The influence of
Masked Singer
had naturally spilled over to
Sky Garden
. After all, the fact that Joo Seoyeon, who had reached the finals in
Masked Singer
, was also the lead in
Sky Garden
drew considerable attention. On top of that, it was revealed that Seoyeon herself sang one of the show’s hit songs. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into genuine interest as viewers found themselves captivated by the drama.
In coffee shops and similar settings,
Sky Garden
had become a popular conversation topic. Previously, talk often centered on
The Grand Game
, but now
Sky Garden
was starting to edge its way in, creating a rare chance for the show to make its mark. Had
Sky Garden
been less entertaining, this opportunity would have gone to waste.
In KMB’s recently split Drama Division 2, an employee commented, “I don’t think we need to worry too much.”
Another director chimed in, “True,
The Grand Game
had a strong response this week. What’s our current rating?”
“Sixteen percent this week,” came the reply.
“So,
Sky Garden
managed 12 percent, boosted by
Masked Singer
, but it’ll probably max out at 14 or 15 percent at best.”
They all nodded in agreement.
Sky Garden
’s rise was impressive, but
The Grand Game
’s solid following meant it wasn’t threatened.
"Director Han Jung-min, what do you think about
Sky Garden
?"
A relatively young producer who had garnered attention for his promising work, Han Jung-min’s response surprised everyone.
“I’m not sure,” he said simply.
They had expected a straightforward answer, either praising or dismissing the show. Han Jung-min, known for his clear and decisive opinions, rarely wavered.
“Realistically speaking, actors are like seasoning when it comes to a show’s success,” he explained. “No matter how skilled they are, success depends on the story and the production quality. If the script and execution aren’t solid, no amount of star power will make up for it.”
He pointed to
Sky Garden
’s collaboration with Aidiz. "They’ve been pushing aggressive ads for
Sky Garden
, using Seoyeon as the primary model,” he continued, highlighting how risky it was for a brand to use a show’s concept so early in its run.
“Then came
Masked Singer
… I almost think it was staged with Seoyeon in mind,” he mused. “And Gray Crow—who turned out to be Yeo-hee—has a significant history with her.”
The search volume for
Sky Garden
had recently surpassed
The Grand Game
, mostly due to
Masked Singer
.
“Director Baek, what’s your take?”
Director Baek Tae-soo, a respected and veteran producer, finally spoke up.
“
Sky Garden
is a good show. But we should focus on our own projects,” he replied with a calm smile, giving no further comment.
Director Baek’s words left little room for more discussion. Yet as he looked away, his thoughts drifted back to
Sky Garden
and Seoyeon.
'It’s rare for an individual actor to have this level of impact on a series.'
Baek Tae-soo replayed scenes from
Sky Garden
episode 10 on his monitor, recalling the compelling ending where suspense lingered as a character packed a weapon for an upcoming trip.
The final moments of episode 10 were enough to grab viewers’ attention, stirring excitement and fueling discussions on
Sky Garden
’s online communities.
“
The Grand Game
is likely to delve deeper into romance this week,” Jo Seohui mused, tapping her finger against her cheek. "But I’m not sure that’s the right focus for its core audience.”
Jo Seohui was watching highlights from
Sky Garden
and the character scenes Seoyeon had portrayed so masterfully.
Sky Garden
, by now halfway through its season, had chosen to avoid romance entirely, emphasizing character dynamics and tension instead.
“The Grand Game might cater to the romance-loving viewers, but
Sky Garden
looks like it’s all about tension and deeper storytelling,” Seohui added, noticing how Seoyeon’s portrayal of the reserved and haughty Lee Yoo-joo was nuanced with subtle vulnerability.
As Seohui finished analyzing, she turned to Seoyeon, who had been listening attentively, albeit with a hint of shyness in her gaze.
“Aren’t these compliments supposed to be given when I’m not around?” Seoyeon muttered, nibbling her lower lip. Though she loved praise, Seoyeon still felt a bit flustered when hearing it outright.
“Anyway, is that why you asked me to watch the drama with you today?” Seoyeon asked.
“Not just that,” Seohui replied. “Ji-yeon is coming over later, and I have something else planned before then.”
Curiosity piqued, Seoyeon tilted her head, shooting Seohui a questioning look.
With a sly grin, Seohui handed Seoyeon a flyer. “Our family’s company recently opened a new amusement park. We’re holding a kids’ show there. How about helping out for a day? Your little sister will love it.”
Seoyeon’s eyes widened as she read the event description. It wasn’t just any performance—it was a magical girl-themed play, eerily similar to the
Magical Girl Harara
shorts Seoyeon had recently starred in. Her hands trembled slightly with anticipation and nerves as she looked back up at Seohui.
This event was going to be… memorable.