Chapter 618

Han Yeoreum's scream from the end of the hallway trembled so violently that even Yun Hyeonjo, standing with his back against the corner wall, could hear it in her voice.

'America, huh~.'

Yun Hyeonjo recalled the conversation he had with Ji Haebeom not long ago when the actor had come to see him in person.

“Sorry for showing up out of nowhere.”

“Why didn't you just call?”

“I figured you'd reject me immediately if I called.”

Ji Haebeom's prediction had been spot-on.

After making the endless rounds of stage greetings, Yun Hyeonjo had been soaked in exhaustion. He had no desire to accept anyone's requests.

“Well, since you came all the way here, I'll at least pretend to think about it before turning you down~.”

“I want to bring them along, but it isn't easy.”

Even after Yun Hyeonjo made it clear he intended to refuse, Ji Haebeom got to the point.

He didn't even have to say who he meant.

“Where?”

“My next project.”

Yun Hyeonjo thought carefully for a moment.

“Didn't you say you were doing your next project with that guy~?”

Word had already spread through the industry.

Everyone knew who Ji Haebeom's next collaborator was.

Eom Gyun and Ji Haebeom.

Just hearing those two names together was enough to make investors lose their minds.

For Yun Hyeonjo, it was enough to make him lose his mind for an entirely different reason.

There were few people more exhausting for an actor than an authoritarian, hot-tempered film director.

And this was Eom Gyun.

The ultimate old-school director who firmly believed every successful film belonged entirely to the director.

He tolerated no improvisation whatsoever, and the moment filming began, actors stopped being people in his eyes.

They were nothing more than tools used to create his work.

“You're taking them to him? To Eom Gyun?”

Ji Haebeom nodded.

As if saying that being Eom Gyun was exactly why he wanted to bring them.

For all his impossible personality, a master was still a master.

His commercial success was undeniable, and artistically he was recognized as one of Korea's greatest directors.

If someone asked Koreans to name the country's most famous film director, most would answer either Namgung Cheon or Eom Gyun.

“He's not going to sit quietly.”

“So I've heard.”

“You've got your work cut out for you~.”

“Exactly. So don't reject me.”

Despite coming to ask for a favor, Ji Haebeom didn't sound desperate at all.

Only recently he'd been complaining that he was bored because he had no work, yet apparently he'd been preparing something far beyond anyone's expectations.

“Draw some attention for them. If their image gets locked in now, it'll cause problems in a lot of ways.”

Yun Hyeonjo was a film actor.

That was why he knew just how arrogant this industry could be.

If you had to categorize Han Yeoreum in the public's eyes, she was basically viewed like an idol-turned-actress.

And in all those years, not once had an actress with that image been cast in a serious feature film on this scale.

It wasn't just the director.

The public would judge her even more harshly.

The heavy immersion unique to serious dramas would be shattered.

Instead of empathizing with the film, audiences would start evaluating the actress.

As another headache washed over him, Yun Hyeonjo rubbed his forehead.

Then he suddenly remembered another conversation.

“Do you think she'd still win against Baekyeong?”

“Who?”

“Who else do you think?”

At the time, he'd assumed it was just a joke.

Dong Baekyeong had spent far longer as a leading film actress than Han Yeoreum had even been acting since her debut.

“You're really putting her up against Baekyeong?”

Apparently, Ji Haebeom hadn't been joking.

Not judging from the small laugh in his naturally low voice.

“What on earth is it?”

“It'll start making the rounds soon anyway... Since you're helping, I'll show you.”

“I never said I was helping~.”

Yun Hyeonjo was an efficient man.

Adventure.

Gambling.

Taking chances.

He disliked all of them.

And Ji Haebeom's next project lying before him...

...was the very definition of inefficiency.

〈The Great Garland〉

May 18, 1980

Bearing in their hearts flames that refused to die...

...they marched forward.

We called them Reds.

On that cruel spring day, whether the blurred vision came from tear gas, from tears, or from the dust kicked up by those who had gone before them...

They shouted with every ounce of strength they had.

Because if they didn't...

...it felt as though they would die.

Within the immense wheel of history, the fierce struggle of those who wagered everything for their own convictions begins.

Kim Bomi

She secretly loves Juhwan, who is her older brother's friend.

But after her brother's unjust death, her family is forced to move away in haste, cutting off all contact with Juhwan. After entering university, she spends her days in coffee houses, roller rinks, and rock cafés before eventually throwing herself into the student movement.

Just replacing Dong Baekyeong was enough for him to imagine how vicious the backlash would be.

“Ha....”

One hundred percent wouldn't be enough.

Everyone knew exactly how much weight Dong Baekyeong carried.

Even if Han Yeoreum performed flawlessly, people would still say it wasn't enough.

Which meant she would have to pour out every last ounce of herself.

Give everything she had.

“This is one hell of an evil senior.”

Yun Hyeonjo merely wet his dry lips with his tongue and muttered those words.

There was nothing else he could say.

Thinking about it now...

“Ahhhhhh! What do I do?! Unni! I'm going to America! America!”

Perhaps Yun Hyeonjo himself had secretly been looking forward to it.

“I love this so much!”

From that junior of his...

...someone for whom words like adventure, challenge, and risk all seemed perfectly fitting.

“What? Why's it so noisy over there?”

He couldn't help laughing as he looked at the youngster who had come after him despite him being gone for barely any time.

Grabbing Joo Junseo by the shoulder just as he tried to walk past him toward Han Yeoreum, Yun Hyeonjo stopped him.

“Let's work hard~.”

Throwing an arm around Junseo's shoulders, Yun Hyeonjo turned him around.

Forced into the embrace and dragged back with him, Joo Junseo suppressed his irritation before asking,

“What did you say to her?”

“Hm?”

Yun Hyeonjo deliberately poked at him.

“I didn't say anything~.”

“If you didn't say anything, why's she screaming her head off like that?”

The timing of everything couldn't have been better.

'The stage greetings end next week...'

Han Yeoreum would probably only attend the second week of stage greetings before heading to America.

Now that Shots had already exploded in popularity, Yun Hyeonjo and Joo Junseo only had to keep drawing attention during the remaining schedule.

The movie's momentum would belong to everyone, while Influ 1's presence would temporarily fade into the background.

Then, once Han Yeoreum earned the title of a Triple Ten Million actress and 〈Code Name: Time Seven〉 also became a hit, her image transformation would be complete.

After all, if you thought about it, Galdaeguk and Ma Eungyo were both known for serious dramas.

“What did you tell her?”

“Just work hard. Work hard~.”

How far would she climb?

Just how much could she accomplish?

What kind of title would one day replace her very name?

A smile slowly spread across Yun Hyeonjo's face.

He simply couldn't predict it.

* * *

〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 had finally crossed the break-even point.

And it had done so with astonishing ease.

[〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 Surpasses 4 Million Viewers Thanks to Thrilling Action... Is It Headed for Triple Ten Million?]

[Joo Junseo Becomes the Nation's Hottest Man? 〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 "Dangerous Yet Sexy"]

[The Hidden Homage in 〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 Only True Fans Know... It Was ○○○'s Idea]

[〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 Holds On to No.1... Bringing New Life to Korea's Slumping Film Industry]

One week after the arrival of Shots.

If someone asked who the hottest actors in Korea were at the moment, opinions might differ a little when it came to the men.

But for actresses...

There was only one answer.

The actress who still held Global Top 1 with 〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉 while simultaneously chasing Triple Ten Million with 〈Faster Than the Law 3〉.

[HOT / This Actress's Filmography Has an Insane Success Rate.jpg]

-Anonymous1960: Han Yeoreum's literally everywhere every time I unlock my phone lol

-Anonymous1979: Congrats in advance on Triple Ten Million, Han Yeoreum T_T

-Anonymous1987: I've already watched Faster Than the Law 3 twice... It's just as good on a rewatch. Pairing Chen Wei with Influ 1 is absolute perfection.

↳ Anonymous1960: Amateur... Real fans are obsessed with Detective Yoon.

It was Han Yeoreum.

“Even if it's only a supporting role, the impact is enormous.”

At present, only one actress held the title of Triple Ten Million actress.

Dong Baekyeong.

And one of those films had even been led by her.

Now Han Yeoreum, the actress everyone believed would usher in a new generation, was right behind her.

The anticipation surrounding her had exceeded anyone's imagination.

Everyone was waiting for her next project.

KBC, which had managed to ask about her next work, struck gold.

Meanwhile, attention toward 〈Mr. Kim's Survival Guide〉 and 〈Class 1-1〉 remained relatively modest.

Han Yeoreum had swallowed almost all of the buzz.

But SBC had something to rely on.

[SBC's 〈Mr. Kim's Survival Guide〉 Confirmed for Simultaneous Release on NetHolics... "Available Immediately After Broadcast"]

Global OTT platform NetHolics has unveiled a groundbreaking strategy set to reshape Korea's television landscape.

SBC's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 〈Mr. Kim's Survival Guide〉 will become the first Korean production to adopt a simultaneous release system, streaming on NetHolics immediately after its television broadcast ends.

That ace up SBC's sleeve...

...was NetHolics itself.

The drama's two leading stars, Goo Minho and Noh Seungchan, were expected to attract the growing overseas audience obsessed with K-dramas.

“There isn't a better headline than global success.”

'The next drama to explode after 〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉.'

Just imagining that headline was sweet enough.

Since NetHolics entered the market, the broadcaster benefiting the most had undoubtedly been SBC.

Having licensed virtually all of its older dramas to NetHolics years ago, SBC became happier every time Joo Junseo's popularity climbed.

Today's Hottest NetHolics Recommendation

[Top Class]

As a result, 〈Top Class〉, the production they'd invested enormous sums into years earlier, was enjoying a major resurgence.

“Missed the TV broadcast? Watch it on NetHolics instead.” Viewers' Watching Habits Begin to Change

The core of this simultaneous release system was simple.

Zero delay.

The moment 〈Mr. Kim's Survival Guide〉 finished airing on television, the newest episode would immediately appear on NetHolics with subtitles in approximately 190 countries.

“One industry insider explained, 'Since the drama is going head-to-head against major productions on competing networks, this completely removes viewers' fear that missing the live broadcast means missing everything. Even people watching rival programs can simply open NetHolics after 11 p.m. and start watching 〈Mr. Kim's Survival Guide〉. We're expecting what amounts to a second prime-time viewing wave.'”

The head of SBC's Drama Center trusted NetHolics completely.

Even if the live television ratings looked lower on paper.

“In reality, they won't be.”

In terms of overall buzz and total audience numbers, it could absolutely crush competing productions.

Especially since this one was an easy-to-watch office comedy.

It wasn't a heavy action romance demanding emotional investment.

Nor was it an exhausting academic power struggle.

“We're going to capture every office worker who comes home, opens NetHolics, and wonders what to watch.”

Even if they fell behind early in ratings and buzz...

...the later episodes would favor them.

In short—

“It's stable.”

A strategy that simply couldn't fail.

In an era where legacy media and new media were colliding head-on,

SBC was leading the way into the history that was about to be written.

* * *

Despite my relentless schedule from the moment I opened my eyes, I didn't feel tired at all.

Looking at the time displayed on my phone, I smiled.

“Good morning....”

5:20 p.m.

For the record, I'd already changed my phone to American time.

I needed to get both my body and my mind adjusted in advance so I'd naturally settle in once I arrived there.

'Who am I?'

The rising star of Chungmuro who's about to become a Triple Ten Million actress.

An actress counting down to her American debut.

The star currently holding Global Top 1 on NetHolics.

Someone approaching twenty million social media followers.

Someone who no longer needed countless descriptions because she deserved to be called the hottest celebrity in Korea right now.

“Ah....”

Because that person...

...was Han Yeoreum.

“Yeoreum, what's wrong? Tired?”

“No. Unni, I feel amazing.”

It was a shame I'd only be able to participate in the stage greetings for two weeks before flying to America.

But thanks to Yun Hyeonjo and Joo Junseo performing far better than I'd imagined, I could leave without worrying.

'I'm completely convinced the movie's momentum won't die until it leaves theaters.'

Even while heading to the salon to prepare for today's stage greeting, I kept monitoring everything.

Ppongdang @pppongdang___e

(Han Yeoreum Stage Greeting Reactions.mp4)

Reposts: 6,654 Likes: 9,982

↳ She's literally just a baby.

↳ Now I finally understand why parents risk their lives to watch kindergarten talent shows... If I miss this, life has no meaning.

↳ So true.

↳ I smiled the second I saw her without putting up any resistance. Yeoreum, you're the first woman who's ever made my cheekbones push my glasses upward.

Click.

Click.

Click.

I carefully saved screenshot after screenshot.

Just in case I got discouraged while I was in America.

Because Do Gyeoul would be there too, attending the same schedule as the 〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉 team.

“I told you not to smile while I'm applying your makeup! It gets into the brush!”

“But I can't help it.”

Dok Gogyeol glared at me while concentrating on my foundation, but I simply couldn't stop smiling.

My schedule just never ended.

After the stage greetings came America.

After America came the drama press conference, filming, interviews, magazine shoots...

...and all the new endorsement deals.

I loved the fact that I could spend every single day working without rest.

It made me happy that my name was everywhere...

...that my face never disappeared from giant billboards.

“You little puppy! How am I supposed to survive knowing today's the last day!”

“You're here~?”

“Yeoreum. Have you finished packing?”

....

The gathering before every stage greeting...

Today was the last one.

“Golden-time ticket sales are still holding steady above 80%! The Golden Egg score is 95%! We'll hit ten million sometime next week!”

The faces of everyone on the distribution team looked brighter with each passing day.

Nobody worried about breaking even anymore.

They'd already done that back when the film reached five million admissions.

〈Faster Than the Law 3〉 now stood at 6.9 million.

Maybe because it was the weekend, there were far more people than usual.

The walkways were packed so tightly that it was difficult to move.

“Han Yeoreum!”

“One moment! Coming through!”

“Damn, she's gorgeous!”

“Thank you!”

Not a single person wasn't holding up a phone.

Letters.

Gifts.

Headbands.

Questions carefully written on sketchbooks they had probably prepared the day before.

Surrounded by an overwhelming flood of love...

I tried my hardest to imprint every single moment into my memory.