Chapter 132: Variety Show Domination

Some time later—

In the end, unable to withstand Yoo Jae-seop’s persistent urging, Kang Tae-ha and Song Ji-eun arrived at the filming set.

Fortunately, the production team warmly welcomed their appearance. It was only natural—just their presence alone would generate buzz and boost ratings.

And it wasn’t just the production team.

The cast also greeted them enthusiastically.

“Finally, my little brother Tae-ha is here! It’s me, your hyung Seok-jun. Remember? We met once before.”

“Move over! Since when were you close with Tae-ha? I’m the one who had dinner with him!”

In particular, Seok-jun and Ha Dong-hyeon, who had bonded with Tae-ha before, gave him an especially warm welcome.

That didn’t mean the members meeting him for the first time were any less welcoming.

“So you’re Tae-ha. Do you play soccer? If you’re free this weekend, want to join a game?”

“Noona’s been so bored lately, staring at walls. Do you know of any openings anywhere?”

“Wow, you’re really handsome. Tae-ha, don’t stand next to me. I’ll look totally ugly.”

These were the reactions from the regular cast members—Kim Jong-hoon, Seong Ji-hee, and Yang Se-hoon, in that order.

Of course, the cast welcomed Song Ji-eun even more than Tae-ha.

Not only was she a bigger name, but she had also been active in the entertainment industry since childhood, so she naturally had connections with many of them.

It was similar to how Yoo Jae-seop had warmly welcomed her before.

But what mattered wasn’t who liked whom more.

It was that everyone welcomed Tae-ha and Song Ji-eun.

And thanks to this atmosphere, filming proceeded smoothly.

***

After a lively opening, the main MC explained the rules for the day.

“Today’s theme is a cost-effective summer health food race. You’ll visit famous budget-friendly health food restaurants and taste various dishes.”

“Oh! Summer health food.”

“I love it.”

“That’ll be filling.”

“But not everyone gets to eat,” the MC continued. “Before each meal, you’ll guess the menu price. Only the three people closest to the correct answer get to eat.”

“Ah, so not everyone eats again.”

“If it’s cost-effective, does that mean it’s really cheap?”

“Right—super cheap.”

“And the person with the most correct answers wins a prize. The one with the fewest will receive a penalty.”

Recently, the show had moved away from physical games like name tag ripping or spy missions.

Viewers had grown tired of repetitive formats, and ratings would drop whenever those games returned.

Additionally, the cast wasn’t as physically active as before.

So the show shifted toward concept-based episodes focusing on character chemistry.

Scenes like car rides and casual conversations became especially important.

And today’s filming followed that trend.

***

“Tae-ha seems really close with Jae-seop these days. I heard that after he appeared before,” Ji Seok-jun said as they settled into the car.

“Wow, really? So Jae-seop hyung got Tae-ha on the show?” Yang Se-hoon chimed in.

“What do you mean ‘got him on’? He hasn’t even appeared yet!” Yoo Jae-seop quickly defended himself. “Ji-eun hasn’t been on in a while, so I invited her. Right, Tae-ha?”

Tae-ha tilted his head slightly.

“…Was that an invitation?”

“Hey! Why do you say it like that? People will think I threatened you!”

“You said I had to appear on one show or another. If that’s not a threat, what is it?”

The set instantly heated up.

“Huh? He really said that?”

“That’s definitely a threat!”

“The national MC threatening top actors?”

Song Ji-eun was dragged into it.

“Oppa, is it true? You really said that?”

“Ah… well… I might have said something like that…”

Tae-ha didn’t let it go.

“And I wasn’t the only one there. Ji-eun heard it too, right?”

Song Ji-eun nodded.

“He kept asking why Tae-ha wasn’t appearing, and then said he should at least guest…”

“Oh wow, no escape now.”

“Tomorrow’s headlines: character controversy!”

“No, no—that’s not it—!”

Yoo Jae-seop tried to explain, but Tae-ha continued.

“He didn’t just pressure me. He did the same to Ji-eun.”

“What?! Even to someone who just came back from Cannes?”

Finally, Yoo Jae-seop exploded.

“Hey! Kang Tae-ha! Are you really doing this?!”

“Why? Who told you to threaten people!”

Yoo Jae-seop clutched his neck and collapsed.

The entire set burst into laughter.

***

From that moment on, the chemistry between Tae-ha and Yoo Jae-seop shined.

They bickered constantly throughout filming.

By the end, even Song Ji-eun and the cast split into teams supporting each side.

It created nonstop laughter.

***

The highlight came during the final game.

While Yoo Jae-seop was distracted, Tae-ha secretly added a zero to his answer.

3,200 won → 32,000 won.

“Huh? Why is there an extra zero?!”

The correct answer?

3,200 won.

“No! Someone tampered with this!”

Yoo Jae-seop protested, but it was too late.

He lost his chance to eat, and Tae-ha—who wrote 3,400 won—won first place.

The prize: a premium meat gift set.

***

“Good work, everyone!”

“You worked hard!”

After filming ended, the cast praised Tae-ha.

“Wow, you were amazing.”

“Anyone would think you’re a regular.”

“Come again soon.”

Even Yoo Jae-seop praised him.

“See? I told you you’d do well. Make time every Wednesday—I’ll get you on as a semi-regular.”

Tae-ha smiled.

“I’d love to, but if I focus on variety, I might not survive. I’ll come when you call.”

***

Later, Song Ji-eun appeared on another show as promised.

Tae-ha began considering solo promotional content.

After careful thought, he chose a Nutube channel run by webtoon artist Lee Man-nyeon.

The channel was known for its relaxed, almost sleepy atmosphere.

Something new.

Something different.

***

A few days later, filming began.

Lee Man-nyeon spoke first.

“May I ask a high-class question?”

“A high-class question?”

“Yes. One that might make you wonder if you can even answer it.”

“…Now I’m curious.”

“If you’re curious, you must answer.”

“…Alright.”

Lee Man-nyeon smiled.

“Then here it is.”

“When a top actor like Tae-ha uses the bathroom at home… do you lift the toilet lid or not?”

At least in terms of novelty—

It delivered.