Blaze Ignites: The Frenzy Begins
The title First Automatic Hunt was bound to grab attention no matter what. Reporters were obsessed with breaking the story first—before anyone else. Being the one to reveal unknown news, drawing all the eyes, and claiming the top spot. "That feeling... you just can't put it into words."
The reporter who boldly called his editor "hey, you" despite the hierarchy grinned contentedly at his own article.
[March 12, 2013—a notice went up on Kim Donghu's fan cafe. Kim Donghu has joined Blaze Theater Troupe and declared the end of his break. The members are star-studded: starting with actor Jang Geonho, plus Kim Yuryeon, Han Taekon, Seo Jinu, Kim Sujin, and more. It's a total jackpot of box-office sure-things. Netizens are reacting with "What the hell is going on?", "No idea what they're planning," "With this lineup, aren't they just gonna burn the theater down?" and so on. They're all waiting for more details. So far, it's said they gathered on a volunteer basis. To give hope to struggling kids, to fan the flames of their inner spark... They hope for lots of participation...]
Whenever he hit F5 and watched the view count's first digit tick up, it felt so good. And on top of that...
1. Blaze Theater Troupe
2. Kim Donghu
3. Jang Geonho
4. Han Taekon
5. Seo Jinu
6. Kim Yuryeon
7. Kim Sujin
8. Jin Myeongtae
His article had rocketed these glittering names up the real-time search rankings. How perfect was this masterpiece?
'Even the editor said it's fine to call him by name casually when stuff like this happens.'
Could a reporter dream of a greater achievement?
"Hahahahaha!"
Drunk on joy, Doguman had no idea. That his article was penned as part of a meticulous strategy. That it had slotted perfectly into the promo script for hyping Blaze Theater Troupe. He didn't notice it then.
+++++
Same time.
"Who do we contact?! Who's the main guy? There has to be a lead!"
"Uh, um... BeRitas? Yeah, BeRitas!"
"You idiot! Was that a question? If you know, call them now! You wanna see me lose it?!"
"Sorry! I'm sorry!"
Marketing teams across every company were in total chaos.
"The cause is perfect! For orphans, kids who lost their parents—planting the spark of hope! Blaze Theater Troupe! How cool is that?!"
"Yes! Totally!"
"And then—bam! Our company name slides right in with a donation, product support. What a pretty picture!"
"Exactly!"
"So hurry up and call BeRitas or whatever the hell it is!"
Companies were always thirsty for marketing. They craved top-tier promo while slashing costs. Basic business sense: cut expenses, boost revenue. But such magic didn't exist in reality.
These days, even paid ads got you hate. Risk-free hype? Impossible.
Then Blaze Theater Troupe appeared—begging for participation!
"What else could that mean? 'We'll hype you up proper, so bow your head and join!' "
"Y-yes, got it..."
"But why aren't they picking up, you lunatics! Why all missed calls?!"
"Uh... they're on with other companies..."
"So why are we late?! Arrrghhh!!!"
Every company hitting missed calls was flipping out identically.
In this madness, the ones grinning ear-to-ear? Firms with ties to the veteran actors—specifically, those using them as ad models. And CEO Choi Seokho was already buried handling them.
—So how about our Haetbap covering kids' meals, like "one meal a day" vibe?
"Love it. Seriously perfect. Nothing beats rice for growing kids."
Haetbap, already tight with Kim Donghu, wasn't stopping at food.
—Oh, and our FJ runs music programs too, right?
"Yep."
—We'd love to chip in on that front... thoughts?
"Oh man, we'd be thrilled."
They pledged full backing for Blaze Theater Troupe. Verbal for now—contracts would seal it—but this was as good as done.
And more.
—Heard kids struggle with uniform costs a lot. How about Brilliant covers them free?
"Whoa, we'd be grateful."
Brilliant Uniforms promised big too.
Choi Seokho wrapped call after call on a high.
"Whew..."
He exhaled long. 'The ripple effect is no joke.'
He'd expected huge, but this? And it was just the start.
Rrrrring. Rrrrring. Rrrrring. Rrrrring.
"...CEO, please have mercy."
No breather—the BeRitas office phone wouldn't quit.
Insane ripple. Lucky break: few knew his personal number. He could screen proposals first.
"Hang in there a bit longer. Bonus will be fat this month..."
Choi Seokho eyed a CEO perk: coffee break.
Right then—brrring!
No time for coffee—his cell exploded. He answered on instinct, no check.
—Zuhahahaha! CEO Choi Seokho! What the hell is this troupe?! Prepping something this massive! Should be a docu-series!
Familiar guffaw, cherry pie chomps.
"Director Kim Cheol-do...?"
—Yeah, haha! Can't leave me out of a big event like this! Looks like you need crew. We can't sit this out!
"Oh, right... I should've called first."
—No time for that! Skip the chit-chat—we're in. Absolutely! We'll film non-intrusively, just don't say no!
KBC. Click. Rrrrring.
—Trying to do something this fun without us? Truly a shame.
"Director Jeon Dosun?!"
—No need to shout. We get it. That's fate, right? We're joining.
SKS. Click. Rrrrring.
"Director Park Seol-jae?"
—Hmm, that reaction means others beat us here. Understood. Blaze Theater Troupe's hype potential... impossible to gauge, even for me.
"Y-yes?"
—Wanted exclusive docu. Guess not. Docu wars it is.
MNC too.
Three back-to-back calls left Choi Seokho dazed. What? This okay?
'Just sitting back and they all come running?'
Barely a day. Not even 24 hours. This impact?
Choi Seokho couldn't believe he was the top investor in this monster.
'And investing in Blaze now? Tricky.'
Investment means paying now for bigger future returns. But Blaze was volunteer—no profits to reap. Who'd risk the backlash?
Except one spot: the mad CEO who pulled his house deposit, maxed loans, and dumped it all into the troupe the second he heard Kim Donghu was starring.
'BeRitas.'
My company.
Choi Seokho unconsciously clasped hands in prayer. He wanted to worship Kim Donghu.
+++++
Seoul Arts Center. Korea's art hub, gateway to global works. In the president's office, an unexpected guest sipped tea.
Slurp.
"How've you been?"
"Great, great. You too, sunbae?"
"Eh, same as always—finding joy raising the kids."
President Lee Hyangjun swallowed nervously. He knew the purpose.
"Sunbae, no need to come yourself—we could've—"
"What 'could've'? Other companies are losing it—why's the noisiest spot quiet?"
Lee Hyangjun's sunbae, former president here too.
"Do I, Edward Park, have to show up? Anyway... straight to it."
Edward Park spoke slowly.
"Blaze Theater Troupe—this massive show in Daehak-ro? Seoul Arts Center should be begging to host."
Blaze Theater Troupe's auto-hunt was just kicking off.
"Especially with our student as lead. Kim Donghu—insanely talented... ridiculously handsome."
Art's very face, you could say. Edward Park's Donghu love was bonus.