Chapter 397
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 397
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi! Over here, over here!”
“Hello.”
Rehearsals were set for 12:30 PM, with the actual filming starting at 1:30 PM. Having spent the entire morning holed up in the practice room, I had set off at a leisurely pace. As I stepped into the public broadcaster’s open hall, a set that looked exactly as I remembered it came into view.
Wow, it hasn’t changed a bit.
The general participants had already arrived and were testing the buttons according to the staff’s instructions during their rehearsal.
“It’s truly an honor to have a star like you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“On the contrary, thank you for inviting me. I heard today’s episode is a New Year’s special, is that right?”
“Yes. It’s the New Year, and the higher-ups have been pestering us to boost the ratings, haha.”
I had never met PD Yang Ju-ri of the Culture Department—who had become the main producer of David and Goliath a few years ago—in person, but I had heard of her through the grapevine.
They said she was flexible and quite kind. I wasn't sure if she was being this way because I was a relatively famous guest, but she certainly seemed like a good person.
I chatted lightly with her as we moved toward the waiting room.
“—Usually, we don’t reveal the guests until right before the filming day after their participation is confirmed, but somehow the news of your appearance leaked this time! I really thought the website was going to crash! But by then, it was already too late.”
“Ah, was it too late for people to apply by the time the rumors started?”
“Yes, the preliminary rounds had already closed. Well, unless they accompanied the applicants to the site and waited… sometimes if someone doesn't show up on the day, we pick an extra person from the companions through rock-paper-scissors. So, a few people do end up getting in without a preliminary test.”
I knew that.
No matter how many alternates you selected, there were always people who failed to show up without notice on the day of filming.
Back when David and Goliath was first scheduled, there was a time early on when, despite our preparations, we were short on participants. I, who had been buried in the editing room as a newbie, was forcibly dragged out by a senior to fill a vacant seat.
I was so furious I considered just snatching the prize money and bolting, but the thought of the department head’s nagging and the glares from my seniors was too much hassle. I played the part of a well-adjusted member of society and intentionally got eliminated halfway through.
Even after that, I kept solving the problems in my head, and I could have easily answered every single one.
The fact that I only received a 20,000 won participation prize after all that had made my blood boil again.
That’s not even enough to buy Seo Ho-jin a decent meal of meat.
To make matters worse, even though I was barely caught on screen, my personal information and photos were leaked through those brief moments and circulated on social media for a while.
As I was reminiscing about those struggling days, PD Yang Ju-ri’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“—You’ve been briefed on the game rules, right? As the guest, you’ll be the ‘David’ challenging the ‘Goliaths,’ and your goal is to survive as long as possible. Even if you become the final survivor and take the prize money, we pay a separate accumulation to the Goliaths, so you don’t have to worry about your image being affected by winning the money!”
“Haha, do you think I can actually win?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure… but please survive as long as you can! I want to get a lot of footage.”
Even if her reputation was soft, a PD was still a PD. Yang Ju-ri donned the eyes of a predator eyeing a delicious prey, added a quick “I’m counting on you,” and left.
After a brief rehearsal, I spent the remaining time in the waiting room looking over past questions provided by the staff. Nothing seemed particularly difficult. I already knew most of them.
As I was calmly reviewing the content, a certain annoying entity kept obstructing my vision, seemingly more anxious than I was.
Ding!
[Seo Ho-yun-ssi]
[Ugh]
[Aren't you nervous??]
Feeling it wasn't worth responding to, I ignored it, but it began to glow, blinking its blue light incessantly.
[How about using me as a Chance?! I’ll answer anything within my knowledge!]
“Forget it. Just stay still.”
At that moment, the system window, which had been flitting about restlessly, suddenly flickered with static noise.
I narrowed my eyes, wondering what it was this time, when messages began to pop up in rapid succession as if the system were flustered.
[Wait a second, uh….]
[…Why…….]
[…Um, excuse me…]
[…Let’s talk later.]
And just like that, the system window vanished without a trace.
What was that?
Witnessing such an unsettling situation left a bad taste in my mouth, but before I could try to figure out what was happening, a staff member from David and Goliath arrived to inform me it was time to film. Fulfilling the schedule was the priority, so I stood up and headed to the set.
I waited behind the central VCR screen. Before long, Kwak Seo-jeong, who had been the MC of David and Goliath for a long time, recited the opening remarks and shouted my name loudly.
“He’s a member of the most popular group these days! Please welcome Seo Ho-yun-ssi of the global stars, The Dawn!”
The screen blocking the front split to the sides, revealing several cameras and a crowd of participants. Wearing a slightly bashful, sheepish smile, I walked out slowly to the sound of even louder cheers.
“I think this is a very rare sight for our show. Personally, I listen to The Dawn’s music often, but I never imagined I’d see a member, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, here. It’s a real pleasure.”
I looked directly into the camera with the red light on and gave a slight bow.
“The pleasure is mine. This is a program I enjoy watching, so it’s an honor to be here.”
“Hahaha, I think our viewers today will get both the satisfaction of solving the quiz and the joy of watching you.”
Kwak Seo-jeong then briefly explained the proceedings.
“…—These are multiple-choice questions with three options. Once the question appears on the screen, the Goliaths will choose their answer first within 30 seconds, and then David will solve the quiz while engaging in talk. David can use a total of two Phone Chances while participating, so please use them wisely.”
I let the familiar explanations drift past me, but strangely, the side of my face felt prickly.
What is it?
It felt like someone’s sharp gaze was piercing me like a needle.
It was far too persistent and fierce to be just a curious look directed at a famous celebrity.
“David and Goliath, let’s begin now!”
However, before I had the chance to look around, the first question flowed from Kwak Seo-jeong’s lips.
It was asking what the ‘K’ in K-POP stood for. The options were Korean, Key, and Kogiri. The Goliaths chose their options first, and then it was my turn.
“……I’ll go with number 1, Korean.”
I quickly pressed the correct answer and glanced at Kwak Seo-jeong.
“By any chance, does option 3 mean ‘elephant’?”
“Hahaha! The writers were a bit reckless with that one, weren't they?”
When I asked with a look of bewilderment, Kwak Seo-jeong burst into laughter.
“Our youngest staff member’s new nickname is ‘Elephant.’ If they saw this, they’d probably be very amused.”
I’d say it went beyond being reckless.
Regardless, it wasn't bad for me. Besides, a perfect opportunity to promote the members had been laid out; I’d be a fool to pass it up. I curled my eyes into a gentle smile and gratefully mentioned Jeong Da-jun.
“Then, on to Level 2! What is another term for a ‘high angle’ in Korean? Number 1, Bugam (俯瞰), number 2—….”
“The answer is number 1, Bugam.”
Kwak Seo-jeong checked the staff’s gesture and moved to the next quiz. Having quickly answered Level 2 correctly, I decided to pull out one of the plans I had prepared for Level 3.
“Now, Level 3.”
[How many white keys are on a standard 88-key keyboard?
1: 48 keys 2: 52 keys 3: 53 keys]
Along with Kwak Seo-jeong’s calm voice reading the text, the question and options appeared on the VCR screen.
“Wow, this one is tough. It seems hard to know unless you’re very interested in the piano. How about you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi? Do you have any hobbies or interests in the piano or other instruments?”
“Ahaha, unfortunately, my members are more interested and talented in that area than I am…….”
Scratching the back of my neck as if embarrassed, I said with an awkward smile, “Could I perhaps use a Phone Chance?”
“Right here?! You’re using it early!”
It was better to secure as much screen time as possible.
I let the corners of my mouth twitch upward before returning to a neutral expression and asked the production team to connect a call to Kang Yi-chae using my phone.
After a few rings, a low, heavy bass voice echoed through the set.
[Yes, hello?]
“Kang Yi-chae?”
[What, Seo Ho-yun? Kang Yi-chae isn't here right now. The maknae said he needed whipped cream, so he went to the mart.]
“……Whipped cream?”
The voice didn't sound like Kang Yi-chae at all, so I called out tentatively, and as expected, it was Kim Seong-hyeon. It was slightly different from what I had planned, but for this specific question, it didn't really matter who answered. Whether at the studio or the dorm, there was an electronic piano that Kang Yi-chae had set up.
“Ah, Kim Seong-hyeon. Anyway, I have something to ask you….”
[What? Wa-wait, Jeong Da-jun! Stop! You can’t put that in!! Seo Ho-yun, I have to go stop the maknae, so if you have something to say, say it fast, fast!]
…Right.
Stopping Jeong Da-jun was important too.
Predicting that I’d probably only be able to have water for dinner again tonight, I opened my mouth again.
“Got it, Seong-hyeon. I’ll just tell you the question. On a standard 88-key keyboard….”
[Uwaaaaaaah!!]
[Yaaaaah!!!]
A pair of screams erupted. The general participants assigned as Goliaths all wore stunned, dazed expressions.
“……Phew….”
Even in this moment, the precious seconds were ticking away. I suppressed my anxiety, took a small breath, and waited for the situation on the other end of the phone to calm down.
[Ugh, ah! S-sorry! So, Seo Ho-yun, what was it?]
“I need the number of white keys on a standard 88-key keyboard…….”
At Kim Seong-hyeon’s voice asking again, I thought it might be okay now and tried to ask him to check the scale of the leftmost white key and the rightmost white key, but—.
[Hyung! Hyung-hyung-hyung-hyung-hyung!!! A pillar of fire is shooting up from the frying pan!!]
[Hey, hey, hey, put it out! Put it out!! No, get out… Aaaah!!]
“…The scale of the white key on the far left and….”
[Tears! Seong-hyeon hyung, I was scared!]
[I was scared too….]
“…….”
[Ah! Seo Ho-yun, sorry. What were you trying to—.]
Click.
At that moment, the timer hit zero, and the call was cut off precisely. The set, which had been a chaotic mess, suddenly fell silent.
“Pfft…….”
“…….”
Instead, the sound of Kwak Seo-jeong’s suppressed laughter began to leak out. He continued, teeth clenched.
“…Pfft, ahem… Well, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, with that, your first Phone Chance has come to an end.”
“……Hahahaha.”
Reminding myself that multiple cameras were filming right now, I closed my eyes tightly for a moment and then opened them, trying to compose my mind and body.
“It seems you didn't tell your members in advance. It’s as if you just threw away your Phone Chance. Are you okay? It ended up being just a check-in call.”
“I couldn't remember if I turned off the gas properly when I left the dorm, so I gave them a call….”
“Ahaha, in that case, I think you did the right thing. It sounded dangerous. It’s truly a shame, but it’s time to choose an answer. Have you decided?”
At this rate, this would definitely make the final cut.
If it were Daepasung, they wouldn't care, but WH Entertainment was a place that paid special attention to the image of its celebrities. Still, if things went well, Lee Ji-hyeon might insist on keeping it in.
Exposing the members was also one of my goals.
While one part of my brain was measuring the angles for the broadcast, the other part was seeking the answer to the question.
My index finger tapped against the table.
One octave consists of 7 white keys and 5 black keys. An 88-key piano can include a maximum of 7 octaves, which means there are 4 keys left over.
Calculating simply, there are at least 49 white keys, and if you add the remaining 4, the maximum could be 53. However, considering the octave configuration, 53 white keys could never happen, so….
“…The answer is number 2. I’ll go with 52 white keys.”
“Number 2, 52 keys! May I ask why you chose that answer?”
I was tired of explaining, but when I delivered a summarized version, I received an excessively grand reaction that was almost embarrassing.
“Wow, Seo Ho-yun-ssi. You calculated all that in such a short time? That’s truly amazing!”
“Haha, thank you.”
It was obvious he was showering me with praise just to secure footage.
He didn't really need to do that. I was going to do just fine on my own.
For now, I responded with outward humility.
“Correct answer, number 3.”
“I’ll choose number 1.”
“Number 3.”
As the levels went up one by one, the difficulty of the questions also gradually increased. Of course, it didn't mean much to me.
“Uh….”
It got to the point where even Kwak Seo-jeong, who was trying to play me up, looked bewildered.
But it’s too easy.
If I were the PD, I would have hounded the staff who designed the quiz. Once you got used to the program’s format, the range of questions was easily predictable.
“…Seo Ho-yun-ssi, you know nursery rhymes very well?!”
That was because if you rolled around as a substitute in various departments, you were bound to handle tasks related to nursery rhymes at least once.
“Wait, even loanword orthography??”
This was because if you were stuck in an editing room adding subtitles, you couldn't help but become familiar with orthography, whether you liked it or not, while listening to your seniors’ 'affectionate' strings of curses.
“Even general knowledge quizzes?”
General knowledge quizzes were something a variety show PD naturally had to memorize….