Chapter 107
Chapter 107
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Episode 36: Seven Falls, Eight Rises (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the pre-meeting wrapped up, Kang Han-do joined Yoo Tae-hwan PD and the cast and crew for a casual round of drinks.
They'd agreed during the meeting to call each other "hyung" and "dongsaeng" to bond quickly, but some awkwardness lingered.
The drinks washed it all away.
Over glasses of booze, they shared thoughts about making the show a success together.
Going through something like that made them close in no time.
And with everyone sociable, it wasn't hard at all.
The next day.
Kang Han-do woke up, checked an internet search site, and frowned at seeing his name trending.
"What's this?"
A quick search would tell him.
He typed his name into the search bar for the first time in a while.
Articles poured in.
-Next Big MC Kang Han-do Joins Yoo Tae-hwan PD's Crew!
-'Seven Falls, Eight Rises' Production Officially Announced! Main MC is Kang Han-do!
-MC Kang Han-do Shares Thoughts: 'We'll Make a Great Show'...
"Ah, this."
Yoo Tae-hwan PD had mentioned it during the pre-meeting.
'Tonight, articles will go up. Han-do, remember that interview you did? It'll be turned into an article too, so keep an eye out.'
A production press conference was also scheduled.
Next Wednesday.
"Busy times, huh."
But Kang Han-do didn't feel worn out at all.
If anything, he was thrilled.
Back in his no-name days, gigs were so scarce it was a real worry.
His livelihood had been at risk.
But now? Different story.
Everyone wanted Kang Han-do.
There'd even been bidding wars to snag him.
'Not a bad development.'
Kang Han-do smiled.
He really felt like a top star.
Of course.
'Still a long way to go.'
* * *
The day of the Seven Falls, Eight Rises production press conference.
Kang Han-do suited up for the first time in ages.
Nemid nodded vigorously at his dressed-up look.
"You look great, Han-do-ssi."
"Yeah?"
His coordinator, who traveled with him, clapped lightly in agreement.
"Oppa Han-do, anyone would mistake you for a model, not a comedian. That suit fits like art!"
His looks were solid too.
Kang Han-do flashed an embarrassed smile.
"You two are suddenly hyping me up too much. What, you want me to buy you something nice?"
"That'd be awesome!"
"Meat! Meat! Meat!"
Before he knew it, Nemid and the coordinator were chanting "Meat! Meat! Meat!" in unison.
Free meat from someone else is always delicious.
They say meat is truth for a reason.
Kang Han-do chuckled.
"Got it. After the press conference, let's grab something tasty. My treat today!"
"Yay!"
"As expected of Oppa Han-do!"
Ever since officially joining the Seven Falls, Eight Rises cast, Kang Han-do had been in high spirits.
He used to sit in front of the TV, envying others' success.
Now the tables had turned.
Dressed sharp, Kang Han-do took the stage with the cast and Yoo Tae-hwan PD.
Today's MC was someone special.
Oh Shin-hoon. He held the mic.
"Let's go around with self-introductions first?"
"Hello, I'm MC Kang Han-do, appearing on Seven Falls, Eight Rises. Nice to meet you!"
Flashes popped everywhere.
Kang Han-do was a young star who drew eyes wherever he went.
He had the highest interest from reporters too.
They continued with self-intros in age order.
Even as the maknae, Kang Han-do went first for a reason.
He was the main MC.
After introductions, Oh Shin-hoon tossed him the official question.
"Han-do-ssi, how do you feel filming Seven Falls, Eight Rises with your peers and seniors?"
"Well, originally, this spot was meant for Sunbae Oh Shin-hoon... I'm worried if I can fill those shoes."
The news of Oh Shin-hoon turning down the offer had already spread far and wide.
And now here he was, hosting the press conference.
Ironic.
But Oh Shin-hoon had volunteered first.
His packed schedule had forced him to decline Yoo Tae-hwan PD's offer, and it still bugged him.
This was his way of making amends.
Yoo Tae-hwan PD held no grudges, of course.
Busy schedules happen. It was natural.
Oh Shin-hoon pressed Kang Han-do.
"Is that worry still lingering?"
"Yes. But on the flip side, I'm fired up with the challenge to deliver big laughs to viewers through Seven Falls, Eight Rises."
"Great attitude. When the first episode airs, I'll tune in live and watch how hard our lovely junior Kang Han-do works."
"I'll make sure to record diligently to meet your expectations, sunbae-nim."
A ripple of laughter spread among the reporters.
Comedian roots meant natural punchlines flowed.
Next up: Yoo Tae-hwan PD.
"Yoo PD-nim, any reason for naming the show Seven Falls, Eight Rises?"
"'Seven Falls, Eight Rises' (七顚八起) is an idiom meaning to rise eight times even after falling seven—symbolizing unyielding challenge spirit despite repeated failures. I want to create a variety show that starts a new trend in entertainment based on that spirit. That's why we chose the name."
"So it's the intent for the whole cast and crew to embody that perseverance. Got it."
Oh Shin-hoon nailed the wrap-up.
Reporters scribbled furiously.
Finally, Oh Shin-hoon asked the cast about their resolve.
Kang Han-do gripped the mic, his expression grave, almost solemn.
"As Yoo Tae-hwan PD said, we'll work hard to become Korea's top variety show. So please give us your warm interest and love."
Until the day he spreads the laughter virus across Korea.
Kang Han-do would keep charging forward.
* * *
The first filming day for Seven Falls, Eight Rises approached.
Filming was locked in for Thursdays.
Early morning, Kang Han-do arrived at the set.
Staff bustled about.
He sought out Yoo Tae-hwan PD first.
"Hello, Yoo PD-nim."
"Hm? Already here? You're early again."
From pre-meeting to press conference to first shoot.
Kang Han-do claimed the earliest arrival title among the cast every time.
"No one else yet, huh."
"Yeah. But they'll make the scheduled time. First shoot and all."
"Right. I'll head to the waiting room then."
"Warm up. It's gonna be a tough one."
"Hahaha. Yes, sir. I'm braced for it."
Physical shoot, so prep was key.
Kang Han-do hit the gym whenever he could to build stamina.
Not something he'd done pre-regression.
No money for a gym membership back then.
But booze money? Always there.
He'd drown tough days in drinks.
'Not anymore!'
Booze only when needed. Quit smoking. Everything else: steady workouts.
So Kang Han-do ended up with a body that turned heads everywhere.
Not flattery when the coordinator raved about his suit fit.
Just honest reaction.
He hadn't started exercising to sculpt a body.
It was for stamina.
Long shoots demanded endurance.
That's why he'd kept at it.
'I might ace this one too.'
He dared to predict.
Few others trained consistently besides him and Shin Yong-woo.
Shin Yong-woo was a famed cycling nut.
Cycle-honed stamina would shine in today's packaging machine battles.
Kang Han-do scanned the script in the waiting room.
Main MC meant he had to know it cold, unlike others.
Then the door opened.
"Hey."
Right on cue: Shin Yong-woo.
"You made it, hyung."
"What's with 'hyung-nim'? I said just 'hyung'."
"Right... Sorry, hyung."
"No need to apologize. We haven't hung out much. 'Hyung' might not stick yet. Anyway, reading the script?"
"Yeah. You got it too, hyung?"
"Yeah. But glancing at it, I don't think I need to memorize."
Shin Yong-woo was spot on.
Just remember lines like 'Next up, this corner.'
All those went to Kang Han-do.
Everyone else just hustled on challenges.
In other words.
"Gonna need lots of physical comedy."
Shin Yong-woo got the show's vibe instantly from the script.
No wasted experience.
"For physical bits, safety first. Above all. Laughter's great, but safety number one—and two. Got it?"
"Yes, hyung. I'll keep it in mind."
Spot on.
Pushing too hard for laughs and getting hurt big? Disaster.
Then viewers can't laugh easy.
Comedy's tough.
Kang Han-do knew it pre-regression, but felt it deeper now.
* * *
All cast arrived.
Quick makeup, then in front of cameras.
First opening in the indoor studio.
Wrap opening with brief intros, explain format short and sweet.
Drag it and viewers get bored, so everything abbreviated.
Laughter was priority.
Yoo Tae-hwan PD signaled.
Cameras rolled. Kang Han-do bowed.
"Hello, viewers! Seven Falls!"
"Eight Rises!"
Cast roared back on his lead.
Pre-rehearsed opening chant.
"First shoot of Seven Falls, Eight Rises underway. How's everyone feeling? Nervous? Shaky?"
"Shaking!"
"Been a while since variety... Ugh, stomach churning."
Natural ad-libs flowed.
But one struggled to speak.
Kang Han-do's peer: Oh Min-tae.
He'd frozen from nerves the second recording started.