Blockbuster Lead and Reshoot Rush
Yoo Sil-jang and Suhyeon had just wrapped up an urgent phone call from the drama production team. Afterward, Yoo Sil-jang was on another call with someone unidentified, while Suhyeon carefully reread the news article once more.
Fist Suhyeon Flexes Exceptional Drawing Skills in KBC Drama Too
BBG leader Suhyeon, who donated a whopping 20 million won to help the underprivileged with his outstanding drawing skills on today's hot episode of Luxury Real or Fake, will showcase his talents once again in this week's episode of Special Investigation Headquarters.
According to KBC staff involved in the drama production, scriptwriter Jeong Su-hee, who is penning the Special Unit episodes, was so moved by Suhyeon's drawings that she rushed to revise the script, and the lead PD decided to reshoot...
Just then, Yoo Sil-jang ended his call and turned back to Suhyeon.
"Suhyeon, the production team says to head to the set by around 4 p.m., so we can grab lunch and go. Get into costume, memorize the revised script... They figure actual reshooting will start around 6 p.m."
"Got it. Lunch then straight out should be perfect timing. But man, the drama team moves fast."
"What do you mean?"
"Dropping the news without even consulting us first... Neither you nor I knew about the reshoot until we saw it."
"Timing is everything with news like this. It blew up on Luxury Real or Fake, so they're riding the momentum with a quick announcement. Bet the production team was glued to the monitors, holding their breath. As soon as the results were good, boom—release. And look, public reaction is on fire. Comments are already cleaning up nice..."
"What if I couldn't make it today for the shoot?"
"Even if you couldn't today, they've got until Wednesday airdate. Plenty of time to reshoot somehow."
"What about editing? No way there's time for that."
"Kid... That's nothing major. If it boosts ratings, the PD will pull all-nighters to make it work."
Suhyeon let out a sigh at Yoo Sil-jang's attitude, as if he'd asked something obvious.
Whew. Hits me every now and then, but this world ain't easy...
"But is it really right for me to draw in the drama? A drug-trafficking gangster boss casually sketching? Doesn't that kill the plausibility? Viewers might backlash."
"You're acting weird today. Like a rookie debuting in the industry. Suhyeon, know what's most important in drama?"
"Yeah. Ratings."
"Exactly. Ratings! That's alpha and omega. Plausibility? Then all those makjang dramas would've flopped."
"...They didn't."
"Drama's core audience is women—mostly ajummas. Key is planting fantasies and grabbing attention. Plot holes or logic? Secondary. A drop-dead gorgeous young gangster boss who sketches like a pro? Pure fantasy fuel. Lets 'em spin wild daydreams. What if that guy was my boyfriend? How'd dating feel? Like that."
"Women think that way?"
"A guy who chased skirts daily and crashed every which way, and you don't get women's hearts? No clue about bad boys' appeal."
Suhyeon couldn't confidently reply, thinking to himself instead.
Ends with 'em sold to brothels or knifed beside the bad guy. Past life, I scrapped just to survive—no real dating.
"Anyway, you drawing in the drama will boost ratings for sure. PDs would swim in sewage for that. Top producer Kang Min-chul? No way he misses this shot."
Meanwhile, Suhyeon's fan club president Kang Seong-hui was staring holes into her computer monitor. She'd just posted a notice on the fan club's board—for women only—Swans Who Love Suhyeon, aka Bin-sa's Swans.
[Notice] Tribute planned at today's drama shoot site.
As reported in the news just now, Suhyeon will reshoot at the Suwon KBC Drama Production Center. Confirmed with Yoo Sil-jang, who just returned from South America: arrival around 4 p.m.
Gathering Bin-sa's Swans who can reach Suwon Drama Center by 3:30 p.m. Limiting to about 10 to avoid disrupting the shoot. Lots of new members lately—hoping for your active participation. Only comment if 100% sure you can attend...
Lemme see. Comments piling up already. Suhyeon's popularity is no joke these days... New members booming. Who to pick from this crowd...
Staff whispered as they watched their president grinning ear-to-ear at the monitor, flower-adorned hair bobbing.
"Isn't she hospital-bound at this rate?"
"Leave her be. Not like she's beating us up."
"Nail shop's gonna tank soon, huh?"
"President's loaded—won't bat an eye. Worry about yourself."
Back at the office, Yoo Sil-jang's face turned serious as he spoke with Suhyeon.
"Before lunch, let's finish up. We covered music earlier—now acting. Been talking with Actor Team 1's Park Sil-jang. Aligned before my trip."
"How so?"
"From now on, company's managing your filmography properly as an actor. Starting with new films, pushing you as lead. Decided yesterday."
Suhyeon jolted, thinking.
One supporting drama role total, and they're pushing me as movie lead? Doesn't add up... Unless low-budget indie?
"Low-budget indie, right?"
"No. Commercial. Blockbuster-level lead."
Yoo Sil-jang's calm tone left Suhyeon stunned, brain short-circuiting momentarily. Even his sharp mind couldn't process it against common sense.
Not indie—hundreds of billions on a blockbuster lead? Pure gamble... Flop, and it's dust.
Gathering his thoughts, Suhyeon asked Yoo Sil-jang.
"No matter how I spin it, this is overkill. YK's strong, but not enough for blockbuster lead. Conservative film industry won't buy me as lead actor. Investors especially won't."
Yoo Sil-jang smiled faintly at the pushback.
"We thought that too at first. Play it safe, step by step. But Moon and My Story exploded, Special Investigation Headquarters airs—game changed 180 degrees. Suhyeon, know how many companies called about CF deals?"
"No clue."
"Big names everyone knows: nearly 10. Small ones push 30+. Contract team's swamped picking."
"That much?"
"Idol star, quiz/mental math genius, composing/producing prodigy, young, handsome, tall, multilingual, killer acting, insane drawing, solid character... How many like that?"
"Last one's off—embarrassing. Minus that, yeah, just me."
"Exactly. You're one-of-a-kind—high value. Crowds and corps chase rarity. And the kicker? Your 'genius' image wins over elders big-time. Get it?"
Yoo Sil-jang paused for breath, eyes flashing, then unleashed again.
"Adults see boy idols as airheads or dance maniacs. You're different. Smart, sharp, talented kid? Makes 'em wanna give you the world. Instinct, etched in genes. That's your massive potential. Big corps, money sharks, scrambling without due diligence?"
Suhyeon opened to counter.
"I get what you're saying, but—"
Yoo Sil-jang cut him off.
"Listen. This moment's critical. Slip, and you're a flash-in-pan idol. Later, you'd regret it. Ride this wave, nail promo and backed projects—you're top-tier. Not just another boy idol fad, but top of the tops."
Suhyeon sighed, calming the fired-up Sil-jang.
Whew... Popularity and potential don't justify blockbuster lead now. Folks'll finger-point and curse.
"Even with buzz and upside, blockbuster lead? Insane. They'll hate on me."
"You're weird today. Scared of finger-pointing? Jealous hate? Wrong. You're an entertainer— that's popularity tax. Means nothing. You know from years in... Ratings rule drama. For stars, popularity's light and truth."
Pausing meaningfully, Yoo Sil-jang smiled slyly.
"Pushing you as lead? Not favoritism. Your skyrocketing fame. And Park Sil-jang and I? One more reason. Got an offer incoming..."
After the meeting, Suhyeon grabbed a light lunch at the company cafeteria for the shoot. Then rode Manager Baek Seongcheol's van to Suwon KBC Drama Production Center.
Arriving at the set, Suhyeon spotted about a dozen fan club members at the entrance, waiting eagerly.
Forewarned by Yoo Sil-jang, he stayed cool, stepped out, flashed a bright smile, waved, and approached.
The closer he got, the stranger the vibe felt.
Weird... Why's the atmosphere off today?