Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: You're Talented Too (2)
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February. Around this time, work on POD was beginning to wrap up.
Since it was a single-player game that didn't require a server, and with a small team, the development scope wasn't massive.
Naturally, there were fewer issues regarding bugs or optimization during the QA phase.
Aside from minor resource adjustments and fixing output errors, there were no major problems.
‘Now, all I have to do is execute the marketing plan properly.’
The marketing strategy was primarily based on two pillars.
First, we would distribute pre-release clients to famous streamers for free, on the condition that we wouldn't force them to promote it.
In this scenario, if a streamer found the game interesting and played it beforehand, they could attract viewers, and we, the game company, could get low-cost promotion as long as they showed interest.
The catch, of course, was that this was all predicated on the game being ‘fun.’
If it wasn't fun, we'd just get dragged through the mud by the streamers, and it would backfire rather than serve as promotion.
Furthermore, due to the unique nature of POD, we needed to prepare separate guidelines.
‘POD is a storytelling-based game. If the whole story gets spoiled on a stream, there's no reason for people to play it.’
The internal guideline Director Shin Chihwan and I decided on was simple.
Chapter 13, which could be considered the game's highlight, could not be broadcast for three months after the initial release.
If they couldn't watch just one chapter, many would likely buy the game out of curiosity about what happens next.
Beyond that, I instructed Gwajang Seo Eunhye to prepare a soundtrack compilation to be sold as DLC.
And Pateujang Heo Yuri was tasked with creating a separate art book to be included in a future limited-edition package.
The mindset was to cover the basics that successful package games usually have.
And the second, truly crucial marketing tool was publishing Jakga Han Sanghyeok's promotional webtoon on Greenhouse.
Since we were pouring most of our 100-million-won budget into this, I had to give it my all.
[Jakga Han Sanghyeok: PD-nim, I've finished the first draft of the storyboard and am sending it over. Please take a look :) Feel free to give me any feedback. I've got the framework for my new project sorted, so I have a bit more time now.]
[Me: Ah, yes, I'll check it right away!]
About a month after we agreed on the synopsis, Jakga Han Sanghyeok sent over the storyboard.
He was working on it while juggling preparations for his new project, which was why it took a little longer.
We had already agreed on this, and since the launch schedule had some leeway, it wasn't a major issue.
Besides, in the webtoon industry, Jakga Han Sanghyeok was famous for never breaking a promise.
Moreover.
‘This is practically on the level of an architectural blueprint.’
Jakga Han Sanghyeok's storyboard was of a quality that made the month-long wait well worth it.
It wasn't just about the drawings, dialogue, and layout; it vividly illustrated how the actual webtoon would be realized, detailing where forced-scroll effects would appear, how 3D layers would be integrated, and the timing for BGM and sound effects.
‘This is good. Really good.’
That was my honest thought after reading the storyboard.
But for some reason, a strange feeling of unease lingered in a corner of my mind.
I paused while reviewing the storyboard, lost in thought, then sent it to Rokhui-ssi to ask for her opinion.
[Rokhui-ssi: It's entertaining even just as a storyboard. Really good. That's Jakga Han Sanghyeok for you. But there's one tiny thing that worries me.]
Her reply was unexpected.
[Me: Something that worries you?]
[Rokhui-ssi: Well, as a webtoon storyboard, it's excellent. But is it suitable as a *promotional* webtoon? I'm not so sure. I can't quite put my finger on it, but that's the feeling I get.]
The moment I read that, I remembered the advice Heo Yuri had given me a while back.
- I'm a little worried that our game might get overshadowed by Jakga Sanghyeok's webtoon….”
Her words then and Rokhui-ssi's comment now felt strangely connected.
Focusing on this nagging feeling, I reread the storyboard.
And then.
‘I think I'm starting to understand why I feel this way.’
The problem was slowly coming into focus.
The webtoon Jakga Han Sanghyeok had drawn was truly flawless.
His deep understanding of the game POD was palpable through the screen; he had converted it into a webtoon masterfully, and it was exciting from an entertainment perspective.
However.
‘The enjoyment I'm feeling right now is for the comic itself. Will this actually translate into anticipation for the game?’
Thinking about it more closely, it felt less like a promotional webtoon and more like one of Jakga Han Sanghyeok's standalone works.
Within the promotional webtoon, there was a complete, self-contained story arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end, concluding with a cliffhanger to spark curiosity.
The honest feeling after reading it wasn't a desire to play the game, but a desire to read the second chapter of the webtoon.
‘Perhaps, instead of a promotional effect, the game might just get devoured by the webtoon.’
Fundamentally, games are a very active medium.
You have to become the protagonist, act within the game, and make choices.
Thanks to this, when you're immersed in a game, you feel a sense of unity you can't get from other media, but this also means it can be more fatiguing.
So what happens if the promotional webtoon delivers its entertainment as a complete, self-contained story?
It was hard to say for sure, but I had a feeling it could have a negative effect.
I was lost in thought for a moment.
‘Or am I just overthinking this?’
Several thoughts and values were clashing in my mind.
Not long ago, I had the experience of letting the previously suppressed Gwajang Seo Eunhye take the lead on a project as she wished, which resulted in the best possible outcome.
Similar things had happened several times within the company, and I had come to believe that guiding talented people to work proactively was the way to achieve the best results.
That was true even for ordinary people.
So, was it right for me to intervene and potentially disrupt the work of Han Sanghyeok—the greatest genius in the history of Korean comics, a world-renowned artist?
The storyboard was genuinely fantastic, and the fact that Jakga Han Sanghyeok had carved out time from his busy schedule to work on it made it even harder to bring up.
[Me: Hmm. In your opinion, Rokhui-ssi, would it be okay to ask for revisions?]
[Rokhui-ssi: Personally, yes. I don't know the company's policy, but I think a promotional webtoon is different from just a well-made webtoon.]
[Me: Hmmmmmm.]
[Rokhui-ssi: Hyunsoo-ssi, could it be... that you're finding it hard to talk to Jakga Han Sanghyeok?]
[Me: Uh, how did you know?]
[Rokhui-ssi: Ah. I just had a feeling. When we met Jakga Sanghyeok before, your reaction was like you were seeing a celebrity. I thought you might be a little uncomfortable meeting him one-on-one.]
[Me: It's a bit embarrassing to hear it was that obvious.]
[Rokhui-ssi: No, it's perfectly understandable.]
As a Gwajang, I had challenged PDs, and as a PD, I had confronted managing directors and even the Daepyo without hesitation.
But for some reason, doing the same to Han Sanghyeok was difficult.
‘Unlike the guys at the company I confronted, Jakga Han Sanghyeok is someone I personally respect.’
I considered Jakga Han Sanghyeok to be on a completely different level from the company hacks who only got their positions through seniority.
I learned storytelling from his comics, and besides that, Jakga Sanghyeok had done countless good things for the development of the webtoon industry. He was someone who never stopped learning, despite being a top-tier artist.
Could something a person like that does... be wrong?
Honestly, as a huge fan, I wanted to set the stage for him to display his skills at 100% for this project.
[Rokhui-ssi: But you know, I also really respect Jakga Han Sanghyeok... but if he were helping me with my work, I think I'd be the one to make the final decision. It's my work, and no matter how great he is, there might be things he can't see.]
“Ugh.”
The moment I saw that message, I let out a groan and continued to agonize over it.
It felt like my head was overheating as conflicting thoughts clashed within me.
‘Let's just ask one more person.’
After mulling it over for a long time, I gave Yoon Byeongjong a quick call.
Among my acquaintances, he was the one with a personal connection to Jakga Han Sanghyeok, so I thought he might be able to help.
When I laid out my concerns, Yoon Byeongjong answered as if it were no big deal.
<<Well, if the comic is fun, you can just go with it. If you think it'll actually hinder the promotion, then ask for a revision. What's the problem?>>
“Dude, if it were that easy, I wouldn't be calling you for advice.”
<<Hmm, I think you're overcomplicating things. Do you know what Jakga Han Sanghyeok's favorite saying is?>>
“What is it?”
<<‘I am an artist who collaborates.’ That's what he says.>>
Come to think of it, I had definitely seen that in one of his past interviews.
The meaning was simple.
I knew that Jakga Han Sanghyeok was always open to accepting advice about his comics from the members of his ‘Studio Re-Birth’.
He said he always practiced this method because there's a limit to what a single artist can think of, and any artist can make mistakes.
<<Do you really think an artist who says things like that is going to get angry just because you say a few words?>>
“I get what you mean. Thanks.”
<<Well, good luck with it. I see what you're wrestling with, but I still think it's right to at least say something.>>
I immediately understood the meaning behind Yoon Byeongjong's words.
The answer was already clear. I decided to try and overcome the barrier in my mind named Han Sanghyeok.
Sitting back down, I contacted him via messenger.
[Me: Jakga Han Sanghyeok, I've finished reading the storyboard you sent.]
[Jakga Han Sanghyeok: Oh, you have? What did you think?]
[Me: I enjoyed it. However, I have something I'd like to discuss in person. Would it be possible for me to visit you now?]
[Jakga Han Sanghyeok: Of course. Where would be most convenient for you?]
[Me: If it's not too much trouble, I can come to your studio.]
[Jakga Han Sanghyeok: Yes, let's do that. I'll send you the address.]
“Excuse me, everyone, I have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving a bit early today! If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call.”
“Ah, yes, PD-nim. Take care.”
I quickly said my goodbyes to the team, left the office, and hopped into a taxi.
I got off near Konkuk University Station, bought a box of donuts from a chain store as a gift, and headed to Studio Re-Birth.
Opening the door and stepping inside, I was greeted by a well-decorated, minimalist-style office.
Jakga Han Sanghyeok was in a meeting with his staff in a conference room with a glass wall.
Spotting me, he peeked his head out and greeted me.
“Hello, PD Hyunsoo. I'm in a storyboard meeting with my team right now. Would it be alright if we had our meeting right after this is done?”
“Ah, yes, of course. Please, take your time.”
I sat quietly in the office, watching the meeting through the glass wall out of the corner of my eye.
The conference room walls mustn't have been very thick, as I could faintly hear their conversation from the office.
It was then that I witnessed a completely unexpected scene.
“Jakga-nim. For this chapter, I think the way this character is being handled is a bit lacking. This line of dialogue here, too.”
An assistant, who looked to be in his early to mid-twenties and at least a dozen years younger than Jakga Han Sanghyeok, was critiquing the storyboard quite harshly.
It didn't seem like he was making things up, but the little *kkondae* inside me, cultivated from years of corporate life, was screaming, ‘Still, that's a bit much.’
But what was even more surprising was Jakga Han Sanghyeok's reaction.
“That's a good point. I was definitely feeling a bit stuck writing the character's dialogue this week. Does anyone have any better ideas for this part?”
He had nonchalantly accepted the words of an assistant much younger than him and even asked for more opinions in return.
It was an attitude I had never once shown in my own office, thinking that if I showed any weakness, it would make my team anxious.
The Angoulême Grand Prix winner, a dream for all comic artists, a four-time winner at the Incheon Comics Awards, and so on.
It was an attitude you wouldn't expect from a great artist who had taken the world by storm.
After that, the assistants continued to enthusiastically pick apart Jakga Han Sanghyeok's storyboard, and the meeting progressed into a discussion on which points to improve.
About fifteen more minutes passed like that. When the meeting ended, Jakga Han Sanghyeok spoke to me.
“Thank you for your patience, PD Jo Hyunsoo. Shall we go to a nearby cafe to talk?”
“Ah, yes. Let's do that.”
A short while later, sitting across from Jakga Han Sanghyeok in the cafe, I carefully began.
“Before we get down to business, may I ask you a personal question, Jakga Han Sanghyeok?”
At that.
“Hmm. Was there something about the storyboard meeting that you found strange?”
Han Sanghyeok replied with a smile, as if he had read my mind.