IJLMT 46

Chapter 46

“Oppa, did it turn out well?”
“Of course, it did.”
“Did it look cool?”
“It’s cool because it’s not trying to be cool.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’ll see when you watch it.”

Woohee giggled. It was 11:50 PM. Woohee was sitting on the living room sofa with Jang Hyung-geon. In ten minutes, the first episode of the drama Gordius Game, filmed by Hyung-geon, would be released on MediPlus.

“How about Team Leader Yoo? Did you greet him?”
“Of course! I told him I did my best and that there wouldn’t be any disappointing results.”
“Did you thank him too?”
“I thank him every morning when I wake up. Thanks to him, you’re alive.”

Woohee shook her head.

“That’s not what I’m most grateful to him for.”
“Then?”
“For making you get back on stage.”
“…….”

What would it have been like if she had died? She might have died in anguish, thinking, If only someone healthy had met him instead of me, he would still be shining.

If she became a ghost and could see how the world turned after her death, how painful would that have been? How would it feel to see the person you love lose their light and collapse, sobbing, all because of you?

When Hyung-geon said in the morning, “I’m off to filming,” Woohee felt at ease. Somehow, his atmosphere seemed slightly different too.

For example, Hyung-geon used to order excessively extravagant flower baskets for the house once a month. But after the incident with Yoo Jae-hyun, he didn’t. He only hid a single rose in his arms and casually handed it over.

Woohee asked about the change in his mindset. Hyung-geon replied:

“Now that I think about it, I ordered those flower baskets to look like some great, romantic guy. Looking back, it seems you didn’t really like it.”

She realized he was right. It had always felt too excessive. Throwing them away wasn’t easy either. One single flower would have been enough. She had remained silent, considering his feelings and personality.

“Wow… how did you figure that out?”
“I learned it from Team Leader Yoo Jae-hyun. Trying to look cool… in retrospect, it’s embarrassing.”

How could Yoo Jae-hyun have taught him that? Normally, Hyung-geon would not have paid heed to the advice of someone fifteen years younger than him.

Who could change a 42-year-old man with such a rigid mindset…

Thinking of that, Woohee played the first episode of Gordius Game on MediPlus.

She hadn’t expected it to be a blockbuster. Even if the drama’s content was lacking, it didn’t matter. Woohee was alive, Hyung-geon was back on stage, and appearing in the drama was what Yoo Jae-hyun wanted. That was enough.

Because she had no expectations, she was genuinely shocked.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

The protagonist, Young-hoon—Hyung-geon’s role—bows in gratitude while receiving money after being slapped. His desperation, unlike anything before, was shocking. As the first episode progressed, her heart pounded even more.

Young-hoon, participating in a death game, ends up battered. He could have escaped with a huge sum by killing a woman with a knife, but instead, he saves her and takes on the debt.

Everyone mocks him. Foolish, why waste a valuable chance? That’s why you’re a loser in life. Then Young-hoon shouts:

“What are you guys?”
“You could have survived without killing anyone! If you had just held the initial funds and trembled, you could have gotten 3 million per person and ended the round! But why did you raise the knife?”

Someone else shouts, Our debt is huge, who cares about 3 million?

Hearing that, Young-hoon realizes:

Without money, humans become beasts.
In this game, if everyone stays still, everyone can survive. They could even get a little money. But no one will stay still—they hate getting just a little.
So then… I will….

And that’s how Episode 1 ends.

Woohee stared blankly at the ending credits. Only when the MediPlus main screen returned did she speak.

“What is this?”
“How is it? Fun, isn’t it?”

Hyung-geon said proudly.

“Not just fun… Oppa, how did you act like that? Usually….”
“I usually just acted cool,” he replied calmly.

He continued:

“If I acted even a little flashy, I wouldn’t face Team Leader Yoo. Thinking about why I acted that way… back when I was unknown, poor, and pathetic, I hated that part of myself. I didn’t want it to show.”

Woohee had guessed that. But she hadn’t expected Hyung-geon to admit it.

“But thinking about it, I haven’t changed at the core. I didn’t need to act. I just had to return to my true self.”
“Wow… Oppa, you’re amazing.”
“Right?”

So that’s what he meant by cool because it’s not cool. Woohee quietly stared at his face. He was cooler now than when he starred in a 10-million-view film over ten years ago.

What should I give Team Leader Yoo next? Maybe send him some herbal medicine? Yes, that would be good… using only the finest herbs…

Thinking that, Woohee looked at the MediPlus screen. Then…

“Wait? Oppa.”
“Hm?”
“This is already in the top ten?”

JM Entertainment, Management Headquarters, Team 1 Office

“Did you watch Gordius yesterday?”
“No, I didn’t expect anything, but wow… I held my breath while watching!”
“This is the first time seeing Hyung-geon act like that, right? I thought he’d just do the usual ‘manly hero’ thing.”
Without money, humans become beasts… Wow, how does that line come out? Yoo Jae-hyun’s picks are always spot on.

The death-game drama, where people kill and bet money, is common in Japan and the U.S., but not yet in Korea.

I thought it was too early for Korea… was I too old-fashioned?

Woo Min thought, Yoo Jae-hyun is right! Still, old habits die hard.

In the past, Korean directors said that Koreans have too much empathy. Even villains are often sympathized with if punished too harshly. Finding the balance that satisfies viewers is important, but Gordius Game was completely different. Killing for money? Mocking those who don’t? Could it work?

And yet, it did. Released at midnight, Episode 1 was the most-watched on MediPlus by 9 AM. The media went crazy.

[Shocking Episode 1! Never seen anything like this! Focus on Gordius Game!]
[Hyung-geon transforms into a pathetic loser, showing a pathetic charisma]
[Gordius Game reaches number 1 on MediPlus views within 5 hours]

The drama forum was filled with discussion about Gordius Game.

“Episode 1 was worth watching, can’t wait for Ep. 2”
“Why isn’t the whole series out? So annoying, what happens to Young-hoon?”
“The preview article hyped it, but this is real”
“I thought MediPlus was MediPlusing again, but why is this a masterpiece?”

People thought MediPlus usually failed, producing niche content. How could anyone expect this exception?

The market was changing. If you only think of the past, you’d be left behind. Surviving in the industry required growth, not just promotions.

And Team Leader Yoo predicted this.

Workshop Announcement

“Did you see the notice on Sling? Workshop on general business, limited to volunteers. Led by Management Team 3, Team Leader Yoo Jae-hyun, with limited spots…”

“Yes, Team Leader Yoo?!”
“I’m signing up immediately!”

Woo Min clicked to participate before he even heard the rest.

Team 2, Team Leader Park Ji-seok

“Workshop? Really?”
It was An Yeon-hong who mentioned it, though she had just signed with JM. The rumor spread, and everyone wanted in. Even Park Ji-seok applied.

It made sense. JM was experiencing a storm of activity—an industry-changing whirlwind. People needed to grow to survive.

The Workshop

I can do this. Good.

Standing outside the large meeting room, she inhaled deeply. The chamomile scent from her onion bracelet helped her calm down.

Three months ago, she would have thought, I’m just a low-ranking employee… But now, she represented Nova Girls, Lim Yoo-joo, Lee Joo-ah, and Jang Hyung-geon. Acting modest would only make her and those she managed seem insignificant.

She had become a billionaire, thanks to apartments, lottery winnings, bonuses, and stocks. Yet confidence hadn’t grown as dramatically.

She entered the room.

“Oh! You’re here!”
“Team Leader Yoo, it’s my first time meeting you!”
“Wow… there’s a hidden master aura here!”

There were far more people than she expected. Even sitting in the aisles.

She greeted them confidently and delivered her prepared remarks about the purpose of the workshop.

Questions from Attendees

Kang Woo-min, now confident, asked:

“What criteria do you use when starting a project? Your choices always feel magical. Can you explain?”

Yoo Jae-hyun nodded. He shared:

“The key to moving the audience is sincerity.”

Woo Min asked for clarification using Nova Girls as an example. He realized the impact wasn’t just chance—it was consistency and authenticity.

Another team leader, Lee Eun-sang, challenged her: