Chapter 222
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 222
On the day of the pre-production meeting for the variety show with Min Ji-heon, I encountered a familiar face in the conference room.
“Oh! Ho-yun! It’s so good to see you like this.”
It was PD Choi, the one who had directed Over-immersion Master, which I’d filmed with Yoo Ji-ah and Ju Woo-seong. I’d heard he had transferred programs, but I didn’t realize he’d taken over as the main PD for a regular variety show like this.
He beamed the moment he saw me.
“Is it hard to catch a glimpse of you these days? Your popularity was already on the rise when we first met, but now it looks like you’re about to pierce through the stratosphere.”
“Oh, please. It’s all thanks to you, PD-nim. I really got my start in variety shows because of Over-immersion Master.”
“Still as charming as ever, I see!”
He laughed heartily, his face looking as innocent as ever as he joked about how he’d had a gut feeling I’d make it even bigger.
Meanwhile, the writers sitting next to him kept their mouths shut, their eyes darting back and forth.
“We heard Min Ji-heon’s flight was delayed, so he’ll be a bit late today. But that’s fine; we can start among ourselves. Alright, let’s go over the explanation for this show, Please Take Care of Me.”
Since his debut, Min Ji-heon’s career had been on a constant upward trajectory. To maintain his image, his agency rarely let him appear on variety shows, except for interviews or photo shoots.
Please Take Care of Me featured about three teams per episode. Each team consisted of two stars, one of whom would act as a temporary manager to take care of the other.
‘A hybrid variety show.’
It was a hodgepodge of every popular element trending these days.
“We have to follow the trends, but we also need a special hook, right? Seo Ho-yun, you’ll be assigned as Min Ji-heon’s manager.”
As he spoke, PD Choi’s eyes gleamed.
“To be honest, I wanted to feature Min Ji-heon alone. This is practically his first time on a show like this. But it wouldn’t be fun if a junior from the same agency just came on to support him, would it?”
“I see.”
“Since it’s Min Ji-heon—the ‘Ten-Million-Viewer Actor,’ the ‘Syndrome,’ the ‘Hallyu Star’—any title fits him.”
I wondered if he was trying to pressure me, but PD Choi suddenly gave me a big thumbs-up.
“So, the conclusion is: make it re-al-ly fun!!”
“…….”
“I watched the ‘Seo Ho-yun Syndrome’ on The Dawn’s solo variety show and found it hilarious. How should I put it? Your face alone is enough to keep things interesting, but your brazenness and sense of timing make your humor feel sophisticated. You’re the best!!”
My face alone is enough to keep things interesting… is that an insult?
For a moment, I recalled my first music video shoot. Because of a choice presented by the system window, I’d called myself handsome, only to be praised by Director Jeong for having a great sense of humor.
“PD-nim, I won’t let you down.”
“Ha! I love that confidence!”
I smiled outwardly while my mind raced.
The CEO is bundling me into Min Ji-heon’s show?
I tapped my finger on the table, looking at Min Ji-heon’s name on the proposal the writers had handed me.
What is he thinking?
The CEO claimed the management team requested it because they were worried about Ji-heon’s footage being edited out entirely, but that was pure bullshit.
Even if they just filmed Min Ji-heon’s face for thirty minutes without sound, people would go wild for it.
“Then I’ll see you on the day of the shoot!”
“Yes, we’re looking forward to it!”
The meeting ended without Min Ji-heon ever showing his face.
While waiting for my manager, who said he had to meet some broadcasting station officials, I grabbed a Sol-ui-nun from a vending machine and started sipping it. That’s when I spotted the writer and the assistant director who had been in the meeting with us.
I thought about greeting them again, but they seemed too preoccupied with their conversation to notice me.
“—It’s a package deal, obviously.”
My ears perked up at the interesting choice of words.
“Their CEO said Min Ji-heon wouldn’t do it unless he was with Seo Ho-yun. Does that even make sense?”
Huh?
“Why not? It could be true. They’re close.”
“I have a feeling. Those two aren’t that close.”
Her intuition was sharp.
I turned my back and continued to slurp my pine bud drink, but their voices only grew louder and clearer.
“There are rumors that people are trying to cast Seo Ho-yun for regular variety spots, so he’s not bad, but bundling him with Min Ji-heon is a different story.”
“I mean, he’s not exactly on Min Ji-heon’s level, right?”
“Well, yeah.”
Wow, they’re talking trash right behind my back.
“How long will Seo Ho-yun’s popularity even last? There are plenty of kids who flare up for a moment and then vanish.”
Well, she wasn’t exactly wrong.
I leaned against the wall and listened until the end before draining the rest of my drink in one go.
“We don’t know about the immediate future, but he’s already had several controversies despite how little time has passed since his debut. He’s managed to get through them so far, but if one big thing explodes, he’ll plummet to rock bottom. Everyone’s probably thinking the same thing. They only smile to his face while they can use him.”
“Man, thinking about it, Min Ji-heon is really suffering. Having to do a variety show with a junior like that.”
I’d heard enough. I crushed the empty can and tossed it into the trash. The sound of the can hitting the bin drew the eyes of the writers and staff toward me.
I gave them a bright smile as they flinched.
“Ah, haha… Ho-yun, you haven’t left yet?”
“Yeah, well.”
However, I had no reason to make enemies of the staff. I planned to just smooth things over and dig for more information.
Just then—
“Ayy, Writer-nim, really now.”
A familiar voice reached my ears from behind.
“Ji-heon?”
A weight settled on my shoulder as Min Ji-heon appeared, draping an arm around me with a beaming face.
Even after not seeing him for a while, his face was still as slick as ever.
“Yeah, I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”
He added an apology, though he didn’t look the least bit sorry.
“But it sounds like you were having a very interesting conversation?”
“Pardon?”
Min Ji-heon patted my shoulder and spoke in a light tone.
“Oh, right. I heard an investor pushed their nephew into this show… is that different from this?”
“Ji-Ji-Ji-heon-ssi!!”
The assistant director grabbed Min Ji-heon’s arm in horror.
What is this crazy bastard doing?
I narrowed my eyes and watched to see what he was up to.
“Huh? Was that a secret?! No, that actor—the nephew—ran up to me asking for an autograph and told me everything, so I thought it was fine?”
“W-what are you talking about!”
“Ah, I guess I lacked tact. So everything the nephew said on set was a secret! My bad!”
Ah.
His skill at insulting people while pretending to be oblivious was top-tier.
True to his profession as an actor, his vocal projection was so clear that he ensured the "secret" was no longer a secret to anyone nearby.
The assistant director and writers turned pale, fumbling as they glanced at me.
“Min Ji-heon-ssi! Shh! Shh!”
“Sorry, let’s keep the nephew’s story a secret! Don’t worry. I’ll absolutely, definitely never mention that the nephew was a nepotism hire.”
As Min Ji-heon spoke even louder with a wink, the assistant director looked like he was holding back a torrent of curses. He quickly gathered the writers and hurried away.
“Looking forward to the show~!”
He waved and shouted at their retreating backs before turning to look at me with a soft smile.
His light-colored eyes sparkled like sunflowers.
“Hey, Ho-yun.”
And now this bastard is using informal speech.
“Senior.”
Born in the Land of Courtesy, I didn’t hurl insults at the much younger Min Ji-heon’s rudeness. Instead, I just started walking and asked a polite question.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“I’m late, but I thought I’d join the meeting anyway~. And see my ‘bundled’ junior’s face.”
What is he thinking, covering for me like that?
Min Ji-heon followed closely behind me. As we moved, he acted charmingly toward anyone who greeted him or spoke to him.
Looking at how he acts, it’s not like he wouldn’t have friends.
Then again, even if they weren’t friends, how many people could refuse a request from Min Ji-heon?
I intentionally took a long route through the hallways to find a vending machine tucked away in a corner of the station. The last time I was at this station, there were no CCTV cameras here.
I slid a bill into the machine and pressed the button for Sol-ui-nun again.
“Hyung, you drink stuff like that?”
I ignored his comment and gulped the drink down.
In my heart, I wanted to chain-smoke, keep a tab running for Sol-ui-nun, and sleep like a log in a sauna.
But between the cigarettes and the rest, I figured the Noeuls would hate it, saying I acted too much like an old man.
Can’t have that.
I probably wouldn’t be able to do any of that until I retired as an idol.
As I smacked my lips in regret, Min Ji-heon slid money into the machine and asked a question.
“What did you hear?”
“About as much as you did, Senior.”
“People are so mean. If it’s something you can’t say to someone’s face, you shouldn’t say it behind their back either.”
I’d heard that somewhere before.
I looked at him with half-closed eyes. Even though Min Ji-heon pressed the button for 100% fresh orange juice, nothing came out.
“Ugh, why is it doing this?”
“Did you really say you wouldn’t do the show without me?”
“I doubt the person who relayed that said it in such a sweet way.”
“It amounts to the same thing.”
Just as I was watching Min Ji-heon frown and inspect the bill slot, my nose felt hot. A nosebleed was starting again.
“So, why?”
Cursing inwardly, I pulled out a handkerchief I’d started carrying as a precaution and covered my nose.
Min Ji-heon looked away from the vending machine and scanned me.
“…Hmmmm.”
His eyes darted around for a moment. Unwilling to give a straight answer, he turned back and pressed the vending machine buttons a few more times.
“Haha. Hyung, you’re good at variety shows. I just thought it’d be good to do it together.”
“…….”
“It’d be nice if we looked close. Should we come up with a nickname for each other?”
I pulled the handkerchief away from my nose as he asked if we should have a couple nickname like ‘Ho-hu Ho-hu’ or something reminiscent of Please Take Care of the Camera.
Fortunately, the bleeding had stopped.
“Why isn’t it coming out?”
Vending machines at broadcasting stations were always a pain.
I felt a flicker of amusement, remembering how Kim Hee-yeong used to kick them in frustration.
“Ji-heon.”
I let a smooth curve form on my lips.
“Yeah?!”
At my call, Min Ji-heon turned his head, tilting it slightly as he smiled back.
“I don’t care what your scheme is, but—”
I lifted my foot.
Thud!!
I delivered a powerful kick to the side of the vending machine, right next to Min Ji-heon.
“……!”
Clatter, clatter…
Several drinks tumbled down into the bin.
I reached into the slot, grabbed one, and shoved it into his hand.
“Let’s not do anything unnecessary.”
It was a form of kindness in its own way, but he was the type of guy who only behaved when things were a bit exaggerated.
“Enjoy your orange juice.”
“…….”
“Got it?”
“……Yeah.”
I patted the back of Min Ji-heon’s hand—he was still blinking in shock—and turned away without hesitation.
I heard him muttering behind me, “But this is apple juice…,” but I ignored it.
I don’t know why he’s hovering around me.
But it was fine.
I felt like I was starting to figure out how to handle Min Ji-heon.