Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Song Woo-yeon's Alley Secrets
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[Seemed like Do-kyung and Yeo-chul locked eyes during Justice lol]
Honestly, how'd he spot Song Woo-yeon's arm injury? Didn't look obvious at all.
Gotta be love-filled attention, right?
→Certified lovesick
→-------Eater of gold-------
[Even with medical staff tagging along, that feels a bit much T_T]
Arm hurt so bad he could barely use it, yet he powered through that notoriously grueling Justice shoot. Talk about sheer grit.
→No cap fr
→Kinda wanna stop seeing these posts from Mac-kii. 'A bit much,' 'grit' – total bs
→Leave Song Woo-yeon alone, dude's got way too many haters piling on
[What more do they want from him?]
He cleared up all the controversies already.
Power trip? → Nah
Franchise owner who started it? → Demoted
Who got assaulted? → Song Woo-yeon
Did the assault and still fulfilled the contract, filming without complaint? → Song Woo-yeon
Wouldn't have mentioned the arm injury forever if it wasn't publicized first? → Song Woo-yeon
Do-kyung stepped in without hesitation? → Spotted the injury mid-shoot, helped without making a scene (though it showed a bit)
Nothing left to stir controversy, so why keep biting? Just wanna hate?
→Exactly
→Tons of outside trolls flooding in
→Orders came down from Twitter lol, this site's the most open so it's ground zero
→They've been nitpicking Song Woo-yeon in private chats forever, finally got ammo and they're hyped. Hope they touch grass
→Welcome Song stans
→→Song stan lololol always painting anyone defending him as a stan? You're the hater
→→→Do-kyung stans are the ones fueling the forced hate, guess they don't know
→→→→Only the haters look pathetic, like they don't realize it's just them
Public opinion on the internet started flipping at some point. Once the Justice PD stepped in with clarifications, there just wasn't any more fuel for the fire.
I had no idea why, but some folks were acting like I'd stiffed them on money. Those diehards stuck around, desperately trying to tear me down.
'Their loss.'
Couldn't really understand why they'd pour so much energy into something that gained them nothing. But not everyone can like you, right?
I just shrugged it off.
'It'll die down in a few days.'
Thinking that, I buttoned up my overcoat tight. The chilly season had arrived before I knew it.
'Now that I've wrapped up [Fridge Terror] and , I can focus on company work for a while.'
Best not to show your face too much when public opinion's this fickle.
Plenty of broadcast offers coming in left and right, but I was turning them all down for now.
'I can take a break and pick back up around spring next year.'
That was when I stepped out of the company lobby.
Whoosh!
"？!"
Out of nowhere, a black shadow blocked my path. I jolted back a couple steps in shock and slammed the lobby door shut.
The shadow, which had crept right up close, smacked its head on the closing door from the recoil.
"Argh!"
The short yelp came from some guy.
A bearded dude with shaggy hair, rubbing a fresh lump swelling red on his forehead.
At first, I freaked thinking it might be a vengeful franchise owner. But no vicious vibe from this guy.
If anything, he looked kinda dopey rubbing his forehead going, 'Ow~, that hurts.'
'Huh?'
Wait, his face rang a bell. Isn't this that PD famous for variety shows? Pretty sure I'd seen him in a few interviews.
Ah, right— this was before his massive hit show, so he's still a nobody now.
I cautiously cracked the door open.
"You okay? Sorry. I got startled."
He jumped at my words and waved his hands frantically.
"Nooo, totally my fault for jumping out like that! Man, it's cold out, I waited a while outside and got so excited to see you..."
"Huh?"
Waited a while?
In this weather? Here?
It was already pitch black around us. I'd stayed way past when the other employees clocked out, going over documents.
Glanced at my watch—9 PM.
Well past normal quitting time. So he'd been waiting since then? Why?
"Oh! Don't get the wrong idea or anything. I'm not weird or suspicious. Here's who I am."
He slid me his business card.
'Kim Hee-sung PD.'
Yeah, name sounded familiar. He blew up nationally with a hit program after that and skyrocketed. If memory served, it wasn't far off.
'Getting in good with him while he's unknown? Lucky break.'
Pretending to study the card closely, I watched him hurriedly add,
"No joke. If you're skeptical, ask the [Fridge Terror] or Justice PD—they know me."
"Wasn't doubting you."
I pocketed the card and did some mental math.
'Obvious why a network PD tracked me down here and waited. Wants me on his show.'
Usually they'd email first. But since I'd politely declined all those, he came in person.
Meant he really wanted me bad...
'Was it around now that Kim Hee-sung PD hit it big?'
Worth investing time in, then. I smiled and made the first move.
"Looks like we've got some talking to do. How about the café just up ahead?"
***
"......That's the concept I've got in mind."
Kim Hee-sung eyed me tensely, watching for my reaction.
Short version of his long pitch:
[Song Woo-yeon's Alley Secrets].
Go into back-alley hole-in-the-wall joints, fix their issues, and boost their business. That kinda show.
My reaction?
'Bullseye!'
How could I not know this one? It ran for years, always at the center of buzz.
'Pre-regression, it was a rotating cast of merchants giving advice, not a one-man show.'
Guess with me rising as the new star, they tweaked it. Title's got my name— they're making it all about me as the fix-it guy.
'Suits me better.'
Past shows, I was just one of many guests— meh recognition for the time sink.
A solo show? Whole different ballgame.
I smiled.
"A solo program. Must be a big risk for you, PD. You sure?"
"Absolutely."
Kim Hee-sung said firmly.
"Saw it at that 'Chicken and Dori' spot nearby. Successful restaurants have a secret formula. And no one knows it better than you, Chef Song."
[Fridge Terror] hangover— people still called me chef. Too tiring to correct anymore, so I let it slide.
"You're too kind."
"Original plan was multiple mentors doing one-on-ones. But solo you? Way more impact. So I pivoted hard."
Yup. Pre-regression, that's how it went.
I nodded calmly—maybe came off indifferent— so he rushed to add,
"O-Of course, I'm not some big-name PD yet, first time tackling variety, so I get the worries! But I got a real feeling about this. It's gonna hit. Trust me!"
Desperation all over his face.
"So just~ believe in me once. Hop on board. Won't regret it. I'll give it everything!"
He started bowing, so I stopped him and asked,
"When's the first airdate if we start filming soon?"
"Factoring prep and shoots, aiming for spring next year."
Perfect timing.
"No need to stress. You'll have one MC for hosting and one assistant for reactions. Think of it as a main trio."
Mm, familiar setup.
"BTW, not public yet, but your assistant? Someone you know. Make filming super comfy."
"Someone I know?"
Who?
was solo formats—no real friends there. Closest were [Fridge Terror] folks, but they're all chefs—not assistant material.
"You'll see when shooting starts."
"?"
Kim Hee-sung grinned mysteriously.
"Anyway, you'll think it over positively, right?!"
"Yeah. I'll review the contract and get back to you."
"Thanks! Yeehaw!"
He bowed, let out a whoop. I'd review, but my answer was basically yes. So I extended my hand.
"Pleasure working with you."
"......! Yes!!"
His face lit up like he'd won the lottery. I chuckled, promising our next meet. And so, the big first shooting day arrived. That's when I finally learned who this 'acquaintance' was.
"Huh? Woo-yeon!"
Waving wildly over there? Do-kyung. Why're you here? Hold up. No way? Sure, those big doe eyes and expressive face would add fun to the show.
"Haha. Surprised? I'm your assistant!"
But staring at that beaming smile... A chill ran down my spine. Do-kyung's fandom was gonna chew me up—I could see it clear as day. 'Is this show... gonna be okay?' Bad vibes from the jump. Rough road ahead.