Taeyeon, having arrived at the office, first called in Hong Minseok and Lee Yeongae and told them what had happened to him.
Lee Yeong-ae, whose expressions were always lively, of course showed every shade of surprise, and even the poker face of Hong Minseok cracked.
When the story ended, Hong Minseok sighed and said.
“PD-nim, do you realize you’ve been coming back with a lot of incidents lately?”
“Me?”
“The whole Pantheon promo-video submission, and the Nexple Plus development director thing, and….”
“Well, those just sort of happened… No, come to think of it, I’m the one who should feel wronged. This time I was totally baited by the chairman, you know. He laid everything out so I absolutely couldn’t refuse, then told me to choose—honestly, isn’t that way too much?! Right?”
As Taeyeon, trying to defend himself, suddenly got worked up, Lee Yeongae narrowed her eyes and said:
“So, the reason you’re telling such an enormous story to us first—surely it isn’t for what I think it is?”
“It probably is.”
“…”
Faced with the immediate answer, Lee Yeongae lost her words, and Taeyeon gave a broad grin.
“Team Leader Lee Yeongae, congratulations. As of this moment you’ve been promoted to Art Director of the console VR RPG game ‘Disney Fantastic World.’”
Lee Yeongae collapsed onto her desk, and Hong Minseok let out a hollow laugh.
Seeing them, Taeyeon laughed as well.
Because even to him, the situation was absurd.
“I don’t think we need to split the TF team into two. Since we can just apply the map design of the park area assigned to us directly into the game.”
Brushing off her earlier fuss, Lee Yeongae quickly pulled herself together and put her professional skills to work.
Using the idea drafts organized by Disney Parks & Resorts’ chief designer Edmund and his staff, she instantly turned the collaboration zone part into actual designs.
“They said they plan to create an AR/VR experience zone in the queue area—are we supposed to develop the game content that’ll go into that experience zone as well?”
“I think we’ll get into the details later, but for now CEO Ellen and the executives seem to want us to handle all the game-side work.”
“Then I’ll set that aside for now. Anyway, after hearing the concept of ‘Disney Fantastic World,’ I thought using this part would make for an interesting picture.”
What she focused on was the park’s centerpiece.
Unlike other Disney parks, it was the central area that would become the gateway to two huge parks: Hero Union and Villain Empire.
“The game concept is that something strange happens in Disney World and the original settings get distorted, and the player runs around fixing it, right?”
“Right.”
“When you move from A’s world to B, from C to D, what method will you use?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but since it’s a Disney collaboration, I was thinking of adapting dimension-travel items that appear there—like the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland, or maybe the mirror….”
“Then there’s no point in us being assigned a zone. Our investors wouldn’t want that either. We need a place that sprouts from our own original scenario and world.”
“I agree. Which means we need a scenario… To be honest, nothing has really clicked for me yet. Do either of you have a good idea?”
At that, Hong Minseok and Lee Yeongae fell into thought.
After a moment, Lee Yeongae spoke.
“How about this?”
“I’m ready to take notes. Go ahead!”
When Taeyeon actually picked up a notebook and pen, eyes shining, Lee Yeongae gave a small smile and offered her idea.
“This story begins with the astonishing, dizzying experience of a boy born in an American ghetto who loves drawing and stories.”
Jack was born into poverty and grew up through many hardships.
What Jack treasures most is an old storybook his mother saved her wages to buy for him.
With little else to do, he read it over and over, copied the drawings, and came to dream of being a children’s author.
His mother, who had raised Jack alone while working various jobs, one day collapsed from compounded overwork. Hearing the news, Jack cried and prayed to someone—saying he would do anything if only his mother could be saved.
Falling asleep from exhaustion, Jack awoke when someone spoke to him.
The worn storybook his mother had given him was glowing and floating in midair.
The storybook proposed that if Jack would help it, it would save his mother, and Jack accepted.
For reasons unknown, the world inside the stories was falling sick, chaos had arrived, and destruction loomed.
Jack must find the cause, team up with the heroes of the tales, eradicate the source, and restore peace.
“How is it?”
“Nice. I’d actually been approaching it with an SF-fantasy vibe—like a dimension-management agency detects a fissure and sends agents—but this is much better. As expected of a hit webtoon author!”
At Taeyeon’s praise, Lee Yeongae smiled faintly.
“We don’t really need to say how many chapters the table of contents goes to, right? If the released game does well, we can keep adding DLC.”
“Exactly! And we can base the visual concept of the collaboration zone on that table of contents world. We have an original field, and we place symbolic objects for each chapter that let players recognize the place as a ‘chapter,’ and by connecting with or entering them they can start each chapter quest!”
The real framework begins to form.
Listening to Lee Yeongae’s proposal, Taeyeon started tossing out ideas as they came, and Lee Yeongae caught them. Hong Minseok, without missing a beat, recorded the nonstop barrage of ideas in his notebook.
“Let’s keep using the development tools from Pantheon. This is a console title, and the top target audience is Disney enthusiasts, so the graphics—especially the re-creation of musical set-piece scenes—need extra attention.”
“How big are you thinking for the pure development budget? And the team size?”
“We’ll have to discuss that more but… I…”
Outside was already dark, yet the meeting showed no sign of ending.
The job postings Nexple put up on its official site and job portals sent shockwaves through the industry.
[Recruiting Console Game Developers for Nexple Entertainment.]
Nexple Entertainment is seeking talented developers to join us in creating a console VR RPG game using a popular overseas IP.
Open positions: Design, Programming, Art, Scenario
Hiring process: Document screening – 1st interview with staff – 2nd interview with staff (if needed) – final selection
Required documents: Resume, career description, portfolio
Application period: Until positions are filled
Two points caused controversy.
First, when did this company called Nexple Entertainment even come into existence?
Second, a console VR RPG using a popular overseas IP—what on earth is that game?
The posting omitted any mention of the IP. People immediately searched news articles.
And they learned exactly one new fact.
The company’s CEO was Producer Yoo Taeyeon.
—Isn’t that the Universe Studio making Pantheon?
—That studio’s going to make a VR RPG for console?
—This is confusing. What’s happening? Does anyone have info?
The “Cattail Grove” app game forum, popular among developers, was in an uproar.
But no one had detailed information.
It meant the secrecy was tight.
—Console VR RPG sounds tempting; maybe I’ll apply.
—What project is this? Yoo Taeyeon PD is amazing—Monster Eater, Pantheon… now “Project D”?
—What does that “D” stand for? Nexple’s recent mobile game with a famous Japanese IP was a mega-hit; the staff got at least tens of millions in bonuses… Should I fling in a resume?
It was a project so big that Nexple founded a new subsidiary and announced recruitment, and the CEO was the recently famous Producer Yoo Taeyeon—developers flocked with interest.
Exactly one month later, the recruitment notice was taken down.
—Ah, I got rejected. T.T
—You interviewed? Did they tell you what the game is?
—No, they wouldn’t say till the end. But I saw foreign staff walking around inside that project.
—Looks like they’re only hiring senior staff right now; maybe the TF team’s set and that’s why the notice came down. When the next recruitment goes up we’ll probably get solid info.
—Too bad. I’ll try again when the next notice appears.
The notice came down after a month because the HR database already held countless developer profiles they could tap.
In fact, only one person was hired through the posting.
Bae Suhyeon
(children’s author, former scenario planner)
Writing skill: 13/10 (15)
Systems: 2/10
Content: 3/10
Level: 3/10
Scenario: 7/10
Affinity: 5/10
Since childhood, she had dreamed of becoming a children’s author. While in college she won a contest and published her first work, but the result wasn’t great.
Because of financial hardship she used her connections to work as a scenario planner at a game company, but constant overtime and meaningless repetitive tasks wore her down and she quit. Preparing a new work, she again hit money troubles and applied for this Nexple Entertainment opening.
‘With writing skill like that she has tremendous potential… Such a waste.’
Ability alone doesn’t guarantee success.
Bae Suhyeon had talent and passion but no luck.
At least, until now.
‘Twenty-seven years old, already graduated college, published about three picture books… Perfect.’
Acknowledging her career as an author, Taeyeon set her salary at around forty million won.
Then, at the second and final interview, he brought scenario planner Baek Younghun and said.
“Spend some time helping Mr. Baek Younghun and learn scenario planning. As an author your writing skill is higher, but as a planner he’s far above, so there’s a lot you can learn.”
“Yes.”
“I promise: I’ll never assign meaningless work. I’ll help so you don’t have to abandon your dream as an author. So trust me, work hard, and learn. All right?”
“I’ll do my best.”
When the second interview was about to end, she hurriedly asked.
“Um, what project will I be working on, exactly?”
Taeyeon gave a small smile and said.
“It’s called Disney Fantastic World.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll send you an email, so check it. Then, Ms. Bae Suhyeon, see you on your start date.”
The interview ended like that.
After Taeyeon and Baek Younghun left, she sat blankly and muttered.
“Goodness… So the ‘D’ in Project ‘D’ stood for Disney?”
It was the same reaction shown by everyone hired so far.
Bae Suhyeon began work three days later.
“Hello, PD-nim. I’m starting today.”
She came over and greeted Taeyeon, who was at his desk preparing work.
Her long hair was neatly arranged, and light, transparent makeup emphasized her innocent image.
“Did you review the materials I sent?”
“Yes. I studied hard for three days.”
“You have to go beyond studying and actually enjoy it. Starting today, learn diligently from Mr. Baek Younghun and get used to the company atmosphere. Don’t overdo it.”
“Yes!”
As she bowed again and walked off, Taeyeon chuckled.
‘I didn’t plan it, but somehow a lot of women with great looks and education have been joining.’
Two days later, two storyboard writers joined.
Including Bae Suhyeon, the scenario writing team now numbered three.
A week after that, a veteran programmer in his forties, a KAIST graduate, started work as team leader.
Thus, the TF team for the project—nicknamed Project D—was complete.
Overall planning, directing, producing: Yoo Taeyeon.
Art Director: Lee Yeongae.
One scenario writer, two storyboard writers.
One programming team leader.
Six members in total.
Taeyeon gathered them in the meeting room and said:
“When hiring, I purposely chose people whose style fits Project D. The work atmosphere I want is just one thing.”
Taeyeon spoke firmly.
“Let’s geek out as hard as we can until the job’s done!”
“Waaah!”
“Starting today, one film per day: we’ll hold Disney animation and movie screenings every morning. Everyone gather, watch, and chatter!”
“Waaah!”
“Geeking time!”
“Once a month—or once a quarter—we’ll tour Disneyland! Disney HQ and Nexple have agreed to cover all costs, so just geek out without a care!”
“Wooohhh!”
“Yoo Taeyeon! Yoo Taeyeon!”
It was a frenzy.
People outside the meeting room even crowded around, peering through the glass.
“All right, let’s prep the screening right away!”
A dream workplace.
It was the beginning of Nexple D-Studio.
One week after the formal launch of Project D’s TF team.
Taeyeon headed to New World Group headquarters with Chairman Yoo Jin-seong.
In the conference room, New World Group’s heir-apparent Vice-Chairman Kim Jong-hak, along with top executives and working-level officials from major firms, filled the seats.
At exactly eleven o’clock.
“From now on, I will present the content we developed in cooperation with Disney headquarters.”
Taeyeon delivered his presentation before the heads of Korea’s leading companies.
After the presentation, a luncheon followed.
The dishes, prepared personally by a famed top-class chef, opened a new world to Taeyeon, who hadn’t often experienced haute cuisine.
Vice-Chairman Kim Jong-hak sat opposite Taeyeon.
With a friendly face he peppered Taeyeon with questions—starting with when and why he began making games, all the way to personal queries like whether he had a girlfriend.
‘Looks like he’s quite interested in me.’
Kim Jong-hak, in his late forties, was famous for enjoying sports and otaku-like hobbies—quite unusual for a conglomerate heir.
His father, Chairman Kim Myeong-jong, had stepped back from the front lines, so he effectively oversaw the entire group.
‘Unlike other chaebol heirs, he’s producing great results in the businesses he leads himself. People say he’s got a good personality too.’
He’s not without flaws, but no businessperson hears only good things. Even Chairman Yoo Jin-seong, who cherishes Taeyeon, gets mountains of flak from the press and gamers, doesn’t he?
Taeyeon set aside all preconceptions and kept the conversation going. Knowing Kim was keen on content business, he dug into that, and the talk became quite lengthy.
But Kim was not a man with much free time. When a secretary whispered to him, he said with regret.
“This was such an enjoyable conversation… but we’ll have to stop here today. Let’s meet privately sometime for a drink. Do you like alcohol?”
“If you’re buying, I’ll gratefully drink.”
He handed Taeyeon a golden business card and rose from his seat.
“This is my contact. I’ll reach out soon, so don’t ignore me. All right?”
Chairman Yoo Jin-seong’s expression did not look pleased.
Seeing Taeyeon staring at the golden card, he groused.
“Find it that fascinating? Want me to give you one too?”
Only then did Taeyeon glance at the chairman’s face and grin.
“Surely you’re not jealous right now?”
“Me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why would I be jealous?”
“Come on, you are. You’re annoyed because it looks like I’m happy getting attention from Vice-Chairman Kim Jong-hak. You’re worried I might go over to his side.”
“You rascal… You think I’m that small-minded? I’m not that kind of person!”
“Then let it be. Why get angry?”
Taeyeon slipped the card away with a roguish smile.
“But really, it does feel a bit out of the blue. Why is New World Group trying to start a theme-park business? There are already two strong rivals in Korea. And there’s a big one under construction in Busan too.”
“It’s Vice-Chairman Kim’s own solution for overcoming the crisis in offline retail.”
Chairman Yoo’s face suddenly turned serious.
“Offline markets are struggling against e-commerce. The two solutions to increase customer dwell time are mega-malls and theme parks. He’s trying to hold customers with both.”
“Ah…”
“Once this business is underway, he’ll have no room to look elsewhere for a while. So if you’re harboring any vain expectations, set them aside.”
At that, Taeyeon laughed again.
“I’m not going anywhere else, so don’t worry.”
“That’s not why I’m saying it. I’m just giving you reality, so you don’t chase empty dreams.”
“Of course, sir.”
“You rascal…!”
Taeyeon went straight back to the studio and got to work.
‘Take your eyes off for a moment and a problem pops up.’
Even when you staff things with the best you can, if the tension slackens even a little, issues arise.
This time it was Pantheon’s client-side animation.
For Monster Eater, the live team hadn’t caught an issue that Nexple’s QA team found and reported.
It wasn’t minor; it was quite serious.
‘I need to tighten the screws.’
Taeyeon called in all section heads working at Nexple Entertainment and Nexple Plus and spoke kindly.
“I’ll handle the leading from now on, so you all just work hard at your jobs. If you came here just to play manager, go somewhere else. I don’t like that.”
“…”
Though he spoke kindly, everyone trembled and couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Eater team.”
“Yes!”
“HQ’s QA found what you missed and reported it to me. This keeps happening lately—if it continues, why test at all?”
“We’re sorry!”
“You know launch isn’t far off, right? Let’s do it right.”
“Understood!”
Their reply boomed like a military barracks.
Taeyeon left the reprimand at that and went on to check tasks and give instructions.
Lately he’d been out of the studio often with many engagements, but not once had he neglected his main duties.
When the meeting ended, someone hurried into the room and spoke to Taeyeon.
“PD-nim, the students are gathered and waiting. I think you need to come quickly.”
It was Deputy Jo Seon-ah.
Taeyeon checked the time and said:
“Right on schedule. Meeting’s over, so let’s go.”
As Taeyeon left, the remaining developers clicked their tongues and said one after another.
“He’s really busy, yet his task checks and time management are flawless—it’s amazing.”
“I could never be like PD-nim even if I died and came back. I’m never dreaming of producing or directing.”
“Same here.”
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