Chapter Index

    Hong Ye-ji and Minami Sawako.

    Writer Lee Geum-suk returned to her studio after introducing the two geniuses of the century to each other. Of course, she was with her assistant writers, who were carrying delicious delivery food and canned beer.

    After that, a light get-together followed.

    The assistant writers shouted excitedly.

    “They’re both so incredibly talented, right? What on earth will they learn from each other? I’m so excited, even though it’s not tomorrow!”

    “Hmm, I know. But will it be okay since they speak different languages?”

    Then, Writer Lee Geum-suk chuckled.

    “The app performance is so good these days that it’s enough to communicate with it. It wasn’t difficult for me to talk to Japanese writers either.”

    “Ooh…”

    Writer Lee Geum-suk took a swig of canned beer.

    “They’re both undoubtedly excellent in terms of talent, and they also have the commonality of having very important works ahead of them. I can’t stand not knowing what will happen in the future.”

    “I know, right!”

    “That’s right!”

    It was then.

    ─♩♪♬

    Writer Lee Geum-suk’s phone rang.

    Soon her eyes widened.

    “Oh my, really? A tentative title?”

    Because it was an unusual reaction, the assistant writers perked up their ears. Although they couldn’t hear the conversation well, it was certain that good news had arrived again.

    Meanwhile, Lee Geum-suk concentrated on the call.

    The other party was Netflix Korea.

    “You’re saying to send you the tentative title of the work… So, that means our Ye-ji’s work has even secured a slot?”

    “Yes. That’s right. The higher-ups secured it. They judged that there would be no problem with this work being produced.”

    “Oho.”

    Writer Lee Geum-suk’s lips turned upward.

    “So you hated our work so much?”

    She throws a pointed remark in a playful tone.

    It was obvious, but the reaction to Hong Ye-ji’s work was very cold when she had spoken with the Netflix branch office. But today, they are very friendly and active.

    “That’s because Sua and Seo-jung’s participation has become certain. Having these two, it’s just a matter of time before we secure a production team, right? We look forward to working with you.”

    “Okay. Our Ye-ji will be very happy.”

    “I already contacted Ye-ji just now.”

    “Really? I’m so bummed I couldn’t see the real-time reaction.”

    “She seemed to be crying?”

    “Oh my, that spunky girl? The emotion must have been overwhelming.”

    Lee Geum-suk thought. Let’s pretend I don’t know.

    ◈◈◈◈◈

    Hong Ye-ji thought.

    ‘Why?’

    It started with a simple question. Why.

    But the end is also a question. Why on earth.

    ‘Why? Why on earth is this happening?’

    The world is wrong.

    Netflix is the No. 1 global OTT company in the United States and the largest OTT platform in the world. There was no need to figure out how wide the viewer distribution was.

    That Netflix is finally coming to Korea.

    Since it’s the first landing, of course they will produce and service a very picky work, and it was a good opportunity for Hong Ye-ji. A chance to be rejected handsomely and liquidate her life as a writer.

    But….

    ‘Why are they confirming my work? Why?’

    She can’t help but lament just the fact that Sua and Seo-jung participated, but now they’ve even secured a slot.

    If it were an exhibition hall, they’ve already created a space called [Hong Ye-ji] on one side of the space. It’s a proper big deal. It means she has to put up at least one work no matter what.

    “Why….”

    Hong Ye-ji muttered blankly while lying down.

    “Why are you doing this to me….”

    Huh? Isn’t that because your efforts to escape were insufficient?

    No! Hong Ye-ji was confident that she did her best.

    ‘The script is terrible and I only mentioned the two most difficult people to cast. But the script is well received, and the two people who didn’t get along suddenly compromise?’

    Everything is just unexpected results.

    ‘Could it be a hidden camera prank? Please.’

    But of course, that wasn’t the case.

    High-ranking people are doing a hidden camera prank on an unknown writer like Hong Ye-ji? Hey, there’s no way they’d do something that’s not cost-effective. Surprisingly, this is reality.

    Yeah, it’s just time for the world to go to hell.

    ─♩♪♬

    Hong Ye-ji was looking at the calendar and wishing the Earth would explode before she started production, when the phone rang. Without realizing it, her expression soured.

    Because the other party was Netflix Korea.

    Now she trembles just when the phone rings. Please stop.

    “Hello.”

    “Ye-ji, nice to meet you! Is the work revision going smoothly?”

    “I quit.”

    “Ooh, I guess there’s nothing more to revise?”

    “….”

    Hong Ye-ji quietly closed her eyes.

    Now she doesn’t even have the strength to argue. Seriously….

    “What’s the purpose of your call.”

    “Of course, it’s a discussion about production. Currently, only the casting of actors is in progress, and there is no production team at all, right?”

    “Yes.”

    “We do have our own Netflix production team. If anything, I think it would be okay to entrust it to them.”

    “No. I’ll find it myself.”

    Hong Ye-ji said very firmly.

    ‘Absolutely not. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.’

    The only escape route to get out of the current situation? The only way is if the production team can’t be found and it falls through. But helping? Are you crazy? Do you want to die?

    Hong Ye-ji continued calmly.

    “It’s my world that I created. I’m going to pick out the people who will understand whether it’s production or directing.”

    “Then if you can’t find one, will you come to us?”

    “If I can’t find one, I won’t do it.”

    Her voice was sharper than a sword.

    “Oh…?”

    The Netflix official was silent for a while, perhaps because he heard an unexpected answer. Hong Ye-ji liked this silence the longer it lasted. Bad atmosphere, arguments, dissolution. All are welcome.

    “Actually, I was wondering about the decision that was made this time, but after talking to you just now, I also realized it. After all, it’s right to put Ye-ji’s work on the signboard for this landing.”

    “Yes?”

    Hong Ye-ji switched the phone to her other hand.

    “Signboard?”

    “Yes. Netflix bundles works, right?”

    Of course, Hong Ye-ji also knows what a bundle is. Probably about 8 works will be bundled and categorized under a banner such as [Works Commemorating the Landing in Korea!].

    Yeah, she knows that.

    But why? Why is my work a signboard?

    “There are almost 8 works commemorating the landing in Korea, aren’t there? I know there are many strong ones. Even Writer Park Yu-mi’s ‘High Society’….”

    “But Hong Writer-nim’s work has Sua-ssi.”

    “Sua-ssi?”

    “Yes. Isn’t she the most talked-about rookie in Korea right now? Furthermore, Seo-jung-ssi has also expressed his intention to join, and Hong Writer-nim also has a strong character….”

    “Don’t do it. You can’t.”

    Hong Ye-ji said with bloodshot eyes.

    At the same time, she thought. Ah, she now fears the existence of Lee Sua, beyond just disliking her. Why is this happening….

    The Netflix official burst into laughter.

    “There’s no need to refuse. Instead of promising the signboard, we won’t do any of that gangster stuff, like interfering. Rather, think of it as Hong Writer-nim helping us.”

    “I’m helping Netflix?”

    “Yes. From Netflix’s point of view, it needs to have a representative success to gain a foothold in Korea, right?”

    This is a masterpiece? That’s even more of a problem.

    Hong Ye-ji made a huh, hah sound and didn’t know what to do, and the Netflix official thought it was like that. It seemed like a woman feeling the peak of emotion.

    “That’s right. Hong Writer-nim, there’s one more thing.”

    “What is it.”

    “Looking at Asia, Netflix has already established itself properly in Japan.”

    “Yes.”

    “Overseas viewers will also be able to see Hong Writer-nim’s work. I know that you have a great desire for writing, so if you think that you can show it to many people, you will be even more motivated, right? Cheer up! Happy writing!”

    Hong Ye-ji hung up the phone.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    A few hours later.

    Sawako carefully observed Hong Ye-ji.

    Tadadadak─

    Hong Ye-ji was pounding on the keyboard like crazy, and Sawako recalled what she had heard from this writer.

    ‘That woman is a hidden genius in Korea…?’

    But it didn’t really hit home.

    Because she had read Hong Ye-ji’s script using a translator. The content was unpredictable, and Sawako couldn’t judge it because she had never encountered such writing before.

    ‘But one thing is for sure.’

    Hong Ye-ji. Her attitude is sincere.

    “Why are you doing this to me! Why! Why! Why are you doing this!”

    Bang─! Bang─!

    Hong Ye-ji suddenly slammed the keyboard down.

    “Ahhhh…. Heuuuuk…. I hate it…. I hate it….”

    She suddenly started crying.

    Sawako suddenly felt a sense of constriction around her neck. Because she was reflecting. Had she ever been as desperate as that? No, I don’t think so.

    How much time had passed like that?

    “….”

    At some point, Hong Ye-ji began to erase all the writing she had written. It was shocking to Sawako. Erasing the writing that feels like flesh and blood so easily?

    “Um, Korean sunbae-nim.”

    “…?”

    Hong Ye-ji turned around and turned on the translator.

    “Please speak into this.”

    “Ah, thank you. I have a question.”

    “Yes.”

    “Don’t you feel sad when you erase like that?”

    “I’m not sad at all.”

    Because it was a script she wrote roughly while dozing off in the first place. Of course, Sawako was impressed by Hong Ye-ji’s unusual strength.

    Then suddenly.

    Hong Ye-ji blinked as if something had come to mind.

    “Come to think of it, you said you were interested in writing?”

    “That’s right. I’m from Japan….”

    Sawako pursed her lips.

    Hong Ye-ji has not yet received information about Sawako. Because Lee Geum-suk sent Sawako with the belief that ‘writers should know how to introduce themselves’.

    Sawako was wondering how to introduce herself.

    “…I’m just a hopeful. I want to become a great writer someday, but I don’t know if I can.”

    She only introduced herself that way because she lacked confidence. Because she is still something that has not escaped from her mother’s shadow without even a representative work. She thought being a hopeful was right.

    “….”

    Hong Ye-ji stared intently at Sawako.

    Middle school student. Very young. And a hopeful?

    Hong Ye-ji suddenly crossed her arms. Her eyes were shining as if a light bulb had been turned on in her head.

    “I have one question.”

    “Yes. Sunbae-nim.”

    “Then are you doing any training to become a writer?”

    “…Training? Is there anything else besides reading and writing?”

    “Oh dear.”

    Hong Ye-ji shook her head.

    “For example, there is this kind of training.”

    Hong Ye-ji grabbed the handles of the wheelchair. The next moment, Sawako was in front of Hong Ye-ji’s desk.

    “This is a script that I erased haphazardly between the lines, but fill in the blanks with Sawako-yang’s imagination. Just fill in whatever comes to mind.”

    “Eeeh, isn’t that sunbae-nim’s script? If I touch it….”

    “It’s okay. I have all the contents in my head, so let’s focus on the training. Filling in a world that has already been established to your liking is very helpful.”

    “Ah, I see…. Thank you so much….”

    Akiko nodded.

    “I’ve never done this kind of training before….”

    The two looked at each other for a while and thought.

    ‘Indeed, the geniuses’ training methods are different.’

    ‘If you have a middle school student rewrite the script, it will fail. Let’s kick everyone out this time. For sure.’

    Finally, the two geniuses smiled and exchanged their first greetings.

    “Sunbae, I look forward to working with you.”

    “Sawako-yang, I look forward to working with you.”

    ◈◈◈◈◈

    The next day.

    Sua got out of the van.

    Today is the day for the swimsuit pictorial meeting!

    It was the headquarters of the most prominent ‘Jog Korea’, and Sua was impressed as soon as she entered the building. Because there were very cool pictorials everywhere.

    ‘Wow…! Am I shooting something like that too…!’

    Sua had of course seen the ‘Jog Korea’ pictorials. It’s an embarrassing past, but she used to imitate the models’ expressions and poses while showering….

    Anyway! Now I’m here as the main character of the pictorial!

    Meanwhile, the staff were whispering.

    “Oh my, it’s Sua-ssi! Kim Yu-han!”

    “Today’s shoot will be tough….”

    “Let’s not make any mistakes. Her presence is no joke.”

    Kim Yi-seo, who was listening, couldn’t help but laugh.

    “Sua, do you remember the old days?”

    “What do you mean by the old days?”

    “There was a time when Sua was doubted no matter what she did. But more and more people are starting to acknowledge you. Even in this harsh industry.”

    “Hmm.”

    Thinking about it, that’s true. Sua is proud!

    “Don’t be satisfied yet. You’ll be jumping into bigger waters in the future, and more and more people will acknowledge you.”

    “Of course.”

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    As they were chatting and walking, they quickly arrived at the conference room.

    The ‘Jog Korea’ officials began to fill the large space. There are more people than I thought. Sua couldn’t help but swallow dry saliva.

    A little later, female employees approached Sua. They were holding something in their arms.

    It wasn’t difficult to understand. It’s all swimsuits.

    “These are the things you’ll be trying on today, so would you like to take a look first?”

    Sua picked one up and unfolded it without thinking.

    “….”

    And she was surprised.

    Of course, she didn’t even show it outwardly, but her eyes widened completely inwardly. That’s because.

    ‘…This is, too revealing!’

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