Free Web NovelSBC announced that it would implement a system it had never used before—“simultaneous broadcasting.”
On weekdays, the show would air on the broadcasting station, and once the weekend came, it would be released on OTT. This meant that the spotlight would remain fixed on a single production throughout the entire week.
If Hwang Boseok and Hong Suryeon ended up broadcasting simultaneously through SBC and NetHolics, every other drama airing in the same time slot would be reduced to background decoration.
No matter who came, there was absolute confidence that their presence could be completely erased.
With Hong Suryeon’s visual power and Hwang Boseok’s name value, it was only natural that both global viewers and domestic audiences would be drawn to one side.
“Well, even if it’s not simultaneous broadcasting, won’t it hit the TOP 10 the moment it drops on NetHolics?”
If that happened, then Han Yeoreum too—no matter what project she appeared in or what kind of acting she delivered—would be completely buried.
“Ah... I just want to properly crush it already....”
Romance versus romance.
Hong Suryeon had no trouble obtaining the script that had gone to Han Yeoreum. It was a massive production with an enormous budget.
“If they spend that much money and still lose to this side, the reaction will be even hotter! The whole world needs to know that the Queen of Romance is me, Hong Suryeon...!”
No matter how much they poured into overseas locations or CG, it would all mean nothing in front of Hong Suryeon’s beauty.
Feeling that everything had aligned perfectly for her, Hong Suryeon spun around once on the spot.
She skimmed through Hwang Boseok’s next project and smiled.
Compared to “that kid’s” next work, this one wasn’t large in scale, but it had plenty of PPL attached—perfect.
It was exactly the kind of project that could be made right now /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ without even going to NetHolics.
“The world is on Hong Suryeon’s side—.”
Dongdaemun Romance (working title)
Same fabric, same design, same size.
Even when everything is identical, in this ruthless fashion industry, adding a single logo can tack two extra zeros onto the price tag.
Labeled as a “second-rate product,” Jeon Segye—the “unloved eldest son”—plans a new fashion platform business to elevate his worth across the world. But the wall separating unbranded goods from real brands is impossibly high....
Jeon Segye
The eldest son of the Seongun Group, a fashion conglomerate. Yet no one considers him the true eldest. He has an older brother and sister with a significant age gap.
Why call him the eldest when he’s actually the second son? Simple—half-siblings.
The chairman of Seongun Group, who believes that among faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest, only dotes on the children born from his lover. Everyone knows Segye will never become the successor.
Everyone except his mother, who loves the chairman.
In Segye’s world, instead of “child of a mistress” being an insult, it’s “child of the legal wife” that becomes the slur.
To remove that label, Segye grits his teeth and fights. He tries to prove himself not as a branded product, but as an unbranded one. If he joins hands with Nam Pyeonghwa—the hidden gem of Dongdaemun—he might finally be able to add another zero to his price tag. He’s so close. So close to succeeding.
And yet, foolishly, he keeps wavering.
Because of a peace that never existed in his world—Pyeonghwa.
Nam Pyeonghwa
“Our nights are busier than your days.”
She’s not Cinderella who has to leave at midnight, but once the clock strikes twelve, she disappears all the same. Diot 2nd floor, A-11. In a cramped two-pyeong space, she lives fiercely—phone in one hand, receipts in the other—as an employee of “Lovely.”
Words like ura, maikang, and wakki—terms no prestigious design or fashion school would ever use—echo as she survives another dawn in Dongdaemun.
Despite standing at the very frontlines of trends, Nam Pyeonghwa wears gray clothes every single day.
And then one day, an absurdly expensive man appears before her.
German glasses, Italian shirt, French belt—a man wrapped head to toe in the finest things in the world looks at Nam Pyeonghwa, whose entire outfit doesn’t even total 30,000 won, and tells her she has talent.
Even knowing they belong to completely different worlds... she can’t help but start liking him.
* * *
I answered the sudden call from Seo Eden. freeweɓnovel.cøm
“Why a video call?”
—It felt like this would be more convincing.
“Convincing...?”
Seo Eden, wearing an unusually serious expression, held something up.
“What’s that?”
—If I had to explain, it’s the script for <Dongdaemun Romance> that I got from the MBS director.
The moment I heard the title, my eyes widened.
“The name is way too tacky.”
I’d never heard of this project before. It wasn’t a drama I knew. Even among the scripts I’d received from senior Joo Junseo, there had never been anything like this.
‘Then it must be a recent work.’
Did he call to ask me to review the script?
‘Well, I am someone who hasn’t had a single flop since debut.’
So he trusts my eye for scripts, Seo Eden. Sometimes, he really is smart.
I looked at him with a satisfied expression.
—I’ll be honest.
Why was Seo Eden being so polite today? And that serious face—it didn’t suit him. He was even dressed in a suit, as if he’d just come from a schedule.
—This was about to be sent to you, Yeoreum.
“Me? Really?”
Then why did the script go to Seo Eden before me? I’m far more senior in dramas, and my acting is leagues above his.
I narrowed my eyes. Sensing my expression, Seo Eden hurried to explain.
—Director Lee Saerok brought this for you because you two are close, but I volunteered to deliver it and snatched it through the official route.
If you got it through the official route, then you got it. If you stole it, then you stole it. What does “snatched it through the official route” even mean?
“Why...?”
—I’ll be honest.
Seo Eden took a deep breath.
—I’d like to... hitch a ride.
“What is this? A sudden piggyback request?”
—I want to play the male lead. Opposite you.
The audacity.
‘No matter how much of a top-tier idol he used to be, there are still rules in the acting industry.’
Instead of climbing step by step, he wants to take the escalator?
—Let me make my case. Could you manage your expression a bit?
“Sorry. I didn’t realize.”
—First, your Japanese fanbase is weak, right?
“....”
That hit a sore spot.
Japan—a major investor and collaborator in Korean productions. And I still hadn’t fully broken through there.
‘That’s probably why I ended up being a joint ambassador with Do Gyeoul instead of a solo one.’
Just thinking about Do Gyeoul left a bitter taste.
‘...Still, once NetHolics officially launches and <The Great Garland> airs, things will change.’
And once <Code Name: Time Seven> airs too, I’ll gain more Japanese fans!
‘It’s not like I have none!’
There were K-pop fans who liked me back when I was on MusicN.
—But look at me. I may not look it, but I’ve held solo fan meetings in Japan. My fanbase there is solid. If we work together, initial traction won’t be a problem.
Seo Eden had indeed spent a long time promoting in Japan.
With years of concerts, fan meetings, and signings under his belt, his face was well known to the public.
—Second, I fit the role. Just look at the title—Dongdaemun means fashion. Fashion means Dongdaemun. The male lead is the CEO of a fashion app.
Seo Eden suddenly stood up. The camera cut off his head, showing only from shoulders to waist.
—Look closely! Closely!
“...I’ve seen enough. Sit down.”
—Wait. My full-body shot is good too.
Ignoring me, he stepped back until his whole body came into frame.
—Can you seeeee?
His voice boomed. As expected of a singer.
—See? I can pull off anything. I always maintain a blender body, so for a fashion drama? There’s no one better than me.
“Don’t you mean slender?”
—Anyway. And one more thing.
Like a politician making a campaign promise, he raised his fist.
—I’ll be your reflector. Let’s do local promotions together.
Seo Eden...
I thought for a moment. Honestly, it wasn’t bad. If it became an acting showdown between Seo Eden and Han Yeoreum, more attention would naturally flow this way.
‘Good acting but clumsy Japanese? That contrast could actually be charming.’
I could already picture Japan falling for Han Yeoreum...
‘And now that I think about it, he does fit the role.’
Seo Eden had a trendy look. Like an idol, he suited almost any styling.
That would definitely work for the male lead of <Dongdaemun Romance>, the CEO of a fashion app.
And if we toured Japan together, as he said, I could show another side of myself—good at acting but a bit scatterbrained—and make my fans smile.
‘Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong... maybe even solo fan meetings in Japan....’
But then, suddenly, Seo Eden dropped a bomb.
—But Director Lee Saerok basically secured this already, right? Big problem though. Hong Suryeon is preparing to take it.
“What?”
Hong Suryeon.
A drama I’d never even heard of—and she was taking it? Why?
“Of course I’ll go up against you again in the same time slot and crush you properly.”
Her chilling declaration suddenly flashed through my mind.
Realizing that her words had been 100% sincere, I shot up from my seat.
“Seriously?”
—Yeah. And the male lead side is also getting bites. This is scary. And even worse...
I almost blacked out.
—Are you listening? Hong Suryeon! And Yoo Jiuk!
We’re doomed.
“Even if I have to jump in at the last minute, I’m someone who can carry a project alone—no matter the director, the script, or the male lead.”
Senior... you acted like you were taking on unfavorable conditions, like you were doing me a favor by going head-to-head.
‘And now you’re bringing in a top male lead...?’
This wasn’t a fair fight. This was an execution.
“...And... and....”
Seo Eden emphasized each word.
—And Hwang Boseok is writing it! Investors are already lining up.
“Hwang Boseok!!!!”
I screamed.
Only then did it finally click.
‘This is just a working title.’
