Chapter 226
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 226
【The first episode of ‘Please Take Care of Me’ is now airing!】
‘Please Take Care of Me’ began with a beautiful view of the Han River.
[Wow, Seo Ho-yun is insane lol. Seriously, he’s so competent, professional, and has such good sense... Is this for real?]
In the beginning, Seo Ho-yun diligently carried out his duties as a manager. The minor banter between Seo Ho-yun and Min Ji-heon provided some lighthearted entertainment.
However, it didn't feel much different from existing variety show plots, making it feel a bit bland.
[Hmm, this doesn't feel like Choi Ji-sung PD’s style.]
[LOL, I thought he’d show us something more absurd... Maybe he’s holding back because Min Ji-heon is on it? ㅋㅋ]
About thirty minutes in, the atmosphere of the broadcast suddenly shifted along with a new caption.
【What is the most important thing in a relationship between a manager and a celebrity?】
【It is, quite simply, knowing each other well!】
[Oh, is it a quiz?]
[Didn't Seo Ho-yun nail the quiz with Ju Woo-seong too?? ㅋㅋㅋ He’ll probably ace this one too.
└ LOL, that didn't exactly prove they were best friends, but he definitely knew everything about Ju Woo-seong’s personal life ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
The show’s progression took a turn that was completely different from what people expected.
【A secret mission has been delivered to the cast.】
[????]
[Huh? Suddenly? Right here??]
Despite his innocent-looking face, ‘Choi PD’ was famous for creating programs as twisted as his personality.
Even if it was a reality show, he wasn't the type of person to just capture ordinary, natural moments and call it a day.
【※ Actually, I just wanted to surprise them.】
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Hey, you production staff bastards!]
[Just say that from the start ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Oi, oi, I knew I could count on you, Choi PD~~~ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Choi Ji-sung PD was someone who specialized in "B-grade" humor and absurd variety shows.
From the beginning, his intention was to capture the chaos that would ensue while they performed their missions.
“Oh... heart rate.”
Having just received his mission, the cast member Min Ji-heon looked utterly indifferent.
However, there was no way the production team, who had spent years in this industry, hadn't prepared in advance.
Having already gathered the fact that Min Ji-heon would sell his soul for food, they played their trump card.
“Min Ji-heon-ssi.”
“Yeees?”
“If you succeed in surprising Seo Ho-yun-ssi... we will give you 10 sets of S++ Hanwoo.”
“……!!”
Immediately, Min Ji-heon, who had been melting like a limp slug, snapped into a sharp posture.
[Where did the Ji-heon who was melting away just a second ago go?]
[Hey ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Why are you so simple? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
He then began to negotiate the terms with a very sharp glint in his eyes.
“How high does the heart rate have to go?”
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi’s heart rate just needs to be 40 beats higher than yours. And you must keep the fact that you received a mission a secret until the very end. Do you think you can do it?”
As he listened to Choi PD, the image of Seo Ho-yun from ‘Over-immersion Master’ overlapped behind Min Ji-heon’s face.
【This guy is strong…!】
He remembered Seo Ho-yun’s stoic expression even when Yoo Ji-ah appeared from behind fluttering curtains for an internet novel concept, or when Ju Woo-seong performed a "wall-slam" on a middle-aged man.
【Is it... actually possible…?】
As this caption flashed by, the screen zoomed in on Min Ji-heon’s solemn face.
“My, my.”
He swept back his soft bangs and let one corner of his mouth curl up ever so slightly.
It was a smile that was both charming and full of hidden intentions.
“I am an actor, after all.”
Beside him, a small icon of top-grade Hanwoo sparkled in golden light.
【We complimented him by saying he looked cool for now ♡】
[You don't look cool, Min Ji-heon-ssi.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Ah, why is Min Ji-heon such a dummy? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Min Ji-heon usually didn't feel much interest in anything other than acting, but since food was on the line, he couldn't afford to be half-hearted.
He watched Seo Ho-yun’s reactions, gauging the timing, and slowly started his engine.
The first attempt: Provocation.
“Ji-heon-ie is sing-ga-kae, sing-ga-kae.”
“How old is that joke?”
“…….”
It didn't work at all.
The attempt ended in less than ten seconds.
He used his brain a bit more.
Then began the second attempt: Startling him.
“I think there’s a spray bottle in the bathroom.”
“Really?”
【However, what is waiting for Seo Ho-yun-ssi in the bathroom is a ghost doll prepared by the production team…!】
“Kyaaaak!”
“……Oh~.”
【Production Team: ?
Min Ji-heon: ?
Seo Ho-yun: ?】
“…….”
“…….”
【Ooh……?】
“……How scary.”
Min Ji-heon had poured his acting skills into a scream of terror, but Seo Ho-yun only pretended to be surprised a beat late before picking up the spray bottle and closing the bathroom door again.
An interview clip of Min Ji-heon followed.
“Still, I was grateful that he at least pretended to be surprised.”
[? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Wait, your standards for being grateful are way too low ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
And so, the second attempt ended anticlimactically.
That was when Min Ji-heon suddenly realized something. Usually, Seo Ho-yun would clutch the back of his neck in frustration just by looking at him.
Thus, the third attempt: Living normally.
“Where are you going? It’s almost time for the interview.”
“There’s a famous dumpling place called XX Mandu nearby! I’ll buy some for you too!”
“No.”
No matter what he did, Seo Ho-yun remained steadfast, shouting "Nope!" and staying perfectly calm. In contrast, Min Ji-heon had every bit of food he tried to buy confiscated. Ho-yun claimed he shouldn't eat greasy or salty food before a schedule.
When he worked with his own manager, he could slip away like an eel to enjoy his culinary tours, but he couldn't escape Seo Ho-yun’s hawk-like eyes no matter what.
Clearly, Ho-yun used to get annoyed just by him breathing nearby, so seeing him humming a tune while leisurely driving made Min Ji-heon flustered.
‘What’s going on?’
Of course, even amidst his confusion, Min Ji-heon tried to sneak in kimbap, bananas, and even ramen, only to have them all seized.
An extremely sensitive Min Ji-heon eventually threw himself onto the floor.
“Don't starve me! Just step on me instead!”
“…….”
“If you don't let me eat this, I’m seriously not moving a single step from here! I won't let you go either! If you want to go, you’ll have to step over me!”
“Wow, you have a unique hobby.”
“—Wait, wait, wait! Don't actually step on me!”
Nothing worked on Seo Ho-yun.
Naturally, the third attempt was also a failure.
【Min Ji-heon-ssi’s heart rate refuses to rise no matter what he does….】
【The Unbreakable Shield vs. The Constantly Breaking Spear】
By the time this caption appeared, everyone knew.
Min Ji-heon would never succeed in this mission.
[That spear is basically a Q-tip.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ It’s way too weak.]
[I feel like Seo Ho-yun really could have just stepped on him and kept going ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Min Ji-heon persisted stubbornly, but Seo Ho-yun remained unfazed.
Then,
【◁◁◁】
【The reason why Seo Ho-yun-ssi is so calm goes back to the beginning of the shoot.】
Following the caption, an interview with Seo Ho-yun was inserted.
“You want me to raise Min Ji-heon-ssi’s heart rate?”
【Actually, Seo Ho-yun-ssi had received the exact same mission as Min Ji-heon-ssi!】
The prize offered to Seo Ho-yun was also top-grade Hanwoo.
“Ah, Hanwoo?”
After blinking slowly a few times as if thinking it over, Seo Ho-yun gave a smirk.
“Our maknae’s appetite has been like an elephant’s lately, so our food expenses have been no joke. This is good.”
Short clips of Min Ji-heon struggling and using all sorts of methods to raise Seo Ho-yun’s heart rate played again.
At the same time, Seo Ho-yun’s expressionless face was shown. It was a peaceful atmosphere, as if Titanic’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ was playing in the background.
Throughout it all, his heart rate stayed below 80.
【His heart rate would probably be higher than this if we measured it while he was sleeping.】
[The ㅍ_ㅍ and ㅇ_< -☆!! vibes suit these two so well...]
[They must be really close, this is hilarious. I’m literally crying.]
Since Seo Ho-yun also had a mission, he didn't stop at just defending.
Back when Min Ji-heon had set up the ghost doll in the bathroom to scare him, Seo Ho-yun had grabbed the scruff of Min Ji-heon’s neck—who was pretending to be terrified—pulled him close, and whispered right into his ear.
“Get behind me.”
“……!”
In that instant, Min Ji-heon’s heart rate soared to 110.
A short interview with Min Ji-heon was inserted.
“Honestly, he looked cool.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ji-heon-aaaaagh ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Wait, you’re way too easy, damn it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Later, after Min Ji-heon had completed his schedule faithfully while starving and returned home to collapse, Seo Ho-yun was busy moving back and forth in the kitchen.
Soon, as a delicious aroma began to waft through the air, Seo Ho-yun dragged Min Ji-heon over and sat him at the dining table.
“I’m fine though….”
“Eat.”
“……Okay.”
On the table was a delicious-looking spread: kimchi stew, bright yellow rolled omelets, crispy roasted seaweed, neatly sliced kimchi, and steaming white rice.
Min Ji-heon picked up his spoon, took a sip of the kimchi stew, and his eyes widened.
“…It’s good?”
In an instant, his heart rate rose to 120.
【Min Ji-heon Special Note: No backbone】
[Hey....... you....
You’re way too easy.....]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ji-heon, please have some backbone ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Min Ji-heon ate anything without being picky, but his standards were high, making him quite discerning.
Seo Ho-yun’s kimchi stew, with its perfect balance of sweetness and deep savory flavor, was exactly to his taste.
“Oh~. You’re good at cooking too? Do you cook for yourself often?”
[Is Seo Ho-yun good at cooking?]
[Well, he did say himself that there isn't much he can't do...
└ Dancing...?
└ No... the members still tease Ho-yun for being a klutz at dancing ㅋㅋ but these days, he’s way better than most idols with 'dead fish eyes'....]
“No, I don't cook much. It’s a hassle.”
“Hmm?”
“But you like to eat, Hyung.”
“……!”
Seeing Min Ji-heon’s eyes shaking uncontrollably, Seo Ho-yun walked over to the induction stove and brought over a steamer.
When he opened the lid, the dumplings Min Ji-heon had tried to buy earlier were inside, piping hot.
“W-what? When did you…?”
“I bought them.”
“But you said dumplings were greasy and salty….”
“You don't have a schedule tomorrow, and you said you wanted them.”
“……!!”
Seo Ho-yun smiled smoothly.
“I like seeing you eat the most, Hyung.”
Min Ji-heon covered his mouth.
“Ho-yun-ah……!!!”
【Min Ji-heon-ssi, we thought you were doing this for the heart rate mission….】
【But it seems you really just wanted to eat.】
[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Ah LOLOLOLOLOL T_T T_T T_T T_T]
[Seo Ho-yun T_T T_T LOLOLOLOLOL]
In the end, Min Ji-heon’s heart rate finally hit 140.
A solo shot of Min Ji-heon with the Han River view in the background appeared on screen.
He sighed while stroking Mallang-i, his gaze fixed on the flowing river.
“He’s definitely doing that on purpose, right?”
【It seems he does realize it.】
“But why… does he look so cool?”
【But it seems he still hasn't come to his senses.】
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Choi PD really did it. The captions are freaking hilarious ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Seo Ho-yun’s interview followed in a cross-cut.
【Were all your actions calculated with the mission in mind?】
“Yes, of course.”
Seo Ho-yun answered firmly, but then his gaze wavered slightly.
“But I think his heart rate would have gone up even if I had just handed him food from the start.”
【Unlike a certain someone, this one has a perfect grasp of the situation.】
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
When one side was on the verge of completing the mission so overwhelmingly and easily, the production team went into an emergency meeting.
“Min Ji-heon-ssi’s heart rate went up 15 times in three days. 15 times.”
“That’s five times every meal.”
“Exactly. I had no idea he was this vulnerable to food….”
Clips of Min Ji-heon’s eyes sparkling in admiration every time Seo Ho-yun provided food played.
【Min Ji-heon Heart-fluttering Points +1 ♡】
【Min Ji-heon Heart-fluttering Points +2 ♡】
【Min Ji-heon Heart-fluttering Points +3 ♡】
Then, clips of the cool roles Min Ji-heon had played—a cold-blooded killer, a rational and icy third-generation chaebol, a frigid artist who had closed his heart to the world—flashed by.
Behind them, at 30% opacity, the image of Min Ji-heon waiting obediently in front of food was overlapped.
[Give me back my Ji-heon ㅠㅠㅠㅠ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ He’s seriously so cute ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[One thing Daepasung did right...
Keeping Min Ji-heon’s mysterious image...]
“There is one way.”
The production staff, who had their hats pulled down low to thoroughly hide their identities, huddled together and whispered. Then the screen transitioned.
【Production Team Helper Request!】
Having reached the conclusion that no matter how much they discussed it, Min Ji-heon would never be able to raise Seo Ho-yun’s heart rate, the production team brought in a new guest.
[What the ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah ㅋㅋㅋ Daepasung, you’re really milking this cross-promotion for all it’s worth ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[??? Is this Jeong Da-jun?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[These crazy bastards are determined to get them hate.]
Most people watching the broadcast simply thought a ‘new face’ had appeared.
However, some who were wary of The Dawn made sharp remarks.
[How pathetic... anyway, no one but otakus would know this is cross-promotion...]
[This is just going to turn into a mudslinging fight...]
【Jeong Da-jun (20)
Lead dancer and maknae of The Dawn.】
A profile appeared next to Jeong Da-jun, who was nervously adjusting his clothes.
【Special Note: Huge fan of Min Ji-heon】
Jeong Da-jun opened the door with a key card he must have received beforehand and entered the house. As he hurriedly took off his shoes, his feet got tangled, and he came tumbling into the living room with a loud crash.
“A-a new sub-manager, Jeong Da-jun, has arrived!!”
【Special Note 2: Extremely cheerful】
Jeong Da-jun, who seemed flustered for a moment, raised both hands and shouted.
At that, Seo Ho-yun, who had been sitting on the sofa in a relaxed, almost reclining posture, widened his eyes and jumped up.
“Hey!!”
Seo Ho-yun’s heart rate, which hadn't budged no matter what Min Ji-heon did, instantly shot up to 120.
“Hey, Jeong Da-jun, are you okay?”
“Yessir!!”
“That was a hell of a sound you made, Sub-manager.”
A caption was placed under the figure that was still hovering around 120.
【Successful deployment!】
[Heart rates don't lie... ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“I’m Jeong Da-jun, the one-day supporter who will help Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim while Ho-yun hyung edits Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim’s vlog!!”
“Wow, I’ve never seen someone introduce themselves like that before….”
“Please make yourself comfortable!!”
Every time Jeong Da-jun smiled brightly and told them to leave everything to him because he would work hard, Seo Ho-yun’s face grew paler or his heart rate spiked.
“I’ll try cooking!”
“Oh~, really? Are you better than Ho-yun?”
“Ho-yun hyung would cry in front of me!!”
“Hey.”
About ten minutes after Jeong Da-jun had spoken so boldly and started cooking, a loud pop! came from the microwave, followed by sparks flying everywhere.
“I-I-I’m okay, Sunbae-nim! I can handle this….”
“No, no, no! You’ll get hurt! Da-jun-ssi, just stay still!!”
A horrified Min Ji-heon rushed over, put on rubber gloves, and pulled the plug.
【Min Ji-heon, Seo Ho-yun’s heart rate: 150 ☆】
“Sunbae-nim! I’ll drive instead of Ho-yun hyung!”
“Oh~. Are you a good driver?”
“Yes, I got a perfect score!! Ho-yun hyung, you can rest comfortably while you edit!”
【The Jeong Da-jun who is supposedly such a good driver ☆】
“Well, he did say he got a perfect score on his road test.”
Though slightly uneasy, Seo Ho-yun nodded and only left after repeating "be careful driving" about half a dozen times.
Sitting in the driver’s seat and buckling his seatbelt, Jeong Da-jun checked the rearview mirror to make sure Min Ji-heon was also on board before slowly starting the car.
“Da-jun-ssi, how did you get a perfect score on your road test? I heard it’s difficult.”
“Yes!!”
Jeong Da-jun answered brightly.
“I took it about seven times!”
“……Excuse me?”
“At first, I even got the brake and the accelerator mixed up~, hehe!”
He sped through sharp curves, made flashy lane changes, and even parked with a drift.
Min Ji-heon gripped the car’s handles with both hands, desperately suppressing the scream that wanted to burst out.
When they arrived at the schedule location, Jeong Da-jun unbuckled his seatbelt and gave a big thumbs up.
“The ride wasn't bad, right?!”
“…….”
【Min Ji-heon’s heart rate: 160 ☆】
And so, Seo Ho-yun and Min Ji-heon unintentionally suffered at the hands of the innocent Jeong Da-jun, setting new heart rate records every time.
【Then, what about Jeong Da-jun-ssi’s heart rate…?】
A graph appeared showing that as soon as Jeong Da-jun, who had come tumbling into the living room, made eye contact with Min Ji-heon, his heart rate went wild.
【It is said that his heart rate stayed at 150 ever since the moment he saw Min Ji-heon-ssi ^^】
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, so cute ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[He really is a fan of Ji-heon ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
【You three can just buy your own Hanwoo ☆】
“I... I’m going to go in and rest for a bit….”
Watching the half-dead, slumped Min Ji-heon and the excited, blushing Jeong Da-jun return, Seo Ho-yun thought to himself.
‘Jeong Da-jun really was a help.’
He hadn't expected anything, but thanks to Jeong Da-jun, the variety show turned out well, and they were able to avoid any negative attention.
Feeling like he had finished the variety show filming a bit more comfortably than usual today, Seo Ho-yun had a satisfied expression as he patted the maknae’s head.
“Hyung, do you think Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim will feel comfortable around me now?”
“He’ll think of you as a really great junior.”
“Really?!”
For the sake of the maknae, who was so purely excited it was almost transparent, Seo Ho-yun spoke nonchalantly.
Even though Min Ji-heon would likely continue to suffer from Jeong Da-jun’s crazy antics and never feel comfortable...
“Puppy. Just keep doing exactly what you’re doing.”
“Ugyak!! Yes!!”
As if Seo Ho-yun cared.