* * *
The filming site became even busier. They had to finish the additional outdoor shoot in Gangwon-do before sunset.
The situation wasn’t bad. With several parts of the original script cut, there was less to film here.
While everyone else was busy with the additional shooting, Na Kang-In had nothing to do. There was still plenty of time before dinner needed to be prepared.
He walked over to the collapsed set. The dust, which had risen like cumulus clouds, had already been blown away by the wind.
Looking at the debris scattered on the set floor, he said, “A place that seemed perfectly fine suddenly collapsed completely. And during the movie shoot, no less. Right where the actor was standing. Suspicious, isn’t it?”
The AI assistant, Zijin, replied.
[I will analyze the site based on previously collected information and current data.
AR lenses began to display information. Translucent descriptions appeared one by one around the visible debris. The number of information points increased, filling the air with text.
A hundred pieces of information appeared in front of him, then suddenly all but a few vanished.
Bold text highlighted on a broken steel structure read:
[Possible artificial damage inflicted before the collapse.]
Similar text was displayed at the steel light connections and the severed cables.
Na Kang-In asked, “Are you saying someone tampered with the set in advance?”
[The probability that it was tampered with for the purpose of collapse is about 37%.
“37%, huh. What’s that probability based on?”
[I used the post-battlefield analysis system developed by Natural Robotics.]
“So, you’re telling me not to question your analysis because you did it well?”
[That is not the case.]
“Anyway, what you’re saying is.”
He examined the debris himself.
“There’s twice the likelihood that this was a simple accident compared to the chance that someone tampered with it.”
He glanced around at the people.
Staff and actors were busily moving about, continuing with the additional shooting.
“37% is a bit ambiguous to warn those busy people…”
Shin Eun-ha, who had been waiting on set, turned her head towards Na Kang-In. Their eyes met.
Shin Eun-ha smiled brightly and waved.
Na Kang-In said, looking at her, “You can predict her position just by looking at the script.”
[Multiple steel lights fell towards the spot where Shin Eun-ha was standing.]
“If someone tampered with the set to target the actors, it seems like they aimed for her.”
No one was injured in the set collapse. But if the site was shut down for investigation and today’s shoot was canceled, the movie would be ruined.
“Or were they targeting the movie itself? Trying to make it fail?”
37% is not a high probability. Even if he believed that number, the chance of it being a simple accident was still twice as high.
[Let’s tell the director after today’s shoot. If this were a battlefield, we couldn’t ignore a 37% chance, but right now…]
Na Kang-In tilted his head.
“Hm? Battlefield? Have I ever fought in a war?”
He couldn’t remember.
***
The afternoon shoot proceeded busily.
All the additional action scenes that were to be filmed at the collapsed set were canceled.
Instead, a few new scenes were added.
One of these scenes involved the male lead, Kim Yoo-chan, talking with Shin Eun-ha in front of the collapsed debris.
Director Son Tae-min spoke to the actors.
“For today, I quickly made a draft script. It’s entirely new, so memorize it fast.”
Lead actor Kim Yoo-chan alternated between looking at the draft script and the director’s notebook as he asked, “Director, are you going to film all this in a week?”
“If we bring back the scenes we cut during editing, to replace the one with the drug addict, it might just work out. Funny how we’re using what we discarded back then. Haha.”
“There are a lot of action scenes to shoot in Seoul, too.”
“That’s why Na Kang-In has to help. If he does like today, we can shoot the action scenes quickly.”
“If we follow the notes in your notebook, doesn’t Eun-ha’s role increase too? She might become a lead-level supporting actor.”
“Good catch, Yoo-chan. Just a quick glance at the plot, and you noticed? By increasing the action scenes, Eun-ha’s role naturally gets bigger too.”
Shin Eun-ha’s eyes widened. She smiled brightly and bowed her head.
“Oh! Thank you, Director!”
“But for this plan to work, there’s one thing that absolutely mustn’t be missed.”
“I know. Na Kang-In oppa has to help a lot, right?”
Kim Yoo-chan grumbled.
“You call someone you just met today ‘oppa’ so easily. You kept your distance from me at first. Is it favoritism?”
“Yes!”
“Huh?”
“That oppa is my lifesaver! How could it be the same?”
***
The afternoon shoot proceeded smoothly. While the actors and staff had been filming in the morning with a sense of urgency, the atmosphere had now become a bit more relaxed.
The staff watched the actors’ performances and commented.
“Seems like things are going well, doesn’t it?”
“The director is cranking out the draft scripts in real-time. He must be really inspired.”
“If things go well, this movie might just make it.”
***
Several external vehicles arrived at the filming site.
Employees from the production and distribution companies had been dispatched to check on the progress.
Among them was a car carrying a manager from the film production company THO Entertainment.
THO Entertainment isn’t just a movie production company; it’s a well-known name in the broader cultural industry. While its main focus is on films, it also dabbles in various events, including performances.
Many film companies secure production costs through investors when making a movie. THO Entertainment is no different. This approach means sharing profits if the movie succeeds but reducing losses if it fails.
However, the movie “A Sunny Day” was an exception.
THO Entertainment invested over 10 billion won of its own money into the production. CEO Lee Tae-ho was confident in the film’s success and had secured numerous theaters for its release, leveraging the company’s full capacity.
With only a week left until the movie’s premiere, a significant issue arose.
One of the key supporting actors was arrested early yesterday morning at a drug party. The news reached THO Entertainment.
Naturally, chaos ensued. An emergency meeting with the CEO and the director was held, but there was only one viable solution.
A decision for reshooting was made yesterday afternoon.
Manager Kim from THO Entertainment pleaded with Director Son Tae-min.
“Director, please help us. If we release the original version of this movie, we’ll face heavy criticism, the movie will flop, and our company will suffer greatly. We can’t postpone the release date either. We’ve already secured the theaters with great effort, and if we cancel, no one can handle the aftermath!”
Until this morning, Son Tae-min had the same worries as Manager Kim.
But now, his expression was remarkably bright.
“Manager Kim, trust me. I’ll solve all the problems.”
“Don’t just make big promises. You need to tell me how so I can report it to the higher-ups.”
Son Tae-min declared, “We’re changing the genre of the movie. Starting today, ‘A Sunny Day’ will be a romantic comedy and action film.”
Manager Kim thought this was utterly absurd.
“Director! Are you crazy? We only have a week left for additional shooting and editing! How can we change the genre now?”
“Calm down. We have to start shooting now, so there’s no time. I’ll show you something during dinner that will make everything clear.”
At that moment, a high-end German sedan drove onto the set abruptly.
Son Tae-min frowned.
“Who is that? Were there more actors coming? Why are they driving like that? The dust is flying everywhere!”
A man in his forties got out of the car.
Upon seeing him, Manager Kim from THO Entertainment ran over and bowed his head.
“President! I didn’t expect you to come personally.”
President Lee Tae-ho looked around the set and said, “I didn’t want to come here and put pressure on the set.”
His gaze fixed on the collapsed set. Lee Tae-ho frowned and shouted, “How could I not come when the set has collapsed?”
* * *
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