Chapter 127: Answers revealed!

The moon hung brightly in the sky.

Before long, the variety show filming was nearing its end.

‘…What a relief.’

That was still Sua’s only thought.

Seo Yeon-ju had suddenly and actively singled out Lee Sua, allowing Sua to escape the situation.

Most of the PD’s persistent questions had gone to Yeon-ju.

‘I need to treat Yeon-ju unni separately later.’

Let’s definitely repay her. Absolutely.

And now, they were filming the highlight of this special feature.

Each person was currently performing their assigned mission.

First, the raccoon.

“Huh? It really washes the cotton candy in water?”

“Aww! So cute!”

Everyone collapsed at the sight of the raccoon washing the cotton candy.

The raccoon was flustered when the cotton candy disappeared as soon as it touched the water, and the way it flailed its front paws afterward was utterly adorable.

“Alright! The raccoon’s cotton candy eating mission! Is a failure!”

“Looks like I’ll have to buy it another one separately. It looks so disappointed.”

“Next is Seo Yeon-ju-ssi! Will the cat be able to find the clothes Seo Yeon-ju-ssi wore among the pile of clothes?”

The cat didn’t even start the mission, so it failed.

“We’ve prepared photos of twenty hedgehogs. If you find your own hedgehog among these, it’s a success!”

The hedgehog camp also failed.

Before long, it was Sua’s turn again.

“Sua-ssi’s mission is to blow out candles!”

“Blow out candles?”

Instead of an answer, a desk appeared with lit candles set upon it.

Twenty in total.

Not a small number at all.

“The Arctic fox needs to jump over them, and Sua-ssi needs to swing the bat to extinguish the flames. If you extinguish 10 or more combined, it’s a success! However, you must absolutely not touch the candles!”

PD Kang Hyun-sung quickly added.

“If it seems dangerous, the Arctic fox doesn’t have to jump. Safety is our top priority on our show.”

“It’s alright. Sumi is excellent.”

Sua immediately gave Sumi the command, and the smart Sumi instantly understood the rules.

It took only a moment for her to kick off the ground.

Swoosh—!

“Ah!”

“Oh my! How cute!”

Reactions erupted from here and there.

This was because Sumi looked so adorable leaping.

Though, she jumped too high and didn’t extinguish a single candle flame.

Now it was Sua’s turn to shine.

Sua gripped the bat and thought.

‘I don’t want to be consumed solely as a comedic image.’

Maintain her image while securing screen time.

Anyone would want that.

Wouldn’t one prefer to remain a cool actor rather than a clown?

Sua felt the same, and she currently stood at a crossroads.

An opportunity to impress everyone while also getting screen time.

“Hoo…”

Everyone burst into laughter at Sua’s deep breath.

“Sua-ssi, you’d think it was the bottom of the 9th with two outs.”

“Is she unexpectedly serious about this kind of mission? What a twist.”

“Looks like her competitive spirit kicked in. The vibe is no joke.”

Meanwhile, Wi Ji-hye chimed in.

[Shall this venerable one teach you how to swing?]

And the next moment.

Clang—!

All the candle flames went out.

However, it wasn’t a success either.

Crash—!

Because Sua’s bat completely knocked over the desk.

“Eh.”

[Oh, for crying out loud.]

---

Finally, all filming concluded.

“You all worked hard today!”

“I had fun playing! It was healing!”

“Everyone have a good night!”

The entire production team’s atmosphere was completely different from the start, filled with cheerful expressions.

It was natural. They had captured a tremendous amount of satisfying footage today.

PD Kang Hyun-sung sought out Kim Yi-seo separately.

“CEO-nim!”

He approached with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

“Thank you so much. Sua-ssi saved the entire variety show today. The view count is obvious without even looking, and editing seems like it will be easy.”

“I just arrived. Will Sua’s image be alright?”

“Of course! Amidst her bluntness, add a spoonful of clumsiness, unexpectedly serious about pets or trivial missions—it seems she’ll be portrayed with that kind of surprising charm.”

Kim Yi-seo finally nodded.

“If it turns out just as you say, it wouldn’t be bad.”

“Right? If a person is only stiff, you can respect them, but it’s hard to grow fond of them. But add a touch of humanity? After that, it’s astonishing. Fans go crazy.”

PD Kang Hyun-sung took off his cap and scratched his head.

“Yes. Thanks to that, the rest is fine. Something else is the big issue.”

“A big issue? What part?”

“You know the common trait among major MyuTube channels these days, right? They’re capturing overseas viewers too.”

“Ah, I’ve seen it. They either dub it in Korean or add foreign language subtitles separately.”

“You saw correctly. We’re getting greedy too. Today’s footage was so good that we want to add foreign language subtitles, but I don’t know if we can find someone capable within the deadline.”

“Hmm.”

Kim Yi-seo hummed thoughtfully.

Only then did Kang Hyun-sung look apologetic.

“Oh dear, I got too excited and started chatting idly. It’s a topic completely unrelated to Mystic!”

“So, you need someone proficient in foreign languages immediately, right?”

“Pardon?”

Kim Yi-seo showed more interest in the PD’s predicament than his apology.

The PD, though puzzled, answered first.

“Ah, yes. For now, that’s correct.”

“PD Kang Hyun-sung-nim. In that case.”

Kim Yi-seo stared intently at PD Kang Hyun-sung.

“Would you like to receive Sua’s help?”

“Are you referring to Sua-ssi?”

“Yes. For writing the subtitle script.”

Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“Sua is extremely good at foreign languages.”

Soon, PD Kang Hyun-sung’s eyes lit up.

“C-CEO-nim. Let’s move somewhere else first!”

---

A large tent was hastily arranged into the form of a reception room.

Kim Yi-seo took a sip of water and nodded.

“First off, Japanese and English are definite strengths.”

From PD Kang Hyun-sung’s perspective, this was mouth-watering news.

His mind was spinning faster than ever.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t she give her acceptance speech in Japanese too? But she’s good at English as well? Not just average, but definitely good?’

While the urgent need for subtitle work targeting overseas audiences was real, PD Kang Hyun-sung had another task.

To find a Korean actor fluent in foreign languages.

The final puzzle piece needed to complete ‘Star Summit’.

‘Sua-ssi’s looks need no further work. She’s already more than enough as a face. The key was what she could deliver…’

…Could Sua-ssi possibly be the final puzzle piece?

PD Kang Hyun-sung had a frightening thought.

Sua participating in a debate with intellectual prowess.

He was already afraid of how successful it might be.

Of course, this was a thought Sua would also fear if she heard it.

“CEO-nim, how exactly are Sua-ssi’s skills?”

“At the very least, skimming through the subtitle script would be enough for her.”

“I’d like to know a bit more detail.”

“Details…”

Meanwhile, Kim Yi-seo also had her own agenda.

‘It would be good if Mystic could participate in the editing. We could prevent scenes that might damage her image beforehand.’

Sua’s image had successfully gotten off to a great start, and this meant no damage could be allowed.

Kim Yi-seo intended to do her utmost to protect it.

But in the midst of it, a question arose.

‘His questions are too detailed to be just about subtitles. It feels like he has some other ulterior motive.’

Soon, Kim Yi-seo’s brain reached a clear conclusion.

‘…Aha, he’s thinking about the next variety show.’

Kim Yi-seo quickly became certain.

PD Kang Hyun-sung was famous for casting people through direct meetings rather than paperwork.

The calculator in her head sped up.

‘If you list top variety PDs in Korea, Kang Hyun-sung is always included. This is an opportunity. Having Sua participate is definitely beneficial.’

Therefore, Kim Yi-seo put strength into her voice.

“Sua is incredible. You could say Korean is her weakest language.”

“…Korean is her weakest?”

“It’s obvious if you think about it. She came from overseas.”

“So that rumor was true!”

In truth, Kim Yi-seo had only stated a guess, but Kang Hyun-sung seemed to take it as confirmation.

His face brightened rapidly.

It was the expression one makes upon finding something desperately sought.

PD Kang Hyun-sung leaned closer and asked.

“CEO-nim, what about her intellectual side? Does Sua-ssi perhaps know how to handle current affairs? Is she skilled in debate?”

“Explaining that sort of thing would just tire my mouth.”

“Wh-why? Did you experience an anecdote?”

Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“You wouldn’t be able to close your mouth if you saw Sua during contract negotiations. She’s a master of negotiation. Debating would be needless to say.”

“How so…?”

“How many cars did I give her? One? Two?”

Kim Yi-seo then let out a small laugh.

“That’s right. I gave her three.”

“…!”

PD Kang Hyun-sung’s eyes widened.

At this point, he was itching to talk.

But even if he wanted to spill everything right now, he couldn’t.

‘Star Summit’ was still in the planning stages, and showing too much eagerness would lead to stricter contract terms.

However, Kim Yi-seo was already certain of victory.

“So, why ask about Sua’s intellectual side?”

“Well. Perhaps I’ve fallen for Sua-ssi. Just kidding, does Sua-ssi have any other variety shows lined up?”

“Not yet.”

“I hope there won’t be any in the future either.”

It was a very subtle metaphor, but neither Kim Yi-seo nor Kang Hyun-sung were people who wouldn’t grasp the meaning.

Kim Yi-seo was inwardly convinced.

‘Sua is entering the big leagues again.’

She felt a thrill.

Later, on the way out of the tent.

‘…Indeed, about three cars was a cheap price to pay.’

Kim Yi-seo beamed.

It was a moment where she felt proud of Sua and also satisfied with the choices she had made in the past.

---

Meanwhile, Sua was with Sumi.

She was kneeling down, stroking Sumi.

“…”

The surroundings were simply festive.

Even behind her, tremendous discussions about Sua were taking place, but Sua only stroked Sumi.

Huh? Why was she doing this?

‘…I think I messed up today’s filming. What should I do?’

Because she was full of worry!

‘Sua screwed up…. Sua disastrous….’

‘Sua worried…. Sua anxious….’

Being her first time on a variety show, her anxiety was immense.

She had no sense of how she appeared, nor how the captured scenes would be edited.

This was why she was anxious even while everyone praised her.

‘I want to come across with a good image, but I don’t even know how I was filmed. It’s so hard without special perks!’

Just then, Sumi rubbed her face against the back of Sua’s hand.

“Mother, do you have worries?”

“No, no. I’m just hungry.”

Sua stroked Sumi once more.

The only saving grace, perhaps, was that even Sua was confident Sumi would come out looking extremely cute.

Everyone lost their minds even when Sumi moved just a little.

…Though Sumi herself seemed to aim for a dignified image. Anyway.

“Sumiya. You worked hard, so let’s eat.”

Sua put down an empty food bowl.

As if anticipating that today’s filming would be long, pet foods luxurious enough to be considered extravagant were prepared.

Sua planned to fetch some herself and fill this bowl.

And she would watch her eat too.

She might be doing well at the center, but being together directly is more affectionate, right?

It was then.

“Sua, Sua! Come here for a moment! Quickly!”

“…CEO-nim?”

“There’s so much good news! Hurry!”

Sua first got up from her spot.

“Sumiya. Wait here for just a moment.”

***

Afterward, Sua had a period of mental purification.

Sua heard many things from the CEO.

That the filming concluded successfully, that her image was expected to improve, that Mystic would be involved in the editing, the possibility of joining the next variety show…

While Sua was regaining her vitality like that.

“…”

Sumi was still alone.

The problem was that the time was too long.

The little fox spent a long while with the empty food bowl before.

“Awooo…”
(Hahaha….)

She burst into laughter.

“Awoooowooo—!”
(Sumi, like this empty bowl, you are no longer useful to Mother! Mother certainly gave you a chance! Why could I not extinguish the candles…!)

Fortunately, Sua returned soon after, and they spent a good time together.

---

Busy days continued without a moment to catch one’s breath.

Sua handled all sorts of schedules to the best of her ability, and time passed like a comet, making everything feel like an instant.

And finally. On a certain Wednesday.

The entire media landscape was in an uproar.

[ Official Website ]

• My Wednesday is finally here!

• I’ve seriously been waiting just for this.

• The commercials feel so long ㅠㅠㅠ

• Ah, I can’t stand it. Start already!!!!

[ Special Task Force 808 Gallery ]

[ Title: Today’s Content Prediction ]
[ Seems like Lee Kang-cheol and Kim Yuhan will completely split ways, they’re already past the point of compromise. Looks like Kim Yuhan will head off to the warehouse alone, saying let’s just do it our own ways ]

• It’s a shame, they had some aspects where they were becoming similar

• Buddy shows usually have one big fight

• Agreed, the taste is in the deep reconciliation at the end

[ Title: These f***ers are spinning their happy circuits like crazy ]
[ You guys haven’t been screwed over by Lee Geum-sook, have you? Everything you think will happen is wrong. She’ll probably just slam us with a sad ending. ]

• That would be seriously messed up;

• Gonna set tvS on fire fr fr

[ Title: But what did Lee Kang-cheol do wrong ]
[ He just followed the principles ]

• Right? Isn’t it just Kim Yuhan’s fault?

• But Lee Kang-cheol is a bit frustrating….

[ Title: Look at these idiots taking Lee Kang-cheol’s side lol ]
[ He has no f***ing flexibility and is suffocatingly frustrating ]

• True, honestly not great

• So the guy who breaks all the rules is normal then?;

[ Title: Ah just air it already please ]
[ If you don’t show me right now I’m gonna sh*t my pants ]

• I’ve been wearing diapers since last week

• I held my breath since last week and died

For them, it was a topic that drove them mad with curiosity, an intractable problem for which they couldn’t find an answer no matter how crazily they debated.

How would it unfold?

Which way was right, Lee Kang-cheol’s or Kim Yuhan’s?

The curiosity and anticipation were immense.

This was the weight of an average viewership rating of 28%.

If they couldn’t handle it, they would surely be crushed.

Therefore, right now.

[ Special Task Force 808 ]
[ — Episode 7 — ]

The answer sheet prepared by the production team.

The long-awaited broadcast of Episode 7 began.