Chapter 95

95. Mercenary's Barracks Variety Show

"Hey, sir. What's with the serious face?"

Comedian Jang Su-yong approached actor Oh Young-pil, a former special forces member, with a joke.

It was the first day of filming for MBS's real barracks variety show "Born as a Man." The cast members started the program by participating in a real recruit training center induction ceremony.

The schedule involved completing a two-night, three-day condensed version of the five-week basic training, followed by a three-night, four-day shoot after being assigned to their units.

The concept included the cast members getting their hair cut as part of the induction, just like real recruits.

"I thought I'd go all out and get a proper buzz cut since we're doing this. How does it look, convincing enough?"

"Haha. You could pass for a recruit with these guys."

Considering that this wasn't actual enlistment and the cast members had other schedules to attend to, it was enough to just mimic the look.

However, actor Oh Young-pil appeared with a proper buzz cut, just like real enlistees.

True to his pride as a former special forces member, he had no intention of taking it easy on this program.

"Senior! Hello! Salute!"

"Unity! Come on, Ki-hyun."

The cast members gathered one by one. The crowd around them buzzed each time a new cast member appeared.

"It's Baek Ki-hyun!"

"Ah!"

The cameras were already rolling, and thanks to prior permission, no one approached, but the gathered gazes were unavoidable.

Then, it happened.

"Ah!"

"Mom!"

Suddenly, the screams grew several times louder, the crowd stirred, and the group of people behind the gathered cast members parted like the Red Sea.

Both the production team and the cast immediately knew who had arrived.

"Wow. Jin-hyuk, that guy really lives his life alone, doesn't he?"

Comedian Jang Su-yong said, his mouth agape.

With his side hair buzzed short,

and his top hair neatly styled in a military officer's fashion,

Jin-hyuk's chiseled face, fully exposed, radiated a unique charm.

"Ah! What do I do? What do I do?"

"Really, really, it's unbelievable."

"Wow... How can someone be like that..."

The female fans, completely captivated by Jin-hyuk, made the enlisted soldiers feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

"How can a guy who hasn't even been to the military exude the aura of a commander of the strongest unit?"

"Hehe. Indeed."

U Jin-hyuk was already an actor with an unbelievable aura. But today, he was emitting another level of aura, a perfect blend of discipline and charisma.

Jin-hyuk's perfectly balanced physique and his ideal soldier's walk, a mix of confidence and ease, drew everyone's attention with every step.

"Hello."

In response to Jin-hyuk's respectful greeting, the seniors said,

"Hey, how can a civilian like you have such a sharp military bearing?"

"Anyone would think you're an officer."

Comedian Jang Su-yong playfully patted actor Oh Young-pil's shoulder.

"Hey. Who would think you're an officer? They'd know you're an actor. Do you think the world would let such a face be enjoyed only by the soldiers in the unit?"

"Hahaha. That's true."

Jin-hyuk's appearance reminded everyone of why they were there.

"Preparations are underway for the ceremony. Please move to the stands."

As the noisy induction ceremony came to a close, the induction site turned into a sea of tears.

"Come back safely."

"I will, Mom."

"Ah, what do we do with our son..."

"It's okay. Everyone goes through this."

"Mom..."

"Father, I'll come back safely."

Watching this scene, Jang Su-yong wiped away a tear.

"Ah, it brings back memories. Back then, everything was so dark. Sigh. Jin-hyuk, you don't feel it yet, do you?"

Of course, he didn't.

Jin-hyuk had never experienced an induction ceremony where his parents and friends saw him off.

He felt a bit envious, but he quickly shook off the feeling.

Now, he had parents and friends to see him off.

"Alright, our production team will move to the barracks immediately."

Following the production team's guidance, the group moved to the barracks prepared for the cast members.

They received military supplies, received training on barracks life, and went through a brief drill.

Since they had to compress five weeks of training into two nights and three days, everything proceeded without a moment's delay.

"Tomorrow, we'll have rifle shooting."

The instructor, with a neatly pressed cap, instructed them in a disciplined voice.

"During this time, we'll learn how to disassemble and reassemble the K2, the main rifle of our army, and conduct a weapons inspection for tomorrow's shooting."

Jang Su-yong, holding the K2, had a nostalgic look on his face.

"Wow, K2. How long has it been? Jin-hyuk, it's your first time handling a gun, right? Ask me anything about guns. It's a different world from the rear, where you only get a few rounds of blank ammunition. In the GOP, we almost always carried firearms and live ammunition. I'm very familiar with guns."

Jang Su-yong whispered to Jin-hyuk, glancing at the instructor. Jin-hyuk looked at the rifle he had been given.

Jin-hyuk also felt nostalgic.

K2, when was the last time he used one?

In the third-world battlefields, the most commonly used rifles were the AK series developed by the former Soviet Union and Russia.

This meant that the supply was smooth, making it the most familiar weapon for mercenaries.

Real battlefields weren't like training camps where you only used the personal firearm issued to you.

Supplies weren't always smooth, and in life-or-death situations, you had to use whatever weapon was at hand.

Therefore, he was also familiar with the M-series rifles developed in the U.S. and the German-made HK series.

He had even encountered the K2 rifle.

Since it used the 5.56×45mm NATO standard cartridge, there were no major issues with ammunition supply.

It was a personal firearm Jin-hyuk had briefly favored due to its Korean origin.

However, it wasn't suitable for a mercenary, so he didn't use it as his primary weapon for long.

Still, it was a rifle he encountered from time to time.

"Alright, push this part while pulling to open the chamber."

After learning the disassembly and reassembly method,

"Now, let's practice disassembling and reassembling the rifle on your own. You have 30 minutes to get familiar with it. Begin."

While the instructor gave them 30 minutes and left, the most senior member, Oh Young-pil, suggested,

"Hey, let's have a competition to see who can disassemble and reassemble the fastest."

"Should we? I don't think I can beat the GOP."

"Are you underestimating the special forces? They're all good at it."

"Haha. You guys don't know. Do you know how many times we disassemble and reassemble guns during mobilization training in the reserve units?"

Everyone was confident.

"Alright. Then, the winner gets all the snacks tonight. Okay?"

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Is this what a military experience is like? Just a day ago, these snacks were untouched.

But the moment they enlisted, they became precious treasures to be savored. Even though it had only been an hour since dinner, their stomachs were already growling.

The military... is hungry.

"Can someone be the judge?"

"Sure, I'll do it."

A serving soldier, who was assisting, stood up with interest.

"Alright, when you finish disassembling, shout 'finished' and raise your hand. I'll check and then you can start reassembling."

Just as the cast members, who had put their pride on the line, were ready,

"Wait, hold on!"

Everyone looked at Jang Su-yong.

"Jin-hyuk is seeing a gun for the first time today. It wouldn't be fair to compete on the same level. Let him start 30 seconds earlier."

"Agreed. Let's do that."

Everyone agreed, but Jin-hyuk shook his head.

A skilled soldier can disassemble and reassemble a K2 in about 1 minute and 30 seconds.

For these reservists, it would take 2 to 3 minutes at best.

Jin-hyuk, who had never lost a disassembly and reassembly competition in his mercenary unit, was confident he could do it with any type of firearm.

"I'll start with everyone else."

"Hey, just pretend you don't know. It's your first time handling a gun. There's no shame in it."

"Thank you, but I want to compete on equal terms."

Seeing Jin-hyuk's firm resolve, the senior actor Oh Young-pil summarized,

"Okay. We're all in the same boat now. We can't keep treating Jin-hyuk like a rookie. It's a matter of pride. Even if you lose, compete equally. You're awesome, Jin-hyuk."

Everyone focused on their rifles, their pride and snacks on the line.

The tension was palpable. The assisting soldier glanced at the cast members.

"Alright, let's start. Ready!"

The silence was broken,

"Start!"

Thud thud!

Everyone's hands started moving busily.

Then,

"Disassembly finished!"

Someone's voice, Jin-hyuk's, announced the end when no one else had even finished half.

"What, what? Already finished? Judge, check it properly. It's impossible to finish so quickly."

The soldier, who had been sitting relaxed, rushed over to check.

"Uh... Uh...? Disassembly confirmed. Start reassembling."

The soldier looked at Jin-hyuk in surprise.

"What? Really?!"

Everyone, still focused on their rifles, let out a sigh.

As their hands became more frantic,

"Reassembly finished!"

Jin-hyuk's voice made everyone stop. The cast members, who hadn't even finished disassembling, stared at Jin-hyuk with wide eyes.

"Reassembly confirmed."

The soldier, who had checked Jin-hyuk's rifle, also had wide eyes.

"Jin-hyuk, what are you... This... Is this even possible...?"

Jang Su-yong, sitting next to Jin-hyuk, was so shocked he couldn't finish his sentence.

'Wow... Amazing.'

The most surprised was the cameraman filming Jin-hyuk's disassembly and reassembly.

'If we air this as is, people will think it's a fast-forwarded clip.'

The cameraman whistled.

That night,

All the cast members, who had surrendered their snacks to Jin-hyuk, clutched their growling stomachs and tried to sleep.

In the dark barracks, someone said,

"Damn, it really feels like we're in the military. I'm so hungry."

***

The next morning.

Da da da da da...

Familiar reveille sounded.

"Ah!"

Comedian Jang Su-yong jumped up, waving his arms.

"Ah! I had a dream I was re-enlisting."

"Kekeke."

Singer Baek Ki-hyun chuckled in agreement.

"Everyone up. Get dressed in 3 minutes and assemble in front of the barracks."

Everyone shook their heads at the instructor's stern voice.

"Why did I agree to this?"

"Indeed. It must be cold outside, right?"

"Hey, is it warm in January? It's colder in the military."

Muttering, the cast members, aware of the cameras, quickly got dressed and lined up in front of the barracks.

Seven serving soldiers, prepared to make the scene look good, were already waiting for the morning run.

After the morning roll call, the instructor shouted,

"Alright, we're doing a bare-chested run. Take off your shirts!"

The cast members' eyes widened. A bare-chested run in the cold.

"Hey... Am I really enlisted?"

"Take off your shirts in this cold?"

The winter bare-chested run, a morning hell even for active-duty soldiers, was a shocking announcement for the cast members, who had been living a civilian life.

The cameras eagerly captured their dismayed faces.

Among the cast members, who were hesitantly taking off their shirts, Jin-hyuk was the first to strip down.

"Wow..."

Seeing Jin-hyuk's body, the cast members let out sighs.

Jin-hyuk's bare body was a work of art.

Since the day he returned, Jin-hyuk had never neglected exercise, even during the exam period.

Moreover, he had been actively building his body for the action drama "Wealthy Prosecutor" since right after the college entrance exam.

His body, with a zero body fat index, was a perfect blend of lean and defined muscles.

Even as a man, it was a sight that made you burst with admiration...

Not just the cast members, but even the serving soldiers let out low "wows."

Jin-hyuk had never shown his bare body on TV before. This was the first time his shirtless body was being broadcast.

***

"Hey, it's cold."

The camera director, waiting to film the morning run, shivered from the cold.

"Hey, salute! Thank you for your hard work."

Approaching the camera director with a relaxed pace was the division commander, responsible for coordinating the filming.

"You're waiting to film the morning run. It's very cold, isn't it?"

"Ah, yes. Winter is always like this. What can you do?"

"How is the filming going? You know, this shoot is a big deal for the army. We're counting on you."

"Of course, we'll do our best not to let down the hardworking soldiers."

As the two chatted while waiting for the cast members,

Thud thud thud!

The rhythmic sound of boots marching in unison,

"One, two, three, four. Count off!"

With the leader's command,

"One! Two! Three! Four! One, two, three, four!..."

The soldiers' roaring chants echoed through the cold morning air, warming it up.

Rounding the corner, the soldiers ran straight toward the camera director's position, their formation sharp.

Thud thud thud!

"One! Two! Three! Four! One, two, three, four!..."

In the midst of the intense sight of the shirtless soldiers in the dead of winter, one person stood out.

Holding a red flag, a person who seemed to draw all the air and light around him.

U Jin-hyuk.

The camera director focused on Jin-hyuk.

His piercing eyes,

His chiseled face.

His upper body, with its perfectly defined muscles, moved rhythmically,

His long legs, marching in perfect unison,

It was like a scene from a carefully choreographed movie.

"Wow..."

The division commander's mouth dropped open. If he had to imagine the most handsome soldier, this would be it!

As the division commander's heart raced at Jin-hyuk's aura, the director, who had been quietly filming Jin-hyuk, swallowed hard.

Gulp.

This scene had to be used in the promotional video, the opening sequence!

The director's 30 years of experience whispered.

This is definitely

A hit!