Big Life

Chapter 170: Let’s Meet At Home (1)

— Really? So you’ve decided to write drama scripts?

“I’ll meet him first to listen to his proposal.”

— Won't it be tough on you?

“He said it’s going to be a one-act play, so I’m not that worried,” Ha Jae-Gun spoke into the phone, with one hand stroking Rika on his lap.

— Our Writer Ha is amazing! From novels to webtoons, games, movies, and now you're working on TV dramas!

“You need to meet me and hear this personally instead of over the phone.”

The fresh morning breeze blew in through the half-opened window. A smile formed on Ha Jae-Gun’s lips. He was still half-awake in the peaceful morning. He loved talking over the phone with Lee Soo-Hee at this time of the day.

— Make sure you eat your vitamins and don’t drink too much just because I’m not around.

“You know that I don’t usually drink unless it’s because of work.”

— Don’t just have ramyun because it’s bothersome to cook. If you’re worried about leftover food, just put one portion into a ziplock bag and into the freezer. If it’s too much trouble, find a restaurant that doesn’t put too much seasoning in their food.

“I’ll take good care of myself, so don’t worry.”

— Where was it again? I'm talking about the restaurant on the way to the tuna restaurant behind the subway station. The restaurant we used to go to… their food was light and pretty good. I think you can eat their dishes once a day…

Ha Jae-Gun chuckled with a frown. Why was Lee Soo-Hee still worrying over him like a child when Ha Jae-Gun was about to turn thirty the day after tomorrow? He couldn't understand it, but he was happy. He could feel her heartfelt worries from across the ocean.

— You’re also exercising regularly, right? Since you don’t like going to the gyms, what about cycling? Or maybe play squash—

“Soo-Hee.”

— Hmm?

“I love you.”

— Tsk… lies. You’re just asking me to stop nagging you.

Rika suddenly jumped down from Ha Jae-Gun’s lap. Ha Jae-Gun watched as Rika ran out into the garden and replied, “It feels like it’s been ten years since I last saw you.”

— You’re just exaggerating… Plus, I miss you more.

“I miss you much more.”

— No, no.

Ha Jae-Gun finally ended the call, and his hot coffee had turned cold by the time the call ended. As he stood up and stretched his body, he stepped out into the garden to look for Rika.

“Rika, where are you? Hmm?”

Ha Jae-Gun squinted as he looked at the spot next to the pine tree in his garden where Rika stood. There was a kitten he had never seen before with Rika.

“Rika, who is this? Your friend?”

Ha Jae-Gun approached, but the kitten did not run away. Perhaps it had been roaming on the streets for a while, as its body of white fur was full of dirt.

“Where did you come from? You look much younger than Rika.” Ha Jae-Gun asked, slowly reaching out to the kitten.

The kitten didn’t seem to be on guard either. Its fur did not stand, and it even let Ha Jae-Gun touch its body.

“Why are you trembling so much? Are you unwell?”

Ha Jae-Gun could feel the kitten trembling in his hand. Rika pressed her paw on Ha Jae-Gun’s wrist and cried softly. Ha Jae-Gun seemed to have understood her cries as he made eye contact with her.

“All right, let’s bring her to the vet first.”

Ha Jae-Gun picked up the kitten in his hands and headed to the garage with Rika following behind him with graceful steps.

***

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Ha Jae-Gun.”

A group of them gathered in a Korean restaurant located somewhere in Yeouido for lunch in a private area surrounded by luxurious-looking folding screens past the main dining hall. The restaurant was brimming with diners.

On one side of the table sat Ha Jae-Gun and Oh Myung-Suk, while on the other side sat people from MBS Broadcasting Station and various entertainment agencies.

“I’m Bae Tae-Gon, Content Producer of MBS Broadcasting Stations' TV Drama Department. I heard that a meeting with you was arranged, and I decided to drop everything else to join this meeting.” The man bowed down deeply after finishing his introductions.

Ha Jae-Gun bowed in response. Following Content Producer Bae, the people took turns introducing themselves to Ha Jae-Gun.

“I am Producer Ahn Jong-Won. I'm looking forward to working with you.”

“I’m Assistant Director Seo Yoon-Gun, working under Producer Ahn.”

The introductions soon ended.

While the food ordered earlier was being served on the table, Content Producer Bae, seemingly in his fifties, laughed heartily and said, “I’ve tried everything I could to get in contact with Mr. Ha before, but it was all in vain.”

“I apologize. I’ve had too many things to deal with on my plate before and had no choice but to reject casting offers,” Ha Jae-Gun replied.

“No, of course, I understand how busy you must have been. Thank you for making time out of your schedule to meet with us today as well.” Content Producer Bae chuckled.

The title of Content Producer was only given to those who had worked as a producer for over ten years in their career. In terms of a normal corporation, the position was equivalent to those in the directorial levels.

The Content Producers manage producers in charge of certain programs assigned to them, and they also oversee program planning. It was a high position that required rich directing experience.

“The food here is delicious. Please have some.” Content Producer Bae pushed a dish to Ha Jae-Gun, urging him to try the food.

Honestly, if the other party were some normal writer, he wouldn’t have come all the way here. Moreover, the contract wasn’t fixed yet, so it was highly unusual for him to meet them in person so early on.

There was an abundance of good writers.

Mountains of scripts and novels would pile up to the ceiling if he just sat in his office. It was also part of his every job to see this sight as a Content Producer after working in the industry for almost close to twenty years.

However, this was different. The writer was none other than Writer Ha Jae-Gun.

“I’ve read all of your works, Mr. Ha.”

“Really?”

“Yes, of course. I especially love the martial arts novels published under Poongchun-Yoo. The way your narratives come to life in front of my eyes while reading made me feel like turning them into a drama. It’s quite a distant wish in Korea. Hahaha.” Content Producer Bae laughed out loud once more, recalling the day when he first learned about Ha Jae-Gun’s existence.

He first learned about Ha Jae-Gun after reading news about the novel Summer in My 20s getting a movie adaptation.

Back then, Content Producer Bae didn't even bother memorizing Ha Jae-Gun's name, so he only got lucky when he found out about how Ha Jae-Gun had become a bestselling author. It was common to see many writers shine in the sky once and disappear once and for all like a random pebble on the ground.

They were living in a harsh era, after all.

“Mr. Ha is really incredible.” Content Producer Bae continued with sincerity. “It’s an understatement to call you an unusual writer. You’ve written martial arts, fantasy, drama, mystery and even horror genres. I can't believe you managed to pull off all of those genres, and on top of that, they were extremely successful.

"Not only were your novels a hit, but they even got adapted into movies, webtoons, and games… I even heard that your works are now expanding into the overseas market.

Content Producer Bae clenched his fists while Ha Jae-Gun smiled awkwardly and shook his head. This time, Producer Ahn stopped picking up a side dish and added, “Not only your sales performance, but you have even won various prestigious literary awards, shaking up the entire literary world. You've definitely become a sensation.”

“I think both Content Producer Bae and Producer Ahn are trying to drown me in embarrassment.”

Even AD Seo stepped in with his hands raised, “I’ve heard a lot about Mr. Ha when I drop by the university town. I have a younger friend who is a broadcast writer and has graduated from the literary department

"He said that nine out of ten students would transcribe your works.”

All three from MBS were singing praises at Ha Jae-Gun. Not only them, but Director Lee from ICU Entertainment was on the same page as them. It seemed that he wanted to sign a contract with Ha Jae-Gun no matter what.

Ha Jae-Gun had become a successful writer, but he had yet to set foot in TV dramas. If he took over the small screen screenplays, it would instantly become another hot topic on the internet; the publicity efforts would instantly bear fruit.

“We’re only been talking and not eating at all. I’m sorry, Mr. Ha. Please eat.”

As they had their food, the group began talking about the trends within the entertainment industry. From a certain point on, the topic shifted to dramas and then slowly shifted back onto Ha Jae-Gun once more.

“We are planning to co-produce the drama with ICU Entertainment, similar to how we have partnered in the four-part drama titled Like Her Cradle.”

“What…?” Ha Jae-Gun looked up in surprise.

Even Oh Myung-Suk had his eyebrows raised, looking puzzled. Instead of Ha Jae-Gun, Oh Myung-Suk asked, “Was it not a one-act play?”

“We did plan for it to be a one-act play, but if Mr. Ha is fine with it, we would like to turn it into a three-part series.”

Producer Ahn then looked at Ha Jae-Gun and continued. “I’ve read all three short stories in The Market and Its People. The three main characters of those stories are gently connected, and I thought that it'd be great to turn them into a three-part series.”

“Hmm, I see…”

Director Lee of ICU then took over the baton. “Like Her Cradle was actually a replacement drama for the preceding drama that got axed. As a result, Like Her Cradle wasn't well-prepared, so we had no choice but to turn it into a four-part series.”

“Mm, I see.”

“Despite that, the responses were lukewarm. The chronic issue with one-act plays is the fact that their viewership ratings aren't as high. However, the issue was resolved when we increased the number of episodes."

Ha Jae-Gun nodded while taking down notes diligently with a pen in hand.

Director Lee stole a glance at this notepad and continued excitedly, “There is a huge market of youths who support such short stories. Your stories involve relatable topics as well as rapid story development. I'm looking forward to hearing a positive response from you today, Mr. Ha.”

Ha Jae-Gun put down his pen and revealed a faint appreciative smile.

However, Director Lee didn't understand the meaning behind his smile and added anxiously, “I will do my best to cater to your needs, Mr. Ha. If you need anything related to writing the script, I can provide them for you. In addition, we are willing to follow your opinions on who to cast for the actors and director on the project.”

“...”

Ha Jae-Gun closed his mouth and then organized his thoughts. He felt as if a golden opportunity had come earlier than expected. However, it was more of since we’re at it rather than we definitely will.

“I…” Ha Jae-Gun finally opened his mouth after much pondering. “I cherish the work I produce. Before determining whether my writing is good or bad, I feel an attachment to my own works since they belong to me.”

“Of course, Mr. Ha. I understand.” Director Lee nodded profusely.

Ha Jae-Gun continued slowly. “So I've always had to think things through every time. I hope that someone with great capability will make a good movie out of my novels. This time, it’s a drama.”

Ha Jae-Gun glanced at Oh Myung-Su next to him before saying, “But after my recent experiences, I realized one thing—I'm a writer, and I'm only good at writing. I don't have a good eye for directors and actors. Therefore, I appreciate your offer, but I do not have the desire to intervene in casting.”

Thinking that that was all Ha Jae-Gun had to say, Producer Ahn was about to chime in when Ha Jae-Gun picked up his spoon and continued with a serious look. “But there is one director whom I would like to recommend for this project.

“Who is it?”

“Director Lee Eun-Ha.”

Director Lee tilted his head to the side. It was his first time hearing that name.

“She has directed two indie films: Mart and Forest of Buildings. While writing The Market and Its People, I made the decision to work with her if this work ever gets the chance to be adapted into a movie. Her personality and directing fall in line with my novel. I hope you will take her into consideration.”

“Hmm, I see… I will make sure to check her out, Mr. Ha.”

AD Seo immediately took down notes.

Director Lee asked, “Do you have any other requests in regards to the actors or some other areas? If you have an actor from our agency whom you’d like to have in particular, feel free to let me know, and I will review them.”

“There’s no actor I want in particular, but there’s someone I do not wish to see in my project.”

“Someone… you don’t wish to see?”

Ha Jae-Gun nodded. He didn’t want to leave his project in the hands of someone who would just ruin it.

Countless actors were fighting hard for their dreams even at the moment. Even if it were just a single spot, he wanted to mention that particular person to help everyone else with their passion.

“I recommend Director Lee Eun-Ha for the project, but this is my non-negotiable...”

Silence ensued. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Ha Jae-Gun’s lips. Ha Jae-Gun was about to speak of the condition that the three men from MBS and Director Lee from ICU Entertainment had to accept without qualms.