* * *
Manager Kim from THO Entertainment explained, “Well, the thing is, there was a mistake while working on the set….”
CEO Lee Tae-ho interrupted him, “Isn’t it your department’s job to ensure no issues arise on set?”
“Yes, normally our staff would have been monitoring the set. But as you know, today’s shoot was suddenly scheduled because of that drug addict, so everyone was busy….”
Lee Tae-ho’s voice grew colder, “Are you going to keep blaming the drug addict and let our movie fail?”
“No, sir. I’m sorry. We will work harder.”
“Not harder, but better….”
The car door opened, and a ten-year-old girl got out.
“Daddy? Are you angry?”
Lee Tae-ho turned around quickly, “Oh? No, I’m not angry. It’s just noisy here, so I had to speak a bit louder.”
Director Son Tae-min, who had been keeping a low profile while Manager Kim was getting scolded, stepped forward quickly when he saw the girl.
“Min-ji, hello?”
Lee Min-ji bowed her head, “Hello, Director.”
“Min-ji, can you come for the additional shoot? Not today, but maybe the day after tomorrow.”
“Of course. I have a scene with the druggie uncle, don’t I?”
“The drugg… uh, yes. So you know everything, Min-ji. CEO Lee, Min-ji knows everything? You told her? Ha, ha.”
“I didn’t tell her.”
Lee Tae-ho sighed, “Kids these days are better with smartphones than I am. They search for things themselves and get news from friends on messaging apps.”
Lee Tae-ho explained to Son Tae-min why he brought his daughter to the set, “We were at a photo shoot for my daughter when I heard the set had collapsed. We came right away. Now, tell me what happened. In the meantime, my daughter…”
Child actress Lee Min-ji was already walking around the set, greeting people. Everyone was happy to see her after a long time.
Especially Shin Eun-ha, who welcomed her with open arms.
“Min-ji! Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Auntie.”
“Call me sister.”
Lee Tae-ho watched the scene warmly before turning to Son Tae-min with a stern expression.
“Director, I need to understand the situation precisely. Can we complete the reshoot and editing within a week?”
Son Tae-min spoke confidently, “Of course.”
“But the set has collapsed.”
“That’s actually good news.”
“What?”
Son Tae-min eagerly explained how the collapse had led to some amazing footage of the actor Na Kang-in rescuing others, capturing heroic scenes.
Lee Tae-ho didn’t fully believe it, thinking it was mostly exaggeration.
Lee Tae-ho said, “Okay, let’s say that’s true. Why is that a good thing?”
Son Tae-min showed his notebook and explained the future plans.
After listening, Lee Tae-ho asked, “Will the movie turn out well?”
Son Tae-min confidently replied, “It will be even better than the original.”
A slight wrinkle appeared on Lee Tae-ho’s forehead. Despite the explanation, the most crucial issue remained unresolved. “It seems there are quite a few new action scenes to shoot, but we don’t have the time.”
“If Mr. Na Kang-In Na handles the action scenes, we can shoot everything within a week. He’s already promised to help.”
Son Tae-min smiled slightly. “Of course, we’ll have to pay Mr. Na generously.”
Lee Tae-ho, the CEO of the film company, didn’t remember all the staff names.
“We’re not in a position to save on the stunt director’s fee right now. So, this can be resolved?”
“Absolutely.”
Lee Tae-ho felt a bit relieved. Son Tae-min was a well-known director in Chungmuro. If he was confident, it was reassuring.
Lee Tae-ho smiled and said, “Thanks to you, Director Son. Please take good care of the movie.”
“Haha. Trust me.”
“But what about the stunt director’s experience?”
“Pardon?”
“If you’re speaking so highly of him, he must have a remarkable career. Yet, I haven’t heard of him before. Is he from overseas? Hollywood, maybe? You must have recruited him in a hurry, good job.”
“Uh, well….”
“Where is he now?”
Son Tae-min pointed to the side. “Over there, by the food truck.”
Lee Tae-ho looked at the food truck. There were only Na Kang-In Na and his daughter Min-ji there. Na Kang-In was cooking.
“I only see the food truck guy.”
“That’s Mr. Na Kang-In Na.”
Lee Tae-ho was taken aback. At first, he thought he misheard.
“What? Why is the stunt director cooking?”
“Because he drove the food truck here….”
Lee Tae-ho finally understood.
“So, you put the food truck guy in charge of stunts?”
“And as a stunt double for Kim Yoo-chan. Fortunately, their builds are similar….”
Lee Tae-ho’s voice lowered. “Director Son, are you kidding me?”
“No, just hear me out. Mr. Na’s martial arts skills are no joke.”
Lee Tae-ho’s voice grew colder. “There are many skilled martial artists. Even our security team staff are all black belts. But do they work as stunt directors? Are they action actors? Why not bring in a national athlete from Taereung to shoot?”
THO Entertainment CEO Lee Tae-ho was angry. ‘Is he trying to skim money from a doomed movie by hiring an amateur in this urgent situation? I thought Director Son wasn’t like that!’
The idea that the food truck guy was actually an amazing stunt director seemed less plausible than the suspicion that Son Tae-min was trying to siphon off money from a failing movie. Especially since Lee Tae-ho had seen other directors do such tricks before.
But without evidence, he couldn’t confront Son Tae-min directly. He needed another way to keep him in check. ‘I’ll make sure he can’t pull any tricks.’
Lee Tae-ho called Manager Kim.
“From today, document all filming expenses and submit them.”
“Pardon? We already….”
“Submit everything meticulously, down to the last dime. Get all receipts and verify everything yourself.”
Director Son Tae-min realized Lee Tae-ho was doubting him. Son Tae-min was getting angry too. “CEO Lee, what do you take me for….”
“I’ll judge by the results.”
The atmosphere grew tense.
***
Child actor Min-ji Lee sat at a table in front of the food truck, eating a snack.
“Wow, this is really delicious. What is it?”
“A mix snack.”
The mix snack was made with AI Zijin’s field tactical recipe, using easily available ingredients on-site. Today, there were plenty of leftovers.
“You made a lot. Are you packing it for us? I’m not supposed to eat too many snacks at home.”
Field tactical cooking skills typically involve large-scale preparation.
“You’re not the only one with a mouth to feed. The actors and staff are all hungry from running around. I made plenty for everyone.”
Min-ji boasted while eating the mix snack, “My shoot is in two days. I’m the lead actress of this movie.”
“Really? You’re the lead?”
“Even though I’m a child actor, if it’s the same role, I’m the lead.”
Na Kang-In chuckled.
“Right, same name, same role.”
“Then you’ll make this mix snack again in two days, right?”
“You’ll be shooting in Seoul from tomorrow, so the food truck won’t be needed.”
Elementary schooler Min-ji was disappointed.
“But I really want to eat this again. Should I hide some in my dad’s car?”
Seeing Min-ji trying to figure out how to hide the snacks, Na Kang-In suggested, “If you ever come near the PC bang where I work, stop by. I’ll make you a special mix snack.”
“Mom says not to go with strangers who offer snacks.”
“Then don’t.”
Min-ji smiled brightly. “It’s okay because I know you.”
“Make sure to call ahead. I’m often not there.”
Min-ji held out her smartphone. “Please give me your number.”
Na Kang-In gave her his phone number. Min-ji called it immediately, and Na Kang-In’s phone rang.
Min-ji grinned widely. “I’ll save it as ‘Snack Uncle’ in my contacts.”
Before sunset, there were still scenes left to be shot at this outdoor set in Gangwon-do Province. Son Tae-min didn’t have time to give Lee Tae-ho a long explanation.
As they began filming, he called over the assistant director.
“Show Mr. Lee what we filmed earlier when the set collapsed.”
“Which part?”
“Everything with Na Kang-in in it. Mr. Lee, let’s discuss after you’ve seen it. We’re in a hurry to shoot.”
Lee Tae-ho responded coldly.
“Fine.”
Son Tae-min began shooting with the actors.
Lee Tae-ho sat on a chair outside the set.
“Let’s see what you filmed.”
* * *
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