Shattering the 35% Wall! Jimin's Fastball Ignites a Storm
[Ratings 35% Barrier Broken! Perfect Man Etches Name in Korean Drama History!]
[The Cold Chaebol Who’s Warm Only to His Woman, Han Jimin – Captivating the Nation!]
[National Drama Born? Perfect Man Sweeps Up Syndrome-Level Popularity!]
Even the production team hadn't anticipated this level of triumph.
"Whoaaaa?!"
"35%?! For real? We broke 35%?!"
The staff gathered at the barbecue joint leap from their seats, hopping around in excitement. PD Choi and writer Park Sujin are locked in a tight embrace. Tears glisten at the edges of Park Sujin's eyes—despite penning countless works, 30% ratings is a first for her too.
"I'm buying tonight! Anyone walking out of here on two legs won't be seeing you on set tomorrow!!!"
Unable to contain her thrill, Park Sujin rings the golden bell, and the staff dive into drinks, blooming conversations around that astonishing 35% figure.
"Haa... 35%. How long's it been?"
"Over ten years, easy."
PD Choi lifts his glass with a dazed expression in response to Park Sujin's question. She's directed her share of cameras, but a 35% drama? First time. The news hit a while ago, yet the chills linger.
Park Sujin brings her glass to her lips and asks, "How high do you think it'll climb?"
"Who knows? At this rate, maybe even 40%..."
"40..."
Perfect Man is a 16-episode drama. Episode 7 just aired, kicking off the full-blown romance between Han Jimin and Lee Seoyeon that everyone's buzzing about—no exaggeration to say ratings can only climb from here.
"You think we're okay? Shouldn't we tweak the script midway?"
"Why? Planning a rewrite?"
"But 40! Forty!"
"No, no. We're good. Didn't you see those two's chemistry? Even off-script, honey drips from their eyes. Mess with it now, and it'd be worse than leaving it."
PD Choi pats the anxious writer's shoulder. The on-set rapport between the leads was so sweet, you could've sworn they were a real couple. Air that chemistry, and ratings will soar again. Or some fresh scandal could hook viewers harder.
"True. I legit thought they were dating."
Park Sujin nods at PD Choi's words, turning her head. Lee Seoyeon, catching their gaze, flashes a bright smile. Just today, they'd whispered sweet nothings and woken in the same bed. But neither breathes a word of their real relationship. In this den of vipers, who knows what backlash might strike? Lee Seoyeon's stance: reveal it only after stamping that marriage certificate.
"Anyway, truly thanks, Miss Seoyeon."
"I'm the grateful one—got my name out there thanks to you. So next project, call me, writer-nim. I'll come running, no matter what."
"Drag Jimin along too. Things look serious between you two. Am I right?"
"Pfft, I'm the one chasing, but we're not that far yet."
"Speaking of, Jimin's skipping after-party?"
"Yeah. Swamped with variety shoots. Na PD's got him glued to her side, showering cash."
Is it Overnight Feast's success? Everyone's hunting for Han Jimin. At this rate, he'll spawn a second Han Jiyeong phenomenon.
"What's that show's name again?"
"Best Baseball? Something about celebs playing ball with pros... Oh, top secret? Don't let it leak anywhere!"
PD Choi recalls Na PD's face—shoving Han Jimin straight into her new variety gig to ride the hype.
"Of course. Baseball, huh?"
"What, you a fan too, writer Park?"
"Thirty-year Daejeon Chickens diehard."
"...Why that team? Switch to Seoul Twins already."
Topic shifts to baseball. With thirty million fans, it's no overstatement—baseball's Korea's national pastime.
"So, does Jimin actually play? That build screams pro."
PD Choi shrugs, recalling Na PD's tales. "Dunno... For secrecy? 'Beyond pro level.' Something like that."
"Pro level?"
"Nah, can't be. But no amateur either."
"A guy who crushes baseball... Straight out of a manga."
While Perfect Man, starring Han Jimin and Lee Seoyeon, rewrites drama history with 35% at episode 7, baseball forums brace for the silent storm. Half-mad with anticipation already.
The mystery man from Best Baseball episode 1's finale. Baseball fans flood KBC's site hunting answers—crashing it multiple times. This hype should've leaked hints, but security's ironclad. Not even scraps on the lefty fastball slinger.
Myriad fans glue to TVs as Best Baseball episode 2 airs.
* * *
Episode 2 opens with KBC Phoenix's founding ceremony. Name evokes legends from each team rising post-retirement (under five years out). Tryout qualifiers trickle in at the venue, spiking fan hype.
Highlight reels and banter from these ex-stars kick things off. Then cheer captain Lily leads active cheerleaders in a quick dance. Finally, the amateurs fans crave.
"Hello, I'm Kim Seongchan from Solaris."
Straight-arrow pitcher. Young guy with 96 km/h average and solid control bows; players squeal.
The handsome guy's entrance stirs the board briefly.
Fans' focus locks on the ecosystem-shattering lefty over 130 km/h. Thirty minutes in, no sign of the star.
Next, a musical actor who started as hobbyist, now gunning pro via Best Baseball. Infield position. He sits; Na PD calls the next. Tension etches pitchers' faces.
Screen flips.
THWACK!
"Wha—huh?!"
Stunned announcer Lee Sojeong's face, pros' jaws on floors—caught on cam.
"One more fastball. Five quick ones. You good?"
"Yes, sir."
Director Kim Shinjeong's order; pitcher catches. Heavy blur fades slowly on face; speed gun preps. He exhales.
"Five fast ones, quick."
"Go!"
Main catcher Lee Sojeong crouches seriously.
"Hngh!"
Ball slams mitt.
"W-what?! Pro?!"
"Hidden cam? MLB guy? Minors call-up?"
Screams erupt, laced with howls. Pitchers blink in disbelief.
148 km/h. Unofficial Korea male top speed—on variety TV.
But shock ain't over.
Thwack! Thud!
"Suck...!"
Not fluke—keeps topping 145 km/h. Coaches' eyes sparkle like diamond finds.
"Breaking balls ready?"
Director's ask; guy nods. Blur 50% gone—features emerge.
Fans hooked on next pitch over identity.
"Splitter."
"Splitter?!"
"No way real amateur? Fastball that speed + splitter? Drop's unhittable."
"How much velo drop?"
"10-20."
"...135 km/h splitter? Nuke."
Pros tongue-tied. Deep breath, windup.
Whiiip!
Fastball arcs mid-zone, dives sharp at plate.
"Ahhh!!!"
Lee Sojeong snags it barely—beyond expectations. Forkball-tier drop, form matches fastball seamlessly. Practice pays.
"Hoo...!"
"How ya hit that?"
"Variety with MLB talent? He's a dude, right?"
Admiring curses fly as blur vanishes, revealing him: Sweat-beaded forehead, manga-protagonist handsome. Star of hit drama Perfect Man, the chaebol warm only to his girl—actor/singer-songwriter Han Jimin.
Impact? Massive. Best Baseball ratings top 26%.
But not done. KBC Phoenix faces Busan Minions' farm team. Legends and amateurs vs. pros—but whispers of cleanup legend Bae Chaewon's monster pitcher prompt full 1st/2nd roster.
Bae Chaewon drills Minions juniors mercilessly, Phoenix affiliate or not.
"Sis, which side you on?"
"Duh! Prep now or embarrass us!"
"Amateurs tho? Fast ain't everything."
"150? Game over."
"Still, KBO pros vs. retirees/amateurs. Phys gap too big."
KBC Phoenix (retirees/amateurs). Busan Minions (pro squad, lower ranks but pros). Pride on line—sweaty prep footage airs. Sajik Baseball Stadium appears; starting pitcher: Han Jimin. Episode 2 ends.
Inevitable: Fans' guts explode again like ep1. Protests hit KBC and Minions front office this time—no site crashes.