Variety Show Quest: Overnight Dinner Table
I'm watching Shine Candy's practice with Choi Nahee for the variety show appearance when I get a call from Oh Minseo.
"Overnight Dinner Table?"
[Yeah, looks like Na PD made the offer through Ria. Oh, you know KBC's Na PD, right?]
I nod at Oh Minseo's words. Even so, my circle has grown a lot since starting out as a singer-songwriter in the industry. Among them, KBC's Na PD is one of those famous figures you can't help but know about.
Even in the real world, there was a guy like that.
A character modeled after one of Korea's top variety PDs. In the "Entertainment Simulation," he was a legendary recurring character. Getting close to him made it a breeze to break into variety shows. Anyway, this world has a character playing that role too, and it seems to be KBC's Na PD.
[That Na PD really wants our Jimin badly.]
"Mm."
[This is a huge opportunity, you know?]
She's right—plenty of celebrities are dying to get on her show.
[Have you seen Overnight Dinner Table?]
"Not properly, but I know the concept."
Since the original was the "Entertainment Simulation" game, there were tons of programs copying real-world variety shows.
At first, they even used the same names, though...
After fans pointed it out, they kept similar formats but changed all the names. Overnight Dinner Table was one of them. From TVN or something? It was inspired by a healing variety show there, but in the game, it barely registered.
And for good reason...
Overnight Dinner Table Appearance Opportunity!
Na PD's Overnight Dinner Table is a healing variety show that's been a hit for over four years. With more than four seasons produced, it's drawn popularity with similar formats, but declining ratings have been giving Na PD headaches. To turn things around, Na PD is recruiting a picky male guest. Appear on Overnight Dinner Table and boost the ratings by over 5%.
🎁 Reward:20,000 IP, Perfect Man male viewer ratings +0.5%, 1x Character Inspection Scroll
Even seeing stuff like this makes it feel game-like.
But when I think about the people I've met and bonded with since waking up in this world, it doesn't feel like a game at all.
[So, I think you should do it if possible... What do you think?]
Considering the quest rewards, I should accept. But if it messes with drama filming, that's a problem.
"Mm... I have drama shooting too—won't that cause issues?"
[We can adjust it. The only potential problem is...]
Oh Minseo asks with concern in her voice.
[Your schedule getting a lot busier. You okay with that?]
"Hmm..."
Honestly, I never imagined acting would be this grueling once I started the drama. According to Choi PD on Perfect Man, even she's never handled a schedule this packed before. It's an exceptional case, but it's definitely more physically demanding than my Dive In Love activities.
And then there are the nightly sessions with Seoyeon and the others...
Good thing I'm in my twenties— if I were in my thirties, I'd have broken down ages ago.
Anyway, my current stamina rating is C+. It was originally C, but drama work leveled it up a notch as experience filled the bar.
Even at C+, my current lifestyle feels a bit taxing. Jumping into variety like this would definitely cause stamina issues.
Plus, even as a healing show, it's two nights and three days outdoors.
But.
"Nah, I'm fine. You know my stamina."
[...Really?]
"Huh? Your tone's weird."
[You seemed a little more worn out lately than before...]
"Ah, Director, you're hopeless."
Stamina: B Rank
Price: 10,000 IP
I buy stamina with the IP I've scraped together from achievements, Shine Candy, and Ria. It wipes out most of my stock, but I planned to anyway— no regrets.
Nailing this sudden Overnight Dinner Table quest will reward double what I spent today. Just succeed and pay it back.
And that's not all? Perfect Man's ratings get a solid 0.5% boost too. There are already three quests tied to Perfect Man.
The Character Inspection Scroll is bonus. I can use it on Nayun or Ria. They're lifelong keepers, so knowing their stats makes sense.
[So, tonight?]
"Tonight?"
[Yeah, we need to meet KBC folks, relay our decision, then head back to the company after.]
"Not drinking for once?"
[We're not hosting— just wrap up the talk clean, and I'm golden.]
Her subtly sultry tone draws a smirk. She's been glued to me like a personal manager lately, and after a few hugs, she's fired up. The desires of a thirty-something...
Hmm...
Come to think of it, Oh Minseo doesn't know about my "friendship" with Choi Nahee. Maybe it's time for an introduction.
Or is it too soon?
Choi Nahee, my slave, is firmly on my side. Oh Minseo? I could bed her anytime, but she's not fully mine yet.
I mull it over, then drop the idea. Threesome sounds fun, but risky.
Guess their meet-cute waits.
Once Oh Minseo's head over heels, beyond her BOZ director title. Then we play together.
"Got it. I'll plan on that."
[So you're definitely in? I'll lock the schedule then.]
"Should I call Choi PD?"
[Nah. Looks like she's already talked with Na PD. I'll handle it this time too.]
Same network, huh? They sorted it before telling me.
Sure enough, checking my phone, there's a text from Choi PD already. Greeting mixed with a nudge to plug her drama while I'm out.
I wrap the call and hang up...
"Ah, you scared me."
Kim Nayun's snuck up, eyes wide and innocent, staring at me.
"...You're doing a variety show? Overnight Dinner Table?"
"Yeah."
"With Ria?"
"Probably? That's the plan."
I glance at Kim Nayun slyly. Given her personality, she'd react to doing variety with Ria, but surprisingly, she's quiet. Instead, she fiddles with her hair and says,
"I wanna go too."
"Talk to Na PD?"
"No way! I'll work hard and get cast myself. With you, oppa."
She dashes back to the practice room like that. Looks like she wants success under Shine Candy's name, not riding my fame...
Cute. She's got layers.
The variety appearance moves fast. Once I greenlight it, KBC and BOZ brass coordinate schedules. BOZ holds the upper hand.
KBC has cheat-key Na PD, but my popularity and maleness tip the scales big.
"This is why every agency needs a male celeb."
"Why?"
"Seeing those snooty KBC folks bow and scrape... Felt like all the KM bullying vanished."
"Don't we have male celebs?"
I tilt my head at Oh Minseo's words. As far as I recall, BOZ has a couple boy groups. Haven't met 'em, but Ria mentioned bad vibes—no rush.
"We do. But..."
Oh Minseo sighs deeply. Run far, get promoted, they say. Too arrogant, ignoring company wishes. Can't cut 'em loose without fan backlash, so they tolerate.
Enter me— jackpot. Explains Oh Minseo playing personal manager.
Of course, I've used her plenty elsewhere too...
"Eek?! W-why?!"
Oh Minseo, impaled on my cock, looks puzzled. Usually, I'd be tapped out by now.
"Told you to brace yourself today."
My stamina jumped from C+ to B— two full ranks. Time to test the difference.
"D-dear—! Ungh!"
Oh Minseo's my guinea pig.
"S-stop now! I-I'm dying!"
I fuck her limp, and yeah, way less fatigue. No wonder gamers chase stat boosts.
Filming starts. Some rural Gangwon village— Ria heads first, I join midway. Not a real schedule clash; it's the "Ria suffers first, I arrive for healing" angle?
They know best, so I just nod.
During the briefing, the head writer asks,
"Do you cook at all?"
"A bit."
Her face lights up like a flower blooming. A guy cooking? No biggie— here, it is. Boiling ramen's advanced. Some can't even work a gas stove or induction.
Sounds crazy, but true.
"Okay with dirt?"
"Sure."
Grew up rural as a kid. Even now, called for pepper or tobacco farming.
"Weather's iffy... We were thinking kimchi-making scene. Hands-on... you cool?"
"Done tons."
"R-really?!"
Her smile climbs higher with every word. Her uncontainable excitement cracks me up too.
Day one filming kicks off like that.
"Oh my! Oh my gosh!!!"
A woman outside the site spots me and yelps in shock.
Han Jiyeong. 38. Mature, soft vibe. Actress by trade, became my attachment doll after guesting on Na PD's show. Now Korea's top MC.
Her face is pitch black—like soot.
"Hi...?"
Senior actress, so I greet, but her glare's iffy. Following her eyes down... to my hands.
"No tools in hand? Haven't watched our show?"
"..."
Did I screw up?
"Anyway, glad you're here. Just in time..."
"...Jimin!!!"
"???"
Familiar voice from the kitchen— her face ain't right either. My gaze shifts from Ria to Han Jiyeong beside her.
Hm... Two soot faces.
"Ria, how'd you light the fire?"
"W-well..."
Now I see— her face is caked in ash.
I get it instantly, turn to leave...
"You're here, so finish it. No mercy for males. Hurry up."
Han Jiyeong grabs me. Healing show, right? New concept? Feels off from what I monitored.