Free Web Novel“They’re saying it’s cute.”
The new hire Shin skimmed through the real-time Intube livestream comments, filtering them appropriately. In the end, only positive comments would make it into articles anyway—there was no need to look at the rest. Excluding the occasional foreign-language comment, the current reactions looked like this.
-lol Pi Chaewon sings well
-what even is this, you can totally tell it’s a budget practice stage.... it’s not even a proper performance since they’re adjusting to the actressT_T if it were just our kid alone, she could’ve shown a way better stage, such a shame
-the visuals are crazy harmonious, who brought her in lolol
-this is way better than the previous MCs, starting with the faces hehe
-wow so many mentally ill people again today, love this peaceful K-pop scene ffs
‘This is a decent reaction.’
Knowing how deep the abyss could go, Shin cleanly shut it out of her mind. By now, the song was nearing its final section.
Choosing soap bubbles as the stage effect had been a stroke of genius. The fresh, bright atmosphere felt exactly like early autumn. When the short stage ended, the final frame capturing the two of them together looked quite good.
“Alright, so now if we refresh just once—”
The moment Manager Hong hit refresh, newly uploaded articles popped up.
[MusicN’s new MC special stage... Seo Eden–Han Yeoreum “a perfectly fresh pairing”]
[Two trends collide: Seo Eden and Han Yeoreum appointed as MusicN MCs, first greeting “Please watch us kindly”]
[MusicN Seo Eden·Han Yeoreum’s ‘name couple’ chemistry-filled special stage]
Once the live broadcast ended, the stages aired today would be uploaded one by one to the Intube account, and they would need to check view counts and comment sections.
“Ah, and the photos aren’t up yet, right?”
“Yeah. For now, go home, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) then later grab the photos Han Yeoreum uploads to SNS and ask them to run another article.”
Now Yeoreum’s SNS account, too, would be touched by JC ENM’s hands. Once the live broadcast ended, photos taken in the waiting room would be uploaded, and reporters would once again write articles using those images.
‘The reaction’s good.’
Checking community responses on the subway ride home, Shin glanced at the time. It should be about when Yeoreum uploaded to SNS.
Youstagram
MusicN first day ⸜(⌯'▾'⌯)⸜♥︎
This is MC Han Yeoreum
I’ll work hard from now on too!
Likes 2,748 Comments 102
-why is baby melon bread growing up so fast.... I’m proud to death
-Yeoleum so pretty♥ my princess
-Yeoreumi fighting♨️♨️♨️
-Do you know you’re really cute when you talk?
Watching the trend of likes and comments, Shin smiled softly.
“She already passed 200K followers.”
@midsummer
Followers 200K Following 0
And the next morning, 210K. At noon, 220K. In the evening, 227K. At midnight, 230K.
Every time she checked, the follower count had gone up, and Shin’s lips curved upward. At this rate, MusicN would steadily grow Yeoreum’s followers—and there was still one more stage left this year to showcase Yeoreum.
“When <ParCheHi> gets a spin-off, it’ll go up again.”
〈The Cherry on the Parfait Belongs to the Heroine〉 spin-off was scheduled to be released at the end of the year.
* * *
“Yeoreum, I’ll be nearby, so feel free to hang out and contact me when you’re heading home. And you know, right? The awards ceremony is in two days.”
“Come on, unni, it’s not even a schedule. I’ll just take a taxi home later.”
“No. Contact me when you’re done, okay?”
She looked like she wouldn’t let me out the door if I didn’t say yes. I reluctantly nodded.
This was Garosu-gil near Sinsa Station. I’d come to see some familiar faces after a long time.
“I’m here—.”
When I entered the guided room, Joo Junseo—who looked like he had just arrived—answered while pouring water into a glass.
“Oh, sit.”
“Where are the others?”
“No idea. I didn’t check my phone. Look at the menu. What do you want? You’ve lost a lot of weight, so let’s get this—bacon mozzarella potato pancake, one whole pork belly gochujang stew, sweet and spicy fried chicken, galbi geotjeori set, and then....”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to give the others a chance to choose too?” freewebnσvel.cѳm
As I tried to stop Junseo from randomly tapping the touchscreen menu, Choo Gaeul arrived right on cue.
“Long time no see, both of you.”
The moment she opened the door, Gaeul stared seriously at the menu screen.
“I’m starving to death. Should we just order everything from here to here?”
“Yeah. I already tapped it all.”
Junseo immediately switched to the order screen and hit confirm.
Right. Today, before starting production on the <ParCheHi> spin-off, we’d decided to have a team dinner. Director Jang, Writer Pi, Choo Gaeul, Joo Junseo, and me. Five people.
“Hey, hey—. Everyone doing well?”
“It’s so nice to see you. This feels really good.”
Director Jang and Writer Pi entered shortly after. We clinked makgeolli glasses lightly and shared updates. Junseo was the first to ask Gaeul,
“Did you come without eating?”
“Mmng yehh an lshhhn.”
“What are you even saying....”
I kindly translated for Junseo.
“She says she couldn’t eat separately today because of acting lessons.”
“How do you even understand that....”
“You’re already taking lessons seriously even before script reading. I’m really looking forward to the next heroine.”
“Exactly. The female lead is no problem.”
Director Jang and Writer Pi smiled warmly at Gaeul.
“Has the male lead been decided?”
“Yeah. It’ll probably hit the casting articles soon.”
“He was pretty good when he auditioned. Since he’s an idol, you might know him.”
Director Jang and Writer Pi held up their phones to show the male lead for the next <ParCheHi> spin-off. It was a male idol who had debuted a few years ago.
‘Considering that episode one of <ParCheHi> passed ten million views thanks to overseas subscribers, I guess they decided they need to bring in the overseas audience again for the spin-off.’
Director Jang clenched his fist and cleared his throat softly. He looked like he was about to make an important announcement.
“And you know what? We’re getting a Blu-ray. So during spin-off filming, we’ll also do separate interviews—.”
“A Blu-ray?”
Hearing that a web drama would get a Blu-ray was a first in my life. I stood up without realizing it. At my reaction, Writer Pi burst out laughing.
“Yeah! We didn’t expect it to do this well either. We’re planning to go through crowdfunding.”
“Wow.... Seriously.... How could you keep something like this from us?”
“Hey now. Keep it? We told you as soon as it was decided!”
I’d only had one glass of makgeolli, but I already felt drunk. My head was spinning.
A Blu-ray. I never thought I’d get physical merch this soon.
“We’re planning to upload the script reading video before the <ParCheHi> spin-off opens, and start the funding right when the buzz spikes.”
Junseo looked shocked too, biting his lip. A brief silence hung in the air, filled with a pleasantly bewildered feeling.
“Thank you, Yeoreum.”
Director Jang looked at me as he spoke.
“The director and I talked a lot after hearing about the Blu-ray.... Honestly, without you, Yeoreum, it probably wouldn’t have succeeded this much. Ah, of course! Junseo and Gaeul also worked really hard.”
Writer Pi’s gaze toward me was gentle as well.
“That’s true. No doubt about it.”
Junseo, who had been silent the whole time, nodded. And Choo Gaeul—
“Honestly, I don’t want to admit it, but I have to. Still, don’t get too happy, both of you. I’ll make sure the <ParCheHi> spin-off also gets a Blu-ray!”
She was self-promoting even now. I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt strange. Fortunes I’d never once had before were coming to me one after another.
“Alright! Let’s do well with the spin-off too! Shall we make a toast?”
Director Jang stood up, following me. There were only five of us, so there was no real need to stand, but still. Junseo, Writer Pi, and Gaeul followed, stretching out their arms. I lifted my glass too.
Clink—!
The sound of glasses colliding sounded unusually happy.
“My next project is noir. The role isn’t huge, but the character itself is good, so I’m thinking of doing it. They saw the coordination at the Ruel mint carpet and wanted to contact me right away.”
The dinner went on for quite a while. Junseo talked about being cast in a drama, and—
“So what dress are you wearing to the Drama Awards? Why haven’t you sent me photos to choose from? What do you mean, why should you send them. When you have friends in the same industry, you naturally consult each other about these things—.”
I promised to send Gaeul dress photos.
“I’m thinking of including handwritten notes from the scenario in the Blu-ray set. What do you think?”
Writer Pi talked about the Blu-ray composition, and—
“Oh, by the way, I’m not directing the <ParCheHi> spin-off.”
Director Jang dropped an unexpected bomb.
“What?”
“...Then.”
“Director, are you perhaps doing another... project?”
When Gaeul, Junseo, and I were all flustered, Director Jang looked at me and made a V sign with his fingers.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Director Jang, in charge of directing <Strange Tales>.”
