Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Episode 5. Audition (4)
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Kang Han-do was one of the few applicants Yoo Tae-hwan PD had taken note of ever since the public recruitment exam.
How could he not be thrilled that such a guy had applied for an audition on his own program?
“You must really like this Kang Han-do guy.”
“Of course! Back during the public recruitment exam, he did a situational comedy skit with someone who looked like his friend…… And it was satire comedy, to boot. Doesn’t it fit perfectly with the new corner we’re creating?”
“Now that you mention it, yeah. But did he do well?”
“From what I saw.”
The fact that he was a rookie especially piqued Yoo Tae-hwan PD’s interest.
HSL was currently a fledgling program that had only just started airing.
It had broadcast only five episodes so far. The road ahead was still long.
That’s why Yoo Tae-hwan PD had deliberately put veteran comedians with plenty of experience up on stage.
Since it was a new program, HSL needed the support of established comedians who were seasoned and experienced to stabilize its image in the public eye until it could stand on its own.
However, Yoo Tae-hwan PD was starting to think that once they entered Season 2, it was time to bring rookies on board instead of relying on veteran entertainers.
HSL couldn’t have its core built around comedians people had seen a ton on other programs. If that happened, the public would start associating it with those other shows’ images.
They needed to create HSL’s own flagship stars and push them to the forefront.
That was exactly what Yoo Tae-hwan PD had in mind.
He planned to run Season 1 up to around episode 8, then introduce fresh faces starting from Season 2.
To that end, he had opened up auditions for applicants.
“Oh, right—there was one other standout applicant.”
“Who?”
Yoo Tae-hwan PD reflexively asked at writer Lee Yeon-shin’s words.
A specific name immediately came from her mouth.
“Jeon Yoo-hyun-ssi.”
“Jeon Yoo-hyun? Why would he……”
Yoo Tae-hwan’s mind grew complicated.
Jeon Yoo-hyun, BLT’s 10th public recruitment comedian.
He had been the top star, peaking on numerous variety shows.
But due to panic disorder, he had stepped away from the industry for a while.
It had been nearly two years since he vanished from the stage.
Applying for an audition meant……
He wanted to return to the broadcasting world.
“What are you going to do?”
“……”
Writer Lee Yeon-shin sought Yoo Tae-hwan PD’s input. She couldn’t make casting decisions unilaterally.
“……Let’s at least have him audition.”
“Really?! You’re not thinking of putting him on stage, are you? What if his panic disorder flares up and he suddenly drops out mid-performance?”
Writer Lee Yeon-shin’s pupils dilated widely.
She protested as if to say his choice was a mistake.
But Tae-hwan stood firm in his conviction.
“I’m just giving him a shot. Let’s see him once and judge then.”
“……Do whatever you want. I’m washing my hands of it.”
Yoo Tae-hwan PD was too soft-hearted.
As his bad habit kicked in, writer Lee Yeon-shin’s sighs grew deeper.
* * *
In the bustling heart of the city.
A man wearing horn-rimmed glasses and a beanie, doing his best to hide his face, stepped into a certain grilled meat restaurant.
He slid open the sliding door of the shop. The owner, who was just ringing up a customer at the counter, apologized with a regretful expression to the late-night patron.
“Sorry, sir. We’re about to close up for the day……”
“Hey, kid—don’t you recognize a business partner?”
“……?!”
The owner narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the man in the horn-rimmed glasses.
Voice and appearance.
Finally remembering, he clapped his hands together briefly.
“Jeon Yoo-hyun! What brings you here?!”
BLT 10th public recruitment comedian Jeon Yoo-hyun looked at his business partner and friend with an incredulous expression.
“What do you mean? Can’t I come here?”
“That’s not it, but…… You said you’d stay holed up at home as much as possible. What if you wander around and someone recognizes you?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll be back on broadcast stages soon anyway.”
“What?!”
He breezed past his stunned friend and claimed a table.
“I’m meeting someone here today. Sorry, but can you hold off on closing a bit? Please.”
“That’s fine, but…… That thing you just said—is it for real?”
“I can’t rest from broadcasting forever.”
“True, but……”
His panic disorder had suddenly erupted, forcing Jeon Yoo-hyun to drop out of every program he was on at the time.
For two years, he had lived quietly without exposing himself to the media.
At the height of his fame, he had opened this grilled meat restaurant with his friend and been active in business too.
Jeon Yoo-hyun had taken a break from broadcasting for a while, but he desperately wanted to overcome his panic disorder and return. Few had as much ambition for the screen as he did.
As his friend began setting the table, he casually asked,
“So, the person you’re meeting today—is someone in broadcasting?”
“It’s the PD in charge of HSL.”
“HSL, huh. I’ve been enjoying it lately too…… But will they let you on?”
“That’s what I’m here to find out.”
“Sigh…… Don’t have heavy talks like that in the shop. Now I have to feel awkward too.”
“Just pretend you know nothing.”
“……”
Fair enough. Even as his longtime friend, he couldn’t offer much help with broadcasting matters.
And if Jeon Yoo-hyun started appearing on TV again, the brand of this restaurant bearing his name could make a huge comeback.
Sales had plummeted after a big article about his disappearance due to panic disorder, but they had recovered quite a bit since.
Still, as a shop named after Jeon Yoo-hyun, its fortunes would rise and fall with his activities.
One worry lingered……
How warmly would the public welcome his return?
About ten minutes later.
Another customer arrived at the shop.
“Sorry, sir. We’re closing……”
“You’re Jeon Yoo-hyun-ssi’s friend, right? I’m Yoo Tae-hwan PD.”
“Ah! You must be the one he’s meeting today! He’s over at that table—leave your coat with me and go on in.”
“Haha, thank you.”
The man with a mature, steady impression smoothly removed his coat and handed it over.
His friend’s first impression of Yoo Tae-hwan PD wasn’t bad. He seemed kind-hearted and far from the type to stab someone in the back.
Clearly a good person, but Yoo Tae-hwan PD was one who strictly separated work and personal matters.
That’s why he had arranged this private meeting before the audition—to hear Jeon Yoo-hyun out first.
Thud, thud.
As he approached the table with heavy footsteps, Jeon Yoo-hyun stood up as if he’d been waiting and bowed deeply.
“You’ve arrived, sunbae-nim.”
“Yeah, long time no see. How’ve you been?”
“Well…… My body was fine, but my mind was more uncomfortable than ever.”
“I get it. For an entertainer, not being able to go on air is fatal. Sit down.”
“Yes.”
Jeon Yoo-hyun sat at Yoo Tae-hwan PD’s words.
It had been about a year and a half since the two had faced each other like this.
Two years ago, after Jeon Yoo-hyun quit broadcasting, Yoo Tae-hwan PD had coincidentally visited this shop he ran for a casual drink.
He had run into Jeon Yoo-hyun, who was there at the time.
Jeon Yoo-hyun rarely ventured outside home or the shop, so the encounter was a mix of pleasant surprise and discomfort for Yoo Tae-hwan, who had to mind the public gaze.
Even so, being the sentimental type, Yoo Tae-hwan PD had listened to Jeon Yoo-hyun’s hardships—how he’d been faring, his mindset—and counseled him over drinks.
But back then, fresh off the panic disorder outbreak, Jeon Yoo-hyun hadn’t wanted to face Tae-hwan for long.
Guilt, apology, and worry that it might stir bad rumors for Yoo Tae-hwan PD.
That’s why Jeon Yoo-hyun had avoided him for a year and a half.
But today, the two men met again.
“I heard from our writer that you applied for the audition.”
“I see.”
“You thinking of making a comeback?”
“……”
Jeon Yoo-hyun clamped his mouth shut briefly.
But soon, he expressed his will strongly.
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“Let me be direct, sunbae-nim. I’d like your help.”
“Help, huh.”
Yoo Tae-hwan set down the soju glass he’d just received.
Then.
He slowly revealed his thoughts.
“If you pass our audition, I plan to put you on the broadcast stage.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’d be a job you earned fair and square through the audition. Even if higher-ups try to block your appearance, I’ll do everything I can. But there’s something you need to keep in mind.”
“What is it?”
Yoo Tae-hwan PD’s gaze pierced straight through Jeon Yoo-hyun.
His voice gained strength, as if imprinting the advice.
“This audition won’t be easy. There’s a monster rookie among the new 16th public recruitment comedians who passed.”
“……”
“Still confident?”
Even veterans could lose to talented rookies.
That was the reality of this industry.
Plus, Jeon Yoo-hyun had a two-year forced hiatus. Panic disorder or not, the gap was real.
Yoo Tae-hwan PD had no intention of accepting him just on past ties.
Earn your comeback spot with skill! That was his demand.
Jeon Yoo-hyun answered Yoo Tae-hwan PD’s demand thusly.
“If there’s such a rookie, I’d even more want to face off properly in the audition.”
Jeon Yoo-hyun’s determination for a broadcasting comeback burned hotter than Yoo Tae-hwan had imagined.