Chapter 249. Touch High! (1)
**Merge Dan Haru’s persona.**
Though it was something I had to do eventually, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
‘I’m not a psychiatrist. How am I supposed to bring out a hidden persona?’
Once again, those headquarters bastards were just leaving everything to me and randomly assigning quests.
‘This is exactly the kind of situation where Thirteen would be useful—for causing a ruckus and negotiating…’
You never know what you have until it’s gone. Lately, I’ve felt Thirteen’s absence more keenly than ever.
I had left a message for ‘Existence’ through the newly created QnA system, asking when Thirteen would be returned, but there was no response yet. Actually, considering that I had made the function on a whim, I wasn’t even sure if the message had been properly delivered.
Regardless, while it wasn’t an easy mission, my conclusion was that the comeback had to come first.
Since it wasn’t a quest with a penalty or a time limit, I decided it would be better to focus on my main job while keeping an eye on Dan Haru and Dolja’s situation until I came up with a suitable method.
‘There are a lot of unexpected events on this side too.’
This comeback was solely aimed at winning the Rookie of the Year award and providing fan service, so it was a lot less stressful than preparing for the debut album.
There was some friction with the A&R team regarding the direction of the song, but in the end, the track that Doha and I had prepared was chosen.
Even though we had ‘prepared’ it together, Doha had done most of the work, while I had only provided a few ideas and written a couple of lines of lyrics…
“I hope it turns out to be a hit since I participated. I want to earn some copyright royalties.”
“What hit~?”
“Aaaah!”
As I was making myself a sweet hot chocolate in the artist lounge, someone approached me with an unnervingly smooth voice. Startled by the sudden presence, I grabbed my ears and took five quick steps backward, only to see that someone tall was standing where I had been.
Upon closer inspection, it was Enderway’s Choi Yeonwoo, wearing a beige handmade long coat.
“…Senior…?”
“I heard from Siwoo that you’re really jumpy. If you were in a haunted house, you’d probably faint before the fans did.”
“What a terrifying thing to say when we’re meeting for the first time…”
“Hmm? This isn’t our first time. I saw you before at your guerrilla concert. I also judged one of your mission performances before that.”
Isn’t that what most people would consider a first meeting…?
Still feeling creeped out, I shivered slightly and took a step toward Choi Yeonwoo.
Come to think of it, wasn’t this the first time I was meeting him alone like this?
Enderway had just started their overseas tour when we debuted after the Maze, so we hadn’t had many chances to cross paths either in the company or outside.
‘But why did this person suddenly start talking to me?’
He was my senior in the same company, so even if there wasn’t a special reason, I wouldn’t really have a problem with it…
Just in case, I put the mug of still-hot hot chocolate on the table and gave Choi Yeonwoo a polite bow.
“It’s been a while, Senior. I’m Kang Hajin from Kairos.”
“I know. I greeted you knowing that. How have you been? You guys seem busy these days.”
“Other than a digital single coming out soon and preparing for year-end performances, we don’t have any major schedules, so we’re not that busy. But why did you…?”
I had to make an effort to convey ‘Why are you suddenly talking to me, what are you up to?’ as politely and respectfully as possible with my eyes.
Seeing my cautious attitude, Choi Yeonwoo took out a coffee capsule, placed it in the machine, and smiled leisurely.
“Don’t be so tense. I heard you’re really close with Taeil-hyung, right? If you just look at our ages, I’m closer to you in age.”
“How can I not be nervous in front of such a revered senior…?”
“I actually did come to you with a plan today, but if you’re too tense, I won’t be able to talk.”
“…Do people usually admit they have a plan right to someone’s face?”
“It’s not a bad plan. Besides, it’s not called a maze for nothing.”
What’s with this guy?
Feeling like he was a mixture of Seo Taeil and Jung Siwoo, I began to understand why Jung Siwoo was a part of Maze and not René.
Anyway, this place seemed like a den where people like him gathered—those who could survive only by nurturing ten snake-like instincts inside them.
Myself included.
I lightly tapped my fingers on the table and asked Choi Yeonwoo.
“Um… So what is this plan… No, what do you need from me?”
“Oh. It’s nothing big. I just need to ask a favor. If you hadn’t been at the company today, I was going to ask Taeil-hyung for your number, but here you are, perfectly timed.”
“What kind of favor would require my phone number…?”
“Are you interested in appearing on a network variety show?”
…A network variety show?
Is there any celebrity in Korea who wouldn’t be interested in variety shows?
People say you should turn in money you find on the ground to the police and shake and pull any rope that comes down from the sky.
Still keeping my guard up, I looked at the senior in front of me with distrustful eyes.
“Well, it depends on what kind of variety show it is… But it’s just a bit sudden.”
“It’s not something big enough to make you feel pressured. You know ‘Touch High,’ right? The one where you complete missions and play games for prize money.”
Who wouldn’t know?
**Touch High** was a network variety show that had been launched five years ago. Each week, it featured various content like sports competitions, escape rooms, mystery games, and skits where participants earned points, and the winner of the day would receive prize money or equivalent rewards. It was a classic variety show.
About ten years from now, the show would shift to a seasonal format due to the aging of its regular cast and the depletion of ideas. It was one of the programs I used as an analysis tool when I was foolishly preparing for network job exams.
‘But why is he suddenly bringing up that program?’
I tried to recall if Choi Yeonwoo had any connection to that program, but I couldn’t fully remember the idol variety scene from ten years ago.
In other regression stories, the protagonists are incredibly smart and can recall events from this time in summarized timelines by year, but nothing ever comes easy for me.
In any case, I responded to Choi Yeonwoo with a calm face.
“Is there anyone in Korea who doesn’t know ‘Touch High’? It’s a dream show for newcomers like us.”
At that, Choi Yeonwoo smiled warmly, his large eyes curling into crescents.
“Would you be interested in appearing on it? About two or three of you? But the filming is the day after tomorrow.”
“…Pardon?”
“It was supposed to be me and one of our members, but… I can’t go into details, but we can’t appear. We can’t just inform the network that we’re canceling the schedule without having any alternatives.”
“What about your other members?”
“…It’s complicated, let’s put it that way. So I rushed over here to see if I could borrow your help. I haven’t told the company yet. I was going to check with you first, and if you’re okay with it, I’ll inform them.”
When he mentioned his ‘members,’ the overly confident atmosphere seemed to crack just a bit.
‘How was Enderway in the previous life?’
Enderway was a six-member group consisting of members around the same age, with Choi Yeonwoo, the ‘Strongest Center,’ and Park Woong, the ‘Hip-Hop King,’ at the center.
Unlike Utopia, which emphasized performances and musicality based on a strong domestic fanbase, Enderway actively promoted individual activities utilizing the diverse personalities of its members and expanded their reach overseas.
‘Was there any member who caused trouble?’
I racked my brain, but too much information flooded in at once, making it hard to recall.
The important thing, though, was that Choi Yeonwoo from Enderway was asking us to fill in for them on a network variety show, ‘Touch High.’
As I pondered the possible cards I unknowingly held, I politely gestured to the lounge sofa.
“It doesn’t seem like you came just to ask us to fill in. Why don’t we sit down and talk?”
* * *
Choi Yeonwoo’s proposal, in short, was this:
– He wanted us to appear on ‘Touch High’ the day after tomorrow in their place.
– It was a network variety show, a good opportunity for rookies to show their passion, and the regular panelists were all big names in the entertainment industry, so just appearing on the show would be beneficial.
– He wouldn’t force us to go since he was the one asking for a favor, but in return for filling in, they would actively promote our upcoming digital single.
‘The conditions are too good…’
All this just for filling in on one variety show?
Shouldn’t we be the ones begging and clinging to them for such a deal?
The promotion of our new song, as mentioned by Choi Yeonwoo, even included guest appearances on the late-night radio show he hosted and having our song played.
It definitely seemed like a golden opportunity, but the gleaming gold felt so shiny it made me uneasy.
“…Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
I looked at Choi Yeonwoo,
who was calmly sipping his coffee without crossing his legs, and asked.
“Honestly, considering your status, couldn’t the company just cover for you? You could even use your condition as an excuse.”
“…”
“Even if not, this doesn’t seem like something you need to ask me directly. Is it that you’re being polite, or…”
Or are you trying to pass on a bomb I don’t know about?
Seeing my questioning eyes, Choi Yeonwoo paused to savor the aroma of his coffee before gently setting down his cup. He was truly worthy of being called ‘The Prince of Maze’ before Jung Siwoo debuted.
Choi Yeonwoo, with a voice as gentle as a late-night radio DJ, answered.
“You’re right.”
“…”
“To be honest… we’re in a bit of a bind. If we can’t handle this situation, Enderway might not be able to work with MBS for a while.”
Was there some kind of issue between Enderway and the broadcasting station?
I tried to think it over, but I couldn’t remember. I’d have to ask Ji Suho later.
For now, I needed to hear the rest of Choi Yeonwoo’s explanation.
“I’ll make sure that you guys don’t suffer any harm. I know you’re rookies, so I’m not forcing you, but I promise you won’t lose out by participating in this show.”
“…”
I pondered for a moment.
I still needed to learn more about what kind of person Choi Yeonwoo was, but his gaze, at least, didn’t seem to be lying to me.
‘Touch High… It’s not a bad start for my variety show debut.’
The only question was whether the production team would welcome us.
“When’s the broadcast date if we film the day after tomorrow?”
“Three weeks later. The Saturday after the college entrance exams.”
The mention of the college entrance exams made my eyes widen.
‘College entrance exams? College entrance exams? Isn’t that the week those Ranon guys are debuting?’
To be honest, I had no particular grudge against the René statues, but Cha Minseok always left a bad taste in my mouth for some reason.
‘It would be perfect to take our seniors who are in their final year of high school.’
Seo Taehyun was gaining recognition, and Lee Yugeon was doing well in physical variety shows. With me in the mix, we’d make a good combination for some fun banter…
After calculating the situation in my head, I nodded decisively.
“Yes. Thank you for this great opportunity.”
Wait for it, guys.
Your big brother’s got another schedule lined up!