Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Episode 34: Entertainment News Focus (1)
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Take the MC spot on *Entertainment News Focus*.
Kang Han-do had no choice but to agonize over Oh Sin-hoon's offer for a long time.
"It's too good to pass up."
It was a more enticing proposal than the *Jungle Survival Manual*.
For now, Kang Han-do replied to Oh Sin-hoon like this.
"If possible, I'd love to give it a shot. But I can't decide on my own... I'll get back to you by tomorrow at the latest."
"Sure. Think it over and let me know."
"Yes, sunbae-nim. And thank you for the great offer."
"No problem. *Focus* is a show I've poured a lot of heart into, so I wanted to pass the reins to a reliable junior if I could. That's why you came to mind. How many weekly fixed gigs do you have right now?"
"*Star House* and *Pobokjeoldo*. Just those two."
"Perfect. Make it three with *Focus*. If you build up some leeway later, adding one or two more to hit five wouldn't be bad."
"Haha, that'd be great."
Securing fixed spots on shows is way harder than you'd think.
Kang Han-do had been lucky with his work ethic so far, which was why he was getting calls from multiple programs. Most entertainers didn't have schedules this packed.
After bidding farewell to Oh Sin-hoon, Kang Han-do filled Nemid in on the offer he'd heard in the waiting room.
Nemid didn't hesitate much.
"I think you should do it."
"I was thinking the same. No scheduling conflicts?"
"Nope. Just in case, I turned down everything except *Pobokjeoldo* and *Star House*. You mentioned wanting to build up more fixed programs, after all."
"Good job."
Nemid now picked up on Kang Han-do's intentions at a glance.
Their synergy was turning into a perfect match.
* * *
Less than a day later, Kang Han-do texted Oh Sin-hoon that he'd take it.
Afterward, a call came in.
It was Nemid.
"Yeah, what's up?"
*- Choi Tae-young PD will call you in five minutes. He wants to talk to you directly, so I gave him your number. That's okay?*
"Yeah, no problem."
If anything, it was exactly what Kang Han-do wanted.
Choi Tae-young PD was the man in charge of *Entertainment News Focus*.
Truth be told, they weren't total strangers. Before his regression, Kang Han-do had met him once.
It hadn't been a planned meeting. Choi Tae-young PD had stopped by to check out *Pobokjeoldo*, and the comedians had all greeted him together.
That was their only brush.
Right on cue from Nemid, an unknown number rang.
Kang Han-do instantly knew it was Choi Tae-young PD's personal line.
"Yes, Kang Han-do speaking."
*-Hello? Han-do-ssi? This is Choi Tae-young PD.*
"Ah, yes. My manager told me. Said you'd be calling soon."
*-Haha, glad the message got through. I was worried you might ignore an unknown number.*
Kang Han-do had picked up a new habit since entering the industry.
He answered unknown calls now.
Back in the day, he'd ignore them as spam or bill collectors. Not anymore.
These unregistered calls popped up now and then.
To be safe, he made it a point to pick up.
*-Sin-hoon already told you? He's stepping down at the end of this quarter. He specifically named you as his successor. How's your schedule...*
"Yes, of course. More than that, I'm not sure if I'm up to filling Oh sunbae's shoes."
*-You? More than enough! I've had my eye on you for a while now. So happy it worked out like this. Let's set up a pre-meeting. Your manager can handle the scheduling?*
"Yes. And feel free to call me anytime. Same for me calling you, PD-nim?"
*-Absolutely! Ask me anything about the show whenever. Or just chat even if it's not work. Let's grab a drink sometime.*
Choi Tae-young PD was notorious for his drinking. A man who couldn't live without booze—that was his nickname.
After hanging up.
Kang Han-do muttered to himself.
"Gotta brace myself for that day."
No telling how much he'd pour.
* * *
Pre-meeting day.
Kang Han-do met Choi Tae-young PD and the core *Entertainment News Focus* staff.
A familiar face was among them.
"I'm announcer Ma Hye-min."
"Kang Han-do. You're even prettier in person."
"Oh, really?"
Ma Hye-min blushed a little.
She was the announcer co-hosting MC duties with Oh Sin-hoon on *Entertainment News Focus*.
Working at the station made it easy for her to join pre-meetings.
Hearing straight from the talent about how the show was shot would help a ton.
"You were on that HSL segment, right, Han-do-ssi?"
Ma Hye-min asked Kang Han-do.
"*4 PM News Table*?"
"Right. Think of this as its serious version. Not that different overall. Oh, and no 'never laugh' rule or anything. Feel free to laugh. Light jokes are fine too. It's not a straight news program."
Kang Han-do knew all this.
He was a longtime *Entertainment News Focus* viewer. No way he didn't know the vibe.
Since he was already a fan, the pre-meeting wrapped up quick. No need for the staff to explain basics.
He knew it all. What was left to say?
As the meeting wound down, Choi Tae-young PD jumped in like he'd been waiting.
"How about drinks to bond and celebrate Han-do-ssi's joining?"
"Choi PD-nim, did you just say 'it's been a while'? What about the team dinner the day before yesterday? You got so wasted you couldn't even go home."
"To me, two days ago counts as 'a while.' Kim writer, we've worked together forever—still don't get it?"
"Ugh... why should I?"
They looked sick of boozing.
Made sense. Even boozehounds get fed up with back-to-back sessions.
Sensing the pushback, Choi Tae-young PD pivoted.
"Fine, fine. Just one beer each. Deal?"
"You're serious? No switching to soju-beer later?"
"I swear. Record me if you don't trust me."
No one trusted Choi Tae-young PD on drinks.
Even Ma Hye-min eyed him skeptically.
Still, breaking up without anything felt off. It was Kang Han-do's welcome day, after all.
A meal together seemed right.
Choi Tae-young PD knew this, so he kept pushing till it stuck.
His persistence paid off.
* * *
Pre-meeting to team dinner.
Having knocked out most pre-recording tasks, Kang Han-do headed to the *Entertainment News Focus* set today.
Not to film.
To see Oh Sin-hoon's final shoot.
Standing before the cameras, Oh Sin-hoon gave his last words to viewers.
"This is my final episode as MC of *Entertainment News Focus*. Thank you so much to everyone who's supported and tuned in."
His last shoot was already all over the news.
The finale would air next Thursday.
Before wrapping.
The cast brought out a cake.
"Thanks for all your hard work, Sin-hoon-ssi!"
"Sunbae-nim! Great job!"
Staff and cast had secretly prepped a thank-you cake for Oh Sin-hoon.
Caught off guard, he looked sheepish.
"You didn't have to..."
"Come on, you're smiling even as you say that."
"Haha, busted?"
That surprise wrapped his *Entertainment News Focus* run.
Choi Tae-young PD yelled to the team and cast.
"Dinner! Dinner!"
"Again?!"
"Why not? We've got reason this time. Sending Sin-hoon off like this?"
"You never change..."
Timing was on Choi Tae-young PD's side.
Kang Han-do's welcome toast, now Oh Sin-hoon's farewell.
Nonstop drinks.
* * *
Kang Han-do got dragged to dinner despite himself.
Oh Sin-hoon naturally joined his table.
"Good vibes, huh?"
"It's lively."
"Folks here are always this upbeat. Choi Tae-young PD sets the tone, so similar types gravitate."
Every set had its own energy.
Kang Han-do had been to plenty, but *Entertainment News Focus* took the cake for buzz.
Longtime team— they were tight. Most dropped formal speech.
Cast was the exception.
Long-running show or not, talent rotated out.
Renewals meant new hosts and regulars each time.
Ma Hye-min had snagged MC around when Oh Sin-hoon joined.
Oh Sin-hoon reminisced, glancing at her.
"You were that rookie announcer NGing left and right back then. Now a solid co-MC."
"Shin-hoon oppa, enough old stories. Embarrassing in front of Han-do-ssi..."
"So what? I was green once too. Everyone's a tadpole sometime. You're the senior to Han-do here now—show him the ropes."
"Senior?"
"You're ahead on *Focus*. Right?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
She wasn't positioned to mentor him.
But Kang Han-do agreed with Oh Sin-hoon.
"Please teach me plenty. I need your help to settle in quick, Hye-min-ssi."
Ma Hye-min nodded reluctantly.
"I'm not perfect either, but I'll do my best for you, Han-do-ssi."
"Yes. Looking forward to working with you."
Watching them, Oh Sin-hoon grinned.
"Handsome guy, pretty girl MCs. Viewers are in for a treat. Haha!"