Global Fury Ignites Unbelievable
Of course, the story of the Pavlovsk Experimental Station was far more famous overseas.
Russia—and Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the other republics that formed the federation at the time—had directly benefited from their sacrifices. It made for damn good propaganda, too.
The Western world knew about it too, if not to the same degree, with novels on the theme and all.
So when a clip from some Korean program suddenly popped up, people weren't thrilled.
Especially Kang Min's half-assed wig and mustache—they drew more than just laughs. It looked like they were trivializing heroic sacrifice.
They gleefully tore into Unbelievable episode 1080, savoring the fresh bait.
But whatever.
It didn't last long.
And, well.
The ending went without saying.
Viewers of Unbelievable episode 1080 were unanimously furious.
And netizens, by nature, unite under the creed: “This shitty thing shouldn’t exist, but if it does, I can’t be the only one seeing it.”
Fuming, they spread links to this “masterpiece”(?) everywhere, naturally drawing equally furious support(?).
Kang Min and MBS’s names spread like wildfire in seconds.
Overseas netizens were awed by Kang Min—and even more shocked by how MBS had butchered his performance.
In this global village era, the reaction boomeranged back to Korea in under a few hours.
Domestic viewers, already pissed, flipped out even harder.
To make excuses.
Of course, Wi Min-jun, PD of Unbelievable, knew damn well it was “shitty.”
While MBS’s reputation hit rock bottom, he was summoned to the vice president’s office, squeezed his eyes shut, and ranted.
“There was nothing I could do! That was after trimming and patching the narration over and over!”
“.......”
“They’ve been doing it for 21 years—what can you do? Unbelievableis that kind of show...!”
He had a point.
Unbelievable was a low-budget gig chasing conspiracy theories and gossip, and its meme-worthy narration was the signature flourish.
21 years of success doesn’t turn to backlash overnight without some systemic issue.
...The problem was, they couldn’t exactly blame Kang Min for his acting.
“V-variety department head. What’s the exact situation?”
“...Domestic and overseas interest is massive. Like, 500 times the usual.”
“Five... hundred?”
“Five hundred times. And that’s preliminary—probably closer to a thousand.”
“.......”
“Right now, it’s buzzier than all our variety shows combined... The issue is it’s all hate.”
He hadn’t misheard.
The vice president squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face.
How far was that madman serious about Unbelievable...!
“...What about Actor Kang Min himself?”
It took superhuman restraint to spit that out without cursing.
But it wasn’t enough.
The variety head glanced nervously.
“Well...”
“Well, what.”
“He said he underestimated Unbelievable, but he’ll do better next week.”
Silence fell.
The vice president’s tone was dazed.
“...He’s doing this again?”
“Yes...”
“Again?”
“Yes... He thinks he’ll master it soon...”
“.......”
Crazy bastard—
The vice president squeezed his eyes shut.
Logically, this fiasco wouldn’t repeat. But this madman who ditched prime offers for Unbelievable wasn’t logical to begin with.
Maybe handing it to Kang Min would turn Unbelievable into Korea’s top variety show.
...At the cost of MBS’s brand sinking into the Mariana Trench.
Wi Min-jun PD’s face was already pale blue.
“I can’t do it, VP...!”
“...Wi PD.”
“I’m a variety PD! How am I supposed to control that monster?! Get someone from drama instead! I’d rather quit than eat this much shit again!”
Less threat, more scream.
Knowing that, the VP couldn’t retort.
After soothing and sending off Wi Min-jun, the VP sighed deeply and turned to the variety head.
“What do you think we should do?”
“...Best bet is to call it a big special, pull it from the schedule, and lay low.”
“Articles already say four special appearances for Unbelievable are confirmed. We gotta stop the other departments cackling at us idiots.”
This was about network pride. Especially with overseas netizens whispering, “Aren’t they morons?”
But the variety head had no magic fix.
He pondered long, then weakly suggested passing the buck.
“W-well... It’s the actor’s issue anyway. Like Wi PD said, bring in drama talent to polish it?”
“No one’s free right now. Especially not for something this volatile.”
“...Talk to Drama Head Kim Kang-hyun first. He brought the actor, right? He’d know best.”
“Fair point.”
“Yes?!”
Kim Kang-hyun, suddenly saddled with it, felt like a midnight axe murder.
He seethed.
Why dump variety crap on me?! This ain’t right! I’ll tell the president myself!!
—But with his stake in “that contract,” his conscience pricked.
Reluctantly accepting, Kim Kang-hyun groaned, racking his brain for available talent.
But it was tough.
If such talent existed, they wouldn’t be free.
Hyeon-jin’s next drama is airing soon, Ji-won’s burning cash like crazy...
Maybe Ho-hyeon, now he’s slacking... Nah, not reliable.
Me go myself...? Damn, that’s insane!
Fuck—
Rumor had it SBC’s drama head envied Kim Kang-hyun, who’d launched a 40% ratings hit right after taking office, paving a golden road.
But Kim Kang-hyun, who should’ve been happy, started losing even more hair to stress.
That’s how the world worked.
Three days passed like that.
Hoo.
Still without a sharp answer, Drama Head Kim Kang-hyun visited the King and Sovereign set in low spirits.
Not for anything grand—just to chat with Kang Min himself.
Based on past experience, it’d probably twist his guts more, but hey, gotta try something.
But whatever.
Enemies sometimes cross paths on the narrowest bridges unexpectedly.
And occasionally, even worse relationships.
“Ah, Head! What brings you here?”
“...Nothing big, just need to discuss with Actor Kang Min. Sorry to interrupt filming—could you ask PD Yu Ho-hyeon how much time’s left...”
“Eek!”
“......?”
Dazed, the head trailed off mid-sentence and froze.
No, froze so hard he rubbed his eyes repeatedly.
What.
What am I seeing right now—
...?
The staffer stopped, tilted their head, and followed his gaze.
The head was staring wide-eyed at something.
The other side was staring back, mouth agape.
One was the balding head—Kim Kang-hyun.
The other was a suspicious figure in a cap emblazoned with a huge MinIsLove logo, face wrapped tight.
Early summer breeze rustled the blooming azaleas.
In the silence, only insects buzzed.
Han Ye-seul barely moved her lips.
“...N-no, it’s not.”
“.......”
“I said no! There’s a reason!!”
“.......”
“For real, it’s not!!!”
“.......”
A fateful encounter, in a slightly different sense.