Bets Placed, Ripples Spread
Exactly thirty years after the first game broadcast began in 1999.
In Korea, two companies dominated the game broadcasting ecosystem.
GE Magazine, which started as a cable broadcaster and now controlled media outlets and variety show production companies.
UserPoint, which began managing YouTubers and had rapidly grown in the game broadcasting industry.
If GE Magazine was the established powerhouse with deep ties to the traditional broadcasting world, UserPoint was the rising challenger that quickly captured the tastes of users.
Coincidentally, both companies were holding meetings at the same time on the same topic.
The agenda was At Your Fingertips.
More precisely, how far TOOL would grow under the drama's influence.
"We need to prepare now, while there's no pro league. It's hard for us to squeeze into ROR because GE Magazine claimed the space when the league was first created."
"Will TOOL even reach pro league status?"
"It was already a well-regarded game. The AOS genre meant a smaller total user base, which was causing it to falter, but it'll dramatically rebound soon."
"For that, the drama needs to keep succeeding... Is that possible?"
"More than possible. It's showing signs of massive domestic success, and while overseas reactions are still quiet, word of mouth is spreading. Above all, the reputation of the drama's creator is stellar. A ship steered by a skilled captain doesn't sink easily."
From the PR team lead, who had thoroughly researched the drama, poured out anecdotes related to Do Hyun-woo.
There was plenty to pique the interest even of executives who knew little about dramas.
"If we secure exclusive TOOL broadcasting rights, we could consider using actors like Kim Ra-un, Min Jae-yul, and Jeon So-ra as promotional models."
After a long meeting, UserPoint decided to secure TOOL's broadcasting rights.
No pro league yet, so they'd start with content inviting amateur pros.
"GE Magazine might move, so secure it as fast as possible."
But contrary to the UserPoint CEO's worries, GE Magazine's conclusion was the opposite.
"At Your Fingertips is losing steam. So let's ignore TOOL."
One director cautiously spoke up at the CEO's words.
"But sir, TOOL's user numbers spiked after the brief mention in Part 2. Shouldn't we at least keep an eye on it?"
"This isn't just my opinion—it's from the drama department heads. They all said the same: that drama is bound to fade."
Drama department heads were the top experts in the field.
The CEO had personally sought their advice, so it deserved attention.
"What's the reasoning?"
"The success of Parts 1 and 2 came from characters following traditional drama tropes."
"Traditional tropes..."
"That's what they said. The drama succeeded not because of the game, but because the game players are hot and pretty."
"That makes sense."
"They all predict ratings will plummet the moment it dives deep into the game."
It wasn't an unreasonable claim.
TOOL's surge might just be hype from fickle gamers switching games.
But the younger staff couldn't shake the feeling that the CEO was wrong.
Because their hearts had raced watching the drama.
They desperately wanted to see how Seonghwa Empire would succeed.
Is it because we work in gaming?
Maybe we're biased...
With no solid evidence, they stayed silent as the CEO continued.
"Watching with interest is easy enough, but no need to poke the hornet's nest at Hyen. ROR rights are our rice bowl—can't risk shaking it."
"Understood."
"Industry consensus is it'll peak at best in Episodes 5 or 6 before cooling off, so stay the course."
Thus, the two companies reached opposite conclusions.
One bet, the other folded.
The results of their choice would come sooner than expected.
An 16-episode drama took just 8 weeks to fully air.
Jeong Ki-jun watched Episode 4 of At Your Fingertips from the moving van.
He knew nothing about modern games, but he was from the StarCraft generation.
Empathizing with the players' pain and sorrow on screen wasn't hard.
This wasn't just him.
Those in their 20s at the late '90s StarCraft launch were now in their 50s.
Plus, At Your Fingertips wove the game seamlessly into the narrative.
Whenever unfamiliar content loomed, it cleverly tied into a character's flaw.
Empathizing with that flaw made the game click naturally.
Impressive...
The scriptwriter's talent?
Possibly.
Linking those flaws to volleyball wouldn't feel off either.
The director's vision?
Possibly.
Even a brilliant script needs a director to decide what to show and hide.
The actors' performances?
That too.
He'd heard the set atmosphere was great, but the acting was fiercely intense.
Tracing each element led to one answer.
Do Hyun-woo.
He'd turned a 15-year-old volleyball script into an e-sports one, paired it with Criminal Community writers to meet deadlines, appointed top directors, and cast perfect actors.
It stung that he hadn't been part of that lineup...
Watching Kang Min-sik's performance brought a warm smile.
Do Hyun-woo was a junior he'd never worked with, but Kang Min-sik was his direct underclassman from theater.
Hearing he'd left acting for production assistant work had hurt.
Another chance will come.
For him, it might recur; for Kang Min-sik, it changed everything.
Honestly, he wasn't sure he could've played Han Guk-yeong better.
Especially their chemistry.
Pairing with Jeon So-ra might not have fit me.
No subtle tempo like this—just a showcase of acting chops.
Did Do Hyun-woo plan that far?
Jeong Ki-jun-Lee Min-seon's chemistry was proven in Oxygen Alert, but Jeong Ki-jun-Jeon So-ra or Kang Min-sik-Lee Min-seon might not mesh.
So he cast Kang Min-sik and Jeon So-ra together?
If true...
"U-chang."
"Yes, hyungnim."
"From now on, any offers coming to Director Do Hyun-woo, bring them straight to me, no matter what. Got it?"
"Y-yep. I'll tell the CEO too."
"Good."
Less favoritism for a theater junior; more on impressing Do Hyun-woo.
North American ROR powerhouse pro gamer 'Ricky' was watching a drama on Enflicks.
A random K-drama thumbnail that screamed pro gamer.
It turned out to be an e-sports drama.
Started for curiosity about Korean gaming, but he got hooked instantly.
Everything was captivating.
But what hit Ricky hardest was the ex-volleyball coach's roar.
Last-place team needed motivation; ironically, "no need" became it.
When they took Set 1, Ricky cheered like he'd won.
But the drama was realistic.
Gaps against top teams don't close easily.
Seonghwa Empire lost 1:2.
Yet a new thought dawned on the players' faces.
Maybe we can do it too.
The coach, who'd avoided mirrors, finally faced himself in the bathroom.
A lone wolf top player who never learned to help others.
He confronted his failures.
And smiled.
Ricky shivered.
That night, Ricky went live and unleashed on his fans.
Ricky's rant got some cheers, but briefly.
Someone revealed it was all lines from K-drama At Your Fingertips.
The backlash was predictable: "overimmersion weirdo," "one-hit wonder," "K-drama stan."
But on the flip side...
It became the spark igniting At Your Fingertips' overseas boom.