Chapter 4

All-Weather Entertainment Life 4 (4/280)

***

That evening.

"Chunho, are you here?"

The door was flung open less than ten seconds after I rang the bell, and my mother's face was beaming.

"It's only eight o'clock... You came early?"

"...I said I would come early today."

"Oh, you always say that, but you usually sneak in around midnight. What's with ringing the doorbell today?"

Seeing my mother's bright smile over such a trivial matter made my throat tighten.

"Do you not like it?"

"Not at all. Keep ringing the doorbell from now on. Don't just press the code like a ghost and disappear or sneak in."

"I don't want to wake Haena if it's late. What about my sister?"

"She went for a walk with Haena after dinner. I should go pick them up after you finish eating."

After watching me eat with a satisfied look, my mother went to pick up my sister and niece, Haena. I then entered my room.

'Should I get some work done?'

The synopsis that Manager Lee Hong-ju personally delivered was 60 pages long.

For a 60-minute, 12-episode series, it was quite a substantial amount.

"What kind of work is this...?"

With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, I turned to the first page.

The first line felt strangely familiar.

____________________________________

JWN Special Mini-Series <Your Home>

-Planning Intentions-

What does home mean to you?

Right here, right now.

There are people who cannot return home, or do not want to return.

____________________________________

.

.

.

"Huh...?"

What is this...?

It's <Share House>.

So... the title has changed?

A strange one? A reincarnated one!

South Korea, the number one producer of well-made dramas.

In the 1990s, we enthusiastically consumed Chinese dramas, which were mostly martial arts.

In the 2000s, we consumed short and diverse Japanese dramas, as well as American and British dramas that were flashy, stimulating, and had the charm of seasons, leading to a tremendous boom in our drama industry.

'It's because it makes money.'

Yes, dramas made money, and people who smelled the money jumped into drama production one after another.

As 160 or more works were produced each year, competition heated up, and the quality of the works that survived the fierce competition was considerable.

'Great works always stimulate the public's desire to consume.'

The same goes for dramas.

It was a natural progression for our country, which had become a producer rather than a consumer of culture in just a few decades, to become the best in dramas.

'There were so many types.'

Melodrama, romantic comedy, traditional and fusion historical dramas, melodramas, mystery, SF, detective, medical... the genres were countless.

Interestingly, a certain cultural critic said, "Dramas that sell can be classified into three categories regardless of genre."

"First, the 'home run' that comes once every three years, if at all, capturing both popularity and quality.

Second, the 'single' that uses plenty of MSG, gets a lot of criticism, but definitely captures popularity.

Third, the 'masterpiece drama' that receives praise from both the public and critics with its solid quality and is talked about more and longer over time."

That's how they are divided.

'And <Your Home> is... '

This work, which exists in my memory as <Share House>, is the last of the three categories, a masterpiece drama.

And it's a rather complex one.

'Yeah... I did hear that the initial draft of <Share House> was planned by Oh Young-seok CP.'

There was such a rumor.

Oh Young-seok was involved, but for some reason, production was delayed, and during that process, everything from investment to production changed.

'Just that.'

Everything else was different from my memory.

The title, the timing of the work's appearance, the production company...

'What's more, <Share House> wasn't even broadcast on TV...'

Not yet, but a few years later, a new paradigm that surpassed ratings in broadcasting entertainment would emerge.

It was the streaming service platform.

And <Share House> was a work directly provided to the largest worldwide streaming service, 'WebPlus,' among many platforms.

'Was it originally planned from this time?'

Even as a first-year, I attended all the meetings.

A work that was listed in the team meeting was scrapped, and if it was <Share House>, I wouldn't have forgotten it.

'Then...'

<Share House> had never been on the JWN lineup list.

"Why did it suddenly pop up now?"

And why did it come to me?

Frustrated, I stared at the screen of my phone, which was charging.

'I hoped to hear some news since I was assigned to <Your Home>.'

But there was no alert from 'Entertainment Life Almanac' yet.

***

Two days later, Wednesday.

The Chinese restaurant 'The Chai' near Sangam.

A place where office workers in Sangam often use for entertaining, consisting only of private rooms without a main hall.

'As expected, the sweet and sour pork here is always excellent. It's not for nothing that people flock here.'

Shin Jung-hyun's small happiness of savoring the sweet and sour pork didn't last long.

"By the way, are you the only one coming in for production today, Jung-hyun?"

"Huh? Oh, I... cough! Well, that is..."

It was just a trivial question.

But Shin Jung-hyun, who is usually straightforward, dodged the answer, drawing curious glances.

"What's the matter?"

The famous hot-tempered head of the programming department, Lee Jae-young, urged for an answer.

"Our CEO will also be attending."

"Huh? CEO Yoon Seok-jin himself? Why?"

"Well, he saw the list of attendees and decided to come."

It was a hard-to-understand answer.

Kim Sung-soo of the broadcasting team, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head and found a plausible answer.

"List? Who... Oh, is it because of Oh Young-seok CP?"

"Probably not."

Then, Oh Young-seok, who had been quietly focused on his meal, wiped the spicy noodle soup from his lips and spoke.

"I started this project from the planning stage, so there's no reason for CEO Yoon to show up just to see me."

"Yes, it's not because of Oh CP."

"Then, who?"

"Well... it's the PR team. As you know, we'll be giving a briefing on the project by department today. The PR team will also be presenting their PR plan, and it's... because of the... presenter..."

What's the big deal?

The head of the programming department looked at Shin Jung-hyun, who was awkwardly smiling, with a strange look.

"Who's presenting? Oh, is it General Manager Cho Seok-jin himself?"

"No, two first-year employees will be presenting separately."

"Two first-years, you say?"

"Yes, separately. Individually."

"What's that about? Why two people for something they usually do alone? Anyway, you're interested in them, right?"

"Well, yeah..."

Listening to their conversation, Oh Young-seok suddenly interjected, his smile seeming oddly pleased.

"That guy? Jeon Cheon-ho... What was his name again? It was unique. That famous blunt comment at the wrap party."

Shin Jung-hyun, who couldn't bring himself to say it, was hit where it hurt.

"Yes, Jeon Cheon-ho. He's a media 1 team employee."

"Hmm, I've never heard of him. Or did I? It sounds familiar. What project has he been working on recently?"

Kim Hyun-ah, the head of visual marketing, shot a look at Shin Jung-hyun, as if to say, "Who is this guy? If he's famous, I would have known."

'I'm going to go crazy. Why did this guy have to say something like that!'

Despite Shin Jung-hyun's efforts to dodge the questions, they kept coming.

"Speak up! What's the big secret?"

"Well, this is his first main project. He's been with the company for exactly a year. Until now, he's only assisted Manager Lee Hong-ju and Agent Yoo Hee-jin."

Shin Jung-hyun wanted to avoid talking about Jeon Cheon-ho and change the subject.

'Ha. How did I end up with this guy as a junior?'

But what could he do?

He was already friends with the guy.

Not wanting to upset his senior colleagues before even meeting him, Shin Jung-hyun tried to steer the conversation away.

"Hey, you know, asking about that is not the point."

But Oh Young-seok didn't seem to appreciate his effort.

"Didn't you hear? The guy who told CEO Yoon that dramas are boring at the wrap party. That's Jeon Cheon-ho."

Reactions ranged from "Oh, that crazy guy? I heard, I heard," to "Wow, that happened?" and then "How did that guy end up working on a Studio Y project?" and "What a strange guy," making the conversation uncontrollable.

'I don't know. It's all your doing.'

Shin Jung-hyun silently wished for Jeon Cheon-ho's good fortune, who had become a new topic of interest for his senior colleagues.

***

3:50 PM.

JWN Building, 12th Floor, Large Conference Room.

People started to enter, opening the glass door with a large A4 paper printed with the title.

"What's this? The meeting is bigger than usual? This is just a meet-and-greet, right? I thought it would just be a quick introduction."

"Right? Maybe it's a big project."

"Come on. How can we make a big project? Our drama ratings are at rock bottom..."

"Hey, be quiet. Don't cause a fuss."

The large setup for the meet-and-greet piqued the curiosity of the arriving people.

Moreover,

"But, isn't it too early for a full meet-and-greet, not just planning and production? I heard the main cast hasn't even been finalized yet."

"The script is probably just in its first draft. Studio Y set the schedule. They must have their reasons."

Questions about the sudden addition to the lineup without prior notice piled up.

And then,

"Did you hear? The PR team is fighting over who gets to handle this project."

"Really?"

"I heard from the planning team. Lee Hong-ju's junior wanted to do it, but the Hyun Jin-geun side said, 'Why should you take it?'"

"Wow, <Your Home> must be popular. It must be interesting if they suddenly set a schedule and the picky PR team is fighting over it."

"I'm not sure. Seeing the PR team fight and the sudden increase in the meet-and-greet size makes me wonder."

As the team leaders' minor conflict escalated into a discussion about the project's success or failure,

I was doing a final check in the waiting room attached to the large conference room, with Kim Han-sung, who would be my junior.

"Hey, Jeon Cheon-ho. Enjoy the moment."

'What's this about?'

Seeing no point in responding, I turned away from him.

"Why are you so quiet? Are you nervous?"

Patience.

Patience.

'If I have three, patience...'

"Of course, this is your first presentation. You were always quiet in the training center, weren't you?"

Kim Han-sung's mouth moved non-stop, emboldened by my silence.

Jeon Cheon-ho, you're an adult.

You're twenty years older than him.

'He'll be my subordinate soon.'

Ignoring him, I quietly stood up and walked towards the conference room.

After all, the introductions by department and the overall introduction of the project would be over before the PR and marketing presentations began.

There was no reason to waste time facing Kim Han-sung here.

***

<Your Home>, jointly produced by JWN and Studio Y.

While it's common for the production company to handle investment and production, and the broadcaster to handle scheduling, promotion, and marketing, <Your Home> is unusually co-produced by broadcaster JWN and production company Studio Y.

'Perhaps due to the adults' circumstances.'

Oh Young-seok CP, who joined JWN last year, led the overall planning of the project, and the fact that JWN and Studio Y are subsidiaries of YS created this situation.

In a few years, Studio Y will be absorbed by JWN, as I know from the future.

'From a distance, they seem like two different companies, but up close, they're essentially the same.'

The on-site production staff, including the director, are from Studio Y.

Planning, scheduling, promotion, and marketing are handled by broadcaster JWN.

And the investment is shared.

This is the background for JWN's growth into a so-called 'cultural president' or 'integrated media channel' that will surpass the three major public broadcasters in a few years.

"Hello, I'm Shin Jung-hyun from Studio Y, who will be in charge of the overall production of <Your Home>. Thank you for attending the meet-and-greet despite your busy schedules. First, I would like to ask the production team to introduce themselves briefly in turn."

As soon as the clock struck, my senior, Jung-hyun, the production producer, stepped onto the small stage prepared in the conference room.

Following his lead, the heads of the production, planning, scheduling, broadcasting, promotion, and marketing teams, who are involved in the drama, nodded lightly in greeting.

"Hello, I'm Yoon Seok-jin from Studio Y."

CEO Yoon Seok-jin took the microphone to greet everyone.

'Please be careful with your words today.'

I thought of my senior, Jung-hyun, who had been calling me all morning.

'He kept asking, "Why did you do that the other day? Do you know how embarrassed I was?"'

He repeatedly warned me, "Please be careful today, again and again. I'm doing this for your own good. Hey! Are you listening?!"

'But, is CEO Yoon Seok-jin really attending such a meet-and-greet?'

Even before the regression, I had worked on several dramas with Studio Y, but I don't remember CEO Yoon ever attending a drama-related meeting.

After all, it's usually the head of the relevant department who attends.

'...He only attended wrap parties, if I recall.'

Curious, I looked at CEO Yoon, who was thanking everyone for their participation.

Suddenly, our eyes met.

'...What? Did our eyes meet...?'

His gaze was intense and didn't waver.

'What, is he really looking at me?'

At that moment,

The corner of CEO Yoon's mouth slowly curved upward.

"And I also have personal expectations for today."

'No way... No, right?'

Feeling uneasy, I turned my head slightly towards the podium.

Sure enough,

'Oh no.'

My senior, Jung-hyun, who had been sighing deeply, poked me below the waist with one hand.

'So that's why he kept calling.'

It was clearly a tense moment, but for some reason, I felt like laughing.

What we need is

After the introductions by the key staff, the official meet-and-greet began with the project introduction prepared by Studio Y.

While a few matters under discussion within the production team were being announced,

Jo Seok-jin, who had been sitting in his departmental seat, looking straight ahead, spoke up.

"So, who's going to start?"

He was asking who would present first between Media 1 Team's Jeon Cheon-ho and Media 2 Team's Kim Han-sung.

The answer came from Team Leader Hyun Jin-geun of Team 2.

"Kim Han-sung from our team will go first."

"Is that so? I thought Jeon Cheon-ho would go first... That's surprising."

"They decided among themselves. They're going in alphabetical order..."

Team Leader Hyun Jin-geun seemed satisfied with the order, but Lee Hong-ju's brow was slightly furrowed.

Jo Seok-jin chuckled to himself.

'It makes sense.'

Pre-launch promotion for a drama that hasn't even started airing is fraught with restrictions.

First, the information that can be made public is limited.

Second, avoiding spoilers is a top priority in a drama that will run for over a month, unlike a two-hour movie.

This creates an ironic situation where you have to enthusiastically promote why the drama is interesting and why viewers should watch it, but you lack compelling stories to sell.

'That's why there's an obsession with casting top stars.'

Ultimately, what a PR person can rely on is obvious.

They become fixated on the names of the actors, the scriptwriter, and the director.

'But <Your Home> doesn't have much to work with.'

According to the information from the planning team after the meet-and-greet date was set last Monday, the scriptwriter, Min Hae-yeon, is a newcomer.

The director, Lee Ho-jin, is from the public broadcaster KDS, but he doesn't have any notable works yet.

'He has quite a bit of experience...'

For some reason, after joining KDS, Lee Ho-jin only worked on the B and C teams of senior directors.

It seemed there