Chapter 1295: Countering Moves

The saying 'A gentleman will die for his bosom friend, a woman will make herself beautiful for her lover' is actually quite simple in its reasoning, because living is essentially a process of making choices—constantly choosing and constantly discarding. Sometimes it seems unreasonable, but if you think carefully, you'll find the logic.

Although Zhao Fusheng was meeting Na Hong-jin for the first time, he understood well that this kind of literary youth was actually one of the smartest types, because they knew exactly when to persist and when to give up.

If Na Hong-jin were truly the kind who pursued art single-mindedly, Liang Jingyu wouldn't have been able to recruit him; he would still be sitting on a park bench, clinging to his ideals.

And now, since he had chosen to compromise, this was just the beginning. He would continue to compromise from here on.

Zhao Fusheng was convinced of this.

"Director Na, what do you think about the Yoo Young-chul murder case?" Zhao Fusheng didn't continue asking Na Hong-jin about other things but instead brought up the prototype of the script.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Na Hong-jin's expression changed slightly. He then sighed and rattled off a long string of words with a bitter smile. He spoke very quickly; if Liang Jingyu's Korean weren't quite good and his memory excellent, he might not have been able to remember everything he said.

After a while, Na Hong-jin stopped, looked at Liang Jingyu, then at Zhao Fusheng, clearly waiting for Liang Jingyu to translate for him.

Liang Jingyu smiled wryly and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Director Na says that his original intention in writing this script was to expose what was hidden behind the Yoo Young-chul case. In fact, the most important reason Yoo Young-chul was able to commit so many crimes was the incompetence of our police system..."

Clearly, this guy was also someone with pent-up anger.

Zhao Fusheng had no doubts about this. Korean filmmakers were famously bold; not to mention the police system, they would criticize and satirize any government agency, even the president, without any mercy.

These people seemed to have an innate sense of responsibility.

Even if someone was a gentle and refined youth before entering the industry, once they stepped into the Korean film circle, if they didn't churn out a work satirizing reality, it was as if they weren't a proper Korean filmmaker.

Of course, the Korean filmmakers mentioned here refer to those who truly regard filmmaking as their entire life. Those who shoot films and then TV dramas, solely focused on making money, don't count.

Many people have never understood why Jang Dong-gun and Bae Yong-joon, despite their immense fame in Korea, never became the top figures in the Korean film and television industry.

The reason is simple: they weren't pure enough.

Some people always think others are fools, that only they are smart and know when to advance or retreat. But in fact, those who treat others as fools are themselves the biggest idiots.

"We can invest in this film, but for the actual operation, can Director Na set up the crew yourself?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Na Hong-jin.

This was a crucial question. Although Liang Jingyu had recruited a group of people, they were for managing the company. To make a film, a full crew was still needed. Whether it was cinematography or lighting, every aspect required professional talent.

Many people, perhaps because they've read too many entertainment novels, think that being reborn means they can make films. In fact, that's as absurd as being reborn and writing scripts to sell for some betting agreement.

When he was young, Zhao Fusheng had read a martial arts novel by a Taiwanese author named Li Liang. The protagonist in his book had a saying that best described such people:

A cow is a cow; even if you lead it to the capital, it's still a cow.

Do they really think that living again allows them to punch Ma and kick Wang Sicong?

That would be taking the heroes of the world too lightly.

Every endeavor has its professionalism, whether it's doing business or making films.

For example, in the production of a film, the cinematographer is undoubtedly very important—how to cut each shot, where to place the camera, how to handle the scene, and how to process the shots based on the environment, script, character psychology, and lighting. These are skills that earn a living.

If a cinematographer is so important, other departments are even more so.

Fortunately, with the advancement of technology in later generations, digital shooting replaced film. Otherwise, if it were like the 80s and 90s, relying on film, with someone like Wong Kar-wai taking years to shoot a film and using millions of feet of film, he would have been killed by investors sooner or later.

Na Hong-jin was ultimately different from Wong Kar-wai. Or rather, as a new director who had yet to prove himself and was eager to shoot his first feature film, Na Hong-jin became completely excited after hearing Zhao Fusheng's words.

It couldn't be helped; the bait Zhao Fusheng offered was too hard to resist.

"Chairman, rest assured, I will definitely shoot this film seriously." Na Hong-jin stood up and, regardless of whether Zhao Fusheng could understand him, rattled off a long string of words expressing his determination.

After Liang Jingyu translated, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help but laugh, nodding repeatedly, signaling Liang Jingyu to calm Na Hong-jin down.

After personally seeing Na Hong-jin and Liang Jingyu out the door, Zhao Fusheng then met with Kim Yong-hwa.

The process was similar, except that since Kim Yong-hwa was shooting a comedy, he didn't seem as cynical as Na Hong-jin; he was just eager for an opportunity.

Soon, Future Group officially announced that it would invest in works by two new directors.

As soon as the news broke, the entertainment industry in Seoul was in an uproar.

If the previous announcement from SM Entertainment made people think that this Chinese company might be a reinforcement in SM's internal strife, then this announcement declared to everyone that Future Group was officially entering the Korean entertainment industry.

The wolf is coming!

That was the thought in many people's minds.

...

...

"What's going on? Why are they investing in films?"

In the SM Entertainment office, Lee Soo-man and Kim Young-min sat facing each other. Kim Young-min looked at Lee Soo-man seriously: "Director Lee, this isn't what you told me before."

Kim Young-min was really panicking now. Earlier, Lee Soo-man had told him that if he wanted to know what these Chinese people were planning, he should issue an announcement disclosing Future Group's acquisition of SM Entertainment shares.

After careful consideration, he agreed to the proposal.

Because no matter whether Future Group was Lee Soo-man's hidden hand, once the announcement was made, Future Group would be tied to SM Entertainment. Then, no matter what, he would be in an invincible position.

But things turned out contrary to expectations. After the announcement, Future Group responded quickly. They directly acknowledged the share acquisition and demanded entry into the company's board of directors.

Subsequently, the other party issued another announcement, stating that they would invest in the works of directors Na Hong-jin and Kim Yong-hwa.

In other words, Future Group seemed to be planning to enter the music industry, but instead, they set their sights on Chungmuro.

Now Kim Young-min felt that he had been used as a pawn by the old fox Lee Soo-man.

Lee Soo-man's expression was also interesting. Hearing Kim Young-min's words, he couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Representative Kim, do you think this Future Group could be my people?"

Kim Young-min was silent for a moment, then looked up at Lee Soo-man and shook his head: "Senior, I believe you."

That was his honest opinion.

The funds for acquiring SM Entertainment shares, plus the funds for investing in films, totaled tens of billions of Korean won. Kim Young-min believed that Lee Soo-man couldn't have set up such a big scheme.

If he really had that kind of money, he wouldn't have had to go to the United States back then.

Lee Soo-man nodded. Since Kim Young-min believed him, the conversation could continue. Otherwise, if Kim Young-min didn't trust him, the rest would be troublesome.

"I think maybe Future Group's ultimate goal is to establish a foothold in the Korean entertainment industry."

Lee Soo-man pondered for a long time before saying to Kim Young-min, "If I'm not mistaken, their Chinese boss's ultimate goal is most likely to successfully enter our Korean market."

The Korean market?

Kim Young-min was startled, somewhat surprised, but upon careful thought, Lee Soo-man's words seemed to make some sense.