Chapter 43
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Drama Invitation and Webtoon Progress
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We'd settled on going with a used van, but then Ye-jin, who'd been exchanging messages with JJ, turned to me.
"JJ says the company president wants you to participate in the drama production."
"Huh? Me?"
What kind of ridiculous talk was this?
"They want you to provide details and opinions on site as the original author."
"Ha?"
Was that how dramas usually worked? I tilted my head and glanced at Min Team Leader, who nodded.
"I've heard of cases like that in adaptations from comics."
"Hmm..."
If it would help the drama, I didn't see why not.
Min Team Leader continued.
"Since they've agreed to all our demands, it wouldn't hurt to compromise on this one."
"It doesn't have to start right away, does it?"
Min Team Leader smiled at my question.
"Even with investment secured, it takes a few months to handle everything from the director to casting actors."
That was a relief, at least. I needed time to wrap up my writing too.
"Got it. Ye-jin, you handle the talks."
"Yes, President!"
I'd never imagined getting involved in drama production, but if I thought of it as experience, it could add realism to my future novels.
My 'Strongest Idol Ever' needed to depict that world authentically anyway, so some groundwork knowledge would be essential.
"With that settled, the webtoon first drafts are ready next. Kunlun Return episode 20, Infinite Reincarnation episode 15."
Ye-jin slid the laptop toward me.
"Just scroll down like this to view."
Seeing my novels Kunlun Return and Infinite Reincarnation transformed into webtoons stirred something in my chest.
"...Good work."
All I could say was how impressive it was. The adaptation and direction made them far more readable than my original novels—several times over.
Even non-wuxia fans could enjoy Kunlun Return, and Infinite Reincarnation seemed to simplify reincarnation concepts as much as possible.
"Looks good, right?"
Ye-jin said, clearly pleased.
I hadn't expected the webtoons to turn out this well, but the sheer effort the artists poured in was evident from the artwork alone.
The two pieces each highlighted distinct charms too.
Time flew by unnoticed as I browsed, until Ye-jin spoke up.
"We're coordinating with the platforms, but since these are all-ages content, launching during the December break seems ideal. With a good stockpile, the creators will have breathing room, so we're aiming to keep the current pace."
I'd left webtoons entirely to Ye-jin, so if she decided, I'd follow.
"With the drama talk coming up, let's start on Youngest Son of the Gangster Family webtoon too. Timing the release with the drama premiere should get great reactions."
Dramas needed at least six months minimum, so we had more leeway here.
"Strongest Idol Ever is set for Chocolate, right?"
"They offered the best terms."
"Understood. I'll consult with them on the webtoon too."
Ye-jin had so much on her plate, it felt like she needed ten bodies.
I suddenly wondered if we should hire more staff, but Ye-jin read my expression as always.
"I prefer handling it solo for now."
She grinned, looking more beautiful than ever.
"Team Leader Cha is helping a lot, so it's not as tough as it seems."
Ah, right—we had an industry veteran.
"Is your daughter working hard?"
I'd been so reclusive lately that I had no idea what Team Leader Cha's daughter was up to.
"She's diligently learning webtoon work. Seems to have a knack for it—stays late into the night after school."
As the webtoon team grew, we'd eventually need every pair of hands, even delicate ones.
She might not be pro webtoon artist material yet, but steady learning could help her find her path.
This is what makes it exciting.
Watching his wandering daughter change must have fueled Team Leader Cha's passion too.
I didn't know their father-daughter dynamic lately, but positive progress meant happiness lingered.
"All done?"
I asked after finishing the webtoons. Ye-jin smiled, and I stood with a grin.
My words to those girls outside the convenience store weren't empty—I was incredibly busy, always needing focus, pouring every ounce of stamina and mental energy.
One slip in serialization, and readers noticed instantly. A single word or sentence's polish affected the entire story's appeal.
Back in my room, I sat and recalled the webtoons. Visuals definitely made them more accessible than text.
I need to focus more on visualizing.
Novel fun differed from visual or video adaptation, but more dialogue meant more for speech bubbles and actors to say.
Assuming my works became webtoons or dramas, I had to put in extra effort.
They wouldn't end with novels. They were livelihoods for countless people.
I opened the 'Strongest Idol Ever' folder.
Now on volume 3, DM had just finished auditions and was rehearsing for their debut stage.
Up to now, vivid auditions worked without deep industry knowledge, but ahead lay study-required territory.
At least the characters are solidly defined.
Webnovels needed protagonists, and regularly featuring all five DM members quenched reader thirst.
Further in, each would gain fan followings.
Post-debut must diverge completely—tighten up.
Research took time, time I couldn't write, so no slacking.
One hour.
Another hour.
Thus, I met the night at my computer again today.
Ten years glued to this chair had honed that endurance—no issue.
Someone said writing came from the butt, not the hand.
Half-agreed. It was a battle of patience and grit.
"Whew..."
Work done, I collapsed into bed past 2 a.m. Closing my eyes, the webtoons flickered.
Not bad.
If today was fun, that sufficed.
I'd pondered mass appeal before.
【Shouldn't webnovels that go on to webtoons or dramas use universally accessible themes and settings? Ultimately, everything we create brings happiness to people.】
Number 7 spoke well.
【Characters need to be relatable too. That's why we can't just blindly create unhinged lunatics.】
Genres and themes had clear reader preferences.
That was my biggest early struggle.
What seemed fun in my head often bored readers once released.
Pinpointing reader-liked elements from vast options came first, and without editors, I had to revise objectively.
Damn, if I knew, I'd be number one every time.
Up to year three, I was deeply cynical and pessimistic. Thought I'd never escape, prioritized myself over readers—hence poor results.
Novels hinged on protagonist narrative; ignoring that led to endless setting and worldbuilding rants.
-Bedtime in 30 minutes. Wrap up your work.
Team Leader's voice came through the speaker.
Today's quota met, but unsatisfactory. A subtle wall loomed, unbreakable.
How to break through?
Tossing in bed, the unsolvable worry kept me restless until sleep hit—and realizing it was a past memory, I jolted awake in cold sweat.
"Haa... That dream again."
My nightmares were flashbacks to that era. Forgotten daily, but dreams left mornings foul, scared, dirty.
Dying there left trauma. Therapy? Would a shrink believe? Probably call me crazy.
"Therapy, my ass..."
I laughed bitterly, rising. Soaked in sweat—shower first.
Clock read just shy of 7 a.m.
"Tch."
Even after a quick wash, one scene lingered.
She's doing fine, right?
Number 7's face.
New life now, famous author earning big. Yet she popped up more.
Haa, stalker much?
She didn't know me. If free from Team Leader's threats, she needed no part of me.
Team Leader—that bastard needs killing to end it.
No guilt owed all those authors, but to banish recurring nightmares, eliminate the source—I knew that.
Where is he?
Seeing Number 7 on monitors brought mad joy, then pitiful misery upon waking. Time to stop this displeasure.
How to track him?
Now with connections and money, pondering pursuit needs, I headed to the rooftop—where Jin-seong overlooked the city from the railing.
"Hey."
"You're here? Breakfast?"
"In a bit."
I stood beside him. No recent one-on-ones—both swamped, but family grew.
"Sleep well?"
Jin-seong chuckled at my question.
"Out like a light the second I hit the bed."
Ye-jin was busy, but Jin-seong had no breaks—managing four kids plus feeding the whole goshiwon.
"Ah!"
"What?"
"What about meals after your debut?"
"...Yeah."
He hadn't thought that far. Seemed trivial, but it'd been so routine—no alternatives.
"I'll ask the goshiwon folks first. They might need jobs. Not debuting tomorrow, so if clumsy, I'll train 'em."
"You're working hard."
"Nah. Just to eat and live."
Rooftop without Jin-seong would feel empty, but bigger stages meant relinquishing something.
I turned skyward before speaking.
"Told your family?"
"Not yet."
"They'll be shocked."
"Probably."
Sometimes couldn't guess his thoughts, but he wasn't bad—would handle well.
I laid the groundwork, not gaslighting everyone.
I draped an arm over his shoulder. Cooler temps made it non-sticky.
"If it's tough, say so. Anytime, anything."
"Not about to say thanks, are you? Suddenly cringey."
We laughed—then someone rushed up shouting.
"President!"
Eh? Why was our Ye-jin so hyped this early?
"What?"
"They want a pre-meeting!"
Spit it out straight— even I'd be lost otherwise.
We stared blankly as Ye-jin panted, continuing.
"From the drama investor!"
Hmm, was that that surprising?