Chapter 362
Chapter 362
*
[TeSTAR’s New Variety Show Is Out]
(Trailer Video)
The combo of Producer Sajja, famous for pulling off legendary hits every time, and TeSTAR lollll.
+ Looks like they’re going to the countryside!
*
It was 11 PM on a weekday, a time when many people were tuned into various broadcasts.
A fan of Kim Rae-bin logged onto the internet immediately after seeing the trailer on TV. Naturally, the community was already buzzing with conversation.
To summarize, the reaction was generally positive due to the production team’s track record of legendary hits and the steady-selling appeal of "rural table" content.
However, Kim Rae-bin’s fan knew better.
A lack of "aggro" meant it wasn't that hot.
‘This means mostly just pure fans are commenting.’
During the Hotteok and Desert Island episodes, things were so spectacular that they practically flipped the internet message boards upside down. Right now, it was just... normal.
A sigh escaped her lips.
"Phew."
Her younger brother, who had been pretending not to watch the trailer with her, poked her in the back.
"What? You said they’re coming out with a variety show. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Ugh, if you don't know, just shut up."
This was a signal.
‘A signal of mannerism!’
She wasn't swearing or angry. She just thought:
‘Is it that time already...?’
Kim Rae-bin’s fan was feeling a bit of a reality check.
As a freelancer and a fresh member of the workforce, she had begun to compromise her personality with social life, and she felt a similar sentiment regarding her fandom.
‘They’ve been active for years now and even won the Grand Prize, so I guess they want to do something comfortable like this.’
Right. She had suspected as much ever since they all took a few days off citing "body aches." Besides, hadn't the title performance for this promotion been absolutely insane?
‘At least they don't have dead eyes.’
In the past, she would have gone wild, saying things like, "Get my bias, the Medieval Rabbit, out from among these punks who lost their rookie mindset," but not anymore.
‘Yeah... they’re human too. What can you do about burnout?’
As long as they didn't make it obvious in front of the camera, it was fine. Their stages were still crazy, and they managed themselves well.
‘And it seems like they make up quickly even if they fight.’
During the Japan concert not long ago, it seemed like Park Moon-dae and Lee Se-jin had a falling out, but they quickly stopped showing it. Their professionalism was still intact.
She briefly recalled her private account’s timeline, where some speculation had flickered under the surface, but then she shook it off.
Her brother grumbled.
"Hey, so are you not going to watch it?"
"I am!"
Overall... it was a bit deflating, but she planned to hope for a natural disaster-level plot twist like the desert island episode.
‘But really, what kind of spectacle can happen in the countryside? At most, Seon A-hyun might set the kitchen on fire...’
Still, given that PD’s brilliant track record, she decided not to judge too hastily.
And on the day the first episode aired.
She was slightly taken aback.
"...Hmm."
Surprisingly... it was fun?
It started with the production team gathering TeSTAR for a meeting and shouting that this time, it was truly "healing."
Of course, TeSTAR didn't believe them.
[Ryu Cheong-woo: Um... I’m scared.]
[Lee Se-jin: Oh, come on. You’re going to do this and then be like... "Actually, it was the Alaskan countryside!" right?]
[Writer: It’s really not! Seriously!]
Eventually, due to the long persuasion process, a tear-soaked caption appeared over the fast-forwarded meeting footage.
[TeSTAR only believed the production team after hearing that they could be sued if it wasn't true...]
"Pfft!"
Even Kim Rae-bin’s fan almost laughed.
The "time of self-reflection" continued hilariously, even including footage of the production team reflecting on their own actions.
[Youngest Writer: Really, until the very end, Moon-dae’s suspicion and worry were just...]
[PD: Our sins are deep. Truly.]
And then, in stark contrast to that gloomy and satirical scene... came TeSTAR’s first day of filming.
[TeSTAR: Waaaaah!]
The bus scene finally began, with the atmosphere exploding on a bright, sunny day.
[The effect of persuasion was super effective!]
[These guys are genuinely excited...]
On screen, TeSTAR was singing, looking at the scenery, and playing games inside the bus. It was chaos.
[In a trance]
[Bae Se-jin: It’s dangerous, so don't unbuckle your seatbelts!]
[Lee Se-jin: Right, right. Everyone, stay in your seats, keep your distance, and enjoy~]
[Cha Yu-jin: Yay!]
[A true untact ballroom]
[~So excited~]
Hooked on the "healing" keyword, TeSTAR was completely immersed in the outing, their tension skyrocketing.
[Lee Se-jin: Rest stop! Let’s eat roasted potatoes at the rest stop!]
[Park Moon-dae: I have cash.]
[Cheers]
In short, they looked more excited than anyone could have imagined.
TeSTAR maintained that momentum even after arriving at the lodging. As soon as the production team gave the instructions, they moved busily within the camera's view.
[Cha Yu-jin: It’s warm!]
[Kim Rae-bin: Don't lie down right after eating!]
Watching them sprawl out in a room with yellow-papered floors or get excited over toy-like coins was full of energy and fun to watch.
[Lee Se-jin: Oh my~ Do you want to go with hyung? Shall we go together?]
And that excited atmosphere reached its peak when they brought in a dog.
[Mung-ge / 3 months old]
[Park Moon-dae: (Restless)]
[↑ Wondering if it’s his younger brother]
The baby pet effect was massive. Every social media post was screaming.
"Crazy..."
Even Kim Rae-bin’s fan gaped.
‘If the hair color is the same as Park Moon-dae’s, then this is...’
Without even looking, she knew every account that made edited clips would be pouring out screenshots.
[Hello, TeSTAR hyungs (Front paw)]
Furthermore, the sight of seven grown men making a fuss, not knowing what to do while hugging one tiny puppy, was hilarious.
[Cha Yu-jin: Give him more sweet potatoes!]
[Park Moon-dae: What are you talking about? He’ll become a pig if he eats more.]
[But his hands are being honest]
The dog grew plump from eating all sorts of handmade snacks. Cha Yu-jin benefited as well.
She continued watching the variety show as if possessed.
The production team had edited the footage well, capturing the changes and narratives of each TeSTAR member in a cute way.
For instance, Kim Rae-bin didn't initially stand out as a favorite among the residents.
‘He has that "guaranteed to fail the meeting-the-parents" look.’
It was true. It was due to his sharp, almost decadent impression and his piercings. However, as time went on, his popularity skyrocketed.
[Kim Rae-bin: Here it is!]
[Kim Rae-bin: In that case, with this!]
[Kim Rae-bin: I will go do it!]
[(Firework) The Worker Grandson of the Era (Firework)]
It was because his polite, pure attitude and attire were so natural. It was the specific vibe of someone who had lived that way since childhood.
Later, the broadcast even showed the residents secretly slipping him extra snacks.
[Resident: Oh my, he seems to be the best worker! And he eats so well~]
[Resident: Here... do you want to try one of these?]
[Kim Rae-bin: Thank you! I will eat it well! If there is anything you need me to do, please feel free to call me.]
‘Isn't he the dream combination of the idol world, possessing both a rebellious edge and nerdiness?’
Nodding, she realized the combination of the countryside and Kim Rae-bin would definitely generate memes.
With each character’s outline so clear, the content felt full just from their banter.
TeSTAR members were diligently helping elderly strangers, acting cute, and riding bicycles along the rice paddies to carry groceries.
[Park Moon-dae: Hyung, do you have an engine in your legs or something?]
[Ryu Cheong-woo: Hahaha!]
Overall, for a fan, it couldn't get better than this.
‘Even without a specific goal, it’s surprisingly okay...’
Having been together for a few years now, TeSTAR knew how to chat and lead the program naturally even when left to their own devices.
Because of that, it seemed like a great show for ordinary viewers to watch without stress.
[Seon A-hyun: The weather is really nice. Right?]
[Park Moon-dae: Yeah.]
Since electronic devices rarely appeared on screen and the specific sentiment of the rural space was present, it gave off a strange "youth of the past" vibe.
It lacked the unique characteristics of their previous variety shows, but since the name TeSTAR had become valuable enough to be a characteristic in itself, the viewership ratings didn't seem like they would be bad.
‘It doesn't look like they’ll fail in ratings and have to resort to "mental victory" through buzzworthiness... right?’
From Seon A-hyun, who almost set the place on fire while trying to barbecue in the yard, to Bae Se-jin, who plunged his book into a rice paddy and screamed silently in agony. They even nailed the comedy.
[Cha Yu-jin: Fire! Fire! Fire!]
[Bae Se-jin: The meat is there, don't throw sand! Put it out! Just put it out!]
[Lee Se-jin: Gyaaaaak!]
Beep—!
[※ Adjusting Screen ※]
[It took seven adults a full hour to extinguish the fire in the brazier.]
There were small elements of laughter coming from idols who weren't used to this kind of life.
‘It has its own pace.’
And at the end, even a touch of emotion.
[Lee Se-jin: It smells good.]
[Park Moon-dae: Yeah.]
After finishing their deliveries, the TeSTAR members lying in the pavilion eating ice cream all had smiles on their faces.
A comfortable, bare face shown away from their busy and murderous schedule.
Recalling the fact that they had briefly halted activities due to body aches not long ago, even someone like her felt a bit moved.
"Wow, that dog is living the life."
"Shut up."
Kim Rae-bin’s fan snapped at her brother and tried to focus on the screen again.
It was at that moment.
[???: Waaaaaaaah!!]
"...?!"
Suddenly, a blood-red caption appeared, covering the entire sentimental scenery of the pavilion.
And the cheers and screams of a crowd of people shook the screen.
[???: It worked!! It worked!!]
[???: Ak lolololol]
Then, a black screen appeared briefly... before brightening again.
It was the production team gathered in the yard, clapping.
"...??"
"What the."
And then, another caption.
[Are you curious]
[Why the production team is so happy?]
Y-Yes.
[To be revealed next week.]
"Hey!"
And then the commercials started.
"Hey, what was that just now?"
"I don't know either!"
It had been a long time since a mid-roll commercial break was this infuriating!
"Go away!"
Fortunately, the screen returned quickly. And the trailer aired normally.
[Moon-dae says we should make boiled pork?]
[Fully agree!]
It showed TeSTAR continuing to enjoy their healing time.
However, the background music was a sentimental flashback OST from a famous drama.
[Those~ were~ the days~♪]
Even the screen turned sepia like a memory of the past.
It was a very blatant... "dirty trick" of a trailer.
The first episode aired.
And I was taken aback.
‘Why... is the reaction this good?’
I mean, I knew it would be good, but I didn't expect it to be this well-received by the general public.
‘I thought there would at least be some comments about it being "boring but sweet."’
Thanks to the magic of editing, the first episode utilized the contrasting atmospheres well, making it clean and not boring.
Of course, it was a good thing, but there were some side effects.
Because the first episode was so well-made, there were even reactions that found the upcoming atmospheric shift a bit uncomfortable.
Thanks to that, the production team seemed to be in a bit of a panic.
‘Are they regretting pulling a fast one?’
Probably not.
To be honest, it was only because the pace was fast and it was the first episode that they edited it so carefully; "healing" gets boring quickly.
Still, looking at it now, even if I hadn't done anything, I think the production team would have eventually switched back to the healing code on their own at the end.
Since it was proven that there was a decent demand for it.
‘Well... but if the result is the same anyway, isn't the version with more ups and downs more interesting?’
The production team should be grateful. I just shrugged my shoulders.
Just then, Bae Se-jin, who was also checking the reactions beside me, spoke up.
"Our filming... is until today, right?"
Ah, that.
"Yes. We should start packing up soon. If people find out where this is, they might swarm the place and make the neighborhood restless."
"...Right."
He nodded with a serious face.
"Still... this kind of thing was quite nice."
"I agree."
The latter half was filled with content about making a huge amount of food and inviting people for a feast. The sight of the production team suffering because we spent so much money was fun.
‘Of course, I’ll settle the money issue properly at the end.’
I felt satisfied, thinking that we had shown a variety of "flavors" in many ways. I nodded.
"But there’s one thing that hasn't been revealed yet."
"Hmm?"
Bae Se-jin muttered with a hardened expression.
"In the end, who was the culprit who took the Carrot Coins? That’s why all of this happened in the first place."
Ah, he’s still worried about that.
‘I left it that way on purpose.’
After confirming that the cameras were off for a data swap, I answered quietly.
"It’s obvious. It must have been an insider."
"...!"
A look of bewilderment washed over Bae Se-jin’s face.
"Y-You mean... they’re among us!?"
"Yes."
I whispered softly.
"It wouldn't be fun if it were someone else. It has to be one of us for it to be good for screen time and for the twist to have an impact. They’re definitely among us."
Bae Se-jin listened with a blank face, then seemed to accept it soon after.
Then, he suddenly asked with a tense face.
"...By any chance, are you saying that because you think it’s me? B-Because it requires acting skills."
As if.
"No. I don't think it’s you, hyung."
"Why??"
Why are you getting worked up when I said it’s not you?
"You weren't composed enough, hyung."
"...?!"
If Bae Se-jin had been the culprit, he would have responded with utmost calmness and common sense.
Seeing him so over-immersed with his usual slightly off-kilter seriousness, it definitely wasn't him.
"Actually, there is someone suspicious."
"Who?"
I turned my head and looked at the guy outside the room.
‘Is it that guy after all?’
Keun Se-jin.
The guy, who still looked to be in a good mood, was working hard to show an energetic appearance.
He has good acting skills, quick judgment, and great social skills. He’s the perfect candidate to play a spy nonchalantly.
In fact, the primary reason I didn't take him with me during the coin duplication was this.
‘Because if he snitched to the production team, it would be over.’
Bae Se-jin seemed to have noticed where I was looking, as his mouth fell open.
"L-Lee Se—"
"It’s just a suspicion. Let’s just keep it between us."
"Ahem, hmph. Okay, I got it."
I decided to stop there.
Since he’s a guy who loves screen time so much, it would be best to leave him for the "betrayal" footage that would air at the very end.
At that time, that was definitely what I thought.