Chapter 75

75. Unexpected Typhoon

"Hello! PD sir!"

At the sudden appearance of the SBC Music Box PD, all the singers and managers in Se-rin's waiting room stood up in tension.

While PDs are generally in a dominant position in most places, music show PDs were absolute authorities to rookie idols.

The case was a bit different for a rookie like Se-rin, who was signed with a major agency, but for rookies from small to medium-sized agencies, getting a stage on a terrestrial music show was not an easy feat.

The main PD of a music show had the power to manipulate the opportunity card entirely as they wished.

'Why is the PD here...'

In their position, if the PD said a single word, they would have to leave the waiting room and go back immediately, no matter what.

Why did the PD suddenly come into this waiting room where the rookies were gathered? The performers were more anxious than hopeful.

Fortunately, the PD's gaze rested on Woo Jin-hyuk.

"Hello, Jin-hyuk. I'm Kim Sang-cheol, the main PD of Music Box."

"Ah, yes, PD sir. Hello."

Since Yeong-seong was absent, only Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon greeted the PD.

"Is this Min Seo-yeon?"

"Yes."

The PD nodded and said,

"I'm in the middle of recording, so I don't have much time. I'll get straight to the point."

"Yes."

"You two, how about making a surprise appearance on our show?"

"..."

The two were taken aback by the PD's sudden request and didn't react immediately. Jin-hyuk spoke first.

"Surprise appearance...?"

"Ah, it's a sudden request, but it's not a big deal. You're here to support Yeon Se-rin, right?"

"Yes."

"So, when we introduce Yeon Se-rin's song, and since the two of you acted in a drama with Ye-na, and her group is a candidate for first place today, how about introducing Rose Black at that time?"

Surprise guest appearances by guest MCs or surprise guests on music shows were not uncommon. Jin-hyuk thought it wasn't a bad idea to appear briefly to celebrate the two.

Jin-hyuk looked at Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon nodded, reading the positive meaning in Jin-hyuk's face. Jin-hyuk said to the PD,

"We're fine with it, but we need to talk to our agencies."

"Are the two of your managers here?"

"Ah, they are, but this is our personal schedule. They should be nearby, though."

The PD nodded and said,

"Ah, then I'll have them contact your agencies. Which agencies are you from?"

"I'm from WP Entertainment."

"I'm from HC Entertainment."

The PD burst into laughter after hearing their responses.

"Isn't Yeon Se-rin from NTN?"

"Yes, that's right."

"WP, HC, NTN, the three major agencies, all gathered and became friends? Haha."

To be precise, the friends had scattered to the three major agencies. Still, it seemed like an amusing scene to others.

The other performers in the waiting room also looked at the three with a mix of curiosity and envy.

"Then I'll contact your agencies. Are you okay with it?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Haha. Thank you. Our junior writer and FD will guide you. Just follow their lead. See you then."

Thus, Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon exchanged greetings with the PD, unaware that this light decision might lead to unexpected results.

***

"Mr. Woo Jin-hyuk, I understand you also participated in the music video for Ms. Yeon Se-rin this time."

Live rehearsal.

The unique, lively commentary of a music show centered around idols. The female MC continued with an even more cheerful voice, picking up on the male MC's words.

"That's right. So, you must understand the meaning of the song better than anyone. Could Mr. Jin-hyuk introduce the song for us?"

"Ah, this song is..."

Jin-hyuk, looking a bit awkward, explained the content of the song with a stiff expression and voice, quite different from the lively tone of the MCs.

The lively commentary style typical of music show MCs seemed unnatural to Jin-hyuk, like wearing a suit that didn't fit.

He felt a bit uncomfortable, and even his face turned slightly red.

It was a completely different side of Jin-hyuk, who was usually composed in any situation.

The MC quickly picked up on Jin-hyuk's awkwardness and tried to liven up the atmosphere again.

"Yes, I see. I'm really looking forward to it. Then, Mr. Jin-hyuk and Ms. Seo-yeon, could you call out Ms. Yeon Se-rin for us?"

This time, Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon, with awkward movements, took turns speaking as if reading from a textbook.

"Very. Exciting. Debut. Stage."

"An. Elf. Singing. On. Stage."

"Yeon Se-rin, with. A. Voice. As. Beautiful. As. Her. Looks, sings. 'Above. Time.'"

"Let's. All. Watch. Together."

The two stood stiffly, making rigid gestures as if they had rehearsed them.

"Kuk."

The MCs, watching the two, tried to stifle their laughter by covering their mouths.

"That's it for now."

At the PD's call, Jin-hyuk glanced at Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon was already looking at him, seemingly having the same thought. Jin-hyuk said,

"It doesn't seem to fit, does it?"

"I've never seen you blush except when acting."

Seo-yeon's face was also as red as a beet.

Watching the two, the assistant director, who was below the stage, said to the PD,

"Isn't this too much? No matter how many times we do it, it's the same. They look too awkward. They're not robots, after all."

"Hmm..."

The PD seemed to think for a moment and then said,

"Let's go with it."

"Really?"

"They look awkward, but on screen, their confused expressions are quite cute, don't you think? Maybe because they're visually appealing."

The PD smiled.

"Besides, they're not MCs. It's more refreshing and innocent to see actors introduce themselves rather than act like MCs. Haha."

"True. Now that you mention it, that's right."

The assistant director, hearing the PD's words, said to the stage,

"Mr. Jin-hyuk, Ms. Seo-yeon, good job. We'll go with this. Please do your best during the live broadcast."

Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon, hearing the assistant director's words, tilted their heads in confusion and walked off the stage.

Watching them, Ahn Ye-na, who was watching from below the stage, burst into laughter.

"Ahaha. Both of you are so cute. So cute."

Cute...

It was one of the most shocking things Jin-hyuk had ever heard in his two lives.

To be called "cute" by the leader of the Search Team, the elite of the elite, who could stop a crying baby with a single glance.

Ignoring Jin-hyuk's shock, Ahn Ye-na continued with a delighted expression.

"Really, such good actors... Can't you just think of it as acting an MC role?"

That's the thing. It's not acting.

Jin-hyuk was also amazed. If he had to act as an MC, he would have surely outshone the two MCs, even if he had to be more lively.

But since it wasn't acting, his instincts and senses recognized it as such. No matter how hard he tried to act, his body and mind wouldn't cooperate.

What was even more surprising was that Min Seo-yeon was experiencing the same symptoms as Jin-hyuk.

"Ahaha. Even the two of you, so cool, are leaving a black mark?"

Ahn Ye-na's prediction was spot on.

Se-rin's debut stage was truly beautiful,

and the number one stage of Rose Black, led by Ahn Ye-na, was brilliant.

However, unfortunately, the biggest topic of the day on SBC Music Box was neither Se-rin's stage nor Rose Black's stage.

- What! Why are Woo Jin-hyuk and Min Seo-yeon here!

- Ah! Woo Jin-hyuk is on TV!

- Hmm? He never appeared on variety shows, but suddenly he's on a music show?

The internet forums went wild with their first appearance to introduce Yeon Se-rin's song,

- Our Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon are so cute~

- Indeed, I didn't know Jin-hyuk had this side.

- Hahaha

- Look at their red faces. So cute. So cute.

- Robot MC, is this real? Haha

- Even in this situation, they still look so handsome.

- Let's give a prize to the PD who boldly put Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon on the live broadcast.

- Should we give them a hard time for protecting the main broadcast?

- Don't forget to vote.

- I've given them a hard time with praise on the Music Box forum.

In the end, when Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon made their second appearance at the end of the broadcast, the instant ratings for Music Box hit an all-time high.

And.

"Uhaha!"

"..."

Manager Kim Yong-soo burst into laughter.

"Jin-hyuk, what did you do?"

The video clip of Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon as robot MCs began to flood the internet.

Due to Jin-hyuk's unexpected appearance, the reaction was overwhelming, even surpassing the "Move aside" clip from High School 2.

Famously, the "Let's all watch together" clip.

Jin-hyuk and Seo-yeon, with their blushing cheeks, awkward gestures, and perfectly synchronized movements.

"Haha."

Jin-hyuk also burst into laughter, watching the video clip handed to him by Kim Yong-soo.

He had seen it several times, but even he found it hilarious.

But why is Seo-yeon acting like this?

While he had felt it at the scene, watching the video made her awkwardness even more apparent.

Buzz.

The sudden ringing of the phone made Manager Kim Yong-soo answer it.

"Hello, PD sir!"

Kim Yong-soo, holding the phone with both hands, bowed repeatedly, even though he couldn't see the caller.

"Ah, PD sir, that's not it. No, we didn't plan to appear, as you know, they acted in a drama together. It was just to celebrate... Yes, yes, that's right."

Kim Yong-soo, bowing as if the PD were right in front of him, pleaded.

"As you know, Jin-hyuk hasn't appeared on any variety shows officially... Yes, yes, that's right... Ah, of course, I'll contact you."

After barely hanging up the phone, Kim Yong-soo shook his head.

"I'm going crazy. It's really a mess."

After Jin-hyuk's unexpected appearance on the music show and the instant highest ratings during his part, various variety show offers flooded in.

"Jin-hyuk, are you really not going to appear anywhere? Can't you at least appear on a couple of KBC's flagship variety shows?"

Especially from KBC, where the filming of Hong Gil-dong had just started, the situation was chaotic.

- How can we deal with this if you make your first TV appearance on SBC Music Box while acting in a drama with us?

While they knew it wasn't a formal appearance, it was a great opportunity for KBC's variety shows, which had been eyeing Jin-hyuk's appearance.

Moreover, it was a common practice for lead actors to appear on variety shows to promote their dramas before they aired.

"Sorry, hyung."

Both Woo Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an, the two main leads of the drama, were declining all variety show appearances.

Jung Ji-an's reason was her role.

She played a fake Hong Gil-dong, a cold-blooded, principle-driven madman. She couldn't show a cheerful side on variety shows.

Jin-hyuk was also pouring all his energy into the ongoing filming.

Of course, the biggest reason was that Jin-hyuk didn't want to appear on variety shows yet.

"Mr. Woo Jin-hyuk, it's time to start filming."

At the staff's call, Jin-hyuk stood up.

Buzz.

Just then, Manager Kim Yong-soo's phone rang again.

"Ah, another offer call."

Sighing, Kim Yong-soo answered the phone,

"Ah! Yes! PD sir! Hello!"

While talking on the phone, he signaled Jin-hyuk to hurry up.

Jin-hyuk smiled and headed to the filming location.

***

KBC Drama Department Office.

"Things are getting worse."

Kim Young-soo, the CP (Chief Producer) of Hong Gil-dong, said to the department head with a dark expression.

"They seem to have made up their minds to target Hong Gil-dong."

One of the three terrestrial broadcasters, MBS, announced a surprise drama lineup for the beginning of the year.

A historical drama, "Great Nation," was scheduled to air at the same time as Hong Gil-dong, starting in January. It was an ambitious production by MBS.

Starring top actor and Hallyu star Kang Jung-won, the drama was a huge production with a budget of over 200 billion won, 100% pre-produced.

"Seems they thought our lineup was worth a try. Securing the lead in the early year is important."

While Woo Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an were hot among young audiences, they lacked the nationwide recognition of top actors, especially Jin-hyuk.

"Given the situation, it's too much that Jin-hyuk and Ji-an are refusing to appear on variety shows. Should we push their agencies harder?"

The department head, who had been holding back, finally voiced his frustration.

The head shook his head.

The head seemed more relaxed than before, ever since the filming of Hong Gil-dong began.

"Mr. Kim, have you not been to the Hong Gil-dong filming set?"

"What do you mean? I've been there with you several times."

"Exactly."

Given the poor performance of KBC's mini-series, the head had been visiting the Hong Gil-dong set frequently to encourage the production team.

"You've seen Woo Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an. You've seen the atmosphere among the production team."

"Ah, yes, but they're different from Kang Jung-won in terms of presence... and the scale of the drama itself..."

The head smiled.

"Did our 'Dangerous Men' fail because the actors lacked recognition?"

"..."

A drama with three top actors that ended with single-digit ratings.

"Let's wait and see. I have a good feeling this time. The more I watch Woo Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an act, the more I believe this can't fail."

And the script by Han Yu-kyung, which brilliantly brought out the best in the two, and the direction by Jeong Doo-il.

Just like in High School 2, where they turned Jin-hyuk into an issue maker.

Unlike the two mini-series, which were outsourced, Hong Gil-dong was a full KBC production, with the head directly involved in the casting, script, and direction.

Knowing the ins and outs of dramas, the head was confident in his judgment.

"The bigger the production... the more satisfying it is to bring it down, isn't it?"

"..."

"Let's wait and see how 'Hong Gil-dong' topples 'Great Nation.'"

Indeed, the head, who had a legendary reputation from his days as a PD, had a keen eye. However, even he couldn't foresee everything.

The times had changed, and the product of the new era,

The power of the "Let's all watch together" video clip was stronger than expected.

The typhoon was already on its way.