Recently, Seo-yeon had been attracting attention for various reasons.
It was partly because she was cast as the lead in the drama
Mostly, it was because her public profile had skyrocketed due to
- When does Ju Seo-yeon come out? It's been no fun since episode 2.
- There are other groups too. If they show all of them, it'll take at least 3 episodes.
- Still, wouldn't they finish the other groups all at once?
- You'd think so if you knew how entertaining Group A was.
The viewership rating for episode 1 of
It was a figure so high that it didn't feel like a general cable variety show.
If this was just episode 1, there was a chance it could go even higher, making it possible to record the highest viewership ratings among this year's variety shows!
If things went well, it might even surpass the dreaded 8% barrier, but...
"Episode 2 viewership is 4%."
"……."
PD Lee Ki-tae sighed at the words of the staff from the general cable channel 'HK Channel'.
It was a result they had expected to some extent.
"It definitely dropped a bit because no other group has the distinct characteristics of Group A."
Everyone's voices were calm.
They had thought it would turn out like this ever since they finished filming.
"The instantaneous viewership rating at the start was clearly double that of episode 1, though."
The actors of Group B in episode 2 also had the same gunfight mission as Group A in episode 1.
They showed a somewhat fierce gunfight, but it didn't feel incredibly intense.
First of all.
"There's no actor who properly utilizes their superpowers."
"That part is honestly unavoidable. It's filmed live, and it's not easy to coordinate."
"But didn't we hold the audition to select actors who could do that?"
Acting out the superpower they set for themselves while engaging in a gunfight was not an ordinary difficulty.
Therefore, there was virtually no one in Group B who could properly do that.
"We should have separated Ju Seo-yeon and Jo Seo-hee into different groups."
"Or Han So-yoo, at least."
They felt that too many actors who could actually act were clustered in Group A.
But the groupings themselves were random, so it couldn't be helped.
"I'm already scared of what the viewership ratings will be like up to episode 4."
There were no proper characters.
Thinking about it, it was obvious. It wasn't 'normal acting', but 'action acting'.
Furthermore, among the members gathered this time, those whose specialty was action acting often lacked in normal acting.
"But to establish a character, you need to be able to do normal acting."
"Well, isn't that obvious if you want to take on a lead role?"
"But I didn't think there would be so few who can do both..."
Once again.
They realized just how much of a monster Ju Seo-yeon was.
It was evident that Seo-yeon had properly 'acted', not to mention the moments during filming that made them wonder if she had real superpowers.
A protagonist with the vibe of a villain.
Because she properly displayed that aura, and because Jo Seo-hee delivered a twist at the end, episode 1's viewership ratings could hit the jackpot.
"Then, let's do this."
PD Lee Ki-tae opened his mouth after some deliberation.
Since Group A had already proceeded, there was no choice but to proceed the same way up to Group D.
If so, they had no choice but to use a slightly unorthodox method.
"An interview?"
"Yes, I'm thinking of adding CG-enhanced scenes after evaluating from Group A to Group D."
"Ah, from what we filmed in episode 1?"
Seo-yeon recalled the time of the episode 1 filming for a moment.
Come to think of it, there was a feeling that the props and floor were green in episode 1.
Probably to apply CG in post-processing.
"Are all groups doing it?"
It would take too long if they did.
When she asked with that thought,
"No. We plan to do it for only one group that received the highest evaluation out of the four groups."
But Group A already?
"Of course, the work will proceed after all the other groups have finished their 1st mission."
Just in case a scene better than Group A's actually comes out.
However.
'That's not going to happen.'
PD Lee Ki-tae gazed at Seo-yeon, who was staring blankly at him.
As for the physical ability part, honestly, it was to the point where it didn't feel real.
'Putting that aside, acting.'
What they ultimately show on broadcast is physical ability, yes, but in the end, it's acting.
Because this isn't a simple variety show, but an audition.
Seo-yeon fully utilized her physical ability as a performance, while also taking care of the acting.
She even left a proper smile at the end.
'I should ask actor Jo Seo-hee as well.'
And Han So-yoo too.
Acting, in the end, cannot be done by one person alone.
Acting shines only when the chemistry is right.
'Group A got it right.'
Other staff and PDs said that these three should have been sent to different groups.
But PD Lee Ki-tae thought differently.
It was because these three were in the same group that episode 1 could come alive.
An actor who receives the acting and strikes the back of Seo-yeon's head.
If Seo-yeon had been alone, proper superpower acting wouldn't have come out either.
The gunfight would have also ended smoothly with Seo-yeon's victory.
'Min Do-ha also received it well, but...'
Honestly, I'm not sure if that was acting.
It felt so real that I actually wondered if it was real...
"Ah, and I'm thinking of putting in short interviews for episodes 3 and 4."
Of course, it's not just Group A.
'But Group A is scheduled to have the most weight.'
If they put them all on one side, the viewership would drop, so they plan to mix them up.
"Seo-yeon, you will appear at the end of episode 4."
"Yes? That's..."
"It means you showed the most amazing look in episode 1."
Seo-yeon's interview, what kind of feelings and mindset she approached it with, will be shown at the very end.
Only then will people come back to see it.
Only then, even if episode 3's ratings turn out subtle, they could bring the viewers back in episode 4.
Because they had to make them watch episode 5.
"Then, I'll leave it in your hands."
Thus, Seo-yeon ended up having a solo interview with a reporter in a separately prepared room.
'It feels like it's been a long time since I was little.'
She had done it a few times during her child acting days, but it was her first time since her return, so it felt a little awkward.
"Wow, I see. Min Do-ha's acting was truly amazing! Even I thought it was real."
"Yes. I'm glad it seems he made it through the 1st round."
Seo-yeon replied with a smile to the reporter's lively words.
The interview wasn't anything major.
Just what kind of mindset she had during the filming at that time.
What the intention behind this acting was.
They were asking such things.
The most frequently brought up topic was the superpower scene she performed with Han So-yoo.
The reporter hyped it up so much that it was honestly flustering.
"Ah, and you deflected the paintballs with your arms and hands. Didn't you get hurt?"
"Huh? Ah, I'm fine."
Seo-yeon smiled softly at that question.
She had expected this question to come, so she had already prepared an answer.
"The cosmetics I use help with things like this."
"……?"
The reporter was a bit flustered by Seo-yeon's triumphant answer.
Do cosmetics these days block paintballs too?
"Ah, I-I see."
"Yes."
"Truly great cosmetics."
"Of course."
The interview came to a neat finish amidst such a bizarre conversation.
And because of that interview, a certain company's sales skyrocketed, but...
In a way, it was to be expected.
***
Baek Min-chan, a director at Eclat Etoile, sat blankly in his seat for a moment.
Right now, he was quietly closing his eyes, feeling like a god of business.
"Director. I believed in you!"
"God of business!!"
Everyone cheered and clapped continuously.
Well, it was understandable.
'1.5 times last year's sales...!'
It was an encouraging result indeed.
Not only had they finally recovered all the dropped sales, but the profits had also started to rise noticeably.
'I didn't think it would be to this extent.'
Baek Min-chan closed his eyes and thought so.
How on earth did this happen?
No, he knew the reason.
Purely out of fandom, and trusting his own eyes, he had forcefully inserted the actress.
It was because Ju Seo-yeon had been a massive hit.
It was partly because the commercial came out well, but...
It was because whenever Seo-yeon appeared on broadcasts, she never failed to talk about cosmetics.
"Ah, I think my skin didn't burn thanks to the cosmetics."
That was the case in the uninhabited island survival show.
And even in her recent appearance on episode 4 of
"The cosmetics I use help with things like this."
She had said it triumphantly.
One might wonder what that had to do with cosmetics, but...
Anyway, the viewers who saw it seemed to take it at face value.
With things turning out that way.
"What's the cosmetics Ju Seo-yeon is talking about?"
"Probably a brand called Eclat Etoile?"
Such words were frequently heard even just by visiting offline stores.
A universal cosmetic that blocks sunlight and prevents skin scratches.
Could it be called the triumph of modern science.
'Hmm.'
Looking at the series of situations and the vertically rising sales chart, Director Baek Min-chan thought.
'I wonder if we'll get sued for false advertising...'
It was a part he was quite seriously worried about lately.
He definitely had pride in their company's cosmetics, and they certainly had UV protection effects and the ability to protect rough skin.
But there's a limit to everything.
Running around all day under the scorching sun on an uninhabited island.
How could it block paintballs in a survival game?
If that were possible, who would use safety gear.
Everyone would just use our cosmetics.
If it develops a little more, it'll probably block bullets too, seriously.
Just as Eclat Etoile was slowly transforming into a military enterprise in Baek Min-chan's mind.
"Director."
Jung Tae-soo, the head of the business strategy team who received a large incentive this time, spoke up.
"You're aware that our in-house brand is expanding into the clothing business this time, right?"
"I know."
"We're thinking of having actor Ju Seo-yeon as the model for that as well, what do you think?"
It seemed the other directors were already nodding in agreement.
Furthermore, infinite trust in Ju Seo-yeon could be seen in Jung Tae-soo's eyes.
No, of course, Director Baek Min-chan also trusted her infinitely.
However, she would be wearing those clothes on a variety show now.
"I'm all for it."
"Right? Then we'll proceed with that..."
"If actor Ju Seo-yeon accepts, make sure to give her durable clothes when sponsoring."
"Excuse me?"
"Never mind. We need to have a meeting with them."
Eclat Etoile was currently putting effort into launching a new high-end clothing brand.
They were bringing in top-tier designers from overseas and preparing for the launch with great care in many ways, but...
'The clothes must be durable.'
It was a part he usually didn't care about.
Since it was high-end clothing, one might wonder who would care about such a thing, but if Ju Seo-yeon wore it and went somewhere else, it could be a problem.
Given her level of activity, there was definitely a possibility it could turn into rags.
"Come on, Director. No matter what, she's an actress..."
"Actor Ju Seo-yeon is quite energetic, you know."
"Was she?"
Judging solely by her appearance or atmosphere, she was absolutely not energetic.
But seeing her appearance on variety shows, it definitely seemed that way.
"She probably always wears a school uniform because the clothes are durable."
Since it's tailored to student standards anyway, they use durable materials in many ways.
Moreover, Yeonhwa High School's uniform felt like it used very high-quality materials.
Because of that, several high schools were sending love calls to the relevant company recently.
"Anyway, appearance isn't the only important thing. Durability! And actor Ju Seo-yeon's intention is the most important, so make sure to ask her opinion."
"I understand."
At the sight of Jung Tae-soo nodding reliably, Director Baek Min-chan nodded with satisfaction.
Everything was going smoothly.
Cosmetics sales were cruising at high altitudes thanks to Seo-yeon.
The newly prepared clothing line was also receiving everyone's interest without any particular problems.
Even just looking at internet communities, people were already asking what clothing brand Eclat Etoile was preparing.
'I have no confidence.'
Confidence that it will fail.
***
"Seo-yeon, an ad for Eclat Etoile's clothing came in."
"Ah, really?"
At Manager Park Eun-ha's words, Seo-yeon nodded.
An ad for Eclat Etoile's clothing...
'Come to think of it, it was around this time.'
Eclat Etoile launching a new clothing brand.
"Hmmmm."
"What's wrong, don't you like it?"
Park Eun-ha reacted with a bit of puzzlement at Seo-yeon's demeanor.
It was a very good ad for an actress, considering it was an ad for a high-end clothing brand.
It was good for her image, and they paid quite well, too.
"No, it's not that."
It's just that.
'That fails big time.'
Seo-yeon was a little conflicted about what to do with this.
After all, Eclat Etoile was a precious company that had given Seo-yeon 400 million won.