Chapter 44 – Cheoltu! 1 vs. 100 (3)

Minho sat in the Cheoltu seat.

“I think I’ll be done sooner than I was expecting, so let’s go to Once when I finish.”

Minho focused his concentration and he had won about 60 rounds of Cheoltu combat by 2:00. Iseol started joining in playing as well. Minho suggested that if she won a game it should count double, and the production team gladly allowed it.

They didn’t think a girl would be that good at this game.

And then…

“Hurray!”

The production staff flinched as Iseol got five consecutive wins, and they quickly inserted an expert. The master expert who won last season’s Cheoltu compet.i.tion and who would never lose began his interview.

Minho gave Iseol a high five for her win and spoke as he saw the interview.

“It’s obvious just by looking that he’s too much for her, so give him to me. Then you’ll be able to get a picture out of it.”

The production staff pretended not to hear and turned away. Iseol grabbed Minho’s arm to say it was okay.

“If I lose, then I lose. I’ll think of it as a learning opportunity, oppa.”

“Ha, you’re so kind and nice.”

“Heh heh.”

Minho was convinced and stepped back since he was on track to reach the goal.

The master expert chose a Brazilian dreadlocked character as the opponent for Iseol’s Chinese girl. He fiercely cornered her from the beginning and took the victory.

“Wow, you’re really good.”

Iseol, who lost the first round, smiled brightly and looked over at her opponent. The master expert’s determination to win at all costs was immediately crushed by her smile which could melt snow in spring. 

“Ahahaha. Is that so?”

“You’re the best in here, aren’t you? Please go easy on me.”

The master expert gave Iseol a timid smile in response.

“No problem. Since there’s a big difference in skill levels, I won’t use the feet then.”

The expert spoke without fully thinking it through, but his character was one that mostly used a type of footwork called Capoeira.  After his third consecutive loss he gave up the victory to Iseol.

“Thank you for going easy on me.”

“Not at all. I can’t win against those skills. Ahaha!”

The production staff could only watch helplessly as they saw the expert disappear, scratching his head.

“Producer Doh, if this keeps up it’ll be over soon. We have to find a way so….”

The staffer turned his head as he spoke but stopped short, seeing the monitor seat empty.

Producer Doh who hadn’t budged when Iseol sang was now behind her cheering her on just because she was good at the game.

The production staff made a decision.

“Mr. Minho will do the last 10 victories by himself.”

“No.”

Producer Doh, standing among the spectators, walked over as he shook his head.

“Tell Minho to stop. We’ll go with her for the last ten victories.”

“Come again?”

The staffer looked over at Producer Doh as if he’d heard wrong.

“You don’t know what the viewers want.”

“What do they want?”

“A gamer girl.”

“I think the viewers I’m thinking about and the viewers you’re thinking about are different, Producer Doh.”

Producer Doh let the staffer’s words in one ear and out the other. Then he gestured to Iseol telling her to continue.

Iseol won against the last contestant and reached 100 wins before 3:00 pm. Minho cheered, watching from behind.

‘Clear it While It’s On. It’s been 5 hours and 48 minutes since the game was turned on. Since we reached 100 Cheoltu victories it’s fin~ished. See you next time….’

The announcer’s remarks that would be broadcast on the show played in Minho’s head automatically.

“Good job, Iseol! You’re the best, the best!”

Minho raised his hands in the air, happy to be leaving the arcade. Iseol asked in a whisper, as she saw Minho react so happily when all she did was enjoy the game for one hour.

“This really turned out well, right?”

“Definitely. Not many people on this program get to leave before dinnertime. Oh gosh, you’re fantastic.”

Iseol glanced bashfully over at Minho who was patting her head.

“Shall we go to Once now?”

“Yes, oppa.”

‘Clear It While It’s On’ coolly ended filming once the player hit the goal, so cleanup began right away.

Minho picked up the keychain to return it as Iseol packed up her guitar.

Producer Doh was sitting in front of the Cheoltu machine, enjoying a round to say goodbye to the blonde girl character.

“This helped me a lot, Producer Doh.”

“You did well too. If I’d known you played Cheoltu that well I would’ve gone with 200 wins.”

“Don’t say such horrifying things.”

“Tell Ms. Iseol thank you for appearing.”

“Yessir.”

He took the keychain out and set it next to Producer Doh, but Minho’s gaze stayed on the doll’s eye. It was a hollow stare that seemed as if it would suck him in right away.  It felt like the other eye would shoot out an anti A. T. field if the bandage was removed.

[You won’t die. Because I’m protecting you.]

Minho nodded to what the character said and he replied.

“Thank you for your help. Sincerely. Goodbye? It’ll be a brief goodbye. You might hate me saying this bu…..khup!”

Minho hastily covered his mouth when he spewed out those words. The keychain’s effect that he’d been repressing came surging back when he was off his guard. He was babbling like a middle schooler hitting p.u.b.erty.

Producer Doh was moving the lever with both hands and looked at Minho nonchalantly.

“So, you’re suddenly ‘out of the closet fan,’ ninggen.”

“Kyu?”

Minho replied in language he didn’t even understand and was terrified out his wits so he quickly took his hands off the keychain. Luckily the cameras had all withdrawn. It was only Producer Doh who was watching.

“I’m…gonna go. Let’s pretend this conversation didn’t happen.”

“Don’t be shy. Let me know if you get up the courage. I’ll introduce you to some good stuff.”

“No, thank you. So then….” 

Producer Doh waved a hand at Minho who hurried off.

“Bye bye!”

Minho’s gaze remained on the keychain next to Producer Doh as he left the arcade with Iseol.

‘Sayonara, Ray.’

3:30pm. Cafe Once was quiet.

The musician performance times were later at night so Minho and Iseol got permission from the cafe manager to use the stage and went right into producing.

“From here we’ll use the guitar percussive to keep the beat up down up down. And if the drum follows along dudum tss~”

Minho stood next to the stage and awkwardly mimicked the instrument sounds, caught up in the music. Iseol who was playing the melody of her new song laughed as she saw him swing his hand in the air, indulging his imagination.

“Finished.” 

Minho broke out of the fantasy and spoke.

“I think it’ll be good to go in the direction to maintain your emotions for this song.”

“My emotions?”

“I think it’s best to let your smooth and pretty voice be heard clearly.”

Iseol’s face went red as Minho complimented her voice and the song arrangement flowed as smoothly as running water.

“Let’s see. The accompaniment will be simple with just guitar and drum, and synthesizer. You said your company got instrumentalists? Tell them you want to go with an acoustic feeling.”

The time flew by as they got down to earnestly discussing the song.

“…Don’t try to spread your vocals into other elements, and we’ll just differentiate the section where you need to sing delicately and part that feels mournful.”

“Oh my! How do you know my song better than me? It feels like you refine the sections that are sloppy to make them more sophisticated.”

“Oh? Just somehow.…”

“It’s really amazing. How did you study music?”

“That’s uh… Iseol….”

Minho scratched his head as Iseol gushed compliments. He couldn’t really say that it happened naturally since Iseol’s musical tendencies so perfectly matched those of the cafe owner’s wife.

“Your music is good, that’s why.”

“You’re saying that again!”

“It’s true. I can’t see other people’s music as well as yours.”

“It’s just my music, right?”

Did he imagine her face brightening as she heard this? Minho pointed to the clock that showed it was close to 5:00.

“There’s one hour left so go and prepare for rehearsal.”

“You’re going to come watch, right?”

Iseol gazed at him with her eyes filled with expectation. Minho beamed a smile and answered,

“Of course. It’s your stage.”

“That’s a relief. Hold on a sec, oppa. I have something to give to you.”

Iseol took something out of her pocket and held it out.

“Tada!”

In her hands was a handmade invitation.

-HY Music Street Performance. Iseol’s Special Event with producer Minho Kang! Starts at 18:00.

The performance location and time were written in tiny letters on the palm-sized card. On one side was a cute drawing of Iseol playing the guitar and Minho composing.

It felt more like a letter written with sincerity rather than an invitation card.

“I had some time this morning so I made it. If you didn’t say you would come I was going to give you this and keep insisting.”

A smile naturally formed on Minho’s face at the way Iseol’s sweet heart revealed her intentions.

This was more than a simple invitation to Minho; it was a present that made him happy. The last time he could remember receiving a letter was when he was serving in the army. The letter addressed ‘h.e.l.lo mister soldier’ was from an unknown elementary student.

“I’m no producer. I’m just a neighborhood oppa.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Anyway, thank you.”

Iseol jumped off the stage with the guitar on her back. She lost her balance and stumbled, crying out. She flailed to regain her balance and Minho grabbed her arm.

“You’re really clumsy, actually.”

“Sorry.”

Iseol ducked her head and blushed red as an apple as Minho took the guitar off her back.

“I’ll hold it for you.”

“It-it’s okay.”

“You can’t go on stage if you fall on the way there. What will I say if you hurt yourself after you came to help me with my program?”

Minho strode ahead. Iseol blankly stared at his back. Then she made a small fist and shouted “Yes!” at this unintended but wonderful result.

“What are you doing? There’s one hour left.”

“Coming!” 

Minho opened the cafe door and called to her, and she hurried to follow.

The street performance location in Hongdae was already crowded with people. A great number of fans had come, hearing the rumors that high-profile artists from HY Music would be appearing. 

There was a crowd of people camping out in front of the stage truck, so Minho went around to the tent behind the truck. As he walked he looked over the cast banners on the side of the truck.

“Hyoryung nunim appears today too. I was a huge fan once.”

“Hyoryung sunbaenim treats me really well. Shall I introduce you to her once I get to know her a little better?”

“No. No need to do that. I was only thankful to her in high school when she dressed really coldly even in the winter time. But now there’s a bunch of idols I’m thankful to.”

“Coldy?”

Iseol laughed with a pfft. Minho stopped in front of the tent and handed her the guitar.

“Iseol, you should dress warmly in the winter time and the summer time. Because people will like you sufficiently regardless.”

“Even if I sweat a lot?”

“Even if you sweat a lot.”

“I will. Heh heh.”

“Good luck on stage.”

“Yessir!”

Iseol enthusiastically waved her hands as she disappeared. Minho waved his hands as well and turned around. Then he flinched as he saw a man standing behind him staring right at him. In this huge crowd of people, he was glaring right at Minho.

‘Did I accidentally b.u.mp into him?’

The man was in his early thirties and wearing a neat suit.  He walked over to Minho.

“You are Mr. Minho Kang, correct?”

“Do you know me?”

“I’m Kyungmin Jung from HY Music.”

Minho looked at the business card the man handed him and was surprised to see the t.i.tle “Producer.” Surprise turned into shock as he saw the image on the cell phone Kyungmin Jung held out.

The video playing on the screen was a recording of Iseol and himself performing their duet that morning. The number of views was fairly high for having been posted just a few hours ago. 

“I want you to take your hands off Ms. Iseol.”

 ——-

Object: Producer Doh’s character keychain.

Effect: Grants outstanding abilities having to do with fictional female characters of one’s fantasies. 

Chapter 45 – The Smart, Prologue (1)

Minho couldn’t take his eyes off the video of the duet with Iseol on the cell phone.

“It came out well.”

It was a shaky handheld fan video, but Iseol’s appearance only s.h.i.+ned. She made Minho himself look better, standing next to her absorbed in playing the harmonica.

‘Heh. I look like a real musician.’

Minho, briefly caught up in self-absorption, checked himself as he thought about how Manager Gong or President Sohee Im would react when they saw it. He could make up an excuse and say it was just a hobby, but there was a limit to how much they would believe that.

“The viewer count keeps going up.”

“What are you doing?”

Kyungmin Jung s.n.a.t.c.hed the phone away as Minho touched the screen to refresh the video.

Minho leisurely admired the video and turned back to Kyungmin Jung. Then he carefully asked,

“So you’re a producer? Are you the guy that tried to produce ‘Sparkling Star’ this time and was rejected by Iseol?”

“Watch what you say!”

Minho was sure from his angry outburst.

Kyungmin Jung looked at Minho steadily. He been preparing a big band for Iseol since that morning, but then was soundly rejected. Since then, he’d been pacing back and forth all day and he couldn’t help but get angry as soon as he saw Minho.

“Please tell me clearly whether you will take your hands off her.”

“I don’t know why you’re asking me that.”

“Are you going to make some excuse after getting involved with ’Once Again’ and then with ‘Sparkling Star,’ which has been chosen as the alb.u.m’s t.i.tle song?”

Minho thought this seemed strange and asked,

“What I heard about the contract with HY Music was that the decision on working on the songs is entirely up to Iseol. Is it not? Didn’t the president promise to present Iseol the way she is as a singer songwriter?”

Kyungmin Jung’s lips quivered but he couldn’t say anything. Minho could guess the situation. Iseol had said the producing direction didn’t suit her and it was clear she hadn’t been able to work things out yet.

‘She probably gave him a vague rejection by saying maybe next time.’

Minho spoke in no uncertain terms.

“I think you’re misunderstanding. I didn’t get involved to screw you over. Iseol was the one who made the song so she can do what she wants with it. From what I see, maybe you should spend this time thinking about the direction Iseol wants to go rather than arguing with me.”

Experiencing Iseol’s music and the illusion at Once gave a vivid impression unlike any other music. That’s why Minho meant to help Iseol out any time she asked.

“Are you saying to quit scheming and win purely out of skill?”

Kyungmin’s fierce scowl relaxed and he let out a deep sigh.

“I understand. I’ll report exactly that to our president.”

“Handle it how you think best, since it’s your company’s business.”

“The policy when it comes to the distribution of profit is 20%, which is the average, will be given to the arranger and it will be fixed.”

“Sure, sure.” Minho nodded nonchalantly but then hesitated.

“What do you mean by distribution of profit?”

Kyungmin looked at Minho strangely this time.

“The single ‘Once Again’ will be released soon. Your name Minho Kang will be included as the arranger so of course we have to distribute the profit. Your company has already put in an official contract. Then we have to do the same with ‘Sparkling Star.’ Let us know ahead of time if you get involved in other songs. So it’s not a ha.s.sle for us.”

It was the first time Minho had heard this. Minho had told Iseol to take care of it herself the last time they talked on the phone, but did she give HY Music his name? She didn’t have to do that.

‘Ha! It’s a ha.s.sle because she’s so nice.’

Minho clicked his tongue thinking she would have definitely been swindled by companies if it weren’t for the Four Seasons Brothers. He would have to give her some firm direction after the performance.

‘Wait.’

Minho caught something Kyungmin Jung had said.

“Did you say that my company sent an official contract?”

Kyungmin stared at Minho, who seemed to have no concept of the music business, with an expression of complete bafflement.

“You must have arranged more than one or two songs.  Why are you pretending to not know?” 

It was because Minho really had arranged only one or two songs. So he waited for Kyungmin’s explanation without saying anything.

“When we released the single in your version, Ms. Iseol insisted the ratio be composer 50 and arranger 50 so we told her it was impossible. Our company generally divides songwriter 40, composer 40 and arranger 20 after taking out distribution costs. So for this song it would be 80 to 20 since Iseol wrote and composed the song.”

“So you’re saying I would receive 20% of Iseol’s profit after the soundtrack is sold?”

“About 18% after taxes.”

Kyungmin turned around as if he had finished talking. He was about to leave without saying goodbye but then turned around to say one thing.

“Don’t dream of putting your name up, since she’ll like my producing on the next song.”

“Good luck.”

Kyungmin glared at Minho as if to say ‘We’ll see,’ and disappeared. Minho gave him a brief wave and fell into new worries.

If a contract about the distribution of profit had gone back and forth between the companies, then President Sohee Im would definitely have heard about it.  And it was certain that the view count was going to be as high as the video of him performing with Sanggun.

And what would surely come of it was the pressure to appear in a music program.

‘How do I get out of this?’

While Minho was contemplating, the stage truck opened and the first act started.

30 minutes after the beginning of the performance.

“h.e.l.lo, My name is Iseol Yoon.”

Iseol went up on stage and as soon as she bowed a round of applause rang out. Among the crowd were the people who became fans after the surprise performance at the arcade. They shouted ‘Cheoltu G.o.ddess!’ loudly and cheered. Those that didn’t know much about her laughed.

Iseol finished setting up her guitar and looked at the audience. She seemed to be looking for someone, and it wasn’t these wild men crazily waving their hands in the air.

Iseol spotted one person standing with his arms crossed all the way on the other side of the crowd. Her face automatically broke into a smile. Minho pointed to the mic telling her to go on and sing.

“I apologize to those who were waiting for ‘Once Again,’ but today I’ve prepared a new song, ‘Sparkling Star.’”

“Anything is good!”

Someone called out from the group of men and the audience laughed. Iseol turned her head and gave the signal to the synthesizer and drums with her eyes.

“Two, three~”

Her fingers plucked the strings of the guitar. That sound by itself echoed the sweet melody that Minho had added with the harmonica. Even with just that, the audience was focused on the smooth motion of her fingertips.

Then the humming started.

The melody vibrated through the speakers and flowed into the audience’s ears. They were briefly caught up in the sense of ecstasy as if sparkling notes that couldn’t be seen were floating around in the air. Then Iseol began to sing the lyrics.

That voice tugged at something deep in their hearts and became like an instrument itself. The listeners held their breaths as they were drenched in the beauty that Iseol’s music gifted them.

“It’s good~”

Someone murmured as if enchanted by a spell. Others nearby agreed that any compliments other than this would just be useless words.  They just nodded their heads and enjoyed the music.

The drum and synthesizer interlude went by in no time. The second verse that people wished wouldn’t end sadly pa.s.sed as well.

In this moment the audience watching, and even people in the street pa.s.sing by and wondering what event this was, couldn’t take their eyes off Iseol on the stage.

Iseol, completely absorbed in the song, poured her pa.s.sion into the final chorus.  As the last words rang out, the audience erupted in applause. 

Their cheers were louder than for any of the previous artists.

Iseol caught her breath, stood up from her seat and bowed.

“Thank you.”

The senior HY Music artists flocked around Iseol as she came off the stage.

“Great job, Iseol!”

“You sure are a dark horse.”

In particular Hyoryung, who performed earlier, showed her admiration by putting both thumbs up.

“The song is awesome. You were having trouble with the arrangement but it’s totally great.”

“Heh heh, right?”

“Can I get some help from the arranger that helped you? I’ll pay handsome royalties.”

“Since it was Minho oppa I don’t think that’ll be possible. He’s very particular about things like that.”

“That’s too bad. Then you help me later at least. Producer Jung isn’t so sensible.”

Iseol just laughed as she saw Kyungmin Jung make a bitter expression behind Hyoryung.

“Ms. Iseol.”

Kyungmin walked over and stood next to Hyoryung. She flinched and quickly said goodbye as she left.

“This type of arrangement certainly does suit you. I’m furious but it seems better that Mr. Minho Kang take on the producing for your alb.u.m.”

“Would the president allow it?”

“Once the president hears this song he’ll probably make a fuss about wanting to scout Mr. Minho.”

“That’ll be difficult. Minho oppa costs a lot.”

Iseol felt her cell phone vibrate while she was talking and took it out.

[Manager Gong is here so I have to go back to the company. I enjoyed your performance. You were splendid.]

Those words made her happier than any other cheer. Iseol beamed a smile and asked Kyungmin to excuse her and quickly stuck her head out the tent. But she couldn’t see Minho leaving because people recognized her and screamed as they waved their hands at her.

“Hmph.  If it’s not on a day like this it’s hard to meet with him.”

bzzzzzz.

There was another text message.

[And you. Didn’t I tell you I don’t need compensation for the arrangement? Then it looks like I helped you for money. I told you it’s because your music is good. I think I gotta definitely educate you soon. When do you have time?]

Iseol’s sad face broke into a smile.

‘Hemm.’

Minho stood in front of the president’s office at the KG Entertainment company building and gave a dry cough.

Even the secretary hadn’t come into work since it was the weekend. What kind of permanent program must it be for Sohee Im to wait for Minho like this. Manager Gong was elated all the way here but Minho felt a hundred times overburdened.

Knock knock.

“It’s Minho.”

Minho carefully opened the door and walked in. He flinched when he saw the video on the monitor on the wall. It was the video of his and Iseol’s duet at the arcade that was uploaded just today.

“Welcome, Mr. Minho.”

Sohee was sitting on the sofa, dressed in business attire as always.  She turned towards him. 

“I heard from my sister. She said you drove off with another car, not the one I gifted you with?”

“There was one I liked. Is that okay?”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s your reward for the T brand contract that you won yourself. I would’ve sent you somewhere else if I’d known you were interested in cla.s.sic cars.”

“No, it’s fine.”

‘I wouldn’t have met my b.u.mpety Boo if I went somewhere else.’

As soon as Minho sat down Sohee pointed to the onscreen duet as if she’d been waiting for it.

“An interesting contract came in from HY Music.”

“If it’s about that, then it’s because I was helping out a dongsaeng* I know….”

Sohee cut him off before he could make a proper excuse.

“You can’t individually partic.i.p.ate in outside events that haven’t been planned by the company. You have an exclusive contract with KG. And this contract with HY can be a violation against that contract. Luckily HY knew this and contacted the company and not you individually.”

Sohee paused the video and spoke.

“I’ll apologize first.”

Minho’s eyes grew wide as Sohee unexpectedly bowed her head.

“I underestimated your hidden talent. I didn’t expect you to have both the sensibility to produce a song to its full charm and the professional skill to play instruments. I heard you partic.i.p.ated in arranging not only Iseol’s song but Sanggun’s song. Is that true?”

Sanggun’s song with Chulhwan’s headphones. Iseol’s songs at Once. He couldn’t call it a sense for arranging since he‘d gotten involved with both people by simply enjoying the music.

Minho made a sour face.  Sohee didn’t stop asking difficult questions.

“The reaction to the interview on the celebrity program that aired yesterday was great as well. I heard the bulletin board was bombarded with comments from viewers asking for you to reappear on Youth Journal. Producer Na said he wants you to be a special guest star for the autumn harvest special. What you think about that?”

Minho quickly considered how to decline and make up an excuse. Then Sohee softly laughed and spoke.

“It’s rare for a person to achieve more than expected in a job they’re given. But you, Mr. Minho, do it every time. It’s fascinating.”

Sohee’s piercing gaze could make a person feel a sense of responsibility. It was much like Manager Gong’s constant “I believe in you!” expression.

It was certain that endless entrepreneurial calculations were running through Sohee’s head, just as Minho had experienced a few times. Now it was only to be hoped that there wouldn’t be any disadvantage caused by overestimating those calculations.

“There was something you asked me when we renewed our contract. Can you be like the people in the pictures hanging in the company hallway.”

Minho recalled Sohee at that time saying that he was worth investing in.

“Can you ask me that question again?”

“…Do you think I can be like the people who are hanging in the hallway of this company?”

Sohee stared right at Minho and shook her head back and forth.

“No.”

Minho p.r.i.c.ked up his ears at this unexpected answer.

“I can confidently say that you can become more popular than any other star that KG Entertainment has produced. Just keep doing as much as you’re doing now.”

Minho felt proud but overwhelmed at Sohee’s trusting words.  He nodded.

“I’ll try my best.”

Then he poured out the excuses that he had worried over.

“Sense for arranging is an excessive compliment. It just suited the musical tendencies of Iseol and Sanggun hyung. So I wish you wouldn’t schedule work pertaining to music, just as I said before. Since it’s only a hobby.”

“Of course. I plan to just suggest and won’t insist on any appearance.”

“I’ll decline Youth Journal. I can get a flash of popularity through another highly recognized variety show. I don’t think I need to waste energy on the same image.”

“What you say is correct. I’ll give Producer Na a kind refusal.”

After Minho finished his speech he breathed a sigh of relief to himself. He felt like a load had been lightened, but then he remembered why he had come to the president’s office.

“Oh yeah. What was the permanent program?”

Sohee’s face filled with expectation at Minho’s question.

“It’s a reality program that’s planned seasonally by NTV. It’s also a show specialized around your profession as a gamer.”

Minho wasn’t quite following and was about to ask when Sohee picked up the remote and changed the channel. It was a list of potential cast members for the new program.

“Lawyer, brilliant student, anchor, singer, actor, gambler…. Impressive, isn’t it? These are the people who were appraised to have a genius skill level in their expertise. Only a select 10 are chosen from them. They will come together in a reality show and one person will be disqualified every week through a game. Until we have the final winner.”

“What game?”

“The production team is strictly keeping that secret. I expect they’ll have a wide range. Something you need to either use your head, or engage in a psychological battle, or quickly calculate things. Games that can be solved by everyday citizens but are more interesting if geniuses solve them. Aren’t these the virtues you need as a professional gamer?”

Sohee turned to the next page on the screen.

“We obtained the t.i.tle of the program even though it’s a secret to outsiders.”

Minho turned his gaze to the screen and the t.i.tle [The Smart Game] popped up along with gold-embellished dice.

“They say the award given to the final winner is over 1 billion won. It’s the largest scale show in the country.”

Ten formidable compet.i.tors coming together to play a whole different kind of game.  Minho’s interest was roused and he asked,

“If you say it’s only the selected people, do you mean there’s a chance I won’t be chosen?”

“Don’t worry. You were number one to be casted since you won the quiz show from the same broadcast station.”

“So if I survive, then I’ll be a permanent cast member for 10 weeks.”

“That’s right.”

Sohee’s eyes sparkled and she asked,

“How about it? Are you confident?”

Minho shrugged his shoulders as he replied.

“Ask me again in ten weeks.”

Of course she wouldn’t ask if he got disqualified before that.

——-

Dongsaeng – a Korean word describing a family or friends.h.i.+p relations.h.i.+p. It is used to refer to one’s younger sibling or a close friend that is younger than oneself.