The planning team member sitting next to the team leader glanced at Yooil, who was intently reviewing the scripts.

‘…He’s very diligent.’

Although part of the same JJ Entertainment, the planning team didn’t interact with the actors as frequently as the management department did. Their knowledge about Han Yooil was limited.

‘The latest rookie actor at JJ and a rising star.’

That was all they knew.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen an actor participating in script reviews.’

Honestly, when they first heard that Han Yooil would be part of the script review, it was quite surprising.

– The actor is coming in person?

‘…Really?’

However, Yooil was more serious than expected.

After politely greeting everyone upon entering the office, he had since remained quiet, focusing solely on the scripts.

‘He’s not just reading; he’s meticulous.’

“And what do you think, Mr. Actor?”

The first script Yooil read was an action thriller about two male detectives leading a crime investigation.

“It’s good. The characters of the two detectives are well-defined, and I like the part where they start to suspect each other at the climax. It feels a bit cliché, but it could be really entertaining when visualized. However…”

Yooil continued with a slight tilt of his head.

“The villain character feels too weakly portrayed in their exit. The overall plot is a bit monotonous.”

Han Yooil’s feedback didn’t stop there.

“Moreover, it feels quite similar to ‘The Day I Saw You’ by Newpublics, which was popular recently. It seems a bit risky to start this now.”

“!”

The team member was slightly surprised.

‘He’s really analyzing this.’

And they all agreed with his points.

The team leader’s eyes sparkled.

“Mr. Actor, how about you join the planning team?”

Although the team leader asked sincerely, Yooil politely declined the offer with his characteristic courteous smile.

The visibly disappointed team leader encouraged Yooil to take his time reading and then whispered,

“Mr. Actor, if you find something you like, feel free to mention it to the CEO. Maybe you’d like to star in it!”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course!”

The team leader exclaimed, her eyes wide.

“If you want to do it, we’d welcome it with open arms!”

【It’s true. All the scripts here are internal IPs that TN ENM and JJ Entertainment can co-produce without further negotiations.】

…I see.

Yooil started examining the proposals even more diligently.

Among the variety of stories across genres, one title caught Yooil’s attention.

<The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High>

The genre was mystery horror, an eight-part series.

The bold logline caught his eye first.

[A mysterious disappearance at Korea’s top arts high school. As the police struggle to find the culprit, a story unfolds when a girl who can see ghosts appears.]

“…”

Yooil, after quickly skimming through the treatment, had a sparkle in his eye.

‘…This one.’

There are many stories with high completion and interesting narratives.

The important thing was ‘how much it resonates with you.’

‘It’s worth a shot.’

Noticing the proposal in Yooil’s hands, the team leader nodded and spoke up.

“Ah, that one? It was a winner of TN’s horror competition about five years ago. The script is actually more engaging than the proposal. That’s why many directors had their eyes on it.”

The team member asked with a curious face.

“Really?”

“Yeah. But it never even went into pre-production.”

Pre-production.

It refers to all the work done before the actual filming of a drama begins, such as finalizing the script, drawing storyboards, and scouting locations.

“Why was that?”

“Well, people usually keep quiet about why projects get shelved.”

As the team leader shrugged off the question, Brion’s voice chimed in.

【The issue with <The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High> was due to conflicts between the writer and the production company.】

‘…What does that mean?’

【It was confirmed that there were differences between the director initially involved in the production and the writer. The writer consistently proposed other directors, but the production company rejected them.】

‘Why?’

【Most production companies have their own directors or specific directors they want to work with. They often oppose working with directors outside of this circle.】

Yooil thought for a moment, resting his chin on his hand.

‘…So, to summarize, the director attached by TN ENM and the writer had a major fallout, and when the writer tried to bring in another director, the production company blocked it.’

【That is correct.】

Yooil saw the writer’s name.

Ki Juhyun.

【Ki Juhyun started as a writer by winning the top prize at SBC’s one-act play competition seven years ago and made her debut with SBC’s four-part drama <Sticker Salesman> the following year. Five years ago, she won the top prize at TN ENM’s ‘Thrilling Horror Competition’ with <The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High> and later worked on adaptations for movies like <Street Child> and <Anyway, Pineapple>…】

Listening to Ki Juhyun’s career, Yooil nodded. She seemed to be a writer with both talent and skill.

“Uh, if it’s okay, I’d like to read the script… Would that be alright with your schedule?”

“Of course, Mr. Actor! The rest of our work today is just reviewing scripts anyway.”

“Feel free to read at your pace.”

Yooil began reading the script attentively.

The script attached to the proposal was up to the second part. Yooil read the nearly 70-page script in one go.

“…Huh? Mr. Actor, did you finish reading it already?”

“You’re really a fast reader~!”

Yooil slowly set down the script.

He barely registered the comments from the staff member and the team leader.

‘…It’s interesting.’

It was a story he would say yes to if a casting offer came in.

“The script is complete till the end. If we had a director, we could go into pre-production right away.”

【The probability of writer Ki Juhyun feeling negatively about the director proposed by TN ENM was 89.9%, and the current probability of successful production for <The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High> was 2.3%】

Yooil wondered if he should involve himself in this situation, but he couldn’t easily give up on it.

‘Who’s distributing <The Last Diner> this time?’

【The distributor for <The Last Diner> is…】

Yooil really wanted to be part of this project.

He was drawn to it.

【…TN ENM.】

Sensing Yooil’s thoughts, Brion spoke up again after a few seconds.

【Re-evaluating the production success probability for <The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High>. If Han Yooil actively participates in the project, the probability of the drama being successfully produced increases to 82.4%.】

…It seemed like there might be a way forward.

* * *

Ki Juhyun.

A legendary figure in the Writers’ Education Academy, who debuted from the introductory class after graduating from a philosophy department and has been spoken of ever since. The academy was divided into introductory, training, and professional classes. It was rare for someone from the introductory class, which was for those just starting to dream of being writers, to make it to the final judging.

Ki Juhyun was well aware of her talent.

There are many talented people in the world, but she was confident because she knew how to write stories with her own style.

She was on a seemingly smooth path as a writer, but there was one thorn in her side.

The script she submitted to TN ENM’s horror competition. It was a script she had worked on for a long time and had a special affection for.

She didn’t submit it to TN’s competition for any particular reason other than the contest’s promise to judge solely on skill, the substantial prize, and the potential for dramatization.

‘Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have submitted it.’

She waited because they promised to attach a good director, but the person they assigned understood her work only 10%.

– This is just a drama to shoot with idols, you know, Ms. Writer? It’s all about the fandom.

– Ending it this way is too bland. Let’s go for something more dramatic. It could be fun.

At first, she responded with a smile. A month passed, and the gap between the director and Ki Juhyun’s opinions didn’t seem to close.

The breaking point for Ki Juhyun came one afternoon when the director flippantly made a comment.

– Who watches auteur films these days? Writer, director, it’s all just talk among themselves. I understand you’re young and inexperienced, Ms. Writer. But if I handle this script, we can really grab both ratings and buzz… what a shame.

At that moment, the last thread of Ki Juhyun’s patience snapped.

– What nonsense are you spouting?

– …Ms. Writer? Are you saying that… to me?

– Yes. To you. Shouldn’t people speak with some sense? Don’t you think?

Ki Juhyun stared directly at the dumbfounded director and shouted.

– You started directing thanks to connections and you want to lecture me! You even botched a web drama filled with your beloved idols, and you talk about ratings and buzz!

When she came to her senses, the proposal in her hand was crumpled, and she was already outside the production company building. Employees she didn’t even remember were trying to calm her down… and the rest is history.

The director, who had connections with the CEO, furiously demanded Ki Juhyun be fired for several days. However, TN didn’t want to lose a writer like Ki Juhyun. At the same time, they kept rejecting the directors Ki Juhyun brought in, finding fault with each one.

Ki Juhyun’s options were limited. She could either accept the director suggested by TN or give up on the project.

“Ah, this is frustrating.”

With her mind cluttered with thoughts, Ki Juhyun found it hard to concentrate on writing her next project. She grabbed a peppermint candy from the pile next to her computer and unwrapped it, her expression sour.

That’s when her phone rang.

“Hello?”

A smooth baritone voice came through the receiver. Ki Juhyun straightened up before responding.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Hello, nice to meet you.”

The voice’s owner continued cheerfully.

“My name is Han Yooil.”

“…Yes?”

Ki Juhyun mumbled, puzzled.

‘Han Yooil? Who’s that…’

After pondering for a while, she suddenly recalled a drama she had binge-watched recently.

‘Could it be…’

“Are you the actor from Sing in High School?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow, I really enjoyed Sing in High School! I really liked your character, Seon Gihyeon.”

For a moment, Ki Juhyun let go of her writer persona and spoke brightly. Then, she quickly snapped back to reality.

“Ahem… But why…?”

“What do you want to talk about with me?”

Han Yooil wanted to talk to her?

Ki Juhyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

However, what Yooil had said so far was not as surprising as what he was about to say next.

“I want to do <The Missing Case of Saetbyeol High>.”