“Everyone worked really hard.”
“I hope the results reflect the effort we’ve put in.”
When a big project wraps up, it’s only natural to have a company dinner.
Raywill Games, a somewhat major developer, was no exception.
Of course, from the perspective of having to conduct live services going forward, one could say that this wasn’t the end of the project but rather just the start of a new phase.
“It would be great if we see good results and can pocket some bonuses.”
“Oh, that would be nice.”
They were speaking cheerfully, but everyone here knew how difficult that would be.
After all, companies are always chasing after money-making games.
The development dreams they had when they first joined had mostly faded into the reality of making mobile games or pay-to-play titles.
The game that was being prepared for launch this time around was also a game under heavy monetization pressure.
It was a game that had been benchmarked off a popular title from a while back.
So, the expected performance wasn’t exactly a mystery.
With this level of graphics and gameplay, sales would likely reach around this amount.
That’s the rough estimate.
“Oh, by the way, what about the team leader?”
“He took a half-day off to rest at home today.”
“Oh, really? He’s been taking them often lately.”
“Well, the project is done now. Plus, he’s a responsible guy. He hasn’t been able to rest much.”
The name of their absent planning and development team leader, Joo Young-bin, came up.
It was likely that among those present, there were fewer people who hadn’t received help from Young-bin.
He had a good personality, but more importantly, he was exceptionally skilled, not only in planning but also in programming knowledge, holding the team together in many ways.
“But it’s amazing. There’s never been a project that he’s led that fell through, right?”
“Yeah, that’s why he was urgently brought in for Unchained. We barely made the deadline. Phew, that was nerve-wracking.”
“His wife must have helped a lot.”
“But he’s impressive. He’s never had a project collapse under his watch.”
“That’s why discussions of a director position have already begun.”
Young-bin’s wife, Min Suah, tended to take on programming work as a freelancer. During crunch times like now, she usually came to work with him.
Especially skilled in UI design and level design, she wasn’t an ordinary talent, which made the UI and level design of the upcoming game surprisingly sophisticated for a mass-produced title.
Even though she wasn’t an employee, they could utilize her due to that reason.
Plus, as Young-bin’s wife, security was definitely tight.
Whether it would turn into a game that could showcase that talent, well, that was uncertain.
“Well, I hope it goes well.”
They all stopped at that, opting not to say anything more.
Instead, they just lifted their glasses and downed another drink.
Honestly, it would be nice if it turned out just as they expected. They never even dared to dream of a blockbuster hit.
“Oh, is that the Golden Duckling?”
At that moment, someone pointed at the TV in the restaurant.
It seemed to be today’s broadcast, introducing the cast and guests.
“Is it fun?”
“No, I don’t know either; I haven’t seen it.”
“So why act like you know?”
Team members laughed mischievously.
But the reason he pointed out the Golden Duckling was something else entirely.
“Seo-yeon is on today.”
“Seo-yeon? Oh, the team leader’s daughter?”
“Right, so the Golden Duckling is featuring her today.”
Joo Young-bin’s daughter, Joo Seo-yeon.
It goes without saying, she was quite famous within the company.
After all, being the daughter of a promising development team leader and currently one of the hottest actresses, that was bound to be the case.
“The Chaser was really fun.”
“When the team leader went to see it, his shoulders were practically the Pacific Ocean.”
“Right, right. He was bragging about it everywhere.”
Dream Future didn’t quite appeal to them, so not many watched it, but The Chaser was different.
When a movie surpasses ten million viewers, anyone who hadn’t seen it would find it hard to join the conversation.
Moreover, not having seen a movie starring the daughter of their boss?
That simply could not happen.
Of course, all the team members here had watched The Chaser, even if they weren’t familiar with the drama.
“The team leader is lucky to have such a daughter.”
“Seo-yeon is so well-mannered too.”
“But isn’t this just an observational variety show?”
While they were chatting away, one employee said that.
“Ah, it’s an observational show? …An observational show?”
Although he didn’t watch variety shows often, he at least knew what an observational variety show was.
Everyone turned their heads toward the TV in unison.
At that moment, the scene switched to today’s guest entering.
“Huh?”
Someone muttered in astonishment.
Maybe everyone here thought that it was their own voice coming out.
They all shared similar sentiments.
“What? Why is the wife here?”
“Well, it’s an observational show. They have young celebrities and their parents host it.”
“The team leader’s wife is really pretty, she’s turning forty next year, right?”
“Forty? Whoa, wait a minute. She’s ten years older than me?”
“She looks ten years younger than Assistant Kim.”
“Ah, that’s too much. Seriously.”
Everyone was mesmerized and started chattering.
With a bit of a buzz from the drinks, words flowed freely.
However, no one was really paying attention to those comments.
They were all fixated on the TV, unmoving.
Suah was beautiful.
It was hard to believe she was almost forty.
However, those present were more curious about what was coming next on the show.
‘If it’s an observational show…’
‘Wait, is this…’
No way, no way.
Everyone watched with that thought in mind.
The screen switched.
And Seo-yeon’s home appeared.
Seo-yeon was diligently studying alone while Suah brought in some fruit.
Then, following that:
“Dad’s home!”
Young-bin burst through the door.
Looking at the time, it seemed to be on a day he took a half-day off.
The real issue was Young-bin’s next action.
“I went crazy, went crazy. Wow, today’s dakdoritang sounds amazing, I’m going nuts!”
Having gotten a dopamine rush from leaving work early, Young-bin was skipping around excitedly.
After confirming what food was in the kitchen, he grinned like a Cheshire cat.
‘Oh, so you act like that at home.’
‘You were a bit more serious at the office, huh?’
Those watching him thought similar thoughts.
Above Young-bin’s head were the words:
[Unaware they are being filmed.]
Indeed.
At that moment, Young-bin didn’t know he was on camera.
As he looked around for something, he rummaged about, putting something on.
“What’s our headbutting dinosaur mom up to?”
He signaled the beginning of the variety show.
*
Golden Duckling had recently fallen into a bit of a rut.
At first, it was quite fresh, but it seems to be experiencing a downward trend now.
Perhaps it’s because people think, ‘Why does it matter if celebrities live well?’
Interest had faded somewhat.
This was likely the result of various observational shows popping up everywhere.
Golden Duckling had maintained some audience share, yet just like other observational shows, its ratings had consistently dropped.
– Oh, another actor
– Does the PD even know?
– For real, I fall asleep when actors are on.
Golden Duckling had previously featured child actors or slightly older young actors.
The reviews for those episodes were not great.
– Complete snoozefest
– Actors don’t know how to be funny.
– We came to watch variety, not their image management.
– Actors, please don’t come on.
That was the sentiment of Golden Duckling’s viewers, especially among the community members.
In fact, episodes featuring actors generally received lower ratings.
– But Seo-yeon is funny in variety shows, right? Didn’t she do her own survival and star uncle shows?
– For real, lol, Seo-yeon is just funny.
– I heard she’s been getting popular lately, but is she really that funny?
– I skipped it because I thought it was just another actor.
Seo-yeon had not been receiving a bad evaluation.
Perhaps PD Jeon Ha-young of Golden Duckling had anticipated this to some extent.
Was that why?
There seemed to be more viewers than usual waiting before the broadcast.
In that sense, it was somewhat of a successful casting.
“It’s starting now.”
The variety team was waiting with a sense of hope for today’s airing of Golden Duckling.
Or rather, they prayed it would serve as a relief pitcher.
They monitored ratings and reactions across various social media and community platforms.
“The starting rating is at 5%.”
As the broadcast began, the first confirmed rating came in.
Not bad.
In fact, it was quite good.
It was on par with the highest ratings from recent broadcasts.
PD Jeon Ha-young smiled in relief.
‘Now, the real show begins.’
She grinned.
Today, she was confident in Golden Duckling.
Really.
She watched as the show was airing, feeling sure of her decision.
Exactly as the scene where Suah made her first appearance began.
That was when the ratings began to spike rapidly.
*
– But does Golden Duckling need a mom as a guest?
– True, honestly, they just ramble most of the time, don’t they?
– 90% of it is just yammers.
The amusing aspect, yet also the most divisive component of Golden Duckling, was the appearance of mothers as guests.
Naturally, with the news that Seo-yeon would be appearing, the atmosphere had been slightly positive but divided as well.
– Seo-yeon is amusing, but I don’t think her mom will be funny?
– But Seo-yeon’s mom will probably be pretty, right?
– LOL, Seo-yeon’s mom must be in her mid-forties or fifties, even if she’s young…
– It’s the peak of the ‘dad joke’ phase, lol.
Mouthpiece Gong Hyung-man was engaged in lively chatter with the guests.
Then, as soon as those words ended, the main guest mom of the show was introduced.
Seo-yeon’s mother, Suah, entered.
– ??????
– Mother???!
– Wow, what the heck?
– Wait, that’s insane!!!
– What is this? Three heads?
– Where did Seo-yeon’s mom’s genes go?
– Seo-yeon is also growing up!
The comments on SNS, which had previously been rare and sparse, began to surge intensely across various community pages.
Naturally, attention shifted immediately to the viewers who had been apathetic until now.
– LOL, this is already amusing!
– Seriously, no kidding, this variety is hilarious!
– I can’t stop laughing right now!
– Seo-yeon’s mom is a variety goldmine!
– Clip shared!
– Is this crazy fast??
– This is worth it!
At this point, even those who usually didn’t care for Golden Duckling, those who had lost interest in observational shows or never watched them from the start, began to take note.
– Is it really that fun?
– Why aren’t you watching?
– Why should I?
– If you’re not watching this, just leave!
What could possibly be so enjoyable about it?
With that thought guiding them, they concluded.
‘Ah, so this is why people watch.’
Everyone became entranced by the show.
To explain it would take too much time, but was this really a woman nearing forty?
Such thoughts collided in their minds.
Anyways, it didn’t take long for the moment of Suah’s entrance and that capture to circulate among the communities.
In the blink of an eye.
The explosion of attention occurred right after that.
– Isn’t that the development team leader from Unchained?
[Realizing they couldn’t keep all the promises made with users over Unchained, we will work quickly to enhance the game. The whole Raywill Games team respects users and will do our best to reflect feedback…]
The man who burst into Seo-yeon’s home was that face.
The man who had appeared during an Unchained conference video.
The development team leader.
He appeared with a serious expression, bowing deeply in the clip.
– I think that’s him??
– Seo-yeon’s dad is the game director??
– No, he’s the development team leader.
– But wow, this is crazy funny, lol, that dakdoritang must taste incredible!
The common community members were naturally well-connected to gaming.
So, many remembered the conference video that had circulated among internet communities, featuring Young-bin for even a brief moment.
“What’s our headbutting dinosaur mom up to?”
With those words, Young-bin burst through the door and it had everyone in stitches.
– Headbutting dinosaur, lol.
– Seo-yeon is definitely a headbutting dinosaur, lol.
– Seo-yeon can’t play games??
– If you don’t know, go back and watch it all, honestly, no common sense!
Amidst encountering the imaginative responses to Seo-yeon’s unexpected expression during the scene, there were many who saved that clip.
It was rare to see Seo-yeon make such a face.
But alas, this was just for a moment.
Suddenly, Seo-yeon’s face hardened, as if a decision was made.
She began to play a game.
Naturally, those who had been enjoying the show until then were like:
– Wait, are we gaming here?
– They want gamer points, right?
– Actors always end up gaming or something.
– They need to show a relatable side, but for some reason, that’s their only instinct.
– But Seo-yeon genuinely loves gaming.
Just as comments began to emerge expressing dissatisfaction with seeing Seo-yeon gaming,
“Wow, as soon as I saw it, she jumped right in! Indeed, our daughter, truly an astonishing playstyle!”
If only Young-bin hadn’t suddenly stepped in to distract her.
Once again, the words [Unaware they are being filmed] hovered above him.
“Isn’t your friend doing a voice call? I guess he really wants to have a deep conversation with her, should I go over? They’ll be looking for their dad anyway.”
“That friend seems like they really want to win; don’t you think we should help them out?”
“Ah, she’s not deserving of a victory? Maybe that’s what it is?”
“Our daughter’s creativity is top-tier, gotta admit that!”
As Young-bin’s uninterrupted banter continued, Seo-yeon’s arms began to tremble.
Initially, Young-bin seemed to just check Seo-yeon’s reaction, teasing her.
– Huh? No response today???
– LOL, that’s the vibe!
– Is it always like this?
– How is he watching and reporting her banter, that’s hilarious!
– Is this even okay to air??? LOL, it’s funny though!
As Seo-yeon gave no reaction, Young-bin’s teasing only escalated.
Finally, Seo-yeon exploded.
“Dad.”
“Huh?”
“Do you know what a gyro drop is?”
Seo-yeon’s voice was low.
– What does that mean, Seo-yeon?
– Wait a second.
– Why the sudden chair grab?
– ?????
And then, it happened.
As Seo-yeon suddenly lifted the chair Young-bin was sitting on.
The chair was shaking up and down vigorously, and Young-bin let out a pathetic scream.
– Seo-yeon’s style of power lifting?! 😲
– Wait, how on earth is that even happening? Is she serious??
– Seo-yeon as a power lifter is no joke!
– Wait, how do you even confront that? Should we just challenge her to arm wrestling or something?
– Not that’s not what I mean…
The community exploded with excitement.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
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