NOVEL NEXT Chapter 164
“It’s exactly 100 days. Exactly 100 days.”
The man in a suit said while looking around the 20 people standing in front of the gray building.
“For precisely 100 days, you will live in that building. During that time, we’ll provide you with basic food supplies and give you a few missions.”
The gaze of the 20 people turned toward the building behind them.
In the remote mountains stood a solitary structure.
It was clear to anyone that this was no ordinary place.
“We won’t interfere with anything that happens inside. After the 100 days of this lifestyle, we will pay each of you five billion won immediately.”
“F-five billion?”
“Is that really true?”
“Of course.”
The man in the suit smiled, revealing his bright white teeth.
“In other words, you’ll distribute the five billion among yourselves. That five billion will go to the person with the highest score in the missions. Think of it as the first-place winner distributing the five billion to you all.”
Everyone’s faces brightened.
If what he said was true, it meant that no matter who came in first, as long as they distributed the money properly, they could walk away with 2.5 billion after just loafing around for 100 days.
‘With that money, I can pay off my debts and buy a house.’
‘But…’
Everyone’s gaze shifted to each other.
The total of five billion meant that if the number of people here decreased, each person’s share would increase.
As if everyone finally grasped that fact, silence fell over them.
An unusual tension enveloped them.
“I told you, everyone, you’ve truly grasped a golden opportunity this time.”
The man in the neatly tailored suit, with his decent looks, smiled cheerfully without an ounce of malice.
Making it all the more unsettling.
Tension filled the air.
“The Grand Game.”
Just a hundred days.
“All you have to do is get along during that time. Really.”
With those last words, the first episode of [Grand Game] came to an end.
And the next day’s second episode continued from where the first left off.
While the first episode explained the circumstances of those who participated in the [Grand Game] and set the background, the second episode focused on the main character and the female lead.
“Someone, someone is targeting me.”
The first month went by without any incidents.
Just days spent doing missions and leisurely loafing around.
That day, while reading a book leisurely, the protagonist opened the door to a woman knocking on his room.
“W-well, if the number of people decreases, the money increases. So it’s definitely…”
“Calm down.”
Despite the awkward situation, the protagonist managed to stay calm.
He logically navigated the situation with his wits.
He tried to find and catch the first person targeting him, but when he went to meet that man…
“He’s dead. Already, by someone else.”
The first murder.
The moment a crack formed in the peaceful [Grand Game].
As the second episode ended…
– Wow, that’s insane.
– I was really immersed in it, LOL.
– They said KMB invested in both this and Sky Garden this time.
– Sky Garden is going to get ripped apart.
– The preview didn’t seem bad, but compared to this…
– It’s really, really fun. The immersion is off the charts!!
A explosive reaction erupted.
Discussions continued across various communities about the content of episodes 1 and 2.
Who was the murderer?
The protagonist may be a bit overpowered, but…
– So should the protagonist fail then?
– Oh come on, that’s unfair!
– But did romance really need to be included? It felt a bit awkward in the middle.
– Well, it’s not like it was heavily featured; it could’ve been added in.
That’s the vibe.
With unexpected praise, Baek Tae-soo PD beamed.
He knew the drama would do well, but he didn’t expect this kind of reaction.
“Ko Mi-eun’s acting was really amazing! She’s definitely the hottest actress right now. Her performance is so steady,” he said.
Other staff members nodded in agreement, giving thumbs up.
Ko Mi-eun, present at the scene, smiled shyly.
“Everyone did their best to make it so. I just acted according to a good script,” she replied.
“Oh, here comes the humility again!”
“Thanks to PD Baek, I got this great opportunity; of course, I should be humble.”
At her words, Baek Tae-soo PD chuckled.
Well, he got Ko Mi-eun at a bargain, so it’s a win-win.
“But today is the day ‘Sky Garden’ premieres, right?”
“Yes, but under these circumstances…”
Staff members laughed together.
“Following PD Baek was definitely the right choice!”
“His eye for projects is remarkable!”
As they laughed, Baek Tae-soo PD maintained a light smile but otherwise didn’t join in.
Of course, the others didn’t pay much attention to PD Baek’s reaction.
They thought he must not even care about something like [Sky Garden].
‘Joo Seo-yeon.’
On the other hand, Ko Mi-eun, chosen as the female lead for this [Grand Game], mulled over that name.
The one who was cast alongside her in a KMB drama.
And an actress who completely overshadowed Ko Mi-eun’s nearly year-long endeavors.
‘This was supposed to be my year.’
Ko Mi-eun was currently working on her third project this year with [Grand Game].
Just dramas, three times.
All had decent ratings exceeding 10%.
Once as a supporting character and twice as the lead.
Especially when she was the lead, the feedback was good, and it was the same for the current [Grand Game].
Yet, until [Grand Game] aired, the name Ko Mi-eun had barely made an impression on the public.
All because of Joo Seo-yeon.
[The Chaser] and various variety shows.
Plus [Dream Future] on top of that.
Every single one overshadowed Ko Mi-eun enough.
This year was supposed to be Ko Mi-eun’s year, but ironically it was also Joo Seo-yeon’s.
“But, in the end, the one who laughs last wins.”
The year-end awards ceremony was just around the corner.
Ultimately, who leaves the biggest impression will significantly influence the awards.
In film maybe, but in dramas, she would win.
Dream Future? She was already confident she could win there.
The important thing was.
It was Joo Seo-yeon’s first drama as a lead.
She had to win.
The industry is small, and young actresses like Joo Seo-yeon especially struggle to find roles.
So Ko Mi-eun was fired up.
She was determined to win with [Grand Game].
*
“What are you doing?”
Park Jung-woo asked.
His father sat on the large sofa.
In the dark, without turning on the lights, he was sitting quietly, surprising Jung-woo as he walked by.
Wait, was the TV even on?
“I was waiting for the drama airing today.”
He was speaking in a stiff tone.
In the past, I disliked that tone from my father, but now I’ve gotten used to it.
Park Sun-woong.
A legendary actor representing South Korea.
He’s said to have never failed in a movie or drama, possessing the strongest ticket power among male actors.
Even the young actor often called the best among his peers, Park Jung-woo, still found himself overshadowed by Park Sun-woong.
“Sky Garden? That doesn’t sound easy.”
“You make it sound easy. You probably know people on both sides.”
“Well, what can I do? The fact remains, it’s not easy.”
Joo Seo-yeon and Writer Min Se-hee.
Both had deep connections with Park Jung-woo.
Especially Joo Seo-yeon.
Honestly, Park Jung-woo didn’t particularly want to see Joo Seo-yeon fail.
“How was the script?”
“I think it’s a script that can definitely do well. But in situations like this, it’s hard to tell.”
The Grand Game turned out really well.
Park Jung-woo was sure that Sky Garden would do well.
But after such a successful drama airs, comparisons are inevitable.
Eventually, only one spotlight would shine.
Feeling unnecessarily thirsty, Park Jung-woo filled a glass with cold water and brought it to his lips.
“I heard you were recommended by the lead actor.”
“Cough!”
Park Jung-woo nearly spurted the water out and barely composed himself as he looked at his father.
“Who did you hear that from?”
“From Jo Seo-hee.”
“Huh.”
“That kid is very polite and well-mannered. There’s a reason why actress Jeong Eun-seon likes her.”
When did that girl become close with my dad?
Despite appearances, she was quite the social butterfly, especially among older actors.
It was astonishing that such a well-mannered kid came from that family.
“Well, I was recommended. Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie. Asking if I’d consider being in it.”
“Director Jo Bang-woo, huh?”
“What do you think, Dad?”
“…Well, I’m not sure.”
Park Sun-woong picked up the remote.
And when he turned on the TV, the dark living room lit up with the screen’s glow.
“He’s a good director. But right now, he’s not exactly a reliable one.”
“I think similarly.”
“Director Cho Min-tae is excellent. I think he’ll carry on your father’s name, but as for Jo Bang-woo…”
He paused for a moment.
On the screen, Sky Garden was about to start.
“That kid must have figured something out, but there’s still one chance left.”
“Yeah?”
“One man, three bases loaded. It’s a situation where if you mess up even once, it’s game over; but to put it another way, at least you get a chance to throw the ball once.”
Probably, what Joo Seo-yeon meant was that she knew about the chance to throw that one ball.
It meant she was including herself in that situation.
It also meant she hinted at that spot for her son.
Park Sun-woong knew.
That last thrown ball would decide a lot.
‘It’s not a huge investment. But it might be the last opportunity to get investment from companies.’
He would make it with an all-or-nothing mindset.
Whether it turns out good or bad, that part was uncertain, but he would certainly be desperate.
Filming under a desperate director is tough.
Park Sun-woong knew that.
“Please refrain from using a baseball analogy.”
“Bases loaded is common sense.”
“Let’s just think of it as a last chance.”
Park Jung-woo said this as he sat next to Park Sun-woong.
Anyway, he returned home early to watch the drama.
“Hmm…”
Park Sun-woong didn’t say any more.
Well, he wanted to feel good about it.
He was an arrogant son, but now his personality was somewhat decent.
‘I heard he said he was considering it, but does he already have it in mind?’
Sometimes, he should show a bit of stubbornness.
As a father, he certainly wanted to dissuade him from a movie with a high chance of failing.
‘On the other hand, if he can save the game with a home run…’
There might be a chance for a dramatic turnaround.
And then.
“In this era of endless competition, I will teach you how to find your path.”
A man’s voice was heard, and the drama began.
*
The day after Episode 1 of [Sky Garden] aired.
Seo-yeon casually headed to the agency.
She had already seen the reactions online.
In fact, they were much better than she had anticipated.
No, the very fact that there was a reaction was incredibly positive.
‘As expected, terrestrial channels have more recognition than cable.’
Feeling quite satisfied, remembering what the early vibe of [Sky Garden] was like.
However, upon arriving at the agency, manager Park Eun-ha had a slightly dark expression.
“What’s up, Seo-yeon?”
“Huh?”
“It seems the ratings didn’t meet expectations. I casually asked around…”
Hearing that made Seo-yeon a bit tense.
Could the ratings be much lower than the online reactions? She listened intently.
“It’s 6 percent. That’s only half of [Grand Game].”
6 percent!!
Seo-yeon was shocked.
Wait, what was the original rating for [Sky Garden] Episode 1?
‘1 percent.’
Even for cable, that wasn’t high at all.
While terrestrial dramas still had better ratings than cable, the gap wasn’t as overwhelming as before.
1 percent was literally rock bottom.
But now it was said to be 6 percent? That’s just an average figure for terrestrial!
However, considering the original ratings [Sky Garden] received for its first episode, that was an insane number.
Given the difference between terrestrial and cable, Seo-yeon had expected around 3 percent.
‘That’s six times!!!’
What would happen later?
Seo-yeon suddenly became serious.
Seeing her serious face, manager Park Eun-ha also grew serious.
They were both worried Seo-yeon might face failure right after taking the lead role.
For an actor, that was truly a huge blow.
‘I need to practice my autograph again just in case.’
‘What should I do? Seo-yeon seems really stressed out.’
Amidst their intersecting thoughts,
– LOL [Sky Garden] got wrecked by [Grand Game] hahaha
– I knew it would turn out like this LOL
– But I found [Sky Garden] more entertaining
– Where are your eyes looking?
– Bong-sik also said [Sky Garden] would have a strong later potential
– Who’s Bong-sik? LOL
The community was increasingly getting riled up, pitting the two dramas against each other.
Of course, most of the bashing was directed at [Grand Game].
[Sky Garden], quite literally, was on the receiving end of a one-sided beating.
Thus, it seemed like the two dramas were to finish with [Grand Game] as the victor.
At least, for now.