After some pleasantries, Kwon Hyun Hyuk hung up the phone, and Han Hyo-joo sent over the script file.
Kwon Hyun Hyuk opened it with a tap.
The title was…
"innocence"
The script was quite long, but Kwon Hyun Hyuk browsed through it quickly, finishing it in no time.
This was a story adapted from a true event, but the adaptation was so far-fetched that the true event could only be called a gimmick.
The character he was to play was a mentally challenged teenager, a significant supporting role with both screen time and moments to shine, allowing for a good performance.
Similarly, it was quite a test of acting skills, and whether he could set aside his image to play the role was also an important consideration.
Just as Kwon Hyun Hyuk was immersed in thought, his mind jolted, and a piece of information flooded into his brain.
"Due to… postponed release!"
"Strong box office, break-even point of 1.8 million viewers."
"Final box office: 700,000…"
"Due to severe impact, the film industry suffered heavy losses!"
…
Amidst a string of messages, Kwon Hyun Hyuk obtained a lot of information, mostly bad news, with very little good news.
The only good news was that the actor who played the mentally challenged teenager won Best New Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Kwon Hyun Hyuk frowned, pondering the pros and cons, distinctly separate from the bustling, hot filming set nearby.
However, some of the memories he acquired involved the film industry; almost all films released throughout the following year flopped, with very few survivors, and over a hundred films chose to postpone their release, some even dying in the womb, unable to find distributors after completion.
It was a rather tragic scene.
He still had time to consider how to find his best development path amidst the great changes ahead; for now, he should focus on performing well in the drama currently being filmed.
The momentum of Extraordinary You was getting better and better, and he could still reap considerable benefits from it. He could significantly raise his status and greatly increase his popularity with this drama.
The day after signing with BH Company, BH Company released the news to the media.
It was a not-so-small piece of news in the industry, attracting a lot of attention.
Especially for some fans who were slightly more knowledgeable, knowing he had joined BH Company made them ecstatic, leading to a frenzy of celebration online.
Even those who didn't understand BH Company were educated by other fans who had thoroughly researched it, and subsequently joined the cheering ranks.
BH Company is a top-tier company in the industry, and their first signing of Kwon Hyun Hyuk, a new-generation male actor born after 1995, was a very clear signal.
Firstly, Kwon Hyun Hyuk would be a key talent the company would heavily promote, and secondly, BH Company would adjust its actor matrix, adding fresh blood to its roster of artists.
How exciting was this news? In fact, after this news was released, his name truly entered the eyes of some industry insiders, being listed among the potential male actors born after 1995.
Who else was on par with him?
Song Kang and Cha Eun-woo were the two most prominent potential male actors born after 1995 at the moment, and their development in the coming years would be closely watched by the industry.
However, these two years were still the main battleground for male actors born in the 1980s and 1990s; in another two years, things would slowly change, and the focus of attention inside and outside the industry would gradually shift.
Good news came one after another, and Kwon Hyun Hyuk's halo grew brighter, subtly changing his status within the film crew.
For the crew members, the boost from a suddenly popular drama was less secure than signing with a major company; one was temporary, the other long-term.
The co-stars also didn't expect this, largely because Park Jun-jung's operations were quite discreet, and most of the crew didn't know until the signing was announced.
The few who did know didn't actively spread the word.
"Kwon Hyun Hyuk, congratulations!"
Director Kim Sang-seop saw him still observing on set after wrapping up and took the initiative to greet him.
"Not at all, Director, I still need your guidance in acting. This is just the beginning."
Kwon Hyun Hyuk naturally didn't show off, smiling as usual, which pleased Kim Sang-seop greatly.
"How about it? You must be getting a lot of scripts now, right?"
Kim Sang-seop chatted with him as they walked.
"I am, but I'm still thinking. After all, performing well in our current drama is the most important thing right now."
"While that's true, you should plan your future development early."
Kim Sang-seop nodded with satisfaction and lightly patted his shoulder.
"What about you, Director?"
Kwon Hyun Hyuk asked, following up.
"I'm going to take a break for a while and plan my work for next year."
Not only actors sign with companies, but directors and screenwriters also sign with production companies, though with fewer restrictions compared to actors.
"If you need my help with anything then, please don't hesitate to call me."
Kwon Hyun Hyuk offered proactively.
Resources sometimes come from repeat business; if you get familiar with the main creative team behind the scenes and leave a good impression with your performance, they might think of you first for certain resources.
"Aigoo, of course! Kwon Hyun Hyuk is handsome and talented in acting, it's only natural."
Kim Sang-seop smiled and agreed; Kwon Hyun Hyuk had left a very good impression on him.
This concluded for now, and on the other side.
Son Seok-woo gathered the artist planning department for a meeting, currently seated at the head of the table, looking at the key department heads.
"His image and demeanor are excellent, and it's said to be his first acting role, with very good results. However, I still recommend pursuing the korean wave route to maximize profits and achieve the best effect."
One of the speakers said this.
"The company happens to be lacking such a new male actor. He can be paired with the company's female actors to star in melo-dramas, which is convenient for operations."
"The focus is on popularity. As for acting skills, it's fine to gradually transition later. Currently, we can arrange some acting-focused film projects, but the main focus should still be on TV dramas, emphasizing global korean wave popularity."
Young, handsome, and good-looking actors should star in idol dramas to please the audience's eyes. There's nothing wrong with that. You can't pretend to be young when you're almost forty.
The most profitable are popular male actors. BH Company has big stars and supporting actors but has always lacked new-generation popular actors, which is a significant weakness.
The mid-generation has Lee Byung-hun, followed by talented supporting actors like Lee Jin-wook and Park Hae-soo, but they lack new talent to carry the torch.
Son Seok-woo nodded, then brought up another matter.
"Kwon Hyun Hyuk has recently been embroiled in controversy over the manipulation of audition programs. Although he is a victim, he needs to break free from the current situation and shift public perception back to him as an actor."
"The police investigation results will be out soon. At that time, Park Jun-jung will be responsible for liaising with the TV station to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."
This farce's outcome could now be clearly seen; the TV station was bound to take a fall, and Ahn Joon-young would be pushed out as a scapegoat.
They had all been navigating the ups and downs of the industry for many years, witnessing countless major and minor events.
"Additionally, his schedule for next year should be reserved for projects initiated by the company."
After Son Seok-woo finished, he outlined the general direction for Kwon Hyun Hyuk's future development to those present, with Park Jun-jung primarily in charge of the specifics.
The company recently invested in and co-planned two major TV drama projects, expected to begin production next year. One is scheduled to air on JTBC TV in 2021, and the other is a collaboration with an OTT platform.