Schedules, Schedules, Schedules (7)

The opening scene was the airport. A massively crowded one at that! To everyone's shock, the massive crowd gathered there was waiting for Airplane. The camera captured the girl fans welcoming them back home, accompanied by the production team's over-the-top, exclamatory subtitles. Placards were held high everywhere, making it crystal clear their purpose was to greet Airplane.

The screen, having panned across the airport throng, shifted to individual cast interviews.

"Of course I was shocked. All these people came to see those guys? That was the only thought in my head. Back then, I knew nothing about them. Just that they were a popular rookie boy idol group."

"I'd heard they were really talented. A group with a king of singers who swept five wins on some broadcast program's music show."

Nam Eungyu: "I was totally shocked. I had no idea we had this many fans."

Kang Kyungtae: "I was really grateful. Kinda emotional too."

Jin Haesol: "We hadn't done anything that amazing to deserve such overwhelming love. Plus, we're foreign singers, so it made me think a lot."

"By the time we met, I'd already looked them up after seeing the airport crowd and checked my phone."

"They looked handsome in photos, but in person? Insane. Especially Haesol—he was on another level."

"I'd heard that kid was famous for his looks too. The camera couldn't even capture how good-looking he really is."

"They were sparkling! Whew~ If I were 20 years younger... Haha, just kidding."

Kang Jun: "I'd heard so much about their fame, it was surreal. I wanted autographs but was too shy at first. Snuck over after filming and got them. Took pics too."

Jeki: "They're untouchable legends in the music world. Getting to build rapport with them during filming was a huge honor."

Ki Uyeon: "I got all their numbers! We're calling them 'hyungnim' now! Turns out they're the same age as our moms, so I laid on the aegyo thick. Made me miss my own mom."

"These young kids? Don't underestimate them. Their skills were no joke."

"How are they all so good? Made me proud."

"They threw out ideas aggressively, which made meetings smooth. Hate it when people stay quiet and stew inside. These guys were straightforward—easy to talk to."

Jin Haesol: "Felt awkward at first. What if I mess up? Can't disappoint them... Their expectations were sky-high."

Ki Uyeon: "They could tell we were nervous! Super kind, helped us relax, so we synced perfectly."

Jeki: "Felt like we'd been working together forever. All thanks to the seniors' consideration."

Nam Eungyu: "Thought, 'What an unforgettable stage.'"

Kang Kyungtae: "It was a blast. Schedule changed due to unexpected trouble, but that trouble ended up giving us a great experience."

"What do we do?"

"Can't change the country for busking, so switch venues."

"Huh? Busking there? Isn't that the countryside?"

Mooo~! A cow's moo echoed.

Lush green countryside scenery filled the screen. Then, the busking crew stepping onto the dirt path in that rural spot!

"……."

"……."

The cast's faces were grim. They all looked dumbfounded, like they'd been scammed.

"Yaaawn~"

Some were barely awake.

"Ugh, what time is it?"

"9 AM."

"No way, it took four hours?!"

Just getting here had taken four hours! The place was so deserted, busking seemed impossible.

"Looks like our country's countryside."

"Feels like no one's here. Am I imagining it?"

"80,000? That's small? I don't know much about population."

"Yeah, it's small. And aging means no growth."

"Those buildings over there must be the government hotels. Visible from afar."

"But not as crowded as you said?"

The intent wasn't bad. Hell, pulling this plan together so fast was impressive.

"Crash at the hotel tonight, start real busking tomorrow."

Too late for busking now, so they piled back into the van and headed to the hotel.

The next day.

The production team revealed the first busking spot.

"Village hall?"

"Where's the village hall?"

Stray even a bit from the tourist developments, and pure countryside emerged. The hall was smack in a rural village, naturally. Elders shuffled toward it with canes.

"Whoa."

"Even abroad has countryside."

"This country's rural vibe is like this."

"Feels so peaceful."

"Air's amazing."

"...But will they enjoy our songs?"

"The age gap's bigger than expected."

"Should tweak the setlist?"

The cast huddled for an emergency meeting.

Meanwhile, word spread about foreign musicians in town. Curious elders peeked around. The camera turned to them.

"Heard young folks singing at the hall today, so I came."

"Looks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like a bunch of pretty young men."

"Foreigners, right?"

"Really? Don't know foreign songs! What to do?"

Interested in the foreign youths, but not their music.

Airplane's faces stiffened on screen.

"Village elders don't know overseas songs?"

"Ah...."

Airplane deflated. But the cast protested like no way.

"Why scare the kids? Don't worry needlessly."

"What if the vibe sucks?"

"You showed off in practice—now lacking confidence?"

"Hey, can't you tell? They're just acting up."

"Oh, really?"

"Can't strut in front of us, so putting on airs. Obvious."

While Airplane fretted, the cast lounged confidently. They'd heard it firsthand.

They'd been genuinely blown away by Airplane's skills.

A few hours earlier, in the rush ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠practice room the team set up.

"Whoa, what are you guys?"

The six-part harmony ended. The cast stared at Airplane in awe.

"Was it okay?"

"Okay? Whoa~ Scary how good kids are these days."

"This the power of current trends?"

"How are you all this good?"

"Haesol's the five-time king, right? Not all of you."

Airplane bashfully shrugged amid the praise. Their flawless performance earned thumbs-ups from cast and crew nonstop.

The crew had strict musical standards. 100% live show—no weaklings allowed. They don't even contact them.

"No wonder the hype. Can't help it."

"Crew didn't cast them for nothing. Real skills."

The show's motto: Win on talent, not fame. Why go abroad with top domestic singers? No fame boost overseas. Pure skill to captivate in unknown lands. Plus national pride spice.

That's why Busking? Busking! went viral with high ratings.

Back to the present screen.

More locals than expected at the hall. Pure villagers, no tourists.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes!!"

The full cast moved to the busking setup. No proper stage at a village hall, but street busking anyway—no issue.

Kang Kyungtae, who'd learned the language, grabbed the mic. Briefly introduced Airplane and cast to the elders—what they do, here to sing for you, hope it's a good memory.

Then, finally—their performance began.

？ ？ ？

"You all see Busking? Busking! from yesterday?"

"Aired already?"

"How's the reaction?"

"They filmed that super hard."

"Wanna go back to that village!! The elders' food was so good."

Time flew—a month-plus since Busking? Busking! wrapped.

We were deep in Zao (China-like) activities now. Vast land, insane population—fanmeets doubling as concerts weren't enough; complaints everywhere.

'Tickets sell out every time though. Wild.'

Fanmeets in name only—full concerts. We were dying daily.

Not just fanmeets nonstop. Hit Zao broadcasts to build fame. Stamina drained nonstop. Members hit life-low weights ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sans diets.

Early on, I leaned on the Stamina Pouch to survive. Now? Even I couldn't. Reserves empty long ago.

Problem: No time to recharge. Schedules packed us solid—nonstop hustling all day.