Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Mix TV
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A considerable number of cars had gathered at a beach on Ganghwa Island.
It was usually deserted outside peak vacation season, but today was different.
Cars of all sorts had been pulling in since early morning.
Cameras were popping up here and there as well.
“Check if the drone’s working properly!”
“Got it!”
“Sound check too. It’s a one-night, two-day shoot, so prep thoroughly! No reshoots!”
“Understood!”
A director in his early thirties, his plump belly reminiscent of a honeydew melon, dashed around shouting orders everywhere.
The staff sprang into action at his commands, meticulously inspecting and testing every piece of equipment.
Just in case anything went wrong.
“How much longer till the trainees arrive?”
“Called their manager—they’ll be here within thirty minutes!”
“Trainees have a manager?”
“Agency assigned a temp one.”
“Which agency?”
The assistant director’s mention of even a temporary manager caught Heo Kwang-su, the overall lead on this video shoot, off guard.
From what he knew, trainees usually didn’t rate managers.
“Curve Entertainment.”
“Isn’t that a solid-sized agency?”
“They’re solidly mid-tier.”
“Hoo. Looks like Q&D Management’s footing a real bill.”
Heo’s face registered genuine surprise.
It was bigger than he’d anticipated.
At the same time, Q&D Management’s image rose a notch in his mind.
“They invested big this time. Gotta lock in that early user flow.”
“But what if it tanks? No matter how killer our promo is, if folks don’t bite, it’s worthless, right?”
“Word is they’ve prepped a ton of contingencies. Not just the main storyboard—they’re tweaking on the fly midway through.”
“Then we just nail the footage.”
Heo grinned.
Thorough prep was a win for him.
He could focus solely on shooting.
“The issue’s the writers, though. They booked five webnovel authors to match the girl trainees’ numbers, but those guys are straight-up civilians. Trainees might not be cam-savvy but won’t look too awkward. Civilians? Whole different story.”
“Yeah, that’s the snag. How’re their looks?”
Heo asked without a thought for his own appearance.
Better if they had some visual appeal for the shots.
Or they could’ve cast deliberately plain ones to contrast and highlight the girl trainees.
“Didn’t see profiles myself, but their rep said they cherry-picked.”
“Not like our company’s writers, right?”
“Uh, well. Could be?”
Heo and the assistant director’s gazes shifted to their own company’s writers.
Mostly women, but one guy.
And that male writer didn’t look half bad compared to Heo—younger by a good margin, too.
“Guess we’ll have to shoot trainee-focused...”
“Hello!”
“Here, take one each!”
As Heo muttered in a worried tone, two middle-aged men approached.
It was Kang Tae-jin and Yeo Woo-jin, Q&D Management’s heavy hitters.
Armed with drinks in both hands, they handed them out one by one to the Seoul Planning staff before making a beeline for Heo.
“Director, grab one too.”
“Haha, thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Everything coming together okay?”
“Of course. Just waiting on the stars now.”
Kang nodded.
Looked plenty thorough to him.
Especially liked the staff’s relaxed vibes.
Veterans, clear as day.
“The writers’ll hit right on time. I drilled it into ’em yesterday.”
“Earlier would be ideal, but that’s asking too much, huh?”
“They won’t be late, at least. All hyped up hearing idols-in-training are coming. If anything, they’ll beat the clock—no stragglers.”
“Great.”
Heo flashed a businesslike smile.
He glanced up at the sky.
Clear weather—Mother Nature pitching in.
“Meeting idol trainees isn’t exactly everyday stuff.”
“You’re hyped too, yeah?”
“Eh, curiosity mostly. Twenty-year age gap and all.”
“Age is just a number. Hearts align, that’s what counts.”
Yeo Woo-jin declared it boldly, belly thrust out.
His goodwill aura shone even brighter.
Yeo had stacked up as much of it as Heo.
“Hey, cut the sap. No means no.”
“You two still single?”
“Yeah, somehow it’s worked out that way.”
Heo eyed them alternately—Kang reining him in, Yeo owning it.
Didn’t look young; marriage off the table? Surprising.
Yet he felt an odd kinship.
“Haha. You’re both in the same boat as me.”
“You too, Director?”
“Yeah, work’s kept me from it. Years pile up, but dates? No dice.”
“Know the feeling.”
Heo and Kang traded lines.
Suddenly, they were bonding, warm gazes locked.
Screech!
As they shared that kindred-spirit stare, a car pulled into the lot.
A Grand Carnival—popular with celebs.
“Hello!”
“Nice to meet you!”
With slick parking, doors flew open, unleashing five vibrant girls.
Bowing in perfect sync, textbook idol greeting.
Their manager hopped out from the driver’s seat, bowing to Heo and the staff.
“Hello! Nam Hee-gyu from Curve Entertainment!”
“Ah, yeah.”
Who else greets that loud, cards flying? Heo, Kang, and Yeo reflexively bowed back.
But their eyes drifted naturally to the five girls.
He’d pictured kid trainees.
Nope.
They glowed like pros, dazzling the scene.
“W-wow.”
“Idol hopefuls are on another level.”
“No kidding.”
Seoul Planning wasn’t huge; staff rarely rubbed elbows with stars.
Bit players or minor variety folks at best.
Yet these pre-debut trainees looked the part already.
“They’re slated to debut this year. Good camera time, solid experience—CEO sent ’em personally.”
“Gotta call and thank him.”
“He’d love that. Haha!”
Nam Hee-gyu laughed heartily, his kind eyes crinkling.
Kang’s head-of-division title already locked in up top.
“Come on over. I’ll walk you through today and tomorrow’s storyboard.”
“It’s locked in?”
“Yup. Some tweaks, though.”
“Then let’s dive in. Kids, over here! Oh, where’re the writers? Better get some rapport before rolling—makes for better shots.”
Nam handled it like a pro, age be damned.
Kang and Yeo gave awkward smiles.
Ten minutes to go, and zero writers yet.
“Well, they haven’t...”
“Someone’s here.”
Yeo cut Kang off.
Three cars rolled into the lot.
Nam and the girls’ eyes followed.
“Imports.”
“Yeah.”
Staff murmured at the trio.
Had to be the writers, this timing.
But all luxury: Benz, Audi, then BMW.
Eyes widened—not just staff, Nam too.
“Stars still incoming.”
“Surprised. Thought Ji-hyun’d lead.”
“Protagonists always last.”
Kang and Yeo spoke as the imports parked side by side.
They knew who from the rides alone.
Moments later, four young men emerged.
“Hmm?”
“Not bad.”
“Whoa, imports in their twenties. Webnovelists rake it in.”
The entry-level guys and late-twenties-to-early-thirties staff eyed the approaching writers with envy.
Cars they couldn’t dream of on their pay.
Used, maybe—but warranty-expired imports? Repair bills killed that dream for normies.
“Jealous.”
“Me too. Maybe I’ll write? Heard it’s not that hard.”
“Contests too—worth a shot.”
Thirties felt mere envy; twenties tempted.
One breakout hit, they could be webnovelists too.
Imports lit that fire in young guys.
“Dream on. If it were easy, everyone’d write. These are top-tier successes amid hordes of authors. Most make what our company writers do.”
The assistant director—who’d met Q&D on this gig—spoke up.
Hot air deflated fast.
Reality check.
“Rich get richer, huh.”
“Every field. Top 1% live large. Eyes front, nail your job. No flubs today or tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
Guys slunk back, glum.
He preached, but he envied too.
Fancy assistant director title, yet pay? Meh.
Vroooom!
Then a roar from afar.
Sports car exhaust shredding air, straight to the assistant director’s ears.
“Star’s here.”
“Five minutes early.”
All eyes bulged at the sleek red sports car entering the lot.
Even the assistant director and Heo gawked, faces unguarded, at the crimson Porsche.