Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Chapter 23. Audio Star (2)
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A day without any programs scheduled.
Kang Han-do was sharing a dinner and drinks with his old friend Oh Min-tae, someone he hadn't seen in ages.
"You're moving soon, right? Where to?"
"Ilsan."
"Ilsan, huh. Nice. What about the new place?"
"I took some photos. Wanna see?"
"Of course! Come to think of it, you never even showed me your current place. I'm hurt, man."
"I haven't even moved in yet. Hold on a sec."
Ever since he started making money, Kang Han-do had two top priorities.
First: buy a car.
Second: move out.
He'd already gotten the car not long ago. Now only the second goal remained—moving.
During his free time, Kang Han-do had been scouting around for a good place.
And right on cue, a great listing popped up. A 28-pyeong apartment on the 12th floor. Perfect for living solo. Kang Han-do decided to move the moment he saw it.
"It's a new build, and the interior's all done up nicely."
"Wow, not bad at all! Yeah, this feels like a place fit for a celebrity. Congrats on finally making it, buddy. So, how much?"
"It's in the hundred-million range even for jeonse."
"You rascal. Raking it in, huh!"
"Still got a long way to go. Once things stabilize more, I'll buy a proper house and move my parents somewhere nice."
This might just be the point in Kang Han-do's life where he'd handled the most cash ever. That's what he figured, at least.
He was just closing the gallery app and slipping his smartphone back into his pocket when...
It suddenly vibrated.
A call from Nemid.
Oh Min-tae gestured for him to pick it up without hesitation. Kang Han-do nodded and hit the call button.
"Yeah. What's up?"
-Where are you right now, Han-do? I swung by your place, but you're not here.
"Me? At a bar nearby."
-Then I'll come to you!
"Huh?! W-Wait a...!"
Before he could even respond, Nemid hung up.
'How's she gonna find us? She doesn't even know the location.'
But that worry turned out to be unnecessary.
The door swung open, and in walked the stunning beauty Nemid, heading straight for Kang Han-do and Oh Min-tae's table.
"Hello! Oh, you're that friend from last time, right? Oh Min-tae, yeah?"
"Ah, yes. You're Han-do's manager, aren't you?"
"The name's Nemid. Nice to meet you."
Nemid greeted Oh Min-tae with effortless charm. She'd even brought business cards—ones made by LC—and handed one over.
Oh Min-tae was at a loss for where to look with Nemid there.
She was drop-dead gorgeous.
Last time, he'd only caught a glimpse, so he hadn't really gotten a good look. But now?
She was right there, sitting across from him.
'Hey, hey, Han-do. Is your manager an ex-idol or something? How's she this pretty?'
'I've heard that line so much from the Pobokjeoldo crew that I'm sick of it. She's not an ex-idol—just a girl who lived abroad and came back.'
'Lucky bastard. Always surrounded by good fortune with women. You've got Ye-hee, and now a beauty like this for a manager. Sigh. My manager's got zero cuteness factor.'
Oh Min-tae had recently signed with an agency too.
Smaller than LC, but packed with comedians and solid overall, so he'd felt secure signing on.
He'd thought it was a pretty decent setup—no envy needed. But Nemid made him second-guess that a bit.
Of course, managers aren't hired for looks. Skill is what matters.
And Nemid had plenty of that.
"Han-do, I brought a little gift today."
"What gift?"
"You know Audio Star, right?"
"Who doesn't?"
Not just Kang Han-do—Oh Min-tae nodded vigorously too, showing he knew it well.
Nemid curled her lips into a smile and revealed her achievement.
"Your Audio Star appearance is set for the week after next."
"What? For real?!"
"Yep! Pretty huge, right?"
If this was true, it was massive.
Top ratings and buzz among late-night talk shows. Any entertainer who loved talk variety dreamed of appearing on Audio Star at least once.
'Even before my regression, this never happened.'
New emotions welled up.
But it was too soon to celebrate.
"How'd that happen?"
Kang Han-do wanted the full story from Nemid.
"I stopped by the station for some work, and there were Jo Woo-kim PD and Woo Sang-cheol PD, side by side. I figured I'd say hi and make an impression, so I chatted them up. Then Woo Sang-cheol PD mentioned he wanted to book one of the teams from the Pobokjeoldo corners for Audio Star. I thought, 'This is it!' and pitched you and the Game World team hard. Next thing I know, it's booked."
"Not just me—the whole Game World team too."
"Yeah. I hear Audio Star doesn't just bring one guest."
"Right. At least three, minimum."
That might be why they went for a team booking.
Still, it was a huge score.
Oh Min-tae, listening intently from across the table, let out a low whistle.
"Pretty, great personality, and kills it at work. You've got the ultimate manager, Kang Han-do."
Who would've thought having Nemid as manager would earn him that kind of praise.
Kang Han-do certainly hadn't seen it coming.
* * *
The Game World team gathered to meet Woo Sang-cheol PD for a pre-meeting.
Kim Sang-hun still couldn't wrap his head around it, looking dazed.
"We're really going on Audio Star?"
"Looks like it. Stop gawking around so much. You're not a rookie. You're a pro."
"R-Right? Must be the nerves. Ahem!"
Kang Han-do was seeing this side of Kim Sang-hun for the first time.
In Pobokjeoldo, he was like Lu Bu. But off that stage? A total lamb.
Jang Seok-du swallowed hard, tense as well.
Outside of Pobokjeoldo, the Game World team didn't show up on other programs often. You could count them on one hand. No wonder the nerves.
Kang Han-do, though? Different story.
Years of pre-regression experience, plus HSL and Star House. He was battle-hardened.
Heck, on Star House, he wasn't even a guest—he was MC. He might have the most outside gigs of anyone in Game World.
Kang Han-do strode forward confidently.
"This way."
"Oh? Oh, yeah."
Stepping up for his nervous seniors, Kang Han-do opened the door first and entered the small conference room.
Woo Sang-cheol PD and the Audio Star writers were already inside.
"Come on in. Sit here."
Following Woo Sang-cheol PD's direction, the Game World team took seats across from them.
The Audio Star production team always did pre-meetings like this when booking guests. To explain the show, the format, and give a taste of the recording atmosphere.
The difference between having one and not was night and day. That's why Woo Sang-cheol PD always squeezed in time for them, no matter how busy.
"You all know the program, right?"
The Game World team nodded energetically.
It was famous enough that any entertainer would know it.
"No need to explain the show then, since time's short. As for recording flow..."
Woo Sang-cheol PD's explanation was crystal clear.
Even someone who'd never heard of Audio Star would get it instantly.
"...Oh, and lately—say, about five episodes back—we added a new corner. You might know it."
"I do."
Kang Han-do spoke up.
"The singing showcase, right?"
"You know your stuff. Yep. We have guests sing, but you don't all have to. Just one rep is fine. If possible, I'd love if someone who sings above average steps up."
Above average. Easier said than done.
Woo Sang-cheol PD had his reasons for that criterion.
To surprise viewers with, 'Whoa, this guy's got pipes?'
Actors, comedians, variety stars—unlike singers, they rarely get to show off vocals on air.
Audio Star provides that stage to unveil hidden talents. Flaunt it when you can, and your appeal skyrockets.
So naturally, Woo Sang-cheol PD preferred someone who could actually sing over a total tone-deaf disaster. Common sense—even listeners would appreciate it. A screecher shredding the speakers? Viewers would just turn down the volume.
Kim Sang-hun and Lee Yo-su couldn't sing. What about Jang Seok-du?
"I'm a total tone-deaf too."
Worse than the other two.
That left one option...
Kang Han-do.
Woo Sang-cheol PD cut straight to it.
"Han-do, you up for it?"
Kang Han-do already had his answer ready.
"Yes. I'll do it."
"Nice, so you sing well?"
"Not well, exactly. Just the level where friends at noraebang go, 'Eh, not bad.'"
"That's above average. And don't sweat perfection. Just good enough that no one changes the channel. Haha!"
Only Woo Sang-cheol PD laughed.
A thick bead of sweat trickled down the Game World team's backs.
He'd probably meant it as a light icebreaker. But he had no idea the pressure it put on the guests.
* * *
Finally, the day of the Audio Star recording arrived.
Kang Han-do was the first on site.
Next came the main MC, Ryu Jin-wook.
Hearing he was there, Kang Han-do moved to greet him right away.
"Hello, sunbae-nim! I'm Kang Han-do. Looking forward to a great recording today!"
"Oh! The super rookie everyone's talking about? Saw you on Star House—your talk game's on point. Big expectations today."
"I'll give it my all."
Ryu Jin-wook was one of the legendary MCs who dominated the early '90s.
Oh Shin-hun ruled now, but back then, Ryu Jin-wook's stardom eclipsed even that.
Having his skills judged by a legend like this.
Kang Han-do, who rarely got nervous, couldn't help it. Filming with a senior heavyweight? Tension was inevitable.