Free Web Novel* * *
“Look at these bastard articles... the fucking nerve of these reporters.”
Manager Hong let out a hollow laugh as he scrolled through the flood of articles about <Seoul Metropolitan City>.
“Right. You can tell exactly how things are playing out.”
It was obvious—using Han Yeoreum as a shield while milking clicks. Having been at the scene himself, Manager Hong yanked his tie loose in irritation.
He immediately began scanning the most exposed articles.
“Filter only A-grade ones and send me the URLs.”
Negative articles were categorized into tiers.
C-grade. Slightly malicious, but mostly clickbait—safe to ignore.
B-grade. Provocative, but not worth responding to.
And finally—A-grade.
[“We can’t reveal everything”... A deflating start to <Seoul Metropolitan City> script reading, reporters shake their heads at the disappointing scene]
Articles distorted enough to demand immediate correction.
This was the first project presented by Seomun Ihwa and NetHolics. Now that the veil had been partially lifted, public attention was burning hot.
Comments were already piling up.
– Wait, they expect us to pay to watch dramas? lol what a scam
– If like five people share one account it’s fine tbh, I already watch mostly US shows so this is great
– Please just show more of Myeong Jeha’s face T_T it’s so hard to see him outside official stuff ffs
– It’s NetHolics but why does the cast feel kinda weak..? I thought Ji Haebeom would obviously be in it lol
– fr though, no top-tier actors... kinda disappointing
– Aren’t those three basically top right now? They cast the hottest names these days lol
– Calling them top is a stretch LOLOL one or two hits and suddenly everyone’s top-tier?
– lol DaeYeJong’s “Light Bearers” don’t have a single flop filmography^^
Thanks to someone quickly spreading the A-grade article through the forums, arguments had already erupted in the comments.
[HOT / Legendary eras of Korea’s top actors right now.jpg]
[Issue Board / NetHolics flagship titles overseas.jpg]
[Today’s Topic / Would you pay 10 dollars a month for dramas? yes vs no]
It was painfully obvious—someone was deliberately setting the stage to push a negative narrative around NetHolics.
“Which side do you think it is? This is so dirty.”
“Yeah. Probably multiple sides. The three major broadcasters won’t be happy right now.”
From the moment NetHolics entered Korea, the ones who had to stay on edge were KBC, MBS, SBC, and JTBS—networks that lived and died by drama ratings.
There was no way they would sit back and watch this take off smoothly.
“Jeongdam was scrambling to push their actors into NetHolics, right? Got rejected, so they’re pissed. And judging by how they’re targeting our girl... they still haven’t gotten over what happened with Noh Seungchan.”
Other agencies that had wanted a piece of NetHolics’ first original production were enemies too.
After watching the situation for a moment, Manager Hong made a quick call.
“Keep our girl out of the headlines as much as possible. Push her to the background and redirect attention toward Myeong Jeha and Do Gyeoul. And—what was it—start some nostalgia threads about Seomun Ihwa’s legendary past works in the communities. Also add this.”
Manager Hong didn’t make enemies.
Right now, the public would tear into anything they were given. The last question thrown at Han Yeoreum would hit hard if it kept circulating.
“The new drama lineups dropped, right?”
“Yes. First-half schedules are being released—MBS, SBC... ah, KBC just uploaded theirs too.”
“Push those. Make sure Han Yeoreum articles don’t last long.”
It was a smart move. If attention was on dramas, then drown everything in more drama news.
[Issue Board / Newly released broadcast drama lineup.jpg]
SBC romantic comedy
MBS legal drama
KBC school drama
– Anonymous 1: holy shit Choi Heeseok in a legal drama?? I’m losing it T_T
– Anonymous 7: SBC working overtime LOLOL Cheon Uijun in a romcom, they know what they’re doing
– Anonymous 14: saw “school drama” and immediately checked the cast, please don’t let the homeroom teacher show up
– Anonymous 29: seriously, male actors over 30 should be banned from wearing school uniforms
– Anonymous 32: they all smile like “haha it’s embarrassing at my age” but inside they’re like “I still look like a high schooler right?” I’m tired of it
– Anonymous 45: dude you’ve got talent as a hate commenter LMAO
– Anonymous 67: feels like a past life when dramas all got wiped out after the Korean content ban... why are lineups so good these days
Manager Hong’s calculation landed perfectly.
Compared to <Seoul Metropolitan City>, which hadn’t even revealed its story yet, the major networks were going all out on promotion.
Directors, actors, synopses, character descriptions, relationship charts—everything was being revealed before the first broadcast.
“Push the page. Keep pushing.”
He continued flooding feeds with Seomun Ihwa’s legendary past works.
As the maliciously edited articles about Han Yeoreum got buried deeper, the speed of new comments slowed.
“Okay. Now contact every A-grade reporter. Request corrections.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll get on it immediately.”
“And the ones who tried to trash everyone? Keep an eye on them. Ban them from asking questions later. And the one who asked that last question to our girl today—blacklist him completely.”
Manager Hong and Assistant Shin smiled as the crowd’s attention scattered.
Once the hostility cooled, they could wait a few days, release the <Seoul Metropolitan City> script reading and interview videos, and the hype would surge again.
* * *
The script reading video for <Seoul Metropolitan City> spread across SNS faster and hotter than ever.
[NetHolics finally moves in Korea... announces first original production <Seoul Metropolitan City>]
[Do Gyeoul · Myeong Jeha · Han Yeoreum... “We are the Light Bearers of DaeYeJong”]
[<Seoul Metropolitan City> script reading site, Director O Seonyul displays overwhelming charisma] freewēbnoveℓ.com
At the word NetHolics, public anticipation surged again.
[HOT / Today’s NetHolics script reading – DaeYeJong Light Bearers.jpg]
(Do Gyeoul’s side profile.jpg)
(Myeong [N O V E L I G H T] Jeha’s front shot.jpg)
(Han Yeoreum holding the script with a serious expression.jpg)
– Anonymous 1: wow NetHolics lmao they kept saying it’s coming, now it’s finally here T_T
– Anonymous 2: just air it tomorrow already
– Anonymous 14: idiot they just did the script reading a few days ago LMAO
– Anonymous 19: you’re insanely impatient but honestly same T_T
– Anonymous 45: apocalypse addict here, my heart’s racing. Myeong Jeha always has great taste in projects so I’m hyped again
– Anonymous 102: wish NetHolics would launch faster... I’ve got so many shows bookmarked T_T
– Anonymous 111: it’s not that Han Yeoreum works like an ox, it’s that oxen work like Han Yeoreum
– Anonymous 143: lmfao that’s actually true
Watching the screen, Myeong Jeha scrolled down. He had been holding his phone for barely fifteen minutes.
But it was enough.
‘Monitoring complete.’
He could already see how things would unfold. The intentions behind the <Seoul Metropolitan City> promotion team were obvious. It was a familiar pattern.
‘Manager Hong is still good at his job.’
As expected, the script reading video followed a predictable structure.
It opened with Do Gyeoul’s voice, cut through a few screaming supporting actors’ lines, then Tak Jeongyun, followed by Myeong Jeha, a doctor and a minister, and finally Director O Seonyul’s direction.
‘Han Yeoreum doesn’t have lines. Just a brief passing shot.’
Exactly as expected. Her side profile appeared on screen, focused on the script in her hands.
From her debut, Han Yeoreum’s greatest weapon—the thing that set her apart from other actors—
A voice that struck clean and precisely into the ear.
But in <Seoul Metropolitan City>, she couldn’t showcase it properly.
‘On Jihwa is a silent character. The complete opposite of Lee Seohae.’
A national archery athlete who had lived focusing only on training.
Now injured, her future uncertain. And for the first time, facing a disaster.
For an actor, having no lines was a double-edged sword.
‘Silence itself can become characterization.’
On Jihwa hides her emotions and thoughts, making the audience curious.
Her expressions and physical acting can draw attention on their own. And every time she does speak, it carries weight.
‘But if used wrong, it’s a risk.’
With one leg tied—unable to rely on dialogue—the directing team had to carry their weight.
Even the slightest misstep, and the audience would find On Jihwa frustrating or incomprehensible.
‘And her screen time is less than half of Do Gyeoul’s.’
Lines, narrative weight, and built-in audience empathy—
On Jihwa and Yoo Yeonji were fundamentally different types.
‘But that’s not what Han Yeoreum needs to worry about. If anything...’
Myeong Jeha could read Han Yeoreum’s weak points far too clearly. As he compared her to the scenarios running through his mind, he muttered quietly.
“This one’s important.”
Because On Jihwa’s character aligned directly with the nature of the film industry.
