novellhall Chapter 41 The Deep-Seated Feud with Kim Tae-hee
Chapter 41 The Deep-Seated Feud with Kim Tae-hee
After surpassing the 10 million mark, the box office growth of "Haeundae" has slowed down, but it is still steadily climbing. The next goal is to break the box office record.
With the film grossing over 10 million, the main creators no longer need to do much promotion, but frequent dinners and celebrations are still essential.
After a brief period of celebration, the cast and crew went on to their respective new journeys.
The entire Chungmuro region was amazed by the incredible star-making power of "Haeundae," with almost the entire cast and crew experiencing a career boom.
Yoon Je-kyun, who has been promoted to "ten-million-view director", not only frequently attends various film lectures and exchange activities, but also begins to fully promote the production of new films such as "Secret" and "Harmony" under JK Film as a producer.
With the halo of being the "first male lead to have two 10 million views," Sol Kyung-gu can finally devote all his energy to the final filming of "Unforgiven."
After finishing her work on "Haeundae", Ha Ji-won will immediately begin promoting her new film "My Love Is By My Side" for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Park Joong-hoon took on the lead role in the low-budget film "My Rogue Lover," produced by director Yoon Je-kyoon's company.
Riding the wave of its box office success, Kang Ye-won officially signed with Wellmade STARM, the agency that also manages Ha Ji-won, and then joined the cast of the movie "Harmony," which is scheduled to be released next year.
Kim In-kwon, who has just been promoted to the male lead of a movie, took advantage of the break to play the role of the female lead's manager in "You're Beautiful". His role is small but outstanding.
As for Li Zhixing, who reaped the biggest benefits from the movie, his brief period of leisure has come to an end, because his next film is finally being finalized.
......
In the afternoon, Li Zhixing was sitting in the back of a taxi, heading to the filming location of "IRIS" in Songpa District.
Just then, his phone suddenly vibrated.
After the call connected, Song Yoon-ah's slightly annoyed voice came through: "Zhi-xing, you turned down the audition for 'You're Beautiful'?"
Li Zhixing knew that the production team must have leaked the information to her, so she explained with a smile, "Noona, it's not that I've canceled it, I just want to postpone it. Another production has approached me, and I want to go and see what's going on first."
"Another project?" Song Yoon-ah asked, somewhat puzzled. "Is it also a new project that's recently been in preparation?"
"It's a spy drama produced by Taewon Entertainment, 'IRIS'," Li Zhixing replied.
Upon hearing this name, Song Yoon-ah on the other end of the phone was visibly taken aback.
After all, this drama is extremely well-known in the industry.
As South Korea's first spy action drama, Taewon Entertainment has invested a staggering 20 billion won in the production of "IRIS". The production team is currently planning to film on location in multiple countries overseas. They have also invited top actor Lee Byung-hun to return to the television screen after six years, and he will co-star with national goddess Kim Tae-hee as the male and female leads.
Such a grand production has attracted much attention from the entire South Korean film and television industry since its inception.
That's why Song Yoon-ah was even more puzzled: "Didn't the casting for 'IRIS' end at the beginning of the year, and filming already start? Why are they calling you over now? Did someone quit and you have to fill in?"
Looking at the street scenes rushing past the car window, Li Zhixing calmly replied, "Yes, they are indeed replacing a certain actor. I heard that there was some trouble with BIGBANG member Choi Seung-hyun, and they asked me to take over the role of the assassin."
Song Yoon-ah had absolutely no recollection of this "assassin" character.
Her tone became sterner: "I remember Jung Joon-ho and Kim Seung-woo were also in this drama, right? With them around, you're at best the fourth male lead. Even if it's a big production with a budget of 20 billion won, it might not be worth you giving up the Hong sisters' 'You're Beautiful,' right?"
She paused, then earnestly advised, "The Hong sisters have already given me a heads-up, saying that your current image and popularity are very suitable. As long as your singing and instrumental skills meet the requirements, you'll basically be cast. Can't you tell which one to choose between the second and fourth male leads?"
Although Song Yoon-ah's tone was stern, Lee Ji-haeng knew that she was only thinking of him.
So he still smiled and explained, "Noona, I just feel that the role of an assassin might be more suitable for me right now. Besides, this role actually has a lot of screen time. It's a key character who runs through the whole series, and there's a lot of action scenes. I've been a stunt double for so long, and I also want to really show my action scenes on the screen."
Song Yoon-ah snorted coldly and directly exposed him: "You brat, don't think I don't know. You just look down on that idol drama character. You dare to be picky as soon as you debut."
Li Zhixing chuckled and continued, "Noona, I haven't made a final confirmation yet. Something must have happened to IRIS that led them to call me in to fill in. Let me see first. If things don't work out there, I'll have to trouble Noona to contact You're Beautiful for me again."
Song Yoon-ah said irritably, "Don't give me that crap. Do you think everyone revolves around you?"
Despite her scolding, Song Yoon-ah still couldn't help but tell him, "Tell me as soon as you've confirmed things on your end."
"Okay, okay, thank you, Noona."
As the call ended, the taxi stopped in front of the Garden Five building in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu.
After identifying himself to the staff, Li Zhixing was led into the inner area on the tenth floor.
The crew of "IRIS" booked a space of over 400 pyeong (approximately 260 square meters) here. A professional film set design team spent more than three months and 400 million won to build the entire indoor set of the National Security Agency (NSS), including the operations room and intelligence room.
Filming is currently underway on set.
In the NSS office set in the center of the scene, Lee Byung-hun is leaning against the table, while Kim Tae-hee is looking up, reciting her lines about going on vacation to Akita, Japan, with a hint of anticipation in her voice.
Li Zhixing stood quietly on the outside, his gaze fixed on Kim Tae-hee. Watching her signature wide-eyed, slightly parted-lips acting style, he shook his head almost imperceptibly in his heart.
His acting skills are as consistently excellent as ever.
In front of the monitor, director Kim Kyu-tae was staring intently at the screen. His long, disheveled hair and single eyelids, which usually made him look a little dazed, now revealed a director's unique focus.
During a brief pause in the camera movement, Kim Kyu-tae caught a glimpse of Lee Ji-haeng standing on the periphery. He casually waved, signaling Lee Ji-haeng to wait a moment.
In the nearby rest area, Jung Joon-ho, Kim So-yeon, and Kim Seung-woo were waiting.
The director's waving gesture just now made everyone turn their heads to look.
Meeting the gazes of his seniors, Li Zhixing bowed slightly, remaining silent as filming was in progress.
The group initially looked puzzled, but then they suddenly recognized the new face, and Kim Seung-woo returned the smile with a friendly smile.
"Cut, this one's done," Kim Kyu-tae shouted.
Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee walked towards this side, seemingly exchanging ideas along the way. It appeared that Lee Byung-hun was giving acting advice, while Kim Tae-hee kept nodding, looking like she was humbly learning from him.
Without realizing it, Kim Tae-hee looked up and saw Lee Ji-hyung not far away.
She paused slightly in her nodding, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Director Kim Kyu-tae stood up and said impatiently, "You're finally here! Come on, let me take you to see Representative Jung."
Li Zhixing politely greeted the main cast again: "Hello, seniors, I am new actor Li Zhixing."
As their eyes met, he raised an eyebrow slightly at Kim Tae-hee's bewildered expression.
Before the seniors could respond, Lee Ji-haeng was pulled away by Kim Kyu-tae.
Holding his coffee, Jung Joon-ho casually asked, "Is this the actor who replaced Choi Seung-hyun? Isn't he that newcomer who recently became popular because of 'Haeundae'?"
Kim Seung-woo nodded with a smile: "It's him."
Back in the rest area, Lee Byung-hun did not participate in the discussion. He sat down in his own chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Kim So-yeon, sporting a short haircut and exuding a cool and confident aura, turned her gaze away and gently nudged Kim Tae-hee beside her with her elbow: "Hey, Tae-hee, this newcomer is really handsome. He looks even better in person than on the big screen."
Hearing this, Kim Tae-hee snapped out of her daze. She wrinkled her nose and snorted, "I don't know if he's handsome or not, I only know that this guy is really annoying right now."
Kim So-yeon paused, looking at her somewhat bewildered: "What's going on, Tae-hee? Do you have a grudge?"
Kim Tae-hee stared down the corridor where Lee Ji-haeng had disappeared, muttering irritably, "That's a grudge worth a billion!"
......