NOVEL NEXT Episode 39
President Jeon Nam-hoe gestured to Ji-won as he entered the president’s office.
“Sit.”
“……”
His sudden informal speech was a bit startling. After all, this was President Jeon Nam-hoe who typically used formal speech even with regular employees.
As soon as Ji-won sat down, he spoke. “You’ve heard about
“…Yes.”
President Jeon Nam-hoe gave a crooked smile. “Well, we’ve done everything you asked for. Now it’s your turn to prove yourself.”
Then he glared at Ji-won. “Don’t tell me what you said in the car was just empty talk. That would make things unpleasant.”
Ji-won stared back at President Jeon Nam-hoe.
He was just a PD who hadn’t even made his directorial debut yet… Yet they’d casually handed him the megaphone for a tentpole drama worth over 10 billion won.
While he had seen the potential, he’d judged it wouldn’t be easy, making President Jeon Nam-hoe bolder than expected. Rather than coming from meticulous analysis, it was probably closer to his natural gambler’s instinct.
But
Thanks to that, his future would change.
Ji-won’s eyes spoke: That this was one of the most crucial choices in your life-
“You won’t regret it.”
“Don’t give me abstract expressions like regret, faith, or resolve in front of me. Speak only in numbers.”
President Jeon Nam-hoe crossed his legs arrogantly and said, “Just tell me what rating you’ll hit.”
Just as Ji-won was confidently about to hold up two fingers- A question suddenly crossed his mind.
‘Wait, if he’s bolder than I expected, is 20% really what President Jeon Nam-hoe is expecting?’
“……”
President Jeon Nam-hoe stared at Ji-won’s outstretched hand. Then he made a sour expression. “What’s with that ambiguous finger? 25%?”
Only then did Ji-won look at his own hand, snapping out of his thoughts. Next to his extended index and middle fingers, his ring finger was trembling half-raised.
‘Ah.’
25% for a directorial debut.
Even star PDs clasp their hands and pray to whatever god they believe in when aiming for over 20%. It means 20% is the absolute ceiling for ratings achievable through pure skill and effort. Beyond that point is territory that can only be reached with luck on your side.
President Jeon Nam-hoe laughed with a puff. “Ha! You’re bolder than I expected! 20% won’t be easy, yet you say 25%?”
Perhaps the prediction had gone too far ahead.
“Ah… well, you see…”
“You keep surprising me every time I see you. Are you sane?”
President Jeon Nam-hoe glared at Ji-won as if he would devour him. “Are you confident?”
Ji-won stared blankly at President Jeon Nam-hoe while gathering his thoughts.
‘…No turning back now, right?’
What would happen if he lowered his ring finger now and said:
-Ta-da, surprise! Shocked you, right? Haha, actually it was 20%!
Ji-won shook his head. Then his eyes blazed as he faced him.
“25%! I can do it!”
President Jeon Nam-hoe’s eyes bulged. “I judged you right! Yes. This is the kind of guts you need to challenge the president!”
At this point, there was only one way.
Think simply.
-Hit 25% by any means necessary.
“What if you fail?”
Ji-won steeled himself, waiting for the next words. His mouth opened again.
“If, by any chance, you fail…”
A playful smile formed on President Jeon Nam-hoe’s face. “Do Ji-won PD will become my personal secretary. For one year.”
“…You have unique hobbies?”
“For reference, 7-day work weeks are the default for chaebol secretaries.”
That meant spending 24 hours a day with President Jeon Nam-hoe for seven days. Ji-won’s face turned pale. But he couldn’t back down here, so.
“What if I succeed?”
At those words, President Jeon Nam-hoe went “Hmm…” and looked Ji-won up and down.
“I’ll grant you one wish within my power.”
“That’s a promise.”
“Come to think of it, I think I prefer the failure outcome. I’ll consider it.”
“You never make a losing deal, do you?”
“Does this position look like a joke to you? I don’t fight battles I can’t win.”
Agreed. I don’t fight losing battles either. So this bet will be a win-win for both of us. Just one thing bothers me.
Ji-won asked. “Can I ask one personal question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why do you only speak informally to me?”
Given that I’m so young.
President Jeon Nam-hoe lifted his chin and answered. “Because I want to.”
“……”
While Ji-won wasn’t entirely sure… It was probably because of the true face he’d shown in the car. He’d already revealed the beast hidden beneath his social mask. Whether he had wanted to or not. He probably figured there was no need to wear a mask in front of me anymore.
Thanks to that.
An inspiration struck. After hitting 25%, the wish he’d ask of President Jeon Nam-hoe was just decided.
While Ji-won was thinking this, he felt President Jeon Nam-hoe’s familiar gaze. That expression of staring at him as if asking what he was doing. He felt like he’d received a similar look before, but what was it…
“Why are you just standing there? We’re done talking, so get out.”
Ah. The dismissal.
As he closed the president’s office door and came out, his eyes met Secretary Song’s. Secretary Song quickly hid behind his monitor.
“Whew…”
A storm of events had hit in just one day.
-The long-awaited assignment to Production Team 4.
-Plus sole directorship of a tentpole drama.
-And the 25% ratings pledge he’d accidentally committed to.
While the tasks ahead were mountainous, he was confident. A long-cherished dream. Do Ji-won had officially been given a drama. With full directorial authority, no less. The excitement bubbling up outweighed his heavy shoulders. It felt like he was finally taking his first real step.
* * *
Wara Wara izakaya near the company.
A dinner was held to celebrate the launch of Production Team 4. Director Ko Dong-guk was tearing apart squid when he greeted someone coming in.
“Say hello. This is CEO Choi Won-jae of ‘Won Management’ who manages Writer Kyukyu.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Choi Won-jae.”
Won-jae offered handshakes to Do-hae and Chan-min. As the effective representative of Writer Kyukyu, Director Ko had invited him to combine team introductions with project discussions.
“I’m Kim Chan-min, just joined. Looking forward to working with you, CEO Choi!”
“Nice to meet you, PD Kim.”
Do-hae stared blankly at Won-jae.
“Do-hae?”
At Ji-won’s question, she hurriedly accepted the handshake.
“Ah, hello. I’m Sung Do-hae. I’ll be the production PD for
“Looking forward to working with you too, PD Sung.”
Ji-won looked at Do-hae with concern. “Do-hae, are you feeling sick? Your face is bright red. Do you have a fever?”
“…No I don’t? Could you please shut up?”
Do-hae shot Ji-won a glare. Then she took out a hand mirror under the table to check her face.
‘How can a management CEO be this handsome?’
Long limbs wrapped in a crisp, well-fitted suit. His long eyes shone indifferently behind horn-rimmed glasses.
Do-hae bit her lip slightly. A production PD is the overall manager who creates and manages the conditions for the director to make the drama smoothly.
Budget.
Schedule.
Casting.
Script.
Filming coordination.
And so on…
Among these, if ranking by importance, managing the budget allocation and execution would be at the top. Nothing is more important than money in content that requires large-scale capital. That’s why this saying has been passed down among production PDs:
Keep your head cold!
Keep your heart even colder!
A drama production PD needs to be more rational and cool-headed than anyone. Especially with management companies, which take up the largest portion of expenses.
Clearly that’s true and yet…
Do-hae glanced at Won-jae. His parted bangs swayed over his horn-rimmed glasses. Do-hae squeezed her eyes shut.
‘I can’t resist the black-haired glasses type…!’
It was a moment when Do-hae’s well-hidden fangirl preferences were leaking out. Director Ko continued the introductions.
“These two don’t need introduction, right? PD Do Ji-won will be directing
Won-jae bowed politely. “Congratulations, looking forward to working with you, Director Do.”
“Yes, looking forward to working with you again, CEO Choi.”
The two secret friends exchanged quick glances. Just then, someone approached the table.
“Oh! Fortunately we’re not too late.”
It was Jong-su and Geon-woo, who had been out at a meeting. As they sat down, Director Ko raised his glass.
“Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s sit and have a drink.”
Jong-su held up his beer glass and looked at Director Ko. “Director, you love giving toasts. You should do one.”
“Should I? I’m in the mood! Today we’ll go freestyle. Jong-su, give me a theme!”
“Hmm, how about dogs?”
He glared at Jong-su while muttering “This guy…” Director Ko squeezed his head for a moment, then opened his eyes wide and raised his glass high.
“Though he looks like a PUPPY / Works like a DEVIL / Here’s to Ji-won’s directorial debut!”
“Whoa!”
“Go Do Ji-won!”
“Director’s quick wit is dizzying!”
“Wow, as expected of our Director!”
Clink-
They clinked glasses to his toast, with Ji-won looking embarrassed and the team members giggling.
When the drinking party was in full swing.
While Ji-won was discussing
“Oh? But you two look strangely similar.”
At those words, Do-hae rested her chin on her hand and observed them.
“…You’re right?”
Being his peer had dulled her sense of it, but Ji-won also had looks that would turn heads on the street.
“How strange. Their vibes are complete opposites though…”
For example…
If Do Ji-won was a puppy type with kind eyes that ‘make you want to share even worries you don’t have,’
Won-jae was more of a cat type that gives off the feeling of ‘ah… he might get angry if I make a silly joke?’
Though their contrasting impressions made it hard to connect them… they gave off a strangely similar vibe.
Ji-won and Won-jae looked at each other.
They’d often heard comments about their strange resemblance since college days. Ji-won pondered the cause and effect.
Did we… Become close because we look alike?
Or. Do we look alike because we’re close?
Before finding the answer, Won-jae spoke first.
“My mother’s surname is Do. I take after my mother. Perhaps Director Do also takes completely after his father?”
A crooked smile formed on Ji-won’s lips.
‘This guy?’
Ji-won actually took after his mother. Since his father was built like a mountain bandit… he was closer to, say, PD Kim Jong-su’s type. Of course, Won-jae had actually met his father. So he could tell that Won-jae was just joking now.
Ji-won played along with Won-jae’s joke. “Yes, I’m the spitting image of my father. You know, people with the Do surname tend to look similar.”
“Oh my.”
Do-hae reacted briefly to those words. Beside her, Chan-min rubbed his cheeks, still marked with acne scars.
‘Should’ve been born a Do…’
That’s when it happened.
“I thought Ji-won strangely resembled me… Maybe I wasn’t Ko Dong-guk but Do Dong-guk?”
Director Ko made a gesture of dialing his phone. “I should ask my elderly mother in the countryside. See if there’s a hidden birth father somewhere.”
Everyone’s reactions froze, unsure how to respond to the risqué family joke from a middle-aged man in his fifties. Director Ko burst out laughing.
“Just kidding, just kidding. Just laugh.”
Chan-min wiped sweat from his forehead and laughed awkwardly. “Wow… that’s pretty bold. As expected, even the Drama Director’s jokes are on another level. I’ll learn a lot.”
“Don’t. It’d be a major incident if a new hire did that.”
Do-hae patted Chan-min’s shoulder. Director Ko laughed heartily and lifted the mood.
“Come on, let’s eat and drink our hearts out today-. Tomorrow is Production Team 4’s first batter! It’ll be the day ‘Team Gloomy Sunshine’ launches.”
Jong-su said casually. “Director, how about a toast for
At those words, Director Ko’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. Then he squeezed his eyes shut as if facing life’s greatest challenge.
His facial muscles twitched relentlessly dozens of times as he calculated.
Finally,
He opened his eyes wide and began.
“Gloo…!”