Chapter 37: The Broadcast Offer

In the office, where anxiety never seemed to take a day off, I spent every day on edge, worrying that people would complain again about the raised contract terms—until, out of nowhere, the CEO burst into laughter and filled the entire office with a rosy glow.

“Ha ha, that author is a real blessing. Look at this. Just look at it.”

[The work displays economic insight that surpasses most experts.

The stocks and economic trends in the novel are flowing as if reality is imitating them, leaving the nation of Korea curious about the true identity of Unreal Oppa……]

The reason was simple.

The world’s keen interest in Unreal Oppa, and the fact that everyone’s attention was now fixed on Mideum Publishing, was enough to make the CEO’s shoulders shake with excitement.

How long was he going to keep doing that shoulder dance? Wasn’t he going to throw his shoulder out at this rate?

No, actually, it’d be nice if he did.

“Producer Lee, contact Unreal Oppa right away and see if he’ll appear on TV. Manager Oh, you keep looking after Unreal Oppa.”

Mideum Publishing, which used to deal with ‘books,’ had now transformed into an agency for Unreal Oppa.

“Yes, understood.”

But showing dissatisfaction would be a foolish move.

I responded firmly and sent out a message.

[Hello, Author. This is Deputy Manager Oh Jooseon. We’ve received a broadcast appearance request for you, so I’m reaching out on behalf of the publishing company. May I ask if you’re available for contact?]

“...Why does every day feel like a battlefield?”

After hitting the send button, I let my head drop low.

I was just too tired and worn out.

If only I could switch off and take it easy for just a month.

[Hello, Author. This is Deputy Manager Oh Jooseon. We’ve received a broadcast appearance request for you, so I’m reaching out on behalf of the publishing company. May I ask if you’re available for contact?]

“......What even is all this?”

The moment I checked the message from Deputy Manager Oh at Mideum Publishing, my mind went blank.

A minor, who was nothing more than a web novelist, suddenly had a broadcast appearance offer.

“Why would I be on an economic program……?”

Everything was spinning wildly out of my control, growing bigger than I wanted.

“If this happens, I’ll end up a public figure.”

My face would be broadcast across the country, and then people everywhere would recognize me.

For someone who thought the best life was one where you hid your identity and quietly made money, this was overwhelming.

“Mm, no, right?! Maybe it’s not just a burden? If I go on, I’ll get some publicity. Hmm……”

Thinking about it positively, it suddenly felt like an opportunity, and the optimistic part of me kicked in.

I’d get an appearance fee for my allowance, and my book sales would probably soar.

“Kids might bother me, but I can’t turn down money.”

Rather than grumbling over money, showing my face a bit seemed like the wiser choice.

Alright, decision made.

I’d accept the appearance request.

[How much is the appearance fee?]

[It’s estimated between 300,000 to 500,000 won.]

“Hmm, it’s a little lower than I’d hoped, but not a bad amount.”

People who appeared as extras rarely got that much. Only those with some name recognition could get a few hundred thousand won, while others made just tens of thousands, sometimes less than 100,000 won.

How do I know?

In my past life, I’d gotten interested in extra work and tried it as a part-time job.

Considering that, in 1999, it was a pretty decent day’s pay.

“So this is the treatment you get once you’re somewhat famous.”

Indeed, becoming famous has its perks.

[Please make it as much as possible.]

I replied with pleasure.

[Should I take this as confirmation that you’re willing to appear?]

[Yes, I’ll do it.]

[Thank you, Author. I’ll notify the station accordingly.]

“Didn’t expect to experience a TV shoot, too. Yoo Seunghyun, you’ve really grown.”

One risky project had completely turned my life around.

A life utterly different from my previous one.

What kind of future was waiting for me next? My heart thumped with anticipation.

KBS Economic & Culture Department conference room.

The reply email from Mideum Publishing was printed out and set on the meeting table.

Everyone checked the handouts.

“The appearance is confirmed. We’ve settled the fee at 500,000 won.”

Writer Jung Eunmi reported, and Chief Producer Kim Taehyung nodded.

“Good. Now, let’s decide what questions to ask.”

Producer Lee Doyoon opened his notebook and took the lead in the meeting.

‘A genius adopted by a chaebol family’—it wasn’t just a simple piece of fiction.

This novel, which astonishingly mirrored the Korean economy from the 1990s through the early 2000s, accurately predicted things that even experts found hard to foresee—industrial cycles, theme stock shifts, policy directions.

No wonder people were fascinated by ‘Unreal Oppa.’

Everyone was dying to know how future economic trends would unfold.

They wanted to ask these questions to ‘Unreal Oppa’ directly.

“How about we start with this as the first question? What inspired you to write a novel about the economic trends of that era? Whether it’s personal or analytical, it’d be good if the starting point comes through.”

Writer Jung Eunmi offered up a question idea.

“And maybe ask how they view the foundation for Korea’s economic growth, and, most importantly, what they expect for future economic growth.”

“That sounds good. It could even bump up our ratings.”

Producer Lee nodded slightly and started jotting down the questionnaire.

[1. Was there a special reason you chose the 2000s economy as the subject of your novel?

How do you think the structure of the current Korean economy has changed most significantly?

Which industry sector do you think deserves the most attention over the next five years?

Compared to back then, how do you think Korea’s investment culture has changed?

For individual investors, what trend do you think they should be most wary of?]

And so on.

“We can make it flow naturally with the panel. Maybe one from the real economy, one from securities research, and have the author of Unreal Oppa compare perspectives with them.”

Writer Jung Eunmi pressed her idea.

Not a confrontation, but a comparison of viewpoints.

It sounded fun.

“That sounds great. Let’s do it.”

The battle between experts who couldn’t predict the future and an author who did.

Even imagining it was exciting.

“That wraps up the meeting. Make sure everyone prepares thoroughly so there are no mistakes on broadcast day, and let’s highlight Unreal Oppa’s appearance in the teaser.”

The producer issued the instructions and ended the meeting.

Bzzzz.

A message appeared on my phone screen.

[This is Deputy Manager Oh Jooseon from Mideum Publishing. Author, the broadcast schedule is now finalized, so I’m sending this message. The plan is to pick you up with our vehicle at 11:00 AM on Tuesday. I’ll act as your manager and accompany you to the station myself.]

The moment I read the message, my fingers tensed. I knew the appearance was confirmed, but having the exact pickup time and schedule laid out made it all feel real.

I let out a long breath.

Thump, thump.

My heart pounded.

It wasn’t my first time in front of a camera, but it was my first time being the star.

The thought that all eyes would be on me made me both nervous and excited.

Now, there were just three days left until then.

“I should tell Mom and Dad. Since it’s a weekday, I’ll need their permission, too.”

Since I’d have to miss school that day, getting my parents’ okay was essential.

I put my phone down and went downstairs to the living room.

Mom, Dad, and Da-hye were sitting together on the sofa eating fruit.

On a plate were thin slices of apple and pear, with a cluster of cherry tomatoes set beside them.

Da-hye, with juice smeared on her lips, was picking the stems off cherry tomatoes, and Mom was quietly smiling with a glass of water in front of her.

“Mom, Dad.”

As I called, all three looked over at me.

“My broadcast schedule’s been finalized. It’s at 2 PM on Tuesday, and the publishing company is sending a car at 11 in the morning. Deputy Manager Oh, who I met before, said he’ll be coming as my manager.”

“Wow, our son’s becoming a celebrity now?”

Mom reacted first.

There was a note of excitement in her voice.

“Oh, come on, I’m not a celebrity. It’s just for a little while.”

“If you’re on TV, you’re a celebrity. I checked the show’s ratings, and it’s at 15%.”

Mom had already looked up the show I’d be on. Thanks to her, I learned something new.

15%…

That was more well-known than I’d expected.

It looked like Mom had long since prepared herself for this.

“The publishing company is coming to pick you up?”

Dad folded his arms, as if weighing my words.

“Yeah. They’re handling all the scheduling and transportation.”

“Hm.”

Dad nodded slightly.

He didn’t say anything, but his eyes showed both anticipation and concern.

“Are you preparing well?”

“They said they’ll send the questions by email. Once I get them, I’ll start getting ready.”

I was both anxious and excited about what questions might come up.

It was an opportunity I’d rarely get, so I wanted to prepare well.

“When you talk, don’t rush. Think things through and speak slowly. If you hurry, you might make a mistake.”

“Okay, Dad.”

At his concern, I offered a gentle smile.

“When you get the questions, let’s practice together. I’ll play the host,” Mom volunteered eagerly.

“Ha ha, yes, got it. I guess I’d better brace myself.”

“Hehe, this will be fun.”

Mom was definitely enjoying this.

And it was a good sight to see.

“Oppa, are you really going to the TV station?”

Until then, Da-hye had been quietly sitting, but now she spoke up.

“Yeah. I really am. I’ll be on TV soon.”

“I want to go, too. I want to see it.”

Da-hye’s eyes sparkled.

‘I want to go, I don’t want to miss out!’

Her feelings were written all over her face.

“Let’s go together. It’d be great if Mom and Dad came, too.”

I spoke first, looking over at Mom.

Da-hye was twelve.

Still too young to be left home alone.

Since Mom would be going, too, I suggested bringing Da-hye along.

“Of course our daughter should go. Thanks to Seunghyun, we’ll get to see a TV station for the first time. Seunghyun’s dad, you’re coming too, right?”

Mom nodded and passed the baton to Dad.

“Of course. It’s Seunghyun’s first show. I’ll let work know in advance. We can all get ready together in the morning.”

Dad agreed right away.

“Alright, let’s all go. I’ll contact Da-hye’s homeroom teacher about school that day.”

“Really?”

Da-hye half stood up as she asked.

“Yep. But you’ll have to be quiet while we’re there, okay?”

“Yay! Okay!”

Da-hye clenched her small fists, face full of determination.

“Mom, let’s go family shopping on Sunday. Let’s pick out outfits and really get ready.”

“That sounds good.”

Just like that, our family’s weekend plans were set.