Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 84: The Wrap-up and Post-Production of "Goblin"

Three weeks after the sword-drawing scene was filmed, "Goblin" filmed its final scene.

This wasn't the climax, it was the epilogue. The goblin disappeared and then returned, and his bride waited for him on the day of the first snow. This scene was filmed in an old house in Bukchon, Seoul.

There was a persimmon tree in the yard. All the leaves had fallen, leaving only bright red persimmons hanging on the branches. Cai Xiubin, wearing a white sweater, stood under the tree, looking up at the sky.

The director said this scene was meant to evoke a feeling of "waiting for a long time, but not knowing how much longer." No dialogue, no facial expressions were needed; just stand there and let the camera slowly zoom in.

Cai Xiubin filmed three takes. The first was too sad, the second too bland, and the third was just right—she looked at the sky, her eyes filled with expectation, confusion, and a touch of weariness. Not weariness of the relationship, but weariness of time.

Yoon Shi-yoon's final scene is in the same location. The goblin emerges from the light and shadow, wearing that brown coat, without an umbrella in his hand, and without snow on his head. He looks at Chae Soo-bin's back, pauses, and then calls to her. Chae Soo-bin turns around, and the moment she sees him, tears fall—not a loud sob, but the kind of relief that comes with "You're finally back."

"CUT!" the director shouted. "Filming for 'Goblin' is now complete!"

Applause and cheers erupted on set. Staff members poured out from every corner, some handing out flowers, some taking photos, and some wiping away tears. Yoon Shi-yoon and Chae Soo-bin were surrounded, surrounded by so many bouquets they couldn't carry them all. Kim Go-eun walked over from the side, holding a small bouquet of daisies, and handed it to Chae Soo-bin.

"Soobin, congratulations on wrapping up filming." Chae Soobin took her and gave her a hug. "Unnie, you'll be done soon too." Kim Go-eun nodded and smiled. Her scenes had been filmed the day before, and she had come specifically to watch the last scene today.

Yoo In-na and Yook Sung-jae were also there. Yoo In-na brought champagne, and Yook Sung-jae brought a cake. The group stood in the courtyard, stamping their feet in the cold, but no one wanted to leave. Su Yu stood at the courtyard gate, not going in. He watched as Cai Xiubin was surrounded by people, her eyes crinkling with laughter, holding flowers in her hands, and her face still bearing traces of tears.

Kim Dong-wook stood beside him. "Aren't you going?"

"I'm not going."

"You're the producer, you should at least say something."

Su Yu glanced at him. "Go and tell them."

Kim Dong-wook laughed. "What do I mean by 'what'?"

Su Yu ignored him and lit a cigarette. In the courtyard, the director began to speak. He expressed his gratitude many times, thanking the crew, the actors, and the staff, finally saying, "Thank you, Representative Su; without him, there would be no drama." Everyone turned to look at the courtyard entrance, where Su Yu stood, cigarette between his fingers, expressionless.

"Representative Su, say a few words!" someone shouted.

Su Yu stubbed out his cigarette and walked into the courtyard. Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to speak. He glanced at Yoon Shi-yoon, then at Chae Soo-bin, then at Kim Go-eun, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae, and finally at the director and crew.

"You've worked hard," he said.

There was a moment of silence, then someone laughed. Yoon Shi-yoon led the applause, which grew louder and louder until everyone was clapping.

Yoo In-na whispered to Kim Go-eun, "He's a man of few words, but he always gets to the point."

Kim Go-eun smiled. "He said 'You've worked hard.' But everyone thought he said 'Thank you.'"

Su Yu heard this and glanced at Kim Go-eun. Kim Go-eun shrank back, pretending not to see.

The wrap party was held at a barbecue restaurant in Myeongdong. Three tables of people drank a lot. Yoon Shi-yoon, quite drunk, put his arm around the director's shoulder and said, "This is the best drama I've ever directed." The director, also quite drunk, put his arm around her back and said, "This is the best drama I've ever directed." The two of them flattered each other, and everyone around them burst into laughter.

Yoo In-na didn't drink much; she sat in the corner with her drink, watching everyone joke around. Yook Sung-jae sat next to her and asked, "Unnie, aren't you going to drink?" Yoo In-na said, "I have a schedule tomorrow, I can't drink." Yook Sung-jae said, "Me too, then I won't drink either." The two clinked their drinks together.

Kim Go-eun drank two glasses of soju, her face flushed. She was usually quiet, but after drinking, she became even quieter, though her eyes shone brighter. She sat next to Chae Soo-bin, smiling at her. Chae Soo-bin turned and saw her looking at her, asking, "Unnie, what's wrong?" Kim Go-eun said, "Nothing, I just think you're pretty." Chae Soo-bin paused for a moment, then smiled. "Unnie, you're pretty too."

Kim Go-eun shook her head. "I'm not as pretty as you."

"Unnie, you've had too much to drink."

"Hmm." Kim Go-eun smiled. "Maybe."

Shirley didn't come. She was in Japan filming a promotional event and sent Su Yu a message: "I heard filming wrapped up. Congratulations."

Su Yu glanced at it and replied with three words: "Thank you."

Sulli posted another message: "Soobin's acting must be really good, right? I saw the news."

Su Yu typed: "Very good."

Shirley sent a smiley face, and then didn't send any more.

Cai Xiubin walked up to Su Yu with a wine glass in hand. She drank two glasses, her face flushed and her eyes bright. "Su Yu, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Su Yu stood up and bumped into her.

"Thank you for giving me this role." Chae Soo-bin looked into his eyes. "Thank you for believing in me."

"You deserve it."

Cai Xiubin smiled and drank his wine. Su Yu also drank. Cai Xiubin didn't leave; he stood in front of him, head down, his fingers circling the rim of his glass.

"What's wrong?" Su Yu asked.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to spend more time with you."

Su Yu looked at her, reached out and took the wine glass from her hand, placing it on the table. "You've had too much to drink."

"I wasn't drunk. I just missed you."

Su Yu looked at her for a few seconds, then took her hand and walked out of the barbecue restaurant. The two stood in the alley outside the door; the winter wind was cold, and Cai Xiubin shivered.

"Why did you drag me out here?" she asked.

Su Yu didn't say anything, but took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, then hugged her. Cai Xiubin was wrapped in his coat, her face buried in his chest.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Filming wrapped up. Wow, that went by fast."

"Um."

"I'll miss it." Her voice was muffled. "It's not that I'll miss the role, it's that I'll miss the days we spent filming together."

Su Yu gently patted her back. "There will be a next one."

"Will you still be my producer for the next film?"

"Yes."

Cai Xiubin raised her head and looked into his eyes. "You said it."

"I said it."

Cai Xiubin smiled, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the lips. There was no one else in the alley, and the streetlights cast long, overlapping shadows of the two of them.

A few days later, post-production began.

Lee Young-eun stayed in the editing room for three days without going home. When Su Yu went to see her, there were three monitors in front of her, the screens densely packed with timelines.

"How's the progress?"

"The rough cut of episode eight is finished." Lee Young-eun rubbed her eyes. "But the pacing of episode nine is off, I need two more days."

Su Yu glanced at the screen and pointed to a spot. "You cut it too early. Leave it for two more seconds."

Lee Young-eun replayed the recording and realized Su Yu was right. "How did you figure that out?"

"I've watched it too many times."

Lee Young-eun laughed. "You're even more serious than I am."

"This is your work, and it's mine too," Su Yu said. "It's only right to be serious."

Cai Xiubin also came to visit the set. She brought a box of fruit and two cups of coffee, which she placed on the table. Lee Young-eun's eyes lit up when she saw the fruit. "Xiubin, you're so thoughtful."

"You've worked hard, unnie." Cai Xiubin handed her the coffee. "Su Yu said you haven't been home for three days?"

"It's alright, I'm used to it."

Cai Xiubin glanced at Su Yu. Su Yu shrugged.

Cai Xiubin walked to the monitor and watched a few rough cuts. When she saw the scene where she drew the sword, she fell silent. On the screen, tears streamed down her face, her expression distorted—not pretty, but real.

"How is it?" Lee Young-eun asked.

Cai Xiubin sniffed. "Very good. Even better than I felt back then."

Su Yu stood behind her, also looking at the screen. He didn't speak, but placed his hand on her shoulder and gently pressed it.

Emerging from the editing room, the two walked down the corridor. The entire building was quiet, with only faint sound effects coming from the direction of the editing room.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"What do you want to do after this show finishes airing?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "Make money."

"Did you make any money?"

"I'll take you out to play."

Cai Xiubin smiled. "Where to?"

"Go wherever you want."

"Then I want to go to Iceland."

"it is good."

"Switzerland?"

"it is good."

Antarctica?

Su Yu glanced at her. "It's too cold."

Cai Xiubin smiled and took his arm. "Then let's not go to Antarctica, let's go somewhere warmer. The Maldives? Bali?"

"Anything is fine."

Cai Xiubin leaned on his shoulder, and the two walked slowly. A beam of light shone through the window at the end of the corridor, illuminating the floor.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"I'm happy to go anywhere with you."

Su Yu glanced down at her, said nothing, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

The Han River outside the window shimmered in the sunlight, as if someone had scattered a handful of silver coins on its surface.