Chapter 25

In the waiting room for the press conference.

Probably, this will be the only official event I will attend as a writer.

I never thought I would have a day where I would be made up like a professional.

“I’m a bit nervous.”

The lead actors next to me were looking at me with curious eyes.

Jaejun, Jisung, and Se-mi.

It feels like I’m in a zoo.

Se-mi, perhaps wanting to break the atmosphere, spoke to me.

“You look really good, Mr. Writer.”

“Don’t lie.”

“Really….”

It feels like a bunch of beautiful people are bullying a civilian.

Jisung, who was standing next to me, added a comment.

“Se-mi, don’t do that on purpose. You’re embarrassing Mr. Writer.”

“Hmm….”

You’re the worst.

Soon, all the actors disappeared to prepare their costumes.

However, an unexpected person appeared this time.

“Hello.”

Then, a stranger spoke to me from behind.

‘Isuhoon?’

He is already treated as a top MC, active in various broadcasts as an entertainer.

A comedian by origin, he is a person who can consistently perform his role anywhere.

“Originally, Shincheol was supposed to come, but I came as a substitute. We’re from the same agency….”

“Oh, a more impressive person came as a substitute.”

Is this a successful reinforcement?

“Actually, I read your script, and it was really interesting.”

“Wow, really? Thank you.”

At that moment, someone called the MC from behind.

“Then, I’ll go first….”

I felt a bit disappointed as I watched Isuhoon disappear.

Even though he’s not an actor, I should have asked for his number.

It’s one of the ways to survive in this industry where connections are everything.

“Ah, forget it. As long as I write well, that’s enough.”

Actually, the reason I’m so concerned about connections is because of ‘that’ girl.

Writer Minju Lee.

She probably thinks someone like me has no chance of success.

If not, she might have already put pressure on JTBS.

Or maybe,

“Was the threat with the recording file effective last time?”

Minju Lee isn’t the type to crumble so easily.

But mentally, she’s not as strong as she seems.

* * *

“Kim reporter, how can you do this to me?”

- Sir, you can’t touch that work.

“What’s the reason?”

-Sigh… If I tell you and something bad happens to me….

“Do you want to see me go crazy?”

-….

Minju Lee, in a fit of anger, pressed Kim Sungtae, the reporter.

She couldn’t let the pure macho drama air smoothly.

The reporter, who had helped her countless times with exclusive interviews and early information on works.

The reporter sighed deeply and spoke cautiously.

-If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone.

“What are you going to say….”

-Chunseong Group.

“…. What?”

Kim reporter suddenly mentioned the name of a large corporation.

-If you trace the investment chain of that work, it leads all the way to the top of Chunseong Group.

“What a crazy….! Is that even possible?”

There are common sense limits in investments, and production companies have their own levels.

It’s absurd even for a blockbuster fantasy movie, let alone a 16-episode melodrama.

-Anyway, I’ve told you.

“….”

Click.

The other party hung up before Minju Lee could respond.

“Kim Jinwoo…. Could he be a chaebol?”

Minju Lee shook her head.

She knew his financial situation well.

It would be more reasonable to suspect Tempest Entertainment.

A company that grew into a production company with investments from Chunseong Group.

But the question remains,

“Why would Tempest bother?”

What does it matter if a rookie writer’s work succeeds or fails?

Moreover, why would Chunseong Group invest in a cable drama?

“…. You’re lucky, Kim Jinwoo.”

Anyway, the chances of this work succeeding were extremely slim.

There are competing works, and viewers have discerning eyes.

Just because it’s a 16-episode drama doesn’t mean it will be in the same league.

At least three works need to succeed to be recognized as a star writer.

Thinking about it, she felt relieved.

“With a large corporation involved, it would be a loss to meddle.”

Minju Lee then turned her attention to her script, putting the matter aside.

Actually, the ratings had been dropping slightly since the first broadcast, which was a source of concern.

* * *

When Saerom returned to her seat, the press conference had already started.

Reporters and critics were clapping after watching a short trailer.

Judging from their expressions, the trailer seemed to be quite good.

Soon, the MC began asking questions to the lead actors on stage.

“Se-mi, it’s said that this drama role fits you like a glove.”

“Yes? Ah…. I think it’s because I read the script a lot.”

Se-mi looked at writer Kim Jinwoo, who was on the opposite side of the stage, and blushed.

“How much did you read the script?”

“Well…. I read it whenever I feel stressed.”

“Ha ha. That’s a good habit. Are you stressed about this work?”

“No, not at all! Everyone is doing a great job!”

“Oh, then who among them…?”

“The writer.”

Se-mi’s comment drew everyone’s attention to Kim Jinwoo.

“Ah, just a bit of script practice together….”

Kim Jinwoo seemed flustered by the sudden focus.

The other lead actors also mentioned Kim Jinwoo in response to the MC’s questions.

Almost every question ended with a mention of Kim Jinwoo.

“Isn’t the director going to feel left out? Everyone likes the writer so much.”

“I’m fine.”

“Ha ha, maybe it’s because you haven’t started shooting with the actors for long.”

“It’s because the script is so good.”

“Ah….”

Director Sung Kihoon, who is known for being stoic, didn’t seem particularly moved.

Instead, the MC praised the director.

Actor Jaejun, of course, and even Jisung were busy praising Kim Jinwoo.

The reporters, now curious, focused on Kim Jinwoo.

“Hmm, I think I’ll skip this question.”

Saerom smiled at the MC’s reaction.

The next question was about the director being called a devil director.

If that question came up now, the atmosphere would become awkward.

How could you ask if the director is scary when everyone is praising the writer?

‘Ah, by the way….’

Suddenly, she remembered the script Kim Jinwoo had given her.

She approached the place where Team Leader Byun was standing and asked.

“Team Leader Byun, did you read the script you gave me?”

“Ah, Manager. Well….”

“Hmm….?”

Byun’s reaction didn’t seem good.

Saerom is one of the few employees responsible for selecting works.

If he reacts like this, it could mean one of two things.

A hit or a flop.

Either the work is so great that he’s taking his time, or he’s hesitant to criticize Kim Jinwoo.

“Just speak your mind.”

“Well, read it first. Then I’ll tell you.”

“What’s so special about it….”

Rustle─

Saerom opened the first page and checked the script.

「The Regressor Who Erases Memories」

It was clearly a different genre from the pure macho drama.

It wasn’t a simple romance drama but one that evoked a sad sentiment.

A man living as a neighbor to a family that doesn’t remember him.

It portrayed the loneliness of not being recognized by anyone.

A new drama script with a solid structure, like a movie.

It was surprising that a writer of melodramas could suddenly change genres like this.

“This work is….”

It was different from the clean, refined script of the pure macho drama.

But the plot and story were still captivating.

Saerom glanced at the stage.

The MC was having a conversation with the actors.

‘Writer Kim Jinwoo.’

Regardless, it seems he is having a significant impact on Tempest.

Team Leader Byun, who had been watching from the side, spoke cautiously.

“Manager, signing a contract with Kim Jinwoo was the best decision this year.”

“That’s true.”

In other words, not signing an exclusive contract earlier might have been the worst decision.

“…. By the way, about the secondary female lead of this work.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“What about actor Yuminseo?”

“Hmm, is Yuminseo going to play the secondary female lead?”

Actually, the main female lead in the first part didn’t have much to do.

The secondary female lead’s presence was more prominent, a fact.

“I like the character. I’ll talk to Yuminseo.”

“Well, we should hear the opinions of the writer and the new director.”

“Of course.”

“Hmm…. I understand.”

Meanwhile, the MC on stage was asking Kim Jinwoo questions.

“Yes, I’ll continue to ask Mr. Kim Jinwoo.”

“Yes.”

Thanks to the actors’ interest, he was being asked many questions.

“You debuted without going through a contest as a rookie writer.”

“Yes, I did. I was lucky.”

“You’ve achieved your goal after 6 years. Can you share your thoughts?”

“Well, of course it’s good. Who gets such an opportunity?”

That’s true.

Many aspiring writers hit a wall and fall.

Among those works, only a few are adapted into dramas, just as many as there are broadcasting stations.

“However, you met someone special who made this work possible.”

“Oh! Really? Who is it?”

“I’m not sure.”

Kim Jinwoo smiled and made eye contact with Saerom.

The only person he could think of was Se-mi, who helped him discover the system.

Jinwoo was thinking of Se-mi in his heart, but unfortunately, Manager Saerom couldn’t know that.

“Manager, you must be proud.”

“Well….”

Team Leader Byun was praising Saerom from the side.

The fact that she met Kim Jinwoo by chance at a cafe wasn’t a secret among Tempest employees.

‘I’ll acknowledge it today.’

Maybe it’s because he’s wearing makeup like a celebrity, or because of the great work.

Today, Kim Jinwoo…. looked a little cool.

After all, his work is a part of him.

* * *

The press conference is over, but many problems remain.

How to write the second work, who the new male lead will be.

Whether Director Sung Kihoon can fully direct the drama I saw in the system.

Most importantly,

The worry about the success of the first work makes it hard to focus on anything.

Time flew by.

“Finally, the first broadcast today.”

The remaining writing period for the second work is also running out.

Actually, I thought about going back once.

But the most important thing is the success of this work.

I stuck close to Director Sung Kihoon and gave advice on the composition and background, comparing it to the drama I saw in the system.

‘Director Sung, you’re a much better person than I thought.’

In a way, I was interfering in the director’s domain.

But because he viewed me very positively, it was possible.

In fact, he appreciated it as good advice rather than overstepping.

Thanks to that, I was able to extract scenes that closely matched the drama I saw in the system.

“Brother, come out quickly─!”

My sister Heejung called me loudly from the living room.

Creak─

My parents, my younger sister, and I, a family of four.

It’s been a while since our busy family gathered in one place.

“Is it time already?”

“Only a couple of commercials are left.”

“Ugh…. I’m nervous.”

My heart was beating wildly, as if it would jump out.

My mother, seeing my state, gave me a warm encouragement.

“You’ve done well so far. Don’t worry too much about the ratings.”

“…. Yes.”

The thoughts of the production company and the broadcasting station are different.

Swallowing the unnecessary words, I fixed my gaze on the TV.

The production team is probably gathered together at the broadcasting station.

I told my family I was watching with them in case I couldn’t control my expression.

Ding, ding─

As the drama started, the group chat with a few production team members began to go wild.

［Oh, I’m so nervousaaa］

［I’ll check the minute-by-minute ratings right away］

［Let’s secure the ratings before MBS airs next week ㅎㅎ］

［It would have been nice if the writer was watching at the broadcasting station ㅠㅠ］

［It’s starting ㄷㄷ］

I entered the chat room, which was filled with young people, without much thought.

But the atmosphere didn’t match mine, so it would be better to leave at the right time.

Ding, ding─

‘Okay, let’s watch the drama.’

The drama started with the opening shot.

《Directed by Sung Kihoon, Written by Kim Jinwoo》

How much effort I put in to have my name appear in the first scene of the drama.

It felt like a dream, with the past six years flashing by.

At that moment, someone in the chat room posted the minute-by-minute ratings.

Honestly, the ratings are more important to us than the content of the drama.

With trembling hands, I cautiously checked the data.