translation by mourningmoor
It was a month ago.
A woman named Jeong Haeseong, a writer from TVH Entertainment, called.
Jeong Haeseong. It seems she was quite close with the owner of this body.
Noah, who had read the memories of the original owner, answered the phone with a cheerful voice.
But out of nowhere, she asked if he would do a variety show.
When he declined, citing his schedule, her voice immediately turned rough.
―Hey, you’re not keeping your promise. Didn’t you say you’d do it if I reached out?
Well, that was a story from the past. Now that Yoo Noah has become the incarnation of the Demon King, keeping promises is not the default, Writer Jeong Haeseong-nim.
“I’m so busy that after the HAMA stage, I can’t even attend other award shows or year-end stages. I have to go to the U.S. right away.”
―I know, I know. I’ve already got Noah-ssi’s schedule through CEO Park Hojin-nim. That’s why I’m asking for ten days starting from January 13th.
Noah’s brow slightly furrowed. So, she’s someone capable enough to extract information from Bishop Entertainment’s CEO Park Hojin?
Well, dealing with her might be fun.
But not now. And definitely not like this.
“I’m sorry, writer-nim. I have a U.S. schedule in early February, so it’s difficult.”
―I know. You can just go to Hawaii and then return to the mainland.
He had planned to refuse.
ARCHE is now at a level where they don’t need to do variety shows like this. They have more overseas schedules than domestic ones.
Already, the beginning of this year is packed with schedules in North and South America, so by January 13th, it’s the time when they’ll briefly return to Korea.
This time, he was determined to meet the Grand Mage and have a proper conversation.
“I have work in Korea at that time…”
―Just help me out. I’m asking for your help because you’re close with Kang Ichan.
“Kang Ichan?”
―You’re close with him, right? At PMA, you two were practically glowing.
It was already chaotic because of that.
ARCHE and L.I.T, their respective fan cams captured that moment perfectly.
It was a deliberate approach, but it painted quite a nice picture.
Leaning in close, whispering, patting each other’s shoulders, whispering in each other’s ears…
Stories about their closeness and chemistry exploded all over the internet. Because of that, L.I.T even gained favor with ARCHE’s fandom.
It wasn’t bad.
The image of that dazzling Grand Mage being flustered was vividly painted in his mind.
“So… Kang Ichan is appearing on that variety show?”
―Yeah. That’s why I called you.
Writer Jeong Haeseong calmly explained her thoughts.
―He’s a rookie who’s completely blown up, but there’s still something unstable about him, you know? He needs someone to guide him, and you’re perfect for that.
Surprisingly, things were falling into place easily.
Is this what they call divine intervention?
Letting a smile slip through his lips, Noah adjusted his grip on the phone.
This is practically Jesquière himself coming to me.
“Then, does Kang Ichan know I’m appearing?”
―During the meeting, we didn’t plan to have you appear, so we didn’t tell him, and we haven’t met since. They’re insanely busy.
Fortunately, it seems the Grand Mage still doesn’t know.
“Alright. Then I’ll appear on one condition.”
―A condition?
“Keep it a secret that I’m appearing until the day of filming. And don’t contact Kang Ichan directly.”
If this woman meets Kang Ichan, he’ll sense through ‘Heart’s Resonance’ that I’m appearing.
Then Kang Ichan will back out.
I won’t let that happen.
―Don’t contact him? We planned to meet once more.
“No. If you do, I won’t appear.”
Immediately, Jeong Haeseong gave the answer he wanted.
―Alright. I’ll do that. So, you’ll appear?
“Yes. I’ll go to Hawaii the day before. Leave the rest to my manager.”
Having decided to appear, Noah waited comfortably for January 13th.
And as promised, on January 12th, he arrived at Honolulu Airport in Hawaii and moved to Kailua.
It seems they rented an old guesthouse near Kailua Beach and renovated it extensively for <Hotel Ohana>.
Writer Jeong Haeseong, who welcomed him, explained the hotel in detail.
The first floor has a café where meals are served and a small convenience store. The second floor and attic are staff quarters, meaning the cast’s lodging. And the low annex at the back is the hotel where guests will stay. There are four rooms in total, and they’ll host seven teams of guests over a week.
“Opening day is two days later, and we have to finish preparations by tomorrow. Ichan-ssi arrives tomorrow morning, and that’s when all the cast members will gather. That’s when it really begins.”
There are seven cast members in total.
The host of <Hotel Ohana>, a famous actor, and his best friend, another famous actor. A young famous actor who recently rose as a dark horse in the broadcasting world with amazing ratings, and another famous actor who earned the title of ‘nation’s nuisance’ after appearing in a drama with him. A famous female comedian who has conquered not only stand-up comedy programs but also various variety shows, and Kang Ichan and Yoo Noah.
This seems to be the lineup of stars chosen for Writer Jeong Haeseong’s new variety show.
“The others started preparing a month ago. Learning cooking, hotel-style bed-making, and so on.”
In the end, Noah, who joined midway, and Ichan, who was caught by a hidden camera, were the only ones without assigned roles.
“So, you and Ichan are Part-timer 1 and 2.”
“Part-timer 1 and 2?”
“Yeah. Hall duty, sales duty, music duty, guest duty? Sometimes driving too…”
So, basically, they’re the odd-job workers.
“And Ichan doesn’t even have a manager.”
Noah’s brow, which had been smooth, furrowed.
What do you mean? No manager?
For this kind of variety show, managers always tag along. The cast members aren’t real employees, after all.
They need to manage their condition to take breaks in between, run errands, and mediate if conflicts arise with the staff or other cast members.
Even Noah has his team manager with him, so how is a rookie, new to variety shows, supposed to do it without a manager?
“He’s doing his initiation by coming all the way here from Samcheok, Gangwon-do alone.”
“Initiation?”
Oh no, the Grand Mage must be feeling a bit upset, huh?
Noah’s lips curled slightly.
“The others have all done at least one program with me before.”
Now that I think about it, that’s true. They’re all beneficiaries of Writer Jeong Haeseong’s <Sigor Boutique>.
“You and Cha Juhyuk-ssi are from <Sigor Boutique> Season 1, Yoo Heechul-ssi and Kim Hyunsoo are from Season 2, Jung Myungwon and Haeju-ssi are from Season 3.”
“So, Kang Ichan is the only one who isn’t… right?”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m asking you specially. Help him out a lot.”
Writer Jeong Haeseong’s eyes sparkled, her tone shifting.
“He’s such a shiny, pretty kid.”
Shiny and pretty, indeed. Annoyingly so.
“He’s an adult, but still a baby.”
A baby? Yeah, a baby. A 300-year-old baby, that is.
“So, in that sense… Ichan is your responsibility?”
“Let’s do it that way. If that’s possible.”
Responsibility? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard.
How am I supposed to take responsibility for a monstrous being who can manipulate worlds at will?
But it does seem a bit interesting.
Watching the Grand Mage get tossed around in this world might be quite entertaining.
And the next day, Noah could face the utterly disheveled face of Kang Ichan.
* * *
“We meet again, hoobaenim.”
His expression management wasn’t perfect.
I thought it was fine since my assigned VJ was behind me, but that bastard Yoo Noah also brought a VJ.
I quickly fixed my disheveled face and awkwardly accepted the Hawaiian lei Yoo Noah handed me.
“What kind of… nonsense is this?”
I whispered the last part quietly so only Yoo Noah could hear.
Then, Yoo Noah smirked evilly and whispered back just as quietly.
“Who knows? I’m just a regular cast member recruited by Jeong writer-nim… I didn’t do anything special.”
After PMA, Yoo Noah’s shadow followed me horrifyingly.
After all the hard work to win the Rookie Award, there were trolls saying I only won because of Yoo Noah and ARCHE’s influence.
As the fandom grew, so did the trolls.
But now, I have to appear on the same variety show as the source of those trolls, and for ten days at that.
My mind was a mess, thinking about just going back to Korea immediately.
“Let’s go. I’m in charge of pick-up.”
Then, he shamelessly took my suitcase.
His carefree, smiling face made me want to lose all my patience.
I’m sure Yoo Noah’s name wasn’t on the cast list, and when I read Writer Jeong Haeseong’s mind, his name wasn’t mentioned either.
So, it must have been decided later…
“Fix your expression. The cameras are rolling.”
When the VJ’s camera briefly moved away while loading the trunk, Yoo Noah didn’t miss the moment.
“If you make that face on a variety show, you’ll get criticized for your personality.”
Personality criticism? I don’t care anymore.
“What’s wrong with a little personality criticism? I’m not going to be an idol anymore.”
Yoo Noah’s brow noticeably furrowed.
“If you’re angry, you’ll throw a tantrum. So, don’t provoke me.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
Yoo Noah, who had finished loading the luggage, closed the trunk.
“If you want to live, you’ll have to keep being an idol.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Instead of answering, Noah smiled brightly and turned around.
“Now, shall we head to the hotel? You’re the last one to arrive, hoobaenim.”
That bastard, why did he stop talking?
He’s been saying weird things since last time.
“Come on, come on. Get in the car. Everyone’s waiting.”
Forcing me into the car, Noah closed the door.
The two VJs got into the staff car behind us.
I quickly scanned the car’s interior. The VJs had stepped back, but there were cameras installed all over the car.
Then, Yoo Noah got into the car.
He started the car skillfully and drove off.
As I watched him intently, Yoo Noah curled one side of his lips.
“Curious, aren’t you? Since when did this sunbae become such a good driver, how does he handle the navigation so well, and his English is great too.”