Your Heart Speaks
In the large conference room of SBC's Variety Department 1, the production staff erupted in cheers.
Ooooooh━━!
Kim Bok-hyeon PD strode in like a triumphant general returning from victory, arms crossed, faint tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
Sparkle.
How far had he come to reach this point?
At the start of the year, he'd been handed SBC's massive luxury budget for an overseas location variety show in Variety Department 1. It had the potential to shake up the entire variety landscape. Everything was perfect—the concept, the timing, the public's interest, all of it clicking together like heaven itself had orchestrated it.
But one thing.
Kim Bok-hyeon PD had overlooked it: the need for far tighter control over so-called "star-level celebrities" than he'd ever imagined.
If it weren't for those bastards······
It all fell apart because of just two people. The main MC, whose mere presence made booking most of the cast feasible, and an S-grade celebrity who could thrill fans not just in Korea but in Japan too. Building the show around those two had been a mistake.
Drunk driving scandals and dishonor. They dropped out, the media blew it up, and the program hit a wall.
Hoo.
When upper management announced they'd redirect the guaranteed luxury budget to Monster City, he had no choice but to nod. In this industry, the ironclad rule was that the main PD who planned the show bore the blame, no matter who was actually at fault.
In that sense.
"······This time, we're nailing it for sure!"
"Yes!"
Kim Bok-hyeon PD, burning with resolve, was determined. No more mistakes like last time. He'd never again entrust the show's fate to people he couldn't control.
·····Truth be told.
Honestly, that experience of a program tanking because of popular celebrities had massively shaped his planning for this new variety show.
"What's the booking status?"
"Everyone's confirmed except three."
"Good work. What about that comedian?"
"No reply yet. The main writer keeps sending persuasive texts, though···"
"Alright, push a little harder."
"But he had that controversy recently—is that okay? Seems like he's hesitating because of it."
"Hm."
Kim Bok-hyeon PD pondered briefly before speaking.
"Tell him this: If he does well, we can help wash away the controversy on our show. We'll steer it that way as much as possible, so if he's debating a comeback timing, ours might be the better bet—something like that."
"Does the controversy not matter?"
"No, it's actually better that way."
His entire perspective had flipped.
He still booked popular celebrities, but how he handled them was 180 degrees different. The old Kim Bok-hyeon PD, who slapped together loose rules and backgrounds and staged stars' cool, fun, touching moments, was gone. The moment those unlikely stars stabbed him in the back, he'd started envisioning this show's framework.
It's a pilot for now, but······
A pilot program whose regular slot would depend on post-airing performance. But even without the variety director's early hints at regularization, he was already convinced of success.
This is guaranteed to work. It has to.
Your Heart Speaks had one clear goal: exposing the true inner thoughts of popular celebrities.
Burned badly by that early-year fiasco, Kim Bok-hyeon PD had zeroed in on the public's demand to see the real, two-faced insides of stars. The MC who posted politically correct SNS updates while scheming sleazily behind the scenes; the comedian who feigned disinterest but blatantly ranked people to seem like a top star; the actor who prioritized fame and money but preached grand ideals.
In this era where everyone was fodder for ratings.
"Equipment status?"
"All moved to the studio. Once the last gear arrives, we'll assemble and install right away."
"Good."
"Oh, and the experts say the latest version is so advanced, few in Korea can handle it. Might need extra hires."
"No problem. Already booked them."
He'd prepared everything: Korea's top hypnotist and former lie detection specialist, plus other experts. And not just that—the cutting-edge lie detection gear. Actual polygraphs with electrodes on the body; vibra imaging for inner ear vestibular responses; even thermal sensors. They'd replicated the setup to match the National Police Agency's forensic science team's official equipment.
"But PD, even if it goes regular, what if bookings dry up? Celebrities will find it intimidating······"
"Don't worry."
Kim Bok-hyeon PD smiled. He'd anticipated it.
Appearing on a show that could brand you a "liar" was high-risk.
But.
"Those who show genuine sincerity through it will skyrocket in popularity. If not, we tweak the edit. No big deal."
Like fugu—remove the poison, and it's exquisite.
"The key is the reward. Show them 'pass this, and you'll gain this level of fame,' and it's no issue. Worst case, we lower the tier a bit for bookings."
Offsetting the risk with the lure of public adoration—that was Kim Bok-hyeon PD's plan. He foresaw it: once established, stars caught in scandals would face public pressure to "prove it on Your Heart Speaks."
"So."
In that vein, the first guests were crucial. To demonstrate rewards for pure honesty and how far it could expose dirty lies—setting the show's direction.
"Book the rest ASAP."
Kim Bok-hyeon PD urged his team.
DK Entertainment headquarters, CEO's office.
"······I'll do it."
"Hm?"
Do Yoon-seop raised one eyebrow. Without asking what? Without even inquiring about the variety show? At Lee Tae-gyu's immediate commitment, Do Yoon-seop started to say something, but.
"I mentioned it during re-signing talks. No plans to refuse variety or CFs."
Tae-gyu nodded calmly.
"Feels a bit off delaying shoots because of me, too."
He had a conscience, faint emotions or not. Lee Tae-gyu wasn't an idiot—he knew his overzealous drive had postponed Model Detective 3's filming.
"So, I'll appear. Curious about the vibe anyway."
Do Yoon-seop's eyes widened at Tae-gyu's awareness of propriety.
He couldn't believe it.
What the hell.
This easy? Do Yoon-seop had always seen Tae-gyu as someone demanding "prove you're worthy vessels for me."
We showed everything, so he's going all-in too?
Misinterpreting on his own, he moved to the next step.
"······Fine. Great for us. Schedule via Jang Team Leader. That's it for now."
"Got it."
Honestly, he wasn't worried about the show's concept. Not live anyway—if it went south, mobilizing their connections to bend a variety PD was child's play.
Besides.
He'd always been curious about Tae-gyu's true thoughts. Perfect opportunity.
"Alright then. Rest at home for a bit. Or house-hunt. Haha. CF and film pay's solid, right? Add a little more and—"
"Pardon?"
"Why?"
"What about filming?"
Model Detective 3? Delayed another week."
"CEO."
"No. How long since discharge? Can't jump into shoots. Rest is all action scenes."
"I'm recovered ages ago. That—"
"Tae-gyu."
As expected, Tae-gyu bolted for set post-discharge. Do Yoon-seop shook his head.
Acting passion needed limits, or accidents would happen.
And so.
"You."
Do Yoon-seop, trying to redirect that passion elsewhere.
"It's not just that one film."
"·········!"
"Yeah, Director Yoon Chang-ho's movie."
His follow-up spared another self-confrontation.
"Script reading's this week. Just take it easy till then."
A few days later, script reading day arrived.
Lee Tae-gyu. Director Yoon Chang-ho, unable to ditch this poisoned chalice and still carrying it, stared despairingly at the paper in the script reading room.
Provisional Title: 108-Month Full Installment
Script Reading
Time to change this ridiculous provisional title. Mortifying.
He'd picked it thinking Tae-gyu liked provocative ones.
Just get through today······
He'd decided: Any imperfection here, and he'd cut ties, even late.
The burden from recent events already crushed him.
With Hoshi-jeol, Seol A-yoon had become a "30-million actress." Casting her as female lead? Even split roles, handling Tae-gyu's first lead too was overwhelming.
Click.
Look at this script reading room.
"·········."
"·········."
"·········."
Heavy air hung thick.
A massive pressure aura emanated from "30-million actress" Seol A-yoon.
Yoon Chang-ho hadn't hit the bathroom for nothing.
This is insane.
True to his fame, he'd booked veterans even for supporting roles: a 40+ year legend called "teacher," an acting academy director veteran, an award-winning supporting actor. All eyeing Seol A-yoon, locked in fierce gazes for perfect performances.
Sizzle!
Invisible clashes, tangled stares—tension crackling like sparks.
Thin ice. A razor edge hovering over taut wire. Even Seol A-yoon couldn't relax.
If Tae-gyu joins this······
Gonna be rough.
Burden weighing his shoulders, Yoon Chang-ho closed his eyes for deep breaths.
━━━Clunk!
The door flew open to raucous fuss.
"Whoa, Seol A-yoon?! You're insanely pretty in person?!"
"?"
"?"
"?"
Stunned silence gripped the room.
"·········Ah, crap. Sorry."
Lee Tae-gyu, who'd barged in like a kid seeing a female celeb for the first time and shattered the mood, scratched his head and quietly took his seat.
"·········?"
"·········?"
"·········?"