Chapter 197
In terms of sheer scale, American sets were undoubtedly far more overwhelming.
But the meticulously recreated Joseon palace and the streets of Hanyang offered a completely different kind of impact from anything in Hollywood.
The level of historical accuracy and detail alone was enough to impress the studio team from the United States.
“Director Min, you’re here.”
The production PD overseeing the filming site approached us with a wave.
“Yes, PD Park.”
“You’ve been working hard.”
“How’s filming going?”
“Everything running smoothly?”
“Of course.”
“Director Heo Jinhyuk is so good that everything is progressing exactly according to the storyboard.”
PD Park pointed proudly toward the set.
“They’re filming the scene where a horde of zombies attacks the streets of Hanyang right now.”
“Would you like to take a look?”
We followed him toward the filming area.
Director Heo Jinhyuk was sitting in front of the monitors, his expression serious as he focused on the movement onscreen.
We stayed a short distance away so we wouldn’t interfere with the shoot.
“Ready.”
“Action!”
At the director’s shout, more than a hundred extras in zombie makeup suddenly began moving.
Then they charged after the fleeing protagonists like mad.
Wow.
The zombies created by the special makeup team were both horrifying and strangely artistic.
Before my regression, I had only ever seen this bizarre visual style through a computer screen.
Even then, it had felt revolutionary.
But witnessing that raw madness unfold directly before my eyes was overwhelming enough to make those old memories feel almost pale by comparison.
“Cut!”
“Okay!”
Heo Jinhyuk called the take with a satisfied expression.
Staff immediately began moving busily around the monitors.
Then the studio team from headquarters, who had been watching behind us, burst into exclamations.
“Oh my goodness!”
“I never imagined zombies would fit this well with a Joseon-era setting.”
“This is incredibly fresh and original.”
“And these visuals are overwhelming.”
Watching them continue to gush, I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
Of course.
This combination drove the entire world crazy before my regression too.
Just as I started toward them, Heo Jinhyuk happened to turn away from the monitor and spotted me.
His face brightened.
“Director Min!”
“You’re here?”
I quickly approached him.
“Director, you’ve been working hard.”
“Not at all.”
“The atmosphere on set looks great.”
“There haven’t been any major difficulties, right?”
“No.”
“The actors are in top condition, and the crew morale is excellent.”
“It’s all because you’ve been taking care of so many things behind the scenes.”
After exchanging brief greetings, I introduced the people who had come with me.
“Director, these people are from the studio team at Network Flex headquarters in the United States.”
“Ah, I see.”
I then introduced Heo Jinhyuk to the Network Flex staff.
As soon as they finished greeting him, the studio team began praising his cinematography and directing one after another.
“Excuse me, Director.”
“If it wouldn’t be too much of an intrusion, could we watch the filming from a little closer?”
It might have been burdensome to have headquarters executives hovering near the monitors, but Heo Jinhyuk answered confidently.
“Of course.”
“Please come closer to the monitors.”
He even had chairs prepared behind them.
Then filming resumed.
The studio team carefully examined every frame appearing on the monitors.
Everything was perfect.
The camera work.
The lighting.
The actors’ performances.
The makeup and special effects.
Everything was at least as good as the Kingdom of Blood I remembered from before my regression.
Maybe even better.
During a short break, one member of the headquarters studio team approached me.
“This is amazing.”
“To be completely honest, I never imagined it would be this good.”
“I actually thought producing a Korean drama as a Network Flex original was a gamble in itself.”
I listened quietly.
“But now I’m certain.”
“This is going to be a huge hit.”
“Thank you.”
“And I heard from CEO Reid Hayes that you were the one who designed this entire project.”
He looked genuinely impressed.
“That’s incredible.”
“I think I finally understand why CEO Hayes was willing to make such a bold investment in a relatively small Korean production company, and why he conceded so much in the contract.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished result.”
The barrage of praise left me slightly dazed.
Still, I answered with a calm smile.
“You won’t be disappointed.”
“No.”
“You’ll see results beyond what you’re expecting.”
Before my regression, Kingdom of Blood had captivated audiences around the world.
And this time, it would succeed just as much.
No.
Even more.
I smiled with complete confidence.
That evening, after returning to Hanshin Media, I met with Han Taesung.
“I heard you went to the set today with the Network Flex people.”
“Yes.”
“How did they react?”
“Much better than I expected.”
“Really?”
Han Taesung smiled with satisfaction.
“That’s a relief.”
“To be honest, I never said anything, but I’ve been worried.”
“The production budget going into this project isn’t exactly small.”
“Don’t worry.”
“The Network Flex studio team is already convinced it’ll be a huge success.”
“Well, projects you’re confident in have never failed.”
“I suppose this one won’t be any different.”
