Chapter 48 MV Director

  Thanks for the rewards from Hong Dao Jue, Jian Mie Shen Feng and Bei Feng Qian Qi three classmates!

  It's a bit busy today and I still have overtime later, there is only this chapter, sorry!

  ==============

  "You... are really bold, if this MV is released, aren't you afraid that some conservative scholars will scold you to your face?"

  A quiet photography studio office, with closed windows that completely isolate the outside noise. Sitting on the sofa, Xu Xiansheng looked at a few pages of simple shot descriptions in his hand, then shook his head and smiled bitterly at Ahn Jun-hee across from him.

  An Junhe shrugged, "Ah, it's just that I think this way of shooting really has a good feel to it. Compared to the love between men and women, this kind of emotion is purer and won't have any consequences, which can better render a sorrowful atmosphere."

  "Hmm..." Xú Xiánshèng scratched his scalp, looking at the few rough cartoon-style storyboards. He could tell at a glance that this was ān Jùnhè's handwriting. Previously, in order to persuade him to accept his own ideas, ān Jùnhè had laboriously drawn several storyboards for him to see, and he was already familiar with them.

  On a small piece of paper, the bright colors of crayons drew out a winding little road, with houses overlapping each other on both sides. Two girls with pigtails held hands and walked towards the end of the road, where the sunset fell.

  The sky was uniquely gray-blue, and on the ground were their long shadows. The stretched-out silhouettes of their hands faded away, with one shadow to the left and one to the right, separated by the fork in the road behind them.

  Although the painting skills are indeed poor, they have a strong sense of melancholy atmosphere.

  He likes and is good at this melancholic style, so he took on the MV shooting work of Ahn Jun-ho's "1 Minute 1 Second" back then. That's why when Ahn Jun-ho saw the script, he looked for him first. The filming of "1 Minute 1 Second" can be completed today, and what's left is editing. With over 4 minutes of footage, not much time will be wasted, and he has enough free time to take on this job - if it weren't for the theme expressed in the script being too heretical, Xu Xiansheng wouldn't have hesitated for so long.

  In Ahn Jun-hee's patient wait, Seo Hyeon-seung thought for a long time and still shook his head: "No way, I really like this subject matter, but...I'm also afraid of being scolded, sorry Jun-hee!"

  An Junhe was slightly disappointed after waiting for half a day and getting this result.

  Seeing Xuhui Sheng's apologetic look, he took a deep breath and smiled: "It's okay, I'll find it again..."

  "Junhe, don't bother looking, no one will be willing to." Xuhuansheng said bitterly, waving his hand. "Do you know Director Li Junyi? He directed 'The Battle of Huangshan'... never mind, that's not the point. Last year, he intended to film a historical drama about homosexuality, do you know what happened to him? Countless seniors in the industry scolded and ostracized him. The movie was approved last November, and it's said to start filming this June, but he still can't get any investment until now, I'm afraid it will be aborted. With such an obvious example, who would dare?"

  The most persuasive, truly heartfelt words, over this period of time, An Junhe's humility and courtesy made Xu Xiansheng feel very comfortable, and naturally didn't want this young man with a good personality to look for trouble. But after hearing his words, An Junhe seemed to be thinking deeply, and suddenly said: "He dares!"

  "What?"

  "That Director Lee Jun-ik... others don't dare, but he dares!" Ahn Joon-hee burst out laughing and asked Xue Xiansheng with a bewildered expression: "Director Xue, do you know how to get in touch with him?"

  Xu Xiansheng was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood. He still didn't give up and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh repeatedly.

  "You..."

  ……

  Failed again!

  Looking back at the office building I just walked out of, the luxurious and majestic architecture, imposingly piercing the sky, under the faint mist and hazy sun above, countless window mirrors form a dazzling golden splendor.

  Unfortunately, there is no place here that belongs to him. He's just another unlucky guy who has been rejected and driven out once again!

  He can't remember how many times, or tens of times, it's happened in this relatively conservative country, where sometimes insisting on one's ideals and ambitions is really a difficult thing. Ever since he announced that he would be directing a same-sex historical drama, those so-called seniors in the industry who didn't know him, hadn't contacted him, and had nothing to do with him all came out of the woodwork. They ridiculed his identity as a comedy director, sarcastically saying he was overreaching himself. Some self-proclaimed guardians of public morals even directly insulted his choice of subject matter.

  The biggest consequence of this is that he can no longer attract investment, repeatedly finding production companies and being rejected every time. Even casual investors have lost confidence in him, and for several months now, he has barely been able to maintain his daily life.

  "Son of a turtle!"

  Sitting in his own car with a broken exhaust pipe that he couldn't afford to repair, Li Junyi gave the middle finger to the building behind him through the rearview mirror as he started the engine.

  Then the phone rang.

  "Hello? Ah, Mr. Xu Xiansheng... " As soon as he heard the name from the phone, Li Junyi scratched his head and only then remembered that he was an MV director, whom he had met at an event organized by the Artists' Association and exchanged contact information with. However, it was just a courtesy, and they had never thought of contacting each other again, after all, although both were directors, but the industries involved were different.

  Could it be that you're here to ask me to shoot an MV?

  As he recalled the other party's information, Li Junyi couldn't help but think it was a bit funny. The broken exhaust pipe at the back of the car made a loud rattling noise, which entered his ears and made him lose his smile, letting out a helpless sigh.

  If it's really like that, then just shoot and make some money for a living!

  His attitude was a bit careless, but the next moment, the words from that side made his eyebrows furrowed: "What did you say? Same-sex theme? You..."

  In an instant, a huge anger suddenly surged up from the bottom of his heart. The moment he heard the other's request, he subconsciously felt that this was another son of a bitch who came to mock him, just like those guys in the past few months who would occasionally meet and make sarcastic remarks!

  “……Yes, the same-sex theme. I know you haven't shot an MV before, but currently in this director's circle, only you dare to take on this subject matter.” Xu Xiansheng explained at the right time through the microphone, allowing Li Junyi to barely control his annoyance. He paused for a moment before asking: “Director Xu, can you tell me about the specific situation?”

  "This... it's not convenient to say over the phone, so come to Xiaolong Pavilion this way. Do you know S·M company? I'll be waiting there and introduce you to him."

  ……

  Driving, Li Junyi didn't know what kind of mood he was in when he arrived at Jiangnan District. He thought that the other party might be intentionally teasing him, but after careful consideration, it seemed unlikely. He and Xu Xiansheng had no grudges or conflicts of interest in their respective industries, so there was no need for the other party to offend him.

  It's possible that there really is a same-sex themed MV that needs him to shoot, but he isn't sure what's next.

  This subject matter, the plot effect is either very beautiful or makes people vomit, walking on two extremes, with no third option. Unlike other theme MVs, even if it's shot poorly, at most it would be described as mediocre. But if this one is shot poorly, it would immediately lead to a torrent of scolding.

  Before long, I arrived at the Xieyouting Pavilion and could see from a distance that S·M's four-story building was somewhat shabby compared to the surrounding buildings.

  Outside the gate, Xue Xiansheng, who had met once before, and a young man wearing horn-rimmed glasses, were standing in front of a business car, looking around.

  "It seems I wasn't being fooled!" Li Junyi let out a sigh of relief in his heart, and then looked at the young man standing next to Xu Xiansheng again. Although he was wearing sunglasses, he still felt like he had seen him somewhere before. It wasn't until he parked his car in the parking space behind the business car and got out to greet the two that the giant billboard hanging outside the S·M company building, flapping in the wind, suddenly made him remember. He stared at the young man standing in front of him, smiling and extending his hand: "You... you're Ahn Jun-hee?"

  An Junhe took off his glasses, "Yes, Director Li, it's an honor to meet you!"

  Staring at his smiling face and the faintly proud demeanor, Li Junyi only felt that his head was spinning for a moment, and it wasn't until later that he reacted, exclaiming in surprise: "You're the one who's going to film the MV?"

  This is big news, as a mature male image debut new generation idol, the first album's MV actually involves same-sex themes, isn't he afraid that fans can't accept it and turn against him?

  It seems that he sensed his thoughts, An Junhe waved his hand: "Heh, it's not me... The wind is strong outside, Director Li asked you to follow me into the company to discuss, I'll explain the specific situation to you later!"

  Having said that, he made a polite gesture with his hands and led the way first.

  Li Junyi hesitated for a moment before catching up with him in his enthusiastic smile.

  Half an hour later, Ahn Jun-hee's studio on the fourth floor still had to edit Xu Xian-sheng. After welcoming Li Jun-yi with Ahn Jun-hee, he went to work on his own project. The spacious room was left with only two people sitting across from each other at their desks, illuminated by the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Li Jun-yi quietly flipped through the simple script and storyboards in his hands, without saying a word except for the initial pleasantries.

  An Junhe also quietly waited.

  Time flew by quickly, and it wasn't until much later that Li Junyi finally closed the script, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyebrows.

  Seeing him finally finish reading, An Junhe smiled and said: "Is Director Li willing to take on this job?"

  Li Junyi furrowed his brow and remained silent, only looking at the script and storyboard. The plot was indeed good, simple yet profound. If there was a good screenwriter to deepen it, it could even be made into a short film. Even if it was just shot in an MV style, he was confident that he could make it touching and memorable.

  But the problem is, the person using this MV...

  Baek Ji-young... He remembered the singer who was extremely popular a few years ago, but unfortunately got involved in a video tape scandal and her whole career was ruined. Now her reputation is so bad that anyone associated with her will be unlucky...

  He's had enough bad luck recently and really doesn't want any more trouble.

  Looking at his hesitant expression, Ahn Jun-hee's smile slowly faded away, and after a brief moment of indifference, he spoke up: "Are you considering Baek Ji-young sunbaenim?"

  "Uh..." Li Junyi was a little embarrassed and speechless.

  Regarding this answer, An Junhe didn't take offense and calmly nodded: "Please allow me to say something that might be considered rude. How is your current situation any better than Bai Zhiying's? You are both shunned and slandered by everyone, you both want to create works to prove yourselves to those people. Why can't you empathize with each other and support each other? Of course, these empty words don't have much meaning, but I think you could consider this: take this MV as a trial work, show it to the world, and demonstrate that same-sex themes are not dirty or shameful. In your hands, it can move countless people. At that time, won't the obstacles for the drama you want to film become smaller?"

  Li Junyi was stunned, and indeed he had not thought of this aspect before. If viewed from this angle, it seemed to be feasible.

  Those who oppose him, aren't they just grasping at his identity as a comedy director, thinking he doesn't have enough power to control that subject matter? Under this premise, if he can make this MV well and achieve results, although it won't prove anything, it will also shut up some people.

  Thinking so, his hesitant expression relaxed a bit.

  An Junhe took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, pulled out a checkbook, scribbled down a string of numbers, signed his name, tore it off and gently pushed it in front of him. "In addition to achieving common goals, remuneration is also a recognition of capable people. I can promise on behalf of Bai Zhiying that we will pay three times the salary... We are very sincere!"

  Looking at the numbers on the small piece of paper, Li Junyi was silent for a moment, and finally his heart moved, nodding slowly.

  Seeing this, An Junhe's smile on his face became brilliant, and he stood up to extend his hand: "Cheers to our pleasant cooperation!"

  Later, when Li Junyi shook hands with him again, he seemed to ask casually: "There's something I'd like to ask, can you tell me what name you plan to give to the movie you're going to shoot?"

  "Huh?" Li Junyi looked at him with a puzzled expression, not understanding why he was asking this, but it wasn't like there was anything that couldn't be said about it. "It hasn't been decided yet, but I intend to make it... 'The King's Man'."

  "Ah, what a great name!" An Junhe chuckled.