Chapter 109: Star Fisherman (3)
Chapter 109: Star Fisherman (3)
Star Fisherman.
It was a variety show that enjoyed immense popularity among middle-aged men who loved fishing and viewers who enjoyed "healing" programs.
The two lead actors had excellent chemistry and wit, and having been in the entertainment industry for so long, they were skilled at making any guest feel at home.
However, that didn't mean they didn't have their preferences when it came to guests.
"Ju Seo-yeon? Who’s that?"
"You didn't see The Chaser?"
"Nope. I haven't stepped foot in a theater in over ten years. What the heck is The Chaser?"
To those who didn't watch movies or dramas, Ju Seo-yeon was a complete stranger.
After all, how would people who only watch variety shows on TV know a star who had only recently started rising?
"Besides, the lad who came with her looks a bit scrawny."
"That's your grandson, Grandpa."
"Oh, you mean Ho-seung?"
In any case, the family of Liam—or rather, Ho-seung—who was appearing in his first variety show, gathered together to watch.
Meanwhile, the internet was already buzzing about Ju Seo-yeon’s guest appearance on Star Fisherman.
Her growing fanbase and those who had seen her on Desert Island Survival welcomed her appearance, but those who couldn't even distinguish one actor from another were displeased.
Star Fisherman was generally a serious fishing show, and female guests rarely managed to hold their own.
However, those preconceptions were shattered just ten minutes into the broadcast.
The moment they headed out on the boat and Ju Seo-yeon began fishing.
The scene showed her excitedly baiting her hook and casting—the act of swinging the rod while holding the line.
Whiz!
The bait pierced the surface of the sea with a sharp sound. If you only heard the noise, you’d think someone had fired a gun.
"Ha, haha. Your form is great, Seo-yeon."
"Right? I practiced."
Seo-yeon replied triumphantly.
Despite the slight oddity, Seo-yeon was proving to be much more likable than expected.
She looked like a refined young lady from a wealthy family, so many had hoped she just wouldn't ruin the flow of the fishing. But...
Watching her shake the rod excitedly without a moment's rest made the viewers' own arms ache just by looking at her.
If it weren't for the haggard-looking Liam on the other side of the screen, one might have actually mistaken it for a loop.
Seo-yeon’s excitement as she vigorously worked her arms was palpable even through the screen.
"Seo-yeon? Do you want my hat?"
"No, I'm fine. The sunlight cannot do anything to me."
Lee Sang-soo looked bewildered at her spirited response. It was a completely unexpected answer.
About ten minutes passed during that trivial conversation.
Then, something bit Seo-yeon’s lure.
At Lee Sang-soo’s instruction to reel it in slowly, Seo-yeon began moving her arms with careful precision.
Creeeeak, creeeeak.
"I think it’s going to break."
"It won't break, it won't break. That rod is incredibly expensive. It’s sturdy, so it definitely won't break. You're fine."
At Lee Sang-soo’s reassurance, Seo-yeon reeled even harder.
At this point, no one knew what she had caught. Seo-yeon was far too calm for it to be anything massive.
Then, she began to pull back on the taut rod.
The rod bent to an alarming degree, but Seo-yeon showed no signs of struggle.
Just as everyone was expecting a 30 or 40-centimeter red sea bream...
The camera suddenly began to shake.
"E-everyone, help Seo-yeon!!"
Producer Jung Seung-hyun, who had been watching the water, shouted.
As the camera panned toward the sea, a loud commotion broke out. It was a situation that looked urgent to anyone watching.
When the camera first pointed at the water, the viewers couldn't tell what was happening either. The fish was still deep below the surface, making its appearance unclear.
"Seo-yeon! Release the line... No, if it’s dangerous, don't force the rod!!"
Producer Jung Seung-hyun, who usually teased the guests with snide remarks, jumped to his feet and shouted.
He gestured for others to help, but...
"It's okay! I am stronger!"
Everyone froze at her valiant cry.
As the rod, bent nearly to the breaking point, moved, the fish could be seen being dragged along. It was a sight that defied logic.
Once its face became visible, the reaction in the online communities began to explode.
And for good reason.
The Giant Sea Bass.
It is a species that naturally lives in the deep sea. They only rise to the surface during their spawning season between May and July, which is usually the only time they can be caught by fishing.
Naturally, catching one required a stroke of divine luck.
This rare fish—so elusive that even professional fishing shows often failed to capture footage of one being caught—had been hooked on a cable variety show.
In any case, Seo-yeon’s rod creaked and groaned as she pulled with all her might, sounding as if it would snap at any moment.
While Seo-yeon worked hard to pull the Giant Sea Bass up, the others scrambled to bring over large nets and tools to support it, but the fish was so massive that it wasn't as easy as it sounded.
The broadcast captured the Giant Sea Bass resisting.
And then.
"Hup!!"
With Seo-yeon’s cheerful exclamation, the Giant Sea Bass literally flew through the air!
"Huh?"
While everyone was stunned, the fish landed on the boat with a heavy thud!!
The sudden arrival of the massive fish sent people into a panic, and they aimlessly waved their useless nets around.
Just as everyone was approaching to secure the thrashing Giant Sea Bass...
Seo-yeon, holding the half-broken rod, stole a quick glance around.
She seemed worried because she’d been told it was an expensive rod. After discreetly tossing it somewhere out of sight, she headed toward the thrashing fish.
She squeezed in among the frantic people.
Seo-yeon’s hand moved subtly, and she delivered a punch straight to the Giant Sea Bass’s head.
The movement was only faintly captured by the camera.
Flop.
The Giant Sea Bass’s eyes rolled back, and it went limp.
"Oh! It must be exhausted!"
"No matter how big they are, they can't help it once they're out of the water."
Of course, the people busy subduing the fish seemed unaware of what had actually happened.
Even the viewers who saw the faint movement on screen didn't truly believe the fish had been knocked out by Seo-yeon’s fist. They simply thought it was exhausted or that there was some other reason.
"Wow! It’s a Giant Sea Bass! A Giant Sea Bass!!"
"Catching one of these was my lifelong dream, and here it is."
"This is incredible. The competition is over. Wow, seriously."
Since the very first fish caught was a Giant Sea Bass, the competition had essentially become meaningless. Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min, both avid fishermen, couldn't hide their excitement.
"Can I try holding it?"
At Seo-yeon’s request, everyone nodded.
"Ah, of course. Here, we’ll all help you lift it..."
Lee Sang-soo said with a smile toward Seo-yeon.
An actress who caught a Giant Sea Bass. She had never looked more beautiful to them.
Seo-yeon wanted to lift it by herself, but she felt she had to be mindful of the situation. It wouldn't look good to hog all the credit when they had "all" caught it together.
So, they took a photo.
Everyone smiled brightly for the picture, and with a thud, Seo-yeon set down the Giant Sea Bass she had been holding.
At that sight, Liam swallowed hard.
Didn't they say that thing weighs over 100kg?
Everyone said they were helping her, but even so, wasn't Seo-yeon lifting and moving it way too easily?
The doubt lingered. And Liam had seen it.
I’m sure... I’m sure she punched that fish in the head...
Everyone else was too distracted to notice, but Liam, who had been standing back awkwardly, had seen it clearly. The moment the Giant Sea Bass went limp after being struck by Seo-yeon’s fist.
"..."
The fish was 170cm long. Considering its weight, it was in a higher weight class than Liam himself.
I should never pick a fight with her.
Liam made a mental note of that.
Just as everyone was about to share their own heroic versions of the catch...
"Can we make spicy fish stew with the fish we caught now?"
"Pardon?"
"I’ve seen people make spicy stew after catching fish."
Seo-yeon said with a rare, genuinely excited expression.
It was a statement that would make any fishing enthusiast have a fit.
However, Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min locked eyes.
The person who caught it was the one asking, so what could they do?
Besides, seeing an actress who just caught a legendary fish looking so pretty while asking made them want to grant her every wish.
"It’s so big... a little bit should be fine."
"But where do we start cutting? I’ve never even seen a video of a Giant Sea Bass being prepared."
Everyone began moving busily.
There were those who tried to stop them with tears in their eyes, but what could they do when the two veteran actors were so willing to follow Seo-yeon’s lead?
And so, Star Fisherman, which had unexpectedly struck gold, became a sensation.
[<Star Fisherman> Catches a Legendary Fish!! Hooks Viewership Ratings Too!!]
[Ju Seo-yeon’s Giant Sea Bass Stew Controversy. "The fish was delicious."]
The incident was immortalized on the wiki as Seo-yeon’s first "scandal" and "controversy" entry.