Chapter 77
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Drama Hits 10% and Budding Jealousy
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Pida Entertainment's Executive Director Go Moo-seo stared at them with a dazed expression, as if he'd seen a ghost.
"What percentage?"
"Averages of 7.9% for episodes 1 and 2. And episode 3 that aired yesterday hit 10.2%."
Kim Han-soo delivered the report calmly, but his face beamed with the widest grin he'd ever shown.
After the first episode aired, Oh, My Cat's ratings had spread by word of mouth, jumping over 2% by episode 3 the following week.
"Hey, this could climb even higher, couldn't it?"
"That's what we think too!"
The team leader of Management Team 1, where Park Min-ha was assigned, nodded vigorously with a look like he'd hit the lottery.
And who could blame him? Hitting over 10% in just three episodes. Even for terrestrial broadcast dramas, that'd be solid numbers—let alone on cable.
Sure, these days the gap between terrestrial and cable wasn't huge anymore, but the hierarchy still existed.
Yet that made cable hits all the more impactful—far beyond the raw numbers, in terms of ripple effects.
"Gotta send some ginseng tonics to the PR team. Their phones must be on fire."
"They say even bathroom breaks are a struggle."
"Quit exaggerating."
He chided them lightly, but Go Moo-seo couldn't wipe the grin off his face.
By now, the PR team was probably swamped with calls trying to book Lee Do-jun and Park Min-ha—no breathing room in sight.
"For the company's first idol project, this is a smooth landing. At least I can breathe easy in meetings now."
"Is the vice president still hung up on the Lim Joo-won fiasco?"
"Don't get me started. Even before these ratings, he'd flip out whenever he had a chance, ranting about why we let go of someone who could build an artist image. 'Idols aren't drama material,' he'd say."
The Management Team 1 leader let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"With all the idols turning actors these days..."
"Exactly! Ugh, if he weren't the president's cousin's brother, seriously."
He'd never liked the guy, but lately, just thinking about the vice president made him crave a smoke.
"Anyway, Teams 1 and 2 both nailed it. Big bonuses this year, huh?"
"Still not enough."
"What's not enough? You've got music show wins and drama offers pouring in."
Go Moo-seo figured Kim Han-soo was just being modest and slapped his back.
But his thinking was genuinely different.
"Do-jun's thriving, sure, but the other members need to rise too."
"Yeah, fair point. Last time, the Arena members fell out with Sung Joo-chan over something like that."
It didn't even need to be Arena— it was common. One member blows up, rumors of discord follow.
And usually, come contract end, someone leaves, and the group disbands.
For Pida Entertainment, planning a full dive into the idol market with B.O.Y as the foundation, that was the last thing they wanted.
"Alright, let's put extra effort into this next album. That'll shut the vice president up for good."
"Got it."
"Man, 10%... the more I think about it, the more impressive it gets."
The serious mood lasted only a moment before the director's office lit up again with cheerful talk of Oh, My Cat.
The popularity of Oh, My Cat only grew with each passing episode.
Ironically, the one feeling it most vividly wasn't Do-jun, but Kim Ha-woon.
On the way to school in the manager's car, Ha-woon answered the phone in his still-sleepy voice. It was his daily ritual, without fail.
"Mooommm..."
- Ohhh, my baby heading to school?
"Yeah..."
- Answering calls half-asleep? Already groaning like that—how will you handle big things?
"I practiced till dawn yesterday too..."
- Everyone else does that. You're not the only one grinding.
"That's harsh..."
Her words sounded cold at first, but Ha-woon smiled inwardly. She'd soon fuss over how tired he must be.
- Want me to send some fatigue-recovery supplements to the dorm?
See? Mom's the best. Even though she couldn't see through the phone, Ha-woon nodded brightly.
"Yeah, send some. I'll share with the hyungs."
- Good. Share with that friend Do-jun too. He must be wiped from filming the drama and group activities.
"Do-jun hyung's drama wrapped already..."
- Wrapped means done? Kid who knows more than his mom.
Ha-woon chuckled mischievously, and his mom continued in an excited tone.
- Anyway, Do-jun looked so cool. All the aunties around me are raving about the drama.
"Yeah. Good reactions."
- Next time, do a video call with him if you're free. Gotta brag to my friends.
Ha-woon feigned hurt.
"Your son's an idol too—only with Do-jun hyung?"
Deep down, he'd hoped for an invite to join, but the reply dashed that.
- My son's already known to all my friends.
"...Fine."
- Aigoo, alright. Wake up properly, study hard. Fighting, my boy!
"Yeees."
Feeling an inexplicable pang of disappointment, he hung up as the car pulled up to school.
Ha-woon thanked the manager for the ride and headed straight inside.
"Hey? Ha-woon's here!"
The moment he opened the classroom door, eyes locked on him.
It was an arts high school full of broadcast hopefuls, but Ha-woon—a debuted idol who'd topped music shows—was a full-fledged star even here.
However...
"What's next for the drama?"
"Dunno. Hyung won't spill."
"Is he really like Lee Jung-woo personality-wise?"
"Some similarities, some not."
Most of the attention pouring his way wasn't about him—it was all on leader Do-jun.
At first, even indirect spotlight felt thrilling.
Lately, though, it grated too much.
Especially as Oh, My Cat's hype skyrocketed.
Not just breaks—even during PE or meals, kids from other classes and grades bombarded him with Do-jun questions.
"Can you snag me an autograph?"
"Me too! Me too!"
"If I sign with Pida, can I meet him? I wanna join your agency. How'd you get in, Ha-woon?"
There'd been days when Do-jun hyung's popularity thrilled him.
But with family to friends hounding him daily with the same crap, his head was starting to throb.
That subtle feeling from the last album kept resurfacing.
The day Do-jun missed an event for a solo schedule, and fan turnout plummeted. It all blurred with now.
But he couldn't snap. Ha-woon gently steered the topic.
"What's for lunch today?"
"Spaghetti, I think?"
"For real? Spaghetti sucks. Always soggy."
"I like it, though."
The chatter shifted from Do-jun to lunch in seconds.
But not for long.
"I always wanted a dog, but after Oh My Cat, now I want a cat."
"Duh, cats obviously!"
"Can a vet be that hot? Did you see yesterday? Stethoscope on the dog... ugh!"
He tried ignoring it, but with every student buzzing about Oh, My Cat, it was unavoidable.
Naturally, Do-jun talk was in the mix.
"He's seriously handsome—like full actor visuals, not idol."
"Right? Held his own next to Lee Jun-hyeong."
"No way! Way better than Lee Jun-hyeong!"
Kim Ha-woon kept getting choked up. He knew exactly what it was: jealousy.
'I've heard "baby-faced actor" plenty too.'
Sure, Do-jun hyung was hot, but didn't he hold his own?
He thought it, but couldn't ask his friends. It'd sound ridiculous and embarrassing.
Classes ended amid his swirling thoughts.
At the front gate, Ha-woon spotted the manager waiting right on time.
"Huh? Manager hyung."
"For real? Where?"
"Whoa, that's the van? First time seeing one IRL. Celeb ride!"
Their awe made his shoulders puff up.
See? This is me too. Riding stuff like this every day. No different from Do-jun hyung.
"Ha-woon! Hop in!"
"Gotta go. See ya tomorrow!"
At the manager's call, Kim Ha-woon waved coolly to his friends and dashed to the van with max swagger.
Door shut, the manager grinned at him.
"What was that? Posing like a star."
"I'm always cool."
"True that."
The van headed to Pida Entertainment. Upon arrival, Kim Ha-woon bolted to the practice room.
"Hyungs! I'm hereee!"
Barging in, he took in the familiar scene. But one person was missing.
"Huh? Where's Do-jun hyung?"
Lee Jae-ha, lounging in a chair with earphones blasting music, answered.
"Do-jun hyung's in a meeting room."
"Meeting? Why?"
"Drama's killing it, so offers flooding in, I guess. Internet's all his name anyway."
Somehow, Do-jun dominated every convo today. Kim Ha-woon muttered unwittingly.
"Lucky..."
Give me the shot, and I'd do the same. No—better.
Then, a snarky voice cut in.
"Kid who can't even show ID yet—change out of that uniform before getting jealous."
Park Tae-hoo, leg up on the wall mid-split, kept going.
"Jealous? Then practice."
"I just got here? And I meant jealous of the drama!"
"Drama? Oh no, my baby boy's still child actor age."
"Argh, we're only three years apart, hyung!"
"Yeah. You were in 1st year middle, I was 1st year high."
"Same 1!"
"1's for babies like you—starts with 1. Everyone else starts with 2."
Ha-woon's face darkened.
It was their usual banter, but it irked him unusually. One more jab, and he'd yell.
No retort came. Sensing something off, Park Tae-hoo approached.
"What's up?"
"Gonna change."
But Kim Ha-woon spun, slammed the door hard, and stormed to the changing room. Thankfully empty.
Yanking open his locker, he grumbled irritably.
"Give me a chance, and I'd outshine Do-jun hyung! It's all 'Do-jun hyung, Do-jun hyung'!"
At school, comments, even home and company. Everyone chanted Do-jun's name.
I'm in the same group.
This feeling was alien, repulsive. Do-jun treated him so well—jealous of him? Himself felt wrong.
Jealousy. Never imagined it'd hit him ever.
"...Annoying."
Kim Ha-woon irritably stripped off his school shirt and chucked it. Thud—it hit the locker and flopped to the floor.
"..."
And through the slightly ajar changing room door, Lee Jae-ha watched it all.