Chapter 302
Chapter 302
The TeSTAR episode of T-Holic’s Show Business. Since the group’s recent popularity was so high, almost everyone had seen at least a clip of the show before, so people had certain expectations for how it would play out.
The hilarious T-Holic. And the fresh, vivid reactions from guests that viewers hadn't seen before!
When inviting guests, this program usually relied on T-Holic’s antics and the guests' reactions to them as the primary source of humor.
The show was also well-regarded for how skillfully it wove in the guests' promotional goals between the laughs. It was the perfect setup where both the guests' fans and T-Holic’s fans could walk away satisfied!
However, this TeSTAR episode… the atmosphere was quite different.
[Millennials, witness the spicy flavor of Gen Z!]
[Cha Yu-jin: I’m a tiger!]
[Ha Jin-tae: I see. Our friend Cha Yu-jin is a tiger.]
[The hosts losing their minds over a tiger comment from someone born in the 2000s]
From the very beginning during the introductions, T-Holic was relentlessly pushed back until they eventually had to start filling the airtime with their own reactions to the guests.
The exquisite editing interpreted everything through the lens of a generation gap, scraping together only the funniest dialogue and reactions.
It was a different flavor from the show's usual style, but it was undeniably hilarious.
‘The TeSTAR kids really do have a lot of personality!’
The grad student burst into laughter several times while watching the beginning of the main episode, following the pre-release clip.
In the midst of it all, she felt a strange sense of pride seeing that Moon-dae seemed to be T-Holic’s only sanctuary.
[Park Moon-dae: Then, just one verse….]
Park Moon-dae held the reins of the two youngest members, who were running wild, and calmly proceeded with what needed to be done.
He promoted the tour, mentioned their connection to T-Holic, sang a song….
Park Moon-dae’s fans cooed at the sight, finding him adorable yet reliable.
He was the textbook definition of an idol leader appearing on a variety show! Eventually, the generational conflict that had been spiraling out of control on screen was brought under control.
Furthermore, once the main game started, T-Holic regained control of the atmosphere.
After winning a mini-game where they had to read lips, they chose an easy argument, only to fall into despair upon realizing the rule that they actually had to be "persuaded" by the other side.
[Receive 1 Billion Won VS Getting Stranded]
[MC Kim Maknae: Now, now, please use the opponent’s argument well and give a clear answer as to "why I was persuaded"~]
It was packed with the kind of funny twists one would expect from a variety show!
“Ahahaha!!”
It was funny when Cha Yu-jin and Kim Rae-bin failed the mini-game, but to think that failing was actually a good thing!
On the screen, Cha Yu-jin was giving a thumbs-up to his members.
[Cha Yu-jin: We’re good! Kim Rae-bin! Good job losing!]
[Kim Rae-bin: We lost because your lip movements were too fast and imprecise, so you’re actually the one who brought us this benefit!]
[You guys are praising each other, right…?]
Those tiny reactions became even funnier when paired with T-Holic’s despair.
And Park Moon-dae once again cleaned up the situation.
[Park Moon-dae: Everyone did well. Let’s win from here on out.]
[Cha Yu-jin: Go TeSTAR!]
[Kim Rae-bin: Yep!]
On the channel app, viewers laughed heartily and then warmly praised the team’s chemistry.
At the same time, they looked forward to seeing how the composed Park Moon-dae would react to T-Holic’s absurd nonsense.
And that expectation seemed like it would be met soon as T-Holic kept pestering them while leading the game.
That is, until Park Moon-dae showed his true colors.
[Park Moon-dae: I believe my teammates would choose being stranded over 1 billion won.]
Park Moon-dae spouted total bullshit with a deadpan face.
“…??”
For a moment, the grad student thought she had misheard.
However, Park Moon-dae began to pour out absolute nonsense with a brazen face, going completely off the rails.
It was a level of seriousness that was on a different dimension from T-Holic’s comedic brazenness.
Because he wasn't trying to win; he was pushing the argument for the side they were supposed to lose on!
As if representing his true feelings, a caption even appeared.
[Park Moon-dae: I cannot abandon my convictions just for the sake of one segment.]
[Madness]
The scene where the TeSTAR members agreed one by one was practically a comedy sketch. They were persuaded after just one exchange.
[That… actually makes sense to them?]
Moreover, Park Moon-dae’s logical structure itself was concise and easy to understand.
If he says being stranded was more meaningful based on his experience, what can you do!
T-Holic got swept up in this and started refuting him, completely flipping the usual dynamic of the show.
Normally, they should have agreed with TeSTAR and then made a sudden U-turn, but caught off guard by the unexpected bullshit, they instinctively reacted with refutations.
[Martin: Everyone! Let’s please think realistically…. How does it make sense that being stranded is good??]
[Kim Rae-bin: If you look at this argument from a realistic perspective, it makes even more sense. As Moon-dae hyung said earlier, even if we are stranded, we are still within modern civilization!]
Then, a montage of footage flashed by—clips from TeSTAR’s island survival show.
[The argument of those with experience]
[What they gained: A hit variety show, the next album title, money, fame, enlightenment]
[☆ Wow, being stranded is better than 1 billion won! ☆]
[I’m actually tempted…? by the Production Crew]
The moment the production crew surrendered, the viewers conceded as well.
Of course, the T-Holic members on screen, who hadn't seen the footage, didn't give up and diligently presented other logic.
Their main point was, "But it could still be dangerous! Someone could get seriously hurt!" But Park Moon-dae only muttered this with sad eyes:
[Park Moon-dae: Wouldn't that… be considered a tragic accident rather than being stranded?]
[Ha Jin-tae: Being stranded IS an accident!!]
T-Holic was supposed to be the ones being persuaded, but they were confused by the situation where they found themselves desperately trying to lose.
The production crew was the same.
The editors, who had inserted backgrounds of a swirling universe and galaxies, also added grand, trembling captions.
[Gen Z… is terrifying!]
And the grad student realized.
‘Moon-dae… he was a 4D character.’
She had forgotten because she’d only seen his cool and sensible side lately, but her idol was a person of extraordinary character who had danced to 〈POP☆CON〉 from his very first appearance….
In the end, T-Holic’s final resistance evolved into a serious and logical approach.
[Martin: But! That’s only in TeSTAR’s case! It’s not the case for our team! Right? Probably not? We hate being stranded!]
However, Cha Yu-jin asked brightly.
[Cha Yu-jin: Sunbaenim, have you ever been stranded?]
[Martin: Oh, no.]
[Cha Yu-jin: Then you don't know if you really hate it! You have to try it to know!]
Park Moon-dae spoke calmly to the opposing team, whose mouths were agape, with his hands clasped.
[Park Moon-dae: Wouldn't it be more rational to trust the testimony of a junior who is in the same profession and has direct experience?]
[Cha Yu-jin: That’s right. Experience is important!]
[Kim Rae-bin: Truly, those are wise words.]
As the chat messages flew by, a giant stamp caption was slammed over the blank faces of the T-Holic members.
[That sounds right…!]
And so, T-Holic obtained a hollow victory….
[MC Kim Maknae: Now, now, it’s time to wrap up~ Everyone, have you prepared the reason why you were persuaded?]
In the end, T-Holic declared the bullshit with their own mouths.
[Ha Jin-tae: Being stranded is… because we are idols! It provides opportunities for growth and financial gain through new experiences….]
[Ha Jin-tae: Therefore… being stranded! Is a more worthy goal for us next year than a simple 1 billion won! Argh!]
[MC Kim Maknae: Okay~ That’s very persuasive!]
The moment those words were spoken, applause erupted from the production crew. It was due to fits of laughter.
[Ha Jin-tae: Don't laugh, you people!! Is this funny?? It looks like our goal for next year is going to be getting stranded!]
Meanwhile, the three TeSTAR members bowed their heads.
[Park Moon-dae: Although we lost, I believe we fought well.]
[Martin: What are you talking about? You did your best to lose!]
[Lolololololol]
The camera capturing the peaceful faces of the TeSTAR members one by one was like a comedy skit in itself.
“Ah, seriously!!”
The grad student cackled!
Only then did Park Moon-dae relax his expression and start saying things like, "It was fun."
After one more laugh when only Kim Rae-bin looked bewildered and then shocked at the realization that it was all for the variety show….
The next segment arrived.
[If you win the game, you get to promote; if you lose, you get a penalty.]
[What is the penalty given to TeSTAR??]
Until now, the penalties had mostly been recreating ridiculous memes or doing comedic performances.
With a wide grin, the grad student stared at the penalty wheel with a racing heart.
The spinning wheel slowly lost its momentum and then….
[!!!!]
A shocking penalty was revealed!
“Ah~ today’s filming went well.”
“You all worked hard.”
“Thank you!”
I bowed my head to the T-Holic guys along with the other two.
The moment the cameras turned off, the way they had been swept up in the atmosphere vanished, and they became incredibly composed.
‘I guess it really was just for the show.’
The way they had been hurling insults at each other like a waterfall disappeared, and they returned to a state that looked like long-time coworkers.
‘That might be their secret.’
Just then, one of the guys who had been talking the most passionately during the shoot approached me.
“You’re a good talker. Are you interested in variety shows by any chance?”
“…?”
Was he trying to recruit me into his "line"? I answered cleanly.
“I like variety shows. Um, but according to the agency’s policy, we’re going to focus more on our albums.”
“Ah~”
The guy understood immediately. He took a sip of water and continued slowly.
“This is just some advice as a senior… it’s hard for a group to stay successful for a long time just by doing music. It’s a bit ironic, but for a group to last, each individual needs to do well.”
“Hmm.”
“People~ they get tired of things quickly, and their hearts aren't always consistent.”
Was this based on his own experience?
Coincidentally, a similar conversation was happening right next to me.
Kim Rae-bin was carefully holding out a T-Holic album he had brought and was getting an autograph.
“Thank you, sunbaenim…!”
“Hey~ it’s nothing. Is there anything else you need?”
“Th-then! I would be grateful if you could give me some advice on the driving force that has allowed you to continue group activities for so long!”
Kim Rae-bin’s eyes sparkled, and the T-Holic member scratched his head.
“Hmm. Let’s not expect too much from each other?”
“Pardon…?”
“It’s easier if you don't forget that we’re close because we were tied together as a team, not because we decided to be friends because our hearts matched.”
It was quite serious advice.
‘Does he mean that since the guy next to you isn't your friend, you should just accept it even if you don't get along?’
It seemed like he had many thoughts after seeing Kim Rae-bin and Cha Yu-jin bickering.
Still, perhaps because of Kim Rae-bin’s vibe, the T-Holic member seemed a bit flustered himself that such words had come out.
“I see!”
However, Kim Rae-bin interpreted these words in his own way.
“That is exactly the similarity with family. It is similar to how one cannot choose one's own family.”
“…??”
“Although we did not meet for the purpose of friendship, I believe that a true sense of solidarity can grow within that!”
“Uh… right. Good luck!”
T-Holic looked at him like he was strange, but they didn't try to argue, perhaps because they had met all sorts of characters over the years.
‘…Funny guy.’
I let out a small chuckle and looked back at the guy who had made the variety show suggestion.
“Still, for now, I’m going to focus on our group activities and work hard.”
The guy shrugged.
“Sure. If that’s the agency’s stance, there’s nothing you can do.”
After wrapping up the conversation with appropriate politeness, I approached Kim Rae-bin, who was finishing up with the autograph, and asked.
“Can you have the penalty ready within three days?”
“No problem.”
Kim Rae-bin smiled brightly.
The penalty we received this time was… the dream of a Millennial’s childhood.
An anime theme song.