Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Crossroads of Choice (2)
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“Hello! I’m Kang Han-do! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
Kang Han-do greeted the filming staff right away upon arrival.
Today was the first recording day for Star House, where he’d be filling in as a temporary host for the time being.
“You’re here, Han-do.”
PD Jeong Chan-seol greeted him with a weary face.
Bowing slightly, Kang Han-do exchanged a light handshake and spoke in as polite a tone as possible.
“Please take good care of me during the recording.”
“The favor’s mine. Oh, Sin-hoon hyung is already in the waiting room, so head that way.”
“Yes!”
To Kang Han-do, Oh Sin-hoon was a senior he greatly respected and aspired to become—a national MC.
His steps toward the waiting room where Oh Sin-hoon waited carried an extra layer of tension today.
* * *
Oh Sin-hoon was lost in script reading.
The sound of the waiting room door opening reached his ears.
“Hello, sunbae-nim!”
“Oh, you’re here, Han-do.”
It was Kang Han-do’s first time at this terrestrial broadcaster, not BLT, so he’d been a bit disoriented when he first arrived.
Even in his unknown comedian days, he rarely appeared on other TV channels, so the unfamiliarity lingered despite this being his second life.
“You managed to find your way without getting lost.”
“Hahaha. More importantly, you were doing script reading.”
“Yeah. I’m cramming it last-minute since time’s short.”
Oh Sin-hoon handled a whopping two-digit number of programs.
He was the man juggling so many broadcast schedules that one wondered if he had any personal life left.
Most people would burn out or lose their energy with that many shows, but he consistently delivered top-tier hosting skills worthy of the Oh Sin-hoon name, no matter the program.
That was what made Oh Sin-hoon remarkable.
“Have you read through the script?”
“Yes. I studied it thoroughly at home beforehand.”
“It’ll help to review it once more before we go on air.”
“I’ve got it right here, safely tucked away.”
Kang Han-do pulled the script from his bag.
As the assistant host, his script wasn’t as thick as Oh Sin-hoon’s.
Still, as a host, it was definitely bulkier than for one-off guests.
The format had Oh Sin-hoon leading most of the show, with the assistant sticking strictly to the sidelines, true to the role.
Especially since the newcomer Kang Han-do was a rookie, his role was drastically reduced compared to the veteran comedian who’d held the position before.
Even so, Kang Han-do harbored no major complaints.
Securing a spot co-hosting a show with Oh Sin-hoon at another network was invaluable in itself.
This Star House gig would surely prove a huge boost for him.
Clinging to that belief, Kang Han-do claimed a chair in the waiting room and dove into script reading.
Out of the blue, Oh Sin-hoon brought up a topic.
“Come to think of it, you and Min-tae still don’t have managers, do you?”
“Right. We don’t have anything resembling an agency, so no funds for a manager either.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Having a manager or coordinator to assist definitely made life easier.
Especially for schedule management or having them drive during travel—they handled all sorts of conveniences.
For Kang Han-do, who aimed for heavy broadcasting activity ahead, a coordinator was secondary; a manager was essential.
That’s why Oh Sin-hoon had mentioned it.
“How many fixed shows are you on right now?”
“Currently Pobokjeoldo, this Star House, and HSL hasn’t started filming yet but is slated for broadcast the month after next—so adding that, about three in total.”
“Three fixed gigs. That’s enough to justify hiring a manager, no?”
“But the cost...”
“You should join an agency.”
Oh Sin-hoon offered a clear solution.
Agencies provided managers and handled all the miscellaneous tasks a talent like Kang Han-do would otherwise manage.
Of course, it was a personal decision, so Oh Sin-hoon didn’t push.
“Sunbae-nim was with FM Entertainment, right?”
“Oh, I switched agencies.”
“What?!”
News to Kang Han-do.
A star of Oh Sin-hoon’s caliber switching agencies would normally make headlines.
Yet he’d never seen any articles about it.
“I recall the media staying quiet on it.”
“We haven’t announced it officially yet. And it’s recent. I’m already commuting there, so it’s as good as done.”
“Where did you move to?”
That was the key question.
Which agency had scooped up a superstar like Oh Sin-hoon?
Glancing around the waiting room at Han-do’s question, Oh Sin-hoon seemed to check for eavesdroppers.
Confirming only his own manager and Kang Han-do were present, he whispered the new agency’s name.
“LC Entertainment.”
* * *
Hearing “LC Entertainment” from Oh Sin-hoon’s lips left Kang Han-do stunned inside.
What were the odds?
He’d just received a scouting offer from LC Entertainment not long ago.
He’d been agonizing over it, and now the most famous and influential senior comedian had nested there. The shock hit hard.
Oblivious or not to Kang Han-do’s turmoil, Oh Sin-hoon continued on LC Entertainment.
“We’d been talking for a while. My old agency was fine, but I wanted a fresh challenge—something to spark change. That’s when LC came up.”
“But they’re still weak in comedy and variety, aren’t they?”
Even as a major agency, they’d grown from music, so their influence elsewhere was limited, as Han-do said.
“Long-term, though, they’ve got real potential.”
The company itself aside, rep Oh Chae-won alone made it trustworthy.
“Anyway, it’s a great place all around. Makes me want to bring more juniors over when the chance arises.”
“Actually...”
After hesitating, Kang Han-do decided to share the scouting offer.
“I got an offer from LC Entertainment too.”
“What? For real?!”
“Yes. Been悩ing over it lately.”
He laid bare his honest feelings.
Oh Sin-hoon understood the dilemma.
A first agency choice shaped one’s entire entertainment career.
That’s why he wanted to say this all the more.
“Come to LC, Han-do. Trust me this once.”
* * *
Oh Sin-hoon’s bombshell.
Snapping out of his daze, Kang Han-do regained composure.
LC was major, but true—they hadn’t shone much beyond music.
Oh Sin-hoon’s signing likely signaled LC’s aggressive push into other entertainment sectors.
Sensing Han-do’s thoughts, Oh Sin-hoon spoke again.
“I get why you’re hesitating. First agency’s a big deal—smart to be cautious. But sometimes, nesting where a reliable senior is pays off.”
He emphasized himself as that reliable senior.
And he had every right.
Known to the public for his clean image, Oh Sin-hoon lived impeccably in private too.
Having endured nearly a decade as an unknown like Kang Han-do before late success, he never forgot gratitude for opportunities.
He was trustworthy.
Even a first meeting couldn’t tarnish the Oh Sin-hoon name—it was like a blank check.
No chance of scams from him.
Not even in the future.
‘Sunbae Oh Sin-hoon really is reliable.’
Any more agonizing needed?
No. This was an opportunity.
“With sunbae-nim urging me like this, how could I turn down LC’s offer? I’ll follow you.”
“Good choice.”
Oh Sin-hoon patted his shoulder lightly.
Kang Han-do, who’d debuted idolizing Oh Sin-hoon, was now family, sharing the same rice bowl with his admired senior.
* * *
Throughout the Star House recording, Kang Han-do faced constant hurdles.
He flubbed lines here and there, and glitches marred the flow more than once.
Sole NG cuts piled up, leaving him too ashamed to face staff or PD Jeong Chan-seol.
Finally wrapping the grueling shoot.
“Haa...”
A heavy sigh escaped Kang Han-do reflexively.
He’d been somewhat confident.
Though new to variety hosting, HSL Season 2 and Pobokjeoldo had eased his camera fears, he thought.
Reality proved harsher.
Star House was tougher than imagined.
‘Lucky it was pre-recorded. Live broadcast would’ve been disaster.’
He shuddered inwardly at the close calls.
Broadcast mishaps had nearly erupted multiple times.
Descending the studio with heavy steps, PD Jeong Chan-seol offered faint comfort.
“You worked hard, Han-do. Don’t sweat it too much. Everyone struggles their first time.”
“Thank you, PD-nim.”
“Looking forward to the next recording.”
“Yes!”
He couldn’t squander the hosting spot he’d clawed for with a poor showing.
One slip could pass with a laugh. But repeats drew no mercy.
Harsh, but that was the pro world.
Rookie or not, Kang Han-do was a pro. He had to meet the crew’s baseline expectations.
‘Head home and drill more practice.’
Late hour be damned—he scheduled intense rehearsal.
Approaching, Oh Sin-hoon grinned sheepishly.
“Don’t get too down, Han-do. First times are always rough.”
“Thank you, sunbae-nim.”
“You’re just not used to the stage yet. Now that you’ve got one under your belt, next recording will be smoother.”
“I’ll live up to expectations.”
“Good. Run a dry rehearsal or whatever. Call anytime with questions—I’ll help however I can.”
He’d actively back Kang Han-do. That was Oh Sin-hoon’s promise.
“Yes, got it!”
“Head home early then. Want me to put in a word at LC?”
“Thanks, but I should handle this myself out of courtesy.”
“Fair. It’s your call, so you kick it off. I’ll await good news.”
“Yes! Get home safe, sunbae-nim!”
He bowed to Oh Sin-hoon.
Thus ended Kang Han-do’s grueling first recording day.
Yet his road ahead stretched far.