For a rookie idol, a music show was not just a performance. It was their first meeting with the public. In other words, it was a gateway to success.
However, even those destined to become stars rarely hit first place simultaneously with their debut. A realistic goal for success was to claim the number one spot in the third week.
They would enter the top ranks in the first week through the voting power of their fandom. In the second week, they would begin competing in earnest as word of mouth and digital chart results kicked in. Then, in the long-awaited third week, they would finally seize the glory of first place. In that sense…
— Hello! We are Revive!
— Aaaaaaaah!
On the TV screen, the fans’ cheers exploded. On the electronic display, the caption “First Place: Revive” flashed brilliantly. The golden confetti raining down onto the stage was an added bonus.
— The rookie idol group Revive has finally taken first place in only their third week since debut. This is an incredibly fast pace, even compared to historical rankings. How do you feel?
Just as the leader, Jaejun, was about to grab the microphone, the youngest member, Hyesung, raised his hand high and shouted.
— Brother Seojun, I love you!
— I will be loyal to you for life, big brother!
— Seo-men.
— Thank you, we’re so grateful, and we truly love all our fans too!
The camera quickly panned over the audience. Most of the fans responded by screaming at the top of their lungs, but some showed their confusion through their lip movements.
— Who on earth is Seojun?
Despite the confusion, the members’ faces, broadcast alongside the caption ★Popular Group Revive: Proven Stars★, clearly looked happy. As the encore stage began, the members of Revive continued their song while choking back tears. Jaejun bowed his head, unable to finish his part while holding the microphone, and Jinwoo patted his shoulder, continuing the song in his stead.
“…It’s touching and all, but can they please stop acting like they’re in a cult? It’s seriously embarrassing.”
Min Haru, who was watching the TV, let out a deep sigh.
“Sister. Are you sure it’s okay to just leave them like that?”
“Why? I think it looks good.”
“That’s so like you, being an ‘F’.”
“The problem is that you’re too much of a ‘T’.”
Min Haru, a firm believer in MBTI, shrugged her shoulders.
“A thought just occurred to me. Do you think a ‘Cult of Seojun’ might actually be born at this rate?”
“Huh? That’s actually a pretty good idea.”
“What do you mean ‘good idea,’ sister!”
Just as Min Haru was making a disgusted face…
“Sister!”
“!”
The mascot of the household came running over.
“Seol-Seol!”
Min Haru immediately began to beam. It was one of the biggest reasons she still hadn’t left this place.
“How is your knee? Does it still hurt?”
“Hing.”
“Oh, poor thing! That floor is a bad guy! A bad floor! It might leave a scar, so do you want to go to the hospital with me?”
“I hate the hospital…”
“Oops! Our Seol hates the hospital, doesn’t she? I’ll have to go scold the hospital first!”
This time, Shin Hyeseo let out a sigh as she watched the scene.
“At this rate, shouldn’t we be starting the ‘Cult of Seol’ instead of the ‘Cult of Seojun’?”
“Oh? Then I want to be the cult leader!”
Cradling Seol in her arms, Min Haru raised her other hand high.
“Man, I really want a daughter like this. I didn’t particularly have any thoughts about marriage, but if I could have a daughter like Seol, I think I could get married twice.”
“Oh, really? So you’re going to get a divorce and remarry?”
“I’m just saying that’s how desperate I am.”
Shin Hyeseo’s eyes immediately narrowed.
“You.”
*Smack!*
“Ouch!”
Min Haru, who had been smacked on the back, made a crying face.
“Why did you hit me, sister!”
“You should be thinking about meeting a good man and getting married right the first time. What kind of nonsense is that?”
“No, I was just saying… I didn’t mean I would actually get married twice…”
“Zip it!”
Min Haru, who was shrinking back, suddenly paused.
“Wait. Marriage right the first time? Then should I do it with the Prosecutor?”
“…Why is the conversation going there all of a sudden?”
“No, listen, sister. Seol has the genes of the Prosecutor’s older brother, right? They’re from the same root anyway, so wouldn’t he have the highest probability of producing a daughter like Seol?”
Surprisingly, Shin Hyeseo developed a strange smile at that moment.
“…What’s that? That pathetic-looking smile? I’m starting to feel offended.”
“Hmm… Even so, it’ll be tough for you, Haru.”
Because Shin Hyeseo already knew.
“Can you win against a chaebol? One who is young, capable, and even beautiful to boot.”
“…?”
Min Haru wore a look of utter confusion.
“What on earth are you talking about, sister?”
“What else? I’m telling my younger sister not to waste her time pining for nothing.”
It was another day where Shin Hyeseo’s misunderstandings continued to snowball.
***
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the set of *The Time the Moon Sets* was strangely depressed. The cause was clear.
[Blockbuster “Hunters” Confirms Release for First Quarter of Next Year, Moving Up Original Schedule… Head-to-Head Battle with “The Time the Moon Sets”]
“This is too blatant.”
The cinematographer sighed while scanning the article.
“They’re pushing themselves just to match our schedule…”
“It’s really aggravating. We’re clearly the ones who were harmed, so why is Shinhwa Department Store going this far?”
It was no wonder, as the main investor for *Hunters* was none other than Shinhwa Department Store.
“Now, now. Let’s not lose heart, everyone. We aren’t lacking at all when it comes to the quality of the work, right?”
“Of course we’re confident in the work, but I’m worried they’ll try some other sabotage. Ticket bulk-buying, screen monopolies… The tactics of large corporations are predictable.”
It was something entirely possible if a large investment firm set its mind to it. It was the reality of the Korean film industry that they could sweep up all the screenings for a specific film and leave competing works without even a single time slot.
However…
“Pahaha.”
The main producer, who had been listening quietly, burst into laughter.
“But our new investor is a large corporation that doesn’t lose to them, right?”
“Ah, that’s so reassuring.”
“It’s honestly such a relief.”
Indeed, 20 billion won was not a small amount of money, and there was no way Sekyung would let that massive sum just go down the drain. Thanks to that, the morale on set began to rise again.
“We’re really going down to Goseong once filming wraps, right?”
“Of course. Didn’t you hear? The location for our wrap party after we finish filming has been confirmed as Gyeongnam Goseong. The investor is one thing, but we absolutely have to thank the benefactor who connected us so we could grab the opportunity with Sekyung.”
“Forget a greeting, I’m going to give him a full bow.”
***
Manager Jang Hak-soo of Shinhwa Department Store arrived in Gyeongnam Goseong early in the morning.
“Don’t make a mistake this time. Apologize properly as soon as we meet.”
“…I understand, Manager.”
Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik pouted. As he had just said, Manager Jang Hak-soo had no intention of giving up on Eoreumgol Farm. Why?
[[Distribution] Goseong Eoreumgol Blueberries in Sekyung Department Store Sold Out Two Days After Launch]
[The “Goseong Eoreumgol Farm Blueberries,” which were exclusively stocked at Sekyung Department Store, sold out entirely within just two days of their release.
Unlike general products, this product was presented on the VIP shelves under the separate brand name “Eoreumgol Farm.” Despite the premium price, which was several times higher than the market price, it sold out quickly after sales began.
A representative from Sekyung Department Store stated, “The response was much larger than expected, and we were unable to supply stock to some customers. We are currently working closely with the farm to ensure that additional stock can be supplied as quickly as possible.”
Industry experts believe that the rarity of being the “only branded blueberry in the country” and the differentiated quality stimulated demand from high-end consumers.]
…As stated in the article, the crops from Eoreumgol Farm had literally become a “mega-hit.”
‘He said it wasn’t an exclusive contract.’
If so, there was still a chance for them. To that end, they had prepared a contract with significantly revised terms and were carrying expensive gifts in both hands.
“!”
Manager Jang Hak-soo, who had been deep in thought, widened his eyes. The person they wanted to meet happened to be out in the field at just the right time.
“Hello there!”
“…?”
The person who had been checking some sacks turned around. Baek Seojun looked at the guests with a puzzled expression.
“…Yes, hello.”
“I apologize for dropping by unannounced.”
“You’re the people from Shinhwa Department Store, right?”
“I’m honored that you remember us.”
Leaving Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik standing there blankly, Manager Jang Hak-soo quickly approached. He thought he might be able to help with something. However…
‘Wait?’
Manager Jang Hak-soo paused as he inadvertently checked the contents of the sacks.
‘Seeds?’
Well, it was a field, so seeds weren’t anything special. The problem was…
‘Why is there a flower design on the sack?’
He had assumed it would be a vegetable field.
‘Now that I think about it, the layout is strange for a vegetable field, too.’
The furrows didn’t stretch out straight; they curved gently and connected smoothly. Normally, crops were arranged in straight lines for efficient management. But this…
‘It’s like it was intentionally designed as a walking path for people to enjoy.’
The white pebbles scattered over the soil were also strange. They were arranged too evenly and visibly for the purpose of moisture retention or drainage. It was closer to the way a decorative garden was styled. Which meant…
‘Is it really a flower garden?’
While Manager Jang Hak-soo was thinking that…
“Excuse me, but I’m a bit busy right now.”
“Ah! My apologies.”
Manager Jang Hak-soo hastily stepped back.
“Then, we will come by again later.”
Today wasn’t the only day. If the other person clearly showed they were reluctant, pushing through was the mark of an amateur.
“You skipped breakfast to come out early, didn’t you? Let’s go grab some food nearby and try again in the afternoon.”
“More importantly, Manager. What’s he doing making a flower garden on a farm out of the blue? His head must be a flower garden. The blueberries are selling so well; surely he doesn’t mean to switch over to flowers?”
Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik immediately reacted with absurdity.
“If he says he’s going to do a flower business, we absolutely have to decline the contract. Honestly, what department store sells flowers?”
Manager Jang Hak-soo furrowed his brows. No. Department stores did sell flowers—somewhere near that subway entrance in the basement.
‘Department store floors are where location economics are most strongly applied.’
Because of that, he understood Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik’s reaction to an extent. Why did high-priced brands like luxury goods all enter on the first floor? It was to extract maximum profit from a place with the best accessibility. That was why Sekyung Department Store’s recent decision was beyond unconventional. They had opened Eoreumgol Farm blueberries, which should normally go to the basement food court, as a standalone brand hall on one side of the first floor—as if declaring they were the luxury goods of the food world.
“Manager. This is really not it.”
“Be quiet.”
Manager Jang Hak-soo, unable to listen any longer to the voice interrupting his thoughts, spoke up.
“Assistant Manager Hwang.”
“…Yes, Manager.”
“This is a direct order from the Chairman. Even if we can’t get the contract, we were instructed to at least properly figure out what our competitor is planning to do next.”
*Flinch.*
Only then did Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik’s stiff expression loosen slightly.
“Right? You aren’t trying to sign a contract, are you? It’s just surveillance, right?”
“Sigh.”
Manager Jang Hak-soo let out a long sigh. Of course, he was also skeptical about “flowers” as a product. However…
‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’
His intuition was telling him the exact opposite of his thoughts.
***
The so-called “Eoreumgol Flower Garden Project.”
“Alright. The foundation is mostly set now…”
I quietly gazed at the whiteboard I had placed in the yard. It contained the information I had separately researched and organized.
[Soil (Check complete): Alps gravel soil + Matching the limestone ratio.
Mix domestic Masato, perlite, and silicate fertilizer to maintain acidity between 6.5 to 7.0.
→ The soil here is determined to be no worse than the actual Alps environment.
Drainage layer (Check complete): Planting directly on flat ground will cause the roots to rot during the rainy season.
First, build high “flower bed mounds” on the open ground.
→ Secure the drainage layer by laying down coarse sand and gravel underneath.
Temperature (Check complete): Replicate conditions at 2,000 meters above sea level.
Maintain below 20 degrees Celsius even in summer.
→ Satisfied with the help of the Eoreumgol environment and the Snowflakes.
Moisture (Check complete): No overwatering. Use mountain groundwater instead of rainwater.
→ Drainage layer secured at least 30 centimeters deep with coarse sand and gravel.
â—‹ Things to do next.
1. Prepare for winter: Like in the Alps, snow must cover and protect the roots.
2. …]
After scanning the whiteboard, I looked around.
“You guys are in charge of moisture maintenance and surface cooling. Can you do it?”
— Leave it to us!
The Snowflakes gave a crisp salute. Smiling, I reached down and grasped the soil.
*Fwoosh.*
The texture immediately crumbled softly.
‘The drainage is sufficient.’
Now all I had to do was plant the seeds that had arrived. …And just three days after sowing.
“!”
On our land, a tiny sprout began to shyly peek its head out.
‘…Seriously, this place is a total cheat.’