Chapter 26

JTBS main control room.

The technical team staff swallowed hard and checked the graphs.

“Mr. Lee, Team Leader…. This….”

Team Leader Lee Pil-joon widened his eyes and watched the ratings trend.

The drama "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" started smoothly with a 1% rating.

However, the ratings didn't drop for a single moment and soared sharply.

“2 percent….! We just passed 2 percent!”

“Goodness, in just 10 minutes….?”

Had any recent JTBS dramas started with such a performance?

It was the best start since the hit drama six months ago.

But back then, the stage was set with a star writer and top actors.

Just then, someone burst into the control room.

“Director Sung Ji-hoon!”

“I just checked the ratings on my smartphone.”

“Oh, we just passed 2 percent…. No, 3…. percent?”

It was crazy. There was no other word to describe it.

Team Leader Lee Pil-joon looked at Director Sung Ji-hoon in amazement.

To achieve such results with a new writer and new actors.

“Wow…. Director Sung, you’re really amazing.”

“Does this look like something I created?”

“Huh?”

Director Sung pointed to a specific point where the graph sharply changed.

“7-minute mark, the lead actors' banter scene. 11-minute mark, the female lead's monologue scene.”

Director Sung Ji-hoon, who was monitoring the exact points where the ratings spiked.

A slight crack appeared on his usually expressionless face, and a smile formed at the corners of his mouth.

“It’s not the direction but the power of the dialogue.”

“Oh…. Now that you mention it.”

“Yes. There’s no segment where the ratings drop.”

Unlike other dramas that fluctuate like stocks, this one was a strange indicator that didn’t allow any viewer to leave.

“Wow, this…. We might even stand a chance against MBS?”

“They’ll probably be having a headache right now. Starting with child actors in the early part.”

“Hahaha. They’re probably wondering if they need to reshoot the child actor parts.”

“Well, we’d be grateful if they do.”

If they made such a drastic move, the show would collapse in an instant.

Zing─

A call from the head of the department.

Director Sung smiled and answered the phone.

“Hello.”

-Over here, come see me for a moment, Director Sung.

“Yes. I’ll come up.”

He could sense the urgency in the department head’s voice.

The first episode of the drama hadn’t even reached the halfway point.

If viewers continued to stay and the influx increased as it was now.

“4 percent…. Will it hit 4 percent?”

No, it might even hit 5 percent.

If the minute-by-minute ratings didn’t drop for a single moment, it would be like a fairy tale.

* * *

“When did our youngest start acting so well?”

“Come on, Se-mi has always been good.”

“Squeal! This is so much fun.”

In the Purple Girls' dormitory.

The five members were huddled together, watching the drama.

‘I wanted to watch the first episode with the writer…. ’

They were told that the production team would watch it together at the station.

Jin-woo had immediately declined, so Se-mi, feeling a bit disappointed, left.

She would probably watch it with the people from Tempest Entertainment.

Naturally, among them would be some new actress.

‘Kim Hyun-ji…. Was that her name?’

She had forgotten about her for a while, but thinking of her brought back that moment.

The day of the first shoot, when Jin-woo discussed a new project with actor Kim Hyun-ji.

It seemed he was considering her for the lead role in his next project.

Just like he had chosen Im Jae-joon and Se-mi for the leads in "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho."

“…. Should I ask?”

Next to her, the other members were squealing as they watched the drama.

Among them, Yuna shouted proudly.

“My song! My song is playing!!!”

“It’s a song I made, okay?”

“I sang it, so it’s my song!”

Rae-mi, who composed her first OST, argued with Yuna.

Then, Rae-mi pulled out her smartphone and started messaging someone.

“Who’s singing the song? I asked.”

“Who did you ask?”

“Who else? Writer Kim.”

“….”

Se-mi felt a bit dazed.

She would agonize over sending a single message, sending it after hundreds of thoughts.

“Sis…. Are you on such good terms with the writer to ask such questions?”

“Huh? I just sent my first message today?”

“Ah, ah….”

Rae-mi’s bulldozer-like personality was enviable for the first time.

“Oh, it seems Writer Kim Jin-woo is watching with his family.”

“Really!?”

Se-mi’s expression brightened at the news of Jin-woo.

She had thought he was watching with the people from Tempest.

Meanwhile, the drama continued.

The group’s best acting idol, Jae-eun, suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, but…. What are the ratings like?”

Jae-eun’s words instantly chilled the atmosphere.

No one wanted to pay attention, but they had to check the results.

Leader Mi-ryung stepped forward and checked her smartphone.

“Sis?”

“Tell me quickly.”

“Why?”

After a moment of silence, Mi-ryung slowly spoke.

“4 percent…. It’s already over 4 percent?”

* * *

“Is the people meter broken?”

The lead actors’ performances were as natural as flowing water.

Director Sung’s directing skills were as excellent as the dramas I had seen in the system.

The fruits of such efforts were succinctly defined in one word.

“Crazy.”

The pure-blooded macho, which started with just 1%, saw its minute-by-minute ratings graph rise vertically.

Especially during the scene where Se-mi shed tears, it was knocking on the 5% mark.

“Bro! It’s at 4.8 percent now.”

“Is this real?”

“This…. It’s a complete hit!”

“A huge hit.”

In the group chat, people were congratulating each other.

［Wow, it’s a hit ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ］

［It’s about to hit 5 percent ㄷㄷ］

［Congratulations, Writer ㅎㅎ］

［It’s now the 6th highest first-episode rating in JTBS history;;;］

［Everyone who bet on less than 3 percent, bow down ㅋㅋㅋ］

［Mi-jin, don’t go too far ^^］

［I’m sorry, senior ㅠㅠ］

Soon, "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" surpassed 4% and reached 5%.

Finally, it recorded 5.1% and successfully concluded its first episode.

Numerous messages flooded the smartphone.

How did they get my number? Starting with a PD from a certain station.

Some investment firms, production companies, radio bookings, and even the Writers Association.

The late-night influx of calls was overwhelming.

“Bro, I’m going to use honorifics from now on.”

“?”

“I’ve been underestimating such a great person.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Such. No, Writer…. Do you want anything to eat?”

“Chicken. Half BBZ, lots of boneless wings.”

“Got it! I’ll order it right away.”

“Yeah. With your money.”

“…. Got it.”

I chuckled at my sister’s flattery and handed her my card.

“Wow….!”

“Buy the chicken with your money.”

“Yeah….?”

“You wanted to go to a famous acting school in Gangnam, right? Use this to pay for it.”

“Heaven. Loyalty, loyalty!”

I felt a bit embarrassed under my parents’ pleased gaze.

‘5.1 percent….’

The number seemed unreal.

I checked the minute-by-minute ratings graph again, finding it hard to believe even with my own eyes.

In fact, the first episode’s ratings are often determined by the actors.

But the most important thing was that the ratings didn’t drop for a single minute.

It meant that almost no viewers changed the channel.

At least for this week, there was no strong competitor like MBS.

If the ratings didn’t change much tomorrow, they would maintain a high level like today.

Meanwhile, the person who bet on 5% in the first episode.

“Se-mi won the bet.”

Isn’t this justice?

* * *

The next day, in the JTBS variety department.

“It’s already finished shooting, how can you do this!”

“You need to edit it well.”

The producer of JTBS’s flagship variety show, "Brother in the Neighborhood," PD Jin Jae-hoon, spoke with a raised voice in front of the department head, Han Young-wook.

“How can you turn one episode into two in four days! Am I a magician?”

“PD Jin…. Your words are a bit harsh?”

“No, no. Director…. It’s not like that.”

The editing was already complete, and they were looking for the next guest when the bomb dropped.

Of course, it’s good if the drama ratings are high.

Thanks to that, the variety show’s ratings for this episode are guaranteed.

“I know it’s tough, PD Jin. But what can I do? I received orders from above.”

“Sigh…. I understand.”

PD Jin shook his head as he left the department head’s office.

“Phew, you should have told me before the shoot. The broadcast is this Saturday, what can I do….”

At that moment, PD Jung Chan-soo approached and spoke.

“Then you’ll have to stay up all night.”

A travel variety show that took celebrities on trips abroad.

PD Jung Chan-soo, who rose to stardom with "Travel Without Money."

“Ah, senior.”

“Do you know when the last time a 5% start was made in our station?”

There’s no way.

It’s the first time since the blockbuster two years ago.

“You need to consider the department head. They can only pressure from above.”

“I understand.”

PD Jung Chan-soo grabbed PD Jin’s shoulder as he walked away.

“Want a tip on how to increase the content?”

“Huh? Yes!”

“Then give me Writer Kim Jin-woo’s number. I’m thinking of booking him later.”

“Huh? For ‘Travel Without Money’?”

“No, not this season. I’m thinking of using him as a joker card for the next season.”

“Ah….”

Actually, the tip he was giving wasn’t much.

If it’s hard to increase the content from the footage, just do additional shooting.

It’s like he’s giving a tip that everyone already knows.

“Like PD Jung said…. I’ll start with phone or video interviews.”

Focusing on the main characters and those closest to them.

Among them, Writer Kim Jin-woo is naturally included.

Honestly, this is all for "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho," but it feels like the roles are reversed.

If they agree to edit it into two episodes, I should welcome it with open arms.

PD Jin sent a message without feeling inferior.

［Writer Kim Jin-woo, is it possible for a short interview? If it’s a burden, just the voice….］

* * *

"Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" settled into a comfortable 5% rating for two consecutive days.

First, it started with a rare performance among cable dramas this year.

《The Storm of "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho." The records they overturned in just two days.》

In fact, compared to successful dramas on terrestrial channels, 5% is a cute number.

Journalists were making a fuss over the cable drama’s good performance, which hadn’t been seen in a long time.

“Our actors are already skyrocketing.”

Various clips were trending on YouTube and SNS.

If the "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" ship sinks, the fans will still support the actors enthusiastically.

Especially, the debut of new face Im Jae-joon was a hot topic in various communities.

The "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" gallery was already taken over by drama fans, posting one article per second.

『Looking at how good Jae-joon looks ㅎㅎ』

『Where was this actor hiding all this time ㅠㅠ』

『Perfect in looks, acting, and charisma ㄷㄷ』

『Se-mi’s acting is completely method ㅋ』

I clicked on the post with the highest number of recommendations.

『Se-mi and Im Jae-joon also starred in a web drama together ㅋㅋㅋㅋ』

A YouTube link was attached to the first comment.

I found Im Jae-joon through a web drama as well.

“Why didn’t this show up before.”

Below, there were a series of provocative comments.

- "Heiress and the Pure-Blooded Macho" is about to be crushed by MBS, right? ^^

- No, it’s not.

- No, it’s not 22

- The two scenes with Choi Man-ho were great ㅎㅎ

- Didn’t you watch the drama? I could only see Se-mi.

- No, Seo Ho is really good ㅡㅡ

- No, it’s a pure fan

The gallery was active in proportion to the popularity, and interesting posts kept appearing.

Lately, watching the reactions of the fans who are watching my drama has become a small happiness.

Zing─

At that moment, a call came in.

“It’s Manager Jung.”

Recently, I developed a habit of not answering unknown numbers.

Most of the recent calls were from people trying to take something from me.

“Hello.”

-Writer, congratulations.

“Thank you.”

Manager Jung Sa-rom then got to the point.

-Can you come to the company today? I want to talk about the next project.

“Ah, I’m going to the station first today.”

-You can come slowly.

“Okay. Then.”

Click.

“This time, the advance will go up.”

Maybe I’ll even sign the contract today.

If possible, I want to check the male lead for the next project before discussing it.

“Well, there’s no choice.”

First, I need to go and shoot the interview video that the variety department PD begged for.

“Then, I’ll start getting ready to go.”

Going to the JTBS drama department first was the best choice.

Surprisingly, I got a clue about the male lead for the next project at the station.

I really felt that heaven helps those who help themselves.