That was fun.
You enjoying yourself?
Why, you must be over the moon right now.
Since everything's been going your way, hasn't it?
Every year, for the last ten or so,
hundreds of you come here
dreaming of becoming Jeong Hee-ran, the next "it" girl, right?
They all fail.
I'm not going anywhere, honey.
Hundreds of girls fade back into obscurity.
You must think you're special. I'll tell you now that you're not.
You'll fail and go back to being a nobody
without ever even knowing the reasons why.
Look at me.
I'm Jeong Hee-ran.
I don't care how desperate you are.
You'll never be me, so don't even bother.
You can leave now.
Hey.
I said you can leave.
Sure, I'll leave.
I'd like the opinions of the other judges before I go though.
DIRECTOR KWAK IN-U
There's that "it" factor!
What you said earlier. Hmm?
That girl's got some spunk in 'er!
One thing's for certain,
this lovely little lady's our hot new siren of the silver screen!
I spent the past few weeks… searching everywhere for this woman.
And even if you were to kick her out now,
well, I-- I'd do it all over.
I'd just find her and bring her back.
You're all morons.
Yeah! Ooh, lookin' good!
Hey! Get over here, Director. Get in the picture!
-This'll be in the history books. -Right. Great.
Over here, c'mon.
-All right, everyone. -All right, let's go. The final shot!
Big toothy smiles!
And say, "Madame Aema"!
Madame Aemaaaaaa!
AEMA
As you're under contract with the studio,
you'll live in places like this from now on.
It's more fitting.
You're a star now. Be sure to remember that.
Are there, uh, any open positions?
LET US LIVE LIKE HUMAN BEINGS! LABORERS DESERVE RESPECT TOO
WE ARE NOT MACHINES! LET'S MAKE A NATION FOR THE WORKERS
OUR DEMANDS 1. REASONABLE WORK HOURS
Geun-ha.
I signed a contract. They even got me an apartment, so it's "official" official.
You should work with these guys.
I asked them, and they said the head of production needs an assistant.
What about the girls?
They'll still be stuck there.
Chungmuro's a place full of fuckin' snakes,
and… I can't do this on my own.
They say it's a new era.
And that means new beginnings for both of us.
Geun-ha…
I'm heading into war here.
The early termination fee.
It's even more than our initial agreement.
So let's part ways.
End on good terms.
You're incredibly predictable, you know that?
I already broke things off once because it's what you wanted.
Ms. Jeong Hee-ran,
it's unfortunate that business transactions would be useless
if there weren't any penalties for the other party breaking the rules.
It's how the law works.
So, if you still wanna break things off,
then the early termination fee is just gonna be the start, baby.
You think a termination fee would be enough for me to walk away? Uh-uh.
Don't pick a fight with me.
Unless you want me to bleed you dry.
You got one project left.
So just ride it out!
You can even close your eyes if you want, like a good little girl.
And once that's done, I'll dump you like you want, 'kay? C'mon!
All right.
Let's just get one thing straight here.
Audiences turn up by the millions to see my films in theaters.
I've won more awards and accolades than I can count.
And every month, I'm shooting a new commercial.
Am I making myself clear?
I'm adored by millions of viewers.
They can't get enough.
So, whatever happens,
I won't be the one that they turn on.
It'll be you.
Mm-hmm!
You, um,
the quiet type?
Yeah.
Great.
You start in the morning.
Huh?
Just remember this.
Everything you see and experience from now on is top secret.
That's my only condition.
You don't get a salary.
But what you will make is pretty dang good. Eh?
SEOUL TEXTILE COMPANY
YEONG-JA'S HEYDAYS
Take care of yourself. Stay safe out there.
-Don't skip any meals. -You know our off days, right?
Don't go!
Let me give you my card.
Just give me a call if you need any help.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S VOICE REPORTER YANG SEOK-WON
Don't forget about our fight over here. You hear me?
And you…
go fight yours.
We'll fight together, 'kay?
-Have a safe trip, Ju-ae! -Take care of yourself!
Come by to visit, okay?
Here we are. Right up there, you see that?
It's on the third floor.
I bet you have a pretty decent view from there.
Wow, you've made it.
SHINSUNG PICTURES PRESIDENT KU JUNG-HO
MADAME AEMA WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KWAK IN-U
Mm.
Eh?
Wha-- what the…
what the hell is this shit?!
It's a little early for this, don't you think? Huh?
Mi-na! Get me outta here!
All this is nighttime stuff. I gotta go.
You bastard. Did you seriously forget?
-Whaa?! -Someone needs a little reminder, huh?
I'm an actor.
-And you're dating me. -Ah, s…
I know Aema needs a new lead, so how come I didn't get an audition?!
You're a fucking asshole, you know that? You disgusting son of a whore!
Mi-na!
Look, nobody is right for everything.
But one day, the right role is gonna come along.
You're so full of shit.
Oo--
Whoa-- Uh-- Hey, now!
Mr. Ku Jung-ho…
…did you think shacking up with a 20-year-old aspiring actress,
brand-new to the city,
would come with no strings attached?
Ah, I get it, I get it!
Uh, fine. Go ahead, then.
-Uh! -All done!
Huh?!
What the hell?!
Ow!
Hey!
Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! All right!
What the hell is going on?
This is blackmail, honey.
-What?! -Now, if you keep neglecting me…
That little photo?
I'll have it blown up and posted in the busiest areas of the city.
-This isn't happening. -Here!
-Listen! -Just like that!
-Say cheese! -Cut it out, you crazy bitch!
I said let it go!
Oh my God!
Uncuff me, goddammit!
-Peekaboo! -No, what are you doing?!
Untie me, damn it! I'm warning you!
Don't you dare! Pull it back up!
You tricky little fucker!
Go!
Noonaaaa!
Noona!
I finally got it!
Yeah?
That's right!
What?
Ah.
What you wanted from Kwon Do-il.
His screenplay!
PREDATION NIGHT
MADAME AEMA
You already read through it all?
B-- but how? It's only been, like, three minutes.
Why is Aema tying a guy up and using a whip all of a sudden?
It's from that Japanese smut you've been watching. That hentai?
What man doesn't wanna be dominated by a gorgeous lady?
You and Mi-na have never done any domination role-play?
I'm havin' a day, so don't make me repeat myself.
Just go vanilla, got it?
Pants and panties off, then pecker out,
puts it in there, dong-dong-dong,
he comes, okay?
Are you kidding me right now?
The whole point was to showcase sexual desire from a woman's perspective.
Then let her come too! I don't care!
Oh, and also,
three titty scenes are gone. Explain that to me.
Yeah, I went over this with you before.
-There's a subtle way to-- -Subtle?
Yeah, screw that. Hey.
The audience wants sex, so shove your subtlety you know where.
You wanna be subtle after casting a girl with a rack made by the gods?
Are you crazy?
You'll see once you finally get a taste of the money.
Flash a pair of breasts once and you can afford a car.
A new house from the second pair.
And a third pair will change your whole world.
Go back to the old one.
This one is trash.
Things are goin' great. Don't fuck it up.
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
Of course!
You call the shots, Mr. Choi, and I'll follow.
I'm on my way.
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
I'm the director here!
It's ridiculous for you to ask
that I direct a project I don't even believe in!
I had a vision for both Hee-ran and Ju-ae's parts, all right?
'Cause I am the director here,
and you can bet that I know how it should be, okay?
So enough!
I refuse to let you step all over my vision!
Aema's mine to direct, is it not?
You actually sound like a real director. Hmm?
I believe in you.
Why else would I let you direct the project?
The real situation here is you don't believe in your producer.
If a little feedback is so difficult,
you're gonna have to find a new project to work on.
And Aema will find a new director.
A shame.
PREDATION NIGHT
Noona,
word is Director Kwon is headed to his villa to revise the script.
The address is…
Not many people know of this place.
So, uh, how'd you find me here?
Director… I, uh,
need to apologize to you.
It's wrong, I know. But I…
I got my hands on your new screenplay.
What?
When I read your work…
I don't even know.
I just had to come speak with you.
Please use me to help tell this story.
You won't be disappointed.
Well, to be honest,
I'm still rewriting it.
And besides that,
I'm not quite ready to bring on anyone just yet.
I don't intend to pressure your process. I can wait.
Just let me know when you're ready, Director.
Didn't you announce recently that for all projects moving forward,
you're no longer doing nudity?
I'm sure you know that since you've read the script,
but this project isn't shying away from nudity.
Let me be clear.
When I asked for you to use me, Director,
I meant it. Use every inch however you want to.
When I was 20,
I began my career in this industry,
entirely focused on increasing my celebrity rather than craft.
I became famous without exercising my skill.
In my career… I have experienced incredible success.
I never chose roles for the art.
I chose fame and celebrity status, anything for the publicity.
Never before
have I felt this desperate to play a part in any film, you know?
After an eternity staring into the flickering embers…
…she slowly sits up.
Heavy rain drumming against her window.
In fact, a vicious storm rages outside.
Yeah, that's good.
We see a close-up of her drenched feet walking along the carpet.
SEEMINGLY DETERMINED, SHE WALKS UP THE STAIRS
She ascends the stairs…
THE SOUND OF HER BEATING HEART ENCROACHES LIKE A SHADOW
…and the closer she gets to the door,
the more I'm overcome with increasing dread.
RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR…
She's here.
Right outside that door.
Ms. Su-jeong.
This…
is a story of love.
Ms. Su-jeong, we can't do this. No!
Can you feel it? The beat of my heart?
When I asked you to use me…
I meant it. Use every inch however you want to.
Her hands are cold.
Meanwhile, her heart is on fire.
A story of deep love and desperation.
Ms. Su-jeong. Don't!
I fell in love first, but I…
was also the first to betray her.
As I said before,
this is a story of love.
The story of predation night,
fueled by desire, marked the end of that love.
PREDATION NIGHT
THE END
Oh. So, listen, President Ku, I was…
I've reconsidered!
We just need to show her boobs, right?
If I do that, we can honor my screenplay?
Sure!
As long as it gets you horn-ay!
Young people these days.
-Disgusting! -Goodness me.
-Ugh! -He must not be right in the head.
SHINSUNG PICTURES
-It's so nice to see you, Director. -Oh, hello.
Director!
Forgive me for not reaching out sooner. It's been quite a while!
Long time no see, my friend.
Have a seat.
So, uh, how've you been, Director?
Let's do a film together.
Wha--
Yo! Ooooh!
PREDATION NIGHT REVISED DRAFT
Oh, wow! Predation Night, huh?
I'm so humbled.
For real, though, what an incredible honor.
Well, I guess you must think I'm a half-decent producer now
if you're entrusting me with a precious script of yours.
Do not misunderstand.
-Eh? -What I want is Hee-ran.
Ah!
She is still under contract with your company.
Ah, well, you'd be right. She's still all mine.
If I want her, you come as a package deal.
It's unfortunate.
Ah, well, no matter why you're here,
like I said, I'm honored to be a part of it at all.
PREDATION NIGHT REVISED DRAFT
Director, what do you think about making the budget bigger?
'Cause, as you know, a bigger budget is a bigger picture.
Let me make some calls and arrange that.
What do you say?
Increasing the budget will raise the stakes.
Let's just keep things as they are.
Director.
You and I both know Hee-ran is talented.
But would you ever consider someone new instead?
And why would I bring on an unknown talent?
I mean, c'mon. Can't you picture it?
Envision a fresh young face breathing new life into your film.
Our audiences crave newness and the unexpected.
And what's more,
she might even end up serving as some kind of muse for you.
Sounds like you had someone in mind already.
Mm-mm.
Well, since you mention it, when I read it,
an actress did immediately jump to mind that'd be absolutely perfect.
I told her to drop by and say hello.
I mean, the girl is already in the area.
What do you think, huh?
'Scuse me, miss.
Okay, good.
All right, looking great.
You look beautiful.
Okay! Gimme nostalgia.
Good. Incredible.
This time, give me a wistful look.
You have a story. All sorts of stories.
Your dreams are a balloon about to burst.
What's over there? Oh yeah.
HEE-RAN CODE RED!
Yes, yellow. Yellow. You're just crazy for yellow.
Well! You are a vision!
Isn't she just adorable?
This is Hwang Mi-na.
Oh, can you get me something to drink?
I'm so thirsty.
What do ya want?
A soda.
Hey! Can we get one soda?
So you're sleeping together, aren't you?
-What? -What?
Yeah. I thought so.
I don't know if it's love necessarily.
But you're definitely sleeping together.
So…
…you want me to cast the broad you screw instead of Jeong Hee-ran in the role?
This one here.
She's an up-and-coming actress I discovered.
So treat her with some respect, Director.
I tell you I'm casting Jeong Hee-ran,
and so you decide to manipulate me into casting your girlfriend?
What the hell's wrong with you?
All these years in the business
and you're still just as utterly full of shit.
I'm the goddamn president of Shinsung, Director. Come on now!
And you there.
Miss Mi-na, wasn't it?
Look at you. You're barely 20 years old.
Why sleep with this asshole? Did he say he'd make you a star?
Yeah.
I guess I'm just a gullible dumb little bitch
so desperate that she had to resort to grabbing a producer's cock!
Whoa, hey, take it easy! What the hell are you doing? He's the director.
-That's not how you talk to him. -Piece of shit.
-You should be taking my side here! -Shut the hell up for once, okay?
Can you do that for me? Huh?
I see you're still acting like a little shit.
Are you ever gonna grow up and get a grip?
Act your age!
Can't you use your head for once, and stop thinking with your cock?
All right, enough!
How are you so insulting?
We can't act like teenagers.
We're a producer and director meeting with each other.
Let's keep it professional here.
Well, I don't think you have a leg to stand on.
You started this, asshole!
If there's anybody here who's responsible for this shitshow, it's you, old man!
-What? -You gotta come to your senses, Director.
C'mon, man, you're over 60! You gotta lose that edgy auteur shtick!
What the hell did you say?! You little punk!
-I dare you to say… -Auteur!
Did you just hit me?
Why, you…
-I'll kill you, you bastard! -Goddammit!
Oh yeah! How you like that?!
Mi-na! Don't try to hold me back!
-Why would I hold you back, dumbass? -That's right, princess.
Oh, for the love of… You just had to learn the hard way!
You play with the bull, you're gonna get the horns, old man!
Noona! O-- o-- over here.
Uh, had enough yet, eh?
Ouchie.
Oh, my mouth. Fuck me.
Ah, what?
Damn it.
LUCKY SEOUL
Whoo!
What's up, Kwak? Why the long face?
Do you think I'd be happier if I switched to your job?
What?
How long does it take to get as good as you?
You won't, buddy. It's not a thing you learn.
You're born with it.
I'm kidding, man.
I learned everything while playing a bartender in Lucky Seoul.
Sure, the film bombed, but, uh, I got a fan base 'cause of it, so…
One sec. Mwah!
Director Kwak, you heard of this?
Undoing one button is nice.
Two is a tease.
Three, we're getting saucy.
And the fourth unbuttoned?
That's just hot!
About the film! For Aema, we're…
Aema…
Aema just got done.
-I mean, the casting process. -Uh-huh, right.
So I wanted to let you know that production's about to start.
-So I'll have Seok-- -Whoo!
I'll be reaching out soon to you through Seok!
-Yeah, he'll call! -Mmm.
Mmm.
The girl needs a makeover.
We're gonna make her a star.
Hmm.
-Hmm! -Who is that?
Some rookie actress who just signed with Shinsung Pictures.
I've never seen her before.
Hmm.
We've done it.
Ah.
Those are for Ms. Jeong Hee-ran.
You see, Mr. Goh always designs custom outfits exclusively for her.
Testing, testing, one, two…
MADAME AEMA PRODUCTION PRESS CONFERENCE
What is the total opposite of passion? Anyone know?
Nothing?
How 'bout you go home and ask your wives!
Anyway… since I've received so much love
for my passion-filled acting these last 20 years or so, I,
Heo Hyeok, would like to return the favor with a love letter to the fans.
Rest assured…
…Heo Hyeok, the stallion,
will grab the reins and lead Aema to success.
Without further ado,
I'd like to hand the mic over to the only goddess I worship,
more beautiful than a thousand sunsets.
Ms. Hee-ran?
Your turn.
All right, uh, can you give us a "Madame Aema, hooray"?
Madame Aema!
-Hooray! -Hooray!
Smile, Ms. Jeong Hee-ran. Great. Looking great.
Argh!
-Ms. Shin Ju-ae! -You psycho.
-Back up a bit. -Smile, please.
Everyone, look this way!
-What's your problem, crazy bitch? -Right over here. Right over here.
Now just the women alone. Can we get the two of them?
You were great up--
You know, dear,
my intention was not to talk to you all day today.
What is this?
I can't believe what I'm seeing.
Paul most definitely made that dress.
He'd never design a silhouette so vulgar and cheap.
So I guess this was your doing?
Why?
Are you so desperate for fame that you feel compelled
to flash your tits around everywhere? Your breasts need that much attention?
You can't be that crass.
Or are you perhaps worried that your promiscuity will be overlooked?
It's not like that.
The look, I wasn't pulling it off.
And this here to you is pulling it off?
Paul Goh is a national treasure, okay?
Does your tiny brain comprehend how disrespectful this is to his work?
I didn't mean to disrespect his work.
I'm very sorry.
But showing some cleavage doesn't make me a slut.
Good work out there. You heading straight back?
Let's go outside.
Ah, that little bitch.
Was it you?
Huh?
Why did you take that bitch to get a Paul Goh outfit?
Oh, uh, you mean Ju-ae?
Yeah, it was the president's idea.
Tell me, is your head inside your ass?
You should be doing whatever's best for this cast and crew.
Do you think that girl's on my level?
That little bitch-ass can't remotely pull off the same kinda outfit, you idiot!
Understood.
That little bumpkin went and destroyed a one-of-a kind Paul Goh dress
'cause you decided to put her in something extremely out of her league!
Yeehaw!
-Whoa! -Oh my--
I swear to God!
Am I the only one who isn't insane?
I was staring at Jeong Hee-ran.
She looked pretty hot.
What's new?
She is a babe.
And an asshole.
Yeah, that's what makes her so hot.
Whoa! Hey there!
Ms. Performer!
Ah, that's a bummer.
That hurts me.
Oh, come on, you don't recognize me? I used to be a regular!
Oh, here's to lasting…
Huh? Huh?
I knew you were too good to waste away as a backup dancer.
And, hey, I was right. What do you know?!
You and I are gonna be great friends.
Congrats on the role.
Aema be seeing ya.
Huh? Oh? Ohhh!
Is he, uh… is he your boyfriend?
Oh, here's to lasting Aema!
Oh, here's to a happy madame!
Who was that fucker?
Oh, here's to a good life
Yeah!
YEONBANG SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT DEPT. LEAD, LEE JAE-GEON
MADAME AEMA PRODUCTION PRESS CONFERENCE
ROOKIE ACTRESS TO STRIP DOWN FOR ROLE
What on earth?
Why'd she butcher my outfit?
I'm not sure. I guess it's a means of self-expression for her?
Hmm.
-Hmm. -Hmm.
They sense weakness. A horse has to respect you before letting you on.
You have to show dominance.
'Cause otherwise, if you show hesitation of any kind,
it'll throw you right outta the saddle.
I won't dominate another creature.
We have enough of that in the world.
What name does he go by?
Thunder.
Thunder and I have got it from here on.
Huh? But you've never ridden before.
Yeah.
It's the first time we're meeting though.
We need to get to know each other. Don't we?
Is that yummy, Thunder?
Isn't sharing a good meal together a great bonding experience?
It's like we're a family.
Hello!
Go, Thunder!
Faster! Go, Thunder!
Whoo! Giddyup!
Giddyup!
What's this?
This is them butchering our script before we even started filming.
That's what this is, Director.
We need to sign a memorandum agreeing to their edits
before they let us begin, so get over here.
For fuck's sake, treating us like we're a couple of students.
"Upon reviewing your script submission of Madame Aema,
we have concluded the following problems must be attended to."
INAPPROPRIATE SUBJECT MATTER FOUND IN SCRIPT, TOTAL 36
They want us to fix 36 things?!
I told them that we'll send the revised version later.
Since filming's starting soon.
So we can at least get the okay'd scenes outta the way.
We can't just film scenes without the whole script being done.
They just punched 36 gaping holes into our movie.
It's like Swiss cheese now.
And here I thought this new government
wanted to try to foster the new film industry.
So much for "Screen, sex, and sports," huh?
These guys are no different from the last.
Argh! Goddammit!
God, you just had to shoot down the revised script and-- Arghhh!
Take a good hard look.
Most of their issues are with the scenes you wrote, wise guy.
Wha-- what's wrong with the sausage?
I-- Do you think a sausage is "vulgar"?
Are they, what-- afraid she'll shove it somewhere? Huh?!
Ah, and this?
Why do they want-- What about the horse?
'Cause Lady Aema just keeps horses. That's her name, okay?
C'mon, she loves ponies, but it's not sexual, right?
If that's obscene, then what's next?
While we're at it, let's ban bald heads 'cause they look like… the head of a cock.
Yeah. "Wear a hat!"
"Hey! There's children in here!" The hell's wrong with these people?!
Are she, the horse, and the sausage gonna bang in some perverted three-way?
I think they might be onto something. I mean, horse cocks are pretty massive.
Oh Jesus Christ! Don't tell me you're also on their side!
I'm on your side.
I'm just tryna make some sense of it all up here, okay?
What should we do? Hold a censorship rally against the government?
They'd lock us up, man!
You're not the only one that's mad. Trust me, you can't be angrier than me.
Huh? I mean, look at this last one.
"Women's breasts are not to be exposed in the naked flesh."
We can't film any titties! Titties, man!
"No exposure of the chest,
'cause women's breasts are prohibited."
Hm-hm-hm! Nuh-uh-uh! Mm-mm.
Oh no!
The tits!
I have to unleash them now. Let them out!
Oh yeah! In fact, we'll just whip all of them out in every scene, yes!
Yes, yes! Change your whole life.
Don't you start with me again. 'Kay?
You and I are in the same predicament here.
Try to look on the bright side.
You wanted something subtle, yeah?
Now you're free to make it as subtle as you like.
Yeah, you know, uh, you just… gotta be discrete about it.
You can't be showing the tits entirely,
but what you can do is to suggest the boobies beneath.
Under the shirt or something, y'know? Huh?
Titties this, titties that! You and your titties!
This shit happened because you turned my script into a giant tit-fest!
Are you happy now?!
I'm done!
I really… can't work like this.
Just find yourself a new director.
BACCHUS
They can take everything else from me except the title.
Okay…
Madame Aema will be reborn.
This "ma" means horse, right?
We'll change it.
Instead of this, we can do…
No, that has nothing to do with the film.
Okay, um, how about this, then?
I like this interpretation of the "ma" character.
Aema. "She who loves and swears a lot."
So it's basically, the "I Love You, Fuck You" Madame.
"I Love You, Fuck You" Madame. That's good.
That's awful.
Then what about…
You…
Uh…
So that's the character "ma" as in "ma-rijuana."
And "ae" like "to love."
Uh… uh--
You thinking what I'm thinking?
"Ae-marijuana."
"Ae-ma" for short.
Madame Weed?
Yep, I guess so.
At least, this way, we still get to keep our title, right?
MADAME AEMA
Ba badum ba!
Jeez.
Ba-ba badah baaa!
Badum bada baaaa!
All right.
Noona! D-- don't hang up! Don't hang up!
We have a situation! It's really bad!
Ah, come on, noona! Why'd you hang up?
I said it was really bad!
If someone isn't gravely injured or dead, I'm gonna kill you.
Heo Hyeok drove his motorcycle into an oncoming vehicle last night
and flew 50 yards!
God, and filming's just about to start!
I don't know, noona,
at this rate, Madame Aema might not be able to start production!
THIS SHOW IS A WORK OF FICTION
INSPIRED BY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MAKING THE 1982 FILM "MADAME AEMA"
ALL CHARACTERS AND STORYLINES HAVE BEEN CREATED
SOLELY FOR DRAMATIC STORYTELLING PURPOSES EATED