Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 262

262. It Has to Be Fun (2)

The after-party, filled with stories and laughter, finally drew to a close.

They ate with such gusto that the celebration, which began late in the evening, stretched on until past dawn.

It wasn’t just a simple second or third round of drinks and snacks.

The ‘Dramatic Tempest’ team truly let loose at a Korean beef restaurant that cost an exorbitant XX0,000 won per person.

The meat feast, lasting over six hours, was truly something to behold.

‘It was delicious, though.’

There was a reason why people sought out such expensive Korean beef.

Thanks to people like Kwon Seong-hyun and Woo Do-gyeom, my palate has become more refined lately, and even I had to admit the meat at this place was melt-in-your-mouth good.

‘How can meat melt like that?’

Even Yeon-woo, who usually had a small appetite, was enthusiastically wielding his chopsticks.

[The meat is really delicious, Yeon-woo! You should build up your appetite more!]

The child spirit even materialized on one side, diligently devouring the meat.

A spirit so captivated by premium Korean beef that he was urging me to eat more.

It was the end of the world… or at least, it felt like it.

Moreover, the meat he ate lost its flavor and was practically wasted, since he couldn’t actually taste it.

‘What a crazy waste of money.’

[Hey, they say you shouldn’t bother a dog when it’s eating!]

The child spirit retorted.

He still seemed to be forgetting that he was a ghost.

Anyway, if it weren’t for the terrifying price tag of XX0,000 won per person, I would want to come here often.

When the after-party finally ended,

Gil Sang-jun picked up the bill.

And Yeon-woo saw his reaction.

“…….”

Gil Sang-jun gasped for air as if he were about to suffocate.

His pupils trembled wildly as he scanned the bill.

Seeing that, I thought.

‘It’s a good thing I didn’t look at the bill.’

Several dozen people ate not just one serving but multiple servings of Korean beef costing XX0,000 won per person.

That added up, and added up, and added up.

Even without calculating, it was easy to predict that an enormous amount had been spent.

“Everyone, rest comfortably for a while. It’s going to be a hectic rush soon, so take good care of your stamina.”

Before completely dismissing the gathering,

Gil Sang-jun shared his final message.

“The schedule will be delivered to your managers soon. Considering the broadcast date, it’s a tight schedule, but let’s all do our best! We have to earn back the cost of the Korean beef we ate!”

As Gil Sang-jun said, the broadcast date was fast approaching.

And as the broadcast date approached,

The cast and crew had to handle an even busier schedule than when they were filming.

*

“In my entire career of filming dramas, this is the first time I’ve walked so many red carpets.”

Gu Jun-wook muttered as he walked the red carpet for what felt like the hundredth time in the past few days.

As a seasoned actor who had received various awards at numerous ceremonies, it wasn’t that Gu Jun-wook was really walking a red carpet for the first time.

However, promoting a drama in this way was a first for Gu Jun-wook.

“This is something I only did when I was filming movies…….”

“That means Onflic [the production company] is expecting a lot.”

“For a drama?”

“Our director would faint if he knew that overseas media promotions have already started.”

“What?! Really? Seriously?”

“We have Chungsimhwan [a Korean herbal medicine used to calm nerves] as a standby medicine. Should I give you some?”

That was the truth.

By definitively signing a contract with ‘Dramatic Tempest’, Onflic offered various promotions as if they were possessed.

If someone who didn’t know the situation saw it, they would think that the ‘Dramatic Tempest’ team was threatening the CEO to give them promotions or they would die.

That’s how much all sorts of promotions were being poured in.

“What? Overseas?”

Why overseas all of a sudden?

Actually, it’s not that strange.

Anyway, since they signed a contract, it’s natural for it to be broadcast overseas.

But they planned overseas promotional events for that broadcast?

“I’m really embarrassed to say this…… but is that person crazy?”

“You think so too?”

Even Song Jin-joo answered with a fed-up expression.

“No, I mean, I’m happy that they’re taking good care of my baby [referring to the drama]…… but could it be that we signed some kind of fraudulent contract? Could it be that we actually handed over all the domestic rights instead of the overseas rights……? Could it be that the big shot who invested in us was actually the CEO of Onflic?!”

At this rate, all sorts of conspiracy theories would be dragged out.

But that’s how many ridiculous proposals Onflic kept making without getting tired.

“We are not philanthropists. We are businessmen. Of course, we are offering this because we have high expectations for ‘Dramatic Tempest’. Valuable content deserves that much investment.”

That’s what Onflic’s CEO said with a hearty laugh.

Not full investment, nor self-production.

Nevertheless, it was an unprecedented level of investment and treatment.

‘Is it because he’s a fan?’

It was a conversation that was said as a joke, but it might not have been just a joke.

There is a high probability that every word exchanged at the negotiating table has its own meaning.

Maybe that’s how it started.

However, his obsession, if not his attachment, is said to have intensified after seeing the rough-cut screening held at the meeting after the contract.

“Season 2.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s make a Season 2.”

Although it had undergone some editing, the rough cut was just that, a rough cut.

Unlike the beginning, which was roughly finished, the mid-to-late parts were not yet properly synchronized with the background music.

Not only were there no effects, but some parts were simply inserted as raw clips waiting to be edited.

But.

“What is the investment plan for Season 2? It must already be confirmed, right? In my opinion, it seems like a story planned for at least three seasons, but if you’re okay with it, I’d like to discuss how we can further develop our relationship.”

The CEO’s reaction to the rough cut was unusual.

He was said to have pushed the project forward with even more enthusiasm than before.

Song Jin-joo added that she was a little scared when she recalled that time.

“Of course, it’s better than being abandoned because it’s failing…… but how should I say it? This is also quite burdensome, isn’t it?”

The story of suddenly going on overseas promotional events even though it hasn’t been broadcast yet and there are no results came from here.

It was a grateful thing, but it was still a bit bewildering.

“This is really something. It’s ambiguous to refuse because they’re investing. Why do they see us so favorably? Hmm.”

Gil Sang-jun nodded and chimed in next to Song Jin-joo.

At first glance, it looked like a very difficult expression.

However.

-Ding!

-Ding!

It looked different in Yeon-woo’s eyes.

-Current emotional state: Joy, elation

-Current emotional state: Pride, satisfaction, pleasure

The status windows of the emotions they were feeling were visible as they were.

“Oh my, is it a problem to be too successful? This is so burdensome…….”

“I know, right? This is really something. What should we do? At this rate, our production budget will be the highest ever, right? Distributing it will be a job too…….”

It was Gil Sang-jun and Song Jin-joo’s way of saving face.

It was like wanting to scream with joy but not being able to really scream because of appearances.

‘Well, it’s natural.’

The more investors, the better.

To be exact, the more investment, the better.

That’s the same for any drama or movie, not just the ‘Dramatic Tempest’ team.

Why else would there be works that are canceled due to insufficient production costs because there is no investment?

The more investors, the better.

But it’s also true that it’s difficult to achieve that good thing.

But the ‘Dramatic Tempest’ team strangely had more people than they could handle who wanted to invest.

Why else would they have minimized PPL [Product Placement]?

“Really. It would have been a real eyesore to sprinkle PPL on a drama that’s already good, but it’s a relief that we don’t have to do that.”

There are times when you feel a sense of incongruity while watching entertainment shows, dramas, or movies.

‘What is it? Do they only eat at XX? They always eat at XX?’

‘Why are they suddenly doing a close-up of the air conditioner……?’

‘What kind of line is ‘While receiving a gift, someone is using an X product to iron out the wrinkles on the clothes from X! It’s that product that removes bacteria and has high-temperature steam!’? Isn’t this completely artificial?’

Exactly like this.

They received the money, so they have to promote it, but the products that are sponsored are not always guaranteed to match the drama.

It’s similar to the feeling of people who should be elegantly cutting steak in a restaurant having a company dinner at a pork cutlet restaurant for promotion because a pork cutlet company is doing PPL.

“A drama like ours will have its atmosphere completely shattered if we put in the wrong promotion. Think about it. How absurd would it be if our Seon-woo suddenly held up a brand drill when he was about to kill someone, turned it on, and said, ‘I’m going to drill through your skull with an X brand drill equipped with a super-powerful motor that can powerfully drill through anything’?”

Give and take.

It’s inevitable to do as much as you receive, but.

‘Where do I put this in…… I’m tired of getting criticized.’

Every time, the writers rack their brains.

Where to put the products that don’t fit the work.

‘Why not just not receive it?’

You might think so.

However, in order to somehow cover the insufficient production costs, they accept it whether they like it or not.

Why would the production team want to force it in knowing they would be criticized?

“It’s a relief that we don’t have that because we have plenty of production costs. Yes.”

Yeon-woo briefly imagined himself holding an X company drill, reciting promotional lines with a blank face as a emotionless killer.

And immediately shook his head.

‘That’s terrible?’

It was the moment when he suddenly understood Gil Sang-jun and Song Jin-joo’s feelings one hundred percent.

Fortunately, due to time constraints, they decided not to proceed with overseas promotions this season.

However, domestic events were beneficial to the ‘Deu-Tem’ team [short for Dramatic Tempest team] in many ways, so they had to repeatedly walk the red carpet almost every week.

It was a more hectic schedule than when filming the drama.

“It’s nice to receive a lot of attention, but it’s hard. Ugh…….”

If even Kim Si-hyuk, who is practically a corpse if you take away his health, had dark circles under his eyes, that says it all.

Thanks to the promotion, the media also focused on ‘Dramatic Tempest’.

The modifier that Onflic had marked them became a very excellent promotional phrase.

Even before the broadcast, there were already quite a few reactions expecting the drama.

Amidst those various expectations, the broadcast date was fast approaching.

*

“Why does it have to be here?”

“Come on. Don’t be so picky. Not between us.”

“That’s strange. As far as I know, there’s nothing between us.”

Should I just close the door?

Yeon-woo seriously considered it.

“Don’t do that, let me in. I’m too nervous to watch it alone!”

“…….”

Something so big was disgustingly shaking his shoulders.

The solid muscles were bulging, which wasn’t good for the eyes.