Chapter 625: THE Series Advertisement (2)

At the entrance of Jinseong Convenience Store on the first floor of Jinseong Foods' building, a dry ice machine began spewing thick white fog across the floor.

Ding~

The entrance door of the convenience store slowly opened.

Doom doom doom.

A deep drumbeat echoed as Yoo-Jin entered the store wearing her ceremonial princess outfit from

Hwaranjeon

. Beside her, Miso was also dressed in a dazzling ceremonial costume, holding a golden dowsing rod with a serious expression.

Behind them, about ten court ladies followed in with their heads bowed. However, one court lady carrying a large drum and another holding a big umbrella struggled and couldn't quite get through the entrance.

Jin Sung-Joon looked visibly confused, unfamiliar with this type of absurd commercial. "Is that... really okay to do it like that?"

"

Shh

. Even if we're not recording live audio, please stay quiet."

"Ah, right..."

While Jin Sung-Joon clamped his mouth shut, Yoo-Jin and Miso stopped in front of the register. The court ladies following them came to a halt near the entrance.

『

Ack! Ow

! My foot!

Ow!

』

The sudden stop caused the court ladies to stomp on each other's feet. A brief commotion broke out.

Yet, despite seeing people who just crossed time and space, Park Sang-Gyu greeted them with a completely blank face.

『Welcome~』

Startled by the unexpected greeting, everyone flinched. Their expressions said it all—they hadn't expected to be accepted so nonchalantly after traveling through dimensions.

Just then, Miso pointed ahead at the convenience store's refrigerated section.

『I think it's over there, Princess!』

In

Hwaranjeon

, they were both Princess Yu-Hwa, but here, this was a commercial. Yoo-Jin was a princess named Yeon-Hwa, and Miso played a pure-hearted shaman in search of clean water.

『Oh~ indeed~ I sense a refreshing energy. I can see it. Yes, let us go!』

With that, Yoo-Jin led the procession gracefully toward the refrigerators.

"Okay! Looking good! Staff, please move over to the refrigerator section."

The crew moved the dry ice machine near the water dispensers. As Yoo-Jin and Miso advanced, the court ladies followed in a neat line behind them.

Park Bull-Chool grabbed the megaphone and shouted, "Rolling right away. Pump out the dry ice! Ready, action!"

With the shoot running smoothly, Miso cheered as she reached the refrigerator.

『

Ooooooh

~ They all look so clean, Princess!』

At just seven years old, Miso exaggerated her performance with charm beyond her age.

Then Yoo-Jin pressed herself against the refrigerator filled with bottled water.

『At last... we've found it!』

Yoo-Jin struck a comical pose, her face filled with emotion. Jin Sung-Joon had to cover his mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.

『Get a hold of yourself, Princess!』

When Miso stopped her, Yoo-Jin straightened her posture.

『

Ahem

, s-sorry. Then which of these would be the pure water we seek?』

『Just a moment... please wait!!』

Miso held up the dowsing rod and placed it on her head like antennae.

『Beep~ beep~ beep beep. Beep~ beep~ beep beep.』

Miso made strange sounds with a serious expression. After a moment, she shook her head.

『Princess, I don't think the pure water we're looking for is inside this cold, clear box!』

『What? This isn't it?』

『No. I can definitely sense something nearby, though...』

『Wait! I feel an ominous presence behind us!』

Yoo-Jin whipped her head around with her eyes sharp like a hawk. Behind her, the court ladies were each holding convenience store snacks in both hands and stuffing their faces.

『W-what are you doing!?』

Startled, the court ladies tossed aside what they were eating.

『Oh my goodness~』

『I wasn't eating anything.』

Their snacks flew in every direction. Yoo-Jin placed her hand on her forehead, looking exasperated.

At that moment, Park Bull-Chool shouted energetically, "

Hahaha!

Okay! Okay! Very good. Let's take a short break!"

As usual, Park Bull-Chool kept the shoot moving at a brisk pace.

***

During the short break, the supporting actors for the next scenes began to appear in the lobby, fully costumed and made-up.

Meanwhile, the sweating Yoo-Jin approached. Since she was in full makeup and wearing thick ceremonial princess robes, I handed her a fan right away.

Yoo-Jin gave me a prim little look. "Oppa, this really is an absurd ad, isn't it?"

I replied shamelessly. "Absurd ads are part of comedic advertising. So... it's a comedy ad."

"Wow~ seriously? That's how you're spinning it?"

"Yup. That's right."

When Yoo-Jin raised both hands and tried to pinch me, I subtly stepped back. "You're doing great, though~"

"Well, I am naturally good at this. But what if I end up typecast as an absurd ad actress?"

I replied in a strict, serious tone. "That'll never happen. Don't worry."

Yoo-Jin was currently signed for over ten commercials, and only two of them were absurd ads—Burger Queen and this one. Out of so many, two wouldn't harm her image.

Besides, even if the ad was absurd, she was in princess attire the entire time. Her dignity remained mostly intact.

Still, Yoo-Jin seemed a little concerned as she asked, "Oppa, what about the luxury brand L.M.L? Are they okay with this?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I asked Mrs. Lee, and she said there's no issue since you're wearing a princess outfit the whole time."

"Really?

Hmm~

I just hope Mrs. Lee doesn't get too shocked when she sees the ad..."

I flinched a little but shook my head. "She might be surprised... but I don't think she'll hate it."

Just then, I heard giggles. Looking over, I saw Miso with the dowsing rod stuck to her forehead while running around with Do Ran-Hee, who had just arrived on set.

"Catch me if you can~~"

"No, you catch me~~"

'

Do Ran-Hee, really. Why are you the one running away when you are supposed to be chasing Miso?

'

I could never understand what went on in that woman's head.

Then Miso turned around and chased after Do Ran-Hee, still with the dowsing rod on her head. "Got you! It's Auntie Ran-Hee~~"

Do Ran-Hee, while running away, shouted back, "I'm not your aunt, I'm your unnie~~"

Miso squealed with laughter and shouted, "Auntie Ran-Hee~~"

"I said unnie~"

Watching the two of them play tag, I let out a sigh. "At this rate, we should make a commercial with the two of them as the leads next time. Their mental age matches perfectly!"

Yoo-Jin chuckled. "Right?"

With Do Ran-Hee, I doubted she would need to act at all even in an absurd commercial.

In the meantime, it was time to start the next scene. Park Bull-Chool was giving Park Sang-Gyu some quick direction before filming.

"Mr. Sang-Gyu. Once the scene starts, you'll open the cap of THE Pure water bottle in front of the register. Stay completely calm while doing it."

"Got it."

Park Sang-Gyu double-checked the 500ml bottle of THE Pure under the register. After that, Park Bull-Chool stepped outside to check on the foreign actors.

"Lincoln, Napoleon, Madam Curie, Churchill. Everyone, get ready. But uh, do you all speak Korean?"

Outside the store, reenactors dressed as historical figures from various countries were lined up.

"No worries. We speak Korean better than English."

"I can't eat without kimchi stew."

Their playful banter put Park Bull-Chool at ease, and he picked up the megaphone again.

"Alright, this is the most important scene. So everyone, stay sharp."

Done playing, Miso rejoined Yoo-Jin and headed back toward the set.

Park Bull-Chool shouted, "Miss Yoo-Jin and Miso, just do what you've been doing. Okay, let's go. Ready, action!"

As the scene began, Park Sang-Gyu pulled THE Pure bottle from under the register and opened the cap.

Crack.

Right then, Miso's dowsing rod spun rapidly in her hand.

『Princess! That's it!』

Yoo-Jin dashed over to the counter.

『Hand that over immediately!』

Holding the bottle labeled THE Pure, Park Sang-Gyu tilted his head. The bottle pulled from the fridge under the counter had frost clinging to its surface.

『But the cap's already off.』

Yoo-Jin reached out with a desperate expression.

『Th-that's fine! J-just sell it to me! How much? Name your price!』

『I can't sell this one, but a new one costs eight hundred won.』

Park Sang-Gyu took a fresh bottle of THE Pure from under the counter and set it down with a thud.

『Eight hundred, huh...

Ugh

... I suppose that's fair, given how rare it is! But I am a princess of this kingdom. I can easily afford it. Attendants~!!』

At Yoo-Jin's booming voice, Miso ran over and handed her a red pouch she had received from one of the court ladies. However, it was completely empty.

『Princess, we don't have any money!』

『What!? Where did all our funds go?』

『I think they spent it all on snacks...』

Miso pointed toward the court ladies, who were now wiping their mouths and pretending they hadn't just raided the convenience store.

Then Park Sang-Gyu smiled and spoke.

『Sorry, customer. You'll need to pay.』

Yoo-Jin pleaded.

『What if... you give me the water first, and I pay later?』

『Sorry, but no tabs allowed at our branch.』

Yoo-Jin snapped.

『How dare you! Do you even know who I am? You insolent fool! Hand over that pure water at once!』

Just then, reenactors dressed as Lincoln and Napoleon burst into the store. Seeing the water in Park Sang-Gyu's hand, they shouted.

『Oh! We've finally found it! That is the pure water we've been searching for!』

The actor playing Lincoln pulled out a wad of dollars.

『Give me a bottle too!』

Then, each of the great figures waved around their own currencies.

『Me too! Me too!』

As they swarmed in like a pack of piranhas, Park Sang-Gyu began pulling out bottles from under the table one after another.

Finally, he grabbed the last one.

『This is the last one.』

At that moment, Yoo-Jin shut her eyes tightly and reached out for the final bottle of THE Pure. However, it was snatched away by an actor dressed as Im Kkeok-Jeong[1].

Yoo-Jin then shouted with all her might, her voice shaking the convenience store.

『One day, I'll have it~~! THE Pure~~!!』

"Cut! Very nice!!"

As Park Bull-Chool called it, the crew burst into applause and cheers.

"Great work, everyone~~"

"Well done!"

And just like that, the THE Pure commercial shoot wrapped up successfully.

***

Jin Sung-Joon, who had never witnessed a live commercial shoot before, looked genuinely intrigued.

"That was more fun than I expected."

He had been worried it would be too absurd, but seeing it firsthand reassured him.

I smiled and said, "Once we edit this, it'll be even more entertaining."

"

Haha

. Is that so? Now I'm really looking forward to the ad we'll be shooting soon with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong."

"That one's not a comedy. It's going to have a much sleeker style."

In about an hour, the next commercial featuring Lee Tae-Poong would be shot on the 10th floor. It was for THE Best – Americano Style, starring both Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo.

In the ad, longtime Sales Team Lead Go Jae-Soo brings a beaten-down Lee Tae-Poong up to the rooftop to share a refreshing THE Best. The tagline read: A daily life like war. But we have the best coffee.

Since Go Jae-Soo's image risked becoming too villainous, pairing him with a mellow coffee ad would soften that edge. So I cast him in a cameo role.

Jin Sung-Joon stood up reluctantly. "I'd love to stay and watch more... but I have work to get back to, so I'll be heading out now."

"Ah, I understand."

"Oh, right. The bottled water ad will air Wednesday night, right before

Hwaranjeon

. As for the coffee ad, we're planning to release it in time for this week's premiere of

Jiri Mountain

. Both products have already been fully distributed to regional warehouses, so they'll start hitting retail stores from tomorrow."

"Understood. We'll make sure the actors promote the ads on their social media accounts accordingly."

"I'd really appreciate that. The bottled water market is way more competitive than expected."

Currently, the bottled water industry has grown into a market worth over 1 trillion won annually. The market leader was LT Beverage's Alps Water with a 35% share, advertised by So Yi-Yung of

Queen Jeong-Hee

. Second was CK Foods' Cheongsoo with 25%, featuring Ju Yung-In as the model. Third was HK Health's HK Mineral Water at 12%.

For THE Pure to succeed, it would have to break into this well-established triopoly.

"This is my first project as president, so I'm pretty nervous."

"You'll do great."

Jin Sung-Joon gave me a grin. "By the way, I've heard prosecutors are poking around the entertainment industry lately. Is Hoop Entertainment okay?"

Word was spreading that due to the scandals involving Ace Entertainment and TNT Entertainment, prosecutors were stepping in.

"We're fine."

"That's a relief. Still, I'm counting on you. My older brother and sister are breathing down my neck."

Vice President Jin Myung-Kyu and President Jin Myung-Hee, whom I had put on probation, had avoided arrest by blaming their subordinates. They were now hoping to return and were reportedly praying for this new product launch to fail.

"You'll need to succeed so they don't have anything to latch onto."

"I hope things go that way."

After wrapping up the business talk, I saw Jin Sung-Joon out.

Then I asked Do Ran-Hee to take Yoo-Jin and Miso home, while I stayed behind to watch Lee Tae-Poong's shoot.

And with that, the THE series commercial shoots were wrapping up successfully.

***

It was Wednesday night, 9:50 p.m.

In the living room, Miso waved her hand excitedly. "Mom! Uncle Yoon-Ho! It's time for the commercial! Hurry!"

Tonight was the broadcast of

Hwaranjeon

Episode 9 and the debut of THE Pure commercial.

As we sat down, Miso pointed at the TV and shouted, "Oh! It's starting!"

THE Pure ad began playing on screen.

At that moment, Park Chang-Sung, the voice actor famous for his deep voice, let out a roaring line full of rock spirit.

-Woooah~~!! From deep underground, pure water is drawn! For THE Pure, the princess has arrived! Boom, entrance!

On the right side of the screen, bold brush-style vertical text read: [The princess has crossed into 2021 to find THE Pure!]

What followed was 45 seconds of chaotic absurdity.

Yoo-Jin, who had been giggling while watching, finally composed herself. "Oppa, quick! Check the article comments for reactions!"

It was fun while watching, but she now worried about how netizens were responding.

"Alright."

At her request, I pulled up the online news.

[Trending CF: THE Pure]

-The bottled water advertised by Jung Yoo-Jin, THE Pure, is now available nationwide...

(Comments)

-LOL This commercial is completely insane

-This director always makes hits but drops one of these once in a while haha

-Where did they get that voice actor? I can't forget that voice lol

-OMG Miso's antennae were legendary

-Why does Jung Yoo-Jin fit absurd ads so perfectly every time?

-Official absurd commercial model: Jung Yoo-Jin.

I read the comments aloud for Yoo-Jin. "They say you were perfect for it."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you were the best."

I filtered the words just a bit to ease her mind. After all, a good talent agent should help their stars worry less.

Yoo-Jin gave me a skeptical look. "Come on~ really?"

It looked like she was catching on.

"

Ahem

. Anyway, nothing bad's being said."

"Then that's fine. As long as the viewers had fun, that's all that matters."

Yoo-Jin seemed surprisingly okay with it. She said doing one absurd ad was hard, but the second was easier.

'

Oh yeah? Then the third should be a breeze.

'

Thinking that to myself, I grinned and said, "Alright, let's forget the ad for now and enjoy the drama."

"Yes."

We focused on

Hwaranjeon'

s Episode 9.

One hour passed, and I was about to call Oh Bok-Hee to ask about the viewership ratings. But before I could, Jin Sung-Joon called first.

-Mr. Jung, we've got the sales numbers.

"Yes, go ahead."

Then, he shared the surprising results.

-Today's market share for THE Pure bottled water is...

1.

Im Kkeok-Jeong

was the leader of a peasant rebellion in 1559-1562 ☜