At 11 PM.
CJ E&M Center in Sangam-dong, Seoul, where the TVN broadcasting station is located, was bustling with activity, much like a nocturnal paradise.
As a 24-hour cable channel, the control room for broadcast scheduling had two staff members on duty, monitoring screens, while tired PDs occupied one-room editing spaces resembling chicken coops in both drama and variety departments, even into the late hours.
Youngseok, a PD in charge of editing the drama "Chuno," poured water into his cup ramen as he entered the editing room.
"Oops, spilled the broth. I've been here for three days straight making previews since the drama's about to start airing. Thankfully, it didn't stain my clothes."
Wiping the spilled broth around his cup ramen with tissues, Youngseok's gaze remained fixed on the monitor. Inside, the drama's protagonists and a male co-star were engaged in dialogue.
"The first teaser focused on action scenes with Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho chasing, using rock music in the main theme. For the second one, it's all about portraying the heartbreaking love between Jang Hyuk and Lee Da-hae. Yongtae needs to hurry with the music, whether he's editing or not. Why's he so silent? I heard a singer recorded a punk song, wasn't that supposed to be something big, unlike anything we've had?"
Youngseok intended to call Yongtae but first checked his email on the PC monitor.
"Oh, here it is. Yongtae really keeps his promises. If the music wasn't up to par, he wouldn't have sent it due to his pride, right? 'Stamp,' the title... Hmm, has a good feel to it?"
Youngseok clicked to play the screen for the second teaser and double-clicked the MP3 file.
When making previews, syncing music and visuals is crucial for setting the mood. After starting both, he picked up his cup ramen with chopsticks and took a bite before focusing on the mood.
"It's not the main, but if a melancholic vibe comes across, it's okay."
The prelude of "Stamp" flowed from the PC speakers—sad, poignant piano preludes followed by a classical guitar solo. Youngseok nodded approvingly.
"Yongtae hasn't lost his touch, huh? That prelude's something else. It's touching, isn't it?"
Chuckling to himself, his expression soon turned serious.
As if pierced in the heart,
As if stained by tears,
The unhealed scars torment me.
Am I living or has the world abandoned me?
Days feel like years,
Will morning ever come?
As soon as the vocals of "Stamp" began with the first verse, his eyes, stained with shock, weren't fixed on the monitor but towards the PC speaker. Strands of noodles grasped by chopsticks fell back into the cup.
Feeling his hand tremble holding the cup ramen, Youngseok barely managed to place it on the table, focusing solely on the music. Inside the monitor, Jang Hyuk, with a pained expression, was watching Lee Da-hae, who seemed to be crying alone at a market stall. Youngseok's teary eyes muttered softly.
"The first teaser gained quite some popularity... But this second one seems like a mega hit. I should buy Yongtae a drink. By the way, who's the singer? Haven't heard this voice before... collaborating with a rookie, yet produced something tremendous."
Almost on the verge of tears, Youngseok started editing with a strange, smiling expression. Soon, the small editing room was filled only with the sound of Youngseok typing away on his keyboard, wearing headphones.
At twenty-eight this year, Hyejin worked as an accountant in the third financial loan company with the highest TV advertising exposure. Although the company was doing well, the work environment remained chaotic, perhaps due to the legalization of business previously run by organized crime.
The overtime she was expected to do as if it were a given, along with no bonuses for weekend work, was gradually wearing her down.
Without the frequent drinking sessions with Jihui and Moonseon, her colleagues, she might not have endured it.
While making a collection call to a grandmother who couldn't pay this month's interest, Hyejin felt terrible seeing the tears in the elderly woman's eyes.
No matter how much it was her job, pressuring someone who couldn't afford it always made her feel awful. However, since the repayment rate of customers she handled affected her performance review, she reluctantly made three calls with two-hour intervals.
Finally hanging up on the tearful grandmother on the last call, Hyejin messaged Jihui and Moonseon on the company messenger.
Hyejin: Jihui, Moonseon, what are you doing after this? Let's grab a drink. I feel terrible today.
Moonseon: Sure, unnie. The manager ticked me off earlier, so it's a relief. Hehe.
Jihui: Unnie, is something wrong?
Hyejin: Ah, I don't know. I feel like I want to just quit this company or something. It hurts too much to continue like this. Let's talk later. Let's finish and head out.
7 PM. The three women, close friends, gathered at their favorite pancake place, opening a bottle of soju and chatting spiritedly before the side dishes even arrived.
With plenty to unload, from cursing their boss to criticizing their workplace, they soon transitioned from men-related topics to discussing movies and dramas in their lively conversation. Among them, Moonseon, deeply engrossed in a drama, spoke up.
"Unnie, have you heard of a drama called 'Chuno' on TVN? It stars Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho. I saw the teaser, and despite it being a historical drama, they said it’s something like... a stylish action historical drama? Something like that. It seemed to have a lot of action scenes and looked interesting."
Hyejin chuckled and asked.
"A stylish action historical drama? Is that even a genre? Aren't historical dramas about kings and messengers delivering some message?"
Laughing at Hyejin, Jihui replied.
"Unnie, you really should watch more dramas. They say this drama is highly anticipated. Oh, look! The teaser is out again. Huh? That one looks different. Looks like they’re releasing multiple teasers. They really invested big in this, claiming it's a major production."
On the 42-inch TV mounted on the wall of the pancake shop, Jang Hyuk's distressed expression appeared. As the background music played, the scene showed Jang Hyuk and Lee Da-hae meeting by chance in a market, exchanging sorrowful gazes, while a song composed of piercing cries flowed in the background.
The three, holding their soju glasses, couldn't take their eyes off the teaser. Even after the one-minute preview ended, they were still in disbelief.
"Wow!! Unnie, did you see that? It's really something. I'm definitely watching this live!"
Being the first to regain her senses, Jihui exclaimed.
Moonseon soon composed herself and agreed with Jihui.
Hyejin, still unable to close her open mouth, uttered.
"Wait,
who sang that song just now? It doesn’t seem like a well-known singer?"
Both Jihui and Moonseon nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, the song is amazing. Just listening to it almost made me cry. Unnie, are you also calling for a live viewing?"
Excitedly chanting to watch it live, the three women held their soju glasses high.