Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Episode 16. New Corner (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Game World segment was slotted in the middle among the other corners in Pobokjeoldo.
In the case of Pobokjeoldo, they tended to place the popular corners toward the latter half whenever possible.
By that logic, it also meant Game World was one of the segments that had garnered a decent level of popularity among the audience.
Kang Han-do began watching the stage proceedings on the monitor alongside his teammates in the waiting room.
The moment the first segment kicked off, his eyes sharpened.
‘Finally….’
Pobokjeoldo’s opening act was a corner called “Extreme Debate.”
It was a segment where comedians debated a given topic in their own unique ways, and it had been holding down the first slot for about three months straight.
As the segment began, the comedian serving as the host addressed the audience.
“We’ll now begin Extreme Debate.”
At his words, the audience started applauding.
The total stage recording time was two hours.
Even in a live-format comedy show, NGs could happen midway.
When that occurred, they’d pause recording and redo the stage.
But doing so risked losing the audience’s enthusiasm.
It was a simple matter if you thought about it. After exposing the gag to the live crowd once already, would they laugh again if an NG forced a repeat?
Not a chance.
Gags weren’t easy to recycle. That’s why nailing it in one take without NGs was ideal—for smooth recording and for drawing reactions from the on-site audience.
This made Pobokjeoldo’s recordings all the more challenging.
They had to wrap up the live recording in front of the audience without any NGs.
Han-do knew better than anyone here just how tough that was.
“It’s starting.”
Kim Sang-heon let out a faint groan.
He’d been on Pobokjeoldo for quite a while himself, but he couldn’t help feeling nervous every time he stepped onto the stage.
Even pros got tense.
This wasn’t your standard recording setup—it was a live comedy program.
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the monitor showing the stage.
The first corner was tough enough to make even pro comedians feel the pressure.
Yet the Pobokjeoldo team smoothly began drawing responses from the audience.
“...So what I’m saying is…”
“What are you saying? Zebra? Pony?”
“I’ll smack you upside the head, you punk!”
The comedian delivered heated acting with bold language choices. His sudden outburst had the audience bursting into laughter.
Riding that momentum, the Extreme Debate team wrapped up the first corner.
“Veterans, as expected. No slip-ups.”
Kim Sang-heon couldn’t help praising them aloud.
With Extreme Debate heating up the atmosphere, it was time for the next team to take the baton.
* * *
As the corners progressed steadily, Game World’s turn finally approached.
“Next up, get ready!”
“Yes, got it!”
“Let’s go, kids.”
“Yeah!”
At Kim Sang-heon’s words, Lee Yo-su, Jang Seok-du, and Kang Han-do responded energetically.
The four of them strode toward the stage stairs.
As the Game World team appeared, gasps of varying meanings escaped from the crowd.
News had come out about Kang Han-do joining the Game World team, but few had paid close attention to it.
Most seemed unaware he was now a team member.
“Isn’t that the anchor from HSL?”
“Wonder if he can pull it off.”
Voices rose from the audience seats.
Some tinged with expectation, others laced with doubt.
Even so, Han-do kept his composure as he took his place on the Pobokjeoldo stage.
Spotlights poured down. Countless eyes fixed on him.
Amid it all, Kang Han-do confidently dove into preparations, fully in makeup and costume.
Just as the band’s intro signaling the corner’s start wrapped up—
“Kim Sang-heon has logged in.”
With the narrator—a female comedian’s—announcement, Sang-heon stepped onto the stage in beginner adventurer gear.
The audience erupted in cheers.
Cheer placards supporting Kim Sang-heon popped up in the seats.
“Ultimate Laughter, Kim Sang-heon!”
“Make us bust a gut today!”
“Game World Super Hit!”
Seeing those placards, Kim Sang-heon smirked inwardly with satisfaction before focusing on his acting.
Fan cheers were a huge boost for entertainers.
* * *
Kim Sang-heon climbed onto the stage and pretended to look around.
“Let’s see… I need to pick up a quest, but no one to run a raid with.”
He acted out a troubled expression.
As his performance continued, Yo-su made her entrance in matching adventurer attire.
The crowd’s fervent cheers exploded the moment she appeared.
Spotting her, Sang-heon lit up and proposed partying up.
“Hey, wanna run a raid together?”
“Hold on, let me check your stats first.”
Yo-su scanned Sang-heon’s gear and abilities.
Forming a rectangle with her right index and thumb, then left index and thumb, Lee Yo-su added her own “Zing!” and “Beep!” sound effects.
The audience mimicked her hand gesture right away.
It was a finger move Yo-su had been pushing as the latest trend—she’d even shot a CF with it.
“Beep! Scan complete. Strength 65, Stamina 81, Dumbass 99.”
“What do you mean ‘Dumbass’ is a stat?!”
Kim Sang-heon quickly ribbed her line.
It was one of Game World’s reliable laugh points.
They’d swap in items like “Dumbass,” “Loser Syndrome,” or “No-Fun Points” in the stat menu each episode to mess with Sang-heon.
Meanwhile, from behind the Game World backdrop on stage, Jang Seok-du beckoned lightly to Kang Han-do.
Mouthing words silently.
‘Your turn’s coming up soon.’
‘Yes, understood!’
As the two players bantered in their skit, Kang Han-do readied himself to step front and center.
Just like their adventurer outfits, Han-do was in a custom costume and makeup.
He’d also pre-placed a few small panels on the floor to mimic hologram windows.
‘Can you nail it?’
Jang Seok-du asked out of lingering worry, but Han-do exuded confidence.
‘No need to fret.’
‘Alright, I trust you!’
Jang Seok-du gave Han-do’s back a light pat.
Meanwhile, up front, Kim Sang-heon started reciting a line that served as Han-do’s cue.
“Then let’s grab a quest first.”
“Sure.”
At Yo-su’s reply, the two mimed walking in place.
Now was the moment.
‘Time to… go!’
The instant Kang Han-do emerged from backstage to the front.
Applause swirled around his ears.
‘…!’
He swallowed hard for a split second.
He’d felt it somewhat during rehearsal, but Pobokjeoldo’s stage—even as a recording—carried real weight unlike other comedy shows.
Dozens of spotlights. The audience’s overwhelming gazes!
Still, Han-do stayed calm, stepping forward to block the players’ path.
“Welcome, travelers.”
Playing a young male NPC, Kang Han-do.
Keeping his voice tone steady and even was key to the role.
“Our village is under threat of a dragon attack. We must band together right now and slay the dragon…”
“Ah, damn. Annoying. Wish I could skip this dialogue.”
Player 1—Sang-heon—faced Han-do and scanned the panel (character dialogue window) he held, hunting for a skip button.
But no matter how he looked, there was none.
“What the—no skip button?!”
“This is precisely the time to unite our strength. Thus, brave adventurers, lend us your aid…”
“Fine, just hand over the quest already! Skip it, skip!!”
Kim Sang-heon started tapping the panel wildly with his hand.
At that moment, Han-do—mid-monotone—switched abruptly to a robotic tone.
“Bzzt! Quest has been reset.”
Han-do repeated his lines from the top.
“Welcome, travelers. Our village is under threat of a dragon attack…”
“Why start over from the beginning?!”
Kim Sang-heon acted like he was about to explode in rage.
But the audience began laughing instead.
They’d nailed the first laugh point, cracking up the crowd.
Sang-heon and Yo-su inwardly praised Han-do’s solid play.
‘Nice one, rookie!’
‘Not bad at all?’
Meanwhile, watching Han-do’s deadpan acting from backstage, Jang Seok-du let out a small gasp.
Known as a strict disciplinarian, Jang Seok-du had been prepared to chew Han-do out with a lecture combo if he slipped even once.
But.
Han-do was digesting the NPC role better than expected—beyond what Jang Seok-du had imagined.
The original NPC had been Koo Min-cheol, the comedian they’d worked with since starting Game World.
It wasn’t easy for a newcomer to take over a senior’s character without awkwardness.
Yet Han-do pulled it off as if he’d been the NPC from day one—utterly natural.
‘Shoot, not the time!’
As Han-do’s part neared its end.
Jang Seok-du hurriedly prepped to play the operator character himself.
* * *
As Game World reached its finale.
PD Jo Woo-kim, watching the stage, let out a quiet exclamation.
“Oh-ho…”
Truth be told, when assigning the NPC role to Kang Han-do this time, Jo Woo-kim hadn’t been entirely convinced.
Handing a rookie a role previously played by a senior was no small decision.
Even so, having eyed Han-do since the public recruitment exams, Jo Woo-kim rated his potential highly and boldly slotted him into Game World as a fresh face.
The result?
A smashing success.
The audience reactions were great too.
As Game World wrapped, the crowd showered it with applause.
“Kang Han-do, that guy…”
PD Jo Woo-kim began stroking his unkempt beard.
He stared piercingly at Han-do, who was bowing to the audience.
“He’s worth keeping an eye on.”