Big Life

Chapter 180: The Bombing Starts (1)

[Premiere of three-part drama series Market Place achieves astounding two-digit viewership ratings.]

[Market Place records 14% in viewership ratings, ranked first at the same time.]

[Unconventional viewership rating for a one-act play, a record-breaking one-act play by MBS. The Ha Jae-Gun power works in the homes as well?]

[Praises of emotional directing and high-quality drama, who is co-producer Director Lee Eun-Ha?]

"Wow, I should have joined this project even if I had to cancel all my schedules for it…!" Park Do-Joon licked his lips as he looked at his phone.

Meanwhile, Lee Chae-Rin was in the kitchen cooking pasta. The two of them were finally hanging out together after a long time since they had overlapping rest days.

"What is it? Ah, Market Place?"

"Hey, Chae-Rin, it hit fourteen percent in viewership ratings. How is that possible? It's a one-act play, and it's just on its first episode."

Achieving viewership ratings above three percent for one-act plays was considered not bad, so Park Do-Joon’s astonishment was definitely within reason.

“Producer Ahn must be grinning from ear to ear now. Wow, Ha Jae-Gun. You’re going to even dominate TV dramas now?”

“Stop reading them and come have food. It’s all done.”

They sat across each other at the dining table. As he dug into the delectable seafood pasta with his fork, Park Do-Joon continued. “That punk, I’m going to call him tonight and give him a piece of my mind.”

“Jae-Gun Oppa?”

“Yeah, he seemed busy with the scenario for Storm and Gale, so I didn’t bother him for a while, but I can’t take it anymore.”

“Is the main lead going to do a team kill on their own script writer? I’d love to see it, but unfortunately, I have dance practice later. Oh, right, Oppa, look at this.”

Lee Chae-Rin proudly showed her phone to Park Do-Joon. The screen showed the website of Korea’s largest digital music streaming site. The movie OST of Gyeoja Bathhouse Lee Chae-Rin sang was ranked first.

“It’s been staying on there for four days. Isn’t it incredible?”

“Seems like everyone is getting the autumn blues and listening to ballad songs now.”

“Oppa, you’re really cold-hearted. Would it hurt you to compliment me a bit?” Lee Chae-Rin pouted.

“Alright, our Chae-Rin is amazing. Congratulations.” Park Do-Joon praised her reluctantly.

Lee Chae-Rin smiled again before saying, “My image as a good vocalist has become firm. Our president also suggested that I release a solo mini album in winter. This is also thanks to Jae-Gun Oppa. I should give him a present.”

Lee Chae-Rin wrapped the pasta noodle around the fork and fed it to Park Do-Joon.

While chewing his food, Park Do-Joon mumbled, “Anyway, it’s great that Gyeoja Bathhouse is performing well enough.”

“Of course, it’s a horror movie after all. The movie has also passed its breakeven point.” Lee Chae-Rin replied in agreement.

It had been half a month since the premiere of Gyeoja Bathhouse, and it had already accumulated two million audience views. Its performance was enough to attract attention in the local horror movie market, which had been sluggish for some time.

"Would it break the record set by Red Lotus in Boots?"

Red Lotus in Boots was a local horror movie that was released fifteen years ago. It had recorded a whopping 3.14 million audience views, which had yet to be broken.

"What was the audience view count for that? 3 million?"

"It should be around there. It's still not bad considering that it's the only top horror movie in Korea."

"Oppa, shall we have a bet then? Bet on whether Gyeoja Bathhouse would break that record?"

"I think Gyeoja Bathhouse would surpass it."

"Me, too. If we agree on the same thing, there aren't going to be any bets. You should bet on Gyeoja Bathhouse not breaking the record."

"What's this forceful bet? Enough of that, and eat your pasta."

Bzzt!

Just then, Park Do-Joon's phone rang in the living room. Annoyed, Park Do-Joon went to grab his phone, but he saw Ha Jae-Gun's name on the screen. His irritated voice vanished, and he answered the call enthusiastically.

"Yo, global top star writer Ha Jae-Gun."

— Why are you using your own title on me? Are you busy?

"I told you that I'm resting today. I was planning to call you after my meal. Can Lee Chae-Rin and I go over to your house to strip you bare?”

— Ah, today…?

Park Do-Joon could sense the hesitation in Ha Jae-Gun's voice. Knowing that Ha Jae-Gun's schedule was full for today, he sounded disappointed as he said, "You've got something else on, huh?"

— No, I just agreed to meet someone at the last minute… Hong Ye-Seul.

"Hong Ye-Seul? That female high school student in Gyeoja Bathhouse?"

— Yeah, she called earlier saying that she wanted to buy me dinner to repay me even a little. But I think we can all meet together if you're fine with it. You're connected through Storm and Gale, anyway.

"It doesn't matter to me. The issue is her opinion."

— She should be happy to see the global top star. I'll check with her and text you later.

"Alright."

Less than three minutes after hanging up, Park Do-Joon received a message from Ha Jae-Gun. Park Do-Joon checked the message and smiled, and then he continued eating his pasta.

***

"The Popular Arts Awards?"

Ha Jae-Gun asked while grabbing some of the black bean noodles. The Chinese restaurant after two in the afternoon would always be relatively empty. Ha Jae-Gun met Oh Myung-Suk here for a late lunch.

"Yes, I've mentioned this before too. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as the Content Promotional Center, had been taking turns sending in invites."

The Popular Arts Awards was the highest government-recognized award. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the award targeted artists who had contributed to the development of the local popular art scene.

A variety of honorable awards would be given, and among them was the Cultural Medal, as well as the Presidential Commendation, the Prime Minister commendation, and the Minister of Culture commendation.

"Ah, I think I recall something like that. I'm sorry, I've been so busy recently that I forgot about it."

"It's fine; you have me to help you keep track of all these on the side." Oh Myung-Suk smiled before continuing, "The final winner won’t be decided until the cabinet meeting in early November after the nominees are announced. But I think that you'll most likely win an award, seeing that they’ve invited you to the event.”

“It’s already an honor to get invited.”

“You don’t have to be so humble. You've gotten so influential now. Logically speaking, you’ve achieved outstanding results not just in novels but also in other forms of media.”

Oh Myung-Suk was much more excited than Ha Jae-Gun himself.

“Not only that, but you’ve already expanded into foreign markets as well. Your game and novels in China are doing so well, I read the news before I came out. Oscar’s Dungeon webtoon was ranked fifth on Teencent Literature.”

“Ah, really? I’ve yet to see the news today.”

“The news coverage wasn’t all that extensive when the sales there were around ten, twenty times much more than the local market. Could this be because they’re an overseas market?”

“Come to think of it, even when our local celebrities gained huge popularity overseas, our Korean netizens were that impressed. They just go—Oh, they were actually doing something overseas?”

“I understand what you mean.” Oh Myung-Suk stopped eating his noodles and changed the topic. “Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing what award you’re going to receive. I shouldn’t be getting ahead of myself now, but I think you'll have no issues getting the Presidential Commendation.”

Ha Jae-Gun smiled in response and put a mouthful of noodles in his mouth.

Although he pretended to agree with Oh Myung-Suk, awards could no longer stir his heart. Regardless of the honor the awards would bring to him, Ha Jae-Gun would remain calm in the face of them.

‘Just being able to write what I want in this life is already enough for me to be happy…’

He wouldn’t have been able to come so far on his own. Ha Jae-Gun recalled the person who had helped him the most among all the talented people he knew—the younger version of Seo Gun-Woo.

“Oh, right, CEO Ren Xue would like to invite you over to China this year and continue the conversation that you guys didn’t get to finish the last time. What do you think about it?” Oh Myung-Suk brought up.

“I’ll go if you’re going as well, editor-in-chief.”

“Haha, of course, I will be joining you. You’ll be free after finishing the scenario for Storm and Gale, so let's talk about this when the time comes.”

Bzzt!

Oh Myung-Suk excused himself and took out his phone. It was a message from Chae Yoo-Jin after she had returned to the U.S., which included a photo that made Oh Myung-Suk smile.

“Mr. Ha, look. This is the book cover for the English version of Gyeoja Bathhouse.”

“Wow, it’s definitely creepy. I hope it does well in the U.S.”

“It will definitely perform well. Would you like to toast to Gyeoja Bathhouse exploding in the U.S. market? Although it’s a pity that we’re not having any alcohol at the moment.”

Ha Jae-Gun smiled and raised his teacup.

They then made a toast before emptying their slightly cold tea.

***

‘I’ve got the meat… Should I get some clams for the stew?’

It was early evening, so the supermarket was brimming with people. Hong Ye-Seul was among them, and she was pushing a cart piled high with items along the aisles.

‘Yeah, this is enough. There are only three of us, anyway.’

Hong Ye-Seul pushed the cart back to her car after making payment for her purchases. After the movie was released, she purchased a small, light, secondhand car.

Just as she opened the trunk of her car, two high school girls approached her, saying, “...Excuse me, but are you Ye-Seul unni?”

“Ah… Yes.” Hong Ye-Seul replied, her face blushing.

The students covered their mouths and hopped excitedly on the spot.

“Oh my god, oh my god! Unni, I really love Gyeoja Bathhouse a lot! You’re so pretty!”

“I really thought you were a high school student before I looked your profile up. Unni, you’re totally a scene-stealer!”

Hong Ye-Seul was so embarrassed and flustered that she had lost her usual cheerful side. Ever since the premier of the movie, there had been more people looking at her curiously or even recognizing her whenever she walked on the streets.

But this was the first time that anyone had approached and talked to her.

“Unni, please take a photo with us!”

“We’ll stand behind you! Your face is too small!”

Hong Ye-Seul’s nose tingled as if she was about to cry on the spot while she took a photo with the girls. As an actor, Hong Ye-Seul had a clear goal. The fact that people were starting to recognize her meant that she was getting closer to her goal.

Today would definitely become an unforgettable day for her.

“Unni, can I hook arms with you?”

“Alright, goodbye. Study hard.” The girls kept turning back to wave their hands to say goodbye as they walked away, and Hong Ye-Seul waved her hands until the girls vanished from her view.

‘Oh my, I’m running late. I should get going.’

There was less than twenty minutes until the agreed time. However, she wasn’t that far from Ha Jae-Gun’s house, as she had decided to do grocery shopping at the supermarket near his place in the first place.

‘It’d be great if it was just the two of us, though.’ Hong Ye-Seul thought in disappointment as she grabbed the steering wheel. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Park Do-Joon; they were like coworkers, and she would like to get close to him, too.

However, she found it a shame that her private time with Ha Jae-Gun was disturbed just like that.

‘I’ve got many questions to ask him, too… Sigh, whatever. Forget it. I can ask him another day.’

Hong Ye-Seul’s car rolled swiftly on the road and soon arrived at Ha Jae-Gun’s house. She alighted from her car and then fixed her clothes. She didn’t forget to fix the necklace that Ha Jae-Gun had given to her as a gift a long time ago.

— Ah, Ms. Ye-Seul is here? Wait a minute.

The door opened as soon as she pressed the doorbell.

“...!”

Hong Ye-Seul’s mouth dropped open as she stepped into the garden. She did feel that Ha Jae-Gun’s house was huge from the exterior, but she hadn’t expected it to be this huge. She was amazed by the beautiful scenery in front of her.

“Welcome.”

Ha Jae-Gun smiled warmly as he stepped out of the basement. Hong Ye-Seul stood shyly in her spot and greeted him in return.

“Please excuse me. Oppa, it feels like we’re newly acquainted people.”

“What are all these? Give it here.” Ha Jae-Gun took over the bags in Hong Ye-Seul’s hands, then signaled toward the basement with his eyes and whispered to Hong Ye-Seul, “Do-Joon is down there.”

“Ah, I see.” Hong Ye-Seul nodded. She understood what he was trying to say.

Ha Jae-Gun was asking her to be careful so as not to let Park Do-Joon catch onto her past. Ha Jae-Gun nodded nonchalantly and started walking. He was glad that Hong Ye-Seul understood it at once, as it was difficult for him to bring it up.

“Please come this way; this is the kitchen.”

“Oppa, you should go on down and rest. I’ll prepare dinner and call you when it’s ready.”

“Let’s do it together. I’ll only be playing billiards with Park Do-Joon, anyway, but he’ll just be nagging at me for being bad at it. Do you play billiards, Ms. Ye-Seul?”

“Oh my, did I not mention it before? I’m almost at the same level as a pro billiard player.”

“Hahaha, let's see.”

***

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Gun’s phone in the basement lounge vibrated incessantly.

However, he was too far from it to hear the vibrations, and he was also busy in the kitchen.