After Story 182

From some time onwards, more and more people started writing reviews after t.i.tling themselves critics of popular culture. They were people who didn’t belong to any certified organizations or even had any business cards to speak of.

“It’s a good world since you can become anything after all.”

Na Baekhoon placed his hands on the keyboard. He too had the occupation of a critic of popular culture. It wasn’t something he got because he wanted to. He just wrote some blogs in his spare time, and before he knew it, he had become one.

Whenever he wrote anything related to popular culture on his blog, he would get hundreds of comments. If there were 100 total comments, 80 would be in agreement with him, 15 would disagree, and the remaining 5 would be unrelated adverts.

As he worked with clothes distribution, design, advertis.e.m.e.nt, and even video production, he heard a lot of things as well.

His method of writing was to pick a suitable topic to write about after filtering out stories that he needed for his business, as well as some confidential information. As there were a lot of visitors, some businesses had reached out to him with proposals as well, offering to pay him to promote their product, actor, singer, or idol.

Baekhoon rejected them all without hesitation. What he lacked wasn’t money. He had already earned more than enough money to make him wonder if he could spend it all before he died.

The money he had distributed to stocks, bonds, and gold was increasing by itself, and the building he bought in Seoul had a different number of digits in price whenever he checked every once in a while.

His business was also flouris.h.i.+ng as well.

As such, there was no need to do something counterproductive like taking money to promote someone.

He used his blog solely to satiate his aesthetic curiosities and to promote his own view of his pursuit of beauty.

Most of the time, he would introduce actors that the public did not recognize, human cultural a.s.sets, as well as dramas, movies, and plays he would like everyone else to enjoy.

[Case Number 0, a drama that runs when everyone else walks.]

He tried reading out loud the t.i.tle he wrote. On the internet, the t.i.tle contributed more than half, nay, at least 80% of the views. In a world where all sorts of cultures were becoming bitesize, a long t.i.tle was detrimental. He had to make it simple while also provoking the curiosity of the reader.

“Looks good.”

He normally fixed his t.i.tle about twice, but he didn’t see any need to today. On a day like this, he would write without hitting a block.

[When we think of a mini-series, we think of sixteen episodes or perhaps 18 or 20 if there are extensions. That was the length of the mini-series we are used to. Bestowing character through events and descriptions would happen for about 4 episodes. The core events of the drama would happen after that.

That is why, some even say that you do not need to watch the third and fourth episodes if you watched the first two. This is true to some extent. In order to survive this war of viewing rates, most drama productions emphasize the first and second episodes while the third and fourth sometimes are filled with stories unrelated to the main plot.

Why does this happen? Why are the smart people who have pa.s.sed Media Exams, writers who make a living off their writing, and producers who design the whole plot, doing that? Is it because they are idiots?

Naturally, the answer is no. There is no other reason why a drama becomes long. Collaborations, promotions, product placements…. It’s all because of ads whether in front, in, or after the drama.

Ultimately, the TV stations do not sell their dramas to the public. They sell their adverts. Dramas were just a good-looking form of packaging.

That is why a drama is extended if the viewing rates become high and it gains popularity. It sells ads. The a.s.sistant writers would rack their brains to inset scenes with product placements like making the characters in the story drive cars, eat food, or use phones.

I am by no means criticizing these practices. I don’t think they’re bad either. I simply wish to say that that’s how market logic works. Everyone does that. It was marketing that the law allowed for, so it would be strange if they didn’t do it.

With that consideration, this drama is rather strange. Case Number 0 — this drama, which started airing on Channel S starting last week, started off by breaking the format of existing mini-series.

Case Number 0 has been created with a total of 10 episodes. As indicated by the past tense, it has finished being produced. The producer has said that he is expecting a seasonal production and that there is no plan to extend season 1 because it has been perfected. This was his public response.

A private-owned channel is undertaking a huge challenge by preproducing a whole drama series for its first series. This alone piqued my interest, and since two days ago, I have watched the first two episodes of the drama repeatedly.

To start from the conclusion, the production was insane, and the actors were even more so.

Just because the content of the drama was reduced by half does not signify that the density would multiply accordingly. However, Case Number 0 managed to catch both rabbits: speed and density.

It boldly omitted what required an explanation and replaced it with the acting of the actors. It aligned the necessary events precisely and made it so that there was no moment when it felt loose. Not only that, the ident.i.ty of the murderer, which could be called the core of the drama, was revealed at the end of episode 2.

The entire time I was watching, I could not help but wonder why it happened already. Even I, who has seen my share of dramas, was expressing my doubts. That is why, however, I have a lot of expectations.

The production crew threw a bomb. It meant that they had the confidence to create the drama while keeping the tension. This….]

* * *

“This also means that they have full trust in the actors. If the production crew controls the speed of the drama, it is the actors who control the weight. If it’s all speed and no weight, it would capsize, but Case Number 0 has a firm axis that will not collapse.”

Junmin stood up after finis.h.i.+ng what he was reading. Na Baekhoon was doing what JA’s marketing division had to do in their stead.

Considering his name value, promotions that may cost upwards of tens of millions of won would be less effective than a single post on his blog.

From how a man who couldn’t be moved with money had made a move, it seemed that he really did take a liking to him.

“The response on social media is good,” head manager Choi said as he returned to the room. As this was a drama that Yang Ganghwan was partic.i.p.ating in, he was in charge of the monitoring.

“These days, this is really good because people share how they feel in real-time. If it was before, we would’ve had to investigate personally or pay money, but these days, they provide it to us for free.”

“How are the responses across generations?”

“As we originally expected, it’s the younger fellas that like it. I think the charm of the drama got through to people who watch with focus.”

“So you’re saying that there’s barely any demand in the elderly generation.”

“You did expect this to happen. It’s a drama you can hardly understand if you don’t stay in focus even for a little bit. And that’s some of the criticisms from the younger generation as well. These days, there are many people who watch on their phones rather than on TVs.”

“How are things for online platforms and downloads?”

Head manager Choi laughed.

“It’s very good considering the viewing rates. What’s interesting too, is that you know how the drama is targeted at the male audience, right? But there have been more sales from women.”

“That’s only natural though.”

“Well, I guess it is. Everyone knows that it’s women who consume the most pop culture and the fastest. What I’m saying is that the drama is a hit with the ladies in their 30s. Normally, it would be teens and twenties instead.”

“Really?”

“I’ll have to see after the drama ends, but if this becomes successful and the business model is known to the industry, there might be a boom of drama production in all sorts of genres. Of course, there will be romances that stimulate a woman’s heart.”

“That’s what’s a pity about Case Number Zero.”

“I actually quite like it because of the lack of romance, but from the perspective of a business, it’s somewhat disappointing after all.”

Junmin looked at the doc.u.ments that head manager Choi gave him. They were news articles about dramas from the news agency that was the parent company of Channel S, as well as various other media outlets.

About half of them happened because JA used their funds to make the writers write.

“Looks like we no longer need any articles.”

“Yes. I believe this is sufficient. Also, there are a ton of interview requests too.”

“For Ganghwan?”

“Going by ratio, 8 out of ten are for Ganghwan, and two are for Maru.”

“Did Ganghwan say he’d do it?”

“Have you ever seen him do an interview? The one thing I’d like to do before I quit working is to send Ganghwan’s interview to a TV program.”

“That’s quite the small ambition you have there. Mine is to send him to a full entertainment show.”

“That’s impossible. He’s so good at talking, so I wonder why he despises going to TV shows.”

“It’s not that he’s good at talking, it’s just that he talks a lot. Also, you know what he’s like. He becomes too serious when he thinks that it’s work. He doesn’t suit the current trend in TV shows where it’s more relaxed. In fact, he’d probably fare better in a talk show that’s completely scripted like the ones that aired in the past.”

“That’s true.”

Head manager Choi switched the topic to Maru.

“He went back to being a radio host in the program that Suyeon’s doing.”

“Did Maru say he’d do it?”

“Yes. He said he promised to return, so he couldn’t pull out.”

“His schedule is going to be pretty tight though.”

“We got an offer from a casual clothing brand too. They want to use him as a seasonal model.”

“He does have a good body for clothing.”

“From how we didn’t get anything from the business we contracted before….”

Just then, there was a notification from the computer. He held his hand up to head manager Choi and looked at the screen. One of the secretaries shared a doc.u.ment through the company network. From how it came up outside of regular report hours, it was about a contract.

“It’s here. The clothing brand that invested in Maru early on wants him as an official model.”

“If it’s like that, I guess I should talk to them. Looks like the price for Maru’s ads will go up quite a lot.”

“Talk to Yeonjin as well. He’s Maru’s exclusive from now on.”

“I will.”

There were responses from all around. The advertising industry was half a step faster than the viewers. The fact that they were looking for Maru and Ganghwan was proof that they were taking the drama positively.

“Also, you seem quite mindful of Maru.”

“Have I ever not been mindful when I do work?”

“No, but it feels like you’re giving Maru some extra attention.”

Junmin smiled and responded,

“The things he’s doing are praiseworthy. I honestly didn’t think that he’d do this well. I was thinking that it would be okay as long as he could walk, but he’s running already. Don’t you want to just help him if you see him like that? Also, I have hopes that if I give him just a little more of a push, he might start flying.”

“Are you thinking of him as the post-Hong Geunsoo or post-Yang Ganghwan?”

“Who knows? Either Han Maru will be called the junior that succeeds Hong Geunsoo and Yang Ganghwan, or Hong Geunsoo and Yang Ganghwan will be treated as seniors in the same company as Han Maru.”

“Whatever the case may be, I just hope the three of them don’t cause trouble and will act a little obedient. The two older ones are really stubborn, so I hope Maru is a little more docile.”

“The way I see it, Han Maru, that kid shouldn’t be any better than the two.”

“He’s much better already because he goes to TV shows on his own accord.”

Head manager Choi stood up with the doc.u.ments.

“I’ll call you later at night after meeting with those companies.”

* * *

“You’re him, right?”

Maru tilted his head at the question that the part-timer at the convenience store asked. A girl who seemed like she had just turned twenty, became all excited.

“I’m talking about Case Number 0. You’re Ahn Changsik, right?”

“Ah, yes. That’s me.”

“I was looking at you and felt like I saw you somewhere. Err, can you take a photo with me?”

The girl left the counter. Then she stood next to Maru and smiled.

“This is awesome. I’m really enjoying the drama.”

“Thank you. Since you’re watching it, don’t watch it by yourself and tell your family, friends, and relatives to watch it too.”

“Sure thing!”

He left the convenience store, leaving behind the part-timer who saw him out cheerfully.

After ‘Depths of Evil,’ people didn’t recognize him that much because he had a chubby role in the film and had cut his hair short, but now that he looked like himself in the drama, many people were quick to recognize him.

This was thanks to the fact that it had become quite a hot topic on the internet, despite the fact that the viewing rate was only 0.1%. Soon, the third episode would be airing. Whether the drama would gain drive or stay at 0.1%, episode 3 would determine everything.

He was only human, so he was quite wary of it. Even after all this time, he couldn’t help but feel nervous in the face of unknown results.

He headed home with some beer. He was going to watch episode 3 with the feeling of having his homework checked.

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