Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 035
Chapter Title: First Broadcast (2)
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Above all, it was because they had to reshoot more scenes after Lee Deokchun left the show.
"All right, everyone! I know you're all excited after last night's broadcast, but don't let your guard down yet! Let's make this the perfect show to match all the attention pouring in!"
Just when I thought they'd be down in the dumps, they perked right back up. At Director Heo's words, the staff's eyes began to fill with energy instead of worry.
"You're right! Let's make it so amazing we sweep all the year-end awards!"
"With Kwon Sung-hyun, Min Yerin, and this rising star Grim Reaper, the actors are set. It's all on us now!"
"Writer Min, hang in there. Want me to grab an Americano with those four shots you like?"
The budget was generous. The cast was solid. All that was left was stylish direction and a gripping story.
"Nah, no need. The revisions are done, so now we just keep the momentum going. Don't worry."
Writer Min turned to Yeonwoo with a bright smile.
"Ever since you joined, Yeonwoo-ssi, the inspiration's been flowing! Thanks to you, I can really spice things up with some MSG. Sung-hyun-ssi and Yeonwoo-ssi, get ready. I'm gonna make it super chewy and satisfying."
She grinned again. Was it just my imagination, or did that smile feel a bit unsettling?
The lively atmosphere that rebounded from the gloom filled the set throughout filming. No one was slacking off.
And two weeks later.
Amid high expectations from many, the drama's first episode aired.
***
"Ah... We really need some decent ratings."
"It'll be fine, right? I checked online—tons of posts saying people are tuned in and waiting."
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
In a large conference room, people huddled in front of a big beam projector. Except for a few, everyone's faces looked rough, like they hadn't slept. Some shook their legs so hard it made noise, looking like total wrecks.
Of course, one person stood out shining.
"Are you nervous, Yeonwoo-ssi?"
"Not really."
"You turned down monitoring together last time."
"I went through it once back then, so now..."
"Impressive. It's hard to be that chill already. You really aren't worried?"
"Nope."
"If you get nervous, I can hold your hand."
"......"
A large hand with long, straight fingers reached out.
'Kwon Sung-hyun really isn't right in the head.'
What age was he again? Holding hands because he's nervous?
[Actor! Hug me! Hug me! I'm nervous!]
A hamster burst from Yeonwoo's pocket.
"Dongja-ssi, you look pale. Were you really tense?"
Kwon Sung-hyun asked as he scooped up the soft, squishy body.
[This is the most nervous I've ever been. I feel like I'm gonna die!]
"Want some water? That might calm you down."
[Yeah, I'll take some!]
"......"
Yeonwoo watched in disbelief.
'He hasn't forgotten he's a ghost, has he? And why's he nervous instead of me?'
He'd been teasing nonstop during the special video, but now that the main broadcast started, it felt different. The hamster seemed unfazed, though.
'What's the point of being nervous? The results are out of my hands now.'
No need to waste energy on pointless tension. There were more worthwhile things in this world.
"Ten minutes to broadcast!"
A staffer called out after checking the time.
"Oh, Lord!"
"Hey, our drama's about shamanism."
"Then, Heaven and Earth Spirits! Jade Emperor! King Yama! Please make it a huge hit!"
Something weird snuck in at the end there.
Either way, tension thickened in the room from that alert.
"Five minutes to broadcast!"
Conversations dropped sharply. Everyone stared at the clock with zombie-like eyes.
"Opening intro's in. Ads starting."
"One minute to broadcast!"
"Ads over!"
After the final ad for the sponsoring company's product, the screen went dark.
It opened with Min Yerin's narration.
[Where... am I? Who... am I...?]
A concise line laced with despair. Her theme OST faded in softly behind it.
A pale-faced woman wakes in a hospital room and slowly sits up.
Step... step...
The screen shakes unsteadily with her feeble steps—following the heroine's gaze.
She stumbles toward a mirror.
A clean mirror reflects a woman in patient garb.
[No... No way...]
The screen shakes and pulls back unsteadily. But the focus stays locked on the mirror's figure.
It zooms in like it's sucking in the screen, then cuts.
[This is tedious.]
High in a building, a man gazes out the window with a bored expression. Kwon Sung-hyun as the drama's lead, Kim Tae-hoon.
His eyes scan around like he's seeing something, then return to the window.
"The CG team's killing it. Still looks like a real ghost."
As Kim Tae-hoon exits the office, the camera zooms out to show the empty room.
But.
The spot Kwon Sung-hyun left fills with pale figures emerging as if they'd always been there.
Their actions and appearances vary, but they share one thing: no vitality, unlike normal people.
"Toning down the colors works better. Clear distinction."
The staff, over their tension, focused intently on the scary screen.
'It’s been a rollercoaster.'
Huge cast hype turned to funeral vibes with the scandal. Kwon Sung-hyun's SNS miracle revived it.
'Blockbuster or bust!'
That's why everyone's minds were locked on that thought.
They had to seize the positive buzz and turn it into ratings.
"What's the rating now?"
Director Heo asked his walkie-talkie, trying to stay calm but failing.
[13.2 percent currently!]
A great start.
"Ooooh!"
"Over 10 percent?!"
"Heaven and Earth Spirits! Jade Emperor! King Yama! Thank you! Thank you!"
The room exploded at the update from control.
Back in the day, hits hit 10, 20, even 30 percent easy. But now, with cable channels splitting the pie, ratings fragmented.
"10 percent is a solid start. Most hyped shows these days don't even hit double digits."
"Reminds me of that drama last quarter. Massive promo, final rating 9 percent..."
Not bad, but underwhelming for the cast and budget.
"Still, good launch is a relief."
The near-death panic shifted to frenzy.
But it didn't last.
"Too early to relax. Strong start, but stay sharp."
Director Heo's point quieted them.
"What was the opener?"
[11.2 percent.]
"13.2 now, so no drop-off yet. Lucky."
The episode ran about 50 minutes. No slacking till the end—who knew when viewers might flip channels from boredom? First episode jitters amplified it.
[Holding steady around 12 percent.]
Updates came quick from control on changes.
[Breached 13 percent!]
It hit right as Yeonwoo bowed coldly before King Yama.
[I'm sorry, King Yama.]
The Grim Reaper bows deeply before the roaring King Yama. His icy face shows no emotion, eyes lowered cold as freezing point.
[I will take full responsibility and fix the Death Registry.]
[You must bear responsibility for your words! A Grim Reaper's promise is no light matter! Stake your name on it! Understand?!]
King Yama bellows thunderously, turns away in disgust, and vanishes.
The Grim Reaper rises silently like a ghost.
One name stands out clearly on his Death Registry.
Crunch.
His unchanged face contrasts his Death Registry crumpling ruthlessly in his grip.
In the stillness, only the crumpled registry reveals his feelings.
But a long, pale hand twitches, and it smooths back perfectly.
His pitch-black eyes gaze at the name again.
Like his vow to King Yama, obsession flickers at his eyes—he'll find them.
"Whoa. This scene always gives me chills."
As Yeonwoo's scene cut, some staff shuddered.
"I got sleep paralysis editing this. Told you guys."
"Said the Grim Reaper stared at you?"
"Thought I was used to it, but fresh again."
Ratings climbed steadily after.
"Episode 1 final: 15.4 percent!"
Director Heo bellowed the control update.
He'd braked the hype, but 15 percent finale? No holding back now.
"Whoa! How long since we smelled a hit?!"
"Number one in time slot!"
Not just the team watched Dramago premiere. Mega-star duo plus fat budget? Upper brass cared.
"Director, call from the bureau chief! Company dinner tonight!"
"Oh!"
"Woo!"
No guarantee the start lasts to finale.
"But if we keep this up, just like this!"
Smooth launch meant no big issues without screw-ups.
"This is pre-production magic. Ahh!"
Back-half filming unfinished, but no side-script spam ruining quality like others.
Final 15.4 percent. Peaked at Kwon Sung-hyun/Min Yerin and Yeonwoo appearances.
A smooth first broadcast launch.
***
Post-premiere.
Viewer boards buzzed hot.
Communities and SNS reactions stayed positive.