Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Chapter 21: Knowledge is Power (2)
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Hip-hop singer D-Pay visited the recording site for Star House.
“Hello! It’s D-Pay!”
The voice of the man in his forties boomed through the studio. As expected from a singer, his vocal projection was impressive.
Star House PD Jeong Chan-seol personally welcomed D-Pay.
“Thanks for coming all this way.”
“No trouble at all! Not even a little. You gave me work, so I came running happily. By the way, can I take a look around the set? I’m curious how accurately they’ve recreated my room.”
“Haha, of course! We always have our guests check it out before filming. A room is such a personal space, full of private life, right? So we make sure to have you come and confirm there’s nothing problematic.”
“That’s a relief. I was secretly pretty worried. Haha!”
D-Pay’s room setup was markedly different from those of other celebrities.
It was packed with animation and manga-related merchandise.
Figures, plastic models, and the like.
In truth, D-Pay had never openly presented himself as a subculture otaku on air before. This was his first time revealing it through Star House.
“PD-nim.”
“Yes, D-Pay ssi. Need anything?”
“No, it’s just... these are my personal collection, so please take good care of them. If even a scratch happens, it’d break my heart.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about that at all. We’ll safely return them to your home.”
“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”
As D-Pay and PD Jeong Chan-seol discussed handling the merchandise,
Oh Shin-hoon and Kang Han-do, having finished script reading, entered the studio right on cue.
“Hey, D-Pay! Long time no see?”
D-Pay reacted immediately to Oh Shin-hoon’s voice.
“Hyung-nim! It’s been ages. Like half a year, right?”
“Has it? When was the last time we met?”
“Probably the first time since that ‘Master of Bets’ recording.”
“Then yeah, about half a year. Anyway, good to see you, man. When I heard you were coming, I was looking forward to it.”
“I’m thrilled to film with you again, hyung-nim. You know I’m on your line, right?”
“Save that kind of talk for on-air jokes, you rascal.”
Oh Shin-hoon and D-Pay went way back, having crossed paths on shows for over five years. It was natural for them to greet each other warmly.
On the other hand, this was Kang Han-do’s first time meeting D-Pay.
“Hello, D-Pay ssi. I’m Kang Han-do. I really enjoy a lot of your songs—they match my taste, so I listen to them often. Happy to meet you.”
Truth be told, he hadn’t been a fan from way back. He’d started listening more recently. But the melodies had a addictive quality that pleased his ears.
D-Pay gave an embarrassed laugh.
“Haha, my music’s pretty niche. Anyway, nice to meet you. I watch your shows too, Han-do ssi. Game World, right? That corner’s hilarious.”
“We’ll make sure this recording’s fun too.”
“Looking forward to it.”
It was good to build rapport with the guest before recording.
A bad first impression could sabotage the synergy over the next five-plus hours.
Kang Han-do checked the happiness meter.
It hovered around the average of 300.
‘At least he doesn’t dislike me.’
Not overflowing with affection, but that was fine.
Because.
‘You’ll come to like me a lot soon, D-Pay ssi.’
The real game hadn’t even started.
* * *
In the studio recreating a star’s room exactly.
The two MCs entered and finished broadcast prep.
PD Jeong Chan-seol gave the signal.
3, 2, 1. Standby, cue!
The broadcast began.
“We dig into stars’ private lives every which way! Star House! I’m your host, Oh Shin-hoon. And next to me is the new addition to Star House starting last episode—my junior comedian, Kang Han-do ssi!”
“Hello! Rookie comedian Kang Han-do here.”
“Han-do ssi, this is your second episode since your debut. Getting the hang of it now?”
“Yes. Fully adapted! Except my heart’s pounding like crazy.”
“That means you’re not adapted at all.”
Oh Shin-hoon teased Kang Han-do lightly from the start.
They spent the opening on his thoughts after the first recording and his resolve for the second episode.
Oh Shin-hoon amped up his voice to signal the next segment.
“Now, let’s welcome today’s guest! They say you’re a spy in hip-hop if you don’t know this person. Please welcome D-Pay ssi!”
The back door opened, and D-Pay entered naturally.
With years of broadcast experience, he showed no signs of nerves despite his Star House debut.
“Hello. Singer D-Pay here.”
“D-Pay ssi, where is this place we’re in?”
Oh Shin-hoon asked the obvious. But it was necessary—to clue viewers that this studio replicated something specific.
“My home living room.”
“And the room beyond this is very similar to the one you actually live in, right?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Han-do ssi was eyeing it closely earlier. What’d you think?”
He passed to Kang Han-do, who led with an exclamation before sharing.
“Wow. You can look forward to this one. Tons of surprising stuff.”
“That much?”
“Yeah. If you’re curious, stick with the channel!”
Even a subtle promo plug. Oh Shin-hoon wanted to give him a thumbs-up for the smooth insertion.
They moved from the living room into the recreation of D-Pay’s actual bedroom.
The moment they entered, Oh Shin-hoon tsked knowingly.
“D-Pay, you really brought your room here wholesale, no secrets spared.”
“Hahaha, you caught me, hyung-nim?”
“Sigh. That’s the plastic model I gave you last time.”
“Oh, as expected of hyung-nim! I assembled the one you bought right away. Painted it perfectly too. But PG rating meant it took forever. I barely slept for two nights and three days because of it.”
A sleekly designed robot plastic model occupied one corner.
Not just that—plenty of beautiful girl figures too.
Oh Shin-hoon had long known D-Pay liked subculture stuff. But he didn’t know the specifics.
The gift model was more “something good” than a tailored pick.
“What’s this character?”
Oh Shin-hoon pointed to a female character in a red dress.
D-Pay fired back the name instantly, like he’d been waiting.
“Yuri. My absolute favorite. By the way, that model you gave me? She’s the heroine from its series. Know it? The Zendam robot franchise.”
“As if.”
That’s when.
Kang Han-do’s eyes and ears sharpened.
‘Now!’
He jumped in quick.
“I know it.”
“Oh?! Han-do ssi, you know Zendam?”
“Yeah, of course. Watched up to Zendam W.”
“No way! You caught the finale too!”
They clicked. D-Pay’s energy spiked again.
But they couldn’t let otaku talk derail the flow. Cutting at the right moment was key.
“What got you into subculture as a hobby, D-Pay ssi?”
Kang Han-do transitioned smoothly to the guest. PD Jeong Chan-seol was impressed by the fluid hosting.
‘He’s got skills. Totally different from last time.’
Honestly, he hadn’t expected much. Kang Han-do was still a rookie on his third show. He’d planned to focus edits on Oh Shin-hoon.
But.
Things had changed.
* * *
Thanks to Kang Han-do, the talk dove deeper.
How he got hooked on subculture. His philosophy on music. Future plans and life goals.
The recording peeled back layers on the man D-Pay.
Six and a half hours since broadcast start.
Oh Shin-hoon delivered the wrap-up.
“We promise to return with even more fun. Goodbye!”
Kang Han-do and D-Pay waved to the camera alongside Oh Shin-hoon’s greeting.
Recording ended.
D-Pay immediately went for a handshake with Kang Han-do... no, a hug.
“Didn’t expect to find a fellow fan here! Han-do ssi!”
“Me neither. Had no idea you loved Zendam this much, D-Pay ssi.”
“It melts stress away. Hey! While we’re at it, let’s grab drinks sometime and geek out off-air. Sound good?”
“Absolutely!”
Knowing celebs across fields built connections.
Networking, in other words.
D-Pay was over the moon at Kang Han-do’s ready agreement.
Happiness meter hit a whopping 460.
‘Guess I nailed the responses.’
He’d thoroughly researched D-Pay’s fave manga and anime, binged them all. That let him vibe perfectly.
Meanwhile.
Oh Shin-hoon patted his back while D-Pay was away.
“Good job, Han-do. This recording’s got tons of fun moments thanks to you.”
“You held nothing back advising me, sunbae-nim.”
“I just yapped endlessly. This is your creation. Right, PD Jeong?”
“Exactly! Han-do ssi, you were the best today. Keep it up.”
“Yes, thank you!”
His first real praise from PD Jeong Chan-seol.
Oh Shin-hoon’s guidance had been huge.
Kang Han-do thought.
‘Wonder what my happiness meter’s at.’
Probably as high as D-Pay’s.
He was certain.