Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 255

Director Jo Yong-hyun stared at the computer screen, his brow furrowed. “Just as I thought,” he muttered to himself, tapping a pen against his teeth. “Selling the land now, at the end of December… it feels too early. We’ll be losing money.”

A voice startled him. “Losing money, Director?” It was Mr. Kim, his assistant, peering over his shoulder.

Director Jo sighed. “Well, isn’t it? If we sell for less than we *could* get?”

Mr. Kim blinked, confused. “But… wouldn’t waiting cause problems with other plans? Delays and all that?”

“Yes, maybe,” Director Jo admitted, “but shouldn’t we try to sell this land for the highest price possible? Especially now?”

Woo-jin’s idea was simple, and brilliant: to sell the land near the set in Icheon when the drama’s popularity was at its peak. The area was already being developed as a tourist destination.

Of course, even in October, had gained attention thanks to Woo-jin and So-jeong’s marketing efforts. However, this was nothing compared to the impact of the drama actually airing and becoming a huge success.

Woo-jin spoke again, his voice confident. “The price is already more than five times what the city paid, right?”

“Probably,” Director Jo replied.

“I think if we sell around February, right before the drama ends… the price could jump to ten times that,” Woo-jin stated.

Director Jo was surprised. “Not just five times, but ten times?”

Woo-jin corrected him smoothly, “Ten times five. Fifty times.”

Director Jo thought Woo-jin was exaggerating. No matter how successful the drama, it was hard to imagine the land price jumping that much.

“At that price, it would be more expensive than land in downtown Icheon…” he mumbled.

“I’m something of a real estate expert. Trust me on this one,” Woo-jin said with a smile.

Even so, Director Jo agreed that selling in December would be a loss, so he adjusted the schedule. “Well, alright. We can always readjust… Even if the sale is delayed a bit, I’ll make sure it doesn’t affect the final plan.”

“Thank you, Director,” Woo-jin replied.

Now it was December, the month originally planned for the sale—specifically, the day after began airing.

‘Mr. Seo was right,’ Director Jo thought, feeling a chill as he saw the soaring land prices, driven by investors who had heard the rumors. If they had stuck to the original plan, the sale price would have been based on October and November prices, cutting their profits in half.

So, this morning, before reporting to the mayor, Director Jo called Woo-jin again. “Mr. Seo!”

“Haha, Director, are you at work already?” Woo-jin answered cheerfully.

“Yes, just got here,” Director Jo replied.

He wanted to suggest delaying the sale even further, seeing the rapidly rising land prices. February, which Woo-jin suggested, might be too early.

But Woo-jin’s answer was firm. “We can’t delay it any further, Director.”

“Is that so?” Director Jo asked, a little disappointed.

“We’re not trying to sell at the peak price; we want to sell when the buzz is highest,” Woo-jin explained.

“When the buzz is highest…” Director Jo repeated, understanding.

“The time when the drama’s buzz is highest is right before the finale,” Woo-jin clarified.

“I see,” Director Jo acknowledged.

“Of course, that’s assuming the drama is a success, but I think it will be,” Woo-jin added confidently.

Woo-jin explained that the price would continue to rise through March and April, but the increase would slow down. Waiting longer than February would mean losing time.

Director Jo agreed. He reported to the mayor, and the result was positive. This project was very important to Icheon City.

The mayor himself had watched the first episode of at home. “Alright, Director Jo,” the mayor began.

“Yes, Mr. Mayor,” Director Jo responded.

“I enjoyed the drama yesterday,” the mayor said with a smile.

“Oh…! You watched it yourself?” Director Jo asked, surprised.

“My daughter insisted on watching it, holding onto the remote, so I had no choice. Haha,” the mayor chuckled.

Therefore, Jo Yong-hyun’s report went smoothly. “According to Director Jo’s report, the profit is more than enough.”

“In the end, the only question was whether the drama would be a hit. But after yesterday’s episode, we can safely say it’s at least a success, right?” the mayor added.

“I agree. I don’t know much about ratings, but I can tell it’s much better than other dramas,” another official chimed in.

After a longer report than expected, Yong-hyun got the mayor’s approval. “I will do my best to help,” the mayor promised.

“Thank you, Mr. Mayor,” Director Jo replied gratefully.

“I should be thanking you. Thanks to your hard work, I’ll be able to add another project to my list within my term. Haha.”

Having the full support of the mayor, the most powerful person in Icheon, meant the project would proceed smoothly.

Thursday, December 6th, passed quickly, and the second episode of began airing. Even more people than on Wednesday tuned in to watch it live.

The stakeholders held their breath, watching the viewership numbers. The first episode’s ratings were so high that people called them ‘out of spec’—beyond expectations. The question was, would the second episode maintain that success? And how many new viewers would tune in because of the buzz?

Thursday would reveal the trends. Even Woo-jin felt a mix of anticipation (90%) and anxiety (10%).

The results were satisfactory. Woo-jin’s phone rang less than 10 minutes after the drama ended, which told him everything.

Whirr-

Kang So-jeong’s excited voice filled the phone. “The highest viewership went up by another 1.5 points!”

“1.5 points? What’s that?” Woo-jin asked, momentarily confused.

“Ah, I mean it went up by another 1.5 percent!” she clarified, breathless with excitement.

“Ah, I see!” Woo-jin replied, matching her enthusiasm.

So-jeong was one of Woo-jin’s closest friends, and her joy was something he could share. ‘Now that it’s come to this, I wish we could hit a peak viewership of 50 percent,’ he thought.

But then, Woo-jin was startled. “So now, let’s get ready, Mr. Seo Woo-jin,” So-jeong said.

“For what?” Woo-jin asked, curious.

But then, So-jeong said something surprising.

“It’s up to 35 percent, and now there’s only 0.5 points left,” So-jeong said.

Woo-jin hesitated, his voice a little shaky, “That’s, well……”

So-jeong didn’t wait for him to finish. Her voice was even higher now, full of energy. “If it’s fast, it’ll be next Wednesday. At the latest, it seems like it will hit 35 percent the following week! Isn’t that right?”

“Maybe so……” Woo-jin replied.

So-jeong continued, “The director told me this morning.”

“What did he say?” Woo-jin asked.

“He said we should start setting up a schedule for filming the side story!” So-jeong exclaimed.

“I see,” Woo-jin responded.

“So, please let me know the schedule,” So-jeong requested.

Woo-jin’s heart sank a little. He really didn’t want to act. “Do we really have to do it?” he asked.

“Yes! Absolutely! Come on, CEO Seo, just one day!” So-jeong said, trying to persuade him.

Woo-jin really didn’t want to be in a drama. He was okay with short TV shows, or a quick appearance in a drama. But acting acting? That was different. He felt nervous just thinking about it.

“Hoo……” Woo-jin sighed.

But as if noticing Woo-jin’s worry, So-jeong quickly continued, “Then how about this, CEO Seo?”

“Yes? What is it?” Woo-jin asked.

“If you appear, we can show off the WJ Studio name in the drama! What do you think?” So-jeong suggested.

Woo-jin’s ears perked up. He sat up straighter. “Really?” he asked.

“It’s an opportunity to do product placement for free in a mega-hit drama. With this much, you can’t not do it, right?” So-jeong said.

Woo-jin swallowed hard.

Normally, to put the company logo in the drama, Woo-jin would need to ask all the other people who had invested money. But So-jeong was the main investor and the director. If she said it was okay because Woo-jin was acting, then it was much easier. Woo-jin knew he couldn’t really say no to such a good offer.

“Then, I’ll take it that you’ve accepted, and tell the director?” So-jeong asked.

“Yes……” Woo-jin replied.

“Great!” So-jeong clapped her hands, her voice bubbling with excitement. She started talking again, so fast that Woo-jin could barely keep up. She talked for a long time, even after the drama on TV had finished.

After he finished the call, Joo-hee, who was sitting on the recliner and cutting fruit, asked Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, did you get a girlfriend?” Joo-hee asked.

“Yes? Ah, no, Mom. What girlfriend,” Woo-jin replied, a little flustered.

“If she’s not your girlfriend, why are you talking on the phone for so long?” Joo-hee asked again.

“She’s a business partner,” Woo-jin explained.

“Business… what?” Joo-hee asked, confused.

“She’s the woman who makes the drama we just watched,” Woo-jin clarified.

“Ah, I see,” Joo-hee said.

Woo-jin was still a little embarrassed about his mom thinking it was a girlfriend. Joo-hee continued, “Anyway, this drama. What’s the story of the next episode?”

“I, I don’t know either,” Woo-jin admitted.

“This drama is so frustrating, how can I wait until next week?” Joo-hee said with a sigh.

“Are you enjoying it?” Woo-jin asked.

“Of course, I’m enjoying it. Today, the regulars who come to the store are all talking about Millennium Love?” Joo-hee replied.

“Haha, that’s a relief,” Woo-jin said.

“And that male lead. What was his name again?” Joo-hee asked.

“Min-woo?” Woo-jin suggested.

“Ah, right. Min-woo! Get me that friend’s autograph next time,” Joo-hee requested.

Woo-jin smiled, thinking, An autograph? For Mom?

“That actor is a good actor and has a handsome face,” Joo-hee added.

“Okay, Mom,” Woo-jin replied.

Woo-jin ate a slice of watermelon from the plate his mom had made. They talked about everyday things – the shop, the drama, the weather. It wasn’t a big conversation, but just sitting there with his mom, eating fruit, felt good. It was peaceful and happy.

After a little while, Woo-jin asked, “By the way, Mom, are you free at the end of the year?”

“If it’s the end of the year, are you talking about the end of this month?” Joo-hee asked.

“Yes. The last week of December,” Woo-jin confirmed.

“I can make time if I want to… Why? What’s going on?” Joo-hee asked curiously.

“I was wondering if I should take Mom to Jeju Island,” Woo-jin suggested.

“Jeju Island?” Joo-hee repeated.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been on a family vacation,” Woo-jin said.

Joo-hee stopped cutting fruit. She looked at Woo-jin, her eyes a little wide. She didn’t say anything for a moment.

Even though it seemed like a sudden idea, Woo-jin had been thinking about it for a while. He continued, “Mom said that before.”

“What did I say?” Joo-hee asked.

“You told me not to work too hard, even at things you enjoy. Remember to relax sometimes,” Woo-jin reminded her.

“Did I… say that?” Joo-hee wondered.

“Yes. You did,” Woo-jin confirmed. He hadn’t forgotten what she said while eating lunch at her restaurant.

“Of course, I’d love to go on a trip with my son… Are you sure it’s okay?” Joo-hee asked.

Woo-jin smiled and answered, “Yes, I made sure I have time off. Don’t worry about my work.”

With the broadcast of two episodes of , the second week of December quickly passed. WJ Studio was very busy at the end of the year, and Woo-jin worked even harder to clear the time for the last week as promised to his mother. More and more people watched every week.

Headlines appeared: [Wednesday-Thursday drama . Will it break the record for the highest viewership rating ever?]

[It was getting close to being the most watched drama ever. has truly become a national drama.]

[Where is the house of ‘Seo-hoo’ that appeared in episode 5 of , ?]

The end of 2012 was filled with good news. Woo-jin finished all his work and was able to relax and enjoy his vacation in Jeju Island. But when Woo-jin got back from Jeju Island, and the new year started, his phone rang. It was a number he didn’t know, and the voice on the other end was going to change everything.