Chapter 157

The PD, Min-hwa Lee, of *Sky Garden* was certain that a great deal rode on the success of this drama.

The ratings that would be tallied this time would not merely determine the success or failure of the drama itself but would form a major turning point in the competition between the drama departments of KMB Broadcasting Company.

“So, this trailer is really important.”

“But, will it work? Without romance, you know.”

As one employee voiced the concern, Min-hwa Lee narrowed her eyes.

Of course, that employee wasn’t saying *Sky Garden* was uninteresting—it was rather the opposite.

But it was undeniably a challenging drama.

“Young people-focused dramas like *DreamFuture* had romance, despite their comedic elements.”

That drama had a solid romantic aspect and its OST was exceptionally good, which contributed significantly to its commercial success despite middling reviews.

“But *Sky Garden* has no romance.”

“Maybe it fits as a coming-of-age story, but…”

People tend to feel uneasy and instinctively compare something new to what they’re used to. When certain elements are missing, it can be unsettling.

Moreover, the drama creators—both PDs and employees—generally had a vague formula in mind for a successful drama, and *Sky Garden* was, in fact, breaking many of those unspoken rules.

No romance, a high school protagonist.

Not exactly the typical young-people drama, but rather a complicated piece altogether.

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Min-hwa, who was about to blow up, held back, understanding those sentiments.

“That unease will ease once the teaser goes out, I believe.”

Her comment drew everyone’s attention. Had the teaser come out well?

To be honest, even if it was well-made, the overall impact was hard to gauge.

Still, there was at least one positive point everyone agreed on:

“The protagonist is doing well.”

“With actor Soo-Yeon Joo on lead roles, at least there shouldn’t be any acting failure.”

At least, the lead was well-received.

Not only was Joo Soo-yeon’s acting prowess acknowledged, but she also had excellent buzz among her contemporaries.

She was often grouped together with Jo Seo-hee, the other famous actress of her generation.

“At least in the lead, we’re not falling behind Mr. Baek’s drama, right?”

“Yes, that’s true. Of course, their team does have more established names at this point.”

The other drama, Baek Tae-soo PD’s *Grand Game*, was a highly ambitious project.

The estimated budget for Baek’s drama was originally twice that of *Sky Garden*, but through leveraging his network, Baek managed to cut costs in half.

So, purely speaking in cost terms, the two dramas were on par, which wasn’t an ideal situation for the team behind *Sky Garden*.

If you compare just the scale, the competition felt slightly tilted toward the *Grand Game*.

“Speaking of that, did you see the variety show?”

“The variety show?”

“There’s that recent one from the rival station. The one featuring Joo Soo-yeon?”

At this comment, one employee loosened the rather tense atmosphere with a smile.

Everyone here was aware of it since it featured their drama’s lead actress, too.

“Of course. It was fun!”

“Isn’t that the actress’s mother? That one?”

“Yeah, apparently.”

“Wow, she’s so young. I mean, how? She’s got to be of that age, but still!”

As they continued their chat, though brief, it served to lighten the mood momentarily.

“That’s nice.”

Listening to this, Min-hwa PD chimed in with a smile, “Yes, I heard that Joo Soo-yeon’s mother recently became a topic of discussion. I’ve noticed it too.”

“Ah, I see. The PD knows too. Given how much buzz it got.”

“Because of this, I think we should briefly include her in some of the interviews in our current publicity campaign.”

“Her mother?”

“Yes.”

*Sky Garden* was about the relationship between parents and children, so featuring the actors’ parents in interviews seemed fitting.

Not extensively, just quick snippets.

“It would be good to reach out to the mothers of the other young actors as well.”

Including a small history segment in this upcoming promotional video seemed like a suitable touch.

“I will personally contact Joo Soo-yeon about this.”

Min-hwa PD said so. But then:

“Mom, PD Lee wants to know if you’d be okay with an interview for the drama.”

“…”

At that, Soo-A, who had flatly turned down all advertisements until now, flopped onto the floor.

She sensed it would be difficult to refuse this request.

***

In any case, neither the drama’s promotion nor the variety show could be neglected.

After all, Seoyeon’s image-improvement project was still ongoing.

“But won’t having her mother do an interview mess up the image again?”

Regardless, Seo-A had recently drawn attention. It wasn’t a bad thing for drama publicity either.

*Sky Garden,* dealing with the story between parents and children, could use the real-life actors’ parents to create a positive effect.

Most of the actors in this drama weren’t children of famous actors, either, which added to the relatability.

“Cut! Excellent!”

At the director’s call, Seoyeon let out a sigh in relief and relaxed her posture. It was the day of the rescheduled ADIZ chair commercial shoot.

Just as she finished sighing, a figure came running from afar—it was Kim Assistant Manager from ADIZ Advertising Planning. The team leader couldn’t make it due to scheduling conflicts involving the recent hype.

‘Because of the recent buzz?’

Seoyeon understood the reason why—something called the “Joo Seo-yeon Challenge.” She didn’t expect it would become a trend.

‘I guess when I went to the gym last time, everyone seemed to expect something.’

Indeed, the trip to the gym was intended for the observation variety show, but coinciding with the “Joo Seo-yeon Challenge,” all attention was naturally drawn to Seoyeon.

“Isn’t she lifting weights today?”

“Is Seoyeon feeling unwell today? Your performance seems off.”

“…”

Both the gym trainers and her manager were glancing at her.

And there was Jung Hyun-woo, a male actor frequently seen at the gym, constantly curious and asking questions. Suddenly, he shouted:

“Let me perform the Joo Seo-yeen Challenge with you!”

And then right there, ADIZ chairs were pulled out, making Seoyeon’s eyes nearly roll back.

“But why are those ADIZ chairs at the gym?”

While Seoyeon questioned it, the chairs were likely brought there by the film crew beforehand.

Once Jung Hyun-woo realized they were filming, he attempted to hoist the chair with Seoyeon sitting on it.

Needless to say, the result was predictable.

“Ahem, hmm.”

Though funny, she worried about how the footage would be perceived.

Seoyeon had somewhat given up on such elements, thinking “it’s better than appearing as a weird gorilla holding a spear,” but still…

“And, did she come across in an intellectual way?”

“Yes! Absolutely!”

Kim Assistant Manager gave a thumbs-up to Seoyeon, saying the advertisement footage was good.

“Just put in a scene with the chair being lifted.”

“…Then it wouldn’t be classy anymore, would it?”

“Ha ha, just joking!”

Nonetheless, Kim Assistant Manager was quite pleased. The advertisement was coming out well.

Internally, there was talk about integrating the “Joo Seo-yeon Challenge” meme into the ad, but the Advertising Planning Team Leader, Kwak Hyun-woo, disagreed.

“We’re a chair company. Leveraging a meme like that in our commercial isn’t good, even if it’s popular.”

Surprisingly strict, he even suggested leveraging Seoyeon’s “Reason Joo” image from *Sky Garden.*

Of course, it faced opposition.

“Isn’t this a surefire plan? Why not use a trending thing?”

“Why wouldn’t we capitalize on the Joo Seo-yeon Challenge buzz?”

Despite pressure from certain execs and team members, Kwak Hyun-woo shook his head firmly. Although, with an exec involved, he couldn’t outright reject everything.

Ultimately, another senior exec stepped in to mediate.

“I agree with Kwak. We’re a chair company, not a gym equipment company.”

Still, internally, there was frustration.

Why not take the easy route when there’s a chance?

‘In this sense…’

Kim Assistant Manager’s joke aside, the ad really was turning out well.

“Reason Joo,” as Seoyeon’s character in *Sky Garden* was dubbed, was markedly different from the real Seoyeon’s somewhat unapproachable vibe.

‘The image of someone who rejects others.’

The character emanated a strong sense of disdain and aversion toward others, even though the advertisements didn’t portray this.

Instead, they portrayed her as a top student, studying seriously.

But the hidden intensity wasn’t lost on Kim Assistant Manager.

“Don’t worry. I’ve personally seen, and the ad is coming out incredibly well. I think it might be our best one yet!”

“That’s a relief.”

Seoyeon’s polite smile made Kim Assistant Manager genuinely curious about the ad’s impact.

‘They said it would air around the start of *Sky Garden.*

It might air during episode 2 or 3, depending on the broadcast schedule.

‘Will the team leader’s decision pay off or will it backfire?’

Frankly, Kim Assistant Manager didn’t know.

Had Seoyeon’s recent actions shown, perhaps the serious tone will only bring more laughs.

That’s the nature of an entertainer’s image, after all.

What *Sky Garden* brings to Seoyeon’s new image and how it resonates in the advertisement is what he hoped for.

***

One day before the broadcast of *Golden Duckling’s* episode 2, Seoyeon had a rare moment of rest.

Most of her recent busy schedule had settled down.

“Hey, have you seen the Vtuber broadcast by any chance?”

“…”

Seoyeon avoided eye contact with Jiyeon, as lying would be fruitless given the inevitable mention tomorrow or during episode 3.

Of course, Jiyeon guessed the reaction and sighed. Seoyeon sometimes lacked patience.

Underneath, though, she was impulsive, likely due to being driven by emotions. Luckily, she’s improved compared to her junior-high days.

Jiyeon, reflecting on her own past shortcomings, sighed again.

“I’ve been accepted.”

“Huh?”

“The audition for *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*. I received notice this morning.”

At this, Seoyeon involuntarily stood up. Realizing she drew attention, she sheepishly sat back down when reminded they were at a café.

“Isn’t that Joo Seo-yeon?”

“Nah, that’s unlikely.”

“Her face is covered, so it’s hard to tell…”

Avoiding the nearby whispers, Seoyeon quietly asked Jiyeon:

“If it’s such big news, you should’ve told me over a call!”

“It’ll work out when we meet face-to-face, I guess.”

Jiyeon’s dismissive tone reminded Seoyeon why she’d always had so many friends.

“But, it seems there’s an issue.”

“Issue?”

“Did Seohee tell you? Though, you may not want her to.”

Not wanting to give off a bad impression and risking Seoyeon refusing the project, Jiyeon instead informed her since she understood the importance of this role in a young actor’s career.

Jiyeon, however, knew Seoyeon. Once she committed to a project, she wouldn’t back down.

“There’s a complication regarding a character.”

“Character?”

“Originally, in *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*, below your character, there was a servant managing your household.”

Seoyeon knew. The veteran actor playing that role, a key player and the story’s hidden antagonist, was chosen very carefully by Director Baek Min.

“But, this actor declined, saying they’re working on another movie.”

“…Is the contract not settled?”

“Since filming hasn’t started yet, a small breach fee might’ve been agreed upon or possibly none at all.”

He wasn’t sure of the exact details, only that a key role was open.

“Until we find a replacement, we can’t start filming.”

Given that Baek Min’s films often struggled with commercial appeal, larger actors rarely agreed unless genuinely interested.

On top of that, it’s the villain’s role. How likely is it that a big-name actor would play an antagonistic character for little pay when the reward is purely artistic?

“…There might be one.”

If one sought long enough, someone would likely be found.

“Can I recommend someone to Seohee?”

“You should tell her yourself.”

“I’m in bad standing with her currently.”

“Why?”

Jiyeon hadn’t informed her about her passing the audition and had also worked with Ramiel.

“Alright, I’ll reach out.”

Seoyeon nodded in agreement. A villain. With some pedigree too, someone Baek Min would like.

There was exactly one person she knew who fit the criteria.

“O, Seoyeon. It’s been a while. Do you still want to go fishing? Or is it not about fishing?”

A long-time active senior actor, whose acting prowess placed him in the top five of Korea. He endured a bitter failure five years ago while attempting an overseas career. In recent years, he’s only appeared on *Star Fisherman.*, casually staying in touch with Seoyeon.

That was none other than Lee Sang-soo.

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