Ch.185Are there wives who don’t recognize their own husbands?

The reason I couldn’t properly contact Jaerin.

While it was partly for a surprise.

“Peak viewership rating 47.1%…!!!”

I actually had some incredibly fortunate events that kept me preoccupied.

The final viewership rating was 46.2%.

From YouTube to various OTT services.

In an era overflowing with content, “Our Fake Marriage” accomplished something unbelievable.

Perhaps it might be the last highest viewership rating possible for a TV drama.

Of course, it wasn’t a rating we got for nothing.

“There were some… issues with the broadcast standards, but it’s already aired, so what can we do?”

We achieved high ratings by treading a dangerous line.

You could say we showed the climax of the kiss scene.

We perfectly walked the line right before a bed scene.

“No matter how ordinary the story is, if the ingredients are top-notch, it proves you can get incredible results!”

Anyway, perhaps because we achieved such great results.

Writer Lee Minha’s pride was through the roof.

“Hahaha! Pour! Drink! It’s on me! Order anything! I’ll pay for everything!”

She was treating us to Korean beef and eel.

I could vaguely imagine how good she must be feeling.

“Really… really! Donghu and Sujin… acted sooooo well…!”

The shower of praise continued.

From PD Kim Youngmo with his flat cap.

To Director Kim Cheoldo who had been laughing heartily.

Everyone began lavishing praise on Sujin and me.

We secretly exchanged glances and smiled slightly.

Why our acting became unbelievably good in the latter half.

Why the content was so risqué it received a warning from the standards board.

Only we knew the reason.

>My waist and thighs were killing me when we filmed that last kiss scene

<Did you get hurt?

>It’s your fault, you idiot! You kept… doing that!

<Well what about me having to secretly apply powder to hide the kiss marks and scratches on my back?

>That’s because you’re too big! You monster pervert beast sex maniac!!!

I suppose this was a kind of synergy in its own way.

Or perhaps that’s what caused the ratings to explode.

‘Honestly, even I thought it was pretty steamy.’

I usually don’t look at community reactions.

But this time, they were too intense to ignore.

[The moment I realized the broadcasting company sold their souls for ratings (GIF, data warning)]

-(GIF of Kim Donghu and Kim Sujin kissing passionately)

-They made kids who just became adults film their first kiss scene

-But it’s seriously too steamy

ㄴIn my opinion, they’re definitely 100% dating

ㄴDude, you’re definitely getting sued

ㄴThere’s a reason they were asked if the content was appropriate, it absolutely wasn’t

ㄴBut the legendary part is how they just boldly went with it

ㄴIncluding that for promotional effect was genius

[100% chance this year will be Kim Donghu’s year]

-Remaining content for the second half: “The Real Hero”

-Finally completed documentary about Kim Donghu’s Olympic gold medal

-Will be co-produced by 3 networks

-The documentary’s name is badass: “Executioner”

ㄴAfter this comes out, he’ll get Asian Games gold next year

ㄴ???: Surrender, it’s the safest way to lose

ㄴ??? An Olympic gold medalist competing in Asian Games? Why?

ㄴThe balance is so messed up lol

Community reactions were all positive.

Anyway, we had to fulfill our viewership promise.

And I needed to review the upcoming documentary once more.

With this and that, I was extremely busy.

When I finally came to my senses, it was mid-July.

And in the blink of an eye, it was the day before Jaerin’s concert.

‘Half intentional, half unintentional surprise, I guess.’

But one problem arose in the process.

I needed to sneak into the concert secretly.

‘I don’t just need to surprise the members, but everyone at the concert.’

If I coordinated with Jaerin’s company to get in.

And fans saw me receiving special treatment or security escorts due to the company’s consideration?

With how perceptive people are these days, they’d definitely find it suspicious.

Plus.

‘Being spotted by fans wouldn’t be good either.’

Even though we became a virtual couple through “Will You Marry Me?”

Honestly, from a fan’s perspective, that might not be entirely welcome.

‘A solo concert is for seeing that idol, and it would be strange if I just barged in.’

Especially since we’re not even from the same agency.

And I wasn’t coming to help.

I genuinely just wanted to support her.

I didn’t want to be discovered and ruin the concert atmosphere.

So I came up with the wisest solution.

‘Where can I buy a fluorescent vest?’

That solution was disguise.

+++++

To be honest.

‘I had such high expectations.’

I thought it would be a surprise.

Despite what he said, I believed he would show up.

Or at least send a message.

But maybe he’s too popular and busy?

‘No contact.’

Jaerin checked the time and stood up.

There was no time left to check her phone.

Now it was time for the concert.

Time to smile more joyfully than anyone else.

“But Brother-in-law is too much! No matter how busy he is! He could at least send a supportive message!”

“Shh! Now’s not the time for that.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about me.”

What can you do when your husband is successful?

With that faint smile, Ryu Jaerin left the waiting room first.

Watching her leave, the members unleashed their pent-up anger.

“Argh! Seriously, Kim Donghu! Is he too good for us now?!”

“No, he’s genuinely busy.”

“Even so… he could contact! He could make one call!”

“If we go by that logic, there’s no end to it—time to text, time to call… how can someone live by splitting their time by the minute?”

“That’s true, but…! Wait, whose side are you on?”

“I’m not on anyone’s side, that’s why I’m saying this. They’ll just understand each other when they meet.”

They’re just a virtual couple anyway. Don’t get too invested.

Even though the member said that.

They couldn’t help feeling disappointed in Kim Donghu.

It might be virtual.

But they knew better than anyone that Jaerin’s feelings were real.

‘That’s why she was so depressed when she saw them kiss in the final episode of the fake marriage show.’

But they couldn’t bring this issue to the surface unnecessarily.

So the members stopped discussing the current topic.

“Let’s go prepare too.”

“Did they fix that shaky lighting from rehearsal?”

“They didn’t seem to be listening to us then…”

“They must have fixed it, it’s right above our heads, they wouldn’t ignore that, right?”

“This company is honestly kind of… subpar, but it should be fine.”

Far away from them.

‘Hmm, I got in perfectly.’

Kim Donghu was watching.

+++++

I once did an experiment like this before.

How far could I go wearing a fluorescent safety vest?

The results were shocking.

Because I could literally go anywhere.

I even passed through a famous concert without any restrictions.

It was a perfect success, allowing me to watch from even closer than the audience seats.

‘Of course, those two eventually got sued.’

That wouldn’t happen to me.

Because even though I snuck in, I actually had a ticket.

‘I hope they don’t make an issue of this later?’

With that thought.

I checked myself one last time in the corridor mirror.

A fluorescent vest that raised no suspicion.

A beard I borrowed from special makeup and thick-framed glasses with no prescription.

Plus a hat and mask.

‘Perfect.’

It was actually so perfect.

That no one recognized me.

‘I’ll watch the performance from the front and cheer her on.’

As the concert began.

Perhaps because it was my first time seeing an idol concert in my life.

Bloombell’s concert was a shock to me.

The sense of presence and the heat of the moment being directly transmitted.

I understood why people say they feel empty after concerts end.

“The energy is no joke.”

I couldn’t help muttering to myself.

I immediately understood how Bloombell could hold a dome concert in just their third year.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The heart-pounding sound and free-spirited choreography.

In that perfect performance moment.

Ding!

A message from Sims arrived.

As soon as I saw it, I rushed toward the stage.

“Kyaa! What’s happening?!”

“Is someone rushing the stage?!”

Commotion broke out around me, but I had no time to care.

Screech.

A loud noise and the dome rumbling.

The already loosely attached lighting fixture began to shake.

Crack!

It was falling.

And directly beneath where the light was falling.

“Jaerin!”

Was my bride.

Blocking it was impossible.

I tightly embraced Jaerin and threw myself away.

Crash!

The light fixture fell immediately after and shattered into pieces.

“What, what’s happening! What’s going on!”

“Jaerin! Are you okay?! Jaerin!”

“Stop! Pause the concert!”

In the midst of the chaos.

I looked at Jaerin in my arms and smiled gently.

“I was planning to surprise you, but not like this.”

“…D-Donghu? Is it really you? Are you okay?!”

Jaerin’s eyes were wide with shock.

I patted her back and changed the subject.

“I’m really fine, but it’s amazing. You always recognize me no matter how I disguise myself.”

“…What wife wouldn’t recognize her husband?”

Right, there’s no such wife.