Please! My relationship with the girl group leader is purely platonic.

Chapter 69 New Movie Preparation

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jessica Jung and Yoona were already quietly discussing the details of the movie. Before they came, they had read articles published by foreign film critics, most of which were praising the film, though there were some criticisms, but very few.

However, both the media and film critics gave a tacit response.

You might not understand some details the first time you watch it, but the second time you watch it, you'll be amazed.

Because of this sentence, several of them decided to memorize every detail mentioned in it.

"Pani, did you remember anything?"

"No, I only know that Mads Wu and Liam are both very handsome."

"..."

The answer was as expected.

The movie is over ninety minutes long. Because it's suitable for watching at night, and Koreans are night owls, it was shown several times that night. When they finished watching and left the cinema, there were still many people queuing outside waiting to go in.

Given Kang Woo-jin's activities in China, coupled with the Hollywood hype, those cinemas would love to enlarge and bold the name "Kang Woo-jin" and hang it on their doors.

In other countries, it's labeled "Andy Chiang," but in China, it's his real name. So these theater representatives wear their pride on their sleeves all day long, as if they were the ones who made this great film.

On the first day of the film's release, Jiang Jingshu gave her company employees a day off and invited them to the cinema. Secretary Lin stayed by her side the whole time, constantly thinking about the matter.

Next month, Jiang Jingshu's new movie, which she co-wrote, will be released. He'll have to see if Jiang Jingshu is as enthusiastic about it then.

The domestic cinema market responded very well. After returning, Jiang Jingshu kept an eye on the box office and attendance data, and also took some time to have a video call with Jiang Youzhen.

She suggested that Kang Woo-jin register a film company in New York, as companies pay less tax than individuals. Moreover, she strongly supported Kang Woo-jin's independent development, so he wouldn't need to rely on those big film companies in the future.

He can't just release one or two works, nor can he work for a film company forever.

A shell company can help him avoid a lot of tax troubles, but of course, paying taxes is still unavoidable.

After staying in the apartment for more than half a month, Jiang Youzhen finally decided to go out. He took the newly printed script and met Tony at a restaurant in Manhattan, partly to fill his stomach and partly to discuss the new script.

This time, Kang Woo-jin again recommended looking for new actors, and for important roles, actors who are both good-looking and talented. Melissa George, whom he had worked with before, is a very good actress, but unfortunately, she is not suitable for the role of a female reporter in her twenties in the script.

Actresses in their early twenties, radiating youthful energy and possessing fair skin and beautiful features, are a dime a dozen in Hollywood.

For low-budget productions, it's not feasible to spend so much money to invite established actors; the best option is to choose new actors.

"The casting process might take a while. Perhaps we could consider selecting from universities, which would fit your description of...youth?"

Tony looked at the character background in the script, glanced at the camera Kang Woo-jin had brought, and said, "Finding someone at school is definitely an option. By the way, have you discussed this with the film company?"

Tony asked this question because he wanted the film company to handle the casting issue. After all, they are in a cooperative relationship, and it's best to leave this time-consuming and expensive task to the film company.

"Not yet, I came to find you as soon as I left the house." Kang Woo-jin was busy cooking rice at the moment. Rather than casting, he was still thinking about the shooting time and props.

Most of the background shooting in the script is indoors, so we can choose the same set as last time. There are very few outdoor shots, but this time we need to use more actors.

"There's also a stuntman, Tony, a child actor, and a trained pet dog."

"I know I will find it."

All of this was mentioned in the script. Tony was reading the script very carefully, and when he was halfway through, he was a little surprised. "I thought you wouldn't change the subject matter, but this viral infection theme is a bit like Resident Evil."

"In Resident Evil, the entire map is filled with zombies, I can't arrange that many. Physical experiments and viral infections are the most suitable for mockumentary filming."

"I thought you would say something like religious spirits or deities, or something like Lost in the Delta, using ancient Greek mythology."

Jiang Youzhen put down his cutlery, smiled, and shook his head. "That wouldn't be appropriate. I'll leave the filming equipment and props to you, Tony. As for casting, I'll talk to the film company. My intuition tells me they'll give me some great advice."

Also... I think you're right, we could go to universities to select students with outstanding acting skills."

Tony raised an eyebrow; he knew Jiang Youzhen would definitely listen to his advice.

After the meal, Kang Woo-jin drove to the film company, met with the producer he had worked with, and had a detailed discussion about the new movie.

When he left, Jiang Youzhen had two new contracts in his hand, as well as a bank card with one million US dollars deposited into it.

This is the film company's investment, and of course, it also includes some of the start-up capital for the project.

It was the same familiar film set and the same familiar staff. The staff who had worked with us before immediately packed their bags and rushed to the film set after receiving instructions for the new job.

With new job offers and wages in hand, and thanks to the excellent treatment they received from Jiang Youzhen, with whom they had previously collaborated, the crew even gave them bonuses when they disbanded. It's rare for a new director to go to such lengths, so of course they were willing to work together a few more times.

With the help of the film company, Kang Woo-jin quickly decided on the actress for the role of the female reporter: Jennifer Carpenter, who had experience in horror films. The other actor to play the firefighter was his uncle, Mikal Oh, whom he had previously considered working with.

After contacting him and confirming that Mikael Oh was not currently filming, Kang Woo-jin extended an invitation, and he flew to New York the next day.

Mikal Wu has a resolute and handsome face, a strong physique with well-defined muscles, and a light stubble. He immediately attracted the attention of all the female members of the crew upon his appearance.

Kang Woo-jin distributed the script to the actors and let them familiarize themselves with it, while he went to discuss the filming arrangements with Tony.

The two talked in hushed tones for a while. Tony, who was holding a large list of extras, noticed that Kang Woo-jin's phone was making noise in his pocket and quickly reminded him.

"Anders, someone's calling you."

"Huh?" Kang Woo-jin was seriously looking at the props arrangement when he heard the sound and noticed that his phone was ringing. He apologized to Tony and went to a corner to answer it.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

The call was from Jiang Jingshu. Jiang Youzhen calculated the time difference in China and realized it was still morning. Why was she calling him so early in the morning?

Are you busy?

"It's alright, we're just preparing for the filming of a new movie. I called Uncle Mikael."

"Oh... Mikar," Jiang Jingshu knew who Mikar was, of course. She was somewhat surprised, but after realizing what he meant, her tone suddenly became mournful, "Our Youzhen even helps his uncle while filming a movie. Why haven't I seen you come back to China to see your poor old mother?"

.....

Got it, this is to urge them to return to China.

"I have a movie coming out soon, and I'm preparing a new script. Want some advice? Yoo-jin, would you like to learn more about religious culture?"

I get it now, they're here to freeload off labor.