Chapter 155
“Wow, CEO Min. You look like a complete model student on the outside, but you’ve got quite the gambler’s instinct.”
“Well, I suppose you’d need nerves like that to be called the ‘Midas Touch’ when you’ve only just turned thirty.”
The panelists’ impressed reactions heated up the studio.
I didn’t avoid the gazes pouring toward me.
“Rather than calling it gambling... I had confidence.”
“Confidence?”
Lee Sungwoo tilted his head.
“It’s not like you received some kind of divine revelation. How could you possibly be that certain?”
Divine revelation?
No. I had something even stronger than that.
I had already seen it happen in the future.
I thought that silently and smiled.
“I trusted the strength of Director Song’s screenplay and the directing ability he had already shown in his earlier short films.”
“To me, it looked like a combination that simply couldn’t fail.”
“So rather than a gamble, I considered it the safest investment possible.”
Jeon Hyunggyu let out an impressed exclamation.
“Wow. The safest investment.”
“To think you were thinking like that at twenty-two...”
“And because the result already proved you right, it sounds even more convincing. Hahaha.”
“Exactly.”
Lee Sungwoo nodded.
“Home Sweet Home received strong reviews at various domestic and international film festivals at the time.”
“And unusually for an independent film, it was also commercially successful.”
Song Jaehyun smiled and continued.
“And what was even more unbelievable was that he reinvested all the money he made back into me.”
“When we established New Wave, CEO Min put all of that money into the company.”
The studio stirred once again.
“And when I shut myself away for three years writing scripts, he never once complained.”
“Most business partners would start glaring at you if all you did was burn through money.”
“But CEO Min quietly waited until I wrote a screenplay I was satisfied with.”
Director Go Jinseong shook his head in disbelief.
“Wow. That part really makes me jealous.”
“My production-company CEO is still pressuring me to hurry up and bring him my next project. Hahaha.”
Jeon Hyunggyu laughed.
“What is this?”
“If we only hear stories like these, CEO Min sounds like a factory that produces heartwarming anecdotes.”
The studio burst into laughter.
“We actually did some research beforehand.”
Jeon Hyunggyu continued.
“The writers and staff who’ve worked with CEO Min have incredible things to say about him.”
“They seem to think of you like some kind of Daddy-Long-Legs or guardian angel.”
“Are you naturally that selfless?”
“Absolutely not.”
I immediately waved my hands.
“That’s definitely not it.”
“Definitely not?”
Jeon Hyunggyu looked amused.
“With this many touching stories?”
“What is this? Are you humble too?”
I laughed awkwardly.
“No.”
“I’m actually the opposite of selfless.”
“I’m extremely practical.”
“Oh.”
Woo Jonghyun leaned forward.
“That’s unexpected.”
I didn’t let the opening pass.
“The reason writers and directors tend to think well of me is probably because I always try to give them the best possible environment for creating.”
“But the reason I do that is actually very simple.”
I paused.
“Because it makes money.”
The word money caused the studio to fall silent for a moment.
Lee Sungwoo stared at me.
“Money...?”
“Yes.”
“I believe good work comes out when creators can focus solely on creating in the best possible environment.”
“And to me, a good work is ultimately a product that sells.”
“It has to be chosen by the public and generate profit.”
“So I don’t treat creators well because I’m selfless.”
“I do it because treating them well is the most efficient way to generate profit.”
The panelists remained stunned for a moment.
Then one by one, they started reacting.
“Huh.”
“So you treat them well because it makes practical sense?”
“That actually makes me trust you more somehow. Am I the only one?”
“No, I agree.”
“If someone treats people well just because they’re kind, their feelings might change depending on the situation.”
“But if it’s a strategy for profit, then it means they’re less likely to be swayed by emotion.”
“That feels much more rational to me.”
Director Go Jinseong stared at me with admiration.
“Good grief, every sentence you say...”
“I seriously want to work with CEO Min now.”
“Should I do my next project with New Wave?”
I answered smoothly.
“You’re welcome anytime.”
“Should I have the contract printed in advance?”
Go Jinseong burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! This man really knows how to do business!”
The conversation continued in a cheerful atmosphere.
By the time roughly five hours had passed since recording began, Jeon Hyunggyu finally started wrapping things up.
“All right.”
“Today, we’ve spent time with Director Song Jaehyun and CEO Min Kibaek, the central figures behind Cannes, talking about their lives, their films, and even their unique philosophies.”
“You’ve both shared a lot with us today.”
“Before we finish, is there anything you’d like to say to our viewers?”
Finally.
The timing I was waiting for.
When I agreed to appear on Movie Talk, I had made one request to the producer.
I wanted a little time at the end to say something directly to the viewers.
I glanced toward Song Jaehyun.
As if he had been waiting for the cue, he spoke.
“Yes.”
“To commemorate our appearance on Movie Talk, we have two pieces of news to share with everyone.”
Jeon Hyunggyu immediately leaned forward with interest.
“Two pieces of news?”
Song Jaehyun smiled.
“Yes.”
“I think the first is something a lot of people have been waiting for.”
“The release date of Kingdom of Crime has been confirmed.”
He looked toward the camera.
“July 25.”
“This summer, you’ll be able to enjoy it properly in theaters.”
