Chapter 49: Ratings War Ignited

Today is the day the final episode of Macho Restaurant airs, and also the day the first episode of Maboksun begins.

There was a buzz among drama staff and viewers alike, each for their own reasons.

With a writer, director, and cast that everyone trusts, it was only natural that all eyes were on these shows.

Even more so, it was unprecedented in drama history for the same writer’s last episode and first episode to air simultaneously on different networks in the same time slot.

 achieved stable ratings with healing and comedy, without any sensational material.

The ratings, which had maintained around 14%, climbed just before the final episode, nearly reaching 17%.

- I’m sticking with Macho Restaurant till the end ㅏㅏㅏ
- Are you sure you can resist Kim Heesu’s acting? Gotta see Kim Heesu living a twisted life.
- The title is a total scam lololol How can you not watch “Makjang Life Maboksun”?

With things like this, a heated debate unfolded about which show to watch—both written by the same author.

From Lee Junghyuk’s perspective, it was a bizarre situation where his own work became the competition.

Meanwhile, the production companies’ situations were a bit different.

Ten Entertainment, which produced Maboksun, was convinced that their high-stimulation, high-quality, high-budget Maboksun would surpass Macho Restaurant’s highest ratings in a flash.

Director Jo Minseong and CEO Yeon Kyungtae were sitting in the CEO’s office, waiting for Maboksun’s premiere on a 100-inch QLED 8K TV.

“We don’t need to watch the final episode of Macho Restaurant?”

“I’ve followed it up till yesterday, and it looks like it’ll end smoothly.”

“Maboksun was already great at the preview, and Director Jang worked on it even more, right?”

“Yes. The director is really putting his all into it. I guess the script is just that good.”

“Hoho. I’m looking forward to it.”

On the other hand, at H Studio in Hapjeong-dong,

Hong Juhee had gathered with the staff in the main conference room, anxiously waiting for Maboksun’s first broadcast.

“Did everyone tell even their distant relatives with a ratings box to keep Macho Restaurant on?”

“Yes, but... shouldn’t we also be watching the final episode of Macho Restaurant?”

“Know your enemy and know yourself, and you’ll win. We’re going to watch Maboksun with our own eyes and learn what we must. It’ll be a valuable lesson.”

“Yes!!”

With the spirit of a general going into battle, Hong Juhee made the bold decision to watch a rival drama instead of her own.

“But everyone’s got their group chat open, right? Make sure to steer the public opinion! Even if we’re watching Maboksun, the viewers must watch Macho Restaurant!”

“Yeessir!!”

“But don’t make it sound like criticism! It’s our writer’s work, so just praise our own!”

“Understood!!!”

So, various drama communities and group chats became tinged with the anxious pleas—and hearts—of H Studio staff, who feared Maboksun might become too popular and instantly surpass Macho Restaurant.

“Maboksun is starting!”

With a shout from Seo Sun-ae, recently promoted to director at year’s end, all the staff glued their eyes to the screen, abandoning their phones and laptops.

The 85-inch QLED TV, which Hong Juhee had splurged on despite being stingy about everything she watched herself, was camouflaged against the wall, quietly in place.

The ultra-high-definition drama, clear enough to see the iris in actor Kim Heesu’s eyes, immediately drew everyone in.

Of course, it wasn’t just because of the TV’s specs.

Director Jang Byunghun’s directing, true to his reputation with writer Park Eunsook, brought the video quality to the highest level. Even with a stellar cast, his touch melted into the art, almost invisible yet omnipresent.

As Maboksun aired, the story’s whirlwind development lit up the group chat.

“Wow, the visuals are insane.”

For this moment, even the H Studio staff couldn’t help but become mere viewers, completely immersed.

Everyone was exclaiming or discussing excitedly about which scene was a hit as they enjoyed Maboksun.

And then, there came a moment when both the group chat and H Studio froze.

“She finally appears.”

Yeon Kyungtae, CEO of Ten Entertainment, spoke as if introducing the protagonist of a superhero movie.

And the one who appeared—brushing her long hair aside and displaying overwhelming beauty—was Cheon Nayoung.

A full shot, filling the screen.

Director Jang applied slow motion, calmly revealing her beauty.

It was as if to say, “I’m not showing you this scene to seduce you; Cheon Nayoung is so beautiful that you’re seeing everything in slow motion”—a brazen, hypnotic directorial trick.

Yet the masterful direction worked perfectly.

Even Seol Kyungtae and Jo Minseong, who expected Cheon Nayoung’s appearance, couldn’t help but be amazed at seeing her in full-screen.

“They say the screen can’t capture real beauty, but that’s old news now.”

“Haha. Right? Viewers are going to go crazy.”

Once Cheon Nayoung’s full shot passed, the internet was ablaze with posts asking about her, even more than before.

-Who is this actress? Is she even Korean?
-I don’t think she’s human. CGI? Is that face for real?
-Wow, if someone with that face doesn’t have an affair, it’s totally unrealistic
-You supporting cheating?
-No, but even as a woman I’d be tempted
-Stunning, seriously unbelievably gorgeous
-That face being hidden until now is a national loss

Of course, it was the same at H Studio.

“Cheon Nayoung—heard her name, but this is insane.”

“Wow. Where did the writer even find a face like that?”

“This is definitely going to break ratings records. Might even surpass Macho Restaurant. Ah! Sorry!”

The mood froze again at a careless remark from the youngest staff member.

“So that’s why Jo Minseong was so confident.”

Even Hong Juhee couldn’t deny it after seeing the result.

That Maboksun would be the biggest hit of the year’s first half.

***

“‘Lee Junghyuk the writer—Is his vision a gift from the gods?’ That’s the headline from an MEC reporter. ‘From Twin Love’s Ahn Yooseok to Makjang Life Maboksun’s Cheon Nayoung. He’s a writer who, since his divorce, keeps putting out hit works while also possessing a keen ability to spot new stars.’ ‘It’s said that Lee Junghyuk was the one who debuted Cheon Nayoung—once wildly popular as the Ice Cream Girl, then vanished from the scene—on the screen.’”

Assistant writer Jung Taemi was excitedly reading out an article posted on a portal site.

“Writer, there’s another one. ‘Macho Restaurant wrapped up in great success, never once losing first place in its time slot, with a remarkable 16.8% rating. Makjang Life Maboksun started off with an incredible 15.2% rating—the highest first-episode drama rating in the past five years.’”

“I honestly thought Maboksun would win.”

“But did you know the peak rating hit 20%?”

“Ah, right. That was when Nayoung appeared. Apparently, that was the highest minute-by-minute rating.”

“Really?”

Jung Taemi and Im Seonghee took turns, excitedly searching for and reading articles and community posts.

“‘Trustworthy Lee Junghyuk. The 20-40s laugh and cry at his dramas.’”

“‘K-dramas are now in the Lee Junghyuk era.’”

“Hoho. Aren’t they flattering me a bit much?”

“What do you mean flattering! It’s the truth!”

“Unnie, unnie, did you see this? Some drama maniac did a crazy analysis of Maboksun’s first episode, finding all sorts of hints.”

Jung Taemi and Im Seonghee chatted away, sharing posts.

I was pleased by the news as well, though what I was anticipating was a little different.

‘If the ratings surpass 20 percent, I get a wish token.’

Godflix had been silent since it gave out a week of free viewing, with no updates or news.

That meant I needed to surpass 20% quickly to discover the next step.

Judging by Maboksun’s ratings and recognition, I thought I had a good shot at the wish token.

Part of the reason I chose the “makjang” genre for this mission in the first place.

I just hadn’t expected such quick results.

“With a first-episode rating of 15%, we’ll hit 20% before the finale, right?”

I slurped my iced Americano through a straw and asked indifferently.

“That’s the hope, but...”

“Hmmm. We absolutely have to surpass 20 percent.”

“So you’re not satisfied with a start like this. As expected, you move differently from ordinary folks.”

Well. Now that Maboksun was out of my hands, all I could do was leave it to Director Jang and the actors.

“All right, let’s get to why we’re gathered today. Did you both bring your scripts?”

Im Seonghee and Jung Taemi, who had been so excited, instantly tensed up.

“Let’s start with Im Seonghee’s script for .”

“Ah, yes. Here it is.”

“How did you find the writing process?”

“Thanks to you giving me the plot and characters, it honestly wasn’t that hard. What’s weird is, I used to spend forever writing a first episode, but when I followed your guidance, it just came out smoothly.”

“Huh. Same for me.”

“Taemi, how was writing ? I gave it to you since you already did legal dramas.”

“Yes! I mean, I don’t want it to sound like I did it too easily, but it was more like I could really see the scenes in my mind.”

“That’s a relief. All right, let’s have a look.”

I took the scripts they’d each written and went into my room.

I’d selected the most similar Godflix works to what they’d shown me before.

No matter how good a script is, if you can’t enjoy writing it, it’s worthless.

“Hmm. Not bad.”

There’s no one right answer to a script; even knowing the story and characters, every writer creates something different.

Both Im Seonghee’s and Jung Taemi’s scripts were clearly different from Godflix’s, but both had solid foundations and strong dialogue, so the quality was far better than I expected.

If I had to give it a number, I’d say they were 70-point scripts.

With some editing from me, they’d become 80-point scripts.

Of course, that was comparing to Godflix.

Compared to scripts currently on the market, these already had completeness and literary value.

“Would you both like to continue up to episode 4 like this?”

Without dragging it out, I went out to the living room and spoke about what would happen next.

Once they wrote up to episode 4, I’d show them to Hong Juhee and Jo Minseong and jump right into production.

I judged both had enough ability and responsibility to work with me.

“W-we’re really going straight to drama?”

“Of course, it depends on how well you two write the scripts. But I trust your abilities and think you’ll do great.”

“Writer, I swear, I’ll work so, so, so hard. Even if I cough up blood!”

“Hoho. That’s a bit much. Still, don’t ruin your health—just do your best within reason.”

“Yes, I will! Thank you so much, Writer—no, Creator!”

“So, shall we get started in earnest? How much time do you need for four episodes?”

“Hmm. Usually it’s a month per episode, so by the end of June?”

“Come on. With the plot and beats you gave us, we could probably finish by early June.”

Jung Taemi clenched her fist in determination.

Im Seonghee seemed spurred on, too, nodding that she’d do her best by then.

“Early June...”

It was late February now, so early June meant three months.

Like Im Seonghee said, usually a script takes at least a month per episode.

But that’s only when you don’t have Godflix.

I was aiming to build a writer’s crew—a perfect, auto-hunting system.

“I’ll give you a month and a half.”

“Pardon?”

“By mid-April, you two will finish four episodes. That’s the goal for Team Lee Junghyuk.”