Weekend Drama's Shocking Reveal
Heading to the KBC broadcasting headquarters in Yeouido for Chapter 32.
Today, as always, Manager Oh Ji-yeon had insisted on being my personal manager and was gripping the steering wheel herself. Of course, she'd kicked off her sharp high heels and slipped into adorable three-line slippers.
"Eun-seong? What are you up to?"
"Sigh. Just reading some articles, Manager."
I let out a light sigh from the back seat, scrolling through my phone screen. It was because entertainment section articles had been pouring out like crazy since early morning, ahead of my first production meeting today.
The nuance of the articles was mostly the same. Seo Eun-seong had solidified a "hip and trendy" image through the movie Glorious Outing and Siren's music video. People were puzzled that this same Seo Eun-seong had chosen a weekend drama as his next project.
The community reactions were far more direct than the articles.
Most posts were worrying about me... or rather, wasting my visuals(?).
KBC weekend dramas once held the ironclad title of "guaranteed 20% ratings," like a national staple. And with OTT platforms booming these days, it was true their status wasn't what it used to be.
"Eun-seong?"
At that moment, the manager glanced at me through the rearview mirror and spoke again.
"How do the comments look? You think appearing in a weekend drama is weird too?"
"Huh? Oh, no, not at all."
I turned off the screen and pocketed my phone.
"Honestly, I was a bit puzzled at first. But you must have your reasons, Manager. I'm just a rookie who goes where you tell me to, right?"
I gave a small laugh in response, and the manager lifted her charming lips into a relaxed smile.
"That's right, my Eun-seong. Thanks for trusting your noona completely."
She gently turned the wheel as she continued.
"You'll understand once you attend today's production meeting. Why I chose this weekend drama series for your debut-level project."
Her eyes burned with strong conviction.
She's got guts. No wonder she's leading our company at such a young age.
In my mind, the manager wasn't the type to act on mere intuition. Her confident demeanor melted away any lingering anxiety in my heart like snow in sunlight.
In front of the KBC Yeouido headquarters drama department conference room.
"Let's go in, Eun-seong. Chest out."
"Yes, Manager."
At her words, I took a deep breath and opened the conference room door.
"Actor Seo Eun-seong has arrived!"
"Kyaa! It's Actor Seo Eun-seong!"
"Welcome! Eun-seong actor!"
The moment I stepped in, an enormous cheer erupted from inside the room.
"Y-Yes...? Me?"
I blinked my eyes wide. The room was filled with numerous staff, including the female directing PD. And in their hands were hastily made A4 placards.
[Bodyguard Oppa KBC Debut Welcome!]
[Mystery Boy♥ Steal Our Hearts!]
"Haha... thank you so much."
I flashed a warm, pleased smile at the staff swooning over me.
"Gasp! He's so handsome...!"
"Don't smile! My heart's gonna stop!"
That one smile drew gasps from all around. My oblivious flirting was still as potent as ever.
"Haha, it's just because you're looking at me kindly."
Anyway, I scanned the conference room. There were tons of senior actors already seated. I bowed 90 degrees toward the table where the production team and seniors sat.
"Hello! I'm rookie actor Seo Eun-seong! I may be lacking, but please take care of me!"
It was a crisp, disciplined greeting.
"Aww, Eun-seong, right? Such a bright face."
"Great manners too. Let's do well together, eh? Heh heh."
The mid-level actor seniors responded with warm smiles.
"Yes! Seniors!"
I found my seat with my name on it.
[Jang Pharmacy's Three Sisters - Kim Young-woong Role: Actor Seo Eun-seong]
Kim Young-woong. The name screamed sturdy and folksy, just like a classic weekend drama male lead.
And right next to me.
[Female Lead Jang Seo-ah Role: Actor Kim Na-yeon]
"Eun-seong, it's been forever."
It was senior Kim Na-yeon—no, Na-yeon noona. She greeted me with a bright smile.
Today, Na-yeon noona looked intellectual in a simple shirt and glasses.
"Na-yeon noona! How've you been?"
We'd only exchanged texts lately, so I greeted her warmly with genuine delight.
"Of course. You've been blowing up with variety shows and CFs lately, haven't you? Turned into a universe superstar while I wasn't looking."
"Nah~ it's all bubble. Thanks to your help, noona."
"Still the same? Sweet talker?"
I smiled bashfully, and Na-yeon noona playfully tapped my shoulder, locking eyes affectionately.
"But noona, I had no idea you'd do a weekend drama—even as the female lead."
I asked the question that had been bugging me lately. Kim Na-yeon was a top actress among top actresses, Chungmuro's heroine. No reason for her to pick a sagging weekend drama.
"Hee hee."
Na-yeon noona just pushed up her glasses with a laugh.
"It's a secret. What if I said I chose it to do melodrama acting with you... would you believe me?"
"No way? Really?"
I let out a hollow chuckle at her teasing words.
That was when it happened.
"Looks like everyone's here."
Click.
The conference room door opened, and a woman entered. Dressed in a neat suit with a briefcase, she looked no older than mid-30s. Above all, she had a strikingly intellectual and beautiful appearance.
Who's she? An actress?
I shot her a curious glance. This weekend drama, Jang Pharmacy's Three Sisters, had three female leads as the title suggested.
In the meantime.
"Hello."
The young woman stood at the head table, taking the mic.
"I'm Jeong Eun-young, the writer handling the script for Jang Pharmacy's Three Sisters."
"....?"
Despite her calm introduction, surprised looks filled the room. Taking on main writer duties for a weekend drama at such a young age—either a prodigy or a total newbie.
Especially among the senior actors, contrasting vibes flowed.
But Jeong Eun-young's next words completely shifted the room's atmosphere.
"Thank you to the network for entrusting this major project to someone as lacking as me. And... I will pour all my effort into writing so as not to tarnish the name of my mentor, Writer Kim Soo-yeon."
"....!"
Kim Soo-yeon? The moment "Kim Soo-yeon" left Jeong Eun-young's lips, the mid-level actor seniors buzzed.
Kim Soo-yeon? Who? Sounds familiar...
I blinked in confusion. Then the manager behind me leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"Eun-seong, quick—search Writer Kim Soo-yeon on your phone."
"Oh, right."
I hurriedly pulled out my phone and typed the name. The moment I checked the Namuwiki info that popped up, I nearly dropped my jaw.
Insane? The direct disciple of a legendary powerhouse like that?
I looked at Writer Jeong Eun-young again with wide eyes. It was the moment the first puzzle piece clicked—why Na-yeon noona chose this project.
Soon after, the young female PD in charge of directing—PD Lee Han-bit—stood and took the mic.
"Everyone, pay attention. I'll now introduce Jang Pharmacy's Three Sisters in earnest and share our vision going forward."
PD Lee Han-bit's voice brimmed with strong pride.
"As you all know, weekend dramas haven't held the same prestige lately. The audience is aging, criticisms of clichéd makjang plots, failing to keep up with trends."
PD Lee Han-bit brought up a PT screen.
"But this project is different. Writer Jeong Eun-young's sleek, trendy pen combined with Writer Kim Soo-yeon's deep narrative backbone—a perfect harmony of new and old in the script?"
PD Lee Han-bit took a breath, then dropped the nuke.
"Above all... this weekend drama breaks from the network's solo production model."
A massive logo appeared on screen.
"Take a look."
Doong.
With majestic sound effects, a bold red "Q" floated up.
"The world's #1 OTT platform, Qupflix, is investing half the production budget."
"....!"
The room exploded in chaos.
"Moreover, it will simulcast worldwide to 190 countries via Qupflix alongside the main broadcast."
Woooah! Cheers burst from staff and actors alike.
A traditional Korean family saga weekend drama airing globally via the largest OTT platform? An unprecedented mega-project in Korean drama history.
"So that's it?"
I stared blankly at the screen in shock, then whipped around to look at the manager behind me.
"Pretty surprised, huh?"
She seemed to have known everything already.
"Eun-seong."
She met my gaze, her red lips curving alluringly.
"Told you to trust only your manager, didn't I?"
The manager winked at me. All the worries and concerns poured on me, the endless question marks about choosing a dusty old weekend drama—they were shattered in an instant. It was the spine-chilling planning prowess of the manager... no, the Ice Witch. End of Chapter 32.