Chapter 3: Writing Against the Odds

[Twin Love]

Right after watching Episode 1.  

The remaining three viewing tickets had no choice but to be used to continue watching up to Episode 4.  

Every episode ended with an irresistibly addictive cliffhanger.  

The endings were like art, forcing you to watch the next episode.  

A political romance unfolds through a love triangle between the twin brothers and the female film director protagonist.  

Even the thriller unfolding within the drama-within-the-drama was tightly woven without any flaws.  

In fact, the scene in Episode 4 where the twin brother stabs his younger brother with a knife was so realistic, I couldn’t tell if it was part of the drama or reality, which made me immediately pay for the next episode.  

[Insufficient viewing tickets.] 

[You cannot purchase the next episode.]  

"E Lai."  

I knew it.  

The cruel tactic of teasing and then forcing payment was the same whether by gods or humans.  

Showing such an insane drama and then making me write a script?  

Isn’t that too much?  

This was not a work worthy of awards but one designed to crush my miserable skills, making me despair.  

“Wait a minute.”   

“Come to think of it, this work doesn’t exist in reality, does it?”  

Out of curiosity, I even googled it with my poor English skills but found nothing.  

My belly started to itch.  

Soon the itch spread all over my body.  

"What if I wrote this? What if I showed this to the world?"  

No doubt about it.  

This level of solid structure and plot would be in the top 5 among Korean dramas released in a year.  

I’ve read hundreds of scripts and watched dozens of dramas during my seven years as a ghostwriter.  

Objectively, Twin Love is definitely a gem.  

Any production company or director who sees this work would say the same.  

Let’s make it once.  

For a writer, a script is a weapon, power, and everything.  

If you have a good script, even the doors of the most ironclad actor agencies and the biggest broadcasting stations can be shaken by a powerful spear and shield.  

That’s why production companies go all out to find good scripts.  

Even if you’re not a famous established writer, as long as the writing is good, they will welcome you with open arms.  

[Bronze Quest (#1)]  

[Sign a new drama contract.]  

[Success reward: 4 viewing tickets, 20 million won cash.]  

I opened the Bronze Quest window again.  

If I wrote the script based on the drama I just saw, a week would be more than enough.  

I just needed to transcribe what I saw on the screen as it was.  

"And they even give real cash."  

By the time that thought crossed my mind, my hands were already rapidly typing.  

This was an opportunity. A chance granted by the gods.  

If you hesitate when given a chance, you end up with nothing.  

With that resolve, I clicked the 'Progress' button on the Godflix Quest window.  

"Wow. This script is insane."  

A rookie PD who had just joined One Star Dragon blurted out in amazement.  

The team leader next to him jabbed his ribs.  

"Quiet. Don’t say that anywhere."  

"Why?"  

“Didn’t you read the script properly? Whose script is this?”  

"Ah, right. I didn’t see the writer’s name because I got hooked from the opening. Is it Park Eun Sook? Or Choi Eun Hee? If it was written by top writers in Korea, it’d already be contracted with other production companies."  

"*Lee Jeong Hyuk."  

"Lee Jeong Hyuk? Who’s that?"  

The rookie PD suddenly covered his mouth.  

"Could it be him?"  

Like the Forbidden Forest in some British wizarding school, a name known but unspoken.  

In this industry, not an idol or celebrity, yet a name often whispered among many.  

He was a shareholder of One Star Dragon, the powerhouse shaking the Korean content industry, the 0L Group.  

The ruthless man currently meeting with the CEO, right?"  

Inside the CEO’s office, firmly locked.  

There was no way anyone outside could hear a sound, yet the atmosphere was chilling.  

Oh Tae Soo, CEO of One Star Dragon, had endured countless hardships to get here.  

But never had he been in a more awkward position.  

Only two years ago, Oh Tae Soo went to great lengths just to have one meal with Lee Jeong Hyuk.  

Not because he liked Lee Jeong Hyuk’s writing, but to catch the eye of the group’s director Jeon Min Jung, who was Lee’s wife.  

Now the situation was completely the opposite.  

The two copies of Twin Love scripts that Lee Jeong Hyuk brought were the best Oh Tae Soo had seen this year.  

Having joined as a drama director at 85 and working for 25 years, he was a planning director at a major production company but had never made a hit.  

With political power and insight, Oh Tae Soo was nicknamed ‘Hit Maker’ in this field.  

It was better than all the works currently in progress at One Star Dragon,  

and even better than scripts scheduled to air in the second half of next year.  

In other words, even if the writer was a newcomer, casting A-list actors wouldn’t be difficult with this script.  

If they added top-tier actors, its success was a given.  

"Did Lee Jeong Hyuk write this well?"  

Oh Tae Soo glanced at Lee Jeong Hyuk sitting opposite him.  

He looked thinner and more worn than when they last met two years ago, but his eyes shone with conviction.  

That was definitely the aura of someone who truly believed in their own script.  

Lee Jeong Hyuk, who had recorded only 2% ratings for his first work and was branded a failure by the industry.  

At that time, the 0L Group had covered all the production costs, so the production company didn’t lose much.  

But now, the situation was different.  

"Hmm..."  

The script wasn’t the problem.  

Oh Tae Soo never expected to worry with such a great script right before him.  

He hesitated and finally spoke.  

"To be honest, the Twin Love this writer brought? It was good. The most interesting script I’ve seen lately. But..."  

What Oh Tae Soo said next was shocking.  

Rumor had it that Lee Jeong Hyuk, who debuted thanks to director Jeon Min Jung, was oblivious and terribly confused by the female lead’s stormy scandals.  

Putting aside the truth or falsehood of the rumors, 0L Group’s attitude in spreading them was blatant.  

This meant no production company would dare sign Lee Jeong Hyuk’s script.  

"You must already know. The drama industry doesn’t run on scripts alone."  

Lee Jeong Hyuk’s mistaken belief that a good script was enough was pure stubbornness.  

Actors’ private scandals bring dramas down.  

Doctors’ strikes cancel medical dramas.  

When a drama department head changes, the entire year’s lineup can shift in an instant.  

This was the drama industry.  

At least 1 billion won per episode, and at least 10 to 20 billion won per series—a brutal capitalist battleground.  

Moreover, if a script is attached to a writer signed with a content monster like Entertainment, controlling multiple production companies producing Korea’s top films, dramas, webtoons, and web novels,  

"There's no mercy."  

Oh Tae Soo thought it was unfortunate but unavoidable.  

If the writer pushed their ambition, a blockbuster could definitely come out.  

But betting the future on just one work?  

He had seen countless production companies go bankrupt after a big hit because the next project failed to secure investment.  

There were many writers who produced hits and then wrote garbage for the next project.  

"So you’re saying the problem is the name?"  

At Oh Tae Soo’s carefully expressed words, Lee Jeong Hyuk didn’t show much surprise.  

"I expected there’d be some stink about me."  

"Compared to my rotten personality, that’s a cute rumor."  

"What do you mean, writer? Is there more?"  

Oh Tae Soo’s eyes flashed.  

He’d heard all sorts of scandals in this industry, but this level of major scandal was rare.  

"I can’t say the details. But wouldn’t it be easier if you used a pseudonym instead of your real name?"  

"That’s not a simple issue. You know that using a pseudonym doesn’t hide anything here. If they want to find out, they will."  

Right. Even if a pseudonym was used, if 0 Media—or rather Jeon Min Jung—applied blatant pressure, One Star Dragon couldn’t do anything.  

This was not a matter of right or wrong, but of power.  

"I understand"  

Lee Jeong Hyuk still stared at Oh Tae Soo with bright eyes.  

Then slowly got up, bowed politely to Oh Tae Soo, and left.  

As soon as Lee Jeong Hyuk closed the door behind him, Oh Tae Soo furrowed his brow and bitterly clicked his tongue.  

“If only it weren’t for 0 Media. This would be a work I’d sign at any cost. What a pity.”  

Oh Tae Soo was a producer who wanted to release good dramas before worrying about 0 Media’s watchful eyes.  

After a moment of thought, he opened the door again and called Lee Jeong Hyuk, who was waiting by the elevator.  

“Sorry I couldn’t help. But at least go visit here once.”  

Haah.  

A deep sigh escaped naturally.  

This was the third rejection already.  

The people media who had been close while working as a ghostwriter, the studio that had sent many love calls, and even One Star Dragon, with whom I debuted...  

The answer was always the same.  

Sorry, we don’t think we can work together.  

I had thought that with this script, I could definitely sign a contract, but my confidence was fading.  

Still, judging from Oh Tae Soo’s reaction, Twin Love  really was a good script.  

The business card I received before leaving One Star Dragon proved this.  

“Since becoming independent recently, there's a production company run by a producer named Bae. I’ll put you in touch, so if you’re interested, try visiting.”  

I booked a cheap single room at a business hotel for about 60,000 won per night and checked in.  

Visiting production companies day after day left my body exhausted, but the warm water felt like it melted away my fatigue.  

Perhaps due to exhaustion, after drying off with a shower towel and lying on the soft bed, I soon fell asleep.  

The next day, early morning.  

Feeling refreshed, I went down to the parking lot and got into the car, pulling out the business card from my wallet.  

[H Studio] 
 
[Hong Ju Hee, CEO]  

I really hope they accept Twin Love. I have to at least try.  

I entered the address written on Oh Tae Soo’s business card into the navigation and headed out immediately.  

You have arrived near your destination.  

Among red brick row houses near Mapo District, a small building stood out with its aluminum windows and gray-white exterior, exuding a different atmosphere from the surroundings.  

The modest sign, easy to miss if you didn’t look closely, read ‘H Studio.’  

With no suitable parking nearby, I reluctantly tried to park in front of the building’s fence, glancing at the side mirrors.  

Beep—  

A short honk sounded, and a white compact electric car parked tightly behind mine.  

The driver of the electric car opened the door and strode over to my car.  

Tapping on the driver’s seat, I rolled down the window.  

A young-looking woman dressed in a black belted suit lowered her head and spoke.  

“Sorry, this is a reserved parking space, so if you plan to park here, you need to find another spot.”  

“I came to see H Studio. Is parking not allowed here?”  

“Ah! Are you writer Lee Jeong Hyuk?”  

“Yes, that’s right.”  

The driver looked briefly flustered, adjusted her outfit, then greeted me politely.  

“Nice to meet you, writer. I’m Hong Ju Hee of H Studio. Please feel free to park here.”  

So the parking issue was resolved with Hong Ju Hee’s compact car snugly parked behind mine.  

Hong Ju Hee got out of the car, laughing quietly at the unexpected difficult parking situation.  

She beckoned toward the building entrance with a bright smile.  

“I’ll take you inside, writer.”  

Unlike the lively Hong Ju Hee, the interior of the building was somewhat... shabby.  

Overall, it looked more like an office attached to a factory than a drama production company.  

Since they had recently become independent, their capital didn’t seem very strong.  

“Would you like some coffee? We got some good beans this time, and I’ll make it myself.”  

“Thank you. I’ll have one, please.”  

Hong Ju Hee ground the beans manually with a lever, skillfully poured hot water over the filter, and the rich brown coffee dripped slowly.  

The fragrant, heavy aroma filled the office.  

Taking the warm coffee Hong Ju Hee made, I slowly savored its scent and taste.  

“How is the taste?”  

“Very good. It’s been a while since I had coffee this delicious.”  

Hong Ju Hee herself looked far from shabby or ordinary.  

Her sleek suit and perfectly styled glossy wave perm made her look like a model.  

Her face was so striking that she looked more like an actress than a production company CEO.  

Just her presence alone made the shabby office feel like a passionate and talented startup.  

After I set down my coffee cup, Hong Ju Hee began the main topic at a moderate pace—not too fast, not too slow.  

“I read your script after getting it from Oh Sunbae.”  

“How was it?”  

“Without a doubt, it’s a work that will definitely explode once produced.”  

“You mean if production is possible?”  

“Yes, as long as production is possible.”  

Having been rejected three times for the same reason, I guessed what Hong Ju Hee would say next.  

The script is good, but we also have our circumstances. The usual excuse.  

I was about to thank her for the nice coffee and stand up when—  

“So then, please sign with us, writer Lee Jeong Hyuk.”  

Honestly, I was surprised by her unexpected answer.  

But even if I succeeded in signing, I wasn’t naive enough to stamp my seal immediately.  

“How long can you commit ?”