Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 79: Memory Of Possibilities.

PD Kim Seon-ye, who had been looking at me with trembling eyes, quickly regained her composure and spoke as if it was no big deal.

“They’re participants of Girl 100. Do those names have any relevance?”

Her eyes held a question as if asking, ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

She must have decided to play dumb.

But isn’t it a bit too late for that now?

“Vote manipulation? That’s a very dangerous and insulting statement. As the PD of this show, such a thing…”

“Oh no! PD, you spilled your coffee! Something must have startled you!”

“…Startled?”

“I didn’t mean to startle you! But it seems knowing this fact has made you quite nervous. I apologize!”

“….”

Kim Seon-ye, who had been watching my fuss with a blank expression, let out a hollow laugh as if finding it ridiculous to play dumb now and glared at me.

“There are less than twenty people who know about this. How did you find out?”

If someone who was interested in the entertainment industry regressed, there’s no way they wouldn’t know.

I know who goes to prison and how long their sentences are, too.

…Of course, I can’t say that out loud.

“I happen to have quite a few sources. I hear a lot of things. The source isn’t important right now, is it?”

Kim Seon-ye propped her chin up, pondered for a moment, sighed, and muttered.

“…How annoying.”

You too.

Let’s summarize. The real reason this situation is a crisis isn’t because the show’s image is ruined, but because the plan to debut the pre-determined 11 members is ruined. You had prepared various narratives, like growth-type characters, charm-type characters, and perfect-type characters, and created a stable picture of them entering the debut group, but the result that only three made it to A class has messed up that plot.

The crisis is that the rigged show couldn’t carry out its rigging.

To be more precise, the big problem is that this show could appear to be out of your control to the agencies backing you. And from the very first broadcast, no less.

And that crisis is more of a personal crisis for Kim Seon-ye, rather than for the show.

It means she, too, is quite desperate.

Therefore, there was no need to position myself lower in the negotiation.

Since we both agree that this situation is a crisis, shall we now talk about the deal?

I needed Kim Seon-ye, and she needed me. But she spoke as if she didn’t think so.

“Isn’t that something that can be said when there’s an equal exchange? What can you give me, Team Leader Seon?”

“A new narrative that can stabilize the show or definitively include the 11 members.”

“A narrative?”

Why are you pretending not to know?

“Can you take out Gyeoul right now?”

“I’m the PD of this show. There’s nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it.”

“Of course, you can do it if you set your mind to it. But there will be strong backlash. It’s obvious what will happen and how viewers will react if you intentionally exclude the only three A-class members.”

No exaggeration, the show would really be screwed.

I think that’s why you called me here. ‘Since I can’t exclude her anyway, I should make her a completely disliked character and use her as a stepping stone to boost the image of the 11.’ ‘Since she won’t listen if I just say it, I’ll scare her a bit.’ Something like that.

She didn’t deny my words but rather stuck out her tongue and said,

“…You have a knack for saying things unpleasantly.”

Isn’t that your problem for having unpleasant intentions?

“The situation isn’t pleasant, that’s why. I want to say good things to you and build a healthy relationship, PD Kim Seon-ye.”

I smiled lightly to appear friendly and said,

“In that sense, I will make a proposal. I’ll take on the role of making Gyeoul the disliked character that you intended. So cleanly that it can’t be achieved through malicious editing.”

“You’ll do that? After dragging the situation this far to avoid being swayed by me?”

“Of course, there are conditions. That’s why I called it a deal.”

The number of people remaining until the final episode was 18. Gyeoul must be one of them.

“Please make sure she makes it into the final 18 for the live broadcast.”

“You’re asking me to keep her until the final episode?”

“That’s right. And her performance in the process should be shown as top-tier. Gyeoul needs to become a mountain to overcome.”

The voting results were all decided by Kim Seon-ye. If she set her mind to it, she could suddenly drop Gyeoul around episodes 5 or 6. In Girl 100, where the focus decreases as it goes to the final 12th episode, such a mid-dropout naturally wouldn’t attract much attention. As long as Girl 100 was a rigged show, her cooperation was absolutely necessary.

Kim Seon-ye laughed at me and said,

“Isn’t this a story where only I lose out?”

“No, it’s not. I don’t understand why you didn’t think of this scenario. Why do we have writers, direct the show, and have dozens of cameras for interviews and log shoots?”

“To create a story.”

That’s not enough.

“That’s just a phenomenon.”

“To increase immersion?”

Still not enough.

“That’s a process. You need to talk about the result.”

“…To increase the ratings.”

Finally, I smiled satisfactorily and said,

“Correct.”

The ratings you desperately desire—that’s what we’ll achieve if we make this deal.

“Now for the conditions. I agree to make Gyeoul the disliked role. But it shouldn’t be done in a cheap way. Creating a third-rate villain to attract attention is short-term ratings. It doesn’t help in the long run.”

Kim Seon-ye said irritably,

“Then what do you want to do?”

Have you lost your touch, Seon-ye? Don’t you know this?

“Let’s make Gyeoul a captivating villain. A villain who, despite being one, is responsible for the show’s completion and attracts fans.”

Finally, it seemed like she started to see the picture in her head. Kim Seon-ye remained silent, lost in thought.

After a long time, she finally spoke.

“…I think an arrogant genius concept would be good.”

That’s right.

I couldn’t hide my smile as I supplemented her words.

“It should also have a natural air, as if she didn’t mean it maliciously.”

“Of course, it needs to be based on overwhelming skill.”

“That’s already been shown. The rest is how dramatically you can edit it.”

Then Kim Seon-ye, not to be outdone, added,

“The exclusivity that others can’t understand.”

“There’s nothing like it to create a sense of alienation. Gyeoul is already a cold beauty, so creating that image won’t be difficult.”

“And highlighting her clumsy side.”

“Something like a sports day would be fitting. If we make her wear animal pajamas and roll around, even a non-existent gap will appear.”

“There also needs to be a process of the opposing kids acknowledging each other.”

“Feelings of friendship always sell well. It will increase the overall likability of the trainees and add a narrative of personal growth.”

“But we should save that final step until deciding the 11 debut members.”

“Resolving conflict suits the finale.”

“Viewers won’t be able to leave during that process.”

“And all of that will reflect in the ratings.”

We alternated speaking, building the conversation like stacking blocks.

As a result, a clear tower stood before us.

“What will happen if this narrative is properly conveyed to the viewers?”

Kim Seon-ye and I answered at the same time.

“It will succeed.”

Finding it quite amusing, Kim Seon-ye started to chuckle, and before long, she was holding her stomach, laughing loudly. After the intense laughter that seemed to leave her breathless ended, she extended her hand for a handshake and said,

“I don’t like you.”

“That’s unfortunate. I like you, PD Kim.”

“Flattery is unnecessary; it’s too late for that.”

That’s quite a cold judgment.

“But I do acknowledge that you’ll be helpful for the ratings. It’s true that I’m crazy about ratings.”

I also laughed, shook her hand, and said,

“I’m a bit crazy about that too.”

I left the editing room, took out the pen-shaped recorder from my front pocket, and checked its status.

Everything had been recorded perfectly.

Including the acknowledgment that Kim Seon-ye had manipulated the show.

I hummed a tune as I headed home.

Seon-ye, for such important meetings, make recording a habit.

As bedtime came and Kim Yujin snored next to her, Gyeoul lay on the dorm’s flat bed and thought.

‘I shouldn’t have done that…’

Today, or rather, from the moment it was decided that Gyeoul would appear on Girl 100, she had shown a lot of dependency on Taeyang.

This was contrary to her intention to become someone who could stand alone so that Taeyang’s attention could be more directed towards Gaeul.

‘Get a grip. If I show my emotions like that, everything will fall apart. And I won’t be able to stay by Taeyang ssam’s side.’

That was truly a terrifying thought for Gyeoul.

She fell asleep, resolving not to show the same behavior as before in the coming days.

[An appropriate target has been selected. ‘Memory of Possibilities’ is being used.]

A message appeared in front of her eyes.