Inside the president's office of Production Company Fireworks, the walls were covered with posters of films President Park Han-Yi had produced in his prime.

Park Han-Yi and Writer Jung Na-Mi were standing in front of the sofa in the center of the room, waiting for us.

I greeted Park Han-Yi first. "It's been a while, Mr. Park."

Park Han-Yi broke into a bright smile and grabbed my hand. "Wow. The last time I saw you, you were just a green rookie. Now you've climbed so high it's hard to even approach you. I hear everything you touch turns into a hit."

"You're too kind."

He then took Haru's hand and greeted him.

"Mr. Haru looks even more handsome in person. The camera doesn't do you justice."

Haru bowed politely. "Thank you."

"Haha, no need for that. By the way, I saw the article today. Looks like you got tangled up with HK Entertainment. You're not heading over there, are you?"

Haru smiled with his eyes and shook his head. "No."

"Good. Good. You made the right call. For actors, it's better to stay with a company that truly backs you than to get lost in some giant agency where you won't be managed properly."

"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."

Seemingly pleased with Haru's manners, Park Han-Yi gestured to the woman beside him. "Let me introduce you. This is the writer of Happy & Happy, Writer Jung Na-Mi."

Thirty-year-old Jung Na-Mi, wearing thick horn-rimmed glasses, kept her shoulders slightly hunched as she bowed. "Hel... hello."

Jung Na-Mi's tone and expression were subdued, probably because the hope of making her directorial debut had just slipped away.

At that moment, Park Han-Yi lightly scolded Jung Na-Mi. "Hey now. Why so down, Writer Jung? Greet them properly."

Jung Na-Mi reluctantly lifted her head, looked at us again, and furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling well. I hope you don't misunderstand."

She looked slightly irritated at first glance. But in truth, she was simply trying to see us more clearly, which naturally made her brow crease. People who didn't know her often misunderstood that expression.

Since I knew her well, I deliberately greeted her in a brighter tone. "Ms. Jung Na-Mi, it's truly an honor to meet you. After reading the script, I kept wondering what kind of person could write something this good. It's rare to find a screenplay that never loses momentum from beginning to end. I was genuinely impressed. And by the way, I'm the one who recommended this project to Haru."

As the praise poured out, Jung Na-Mi asked in a flustered voice. "It wasn't Mr. Haru who picked my script, but you, Mr. Jung?"

"Yes. And I also told Haru that I hoped you would take on the directing role. Of course, he agreed."

Because of what I had heard earlier on the staircase, I made it clear from the start that I considered her the director.

At that moment, Haru quickly chimed in. "Yes. I got the script yesterday, and my heart was racing the whole time I read it. I loved it."

Jung Na-Mi's body trembled lightly with excitement. She could tell we weren't just being polite when we asked her to direct.

"So, as I mentioned on the phone, may we consider you confirmed as director? If you agree, we'll sign today. With Haru as the lead and you as the director, it's guaranteed to be a hit, Ms. Jung," I continued.

As the praise continued, Jung Na-Mi turned to Park Han-Yi with hopeful eyes. "M-Mr. Park, I think Mr. Jung genuinely wants me."

Caught off guard by how quickly the situation shifted, Park Han-Yi couldn't hide his discomfort. After staring blankly for a moment, he gulped down a mouthful of water and spoke to me.

"Hold on, Chief Jung. I appreciate you thinking highly of Writer Jung, but to be honest, it's going to be difficult to have her direct this project."

"I'm sorry?"

"As you know, making a film doesn't cost a few pennies. And considering Haru's position, shouldn't his first movie be handled by a seasoned director? You know how big the blow is when a drama star fails in their first film, right?"

This would be Haru's first movie. From Park Han-Yi's perspective, a reliable and experienced director was necessary to protect Haru's reputation.

However, a good director wasn't simply someone famous. It was someone who understood the script perfectly and could pinpoint what would make it succeed. And that person was already here.

I shook my head. "I believe it's better to have a director who fully understands the screenplay rather than just a popular name. Not every famous director succeeds."

Park Han-Yi's eyes wavered. For a moment, I thought he might give in. Just then, he did something I hadn't expected.

"I didn't want to say this, but... Writer Jung's eyesight isn't good. Not just bad. It's a disability. She has amblyopia. She enlarges all the text on her laptop. Look."

Without permission, Park Han-Yi spun Jung Na-Mi's laptop toward us. Huge, acorn-sized letters filled the monitor. Caught off guard as her weakness was exposed, Jung Na-Mi clenched both hands tightly on her knees. Deep creases formed in her slacks.

Park Han-Yi went on. "You see? Her vision is practically at rock bottom. Directing would be impossible. Managing a set would be hard for her."

His rudeness—exposing someone's vulnerability like that—made my jaw tighten. However, what angered me more was the way he drew a line through Jung Na-Mi's potential.

'Impossible to direct? That's ridiculous.'

Before I returned to the past, I had seen her direct brilliantly even under far worse conditions. Nevertheless, that was knowledge only I possessed. So I forced my anger down and quietly turned her laptop back toward Jung Na-Mi.

Then I smiled broadly at Jung Na-Mi so she could clearly see my expression.

"I see. No wonder your script's emotional depth and character portrayal felt so distinct. It must reflect your own lived experience. Knowing that, I trust you even more. There's always a difference between those who've experienced something and those who haven't. That's exactly why I want you to direct."

Jung Na-Mi, who had lowered her head as if everything were over, slowly lifted it again. After countless disappointments, she had grown fragile, ready to give up at the slightest discouragement. For this reason, I spoke more firmly.

'Don't give up, Ms. Jung.'

Park Han-Yi stammered. "H-Hey. Chief Jung. You're joking, right?"

"I'm not. And I've confirmed that Ms. Jung Na-Mi won an award for a short film at the Suhyaejong. She can direct and the script is complete. What exactly is the problem?"

Park Han-Yi gritted his teeth. "Chief Jung, I'll be honest. Personally, I'd love for one of our writers to direct. But the company doesn't have the funds. To secure proper investment, we need a director with box office credentials and experience. He'll be here soon. Let's meet him and talk."

"You called another director here?"

"Yes. You know Director Yoo Sang-Jin, who hit big with Oh! My Brother!? Eight million viewers last year. And the two before that did five million and four and a half million each. That's solid, isn't it?"

'Solid? Hardly.'

Director Yoo Sang-Jin was completely mismatched for a youth romance. More importantly, Park Han-Yi's insistence bothered me. Even after everything I had said, he was clinging to Yoo Sang-Jin. That meant he was hiding something.

'Had he been promised a kickback?'

When production companies secured a strong script, under-the-table money sometimes changed hands when passing it to a director. After all, there were more production companies than good scripts.

If that was the case, I needed to change strategy. No matter what I did, Park Han-Yi would never allow Jung Na-Mi to debut as director.

'Park Han-Yi. You're the one kicking away a blessing that rolled to your feet.'

Just then, murmurs rose outside, followed by the sound of multiple people entering.

"You haven't had lunch yet, right? Once we wrap up the contract today, how about some steak? I heard President Park knows a good place."

"Come on, Mr. Yoo. The script turned out great this time. You should have noodles. For smooth sailing."

"Really? Then should we get noodles and some bulgogi on the side?"

"Yes, yes. That sounds perfect."

It was Yoo Sang-Jin and his production chief Lee Dae-Joon entering. Their voices were full of expectation. They had clearly come to claim Happy & Happy as their own.

I figured I would have to deal with these opportunistic flies first.

***

Yoo Sang-Jin, forty-two this year, walked in with a wide smile.

"Oh? Well, look at this. Chief Jung and Haru are already here? Good to see you, Chief Jung."

He patted my shoulder casually, then shook Haru's hand.

"Haru looks like a young nobleman straight out of a comic. The camera's going to love you."

"Thank you, sir."

"Of course. Let's do well on this project, alright?"

Yoo Sang-Jin was already acting as if he had secured the directing role for Happy & Happy.

Right on cue, Park Han-Yi relayed what I had said earlier. "Sir. Actually, Chief Jung here wants our writer to direct, so I think we need to talk."

Park Han-Yi subtly pricked Yoo Sang-Jin's pride and stepped back.

In response, Yoo Sang-Jin frowned and stared at me. "Chief Jung. You must not have known I was coming. Do you still think the same? It's me. Yoo Sang-Jin."

There was absolute confidence in Yoo Sang-Jin's voice. An eight-million-viewer director had arrived. Of course he expected to be chosen.

However, I knew Yoo Sang-Jin wasn't suited for romance. And more importantly, three years from now he would direct Mist Tree, a teenage terminal-illness love story, and it would flop at 800,000 viewers. To me, he was simply an eight-hundred-thousand viewer director.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I still believe Ms. Jung Na-Mi should direct this project."

The air inside the president office turned cold. Park Han-Yi, and even Jung Na-Mi herself, looked stunned.

Yoo Sang-Jin clearly hadn't imagined being rejected. He blinked in disbelief. "Hah. You're joking, right? I said I'd take it. And you're giving it to someone who hasn't even debuted? Chief Jung, did you hit your head?"

"No. I simply believe Ms. Jung is better suited for this film."

Production Chief Lee Dae-Joon also snapped. "Hey, Chief Jung. Just because you're doing well these days, you think you can do whatever you want? How can you compare Mr. Yoo to someone who hasn't even debuted?"

At that moment, Yoo Sang-Jin raised a hand to silence Lee Dae-Joon. "Wait. Stay quiet, Chief Lee."

"Sir?"

"I'm still a director. What happens if rumors spread that I got rejected by an actor?"

In the film industry, the director was king. Unless it was a case like this, where we discovered the script and made the proposal, most actors auditioned and were selected. The final decision belonged to the director.

Now that the tables had turned and Haru, the actor, was rejecting him, his pride was clearly stung.

Lee Dae-Joon stepped back. "I'm sorry."

Yoo Sang-Jin suppressed his anger and looked at me. "Chief Jung. Then let's hear it. Why use Writer Jung instead of me?"

I shrugged. "You specialize in comedy, Mr. Yoo. I enjoy your films, but I don't believe your style suits the emotional tone of a teenage first-love romance."

At that moment, Yoo Sang-Jin exhaled sharply. "That's it? I thought you had something serious to say. I feel awkward praising myself, but did you forget my debut film was the youth romance Seventeen's Flutter? It even won the Grand Prize at a short film festival."

"You did. That was around the time Haru was still crawling, wasn't it? About fifteen years ago?"

One of Yoo Sang-Jin's eyes twitched. "W-Wow... Your tongue is sharper than I expected, Chief Jung. So what you're saying is that my directing is worse than that of a writer who hasn't even debuted?"

"Do you really want to hear me say it out loud?"

"What... did you just say?"

This time, the flesh on Yoo Sang-Jin's cheeks twitched.

At that moment, Lee Dae-Joon shot up from the sofa. "You little— How dare you speak like that to Mr. Yoo?"

A lifelong film industry man picking a fight with a former boxer was unexpected. This was exactly why people needed to control their emotions.

I stood up just as quickly. When Lee Dae-Joon lunged to grab my collar, I knocked both his hands aside. Then I shoved him hard in the chest with my palm.

Lee Dae-Joon stumbled backward under the force. His backside slammed straight into the hard wooden armrest of the sofa.

Thud.

A dull sound rang out as bone met wood.

"Ugh... m-my tailbone..."

Lee Dae-Joon slid sideways, clutching his backside, curling up like a silkworm.

"Ghhhk..."

That had to hurt. Looking at him again, it looked excruciating.

'Oops. Sorry.'

Yoo Sang-Jin trembled as he looked down at his fallen production chief. Normally, this would have been the moment for wounded pride and a dramatic exit. However, Yoo Sang-Jin surprised me again.

"My production chief can be hot-tempered. He was just trying to protect me. I hope you understand, Chief Jung."

Directors usually had egos that scraped the sky. Yet even with his man crumpled on the floor, he was apologizing. That meant there was something bigger than pride at stake. Still, uncovering that wasn't my priority. Making him give up was.

Then Yoo Sang-Jin made another move I hadn't anticipated.

"Chief Jung. Fine. If you're that uneasy about my directing, we'll bring Writer Jung into my directing team."

"Pardon me?"

Yoo Sang-Jin turned to Jung Na-Mi immediately and began to convince her. "Writer Jung. If your debut film flops, no one will ever come looking for you again. So how about working as my assistant director on this one? I'll push you hard on the next project. In other words, you'll be part of the Yoo Sang-Jin team."

Jung Na-Mi's eyes widened. "You'll back me?"

"Why? Don't you want that? You studied directing in college, didn't you?"

"I... yes. I did, but..."

"Then it's settled."

Yoo Sang-Jin didn't even give Jung Na-Mi time to think before deciding for her. Just from that attitude alone, there was no way I could entrust Happy & Happy to him. On set, he would treat Jung Na-Mi's script the same way—override it at will and direct however he pleased. And the script Jung Na-Mi had protected so carefully would turn into something completely different.

Worse, he already had an assistant director, Yoo Tae-Yung, who had worked with him for three years. Which meant he was dangling an empty title in front of her. It was technically not a scam since there could be multiple assistant directors, but certainly not what Jung Na-Mi was imagining.

'Go on. Try to scam her.'

Unaware that I saw through everything, Yoo Sang-Jin looked at me smugly. "There. With Writer Jung on my directing team, there's no problem, right? So I'll direct this, and Haru will take the lead. I'm an eight-million director. You can trust me. You know my track record."

'Trust you? Not a chance.'

What I wanted was Happy & Happy as Jung Na-Mi's youth romance, not Happy & Happy as Yoo Sang-Jin's youth comedy.

Originally, I had planned to produce the film through Fireworks, the production company she belonged to. Yet, after watching Park Han-Yi and Yoo Sang-Jin, that was no longer an option. There was only one path left.

I would join hands with Jung Na-Mi and rebuild the board from scratch.

'Fine. I'll flip the whole table.'

Happy & Happy was written before Jung Na-Mi joined this company, which meant the film rights belonged to her, not the production house. So the solution was simple—Help her go independent and produce the film ourselves.

Having made up my mind, I quietly asked Haru for his agreement. "Haru. I want to make Ms. Jung the director. What do you think?"

Haru whispered back. "Hyung. I'd like that too. I think Ms. Jung's directing would be better. Mr. Yoo wants everything his way and that won't be good for the film."

"Okay."

Haru gave a small smile and clenched his fists.

"Hyung. You got this."

'Then let's begin, shall we?'

I turned first to Jung Na-Mi, who looked slightly excited. "Ms. Jung. Are you going to accept Mr. Yoo's proposal?"

Jung Na-Mi hesitated as she answered, "Honestly, I would love to debut as you suggested, Mr. Jung... but working as an assistant director under Mr. Yoo doesn't sound bad either. He's an eight-million director, so I could learn a lot. And... more than anything, if I join the Yoo Sang-Jin team, I think I'd feel secure going forward."

At that moment, I understood what she truly wanted. Directing mattered, but after years of being treated differently because of her amblyopia, what she wanted most was backing. It was protection from someone powerful behind her.

Providing that part was easy. I could be that backing.

"Then allow me to make you an offer."

"An offer? From you, Mr. Jung?"

"Yes."

"What kind of offer is it?"

I leaned slightly closer so Jung Na-Mi could clearly see my face, and spoke firmly. "How would you like to join the Jung Yoon-Ho team instead?"

Jung Na-Mi's eyes widened. After all, the Jung Yoon-Ho team was currently the most talked-about team in the film industry.