Chapter 90: A Great Challenge
“A prodigy?”
The entertainment show ‘A Great Challenge’ was a cable broadcast.
Mu-young, who had just finished filming at S Company and hurriedly got into the car, asked back in disbelief.
If he was going up against a prodigy, it would be a battle of wits. How could he possibly win?
“Yeah. The show will focus on the fact that you graduated from Seoyeon University. The competition will range from solving common knowledge problems to mental arithmetic.”
“Oh no. I’ve forgotten everything.”
“It’s only been a year since you took the CSAT. Don’t you have any scraps left in your brain?”
“Hyung. The moment I stepped out of the door after the CSAT, everything evaporated.”
“Haha. Don’t worry too much, the opponent has a handicap. Brains are sexy these days, you know? It’s perfect for promoting the drama and fits Doha’s character.”
“That’s true, but…….”
If I get it wrong, it’ll be a total embarrassment.
Mu-young muttered as he carefully looked over the script. His opponent was Kim So-woon, a first-year middle school student. Since he was a civilian, there was no information about him at all.
“Will we start filming as soon as we get there?”
“Yeah. Time is tight. Just say hello to Teacher Doseok.”
“Oh. Right. I’m really excited. I’m a huge fan.”
“Is there anyone in South Korea who isn’t a fan of him?”
“Is he really as nice as he is on TV?”
“Looking at the fact that he’s been in that position for 20 years, that says it all.”
“……I should have taken a shower before coming.”
Mu-young had just finished filming a drama. As a result, his hair, clothes, and makeup were all exactly like Doha’s. If necessary, he might have to go back to S Company after ‘A Great Challenge’ was over. Gyeongmin muttered as he turned the steering wheel.
“But it’s only because the opponent is a civilian that we could arrange the time. Since the questions are set in the studio, the filming time will be accurate.”
“So you’re saying this is a good opportunity in many ways?”
“Yeah. So go out there and do your best. If you win the extra 100,000 won, treat me to some meat.”
“Is that money really given out?”
“Of course. It’s a big deal if you lie on TV.”
Hmm. That’s a bit tempting. With 100,000 won, I could…….
“But even if I had that money, I wouldn’t have time to spend it.”
He was spending almost 24 hours a day on the drama. It could be because Mu-young still didn’t know how to manage his time efficiently.
I don’t know how other people can film two or three projects at once.
“We’re here. Get out.”
They arrived at the parking lot of Cable T Company and immediately went up to the 14th floor. It was 11 p.m. Even at this hour, the 14th floor was as lively as daytime. It was crowded with staff and audience members.
“Mr. Ha Mu-young, this way please.”
“Oh. Yes.”
“Did you get the script?”
“Yes, I did.”
The entertainment director led him to the waiting room and gave him a detailed rundown of the key points. It was an entertainment show that relied strictly on the script, not on the wit or humor of the performers to generate content.
“After Doseok hyung greets and introduces you, the music will start. I’ll give you a signal from behind, and then you can go out. Be careful when walking on stage, it’s a bit high.”
“Oh, I see. Yes.”
“Will you say hello? The waiting room is over here.”
Doseok was one of the most renowned national MCs in South Korea. He was a veteran comedian with 20 years of broadcasting experience and a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. His natural and witty humor was his forte.
Squeak.
“Hyung. Today’s guest is Ha Mu-young.”
“Oh! Oh!”
He had been eating a cream bun and happily got up, wiping his hands. Oh my God. It’s really MC Doseok.
“Wow, wow. Hello! I’m Ha Mu-young!”
“Oh, Mr. Ha Mu-young. It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you came, even though you’re busy these days. The drama and the movie were really good and fun. I’ve become a fan. A fan! It’s ‘The Plague’ and ‘You Are a Star, I Am a Star’, right? Haha!”
Oh my God.
Not only did MC Doseok call his name, but he also said he was a fan.
The person he had watched on TV since he was a child! Mu-young was so moved that he couldn’t speak and stood still.
“I, I’m a huge fan of you, sir.”
As a child, he used to cry and laugh while watching the entertainment show on TV every Saturday. Thanks to that, he wasn’t lonely.
Thank you for always being with me when I ate. Mu-young was genuinely touched and held his hands tightly.
“You were my childhood, sir.”
Upon hearing that, Doseok was also taken aback. He smiled and patted his hand.
“Thank you for the wonderful compliment.”
“Oh. What should I do? I’m so nervous, sir.”
“Haha! You shouldn’t be. You’re here to compete today. By the way, have you met Kim So-woon?”
“No, I just got here.”
“Okay. Then get ready, and oh! Can I have your autograph? My daughter is a huge fan of you.”
Doseok handed Mu-young a piece of paper and a pen. At that moment, he realized.
That Mu-young had truly become a celebrity and that ‘The Plague’ and ‘You Are a Star, I Am a Star’ were receiving a hot market response.
“I, I’ll do it for you too. An autograph…….”
“Of course! Should we take a picture too?”
“I’m so happy…….”
Mu-young’s hands were still shaking as he signed the autograph. I, Ha Mu-young, am giving an autograph to the national MC Doseok! I can’t believe it. The two exchanged autographs and even took a commemorative photo.
“Can I brag about this on SNS?”
“Of course. Should we follow each other too?”
“……Sir. I’m so happy I could die.”
“Hahaha! You’re a funny guy.”
After such a heartwarming first greeting, Mu-young was urged by the production team.
“Let’s go to the waiting room!”
“Oh. Yes, sir! I’ll see you later then.”
“Okay. Let’s do our best.”
Squeak! Thud!
As soon as the door closed, Mu-young walked with trembling legs. Gyeongmin laughed and supported him.
“Are you that happy?”
“Wow. Hyung. I’m really glad I debuted.”
Just meeting him was an honor, and he even remembered his name. He was fully recharged. He clenched his fists and made a resolution.
“I’m really going to do my best.”
“If you work any harder here, you’re going to collapse.”
“In this state, I can do anything! Three all-night shoots, no, two are possible!”
Below the tall stage, the audience was seated in a row. Cameras were positioned between them. The director, sitting on a long rail like an excavator, gave a signal into the microphone.
“We’re ready.”
“Clap the slate! Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
Bang!
As the staff clapped the slate, Doseok greeted the audience and started the opening.
“Hello, viewers! It’s your great challenge with me and you! It’s Doseok! It’s getting so cold these days, isn’t it?”
The MC continued his commentary while looking naturally at the camera. It was smooth, like flowing water. Mu-young, watching from behind the stage, was nervous and fidgeted with his feet.
“-Let’s welcome today’s guest. The talk of Chungmuro, the leader of youth dramas! It’s Ha Mu-young.”
“Wow!”
“Mr. Ha Mu-young, you can go out now.”
Mu-young walked on stage following the route the production team had told him. Small sparkles were bursting beside him. He was nervous before, but once he was in front of the camera, he felt at ease.
“Hello. I’m Ha Mu-young!”
“Wooooooow!”
“Wow. The reaction is hot, as expected. I heard that the recently released movie ‘The Plague’ was your debut work, so you’re technically a rookie. Haha. Do you feel the popularity?”
At the host’s words, Mu-young smiled shyly.
“Yes. Thanks to that, I was able to appear on ‘A Great Challenge.’”
“Oh dear. Your words! I heard you’re attending Seoyeon University?”
The interview continued for a long time, covering Mu-young’s profile and promoting both works thoroughly. Looking at the screen, the PD smiled and muttered to a staff member.
“I think Doseok hyung likes that guy. Why is he doing such a long interview?”
“I know, right? He’s asking questions that aren’t even in the script.”
He kept encouraging Mu-young to talk more, even about things that could have been skipped. Thanks to that, Mu-young had to bring up things he hadn’t expected to.
“-They say that if a ghost’s voice is recorded, it’s a big hit. That must be why. Something similar happened during the filming of ‘The Plague’ too.”
“Oh! I heard about that. A light almost fell, didn’t it?”
The writer couldn’t take it anymore and waved her hand. On the sketchbook was a large letter that read, ‘Next!’ Doseok smiled and said he understood.
“Well then. Let’s introduce the opponent who will compete against our challenger Ha Mu-young today. He wants to become South Korea’s pride, the prodigy Kim So-woon!”
With the music blasting, a male student in uniform walked out. But…….
‘Huh?’
A grandmother ghost was clinging to the boy’s back. She kept touching his cheeks as if she felt sorry for him.
“A genius who ranked among the top 100 in the national mock exam-!”
Doseok introduced him, but Mu-young couldn’t hear it. Kim So-woon, the student, greeted Mu-young.
Come to think of it, the uniform also looked like it had been handed down, as it was loose. The sneakers were the same…….
“But Ha Mu-young is also a genius, as he was able to attend Seoyeon University. I wonder what kind of competition this will be? I’m looking forward to it! Please show us Kim So-woon’s handicap!”
At those words, the staff brought out two desks. One had stationery and a calculator, and the other was empty.
“Yes! Kim So-woon’s handicap is mental arithmetic! The questions were selected from this year’s CSAT, so for Ha Mu-young, it’s like taking the CSAT for the second year in a row.”
“Is that so? Hmm. It’s not as fun as I thought.”
“Haha! Still, please do your best to solve it. Well then, let’s begin!”
Following MC Doseok’s instructions, the two sat down. Mu-young slowly solved the CSAT problems that appeared on the screen. When he glanced to the side, he saw that Kim So-woon was concentrating with his eyes blazing.
‘How can he solve that with mental arithmetic……?’
The prodigy is definitely amazing. Amazing.
Even as he clicked his tongue, the grandmother on his back remained the same. She kept touching the boy’s head as if she was fond of him.
“Mu-young, what are you doing? Solve the problem!”
At Gyeongmin’s warning, Mu-young suddenly came to his senses. Right, he’ll think about that later and solve what’s in front of him first. Mu-young recalled his memories and moved his pen.
The result was-
“Mr. Ha Mu-young, what’s your score? Oh! 92 points! Then, Kim So-woon’s score is-! 89 points! It’s a difference of just one question! Congratulations! Challenger Ha Mu-young’s great challenge was successful! The prize money is 100,000 won-!”
Mu-young’s victory.
Fireworks exploded and fanfare sounded.
Was it because the grandmother ghost was bothering him? Mu-young gave a confused closing speech and came down from the stage. Gyeongmin dragged him to the PD.
“PD-nim. You worked hard!”
“Ah, you worked hard too.”
“Wow. He’s young, but he’s smart too. I can’t live because it’s unfair, right?”
“Please give him the ‘Brains are Sexy’ title, PD-nim.”
“Of course. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything. I think Doseok hyung really likes Mu-young. Oh, by the way. Here’s the appearance fee and the prize money. We’ll give it to you in cash right away! Haha!”
The envelope was thick. While warm greetings were being exchanged, Mu-young hesitated and asked carefully.
“By the way, is Kim So-woon a student you know, PD-nim?”
“Huh? No. I asked my alma mater if they had any smart and studious kids. He doesn’t go to any academies, but he’s always first in his class. He lives with his grandfather, and he said he’s appearing to earn some pocket money?”
In addition to the prize money, there was a separate appearance fee of 200,000 won.
After greeting the PD, Mu-young and Gyeongmin stepped out into the hallway. Kim So-woon was walking alone.
“Hey, wait a minute!”
“Huh? Mu-young?”
Mu-young reflexively ran to him. The student turned around, looking confused.
“You were amazing earlier…….”
“……? Thank you.”
“It’s late. Are you going home alone? Where’s your guardian?”
“My grandfather is waiting downstairs.”
He kept worrying about him. Maybe it’s because he reminded him of his younger self. He scratched his cheek and asked.
“Student, do you have a grandmother?”
“……Who doesn’t have a grandmother?”
“No, I mean. The one with fluffy hair, droopy eyes, and a mole under her eyes.”
Mu-young struggled to describe the appearance of the grandmother on his back. At that, Kim So-woon’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
“Do you know my grandmother?”
“Of course I do! No wonder- you look just like your grandmother? No wonder you looked familiar.”
And naturally, he handed him the envelope he had just received. At that moment, flower petals burst out in all directions.
Whoosh!
It was the first time. Not following luck, but creating luck himself.
The bewildered Mu-young and the equally bewildered Kim So-woon. The two just blinked and looked at each other.