[<Say Your Name> vs. <Powerful Woman> both sign contracts with NetMate]
[<Say Your Name>, <Powerful Woman> press conferences even scheduled on the same day…]
[<Say Your Name> vs. <Powerful Woman> rivalry officially igniting…]
[Seo Jaeyeon vs. Han Sena! The war begins!]
[NetMate’s daughter Han Sena! Working with NetMate once again]
Articles started pouring out the moment the rights contract was finalized.
The articles carried various angles worth covering.
Not just news about the contract, but the competitive structure with Seo Jaeyeon’s team, the press conferences scheduled for the same day…
Plus the new nickname I’d gained from working with NetMate yet again.
-Article titles lololol NetMate’s daughter. I mean they’re not wrong though
-At this point she’s NetMate royalty.
-NetMate must love Han Sena so much. Everything she does becomes a huge hit plus she generates buzz every time. Treat her like a queen.
-NetMate’s chosen next-generation queen
-After <Desert Island> she contracted <Hometown>. Now this drama too….
-If she does one more project with them honestly NetMate needs to give Han Sena stock
Reading all the random comments made a small laugh escape.
People were noticing more than I’d thought that I’d worked with NetMate multiple times.
I’d suddenly gained nicknames like NetMate’s daughter and NetMate royalty.
I kept scrolling through comments.
-Seriously so excited for <Say Your Name>. Please drop the teaser. I’m getting dizzy here.
-But Lee Seonho and Sung Minhui are also top-tier industry yet they’re getting buried right away in this Han Sena vs Seo Jaeyeon structure lolol
-Are Han Sena and Seo Jaeyeon friends?
-How much must Han Sena be a thorn in Seo Jaeyeon’s side lol. She even screwed over her best friend Lee Nara as a rookie and trampled on her
-Han Sena must have something in her fortune. Why does she keep getting tangled up with top actresses like this?
-Which premiere should I watch first? I’m torn.
-All four leads have basically never had a flop in their filmography. All just success after success. That’s why it’s even more conflicting.
-Finally TV’s worth watching again.
-If this one hits too Han Sena can just straight-up be called a top actress at that point.
Most comments matched my expectations.
But the competitive structure seemed to be heating up faster than I’d thought.
More than anything, I was most concerned about the upcoming press conference.
The press conference scheduled on the exact same day as the <Powerful Woman> team.
Who knew how many articles would pour out then.
I put my phone away worriedly.
* * *
Meanwhile, immediately after articles dropped about NetMate purchasing both dramas’ rights.
Warners Korea headquarters.
Employees gathered in small groups in the break room, chatting over cigarettes and coffee.
Every single one of them sported dark circles under their eyes.
These people faced something more pressing than this morning’s news.
“Wow, it’s opening already?”
“I’m dying here. Unibox is going crazy demanding we release Fabulous merchandise exclusively through them.”
What they faced was none other than the upcoming <Fabulous> opening.
With a Korean-American hero played by Lee Nara appearing this season, Korean Warners fans and theaters had been in an uproar even before opening.
One employee tapped his cigarette and spoke.
“I’m terrified…”
It was a completely different reaction from netizens.
Other employees also let out heavy sighs.
“What’s gotten into Unibox? Heard they’re doing this after hearing American blind screening reactions?”
“…”
“This is bad. We need to push hard too, but we didn’t know Lee Nara would be such an obvious background character.”
What the employees worried about was Lee Nara’s character’s performance falling far short of expectations.
“Heard from people who saw the screening that Lee Nara’s presence was completely nonexistent. They were clicking their tongues saying it would’ve been better not to have an Asian hero at all this time.”
“Exactly. At least if she got hate we could deal with it. But everyone’s just completely indifferent. Total apathy mode right now.”
“We need to hammer promotions with Lee Nara starting now but the higher-ups put a hold on it. Worried about backlash later.”
Marketing department employees quietly rubbed their faces dry and pulled out new cigarettes.
If all the dozens of promotional plans they’d drafted using Lee Nara went to waste, the aftermath would all fall on them.
Then starting today they’d be facing overtime and weekend shifts with still not enough time.
One marketing employee finally voiced their frustration.
“No, if Lee Nara was going to ride Han Sena’s coattails and do all that media play, she should’ve at least acted well.”
That made several employees burst out laughing despite themselves.
An employee beside them patted their shoulder.
“Whoa, calm down.”
“Am I wrong? If Han Sena had filmed it we might not be worrying like this right now.”
“That’s true but… still, watch your words. If word gets out that someone involved said she was a background character or whatever before it even opens, that agency won’t stay quiet.”
“…”
“Well, the moment it hits theaters everything will be exposed anyway. Talk all you want then.”
That’s when an employee who’d been silently listening in the corner chimed in.
“Han Sena’s filming that SCBS show right now, isn’t she?”
“That was already making waves. Tons of articles dropped this morning too.”
“Man, what a waste.”
“We need to absolutely get Han Sena for our original drama.”
“That’d be nice but is it possible? Her rate skyrocketed.”
Employees started stubbing out their cigarettes one by one and standing up.
* * *
The night before the teaser shoot.
Everyone on staff was busy ahead of Kang Jio and Yu Dayang’s kiss scene.
The kiss scene would take place on Kang Jio’s house terrace.
Late at night, I was matching chemistry with Lee Seonho in front of the camera.
Lee Seonho wore a beige-toned cardigan and comfortable cotton pants, while I wore a long dress.
Overall the background and styling had a natural concept.
I placed my hand on Lee Seonho’s shoulder and looked up at his face.
Lee Seonho gazed down at me with a warm smile.
I also wore a soft smile as I met Lee Seonho’s eyes.
Each time Lee Seonho’s face drew closer, I slowly closed my eyes.
“Okay, this looks good right now. Check the monitor.”
The director called us both over, having apparently framed the shot.
I walked over beside the director and looked at the monitor.
“Wow, beautiful.”
“The night view behind will be added with CG.”
Under soft lighting, Kang Jio and Yu Dayang were carefully confirming their feelings for each other.
Watching that suddenly reminded me of filming Palace Flower.
Back then I’d been incredibly flustered internally during my first kiss scene.
It felt strange that it already seemed like ancient history.
Lee Seonho, who’d been quietly monitoring beside me, offered an idea.
“If it’s okay, should I hold Sena-ssi’s waist?”
“Sure, I’m fine with that.”
“Oh, being proactive.”
When the director teased, Lee Seonho laughed sheepishly.
“No, I just looked too passive.”
“Then in the middle, slowly like this… you could also pull her into an embrace.”
“Mm, good good.”
That’s when the director, who’d been pondering, spoke quietly enough for just us two to hear.
“Let’s go a bit steamy.”
“What?”
“Gotta grab those ratings. Plus we’ll film it long so don’t get flustered, just keep the acting going.”
Hiiek.
I locked eyes with Lee Seonho, momentarily flustered.
Lee Seonho looked at me and grinned.
Then nodded without complaint as if receiving a familiar order.
Seeing that face brought a small sense of relief.
At least there was one person experienced with romcoms.
I could feel myself relying on him somehow.
“Alright then, shall we go?”
* * *
“Ready, action!”
“Kang Jio-ssi, why are you so good to me?”
On a terrace where the city’s soft lights shone in, Kang Jio and Yu Dayang leaned against the railing gazing at each other.
Yu Dayang, played by Han Sena, confirmed his feelings while acting slightly petulant despite knowing everything, as if asking him to say more.
Kang Jio spoke gently.
“I don’t know either. I’ve come too far.”
Then Kang Jio wore a slight smile as if giving up, gazing at Yu Dayang with loving eyes.
All staff held their breath watching the couple.
“Why were you so mean to me all this time?”
“Because of this. Because I was afraid this would happen.”
Kang Jio tucked Yu Dayang’s windblown hair behind her ear.
An unmistakably tender touch unlike before.
Today was the day Baek Jangmi had left.
Though Jung Sewoon, Lee Eunje, and Yu Hayeong still remained.
While the two devoted themselves to fusion treatment, Kang Jio had completely given his heart to Yu Dayang.
The youngest members of each team clasped hands excitedly, beaming.
The monitoring director also wore a smile.
Everyone had already fallen completely for the couple’s love.
However, no one except Han Sena knew.
What painful ending awaited after Kang Jio and Yu Dayang completely confirmed their feelings.
What final trial lay in wait.
In the somewhat serious atmosphere, Yu Dayang playfully joked.
“Anyway, one’s coming off the octopus legs now.”
“It’s not octopus legs.”
Kang Jio shot back incredulously.
“Well, it’s fine. It’s legal.”
“…”
“Will you miss Baek Jangmi?”
At Yu Dayang’s sudden question, Kang Jio couldn’t answer.
Watching that Kang Jio, Yu Dayang smiled brightly.
“Missing someone isn’t a crime. Why can’t you say it?”
Silence flowed briefly.
“I’m scared of losing someone precious now.”
“…”
“I don’t know about you. But for me it’s one goodbye after another. That’s what makes me sad.”
“……”
Yu Dayang looked at Kang Jio with pitying, apologetic eyes as he said this.
Yu Dayang reached out and touched Kang Jio’s eyes.
“Your eyes are always sad. Even when you smile.”
Kang Jio grasped Yu Dayang’s hand as she said this.
The two drew slowly closer, sharing each other’s warm touch.
Close enough to feel their breath.
Kang Jio asked Yu Dayang as if confirming.
“You won’t leave, will you?”
Yu Dayang smiled softly at the question.
“You’re such a baby at times like this.”
“Answer me. You won’t leave.”
“I won’t leave.”
Their lips met.
Kang Jio pulled Yu Dayang tighter as if craving her heart.
Their warm kiss continued for a long while.
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