Chapter 148
Translator: uly
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: A Very Special Broadcast (1)
No. What on earth had he done to earn maximum favorability? Kang Yeonwoo was utterly baffled. It was hard to call it a glitch, either. The Status Window never lied.
More importantly...
'Hold on. Why is the emotional state like that...?'
Kang Yeonwoo's gaze swept over one particular line.
-Current Emotional State: Rapture
The words floated there with crystal clarity. Rapture meant simple enough: immense joy.
Seeing that, Kang Yeonwoo thought,
'...She really does like me?'
But it was tough to buy it, given her notorious reputation. Everyone said the same things from all sides, making it hard to believe. Still, the Status Window was clear as day. Once more: the Status Window never lied.
"Yeonwoo-ssi? What's going on? Why are you standing by the door?"
At the same time, a heavy presence settled behind him. A firm, straight hand lightly rested on his shoulder. The low voice brushing his ear belonged to none other than Kwon Sung-hyeon.
"Ah. Ki Han-hyang-ssi came by, so we were just exchanging greetings."
Kwon Sung-hyeon took the initiative in playing it casual.
"I wondered who it was—turns out it's Ki Han-hyang-ssi. First time meeting in a personal setting."
"Uh... uh? Kwon Sung-hyeon-ssi...?"
"Yes, Kwon Sung-hyeon here. Your kind words on my previous films have been a big help."
Ki Han-hyang's eyes glazed over at the gentle smile. Even Yeonwoo, who'd built up some resistance after seeing it for so long, still flinched now and then. For a first-timer taking it full force? Their mind was bound to go foggy. And with that deliberate smile on full blast, the effect doubled—no, tripled.
Luckily, Ki Han-hyang snapped out of it relatively quickly.
"I'm glad you seem to think well of our Yeonwoo-ssi."
"If anything, that's something I should be thanking you for."
"Then could you go easy on him? You hit pretty hard sometimes."
The joking words carried a sharp edge. Ki Han-hyang cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I don't think I've ever been too harsh on you, Kwon Sung-hyeon-ssi."
"Ah. Well, except for me, you pretty much trashed everyone else."
"If there's a flaw, it's a critic's job to point it out. My apologies if it offended."
"Of course I understand. Just... today, I get the feeling you could be a bit more considerate."
Kwon Sung-hyeon's smile stayed soft, his words gentle. No hint of a threat anywhere, yet the air grew inexplicably heavy.
"Yeonwoo-ssi's not the strongest health-wise."
"I noticed he looked a bit gaunt and frail in the film. Is his health that poor?"
"Yes. You know how packed Yeonwoo-ssi's schedule has been lately, right?"
The conversation flowed back and forth, excluding the man in question.
'What the—no, what are they doing, cutting me out like this?'
"There's a great herbal clinic I know well. If you're okay with it, I'd like to recommend it."
The man even skinnier than Yeonwoo eyed him with apparent concern—the one whose skin now glowed from the inside out thanks to recent intensive care. No matter how you sliced it, the one who needed worrying was the other guy?
"More than that... Yeonwoo-ssi cleared his schedule just for today. Which means a ton of his regular work got pushed back."
"Oh no."
Ki Han-hyang's expression darkened.
Ah. No Status Window needed—Yeonwoo could somehow guess his mood right now.
"My fault, then. Since I made the request."
Nothing beat Kwon Sung-hyeon's smile for impact. If this guy had been born back in the day, he'd have been hailed a nation-toppling beauty, no doubt.
But Ki Han-hyang's reaction to that smile was... odd.
"I'll do great. Leave it to me."
Far from glazing over again, his eyes sharpened with resolve, his gaze on Yeonwoo carrying a newfound gravitas.
"Please take good care of him."
"Likewise."
Though Kwon Sung-hyeon had led the greetings, Ki Han-hyang shook hands with Yeonwoo before turning and leaving the waiting room.
"...He's not as prickly, cold, or vicious as the rumors made him out to be."
"Of course not. Who acts out in front of someone they want to impress?"
"Impress? Who are we talking about?"
"Who do you think?"
By all accounts, it was Yeonwoo himself... but when the hell had they even met to rack up that kind of favorability?
"Don't get too chummy with outsiders."
The petulant tone drew a deep sigh from Yeonwoo.
"How old are you to be saying stuff like that? Chummy? We've barely talked. And if we're judging by who helped the most, Kwon Sung-hyeon-ssi takes the cake—doesn't that make him the closest?"
Time spent together, whatever metric—Kwon Sung-hyeon came out on top. This guy even knew secrets Yeonwoo hadn't shared with anyone else. Shared secrets only drew people closer, after all.
"...Is that how it is?"
"Objectively speaking, yes."
Subjectively? No contest—the excellent Lifespan Dispenser won hands down.
That's when—
Click!
"...What are you two doing right now? Don't tell me you're cheating on me...?"
Yeon Do-hee, who'd opened the door, stared at Yeonwoo and Kwon Sung-hyeon in turn with a look of utter disbelief.
Yeonwoo froze, buffering.
'What did she just say...?'
But before the absurd word could fully register—
"Ahaha! Why the faces? I'm kidding, kidding. As if Joo-young-ssi would cheat on Yeo-won with anyone. That sweetheart."
Yeon Do-hee burst into cheerful laughter first, her tone screaming joke.
"I came right on time—should've gotten here sooner. But seriously, what's with the vibe?"
"Ki Han-hyang-ssi just stopped by."
"Ah, that explains it. How was he? As savage as they say, foaming at the mouth and all?"
Her big eyes brimmed with curiosity.
"No. Not as rough around the edges as the staff made him sound."
"Huh. Really? No instant roasts or eyeing you up and down?"
"Yes. Actually pretty polite? Kept smiling the whole time."
"Weird. You're sure it's the real Ki Han-hyang?"
"He didn't get swapped out, so probably."
"That's night and day from what I heard...?"
Her acquaintances had reacted that way upon hearing about the broadcast gig—with Ki Han-hyang as host, no less.
-Do-hee-ya... You really have to do that...?
No way. That guy's utterly incapable of saying even one nice thing. You'll just end up pissed off, and it won't help ratings.
-Crazy. Ki Han-hyang? Why see that jerk on TV? This is broadcast disaster waiting to happen. What? They promised edits? Ah. Full chop job incoming!
-Don't you dare avoid his eyes. Got it? Never lose a stare-down with a beast like him. That's exactly his type—lose the power play, and he'll rip you apart!
-Oh my god. An interview with Ki Han-hyang...? Why on earth would you do something that awful...? Blue King invested, right? They pulling rank? Those Blue King bastards are total scum.
-Better to not bother defending yourself. He just torments you more if you push back. Just bark and tune him out. Stay chill with that mindset.
Not one offered real comfort. If anything, they freaked out and preached quick surrender to reality.
'Worrisome.'
He'd heard Ki Han-hyang swore to give only positive feedback, but expectations stayed low. Instincts didn't bend that easy.
And yet.
"Oh my god. Yeon Do-hee-ssi. Huge fan. Mind if we shake hands?"
Yeon Do-hee beamed at the man extending his hand, thinking,
Is this really the guy I heard about?
*
Yeonwoo and Yeon Do-hee's bewilderment and suspicion stretched all the way through rehearsals, right up until official recording began.
"It might shift a bit in the real thing, so don't stress—just answer naturally. I'll cover the rest, so no worries."
Right before recording, Ki Han-hyang's quiet whisper briefly twisted their expressions.
"Recording start. Stand by, cue!"
Snap!
The crisp slate sound rang out, followed by the camera's red light.
"We have a very special guest with us today: film critic Ki Han-hyang-ssi, who's joined us in studio. And that's not all! We've got some super hot names—the leads from yesterday's fresh release, the sizzling new film *The Most Beautiful Days*. Welcome!"
As the main MC introduced them smilingly, another camera angle caught the trio.
"Hello, I'm Ki Han-hyang. Thrilled to share the space with these two very special guests today. Quick self-intros, please."
"Hello, I'm Kang Yeonwoo. I played the male lead in yesterday's release, *The Most Special Days*."
"Hello, I'm Yeon Do-hee. Like Yeonwoo-ssi here, I took the female lead in the same film."
"It's only been out a day, but the buzz is already explosive. How are you two feeling?"
Technically, it hadn't premiered yet. But with the airdate pulled forward to right after release, the lines adjusted naturally.
-If this flops, they won't even air it, right...?
-Flop? The movie? No way in hell—that strong conviction.
-Yeonwoo-ssi. My eyes don't lie. Quit worrying and nail it. Got it?
The low but firm voice echoed in his mind.
The talk segment flowed in a remarkably relaxed vibe. Ki Han-hyang seemed dead set on it, steering smoothly throughout recording. Their doubts melted away—he acted like a whole different person.
"Thanks for the film intro. As you said, it really tugs at the heartstrings. Fun fact: I caught the press screening. And of course, first thing on opening day."
Ticket wars were brutal, he added proudly.
"So, how about I point out some details worth watching for?"
This wasn't scripted.
'No way—he's about to tear into it now?'
A twinge of tension. But Ki Han-hyang dove straight into earnest film analysis.
"There's tons to catch if you pay attention from the start. Hmm. It's brand new, so no spoilers—I'll stick to what's public. First, the narration, right? Yeonwoo-ssi's voice kicks it off. Trailer material, so safe. Yeonwoo-ssi, mind reciting it? Hearing it direct nails the feel."
Yeonwoo obliged without missing a beat.
"Everyone."
He paused just long enough for a breath,
"has something that lingers in their heart forever."
Low and steady, channeling the on-screen aura.