Totally Ruined (1)
Go Seokhyeon was deep in thought.
It was because of what he had seen at Next Planet and the conversation he'd had with his fellow, Lee Hyunmin.
'Why did I even want to make gas?'
He recalled the happiest mory from his childhood.
He had a younger brother.
Back then, ga software was expensive.
So they couldn't usually buy it. Only when they got pocket money could they manage it.
On those days, he and his brother would gather their money and run to buy a ga.
'I really loved the emotion I felt at that ti. Isn't that why I started making gas—to feel that again?'
Since becoming a PD, he hadn't been able to feel those emotions. Perhaps it was because he was crushed under the weight of reality.
But at Next Planet, he had experienced a similar feeling.
Honestly, the AR content made by his studio was pretty crude. Of course, that's how things go when you rush.
Even with such basic content, there was a child who laughed happier than anyone else in the world, shrieking "kyaak!".
He felt so grateful to that child for giving him that sight.
Jung Kyung-chul, the absolute ruler of Next Global, was the one.
He had fast-tracked Go Seokhyeon's promotion. Even with a lack of experience, he appointed him as head of the studio.
And what he said to the directors at that ti was:
"You're doing well. That's why I want to give you an opportunity. What if you don't show results? We'll think about that later. That's not sothing to worry about now."
To Go Seokhyeon, he said this:
"I won't force you to make a ga that follows the standard mobile ga monetization structure. Make the ga you really want to make. So what if it makes a little less money? The future of the company could be different because of it."
Go Seokhyeon had once asked what chairman envisioned for the future.
"What else. First, more diverse gas co out."
"And the second?"
"From here on, it's just my own greed."
"I'd like to hear about that greed."
"A ga released under your na, that stays in more people's mories."
At that ti, he hadn't thought much about it and let it pass.
'What does it an, a ga that stays in more people's mories? How is that different from a smash hit?'
Such doubts lingered.
But the situation changed.
'What is the ga I'm making right now? Could it really be a ga that only I enjoy?'
His confidence was gone. That was why his drive also faded.
He t his fellow, Lee Hyunmin. He listened to how Hyunmin was working at Next Planet.
His colleague had changed. It felt as though he was glowing.
Seokhyeon envied that, wanted to have that, and that's why he accepted Hyunmin's request.
Go Seokhyeon gathered all mbers of Blade Studio. There were about 10 mbers.
He bowed his head to them.
"I've been very stubborn up until now. I'm not here to say I regret that stubbornness. That, too, is part of our experience. But now that I know we can change for the better, if I refuse to change just because of my pride, that's my fault."
He clenched his fist tightly.
Admitting to one's own mistake is harder than it seems. Especially if you're the decision-maker.
So many people could suffer because of a single decision.
That's why many managers force their way through with authority or position, even knowing they're wrong.
"I want to improve Winter Hero for mass appeal."
He shared what he had seen and felt at Next Planet.
"I'll still keep the core appeal of our action and plan to strongly highlight our world-building. But I don't want to make it so maniacally niche anymore."
He bowed his head once more.
"I'm really sorry, but I have just one request. I want us to make content for Next Planet, too, while we're making our ga. The reason is—doing that will help find the direction for our ga. For you, it'll just be extra unnecessary work, but I ask for your help."
A mont of unpleasant silence filled the studio.
Everyone hesitated, sneaking glances at each other's faces.
Then, the oldest mber spoke up.
"To be honest, I was preparing to quit after seeing how unmotivated you've been, PD-nim. But now you're finding your drive again. Alright, for old tis' sake, I'll be tricked by loyalty—just this once."
The heavy silence lted away. Other mbers started chiming in.
"It's so much better being open like this. Honestly, PD-nim, I want to make at least one achievent in my life. I don't an a blockbuster hit—that would be nice, sure—but what I really want is to see my own child enjoy a ga I made."
"Hey! PD-nim, raise your head. Why be so sorry? Gas are always like this. I've never seen a ga stick exactly to its initial concept."
"It's tiring, but I'll work hard on the AR too. My kid already loved it when I told him about it. Once it's done, I'll visit Next Planet with him."
Go Seokhyeon was taken aback by the unexpectedly positive response.
'Honestly, I thought everyone would say they're quitting.'
He bowed his head again.
"Thank you. Maybe it's just lip service, but I'll do even better from now on."
After finishing the eting with his team, he called Lee Hyunmin.
"Hyunmin."
[Oh? Why do you sound so happy?]
"If it sounds happy to you, maybe sothing's wrong with your ears."
[Oh, really? My ears are just fine.]
"To be honest, I do feel at ease now."
[That's a relief.]
"I'll make that AR content right. Trust ."
[I like that confidence. But... are your team mbers okay with it?]
"Hey! It's , Go Seokhyeon. Top output among the fellows."
[Huh? I thought I was the top output now.]
"You're still not there yet. Know why? Because I just found my motivation."
[What is it?]
"Our Winter Hero will beco the flagship IP not just for Next Global but also for Next Planet."
[If you do that, I'll gladly give you the top output title.]
"Thanks. For convincing . Thanks to you, I won't regret this."
***
The Next Planet intranet's ssage board was boiling over with layoff talk.
[I still vote that Lee Hyunmin was sent here to fire people.]
[But you can't deny Hyunmin has stabilized Next Planet at least a little.]
[That's true. Still, seeing him let go of colleagues just because they're older, I couldn't watch.]
[Well, they don't fit the the park.]
[Didn't they help them get jobs at that other company... what was it, evening Sothing? Then that's enough.]
[From what I heard, only about a third of them got jobs though. It was just to look good.]
[What? Wasn't it Operations Division director Oh who did the firing?]
[Officially, but everyone knows the Reform Division pushed for it.]
So bitter.
But there was nothing I could do about it. I just have to do what I'm supposed to do.
And now, there are quite a few people on my side too. I should be satisfied with that.
I called Min Ji-na. Partly to tell her about what happened with Go Seokhyeon, and partly to ask about her own plans.
She had said she could leave Next Global, but hadn't told anything about what she would do after that.
[Oppa, what's up?]
I told her about Seokhyeon.
[That's great. I can't wait to see what kind of ga Seokhyeon oppa will make. I hope it really helps Next Planet. Make sure I get to experience that AR later.]
"Work on lowering your age by about twenty-five years. Then I'll give you the VIP treatnt."
[Isn't that too much? How could you say that to ?]
"What can I do? That content is aid at preschool children."
[You're just throwing away now because I'm getting old? After all I've done for you. I'm really hurt.]
"Just kidding. When the AR content is done, I'll show it to you myself."
[That's more like it.]
"What are you going to do now?"
There was a brief silence on the phone.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked?
[Hmm... Thanks to the Your Touch music video challenge, I've gotten tons of new SNS followers. How about being a YouTuber or influencer? Doesn't sound bad, right?]
Her tone was entirely playful. Obviously, it wasn't serious.
[Why, are you worried you'll lose your source inside Next Global if I leave? You'll be lonely then, huh?]
"That's not the only reason."
[Then what is it?]
I was at a loss for words.
I contacted and asked out of interest. But 'interest' doesn't only an a man-woman relationship.
It's about caring for the person, Min Ji-na, herself.
But if I say it's out of interest, maybe I'd be coming on too strong.
I couldn't work out my thoughts, but thankfully, she spoke first.
[I can't tell you yet, but there's sothing I want to do. The reason I haven't done it till now was because I wasn't ready.]
"Oh, I see."
[Yeah. More than anything, it was because I wasn't determined enough. But seeing you work at Next Planet has given resolve.]
I was curious what kind of resolve, but this ti I decided not to ask.
[You rember walking around Next Planet with , talking about the photospots?]
"Of course. It's thanks to you we even made the hidden photospot."
[Back then, I asked if I'd had a positive effect on you.]
"You did."
[Now, you're having a positive effect on . Thank you. Really.]
It might have just been a formal thank you, but...
It shook my heart.
[Soon, I'll tell you what I decide. Maybe it'll be sothing you dislike, but please don't hate it too much. That would hurt .]
And with that, our call ended.
What kind of decision could it be, that it might bother ?
For now, I'd have to leave it as a mystery.
***
I had a eting with Choi Hyena, Kim Junho, and Lee Yunjung.
We had to pick the next participant for the 'Your Touch' music video challenge.
So far, we'd just drawn lots.
But with popularity rising, we were thinking of holding a special event, and to do that it needed aning. This ti, we decided to select directly.
Lee Yunjung wore a sly smile and held up a white envelope.
This special Your Touch challenge would only accept mail-in entries, and all the stories had to be handwritten.
"I picked the right one. This is it. Absolutely, this is the one."
What kind of person could have written such a story to inspire such confidence?
"The na is Kim Kyungjun. He's a middle school student—third year. Hm, must be adorable."
"A boy? This is the first ti a middle school boy applied."
Whether because of Min Ji-na's influence or because the animation targeted females, applicants for the Your Touch music video challenge were overwhelmingly won.
Among male applicants, most were over 25.
"It's good to have an applicant from a special age group. So, what's his story?"
"Kyungjun says he's small and introverted, so he spends almost all his school ti alone. Poor kid! That must have been lonely."
"Hyena-nim or Yunjung-nim might not understand how Kyungjun feels, but I do—very well."
Kim Junho clenched his fists and spoke in a serious tone. He must already be empathizing with the applicant.
"Why do you think I wouldn't understand those feelings?"
We all stared at Lee Yunjung.
Cute, refreshing looks, endlessly bright personality.
She wasn't just popular—she was practically explosive. Even if she wanted to be lonely, people around her wouldn't have let her.
"Honestly... I don't really know..."
Lee Yunjung seed to feel unintentionally guilty.
"I do, though. Absolutely, completely."
Choi Hyena replied with a voice full of irritation.
Choi Hyena?
She's got a sharp tongue and a quirky streak, but basically, she's not a bad person.
"Right here at Next Planet!"
Ah... Everyone grew quiet.
She'd had a rough ti at the Business Strategy Team.
Yunjung glanced at Hyena for a mont and then started reading the letter again.
"One day, he watched the Your Touch animation. He felt the female protagonist's situation was like his own, so he imrsed himself and watched it dozens of tis."
"It's unusual for a male middle schooler to identify with a female lead. That's rare."
"Division director-nim, don't be prejudiced. That's no good. There are plenty of boys with girlish sensibilities."
"Yes..."
Why am I getting scolded by Lee Yunjung? What prejudice did I show? I was just making a general observation.
"So, naturally, 115km's Your Touch beca his favorite song."
"What's his purpose in joining the challenge?"
"He says he hates himself right now. Poor kid. He should learn to love himself! Kyungjun wants to change, but he doesn't know how. He's shy, so he'd normally never stand up in front of people, but he thought that by completing the challenge, he might be able to change, so he applied."
Yunjung practically shouted, her eyes sparkling.
"Let's make this boy's dream co true!"
"But it's not strong enough for marketing."
But at my words, her eyes went dull like a robot that's powered off.
"It's a heartwarming story, sure. But isn't it too far from a fun sumr event?"
"But..."
"And it doesn't match our target audience at all."
Just as Yunjung was about to drop her head—
"I'd like to do it too, division director-nim."
That was Kim Junho.
"I'll work with Yunjung-nim to steer things in the direction you want, division director-nim."
"Oh! Let's do it together, Junho oppa."
"The two of you, do you have ti for this? Yunjung-nim, didn't you still have to find a restaurant and a snack shop for children?"
"Ugh... that's..."
"I'll help with the restaurant and snack shop part. I promised. But I can't help with this one."
"Yunjung-nim, we have to stand firm here."
It was Kim Junho again, even louder this ti.
"It'll be tough, but the two of us will work together and make it happen."
"Right! Let's do this. So what if we have to pull a few all-nighters?"
"Exactly. We have good stamina."
I looked at Choi Hyena.
She shook her head.
"Do we have to go with that student? Wouldn't it be better to find soone more suitable? That would save us so ti, too."
As expected, she was skeptical.
In this case, agreeing with Choi Hyena would have been the right move.
But sohow, I wanted to see what kind of synergy Kim Junho and Lee Yunjung could show together.
For our future, I needed to experint with different combinations, after all.
"I'll give you exactly three days."
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