Chapter 88

88. First Variety Show

"Still, it’s our first variety show. What is 'Challenge, High School Quiz King'?"

It wasn’t a variety show produced by the KBC Variety Department, but rather by the Education Department, with a ratings of around 3%.

A program with a history and tradition dating back to the 1970s. But in the end, all that remained was its history and tradition.

Every year, there were discussions about canceling the program, but because it was the longest-running program with a long history, it couldn’t be easily canceled due to its symbolic significance.

Pushed back and back, the broadcast time was now 8:00 AM on Saturdays.

A quiz program aimed at teenagers, but in reality, it was mostly watched by middle-aged and older viewers who had nostalgic memories of it.

"Why do you want to appear there of all places?"

"Because... it’s a program that can only be participated in during high school. I want to try it."

In fact, "Challenge, High School Quiz King" was a program Jinhyuk had always wanted to appear on in his previous life.

At first, it wasn’t so much that he liked the program itself, but rather that he desperately wanted the college tuition support given to the winner.

But as he kept watching, he grew attached to it. At some point, it became a dream for the young Jinhyuk.

However, since Jinhyuk couldn’t advance to high school in his previous life, it remained an unfulfilled dream. So in this new life, he wanted to definitely appear on it.

Of course, he couldn’t reveal these reasons.

"Oh. The agency isn’t stopping you?"

"WP says they’ll go with Jinhyuk’s wishes as much as possible."

The director shook his head.

"If he goes and performs poorly, it could damage his image."

"That’s true. It’s a bit disappointing."

From the drama department’s perspective, there was no reason to be overly concerned about Jinhyuk’s variety show appearance since his drama had already ended.

Still, the reason Director Lee Sang-su kept recommending it was half due to his sense of responsibility as a KBC executive and half as a strategic move for the future.

There were mutual benefits to be had with the variety department.

But the education department?

"Still, the education department must be thrilled."

"That’s how it is."

"Still, we did our part, so I’ll call the PD and take some credit."

"Sure."

At the same time, in the education department.

A meeting of the production team for "Challenge, High School Quiz King."

"So, no one is available?"

"I’m sorry."

The casting writers bowed their heads.

"Challenge, High School Quiz King" is a program where high school students participate either through recommendations from their school principals or by passing preliminary rounds.

To boost the low ratings and attract middle and high school students, they occasionally invited celebrity guests.

Since the pool of teenage idols was broader than before, they had been trying this approach for several years.

Sometimes, they appeared as question setters, but ideally, they participated as equal contestants alongside regular students.

Especially for the new semester special in March.

But the recurring problem was the lack of willing participants.

For unknown idols, a TV appearance might be a rare opportunity, but for well-known idols, it was almost impossible to secure them.

"It’s the 40th anniversary this year. We can’t start the new semester special with unknown new idols."

The team members sighed heavily at the PD’s words.

Who doesn’t know that? But there’s no one willing to do it.

"I think we should change the concept. If casting is this difficult, and even if we occasionally include new idols, they might just stand there like a backdrop without pressing the button, and it won’t help the ratings."

That’s true. If they gave an absurd answer, they’d be mocked as "idols with empty heads."

Most of them would just stand there, not even pressing the button.

"Still, when An Ye-na appeared three years ago, the reaction was really热烈."

Now a top star, but at the time, she was an unknown member of the girl group "Rose Black."

After securing An Ye-na, who was a second-year high school student at the time, they got incredibly lucky as her song became a hit just before the show.

The program, which usually maintained a 3% rating, finally hit 5% for the first time in a long while.

Thanks to the steady viewers who continued to watch, the ratings stayed around 4% for quite some time.

That’s why they kept trying this format, even though it was a long shot.

"But that was the last time three years ago."

It’s a format that’s hard to give up, even though it’s difficult.

"Let’s try a bit harder. Who knows? We don’t have any other options right now."

At that moment,

Ring—

The PD’s phone rang. Checking the number, the PD thought, "What’s the drama department’s Kim director calling for?"

They rarely had any business to discuss. The PD asked the team members for their understanding and answered the call.

"Hello, Director Kim! How are you?"

The PD, who was greeting brightly, suddenly shouted,

"What?!!"

The team members, who were with him, were startled and looked at the PD.

But the PD’s eyes were twice as wide as the others.

"Ah, yes. Yes. Yes. Director Kim, I don’t know how to thank you!"

The PD, overwhelmed with gratitude, kept bowing to the person on the other end of the phone.

"Thank you! Thank you! Please be careful on your way back!"

Finally hanging up, the PD, with an excited face, told the youngest writer,

"Writer Hong, call WP Entertainment right away."

"WP Entertainment?"

The youngest writer, not understanding what was happening, looked confused.

The PD, with a face as red as if it would burst, said,

"Jinhyuk will appear on our show."

"What?!"

The youngest writer, doubting his ears, looked at the PD with wide eyes. The other team members were in the same state.

"PD, who did you say... I must have heard wrong."

"Jinhyuk. From 'Hong Gil-dong.' Jinhyuk."

A few team members jumped up from their seats.

"Really? Jinhyuk is really going to appear?"

"PD, are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

The PD shook his head vigorously.

"No, no. I just spoke with the drama department’s director."

The team members, looking incredulous, some even screaming,

"Wow!"

"Wow, is this real? Is this really happening?"

As the team members hugged each other, the PD raised his voice.

"Call WP Entertainment right away."

***

Jinhyuk’s parents, Woo Bong-soo and Kim Sun-hwa, headed to a high-end apartment complex in the area.

It was an unfamiliar place for the two, but it was a necessary choice for Jinhyuk’s privacy.

The location was chosen considering Jinhyuk’s commute and the parents’ work schedules.

The two arrived at a real estate office they had checked out on a map. It was a rather upscale office.

"Is this it?"

"Should we wait for Jinhyuk to come and go in together?"

"No, no. We can just go in and wait."

The two, who had come prepared to feel comfortable in a high-end apartment complex, felt a bit out of place upon arrival.

They had bravely suggested waiting inside, but Woo Bong-soo’s steps were not entirely natural. He carefully opened the real estate office door.

Ding-dong.

A refreshing doorbell rang, and a well-dressed female employee greeted them warmly.

"Welcome."

The employee, approaching the two, paused for a moment but maintained a polite smile.

Clearly, they were not the expected clients.

'They don’t seem to be apartment buyers.'

Judging people by their appearance is foolish, but there are wealthy people who dress modestly.

However, such cases are rare.

Most importantly, the words "Shinjin Pharmaceuticals" embroidered on the man’s jacket. She knew the small company nearby well.

If he was an employee there... it was almost impossible for him to be wealthy.

"How can I assist you?"

Before Woo Bong-soo could speak, his wife, Kim Sun-hwa, stepped forward.

"We’re here to look at the apartments."

"Excuse me?"

It was a mistake to show this reaction to clients. But the employee was so surprised that she asked in disbelief.

"Apartments...?"

"Yes."

"Do you mean this complex?"

"Yes... if possible..."

The employee blinked. Do they know the price range of this complex?

Or are they clueless about the market?

Occasionally, there are clients who come without any knowledge.

Or perhaps they just stopped by out of curiosity.

"Are you looking for a lease or a monthly rent?"

"No, we’re looking to buy."

"..."

The employee glanced at the manager’s desk. The manager, meeting her gaze, returned to his computer screen.

He didn’t seem to think it would lead to an actual transaction.

"I see. Do you have a rough idea of the market value?"

"Yes, roughly..."

"Have you thought about the size of the apartment you’re interested in?"

"Well, I’d like to hear some explanations and decide with my child..."

"Your child?"

The employee, confused, blinked.

"Ah, there he is."

Kim Sun-hwa, seeing Jinhyuk’s van pull up outside the glass door, spoke. The employee’s gaze shifted to the window.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She couldn’t even blink as she watched Jinhyuk approach.

"Hello."

Jinhyuk entered the real estate office. The bright lights seemed to dim in his presence.

The female employee jumped up from her seat.

"..."

Her mouth agape, she finally managed to speak.

"Is this... your son?"

"Yes, this is our son."

The employee covered her mouth, and the manager, who had suddenly stood up, quickly approached.

"Oh! Is this actor Woo Jinhyuk? Wow, what an honor! Please, have a seat!"

The manager’s quick change in attitude.

"Can you bring some drinks and tea?"

While the employee asked the three for their drink preferences, the manager quickly sat down in front of them.

"Great choice. This apartment complex is the best in the area. There are four different sizes..."

The manager’s eyes sparkled as much as they could.

***

At the "Challenge, High School Quiz King" recording site.

The audience seats, which should have been filled with a festive atmosphere like a school cultural event, were buzzing like a concert.

This was due to the news of Jinhyuk’s participation, which had been reported in the media.

"Wow! What do I do? What do I do?"

"Wow, I feel like I’ve used up all my luck this year."

"Ah, my heart is about to burst."

At that moment,

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

The students burst into screams. The screams from the boys were louder.

This was because Yoon Se-rin and Min Se-yeon had appeared in the recording site.

Dressed in school uniforms, the two looked like models in a school uniform catalog.

The PD’s mouth dropped open.

Jinhyuk’s appearance alone was shocking, but Yoon Se-rin and Min Se-yeon had volunteered to appear as audience members to cheer him on.

If it weren’t for the recording site, he would have shouted in joy.

"Se-yeon!"

"Se-rin!"

Do Min-woo, Kim Min-young, and Lee Young-jun, sitting in the audience, waved their hands.

Se-rin approached with a big smile, while Se-yeon followed leisurely.

"Se-rin, it’s been so long."

"Indeed..."

Se-rin, expressing her longing with a sad face, then asked with a bright smile,

"Are you all doing well?"

"Of course."

"Se-yeon, how have you been?"

Min-young linked arms with Se-yeon.

"Good, how about you?"

"Good, of course."

They were now in their final year of high school, and their class had been split up, so they couldn’t see each other as often as before.

Se-yeon was also busy due to the aftermath of "Hong Gil-dong," and she couldn’t attend school regularly.

Unlike Jinhyuk, who was focusing on his studies and only doing CF shootings, Se-yeon was actively appearing as a guest on various variety shows.

As the friends, who hadn’t seen each other