Chapter 80

80. Now it's the real deal

– Director Jeong! Haha! It's a huge hit!

“Haha! Director! I was really surprised. 28.4% on the first episode!”

Director Jeong Doo-il smiled broadly at the enthusiastic greeting from the director, whose excitement could be heard in his voice.

– “Did you see the ratings for ‘Great Nation’?”

“No, I haven’t checked yet.”

That’s right. There was ‘Great Nation’.

He had completely forgotten about the rival ‘Great Nation’ amidst the overwhelming response since last night and the astonishing ratings he checked this morning.

– 21.1%, hahaha!

“Really?”

Director Jeong Doo-il's eyes widened.

While editing ‘The Story of Hong Gil-dong,’ he had secretly expected a well-crafted story and direction.

Perhaps it would be able to compete with Kang Jung-won’s ‘Great Nation’ in the later episodes.

But to have this kind of overwhelming impact right from the start?!

– We are also very surprised internally. We are analyzing the data in various ways, but perhaps….

For several years, the influence of SNS has been rapidly expanding. Recently, with the popularity of FaceNote and InstaDram from the United States, its influence has been maximized.

Now, the trend is spreading beyond young people to middle-aged and older adults. And with the emergence of the messenger app ‘TalkTalk’ as a national app.

– This time, ‘The Story of Hong Gil-dong’ has become the first case to truly demonstrate the true power of SNS promotion in the broadcasting industry.

The importance of SNS, which is expanding its influence, was not unknown to broadcasting stations or companies.

However, when a technological innovation reaches a tipping point, it always produces results that exceed expectations.

The era of smartphones was truly beginning.

Smartphones were already approaching a 50% penetration rate in the country, and the SNS trend had reached a tipping point.

Now, Korea was entering a new digital era.

– From now on, there will be fierce promotional battles in the broadcasting industry to dominate SNS.

While he had expected the popularity of the U Jin-hyuk and Min Seo-yeon clips before the drama aired, no one could have predicted this level of impact.

The clips that were reproduced 2-3 times and the active promotion by fans, especially the massive fandom formed by ‘High School 2,’ made this a kind of ‘event’ that could happen.

– Anyway, it was only yesterday that we confirmed the terrifying SNS promotion effect. The first episode was so shocking. Tonight’s second episode… sigh, I’m scared to check the ratings. Haha!

Director Lee Sang-su laughed heartily, showing how nervous he was.

“It’s all thanks to your full support, Director.”

– Haha. Don’t say that. Not everyone can produce such a drama just because they support it. I also watched ‘Great Nation’ that I invested 200 billion in at dawn.

It was expensive. The set was impressive. The acting of Kang Jung-won and the other actors was good. But it was ordinary.

When looking at just the first episode, ‘The Story of Hong Gil-dong’ was a clear winner in terms of ratings and every other aspect.

Especially in terms of casting, the confrontation between the lead actors Kang Jung-won and U Jin-hyuk, which seemed like a ‘David and Goliath’ battle, was a clear victory for Jin-hyuk.

His acting, which made viewers hold their breath, and the action scene known as the ‘Snow Mountain Duel’ that turned the entire internet upside down.

– Still, let’s not get complacent. How about we look forward to tonight’s second episode? Since Director Jeong made it that way.

“Haha. Director.”

Director Jeong Doo-il smiled with satisfaction.

“Ji-an appears tonight. Do you understand what I mean?”

– Oh!

The director had forgotten about it due to the shock of the first episode.

The fact that there were two geniuses in this drama.

And that the clash of these two geniuses was the trump card of the drama.

– Haha! I forgot about Ji-an because of Jin-hyuk!

“Haha! You can look forward to it! Director!”

The beginning was just the beginning.

***

– KBC “2012 The Story of Hong Gil-dong” opens a new horizon for the Hong Gil-dong series. Shocking visuals from the first episode with a 28.4% rating.

– KBC “2012 The Story of Hong Gil-dong” 9th Hong Gil-dong actor U Jin-hyuk, fantastic action without a stunt double, fans ask, “Is this the real Hong Gil-dong?”

– 19-year-old actor U Jin-hyuk. His god-like acting that makes you forget his age answers the casting controversy of “2012 The Story of Hong Gil-dong.”

– Critics also praise “2012 The Story of Hong Gil-dong” with a detailed analysis of the first episode.

Actor Kang Jung-won’s expression crumpled as he read the articles.

The internet was flooded with articles about the first episode of “The Story of Hong Gil-dong,” and his “Great Nation” was being forgotten.

21.1%

It was not a bad rating for a start.

Considering the enormous production costs, the massive promotional efforts, and the name value of actor Kang Jung-won, it was a bit disappointing, but it was a number that could be expected to perform well if it continued to rise.

“It will rise gradually.”

The CM Entertainment manager cautiously said to Kang Jung-won. Not just cautiously, but with a weak tone, lacking confidence.

It couldn't be helped. If the manager had eyes and had seen the first episode of “The Story of Hong Gil-dong.”

“It will be difficult.”

“Pardon?”

The unexpected words from Kang Jung-won made the manager’s eyes widen. An actor with as much recognition and acting skills as he had, and a pride that matched.

The words from his mouth were too unexpected for the manager.

“To rise, ‘The Story of Hong Gil-dong’ must fall. But.”

Is that possible?

Kang Jung-won couldn’t shake off the shock from what he saw yesterday.

The director who showed incredible direction, and the scriptwriter who skillfully arranged a complex philosophical narrative with tragedy and humor.

Most importantly, these two people had the insight to cast a young actor that anyone would try to stop, as Hong Gil-dong.

Would such people ruin the story so easily?

Moreover, the actor U Jin-hyuk, who showed a genius-level performance, making the fictional character seem real.

Kang Jung-won realized two mistakes.

First, he had taken the changes of the smartphone and SNS era too lightly.

Second, he had judged U Jin-hyuk without even seeing him.

The acting of U Jin-hyuk, who didn’t even look like an actor,

was a shock beyond shock.

“It will be difficult for ‘The Story of Hong Gil-dong’ to fall.”

“...”

“The battle for our drama will not be about how much the ratings rise, but how much we can maintain the current ratings.”

Kang Jung-won bit his lip.

“But... still. Let’s see. There’s always a chance.”

***

Evening time. Before the second episode of “2012 The Story of Hong Gil-dong” airs,

– Ah. I’m so excited….

└ I want to see Jin-hyuk so badly ㅠㅠ

– Why are there so many ads? Hurry! Hurry!

– Yay! It’s starting now!

The internet was in an uproar,

“Hurry up! It’s about to start.”

“Ah. Just a moment, just a moment.”

In each household, there was chaos,

The second story of “The Story of Hong Gil-dong” began.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

In the deep mountains, where the clear sound of cute mountain birds echoed, the base of the Halbin Party was located.

“Yah! I am Hong Gil-dong!”

“No, I am Hong Gil-dong!”

Children with wooden sticks tied to their waists were loudly arguing.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over one of the children.

“Brats! How dare you call the leader’s name so casually!”

“Eh? Sister Kang Hee!”

The child’s face lit up at the appearance of Kang Hee (Min Seo-yeon), Hong Gil-dong’s closest confidant.

“Sister!”

“Sister!”

The children clung to Seo-yeon, and several men watched the scene with satisfaction.

“Welcome back, Kang Hee. You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing.”

A refined appearance that didn’t fit the mountain, and a manner and tone of voice. The female lead, Yeon-ju (played by Nam Su-hyun), who sought refuge in the Halbin Party after her family’s downfall due to involvement in a rebellion.

The scene changed to the Halbin Party’s mountain base. Hong Gil-dong (U Jin-hyuk) smiled and said,

“Everyone has worked hard.”

“What’s the big deal about delivering some food?”

A peculiar mountain village where Hong Gil-dong never revealed his true identity and only delivered food through his subordinates.

There were no men, only the elderly, women, and children.

Although always curious, no one in the Halbin Party ever asked. Not asking about the past was an unwritten rule, not just for Hong Gil-dong but for anyone in the Halbin Party.

“But, leader, that fake Hong Gil-dong. This one is not ordinary.”

As Hong Gil-dong gained fame, many imposters began to appear.

Just hearing the name Hong Gil-dong made even the government troops flinch.

Ruffians, even bandits, began to claim to be Hong Gil-dong.

Naturally, it was impossible to leave such imposters unchecked. Most of them used the name to commit crimes.

“This one even messed with the provincial government office in Chungju.”

“What?”

At the words of Jang Buri (played by Kim Dong-gwang), the second-in-command of the Halbin Party, one of Hong Gil-dong’s eyebrows raised.

The provincial government office was the residence of the governor in each province during the Joseon Dynasty, responsible for administration, trials, and security. It boasted tight security.

The fact that it was targeted meant it was not just a simple ruffian or bandit.

“Of course, it’s not like the rumors say that he turned the place upside down. He just stirred things up and disappeared. Still, it’s not a normal incident. We can’t just leave it be.”

Interest sparkled in Jin-hyuk’s eyes.

“Hmm. An interesting fellow. Just stirred things up and disappeared?”

Jin-hyuk stroked his chin.

Something. A strange smell...

“Kang Hee.”

“Yes, leader.”

“You and I need to go to Chungju.”

Kang Hee’s face lit up at Jin-hyuk’s words.

“Just the two of us?”

“Of course not. Get a few capable people ready.”

“Aw, fine.”

Kang Hee’s face pouted.

“Hey. Have you been getting less beatings from this big brother lately? Want to gather at the back of the mountain with wooden swords?”

“Let’s do it without the wooden swords. Hot and heavy.”

“You’re hopeless. Come here.”

As Jin-hyuk tried to stand up, Kang Hee quickly moved away.

“Hehe. I’ll get the kids ready, leader.”

The scene changed.

Another mountain base.

A man kneeling on the ground. Next to him, a man with a sword stood straight, staring at him with a cold, fierce gaze.

The people gathered in front of them were filled with fear.

“Listen! Our Halbin Party’s first goal is to punish corrupt officials who exploit the people and to redistribute their wealth to the people who have been robbed.”

The actor delivering the lines with a roar was Jung Ji-an.

His real name in the drama was ‘Man-seok,’ but no one among those gathered knew it.

Here, he called himself Hong Gil-dong.

And he was about to punish someone who had misappropriated food in his group, the ‘Halbin Party.’

“Leader! Please forgive me! I was hungry!”

A cold, silent gaze was directed at the kneeling man.

The light in Ji-an’s eyes, shown on the screen, was pure madness.

“Can a belief that collapses due to hunger, or a justice that collapses due to hunger, truly be called justice?”

A voice that seemed to be suppressing something that should have exploded, making it even more chilling.

“Justice that has collapsed has no value. Do not insult justice any further.”

With a growl like a beast, Ji-an’s hand gripped the sword.

“Die.”

Thud!

The man’s body collapsed without even a proper scream, struck by the incredible speed of the sword.

Jung Ji-an, wiping the blood from his face with a murderous look, said,

“Hang the body.”

Ji-an’s hand pointed to the central pole of the mountain village.

Quickly, a few men collected the body.

Ji-an turned his head sharply. The terrified eyes of the people came into his view.

“Listen well. There is no mercy for those who break the rules or damage justice. Look at the hanging body every day and engrave it in your hearts. Deeply, very deeply.”

A low, chilling diction that made even the viewers shiver.

Not exaggerated at all. But more intense than any acting.

The genius actor Jung Ji-an confirmed that the genius in “The Story of Hong Gil-dong” was not just U Jin-hyuk.

– Damn. It’s intense.

– I knew Jung Ji-an was a genius actor, but. Damn. When his eyes