Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Episode 16. New Corner (4)
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After the Game World corner wrapped up.
Pobokjeoldo was heading into its final stretch.
Kang Han-do took a sip of water to wet his throat as he headed to the waiting room for a break. Kim Sang-heon approached and patted him on the shoulder.
"Wow, rookie! You were pretty good out there."
"Haha, no, not really."
Was it because Kang Han-do had delivered an even better performance than he'd shown in practice?
Kim Sang-heon's mood was sky-high.
The audience reaction had been great too. There had been some anxiety about how things would go with missing members, but today, all that worry vanished in one go.
It was all thanks to Kang Han-do.
"So, how was it? Your thoughts on your first Pobokjeoldo stage."
"Not bad, I think. The stage vibe is a bit different from HSL, so I was pretty nervous, but the sunbaes guided me well, and we got through without any incidents."
"What did we do? It was all you. Right, Seok-du?"
Jang Seok-du, who was also quenching his thirst near the entrance, nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, that's right."
Even Jang Seok-du, famous as the drill sergeant type, couldn't help but praise Kang Han-do's quick adaptation to the stage today.
Kang Han-do had embodied the NPC character so perfectly there wasn't a single flaw. Everyone acknowledged it.
"You've nailed your first stage, so let's all grab a drink together tonight! My treat!"
"Really?"
Jang Seok-du looked at Kim Sang-heon in disbelief.
Among BLT comedians, Kim Sang-heon was notorious for being cheap. For such a guy to boldly offer to foot the bill and suggest drinks—it was no wonder Jang Seok-du was shocked.
At Jang Seok-du's shrill cry, Kim Sang-heon shot him a glare.
"What, you punk? Even I live a little sometimes."
"You're full of rare experiences today."
"You little punk. I'll pass the word to Yo-su, so get ready to head out as soon as recording ends. Oh, before that, Han-do."
"Yeah, sunbae-nim."
"Jo PD-nim was looking for you earlier. Head up top."
The space above the studio offered a full view of the Pobokjeoldo stage. That's where Jo Woo-kim PD's seat was set up.
"Got it."
What could Jo PD-nim want with Kang Han-do?
He had his doubts, but he couldn't very well refuse here, so he nodded to show he'd go.
* * *
'Gag Classroom'—Pobokjeoldo's main event and highlight corner.
It featured multiple comedians playing different characters in a classroom setting, taking lessons to perform gags.
As Pobokjeoldo's hottest corner right now, it was scheduled dead last.
Packed with famous veteran comedians, Jo Woo-kim PD had been watching comfortably without much tension.
They were all pros, so even if something went wrong, they'd handle it flexibly among themselves.
Or they'd turn the mishap into gag material for extra laughs.
Comedians weren't called quick-witted for nothing.
Knock knock knock.
At the knock, Min A-rin, waiting with Jo Woo-kim PD, stood first and asked,
"Who is it?"
"It's Kang Han-do. I heard PD-nim was looking for me."
"Yes, one moment."
Min A-rin opened the door, and Kang Han-do greeted her.
"Hello, A-rin-ssi. You got home okay that day, right?"
"Yeah, sorry about that, Han-do-ssi. I heard you had a rough time because of me."
"No, it's fine. That kind of thing happens."
Min A-rin's face flushed red.
She knew her drinking habit all too well. Once she had alcohol, she'd complain about the heat without realizing it and try to strip.
She probably hadn't gone that far in front of Han-do. Exposing her underwear to a stranger she barely knew—nothing could be more embarrassing.
Remembering the incident, her face burned as she stepped back.
Meanwhile, Jo Woo-kim PD beckoned Kang Han-do to the seat beside him.
"You're here. Sit."
"Yes."
He bowed lightly and took the seat next to Jo Woo-kim PD.
As soon as Kang Han-do sat, Jo Woo-kim PD smiled faintly.
"I watched your stage. Better than I expected."
"Thank you, PD-nim."
"How to put it... It didn't feel like a rookie's stage. More like a comedian with over ten years under his belt. Pretty strange."
"......"
This wasn't the first time.
Even during the 16th public recruitment comedian auditions, Jo Woo-kim had felt something similar.
Kang Han-do. His stages stood out from other rookies.
He had that veteran ease.
Jo Woo-kim PD hadn't built his broadcasting career on luck. He had a keen eye for this stuff.
"Just in case, I wondered if you had some stage experience I didn't know about."
"......"
"Have you done a lot of stages before?"
By Kang Han-do's current profile, he had no such experience.
The secret to his relaxed stages so far was the 'experience' from his past life before regression.
But right now, he had to play the ordinary rookie, 16th public recruitment comedian Kang Han-do.
"No, I haven't."
"I see."
"Yes."
"Got it. Just curious, so I called you in."
"I see."
"And your stage polish today was impressive. Thanks for proving my choice wasn't wrong. That's what I wanted to say."
"Hahaha. You gave me the chance, PD-nim, so I worked hard not to disappoint you."
"Good, that's the attitude."
Jo Woo-kim PD patted Kang Han-do's back.
"Keep that straight mindset and grow, and you'll definitely become a superstar like Oh Sin-hoon."
"Thank you. I'll work hard!"
Oh Sin-hoon.
Kang Han-do's goal—the pinnacle of variety MCs he aimed to catch.
Buoyed by Jo Woo-kim's encouragement, Han-do nodded vigorously.
I can do it! Escape the pains of obscurity and get on the track to success!
That confidence squared his shoulders.
* * *
After Kang Han-do's first full Pobokjeoldo recording ended.
At a meat joint near BLT station, Kim Sang-heon raised his glass, face flushed.
"Come on, drink up!! Cheers!!"
"Cheers!"
At his lead, Lee Yo-su, Jang Seok-du, and Kang Han-do clinked glasses with a clink.
Right after recording, they'd tidied up quickly, gotten Jo Woo-kim PD's okay, and the Game World team had slipped out for drinks.
Relief that Han-do's anxious debut recording went smoothly, plus excitement for the future, had them all hyped.
The live audience had loved it too.
Post-recording surveys showed solid praise for Game World.
"I was worried our corner was doomed at first, but you came in and nailed it—feels rock-solid now. Thanks, Han-do!"
"Hahaha, no. I've got a long way to learn."
Despite Kim Sang-heon's praise, Kang Han-do stayed humble to the end.
Of course, his humility might've been a bit performative.
He had the most stage experience of anyone here. Even joining Game World fresh, he had comedian chops.
Obscure or not, he'd mastered the basics long ago, making it easy to wrap this recording successfully.
As the drinks flowed, Lee Yo-su poked Kim Sang-heon's side.
"Time to head in soon."
"Whoops. Already that late?"
Unable to argue, he turned apologetically to Jang Seok-du and Kang Han-do.
"Let's call it before it's too late."
"Yes, got it."
"Yeah."
Neither seemed to expect a second round, nodding along.
After settling the bill and stepping out.
"Take care going home, sunbaes!"
"Good work today!"
Jang Seok-du and Kang Han-do bowed in farewell. Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su waved back and walked off together.
Kang Han-do watched them intently.
Noticing, Jang Seok-du murmured just loud enough.
"You're sharp, so I'll tell you—they're living together."
"Figured as much."
"Keep it secret from others. Especially reporters."
"Got it."
Dating was one thing, but cohabitation leaking out could dent their images big time.
Kang Han-do signaled he'd keep mum.
"Get some rest early—you earned it."
"Yes. Good work, sunbae-nim."
"Yeah."
Jang Seok-du accepted the send-off and headed to the station.
After seeing the three off.
Kang Han-do was about to hail a cab home.
-Ding!
A familiar chime from his smartphone.
A text.
Sliding into the cab's back seat, he checked the screen. It was from Choi Ye-hee, his crush.
-Good work today.
Wanted to come say it in person, but you looked busy, so I left with my friend first.
Hit me up when you're free. Friend's treating dinner to say thanks for the tickets.
And your stage was hilarious. Thanks to you, Han-do-ssi, I laughed a ton today.
Keep delivering fun stages like that.
"......"
Kang Han-do read Ye-hee's long text in silence.
A deep smile spread across his face.
Finally feeling again how happy it was to make people laugh as a comedian.
Especially since it was Ye-hee, the woman he liked—that made it even better.
Grinning nonstop, he caught the cabbie's eye in the rearview. The driver chuckled.
"Haha, looks like something good happened, sir?"
To that, Han-do nodded firmly.
"Yeah. Haven't felt this happy in ages."