As soon as filming began, Director of Photography Harris licked his lips and checked the monitor.
Natural light streaming through the broken window filled the set with a bright glow.
Against the backdrop of the forensics team taking photographs, Robert and the supporting actor, Ryan, began their scene.
“You’re saying it wasn’t a suicide?”
Robert naturally picked up Ryan’s line, which was filled with doubt.
“Correct.”
“The crime scene shows nothing but a death by excessive bleeding from self-inflicted wrist cuts. All exits were blocked, and there are no signs of anyone entering.”
Traces of crimson blood.
Following the dried blood, Robert shifted his gaze toward the corpse.
“That just means the culprit prepared thoroughly. They’d be skilled enough to intentionally create hesitation marks.”
“Why do you think they created hesitation marks?”
Robert spoke while staring at the hesitation marks around the corpse’s wrists.
“They’re identical to the ones from that suicide case a year ago. The one that was eventually concluded as a suicide.”
“…….”
As the camera closed in on the supporting actor Ryan’s expression gradually hardening, Gyeong Chanhyeon shouted.
“Cut! Great!”
Harris shook his head after watching the scene, which had been instantly immersive.
“What is this…?”
Despite the background not being inherently gloomy, a sense of tension had been established, likely thanks to Robert and Ryan’s acting.
Harris noticed his palms were sweating and wiped them roughly on his thigh as Gyeong Chanhyeon asked.
“How was it, Mr. Harris?”
“…It’s good.”
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s question, Harris gave a weak nod and went back to monitoring.
It was certainly a cut with nothing to criticize.
The dark red, dried blood reflecting the bright light revealed an even more grotesque appearance, emphasizing the eerie atmosphere.
‘This is a new kind of direction, yet he doesn’t think it’s a gamble at all… He seems absolutely certain.’
Harris continued monitoring as the actors approached, and the actors also nodded, appearing pleased.
“The direction is definitely alive. It feels natural.”
“My expression wasn’t too over-the-top, was it?”
At Ryan’s question, Gyeong Chanhyeon smiled and nodded.
“You must have been nervous since it was your first close-up. You held it together well. Now, let’s move on to the next cut. We should finish quickly while we have the momentum.”
Harris shook his head, looking at Gyeong Chanhyeon’s inscrutable expression.
‘Is this kind of filming normal? What’s going on?’
Perhaps it was because he had seen movie directors who insisted on creating as many cuts as possible, no matter how good the shot was.
Since this was his first time seeing a director move on so easily, Harris blinked and asked Gyeong Chanhyeon.
“Are you sure we don’t need to make a better cut?”
“It came out exactly as I wanted. Is there something you don’t like?”
“No… it’s not that. Haha. Most directors keep filming more because of their greed…”
At Harris’s words, Gyeong Chanhyeon shook his head and said.
“I’ve already run this scene through my head dozens of times. It couldn’t be any better. Thanks to you, Mr. Harris. You captured the compositions exactly as I imagined, so we can move along smoothly.”
As Gyeong Chanhyeon smiled brightly and reached out his hand, Harris nodded and shook it.
‘He’s definitely different from other directors… <Space Vagabond> might not have been a mere fluke.’
Before the filming of Detective Graser began, rumors about Gyeong Chanhyeon were rampant among the crew.
That Space Vagabond was just luck, and that Gyeong Chanhyeon would be a lunatic on set.
However, things were far smoother, and the crew was becoming assimilated into his unique atmosphere, which was distinctly different from other directors.
‘A film set where curses aren’t flying around… I didn’t know such a thing existed.’
Harris chuckled and signaled the equipment assistants to move locations.
A few days later.
Filming proceeded smoothly.
As I expected, the rookie actors performed skillfully, not acting like rookies at all, and Robert Penn was, as always, perfect.
If filming continued this smoothly, the movie would turn out better than expected.
But that alone wasn’t enough.
If this were Korea, maybe, but this is America. Moreover, it’s Hollywood.
An Asian director, rookie actors, and a lead who is a returning junkie.
With these conditions, the reality is that audiences will ignore the film no matter how good it is.
‘On the other hand, the rewards will be greater if I make this movie a hit.’
Success when everything is perfectly prepared might earn congratulations, but it doesn’t draw praise or admiration.
Therefore, the adverse conditions piled up before me are actually the stepping stones that will propel me to the top in America in one shot.
‘But that’s only if it actually becomes a hit.’
Returning to reality, I need to move busily to make the movie a success despite having every possible disadvantage.
And the first step is reviving Robert Penn’s image.
‘It’s about time to start the image work for Robert Penn…’
As the saying goes, the strongest bond is a “hateful bond,” so anti-fans will come on their own.
Therefore, the most important group is the neutrals.
Specifically, the audience members who have a vaguely negative perception of Robert Penn.
To properly capture this demographic, I needed the power of the media.
[Robert Penn. Returns with Gyeong Chanhyeon.]
Articles mentioning Robert Penn had appeared after the production announcement.
However, the impact was much smaller than expected.
In fact, some negative public opinion was visible.
To significantly increase this impact, in the end…
‘I’ll need Philip.’
It would be strange for a reporter who had been tearing him apart to suddenly defend him, but there was nothing more effective at drawing attention than that.
What attracts people’s attention is not a natural phenomenon, but a phenomenon that is difficult to understand.
A few days later.
Starlight Hollywood Newspaper.
Philip let out a deep sigh as he spread out the news he had received from the Detective Graser marketing team.
Despite the fact that filming was in full swing, Seonghyeon KMD Pictures continued to send press releases.
They sent information as if they were leaking tabloids, revealing small bits of info as if they were intentionally hoping for them to leak to the press.
—The righteous Hollywood reporter. The concept of cleaning up the dirty entertainment industry. Keep that up.
Gyeong Chanhyeon’s words seemed to burrow into his head.
He hadn’t been able to sleep properly for several days due to all sorts of thoughts.
He was typing and writing an article, but his hands moved erratically, and he began making basic spelling mistakes.
Tap tap tap.
After noticing the typos, Philip sighed deeply, irritably deleted the article he was writing, and put a cigarette in his mouth.
“Damn it…”
If photos of him using drugs, and subsequently several other photos, were to spread…
The thought that the reputation he had built as a reporter would completely vanish made it impossible for Philip to focus on his work.
Ding.
Right then, his phone notification rang.
[Gyeong Chanhyeon]
That name was like a time bomb to Philip.
Tucking the cigarette behind his ear, he carefully carried the “time bomb” toward the parking lot and answered the call.
“What.”
—Your phone etiquette is terrible. Shouldn’t you be a bit kinder?
Philip gritted his teeth at Gyeong Chanhyeon’s voice and replied.
“Then what? Do you want me to speak as softly as a cappuccino? We aren’t exactly in that kind of relationship, are we?”
—That’s a shame. I thought we could have been pretty good friends.
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s soulless tone, Philip exhaled cigarette smoke and said.
“So. What do you want.”
—Robert Penn. Write an article saying he’s quit drugs. Can you make it a big splash?
Philip chuckled as if it were absurd.
“You want me to lie?”
—No. It’s true.
“Don’t make me laugh.”
—Ah, a drug addict recognizes a drug addict. Is that how it is?
Seeing employees passing by in the parking lot, Philip hurriedly hid behind his car and said.
“Quitting drugs is impossible. A drug addict’s brain becomes a bomb that explodes if they don’t do drugs.”
—But what if Mr. Robert actually did it? I think it’s time to start throwing some bait out regarding Mr. Robert Penn.
“Bait?”
As Philip questioned the term, Gyeong Chanhyeon continued in a calm voice.
—Yes. Bait. Mr. Robert’s value will rise significantly because of this movie.
“You’re needlessly optimistic. Are you talking on the premise that your movie will unconditionally succeed?”
—Of course. Because the righteous Hollywood reporter, Mr. Philip John, will help too. In terms of this movie’s success, that is.
Philip’s hands trembled at the horrific thought that he would be tormented like this for the rest of his reporting career because of the weakness Gyeong Chanhyeon held over him.
“This is truly absurd.”
—Think of it as being used instead of paying for your sins. Won’t that make you feel a bit more at ease?
“Why are you the one deciding my sins…”
—Enough. I’ll send Mr. Robert Penn’s drug test results to your mailbox. Also, he’s going to do volunteer work on his days off from filming. Set up a scoop for that as well.
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s request, Philip spoke in disbelief.
“Hey. You want to link me with Robert Penn? You want me to cover him personally? Are you crazy?”
—Mr. Robert said he’s fine with it. I got his permission.
“What? He permitted me to interview him…?”
—Unlike some people, Mr. Robert isn’t petty. Well, do you not want to grant the request?
Whether it was a request or a threat…
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s menacing voice, Philip let out a deep sigh and said.
“Fine. I get it.”
—And if you have the time, do interviews with the supporting actors of <Detective Graser> one by one. Got it?
Click.
“Phew…”
He is a complete lunatic.
Not just moderately crazy, but completely gone.
Seeing him threaten while calling it a “request,” he could have been a mafia member for all anyone knew.
Where exactly did things go wrong?
Under the pressure rising to his chin, Philip closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
“Damn it. What kind of bullshit is this…”
Philip took out another cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.
Then, he slowly organized the current situation in his head.
For now, he had no choice but to be used by Gyeong Chanhyeon.
“Sigh…”
But even if Robert Penn had quit drugs as Gyeong Chanhyeon said.
That wouldn’t be news enough to attract people’s attention.
The articles people want are about Robert Penn causing trouble.
Not a sight of Robert Penn cleaning up trash with a bright smile to volunteer.
“Damn it. What am I supposed to do…”
A few days later.
“Cut! Great! Let’s call it a day!”
Robert Penn participated in the filming without showing any signs of exhaustion until the long shoot ended.
The paparazzi who had been loitering around his house for a while had completely disappeared, and there was the good news he heard from Gyeong Chanhyeon a few days ago.
—Mr. Robert. That piece of trash reporter Philip won’t be able to touch you anymore. And he said he wants to pay for his sins and wants to do an interview with you about quitting drugs.
“Really…”
It made no sense.
Philip was certainly not a reporter who gave up easily, nor was he a human who could be handled so simply.
A top reporter in Hollywood.
And a guy like that wants to “pay for his sins”?
“Good job with the filming. Today is the day of the interview with that trash reporter, right?”
When Gyeong Chanhyeon asked, Robert smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Are you okay? If it’s too much of a burden… you can cancel it even now.”
“What? Philip won’t just stay quiet, will he?”
“Don’t worry about a piece of trash like him. Should I cancel it for you?”
Canceling an interview a few hours before it started was a huge discourtesy.
But Gyeong Chanhyeon was so relaxed that the smile never left his lips.
“No. It’s fine. I just don’t understand. The fact that the guy who was attacking me suddenly requested an interview through the director…”
At Robert’s words, Gyeong Chanhyeon replied with an awkward smile.
“It’s a sign that your life is about to bloom, Mr. Robert. Like I told you before, through this movie, you will achieve success on a level incomparable to your past.”
“Haha…”
“If that guy Philip tries to say anything bad, call me immediately.”
“Did you catch some kind of weakness of his?”
Gyeong Chanhyeon chuckled at the word ‘weakness’ and shook his head.
“Hey, do I look like I have intelligence agents? I’m just a director trying to debut in Hollywood.”
“Haha, I guess so, right?”
“Yes. Anyway, do well in the interview. It’s time to show the world a different Robert Penn.”
Seeing Gyeong Chanhyeon’s bright smile, Robert found himself smiling along.
“By the way, it’s an interview. You’re going to wear something neat, right?”
“Can’t I just wear what I usually wear? It’s just a conversation…”
“Are you planning to go exactly as you are dressed now?”
Gyeong Chanhyeon scanned Robert Penn’s clothes and asked in a worried voice.
“Yes. That was my plan?”
A brightly colored shirt in primary colors, mint-colored shorts, and multicolored slippers. Looking at his fashion, Gyeong Chanhyeon let out a deep sigh.
“Come change your clothes with me right now.”
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