faintly.

"This is just the beginning. There's still a second hit, a third hit to come."

Yuu stole a glance at the Commander.

'Commander-nim's smile... something about it is scary.'

Cha Chung-hyeon, standing behind, glanced at Kang Jae-ha too.

'Terrifying guy.'

Soon, a woman with her brown hair wound up and tied fell in with Kang Jae-ha's group. The woman, whispering to Jae-ha.

"Commander, hey."

It was Ha Yeon-ji, who'd been waiting for the Commander in Japan. Kang Jae-ha met the eyes of the woman who'd come to Japan as an advance party for the 'Matsuda Hideo' matter and the 'MEG' Japan-branch business.

"How's the situation."

"Well, as you can see. The 'Matsuda Hideo' case shows no sign of settling down, fireworks going off day after day. Just the victims uncovered so far come to nearly thirty."

"That old bastard was at it for decades. It'll be way more than thirty."

"Probably?"

Kang Jae-ha nodded slowly and gave instructions to Cha Chung-hyeon and Ha Yeon-ji.

"It's about time we opened up the dirty-money stuff on 'Mirai Stage', the tax evasion, the slush funds, all of it."

"Yes, everything's prepped in advance, so we just have to fire it off."

Cha Chung-hyeon cut in, in a leisurely tone.

"And there's the extra tax-evasion case I dug up too, so... 'Mirai Stage' getting smashed to pieces is a done deal."

For reference, Kang Jae-ha had already tipped off overseas press, including in the United States, about the 'Matsuda Hideo' case. Thanks to that, reporters from famous foreign outlets like BBN had now entered Japan. What's more, BBN had run a major feature on the 'Matsuda Hideo' case just yesterday.

It was a headline packed with provocative words like male trainees, minors, sexual exploitation, and the rest.

Soon, even as he left the airport lobby, Kang Jae-ha shifted the topic from 'Matsuda Hideo' to the 'MEG' Japan-branch matter. Over today and tomorrow, the agencies the face-changed Kang Jae-ha would meet numbered five in all. All of them, of course, agencies Jae-ha had handpicked in advance.

Having roughly wrapped up the conversation with his subordinates, Kang Jae-ha turned his gaze to Kamijo Yuu. Murmuring in fluent Japanese.

"First, let's meet with Ogawa Sayaka from 'Spring at the Borderline'. We need to land the role first."

"Ah! Yes!!"

"Then we go to 'Mirai Stage' and tear up your contract."

He meant that the work of giving Kamijo Yuu her freedom, and wings along with it, came first. Kamijo Yuu nodded vigorously, then, as if something had suddenly come to her, leaned in close to the Commander and whispered.

"Oh, right, Commander-nim. I made the thing you mentioned."

She pulled a rather neatly wrapped, handmade candy out of her bag. Kang Jae-ha, taking the candy, smirked.

"Nice quality."

It was a Mind Break Grenade.

*****

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