Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Audio Star (3)
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Before recording began, Kang Han-do had to do a separate rehearsal.
It was for the Audio Star corner within a corner, "Audio Karaoke."
Kang Han-do, representing the Game World team, took the stage alone to sing.
Audio Star didn't have a separate area set up for singing. They just sang right there in the talk show space.
When a staff member handed him the mic, Kang Han-do felt tension wash over him once more.
*This is my first time singing in front of a camera.*
He enjoyed singing, sure. But if asked if he sang well, he'd tilt his head in doubt.
He'd hardly ever heard anyone say he was good at it.
*Did I bite off more than I can chew?*
Regret hit him late, but backing out now wasn't an option.
Fine, since he was in it now.
*Alright, let's give it everything I've got!*
He threw himself into everything. That was Kang Han-do's mindset.
Woo Sang-cheol PD gave him the signal.
"Music's starting. Check the audio levels once."
Kang Han-do, earbuds in, gave the OK sign.
"It's good."
"Alright, we'll keep the volume as is. Let's run it again—sing this time."
"Yes!"
The song Kang Han-do picked was Nam Woo-seon's second album title track, "On a Rainy Street."
A slow-tempo ballad, infamous for its high notes.
Woo Sang-cheol PD tilted his head slightly.
*Picked a tough one.*
He'd sung "On a Rainy Street" at karaoke himself sometimes. But with such high keys, you had to brace for a sore throat by the highlight.
Picking that song? Reckless or not, they'd see.
The backing track started. Kang Han-do sang along.
"It's raining. In front of your house, too."
His voice flowed out calm and steady.
*Not a bad tone.*
Woo Sang-cheol PD nodded. Good vocalization, too.
The issue was the chorus.
After the verse, they hit the first chorus.
Yet Kang Han-do sang on with a relaxed expression.
Even with the high notes, he seemed like he had more room to go.
Before long, the cast started listening closely to his singing.
He finished the full song. The cast burst into applause.
Kim Sang-heon looked shocked.
"Han-do! Why do you sing so well?!"
"I thought you were a pro singer!"
Lee Yo-su and Jang Seok-du gave thumbs up. Ryu Jin-wook and the Audio Star panel joined in.
Contrary to worries, he'd sung so well it stunned them. Even Woo Sang-cheol PD looked dumbfounded.
But Kang Han-do seemed puzzled.
"Do I sing that well?"
"Yeah! Aren't you being too modest? You'd pass for an aspiring singer, at least—not pro level, but close."
Kim Sang-heon kept nodding.
Kang Han-do still doubted his skills.
"Friends never said a word about it. Weird."
"You guys probably only go karaoke bombed on booze, right? Not sober, so who knows if you're good or not."
"Now that you mention it, we never went without drinking. Get smashed, then sober up in the karaoke room. That was our pattern."
"See? Told you!"
Mystery solved.
Woo Sang-cheol PD and Ryu Jin-wook grinned at Kang Han-do's unexpected talent.
They were already pumped for recording.
* * *
Everyone took their seats for recording.
Ryu Jin-wook in the center. Then, in order: Kim Sang-heon, Lee Yo-su, Jang Seok-du, and finally Kang Han-do.
Seated by seniority.
In variety shows, one seat gets the most camera time.
Right next to the main MC.
Highest senior Kim Sang-heon sat by Ryu Jin-wook. Truth be told, he didn't covet it—lacked the chat skills.
If it were Pobokjeoldo, different story. But this wasn't. So he was fine anywhere.
Still, with seniors around, juniors taking MC's side felt off. They put Kim Sang-heon there.
Kang Han-do took the farthest corner seat. No big complaints, though.
He was the maknae anyway.
And confident he'd get camera time.
*Thanks to Star House, I get how these shows flow.*
Experience made the difference.
Woo Sang-cheol PD finished final checks. Recording started.
"Rolling now. Ryu sunbaenim, ready for your opening lines?"
"OK."
Camera on, Ryu Jin-wook hit his opener smoothly.
"Audio Star, soothing your Friday night! We're here again tonight. Hello, I'm Ryu Jin-wook."
Panels greeted in turn.
Light recent updates to kick off. Opening wrapped quick.
Soon, Ryu Jin-wook introduced the guests.
"That hot corner rising these days! Game World cast!"
"Hello!"
Game World team, led by Kim Sang-heon.
"Self-intros, one by one?"
"Hello. I'm Kim Sang-heon, leader of the Game World team. Nice to meet you!"
For Kim Sang-heon, who got nerves on other shows, it went smoothly.
First impressions mattered—he'd rehearsed that short line endlessly. Maybe more than for Game World.
Next, Lee Yo-su, Jang Seok-du.
Last, maknae Kang Han-do.
"Hello. I'm Kang Han-do. Thank you for inviting me to Audio Star. As a rookie here, it's an honor—just thrilled to give my all. Please take care of me."
Lines flowed naturally.
Not memorized like Kim Sang-heon's. Just smooth as water.
Star House-honed hosting skills shining on Audio Star.
Ryu Jin-wook slipped in an ad-lib question.
"You called yourself a rookie, but that intro made you sound the most senior."
"I do look kinda old. Haha!"
Downplaying himself into a laugh point. Ryu Jin-wook and Woo Sang-cheol PD were impressed inwardly.
Ad-lib attacks trip up even pros. Kang Han-do handled it like nothing.
Ryu Jin-wook's lips curved up.
*Learned well under Sin-hoon.*
Expectations rising for Kang Han-do.
* * *
Ryu Jin-wook's questions kept coming.
"Toughest part of Game World filming?"
"If anything... when ideas won't come."
"Who comes up with most ideas?"
"Me and Seok-du."
"Oh? Where do you get yours, Jang Seok-du-ssi?"
"Huh?!"
Talk arrow hit Jang Seok-du out of nowhere. Caught off-guard, he panicked like hit by a surprise attack.
That question wasn't scripted.
Ryu Jin-wook was infamous for ad-libs. Kang Han-do knew his style cold, so no sweat. Jang Seok-du? Not yet.
First time working with him, probably. Made sense.
"Uh, w-well..."
Jang Seok-du stammered.
Time for relief pitcher.
Kang Han-do, right next to him, stepped up.
"Sunbaenim says he brainstorms alone at cafes. That's why he asked me to go last time—says ideas flow there."
"R-right. Haha!"
"Oh, cafe ideas, huh."
Ryu Jin-wook nodded.
Kang Han-do saved Jang Seok-du.
Not live, so NG resets worked. But dragged recording time. Fatigue set in.
Kang Han-do's assists continued.
Mostly for Kim Sang-heon and Jang Seok-du. Lee Yo-su handled talk fine solo.
Audio Star crew deep in chat.
Finally, the moment.
"Time for Audio Karaoke. Singer is... let's see. Kang Han-do-ssi?"
"Yes, me."
Kang Han-do shot his hand up.
Camera focused on him.
His spotlight now.
Mic in hand.
Lights dimmed. Cast raised hands above heads, swaying slow side to side for his ballad.
Kang Han-do topped his rehearsal.
Verse one, two, finale.
Perfect.
"Wow!"
"Amazing!"
Cast exclaimed. Ryu Jin-wook pointed at seated Kang Han-do.
"Best guest since Audio Karaoke started, hands down."
"Haha, too kind. No need to hype me up."
"No joke—real talk. Min-su, you know I don't lie, right?"
"Yep!"
Fellow panel backed him.
No broadcast fluff—genuine. Ryu Jin-wook's bliss meter proved it.
*Guess I really am good.*
Kang Han-do's song wrapped Audio Star recording smoothly.
"Good work!"
Ryu Jin-wook approached.
"Thanks to you, it flowed great. Time later? Grab drinks with Sin-hoon, us three?"
"Yes! Honor. Call anytime!"
"Haha, sure. Anyway, you killed it today!"
"Thanks, sunbaenim!"
Past top MC Ryu Jin-wook.
Current top MC Oh Sin-hoon.
Sitting with them? Pure joy for Kang Han-do.