NoveLight ™
"Good job, everyone."
"Let's hope the results match the effort we put in."
After wrapping up a big project, it's customary to have a team dinner. Raywill Games, being a large game developer, was no exception.
Of course, this wasn’t really the end. Since they were moving into live service for the game, the real work was just beginning.
"It’d be great if the results come out just right and we can all pocket some bonuses." "Yeah, that’d be nice."
Although the conversation was lighthearted, everyone knew that it wouldn’t be that easy. The reality was that companies always chase after games that make money.
Many had joined the company with dreams of game development, only to find themselves working on mobile games or games focused on in-game purchases.
The upcoming release was no exception—a game designed with heavy monetization. It was basically a clone of a once-popular game, benchmarked for its success.
So, they had a rough idea of what to expect. With these graphics and that level of gameplay, the revenue would likely be around this much. A rough estimate.
"By the way, where’s the team lead?"
"He took a half-day off to rest at home."
"Oh, really? He’s been taking time off more often lately."
"Well, we’ve just finished the project. He’s the type to take full responsibility. He hasn’t had much time to rest."
Joo Young-bin, the project lead for both planning and development, was mentioned. Almost everyone there had, at some point, been helped by him.
It wasn’t just because he was a nice guy; he was also incredibly competent. He wasn’t just good at planning but had extensive programming knowledge, which helped him manage the team effectively.
"It’s strange, though, isn’t it? There hasn’t been a single project he’s led that’s failed."
"Yeah, that’s why he was brought into Unchained at the last minute. He just barely met the deadline. It was nerve-wracking."
"It helps that his wife gave him a hand."
"Still, he’s amazing. He’s never dropped a project he was in charge of."
"No wonder they’re already talking about him becoming a director."
Young-bin’s wife, Sua, often freelanced as a programmer. During crunch times, she would even come to the company to work with him. She excelled in UI and level design.
Her skills were so good that despite being a freelancer, she worked closely with the team. Plus, being Young-bin’s wife ensured that security was never an issue.
Whether the game would truly shine, though, was another matter.
"Well, let’s hope it does well."
That was the last thing said on the matter. They all raised their glasses, taking another drink. Truth be told, they just hoped the game performed as expected. No one was dreaming of a massive hit.
"Hey, isn’t that Golden Ducklings?"
One of them pointed at the TV in the restaurant. The show had just started, introducing the guests for the day.
"Is it good?"
"I haven’t seen it myself."
"Then why bring it up?"
They all laughed, but the reason for pointing it out wasn’t random.
"Seoyeon’s on today."
"Seoyeon? Oh, you mean the team lead’s daughter?"
"Right, Golden Ducklings is airing today."
Joo Young-bin’s daughter, Joo Seoyeon, was well-known within the company.
It wasn’t just because she was the daughter of a promising team leader; she was also one of the most popular rising actresses.
"The Chaser was great."
"Remember how proud Young-bin was back then? He couldn’t stop talking about it."
"Yeah, every time we met him, it was all about that."
Although Dream Future wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, The Chaser was different. When a movie hits ten million viewers, it becomes hard to find someone who hasn’t seen it.
Especially when the boss’s daughter is in it. It wasn’t something anyone could ignore without raising eyebrows at work.
Naturally, every team member had watched The Chaser, even if they didn’t follow her other works.
"Man, the team lead is lucky to have a daughter like her."
"She’s so polite, too."
"Isn’t Golden Ducklings one of those observational variety shows?"
As they chatted, one of the staff mentioned it.
"Wait, is it an observational show? …Observational variety?"
While they weren’t avid viewers, they knew what an observational variety show was. Suddenly, everyone’s attention turned to the TV.
And right at that moment, the guest for the day walked onto the screen.
"Huh?"
Someone mumbled in surprise. It felt like everyone there thought the same thing.
"Why is Sua on TV?"
"Well, it’s an observational show. They usually feature young celebrities and their parents."
"Sua’s gorgeous. Isn’t she turning forty next year?"
"Forty? Wait, she’s ten years older than me?"
"She looks younger than Kim, and he’s thirty!"
"Hey, that’s a bit much."
They were already a bit tipsy, and now the conversation was flowing without restraint. But no one paid attention to what was being said. Their eyes were glued to the TV.
Sua was indeed beautiful. She didn’t look like someone approaching forty.
But what had them more curious was what was coming next.
"If this is an observational show… Could it be…?"
As they watched in anticipation, the screen transitioned to Seoyeon’s house.
Seoyeon was studying hard, and Sua brought her some fruit. Then…
"Dad’s home!"
Young-bin burst through the door. Judging by the time, it must have been the day he took a half-day off.
But it was what Young-bin did next that drew their attention.
"Oh, wow, dakdoritang tonight! This is crazy, you’re all dead!"
Clearly ecstatic about his early finish, Young-bin danced around the house, checking what was in the kitchen and grinning to himself.
'So that’s what he’s like at home.'
'He always acted so serious at work.'
The employees thought to themselves, seeing a completely different side of their boss. Above Young-bin’s head, text appeared on the screen:
[Doesn’t know they’re being filmed]
That’s right. Young-bin had no idea the cameras were rolling at that moment.
He wandered around the house, putting on something before shouting:
"What’s my little headbutting dinosaur doing with Mom?"
And so, the variety show began.
Golden Ducklings had been suffering from a bit of stagnation recently. While it started off fresh, it had slowly been losing its appeal.
After all, what does the average person care about celebrities living well? Viewers were gradually losing interest, feeling disconnected from the lives being shown.
The overabundance of observational shows that had flooded TV in recent years hadn’t helped either. Golden Ducklings was hanging in there but seeing a gradual drop in ratings, just like the others.
This wasn’t the first time the show had featured a young actor or actress, and the reception was always the same.
That was the general sentiment among viewers, especially those who discussed the show online.
Episodes with actors tended to have lower ratings compared to others.
However, Seoyeon had a decent reputation for variety shows. Even the Golden Ducklings PD, Jeon Ha-young, had probably anticipated this.
As a result, there was more interest in today’s episode than usual. In that sense, the casting was already a success.
"We’re starting now."
The variety department was anxiously waiting for today’s episode of Golden Ducklings to air, hoping it would be a hit.
They monitored the ratings and reactions on social media and forums.
"Starting at 5%."
As soon as the show began, the ratings came in. Not bad. In fact, it was good—similar to one of their highest-rated episodes recently.
PD Jeon Ha-young smiled in relief.
"Now the real test begins."
She grinned, feeling confident about today’s episode.
The moment Sua made her first appearance, the ratings began to climb rapidly.
One of the most divisive aspects of Golden Ducklings was the inclusion of mothers as guests. Even the positive buzz around Seoyeon was met with mixed reactions because of this.
As MC Gong Hyung-man chatted with the guests, it was time to introduce the main mother guest for the episode.
Seoyeon’s mother, Sua, entered the scene.
SNS and forums lit up with comments. As soon as Sua appeared, viewers couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Even people who hadn’t originally planned to watch started tuning in. Viewers who had lost interest in observational variety shows were suddenly captivated.
Curiosity piqued, many flipped the channel, and once they did…
‘Oh, that’s why people are watching.’
Suddenly, their TVs were locked onto the show.
There was too much to explain, but let’s just say… Was this woman really almost forty?
That thought crossed many viewers' minds as they watched Sua.
It didn’t take long for the clips of her appearance to spread like wildfire across online communities.
But the real explosion came next.
[We deeply regret failing to meet the expectations of our players. We will work diligently to improve the game in the coming days. Raywill Games is committed to…]
As soon as the clip of Young-bin arriving at Seoyeon’s home aired, viewers immediately connected him to the developer from a well-known Unchained apology event.
The online gaming community quickly made the connection, remembering the man who had publicly apologized during the infamous Unchained developer meeting.
"What's my little headbutting dinosaur up to with Mom?" Young-bin's line was met with widespread laughter online.
Seoyeon’s bewildered expression as her father barged in had the viewers rolling in laughter, and many started saving it as a meme.
Seoyeon rarely made such faces, after all.
But soon, Seoyeon seemed to have reached her breaking point.
"Hey, Dad."
"Yeah?"
"Do you know what a gyro drop is?"
Her voice was eerily calm.
And then it happened. Seoyeon lifted the chair her dad was sitting in with him still on it, shaking it vigorously before letting it drop back down.
Young-bin's terrified yelp echoed through the room.
- Seoyeon-style lift ;; wow
- No shit, is that a cunt or a bitch????
- Seoyeon has always been strong.
- No, crazy bitch, you're not good enough to be a strength coach.
- What are you going to do if you can't? Go spar with Ju Seoyeon.
- No, that's not what I meant...
Naturally, the internet blew up.
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