Recently, KBC's Director Joo Taehong hadn't had a day where his beaming smile dried up.
"Isn't this flowing a little too smoothly?"
Writer Kim, from the currently number one trending drama 'Pure-hearted Macho'.
Director Song, from the work that once dominated an era, 'To Draw a Star'.
Isn't this the combination he had so desperately wanted?
If they could just finish casting some decent actors here, there was a real possibility.
"Honestly, I'm not even hoping for a massive hit."
It was enough to be able to hold his head high at the end-of-year awards ceremony without embarrassment.
Thinking about last year's Grand Prize nominee lineup made his face flush.
Because compared to SBC and MBS, they were far behind.
Last year's KBC Drama Awards, which opened amidst the ridicule of countless viewers.
To make matters worse, the viewership itself was the lowest of the three major networks, recording a single-digit number.
To have a single-digit rating at the end of the year when the entire nation is sitting in front of the TV.
The humiliation he had suffered then was an experience he never wanted to go through again.
Knock, knock—
At that moment, a variety show PD entered and greeted Director Joo.
"Hello, Director-nim. I'm PD Lee Beomhyeong."
"Ah, was it today?"
"Pardon?"
"You've come at a good time. Director Kim sent you, right?"
"Ah, yes! Director-nim."
The head of the variety department had asked him to cast some actors in exchange for him persuading Director Song Gwonsu.
He had said they needed to fill a two-week gap with a pilot program.
The content was that they just needed to take some actors and produce two episodes' worth of broadcast footage.
"Ah, well, don't you worry. I've already looked into... w-wait a minute."
"Yes...?"
"PD Lee, you should stop by the drama meeting later."
"???"
Wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone to also introduce the faces of the new drama's leads?
Though it seemed the variety head had only wanted top stars.
"We can just cast top stars, then. Well, if not, whatever."
If they take the lead actors and make a plausible daily life variety show.
Wouldn't it be great to naturally promote the drama as well?
"Hehehe."
Director Joo's mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of the drama.
Writer Kim Jinwoo, who had produced the hottest drama these days.
Director Song Gwonsu, who had filmed a super-hit project and left the drama scene.
He was so curious what kind of synergy would come out if he combined the two cards in his hands.
Tempest Entertainment, 1st Floor Cafe.
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
I was writing the 5th part in a now-familiar space.
The protagonist, pushing back against the Busan organizations with his regression ability.
And the common foreshadowing of a nosebleed from overusing the ability.
"The limits of the regression ability have been reached..."
The male lead's planning was excellent in the process of digging into the mastermind who was targeting the female lead.
He had to be able to express the look of enduring pain and the emotion of anguish better than anyone else.
I have to trust Kang Jun.No, to be precise... I have to trust the system.
"I have to write at least one more part."
If I want to say even one more word at the meeting with the KBC Director today.
Click, clack—
Around the time I had roughly finished and was checking the 5th part.
Manager Jung Saerom approached slowly, the sound of her high heels clicking.
"You're working hard today as well."
The fragrant scent wafting from her tickled my nose.
"Manager-nim, what brings you here? The meeting is still..."
"This."
Swish—
Manager Jung, slowly handing over a contract envelope.
She was referring to the contract for this project.
"The writer's fee per episode is written at the top. Please take a look."
"Uh... ten... twelve million?"
Based on a 16-episode series, an enormous contract fee of nearly 200 million won.
Considering the time it takes to write a script, it was an incredibly high income.
"If it's not enough..."
"Ah, no!"
Writers who receive a fee in the ten-million-won range are commonly treated as star writers.
Of course, it wasn't a title that could be attached just by succeeding in one's first project.
You had to be recognized for at least two consecutive works to be acknowledged as a ten-million-won star writer.
For Tempest to treat me this well, even if they acknowledged me.
"Actually, my personal feelings are included in the contract fee. So don't feel burdened."
"Pardon...?"
"Because I'm personally grateful."
I couldn't take my eyes off her, who was smiling sweetly.
More than anything, how should I interpret the word 'personal feelings' she had mentioned?
'You too...?'
Soon after, Saerom mentioned one more contract term.
"From now on, one assistant writer will be assigned to you."
"Pardon?"
"A capable person from among our staff..."
"W-wait a minute."
"Why... what is it?"
"I don't need an assistant writer."
The main job of an assistant writer is data research.
As long as the system exists, it was a largely meaningless task.
"Um... instead, would it be okay if you hired someone I know?"
"Pardon? Who..."
"A friend I knew when I was under Writer Lee Minjoo."
There's no reason to refuse if one is available, but it's better to have someone I'm familiar with. He could also handle things like location scouting or contacting minor actors on my behalf.
"Hmm, then. Please discuss it with Team Leader Byun."
"Thank you."
"Please check the location and time for the director's meeting today."
"Ah, yes!"
"...Don't be late."
I could feel the sincerity in her last words.
Writer Lee Minjoo was spending her days hectically busy.
No, to be precise, it was the assistant writers running around like crazy under her who were suffering.
"Hah... fuck. Should I just quit?"
Oh Hyunsik spat out a curse and smoked a cigarette.
He didn't seem to have any intention of being considerate of the non-smoking junior in front of him.
"Hyoju, don't you think Lee Minjoo has gone crazy these days?"
"Well..."
The current project was half-collapsed and needed to be edited.
And in the midst of that, she was saying she would start a new project.
Of course, she was working the assistant writers under her like mad, so every single day was hell.
"Hah... I'm so fucking envious of Kim Jinwoo."
It was enough to die of envy just from him debuting.
But he had debuted with a legendary work that surpassed 10% viewership on cable.
Rumor had it that he had already started writing his next project.
And that was despite the fact that his hit project had only aired four episodes.
"I just want to quit everything, meet a rich woman, and get married."
Hearing Oh Hyunsik's words, Hyoju frowned.
'Crazy bastard.'
She was about to say what a rich person would be lacking to want to meet a guy like you.
But a thought that would be far more unpleasant to hear came to mind, and she spat it out.
"How about Writer Lee Minjoo? She's rich."
"...Are you crazy? There are things you can and can't say!"
"Fine, if you don't like it."
At that moment, a man approached and asked.
"Excuse me, is there a Ms. Hwang Hyoju here...?"
"Pardon...? Th-that's me."
Even his 80-20 side-parted hair wasn't tacky at all.
To put it in a writer's terms, she had fallen in love at first sight.
'Wh-what's wrong with me...'
The pounding of her heart was so loud that she could hear it herself.
Soon, the man smiled gently and introduced himself.
"I'm Team Leader Byun Hyukjoo from Tempest Entertainment."
"Ah... Yes!"
Hwang Hyoju answered, her eyes sparkling.
"Ms. Hwang Hyoju, could I speak with you for a moment?"
"I like you!!!"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, no. I mean, okay."
A high-end restaurant, one in each broadcasting station's vicinity.
I arrived at a traditional Korean restaurant near KBC.
"Have a drink."
"I'm not very good with alcohol..."
"Why? You don't want to accept a drink from an old man?"
"N-no!"
The head of the KBC drama production department, Joo Taehong.
In his 50s, he was saying things a 70-year-old would.
Director Joo poured me a drink and said.
"I'm lucky, working with a trending writer and a great director."
"Haha, I'm the lucky one, drinking with you, Director-nim."
At that moment, the door opened and someone entered.
"Hello."
"Oh! Director Song Gwonsu. Welcome."
Director Joo had one purpose from the beginning.
To create a successful drama this time, no matter what.
So it wasn't a joke when Manager Jung said it was easy.
It's not easy to create a drama that is both high-quality and successful.
But in return, he had promised ample support to achieve that goal.
Then, shouldn't our side also be able to confidently demand what we want?
"I hope you will trust us completely with the casting."
"Haha. H-hey, friend. Let's talk about that later."
For a moment, Director Joo's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"Do you know that there's someone who has it out for you guys?"
"Pardon? Who..."
"I heard that Director Cha Choongheon and Writer Lee Minjoo had a meeting at SBC."
"..."
A coincidence like this doesn't exist in the world.
"...You mean it's a snipe?"
"That's right."
"We have to win."
"Really? Then..."
In the end, the words I didn't want to hear came out of Director Joo's mouth.
"Set the board with a top star. I'll back you up."
The words were a suggestion, but given the circumstances, it was close to coercion.
"Um... Director Joo."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"...Couldn't you leave the casting to the director and me?"
For a moment, Director Joo's eyes narrowed.
"Are you confident?"
"..."
Honestly, I am confident. Because the system is 'real'.
But, it didn't seem like that was the answer the director wanted from me.
"Actually... I already have several actors I've picked out."
"Hmm, is that so."
Soon, Director Joo was lost in thought, stroking his chin.
"Do you think you can surpass 'Pure-hearted Macho's' ratings?"
"Yes! Just leave it to me."
Under the same conditions, it's natural for a public broadcasting station to have an advantage.
Theoretically, wouldn't it be common sense for it to be more successful?
Grin—
He gave a slight smile and looked towards the door.
"It's about time for him to arrive..."
"Pardon?"
Knock, knock—
Soon, the door opened and a PD from KBC entered.
"This friend is the ace of the variety department."
"...?"
Why is a variety department PD coming in when we're talking about a drama?
"The head of the variety department asked for a favor."
"Pardon?"
Suddenly?
"We're trying to create a pilot program."
"Pardon? What kind of..."
"There's no harm in getting the actors' faces out there before the drama starts, right?"
For a moment, a halo shone behind Director Joo.
Just, God...!
"For me, it's just fulfilling a request to fill a 2-week gap anyway."
"Then."
"Fill out the casting board. I'll back you up properly."
After the meeting with the director, I returned home.
"A pilot observational variety show."
A chance to make the lead actors' faces known even before the drama films.
Since they weren't top stars, there was no better opportunity than this.
Soon, out of habit, I picked up my smartphone and checked my messages.
A good number of unread messages had piled up.
"Oh, Hwang Hyoju. She quit coolly."
I immediately called her.
"Hyoju, did you leave Writer Lee Minjoo's studio?"
-Yes! Oppa, I never thought you'd actually keep your promise...!
"Well, it's good for me to have an assistant writer too."
-That place is hell!!!
"Why. How is it these days?"
A junior with whom I had shared joys and sorrows in the studio for the past several years.
As before, Hyoju mixed formal and informal speech.
It was nice to hear her complaints after a long time.
-Oh Hyunsik tells strange jokes every day, and Writer Lee Minjoo—, no, Lee Minjoo, curses every single day...!
"Ah... really?"
-Yes! I'll really work hard under you, oppa.
"It'll probably be a dream job."
-Huh? I quit, prepared for the fact that there would be a ton of work since I'm the only assistant writer.
"Ah..."
It's understandable that she would misunderstand since usually three or four assistants support a main writer.
But despite that, her heart in quitting to help me was admirable.
"Welcome to the job of the gods."
-???
"Anyway, you can come to work every day. Ask Team Leader Byun if you need anything."
-Team Leader Byun...? Okay! Hehe.
Ding-dong—
At that moment, a notification sound echoed in my head.
[Content: The Regressor Who Erases Memories, Part 6] [Genre: Time Loop, Romance, Crime Thriller] [Location: 'Domdomdom' Restaurant, Haeundae, Busan] [Time Limit: 7 days] [※ Silver Promotion: 110-110101-1011(Virtual Account, W Bank)] [※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 100,000,000 won]
"Crazy..."
Now it's sending me to Busan out of the blue.No, it's not that out of the blue.I had a similar experience during 'Pure-hearted Macho'.I was in Jeju for about two weeks then, wasn't I?
"But, even if I have to go..."
I have to finish the casting before I leave.