Chapter 61 : Variety Vibes and Village Charm

‘Blue Sky Spring’ Ends on a High Note with 24% Ratings’

As Expected, Park Jaehoon! 

‘Blue Sky Spring’ Concludes Beautifully with a Perfect Storyline Popularity Persists Even After ‘Blue Sky Spring’ Ends! CFs, Variety Shows, Photo Shoots Follow

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‘Blue Sky Spring,’ which had been breaking its own viewership records day after day, wrapped up with an incredible 24% rating. 

The drama’s massive success—something that only comes around once or twice a year—prompted a flood of calls from people hoping to ride the wave of its popularity. 

And that’s how I ended up here.

“Ah, Donghyeok~!”

As soon as the comedian-host of today’s talk show spotted me, she called out the name of my character in the drama.

“Oh! Hello!”

“I really enjoyed the drama~”

“Thank you.”

“Looking forward to working with you today.”

Jaehoon, who should have reaped the largest benefits from the show, was too busy with drama filming to appear on a YouTube variety program. 

That’s why the call had reached me, a supporting actor. 

Of course, Donghyeok’s popularity wasn’t bad either.

‘Of course—it’s the character I played.’

As the writer had mentioned, Donghyeok was a good kid, and I had worked hard to show that. 

Positive responses were only natural.

“Wow! You’re even more handsome than in the drama! How are you this good-looking?”

She stepped forward warmly, complimenting me first.

“Haha, thank you.”

“No, seriously! Look at our writers’ faces.”

She pointed to the writers in front of us. 

When I looked, they either turned away or hid behind the papers they were holding.

“They’re embarrassed… Oh! Gongjun!”

And then another guest invited to the talk show appeared.

“Hello~”

It was the first time I’d met him since that night when he got completely drunk. 

The drama’s success had obviously brightened his mood compared to back then.

“Hey, Hyeonjae~ Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Good, and you?”

We put on the appearance of being close friends. At this point, a friendly act like this was standard.

“I heard this is your first variety show, right?”

“Yes. Other than a brief appearance with a dog on Taewoon hyung’s YouTube channel, this is my first time.”

“Taewoon hyung? Oh, right, you filmed the drama with him, didn’t you?”

“Uh… how did you know?”

Most people only knew that Taewoon was filming a drama; they didn’t really know who was appearing in it.

“Ah~ That’s basic info! Don’t underestimate our writers’ research skills~”

“Haha, scary… Well, the drama filming is all done.”

“Taewoon was on our program too!”

As we made small talk with the MC, the shared topic of Taewoon quickly drew us closer.

“I actually watched that! It was so funny.”

I had rushed to watch the video just to know what program it was, and Taewoon’s strange, debut-era antics were surprisingly entertaining.

“Oh, you saw it! The views were good too.”

“I watched it because Senior Jeong Haneul was in it.”

“Ah~ So both of you watched. Thank you so much.”

The MC brightened even more at our words, and the studio atmosphere became warm and lively.

“All right, let’s start filming. One, two, three.”

“Want to join us today? Welcome to our neighborhood supermarket!”

“Waaah~”

Before the first variety shoot, I asked Taewoon how I should act. 

He told me there was only one thing I needed to remember:

‘Reaction.’

Laugh, clap, and throw in small interjections. Even if you can’t speak much, you’ll appear plenty on screen.

“Today, we have the warmhearted high schoolers from ‘Blue Sky Spring,’ Gongjun and Jeong Hyeonjae, who’ve melted many older sisters’ hearts~”

“Hello, I’m Gongjun.”

“Hello, I’m Jeong Hyeonjae~”

The three of us sat around a round table, and the recording began.

“Having you two here fills the studio with a warm atmosphere.”

Though a variety show should be funny and lively, seeing us sitting comfortably and chatting eased my nerves.

“So, what have you been up to since the drama?”

“Oh, I recently wrapped up filming ‘Today at the Fruit Shop’ and now…”

Technically, I had just finished a special drama appearance yesterday, but I couldn’t mention that.

“I’m just… relaxing.”

“Relaxing? What are you doing to relax?”

The MC chuckled softly at my answer.

“Well… walking the dog, giving the neighbor grandma a shoulder massage, watching the shop for my uncle…”

“That’s surprising. You look like you’ve never left Seoul, yet you live in the countryside?”

“Yes, so when I have a schedule, my manager picks me up, or I take the train myself.”

“We have two photos we managed to get after hearing that…”

This program was known for gathering pre-interview information, not from the guest, but from people around them. 

And their intel was impressively detailed and relentless…

“Wait! How did you get that?”

“Our investigation skills are basically CSI-level.”

She pulled out some of my SNS photos that had been deleted by the company’s censorship.

Pfft!

Gongjun burst out laughing as soon as he saw the photos.

“Why would you even post this? Isn’t it pretty?”

I had taken pictures of the purple flowers blooming by the rice fields because they were beautiful, and the shiny new tractor the neighborhood chief was showing off. 

Why was that weird?

‘Other people post car selfies all the time.’

Even though the company censored it, I still didn’t fully understand why.

“Flowers are fine, but this one is a bit…”

“Oh! That’s because the village chief just got a new one and was bragging.”

“Village chief…?”

They seemed shocked by how rural my life was, eyes wide, mouth open in hearty laughter at the mention of a ‘village chief.’

“I live in Sehari…”

“Not a city, not a district, not even a county, but a ‘ri’?”

“Yes.”

“I thought it was just a small town. So…”

The MC showed interest in my countryside life, and I took the opportunity to share the charms and stories of our village.

“I’d love to visit sometime. Please invite me.”

“Of course. Just let me know anytime!”

“Oh my, you really mean it?”

“Were you not planning to come?”

“Hahaha!”

“What’s so funny?” 

I was bewildered as the MC kept laughing, even though I hadn’t said anything noteworthy.

“Ah~ Hyeonjae, you’re hilarious. Gongjun, where are you from?”

“Uh… I’m from Yongsan.”

“Why are you shy? I’m from Seoul too. Nice to meet you!”

From there, the conversation spiraled into stories from the fire scene, anecdotes with Jaehoon, my friendship with Taewoon, and the overwhelming support I’d received—the MC left no stone unturned.

“Let’s take a short break. Hyeonjae, give us a round of applause.”

“Applause? All of a sudden?”

I didn’t understand why I was suddenly being asked to clap, but I did as instructed.

“Waaah~”

With my clumsy reaction, laughter erupted around the table.

“Pwahaha!”

“Õtõt!”

The awkward applause, combined with my exaggerated reaction, sent the staff and MC into fits of laughter.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no. Ah~ a real rookie. Hyeonjae, you’re so cute.”

Feeling like I was the only fool in the room, I glanced around for hints, but everyone just laughed and offered no explanation. 

Was this how variety show crews usually were—laughing constantly?

“Drink some water and relax a bit.”

“Did I… do something wrong?”

Unable to resist my curiosity, I asked. 

The MC only praised me, saying, “Thanks to you, this shoot is so much fun.”

“Really?”

“Next time, come back again, okay? I’m begging you. Please!”

I wasn’t exactly a naturally funny person… or was I? 

Maybe I had a hidden talent for comedy. 

My gaze fell on Gongjun, who, even during the break, was deep in thought, clearly plotting something.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“…Stop talking so much.”

“What?”

“Stop talking. You can’t just hog all the conversation.”

Relative to me, Gongjun was asked more questions. 

But if someone asks, you answer, right?

“How are you supposed to practice silent meditation on a variety show?”

“Just… know when to shut it.”

As we murmured quietly, the MC seemed to think we were close friends and asked about our off-camera interactions.

“Do you two meet often outside work?”

“Oh, we’re busy…”

The usually smooth and confident guy looked awkward, stumbling over his words for once.

‘How are we not supposed to talk, then?’

“Busy?”

“Right after the drama ended, I went straight into the next project, so we barely saw each other.”

Not wanting the conversation to spiral, I jumped in to explain.

“Ah~”

“So the only time you really met was on the first broadcast day?”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“Being the same age must’ve made it easier to get close.”

“Haha, yeah, that’s true. Excuse me for a quick bathroom break…”

Gongjun dashed off to the restroom. 

Even after he returned and filming resumed, his behavior hadn’t changed much. 

When questions were directed at him, his answers were so plain and exemplary that the MC seemed unimpressed, so the questions kept coming back to me.

‘Stage fright on variety shows, maybe?’

I shrugged it off, knowing many actors freeze up in these situations.

“All right, now, any final words?”

“Uh… this is my first broadcast, so I’m not sure if I did well…”

“You did amazingly! Absolutely perfect!”

The MC gave a thumbs-up with unrestrained enthusiasm.

“Then that’s a relief. Please continue to support me, and also give lots of love to ‘Today at the Fruit Shop.’ Thank you.”

“Finally, cat heart pose!”

Earlier at an event, I’d been confused by the cat heart gesture, but now I got it just right.

“Thank you~”

A little bit of cuteness was nothing compared to all the times I’d offered my paw for treats, lying down or sitting just to get a snack. 

Back then it was treats, now it’s money.

“Gongjun, say a few words too.”

“Uh… please continue to give us interest and love. I really enjoyed today.”

“Mm-hmm~”

Applause rang out once more, and the camera’s red light went off.

“Good work, everyone.”

“Good work~”

Talking continuously was exhausting, but the warm, easy-going atmosphere and the MC’s reactions made it genuinely fun.

“You did well.”

“Hyung, was I okay? I didn’t say anything weird, did I?”

I had tried to speak casually as advised, but I double-checked with Hayoon just in case.

“No, you did great.”

“Phew~ good. I’m hungry. Should we get some meat with the company card?”

With my cameo scene extended significantly, Hyunggyu had allowed us to splurge on meat as a treat.

“Great.”

“Yay! Meat, meat!”

Excited at the thought of eating, I waited for the elevator to descend quickly to the basement parking lot.

“So, where shall we eat?”

“I’ll find a good place nearby.”

“Since you’re driving, I can search… wait, what’s that?”