novelraw Chapter 97 : Let’s Go All the Way
Chapter 97 : Let’s Go All the Way
Chapter 97 - Let’s Go All the Way
Since she hadn’t been watching the drama continuously, she couldn't know the context.
In any case, Kim So-yeong and Lee Dong-jae were fighting each other with swords.
“……!”
Whish! Clang! Clang!
Every time the blades clashed, her heart pounded.
She felt a tension as if a sword fight was really happening before her eyes.
This was because the acting of the two people was incredibly realistic.
Of course, the two weren't having a realistic fight right now.
They were merely expressing the bloodlust and tension of a sword fight using their whole bodies so that viewers in front of the TV would mistake it for real.
“No, how...”
Joo Ga-hee absolutely could not understand.
It makes sense for the ‘National Actor’ Lee Dong-jae to do such acting. He has plenty of experience appearing in historical dramas.
But this is Kim So-yeong's first drama appearance.
So how could she show such intense acting like Lee Dong-jae?
“Kim So-yeong is good at action acting too?”
Seong Hae-won muttered from the side, but Joo Ga-hee couldn't make any reply.
Because she couldn't take her eyes off Kim So-yeong's acting unfolding on the TV.
Kim So-yeong's sword dance on the screen right now was more dynamic and impressive than any dance she had shown on stage so far.
“Ah...!”
Lee Dong-jae dropped his sword.
Because Kim So-yeong had knocked Lee Dong-jae's sword away.
Watching that, Joo Ga-hee unknowingly let out a groan.
[Your skills have improved a lot...!]
[It is all thanks to your teachings, General.]
When Lee Dong-jae spoke in a profound voice, Kim So-yeong answered with a respectful attitude.
Joo Ga-hee realized belatedly that this sword fight was merely a sparring match.
But Joo Ga-hee's back was already soaked with sweat.
“Wow, the tension is no joke? I'll have to keep watching this drama from now on.”
“……”
Listening to Seong Hae-won's words, Joo Ga-hee bit her lip.
And even though the meal wasn't finished yet, she picked up her phone.
She couldn't stand not checking what kind of reactions were coming up on the internet.
……
—The scene where Choi Young and Wolhwa sword fight was crazy [shivering]
—Is the woman appearing as Choi Young's subordinate really a former idol?
—She's from Newstarz, so she's an idol, but this is her first drama appearance.
—Lee Dong-jae said on SNS to look forward to it, and she really acts well.
—She seems to suit the character Wolhwa well; her action is good and her gaze is super impressive.
—Lee Ha-eun fans were cursing saying they forced an idol-turned-actor in again, but now it's funny.
—Lee Ha-eun also switched to acting after being an idol trainee, so why are they bashing former idols?
—At least judging from the first episode, it didn't seem like Kim So-yeong was worse at acting than Lee Ha-eun.
Baek Hyeon-woo felt satisfaction checking the internet reactions in the office.
The first episode of HBS’s fusion historical drama ‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ received favorable reviews from viewers.
In particular, many viewers received a strong impression from the sparring scene between Choi Young and Wolhwa.
‘It’s just as Lee Dong-jae-ssi said. Since she showed a 100-point performance, everyone is acknowledging So-yeong.’
What would have happened if Kim So-yeong had shown a 70-point performance?
Due to prejudice against idol-turned-actors, viewers would have given her a failing grade of less than 30 points.
Kim So-yeong would have been bashed to dust, and it is highly likely that the evaluation of the drama itself would have dropped.
Lee Dong-jae, who didn't go easy on her for her first drama but pushed her until she showed a 100-point performance, was right.
‘As the drama progresses, the reviews will get even better.’
In the first episode, Kim So-yeong appeared in only two scenes, but her screen time will gradually increase.
Especially in the parts filmed after Lee Ha-eun’s ankle injury, Kim So-yeong’s active role is scheduled to increase significantly.
Until Lee Ha-eun fully recovers, Kim So-yeong will receive attention practically akin to a female lead.
‘Then that will be helpful to Newstarz too.’
While Baek Hyeon-woo was thinking that, Lee Su-gyeong’s voice was heard from behind.
“Team Leader, the younger group has returned.”
“You worked hard.”
Today was the day the younger group of Newstarz—Laura, Kanade, and Yoo Jeong-ah—had a web variety show shoot.
In the past, Baek Hyeon-woo would have accompanied them, but today Lee Su-gyeong took responsibility for the three of them alone.
“The filming ended well, right?”
“Yes, the director there praised all three of them. He said there were many funny scenes.”
“That’s a relief.”
Baek Hyeon-woo was slightly relieved.
Usually, Yoo Jeong-ah lacks wit and is weak in variety shows, but it seems she showed a decent side today.
Perhaps doing the skit comedy with Kanade at the 3rd anniversary event last time had a good influence.
“You said you had something to discuss with the three of them today, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo stood up from his seat.
“Because I need to talk about composition.”
……
Baek Hyeon-woo took Laura, Kanade, and Yoo Jeong-ah to a quiet café nearby.
While buying them drinks there, he slowly brought up the topic of composition.
“So that’s the situation... I want to send those among you who are interested to Big Sound Camp to study composition.”
“……”
Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo’s words, the three exchanged glances.
Among them, the first to speak was the youngest, Yoo Jeong-ah, who was drinking black tea.
“I’m sorry. I’m not really up for composition yet...”
“Really?”
“Honestly, I think I’m still lacking too much as an idol. It’s overwhelming just trying to keep up with the unnies...”
“I don't think your skills are lacking, Jeong-ah.”
“No, it’s true that I lack charm as an idol.”
Yoo Jeong-ah’s singing or dancing doesn't lag behind the other members.
However, her gloomy and stiff personality is still Yoo Jeong-ah’s drawback.
Even though it is a situation that is improving a lot compared to before.
“I heard you were praised at the variety show filming today.”
“That was actually thanks to Laura unnie and Kanade unnie... I can't do that when I'm alone.”
“Hmm...”
“If I start studying composition too, I feel like I won't have any mental leeway. Then I think it will have a worse influence... it’s a bit burdensome.”
That was a reasonable point.
Since Yoo Jeong-ah has a personality that takes everything too seriously.
“Right, if it feels burdensome, don't worry about composition, Jeong-ah. I'm not particularly forcing it.”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll try challenging composition later.”
Some time ago, he had brought it up to Seo Na-eun, but like Kim So-yeong, he heard that it would be difficult for her.
Since Yoo Jeong-ah also said she wouldn't do it this time... only two out of the five remained.
“Hyeon-woo oppa, I want to do it.”
Just then, among the remaining two, Laura spoke up.
“Honestly, I was interested in composition, too.”
“Really?”
Laura shrugged her shoulders after sucking up some lemonade through her straw.
“Actually, I tried it briefly in the past.”
“I didn't know that.”
“And... I was just wanting to challenge myself with a new activity anyway.”
Saying that, Laura wore a bitter expression.
“Actually, seeing So-yeong unnie advance into acting, I thought about learning acting too... but no matter how much I thought about it, it seemed like it wouldn't be easy.”
“Hmm...”
Laura possessed silver hair and blue eyes.
Because of that, the roles she can take in dramas or movies are limited.
Still, if Laura had a will for acting, he wanted to support her somehow... but it seemed Laura had given up on her own.
“So I want to try composition too. I'll do it.”
“Good, then I'll support you as much as possible.”
Baek Hyeon-woo smiled and nodded.
“Then it would be good if Laura and Kanade, the two of you, register for Big Sound Camp.”
“……?”
Kanade, who was sucking up tapioca pearls in her bubble tea one by one, widened her eyes.
“Who else did you say is registering besides Laura unnie just now?”
“You.”
“……?”
Kanade made an expression saying she didn't understand.
“Me? Why?”
“Then do you want Laura to compose all alone?”
“Can't she do it alone?”
“Still, we need at least two people.”
If only she puts a self-composed song in the next album, it would be too burdensome for Laura.
“B-But why necessarily me?”
“Everyone else said they wouldn't do it.”
“Y-You didn't ask me!”
Kanade said as if it were unfair.
“I was going to say I wouldn't do it too, you know?”
“Why?”
“Well...”
“You're not doing it because it's bothersome, right?”
“N-No, it's not. I also need time to polish my skills...”
Seo Na-eun, Kim So-yeong, and Yoo Jeong-ah each had their own reasons.
But Kanade is just... she just finds it bothersome.
“Kanade, let's just do it.”
“I-I think you just said you wouldn't force us.”
“You and Jeong-ah are different.”
“This is discrimination! The manager is discriminating against people!”
Kanade made a tearful face.
“Kanade, shall I tell you one thing?”
“What is it now!”
“If you compose, the copyright royalties for that song will go to you.”
“Yes?”
“Right now, Newstarz songs also give a portion of the profits to the composer. But if you compose, that money goes to you, not the composer.”
Kanade’s eyes widened.
“Who knows? Later on, you might earn 1 billion won a year in song royalties.”
“……”
“Money will come into your account even if you do nothing. You can live just playing games at home.”
Of course, composers who receive that much money are rare.
Even Seol Woo-myeong probably wouldn't earn that much.
“……”
But Kanade seemed tempted.
She was eyes twinkling alone, perhaps imagining a life of luxury solely on copyright income.
“Kanade, you have such good sense. Once you start composing, it will surely be a big hit.”
“I-I do have inherently good sense...”
“So let's work hard together. Let's try making a copyright pension.”
“O-Okay! I'll give it a try!”
Swayed by Baek Hyeon-woo's cajoling, Kanade nodded.
Laura looked at her from the side with a pathetic expression, but Kanade didn't notice at all.
……
‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ gained more word-of-mouth popularity as time went by.
From episode 3, aired in the second week, the viewership rating surpassed 8%, and it was expected to reach 10% soon.
This was the best trend among dramas aired on HBS recently.
“It's chaos these days.”
HBS Drama Division PD Park Jong-hun said with a beaming smile.
“Calls for sponsorship are coming in from everywhere right now. Saying they want to piggyback on the drama.”
“Are PPL proposals coming in too?”
“Yeah, but we rejected them all. We can't ruin the drama's worldview.”
Park Jong-hun chuckled.
“A few days ago, a proposal came in from a red ginseng company. Asking how about including a scene where the protagonists drink red ginseng decoction to recover from fatigue.”
“Does that even work as promotion? It's not like they're the only red ginseng company.”
“They said it would work if we include lines like, ‘Red ginseng from such-and-such place is indeed the best,’ after drinking it.”
“That’s too awkward.”
“Right?”
Anyway, seeing such proposals coming in... it seemed the drama was really doing well.
“Actually, talk about extending the broadcast is coming up internally right now.”
“Extending the broadcast?”
“Yeah, it was originally scheduled for 20 episodes. Increasing that to 24 episodes. There's even talk of increasing it to 32 episodes entirely.”
To consider increasing it to 32 episodes!
This was quite surprising news.
“If it’s 32 episodes, the volume increases by 1.5 times; is it okay to do that? That means the story has to be stretched immensely.”
“Writer Seonu Hyeok said it is sufficiently possible. The important thing is whether the actors can continue to appear.”
“For So-yeong... I think it will be possible.”
“That’s a relief then.”
Park Jong-hun said with a smile.
“If that happens, Wolhwa’s role will become larger than originally planned.”
“……!”
“Actually, Wolhwa was scheduled to die around episode 18. The development was that she would lose her life at Choi Young’s hands after being conflicted between the protagonist's faction aiming to overthrow Goryeo and Choi Young’s faction trying to protect Goryeo.”
It was an unexpected spoiler.
Since he hadn't heard what would happen to Wolhwa later on.
“If we extend the broadcast, Wolhwa will also survive longer. Maybe the story will change, and she might not die at all.”
“If that happens... So-yeong will be happy, too.”
“So, speaking of which.”
Park Jong-hun lowered his voice and spoke.
“There is an idea coming up internally right now.”
“An idea?”
“I consider Kim So-yeong's contribution to be quite significant in this drama's success. So I want to try working on something together with Haram Entertainment.”
Since it’s come to this, let’s go all the way.
Park Jong-hun’s eyes held a greedy ambition.
“I want to include an insert song starting from the latter half of the drama... Could you provide a new song?”