SCT-Novel Chapter 178: Downfall (4)
Chapter 178: Downfall (4)
Right before filming for the official ‘Vanguard’ YouTube channel, Kang Rojun said something to Manager Kim Ki-baek. As soon as he heard it, Kim Ki-baek was visibly shocked."......In that time?"
Rojun gave a smiling glance with his eyes.
“Yes.”
Kim Ki-baek, who stared at Kang Rojun’s insanely handsome face for a few seconds, told him to focus on the shoot for now, and Rojun walked over to the filming zone where the members were gathered. The staff watching the ‘Vanguard’ members couldn't help but let out words of admiration.
“Maybe it’s because they’ve adjusted recently, but the kids’ expressions are better. They seem more relaxed, don’t they?”
“It’s the camera massage effect. They just keep getting better looking. And more than anything, doesn’t Rojun’s face seem to shine even more? He looks a bit taller too. Right?”
“Maybe it’s because he’s been working out like crazy, but his physique keeps getting better.”
Meanwhile, Manager Kim Ki-baek was focused on Kang Rojun. Then he glanced at the laptop on the seat Rojun had just been sitting in.
‘He’s handling this hellish schedule like it’s nothing, not missing a single side job, and always in better condition than the other members.’
Was there anyone in the current idol scene who could suppress this monster? At least in Kim Ki-baek’s mind, no one came to mind.
‘That guy was born with it, and he even puts in insane effort, who the hell could beat him?’
Morning of April 18, one day later.
The location was Netflix Korea. In a medium-sized meeting room with glass walls on all sides, about five or six people were gathered. Among them were team leaders from Netflix Korea and the sharp-looking Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin.
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin and the staff appeared to be preparing for an upcoming meeting.
-Swish.
They were skimming through meeting-related materials on their tablets.
One of the male team leaders turned to Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin and asked,
“Executive Director, what will you be focusing on for this project?”
The project he was referring to was the one Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin had previously proposed to Culture Drawer’s CEO Heo Ki-tae. In other words, a historical-style production aiming for a global audience. Lim Hyun-jin shrugged.
“Since it’ll be uploaded not just in Korea but on Netflix in various countries, the key is to make it universally enjoyable while mixing in Korean elements appropriately.”
“Like a historical-style superhero piece, for example?”
“That’s not bad either. Actually, if you look at Netflix original series, a lot of them focus heavily on the protagonist.”
“So the story structure should be similar, with the historical theme more of a supporting element?”
“A rich, traditional historical drama could work too, but... it’s best to start with something a bit lighter to break the barrier first.”
It was clear that Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, who was overseeing this large-scale project, was putting a lot of thought into it. Rather than diving straight into a vast ocean of global historical drama...
“Although the global Hallyu wave is strong, if you come in too intense from the beginning, it can be off-putting.”
It seemed they were choosing a path that would be relatively easier to approach.
Just then.
-Knock knock.
There was a knock on the door of the meeting room where the Netflix Korea team was gathered. About three people entered. It was one of the writer agencies that Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin had previously met with regarding the project. Among them was a middle-aged male writer who appeared to be over 50.
After a few minutes of brief greetings and conversation,
“Well then, shall we take a look at the synopsis first?”
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, smiling, received the synopsis and related materials. Just as she was about to read the first page of the synopsis, the agency representative added an explanation.
“The writer didn’t create something entirely new but revised a synopsis that had been written before. We made significant edits, so it’s 180 degrees different from the original story. You could say it’s basically a newly written story tailored to what Netflix Korea wants.”
“I see.”
Nodding, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin turned her eyes back to the synopsis. The moment she read the first page, she was convinced.
‘Looks like it was originally a traditional historical drama, but they drifted it into a fusion historical drama. That’s how they were able to get a synopsis ready so fast.’
In a way, it was a workaround, but the synopsis didn’t reek of outdated tones from the past.
‘A fusion historical drama that deals with crime, with the protagonist as a detective. The flow is good. The worldbuilding could expand, and the themes can keep branching out. At this level... I’d want to at least read the script.’
For now, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin was pleased with the synopsis. In fact, aside from this writer agency, she had held several other meetings and had already secured a few synopses.
‘Among them, this one is the best.’
But the one she had the highest expectations for, Culture Drawer, had yet to submit theirs.
“......”
For a moment, she kept her gaze on the synopsis, then re-equipped her smile.
“Yes, thank you, writer-nim. I’ll read it thoroughly and get back to you.”
The meeting ended sooner than expected. After seeing the writer and agency out, the Netflix Korea staff gathered once more in the meeting room. Then, the staff asked Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin,
“How was the synopsis?”
“It’s the most complete one so far. Take a look.”
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin passed the synopsis to a staff member.
“The synopses we’ve received so far either lacked research, had weak details, or were old drafts they tried to reuse, so there were disappointing parts, but this one is trendy overall and the theme is interesting.”
“...It really is. Then shall we move forward with this one?”
However, for some reason, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin gently shook her head.
“No, not yet. Let’s wait a little longer.”
“Is there an agency you’re still waiting on?”
“Culture Drawer.”
“Ah. Culture Drawer. But since we haven’t heard anything from them yet... maybe all their writers felt pressured. They have tons of writers who don’t need to take on anything.”
Actually, Culture Drawer’s CEO Heo Ki-tae had reached out once. Directly to Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin. She recalled the sound of Heo Ki-tae’s voice.
‘For this project, we’ve made a proposal to Writer Rojun.’
Currently hot in both Korea and Japan, the leader of ‘Vanguard', and someone making serious waves even in side jobs like writing, Writer Rojun. After hearing that he was the one Culture Drawer was putting forward, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin had thought:
“I absolutely have to see the synopsis from Culture Drawer.”
Her mind was filled with ‘Writer Rojun.’
At the same time, inside CEO Heo Ki-tae’s car.
The song playing was ‘GreenBee’ by ‘Vanguard'. CEO Heo Ki-tae, nodding his head to the rhythm, was on his way to work. As he stared at the traffic-jammed road, he suddenly clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, come on, clear up already.”
With a physique like a bear, he stretched with a groan of boredom, then pressed a few buttons on the steering wheel as if something came to mind. The song ‘GreenBee’ was suddenly cut off, and a dial tone filled the car.
CEO Heo Ki-tae was calling someone.
Not long after, a tired male voice answered.
“Yes- hello, CEO Heo.”
He didn’t need to hear anything else to recognize the voice. It was Manager Kim Ki-baek. Soon, CEO Heo Ki-tae spoke with a bit of his business smile.
“Hahaha! Hello, Manager Kim! I’ve been watching ‘Vanguard’ soaring lately! You must be incredibly busy??”
“Yes. Yesterday too, and today’s packed with schedules.”
“From album sales to sweeping first places on music shows! One success after another! Thanks to Writer Rojun, our Culture Drawer is benefitting a lot!”
“It’s mutual support, GN Entertainment is doing well too.”
“Is that so? Hahaha.”
CEO Heo Ki-tae turned the steering wheel to the left and changed the subject.
“You must be busy, so I’ll keep it quick! It’s about the Netflix Korea project, did you receive it from Writer Rojun?”
“Ah- yes.”
“Did the writer-nim let you know how far he’s gotten?”
“Yes. Actually, I was planning to contact you about that today.”
“Oh! Really??”
CEO Heo Ki-tae’s mood lifted instantly.
‘So there’s been progress after all! Maybe he’s already done the character sheets??’
At the same time, Manager Kim Ki-baek responded over the phone.
“I’ll tell you exactly what Rojun said, he finalized the title, completed the synopsis, and finished writing Part 1 of the script.”
Upon hearing this, CEO Heo Ki-tae blanked out for a moment, then blinked repeatedly.
“......Excuse me? What did you just say?”
“He said the title’s been decided, the synopsis is done, and Part 1 of the script has been written. That’s what Rojun told me to relay.”
“He finished writing Part 1??!”
“Yes.”
-Screech!
So shocked that he stopped driving and quickly pulled over to the shoulder of the road, CEO Heo Ki-tae exclaimed.
“W-Wait. So, you’re saying the title’s decided, and not just the synopsis, but the first episode’s script is already done??”
“That’s what I heard.”
“In just a few weeks, with that insane schedule, he managed to write Part 1?? That’s... even possible?”
“Hmm- it’s not.”
“Right??”
“Yes. Normally it wouldn’t be, but the protagonist is Rojun.”
“......Ah.”
“Not just writing, he’s keeping up with all his other side jobs in between schedules too. Watching him makes you realize, this is what a real monster looks like.”
“Huh.”
“Anyway, since the script’s done, you’ll need to meet Rojun, right?”
“Sorry? Ah... Ah! Yes! Of course! When would be a good time for me to go??”
“Hmm-”
Manager Kim Ki-baek paused briefly before murmuring,
“‘Vanguard’ won’t finish their schedule until late tonight.”
“That’s no problem! As long as Writer Rojun is okay with it, I’ll go over no matter if it’s late at night or even dawn!”
“Ah- then I’ll contact you again when the schedule wraps up.”
After ending the call with Manager Kim Ki-baek, CEO Heo Ki-tae let out a laugh of disbelief.
“Even just having the synopsis would be impressive, but the first part of the script is done too??”
Naturally, the corners of his mouth curled up into a wide grin.
“I won’t be able to focus on work at all today.”
Later.
Around the time Kang Rojun and the ‘Vanguard’ members began their schedule, the entertainment industry was still abuzz over the plagiarism scandal involving ‘Neos'. Though ‘Pineon’ had admitted to the plagiarism and was getting blasted for it, ‘Neos’ was also continuously suffering image damage as their past issues were being unearthed.
Eventually, Big Star Entertainment made a major announcement around lunchtime.
《[Breaking] Big Star Entertainment: “We apologize for the plagiarism incident, and ‘Neos’ will temporarily suspend all activities.”》
It meant ‘Neos’ would be halting their activities. It might have been an inevitable conclusion.
《Big Star Entertainment halts ‘Neos’ activities immediately after comeback》
《‘Neos’ sets new bizarre record for shortest promotion period / Photo》
Things had gotten too heated. If ‘Neos’ had been seen as victims, they might have scraped through, but with the public now blaming them as well, pushing forward with promotions would be a bad move. Big Star Entertainment decided to cool things down first, and that wasn’t a bad call.
Once the uproar died down, ‘Neos’ could prepare for a return.
By then, they’d surely conduct much more thorough checks to avoid another plagiarism scandal. In any case, with their announcement of halted activities, Big Star Entertainment began cleaning up the fallout.
Meanwhile, the members of ‘Neos’.
-[“Please believe in us and wait for us.”]
Communicated with fans through livestreams, Instagram, and various social media channels, offering apologies and sharing their future plans. Afterwards, the ‘Neos’ members locked themselves away in their dorm once again. The atmosphere was suffocatingly grim.
Understandably so.
“Damn it! What the hell is a ‘record for halting promotions immediately after comeback’ supposed to be!! This is so humiliating!”
They had made an absurd record that no other idols had ever achieved. Even their commercials, TV appearances, and all scheduled activities had been canceled. They were suddenly left sucking their thumbs.
“This is so frustrating. Why do we have to be the ones to get suspended?”
“Ha… I have no idea how long we’re gonna be stuck in this dorm.”
“Don’t even dream of going outside. Reporters are swarming the area.”
“I’m gonna go crazy. Only ‘Vanguard’ gets to shine.”
“What is this shit?! I heard even the song ‘Bloom Me’ was originally sent to GN and got rejected before coming to us??”
“I seriously can’t stand those ‘Vanguard’ bastards from beginning to end.”
“Bet Rojun and those ‘Vanguard’ guys are laughing their asses off while we’re like this!”
The leader tried to calm down the agitated members.
“Hold on. In times like this, the answer is to endure. Conserve your strength, wait till things quiet down, and come back to flip the board. When that time comes, let’s crush ‘Vanguard’ properly.”
“...Ha. When we make our comeback, tell the company we have to go up against ‘Vanguard', okay, hyung?”
“I already did.”
While everyone else was practically jumping off the walls, there was one member who remained quiet. It was the gray-haired Jae-chan, who had bumped Si-hoo on the shoulder. He sunk into the sofa and let out a deep sigh. Then, he muttered quietly,
“Hoo… my stress is piling up.”
At the same time, his hands were trembling slightly.
Meanwhile.
A well-known reporter-turned-YouTuber had just uploaded a new video featuring a scoop. The title read:
-Shocking! ‘Plagiarist’ Neos Member Jae-chan! We Have Proof of His Drug Party!!｜Reporter Park TV