“President, I apologize for disturbing you during a busy time. I should have first inquired if this was a good time to talk, but I was too preoccupied.”
That was the opening line from PD Kang Hyun-seong.
“Hyun-seong, you look quite happy.”
Kim I-seo clearly sensed this.
PD’s tone was currently elevated with joy, easy to read, and it seemed he had no intention of hiding it from the start.
“That means this call isn’t about bad news.”
When she reached this conclusion, Kim I-seo also relaxed. There would be no bad news exchanged in this call.
“What did you call for?”
“Yesterday’s pet special variety show was uploaded. Did you happen to see it? It’s number one on the rapidly rising videos!”
“Of course. How could I not know when there are also articles about it?”
“It’s all thanks to Sua and Yeon-joo’s excellent performances! I have to have dinner with the staff today. Thank you.”
“Not at all. Director PD, it’s clear that you’ve put effort into character building. I am the one who should be grateful.”
Though their words might appear as mere flattery, Kim I-seo isn’t one to miss the subtle vibe between them.
‘Too much smoothing over.’
Though they always got along well, PD Kang Hyun-seong was much friendlier than usual.
And Kim I-seo understood the meaning behind it clearly.
‘There’s something he wants from me. I’m sure of it.’
Simultaneously, she was confident of her advantageous position in this call.
PD Kang Hyun-seong spoke again.
“With the first video being such a huge hit, I’m nervous about uploading the next one. But it’s exciting after all.”
“Pfft, the next one will surely do even better. But…”
Kim I-seo cut right to the chase.
“Isn’t there something else you wish to say?”
“Yikes, am I that obvious?”
PD Kang Hyun-seong chuckled awkwardly.
“In truth, I’ve already finished planning out the next variety show.”
“Next variety show?”
“It will be called ‘Star Summit Talks,’ and I hope Sua can take on the main role. Please let her know that it will in no way harm her image.”
“…”
Kim I-seo clenched her fists.
What she had hoped for had arrived. PD Kang Hyun-seong had marked Sua as the lead for the next show. Could there be a better offer for her as a representative?
But outwardly, she didn’t let any emotion show.
“That’s something I need to review and decide on.”
“Of course! When would be a good time for a meeting?”
Truthfully, it could be today, but…
Kim I-seo barely managed to rein in her patience.
“Not until next week, I’m afraid. Would that be okay?”
Push and pull are fundamental tactics. She had to do this for Sua’s greater benefit.
◈◈◈◈◈
At Hong Ye-ji’s house.
Hong Ye-ji was lying on the couch again. She was scrolling through her phone screen with her finger.
Huh? What is she doing?
“What should I eat?”
That was Hong Ye-ji’s main concern at the moment. She’d had tteokbokki yesterday, and marathot is not tempting today. Maybe pizza today?
Suddenly, she caught Sawako’s eye.
“…”
Silence followed for a moment.
Neither was close enough to casually start a conversation, and hence their thoughts crossed in the air.
“Maybe I should ask Sawako what to order?”
“She’s even checking scripts on her phone while resting.”
At that moment,
-♩♪♬
Hong Ye-ji’s phone rang.
“…”
Immediately, Hong Ye-ji furrowed her brows. The caller was from Netflix personnel—she didn’t feel like answering.
“Hmph.”
But how could she not pick up? Eventually, she did.
“Hello.”
“Hello Hong Writer, do you have a moment to talk?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then right to the point then. Have you secured a production team yet? Time’s getting tight…”
Hong Ye-ji pondered for a moment on how to respond.
She could stall with excuses or demand an unrealistic production team. But…
‘Really, none of that would have worked.’
Lately, Hong Ye-ji had been feeling quite uneasy. Somehow, even her indirect statements weren’t being interpreted correctly. So, she decided to be straightforward.
“I haven’t secured one.”
“You haven’t secured one?”
“Yes.”
Hong Ye-ji confirmed decisively.
“As a matter of fact, I never intended to look for a production team from the very beginning.”
“…”
“Why didn’t you mention this sooner?”
“I assumed you would figure it out. But now, I acknowledge I made a mistake by not clarifying. It’s my fault. I will not be looking for a production team.”
“Hmm…”
“I’m sorry. Once again, I apologize.”
“Okay, I see.”
Hong Ye-ji felt something was off at this point.
There was absolutely no hint of irritation in the other person’s voice. It was strange. Why wasn’t the other party angry?
“…You’re accepting this quite easily, aren’t you?”
“Of course. To be honest, this was discussed at upper levels too.”
“Meaning…?”
“Isn’t a writer’s job to write, not to look for production teams? You’re already busy enough just finishing the drafts. Asking you to do this was unreasonable after all.”
“Huh?”
“Indeed. We were the clueless ones. If this implies that we should look for a production team higher level than Netflix’s, that’s what we’ll do. The author should just focus on completing the script.”
“But, that’s not…”
“When we finalize the production team, I’ll inform you.”
With that, the call ended. Hong Ye-ji sat still like a statue, unmoving and without any sound.
Meanwhile, Sawako, who had been quietly listening through a translator app, clenched her fists.
“…I want to possess that kind of courage too.”
The girl hidden in her mother’s shadow had nurtured a small spark of resolve in her heart. She seemed to have learned something.
◈◈◈◈◈
The next day.
Conference room of Netflix Korea branch.
[Untitled]
Among many conference room doors, the largest one had this written on a piece of paper attached to it.
Yes, they were discussing Hong Ye-ji’s work.
“Writer, you’re here again today.”
When the Netflix team leader spoke, Writer Lee Geum-sook awkwardly responded with a smile, standing in for Hong Ye-ji.
“Yes, Ye-ji is the type who will see something through once she starts focusing. She’s probably busy with the final touches on the screenplay.”
“At least she could come once.”
“Well, as much as she pushes the script, she’s still a new writer without much experience. It’d be helpful if you consider me as her spokesperson.”
At that, the team leader slightly nodded.
His expression wasn’t dark to start with. There was just too much good news to cover today.
“First off, Sua is really shining lately, isn’t she?”
“With the success of ‘Special Mobile Unit 808’ and her appearance on variety shows, she’s even shooting a photoshoot soon. This summer might just belong to Sua.”
“Now that I think about it, wasn’t Sujeong from Jo-G’s spring special the model? What a coincidence.”
“Right. It’s like the two protagonists of Ye-ji’s work are taking turns eating well. Lucky for us.”
With that, the Netflix personnel exchanged smiles.
“Sua was a bit surprising, wasn’t she? I only thought she was quite intimidating, but turns out she’s got a human touch. Kind of cute.”
“But is that her real character? Is it a script for the variety show? Writer Lee, do you happen to know the truth?”
“Ho, that’s a secret.”
Writer Lee Geum-sook playfully evaded the question.
“Anyway, thanks to Sua’s success on the variety show, Ye-ji’s work is getting a cascading effect, right?”
“Naturally. There’s an immense audience eagerly anticipating what Sua will do next.”
“Hmm, then there shouldn’t be any issues with promotion.”
After pondering for a moment, Writer Lee Geum-sook continued.
“Are we still in communication with overseas Netflix? I’m curious about the specific budget.”
“We don’t know the exact amount yet, but we only know it’s on a grand scale. The Netflix headquarters seems to have high expectations for this work.”
The team leader excitedly continued.
“With Netflix having already found its place in Japan, if it succeeds in Korea too, that would be an Asia two-hit combo, wouldn’t it? They seem prepared to throw some weight behind this banner work.”
“But Team Leader, it feels a bit puzzling.”
Writer Lee Geum-sook tilted her head in confusion.
“Wasn’t the banner work in Japan not pushed too hard? Why are we pushing it here?”
“There’s a possibility that Hong Writer’s script had an impact. It seems they thought it aligned with their purpose.”
“Purpose?”
“Yes. Isn’t Netflix OTT different from conventional formats? They feel a 14 to 25 episode airing format on terrestrial channels is too long.”
“I see. Please continue.”
“So while we were conceptualizing dramas around 8 episodes for a ‘Netflix Original’ feel, we saw Hong Writer’s screenplay. And they thought, hey, this works well with that format?”
“Ah…”
Writer Lee Geum-sook nodded her head.
“It seems Ye-ji not only writes but also studies the platform before writing. I thought she just crafted stories.”
“That’s why. The higher-ups appreciate her writing as a Netflix-tailored work.”
After a while, a conversation ensued that would make the author jump if she heard.
“Anyway, moving on… this is our problem.”
He took a sip of coffee for no particular reason.
“It seems Hong Writer still hasn’t secured a production team. And she’s not using Netflix’s production team.”
Lee Geum-sook sighed.
“I asked PD Choi Hee-won for help too, but they wouldn’t accept her. Her stance is quite firm. Even if they were famous, she refuses if the genre is different.”
“Indeed. We feel the same. It seems like a veiled request for us to find a production team that’s both high-ranking and suitable for the work. And that’s the problem.”
The team leader sighed heavily.
“It’s too hard to find them, that’s all.”
There was silence afterward. The conference room echoed with sighs, as no one had an immediate solution.
However.
“Hold on.”
When it’s darkest, one longs for light. Soon enough, an idea sparked in Writer Lee Geum-sook’s mind.
“Isn’t the lead of this piece Suah?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Suah signed a contract with the ‘Tomorrow Begins Crescendo’ production team. It’s Director Ko Tae-min’s work. She seems grateful to them, so she’ll surely help.”
“Ahh, Director Ko Tae-min…”
At the mention of that illustrious name, the team leader’s eyes lit up and then quickly calmed down. Like a pot that heated up too fast and then cooled down instantly.
He then asked, tilting his head.
“Isn’t Director Ko Tae-min busy? He’s also working on the ‘Tomorrow Begins Crescendo’ filming, right?”
“No, I’m not suggesting we take Director Ko Tae-min.”
Writer Lee Geum-sook smirked.
“Director Ko Tae-min is part of a prestigious group.”
That was the existence of the group, ‘Righteous Path.’
…
…
…
…
…
Moments later, a call was immediately placed.
“Uh-hem.”
And Director Ko Tae-min’s reply was:
“I’ll take it. I’ll gather them all.”
