Chapter 29
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 029
Chapter Title: Ratings (2)
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In reality, Brilliant Sky hadn't drawn much attention from the early days of production.
It was only natural, perhaps.
There was no reason for people to care when the lead wasn't some hot top idol or rising young star.
Ham Yeon-jeong, who had once swept through Korea, had taken the role, but that was about it.
Some even called her a relic of the past.
The supporting cast consisted entirely of solid character actors known for their acting chops.
Without the lead, there just wasn't much buzz.
And the writer? An unknown rookie, not some famous name.
It was as good as saying the drama's entertainment value wasn't guaranteed.
Of course, there was PD Kim Geun-tae, who'd hit success multiple times before, but honestly, the public didn't pay attention to PD names.
The genre wasn't romance or thriller—nothing to hook the masses.
Even if the script was phenomenal enough to overcome all that, no one would know until they watched.
However.
Buzz was something you created in the end.
It started with the drama Blaze.
[Blaze's Dong-ho Returns in Brilliant Sky!]
[The Modern-Day Dong-ho?! Shin Yi-han's Next Role: Lee Ha-neul!]
'Lady.'
'We're not stopping either. We're still burning bright.'
The final scene of Blaze, Dong-ho.
'Even if it's just a tiny candle flame.'
Shin Yi-han's performance was more than enough to grab people's attention.
'Korea...'
'Long live independence!'
That voice shouting without hesitation even in the face of Japanese guns and swords still lingered vividly in people's minds.
And Dong-ho was originally Ryu Gi-on's role, the top idol.
Somehow, Shin Yi-han's name had become famous among those fans as the unknown actor who'd snatched Ryu Gi-on's spot.
[Breaking! Idol Ryu Gi-on's Girlfriend Appears?]
[Passenger During DUI Revealed as Ryu Gi-on's Girlfriend...]
[Ryu Gi-on Controversies Pour Out After One Breaks: Personality Issues Followed by School Violence Allegations.]
On top of that came unintended noise marketing from Ryu Gi-on, turning it into more viral buzz than expected.
[Dong-ho That Could've Been Ryu Gi-on! Shin Yi-han Saves the Day!]
[Why Was Blaze Perfect to the End?! Let's Learn About Rookie Actor Shin Yi-han Who Played Dong-ho!]
PD Kim Geun-tae wasn't about to let that opportunity slip.
[Ultra-Luxury Casting! Oh My Love! Trailer Released!]
Insane casting buffet lol Eyes are feasting^^
Filling up just looking at the faces?!
Of course, Oh My Love's trailer got positive comments too.
Uh... but what is this?
But.
Am I the only one? Feels kinda... boring?
Wait, you too? Me too lol.
Just doesn't pull me in. Why?
As time passed, comments like "weirdly flat" started popping up.
Damn. Is it because of that Brilliant Sky teaser? Keep comparing to Shin Yi-han's acting.
Comparing? This is just pathetic lololol
Yeah. Female lead's acting is already controversial. Can't immerse cuz of it.
It was because they'd seen Brilliant Sky's special teaser first, with Shin Yi-han's acting.
Like eating something super sweet and then finding bland food tasteless.
Srsly what. Feels like child's play;; One scene in Brilliant Sky gave me chills.
Fr fr Ham Yeon-jeong's baseline but that teaser narration was insane.
The gap felt even more glaring.
Eh? Isn't this fine tho?
Meh. What's Brilliant Sky anyway.
Crazy. Haven't seen? Search "Brilliant Sky Shin Yi-han" now go go
That Oh My Love trailer ended up driving hordes of people straight to Brilliant Sky.
And so, on the premiere night of both dramas.
Viewers gradually started flocking to Brilliant Sky.
Amusingly, all these changes were possible only because of Shin Yi-han.
And Brilliant Sky episode 1.
Its opening was intense enough to shock everyone.
Even those who hadn't planned to watch flipped on their TVs after hearing the buzz.
The first scene nailed it.
Like a bird plummeting after losing its wings.
Thud-.
Lee Ha-neul fell from the sky.
'The things that happened.'
'Were too ugly, filthy. Horrifying.'
Even though it was from the teaser, that calm voice sent chills down spines.
'That's my life, Mom.'
As the son's monologue—unheard by her—unfolded, communities exploded from the drama's start.
Wh-what did I just see...?
Already saw it in teaser but why chills again.
Wow... heavy. Fr
By the time they snapped out of it, they were fully hooked on Lee Ha-neul.
I'm shocked af. Starts off killing it.
Why'd he die...? Can't he live? So pitifulㅠㅠㅠ
ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
The son who ultimately chose death.
And the mother witnessing it right before her eyes.
The whirlwind plot pulled them in without realizing; eyes kept welling up.
Kids, hurry! Watch Brilliant Sky live! Not too late!!!
Fr. Skip this and regretㅠㅠ
Alpaca I'm going crazy rn
Even spontaneous promotion erupted.
In the end, Brilliant Sky didn't just hit a stable 7% from the start.
Ratings climbed steadily, as if no one could miss this scene.
Finally smashing an average of 10.1%.
"Wooooah-!"
"We wonnnn!"
The Brilliant Sky team erupted in full-blown celebration.
PD Kim Geun-tae and Director Pyo Nam-un hugged it out in joy.
"Damn! Insane from the start! We're really gonna hit it big!"
"Right?!"
At Director Pyo Nam-un's words, PD Kim Geun-tae wiped emotional tears.
"Whoever played Lee Ha-neul was insane... Sniff!"
"Episode 1 was basically all Shin Yi-han actor."
Monitoring live reactions in real-time, the PD and director knew Shin Yi-han had been key to those ratings.
"That's why people came here instead of Oh My Love."
"Kuhh! All this attention pouring in!"
Especially PD Kim Geun-tae, who'd struck gold multiple times, knew the industry well.
We started Brilliant Sky betting purely on the script's fun.
Even he'd long given up on strong episode 1 ratings.
But after casting Shin Yi-han at the very last minute.
Things changed—drastically.
Of course, he hadn't expected over 10% right out the gate...!
He's insane! Actor Shin Yi-han!
PD Kim Geun-tae could only shout his name over and over.
And right beside him sat Writer Yoon Si-a.
She couldn't hide her smile checking the incoming comments. Her lips wouldn't come down.
Jackpot.
This is by a rookie writer...? Can't believe it's her first.
First work? Insane. Writes dramas like a pro.
But ending like this?! Dying of curiosityㅠㅠ
Why kill Ha-neulㅠㅠ Revive himㅠ
Story starts with death lol how lolol
Yoon Si-a was genuinely thrilled.
SBC dramas lately were kill-except-Blaze writer lol This is live-kill insane
Ack true lol Only Blaze's Cheon Ji-hee was worth SBC
Proof her efforts hadn't been in vain.
Even after episode 1 ended, the internet stayed hot. Yoon Si-a couldn't put down her phone.
Gasp at start. Tears mid. Rooting for revenge at end.
Last bit hyped af
Expose her own deeds to her kid.
Ha-neul so pitifulㅠㅠ You guys killed a person!
Writer Yoon Si-a kept leaking smiles.
Damn. First time seeing Ham Yeon-jeong like this.
Aged into charisma. Acting improved fr.
Every post thrilled her.
Who’s the son actor...? Kinda familiar.
Dong-ho from Blaze finale!
No way? Forgot for a sec. Insane.
What’s Dong-ho.
No Blaze? Shin Yi-han debuted as Dong-ho recently.
??? Debut then? Nah, must’ve done theater. No rookie acts like this.
Fr. Acting terrifyingly good. Chills during drama. Where’s he been hiding?!
Exactly! That's what I've been saying!
Yoon Si-a nodded at the reactions praising Shin Yi-han. It felt like validation for every chill she'd felt on set.
Comparisons to rival Oh My Love flooded in too.
Lol Brilliant Sky wins.
Damn. Oh My Love writer's self-plagiarism bad. Looks expensive tho, fun kill-time.
Even comparable? Completion levels differ.
This is drama. Wow.
So much screenshot-worthy stuff.
For Yoon Si-a, it was pure satisfaction.
And at the same time.
The actors gathered at Winter Entertainment to watch episode 1 together were in an uproar too.
Right after lead Ham Yeon-jeong actor's phone buzzed.
Ding-!
"Oh my."
Ham Yeon-jeong's eyes widened. The text with average ratings.
Didn't see this coming... Oh dear.
It reminded her of the bet before episode 1 aired.
'Hey. No one's guessing ratings?'
'Sure. Conscience says... 7%!'
'That's conscience? 4% would be jackpot!'
No one had high hopes.
'What about Actor Shin Yi-han?'
'Hmm... 10.1%?'
They even thought he'd be furthest off. Sounded good, but too optimistic.
Especially since they weren't trendy young stars, but "old" leads like her.
Yet here it was.
- Average Ratings 10.1%
Spot on.
Is this instinct...? Even good senses aren't this good.
Ham Yeon-jeong quietly admired inwardly.
Ratings like this weren't something you could hit even if you tried.
"Hey, everyone. See this? Our ratings."
Shock short-lived, she shared the news right away.
Wonder what reactions they'd have.
Eh...?
R-Really?
Insane!
Everyone whipped around to stare at Shin Yi-han.
"Sh-Shin Yi-han actor...?"
"Our ratings 10.1%."
Shin Yi-han was shocked too.
Over 10%.
Originally it was 4%.
This different?
Way better than he remembered. Too good.
Wow.
It felt surreal. Only he'd changed from the past.
Sure, it succeeded later anyway... but the start was totally different now.
10.1% even.
I actually nailed it. Jackpot.
Didn't think his offhand guess would hit.
Happy yet dazed, Shin Yi-han grinned wide.
This situation was hilarious.
And others felt the same.
"Wow. Doesn't this mean he's got the gift?"
"How'd he nail the decimal?!"
"Yi-han actor—no, how? What about episode 2?!"
Ratings great and bet won; no calming the excitement.
"Hey! What was the prize again?"
"Wish ticket!"
"Wish ticket? Who's granting?"
Chaos erupted.
"Ah! CEO Choo Gyeo-ul grants as rep!"
"Yes! She's the CEO!"
Pfft haha! Amid laughs, leads dumped the prize on Choo Gyeo-ul.
"Aigoo! For Shin Yi-han actor's wish."
Choo Gyeo-ul happily accepted.
"Gotta grant it! Just say! Shin Yi-han actor, I'll handle as CEO!"
Her all-in vibe made Shin Yi-han chuckle.
"Then..."
Ooh, he has something? Tension as he paused; curiosity flooded.
"Keep."
He joked.
"I'll keep it. Make sure to grant later."
Aww~ Groans of deflation, but Shin Yi-han shrugged laughing. Nothing specific now.
"Aww~ Was curious!"
"Ah right! Better than wasting."
"Our Shin actor's smart huh?"
Of course, he might use it later. Thinking ahead, Shin Yi-han smirked.
But chit-chat paused.
Ding ding-!
Phones buzzing nonstop from contacts. Good reactions meant messages galore.
Shin Yi-han too.
- Yi-han actorㅠㅠ Best as always!
- Thanks to Shin Yi-han actor, life's worth livingㅠㅠ
- Knew from filming!
From Writer Yoon Si-a to PD Kim Geun-tae, Director Pyo Nam-un.
- Kwak Hoon: Killer. Lee Ha-neul insane.
Kwak Hoon joined the frenzy.
Shin Yi-han burst laughing at varied reactions.
Sis bombarded too.
- Damn. Almost changed name to Ha-neul Sis.
- No idea how buzzing. All about you.
- Grabbing passersby yelling he's my bro.
Pfft. How hyped is she.
- Finish this, go home and brag tons.
Her first project too; triumphant return incoming.
Replying "hands full heavy gifts," Shin Yi-han looked up.
Joy everywhere.
Except Park Mu-gang's odd expression.
Based on real event. Actual incident.
Fr?
Trash bastards
Sneaking a peek, he was reading Brilliant Sky posts.
Problem was.
Hey! Park Mu-gang don't bully Ha-neul!ㅜㅠㅠ
Already looks like a jerk, this role makes him more hateable.
Real school bully? So realistic.
Face screams delinquent. Eyes creepy af.
Park Mu-gang probably bullies irl too? Looks vicious, that fucker. Personality seems rotten.
Check school violence record... Ha-neul's gaze scared me. Psycho Park Mu-gang bastard.
Guys like that always delinquents. Phrenology real.
????
Lol wtf calm down
Overimmersion from ep1 insane lololol
"Damn. Hate's no joke."
Feeling Shin Yi-han's gaze from behind, Park Mu-gang casually looked up, offering his phone.
Heard Shin Yi-han and him don't get along on set?
Fr? But this realistic, high schoolers hard to get along lololol bullying too intense?
Fr fr
"We acted too well? Rumors already."
At Park Mu-gang's joking words, Shin Yi-han rubbed his chin. His smile wasn't a real one.
Tough exterior, soft inside as expected.
"Yo. Stop that. Look here."
"...?"
Shin Yi-han shoved his phone in for a selfie.
Click! Click!
?
Sudden camera, Park Mu-gang instinctively V-sign'd with a big grin.
Shin Yi-han laughed a bit.
"Wh-what. Sudden? Fine by me...?"
"O. Looks good?"
"Yeah... gotta admit. Kinda slays."
Shin Yi-han handed phone to CEO Choo Gyeo-ul.
"Mind taking ours? For SNS."
To curb overimmersion.
This friendship level fine to show.
"O! Perfect! Promo and chem show!"
Choo Gyeo-ul lit up, grabbing the phone.
"Hey! Since we're at it, make official account? For Shin Yi-han?"
Excited for real support start.
"Huh?"
But leads swarmed at "take photo."
"Wait! What! Include us!"
"Sneaky duo only? Me too!"
"Me too!"
Absolutely. Warm vibes, Shin Yi-han laughed.
Oh. Park Mu-gang caught on late, beaming.
"Then! One, two."
As Choo Gyeo-ul counted.
Leads crushing in sides, Shin Yi-han grinned playfully at camera.
Yeah. Bad blood? Nah.
"Three!"
Way too good.