episode_0111

Vroooooom─!

Inside the van speeding towards a fancy Korean beef restaurant for the company dinner, Sua checked her phone.

She was being bombarded with messages.

[Sua Task Force]

[Sengji: Sua, I don’t know.] [Sengji: I did what you told me to do….] [Wonsoonging: Take a look at this.] [Wonsoonging: (Community Link)]

Clicking the link led to some kind of gallery.

‘First of all, the number of likes is insane!’

The first thing that caught her eye was the number of likes. It seemed to have garnered significant support from people, as it was categorized separately as a ‘Hot Topic.’ However, the content seemed oddly familiar.

[Special Task Force 808 Gallery]

[Title: Full Starcatch Article ㅇㅇ] [Storm is brewing. Lee Suan didn’t bother explaining himself to those who doubted and ridiculed him. The results will show whether those with such thoughts are ridiculous, or whether Lee Suan is ridiculous.] ─What kind of template is this again? ─Did they really write the article like this? ─How are they going to handle the aftermath?

[Title: I think I know why Lee Suan is acting like this.] [There’s no way a rookie actor would do such crazy things on their own accord. No matter how I think about it, someone must have persuaded him to do some noise marketing. But it just looks so pathetic….]

[Title: It doesn’t matter how much you slander him.] [(Reactions from Female-Dominant Communities)] [Communities with a high proportion of women are just taking it in stride? Life is all about looks. It’s just your inferiority complex.] ─Cut off these instigators. ─They’re openly stirring up a fight.

Then, another message arrived.

[Sengji: Sua. Um, well, you see.] [Sengji: Suan-nim must have a plan, right?]

‘…No?’

Sua was sweating profusely.

‘I just wrote what I wanted, thinking it was an article going out under Sengji unnie’s name, but if I tell her now, I’ll get beaten to death, right?’

It was a truly wicked crime. Sua Satan!

But Sua quickly shook her head vigorously.

‘Ah, never mind, never mind!’

Yoo Han Sua said this was the best way. So let’s not worry about it. All the effort so far will prove it.

.

.

.

.

.

Afterward, they arrived at a massive hanok-style restaurant.

‘…It’s always huge whenever I see it.’

That was Sua’s impression.

Come to think of it, they had the production kickoff dinner here too.

But Sua is quite different now than she was then. Thanks to that, Sua could briefly indulge in some strange reflections.

Kim Iseo also got out of the van soon after.

“I’m getting quite nervous. The entire community, including reporters, is paying attention to see which Wednesday-Thursday drama will take the lead. Even…”

Kim Iseo glanced sideways at another person beside her.

“…Even a master director from Japan has shown interest.”

Yusaku and his assistant were seen getting out of a taxi.

He readily accepted Kim Iseo’s suggestion. He said he wanted to know more about Sua anyway.

Kim Iseo’s gaze then turned to Sua.

“How are you feeling, Sua?”

“About what?”

“I’d like to hear how you’re feeling right now.”

“Just that I want to eat Korean beef….”

Sua gave a vague answer.

It was true. Last time at the company dinner, she couldn’t even eat a single piece because she was too busy watching everyone’s reactions. Maybe she can eat a few pieces today.

Kim Iseo chuckled.

“I guess my question was foolish. Sua doesn’t get nervous.”

Thump, thump, thump!

Sua’s heart answered for her.

‘No. I’m incredibly nervous.’

Back when all the filming was completed and they were exchanging well wishes, saying they had all worked hard, she thought all the worrying was over, but that was far from the case.

…Showing it to the viewers was another matter entirely.

What will the viewers think? It’s scary but also exciting.

‘It’s on a completely different level than short films. I’m going crazy.’

Sua thought as she entered the restaurant.

Side dishes other than the meat were already set up, and the staff was already seated.

As soon as they saw Kim Iseo and Sua, they all jumped up from their seats to greet them.

“Sua-ssi is here!”

“You should say Kim Yoohan! Kim Yoohan!”

“Yoohan-ssi, who played Sua! Welcome!”

“Huh? But who is that next to them…?”

While confusion spread across the faces of a few people who recognized Director Yusaku, Kim Iseo gently patted Sua on the shoulder.

“I’ll handle greeting the staff. Sua, go in and get a seat first. The actors’ room is probably set up separately with floor seating so you can eat comfortably.”

Sua moved towards the space where the actors were, and there too, she was greeted with enthusiastic greetings.

Only Park Dohee subtly avoided Sua’s gaze. She seemed particularly afraid of Sua.

“Sua-ssi! I’ve laid out a cushion for you here!”

“Wow, where did you get your aesthetics done? Your skin looks even better? Just look at that glow. You could use it as a mirror.”

“Why doesn’t Sua-ssi’s hair color fade? Is that dyed hair? Is your natural hair white, by any chance?”

Sua didn’t dislike this commotion.

If they were being boisterous while ostracizing her, it would have been as uncomfortable as sitting on thorns, but everyone here only wanted to welcome Sua.

So much so that Sua felt very proud.

It was then that writer Lee Geumsuk and PD Choi Heewon appeared.

Writer Lee Geumsuk raised her hand.

“Sua-yang! I was so surprised when I saw your acceptance speech. And you learned Japanese sometime? Is there anything you can’t do?”

PD Choi Heewon also smiled.

“These days, this writer is thrilled. Whenever she realizes Sua-ssi’s abilities, she says the spectrum of her next work widens too.”

“Of course! Sua-yang, you’ll participate in my next work too, right?”

Sua just smiled vaguely and mumbled an excuse.

She was already struggling to keep up with Crescendo, Seo Yeonju’s grade 5 script…, not to mention the other offers she’d already received.

Sua was about to take off her shoes and enter the room.

“Alright! Everyone line up! Line up!”

Someone’s shout was the beginning, and immediately a line formed in front of Sua. The person at the front suddenly put their hands together and closed their eyes.

Like looking at a Buddha statue in a temple.

“My son’s turning one soon, please keep him healthy.”

That was the beginning. Everyone added something.

“Please let me change my car next year.”

“Please let me win the lottery.”

“Please let my stocks go up.”

“Please let me not have to go to the military.”

From fairly realistic wishes to something that hurt her heart, Sua was simply confused.

Why are you doing this to me?

Sua asked writer Lee Geumsuk.

“What is this again?”

“They’re making their wishes.”

“That’s what it seems like. So, what I mean is, why to me….”

“The story is going around that Sua-ssi is a shooting star.”

Writer Lee Geumsuk shrugged with a playful face.

“You suddenly appeared like a meteor and showed an incredible presence, right? After that, you saved a dying short film and completed an unfinished script. What else could it be but a shooting star?”

Sua thought for a moment.

‘…Is being treated like a shooting star okay, at least?’

It’s still better than being treated like a yakuza, right? Maybe this is a little more amiable and better?

So she ended up staying still. Like a meteor caught in the night sky.

In the meantime, Seo Yeonju appeared.

“Aaaah, am I very late? The nail artist was making a lot of mistakes today! In the end, I had to redo it from the beginning….”

Of course, Kim Sunil also arrived around the same time.

Kim Sunil tilted his head slightly.

“…Director Yusaku is outside. What’s going on?”

In that way, the number of people filled up one by one, and at some point, the restaurant became quiet as if they had made a promise.

Sua knew it instinctively too.

The time for the first episode of Special Task Force 808 had finally come.

Everyone started moving their eyes to the TV that was easy to see from their respective positions, and they couldn’t take their eyes off it even though only commercials were playing. Many people kept wiping their hands with wet towels, probably because they were so nervous.

“It’ll start right after a few commercials, right?”

“Ah, I can’t watch! But I can’t not watch either!”

“What kind of viewership rating will we get?”

“What’s our goal?”

“I’d be happy if we just achieve 10%!”

Then Lee Geumsuk shouted.

“What’s with 10%! I completed an unfinished script with precious people! Let’s go big with 15%!”

“Okay! Let’s go for 15%─!”

They were about to raise the viewership rating with their shouts.

In that heated atmosphere, Sua suddenly felt the gazes that had started to turn towards her one by one.

She could immediately understand the meaning of the glares. They were looking at her with the expression of wanting her to say something.

‘…But if I say something wrong, they’ll misunderstand again.’

After thinking it over, Sua held up one index finger.

And tapped her lips.

It simply meant that she wanted to watch silently first.

Then everyone cheered and toasted as if they were about to smash their glasses.

“Okay! They’ll chew it up and swallow it 100%!”

“Great! Sua-ssi! Let’s go for 100%!”

“Kim Yoohan-ssi says our drama will be on 100%!”

“….”

『 Special Task Force 808 』

With a somewhat misguided goal, the first episode began.

◈◈◈◈◈

Gangnam. A luxurious party room.

Three women entered.

“Wow, the facilities are insane.”

That was Wonsoonging’s comment.

Balloons that were prettily attached like decorations everywhere and impeccably cozy furniture, Sengji-Wonsoonging-Saseum rented the party room today.

With the intention of enjoying drinks and watching the drama on the side.

Sengji also chuckled and murmured.

“I know. The facilities are really good. But is Eunbi okay? You’re a VTuber, right? Shouldn’t you be broadcasting even on days like today?”

“I temporarily took a day off. I entrusted it to another unnie.”

Saseum-Go Eunbi’s day off today was quite strategic.

If she turned on the broadcast, people would ask about Lee Sua’s casting, and she wouldn’t be able to watch Special Task Force 808 together either. They would spam the chat saying why would she watch something where a man is the lead. Because her main viewers are men.

‘I might as well comfortably take a day off today. I’m also looking forward to this drama, and I’ll do a collab with Sua for the next broadcast.’

That’s not all.

‘That’s right, if Lee Suan’s public sentiment is good after watching today, I should ask Sua to bring that person too. He was so handsome.’

Afterward, they covered the table with delivery food.

“What alcohol are we going to drink?”

“Soju today. My reporter job is too tough.”

“What, you didn’t order tteokbokki with extra fish cakes?”

“Just order it again. We have plenty of time.”

In the meantime, the drama started airing.

『 Special Task Force 808 』

It didn’t take long for the three of them to get engrossed, and their mouths didn’t rest even in the midst of it. It’s more fun with a fuss.

『Lee Kangcheol. I have been ordered to be assigned to Team 808.』

Seo Yeonju and Kim Sunil’s two-shot in uniform was the beginning.

Go Eunbi started slapping Wonsoonging’s shoulder.

“Oh my, oh my my, hey, look at Kim Sunil’s shoulders. What is that? The Pacific Ocean? Can I jump in right now? Should I swim?”

“…You’re like a total ahjumma. Why are you acting like that, seriously.”

“No, he’s seriously so cool! That atmosphere!”

Before they knew it, everyone stopped moving their chopsticks.

It wasn’t because they were full.

There was only one reason, the drama was more fun than expected.

“Igaram’s eyes were a little suspicious, wasn’t he? He’s not a mole, is he?”

“Seo Yeonju is so innocent. Yeah, but I have bigger boobs, right?”

How long did they make a fuss like that?

Finally, the time came.

The appearance of a man whose eyes were covered by snow-white bangs.

Kim Yoohan.

『Wow, how kind!』

When he showed a smile that wasn’t anything special.

Whoosh!

And the moment he stole Lee Kangcheol’s car keys from his pants.

“….”

The three people’s mouths hung open blankly.

A little later.

Suddenly, Go Eunbi was playing with her bangs, Sengji was brushing her side hair behind her ear, and Wonsoonging politely adjusted her posture.

Even they didn’t know why they were doing this.

However.

‘What would he think of a woman who does VTubing? I should get introduced to him by Sua. Where should we go on our honeymoon? How many children will I have? And what should their names be?’

‘I should stop using the community and live a wholesome life from now on. I should work out and manage myself strictly. I have a goal now.’

‘…I should try to talk to him during the video call. What should I say. Do you know about the scandal on your side? A marriage scandal with me. Um.’

Dizzying thoughts began to mix wildly.

Special Task Force 808 was definitely a variety show.

『 Hahaha! 』

“Ehehe!”

“Giggle!”

“Hehe!”

Suddenly, the space began to overflow with laughter.