Chapter 47

At the first-floor café of MBS Broadcasting, Holis.

I need to write quickly and leave before anyone recognizes me.

Tap, tap, tap—

“Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Nayoung, Part 1”

With the pleasant sound of typing in my ears, I began writing the first script.

“New employee onboarding scene.”

Given that it's a scene of joining a large corporation, numerous extras appear.

And the representative of the new employees, Yoo Seol-a.

With her welcoming speech, the focus naturally shifts to the supporting actors.

- Wow, is that her? She got a perfect score on the written test?

- I heard she speaks five languages. Is that even possible in Korea?

- She’s a scholarship recipient from Yonsei University, so that’s all there is to say.

- Crazy…! Then why did she come here instead of aiming for the financial sector?

- Someone said she’s the chairman’s daughter, just as a joke.

The next part is the scene where the new employees are assigned to their respective overseas sales teams.

Among them, Kim Nayoung, assigned to Overseas Sales Team 3, is given a mission right from the start.

- Kim Nayoung? Quick, quickly contact Dubai and cancel it!

- What? Oh, yes!

- ...Do you even know what that means?

- Yes. I’ll try. I think I can do it.

No matter how elite she is, she can't be proficient on her first day of work.

“Hmm, it’s an office munchkin story.”

The difficulties the protagonist faces come not from the work itself but from the relationships around her.

Jealousy and envy pour down on the new employee who makes up for her superior's mistake on the first day.

Except for the three supporting actors who are the main characters.

They are all realistic... perhaps even selfish characters.

At least the direct superiors of Team 3 are well-rounded characters who maintain neutrality, but the superiors from other departments are relentless.

“Phew, it’s chaotic.”

It might get a lot of criticism right from the start.

The first part mainly shows the characteristics of the main characters.

It’s filled with content that anyone who works in a company can relate to.

Especially in the last scene, the protagonist Yoo Seol-a, with her tired body, heads home.

She walks through the high-altitude slums, which are as tall as mountains, and ends up walking barefoot.

“Somehow, it feels realistic...”

With a gentle background music, it seems like it will leave a deep aftertaste.

To sum up,

“It’s quite interesting.”

If I were an unknown author, it would have been hard to make this into a drama.

There are almost no sensational scenes or melodramatic elements.

Rather, it’s the extremely realistic characters that make it feel like a potato.

“First, I need to... finish this episode.”

I need to complete the editing before my meeting with Yoo Seol-a.

Tap, tap, tap—

Since this work requires detailed emotional descriptions, there are many parts that need to be expressed in the script.

I’ll need to spend at least 5 hours on each episode.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the same time.

In the first-floor café of MBS Broadcasting, two employees were drinking tea.

Among them was a person with a peculiar connection to Kim Jin-woo, the writer.

“Director, don’t be too disappointed.”

“That’s the most painful part.”

“Honestly, the pure macho drama was quite interesting.”

“Agreed.”

The director of “Shooting the Sun,” Ko Hyun-rae, was having a conversation with an assistant director.

Not long ago, after the final episode of the pure macho drama, the next week’s broadcast.

“Shooting the Sun” maintained a 13% viewership rate and concluded.

“But it’s not that bad a score.”

“It’s not that good either.”

“Hmm...”

Considering the blockbuster and top star setup, it’s a disappointing viewership rate.

“Director, um...”

“Why?”

The assistant director suddenly changed his expression and stared in one direction.

“Kim Jin-woo, the writer of the pure macho drama...!”

“I know. It was interesting.”

“No, no, that’s not it...”

“Why? Is he working on his next project? I know that too. Stop talking.”

“No, Director, over there...”

The assistant director pointed in one direction.

Ko Hyun-rae slowly turned his gaze in the direction of the finger.

A man was tapping on a laptop and stroking his chin.

“What? Who is that?”

“I saw him at KBC a while ago.”

“Really?”

“That’s Kim Jin-woo, the writer of the pure macho drama!”

“...But why is he here?”

Out of all the cafes, why did he choose MBS?

This must be intentional.

“Is there a reason he came here on purpose?”

“Maybe.”

Should I consider him an acquaintance or a stranger?

“I should greet him, right?”

“Since we’re in the same industry.”

“Well, he’s not a competitor anymore... the drama is over.”

Creak—

With the sound of the chair being pulled, Ko Hyun-rae slowly walked over.

* * *

Perhaps the most awkward relationship in the world.

Not enemies, not allies, but once competitors.

“Director Ko Hyun-rae?”

“Yes. Nice to see you, Writer Kim Jin-woo.”

The producer of “Shooting the Sun.”

I didn’t expect to meet him here.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“I heard you’ve started shooting your next project.”

“Oh... yes.”

“With Director Song Gwan-soo... I’m looking forward to the great work that will come out.”

“Thank you!”

I heard he has a cool and cheerful personality.

Meeting him in person, he seems like a genuinely good person.

“Are you writing a script here...?”

“...I have an appointment nearby.”

“Hmm, if I may offer a small piece of advice...”

“Yes?”

“The faster you write, the better the quality will be. Director Song is a perfectionist.”

“Oh, um, well...”

“???”

“I’ve already finished the entire script.”

“...?”

It was a bit embarrassing to say, but I thought it was right to speak up.

“...You’ve already finished it?”

“Yes.”

“Then what are you writing now...?”

“The next project.”

“Haha. You’re not joking, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I laughed out of frustration.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Your writing speed is really beyond comprehension.”

“...”

Ko Hyun-rae looked genuinely impressed.

“I thought it was great in terms of content too.”

“Thank you.”

“Here, this is my business card. Let’s have a drink sometime, as colleagues.”

“Yes, Director, I’ll treat you.”

“Haha. Sure.”

Ko Hyun-rae walked away with a pleasant smile.

“This could be...”

I might have made a good connection unexpectedly.

A non-sensational office drama.

Given the genre, I thought it would be a bit difficult to secure an exclusive deal with Disney Play.

“Maybe the next project will be on a major network too!?”

If I can put two out of three projects on major networks after my debut.

And if they all become hits and boost my reputation.

“This could really...”

Could I become a star writer in just one year?

* * *

The next day, in the Tempest Entertainment studio.

“Brother, you absolutely can’t be late on the weekend.”

“What for?”

“It’s the press conference. You might not know...”

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“Aha.”

“...”

I almost forgot and didn’t go.

Good thing I have a good assistant.

But, Hyo-ju added an unnecessary comment.

“Team Leader Byeon said to make sure you don’t be late. Hehe.”

Is she a spy?

“...Whose side are you on?”

“Team Leader Byeon’s side.”

“Of course!”

It’s not painful because I already knew.

‘But, thinking about it...’

She’s a Tempest employee before she’s my assistant!?

Tap, tap, tap—

While talking to Hyo-ju, I was deeply engrossed in revising the script.

‘Almost done.’

The first episode is the most important in any drama.

I’ve been frequently visiting MBS since yesterday to check and revise multiple times.

“Brother, what are you writing so diligently these days?”

“A new project.”

“...?”

“It’s an office drama.”

“Really? A new project already? Why didn’t you tell me...”

“I was just about to send it.”

Tap, tap, tap, thud—

As soon as I finished revising the script, I sent the first episode to Hyo-ju.

“Read it and let me know if there are any revisions needed.”

“Yes.”

The more you revise a script, the better it gets.

Ding—

At that moment, I received a message from Manager Jung.

[Actor Yoo Seol-a has left.]

It was just as planned, but my heart was pounding.

I’m already more nervous because I’ve used the actor change right.

Using benefit points would be fine, but it probably won’t change much.

It’s questionable whether a replacement can be found if Yoo Seol-a leaves this drama.

“Hyo-ju, print out a script first.”

“What? Oh, yes!”

“Add a ribbon.”

“What?”

“At the end of the script. Red.”

“???”

* * *

Somewhere between Tempest Entertainment and Lotem Entertainment.

A restaurant that strictly maintains confidentiality.

A black van appeared at a place frequently visited by broadcasting industry people.

Creak—

The van’s automatic door slowly opened, and a woman gently stepped out.

“Is this it?”

“Seol-a, let’s go together.”

“Why?”

“...Not that way, the opposite.”

“Aha!”

Yoo Seol-a slowly followed her manager inside.

“Brother, did I say something?”

“What?”

“Something about wanting to do a drama soon.”

“I don’t think you said that.”

“Just saying.”

The two followed the staff to the reserved location.

The staff carefully knocked and opened the door.

Creak—

The sliding door opened, revealing three people.

First, a beautifully dressed woman from Tempest.

On the opposite side, a representative from Lotem Entertainment.

And the last person.

“Eh? The one I met...”

The KBC music show writer shouldn’t be here.

For about 3 seconds, my brain froze as I tried to understand the situation.

Swoosh—

Kim Jin-woo naturally stood up from his seat.

I don’t know about the first meeting, but in formal settings, he has a gentle demeanor.

“Hello, I’m Kim Jin-woo. Actor Yoo Seol-a.”

“Ah...”

She bowed her head, following Kim Jin-woo’s bow.

‘Well, he didn’t say he was a music show writer...’

Yoo Seol-a tapped her forehead and shook her head.

For a while, a serious discussion continued between the two sides.

One representative each from Lotem and Tempest.

The conversation was mainly between the two.

Among them,

The woman who introduced herself as Jung Saerom.

She explained in detail why they needed to do the drama together.

In the middle of the conversation, Yoo Seol-a spoke up.

“I’m fine with an office drama.”

“Yoo, Yoo Seol-a...”

The Lotem representative tried to stop her, looking flustered.

But Yoo Seol-a had no intention of stopping.

“I was always willing to do a project if it was good.”

“That... our CEO...”

“Don’t worry too much. I will only do a project if I like it.”

“Oh, yes!”

Seol-a looked at Saerom and asked,

“Did you say this office drama has the top female lead?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Jung, who received a look from Kim Jin-woo, took out a script from her bag.

“Ah, this is... I wrote it a while ago, and it’s jumping around like a fish. Haha.”

Zing—

Jin-woo, speaking as if he’s selling fish at Noryangjin Fish Market.

In response, Jung Saerom glared at him with a murderous intent, saying telepathically,

‘Please shut up.’

On the front of the script Jin-woo took out, it read:

「Yoo Seol-a ㅎ」

“Ah, this is for a signature, and I’ll...”

“...”

Then, Jin-woo rummaged through his bag and took out another script.

A script with a beautifully tied red ribbon.

「Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Nayoung, Part 1」

“Actor Yoo Seol-a.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll put my heart and soul into this project.”

4 hours, 5 hours, I’ll spend the time.

“Please read it once, and we can set up another meeting if needed.”

“Hmm...”

“Writer, sir, if you proceed like this...”

The Lotem representative tried to stop him, uncomfortable with the direct approach.

“It’s fine. Writer, sir.”

Yoo Seol-a, instead, smiled and looked at Jin-woo.

Her appearance was like a celestial being descending to earth, dazzling.