Chapter 165: The Start of the Low Point (1)
Chapter 165: The Start of the Low Point (1)
"It’s exactly one hundred days. Just one hundred days."
A man in a suit spoke as he looked over the twenty people standing in front of a gray building.
"All you have to do is live in that building for exactly one hundred days. During that time, we will provide you with simple food supplies and a few missions."
The twenty people turned their gazes toward the building behind them.
A lone structure built deep in the remote mountains.
To anyone’s eyes, it was clearly no ordinary place.
"We will not interfere in any way with what happens inside. Once you complete these one hundred days, we will immediately pay you fifty billion won."
"F-fifty billion won?"
"Is that really true?"
"Of course."
The man in the suit smiled, revealing his white teeth.
"In other words, you will distribute the fifty billion won we provide among yourselves. That fifty billion will be given to the person who earns the highest score in the missions. You can think of it as the first-place winner distributing the fifty billion to the rest of you."
Everyone’s faces brightened.
According to those words, no matter who took first place, as long as the distribution was handled properly, they could walk away with 2.5 billion won just for eating and playing there for a hundred days.
‘W-with that money, I can pay off my debts and buy a house.’
‘But...’
Everyone’s eyes shifted toward one another.
To put it simply, a total of fifty billion won meant that if the number of people here decreased, the amount of money each individual could take home would increase.
As if realizing this fact a moment too late, the group fell silent.
A strange tension enveloped them.
"I told you. Everyone, you’ve truly caught a great opportunity this time."
The man, dressed in a neat suit and possessing a handsome face, spoke with a bright, innocent smile.
That made it all the more eerie.
The atmosphere was thick with suspense.
"Grand Game."
Just one hundred days.
"I hope you all get along harmoniously during that time. Truly."
With those final words, the first episode of Grand Game ended.
The second episode, which aired the following day, continued directly from the first.
While the first episode explained the circumstances of those participating in Grand Game and established the setting, the second episode focused on the male and female protagonists.
「Someone... someone is targeting me.」
Nothing happened during the first month.
The days were spent doing missions and simply eating and playing in peace.
Then, one day, the protagonist, who had been leisurely reading a book, opened his door to a woman knocking frantically.
「If... if the number of people decreases, they get more money. So, surely...」
「Calm down.」
Even in such a situation, the protagonist maintained a facade of cold composure.
He navigated the situation logically, using his intellect to break through.
He initially tried to find and catch the person targeting him, but when he went to meet that man...
「He’s dead. Already... by someone else’s hand.」
The first murder.
The moment a crack appeared in the peaceful Grand Game.
As the second episode ended...
An explosive reaction erupted.
The show was mentioned across various communities, and discussions about the contents of episodes 1 and 2 followed.
People debated who the murderer was.
Though some commented that the protagonist was too much of an all-rounder...
That was the general sentiment.
Producer Baek Tae-soo beamed at the better-than-expected reviews.
He knew the drama had turned out well, but he hadn't expected this level of response.
"Actress Go Mi-eun’s acting was also excellent. As expected of the most popular actress lately. Her acting is very stable."
Other staff members gave thumbs up as well.
At that, Go Mi-eun, who was on set, smiled bashfully.
"It’s because everyone worked so hard. I just acted according to the great script."
"Oh, look at you being so humble."
"I gained a great opportunity thanks to Producer Baek, so of course I should be humble."
Producer Baek Tae-soo chuckled at Go Mi-eun’s words.
Well, it was a win-win situation since he had managed to cast Go Mi-eun at a bargain price.
"By the way, isn't today the day Sky Garden premieres?"
"Yes, but well... in this situation..."
The staff members laughed amongst themselves.
‘I was right to follow Producer Baek.’
‘He really has an eye for projects.’
Amidst the laughter, Producer Baek Tae-soo didn't smile much beyond his initial light chuckle.
Of course, the others didn't pay much attention to his reaction.
They simply thought that something like Sky Garden wasn't even on his radar.
‘Ju Seo-yeon.’
On the other hand, Go Mi-eun, who had been cast as the female lead for Grand Game, chewed on that name.
The person who had been cast as a female lead in a KMB drama alongside her.
And the actress who had completely overshadowed Go Mi-eun, despite her own significant activities over the past year.
‘This year was supposed to be my year.’
Go Mi-eun was currently on her third project of the year with Grand Game.
Three dramas in one year.
All of them had achieved decent results with average viewership ratings exceeding 10 percent.
Once as a supporting actress, and twice as the lead.
Her performance as a lead had been particularly well-received, and the same was true for Grand Game.
Even so, until Grand Game aired, the name Go Mi-eun hadn't made a huge impact on the public.
All because of Ju Seo-yeon.
The Chaser and various variety shows.
And then Dream Future.
Each one was enough to bury Go Mi-eun.
While this year had been Go Mi-eun’s year, it had also been Ju Seo-yeon’s year.
‘But in the end, the one who laughs last wins.’
The year-end awards ceremony wasn't far off.
Ultimately, who left the strongest impression at the end would heavily influence the awards.
Maybe not for movies, but in dramas, she would win.
Dream Future? She was already confident she could beat that.
The important thing was...
The drama where Ju Seo-yeon took on her first lead role.
She had to win.
The industry was small, and it was particularly difficult for young actresses like Ju Seo-yeon to find roles.
Thus, Go Mi-eun burned with ambition.
She was determined to achieve victory with Grand Game.
*
"What are you doing?"
Park Jung-woo asked.
His father was sitting on a wide sofa.
He had been sitting there quietly in the dark without even turning on the lights, giving Jung-woo a start when he walked in.
He could have at least turned on the TV.
"I was waiting for the drama that airs today."
His tone was stiff.
In the past, Jung-woo had disliked his father’s tone, but he was used to it now.
Park Sun-woong.
A legendary actor representing South Korea.
He had no failed movies or dramas, and he was said to have the strongest ticket power among male actors.
Even Park Jung-woo, called the best among young actors, was still overshadowed by Park Sun-woong’s shadow.
"Sky Garden? That one looks like it’ll be a tough climb."
"You speak lightly. Both sides are acquaintances of yours."
"Well, what can I do? It’s a fact that it won’t be easy."
Ju Seo-yeon and Writer Min Se-hee.
Both had deep connections with Park Jung-woo.
Especially Ju Seo-yeon.
To be honest, Park Jung-woo didn't really want to see Ju Seo-yeon fail either.
"How was the script?"
"I think it’s a script that could definitely do well. But in this situation, I’m not so sure."
Grand Game had turned out too well.
Park Jung-woo was certain that Sky Garden would be good.
However, airing the day after such a successful drama would inevitably lead to comparisons.
In the end, only one could take the spotlight.
Park Jung-woo felt a sudden thirst and brought a glass of cold water to his lips.
"I heard you received a suggestion from Actress Ju."
"Cough!"
Park Jung-woo, who almost spat out his water, barely composed himself and looked at his father.
"Where on earth did you hear that?"
"From Jo Seo-hee."
"Hah."
"She’s a very bright and upright girl. There’s a reason Actress Jung Eun-seon likes her."
When did that girl get close to my father?
Despite her appearance, she was a master at befriending people.
Especially veteran actors.
It was simply shocking that such a sociable person came from that family.
"Well, I did get a suggestion. Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie. She asked if I was interested in appearing in it with her."
"Director Jo Bang-woo, huh."
"What do you think, Father?"
"...I wonder."
Park Sun-woong picked up the remote.
As he turned on the TV, the dark living room was illuminated by its light.
"He’s a good director. But currently, he’s not exactly a reliable one."
"I think similarly."
"Director Jo Min-tae is excellent. He will likely carry on his father’s name. But setting him aside, if it’s Director Jo Bang-woo..."
He paused for a moment.
On the screen, Sky Garden was about to begin.
"I don't know how that girl knew, but there is still one chance left."
"Pardon?"
"Bases loaded. It’s a situation where one wrong pitch ends it all, but conversely, it means you’ve been given at least one chance to throw the ball."
Perhaps what Ju Seo-yeon was talking about was that she knew about that one chance to throw the ball.
And that she was stepping into that spot.
And that she had suggested that spot to his son as well.
Park Sun-woong knew.
That final pitch would decide a great many things.
‘It won’t receive much investment. But even that will be the last chance to get investment from a corporation.’
It would be made with an 'all or nothing' mindset.
Whether that would be a gain or a loss was unknown, but it was certain they would be desperate.
Filming for a desperate director is extremely difficult.
Park Sun-woong knew this well.
"Please, spare me the baseball metaphors."
"Bases loaded is common sense."
"Let’s just think of it as a last chance, then."
Park Jung-woo said as he sat down next to Park Sun-woong.
After all, he had come home early specifically to watch the drama.
"Hmm..."
Park Sun-woong said no more.
He thought it was fine.
His son had been arrogant, but his character was decent enough now.
‘I heard he said he’d think about it, but is he already planning to do it?’
Sometimes one needs to be stubborn.
As a father, he should naturally stop him from doing a movie with a high probability of failing.
‘On the other hand, if he can save the game with the bases loaded...’
A chance for a grand slam reversal might come.
And then.
「In this era of infinite competition, I will show you how to find your path.」
A man’s voice was heard, and the drama began.
*
The day after the first episode of Sky Garden aired.
Seo-yeon headed leisurely to her agency.
She had already seen the internet reaction.
It was actually much better than she had expected.
In fact, the very existence of a reaction was extremely positive.
‘As expected, public broadcast has higher recognition than cable.’
As someone who remembered the atmosphere of the early days of Sky Garden in the past, Seo-yeon was very satisfied.
However, when she arrived at the agency, Manager Park Eun-ha had a somewhat dark expression.
"What are we going to do, Seo-yeon?"
"Yes?"
"The, uh, viewership ratings don't seem to have come out as well as expected. I took a peek..."
At those words, Seo-yeon grew a bit tense.
Could the ratings be much lower than the internet reaction suggested? As she listened intently...
"It’s 6 percent. They say it’s only half of Grand Game’s."
6 percent!!
Seo-yeon was shocked.
Wait, what were the original first-episode ratings for Sky Garden?
‘1 percent.’
No matter if it was cable, that was by no means a high rating.
While public broadcast dramas still generally have higher ratings than cable, the gap isn't as overwhelming as it used to be.
1 percent was literally the bottom.
But did she just say 6 percent? For public broadcast, that was a perfectly average figure.
However, considering the evaluation Sky Garden originally received for its first episode, it was a massive number.
Given the difference between public broadcast and cable, Seo-yeon had expected around 3 percent.
‘A whole six times higher!!!’
Wait, then what happens later?
Seo-yeon suddenly turned serious.
Manager Park Eun-ha, misinterpreting that serious face, also became serious.
She was worried that Seo-yeon might be experiencing failure as soon as she took on a lead role.
For an actor, that was a huge blow.
‘I should practice my signature again in advance.’
‘What should I do? Seo-yeon looks like she’s having a hard time.’
While their thoughts crossed...
In the communities, the number of people pitting the two dramas against each other grew.
Of course, Grand Game was mostly the one doing the hitting.
Sky Garden was literally the one getting one-sidedly pummeled.
Thus, the battle between the two dramas seemed to be ending in Grand Game’s victory.
At least for now.