Chapter 59

"Ugh, I’m sleep-deprived."

From the morning, I followed Heejeong to the theater to check the drama in the system.

Creak—

In the workshop of Tempest Entertainment.

As soon as I entered the office, Hyoju greeted me.

"Are you here?"

"Yeah."

However, the office was piled high with things I had never seen before.

"What are all these things for?"

"Oh, this…."

There were useless dolls, various snacks, and even different gift boxes.

"These are gifts from Purple Girls fans."

"Ah…."

"There are also a lot of short notes attached. Read them."

［Please take good care of our Se-mi!］

Our Se-mi doesn’t work with me anymore.

She works with Director Bong Jin-ho. The one in the celestial realm.

［Thank you for raising Mi-ryeong and Se-mi ^^］

It wasn’t me; their parents raised them.

I’m the one who received help.

［Our Se-mi always eats abalone porridge when she’s sick. And when she drinks a beverage, she has a habit of raising her pinky finger. And…］

Why do I feel like I can hear Shin Seung-han’s ‘I Believe You’ from somewhere.

［This letter started in the UK…］

What is this?

"Uh… It seems I’ll have a hard time getting along with Purple Girls fans for a while."

While checking the gifts, Hyoju spoke with a look as if something had just occurred to her.

"By the way… Your schedule has come in."

"My schedule?"

"Yes!"

"…How do you know my schedule when I don’t even know it?"

"Oh, the company received an offer. Team Leader Byun told me."

Maybe because there’s nothing for me to do as an assistant writer, this friend is now taking on the role of a manager.

"How’s it going with Mr. Byun these days?"

"Of course."

"Really?"

"Yes. It was the eighth date."

"…."

She might become a gumiho soon.

"So, what’s the schedule?"

"Longerview, you know? The 3 million subscriber channel."

"Huh? You don’t mean…."

"Yes. They’ve sent an offer."

An interview channel that occasionally invites top actors or national MCs.

Previously, Mr. Choi Man-ho and actress Kim Ji-sun appeared there.

This time, it seems they want to bring in someone like me to fill an episode.

"I know it’s a big channel, but…."

"Are you going to decline?"

"I don’t know. I’m not a celebrity."

"Hmm… You should also think about your next work."

"Promotion?"

"Yes. They’ll use the overseas sales team 3 as the thumbnail for the Nertube video."

If they do that, things will change.

"Maybe they’re bringing me in because they couldn’t cast Yu Seol-a."

"No. It’s a joint casting."

"…?"

"You’ll be appearing with actress Yu Seol-a."

"Ugh…."

This makes it even more stressful.

"I don’t know. I’ll think about it. First, check the date and details and send them to me via text."

"Okay, Oppa."

I should start writing now.

After visiting the theater this morning, the drama is vivid in my mind.

"If I write it in advance…."

It will save a lot of time writing at the theater.

Especially since I have two works to write, it will take a long time.

Tap, tap—

"Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Na-yeon, Episode 6"

Episodes 6 and 7 seem to show a stable adaptation to company life.

Especially, the early career employees who start actively engaging in overseas sales.

'They’re going to Japan…'

Now, even seeing overseas locations doesn’t faze me.

In fact, it feels closer… Stop!

Anyway,

The scene where actress Yu Seol-a goes on a business trip to Japan.

She has meetings with buyers and walks through the busy streets.

'The atmosphere feels like calm music should be playing.'

A scene where she looks sad in the busy streets of a foreign country.

A company life that is recognized professionally but is far from satisfying.

Especially, the main content is about the difficulties she faces in interpersonal relationships.

The key points are the lines that seem insignificant but are actually pointed, like when colleagues or superiors give her a hard time.

If you complain to a friend, they might scold you for wanting to quit over such trivial matters.

But when you experience it yourself, it’s a stress that’s hard to bear.

'What were the lines…'

I can’t remember them verbatim, except for a few that stand out.

And I can’t just come up with similar lines on the spot.

"Still, I’m not there yet…"

I have a long way to go to break free from the system.

Tap, tap—

I slowly wrote the two episodes that mostly take place in Japan.

"Hyoju."

"Yes?"

"Didn’t you say you’re good at Japanese?"

"Of course. How many anime have I watched?"

"…"

"Almost like a native."

Yeah, I won’t believe that anymore.

I might as well vouch for my sister.

* * *

Knock, knock—

"Come in."

Team Leader Byun entered the manager’s office with approval documents.

"Manager. Here’s the list of investors for Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Na-yeon."

Soon, Saerom, who was checking the list, spoke.

"Joo Sang Media? The investment amount is huge."

"Yes. Honestly, it’s so large that it’s suspicious."

"I’ll report to the CEO first."

"Ah, yes! Manager."

"Also, Team Leader Byun. I’ll be going on a business trip to Japan soon."

"Yes?"

"I was planning to go alone, but they said they want to meet with writer Kim Jin-woo."

"That means…."

"Yes. We’ve secured another contract with Fuji TV."

The second contract work, the regressive eraser.

It’s finally been confirmed for broadcast in Japan.

"Manager, this time it’s happening very quickly."

"It’s the right time. The Purple Girls are doing well."

Looking back, casting Mi-ryeong was the best decision.

It was much easier to secure a contract with a Japanese broadcaster compared to the previous work.

"Manager, there’s a live broadcast with the actors tonight."

"Ah, that…."

"If you’re busy, I can handle it."

"…Today, please take care of it, Team Leader Byun."

"Yes, I understand."

Saerom sighed as Team Leader Byun walked away.

It felt like she was just passing her work off to someone else.

"It’s a bit busy, but it’s part of the job."

I’m not going to the theater to see Kim Jin-woo’s sister.

I’m going to check the skills of a potential lead actor.

"Actor Lee Jin-ho…."

Ding—

At that moment, writer Kim Jin-woo sent a text.

［Manager, when are you going to the theater?］

"…What?"

I have no memory of agreeing to go together.

Why is he asking so naturally?

Tap, tap—

［I’m going a bit later.］

As soon as I replied, Kim’s response arrived.

［Then, can you give me a ride?］

It feels incredibly presumptuous, but maybe not.

Since it’s a writer and a production company representative going to see a lead actor.

It’s somewhere between work and personal.

Tap, tap—

［6 PM. I’ll leave without you if you’re even a minute late!］

Saerom’s lips curved slightly while sending the text.

* * *

One of the top three drama production companies in the country, Joo Sang Media.

At the top floor of the headquarters in Gangnam, a man burst into laughter.

"Hahaha. Haneulbit, I trusted you!"

CEO Joo Sang-cheol smiled contentedly and checked the news.

《At the Baeksang Arts Awards, the prestigious award went to ‘Haneulbit’ as expected. Meanwhile…》

With the award for ‘Haneulbit,’ Joo Sang Media’s position has become even stronger.

Maybe now we can aim even higher.

"If we could secure a film by Director Bong Jin-ho…."

Perhaps, we could aim for the top spot, not just the top three.

Knock, knock—

At that moment, his secretary knocked and spoke.

"CEO, it’s me, Secretary Lee."

"Come in."

Click, click—

"Here’s the list of works we’re investing in this time."

"Ah, okay."

At the top of the list was Tempest Entertainment.

"Why haven’t we heard from them yet?"

"Well…."

"Are they short on money?"

"They’re rejecting us because we’re investing too much."

"What?"

The first step to recruiting writer Kim Jin-woo.

We needed to pressure the production company that’s taking care of him.

"…Set up a meeting with CEO Jung."

"Yes, CEO."

"Even if the next work is difficult, we must secure the one after that."

"…CEO, writer Kim Jin-woo might be difficult."

"If it’s difficult, we need to find a way."

If other production companies decide to produce based on the work they see,

CEO Joo has risen to this position solely by his ability to judge people.

"We need to secure Kim Jin-woo. If not, we need to at least build a connection."

"Yes, CEO."

Secretary Lee bowed and left.

"In just half a year…."

Actually, it didn’t even require a keen eye for people.

He’s had two consecutive major successes in just half a year.

Moreover, he’s already secured actress Yu Seol-a for his next work.

We’re planning to pour capital into Kim Jin-woo’s new work.

So much that he can’t refuse.

Until we get a direct response from them.

* * *

The two of us visiting Jang Gae-rae Theater.

Me and Manager Jung Saerom.

Looking around, the audience was completely empty.

Only a few people were scattered in the distance.

'The sound of typing won’t reach there.'

The location is actually better than I thought.

Moreover, Heejeong started performing from the beginning.

"Manager."

"Yes?"

"Am I a hedgehog?"

"Excuse me?"

"Heejeong… She’s doing quite well."

"Ah, um…."

Tap, tap—

"I don’t think she’s bad at all."

Heejeong’s performance in the lead role.

Honestly, I didn’t expect much, but her acting is better than I thought.

Tap, tap—

"Acting is truly the art of the actor."

"…"

Even though the audience is less than ten, it adds to the charm.

Heejeong’s lines resonate quietly in the small theater.

Tap, tap—

"Her diction is better than I expected."

"…"

Tap, tap, tap—

"Her gestures are natural. Excellent."

"…Please stop."

"Excuse me?"

"It’s hard to concentrate."

"Ah, did I talk too much?"

"No, it’s not that…."

Swoosh—

Suddenly, Manager Jung leaned in close to my face.

She closed my laptop with a thud, putting it in sleep mode.

Her shampoo scent tickled my nose.

"Let’s watch the performance. You can write the script after it’s over."

"Okay."

"I’ll wait until you finish."

"…"

I stared at Manager Jung.

She ignored me and looked straight ahead.

"Here he comes. Now."

"Excuse me?"

"Actor Lee Jin-ho."

Manager Jung’s demeanor changed sharply as she stared intently at Lee Jin-ho.

He has more lines than a typical supporting role, allowing her to pinpoint his weaknesses.

"Everything is good, but it’s too theatrical."

"Hmm… You’re right. It wouldn’t be natural in a drama."

"Yes. He just needs to change one habit."

"Ah…."

"Let’s have him take a free course at the Tempest-affiliated academy."

"…What do you mean?"

Manager Jung turned to look at me.

"Everything else is perfect."

"Ah…!"

"Another win for writer Kim’s eye for talent."

I was recognized.

By Jung Saerom.

* * *

MBS Broadcasting Nertube Channel Management Team.

Director Na Ji-soo was editing the second season of Campus Couple Soda.

Currently, there’s no separate department for managing web dramas, so she’s doing it while navigating the office politics.

"Ugh… How many nights have I stayed up?"

To produce a quick result.

To gain the approval of writer Kim Jin-woo.

"It’s… done."

For the past few days, she lived in the editing room, eating and sleeping there.

Dark circles under her eyes were as big as fists, but there was one last thing to do.

"I think I can send it now."

It’s only the first episode of the second story, but she had produced a video she could be satisfied with.

Tap, tap—

She soon sent the video file to writer Kim Jin-woo.

Feeling like a student waiting for their college entrance exam results.

And a little while later,

Ding—

Finally, writer Kim Jin-woo’s approval came.

［Perfect! There’s nothing to fix ㅎㅎ］

"Thank you, God, Buddha…!"

After making up a religion and thanking a transcendent being,

Na Ji-soo immediately uploaded the two videos to the MBS Nertube channel.

Thud—

As soon as she uploaded one, she faceplanted on the table.

'I’ll have a good dream…'

She soon fell into a deep sleep like a corpse.

It’s not on par with the pure macho or regressive works on TV.

But on the web drama front, it might be a while before a better work comes out.

《Campus Couple Soda, Second Story, Episode 1. Full Version.》

-1 second ago

-1 view

Soon, after uploading, a video appeared on the computer screen above her head.

But Director Na Ji-soo, who had already fallen into a deep sleep, didn’t notice.

The view count of the video started to climb rapidly.

《Campus Couple Soda, Second Story, Episode 1. Full Version.》

-3 minutes ago

-1,756 views

-300 likes, 2 dislikes

-57 comments