Chapter 94: Aftermath (2)

Chapter 94: Aftermath (2)

"The second episode's viewership ratings were 9.5%. Not a bad start for the first week, huh?"

"Did you say 9.5%?"

"Yes—it's the preliminary figure. The exact numbers will be out tomorrow, but that's what they say. Anyway, congratulations."

Kim Soll-Ip asked with a sparkle in her eyes, "What about Moonlight Starpour?" nove(l)bi(n.)com

"Why do you ask? Are you worried?"

"Of course I am!"

Only then did Lee Ji-Yeon finally smile, saying Kim Soll-Ip was beginning to look like a professional writer. "The final viewership ratings were 15.7%. It dropped to 10.4% in the middle of the episode before climbing back up. You've certainly encountered a formidable opponent right from your debut."

There was a 6.2% difference in the final score, but it was still quite a commendable performance.

"Ah, seriously. Why did I have to go up against such an opponent!?"

Lee Ji-Yeon found the situation amusing and teased Kim Soll-Ip. "Soll-Ip, you're not all that different now that you've launched your work, huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"Remember how you teased me for being hysterical? I remember it very well."

"Oh, come on. When did I ever tease you!"

Lee Ji-Yeon shifted her gaze toward us. "You see? That's exactly what a writer's hysteria looks like."

I nearly burst out laughing at Lee Ji-Yeon's playful remark because I knew Lee Ji-Yeon's hysterical behavior was several times more intense than that of Kim Soll-Ip.

"You can do whatever you want but just make sure to keep your phone on. CP Jung was in a frenzy because you weren't answering your phone. Can you imagine how frustrated he must have been such that he sent me all the way here?"

"Oh? My bad! I forgot to charge my phone."

Kim Soll-Ip managed to recall where she had left her phone and plugged the charger in.

Yoo-Jin also let out a long sigh of relief after hearing that the viewership ratings had gone up. I, too, felt slightly relieved, especially since Kim Sung-Woon had used such a wild tactic in the first episode.

"Alright, everyone. Let's eat first. You look like you haven't had a single meal, Soll-Ip."

As Lee Ji-Yeon spoke, I turned to look at the dining table. The table was covered in dust as if she hadn’t used it in a long time ever since she started to revise the script. We laid down some flyers on the table as placemats and spread out the pork belly Lee Ji-Yeon had brought over.

Having already eaten dinner, Lee Ji-Yeon only sipped the coffee I handed her and asked, "But isn't everyone curious about why the viewership ratings gap narrowed all of a sudden?"

Kim Soll-Ip, who was stuffing her face with three pieces of pork belly wrapped in lettuce, nodded vigorously. "Yes, I'm really curious. So please tell me."

Lee Ji-Yeon urged Kim Soll-Ip to eat slowly lest she choked and pointed at Yoo-Jin.

"Um...me?"

"Yes, you, Yoo-Jin."

Lee Ji-Yeon began to recount the story she heard from Jung Sam-Ryong.

***

In Actor Division 2’s morning meeting on April 3rd, the atmosphere had completely changed from the day before, especially with articles mentioning Yoo-Jin being posted in real-time. The mood was lightening as the meeting progressed and every staff member, including Gu Seong-Cheol, seemed excited.

"Wow. Look at these articles. Read it."

"Things are going great, Mr. Gu."

[Blue Sky Episode 2 viewership ratings were 9.5%, Moonlight Starpour Episode 2 viewership ratings were 15.7%]

[Blue Sky and Moonlight Starpour in a fierce viewership ratings battle. What will next week's viewership ratings be?]

[The drama war between the two companies gets heated right from the start.]

[Blue Sky's Twilight, featuring griddle action and fiery scenes!]

Every time Yoo-Jin changed the griddles for the customers at the barbecue restaurant, her technique of swirling the griddles behind her head sparked unexpected interest from the viewers. People likened her skills to that of a barbecue master with 30 years of experience, or even to a level of unique craftsmanship.

Kim Soll-Ip had incorporated that scene after seeing Yoo-Jin dominate the barbecue restaurant while drunk on the day of the company dinner, which unexpectedly resulted in a huge hit.

Blue Sky, Yoo-Jin. A sensational debut!

(Griddle-changing dance.GIF)

(Comments)

Yoo-Jin nodded with a serious expression. "So that's why many sunbaes are rarely seen on TV unless it's for movie promotions?"

"Exactly. But just let me know if you do want to appear on variety shows. There are plenty of offers."

"No, I'll follow the schedule you’ve set. You're my talent agent, after all."

‘She’s willing to do whatever I ask? She’s making me emotional again. This is the kind of commitment that makes a talent agent want to carry their celebrity on their back in gratitude.’

"All I ask is to avoid late-night schedules. Miso has been complaining a lot because I get home too late these days. Her cheeks are always puffed-up like this."

Yoo-Jin narrowed her eyes and mimicked Miso’s puffed-up cheeks expression.

I wanted to take a photo for Instargem but had to hold back my laughter instead.

***

Upon arriving at the Namyangju filming site, Yoo-Jin stretched and breathed in the crisp air.

"Ah, this feels so refreshing!"

The mood on set was noticeably high due to the increased viewership ratings from yesterday, and people were treating Yoo-Jin differently. Yoo-Jin visited the make-up crew to fix her makeup and costume checks before the shooting began.

Wearing a school uniform and minimal makeup, Yoo-Jin smiled and asked. "How do I look?"

"You look great. The makeup's perfect."

"Perfect. Then I'm off to shoot."

"Good luck!"

Yoo-Jin greeted the staff and started filming.

As I was setting up the waiting chair, Cha Soo-Yeon approached with a big smile. "Mr. Jung~"

She was looking at me with a warm and sweet gaze as she called me in a soft tone.

"W-why are you looking at me like that?"

"Haha. The atmosphere on set is so much better thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. I got so many sponsorship calls this morning I almost wanted to kiss her."

"You got sponsorship calls?"

Cha Soo–Yeon nodded vigorously. "As you know, most of our props are nearly 20 years old and hard to come by. But several companies offered to sponsor us after yesterday's broadcast which really eased my worries."

‘Boosting the viewership ratings, receiving sponsorships from companies, and earning Cha Soo-Yeon’s trust—this is like hitting three birds with one stone.’

"Thanks to that, Mr. Kang also got a boost in confidence. Look over there."

Cha Soo-Yeon pointed at Kang Soo-Hoon, who was energetically giving instructions to the cameramen and the director of photography.

"Camera 3 on Miss Yoo-Jin's left. Jib shot over Twilight. Make sure Twilight's face is visible. And Camera 7, please get a bust shot. Director, please make sure the paths don't cross."

"Okay, Director Kang! You're in high spirits today. Did something good happen at home or something?"

"Didn't you see the viewership ratings yesterday? We'll catch up in no time if we keep this up."

"Hahaha, that's true. Alright, I'll put in some extra effort as well so we can surpass them next week!"

Although today's filming was for the latter part of episode 13 and unrelated to next week's episode 3, they were increasing Yoo-Jin's scenes in advance to make editing easier later. Ju Yung-In was supposed to take the lead, but Yoo-Jin was filling in admirably.

That's when Cha Soo-Yeon glanced around and spoke in a lower voice. "Um, the president of our company was wondering if Miss Yoo-Jin has any work lined up yet for her next project... Is there anything decided yet?"

‘A next project? Already? Blue Dragon must have a plethora of drama synopsis ready.’

I briefly went through a list of dramas produced by Blue Dragon in my mind, but I quickly shook off the thought. After all, Yoo-Jin's next project was already set.

"Unfortunately, it’s already decided."

"Ah, I should have asked sooner. Well, whoever snagged her, they sure moved fast."

It was hard to believe this was the same person who initially pushed for Park Jin-Hee over Yoo-Jin.

Persistent, Cha Soo-Yeon continued probing with a disappointed expression. "But when is it scheduled for?"

"July."

"Have you signed the contract yet? If not, how about Writer Kim Eun-Yung's next work Beauty in Every Direction? It's about time Miss Yoo-Jin took on a lead role, don’t you think?"

Cha Soo-Yeon tried to tempt me with Beauty in Every Direction which boasted a 21.5% viewership rating.

This time, it was an offer for a leading role.