LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 93
[The Chaser]‘s 3rd Trailer
At first, reactions were that it was simply a compilation of the 1st and 2nd trailers.
After all, the scenes that can be shown in a movie are limited, and in the case of a thriller, showing too many scenes can hinder immersion when the main film is released.
So, what could be seen in the 1st and 2nd trailers was mostly the raincoat-wearing suspect and the police chase.
The identity of the victim wasn’t clear at all.
But then…
That last…
10 seconds.
– Joo Seo-yeon was the culprit???
– What the hell?
– Weren’t you just playing a convenience store part-timer???
– I knew it, why is an extra in the trailer?
– For real!
– But the vibe is crazy…
The part where Cha Seo-ah, the culprit in [The Chaser], appeared in the trailer was just 10 seconds.
Of that, her face was shown for only 2 seconds.
The rest set the atmosphere, merely showing her overall silhouette.
But it was enough.
To grab public interest all at once.
[The Chaser 3rd Trailer: 13 million views]
Five days had passed since the trailer was released.
The view count was heading towards a record-breaking number.
Even now, with the momentum slightly decreasing, it was still over 500,000 daily.
At times, it even peaked at a million.
This unexpected storm had resulted in communities being affected.
– Is this the main gallery?
– Are you crazy? This is a stock gallery!!!!!!
– ? Whatever
Anyway, because of this, communities discussing Joo Seo-yeon were seeing a massive increase in post frequency.
Where there used to be a hundred posts a day, that number had now exceeded tenfold in just a few days.
– The culprit is Joo Seo-yeon, lol!
– Was she originally red-eyed??
– MRL? Didn’t she always look like that since she was young?
– But her experience is practically that of a rookie, is that okay???
– Her acting skills have been proven, though.
– How much has that proof been established?
– I suspected it since she was smaller; was I the only one?
Ugh
True
– The final presence was killer.
– But do they usually reveal the culprit in the trailers?
So, speculations regarding the trailer were swirling.
There were also talks about how they had cleverly revealed a twist.
Additionally, this was a role quite the opposite of Joo Ha-rin, who was currently starring in [Dream Future].
“Director, is this okay?”
Eclateal.
Recently, as Seo-yeon had produced great promotional effects as an actress, this topic wasn’t very welcome.
“Of all roles, to play the culprit.”
Team Leader Jung Tae-soo spoke cautiously.
He had recognized Joo Seo-yeon’s acting abilities to some extent.
Therefore, he felt more uneasy.
If [The Chaser] became a massive hit, the advertising concept might fall apart.
“…Hmm.”
“Director?”
Looking with his arms crossed out the large glass window at the city’s scenery, Director Baek Min-chan silently awaited his response.
“I don’t know.”
“Excuse me?”
“Huh, how could I know? Predicting public reaction is truly difficult. You’re the team leader in the business strategy department, so you know that better than I do.”
With those words from Director Baek, Jung Tae-soo was left speechless.
It wasn’t incorrect.
And according to the instincts of the business strategy team leader, it was a rather risky state.
Based on past data, he felt almost certain.
Things didn’t look good.
If a bad image was strongly engraved, especially in cosmetics advertising where image was crucial, the chances of suffering were extremely high.
“I saw the trailer, and it had a huge impact. My wife even booked tickets already. It’s set to release in two days, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm, I’m sure it’ll do well. It’ll be great.”
Baek Min-chan nodded.
“But there is [Dream Future] as well, right?”
“Excuse me? But that’s…”
He knew about [Dream Future].
However, it felt quite pathetic compared to the blockbuster film financed by GH Group.
Internet reactions were fairly positive for episode 1, but wasn’t episode 2 rather ambiguous?
While it was unclear how well [The Chaser] would perform, it was evident that Joo Seo-yeon’s image would likely get overshadowed by her role as the culprit.
“To begin with, that doesn’t seem to be a heavily weighted role.”
“It’s true that lighter roles tend to get overshadowed by the market’s logic.”
Although it wasn’t a significant role.
Baek Min-chan, who kept track of everything Joo Seo-yeon starred in, was aware that her role had considerably diminished in the previous episode.
It was perhaps because the focus had shifted largely toward the protagonist.
Or there could have been other reasons.
Yet, if [The Chaser] became a hit, would they just stand by and watch?
“I think we should just observe for now.”
“Is that so?”
“And who knows? It might become a huge hit through some unexpected event.”
Recalling the time with [Survival Without Weapons], Baek Min-chan laughed.
The rising star’s actions after a 10-year absence always defied his expectations.
*
These days, Seo-yeon felt it.
No matter where she went, there was a buzz.
Today at school, she overheard her friends whispering and referring to her while they chatted.
Lee Ji-yeon said,
“It’ll probably get worse when the movie starts!”
“Really?”
“It all depends on how they portray you in the movie.”
Hearing Ji-yeon’s words made her unfairly anxious.
She had felt that their relationship had gotten quite smoother recently, but who knew?
Actors playing villains often seemed to have such stories.
When they walked down the street, people would curse at them.
And such reactions continued on the filming set.
“What? You were the culprit?”
Ma Yeon-woo, who casually switched to informal speech, asked first.
“…That sounds kind of weird.”
“Oh, no. I’m just talking about the role. Since the name hasn’t been revealed yet.”
That was true.
Though Cha Seo-ah’s image was revealed at the end, no actual names had been disclosed.
Just looking at the pamphlet, it still just said, “Part-time worker role.”
Cha Seo-ah.
Seo-yeon exhaled.
Honestly, she considered her the character closest to her ego.
If she had lived a twisted life, she might have turned out quite similar to her.
That’s why she was worried about how the public would perceive her character.
Of course, she would mostly receive criticism.
“Joo Seo-yeon.”
Just then, a voice cut in between them.
Park Jung-woo.
He walked over confidently.
Meanwhile, the filming staff and fellow actors busily sneaked glances at Seo-yeon.
After all, the [The Chaser] 3rd trailer had surpassed 15 million views.
For anyone in the industry, it would be hard not to have seen it.
There were many questions they wanted to ask, but the impression left by the trailer made it hard to ask anything easily.
‘It was just a fleeting 10 seconds.’
The image of her red eyes shining in the dark resurfaced.
The blood-soaked face and pale skin.
It felt more like facing a monster than a human.
“Did you see the script revisions?”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
In fact, the revisions were just a few lines removed and a single scene cut.
Seo-yeon had made some guesses about it.
‘Perhaps it’s because I had a stronger presence than Song So-ha’s role.’
Or perhaps the significance was reduced a bit because of her identity as the culprit or murderer in [The Chaser].
She thought that way.
Honestly, it wasn’t particularly a pleasant matter for Seo-yeon.
She had appeared to offset Cha Seo-ah’s image, which is why she accepted the role of Joo Ha-rin.
‘But it’s okay for now.’
After all, the key scenes for Joo Ha-rin were still intact.
If that were to be altered, it would disturb the core of the drama.
“If needed, I can tell you.”
“Excuse me?”
Park Jung-woo said seriously to Seo-yeon.
“There aren’t usually such haphazard script revisions. It’s true that you overshadowed Song So-ha’s presence, but even so, such changes aren’t good.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s not just you. It’s not good for Na-hee either.”
Song So-ha’s role was played by Cha Na-hee.
She too was aware that Seo-yeon’s significance had diminished.
However, rather than being happy about that, it seemed she thought it was because she had failed.
“I heard that writer Lim Jin-ha has a close friendship with PD Baek.”
Park Jung-woo pondered for a moment.
This script revision had likely been influenced by PD Baek.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy for a rookie writer like Lim Jin-ha to get the script changed.
“Can anything change if I say something?”
Seo-yeon was rather puzzled by Park Jung-woo’s words.
Typically, actor-initiate changes to the modified script were rare.
Of course, this was possible if the actor was of sufficient stature.
But Seo-yeon wasn’t at that level.
At least, not yet.
“It’s possible. If it’s you.”
“Me?”
“There’s someone extremely fond of you in upper management.”
By the way, Park Jung-woo also knew this person very well.
The individual was acquainted with Seo-yeon as well.
With just one word from that person, Lim Jin-ha would obediently modify the script.
“I’m fine.”
“What?”
Seo-yeon shook her head.
“After all, the key scenes haven’t been reduced.”
“That’s true, but… hmm.”
Park Jung-woo pondered with his arms crossed for a moment.
Currently, the script changes had been made only up to episode 4.
‘Now that I think about it, is [The Chaser] premiering in episode 4?’
Park Jung-woo had watched the trailer.
The last 10 seconds.
The moment the main villain of [The Chaser], the murderer Cha Seo-ah, appeared.
In this brief trailer, Park Jung-woo sensed a lot of anguish.
What would be the most impactful way to reveal the suspect?
Moreover, how to draw many viewers to theaters?
‘Recently, the box office has been lacking hits.’
To be honest, the domestic film industry was in a weak spot.
Only a few films garner success each year.
While foreign blockbusters monopolized theaters, that level of might was necessary to grab attention.
‘The culprit itself is not a revelation.’
This meant that within the movie, the killer’s identity would be revealed soon.
Therefore, it was better to use the trailer to create a glamorous shock.
Additionally, it suggested that the weight of the suspect’s role was quite significant.
‘If the premise of the story is about pursuing the culprit, not unraveling their identity…’
If the suspect’s narrative was included, naturally, the significance of the role would increase.
Then, the reputation of the actor playing Joo Seo-yeon couldn’t help but elevate.
In various meanings.
“…You.”
Park Jung-woo looked at Seo-yeon.
Seo-yeon, gazing blankly at him, seemed to be devoid of any thoughts.
Was she truly thoughtless?
Or perhaps…
Confident?
“Hm, yes. This is for the best.”
“Excuse me?”
Park Jung-woo chuckled.
“It’d also be nice to see you panicking after the movie releases.”
“?”
“And if [Dream Future]’s ratings…”
He didn’t particularly like when the plot hinged on a single actor.
However, it was honestly not that remarkable of a role for Kim Si-hwan to take any action.
He might be the main male lead, but most of his activity happens in the latter half.
The beginning was told from Song So-ha’s perspective, where the supporting characters were introduced.
If Seo-yeon’s contribution boosted the ratings, then…
‘I need to help Na-hee a bit.’
That way, it would likely minimize any chances of backlash.
Park Jung-woo waved at the slightly bewildered young monster before him.
He thought she would handle it well regardless.
*
[[Dream Future]‘s Ratings Struggle at 10 Percent]
[Is it the limit for youth romantic dramas?]
Articles on [Dream Future] gradually decreased.
Even the few articles that were posted discussed the declining viewership.
Still, 10 percent was decent, but the crucial point was that it had dipped consecutively in episodes 2 and 3.
If this trend continued into episode 4, it was sure to plummet below 10 percent.
Ironically, the ratings peaked at 17 percent for a brief moment.
And that moment happened to be when…
– “The trailer feels different, lol.”
– “So she’s the culprit, right?”
– “Is this all the role for Joo Ha-rin? Is this correct?”
Since it was broadcasted simultaneously over the internet, it was easy to identify where the reactions were coming from.
In the parts where Seo-yeon appeared.
The moment ratings soared to 17 percent was fueled by the audience drawn in from [The Chaser]’s 3rd trailer.
Of course, since it was just the trailer, the influx wasn’t vast, but the influence was evident.
As soon as Seo-yeon didn’t appear, the ratings took a swift decline.
“Damn it.”
Lee Jin-ha bit down on her lower lip as she watched the reactions unfold.
The viewership had been continuously dropping.
And it coincidentally began right after she revised the script.
As episodes 2 and 3 consecutively fell, PD Baek started to give her nervous looks.
If episode 4 also declines…
‘Some parts will definitely change, causing awkward gaps.’
The supposed cringe could be forgiven, for it had been intended from the start.
It was better to be overtly cringeworthy than to be vaguely dull.
However, it was disastrous for the overall flow to collapse.
Yet, she had no intention of re-editing it.
That would feel akin to admitting defeat.
‘Today, episode 4 has a group performance scene, so it should be okay?’
It was quite a demanding scene.
Even Director Kim Pil-seok remarked that it was pretty well executed.
And so…
As episode 4 was released.
“What are the ratings?”
She quickly asked the staff.
And cheers erupted from the drama department.
‘Ratings 14 percent!!’
An impressive 4 percent increase!
The rebound in viewership was a very positive sign.
Lee Jin-ha finally felt a sense of relief.
Finally, she scanned through the live reactions she had nervously avoided.
But considering the ratings rose by 4 percent, it was sure to be filled with praises.
However, upon glancing at the chat window…
– “Harin, I’m scared…”
– “If Joo Ha-rin and Cha Seo-ah fought, who would win?”
– “I can’t view Joo Ha-rin the same way anymore…”
– “Where’s Cha Seo-ah????”
– “Lol, the tension is growing since she’s not here.”
– “Is [The Chaser] that entertaining?”
– “Lol, just watch it.”
– “I agree, I agree.”
Something odd about the chat window caught Lee Jin-ha’s attention.
And she realized.
‘[The Chaser]’s premiere date.’
Thinking back, that day was today.