82. I have no intention of dying

“Remenes. No matter how much I think about it, it’s meaningless to come and have another actor meeting now! Remenes knows that too well.”

Eva, the team leader of Complex’s original content ‘Triumph over’, made a harsh protest to Remenes.

“Know. I know, Eva. so i’m begging you When have I ever asked for something like this? No more, no less, just one meeting. If you don’t like it, you can just ignore it right away. Aren’t you going to listen to that request?”

Eva sighed at Remenes’ words.

“Whoa… So you decided to have a meeting today. I was busy, but I was worried that I would waste my time, so I tried to complain once. You know very well that it’s crazy because it’s production soon.”

“You know. However, since you are a valued guest, please welcome me. Let me ask you a favor.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. Still, guests from far away cannot be treated without sincerity. Don’t you want something from me though? As you well know, I don’t really like sudden changes in plans by my personality.”

Remenes shook his head at Eva’s strictness.

***

Los Gettos, California, USA.

It was also where Complex’s headquarters were located.

After a long, long flight, Kyu-ha and Han Jeong-hee, the team leader, arrived at Complex’s headquarters.

“This is the complex headquarters building. indeed!”

Complex’s head office was a bright yellow building with a unique shape that blended the classic European building style with the modern style in contrast to the surrounding modern buildings. In particular, Complex’s unique logo hanging in a large size at the entrance drew attention.

“Aren’t you nervous, Kyuha? I am shaking and going crazy.”

“Of course I am nervous. My heart is beating even now.”

“It doesn’t look like that at all…? Anyway, even if the results are not good, just having a face-to-face meeting with the people at the head office is a big income, so don’t be too burdened.”

“Yes, I understand, chief. Please go inside.”

The two entered the headquarters after being guided by an employee.

“It is an unusual structure.”

Due to the nature of the complex, meetings with outsiders were frequent, so there were dozens of meeting rooms and art appreciation rooms, and the resting area called Canteen was also impressive. Posters of Complex’s original works and a red capital letter C, symbolizing Complex, stood out on the walls.

As soon as I entered the meeting room, three people with file folders and notebooks entered. One was a Caucasian woman in her 40s, and the other two were Hispanic-looking men in their 30s.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Eva, who is the team leader of the Triumph Over team.”

“Nice to meet you. This is William, the manager.”

“It’s called Cabin.”

Team leader Han Jeong-hee also handed over his business card and said hello.

“hello. My name is Han Jeong-hee, the team leader of Stella Entertainment, the agency of actor Song Kyu-ha.”

“Nice to meet you. This is actor Song Gyu-ha. thank you for the invitation.”

When Gyu-ha greeted them, the three of them looked different.

‘Hoo. Do you have good pronunciation? Are you from a Korean-American?’

Eva, the team leader, admired Kyuha’s English pronunciation. It was because the American pronunciation was perfect enough to be comparable even to a local.

‘On the other hand, the Chinese actor’s pronunciation…’

When Liu, who was ranked first in casting, recalled the English pronunciation of a Chinese actress, Eva almost let out a sigh without realizing it.

‘Still, there are strengths in other areas…’

Eva, lost in thought alone, shook her head.

“ah! sorry. I was surprised that Kyuha’s English pronunciation is quite good.”

“Thank you for the compliment. The team leader also has a very good fashion sense. Isn’t that scarf… a limited edition ‘Photo-Subomie au Curry’ printed with Daniel Diane’s photo?”

Eva’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh! Does anyone recognize this scarf? You have a good eye for fashion.”

The five people gathered in the conference room softened the atmosphere by chatting for about 15 minutes. At the same time, the three people on the Complex side felt something.

‘This person has a strange charm.’

Eva changed the topic as if the atmosphere had matured to some extent.

“ruler! Shall we talk about serious business then?”

As the topic of conversation shifted to business, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly turned heavy.

Eva opened her mouth.

“I will be honest. Our team has all plans for this original content ‘triumph over’. Most of the directors, actors, staff, etc. The thing I’m thinking about until the end is casting an Asian actor, but the most promising candidate is an actor named Liu from China. They say it’s very popular in China. Anyway, there is an interest in the market, and the team judged that actor Liu was the most suitable in various parts, so he is actually the closest to confirming the casting.”

“Hmm…”

Han Jeong-hee spat out a silent voice at the situation where it was progressing more than expected.

“At this point, most of the composition is complete, so why did you give us this opportunity?”

“Our company’s chief content officer strongly recommended Kyu-ha Song. That’s why this place was created. It is very unusual.”

“Why is he…?”

Then, Gyuha, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“Could you explain exactly what kind of work it is and what kind of role it is? I will listen to it and decide if I am suitable or if there is something I can appeal to.”

“Yeah. Let me explain. First of all, season 1 of Triumph Over depicts a fighting competition taking place inside a prison. And the role of Peter we are looking for is the only Asian there. They are subjected to all sorts of ridicule, contempt, and violence. He does everything in his power to survive. Even if his whole body is torn and his flesh burst, he will do anything to survive. He is a character who was an ordinary Asian man and becomes a beast himself after awakening.”

Eva looked at Kyuha with sharp eyes and said.

“Will Song Gyu-ha be able to act like that? It doesn’t seem like such a wild image to me.”

“…….”

Team leader Han Jeong-hee couldn’t easily answer the question. Even if he thought about it, it was because Kyuha’s superficial image was a bit far from that of a beast. Of course, it wasn’t that I didn’t do rough roles in Korea, but this time the role was different from that.

“Then the Chinese actor. Did you say Rio? You mean he fits the image?”

“Our team judgment is yes. The most important factor in this work is the realistic fighting scene. What we want is to find an actor who can shoot fight scenes without a stand-up, and he said that actor Liu has trained in mixed martial arts for about 5 years. I actually watched the video of the match, and it was very good.”

“Then I can show you.”

“Because of casting Liu…yes?”

“I will show you. fighting skills. Do you think that is the most important point?”

Embarrassed, Eva stopped Kyuha.

“Yes, but it is dangerous. I understand being greedy, but this isn’t just about being motivated.”

Han Jeong-hee also helped out from the side.

“Yes, Mr. Kyuha. It’s too dangerous. You’ve never done martial arts before. Just give up on this one. There will be another good opportunity next time.”

“manager. do you believe me Do not worry too much.”

Han Jung-hee’s head cooled at the calm voice of Kyu-ha.

‘If Gyu-ha says that, then there is a corner to believe. Yes, let’s believe it, Han Jeong-hee.’

Han Jeong-hee said to Eva.

“Let’s try a test. If the results fall short of your standards, we will give up cleanly.”

“WHAT!? What’s wrong with you!?”

“It was a decision made after careful consideration. I have myself. Even if I get injured, I will not complain to Complex. If necessary, I will even write a memorandum.”

Eva was taken aback by Han Jeong-hee’s confident words and exchanged glances with the rest of the team.

“Then… could you give me a little more time? I think we need to go out and talk for a while.”

“all right. We will be waiting for you here.”

When Eva, William, and Kevin went outside, Han Jeong-hee asked Kyu-ha.

“Are you really okay? I can’t help but worry about it.”

“Where is the team leader who was full of confidence just now? I am confident enough. I don’t know the team leader, but I usually exercise hard. I am confident that I will do better than that Chinese actor, so please trust me.”

“Don’t believe me. When I worked with Kyuha, where did a situation similar to this happen once or twice?”

Just in time, after the discussion, Eva and the staff came back.

“good. So let’s think of it as an audition and proceed. Are you really okay?”

Kyuha nodded her head calmly.

“Yeah. Fine.”

“like. There is an MMA gym we booked in advance for the shoot. It is also a place where real martial arts fighters train. We’re going to do a test there. The method is simple. A pro-level athlete in that gym will personally test Mr. Song’s skills. Of course, I’ll be wearing all the protective equipment. I will send the address separately to team leader Han Jeong-hee.”

“all right. Then we’ll see you again in two days.”

***

As the most populous state in the United States, California has also produced many legends who have shaped American mixed martial arts, from Chuck Marks, Lito Matiz, Dan Johnson and Michael Moore.

Among the many MMA gyms in California, the LPF gym was rumored to have a lot of up-and-comers.

“Chief Josh. Anyway, this case is a bit awkward, isn’t it? Are you okay?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll do it safely. You know how difficult it is to have a gym these days. If you want to feed the kids at least one meal, you have to make sure to take care of it at a time like this.”

“It is… it is. So, who do you want to upload?”

“Um… I guess Andy would be the best?”

“Hmm… the overall balance is good and the basics are strong, so I think it’s the best.”

While Josh and Ricky were chatting, Kyu-ha, Han Jeong-hee, Eva, William, and Kevin entered the gym.

Josh, the director, greeted them.

“Are you here, chief?”

“How have you been, manager? Thank you for your willingness to do so.”

“What are you doing to that extent? Isn’t Complex and our gym affiliated? ha ha ha.”

Josh, who had just said goodbye to each other, looked at Kyuha and said.

“Is that friend going to spar today? Um… I don’t think I learned martial arts…”

“Yeah. It’s just a light test, so please take good care of it.”

“All right. Shall we proceed now?”

Eva turned her head to Kyuha.

“Go ahead.”

Wearing headgear and shin gaiter in 12 oz gloves, Kyu-ha stood on the ring.

And the opponent, Andy, was warming up with only his leggings on and no headgear.

“Are you ready, Andy?”

“Yes! You can go right up.”

The two faced each other in the ring. Andy smiled and said to Gyuha.

“hey. Are you really okay? I have no intention of killing you.”

There was no response to Andy’s teasing tone.

“Sheesh. It’s no fun. Director, let’s start soon.”

Director Josh also stepped onto the ring as a referee.

“Andy. Never forget that this is sparring. don’t do it too hard You know what I mean?”

“Yes, yes, I understand.”

But Andy never meant to cut corners. Because he was a racist with a hatred for Asians.

“ruler! Let the game begin!”

As the game started, Andy looked at Kyuha while taking the time to lower his guard.

That moment.

shhhhh.

Gyu-ha disappeared from Andy’s sight.

thud.

With the strong impact felt in his jaw, Andy collapsed on the spot as the world turned upside down.

There was only silence in the LPF gym.