episode_0227

“Wow, they’re way bigger in person…!”

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The ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team was marveling at Soo-ah’s pure physique. Soo-ah’s body possessed curves that far exceeded their expectations.

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“Usually, people Photoshop their bodies to look better, not worse, right? But that… she probably had to get it trimmed down a little. I don’t even know where to look!”

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Because of this situation, the male members of the production team naturally became polite. It’s like, there’s nowhere to put your eyes.

Soo-ah was embarrassed, and Soo-ah was polite.

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“Huh? Did you not hear my greeting?”

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Soo-ah simply tilted her head, puzzled.

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It’s too much to ignore my greeting after I went to the trouble of saying hello.

“Hajimemashite.” (Nice to meet you.)

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Soo-ah greeted them again.

Along with adding a few words, just in case.

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“Yokukikoenakatta you desu ne. Kankoku de haiyuu to shite katsudou suru Lee Soo-ah to moushimasu.” (It seems you didn’t hear me well. I’m Lee Soo-ah, an actress working in Korea.)

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Soo-ah surprisingly used a long sentence. Thanks to this, the Soo-ah Association inside her was impressed. It was at the same time as feeling relieved.

—Thankfully, this overload recovery is fast?

—I know, right? I’m relieved.

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And it wasn’t just the Soo-ah Association that was impressed.

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“…!”

The ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team was only now surprised. This was because Soo-ah’s Japanese was more natural than they had imagined.

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The translator looked like they were at a complete loss for words.

“I don’t think we really need a translator.”

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Soo-ah nodded, not particularly denying it.

“I’m quite confident in my Japanese.”

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‘Quite confident’ isn’t the word for it. Not even Japanese radio program hosts, voice actors, or announcers could use pronunciation this close to the standard language.

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‘…No dialect at all and pronunciation close to the standard language… she gives off the feeling of a Japanese elite? Multitalented?’

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He thought she was just a good actress after seeing MDD 808, but now it seems like the person herself is capable. The main PD pictured a rosy future in his head.

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‘If the main actress for the Korean wave special speaks Japanese while hosting the program, it’ll be good for gaining popularity and smooth too.’

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While the main PD was worrying about those things, the other staff and Mystic CEO Kim Yi-seo finished greeting everyone.

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In other words, it was now time for negotiations.

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Kim Yi-seo first spoke to the main PD.

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“Almost everyone in Japan knows about Celebrity Zoo, right? Even I, a Korean, often look up clips because it’s such an interesting program.”

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And Kim Yi-seo’s words were relayed to the ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team through the translator.

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The main PD smiled and nodded.

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“You flatter us.”

“Flatter? What flatter? But for such a famous program to be interested in our Soo-ah… I was surprised.”

“We have no choice but to be interested. MDD 808 is firmly in first place on Netflix Japan. We unanimously agreed that we should cast Soo-ah.”

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“Is Soo-ah’s image good?”

“It’s not so much an image, but there’s a lot of interest. Everyone is very curious about what kind of person Soo-ah is.”

“Ah-ha.”

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Kim Yi-seo nodded with a satisfied expression.

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According to the main PD, there’s no better time than now. If they show the image that Mystic intended, that will become the image of Soo-ah that Japan thinks of.

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Well, Mystic didn’t even need to create an image that they intended. Why, you ask?

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‘Because Soo-ah is attractive as a person.’

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That’s what Kim Yi-seo thought.

Just stir the butter like crazy.

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At this point, the main PD checked Soo-ah’s reaction.

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‘I’m telling her that she’s such a hot topic in Japan, but she doesn’t seem very interested. Is it not even making a dent? Or is she naturally a calm type? Or maybe both?’

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The truth was neither.

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Soo-ah was lost in completely different thoughts.

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‘Every time I experience overload, I can’t remember things well and my head hurts like crazy. It’s similar to getting drunk and collapsing.’

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—Thankfully, nothing major happened.

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‘Really? That’s good then.’

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You could say that she was too busy sharing her feelings with the Soo-ah Association, thanks to getting out of the overload. Because of that, the ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team couldn’t help but become more and more nervous.

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Because Soo-ah didn’t seem very interested in the position.

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In any case, the main conversation was between the main PD and CEO Kim Yi-seo. Therefore, other members of the production team secretly used their phone messengers under the table to converse.

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[It doesn’t seem like Soo-ah-ssi likes the position very much?]

[I know, right? I’m conscious of her.]

[I never thought we’d be conscious of a rookie…]

[Isn’t she practically not a rookie anymore?]

[That’s not what I meant. It’s just that the feeling is too different. Like she has more than 20 years of experience.]

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The staff felt a composure from Soo-ah that was unbelievable for a rookie. When you think about it, her filmography is also unique. She hasn’t had a project that wasn’t a hit.

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[Yeah, they say that everything was successful without exception.]

[She has a right to be proud.]

[If she succeeded in everything with her own skills, that’s amazing.]

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The story continued for a while.

“Well, then, let’s get down to business.”

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Kim Yi-seo brought up the main point first.

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“Shall we slowly hear the detailed contents of what you want from Mystic and Soo-ah?”

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After Kim Yi-seo said that, she poked Soo-ah’s butt, and Soo-ah translated. Soo-ah thought. Wait, why isn’t the CEO using a translator and using me?

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But it was all Kim Yi-seo’s own strategy.

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‘I have to show Soo-ah speaking fluent Japanese as much as possible. That way, her value will go up more.’

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And that strategy actually worked.

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The ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team had to respond to the conversation while marveling at Soo-ah’s Japanese skills.

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“Our variety show is doing a Korean wave special this time, and we’re thinking of featuring Soo-ah as the main actress.”

“You’re going to feature Soo-ah as the main actress…”

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Kim Yi-seo fiddled with the hairpin in her bangs.

“…In other words, you’re going to treat her befitting the main role, right?”

“Of course.”

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The main PD nodded.

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‘I understand now that I’ve seen her in person. It has to be Soo-ah.’

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He had fallen properly for Soo-ah.

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◈◈◈◈◈

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The next day. Next Day headquarters.

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*Tada-da-dak*—!

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Despite it being the crack of dawn, there was a reporter diligently hitting the keyboard. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes, it doesn’t seem like he came to work early.

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Yes, he stayed up all night.

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*Tada-da-dak*—!

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However, even while his body was succumbing to fatigue, his eyes were burning. Because he had confidence in what he was currently writing.

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“This is it. This will definitely work. I’m going to preempt it for sure.”

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YouTube comments, related posts on the Special Task Force 808 gallery, posts that can be seen by joining Soo-ah’s fan cafe…

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He looted and compiled everything he could loot.

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It was about Soo-ah’s past.

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When he started focusing on the field of ‘Soo-ah’s past,’ things that hadn’t caught his eye before started to appear. There weren’t just one or two either.

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‘There’s a saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” right?’

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There isn’t accurate material evidence, but if this many people are voicing their doubts, then there’s something there. There’s enough justification to publish it as an article.

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‘Kim Hyun-mo, that bastard of a section chief…’

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Kim Hyun-mo, the section chief who often took his anger out on him, suddenly came to mind, but that was only for a moment. Once this hits, he won’t be able to help but praise him.

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“Okay, good, good!”

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He finally pressed the enter button with a *tak* sound. It was at the same time as doing a stretch that seemed like it had a lot of pent-up frustration.

“Let’s go with this as the title.”

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[Lee Soo-ah, Her Meticulous Past Laundering.]

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He only saved the file and then turned off the PC. Now, all that’s left is to detonate it. He soon left for the smoking room, muttering to himself.

“I already had a stomachache, but suffer a little mental anguish.”

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◈◈◈◈◈

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At the same time. NeoLive headquarters.

“Unnie! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you in person!”

“I know, right? How long has it been since our offline meeting?”

“Can you even call it an offline meeting? I just got called to the company because there was something to do.”

“Whatever, it counts as an offline meeting since I saw you in person.”

The NeoLive members chattered.

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VTuber broadcasts can be done comfortably from home, but for some reason, there was a call to headquarters today.

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Everyone was curious about the reason.

“Isn’t Eun-bi coming today?”

“She said she’s busy. She said she’s practicing her acting in her spare time.”

“Eun-bi is pretty, though… It was too much of a waste for her to be a VTuber from the start. Her real-life appearance is so pretty.”

“So, why were we called here today?”

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Then.

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*Bang*—!

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The NeoLive team leader and Mystic CEO Kim Yi-seo came out of the conference room. They didn’t think much of it until that point. The members were about to stand up and greet them all at once.

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However.

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“…!”

“Heo-eok!”

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The members were startled as if they had been struck by lightning.

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Because there was an unexpected person added.

“S-S-S-Soo-ah-nim!”

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Someone shouted, and that was the start. They soon ran over like schoolgirls and surrounded Soo-ah.

“S-Soo-ah-nim is here?”

“Oh my god, how can her real-life appearance be this pretty?”

“She’s like a virtual character…”

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Soo-ah quietly blinked her eyes.

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VTubers are also strictly professional jobs, but just looking at them like this, it’s just a gathering of pure girls. Anyway, she was happy that she was also being recognized here.

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Yeah, especially the part about being like a character feels good.

“Right, right! A wolf character feeling!”

What the hell? Soo-ah momentarily glared fiercely.

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Ah, I can’t do this.

Without her knowing, the thug Soo-ah inside her…

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Soo-ah kindness! Soo-ah kindness! She quickly brainwashed herself.

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Meanwhile, the members chattered to the team leader.

“Team leader! Why is Soo-ah-nim here?”

“Ah, she’s decided to restart her Soo-miho activities.”

“Wow! Really? Then can we do a collaboration broadcast?”

“That’s not it.”

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The team leader scoffed as if it were obvious.

“It’s just a discussion about using the Soo-miho character. She said she’s going to upload songs on YouTube occasionally.”

“S-Songs? Soo-ah-nim also sings?”

The members’ eyes sparkled like baby birds. Afterwards, a barrage of questions and praises poured out. Soo-ah thought. I can’t handle this. Soo-ah, save me!

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The team leader greeted Kim Yi-seo.

“Anyway, CEO-nim, thank you so much. I was already racking my brains because we couldn’t utilize the Soo-miho character that we worked so hard to create.”

“No, thank you for being considerate enough to let us use it.”

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It was clear that it was a beneficial deal for each other.

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NeoLive is happy that they can utilize Soo-miho, which was close to being scrapped after ‘Shark’s Playground’ exploded, and Kim Yi-seo is happy that she can create Soo-ah’s singing rival, Soo-miho.

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After shaking hands, Kim Yi-seo greeted the members.

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“Please look forward to Soo-miho’s songs a lot.”

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“Y-Yes!”

Of course, she couldn’t leave right away just because she greeted them. Because the fence made by the members was sturdy. Eventually, Soo-ah made eye contact with Kim Yi-seo.

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‘CEO-nim, I think we have to give some fan service before we leave.’

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‘I guess we have no choice.’

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Afterwards, Soo-ah also gave autographs to the members and took photos together. She also occasionally answered questions.

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“Do you know Shana-mi? It’s my VTuber name!”

“I just want to hold your hand once!”

“How can dyed hair be this pretty?”

“Please sit on my butt once…!”

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Soo-ah was horrified. No, that won’t do.

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◈◈◈◈◈

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The next day. 5:57 PM.

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—Everyone! *Kwang!* This is NeoLive’s shark Shana-mi! The thing is, today at 6 o’clock…

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—This is NeoLive’s cheetah Chita Chitan-da! Our youngest is making a comeback on YouTube today at 6 o’clock, you know? Please watch it because she’s singing!

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While the NeoLive members are promoting Soo-miho’s song channel on the streaming site ‘Pajijik,’ Kim Yi-seo and Soo-ah arrived at the recording studio.

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*Bang*—!

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—♩♪♬

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When they opened the door and went inside, the inside of the studio was already blasting a song very loudly. It was a song that Soo-ah used to replay repeatedly while playing games in the past. ‘Kokoro Tsumami’ (Heart Picking).

“….”

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Kim Yi-seo, who was looking at the cover song outline, scratched her cheek.

“Kokoro Tsumami? Ah, so it’s about picking up fallen hearts and collecting them? Ugh… I guess the Japanese song worldview is difficult for me.”

“You shouldn’t think about things like that.”

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Soo-ah wiggled her index finger as if she were an expert. But she was serious. You just listen and sing if you like it!

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In other words, Soo-ah is a nerd!

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Then, the song that was filling the studio stopped, and the man who was handling the work program took off his headset and got up from his seat. It was at the same time as greeting them politely.

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“The settings are finished. You can sing right away.”

“Ah, okay.”

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Soo-ah went into the recording booth, put on the headset, and suddenly realized that she was trembling a lot.

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*Thump thump thump*—!

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But she couldn’t help it. Soo-ah is wronged!

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The reason was because the YouTube screen was visible on the tablet screen in front of her. On that screen.

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[ L I V E ]

[ First Public Release in 1 Minute ]

[ 101,000 People Waiting ]

[【Soo-miho】─ Kokoro Tsumami Cover ]

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‘O-O-O-One hundred thousand people?’

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A whopping 100,000 people were perking up their ears.