Chapter 97
Chapter 97
On the screen, Cheong-ryeo smiled and began to tell a ghost story.
[Do you know any idol ghost stories? I heard one recently.]
[…A ghost story?]
True to the audience's expectations, Park Moon-dae froze the moment he heard the intro to the "ghost story."
In reality, he was tense because of the story's ominous implications, but on the broadcast, it looked exactly like he was frozen in fear.
[They say a ghost wanders the recording studios. When an idol who seems like they’ll be successful starts recording, the ghost joins in.]
[“I could have done it, too…”]
[…it whispers.]
The ghost’s dialogue was rendered in blood-red captions, heightening the atmosphere.
[Silence falls over the mountain cabin]
Finally, a slightly chilling atmosphere was established.
[Haha, don’t worry. Actually, I just made it up. I just put a twist on the recording studio ghost story.]
[……Um, I see.]
[But you know the recording studio ghost story is real, right?]
[!!]
After that, the broadcast began to pick up momentum and set the mood properly.
[The heater is broken.]
[…It seems the back room door is locked.]
The feeling of isolation gradually intensified.
In the now somewhat serious atmosphere, Cheong-ryeo and Park Moon-dae sat facing each other in the living room and began a deep conversation.
[Um… Senior, would it be alright if I asked for some advice?]
The hottest rookie of late spoke about his concerns regarding the group's formation process and teamwork leading up to their debut.
[It’s my first time talking about things like this in a setting like this, so I’m not sure how it came across.]
The image of the senior, who claimed he had never done this before and acted shy but answered his junior’s questions with sincerity, was quite nice.
Regardless of the truth, the peculiar dynamic of two strangers baring their inner thoughts in an unusual situation provided the touch of emotional resonance that prime-time variety shows aimed for.
The broadcast seemed to be wrapping up on a heartwarming note, but then it dropped a small bait for next week.
[- Next Episode -]
[I think the radio is working…?]
[Static— This is a news flash. A dangerous suspect has escaped from a detention center near Mount Jowon…….]
[-!]
Since everyone knew the nature of this program—that it wouldn't get too serious and would likely end with a joke at the climactic moment—the viewers were free to be intrigued.
And then, the following week.
The majority of viewers were left in shock.
At first, things seemed to proceed as the viewers expected.
In the early part of the broadcast, Cheong-ryeo and Park Moon-dae spent a leisurely time waiting for the police.
However, they soon realized that their phone batteries had strangely run out, and they began searching the cabin for something to send an SOS signal out the window.
But instead of a flashlight or a flare, they found a radio.
[Should we try listening to this for now? It seems to be working.]
[Static….]
Then, they heard the broadcast about a murder suspect escaping from prison.
At that moment, as both of them froze at the sudden news—
[Bang! Bang! Bang!]
[!!!!]
Someone began pounding on the door.
A blunt voice could be heard from the other side.
[This is the police! Open the door!]
[…….]
Given the timing, it was obviously a development where the escaped murderer was lying.
[The two exchange glances]
Fortunately, the two only approached the door cautiously.
Park Moon-dae was the first to speak.
[Please state your rank, name, and affiliation first.]
[…….]
Suddenly, it went quiet outside.
And a moment later.
[BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!]
[Hey! Open the door!]
[!!!!]
The viewers were a bit flustered. And then, something even more bewildering happened.
[CRACK!]
The front door split open.
[????]
A barrage of giant question mark captions appeared for a brief moment.
[Escape for now]
Before the door was completely destroyed, the two of them hurriedly began to flee toward the back.
The comments began to shift from confusion to anxiety or cold detachment, but that didn't last long.
This was because the two of them suddenly ripped open a window and escaped.
[This way!]
[Yes!]
As the green screen attached to the window was torn away, the CG began to descend into chaos.
The captions were equally confused.
[Wait, you’re doing… that…?]
[A situation where they’ve lost sight of everything else]
In the midst of it all, while one of them moved the latch, the other held the window frame. They were perfectly in sync.
Only then did people finally burst out laughing.
After the two of them rushed out, the camera hurriedly ran to catch them outside.
Low-budget CG appeared in a scramble to hide the filming equipment.
[The snow has all melted.]
[It’s thanks to the weather suddenly getting warmer. …I think we can take off our coats.]
[It still seems quite cold for that.]
Contrary to the buzzing reactions of the viewers, the two continued their conversation with straight faces.
[Let’s head down quickly before that strange person notices and follows us.]
[Yes. Then, I’ll see you next time.]
[…You’re not going down together?]
[In case of an emergency, it’s better if at least one of us survives. How about we split up?]
[Hmm, that’s true. Then, I’ll see you next time.]
[Yes. Get home safely, Senior.]
While the viewers were roaring with laughter, Cheong-ryeo and Park Moon-dae exchanged polite bows and parted ways.
The camera briefly showed Cheong-ryeo heading down the mountain, then quickly turned to follow Park Moon-dae. Moon-dae watched the descending Cheong-ryeo blankly before turning around.
Then, he headed back toward the front door of the cabin they had just escaped from.
Standing in front of the entrance, Park Moon-dae took off his coat. Underneath the long padded jacket, the clothes he was wearing were revealed.
It was an ochre-colored detention center uniform.
[!!!!]
Park Moon-dae muttered dryly.
[Ah, Senior is lucky.]
People who realized the situation began to scream.
Park Moon-dae whistled as he entered through the front door. As if to serve as a reaction, short exclamations of surprised people were inserted into the scene.
Then the cut transitioned.
This time, it was Cheong-ryeo heading down the mountain.
However, Cheong-ryeo stopped his already slow footsteps.
And he muttered.
[I couldn't take him with me this time either…….]
Cheong-ryeo sighed and started walking again. As he passed a massive tree, there was a brief gap in the camera's view.
Cheong-ryeo had vanished.
And next to the tree where he had disappeared, a flyer was shown in a close-up.
[Missing Person Search]
[Missing during a landslide caused by heavy snow]
On that list… Cheong-ryeo’s ID photo was printed.
Tense BGM began to play.
[When we meet again, then…….]
With that caption, the broadcast ended.
Because the development was so outrageous, rather than being scared, people were just overwhelmed with shock.
The viewers were momentarily flustered by the suddenly completed "big picture," but soon they began to find it hilarious.
Thinking back, even that part was funny.
It was over-the-top, but because it certainly delivered immersion and fun, the public was generous.
Moreover, since both of them had massive fandoms, it was easy to sway public opinion.
Thanks to the removal of comments on entertainment articles, the viewer message boards enjoyed an unexpected boom.
Even among general viewers who didn't know Cheong-ryeo or Park Moon-dae personally, the reception was positive due to the unconventional and funny structure. Fans enjoyed the variety show content with laughter and no worries.
And a few days later.
New content dropped again.
[I am TeSTAR’s Moon-dae (Puppy emoji) This is a W Live]
It was Park Moon-dae’s first solo W Live.