Chapter 47: Commercial Model (1)
After the drama that Kang Ra-Eun starred in recorded all-time highs in view ratings day after day, she received an unexpected offer.
“They decided to increase the number of episodes?”
Ra-Eun asked for confirmation. Chief Jung nodded.
“Yep. The view ratings were so high that they’re currently in discussion about extending the drama.”
“But this was supposed to be a sixteen-episode drama.”
The drama was supposed to be over after only four months of filming, but it had become far too much of a waste to let it end with just sixteen episodes.
Reaper?was originally just a filler drama that was scheduled in preparation for another major drama, which was why a rookie actress like Ra-Eun was able to play a lead role in it. Ra-Eun was also able to perform without much burden because of that fact, but the status of the Reaper?production team had been elevated.
In terms of results alone, Reaper?had become the seventh most popular drama of all time. Considering the overwhelming influence of the drama, there was no way that the broadcasting station would just leave such a gem be. Since content that could rake in view ratings had appeared, they needed to strike while the iron was still hot.
“From what Director Park had told me, it seems like the extension request will be accepted without any issue,” said Chief Jung.
“What happens now, then?” Ra-Eun asked.
“Now, it all comes down to you,” Chief Jung said while pointing at her. “The extension wasn’t a part of the planning process, so they’re going to be consulting with every cast member. Of course, you’ll also get a call soon enough.”
“What did Je-Woon sunbae say?”
“He already said yes.”
“Oh, really?”
Je-Woon had immediately said yes. He had no other choice but to, since he had been wanting to make his mark in the acting industry. However, he did not yet have a consolidated acting career. Since Reaper?had gotten massive in such a situation, he would naturally grasp on to the opportunity.
“All the supporting actors have also agreed, albeit verbally,” Chief Jung mentioned.
Most of the drama cast members thought the same way as Je-Woon. Chief Jung had not said that it all came down to Ra-Eun as a joke.
“So it literally all comes down to me,” Ra-Eun expressed.
“That’s right.”
Even if all the supporting actors said yes, the whole thing would become null if Ra-Eun said no. Supporting characters could always be replaced by another using a different synopsis as an excuse. However, no one could replace Jin Seo-Yu, the most popular character of Reaper. Since Ra-Eun was the driving force of the drama’s skyrocketing popularity, her opinion was extremely important.
“I’d get tons of hate from everyone involved if I say no here, wouldn’t I?”
“Well... They’d tell you that they respect your decision, but who knows what they’d really think.”
Placing a drama or movie on a path to success was extremely difficult. Letting go of such an opportunity was absolutely absurd. However, Chief Jung was extremely worried since he knew that Ra-Eun was not all that dedicated to the entertainment industry, and she could refuse at any time.
“Ra-Eun, I said this before, but chances like this don’t come often. If you keep riding the momentum that you gain from this drama... You’ll become a top star within two years. I guarantee it.”
Although she was still far from her top star seniors, Ra-Eun had already become an actress worthy of being called a star. Ra-Eun couldn’t help but giggle at how uneasy Chief Jung was.
“You don’t have to worry so much, Chief Jung,” Ra-Eun said.
“Don’t just tell me not to worry and actually show me that I don’t have to be. I’m ready to support you as best I can, as long as you make the decision.”
“How much support?”
“As much as my authority allows me. With all my might.”
Chief Jung pulled out his trump card. Ra-Eun was actually planning on saying yes from the start, since her goal was to become a star and make connections with VVIPs. However, saying yes all the time wouldn’t get her much. If she pretended to be thinking about it, the other party would pull out a trump card that they had prepared just in case.
The card that Chief Jung pulled out was too valuable to just throw away.
“Okay, then,” Ra-Eun answered.
She decided to put the card in her pocket for now.
***
Before heading to school on a Friday morning, Ra-Eun was in deep thought because of the sudden drop in temperature as of late. She sighed deeply as she scanned the outerwears in her wardrobe.
‘I should buy a new down jacket.’
The down jacket that she had was too restrictive and heavy. Considering her clothing situation, she couldn’t help but be greedy.
‘It’s not like we’re short on money anyway.’
She decided to stop by a clothing store after school. Before putting on her uniform skirt, she lifted up her latest must-have item, stockings. She put on the coffee-colored stockings and then her skirt, and checked in front of a full-length mirror whether or not she had properly put the stockings on.
‘There aren’t any holes, are there?’
She had once put on just any stockings that she had, and belatedly realized at school that there was a hole on the back of her thigh. She still vividly remembered the embarrassment that she had felt that day.
She lifted up her skirt to meticulously check even the area right below her butt.
‘Okay, perfect.’
It took becoming a girl for Ra-Eun to have realized why women took so long to get ready. They had far more things to pay attention to compared to men, such as their attire, hair, make-up and the like.
However, she at least had an easier time when getting ready for school. She only needed to wear her uniform for clothes, and she usually went bare-faced unless it was some special day. Everything that she needed to pack was in her backpack as well.
‘Things are so much easier when you’re a student.’
She had often thought as such when she became an adult. Now that she had returned to being a student, things certainly were far less burdensome compared to when she was an adult.
‘Except the fact that I’ve become a high school girl.’
Everything would have been perfect if not for that, which she thought was truly a shame. However, what she saw when she came out of her room made her think otherwise. She had come across Kang Ra-Hyuk wearing a military uniform.
“Why are you wearing a military uniform?” Ra-Eun asked.
“I have student reserve duty training today,” Ra-Hyuk answered.
Ra-Eun could smell the organic waste just from looking at the uniform, to the point that it made her lightheaded. She unconsciously scanned Ra-Hyuk’s state of attire.
“Where the hell are your boot bands?” she asked.
“Huh? Boot bands?”
“You know, the things you use to fold the hems of your pants inward. They look like green twisted bread sticks.”
“They're... over here,” Ra-Hyuk said.
“What about your military belt? Won’t the instructor tell you off if you’re wearing a casual belt?”
“Oh right, I should change it.”
“And make sure you wear the designated field jacket. It’s cold out today.”
“...”
Ra-Hyuk couldn’t believe what was coming out of his little sister’s mouth.
“Ra-Eun,” he said.
“What?”
“How do you know about boot bands and military belts?”
Ra-Hyuk obviously had not told her any of it since he had no reason nor need to. It wasn’t like it would help in her daily life. Ra-Eun was only a teenage girl who had nothing to do with the army, but she was talking at the level of a sergeant who had been discharged after completing his reservist service.
“Isn’t that just the basics?” Ra-Eun said as she went out the front door.
Ra-Hyuk said to himself as he watched Ra-Eun leave, “Of course not. You’re not some active duty high school girl.”
***
The second semester final exam report cards were distributed amongst the students before classes began. This time, Ra-Eun had gone beyond top of her class to become the top of the entire school. She had already learned the contents of the classes once before, so all that she needed to do to raise her grades was to study a little to recall her past memories.
The teacher and students who had doubted Ra-Eun’s ability to score top of her class at first now thought that it was obvious that she would get first place.
The homeroom teacher stood at the podium to look through each and every student, and brought up something that they would love.
“I’m sure you all know that starting next week is the winter break that I know you all love, right?”
“Yes!”
The students smiled brightly at the mention of winter break. Seeing that, the homeroom teacher burst into laughter in bafflement.
“Don’t be so happy. You’ll become examinees who won’t be able to do anything but study once winter break’s over.”
The status of examinee was highly intimidating. It was a high schooler’s greatest challenge. There was not even a year left until the SATs.
“You saw how your upperclassmen were studying like crazy for their whole year, didn’t you? That’s what you’ll be like next year, so make sure you resolve yourselves for it, understood?” said the homeroom teacher.
“Yes...”
The students’ reply was completely lifeless. Winter break for second-year students was akin to their final break before they went into SAT mode. However, that did not apply to Ra-Eun since she would have no time to rest because of her drama shoots.
The students packed their bags after classes were over. Ra-Eun also quickly prepared to go home. She was planning on going home early to shop for groceries and read through the script for the shoot two days from now.
Before Ra-Eun could leave, she received a message from her manager Shin Yu-Bin that Chief Jung wanted to see her. She didn’t know why, but she decided to go to the agency to hear him out for now.
Yu-Bin’s car stopped in front of the school gates after five minutes of waiting.
“Get in, Ra-Eun. It’s cold outside, isn’t it?” Yu-Bin said.
“Yes, it’s gotten so cold.”
“I’ve turned the heater on, so you can warm yourself in here. There’s a box of hand warmers next to your seat, so use one if you need to.”
“Okay.”
Ra-Eun warmed her frozen hands and cheeks with the hand warmer on the way to the agency. She and Yu-Bin headed straight to where Chief Jung was waiting for them as soon as they arrived.
Chief Jung said proudly, “Ra-Eun, I told you that I would give you my full support, didn’t I? Don’t be too shocked when you hear this. You got an offer to appear in a commercial!”
“Is that so?” Ra-Eun responded uninterestedly. “A commercial for what?”
She decided to hear him out, at least.
“Just a sec. The client said that he’d be here soon.”
The door opened as soon as Chief Jung finished his sentence. The client was someone that Ra-Eun knew very well.
“Hey, Ra-Eun. It’s been a while.”
Ra-Eun was dumbfounded as she laid eyes on the man who greeted her first.
“Ji Han-Seok sunbae?”
She had never expected the client to be someone from the same agency.
1. Koreans who have completed their two-year mandatory service are automatically placed in the reserve forces for eight years, and must receive annual reserve duty training during that time. If the reservists are still students, then they receive annual training for eight hours.
2. When Korean soldiers are put on cafeteria duty during their service, the stench of organic waste seeps into their clothes and body when they are on cafeteria duty. Hence, every soldier tries to avoid cafeteria duty.
3. Korean third year high school students will spend their entire year preparing for Korean SATs.
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