Return of the Genius PD

begins with the story of a man and woman who reunite in Paris ten years after separating in childhood.

“Did you perhaps live in Soha-dong?”
“What are you talking about? I graduated from Villange ISP (International School).”
“I knew it; you’re Kim Ok-bun from Seomyeon Middle School, class 3-8. Caught you red-handed.”

It’s a cliché premise, but being an easy-to-understand subject, it has the advantage of evoking familiar expectations.

“Could it be… that jerk from back then?”

On top of that, Kim Seung-yeon added his signature provocative details.

In that sense, Kim Seung-yeon’s trademark rapid-fire dialogue, refined over years of experience, whirls from the first episode.

In contrast, Kyukyu writer’s is known for its excellent narrative buildup as events unfold.

As a result, it’s true that has the upper hand when it comes to eye-catching, stimulating content.

About halfway through the first episode of , Ji-won spoke up.

“Commercial break starting now.”

Director Ko Dong-guk asked, “What’s Ham In-ju’s current rating?”
“9.2%,” Ji-won replied.

PD Kim Jong-su glanced at his watch and added, “There’s still room for growth. We could hit 10% by the end of the first episode.”

Director Ko Dong-guk interlaced his fingers on the table and closed his eyes.
“And ?”
“…It just surpassed 12%.”
“Hmmm.”

PD Kim Jong-su tried to lighten the mood. “We’re catching up. It’s not over yet.”
“…”

Ji-won silently watched the ratings.

When it came to production, the two men might be experts, but in terms of analytical skills, Ji-won was easily several levels above them.

From Ji-won’s perspective, contrary to their expectations, would likely maintain the lead for the time being.

The turning point would come in episode six, when Ham In-ju begins its counterattack in earnest.

Regrettably, they’d be chasing ’s tail for a while. However, considering the difference in weight class, even now, the ratings weren’t bad—no, they were quite good. Was it just because expectations had been high?

As the broadcast ended…

“…”
“…”
“…”

A moment of silence fell. The sound of commercials echoed aimlessly in the living room.

They instinctively felt that was the winner of this first battle, though the exact ratings wouldn’t be known until tomorrow.

Director Ko Dong-guk forced a bright smile. “Why the atmosphere? Did someone die in the drama?”

Then he added, as if it were no big deal, “10% from the first episode is already a moderate hit. It’s impressive for a rookie writer’s work. Besides, we still have 15 episodes left, right?”

Just then, Director Ko Dong-guk’s phone rang. After checking it, he looked at Ji-won and PD Kim Jong-su and said, “…Kim Seung-yeon wants to meet tomorrow.”

* * *

-Ding!

The wind chime on the entrance door jingled as Kim Seung-yeon entered.

“I’m sorry, Director. I’m a bit late.”

Despite her words, she didn’t seem particularly apologetic. Director Ko Dong-guk glanced sideways at his watch: 1:25 PM. 

About twenty-five minutes later than the agreed time. Since both the time and place had been set by Kim Seung-yeon, it was clear she was intentionally late. Director Ko Dong-guk greeted her without revealing his feelings.

“No, I just got here too. Please, sit down, Writer Kim.”

As Kim Seung-yeon sat down, she asked, “Have you been well? was interesting, wasn’t it? Congratulations.”

“Haha. I enjoyed watching too. As expected, Writer Kim lives up to her reputation. When did you prepare such a work?”

Kim Seung-yeon answered without hesitation. “It’s a work I’ve been preparing for a long time. It’s not something to be wasted on a contest level, right?”

“Ahem.”

Director Ko Dong-guk frowned at her pointed words and merely moistened his throat with a sip of water. Her gaze was already unusual, as if she had come with a purpose.

‘Sigh… Today’s not going to be a good day.’

Director Ko Dong-guk had obtained and read the script for . Even for Kim Seung-yeon, it wasn’t a quality that could be produced in a short period. As she had just said, it showed signs of being prepared and refined over a long time.

However, Director Ko Dong-guk had never heard even a whisper about . Despite their long years together, she hadn’t breathed a word about it to him. Like a seasoned writer familiar with the broadcasting world, she had kept her trump card hidden.

From a slightly different perspective, this meant that while having such a work, she had submitted a different script to the contest.

A bitter smile played on Director Ko Dong-guk’s lips.

Perhaps to Writer Kim, JTVN’s contest might have been seen as mere ‘insurance.’

Director Ko Dong-guk spoke again. “Come on, if you had such a work, you should have told me earlier. I could have secured a better time slot.”

“Actually, I’ve been working exclusively with JTVN for a while now. holds a special meaning for me.”

Kim Seung-yeon brought her glass to her lips while staring directly at Director Ko Dong-guk. “As such, I wanted to try something different with TVM. You understand, right?”

Director Ko Dong-guk’s smile became even more awkward. Perhaps because she was a writer, the hidden blade in her words was quite sharp.

‘A special work, so I wanted to try something different with TVM.’

It didn’t take long to interpret the meaning behind those words.

Translated from Kim Seung-yeon’s language: It was too good to do at JTVN, so I kept it hidden.

Interpreted once more: ‘The fact is, JTVN is a bit lower in grade compared to TVM, isn’t it?’

This time, even Director Ko Dong-guk couldn’t help but feel hurt.

In a way, JTVN had contributed significantly to Writer Kim Seung-yeon’s success. Nevertheless, she was now telling Director Ko Dong-guk that JTVN wasn’t enough for her weight class.

At this point, even Director Ko Dong-guk couldn’t help but bristle.

“As expected, it’s a clever choice worthy of Writer Kim. It’s good you didn’t submit to the contest.”

“Pardon?”

Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes narrowed at Director Ko Dong-guk’s changed tone.

“If it had been a script that got trashed by Ham In-ju in the contest, you wouldn’t have received such good conditions from TVM, no way, no how.”

“What did you say? Who’s getting trashed by whom?”

“Why are you getting so worked up as if you’re the one who got trashed? I’m talking about the works, the works.”

Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes trembled slightly above her forced smile.

“By the way, will you be alright? Our ratings will keep overlapping until the final episode.”

Isn’t she the one who caused this situation? Kim Seung-yeon continued, “Looking at the first episode ratings… it seems the answer is already out?”

As Director Ko Dong-guk was about to reply in a lowered voice, she cut in. “Writer Kim, don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. It’s only been the first episode…”

“You haven’t ordered yet, right? Excuse me!”

Kim Seung-yeon interrupted him by calling a waiter.

“…”

Director Ko Dong-guk frowned and merely moistened his throat with his water glass. Soon, a waiter came in to take their order.

“Director, what would you like? Choose freely. It seems right that I should treat you today.”

Kim Seung-yeon handed over the menu. Director Ko Dong-guk’s brow furrowed as he scanned it.

“…”

The French dish names were written only in English, making it difficult to guess what the dishes actually were. As he kept hesitating, Kim Seung-yeon spoke up.

“Oh my, are the menu items unfamiliar? I’ll order for you. It’s French cuisine, but this suits my taste better.”

French cuisine for a drama set in France. Would it be an overreaction to sense an intention?

Kim Seung-yeon rattled off several menu items, and the waiter jotted them down before leaving the room. A bitter smile lingered on Director Ko Dong-guk’s lips.

For a moment, he had engaged in a bit of bickering, unable to contain himself against Kim Seung-yeon’s provocations. 

But they had laughed and cried together over ratings for many years. Although their relationship had soured recently, to Director Ko Dong-guk, Kim Seung-yeon was similar to a long-time comrade.

That’s why he had come out willing to listen, knowing he wouldn’t hear anything good at this meeting today. Although… she had taken her hidden card to a competing channel and stabbed him in the back.

He thought that if the feeling of disappointment was great enough, such things could happen.

However, he hadn’t expected her to be this blatant, which left a gritty feeling in his mouth, as if he had chewed on sand.

‘Sigh, I suppose this is my karma.’

Director Ko Dong-guk laughed exaggeratedly, trying to change the mood. “A broadcasting veteran like me only knows how to frequent Chinese restaurants. Thanks to Writer Kim, my palate will broaden a bit today, haha.”

Kim Seung-yeon’s eyes narrowed. “It’s time you started eating better things, Director. You’re at an age where you should be thinking about your health.”

Eventually, as unidentifiable French dishes were served, Kim Seung-yeon pushed a plate toward Director Ko Dong-guk. “Director, try this. It’s a dish called escargot, and it’s quite tasty.”

Director Ko Dong-guk glanced at the dish. Some unknown creature was sitting in a green sauce.

“What is this…?”

“It’s a snail dish.”

“Hmmm…” As Director Ko Dong-guk hesitated in front of the unfamiliar snail dish, Kim Seung-yeon’s phone rang, and she answered it.

“Yes, Director.”

At the word “Director,” Director Ko Dong-guk’s head reflexively lifted. Kim Seung-yeon continued her call while looking at him with pity.

About three minutes passed.

“Yes… Yes, I understand.”

After hanging up, Kim Seung-yeon stood up and gathered her coat.

“What should we do? Director Seo Tae-soo is calling for me, so I’ll have to leave first.”

Director Seo Tae-soo was the Drama Department Director at TVM. It seemed Kim Seung-yeon’s director had changed.

Director Ko Dong-guk replied with a faint smile. “Alright. You must be busy; go ahead.”

“They can pack this up, so take it and eat it with Writer Ham In-ju. It would be a waste, wouldn’t it?”

Kim Seung-yeon added her last words with a sardonic smile.

“Well then… I’ll treat you again next time. Look forward to it, Director.”

With that, Kim Seung-yeon left. A bitter smile lingered on Director Ko Dong-guk’s lips for a long time.

“Whew…”

He forced a smile as if trying to shake off his feelings with a short breath. Then he picked up a piece of the snail dish with his fork. After chewing for a while, he put down his fork.

“…It just tastes like sea snails. Snail dishes aren’t anything special.”

* * *

PD Kim Jong-su burst into the director’s office, shouting,
“Director! What did Kim Seung-yeon say?!”

Director Ko Dong-guk replied grumpily as he put down his coat,
“Hey, open the door gently. It’s not like you’re going to replace it if it breaks…”

“Ah! I’ll replace it with Ham In-ju! More importantly, what did Kim Seung-yeon say?”

“What did she say? I suffered every humiliation possible after a long time.”

“That’s why I told you not to meet her, but you stubbornly went there…!”

As PD Kim Jong-su grew upset and raised his voice, Director Ko Dong-guk smiled bitterly.
“Still, there’s a history between Writer Kim Seung-yeon and me…”

Then he added self-deprecatingly,
“Looks like I was the only one who thought that way…”

At Director Ko Dong-guk’s dispirited tone, both Ji-won and PD Kim Jong-su were at a loss for words.

“About ,” Director Ko Dong-guk added expressionlessly.
“She said she kept it hidden because it was too precious a work to do on another channel.”

PD Kim Jong-su looked at Director Ko Dong-guk with a complicated expression.
It was clear without seeing how Director Ko Dong-guk must feel after hearing to his face that the work was “too precious for JTVN.”

As PD Kim Jong-su turned his gaze, he noticed food on the table.
“What’s this?”

Director Ko Dong-guk answered,
“It’s a snail dish. Come and have some.”

“Where did you get it?”

“Kim Seung-yeon told me to take it and give it to you guys, so I packed it up.”

PD Kim Jong-su looked at him incredulously.
“You actually brought that back?”

Director Ko Dong-guk’s voice lowered.
“Have you heard of ‘Sleep on brushwood and taste gall’?”

It’s an idiom originating from a story about Fu Chai, the king of Wu during the late Spring and Autumn period, who, after being defeated in war, lay on a pile of firewood and licked bitter gall daily to never forget the humiliation.

Director Ko Dong-guk elaborated,
“For us, it’s snails instead of gall. It means eat this and remember our resolve.”

Ji-won spoke up.
“More like ‘sleeping on brushwood and tasting snails.'”

Kim Jong-su quickly chimed in.
“Since the mood is gloomy, shall we go out for a beer? What do you think, Director?”

At those words, Director Ko Dong-guk chuckled. Then he stared at PD Kim Jong-su.
Seeing the two trying to lift his spirits by cracking lame jokes…

“It’s okay, you rascal.”

He felt his heavy heart lifting a little. Soon, he called out in a brighter voice.
“You can do it, right? Jong-su?”

Then he turned to Ji-won.
“Ji-won. You’re both doing well now… Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

His tone dripped with affection for the two. Ji-won gazed at Director Ko Dong-guk.
It reminded him of when he first came to the Drama Department.

The faces of Director Ko Dong-guk and PD Kim Jong-su had looked at him with displeasure when he suddenly appeared.
And now…

As if that had never happened, the three of them had grown quite fond of each other.

The PD Kim Jong-su and Director Ko Dong-guk he knew…
They resembled each other.
In the way their rough expressions masked a warmth full of affection. And Ji-won didn’t dislike the warmth these two people possessed.

That’s why.
The bitter expression he saw for the first time on Director Ko Dong-guk’s face seemed unfamiliar.
When his thoughts extended to Kim Seung-yeon, who had caused such an expression…

He felt.
A bit angry.

Ji-won furrowed his brow, picked up a piece of the snail dish with a toothpick, and chewed it slowly.

Then he said,
“It’s just sea snails. All that pretentiousness for nothing.”

He then looked at Director Ko Dong-guk.
“Just wait and see. On the day airs its final episode.”

Ji-won smiled at both of them.

“Writer Kim Seung-yeon will be the one avoiding your calls, Director.”