Novelist Running Through Time

Chapter 32

TL: KSD

Peoples tastes are like the sea. Endlessly vast.

Trends are like waves. Without form, without rules.

They just crash in when the time comes.

Thats what fashion is.

Dousing oneself with ice water. Dancing to strange music. Squid games. Hip-hop. Trot. The youngest member of an idol group. Insulting someone. Etc.

Theres a culture that dominates a certain period of time for no reason.

Liking something because others like it.

If you ride that trend well, you can make a lot of money.

You probably got the gist of it, right?

You have to keep these facts in mind if you want to work at a broadcasting station.

Now lets extract the essence of literature.

The current wave crashing in was named literature.

EP 3-Magic Sword~nim, please control me!

Its my first time at a broadcasting station.

Everything was unfamiliar.

The entrance that requires a card key to enter. People bustling about. The occasional celebrities. The implicit hierarchy among people. Filming equipment. The bright light of the lights.

The unfamiliarity felt in the overall atmosphere peaked when we arrived at the set. It looked natural on screen, but in reality, the space seemed unnatural and a bit too much.

A typical variety show filming set. I will soon be sitting right in the middle of it. The reality of filming a broadcast hit me, bringing an intense sense of nervousness.

Are you okay, Author Moon?

Yes, well

You look really pale

Baek Seol, who was acting as my day manager, looked at me with a worried expression.

She gently pushed my back, covered in a blanket, hurrying my steps.

We better go sit in the waiting room quickly

I dont know much, but shouldnt we greet the PD first?

In other companies, maybe, but were all from Baekhak Cultural Broadcasting. Since were from the same company, its not a big deal if were a bit late in greeting. So dont be too nervous, Author. Your face is really pale right now

Yes

Hearing that my face was pale made me suddenly feel nauseous.

Finally arriving at the waiting room, a familiar face was visible.

Huh? Youre here?

Ah, Kim sunbae

Kim Byul, who had finished her broadcast makeup, looked older than usual. That means she looked like she was in her early 20s.

However, as she started to laugh at my appearance, she reverted back to looking like a mid-teen.

Ahaha! Look at him! He must be nervous about his first variety show filming? His face has gone completely white. You really look like a primary school student today?

Kim sunbae looks a bit older today.

Do you want to die?

I shrugged my shoulders and passed her a sharp look.

Kim Byuls manager and Baek Seol exchanged business cards, greeting each other.

Ah, hello, Im Kim Sung-geun, team leader at Baekhak Entertainment Management 2 Department.

Hello. Im Baek Seol, manager at Baekhak Entertainment Publishing Management Department.

!

What?

Manager?

Baek Seol avoided my gaze, laughing awkwardly.

Ah, ahaha.

Werent you clearly a deputy until last time?

Well Guitar sold so well I ended up getting promoted.

But still, such a rapid promotion, is that even possible?

-I wanted to question it, but having no experience with corporate life, I simply left it at a doubtful glance and moved on.

Meanwhile, Kim Byul had already approached us. She whispered with a sly smile.

You seem to get along with the manager, huh? Dont be fooled. Those people are ultimately just company people pretending to be on your side.

Shes not a manager but an editor, but I can see what Kim sunbae thinks of company people.

If youre going to ignore my warning, I cant help it Just dont come crying and regretting it later.

Kim Byul introduced me to a boy she had brought along.

The boy, who had dyed his hair pink, was very noticeable.

Let me introduce him. This is Min Hyo-chan. Hes in 8th grade, an idol.

Hi! Im Min Hyo-chan, the main rapper of Rapid Boys!

Min Whats-his-name suddenly tapped my forearm and said,

Are you in 6th grade of primary school? Call me hyung!

Ah, yes

Is this your first time on a broadcast? Ill teach you a lot!

As someone with the mental age of 23, I couldnt bring myself to use the honorific hyung for a middle schooler. Its the same reason I dont use noona for Kim Byul.

But why was this idol in the waiting room?

The answer came from Kim Byuls explanation.

There are four guests for the talk show. You, me, Hyo-chan, and one more person. The concept is young geniuses.

Feels like Radio Star, doesnt it?

We copied it.

Ah.

Kim Byul handed me the script.

Theres a script, but we wont be following it exactly. Its mostly freetalking, so stay sharp. Problematic statements will be edited out, but if you zone out, you wont get any airtime.

I was about to say I didnt mind not getting any airtime when Min Whats-his-name interrupted.

Hey- This broadcast is practically centered on Author Moon, and were just extras, you know! Sunbae! Worry about me first.

Why am I your sunbae? You ran away from being a child actor to become an idol.

I have to make a living too! And I like acting and rapping.

After that, Min Whats-his-name kept interrupting Kim Byul and my conversation, stealing her attention.

I looked at the boy with pity.

His crush was all too evident.

From what I could see, if it was this severe, Kim Byul already knew. She was just playing dumb

That became clear when Min Whats-his-name went to the bathroom.

I tentatively asked Kim Byul.

You know, right?

Hmm? Know what?

Min What was it again. Anyway, Min~ssis feelings.

Min~ssis feelings? You speak so strangely, you

Kim Byul smiled meaningfully, indirectly acknowledging it.

Dont you know romance is forbidden in this industry?

That used to be the case, but not anymore, right?

Thats up to the management level. The fans hearts are the same as ever. They dont want their favorite celebrities flirting with others

Kim Byul gestured towards Min Whats-his-names manager, who was nervously biting his nails.

He debuted this year. This is all just temporary. Once he goes back and gets a scolding from his manager, hell give up on his own. So why should I outright reject him and bear a grudge? Being accused of being too picky or too expensive

It feels like my energy is being drained even before the variety show starts.

Welcome to the entertainment industry.

Then, the door to the waiting room opened.

Kim Byul and I thought Min Whats-his-name had returned, so we stopped our conversation and pretended to be distant.

However, the person who entered was the last participant of this variety show.

Hello!

I froze at the sight of her.

She was someone who shouldnt exist at this time.

Ah.

My former lover.

A past connection I had severed with someone so inconsequential.

The woman with long hair flowing down greeted me with a handshake.

Nice to meet you, Author Moon!

Im the novelist Gu Yubin. Do you know me?

Ah.

I know.

Very well.

Gu Yubin. A genius novelist.

Professor Gu Hak-juns eldest daughter.

My ex-lovers older sister.

And.

-Is he oblivious? Or pretending not to know?

-Ask yourself. You already know, dont you?

-Whether youre really suitable for my sister.

The person who despised me more than anyone.

* * *

Gu Yubin was someone who couldnt stand the orphan clinging to her sister.

Not just because of his background, but also because Gu Yubin herself was a famous novelist, which made her even less tolerant.

Inheriting the talent of the great author Gu Hak-jun, Gu Yubin published poetry collections since middle school and wrote novels that were adapted into dramas as an adult, although the drama flopped.

Regardless, her literary discernment was indisputable, and Gu Yubin, unlike her mother who simply belittled me for my background, completely shattered me in literary terms.

-Its about deficiency, isnt it? The theme of your novels. They all start with a deficiency and end with one.

-Can you confidently say that your love for my sister isnt just a struggle to fill that deficiency? That you, who have never been loved, can fully love someone else? Dont say Im being too harsh. Its all from the inner thoughts youve revealed through your novels. Am I wrong?

-You asked me to critique this novel, didnt you? Heres my review. Please break up with my sister. Just by looking at this novel, I can tell. Youre someone who uses the dark things accumulated inside as the driving force for creation. If youre willing to go mad for the sake of creation, who would trust you with their family? Or answer me. Which is more important, writing or my sister?

-Why cant you answer? Say my sister is more important than writing. Then Ill persuade mother. Say it.

-You know, right? Youre this kind of person.

Gu Yubin, who looked at me with a colder and more indifferent gaze than anyone else in the world.

Now, she was sitting in the guest seat on the set, sending me a warm gaze.

I was really surprised! How could a kid write this?

Gu Yubin from ten years ago bore a chilling resemblance to my old lover I knew.

It seems she is a high school student now.

However, Gu Yubin, regardless of her age, was skillfully continuing the conversation with the MC.

I published a few poetry collections in middle school and received the lavish praise of being a genius, but after seeing a real genius, I felt truly embarrassed.

Didnt you feel jealous?!

Jealous? Jealousy requires being on the same level! I was completely overwhelmed as soon as I saw Author Moons writing.

Ah! To that extent?!

Have you not read Author Moons novels?

Yes!

Please read the participants novels beforehand!

Hahaha-!

Amid the laughter of the audience, prompted by the staffs cue, Gu Yubin smoothly continued the conversation.

Especially Notebookist. It was really a great novel. Everyone has their own deficiencies, right? It objectively highlights those deficiencies while also warmly embracing them

Ah

I was really, really moved by it, Author Moon!

Gu Yubin smiled brightly at me, and I delivered my line.

Thank you.

But I wasnt thankful at all.

Enjoyed reading my novel?

Especially Notebookist?

Surely, 10 years ago, no, 10 years later, no, in the time beyond my memory, wasnt it the novel she disparagingly criticized as disgustingly creepy?

Ha!

Only laughter comes out.

How does one become a novelist and change their judgments based on the situation, devoid of any steadfast artistic spirit?

Well, that was always Gu Yubin.

She was never serious about literature.

Even while being praised as a genius novelist, to her, literature was merely a hobby and an escape.

Did you think you were the only one? I didnt like you either.

Some stake their lives on their writing.

Wasnt Gu Yubin the one who suddenly quit being a novelist one day to take over her mothers business?

So

This is my petty revenge.

Take it in stride.

I also was deeply impressed by your novel, Author Gu Yubin.

Really? For real?!

Gu Yubin received my words with exaggerated gestures. Though it seemed pretentious in person, through the camera, it appeared endearing.

Author Moon read my writing? Wow! Really? Which book did you read?

The Cabin in the Snow Mountains.

Ah You read that?

The reason Gu Yubin was flustered is simple. Its because the novel has a very high level of maturity.

However, my reason for mentioning that novel wasnt to childishly tease her by bringing up its risqu scenes.

As Gu Yubins face turned red, she was drinking a sponsored mineral water, I sharpened my knife in my heart and threw it like a dagger into Gu Yubins heart.

The owner of the mountain lodge that appears there Thats Professor Gu Hak-jun, isnt it?

Pfft-!

Gu Yubin choked. The mineral water soaked the sets table.

I didnt stop there but continued to dig into Gu Yubins heart.

The pain of inheriting your fathers talent but not being able to reach his level The novel conveyed a distorted longing and jealousy towards your father very well.

Wa, wait

The unpossessed talent, the bloated ego, and the irony within such a heart were unraveled in a grotesque narrative, which also felt inherited from Professor Gu Hak-juns writing.

Ah, ahh

It seems you also use deficiency as the driving force for creation, writing novels quite similar to mine Thats the impression I got.

In my view, the reason Gu Yubin hated me wasnt because I was a miserable wretch clinging to her sister.

It was self-loathing.

****

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