The medium of broadcasting was bound by the constraints of time.
Advertisements during prime viewing hours commanded astronomical prices, while times when people didn’t watch TV as much saw a scarcity of ads and sponsorships.
Broadcasting times were a crucial factor that could dictate the fate of shows, sometimes serving as their lifeline.
A prime example of this was a variety show that, despite being dull, managed to remain on air during prime time, barely hanging on, while another program plummeted in viewership after being pushed to a less favorable time slot due to internal politics.
However, this raises a question.
If broadcasting times can dictate life and death, what would happen when a show with steady ratings in a bad time slot moves to prime time?
“Tracing, Investigating, Reporting.”
A title familiar to many, accompanied by its well-loved theme music.
A long-running investigative reporting program began airing.
The peculiar thing was that this time, the program started at 8 PM instead of its usual night slot.
Known for maintaining a steady viewership late at night, and occasionally breaking records, this famous program aired as a ‘special broadcast’ at 8 PM.
It clutched onto the remote control of viewers who had intended to watch the 8 PM news and provided a fantastic alternative for those waiting for the 9 PM news on their regular channel.
As a result, countless viewers focused their attention on the TV.
[European Lands: Complicated and Bizarre.]
With the host’s introduction, the broadcast officially kicked off.
[We must say this is the Korean Lands: Complicated and Bizarre.]
As the host spoke, footage appeared as if it had been waiting for its cue.
It showcased the recent nationwide commotion.
Footage of a shaman in monk robes encountered while trying to pray at a temple, a gigantic wooden monster wielding a sword, and a creature resembling a mermaid…
Since the footage was submitted by viewers rather than shot with broadcast equipment, the quality was subpar, with some clips shaky to the point that they were nearly unrecognizable. Quality could hardly be described as good, even as a compliment.
But was it possible that they poured their soul into the editing?
That blurry, shaky low-quality footage was wrapped expertly, turning into a device that showcased the urgency of the moment and the bewilderment of the eyewitnesses. Following that footage, interviews with the affected individuals ramped up viewer engagement.
[Oh, I can’t tell you how surprised I was. I was just passing by to pray and get a meal when… Oh my, there was a bizarre monster right in front of me. I didn’t realize from a distance. Was that a person? Lately, there have been so many weirdos doing strange things online; I thought it might be one of them… But up close… Oh goodness! I was startled, thinking, ‘Did the mountain deity get angry?’]
[I was just hoping to hike with an acquaintance for the first time in ages. When you reach the summit with instant noodles and a drink, what a unique flavor that you can’t even find in fancy restaurants. So, I packed instant noodles, brought some liquor! I also made sure to bring kimchi, but then… there it was—a catfish! A catfish the size of a person in monk robes blocking my way, and you know what I thought? Were they conducting some sort of biological experiments on Knife Peak…? I was thinking along those lines.]
[From Hwangjang Mountain? I thought it was just some sculpture they had set up. It looked like it was as big as a five-story building; how could that be an animal or a ghost? I assumed it was made by an artist. But then, oh my goodness. That sculpture moved. The eyeballs moved, the arms moved, and even the body wiggled. I could accept moving eyeballs and arms; I thought it might be some modern art or something. But when the body and legs moved, I instantly realized—that’s not made by humans. I had to run. But as soon as I thought about running, I felt regret. So I stood back and filmed it instead.]
With the interviews wrapped up, a montage of the monsters and startled citizens flowed on-screen.
[A sudden appearance of monsters.]
[Why are these monsters appearing?]
The footage intensified people’s curiosity.
Instead of being reduced to mere gossip, it sparked curiosity that drove deeper inquiry. The footage fully set out to arouse curiosity, compelling viewers to put down their remotes and settle in.
The broadcast ended up creating an immersive experience for its viewers.
What followed showcased the studio.
In the studio, the host opened his mouth with a solemn look.
[Countless mountains, countless monsters. This mysterious incident witnessed clearly by numerous hikers. Our production team has invited someone to help unravel this mystery.]
He indicated the door where the guest would enter, his tone neither too loud nor too soft.
[Shaman Park Jinseong.]
As the words finished, the door slowly opened, and one person revealed himself.
A man dressed in a suit.
He appeared young, with a rabbit-like face that hadn’t shed its youthfulness.
With a benevolent smile on his face that almost advertised him as a safe person, he showed slight nervousness, perhaps unfamiliar with the broadcasting environment.
However, any awkwardness only added to his charm due to his youthful looks, and enhanced by the bright studio lighting, his smile made Shaman Park Jinseong look genuinely kind.
The viewers watching the broadcast felt favorable toward Park Jinseong.
It was quite rare for someone to dislike a pleasant-looking young man.
Especially when that person happened to be a uniquely capable shaman.
People’s perceptions of shamans were typically of eccentric and bizarre individuals.
With odd looks and behaviors distinct from ordinary people, there would be times you wouldn’t even know if they were human or monster. Indian shamans often had parts of their bodies abnormal due to penance, while African shamans would have strange appearances stemming from twisted bones or elongated limbs. Some European shamans were known to wander around draped in donkey hide without bathing for decades.
Yet here he was.
That shaman on this broadcast.
A rabbit-like innocent demeanor, a kind smile.
Dressed in a tailored suit, appearing slightly nervous on screen.
Far from the common caricatures of shamans, surely people couldn’t help but feel a fondness and curiosity toward this ‘Park Jinseong’ shaman.
And naturally, curiosity in a broadcast equals ratings, buzz, and good fortune.
The special program proceeded smoothly.
Very smoothly, indeed.
*
“Hmm. The broadcast is doing quite well.”
In a grand mansion.
Those focusing on the broadcast more than anyone else were the inhabitants.
Not related by blood, but tied together through the bonds of family, they were the Lee family.
Not too long ago, they were watching Park Jinseong, who previously exhibited strange behavior within their residence, now appearing on television in polished form, fascinated by the TV.
Lee Yang-hoon was amazed at how much better Park Jinseong looked, added to by the makeup, the editing wizardry of the PD, and the lighting director’s divine skills. He regretted not teaching him some tricks to enhance his appearances earlier.
The women near Lee Yang-hoon were just as captivated.
Not just mere admiration.
“My goodness, look at that skin! Who did his makeup? It’s so natural…”
“Those folks who shot the program must be really skilled. Maybe we should ask them to do a shoot someday?”
They were admirers of Jinseong’s appearance, taking their awe a step further by showing interest in the staff who created that look.
And then.
“It’s amazing to see someone you know on TV… so this is what it’s like…”
In the corner of the sofa, Iserin gazed at Jinseong with curiosity.
Leaning against the sofa as she watched the TV, a catfish rested its head on her lap. Grimoire had draped its long neck over her legs, watching the screen. Iserin, instead of being startled by Grimoire’s actions, comfortably rested her arm over the head of the lying catfish.
Thus, they watched TV peacefully.
Until Grimoire spoke up.
[Contractor.]
Grimoire turned its head to meet Iserin’s gaze.
[That broadcast carries many secrets.]
