Chapter 79

In films and dramas, what’s important is to “make people watch it first.”

Regardless of the story or direction, it needs to attract viewers to have any meaning as a visual work.

The key is how much buzz the film generates among people.

Especially in the case of dramas, where box office success is the main goal, the success depends on how much attention it garners from the public.

In one way or another, the biggest reason people watch a drama is the actors who appear in it.

Promotions for the drama typically focus more on the cast than the storyline itself.

Therefore, the revelation that the identity of a faceless singer, who had garnered attention for their clear vocal tone, was actually a famous actress during the live finale of a hip-hop survival program was an unprecedented situation.

“Unmasking the Faceless Singer: At the ‘SIT ON THE MONEY’ Finale, Bewildering the Public”

“Unexpected Twist Sets a New Record in Text Voting. Hwang Ji-hyuk Wins by an Overwhelming Margin”

“The real identity of Singer Pinocchio is actress Lee Ha-eun. Turns out they’ve had connections with Daulby for over a decade?”

“30 minutes after the ‘SIT ON THE MONEY’ finale aired, KBC’s ‘Moonlight Piercing the Clouds’ Episode 1 starts off by overwhelming MBS’s ‘Full Moon Lovers’”

Of course, the fame of the actress itself had a significant influence.

It was only natural that her first leading drama, “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds,” also began to attract attention.

From the perspective of KBC’s drama department, it was a situation they welcomed with open arms.

A new drama, which had just started airing, receiving this level of interest was unprecedented in the history of KBC’s drama department.

“Did the director know that Ha-eun would appear in the finale of ‘SIT ON THE MONEY’?”

“I was aware of her appearance… but honestly, I had no idea it would blow up like this. I just thought it was a music show.”

‘…Is this the generation gap?’

Unexpectedly, they had perfectly triumphed in their first competition against MBS’s “Full Moon Lovers,” which they had been so worried about.

The buzz was undeniable, and the viewership rating for the first episode was over three times higher.

The difference between “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds” and “Full Moon Lovers” was stark.

However, for MBS’s drama department, this was a total disaster.

Perhaps that’s why.

“I’m sure this is just a short-lived sensation. It’ll completely die down in less than a week.”

During a meeting held on Saturday morning, the executive producer of “Full Moon Lovers,” Ko Jae-wan, tried to assure the staff with a calm expression.

After all, it was only the first episode.

It was too early to judge the future of their success based on being slightly behind.

He wanted to believe it was too early.

“Think about our lineup of actors. Just gathering their established fan base will be tremendous.”

In any case, it was undeniable that the casting lineup of “Full Moon Lovers” surpassed that of “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds.”

Every single actor had proven themselves, and the acting showcased during “Full Moon Lovers” was outstanding.

Therefore, he didn’t want to be too anxious just because one of the lead actors of “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds” gained massive attention overnight.

He believed that with their high name value and fame, the actors from “Full Moon Lovers” could eventually surpass “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds,” even if it was a bit late.

However, having seen the trailer for “2 Days & 1 Night,” which aired last Saturday, he couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.

He hoped that the episode featuring the two lead actors of “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds” as guests would not gain too much attention.

To be fair, he did secretly wish that some controversy would arise from this “2 Days & 1 Night” episode.

“We all know ‘2 Days & 1 Night’ is notorious for being intense; Ha-eun, who is only 18 years old, may have unconsciously shown signs of struggling.”

“No one is exempt from controversy, not even a child.”

Among the guests appearing on “2 Days & 1 Night,” there had definitely been cases where trivial matters were brought up for criticism.

So, even if Ha-eun is a minor, he thought if she showed signs of being timid during the tough filming of “2 Days & 1 Night,” she would be subject to criticism in one way or another.

But time passed.

Now, as “2 Days & 1 Night,” which started airing right around sunset, began.

“In the traditional market, it seems I arrived first… So why am I the last to get back?”

“Ah, that… I couldn’t see the bakery selling chrysanthemum bread…”

Unfortunately, that opening segment was more than enough to completely shatter Ko Jae-wan’s expectations.

***

“2 Days & 1 Night.”

A variety show once dubbed a national variety show.

To be candid, the viewership ratings for the current “2 Days & 1 Night” are so low that they don’t even compare to its peak ratings.

This isn’t just because “2 Days & 1 Night” had ratings exceeding 50 percent during its heyday.

Perhaps that’s why, when the KBC drama department decided to feature Ha-eun and Yu Sung-jae as guests on “2 Days & 1 Night,” they even thought that the promotional effect would not be that significant.

They expected it would just introduce the names and faces of the two lead actors.

Enough to marginally contribute to the success of “Moonlight Piercing the Clouds.”

That was the extent of KBC drama department’s expectations for “2 Days & 1 Night.”

They figured expecting more would only lead to disappointment.

The variable was the live finale of “SIT ON THE MONEY,” which aired the day before “2 Days & 1 Night.”

Somehow, the public interest that had been pouring out for Ha-eun since the live finale began to trickle into the broadcast program she was appearing in.

“Writer Im.”

“Yes?”

“What was our viewership rating last week?”

“7.3 percent.”

“And now?”

“…13 percent…”

As a result, an anomaly occurred with “2 Days & 1 Night” starting off with viewership ratings that broke into the double digits.

Given that “2 Days & 1 Night” currently had ratings that maxed out at 8 percent or dipped down to 6 percent, this rating could indeed be entitled to the name anomaly.

And sure enough, the related communities were alive with activity.

– Is that Lee Ha-eun appearing now?

– Is it because she’s in casual clothes? She feels different from the drama.

– Looks like her figure is… heh heh.

– Isn’t she a high school student? Crazy.

– I took a screenshot, see ya. Haha.

– Yeah, I’m Thor! Catch me!

– There was a scene in the trailer where she was diving.

– So when is table tennis? It was in the trailer too.

– Why would they play table tennis when it’s not even the national team?

– What are you talking about?

– Are you possibly targeting ‘that person’?

– How many ankles do you have?

Unlike the previously tranquil days, things had started to get a little rowdy.

However, after the characteristic high-energy opening of “2 Days & 1 Night” finished.

More precisely,

“The person who comes back first will score the highest points, so… everyone, set off!”

“?! Wait, why do you want us to leave without any notice?”

– Thud!

“Wha-what was that?”

Ha-eun, who had been quietly listening to the PD’s explanations, suddenly bolted towards the traditional market at full speed.

– ? What just happened?

– Why is she running so fast? Haha.

– What is she, not an ordinary person?

– Could it be the teacher’s age?

– You understood that too!

– What are those kids up to, holding hands?

The frequency and speed of the community’s broadcasts began to rise.

It was no surprise, considering that no one expected Ha-eun, an actress and a minor, to be this proactive from the start of filming.

Previously, the roles Ha-eun had portrayed had always been serious and weighty.

As a result, she had developed a somewhat rigid image in the audience’s minds.

However, up until that point, a vibe of “That’s understandable” had formed.

There had been guests on “2 Days & 1 Night” who were actively engaged in filming before.

Yet,

“Chrysanthemum bread is still bread… I need to at least check out a bakery first.”

The kind of statement that shouldn’t have been made after it aired prompted strong reactions.

– You’re saying chrysanthemum bread is also bread, so you’re going to a bakery?

– Don’t today’s MZ workers know about chrysanthemum bread?

– Walnut cookies, right?

– Walnut cookies are a kind of chrysanthemum bread.

– Do I need to know all that?

– Is she the youngest daughter of a conglomerate? Has she never seen a street vendor before?

– Yet she’s eating well with the market people. Haha.

– How is she eating the cucumber salad that well?

The noise in the community started to get louder.

Thus, as Ha-eun continued going around the bakery inside the traditional market.

“To eat chrysanthemum bread, one should go to a street vendor. Why talk about bakeries?”

“Huh? A street vendor?”

After receiving a not-so-kind reminder from the owner of a pig’s trotters shop.

“That guy in the red hat is roasting chrysanthemum bread right now.”

“Um, sir. That’s… a steamed bun, isn’t it?”

“A steamed bun is chrysanthemum bread. Didn’t you know?”

As Ha-eun’s previous demeanor proved to not be some kind of ‘concept act,’

– Wait, did she really not know?

– It’s already not easy. Haha.

– Ah, that’s why she dived in!

– She has the motivation, but it’s just empty enthusiasm.

– Understood.

They began to react to Ha-eun’s trivial mutterings and gestures one by one.