Chapter 61
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Rooftop Premiere Night
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Every now and then, I found myself wondering.
What exactly is happiness?
Everyone has their own standards, but in the end, it all boils down to personal satisfaction.
For some, a hundred million won might feel woefully short, while for others, lacking it is enough to end their lives.
So, was I satisfied?
To cut to the chase: today, yes.
"Hey! Try shifting the direction! Just a little back should do it!"
The rooftop was buzzing. Even DM had set aside their main gig to pitch in as laborers today, and the entire webtoon team had gathered.
It didn't stop there— the elderly residents from the goshiwon were trickling in one by one, claiming spots. We'd laid out eight mats, but it still wasn't enough; we'd need to fetch more.
"How's this?"
"Yeah! That looks good!"
Jin-guk and Jin-seong were hooking up the beam projector. The plan was to project onto the diner wall. It was too bright now for a clear image, but once it got dark, it'd be sharp.
"Aren't you cold? Want a blanket?"
Ye-jin approached and asked.
"I'm fine."
It felt just like a holiday family gathering. The menu was nothing but green onion pancakes and makgeolli, but the sizzle of those pancakes frying up was already making my stomach feel full and content.
"Whew, I'm the one shaking here."
"Me too."
Today was the drama's premiere. It had taken until sunset to get here, but honestly, this was lightning-fast progress. Selling the rights didn't mean a drama popped out overnight.
With over forty people milling about, even the cold snap couldn't touch this rooftop.
Come to think of it, this rooftop got amazing mileage. It doubled as DM's practice space, a haven for the cats, and every so often, our group hangout spot.
"Oh, right—how's the academy going?"
Running smoothly, I hoped?
"We've spotted a few issues, but we're logging those trial-and-error moments as data."
"Like what?"
"Ever heard of 'queen bees'?"
"Yeah, from games, right?"
You know, when female users form the core of a group, seize power, and lord it over everyone.
It could go well sometimes, but more often it turned sour, cementing a negative image.
"Looks like the students are forming little cliques for activities, and that's where the gripes are bubbling up. Stuff about the academy's systems."
"If they've got improvement ideas, we're grateful."
"Exactly. It has upsides too, but when those clique members stick together in packs, it leaves everyone else feeling left out and deprived."
"Ah..."
"Still, the end-of-month evaluations will sort it all out. The creative studios are getting insane usage—plenty of folks pulling all-nighters."
Suddenly, I wondered about Author No. 21.
"Anyone standing out?"
"It's only been half a month, but quite a few are cranking out manuscripts. Some are already making headway, and one or two are really shining. Can't judge the stories' fun factor yet since evaluations aren't done, but their writing speed is nuts."
"Someone named Lee Myung-han?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"Had a hunch."
No. 21 wrote faster and more prolifically than I ever did, so if the academy had lit a fire under him now, he'd be awakening big time.
"On the flip side, a few are just boozing it up daily with those clique folks."
No matter how perfect the setup, if they won't write properly, they're useless.
"The webtoon team's evaluations are totally different, so I'll report on that separately."
"Got it. Thanks for all your hard work."
"You're the one grinding the most, President. Also, come end-of-month, we're planning to offer contract positions to folks with PD chops rather than pure writers. As the rounds progress, we'll have more students to manage, so we need to train PDs starting now."
Uncovering authors was key, but so was nurturing talent for planning, editing, proofreading, and distribution. That made a publisher thrive.
If the academy handled that, it'd become a cradle for multifaceted pros.
Suddenly, Jin-seong strolled over with a plate.
"Bro, try this. The flavor's insane."
He'd tossed squid and mussels into the green onion pancakes, I bet.
Crunch! The satisfying snap unleashed a perfect blend of oil and briny sea flavors.
"Delicious."
"Right? You want some?"
"Pass."
Ye-jin shot him down flat, leaving Jin-seong looking dejected. I chuckled and pointed out the issue.
"At least grab fresh chopsticks first."
"Oh, that bug you? What's with the walls between us?"
"It's not that!"
Ye-jin spun away, and Jin-seong shrugged before offering another piece.
"This one's got pork in it."
"Nice."
This was seriously good. If idols flop for him, he's destined for a diner.
"Holding up okay?"
I swallowed a pancake chunk and asked Jin-seong.
"I'm good, but Ji-min and Se-chan haven't adjusted yet."
"Hae-jin?"
"She's fine."
Just as expected. Innately shy, timid, and sensitive types grinding through killer schedules—it had to blow up somehow.
"Keep an eye on them."
"I am."
I wasn't worried about Jin-seong or Jin-guk, but the group wasn't solo acts.
"Hey, bro."
"Yeah?"
"Couldn't go home for New Year's, right? Maybe give 'em a day for Lunar New Year? Especially Ji-min and Se-chan..."
"Talked to Team Leader Min?"
"That's why I'm asking. They wanna do that Lunar New Year idol sports fest special. Schedules lock in, no wiggle room—better sneak in a break."
"I'll check with her."
"Thanks, bro."
Jin-seong's face lit up. Did he bring the pancakes for this? He seemed carefree, but the guy's meticulous.
Despite feeling like I'd done zilch, dusk hit quick, and night fell.
"Starting soon!"
"Wooo!"
I wasn't even in it much, but with DM in bit roles, it was a milestone for us all.
Ratings need to crack 5% at least.
They said under 5% premiere meant DOA.
That's when it happened.
"Hello!"
A woman climbed onto the rooftop, shouting loud. Her hands clutched two absurdly massive bundles, like moving boxes.
"President?"
No heads-up, so I rushed over and took the bundles.
"Whoa."
Pretty heavy. Dragged 'em all the way up here?
"Couldn't miss the party!"
Executive Director Isara grinned brightly as Ye-jin sidled up behind me.
"She said scheduling might be tricky, so I didn't mention it ahead."
Isara beamed at Ye-jin's words.
"But I made it!"
No clue how, but her bundles overflowed with braised pork and shrimp jeotgal.
"You didn't have to. Thank you."
Jin-seong and Jin-guk scampered over to grab them.
They transferred it all to plates and ferried them to the mats, faces screaming finish appetizers before drama time.
"Here, Executive Director."
Ye-jin handed Isara two blankets.
"Thanks, Director. I'll put 'em to good use."
With Isara seated, it felt like all the key players were here. She turned to me.
"This is nice. You guys do this often?"
"Now and then."
"Invite me more."
"Will do."
Her eyes shone with genuine longing for this space.
I couldn't even guess at her world, but craving this normalcy meant lacking something else.
I'd researched chaebol life while writing Youngest Son of the Gangster Family, so I kinda got it.
But living it? Totally different feels.
"Whoa! Braised pork! Killer!"
"Don't know who you are, but thanks for the grub!"
The goshiwon uncles roared with laughter, downing makgeolli. Isara smiled at Mr. Hwang from 104.
"Sitting with your back to it, you won't see the drama."
"I'll see something better."
For those uncles, it was about a breather from hard lives, not the show.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Next up, the Monday-Tuesday drama Youngest Son of the Gangster Family airs.
The preview hit TV, and cheers erupted—Ooooh! The ad that followed featured lead actor Kim Seung-gi hawking cosmetics.
Isara looked tense. Stakes were high for me too, but she'd sunk real money in. Not pocket change.
Whew, why am I so jittery?
Isara on my right, Ye-jin on my left. Didn't want them reading my nerves, so I glanced elsewhere.
Team Leader Min and DM huddled on a mat, snapping pics with the cats.
"It's starting now."
Ads ended, and our live premiere watch party kicked off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We'd hoped for just over 5%, but the premiere ratings clocked in at 14.9%.
Internet news exploded with Youngest Son of the Gangster Family articles, as expected.
Early morning.
Head pounding from last night's makgeolli, but Isara hummed cheerfully en route to the office.
"Who knew a girl like me could be this lucky."
Premiering near 15% meant big things for day two—and weeks two and three could skyrocket.
Sure, plenty of dramas hyped early then tanked, but this one? Survive the start, and it'd only get juicier.
Why?
Because the source material did!
"Good morning."
"Morning, President!"
Her steps were light entering the lobby. Reports would flood her office soon, and with her smash hit, the company would be watching her every move.
What'd I tell you? It's a winner!
As predicted, Executive Director Yoo awaited in her office.
"Uncle! Catch the drama last night?"
"Yes."
"What'd you think?"
"Fun."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"Boo, no enthusiasm."
She plopped into her chair, beaming.
"We hit 15%!"
"Congratulations. Finally a breather. The Chairman's all-in on content investment—perfect timing to show results. Expectations are sky-high."
"Ugh, save it. Right now, I'm overflowing just talking drama!"
"Enter stock up slightly..."
"No, no—drama! Not stocks or cash! You watched it!"
She craved chit-chat like Mi-young, saw it? Thoughts? Same! Totally! But Executive Director Yoo operated on a different wavelength.
"Secretariat has a few calls. KBC inquiring about ad slots and PPL."
"Ha! Success, and now everyone's grabbing spoons! Wouldn't invest a dime before!"
"Results rule the world. You proved it, so they're swarming."
"Whatever. Our ads already fill it! Hmph!"
She pouted cutely, and Executive Director Yoo sighed, figuring he'd play along today.
He asked.
"Outlook going forward?"
"Even better."
"Crack 20%? Need it for momentum on the next drama investments."
They'd secured top idol and Mt. Jiri Elf rights, but full budgets weren't greenlit. 100-200 billion meant hurdles, even for her.
But the first drama exploded?
"Obviously!"
She declared confidently as a call came from the secretariat.
President, overseas inquiries on drama distribution.
"Ooh! Where from?"
Japan and Thailand.
"Yes!"
She thrust up a thumbs-up.