When Whales Fight, the Shrimp's Back Gets Crushed
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Han Ye-seul, CP of KBC's Black Forest, started her mornings early.
At 4:30 a.m., she rubbed her eyes in the nap room and headed straight to the editing suite.
By rights, a chief producer's job was to oversee pre-production—planning and budgeting—while leaving the hands-on work to the PDs.
But Han Ye-seul was different.
"That's what I told PD Kim too—there's no room in the VFX budget! Pulling off CG like this already was us bending over backward for Black Forest, rushing the schedule and all!"
"We know, we know, but the editing director feels it's a shame too, right? Just one airlift scene from the chopper here, and it'd pop so much more!"
"Last time you said a missile popping in perfectly would make it pop!"
"Aw, come on, that was then. Can't you put in a good word with your team, Editing Director?"
"Jeez...!"
The young PD coaxed the graying editing director, who couldn't easily dismiss such demands. She sweet-talked and cajoled until her requests went through.
The editing director grumbled with a sour face, making the atmosphere awkward, but she couldn't back down yet.
She had to stay glued to her seat until dawn, monitoring every little thing.
"Alright, hurdle cleared!"
No rest even as day broke.
Skipping the cafeteria breakfast, she chewed a calorie bar and double-checked the hunted locations.
For a drama the scale of Black Forest, filming spots were limited. Every other KBC drama was the enemy.
Even spots they'd reserved could be muscled out by senior CPs bullying a junior one.
"Bureau Chief! We booked the Ilsan Center for the day after tomorrow!"
"That's how it is—does that even make sense?! We have to shoot there the day after to hit our schedule! You said we'd get free rein at Ilsan instead of building that mine set!"
"Don't care—our gear's going in! Back off!!"
Lunch was slurped cup ramen, then people management.
Black Forest's PD was a nine-year mid-level vet, but handling a 300-billion-won project wasn't easy.
Sets.
Props.
Costumes.
Makeup.
Hair.
Special effects.
Equipment rentals.
Production fees.
And above all, the massive horde of extras.
Even if planned at the pitch stage, things rarely went smoothly.
If the PD couldn't handle it, Han Ye-seul stepped in.
"Did the art director approve this? I know from experience—it's nothing like the samples!"
"Come on! Hitting the deadline by the 13th is how much of a delay we're talking!"
"Using more MCC (motion control camera) and they get picky as hell! Just pay the proper two million an hour!"
"These newbies calling themselves pros? You kidding?!"
By evening, rough cuts from wrapped shoots rolled in.
She joined editing meetings, sometimes with the PD and DP, debating basic mixing.
Han Ye-seul didn't compromise here either.
"There's a 14-second gap! We have to fill it somehow!"
"Just loop a bank scene..."
"Viewers will drop off! Fast cuts with repeats get boring quick!"
"......."
By midnight, the bickering looped back.
Straight to the nap room, no real rest—just collapsing for three or four hours before the same routine.
Going home? Maybe once every two weeks.
For a senior producer, it was freakish obsession. Senior CPs just shook their heads.
"She's ruthless, seriously..."
"That's how she snagged CP at that age with a 300-billion plan."
"That's why Black Forest looks so damn polished. I couldn't pull it off."
"That fine cut for episode 7? Killer. She poured her soul into it."
"Yeah... the rival's a total dog."
"Right..."
King and Sovereign.
In budget, direction, writing—even most actors—it was leagues below Black Forest, something they'd have ignored.
...But now, it was Black Forest's undisputed arch-rival and biggest obstacle.
The reason Han Ye-seul obsessed over perfection like a madwoman.
CPs imagined themselves in her shoes and shook their heads.
"Still, we won this round for sure. Bureau Chief's convinced."
"Ten minutes of battle? Who dreams up that idiocy."
"Yu Ho-hyeon PD always throws wild cards when it might work. Not for nothing he was a nobody."
"Anyway, chance! MBS ratings tank this week. Time for Black Forest to reclaim 20%!"
What should have taken a day or two for mixing dragged five days—rejecting fine cuts repeatedly, nitpicking color correction, even sound effects.
With dark circles turning her eyes into raccoon masks, Han Ye-seul clutched the tape and let out a witchy grin.
"Perfect...!"
No one challenged it. It was obvious.
Especially since MBS hadn't self-destructed stupidly.
"Done! This week's ratings are our crushing victory...!"
Han Ye-seul, the PDs, staff—even the drama bureau chief—all believed Black Forest had flawless victory this time.
...Yeah, the world worked like that.
King and Sovereign episode 4.
Min-hwa, the heroine, is gripped by confusion after seeing Hui-yul's smile as he saves the child.
[He's a bad guy. The one tormenting Dol-soe, trying to kill him.]
[And yet...]
Yet that smile lingered.
Relief.
Catharsis.
And pure joy.
[Someone who can make that face... why...?]
But unlike the bewildered Min-hwa, Hui-yul was unchanged.
Even cornered by her confrontation, his nonchalance held.
[Then why save the kid?! Whether he lives or dies, it's none of your business, sir!]
[Who knows? Great men are capricious, aren't they?]
Hui-yul shrugged.
[Assuming he has some past I can't grasp is a terrible habit, miss. Fine in peaceful times, but in chaos, it's a fast track to losing your head.]
[.......]
[From my common experience, you'll die young, miss.]
Min-hwa couldn't speak facing the warrior casually cursing her over a shrug.
Flawless acting, impeccable emotional arc.
But in KBC's Black Forest meeting room, small cheers leaked out.
"Yes! Perfect!"
"Love triangle, melo kickoff! Great scene, but right now? Their worst nightmare!"
"We nailed 'em!"
On the split screen, Black Forest episode 7 showed U.S. airborne troops dropping from choppers.
Simultaneously, Russia approved Iskander missile launch.
The NIS hero faced a razor-edge decision amid do-or-die tension.
No room for melodrama in that brutal suspense.
Han Ye-seul's obsession birthed perfection. Viewers gulped, eyes glued.
Soon, news from main control: "Ratings trend's in!"
"How?!"
"Black Forest 22.4%! King and Sovereign under 10%!"
"Yes!"
"Of course!!"
Cheers erupted.
And King and Sovereign's closer? Ten-minute battle on a shoestring budget. Win was sealed, no matter what MBS scraped together!
Han Ye-seul slumped, tension draining.
Staff buzzed excitedly.
"We did it, CP!"
"Just back to normal!"
"Knew it! Drama hyping one actor can't last!"
"Exactly!!"
The rare raucous vibe filled the room.
Not rare, actually. This was Black Forest's weekly vibe—before MBS's insane ploy.
So long...
Reclaimed normalcy nearly brought tears to Han Ye-seul's eyes.
Black Forest's momentum raged on.
Viewers raved on; channel-surfers stuck for the spectacle.
Black Forest ratings climbed steadily.
"24—over 24%!"
"25% breached!"
"26.3...! Good day, might hit 30!"
Joy brimmed,
tears welling in Han Ye-seul's eyes after countless trials—
when a new character appeared in tanking King and Sovereign.
Queen Dowager and Left State Councillor schemed.
[Left Prime Minister! We can't leave the deposed crown prince be! Rumors say he's alive, gathering forces!]
[Heh. Worry not, Your Majesty. I have a blade prepared.]
[A blade?]
[A kinsman who crossed the Silk Road in youth, learned bizarre swordplay from that Great Jin state's heirs. Even played ronin in Sesa (Switzerland), rose high. Couldn't take the discrimination, returned home.]
[Sesa...? Barbarian hole—whoever, success there worth shit? Scout Central Plains or Wa warriors instead.]
[Hmph.]
Froglike well-dwellers thinking three kingdoms the world—Left State Councillor smoothed his twitching brow, soothed politely, and exited the queen dowager's chambers.
His trailing warrior bore an unusually thin blade.
Left State Councillor commanded the unnatural figure.
[Deposed prince's lair confirmed. Dispose appropriately.]
[Heard there's a woman. How?]
[With him. More heirs mean headaches.]
[As you command.]
The warrior vanished.
...Huh?
Han Ye-seul felt sudden dread.
Glanced around—only her. Others laughed: "Aigoo, another one." "Useless anyway."
Imagination...?
She quashed unease; story rolled.
The masked warrior showed no mercy. Instead of night stealth, a simpler infiltration.
[Kuh!]
[Gahk!]
[Uwaaak!]
Blood sprayed from dozens; soon, one target spotted.
Min-hwa, storming after arguing with Hui-yul.
Easy prey—the masked one eyed her dully, thrust sword.
Wind-fast. Min-hwa realized the bizarre thin blade pierced her in a blink.
Her mouth gaped in scream—but sword faster.
Clang!
—Hui-yul faster still.
Instant clashes.
As masked backed with bulging eyes, Hui-yul yanked Min-hwa away.
Min-hwa blinked blankly.
[Wha... when...?]
[Run if you can stand. Can't fight protecting you, miss.]
[What—]
[Go.]
[I don't under—!]
[Shut up and run. Now!]
[!?]
Stunned by sudden casual speech, Min-hwa clapped hand over mouth, eyes wide.
Oddly, masked watched her flee without pursuit.
Not mercy. Immobilized.
His pro-voice held awe.
[Unbelievable... such a swordsman in this backwater Joseon.]
[Backwater talk—you've seen foreign lands.]
[Much.]
Warrior chuckled.
[Dai Shi Guo (Ottoman) gate guardians, blue Poland winged hussars, Sesa ronin clinging to past glory...]
[Fancy guy, slumming here for ladies?]
[Say, sympathy for Left Prime Minister's cause.]
[.......]
[Step aside, young friend. I see you're like me. Slay them for this land's future—right choice.]
Hui-yul silent.
Drew sword instead.
Masked frowned, raised odd thin blade.
[Choosing death?]
[Told that fool miss once—you'd die young.]
[.......]
[Common, right? Pathetic ronin shoving nose everywhere in chaos die off.]
Hui-yul shrugged.
And smiled faintly.
[Sometimes, letting one live's a whim.]
Han Ye-seul swallowed.
That episode 4 smile from a week ago, massive buzz.
This—far more.
They saved this...!
Her guess still underestimated.
Distance closed; blades clashed.
- Clangclangclangclang!
"?"
"Huh?"
"Wh-what?!"
Staff whipped heads around.
Lightning five exchanges.
Masked gritted, ducked low, closed in—disciplined stance, eerie sway probing gaps.
Hui-yul's free-flowing, parrying weird blade naturally, eyes icy.
Blades flashed insanely fast. Sub-second strikes, solid blocks advancing, trails everywhere.
Problem:
—No cut change.
"Wait! What is that?! Fencing?!"
"Opponent feels fencing-y, Hui-yul dunno... not orthodox kendo?"
"Fuck, who cares?! What the hell!"
"One-cut long take?! That's Kang Min himself?!"
"Nonsense! Impossible! CG for sure!"
"No way! What actor...!"
Staff sputtered briefly.
Then jaws dropped universally.
10 seconds—no cut.
30—no.
1 minute more—same.
Screen: raw, brutal swordplay live.
Camera just captured.
Yu Ho-hyeon PD humbly admitted he couldn't improve this monster scene.
So, showcase the ingredient raw.
Editing director freaked, but couldn't break Yu Ho-hyeon's stubbornness.
That was MBS "10-minute battle" truth—silencing Black Forest room now.
"This... this kind of..."
No reply to the mutter.
No energy left.
Right.
Center.
Diagonal up.
Lower left—
Blades clashed endlessly. Thrust met slash; clash dragged low, then gap; pass-dodge-charge.
Not mere exchange. Gradually, Hui-yul overwhelmed.
Masked groaned in defeat, unseen face hidden.
All impossibly natural.
—Viewers noticed.
Uproar brewed.
Olympics thrill with honed clashes.
Yet fixed cams, no empathy, thin story disappoint.
Sure, athletes have tales—but unreachable.
—King and Sovereign had it all.
Dolly tracking, Steadicam pulls, Innovation cam zooms—flashy duel.
Masked howled.
[You! With that skill, why...!]
[Who knows, same as you?]
Unlike stuntman's mask, Kang Min timed dubs.
Originally: "I'm William White."
[Don't mock! I bear for greater good! Dare compare saving a wench to my nobility?!]
[World's not so different.]
Originally: "I'm William White."
[Filth! You'll regret! Your petty obsession dooms descendants! Blind fool ignoring reform's hope...!]
[Who knows.]
Hui-yul's slash gashed waist.
Groaning masked raised blade—Hui-yul smashed down.
His gaze arctic.
[Nation saved by killing one innocent beggar girl? Worth ruining.]
Originally: "William White forgives no evil."
Viewers oblivious.
2-min fight reactions outgunned all Black Forest.
Iskander missile forgotten. Like Germanic migrations fleeing Huns, viewers fled instantly.
Inevitable. Black Forest scenes rare years out; King and Sovereign's unprecedented.
Reactions roiled; graphs spiked.
End swift.
[Gahk...!]
Masked crumpled.
Glared sky wrathfully, squeezed eyes shut—still.
Bloody Hui-yul blinked. Icy madness yielded dry void.
Staggered forward.
Distant: dazed Min-hwa.
[Won't listen till now? I said run.]
[...I did. Came back.]
[Typical beggar.]
Bitter laugh.
Somehow, that faint smile left Min-hwa entranced.
It lingered, end.
Enough to explode boards.
Real-time chats, boards, net exploded—Black Forest room alone silent.
Hellish quiet.
"......."
"......."
"......."
All eyed Han Ye-seul. Face stiff, silent.
Control staff returned trembling. Results obvious.
Dread stretched endless—
"Hoo."
Surprisingly, Han Ye-seul lifted head with wry smile.
"Good work, everyone. Thanks to you, we made something great."
"C-CP...?"
"Just bad luck. We were perfect today. Same next week. That's it, right?"
"Y-yes!"
"Of course!"
Staff sighed relief, answered quick.
Another hit, but today's Black Forest flawless. CP seemed satisfied.
All dispersed, relieved no blowup.
Han Ye-seul kept soft smile exiting. Nap room past 11, empty.
Locked door tight, hit bed.
Checked surroundings repeatedly—alone.
Then—
"You con artist bastards!!!!!"
Pummeled pillow wildly.
"What was that?! Just Kang Min swording like a pro! PD did jack shit! Free ride has limits, you soulless fucks!!!"
Thud thud.
Pillow stuffing flattened unfairly.
But Han Ye-seul's rage swelled, not ebbed.
Sleepless nights polishing seconds fueled fury.
Too much!
"Why only you freeload?! And when I'm around?! Haven't been home in two weeks!!!"
Dozens minutes.
She thrashed berserk; one staffer fleeing third nap room in terror.
"What drama pulls ratings like that shit—!!!"
Quiet night.
Shrimp backs crushed aplenty in whale wars.