Chapter 108: Star Fisherman (2)
Chapter 108: Star Fisherman (2)
"A fishing variety show?"
Liam, a member of the boy group Thundust—now in their first year since debut—wondered if he had misheard for a moment.
Fishing, of all things.
It went without saying, but Liam, who had only just turned twenty, had never done anything like fishing in his life.
"That’s totally for old men..."
"Are you in any position to be picky?"
"..."
Sunshine Entertainment was one of those third-tier management companies.
While they focused primarily on the idol business, they were an agency that hadn't seen any significant results to speak of.
At the very least, Thundust had managed to secure a decent fan base, but...
"I hate to say this, but you’re falling behind the others, Ho-seung."
"Please call me Liam."
"Why? Kim Ho-seung—it sounds good and it’s easy to pronounce."
Of course, it wasn't that he hated the name Kim Ho-seung.
It was just that it didn't exactly scream 'boy group member.'
"Anyway, whether it’s a show old men like or whatever, now isn't the time to be discriminating. You need to gather fans."
"...Yes, sir."
He had a point.
As the team leader said, Kim Ho-seung was uniquely unpopular among the members of Thundust.
He had a plain, passably handsome face.
His dancing was decent, and his singing was decent.
He wasn't particularly witty either, so even when he appeared on variety shows, he failed to draw much attention.
Honestly, lately, he had been wondering if this job just wasn't right for him.
"Still, if you go on Star Fisherman, you can build connections with veteran actors and gain a new image."
"That would be nice."
"Ah! Right. I heard the guest appearing with you happens to be female."
"Female? Is she an actress or an idol?"
"I don't know that."
"Is there anything you do know?"
"Ahem, regardless of who it is, isn't it a great chance to boost your image? You can help her out while learning to fish together, right? It’s the perfect setup to look good."
He’d heard that the other person was a novice at fishing as well.
One way or another, fishing required a lot of physical strength.
‘By the looks of it, that person must be in a desperate situation too.’
For a woman to appear on a fishing show, no less.
Female celebrities generally tended to avoid these kinds of outdoor variety shows.
It was exhausting, and the sun was perfect for ruining one's skin.
So, Liam planned to take this opportunity to polish his image.
He didn't know who she was, but if he showed himself helping a female celebrity, he could leave a reasonably good impression on the viewers.
With that thought in mind, he headed to the filming location.
"Hello."
"..."
There stood an actress he had seen in a movie not long ago.
An actress who was currently riding a wave of popularity from The Chaser and Dream Future.
Ju Seo-yeon.
She was facing him, clutching all sorts of equipment in her arms.
*
To be honest, Lee Sang-soo felt a bit lukewarm about the situation.
To him, Star Fisherman was the only variety show where he could truly find some healing.
Even though it was a broadcast, it was a show where he could enjoy fishing with his close friend Song Gwang-min and new guests.
Because of that, he had felt inwardly uncomfortable when he heard a young actress would be joining as a guest this time.
‘I wonder if she knows anything about fishing.’
Actually, he didn't even expect her to know anything.
If she didn't know, he could just teach her.
However, he doubted whether she would even try to learn properly.
Since he was a senior from a vastly different generation, she would likely listen, but she might just act like she was enjoying it.
As an actor himself, Lee Sang-soo could see right through that kind of acting.
He had always been quite excellent at reading the emotions of others.
‘And if she’s had a string of recent hits, it’s honestly obvious without even looking.’
He wasn't particularly trying to put down the actress Ju Seo-yeon.
It was just human nature.
To disappear after having a massive hit as a child actor, and then to have two more hits in a row after returning—it was only natural to become arrogant.
Especially if she was still in her teens.
Or so he thought.
"Hello, I am Ju Seo-yeon."
The way she bowed deeply in greeting was incredibly neat and elegant.
She had a somewhat cool impression at first glance, but she exuded a strangely warm atmosphere.
It was as if she was genuinely looking forward to what was to come.
He could feel that emotion clearly.
"...I’m Lee Sang-soo. Seo-yeon, did you say this is your first time fishing?"
"Yes."
As she spoke, it was clear that Seo-yeon had packed a lot of things.
Since the show provided the fishing rods, she had brought plenty of other supplies.
Spare equipment and various fishing tackle.
"I’m Song Gwang-min. Nice to meet you."
The burly Song Gwang-min reached out and shook Seo-yeon’s hand.
And as he did, he clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘As expected, these are hands that have never done a day of hard labor.’
He wondered if she even exercised.
Her skin was soft and smooth, without a single callus.
She felt far too delicate to hold a fishing rod and withstand the currents of the sea.
For starters, she was small in stature and had a slender frame.
He felt like if a large fish even nibbled at the bait, she would be dragged right into the ocean.
"Greetings, seniors! I’m Liam from Thundust!"
"Oh, right. Good to have you."
"You can speak comfortably to me, sir!!"
Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min’s faces relaxed at Liam’s energetic shout.
One way or another, men were easier to deal with.
PD Jung Seung-hyun, who was capturing this first meeting on camera, felt that they were mostly ready and spoke up.
"Today, we plan to do some jigging fishing here in Wando."
They would take a boat far out and proceed with jigging.
The basic plot of Star Fisherman was to split into two teams and compete against each other.
"We will rank the catch based on the species and size. The side that catches the largest fish wins."
For the record, the quantity of fish caught didn't really count toward the score.
They planned to release anything that wasn't up to par anyway.
"Then, let’s move."
At PD Jung Seung-hyun’s word, everyone moved to the boat for sea fishing.
"Seo-yeon, do you have any experience with sea fishing?"
"No. This is my first time even being on a fishing boat."
"Oh boy, this is going to be tough."
"It’s okay."
Lee Sang-soo spoke with a smile, but honestly, he was worried.
Unlike regular boats, fishing boats had to stay out on the sea for a long time.
So, wasn't there a chance she might get seasick?
‘Is she really going to be okay?’
He had his doubts, but PD Jung Seung-hyun didn't seem particularly concerned.
That was because PD Jung had heard quite a lot of stories.
—"I’m telling you, she pierced it with her finger."
—"She caught dozens of fish by throwing wooden spears on a desert island."
—"She started a fire by rubbing sticks together!"
—"There are rumors that her physical strength is incredibly high..."
—"They say no one has ever seen her look tired during filming."
...To be honest, there were so many stories that he didn't know where the truth ended and the exaggeration began.
Regardless, the common consensus was that she had great stamina.
And that she had excellent athletic nerves.
So, he figured she would learn to fish in no time.
"Since it seems like it’s everyone’s first time fishing, look here. You hold the rod like this..."
Song Gwang-min stepped forward first to teach Seo-yeon and Liam how to use the fishing rods.
"L-like this, right?"
"Wow, look at that form. As expected, young kids these days are good at this."
When Liam swung the rod first, the line stretched out long and splashed into the sea.
"It would have been better if you’d let go of the line with your index finger a bit sooner."
"S-should I try again?"
"Nah, you did well enough already."
As the filming began in earnest, the two veteran actors started speaking informally to Seo-yeon and Liam.
After all, the broadcast could get a bit dull if they kept using formal language.
"Seo-yeon, come on, don't be scared and give it a try. You can do it, right?"
"Yes!"
Seo-yeon was full of motivation.
Fishing!
Honestly, it was one of the things she had wanted to try ever since her past life.
From a spectator's perspective, she had wondered what was so fun about it, but she remembered the faces of people when they occasionally succeeded in catching something.
Watching their videos, she had felt a desire to experience that thrill for herself.
‘Thrill!’
That electrifying emotion.
Seo-yeon wanted to experience it properly.
So, filled with motivation, she gripped the fishing rod with just the right amount of strength.
And swung it with all her might.
In an instant, a whoosh—the sound of something being launched—rang out.
Following a tremendous sound of tearing air, the fishing rod bent sharply, and the bait—or rather, the fish-shaped metal jig—flew off.
"Oh..."
In all his years of fishing, Lee Sang-soo had never seen a metal jig fly in a straight line.
The metal jig, which normally would have flown in a curved trajectory, shot out in a straight line and plunged into the sea.
No, it was almost like it had been fired.
He felt like if it had hit a person, it would have pierced right through them.
‘...What was that just now?’
Liam, who had been inwardly thinking he’d done quite well for his first time, rubbed his eyes.
Is fishing usually like that?
The sound the rod made when she swung it was chilling, and the flying metal jig was practically a bullet.
Was fishing actually about sniping fish with bait?
"Uh, well, you don't have to swing it quite that hard."
"Okay."
Her voice was calm, but she seemed strangely excited.
"Release the line, release the line."
At any rate, it seemed Seo-yeon had studied up on fishing properly.
After casting the bait, she calmly tightened the line.
And so, the fishing began.
The two actors had clearly been interested in Liam at first, but now their eyes were mostly on Seo-yeon.
And for good reason—Seo-yeon’s posture as she held the rod was perfectly straight.
She had clearly practiced thoroughly.
Furthermore, her 'jerking'—the continuous shaking of the bait—was precise.
Unless one had incredible stamina, it would be impossible to keep that up, yet she didn't even break a sweat.
"Seo-yeon, didn't you bring a hat? Do you want mine?"
"No, I’m fine."
Seo-yeon shrugged her shoulders.
"The sunlight can't do anything to me."
This fair skin of hers had never tanned in the sun, not even once.
Invincible, peerless skin.
She had applied sunscreen out of courtesy, but in truth, even that wasn't necessary.
"Oh, really?"
He didn't quite understand what she meant, but if she said she was fine, then she was fine.
On the other hand, Liam was the one who was truly suffering.
‘Isn't she tired?? How is that even possible?’
Seo-yeon was excitedly shaking her fishing rod without a moment's rest.
If you’ve ever tried it, you’d know—it’s manageable at first, but if you keep shaking it, it feels like your arms are going to fall off.
In the first place, it was rare for people to do it like that.
But since Seo-yeon was doing it, Liam felt self-conscious.
If he just put down his rod and watched, Seo-yeon would look like she was working hard while he looked like he was slacking off.
"You both have great stamina."
"Man, we can't do it like that."
Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min, on the other hand, just laughed as if they were enjoying the show.
For the record, Lee Sang-soo and Seo-yeon were one team.
And Song Gwang-min and Liam were the other.
Of course, they knew Seo-yeon’s behavior was abnormal, but they decided to leave it be since it was entertaining.
"Ah."
Just then, Seo-yeon felt a nibble.
"Oh, you got one! You got one! How does it feel?"
"Do I just reel it in like this?"
Seeing Seo-yeon’s nonchalant reaction, Lee Sang-soo assumed she’d caught a small fish.
"Reel it in calmly, and if it’s too much for you, should I help?"
"I’m okay!"
With a serious face, Seo-yeon pulled her arms back and reeled in the line.
Seeing her bite her lip slightly, it seemed she was putting in quite a bit of effort.
‘Is it a sea bream? Or maybe a flatfish?’
If it was even a sea bream, they could hope for a win.
He hoped it would be at least over the 50-centimeter mark.
Just as he was watching, the fish hooked on Seo-yeon’s line revealed its face.
"Oh! ...Wait?"
At first, it looked quite large.
That was his impression, but somehow the perspective felt off.
The fish was a bit big, wasn't it?
Actually, it was very big.
"Th-th-th-that."
PD Jung Seung-hyun jumped to his feet in shock.
"Se-Seo-yeon! If it’s dangerous, let go of the line!"
At PD Jung Seung-hyun’s startled reaction, Liam turned his head.
He saw Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min rushing toward Seo-yeon.
What was going on?
By the time Liam hurriedly ran over there...
"...Huh?"
He saw a massive fish being dragged along, dangling from Seo-yeon’s line.
Its size was roughly the same as Liam’s own height.
"Wait, what is this!"
"Quick, help Seo-yeon! Help her!!"
But Seo-yeon shook her head as if to say she was fine.
"It’s okay, I’m stronger!"
"No, being strong isn't the point!!"
It was a 1.7-meter Giant Sea Bass.
It was an ultra-rare species, with only a few dozen caught in Wando each year.