Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Chapter 35: Small Mistake (1)
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Guest.
It's the perfect tool for switching up the flow once.
'Why didn't I think of this simple idea?'
Kang Han-do had been seeing things too narrowly.
But booking a guest was no easy task.
Kang Han-do wanted to bring in a fresh face if possible.
In other words, comedians who had already performed on the Pobokjeoldo stage were off the guest list.
That said, he couldn't bring on someone with no name recognition.
They needed buzz.
"Min-tae-ya. Who's hot in the celebrity scene right now?"
"Hot celebrities? Plenty. Like senior Kang Seok-hyeok. On the singer side, BTT too."
"Those guys charge too much. Think of someone more reasonable for us to book as a guest."
He couldn't ignore appearance fees.
He wasn't about to blow the Pobokjeoldo budget just to refresh a corner's vibe.
He needed someone who wasn't expensive yet had high buzz.
'Tough conditions.'
There weren't many like that.
But.
They did exist.
A major rookie group had just emerged recently.
The five-member girl group ambitiously launched by LC Entertainment.
Lian Rose.
Super rookies stirring up massive buzz on every show they appeared on.
Plus, being from the same agency as Kang Han-do, booking them would be a breeze.
Before that, Kang Han-do decided to get approval from his teammates.
"Min-tae-ya. What about Lian Rose?"
"Lian Rose? If they come, I'm all for it. They're super hot right now? I was listening to their song on the way here. It's insanely good."
It had to be good.
Their debut track was already sweeping music chart top spots.
They were holding number one on most charts. At worst, number three. A total smash hit.
After a long prep period, they were delivering results to match.
If they appeared, Driving License Academy could outshine the other Pobokjeoldo corners and claim top buzz.
Oh Min-tae agreed readily.
Just then, Hwang Yeon-ji arrived at Kang Han-do's place right on cue.
"Sorry I'm late!"
"Nah. Perfect timing. I was just about to ask for your okay on something."
"Huh? What is it?"
Kang Han-do spilled a story Hwang Yeon-ji didn't know.
She gave the green light without a second thought.
"Sure. I'd love if they came. I'm a personal Lian Rose fan."
"Oh yeah? Who's your favorite?"
Oh Min-tae chimed in abruptly.
Hwang Yeon-ji answered instantly again.
"Ye-hee! She's so pretty. Her voice is pretty too. She's perfect everywhere!"
"Oh, nice. Han-do's tight with Ye-hee."
"Really?!"
Kang Han-do nodded.
"I'll get you an autograph later."
"Thanks! Han-do oppa's the best!"
"Ah, it's nothing."
But all this hinged on Lian Rose actually agreeing to appear.
Even with close ties, business was business.
Before anything, Kang Han-do made Oh Min-tae and Hwang Yeon-ji promise not to leak the talk.
He didn't want weird articles popping up.
* * *
Kang Han-do held a meeting with the Pobokjeoldo writers about guest booking.
Afterward, they got to work securing Lian Rose.
The result.
-Lian Rose is confirmed.
A welcome call from the writer.
"That's a relief."
-But not all of them. They can only adjust schedules for about two members. That's fine, right? We said in our meeting no need for the full group anyway.
"Yes. That's fine. Two is plenty."
-Any members you want specifically?
"Can I pick?"
-They're giving you first choice. Probably because Han-do-ssi and Lian Rose are from the same agency.
Not a bad perk.
Kang Han-do pondered briefly.
He needed talent who could handle the comedy stage without freezing up and nail the corner.
Exactly two people came to mind.
"Ye-hee-ssi and Miha-ssi. Please."
-Got it. I'll pass that along.
"Yes, thank you."
Choi Ye-hee had shown remarkable poise on variety stages. Even on unfamiliar turf, she'd stay cool and fulfill her role perfectly.
Miha, meanwhile, was bursting with personality. Perfect for comedy.
'Sshould I prep some ideas?'
He needed lines tailored for them.
Kang Han-do's brain cells kicked into overdrive.
* * *
The day before the stage.
Choi Ye-hee met with Miha, Kang Han-do, and the Driving License Academy team for rehearsal.
It was practice for tomorrow's Driving License Academy recording.
They'd gotten the script last week.
Choi Ye-hee and Miha fumbled lines repeatedly during practice.
Even Choi Ye-hee.
"S-sorry. I keep stumbling over my words."
It was Kang Han-do's first time seeing her like this.
The unfamiliar stage rehearsal had her tense.
Kang Han-do decided to ease their nerves first.
"Don't aim for perfection. That can backfire. It's not live—recording means we can redo a flubbed line or two, so no worries. Even we comedians mess up all the time. And the audience cheers us on more than scolds, so don't pressure yourself."
It was based on real experience, not fluff.
Not long ago.
During a Driving License Academy stage, Oh Min-tae had accidentally recited Kang Han-do's line without realizing.
Kang Han-do stared at him blankly for a second.
NG.
But the audience burst out laughing at Oh Min-tae's slip.
They were there for Pobokjeoldo anyway, so minor goofs didn't faze them.
Sometimes, seeing mistakes felt even better.
Scenes you could only catch live, never on broadcast.
And comedians handled flubs with savvy apologies.
Like doing a personal talent bit per NG.
That was fun too.
A stage co-created with the audience.
That was the charm of Pobokjeoldo recordings.
Choi Ye-hee had attended Pobokjeoldo live shows multiple times. She knew Kang Han-do wasn't blowing smoke.
"Thanks. You give me courage, Han-do-ssi."
"Me too!"
Miha raised her voice alongside Choi Ye-hee.
Energized, they practiced late into the night.
As rookies, they had to shine on every show.
Before they knew it, it was past 1 a.m.
Keeping Lian Rose's manager waiting too long felt bad.
They wrapped up.
Kang Han-do stepped out to see Choi Ye-hee and Miha off.
"You worked hard today. It'll pay off. Let's crush the stage tomorrow."
"Yes! You too, Han-do-ssi!"
"See you tomorrow, sunbae-nim!"
After they left, Kang Han-do watched their car until it vanished.
Maybe he'd asked too much of them.
But this could be an opportunity for Lian Rose too.
They needed exposure everywhere to spread their name.
Best to hustle while the spotlight's on.
Kang Han-do knew that from years in the industry.
* * *
Recording day.
The moment of truth arrived.
Pobokjeoldo comedians buzzed at the arrival of Lian Rose members Choi Ye-hee and Miha.
"Hello! I'm Jeong Jun-tae!"
Comedian and kidult review show host Jeong Jun-tae greeted Lian Rose enthusiastically.
Lian Rose members bowed back.
"I'm Ye-hee."
"I'm Miha!"
Every hallway encounter drew similar attention from comedians, like Jeong Jun-tae.
He half-worried someone might faint from bowing.
Lian Rose was a scary-hot rookie, top-tier even among fellow celebs.
The Driving License Academy team waited backstage.
While the prior act performed, Kang Han-do reassured Choi Ye-hee and Miha once more.
"Like I said yesterday, no need to tense up. Flubs are fine. Just go in confident. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
Better to own a mistake boldly than cringe.
Staff called out.
"Next stage, get ready!"
Led by Kang Han-do, the team hit the stage.
Staff and members hustled to set up.
The audience cheered their entrance.
Lian Rose cheering fans dotted the crowd.
"Ye-hee fighting!!!"
"You're pretty, Miha!!!"
Who'd have thought idol chants at Pobokjeoldo.
Amusing sight.
Normally, Hwang Yeon-ji as first trainee, Oh Min-tae as second, alternating in Driving License Academy.
Not this time.
Hwang Yeon-ji and Oh Min-tae teamed up first.
Then Choi Ye-hee and Miha for the back half.
Their roles mattered, but Kang Han-do bore the heaviest duty.
If they slipped, he'd cover solo.
His pressure was multiples of theirs.
Still, Kang Han-do hid it.
Because...
'I've done stages like this a million times!'
He trusted himself.
Confident he wouldn't bomb!
Curtain rose on Driving License Academy with the start cue.
First up: Hwang Yeon-ji and Oh Min-tae duo.
Veterans, they nailed the front half flawlessly.
The back half was the test.
"Hello!"
Kang Han-do jolted in mock surprise at the beauties' entrance.
"Whoa, faces I swear I've seen before..."
"We're members of the girl group Lian Rose. You know us?"
"Trot singers?"
The audience chuckled lightly.
Kang Han-do played the clueless driving instructor, pop culture blind.
Choi Ye-hee and Miha feigned fluster. Kang Han-do deadpanned a request.
"Not sure about idols or whatever. Can you sing or dance? Might jog my memory."
With idols as guests, a quick promo was mandatory.
So far, plan was on track.
For now.