How Do You Play? Episode 335: Inside Director Yu Jae Seok's Genius Next Project Brainstorming Session

Published on: June 21, 2026 | Category: Korean Entertainment

Following the massive success of MBC's Short-form Drama Team 1—which successfully racked up over 1.43 million views—Director Yu Jae Seok is officially back at the drawing board[cite: 1, 9, 10]. In the latest episode of How Do You Play?, the cast gathered to hash out ideas for their next short-form video sensation, dealing with everything from sudden plagiarism scares to high-concept fantasy plots[cite: 72, 79, 83].

The Romance That Almost Was: "The Mean Bodyguard and the Troublemaker Heiress"

Director Yu kicked off the brainstorming session by introducing a prospective romantic track composed specifically for a drama OST[cite: 38]. The song, which features a distinct indie vibe reminiscent of artists like 10cm and SORAN (collectively known to fans as 10RAN), was meant to set the stage for a passionate love story[cite: 42, 46, 49].

The original pitch, titled "The Mean Bodyguard and the Troublemaker Heiress," was designed as a spin-off starring Heo In Ok as an arrogant, club-loving heiress alongside Woo Jae as her bodyguard[cite: 52, 61, 63, 64]. Despite the cast's initial skepticism, Yu was determined to push the romance narrative before eventually shifting gears entirely toward a classic summer staple[cite: 66, 72].

From Secondhand Mirrors to Big Budgets: The Plagiarism Panic

Looking for a fresh angle, Director Yu pivoted to a summer favorite: the horror genre[cite: 72]. He pitched a thriller narrative where the main character, In Ok, purchases a mysterious mirror from an online secondhand marketplace[cite: 73, 75]. The twist? She grows increasingly beautiful every time she looks into it[cite: 76]. However, the brilliant pitch came to a sudden halt when the team pointed out that a popular webtoon already utilized the exact same storyline, causing the project to hilariously fall through over immediate plagiarism concerns[cite: 77, 79].

The Winning Pitch: The $100,000-a-Day Dilemma

Ultimately, the crew landed on a high-stakes fantasy concept tailored perfectly for the short-form format: the story of a man who must spend exactly $100,000 every single day[cite: 82, 83]. While spending a fortune sounds like an absolute dream, the plot injects a dark catch[cite: 85, 93]. The protagonist cannot simply give the money away—he must spend it strictly on material items[cite: 95, 96]. If he fails to empty his daily balance, it takes exactly one year off his life[cite: 88]. Introducing the tragic billionaire character "Heo Eok Sik," this upcoming narrative promises the perfect blend of psychological drama, dark humor, and relentless pacing[cite: 84, 91].

Keywords: How Do You Play, Yu Jae Seok, Short-form Drama, Heo In Ok, Korean Variety Shows, MBC Entertainment