Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Episode 6. Job (3)
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The first line belonged to Jeon Yoo-hyun.
"Minister Do Min-gi has become embroiled in corruption allegations, and the scandal is spreading far and wide. To hear more details, we've invited Professor Lee Se-hoon. Hello, Professor."
"Yes, hello~"
Oh Hyun-jeon took the line with disarming naturalness.
The roles for the main anchor and the expert were simple.
While the anchor held the straight-man position, the expert character Lee Se-hoon was portrayed as someone a bit off-kilter, like a screw loose.
He was brought in for professional insight, but fell short on expertise... a character embodying that half-baked, inadequate type.
"In my view... um... the corruption is definite!"
"Indeed. Could you tell us what basis you have for that claim, Professor?"
"That minister—doesn't he just have the face of a liar?"
"No, Professor. Is it appropriate for someone in the political field to judge people based on physiognomy?!"
Here, the anchor's key point was to read the script in perfect announcer tone, but time the tackle perfectly when the Lee Se-hoon character spouted something half-baked like that.
Lee Yeon-shin, the writer watching their chemistry, let out a small gasp of admiration.
"Having synced up once during Pobokjeoldo, they mesh really well."
"Yeah."
They were undoubtedly pulling it off.
However.
PD Yoo Tae-hwan sensed a 2% shortfall in Jeon Yoo-hyun's performance.
A subtle deficit, too nuanced to put into words.
Just then, as Jeon Yoo-hyun finished his scripted lines, Yeon-shin wrapped up the audition as if to say good work.
"Thanks for your hard work, Jeon Yoo-hyun."
"Thank you."
As he moved to exit with the script in hand, Oh Hyun-jeon suddenly spoke to him.
"Let's grab a drink sometime later. I haven't caught up on how you've been."
"...Sure."
And so, Jeon Yoo-hyun's much-anticipated turn came to an end.
* * *
The auditions continued.
Finally, Kang Han-do took the stage for the last slot assigned to him.
"Please take care of me, sunbae-nim."
"The pleasure's mine."
Oh Hyun-jeon returned the greeting with a good-natured grin.
Even if their class difference wasn't huge since Han-do had passed the 16th public recruitment in one go, Oh Hyun-jeon was still his senior to Kang Han-do.
He needed to show proper respect in senior-junior relations.
"Whenever you're ready."
At Lee Yeon-shin's cue, Kang Han-do began reading the script.
"Recently, suspicions of tax evasion by Chairman Jeong Man-joo have resurfaced once more. To discuss this, we've invited Professor Lee Se-hoon, who serves as an accounting advisor. Professor, what are your thoughts on this incident?"
Kang Han-do's lines flowed seamlessly.
Unlike Jeon Yoo-hyun and the others before him, his crisp tone lodged neatly in PD Yoo Tae-hwan's ears.
In that moment, Yoo Tae-hwan's eyes narrowed.
The missing 2% he hadn't seen in Jeon Yoo-hyun or the other applicants.
He hadn't known exactly what it was.
But hearing Kang Han-do's delivery made it clear what that 2% was.
A comedian's job is to make people laugh. But to do that, sometimes you need to 'act.'
Situational comedy inherently demands acting from comedians.
To be precise, 4 PM News Table didn't need just any comedian.
It needed a comedic actor with solid acting chops as a foundation.
In that regard, Kang Han-do perfectly mimicked the tone of announcers from major news programs.
"This is something..."
PD Yoo Tae-hwan, watching Han-do's audition, wore a complicated expression.
"We might need to overhaul the program."
* * *
After the auditions ended.
Kang Han-do, resting at home, lay flat on the floor staring at the ceiling.
About a week had passed since the audition.
Unlike the public recruitment exam with its massive turnout, and with HSL Season 2 production looming, they'd said they'd contact within two weeks at the latest.
The promised deadline hadn't arrived yet, but Han-do couldn't help feeling anxious.
The date was approaching.
And still no call.
What if he didn't make it?
That unease was washing over him when—
Ding-dong!
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Han-do sat up in his disheveled state and hurried to the door.
"Yes, who is it?"
He hadn't ordered any packages or anything.
The only people who might visit his place were family or maybe Oh Min-tae.
But he hadn't gotten prior notice from anyone.
Out of curiosity, he asked who it was.
"I'm the subordinate 'Nemid,' sent by Sheridel-nim. Could you open the door?"
"...Sheridel?"
The name he hadn't heard in ages left him momentarily stunned.
Still, since she knew Sheridel, he couldn't ignore her.
He opened the door, and there stood a stunning blonde in a sharp red women's suit, smiling brightly and greeting him.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Nemid. You're Kang Han-do, right?"
"Yes. That's me."
"Today's the regular Happy Figure report day, so I've come by. Mind if I come in?"
"...One moment."
He made Nemid wait at the entrance first.
She was a woman. Letting her into a single guy's unkept space—sans cleaning or tidying—was risky for both host and guest.
"Whoops!"
Han-do's hands sped up, hiding the underwear strewn about the place.
Once he'd gathered the less-than-presentable items and stashed them in the closet.
"Come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
He let Nemid into the room.
The tiny studio felt packed with just the two of them.
Just in case, Han-do cracked a window for ventilation.
Meanwhile, Nemid's gaze swept over the room.
"For someone living alone, it's pretty tidy."
"Haha..."
Han-do knew that was just obligatory sweet talk.
Anyway, putting that aside.
"If you know Sheridel, are you the 'deputy' she mentioned last time?"
"Yes! You remember well."
He'd heard they'd meet soon, but he never dreamed it'd be at the very next report, and alone with her.
And her vibe was different from Sheridel's.
"I heard you passed the comedian exam recently."
Like Sheridel, Nemid summoned a translucent holographic window and began organizing data, tossing in a casual question.
She seemed relaxed enough to chat.
"Luckily, I did."
"I'd say it's skill over luck. Even as an unknown comedian with over ten years under your belt, I figured you'd ace the exam."
"Haha..."
Hard to deny.
Truth be told, he felt bad for those who failed the 16th public recruitment, but Kang Han-do was a different caliber applicant.
A veteran with over a decade of pro experience.
As Nemid said, even as an unknown, that tenure couldn't be dismissed.
"Congratulations anyway. Sheridel-nim is thrilled too."
"Becoming a public recruitment comedian is great, but to start performing, I need to snag a corner."
"Oh, right—you auditioned for that HSL program recently, didn't you?"
"Waiting on the results."
"You'll definitely get it. Keep the faith."
"Thanks."
Another obvious compliment.
They'd barely exchanged words, but Han-do could already peg Nemid's type.
Encouragement and hope were nice, but praise that reeked of trying too hard didn't thrill him.
Having fiddled with something, Nemid spread her arms wide.
"HF Points tally complete. Eyes here, please."
HF Points referred to Happy Figure.
'I wonder how much it's changed.'
Curiosity mingled with worry for Han-do.
As his gaze hit the top of the hologram graph.
-Happy Figure: 185/500
"It's dropped."
A sigh escaped Han-do's lips unbidden.
It had to drop.
He'd anticipated it, but it wasn't welcome news.
Korea was growing harsher by the day.
And as time marched on, Happy Figure would only decline further.
Government promises to revive the economy or curb inflation never materialized.
Lies from the government, bungled state affairs.
Incidents and accidents everywhere.
A tough country to live in, Korea.
And someday...
Laughter might vanish altogether.
"This trend is dangerous."
"Tell me about it."
"But don't worry too much! I believe—and not just me, Sheridel-nim too—that you'll become a mega-star and max out the Happy Figure at 500 points!"
"..."
Han-do swallowed a bitter smile inside as he listened silently.
'Words can promise anything.'
* * *
"Then I'll visit again next time. Oh, if you need anything from me or have a request, contact me here."
Nemid handed him a small communicator-like device.
Han-do took it and asked its purpose.
"What's this?"
"Press the button, and it'll open a hologram for video calls with me. Use it for staying in touch."
"Got it."
"See you later."
She vanished right after handing it over.
Soon after she left, Han-do's smartphone rang.
Seeing the caller's name, he took a deep breath.
"Whew...!"
Once composed.
He hit accept, and a familiar woman's voice came through—the one from recently.
-Hello. Is this Kang Han-do's phone?
"Yes, it is."
-This is Lee Yeon-shin, the HSL writer you met a while back.
He knew exactly why Lee Yeon-shin was calling.
Obviously to notify him of the audition results.
-Sorry to keep you waiting. We had an internal meeting, so the decision came late.
"No problem."
-To cut to the chase on whether we're hiring you...
Finally, Lee Yeon-shin's words continued.
This one sentence would shape his entertainer path!
-Congratulations. You've passed for the anchor role.