Chapter 147: Absorption (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

'Condensation: Euphoria' had drawn quite a bit of buzz ever since it was a short film. On top of that, its cast was quite star-studded, with actors like Moon Ji-a and An Ji-hee, so the attention surrounding it only continued to build. There were also plenty of eyes on super-rookie Director Kwon Sung-min, who had achieved a Triple Crown at BIFF.

That was why the film industry was overflowing with people interested in 'Condensation: Euphoria'.

Then, at just that moment, new information about 'Condensation: Euphoria' broke.

《[Exclusive] 'Condensation: Euphoria', Total Production Cost Was 1.5 Billion Won》

The Total Production Cost of 'Condensation: Euphoria' had been only 1.5 billion won. The moment people throughout the film industry saw the article, they found themselves wondering what the hell this was.

"1.5 billion? You're saying they didn't spend 1.5 billion just during Pre-production, but that the entire Total Production Cost was 1.5 billion??"

"Nah- that's impossible."

At first, the reaction was disbelief. But that quickly changed. The article itself included an interview with Director Kwon Sung-min.

"But this isn't Baseless Speculation, it's official though? The article even has an interview with Director Kwon Sung-min."

"Huh- it really is true?? But no, realistically, that's impossible, isn't it?? It's not like they only used rookies. Moon Ji-a of all people is the Female Lead, so how does it come out to 1.5 billion?"

"No, forget that. Is it even possible to make a movie with 1.5 billion in the first place?"

Talk about 'Condensation: Euphoria', which had spent only 1.5 billion won on its entire Total Production Cost, spread throughout the film industry. Most people seemed either dumbfounded or seriously shocked. And understandably so. Even 3 billion won would have been enough to make people marvel at how low it was, so 1.5 billion said it all.

Perhaps thanks to that.

《Only 1.5 Billion Won for the Total Production Cost? Film Industry Stirred by 'Condensation: Euphoria' Total Production Cost Announcement / Photo》

《[Movie Talk] A 1.5 Billion Won Production Budget, the Challenge Undertaken by the Film 'Condensation: Euphoria'》

Articles were churned out at a rapid pace, and talk of 'Condensation: Euphoria' spread from the media into public discourse in an instant. By the afternoon, talk of 'Condensation: Euphoria' was frequently showing up even in YouTube Shorts.

-Huh? The Total Production Cost is 1.5 billion?? What the hell, did I read that wrong lolololololol

-I remember seeing that this movie won a Triple Crown at BIFF as a short film and got remade as a feature lolol a 1.5 billion Production Budget is insane

-Moon Ji-a is the Female Lead, right? How the hell is 1.5 billion even possible??

-Wow lololol if they get even an Audience Count of just 1 million with a 1.5 billion Production Budget, how much money would that be lololololol

-Looks like straight-up Media Play to me

-Holy shit that's crazy, 1.5 billion Production Budget

-I'm fucking curious now lololol for some reason it feels like it'll be a total fucking flop?

-It definitely makes me curious lololol guess I'll have to watch it when it comes out

-The Cost-Efficiency is fucking insane??

Starting with YouTube, it spread to all sorts of online communities as well.

-[Current Status of Moon Ji-a's New Movie.jpg]

Talk about 'Condensation: Euphoria' began spreading rampantly among the public as well. It wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say that Tuesday the 23rd was almost completely dominated by 'Condensation: Euphoria' in terms of buzz, and things remained fairly noisy even through the following day, the 24th.

But 'Condensation: Euphoria' wasn't the only thing being mentioned that day. 'K:FESTA' had also suddenly become a hot topic.

《[Issue Pick] 'HG ENM' Says "We've Confirmed the Running Mate Who'll Join Us for the 2nd 'K:FESTA', Thanks to MEG"》

《The 2nd 'K:FESTA', Stalled After the Lukewarm Results of the First, Quickly Gains Momentum After Securing Main Investor!》

《MEG Again? The Investor Joining HG ENM to Build 'K:FESTA' Was 'MEG' / Photo》

HG ENM had announced MEG, the company it had contracted as its Running Mate.

From 'Condensation: Euphoria' to 'K:FESTA'.

《'MEG', Home to Moon Ji-a, Director Yu Gil-tae, and Others, Joins Hands with HG ENM》

MEG seemed to be absorbing every bit of attention.

Afternoon of the 25th.

Location: a studio inside animation production company 'FrameMEG'. Quite a few people had gathered inside the moderately sized studio. Netflix Korea employees, including bald Executive Director Heo Seong-jin, and MEG subordinates such as the masked Kang Jae-ha and Lee Chan-hoo.

And.

"We'll begin the Test Screening of 'Moonless Village'."

There was also Director Hong Man-seop, announcing the Test Screening of the completed 'Moonless Village'. Editing on 'Moonless Village' had recently been wrapped up, and today was the day the key people involved had gathered for the final Test Screening.

Soon, the studio lights went out.

-Swish.

At Director Hong Man-seop's touch, 'Moonless Village' began playing on the screen at the front of the studio. It started with a black screen and film music featuring a gayageum. Of course, the piece had been composed by Choi Ri-na, and she gulped as she sat beside Kang Jae-ha. It had been the same during the 'One-Act Drama Project', but hearing her own music playing over a finished work was, as always, something filled with both tension and anticipation. [TL Note: A gayageum is a traditional Korean string instrument similar to a zither.]

Of course, Jae-ha and Lee Chan-hoo were equally focused on watching 'Moonless Village'.

Around then, Kang Jae-ha turned his gaze to the left. He saw Executive Director Heo Seong-jin stroking his bald head, his eyes fixed on the screen.

'He hasn't taken his eyes off it for even a second. Well, I get it. The One-Act Drama Project did well too, and if Moonless Village blows up right after that, Netflix's clout will skyrocket.'

On top of that, Netflix's U.S. headquarters had said they would consider a worldwide launch depending on the results of 'Moonless Village'. Naturally, Executive Director Heo Seong-jin, the head of Netflix Korea, couldn't help but have sky-high expectations.

It was 30 minutes later that Executive Director Heo Seong-jin formed his assessment of 'Moonless Village'.

'Moonless Village... It's among the best animated films I've seen recently. Quality, music, characters, entertainment, pacing. It doesn't lack a single thing.'

A smile gradually deepened on Executive Director Heo Seong-jin's face.

'No, if anything, it's overflowing. It's good enough that I want to show it to the public right this second. Doesn't the quality feel like a huge step up from House of the Daytime Moon??'

Because 'Moonless Village' had turned out far more incredible than he'd expected. The corners of his mouth kept twitching upward without stopping. He couldn't help but smile. And Executive Director Heo Seong-jin wasn't the only one showering 'Moonless Village' with praise.

'Wow- this is fun! It's seriously fun??!'

'At this level, it could crush even the Japanese anime released this year.'

'This is good. More than anything, the distinctly Korean imagery is a definite draw.'

From the Netflix Korea employees to Lee Chan-hoo, Ha Yeon-ji, and Choi Ri-na, everyone was completely absorbed in 'Moonless Village'. Kang Jae-ha, resting his chin on one hand, also wore a satisfied smile.

'As expected of Director Hong Man-seop. He's the real deal. He put out something even better than House of the Daytime Moon.'

Soon, curiosity welled up inside Kang Jae-ha. What kind of result would this 'Moonless Village' produce? Deja Vu had shown him the result of 'House of the Daytime Moon', but not 'Moonless Village'. It was a project Kang Jae-ha had pushed forward trusting only Director Hong Man-seop's skill and technique, along with his own instincts and gut feeling.

'If the fans of House of the Daytime Moon flock to it, it can at least become a Moderate Hit. If I want a Jackpot, I need to pull in even the general public who have no interest in animation.'

In the end, what would accomplish that was how entertaining the work itself was. No matter how much Media Play and promotion they threw at it, if the work was shit, it would ultimately flop.

At that moment.

-♬♪

Before they knew it, 'Moonless Village' had reached the end of its runtime and the ending credits were rolling. Along with them came the main OST, 'Wolhyang', sung by Choi Ri-na. Everyone, including Kang Jae-ha and Executive Director Heo Seong-jin, for about a minute.

"......"

"......"

They listened to 'Wolhyang'. Around then, Executive Director Heo Seong-jin, who was currently making good money from the music revenue of the 'One-Act Drama Project'.

'Damn, even the main OST is a masterpiece. What a shame.'

He felt an intense pang of regret inwardly. Naturally so. Under the contract with MEG, all music revenue from 'Moonless Village' belonged to MEG. The person who had negotiated those initial contract terms was Director Kim Ha-jae, sitting right over there.

'He must've been confident. It's a shame, but there's nothing I can do about it. It's enough that Netflix gets Moonless Village exclusively.'

Then.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

The studio filled with applause. It was lavish praise and acclaim for Director Hong Man-seop and the 'Moonless Village' he had created. Executive Director Heo Seong-jin was the first to speak.

"Director, you've made another incredible work after House of the Daytime Moon! Hahaha, I was so absorbed I completely lost track of time."

Only after receiving praise from so many people did the thick-browed Director Hong Man-seop finally relax.

"Thank you. Whew- I can finally relax a little."

He turned his head toward the people from MEG, who were practically his benefactors. Kang Jae-ha and Lee Chan-hoo were smiling while giving him a Double Thumbs-up. It was an evaluation more powerful than a hundred words. At that moment, a wave of exhaustion washed over Director Hong Man-seop.

The relief sent drowsiness crashing over him.

Executive Director Heo Seong-jin spoke decisively to Director Hong Man-seop.

"Let's start rolling out the 'Moonless Village' teaser, trailers, and so on right away, then release it at noon on April 12."

That meant 'Moonless Village' would be unleashed on the world in roughly three weeks.

At this time, a writer's studio.

A man and a woman could be seen inside a studio apartment that also served as a writer's workspace. The woman, wearing a hairband and with a few freckles across her cheekbones, sat at a desk, while the booze-flushed man sitting beside her let out a sigh.

There was a closed laptop on the desk where the woman sat, and a title stood out on the stack of papers beside it.

-'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon'

A familiar title. Naturally so. The freckled woman sitting at the desk was the very writer who had written 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon'. Her name was Song Eun-hee. The man sitting beside her was the main PD directing it. The main PD continued speaking to Writer Song Eun-hee.

"Writer Song. Securing investment really isn't easy these days. Especially for someone at the newcomer level like you. Writer Song, this is only your second work. It's not like you're going to quit after this one, right?"

"......"

Writer Song Eun-hee kept her eyes fixed on the closed laptop and murmured quietly.

"......It's not like that never happens, but-"

"I'm so worried about that, I can't focus on writing."

The PD let out a long sigh and ruffled his hair.

"Whatever we're going to do, we need to secure investment first before anything can move forward. Money always had power, but these days it has even more. We had a hell of a time finding investment for our project, remember? But 'GOO Production' is offering the investment money and Jeon So-hee on top of it. You're going to let that slip away?? We can't. Put your worries aside for now and just write first."

"Whew- It's common for production companies or investors to get involved in any drama. Sometimes we have to listen to them within reason too. But 'GOO Production' will know where to draw the line. Just write. I'm dying from stress every single day."

Even at the PD's earnest pleas, Writer Song Eun-hee only fidgeted with her fingers without responding. The PD muttered something along the lines of 'This is driving me crazy.' to himself and continued. His tone was deadly serious.

"......"

"Just write for now. One way or another, shouldn't we at least get the drama into production first?"

It was right then.

-Buzzz, buuuzzz.

The cellphone tucked into the PD's back pocket gave off a long vibration. It was a call, and when he checked the caller, it was an unsaved number. The PD considered ignoring it, but decided he could use the chance to calm himself down and put the phone to his ear.

"Yes, this is PD Do Jin-deok."

Soon, a low, cold male voice came through the phone.

"Hello, PD-nim, I'm Kim Ha-jae from 'MEG'."

The PD blinked both eyes and shouted inwardly in excitement.

'...'MEG'??? That insanely hot investment company these days??!'

*****

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