Return of the Genius PD

The day of the production presentation.

Three people in immaculate suits took the stage:

Han Se-gyu. Kim Jong-su. Lee Ji-yu.

The faces of the reporters watching them glistened with the desire to quickly satisfy their curiosity. The rivalry with Kim Seung-yeon had already become the talk of the town. 

After all, isn’t one of the most entertaining sights in the world watching a fight?

Both premiering at the same time.

What could be more provocative than this? The reporters’ interest was focused on who would emerge victorious in this showdown.

Moreover, another spotlight was undoubtedly on Han Se-gyu, making his first public appearance in five years. 

As such, the reporters’ main interest was in the Q&A session scheduled for the end of the production presentation.

Finally, as the prepared schedule concluded, the Q&A began. The first reporter to gain the floor asked,

“Due to your long hiatus, both fans and viewers have been eagerly anticipating your return, Han Se-gyu…”

The reporter’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“In fact, in the industry, it was considered a fait accompli that you were even considering retirement. Is this true?”

Han Se-gyu answered without hesitation.

“It is true.”

As the rumor was confirmed, the conference hall became noisy. 

Eventually, Han Se-gyu preemptively answered the expected follow-up question.

“I had doubts about acting. Then, while mourning the loss of the late Park In-hyun, whom I respected like a father, my mindset changed…”

A characteristic cynical expression flashed across his face behind his glasses.

“To be honest, I thought I’d done enough.”

The reason for his disappearance was revealed after five years.

The press conference hall buzzed. The reporter who had asked the question excitedly inquired further,

“I imagine your grief must have been immense. Then… was there a decisive moment that changed your mind?”

Han Se-gyu closed his mouth for a moment, seemingly recalling a memory. Then, a slight smile appeared on his face.

“…Let’s say it reminded me of my initial passion.”

“Pardon?”

Han Se-gyu continued calmly.

“For the past five years, I’ve rejected all script requests. I’ve been wandering, almost in seclusion, seeking out remote places for five long years.”

He then added with a slight smile.

“Someone came looking for me, scouring the entire country.”

The sound of typing erupted loudly in the conference hall.

“Late at night, deep in the mountains where I was, a PD from JTVN found me. It was a first for me…”

Han Se-gyu chuckled.

“Perhaps that’s why? Somehow, that night, I ended up sharing my deepest thoughts with that person. And…”

Then Han Se-gyu’s expression became complex and subtle.

“I was scolded harshly on the spot. That person told me it was time to fall in love with acting again.”

He laughed silently for a moment before continuing.

“Isn’t it absurd? A young PD, young enough to be my nephew, comes asking me to appear in a drama, and instead gives me a stern lecture.”

The reporters listened intently to Han Se-gyu’s eloquent speech, as if hearing an old tale.

“If it had been anyone else, I would have probably chased them away as a lunatic… but this person was different.”

“How so?”

“They looked like the most ragged beggar you’ve ever seen. Apparently, they had been searching for me for days, leaving no stone unturned across the country.”

“So the difference was in how ragged they looked!”

A burst of laughter rippled through the audience at the reporter’s interjection.

“Someone so desperate, yet standing before me with their head held high, confidently speaking their mind—I found myself swayed.”

The reporters frantically jotted down his words.

“And.”

After a brief pause to focus attention, he continued.

“As that person boldly claimed, the script was excellent. My heart fluttered, just like when I first started acting.”

Han Se-gyu concluded with a generous smile.

Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju is a work worthy of its ambition. I ask for your keen interest.”

Just as those words were wrapping up the production presentation…

“One last question, if I may. Is the person who changed Han Se-gyu’s mind the same one rumored to be like a sworn brother to you these days?”

A glint appeared in Han Se-gyu’s eyes as he was about to stand and leave.

“Sworn brothers…”

After gathering his thoughts for a moment, he spoke.

“We didn’t explicitly say it, but that night, our hearts connected, so…”

Han Se-gyu looked at the reporter.

“I suppose you could see it that way.”

As Han Se-gyu acknowledged this, the hall buzzed once again. Someone playfully asked,

“So, are you giving up fishing now?”

Han Se-gyu replied cheekily,

“For now, I’m focusing on the work. I don’t want to get scolded again.”

Then he gave a wink to the reporter who had asked the question.

* * *

“Han Se-gyu is truly something else.”

In the PR team’s meeting room, Kim Beom-jun, the team leader, was scrolling through his laptop, checking articles.

[Han Se-gyu: “I had even made up my mind to retire internally.”]

[What are the viewing points of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju, the drama that made Han Se-gyu reverse his retirement decision?]

[Han Se-gyu: “A drama that helped me rediscover my initial passion.”]

The internet was abuzz with Han Se-gyu’s statements from the production presentation. A male employee next to him chimed in.

“It’s great for us. Public opinion about Ham In-ju is swelling with anticipation.”

Curiosity about Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju was spreading.

Just how good could a drama be to make a great actor reverse his decision to retire?

That kind of psychology, you know?

But the problem was.

TVM’s Paris Croissant production presentation was held on the same day.

As if in direct competition, you could say.

A female employee, who was following articles about Paris Croissant, spoke up.

“The buzz around the Kim Seung-yeon writer and Seo Beom-soo director combo is not to be underestimated.”

Kim Seung-yeon X Seo Beom-soo.

A success formula already proven to the public. A reliable writer-director team.

Romantic Paris location shooting.

A lineup of trendy A-list actors that perfectly target young sensibilities.

A production budget that easily outstrips the competition.

With more talking points, Paris Croissant articles still dominated the top of portal sites compared to Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju.

The male employee nodded.

“We’re slightly behind, true. But the fact that we’re neck and neck is impressive in itself.”

“That’s true.”

Other team members agreed.

“Maybe… we could even win?”

At the PR team newbie’s out-of-the-blue comment, heads turned. They looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

“Ah… that might be a bit too much to hope for, don’t you think?”
“There’s still a weight class difference, after all.”
“We are the underdogs, true.”
“It’s our project, but realistically, it’s a stretch.”

At that moment, the PR team leader spoke up softly.

“Well… I have a feeling we might just pull off an upset this time, like the rookie said.”

Under the skeptical gazes of the team, the PR team leader elaborated.

“This drama has been exceptional from the start, hasn’t it?”

From his perspective, it was full of unusual developments.

A rookie writer beating out a star writer in competition.
The star writer moving to a rival channel, seemingly in disbelief.
The rivalry dynamic formed even before the broadcast.
And at the center of it all, a great actor reversing his decision to retire just to appear in the underdog production.

It was a series of unpredictable turns.

The PR team leader continued, “It happens sometimes. Exceptional works like this break through. Of course…”

He shook his head.

“Most of the time, these exceptional moves backfire and everything collapses.”

He paused, looking around at his team.

“But if by some chance it survives these adverse conditions…”

Sensing the team holding their breath, he raised his hand abruptly.

“Alright, alright, it’s time for our first episode ratings bet! I’m putting 50,000 won on Ham In-ju!”

Not to be outdone, others joined in.

“I’ll put 10,000 won on Ham In-ju too!”
“Following the team leader, 10,000 won on Ham In-ju.”
“I’ll raise that 10,000 and add 20,000 more!”
“Then I’ll put 50,000 won on Croissant.”

A chilling silence fell over the room. All eyes turned to the owner of the last bet—the PR team’s newest member.

“…Are you crazy? Are you a traitor?”

Soon faced with the stern gazes of his colleagues, the newbie slowly moved his 50,000 won bill to the other side.

“Oh come on, why are you crushing our kid’s spirit? Rookie, bet according to your conviction, your conviction!”

The rookie’s hand wavered slightly again.

The PR team leader laughed heartily and turned back to his laptop.

[Who is the sworn brother that changed Han Se-gyu’s mind?]

‘Do Ji-won, huh…’

As the PR team leader, it was hard not to stay attuned to in-house buzz, whether consciously or not. 

You could only promote what you knew, after all. So, he always kept his radar up.

That’s why he knew quite a bit about the hidden stories surrounding Do Ji-won.

A 4th-year PD who had turned down a spot in the elite Strategic Planning Division to join the competition team.
The unique directing proposal that sparked everything.
The dramatic casting process and the swirling rumors from the set that followed.

It was curious how this guy had managed to fly under the radar for four years.
On the flip side, it was equally rare for someone to create this much buzz in such a short time.
That’s why the PR team leader’s instincts kept nudging him in a particular direction.

—That Do Ji-won would make waves soon.

‘Maybe… we’re about to see the rise of a star PD for the first time in a while,’ the PR team leader thought, quietly hoping his unusual hunch was right.

* * *

-Ding dong!

Director Ko Dong-guk opened the front door to welcome PD Kim Jong-su and Ji-won.

“Ah, you’re here? Thanks for coming. Come on in.”

They greeted him politely as they took off their shoes.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to your house, Director,” said Kim Jong-su.

“Excuse us,” Ji-won added.

It was the day of the highly anticipated first broadcast of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju, and they had been invited by Director Ko to watch it together at his place.

Stepping into the living room, they saw a simple yet cozy setup—a TV, sofa, and table. What stood out was the entire wall covered with family photos. 

As Kim Jong-su took off his coat, he asked:

“How are your wife and Seul-i doing?”

“Same old, nothing special to report,” Ko Dong-guk replied.

He added with a wry smile, “No news is good news, right? If I don’t hear from them, I just assume everything’s fine.”

With his daughter studying abroad, Director Ko was entering his third year as a “goose dad.” He shot a glance at Kim Jong-su.

“So, when are you getting married? Still no updates?”

“As you know, I’m married to my dramas,” Kim Jong-su quipped.

Director Ko clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Tsk tsk, you smell like an old bachelor. Ji-won, don’t take after him. If you meet someone good, get married quickly.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically.

“If you miss the timing, you’ll end up like this. Can dramas feed you?”

Ji-won chuckled. “Haha, yes, sir.”

Ko Dong-guk smiled warmly as he gazed at the family photos on the wall.

“Falling madly in love, getting all lovey-dovey, having kids that look like you, watching them grow up… there’s nothing better, really.”

“Is it really that great?” Kim Jong-su said, raising an eyebrow. “All I see is you aging ten years.”

Director Ko glanced around the room as if searching for something to throw at him. Then, turning to Ji-won again, he said:

“Ji-won, if you know anyone decent, introduce them to him. My dying wish is to attend Jong-su’s wedding.”

Kim Jong-su grimaced.

“Stop saying ridiculous things!”

Ji-won laughed. “Yes, I’ll keep that in mind, Director.”

Finally…

As the program preceding Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju wrapped up, Director Ko Dong-guk asked:

“What’s the current rating?”

Ji-won, keeping an eye on the real-time ratings on his tablet, responded:

“7%… 7.3%… It’s trending upward.”

“Good,” Director Ko nodded.

PD Kim Jong-su, holding the remote, switched over to TVM.

“Paris Croissant has started. What’s their rating?”

Paris Croissant had begun five minutes earlier than Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju, part of TVM’s strategy to capture viewers first by starting ahead of the competition.

But there was a downside.

If their content didn’t meet expectations, viewers could easily switch over to Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju once it began.

Ji-won squinted at his tablet.

“…Paris Croissant is at 11%.”

“As expected from Kim Seung-yeon,” Director Ko remarked.

“Hmm, it’s what we anticipated, right?” Ji-won replied.

Writer Kim Seung-yeon was known for her romantic comedies—light, fun, and appealing to a wide audience. 

It made sense that Paris Croissant would capture viewers from the first episode without much hesitation.

PD Kim Jong-su, still calm, added:

“We knew we’d be behind at first.”

“The real question is, how much can we pull away,” Director Ko mused.

“The commercial break will be key. That’s when viewers are most likely to switch channels,” Ji-won added, watching the screen intently.

PD Kim Jong-su shook his leg nervously as the minutes dragged on. The anticipation in the room grew, thick with tension.

Finally, Ji-won broke the silence:

“Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju… is starting now.”

Without a word, Director Ko and PD Kim Jong-su quickly switched the channel to JTVN. The advertisement on the screen faded, and the drama title in the upper-right corner disappeared.

And just like that, the first broadcast of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju, born from the blood, sweat, and tears of the three men, began.

T/N Notes:

(1) Fait accompli: 

“Fait accompli” is a French phrase that has been adopted into English. It literally translates to “accomplished fact” or “done deal.” 

(2) Goose dad: 

A “goose dad” (기러기 아빠, gireogi appa in Korean) is a term used in South Korea to describe a specific family arrangement. It refers to a father who works and lives in South Korea while his wife and children live abroad, typically in an English-speaking country.