Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Episode 4: 16th Public Recruitment Comedian Exam (1)
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In the current Republic of Korea, the man serving as the main PD for the hottest comedy program, Pobokjeoldo, was Jo Woo-kim. He stroked his unkempt stubble as he quickened his pace.
“What time does the exam start again?”
“10 a.m., sir.”
“They couldn’t schedule this a bit later? Man, they really know how to make you suffer from the morning.”
Jo Woo-kim had no idea who set the public recruitment exam schedule, but he was boiling with the urge to give them an earful if he ever met them.
He’d pulled an all-nighter editing Pobokjeoldo, and just when he thought he might finally catch some sleep, he was reminded it was exam day. Needless to say, his sleep was gone.
Of course, he already knew the schedule. With everything on his plate, he’d just blanked on it for a moment.
“Another day of watching mediocre gags, huh.”
“Sunbae-nim! What if the applicants hear you...”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry. My bad. Happy now?”
“......”
Pobokjeoldo was where Korea’s top comedians gathered. Jo Woo-kim was the PD there, and he rarely cracked a smile at average material. Having seen so many pro stages, could he even laugh at amateur gags from public recruitment hopefuls?
Fat chance. He’d probably just yawn.
That’s why Jo Woo-kim hated serving as a judge for these exams.
“Why not just get senior comedians with more experience to sit on the panel? Why drag busy guys like me into it?”
“The public recruitment comedians we pick this time will be the young talents leading Pobokjeoldo’s future. It doesn’t make sense for the PD to skip out.”
“Why are you being so nitpicky today?”
“It’s not me being nitpicky. You’re just unmotivated, sunbae-nim.”
Jo Woo-kim let out a deep sigh at his young junior’s point-by-point rebuttals as they walked shoulder to shoulder.
His junior had a point. A damn good one, actually.
Jo Woo-kim was just cranky from lack of sleep.
“Anyway, where’s the exam again?”
“If you mean the location, it’s the Pobokjeoldo dedicated studio.”
“At least it’s not far. Small mercies.”
If they’d told him to travel far in his exhausted state, Jo Woo-kim might’ve snapped.
Thankfully, the exam was at the familiar Pobokjeoldo Studio.
He’d been commuting there for nearly a decade—exactly twelve years, to be precise. Jo Woo-kim might look like a scruffy neighborhood uncle, but he was the man who’d helmed the command center since day one.
They called him the guy with the “Midas Touch”—every corner he touched turned to gold.
As he entered the Pobokjeoldo Studio, several comedians bowed in greeting, as if they’d been waiting.
“You’re here, PD-nim.”
“Yeah... You guys are early. Where are the sunbaes?”
“They said they’re stepping out for a smoke.”
“Smoke break, huh. Should’ve joined them.”
He regretted not arriving sooner.
But what could he do? He was the late one; couldn’t blame others now.
“They’re all gathered at the smoking lounge behind the building. Why not check it out?”
BLT 10th-generation public recruitment comedienne Joo Min-joo suggested he join.
Jo Woo-kim hesitated, then nodded.
“Yeah. My head’s already throbbing thinking about those amateur stages. Might as well grab a smoke.”
He patted his waiting junior’s shoulder lightly.
“I’ll be back before testing starts, so handle things here.”
“You’re dumping it on me again?!”
“Hey, that’s what assistants are for. You got this.”
“S-sunbae-nim!!”
Jo Woo-kim left the scene briskly.
His carefree attitude wasn’t new. Sometimes, it felt over the top.
Like today.
* * *
“Whoa.”
The moment Oh Min-tae stepped into the broadcasting station lobby, an exclamation escaped him.
It was inevitable. Outside, over 700 applicants clutched scripts, practicing gags en masse. The sight was jaw-dropping.
Kang Han-do and Oh Min-tae were just two among those 700.
“How many will make it through from this crowd?”
Oh Min-tae shrank at the number, but Kang Han-do kept calm and urged him on.
“Quit yapping and grab seats. Later, there won’t even be standing room.”
“R-right! But... any spots left?”
“That’s why we’re early.”
Good seats were already taken.
Squeezing through to find an optimal practice spot in this crowd—possible?
“Stop worrying and follow me. I know a quiet spot.”
“......?”
“Trust me.”
No time for details, he strode ahead.
Was he really trustworthy?
Oh Min-tae followed anyway.
Kang Han-do navigated the BLT station like his own home.
Oh Min-tae found his confidence intriguing yet unnerving.
“You sure you know your way around?”
“Of course.”
“Ever been here before?”
This had been his workplace for fifteen years of commuting.
No way Kang Han-do didn’t know the layout.
“Quiet. This way.”
He gestured into a narrow alley.
Was this okay?
Doubting to the end, Oh Min-tae trailed him.
“Whoa, what’s this?!”
A hidden clearing behind the building. A secret spot unknown to most.
“Perfect for quiet practice, right?”
“Nice! How’d you find it?”
“Instinct.”
“Instinct? What are you, a human GPS?”
Could he say he remembered from the future?
No one would believe it, so Kang Han-do brushed it off.
“Alright, let’s prep.”
They pulled out scripts and started situational improv.
Just then—
“Oh. Looks like I’ve got early birds.”
“......?!”
A man appeared at the alley entrance.
Kang Han-do’s pupils dilated.
“Jo Woo-kim PD-nim...!!”
* * *
They’d run into Jo Woo-kim PD while practicing with Min-tae.
He hadn’t been spying.
Jo Woo-kim PD had just gone to the wrong spot.
“They said everyone was behind the building... Guess not here.”
His own mistake for not confirming.
But more importantly—
He hadn’t expected young strangers—not station staff—to occupy this clearing.
He addressed them first.
“You look like applicants for this 16th round selection exam. How’d you find this place? Even staff don’t know it well.”
Kang Han-do’s mind raced.
Jo Woo-kim was right.
Few knew this hidden clearing behind the station.
But Kang Han-do had worked there as a BLT public recruitment comedian for fifteen years. It was his second home.
How could he not know?
“Stumbled on it by chance.”
Kang Han-do spoke first, explaining casually.
Pure luck.
A subtle smile crept onto Jo Woo-kim’s lips.
“Chance, huh. If it’s really chance, buy lottery tickets on your way home. First prize might be a stretch, but... I’d say third’s a lock.”
“I’d rather use that luck on the exam.”
“Haha! Smart move.”
Kang Han-do matched his tone smoothly.
Jo Woo-kim chuckled too, amused by the witty reply.
The clearing was ideal—no interruptions.
‘Hey, Han-do.’
Oh Min-tae whispered, watching.
‘Know him?’
‘Not personally... More like, you don’t know who he is?’
‘Nah.’
Kang Han-do almost thought running into Jo Woo-kim PD here was a stroke of luck.
He sighed inwardly at Min-tae, who didn’t even recognize Pobokjeoldo’s head PD.
‘Pobokjeoldo PD.’
‘Him?!’
‘Yeah. You’ve heard the name. Jo Woo-kim PD...’
“Jo Woo-kim PD!!!”
Mid-whisper, Oh Min-tae yelped in shock. Jo Woo-kim PD’s face lit with an odd smile.
“Your friend didn’t know who I was.”
“N-no! I knew all along!”
Oh Min-tae panicked, fearing a points deduction. Better late than never.
But Jo Woo-kim’s insight was razor-sharp.
Kang Han-do clearly knew, but Oh Min-tae’s ignorance was obvious.
“Hey, it happens. People remember on-screen celebs over behind-the-scenes directors. We stay low-profile. No hard feelings.”
Jo Woo-kim wasn’t hung up on it anyway.
He was key to Pobokjeoldo, but the stars were the performers.
Their talent kept it alive for twelve years.
Jo Woo-kim valued comedians most.
Kang Han-do knew that well.
Still, berating applicants for not knowing him wasn’t cool—they’d come far dreaming of comedy.
To spare their embarrassment, Jo Woo-kim changed tack.
“From the props, doesn’t look like physical comedy.”
“Yes.”
Their items were basic: suit, wig, glasses, lighter—everyday stuff.
“Caught a glimpse earlier. You’ve prepped multiple bits.”
“Three, yes.”
“Didn’t think focusing on one would be better?”
Jo Woo-kim’s impromptu pressure interview began.