Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Episode 24: Meeting with the Rookie Girl Group (6)
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Kang Han-do decided to watch VSLine's members perform their debut stage live from backstage.
The Music Festa staff had gone out of their way to accommodate the VS Together filming crew.
Kang Young-nam PD, who was directing, took advantage of a break with the cameras off to come find Kang Han-do.
“Han-do ssi.”
“Kang PD-nim! It's great to see you. I'm Kang Han-do.”
Kang Han-do introduced himself first. Kang Young-nam PD let out a chuckle.
“No need for introductions—I know exactly who you are, Han-do ssi. These days in broadcasting, not knowing you would make someone a spy.”
“Haha, you're too kind. I'm not that well-known yet.”
Kang Han-do stayed humble, but Kang Young-nam PD was one of those who rated him extremely highly.
In particular, Kang Han-do's hosting skills across various programs were flawless enough to earn him the title of next-generation national MC candidate.
Kang Young-nam PD's goal was simply to get on familiar terms with him.
“How've things been lately?”
“Just so-so.”
“Really? You must be swamped.”
“No, not as much as you'd think.”
“Then, any chance you could MC Music Festa Day 1 sometime down the line?”
“Yes?”
It was an unexpected proposal.
Kang Young-nam PD explained the situation, looking troubled.
“The truth is, Min-oh ssi has an overseas schedule next week, so he'll be out. Mina alone isn't quite ready to handle MC duties. I considered asking another MC, but for a music show aimed at teens and twenties, bringing in Ryu Jin-wook sunbae or Oh Sin-hoon sunbae feels a bit off, you know? You're right in your twenties, super popular with the young crowd, and I got a bit greedy. What do you say?”
“I'd love to, but I can't make that call solo here. Mind if I talk it over and get back to you?”
“Of course!”
“Thank you. Won't take long. If my schedule's clear that day, I'll gladly take it.”
“Thank you! Really, thank you! As expected of Han-do ssi! I'll never forget this favor!”
Kang Han-do figured he was the one who owed the favor.
‘He's handing me a job—I'm the grateful one.’
Kang Han-do curled up the corners of his mouth.
Landing another gig mid-filming.
He was finally witnessing the fabled phenomenon of “one job leading to another.”
* * *
The newly debuted girl group VSLine safely wrapped up their debut stage.
The new song they unveiled, Rhapsody, ended up creating more waves than anticipated.
On debut day, there were already promising signs. By day two, Rhapsody climbed onto the music charts for the first time.
VSLine popped up and down on portal site search rankings, media outlets raced to publish articles headlining “The Arrival of a Major Rookie Girl Group!”, and a flower path unfolded right from day one.
And at last.
On debut day five, they snagged #3 on the music charts!
“That's huge.”
Kang Han-do clicked his tongue in amazement.
Back when he'd recommended Rhapsody, his mindset had been simply to steer them away from the worst possible path.
He hadn't dreamed it would blow up like this.
They hadn't claimed #1, but #3 was still incredible.
Kang Han-do's smartphone buzzed furiously while he was kicking back at home.
It was a call from CEO Na Un-chan.
“Yes, CEO-nim. Kang Han-do speaking.”
-Han-do ssi! Thank you so much. Our girls hit it big all thanks to your Rhapsody recommendation!
“No way. What did I even do? I just picked one out of two.”
-That made all the difference! The news said if we'd debuted them with the second track... Ugh, horrifying just to imagine.
Just like in the future Kang Han-do remembered, a confinement scandal had erupted after VSLine's debut.
The moment CEO Na Un-chan saw it, chills ran down his spine.
-No kidding, that scandal... The lyrics were practically identical. Felt like we came back from the dead.
It had played out exactly as Kang Han-do intended—thank goodness.
-Anyhow, it's all thanks to you. Truly grateful. I'll treat you to something huge later! Haha!
He really seemed thrilled.
Not just Na Un-chan—VSLine's members sent messages thanking Kang Han-do too.
His own mood lifted in tandem.
VSLine's skyrocketing popularity had boosted ratings for the latest VS Together episode too.
What started at a measly 0.4% had broken into 1% territory.
The next episode would feature behind-the-scenes of their debut stage, so ratings were bound to surge again.
‘They struck gold.’
Not him—VSLine and UltraBig Entertainment.
After all their struggles, it was high time for some payback.
Kang Han-do sincerely hoped the momentum would keep rolling.
‘Speaking of, Music Festa in two days.’
Now he was hosting a music show too.
He'd been floored hearing about the girl group reality gig, and this was no different.
* * *
Kang Han-do returned to the Music Festa set once more.
The female MC he'd be co-hosting with was the idol Mina.
“Hello, sunbae-nim!”
“Hello, Mina ssi. Nice to meet you.”
“You too! And drop the formalities, please.”
Mina beamed as she urged him to speak casually.
She was a fresh-faced rookie, not long debuted.
What had let her handle Music Festa MC duties despite her inexperience was largely thanks to her partner MC, Min-oh.
Compared to her, Min-oh was a male idol with a solid seven years under his belt, and he'd handled Music Festa with seasoned ease.
But with Min-oh away, leaving Mina to fly solo was too risky.
Enter Kang Han-do on emergency assignment.
Truth be told, Kang Han-do wasn't some MC with zero music ties.
During Audio Star, his stellar vocals had viewers clamoring—half-jokingly—for a singer debut.
It acknowledged his legit skills.
The guy who'd trended for singing was now MCing a music program.
He got dressed up and took hold of the mic, emblazoned with a flashy “Han-do.”
‘Kinda embarrassing.’
He felt sheepish for no reason.
Outwardly a twenty-something guy, but deep down, he was an uncle's uncle. This glitzy setup wasn't familiar yet.
Still, they were paying. No-brainer.
Kang Young-nam PD raised his voice.
“Rehearsal starting—everyone get ready!”
“Yes!”
VSLine was up to perform again.
Having climbed to #3 on charts, more and more senior artists recognized them now.
Spotting VSLine made a paternal smile creep onto Kang Han-do's face.
But before fretting over VSLine, he needed to worry about himself.
“Mina-ya.”
“Yes, sunbae-nim.”
“Any pointers?”
“Pointers... Oh, right, that one.”
“What's that?”
Mina smiled brightly and dropped the tip casually.
“You gotta introduce the singers as cutely as possible.”
“…….”
The toughest advice in the world.
* * *
Shooting kicked off with Kang Young-nam PD's cue.
Music Festa was live broadcast. Kang Han-do's first live gig curtain rose.
Camera panned. Then it hit the duo.
“Hello! I'm Mina! And today, I've brought a special MC to join me!”
“Hello, everyone! I'm your MC today, Han-do.”
Kang Han-do barely suppressed a wave of nausea inside.
If Oh Min-tae saw this, he'd be rolling on the floor laughing.
But the first bit was the tough one. After that, smooth sailing.
MC segments were short anyway. Just give a quick rundown on the next performers.
No real “hosting” to it.
Up next: VSLine's stage.
“VSLine shares a ton of history with sunbae-nim, right?”
“Yep, we're filming together and all.”
“Word is sunbae-nim picked their debut track. True?”
Kang Han-do had never spilled that. UltraBig must've leaked it.
“Yeah, it kinda ended up that way.”
“Then how about we hear that very track sunbae-nim chose?”
“VSLine brings you Rhapsody!”
The camera smoothly cut to VSLine's stage.
Even on their second broadcast performance, they showed no jitters and nailed it.
The advice Kang Han-do had given them still held: Have fun.
The vibe was worlds apart from their first broadcast.
Cheers from VSLine fans had amplified dozens of times over.
Those roars said it all about their steep short-term climb.
After introducing a couple more acts, Kang Han-do wrapped Music Festa safely with the rankings reveal.
VSLine placed third again, disappointingly.
But they weren't bummed.
They beamed with satisfaction at holding steady.
Post-stage.
Kang Han-do expressed his gratitude to Mina.
“Thanks to you, I made it through alive. Appreciate it, Mina-ya.”
“No biggie. Hope we team up again sometime. This was a blast.”
Her happiness gauge confirmed it was genuine.
Mina's was sky-high—proof she'd truly enjoyed MCing with him.
Afterward, he chatted with Kang Young-nam PD.
“You worked hard today, Han-do ssi.”
“Hardly. Call me anytime for more of this.”
“Haha, you got it!”
Vowing future collabs, he changed and headed to the parking lot where Nemid waited.
Mid-call, Nemid spotted him and abruptly hung up.
“Han-do ssi! Good news! Good news!”
“Why emphasize it twice?”
“Scored another gig. Wanna guess?”
“No clue.”
“Brace yourself.”
Nemid drawled it out for emphasis.
“An ad. An advertisement! You've got an ad inquiry!”
Just as Nemid said.
It was news worth freaking out over.