“Chairman Baek,” Daeshim PD exclaimed, running up to the more experienced director.
The chairman stopped and turned around, meeting Daeshim’s gaze, which still appeared relieved.
A small smirk appeared on the chairman’s face. “I told you not to address me by that name,” he said. “Bacon PD is enough.”
Daeshim scratched the back of his neck. He still found it quite strange to be addressing a respected senior as such. However, he nodded.
“I was wondering…,” Daeshim started off.
“Yes,” Oska Baek Sr., aka Bacon PD, answered without any hesitation, not even letting Daeshim finish his question. “I don’t go back on my word. You already know that.”
Daeshim pursed his lips. “May I know the reason why?” he asked. “You were against it at first. Why did you suddenly change your mind?”
Bacon PD was silent for a few moments before he finally answered. “I have the same reason as you do.”
Daeshim’s face brightened, and he found himself smiling. However, there was still some uncertainty in his mind. “But wouldn’t this be bad for your… son?”
The amusement on Bacon PD’s face left for a moment, but then it came right back. “Leave it be,” he said. “Our relationship is already strained.”
Daeshim couldn’t take his curiosity. “But it wasn’t always like this, right?”
A reminiscing look replaced Bacon PD’s amused expression. “Well, I guess I have some fault in this,” he muttered. “My son… he’s not used to hardships. Not at all.”
“Wouldn’t he retaliate against this?” Daeshim asked.
“He won’t,” Bacon PD answered, looking sincere. “As much as my son is a bastard, he has never gone against me. Well, it’s because he knows he will never win.”
“If he had done a good job with the scene, then I would have chosen him without a doubt,” he continued. “However, the modern Hajin is an ordinary man stuck in the mundaneness of his life. My son would never be able to understand that feeling at all.”
“As the chairman of this company, I was inclined to choose him because I knew it would bring the drama more attention. However, as a director, I understand where you are coming from. Zeno Han is going to be the heart of the drama, and I am going based on this instinct.”
Daeshim couldn’t be happier at that moment. His dream cast was coming true. He felt that if Oska was given the role—no matter how good the result was—he could never be truly satisfied.
“I know you’re under a lot of pressure,” Bacon PD continued. “Do not worry about the sponsorships and production cost.”
Daeshim’s eyebrow raised.
“My nephew must have talked you out of your original decision, huh?”
Daeshim froze, causing Bacon PD to smirk.
“I’ll take care of that aspect. You don’t need help from Daebak Entertainment. The SK Channel is willing to shoulder all of the costs. Just do your part well.”
Daeshim nodded enthusiastically. “We will not let you down, chairman.”
Bacon PD smiled, and he patted Daeshim’s shoulder. “Well, get going. I’m already late.”
Daeshim bowed. “Thank you, sir,” he said as the other director made his way into the elevator.
Daeshim watched the doors close, feeling a newfound determination in his heart.
Meanwhile, as Bacon PD descended from the elevator, he brought out his phone to text someone. He received a reply right away, making him nod before placing his phone back into his pocket.
As the elevator doors opened, however, he found his son waiting for him, appearing with red eyes.
“Do you hate me this much?” he exclaimed in such a loud voice that some of the employees turned to them with wide eyes, beginning to whisper among themselves.
“Uh-oh, did you hear about what happened?”
“Apparently, Oska Baek Jr. was brushed aside by his father.”
“I was at the table reading. Zeno did a much better job.”
“Did he, really? Or does Oska Sr. just hate his son?”
Bacon PD sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. “Move,” he merely said.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Oska whined. “I already had the role! You just took it away from me.”
“That’s not the truth, son,” Bacon PD answered. “The role was originally Zeno Han’s. You’re the one who took it away from him with the help of your cousin.”
Oska froze, but he quickly composed himself, not wanting to give anything away.
“Daeshim PD said so himself that I am Prince Hajin!”
“Daeshim has no problem switching the roles,” Bacon PD retorted. “Accept it as it is, or drop the drama if you don’t like it. It’s as simple as that. Spare them the damage and drama by dropping out now, though. The production is going to start very soon.”
Oska pursed his lips, feeling himself grow hot from frustration. Of course, he wanted to drop the drama if he wasn’t the main character. However, as an A-list actor, there weren’t any other works that interested him.
In a span of a year, only a few dramas and movies were acclaimed. If he wanted to advance into the Imperial Class, then he needed an iconic drama, one that would be critically acclaimed and popular, under his belt.
“Do you have anything more to say?” Bacon PD asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. “I’m busy.”
Oska’s pupils shook. “I guess that’s all I am to you, huh? You truly hate me so much. You don’t even have to say it out loud for me to know it.”
Amusement spread across Bacon PD’s face, then he shook his head. “I don’t hate you, son.”
Oska’s breath hitched, but he still didn’t believe his father.
“I hate myself,” Bacon PD continued, “for allowing you to become the man that you are.”
Oska froze, and with that, his father walked away, leaving him with a thousand questions in his mind. What did he mean by that?
However, he didn’t want to dwell on it. The production still hasn’t started. He could still be Prince Hajin. With that, he contacted his cousin, and fortunately, he answered right away.
“My beloved cousin, what brings you to call me today? You’re lucky I don’t have any important meetings, otherwise—”
“Help me,” Oska said, cutting him off. “DaeSHIT wants to change the casting once more. I’m back to the supporting character.”
Mr. Kim didn’t answer for a while. “Do you know what I hate the most?” he asked.
Oska clicked his tongue. “Why the fuck does that matter? Did you hear what I said? I already did what you had told me, so help me on this one.”
Again, there was a moment of silence before his cousin spoke once again, not answering his question. “I hate when I get cut off, and I hate being demanded to do something.”
Oska frowned.
“You just violated those two,” he calmly continued. Yet somehow, it sounded even scarier, causing a shiver to run down Oska’s spine.
“I’m sorry, cousin. I can’t help you on this one.”
“WHAT?!” Oska exclaimed, once again capturing some employees’ attention.
“I also hate being shouted at,” Mr. Kim added. “Strike three.”
“Anyway, you heard what I said, I can’t help you. Just accept the casting.”
Oska couldn’t believe it. He was about to argue once more, but Mr. Kim cut him off.
“Unless you can become more powerful than your father, then you’re on your own.”