CH14

To succeed as a variety show producer, you need to know how to jump on trends. 

Making an effort to cast a popular star is basic. 

'To truly succeed, you have to do what others can't, even if it's a risky gamble.' 

The gamble was so big that the variety department head was shocked when he mentioned the plan. 

'Seong-won, have you lost your mind? Why would you choose to film in the US now of all times?! Can't you see the exchange rate?!' 

The dollar exchange rate had soared past 1500 won and was only now showing signs of stabilizing, but it was still unnerving. 

Overseas filming? 

It's not that people didn't want to do it. 

'If we wait for the exchange rate to stabilize, we might miss our chance. And the rate might be lower by the time we shoot.' 

'That could happen, yes. But with the economy in turmoil, imagine the talk if we go abroad to film.' 

'This is precisely the time when we need to boost our pride. It's not for nothing that hot dogs are being promoted as a national pride booster on the internet.' 

'…Even if you can't say it.' 

It was a sentiment not unlike the enthusiasm for Korean Major Leaguers during the IMF crisis. 

The director, with a complicated expression, was pushed by Seong-won. 

'Plus, it's not just about selling hot dogs. There's a story. A story.' 

The story of an adopted child abroad who succeeds by selling their homeland's food, with Ben Roberts playing a significant role, was a great point. 

Drama in its own right. 

Seong-won confidently presented a photo of Ben Roberts and Ian Price. 

'If we can cast this kid, it's guaranteed success.' 

Eventually, they flew to LA with a mix of threats and confidence. 

They thought, how hard could it be to cast a primary school student… 

'An actor?!' 

This was unexpected. 

It was easy to meet since they were from a Korean broadcasting company, but hopes were dashed after asking about their recent activities. 

Dylan, unaware of the darkened faces of the Korean production team, burst into laughter. 

"He went to audition and landed the role! He went for poster shooting and script reading today."

"…I see."

Surprised, but not ready to give up. 

Timing could be adjusted. 

The priority was to secure the casting. 

'If I return empty-handed, the director might kill me.' 

The trip cost could end up as hospital bills. 

Seong-won, steadying his heart again, saw a child and grandmother enter. 

"Oh, son! Did you do well?" 

"Whose son wouldn't? Right?"

"Yes, he did so well. Everyone was surprised."

Sophia smiled proudly, almost regretting she had seen it alone. 

After a warm conversation with the family, Ian, who had been sitting in a corner of the shop, noticed the group of Asians. 

Since he had been informed before their arrival, there was no need to ask why they were there. 

"You came from Korea, right? I'm Ian Pryce. Just call me Ian."

"Oh? I'm the producer, Lee Seong-won. You speak Korean very well."

"My parents made sure I was well-educated." 

Seong-won internally cheered at the fluent Korean. 

It felt like winning the lottery without even buying a ticket. 

"You came to invite me to your show, right? Is it like a talk show?"

"Hot dogs. No, corn dogs. We're planning a program about selling them at a street stall. We came to ask if you could join."

"Um, you do know it's illegal to have a street stall in LA, right?" 

It would become legal later, but at least for now, it was illegal. 

Seong-won, not expecting the child to point this out, was slightly surprised and answered, "I'm aware. That's why we're thinking of doing it in New York." 

"New York, huh? That sounds interesting." 

He had thought the child might refuse because it's almost 12 hours by plane from LA, but the response was more positive than expected. 

Seong-won, gauging the situation, cautiously asked, "I heard you're acting as a child actor? We're not familiar with this area, but could you tell us how much child actors usually get paid in the US?" 

It was clear he wanted to know about his own appearance fee, but Ian pretended not to catch on and innocently tilted his head. 

"I'm not sure about other kids. I've only heard that it varies. Do you want me to tell you about mine?" 

"That would be great." 

Seong-won eagerly responded, and Ian gave him the answer. 

"I agreed to get paid $30,000 per episode. Ah, should I not be talking about this elsewhere?" 

"Thirty thousand dollars per episode." 

With the current exchange rate, which amounted to about 40 million won, Seong-won was dizzy. 

A rookie child actor was earning what well-known adult actors in Korea did. 

'Is this Hollywood?' 

He wished he hadn't learned this truth. 

The main writer whispered to Seong-won, "Can we really afford this, PD? We can't just lump it in with the cost for ordinary people." 

"…No, let's think positively. An upcoming child actor in a drama series is much better than an ordinary person, right? Especially since the import of American TV series has increased significantly." 

If the drama series Ian was in became a hit, it would definitely be beneficial. 

"When does the series premiere?" 

"Usually in September? Sometimes it starts in October." 

"We're planning to use it for the Chuseok special. The timing roughly matches up." 

The writer felt a strong sense of self-justification but was convinced nonetheless. 

After all, not just anyone could secure a budget as a PD. 

Seong-won, reaffirming his resolve, smiled and asked, "This has been very helpful. Is there anything else we should know?" 

"Filming can't exceed 5 hours, and a guardian and a labor inspector must accompany me. Oh, and if it's during the school term, we need to hire a Studio teacher to ensure I receive 3 hours of schooling each day." 

"Oh, I see." 

Realizing the complexity of the task, the writer's expression darkened, but Seong-won smiled brightly. 

"Actually, this is good. We can showcase the differences with Korean child actors on the broadcast." 

"Are you planning to wrestle with the drama department? Have you lost your mind?" 

"Hahaha, I rather like it." 

It's hopeless. 

The PD has gone off the deep end.

*** 

After much turmoil, the Korean production team left with a positive response. 

Of course, the first to grant permission had to be the showrunner. 

-A broadcasting company from Korea? Since we need to sell the rights, of course, we'll grant permission. 

In the US drama industry, broadcasters only hold exclusive broadcasting rights, while the production company owns the distribution rights. If it helps with secondary rights revenue, such as DVD sales and exports, the showrunner would welcome it. 

-We can schedule it during the episodes you're not in. We'll coordinate with them on our end. 

Usually, filming an episode takes about 10 days, so there was enough time. 

'This is a good opportunity in many ways.' 

It was uncertain how well it would turn out, but considering the importance of Korea in the film industry, getting known through this opportunity was definitely advantageous.

Ian was pleased that the filming location was New York. 

He began calculating his accumulating fees. In the U.S., there's the Coogan Law to protect a portion of child actors' earnings from their parents by setting aside 15% in a trust. 

Even after setting aside this 15%, the incoming fees were substantial, and he had intended to entrust them to his parents. 

"It's your money, you should use it." 

"Yes, we believe you will spend it wisely." 

His parents trusted him, so he could spend his earnings as he pleased. 

"Investing in stocks could be good, or opening a branch in New York." 

No matter how successful he became as an actor, it seemed his parents wouldn't stop working at their store, so opening a branch was the only way he could think of to repay them. 

It was a future concern, but it was best to start preparing slowly from now. 

As he planned and uploaded videos on YouTube, time flew by, and soon it was the hot July. 

Driving, Sophia said, "We're almost there." 

After the security checked their IDs, the gate to the set opened. 

Beyond the landscape filled with cars occupying the parking lot and containers used as actors' dressing rooms, a desolate city that looked eerily abandoned was visible. 

'Good.' 

Honestly, compared to future film sets, it was lacking. 

Neither the technology nor the capital was comparable. 

However, thinking of it as his first acting set made him overlook its shortcomings. 

The camera and staff were already busy with the ongoing shooting. 

"Nice! Since the location is an underground tunnel, just be careful to keep your voice down a bit, as if you're worried zombies might find you." 

With the director's gentle direction, actors in the set designed like an underground tunnel began their performance. 

"Benjamin, remember what mom said. You must endure, even when it's hard. You'll become an adult someday, right? You have to endure now for that time." 

"…Until these bloodsuckers can take my place? We can't live like this forever. We have to leave this city." 

"How do you plan to leave a city in the middle of the desert? Snap out of it, Benjamin." 

The woman called 'mom' coldly stroked the face of the child named Benjamin with her skinny hand. 

"I don't want to lose our hope, the children, in vain." 

Contrary to her words, the woman's toneless voice made it seem as if she saw the child as a tool. 

The director clapped with a chilling sense of maternal affection. 

"That was very good!" 

The backdrop for 'invisible children' was Las Vegas, and the place where adults lived was actually the storm drains of Las Vegas, where homeless people were said to hide. 

The set's storm drain was made as similar as possible to the real thing, with water splashing on the ground and furniture placed just about 10 cm off the floor. 

As Ian observed the shooting, a second assistant director approached him. 

"You're not late. Follow that staff member to the makeup room and get ready, would you?" 

Following the assistant director's guidance, Ian finished his makeup and, dressed in scruffy clothes, observed the filming. 

The surface of Las Vegas was already overrun by zombies, and only children, who attracted less attention from zombies, could move upwards. 

But that didn't mean underground was safe. 

The 965 km of tunnels were tangled with groups of survivors and areas overrun by zombies. 

-Kyaaaak 

The chilling screams echoing through the tunnels and the sound of splashing water adequately drew out the horror of the zombie genre. 

"We'll shoot the surface scene next." 

Following the assistant director's guidance, extras dressed as zombies moved into position. 

Buildings with dangling broken neon signs and streets littered with wrecked cars. 

In a place where grotesquely twisted zombies lurked, a manhole cover stirred.

Swoosh! 

The children, sneaking out of the sewer to find food, silently communicated with hand signals. 

While it meant that the zombies were less aggressive, it didn't mean they wouldn't attack at all, so the children moved carefully. 

While Ian was observing the various shots being taken, the second assistant director called him. 

"It's almost your turn. The scene is about a child who gets separated from the group and attracts the attention of zombies, and it's your turn to save him. This is your first shoot, right?" 

"Yes." 

"You might be nervous, but that's okay. Everyone feels that way at first. Let's just try to shoot it comfortably, alright?" 

His heart was pounding, but not from nervousness. 

It was as if his heart was telling him he had finally returned to where he belonged. 

"Please take care of me." 

"Yeah! Let's do well!" 

After greeting the child actor playing Benjamin and syncing their breath, Ian focused as the slate was clapped. 

He saw his friends stomping their feet beyond a road blocked by a slowly wandering group of zombies. 

Benjamin, who had tried to reunite with a friend by opening a building door, came face to face with a zombie standing right in front of him. 

"Ah?!" 

Startled, he slammed the door shut, causing the zombies' heads to turn simultaneously. 

"Aaaaah! Save me, please!" 

-Kyaaaaaah! 

Abandoned. 

Despite seeing their friend being chased by zombies, the others tightly shut their eyes. 

'I'm going to be caught.' 

The sound of flailing arms came from right behind him. 

Sensing his imminent death, Benjamin let tears stream down his face. 

In a moment that seemed utterly hopeless to anyone watching, a small hand shot out from a narrow gap. 

"Over here!" 

Dark hair on yellow skin. 

The boy who appeared from the tight gap quickly pulled Benjamin in. 

-Kyaaak?! 

The gap was just big enough for a child. 

The zombie, thrusting its head in, growled threateningly, and Benjamin shrank back in fear. 

"There's nothing to be scared of. It's nothing. Look, look." 

The boy playfully tapped the zombie's head with a stick, causing it to wobble comically. 

The boy laughed and asked, "What's your name?" 

"Be, Benjamin." 

"I'm Noah. Nice to meet you." 

As they shook hands with bright smiles, the director clapped loudly. 

"Perfect! Keep it up just like this for more takes!" 

As Ian moved to follow the directions for more takes, he stopped. 

"…Why is that person here?" 

Among those dressed as zombies, he spotted someone who shouldn't be there. 

A man from a memory that suddenly resurfaced after an audition. 

-Learning parkour really comes in handy, doesn't it? You ran away well. 

The homeless man who had praised him for managing to escape. 

The same man, who had sent him a look mixed with joy and an inexplicable sense of guilt, was now in front of him. 

And on perfectly fine legs.

TL/n - 

The Coogan Law, also known as the California Child Actor's Bill, is a law designed to protect child performers' earnings and rights. It was enacted in 1939 after the case of Jackie Coogan, a famous child actor who discovered that his mother and stepfather had spent almost all of his earnings.

Here are some key points about the Coogan Law:

15% of Earnings: The law requires that 15% of a child actor's earnings be set aside in a trust account, known as a Coogan Account.

Protection from Exploitation: It ensures that the money earned by child performers is protected and remains their legal property.

Work Conditions: The law also addresses issues such as schooling, work hours, and time off for child actors.

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You can read 

Chaebol (up to Chapter 45+)

I'm an Actor (up to Chapter 40+)

Perfect Hero (up to Chapter 35)

I was hoping you could support me on my Patreon at p@treon.com/inkbound 

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You can read the Perfect Hero manhwa on Mangadex by the name "A Hero Who Does Everything Perfectly"