Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Episode 19. Unexpected Opportunity (2)
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Having cleared the first mission and rushing to move to the next location for the second mission.
In the midst of that, Oh Shin-hoon approached Kang Han-do and Oh Min-tae to express his gratitude.
"Thanks so much for helping out today."
"No problem, sunbae-nim. I hope we didn't just get in the way."
"Not at all. The vibe during that recording just now was great. Having you two as surprise panelists really added some fun."
"Then I'm glad to hear that."
"Anyway, I'll treat you guys to a meal sometime later. Let me check. Did we exchange numbers?"
"No, not yet..."
Oh Shin-hoon pulled a business card from his card wallet.
"I had these made just in case, and it turns out I have one left. Here, take this. If you text this number later, I'll add you right away."
"Yes, sunbae-nim."
"I wanted to give one to Min-tae too, sorry about that. I'm not in a line of work where I use business cards much, so I only have the one."
"It's fine, sunbae-nim. I can just hear about it from Han-do later."
After exchanging numbers like that. Oh Shin-hoon headed off right away for the next recording shoot.
Kang Han-do and his group returned to the school gate after wrapping up the brief but whirlwind recording site.
"Um... could I get an autograph by any chance?"
"Me too, please!"
"Me as well!!"
Only now did people belatedly recognize Kang Han-do and Oh Min-tae, starting to request autographs from here and there.
He had originally planned to take Choi Ye-hee and Jo Yeo-min somewhere else, but thanks to the massive crowd, that plan fell through as well.
While giving autographs, Kang Han-do approached Choi Ye-hee and whispered in her ear.
'Ye-hee-ssi, let's part ways here today. There are so many people...'
'Okay. I'll contact you later.'
'Please tell Yeo-min-ssi I had a great time today too.'
'Got it. Han-do-ssi, thanks for all your hard work today.'
'You too, Ye-hee-ssi.'
With that short farewell between them, the lunch incident from earlier that day was finally put to rest.
* * *
A few days later.
From Pobokjeoldo's corner Game World, where Kang Han-do had appeared, to the recent Speed Man footage with Oh Shin-hoon—all of it aired at once on the weekend broadcast.
Thanks to that, Kang Han-do was able to unwittingly promote his presence to viewers over both Saturday and Sunday.
Perhaps because of it. His name kept climbing the top ranks of popular portal search terms.
"The power of broadcasting is truly great."
The more frequent the exposure, the better he could make viewers aware of his presence.
That's what broadcasting was all about.
"To become a star, I need to secure spots on even more programs."
Kang Han-do's thoughts were already deepening.
* * *
HSL Season 2 was nearing its final stages.
Today, on the last shooting day of Season 2, Oh Min-tae couldn't help feeling a bit unsettled.
"It's the last one—kinda sad."
Jeon Yu-hyeon, who had been reading the script in the waiting room, looked puzzled at his words.
"You're already confirmed for Season 3 anyway. Is there something bothering you?"
As he said, Oh Min-tae, Jeon Yu-hyeon, and Kang Han-do—the three of them had decided to return with the same lineup for Season 3.
Of course, the title corner they were appearing in was still 4 PM News Table.
However, to fit the new season concept, there would be slight changes to the existing formation.
They were currently discussing additions like sub-corners within the corner and new panelists joining with the writers.
Nothing was set in stone yet.
Wrapping up the final recording of HSL Season 2 properly was the top priority.
Just then, Kang Han-do entered the waiting room and, having overheard Oh Min-tae, shared his thoughts.
"It's his debut program too, so it feels a bit bittersweet that it's ending like this."
"Well, rookies get those feelings sometimes."
For Oh Min-tae, the 4 PM News Table corner was one he couldn't help but feel deeply attached to.
Just as he said, it was his debut program.
Kang Han-do was the same in that regard, but strictly speaking, his debut was Pobokjeoldo, not HSL.
At least on the surface, it was HSL.
"That's how you grow as a comedian with every program you go through. Keep that in mind."
It was Jeon Yu-hyeon's rare senior-like advice.
Oh Min-tae nodded vigorously, as if engraving those words deeply.
A male staff member entered the waiting room to signal the start of the final shoot.
"Recording starts soon. Cast, please get ready."
"Yes!"
Every beginning has an end. Even if Season 2 was wrapping up, it didn't mean their entertainment careers were over.
It was just the closing step for a new beginning, so there was no need to feel bittersweet.
* * *
Since it was the final shoot of Season 2, they went ahead with just the regular three panelists, no special guests, leading the program.
With 4 PM News Table confirmed to air again in Season 3 anyway, the closing remarks carried a nuance of "See you next time" rather than "Thanks for the good times."
"This has been Kang Han-do of 4 PM News Table. Thank you to all the viewers who watched."
As soon as Kang Han-do's fixed closing line ended, PD Yoo Tae-hwan gave the OK sign.
"Good work, everyone."
"Thanks for all your hard work!!"
Oh Min-tae, Kang Han-do, Jeon Yu-hyeon, and the staff exchanged greetings like "Great job over the past while."
And with that, 4 PM News Table of HSL Season 2 finally came to an end.
"How about drinks to celebrate the wrap-up?"
"Sounds good!"
Talk of a wrap party started among the staff. They asked Kang Han-do and Oh Min-tae if they'd join.
"What about you, Han-do-ssi?"
"Of course I'm in. Right, Min-tae?"
"Naturally!"
The two agreed readily.
Still being rookies, they didn't have overly packed schedules, so they could join without issue.
Among them, the busiest was undoubtedly Jeon Yu-hyeon.
His participation was the most crucial.
"Sunbae Jeon Yu-hyeon, are you joining?"
Kang Han-do asked on behalf of the group. Jeon Yu-hyeon smiled as if he'd been waiting and replied right away.
"I should join today. My only schedule tomorrow is a morning radio recording."
"Then let's get ready right away!"
And so the wrap party was decided.
But while the party was underway, in a place Kang Han-do didn't know, a new opportunity was beginning to take shape for him.
* * *
Oh Shin-hoon was a man recognized as one of the top celebrities in Korea, in name and reality.
In particular, he handled the hosting for so many variety shows that he was called the National MC.
Because of that, troubles sometimes cropped up here and there.
"Is that true?"
Oh Shin-hoon's question, delivered with a grave expression, was confirmed as fact by a man's voice over the smartphone.
-Yes, hyung-nim. Unfortunately, it seems unavoidable.
"That guy. He never showed any signs usually. If he was struggling, he should have said something..."
-We can't blame Jae-ho hyung-nim now. Anyway, the immediate issue is more important. We start recording next week, but we don't have a suitable replacement...
"Hmm."
Star House, one of the programs Oh Shin-hoon hosted.
This variety show recreated celebrities' rooms exactly as studios to closely analyze their tastes, personalities, and styles.
It aired at 11 PM on Thursday nights and was the flagship variety led by main MC Oh Shin-hoon and sub-MC Oh Jae-ho.
But midway through, Oh Jae-ho collapsed from overwork while pushing through his broadcast schedule and was told by the hospital to rest absolutely for the time being.
As a result, his agency temporarily halted his broadcasting activities. This put the programs he was on into emergency mode.
They couldn't just drag someone who collapsed from overwork into the studio now.
Either proceed without Oh Jae-ho or find a new panelist.
One or the other.
Star House was no different.
PD Jeong Chan-seol, in charge of the program, had come to Oh Shin-hoon—his close hyung—for advice on the dilemma.
-What should we do, hyung-nim?
"I could handle the hosting solo if needed... Hold on."
Suddenly, one man's presence flashed in Oh Shin-hoon's mind.
"Chan-seol-ah."
-Yes, hyung-nim.
"Do you need a replacement by any chance?"
-Of course we do. Do you know someone good?
"There's this guy I recently saw who left an impression..."
A man's name came up from Oh Shin-hoon's mouth.
"Kang Han-do. What do you think?"
* * *
People sometimes encounter luck in unexpected places in life.
It was a peaceful morning.
"If I may report on your recent happiness level, it's up by a modest 2 points."
Nemid's face showed clear delight.
Kang Han-do was receiving her update on last month's happiness metrics.
But his expression was quite different from hers.
'Just 2 points. That's all.'
He was still far from the happiness level he wanted.
Seeing him sigh naturally, Nemid voiced her puzzlement mid-report.
"Is something worrying you?"
"It's the happiness level, what else."
Kang Han-do spoke casually to Nemid now.
They met so often like this that their relationship had become completely comfortable.
It was time to feel at ease with Nemid, but there was still one thing about her he hadn't gotten used to.
"It's okay! Let's think positive! It's better than it dropping, right?!"
"Well, true."
Nemid's infinite positivity power. Kang Han-do didn't hate her attitude.
Put nicely, it boosted his courage.
But conversely, it planted too much unfounded hope.
In this massive bet tied to humanity's fate, what was needed wasn't infinite positivity but cool-headed situational awareness.
In that sense, Sheridel had a different disposition from Nemid.
That higher being analyzed the happiness graph with thoroughly objective eyes and offered Kang Han-do various directions.
But Nemid was different.
She injected power through lines like, "You'll definitely pull it off," "You'll absolutely succeed."
Kang Han-do didn't intend to deny Nemid's approach, but sometimes it bred complacency. That complacency could be a major poison for him right now.
Sheridel seemed aware of it too, occasionally joining Nemid's performance reports herself to provide an objective view of the current situation.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Sheridel's negative interventions complemented those weaknesses.
Just having support from both beings was a huge help to Kang Han-do.
Around the time he'd heard almost all of Nemid's report.
-Ding!
Suddenly, a text message arrived on Kang Han-do's smartphone.
"Hang on a sec."
Pausing Nemid's performance report, Kang Han-do checked the message right away.
The moment he saw the sender's name, Kang Han-do doubted his own eyes.
"Why is Oh Shin-hoon sunbae...?"