Shocking Plunge! 'King and Sovereign' Surpasses 40%, 'Black Forest' Collapses into the 20s
"Yi Sun-sin was somehow holding off the alien legion, and then they fired him and appointed Won Gyun."
That single line from SBC PD Jeong Min-jae perfectly captured the past few days.
KBC and Go Beom-su, who had been smug after their new win against King and Sovereign Episode 12, couldn't even scream as they were swept away by the waves of Episodes 13 and 14.
Ratings that had hit 31% were broken by the Chief State Councillor's speech, shattered by Hui-yul's appearance, and utterly buried underground by their confrontation.
And when the graph gets buried like that, people end up the same way—that's just how the world works.
KBC's new president was grilled to a crisp at the board meeting.
"President Hong. We didn't want to call this board meeting like this either."
"...Yes."
"But you know how it is. The higher-ups are staking everything on the K-Content Promotion Project, but they're also deeply worried about overseas companies like WebFlix taking the pie. That's why our 100% domestically owned KBC was selected for investment, and why we're doing this 30 billion project purely in-house."
"......."
"No, I still can't wrap my head around it. Why fire the producer who was handling ratings defense so well and turn everything into this mess?"
"......."
The president couldn't say a word.
Han Ye-seul, who had been treated like a third-rate hack struggling against King and Sovereign despite a budget ten times larger, was suddenly reevaluated.
It wasn't that she was lacking—the opponent was an absurd tsunami.
—And that fact was being laid bare in recent interviews above all else.
First up was Yi Hoon.
"Oh, that speech scene? I just did what junior Kang Min told me to, and it worked."
"???"
Normally, you'd take it as a joke to lighten the mood. But the reporters all exchanged baffled glances, unable to hide their shock.
Wasn't it well-known that actor Yi Hoon never joked about acting itself?
...No, even so, this had to be a joke—
"No, not a joke."
"......."
"Honestly, I wasn't confident in that performance either. It's not something a pure actor can pull off."
The reporters nodded unconsciously.
No matter how masterful an actor, they can't become an orator or demagogue.
It's like trying to become a painter or sculptor through acting—the talents required are fundamentally different.
"The writer said if it seemed too much, we'd cut it from the script. The PD suggested editing it somehow. I thought the same."
"......."
"But then junior Kang Min said, 'Let's discuss it separately.'"
Thinking back, Kang Min had seemed a bit off at the time.
Not just his exhausted face or intense eyes—it was something more essential.
Kang Min had laid out a premise: "Please filter this appropriately, as I'm speaking as if I've become the Chief State Councillor myself," before opening up.
—Sunbae-nim, this shoot is going to be tough.
—...I know. But we have to make it work somehow.
—Of course. For those with the strength to overcome adversity and survive—and even draw out greater power—only glory awaits, right?
—?
—I'm saying a nation is no different.
At first, Yi Hoon suspected Kang Min was delirious from exhaustion.
But that didn't last long.
Before he knew it, Yi Hoon was leaning in, listening to Kang Min's words.
—The situation in Joseon in the drama is dire. The people starve, enemies above eye opportunities, and the leaders meant to bear responsibility are corrupt and weak.
—Hmm.
—How could the yangban in the drama not know this? They're just too weak and pathetic to face it. Thus, an outstanding leader must take firm, strict measures. Even if it seems utterly impossible, difficult, and unreasonable—yes, measures must be taken.
—.......
—Our people are inherently far from weakness. Our essence is resilient will and unyielding resolve. We've simply lacked a leader to draw it out.
—.......
—This is the time for such a leader.
Kang Min's voice was subtle yet sharp.
Cynical and venomous, yet with a subtle resonance that pierced the heart.
Yi Hoon found himself drawn into the eloquence of Jackson White, who had plunged a world into ideological quagmires...
—Make no mistake: what approaches is not a battle of victory and defeat, but survival and death. Our people know the essence of war. We didn't seek it, but knowing it means we must act.
—All our battles are to protect. To safeguard the spirit of our people passed down for millennia and the children playing in those fields now. No compromises beyond that—no spilling blood otherwise is a sin against the nation.
—We need a leader to stand at the forefront of it all.
—He must be resolute. Decisive. Above all, extreme in his measures.
—There is no such thing as too extreme in victory. A surgeon cuts flesh not to kill the patient, but to save them.
—I dare say that's your role, sunbae-nim.
"...?"
Of course, Yi Hoon didn't remember every word Kang Min said back then.
But pulling out what he did remember was enough to leave the reporters stunned.
What the hell?
Did he lead a revolution in a past life or something?
Yi Hoon smirked at the reporters' dazed expressions.
"People rave about Actor Kang's stunt work or facial expressions, but in my eyes, his real genius is elsewhere."
Yi Hoon tapped his chest.
"He's a natural at acting with words. He visualizes everything in his head, even roles that aren't his. Honestly, he's already surpassed someone like me."
"......."
"Can't wait to see how far he'll go, haha!"
If Yi Hoon's interview sparked massive misconceptions about Kang Min's acting prowess, writer Baek Chae-i's did the same for his insight.
Swarmed by reporters asking when she'd conceived the scene, Baek Chae-i answered flustered but honestly.
"Not long ago. It wasn't even in the original plan."
"Pardon? Why not?!"
The reporters buzzed at words unfit for King and Sovereign's acclaimed highlight.
But her follow-up left them nodding in agreement.
"There were realistic concerns about the setup. I ended up agreeing."
"Hmm..."
Well, the scene was so epic it overshadowed historical accuracy issues.
The convinced reporters pressed on.
"So how did it make it in?"
"Well..."
Baek Chae-i hesitated.
"Actor Kang, usually so stoic, tilted his head. Frowned slightly, like, 'Why are you all like this?'"
—I think it's great.
The reporters stared blankly at each other.
"Just Actor Kang alone?"
"Yes..."
"Despite the PD and staff all opposing?"
"Yes..."
"......."
"And he said Hui-yul's character is for me to decide. That's the essence that makes this story beautiful, and, uh, he fell for the script..."
"......."
One female reporter imagined the scene: Kang Min earnestly telling the blushing writer before her, fidgeting with her fingers.
Her face soured involuntarily.
This is ridiculous.
Whether the reporter grumbled or not, the two interviews exploded with reactions once more.
People had seen Kang Min as a quiet, workhorse genius actor. With no real off-screen activity, it made sense.
But just recently, hadn't a clip spread of him lecturing a fan until her face went pale?
Now add him schooling a senior actor and earnestly explaining a script's beauty to the writer? It was too entertaining to ignore.
And as Kang Min's image and status skyrocketed wildly, one person's rose naturally alongside.
No need to say who—Han Ye-seul.
Normally, people don't memorize drama PD names.
But Black Forest's nosedive was freefall-level terrifying, and folks had to find a reason.
The only recent change? Chopping one head, openly admitting it was for "incompetence."
At this point, not becoming netizen bait would be weirder.
While Han Ye-seul reeled from her lifelong enemy becoming her savior, this naturally became another reason the KBC president was getting roasted.
"Everyone's calling our KBC idiots, President. Your thoughts?"
"...The public always says what they want. If you're making a fuss over one drama—"
"Ha, true! If it weren't the drama getting top-down support and hype!"
"You'd have a point if procedures were followed, but you fired her on CP authority? What were you thinking?"
"What about the upcoming Korea Communications Commission? They glare at license fee talks, but we issued a bid notice tied to fees in the public project! Push through with public opinion like this?"
"......."
KBC's revenue hovered around 1.5 trillion won annually, costs similar. Net profit or loss between 100-300 billion over five years—razor-thin.
Public funds and fees made up about 700 billion, roughly half.
Of course, stats skewed by pure fee channels, but getting cut hurts bad.
Firing one drama over a flop is exaggeration, but with 7 of 11 non-executive directors from ruling party, 4 opposition—all political pros.
"Take responsibility, President Hong!"
"Responsibility my ass! Keep blowing this up with nonsense?"
"This is public broadcaster image issue! Why no procedure to fire CP Han Ye-seul!"
"Presidents firing on authority wasn't new under the last one! Enough!"
"That's when results came! President Ahn fired a clear problem case! Who's comparing who!"
"Blind to keep that incompetent CP, or did you take bribes?"
"Committee Member Kim, watch your mouth!"
With the executive VP overseeing Production Division 2 (including Drama Dept.) clashing, and division heads called in, chaos erupted.
The elders scalped by one man's Unbelievable pursuit turned Hulk-rage violent like in the film.
And,
"...Now what?"
"Hmm..."
Now it was time for those who unleashed this disaster to answer.
#
"......."
"......."
"......."
While documents flew in KBC's boardroom, MBS president's office was dead silent.
Silent enough to hear flies buzzing.
President.
Executive VP.
Drama Dept. Head Kim Kang-hyeon—
The bigwigs couldn't open their mouths easily.
Breaking the silence was the least senior.
"...What now? Actor Kang Min's Unbelievable one-year appearance rights."
"......."
Frankly, the dept. head's scratch and VP's nod were like a bad check. They figured no matter how good Kang Min was, beating Black Forest was impossible.
But reality missed wildly.
King and Sovereign, nipping at Black Forest's heels, was now pummeling them.
Phone ratings: 40.4% vs. 15.3%.
Nearly triple—victory so total the world seemed broken.
Great news.
For Kim Kang-hyeon, reason to dance, but burden weighed heavier...
"...We have to give it. No choice."
At the executive VP's limp words, the dept. head glanced nervously.
"Actor Kang Min's hot right now. Directors like Choi Bong-man and Lee Myeong-su are raging to reserve him for leads."
"......."
"If he only does Unbelievable... won't we look crazy?"
"...He wants to."
"Even if he says he wants to, who believes a lunatic? Rumors'll fly we're sabotaging him out of spite..."
The executive VP went quiet. He agreed.
Kang Min was nuts. Everyone here knew.
Offer Unbelievable one-year rights? He'd joyfully ignore other dramas/movies.
How would MBS look?
—The thought terrified more with time.
"Hand it over."
The pragmatic president concluded.
Dept. head swallowed a groan.
"...You sure?"
"What choice? It's clear in the contract."
"Hmm..."
"Actors are fickle anyway. He'll tire after three or four appearances."
"Hope so..."
What if that nut really commits a year—
At the dept. head's look, the president silently turned his chair to the window.
Evening, gentle breeze.
Gazing at the sunset, he tossed a random question.
"By the way, Kim Dept. Head, how many years into Unbelievable this year?"
"21 years, I believe."
"21 years..."
The president stroked his chin.
Calm face.
"It's been a while."
"...Pardon?"
"Really long time."
"......."
"Maybe too long..."
"?"
Same time,
Wi Min-jun, PD of Unbelievable, pouring sweet-and-sour pork sauce, felt an inexplicable chill.
Unbelievable and a truly excellent PD