Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Episode 14. New Role (4)
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One of the corners in HSL Season 2 was 4 PM News Table.
However, the program hadn't had a smooth run from the start.
It had drawn unfavorable glances right from the beginning just because of Jeon Yoo-hyun's return.
And today, yet another massive, unexpected wave had come crashing in.
Namely...
An announcement related to Han Mi-jin's scandal.
A meeting hastily called because of her words.
The cast members, along with writer Lee Yeon-shin and PD Yoo Tae-hwan, all listened intently to what she had to say.
"So, you're saying you'll make an official statement about the scandal on our program... Is that right?"
PD Yoo Tae-hwan double-checked her intentions.
Han Mi-jin nodded and gave her answer.
"Yes."
"Heh heh. Well, this is..."
It hadn't been long since the massive storm of the Jeon Yoo-hyun incident had passed, and now Han Mi-jin was stepping up to drop a bombshell on 4 PM News Table.
PD Yoo Tae-hwan took a light breath to steady himself and posed one question.
"Then wouldn't it be better to hold a press conference and make the announcement in an official setting?"
"No. I don't want to do that."
"May I ask why?"
"I don't want to share my thoughts meekly in front of reporters who pry into other people's private lives however they please."
"Well..."
Han Mi-jin was a famous actress known for her dislike of reporters.
Of course, she didn't hate all reporters.
But in the past, some had stalked her like paparazzi, invading her privacy to scoop exclusives on her.
In fact, she'd sued every single one of those reporters who secretly filmed her, tormented by the stress.
Being famous meant her private life was even less protected.
It was constantly exposed to the public against her will, causing her pain. Because of these past experiences, Han Mi-jin recoiled at the mere mention of reporters.
PD Yoo Tae-hwan knew this well, so he could somewhat empathize with her reluctance to hold a press conference.
"But still, we're a variety program. It might not fit the vibe to drop something that important... you know what I mean."
"Didn't we handle the Jeon Yoo-hyun incident like real news not long ago?"
"..."
"Even if it's a variety show, it should sometimes deliver sincerity and emotion. That way, we can offer viewers richer entertainment. Don't you think?"
The staff and cast wondered how announcing a stance on a scandal could bring sincerity and emotion to viewers.
They thought it best to consider that point first.
But Han Mi-jin seemed determined to reveal her official stance on 4 PM News Table no matter what.
Of course, if they went along with her wishes, 4 PM News Table might once again be the talk of the town. It would definitely top the charts in buzz.
But was that really okay?
Complicated thoughts began filling PD Yoo Tae-hwan's mind.
At that moment.
"Um, may I ask one question?"
A man cautiously raised his hand to speak.
It was Oh Min-tae, who had kept his mouth firmly shut until now.
"What is it?"
"I feel like I missed something important."
"Something important? Spit it out."
With permission to speak, Oh Min-tae slowly opened his mouth.
"Are you planning to acknowledge the scandal article, Ms. Han? Or deny it?"
"......!!"
That was it.
They still hadn't properly heard from Han Mi-jin whether she was admitting or denying the relationship.
Her declaration of an official announcement had been such a shock that they'd overlooked the most crucial question.
As Oh Min-tae asked, the corner of Han Mi-jin's mouth curved up slightly.
"I'll acknowledge it. And I'm quitting acting to live an ordinary life as one man's wife and a family's mother."
It was a retirement announcement disguised as a scandal reveal.
* * *
They could somewhat accept her admitting the relationship.
However.
"You're quitting acting?!"
"Oh my god..."
Sighs erupted here and there.
And for good reason—Han Mi-jin was an actress at the absolute peak of her career.
The star leading the Korean Wave beyond Korea to the world!
That was Han Mi-jin.
With multiple offers pouring in from Hollywood, for her to suddenly quit acting and return to ordinary life?
It was a decision no one who knew her could comprehend.
"Alright, everyone, calm down."
PD Yoo Tae-hwan, unable to bear it, started quieting the others.
As everyone fell silent at his words.
"Why make such an extreme choice?"
PD Yoo Tae-hwan asked her directly for the reason.
Han Mi-jin didn't beat around the bush.
"I don't think I have the temperament for being a celebrity."
"I see."
She had talent.
She'd honed her acting skills in small theaters since childhood.
Not only that, but senior actors and veterans in the field praised her performances.
She was worthy of being called Korea's greatest actress.
But that was just their opinion.
Having talent in that field didn't mean she had to enjoy it too.
What she truly wanted to do was something else.
"Later, I want to open a small coffee shop and run it. There's a simple charm to it, right?"
"A café, huh."
"Yeah. And take care of Seo Min at home while raising our child."
It was a remarkably modest dream for someone dubbed Hollywood-class.
But dreams don't have to be grand or successful. If it satisfies you personally, it's achievement enough.
Besides, no one there could argue against her decision.
They had no choice but to respect Han Mi-jin's wishes as much as possible.
"May I ask a question too?"
This time, Kang Han-do sought permission.
Before PD Yoo Tae-hwan could respond, Han Mi-jin answered first.
"Of course!"
"We're a variety program, but I'm curious what vibe and concept you'll go for in the official announcement."
"I like it just like this."
"Pardon?"
Kang Han-do didn't quite grasp her response.
"We start with a skit vibe, planting doubt in viewers' minds like, 'Is this really true?' Then at the end, I reveal that my official statement is real."
"Will people believe it just from words? As I said earlier, 4 PM News Table is a variety corner. Even if you speak the truth, Ms. Mi-jin, there are plenty of elements that could make them think, 'It's just a gag.'"
"Didn't most people believe Jeon Yoo-hyun's case?"
"That worked because Jeon Yoo-hyun hyung had already thrown out bait through articles beforehand, announcing he'd make a statement on our program. Plus, there was evidence."
They'd baited via fixed cast that Jeon Yoo-hyun would say something big on 4 PM News Table. Thanks to that, both he and the corner had topped search rankings before broadcast even started.
Han Mi-jin nodded.
"Then I'll do the same. I can tell my agency; they'll handle articles easily. Or how about I call Seo Min right now to come here, and he makes a surprise appearance at the end of recording for a kiss to wrap it up? That might make people believe it."
Kang Han-do thought to himself.
'This woman's serious.'
It was an amusing scene idea, but he couldn't blindly accept all her demands.
There was the chief PD in charge of the program and fixed cast leading the corner. No matter how big Han Mi-jin was, as a guest, she couldn't overhaul the entire format.
"Writer Lee."
At PD Yoo Tae-hwan's call, writer Lee Yeon-shin responded with a stiff expression.
"Yes, PD-nim."
"Can we revise the script?"
"You're allowing Ms. Mi-jin's official statement on our program?"
"Yeah."
This case differed from Jeon Yoo-hyun's.
That was a serious topic; this was clarifying the truth of Han Mi-jin's scandal.
From her perspective, it wasn't sad or something to worry about public eyes over.
That's why she wanted a light, witty concept fitting the variety vibe.
So PD Yoo Tae-hwan had no major objections.
And above all...
If HSL exclusively announced the stance on Korea's hottest actress's scandal, ratings could surge again.
'I never imagined the Yoo-hyun incident would lead to another scoop like this.'
Something unexpected had happened.
Anyway, with PD Yoo Tae-hwan's mind made up, writer Lee Yeon-shin couldn't delay further.
"I'll call the writers right away for a meeting."
"How long?"
"About an hour should do. Oh, and..."
Writer Lee Yeon-shin glanced at Han Mi-jin, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"That end scene you mentioned earlier, Ms. Mi-jin."
"What about it? The kiss scene?"
"Yes. Can we use that idea?"
"......"
PD Yoo Tae-hwan was momentarily speechless. Then he asked Han Mi-jin.
"Doesn't Seo Min have a separate schedule?"
"It's fine. If I call, he'll come right away."
Seeing her intense enthusiasm, PD Yoo Tae-hwan let out a deep sigh without realizing it. At the same time, he replied to writer Lee Yeon-shin.
"Handle it yourselves."
"Yes, got it."
The writers stood to start the emergency script revision.
Meanwhile, PD Yoo Tae-hwan briefly announced post-meeting plans.
"Staff and cast, please stand by until the writers' meeting ends. Especially cast—check your schedules. If our recording delay affects other shoots, let me know right away."
At his words, Jeon Yoo-hyun and Oh Min-tae responded in turn.
"I'm good."
"Me too. Han-do and I don't have other recordings anyway."
"Han-do. You haven't said anything yet?"
PD Yoo Tae-hwan, who had been listening to Oh Min-tae, looked puzzled at Kang Han-do.
"Sorry. Things have been so hectic lately, I forgot to mention it."
"You're confirmed, so you could've told Yoo-hyun and Min-tae."
"Yes."
Oh Min-tae, listening to the exchange between Kang Han-do and PD Yoo Tae-hwan with an unusual expression, lightly tapped Kang Han-do's shoulder.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"Well, actually..."
Kang Han-do gave an awkward smile as he belatedly informed Oh Min-tae and Jeon Yoo-hyun of the news.
"I've been confirmed to appear on Gag Classroom starting next week."