Unbelievable and the Very Excellent PD (6)
Of course, Japan's TV Yoruhwa and America's CBC weren't blind.
The higher-ups always had discerning eyes—that was the way of the world.
The station heads who watched all 1080 episodes of Unbelievable writhed in genuine agony.
"Why the hell are you showing me this crap, Shirakawa Producer?!"
"Damn it, James! I just got lectured by my doctor yesterday about managing my blood pressure!!"
The fury of these broadcasting veterans, even if decayed, was far grander than that of ordinary netizens.
To butcher a scene brimming with potential—like something monumental could emerge depending on the cooking—just like that!
They couldn't help but rage like seasoned anglers spotting a novice frying premium bluefin tuna into fish cutlets.
Are you trying to rot my eyes right now?!
"Here's the hashtag trends and buzz metrics."
"And the search volume graph, sir."
"......."
"......Oh."
...It was too staggeringly impressive to even get mad about.
Those with "ratings" and "money" etched into the double helix of their DNA calmed down in no time.
Just like that, they started punching calculators as if nothing had happened.
"Kang Min, Kang Min... Wasn't he the lead in King and Sovereign?"
"Yes. Negotiations with our Yoruhwa are already underway."
"Hmm, for a drama that's already locked in 40% ratings, maybe we can pour a little more fuel on the fire..."
Japan's TV Yoruhwa was taking the straightforward approach: inflate an already exploding ratings bomb even further.
America's CBC, however, zeroed in on something different.
The actor named Kang Min himself.
"It's got a bit of a meme vibe, sure, but the acting chops are downright terrifying."
"Indeed."
"Especially that near-native Russian... Is he from there?"
"Not at all, from what we hear. Even the set was shocked."
"Cultivating a skill he didn't even need..."
Kang Min's profile listed Korean plus "conversational" English.
Nothing special—just the standard line for actors who'd endured Korea's grueling 12+ years of education. Even Jiho Acting Academy, which made the profile, hadn't thought much of it.
The issue? No Russian listed anywhere.
"If he's that good in an unlisted language, English must be fluent as hell."
"Safe bet."
Misunderstanding.
He'd just blurted it out in excitement without realizing.
"Curious part: he hasn't signed with any agency yet."
"What's the problem there?"
"Simply put, Korea's entertainment agencies dwarf even U.S. labels. They'd get smashed by antitrust laws here and split into three pieces."
"...If those dinosaurs dominate the market, isn't staying unsigned a massive loss?"
"Exactly. But he's turned down countless offers."
"Sounds like he's got an agenda."
Misunderstanding.
No one had bought the rights to This Is Real Life, so he couldn't sign.
"Above all, rumors in Korea say his seven years as a nobody were him biding time for a big shot."
"James, your take?"
"Hm."
James Aker, the CBC producer—established in 1927, yet one of the fastest risers in its long history—pondered briefly.
Fluent foreign languages.
No agency.
And this incident above all—
The conclusion was obvious.
"No doubt, that actor's aiming for bigger waters."
"Hmm."
At this point, it bordered on bullshit beyond misunderstanding, but anyone who didn't know how much cash Netflix had raked in after handing a Korean PD $50 million years ago was clueless.
Unlike Europe's public broadcasters with their prestige, America's virtue was pure commercialism.
A freak occurrence from tiny Korea? Reason enough to perk up.
His boss summed it up casually after a moment's thought.
"No need to overhype a fleeting meme, but no reason not to throw a few pennies at it."
"You mean..."
"Buy that Unbelievable thing or whatever. Shove it on streaming—someone'll watch. MBS is buddy-buddy with us anyway."
Like buying a lottery ticket on a whim, expecting it might pop off. No big deal.
James nodded easily.
—Of course, to Korea's MBS, it was nothing but a nightmare.
The vice president tore at his hair.
"Why...! Why do the damn Americans and Japanese want that cursed thing...!!"
"B-but the offers are huge, VP..."
"It's not about the money!!"
Naturally, reporters sniffed it out at breakneck speed.
Sure, slamming terrestrial TV as idiots was risky to print, but U.S. and Japan interest? Prime clickbait.
Reporters hammered out articles gleefully, and netizens reacted as expected.
The massive buzz led to a guillotine MBS never wanted. All of Korea eagerly awaited the next Unbelievable.
Forcing Kang Min off now and pretending nothing happened? Impossible. They had to ride it out, win or lose.
Claiming "We had no idea, Kang Min went rogue"? No sane person would buy it.
The VP felt like he was losing his mind.
"That lunatic... Why turn a quiet, tame show into this shitshow?!"
Miscalculation. He should've clocked it when the psycho's eyes gleamed talking Unbelievable appearance rights.
The guy's not right in the head.
If great actors are proportionally insane—as the saying goes—Kang Min was world-class crazy.
No doubt about it.
But even in that horror show, a ray of light pierced through.
The next day, Drama Division Head Kim Kang-hyun brought intel like rain in a drought.
The VP shot to his feet.
"Han Ye-seul?! The chief producer of Black Forest?!"
"Yes. Old ties, she's on hiatus, and we had some... leverage to reel her in. A PD of her caliber should cover this mess."
"That's the stuff! Good work! Damn good!!"
The VP wanted to grab Kim Kang-hyun and waltz.
News that big. The famous Han Ye-seul could more than rein in Kang Min's madness.
He beamed ecstatically.
"Nail this, and it's not a crisis—it's opportunity! Tell her to keep that guy in check, whatever it takes!"
"Already did."
"Perfect! Time to show 'em what we're made of!"
"Er."
Kim Kang-hyun didn't ask who exactly needed showing.
...Though, there's that old tale: escalator backflow accidents happen because of the anti-backflow devices.
"Welcome, Chief Producer Han Ye-seul! I've been dying to meet you!"
"Uh... yeah?"
Truth be told, Han Ye-seul's impression of Kang Min wasn't much different from anyone else's.
Genius actor.
Serious, weighty personality.
A quirky side too.
And scammer—
Her grudge(?) had faded lately, but MBS shoving Kang Min at her with "Ebebeop, rainbow reflection!" every time was traumatic. Not the easily healed kind.
That's what Han Ye-seul thought.
—Right up until 10 minutes before meeting him.
"So episode 7's mess was top-down pressure, huh."
"Spot on! Sudden affair subplot! I thought they were nuts?!"
"Felt off. Your montage from prior eps vanished. I figured step printing at the start next."
"Huh? How...?"
"Usually, right-to-left on plane feels 'unsettling.' You broke that, so obviously 2:2 pulldown direction. Camera floated unrealistically anyway."
"......Ah."
During his seven years as an aspiring actor, realizing he had no talent, Kang Min desperately analyzed everything for an edge.
His insights—even stunning Baek Chae-i—spared no one. Meticulous to a fault.
...Mostly fueled by burning grudge to beat Black Forest.
Han Ye-seul, oblivious, gaped.
She swallowed emotion, but her throat tightened anyway.
"...Thanks."
"Pardon? For what?"
"Just... for noticing..."
"?"
Creators know viewers ignore what they obsess over.
Dynamic arrays, correlation ratios, tilt shakes, motifs, mise-en-scène? Useless next to a hot lead stripping his shirt.
Movies get "art house" packaging; dramas? Fat chance.
Why Han Ye-seul thought no one would appreciate her perfectionism.
But someone did...
He's real... the genuine article...!
Recent reevals of Han Ye-seul? Pure ratings talk.
Lost to King and Sovereign? Incompetent. Post-ouster Black Forest tanks? She was brilliant. World's metric.
But this actor—with insane skills—saw the essence.
Han Ye-seul's eyes welled up.
The division head, eyeing her fan-girl face and tsking, cleared his throat.
"So, as you said, chat's good? You'll take it?"
"...Sure, why not. Last Unbelievable was over the top anyway."
"Smart choice! Uhahaha!"
Han Ye-seul stamped approval for a short filler gig, rehabilitation-style.
Filler gig.
That's what she'd thought.
...In hindsight, she should've known from Kim Kang-hyun's croc-grin—like he'd hooked a croc—and Wi Min-jun's savior face.
"I want to play Hitler."
"......Pardon?"
"Unbelievable screams Hitler. With things messy, time to return to roots."
"......."
My hearing must be shot—
Two days later, Han Ye-seul, megaphone down, rubbed her ear.
"Great work, everyone."
"Great work!"
"Yes, great work!"
Meanwhile, writer Baek Chae-i bounced out post-King and Sovereign meeting.
Perfect!
Episode 18 script in hand.
Hui-yul's exit—revised dozens of times, poured heart into.
Confidence matched.
Thinking of Kang Min, her grip tightened.
Unbelievable must be eating him up...
Reflecting, forces slandering Kang Min were endless, sparked by that evil Unbelievable villain.
And that villain struck Kang Min himself.
Even her OlivePenguin fan cafe firepower orders flopped...
Deliver the script ASAP. Might cheer him up...!
Oblivious she'd slapped Kang Min's cheek thrice, Baek Chae-i headed to Ilsan Production Center with balm in tow.
But nearing the meeting room, her face twisted oddly.
Kang Min didn't look down at all.
"Aaaah!"
...Instead, some unseen woman was freaking out.
"How 'bout this heartwarming one? Dog reunites lost siblings! Wholesome, right?!"
"Hitler."
"Or this! Survived seven lightning strikes! Fun, right?!"
"Hitler."
"Aaaaaah!!"
Staff huddled awkwardly like Maori ritual dancers, Wi Min-jun PD included. Bizarre scene.
What the—
What's going on—
Kang Min spoke calmly amid Baek Chae-i's confusion.
"Producer Han Ye-seul."
"Yes? What now? Another genius insight to test my sanity?!"
"Might sound funny from a rookie, but I think KBC was foolish firing you."
Silence fell.
Han Ye-seul blinked like a BB-pelleted pigeon.
Kang Min continued earnestly.
"Black Forest was brilliant. Even I thought I couldn't beat it."
"...Ah, th—thanks."
"Masterpiece. Shouldn't have ended. Still think so."
"No, I..."
"Who else wields iris-in so masterfully? Dutch angles that precise? You're the most astonishing I've seen. What can't you do—Hitler or not?"
"Uh, well..."
Minus the Hitler bit, it was soul-shattering praise. Especially for Han Ye-seul, knowing Kang Min's caliber.
The earnest accolades dazed her.
No! Even so, this is wrong!
Snapping back as she half-melted:
"Even so, no proper script...!"
And right on cue:
"Want me to write it?"
Her senses returned.
Han Ye-seul blinked, turning.
"I'll write it."
"...?"
Woodpecker voice—unmet but familiar face.
Baek Chae-i.
King and Sovereign's lead writer, freshly rocketed to stardom on her scenarios' praise.
"......."
"......."
But,
Han Ye-seul frowned for a different reason.
What the hell.
Why's this psycho glaring like I'm her mortal enemy?
Thus, next week's dual deaths were sealed.
Hui-yul and Adolf Hitler.
"Haha, now we're good! I can relax!"
...By the time the VP heard and screamed, it was far too late.