Chapter 81
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81
“Waaaaagh!”
The members, who had been lounging about, all bolted upright at the youngest’s scream. Everyone hurriedly threw open their doors and looked around. The staff, who should have been there, were nowhere to be seen.
“What the? Where did all the staff go?”
The chilling silence, with only the equipment left standing forlornly, made everyone strangely tense. Kim Seong-hyeon, his brow furrowed, was the first to step over the threshold.
“First, find Jeong Da-jun.”
“Yeah, let’s look for him.”
I played along, adding fuel to the fire, and gave a subtle wink toward the rear camera where the members couldn't see. Just then, Jeong Da-jun came sprinting from the field where he’d been picking radishes, screaming at the top of his lungs.
“Hyuuuuuungs!!”
“Gah!”
I didn’t know why the kid who’d left saying he was going to do an interview was coming from over there, but with his hair disheveled in the middle of the night and his face pale as a sheet, Jeong Da-jun looked more like a ghost than a ghost would.
Kang Yi-chae grabbed the frantic Da-jun and asked worriedly, “Da-jun, are you okay?”
“Hy-hyung…”
“Why did you scream? Did something happen?”
He’s really good at playing along.
“Hyung, no, it’s just… a ghost, no, it appeared, but the staff were all gone…”
“Slow down and tell us.”
“I was going to do the interview cut, but the staff weren't in that room. So I looked around the yard, and just in case, I went toward the field… Don’t be shocked.”
I wondered how much our Jeong Da-jun, who absolutely loathed scary things, could have actually looked around, but his complexion was turning blue as his lips trembled.
“I-I think I saw a ghost.”
Ahaha.
“……Huh?”
“It was so white it didn’t look human, and it vanished in an instant…”
“You probably just saw things.”
“I’m serious!”
“Sigh….”
I brushed my hair back as if I were troubled. Then, I pulled out my phone and pretended to call someone.
“The staff aren't picking up either….”
“A-Are we left here all alone?”
“Maybe they went back to get more materials or something. Wait here. I’ll go look for them.”
“Waaah!! Don’t leave me alone!!”
Jeong Da-jun began to cling desperately to Kang Yi-chae’s waist. Yi-chae slowly peeled off the arms that were stuck to him like an octopus.
“Stay here with Seong-hyeon hyung and Ji-won hyung. I’ll go with Ho-yun hyung.”
“Let’s go, Kang Yi-chae.”
“Yeah.”
“Uhuuuuhuhu….”
After barely managing to soothe Jeong Da-jun, who wanted to stay huddled between the members for safety, I stepped out of the room with Kang Yi-chae.
“Whew….”
Once we were a bit further away and alone in the dark field, Kang Yi-chae glanced back at the house, then turned his head to speak to me.
“Hyung.”
“What.”
“I’m a bit curious.”
Yi-chae adjusted his umbrella and smirked.
“Was the grudge from that last surprise that deep? Did you want to tease them that badly?”
I stopped walking and looked at Kang Yi-chae. Then, meeting his eyes, I smiled.
“This is why I hate quick-witted kids.”
“Haha.”
“Since when did you know?”
“Since you started talking about a ‘healing variety show’?”
Since then?
“You’re something else too.”
“I played along well, didn’t I?”
He certainly did.
There was no way PD Seo Ho-yun, a specialist in Devil’s Editing who was nicknamed ‘Smiley’ by the cast behind his back, would meekly produce a rural healing variety program.
I mean, if told to, I could plan one brilliantly, but there was no way I’d end it with just the ordinary daily lives of stars.
It’s a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but… I specialize in nuclear-bomb-level spicy broadcasts.
A summer horror special disguised as a healing variety show!
Special Feature: Planned by Seo Ho-yun.
Assistant Director(?): Kang Yi-chae.
Cast: Seong Ji-won, Kim Seong-hyeon, Jeong Da-jun.
I was already smiling, feeling good as I imagined the edited version, when Kang Yi-chae chuckled and asked, “Assuming one is by the field… where are the others?”
“The field. The bathroom. The back storage room.”
“Your preparations are thorough.”
“Of course they are.”
I raised my index finger and turned my head back.
“Now, Yi-chae. Listen.”
I smiled brightly.
“Right about now, there should be a sound from the bathroom.”
“Aaaaagh!”
Kim Seong-hyeon’s scream erupted.
“And right about now, there should be a scream from the storage room too.”
“Kaaaaagh!”
Another scream, this time from Jeong Da-jun, rang out.
‘…Huh. It wasn’t Seong Ji-won.’
I thought Seong Ji-won would be the one screaming… the plan went slightly awry, but it didn’t matter.
“Ah, how delightful….”
“…….”
“They sure can scream. They’re going to reach a new vocal range at this rate, right?”
Kang Yi-chae clicked his tongue.
“Hyung, seriously… did the world do something that wrong to you?”
Predicting that cameras were likely hidden and installed everywhere, Kang Yi-chae chose his words carefully.
“Exactly. I’m also wondering why the world did that to me.”
The rain was starting to let up again. Folding my umbrella, I walked toward the storage room with a splash, splash. The members, their faces pale with fright, were huddled together under an umbrella.
‘Aw, how cute.’
“Self-produced content complete!”
Right on cue, the staff emerged from various spots, laughing. Just like the last surprise, they came with a cake.
[It’s summer, after all ♡
-Ho-yunie~]
“Variety show complete! Congratulations on successfully finishing your Ocean Train promotions~!”
“Surpri~se~.”
The last part was said by me. As I approached with a beaming, smiling face, Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun began to pummel my back.
Laughter erupted from the surrounding staff. In particular, every time a thwack, thwack smashing sound echoed from my back being split in half, Lee Ji-hyeon’s expression became increasingly refreshed.
Yes, for a stressed office worker, seeing the source of their troubles in pain must be invigorating.
“It was you! I knew it was you!!”
“I knew something was weird!!”
“Ow, ow, that hurts.”
I couldn't stop laughing even as I was being hit. However, the only flaw was that Seong Ji-won had maintained a stoic expression the entire time.
Everyone else was shocked; why was Seong Ji-won the only one fine?
As if noticing my gaze, Seong Ji-won tilted his head.
“What?”
“Why didn't you scream?”
He was perfectly fine.
When I asked, Seong Ji-won blinked slowly and then gave a strange reaction.
“Ah… well. I’m usually really scared of things like this too.”
Seong Ji-won smiled faintly.
“But I realized there are things in this world scarier than ghosts.”
“Like what?”
“A hiatus.”
“…….”
“…A cancelled debut?”
“…….”
The atmosphere of the filming site instantly became somber.
‘Please edit out the cancelled debut part….’
Whether it was the hiatus or the fact that Seong Ji-won had been a trainee for seven years only to have his debut snatched away at the last second, we all just shifted our eyes and quickly changed the subject.
“Th-that, you know. I’ve seen everyone here before.”
But Kim Seong-hyeon, having nothing else to say, spoke awkwardly to the people dressed as ghosts who were mixed in with the staff. They were also staff members.
The costumes were a bit crude, but they were good enough to startle someone with a jump scare.
“Good work….”
“You were so, so professional that we are veeeery grateful….”
Jeong Da-jun said through gritted teeth. Of course, it only made his chubby cheeks stand out, making him look adorable.
I was watching that scene with satisfaction when Kang Yi-chae, standing beside me, tilted his head.
“Huh? But why are there only three of them?”
“Why?”
“Weren't there four?”
The atmosphere at the filming site turned chilly again at his sudden words. Kang Yi-chae muttered as he looked at the staff in ghost costumes.
“Actually, I ran into one more person earlier when I was going for the interview…. That person was even more realistic, so I thought, ‘Wow, they really prepared hard’…?”
“Hmm?”
I tilted my head. The staff began to murmur.
“What are you talking about…. The people here are all of them.”
“…Really? Not four?”
“Three.”
Kang Yi-chae’s jaw dropped, and he turned his gaze toward me. When I nodded seriously, his face contorted, and he stammered.
“Then, that was really….”
“Waaaaagh! Don’t say it!”
Jeong Da-jun screamed and rolled on the floor. Enter: Jeong Da-jun the Dust Vacuum.
“I can’t sleep! I can’t sleep here!”
“Well, then you’ll have to go up by yourself and leave us behind….”
“Kyaaaaagh!”
Jeong Da-jun screamed for them to please stay with him, and even the staff huddled together with tearful faces.
Just as the chaotic atmosphere seemed to be winding down, Jeong Da-jun turned on our song loudly on his phone. As if trying to overcome their fear, the members began to sing live.
“You are my only answer!! You are my key!!”
“You, whom I’ve been searching for~~!!! You are the one~!!”
‘A live vocal verification here?’
Their volume was so loud that any ghost would have run away. Taking advantage of the noisy commotion, I slipped away from the members, signaled the cameraman, and moved to another spot. At the same time, I sent a look to Lee Ji-hyeon, who was standing by the storage room; she caught on brilliantly and followed me behind the building.
“Wow, Mr. Seo Ho-yun!”
Lee Ji-hyeon gave a big thumbs up.
“Your acting was amaaaazing.”
“You did a great job too. The makeup and acting were both good.”
There was a man already there, wiping off his white ghost makeup with a cleansing sheet.
The ghost Kang Yi-chae said he saw earlier.
“Wow, I really didn’t expect you to even fool Mr. Kang Yi-chae like that.”
“Have you ever seen me fail at anything?”
“…Aegyo?”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
Regardless, as I grinned mischievously, the camera staff suppressed their laughter while filming me. Lee Ji-hyeon, the office worker whose stress had been relieved, snickered.
It was the ultimate weapon prepared in secret, known only to a few staff members.
“Please say a word to Mr. Kang Yi-chae.”
“Ahaha.”
The camera zoomed in, and I winked with one eye.
“Yi-chae~.”
Hyung is in a great mood!
“Are you really feeling refreshed now?”
Ding!
[Wow~! Trashy!]
PD Seo Ho-yun has created another perfect program!
* * *
[Title: The Dawn’s self-produced content that was just uploaded
What is up with the length this time?
It’s split into 3 parts.
Part 1: Planning + Video of them playing LPs after arriving
Part 2: Making bibimbap + Writing time capsules
Part 3: (Spoiler)
I was already crying and satisfied with Parts 1 and 2..
Ho-yun suggested this healing concept, right? ㅠㅠ Our genius idol is even perfect at planning.. This is actually the first time they’ve uploaded a planning video like this (excluding Shining Star, which makes me want to curse just mentioning it, f*ck)
I was in the middle of crying, thinking Ho-yun actually wanted to do a healing variety show while pretending he didn't.
(GIF of Seo Ho-yun playing an LP)
Oppa.. do you remember? We were in the student council together during the festival.. Our eyes kept meeting.. (Not an oppa, sorry, he’s the age of my nephew)
(GIF of bibimbap)
But their bibimbap lolololol it’s like cafeteria bibimbap, their portions are huge lolololol Meanwhile, Ho-yun: ‘This is bibimbap handmade by Ho-yunie-dang.’
No, f*ck, is Seo Ho-yun being blackmailed sometimes?
I don’t know why he keeps doing this, but for now, thank you.
(Omitted….)
Spoilers from here on
(Spoiler Warning)
(Spoiler Warning)
(Spoiler Warning)
(GIF of Jeong Da-jun screaming)
HORROR
SPECIAL
This wasn't a rural healing special, it was a horror special!!!
<The camera fast-forwards and goes back to the planning stage….>
Planning Team: Is this a grudge from being surprised last time...
Seo Ho-yun: (Quickly) No.
Planning Team: That answer came out too fast..
Seo Ho-yun: No.
Seo Ho-yun has more of a vengeful streak than I thought.
Anyway, the Dawnies were watching a horror movie after eating..
(GIF of Jeong Da-jun screaming)
Jeong Da-jun was legit scared, he teared up a bit lolololol He lay down in the middle saying he wouldn't watch, but there were tear stains of his eyes, nose, and mouth on the pillow, it’s so funny seriously.
(GIF of Seo Ho-yun acting well)
Jeong Da-jun: It was sooooo white it didn’t look human, and it vanished in an instant..
Seo Ho-yun: (Annoyed) You probably just saw things.
Jeong Da-jun: I’m serious!
Seo Ho-yun: Sigh.....
Jeong Da-jun: (Heartbroken)
Kang Yi-chae followed him to talk then, but I guess they edited out the audio ㅠ You could only see the installed cameras.
(GIF of Kim Seong-hyeon being terrified at the bathroom entrance)
(GIF of Seong Ji-won being stoic no matter what he sees + Niagara Falls edit)
And here comes the collection of Seong Ji-won’s famous quotes:
>>>>The scariest thing is a hiatus.<<<<
Here was a woman who repeatedly laughed and cried all of a sudden..
(Spoiler Warning)
(Spoiler Warning)
Seo Ho-yun: Good work.
Planning Team: I didn’t expect you to even fool Kang Yi-chae.
Seo Ho-yun: (Smiles)
Flashback to Seo Ho-yun during the planning.
Q. Why are you doing a horror special?
A. (Smiles) It’s summer, after all.
(GIF of Seo Ho-yun looking at the camera and winking)
>>>Yi-chae, are you really feeling refreshed now?<<<
>>>Yi-chae, are you really feeling refreshed now?<<<
>>>Yi-chae, are you really feeling refreshed now?<<<
I screamed at the very end.
└Seo Ho-yun was really mean.
Thinking about it again, he was really mean.
└└I guess he came out with his teeth bared.
└└Our bunny, don’t grind your teeth ㅠ
└└└I’m... starting to find this moe-fication a bit scary now....]
[Title: Hey lol the kids say this is scary, what’s so scary about this
So today I will sleep while hugging my puppy, Kkung-i.
└Let’s hear Kkung-i’s side.
└└Kkung-i: Oh f*ck, seriously.]
[Guys, I didn't mean for you to verify your live vocals like this (crying-laughing emoji)
└The fact that Seo Ho-yun did all of this while wearing that ‘Nuisance’ T-shirt is so funny.]
My back still felt sore because the members had pummeled it after finding out the truth later, but anyway, the reaction was good.
However, the reaction, which I thought would end there, exploded again due to a post that went up later.
[Title: F*ck, what is this in Episode 3?
It looks like something white is staring from behind.
└Hey, stop it.
└Hey, don’t do this to me in the middle of the night.]
And another post followed.
[Title: Emergency.
It feels like it passes by in 0.5 seconds, so it goes by quickly.
(Photo behind a tree)
└.......Please tell me it’s a staff member.
└└No, this came out after Kang Yi-chae’s surprise was over.
└└└Please read the room, ugh fuck
└└└Lol sorry lolololol]
Soon, videos with provocative titles like [The ‘White Thing’ that appeared during an idol broadcast, what is its identity?!] and [Seeing a ghost during a boy group broadcast] flooded Nutube.
Whether it was a real ghost or not, the general public flocked to see it, and the view count for Part 3 hit 1.2 million.
A whopping 1.2 million.
The manager, seeing that, briefly sought out every god in the world and prayed.
“Please convey my gratitude to the ghost….”
“No, how can you pray like that?”
You’ll really get punished.
As I looked at him with an incredulous expression, the manager cleared his throat, hurriedly stopped the car, and turned toward me.
“You can do well today, right?”
“Yes.”
“Uwaaa! I’m even more excited! Today is finally the 1st audition.”
Yes, I’d heard that so many times my ears were practically bleeding.
The manager didn’t seem to doubt that I would pass.
“If you do well, the 2nd! And then the final!!”
“…….”
Actually, I had a lot of concerns about this part.
At first, acting wasn't important; I just needed an excuse to meet Writer Kim Suk-hee.
But then I thought, if I acted too poorly, would Writer Kim Suk-hee even bother talking to me? On the other hand, I didn't think I could beat existing actors even if I tried my best with an Acting B stat, so was there any need to obviously slack off?
“Yes. Well, I’ll try my best.”
That’s why I had thought about it so casually.
Without realizing that even if one's ability is B, the chemistry between the character and the person can create a synchronization that goes beyond mere stats.