Chapter 186
Chapter 186
As soon as the Ten to Ten broadcast time arrived, the members of Orca, who had been scattered around the dorm, flocked to the TV in the living room.
“Hey, it’s starting.”
The members made comments while munching on the freshly made honey butter potato chips, which were prepared by Kang Ji-woo, who had a hobby of doing house chores.
“I heard there was a huge fuss because Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim is appearing this time.”
There were even rumors that Muk Hye-sung was sticking to an outdated mystique, as his TV appearances were rare. However, this reclusive tendency sometimes had a positive effect.
Looking at this, it seemed understandable why some actors showed a somewhat rigid attitude.
In any case, the Ten to Ten team had heavily promoted Muk Hye-sung’s appearance.
After his appearance as a mentor on Pick Heart 3 last year, Muk Hye-sung’s personal recognition had surged anew. With the 20th-anniversary comeback, the members of Chronicle, who had dominated various entertainment shows, were doing well, and the interest in Muk Hye-sung’s appearance on Ten to Ten was at its peak.
Thanks to this, the first airing of Muk Hye-sung’s episode on the last Ten to Ten had exceeded the average viewership ratings, and today seemed to follow a similar pattern.
“On Raon has been mumbling something weird since earlier about whether he should block it now. He can’t possibly be talking about blocking Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim, right?”
“No way.”
“Unless someone is incredibly bold, who would block Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim of all people? Seriously, no way.”
“If I got caught blocking Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim, I’d retire that very day.”
Kang Ji-woo, who generally deeply respected skilled singers, declared firmly.
“……”
“……”
However, instead of the spirited reactions like, “What, retiring over that?” or “Hyung, don’t exaggerate!” the atmosphere in the living room turned chilly as On Raon, hugging a long cushion like a shield, turned away in silence.
“……I think this guy has already done it once.”
At Gyun Seong-ha’s remark, On Raon, who was thoroughly sniped, buried his head in the cushion and said gloomily.
“……Should I retire?”
It might have been a joke, no, it had to be a joke, but On Raon’s words, which seemed somewhat sincere, left the members aghast.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s important to have diverse experiences in life.”
“Maknae, if there is one person in this world who can block Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim without fear, it’s you.”
“When you go on a variety show, you’ll have a new episode to talk about. How many people in the world can say they got close to someone they once blocked? And that person being Muk Hye-sung sunbae-nim, it’s unique, man.”
Out of concern for the youngest, the older members spouted nonsense without restraint.
“What are you guys saying….”
Laughing at the ridiculous comments, On Raon momentarily forgot the new blunder he had committed and lifted his head.
“Did you properly apologize to sunbae-nim?”
“I… don’t think so. I just unblocked him and moved on?”
“What?! Call him right now and apologize!”
“No, it’s funny to bring it up now. If he hasn’t said anything, it means he let it slide.”
Kang Ji-woo, who insisted ‘proper apologies are necessary’, clashed with Gyun Seong-ha, who believed ‘it’s more tactless to bring it up again after it’s been let go’.
‘But considering he’s wondering whether to block him again now, it means On Raon has done something block-worthy again.’
Meanwhile, Ban Yo-han, the quickest to catch on, anticipated how the ever-entertaining On Raon would amuse him this time.
The Ten to Ten filming was broadly divided into two parts: one where Muk Hye-sung and On Raon wandered around with observation cameras or cameramen capturing their daily life, and the studio filming where the cast gathered to watch the first edited video and comment on it.
The main host, comedian Park Mi-ri, and other panelists were huddled around a round table with several monitors installed.
Muk Hye-sung, who was meticulously styled by his dedicated stylist for his rare solo variety show outing, was also seated, flaunting his dazzling looks.
“You didn’t go to the studio filming, did you?”
“No. I was just a guest.”
“I wish we could formally appear and sit there too.”
“Hyung Sang-hyun mentioned something similar.”
“But that hyung looked like he was about to die soon.”
While the members chatted idly, the broadcast proceeded smoothly.
Thanks to the busking video, which became famous enough to garner millions of views in a short period and hit YouTube’s trending videos, On Raon’s segment with Muk Hye-sung was scheduled to air towards the end of the show.
“It’s starting now.”
[Your show became a huge hit after it aired, Hye-sung.]
[Thank you.]
After a brief conversation about how he’s been since the broadcast and any changes, the main part of Ten to Ten featuring Muk Hye-sung began.
[Then let’s watch Hye-sung’s Ten to Ten with the special guest right now.]
The real-time comment section, filled with Airy and Eternal fans, became even more lively.
– Finally, it’s starting!
– It’s happening, it’s happening, it’s happening!
– “Muk Oppa looks so handsome todayㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
– “All the fans who have been waiting for today, gather round~!!”
In one corner of the screen visible inside the car, a clock briefly appeared to show the current time before quickly disappearing.
Unlike usual, where the broadcast started showing the cast members at 10 AM, this episode began a little after 9 AM.
This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, so regular Ten to Ten viewers didn’t find it unfamiliar.
[(Why so quiet? Are you nervous?)]
Gwak Sang-hyun, who was seated in the driver’s seat, spoke to On Raon, who was seated in the back.
[Huh, who is that?]
Although everyone already knew that On Raon was appearing in Muk Hye-sung’s episode, the panelists pretended not to recognize On Raon, who was only shown from the back.
Soon after, On Raon, who answered that he was feeling nervous probably because the members weren’t with him, was shown from the front. The panelists watching the monitor all commented on how handsome he was.
[Oh~ It’s Raon!]
[Wow, he really looks like a relative.]
[I’ve seen Raon in person before, and honestly, I was speechless when I saw him.]
It was clear that these exclamations of admiration were genuine, not just for the show.
The real-time comments were similar.
After that, the broadcast continued without cuts, showing Gwak Sang-hyun’s intention to appear on ‘The Protagonist is You and I’ and On Raon talking about other broadcasting stations.
– “An idol worried about broadcasting station relationshipsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”
– “The manager here also seems funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”
– “Ah, but he really is handsome….”
[(Do you know the password?)]
[(Yes. I stayed here for a few days last year, so I learned it then.)]
The panelists were intrigued by On Raon’s response.
[Did you live together?]
[Yes. After a live broadcast, I noticed he wasn’t feeling well. Since Raon’s family is all overseas, I was worried about sending him home alone, so I had him stay and took care of him for a few days.]
– “What, they lived together????”
– “I didn’t know this.”
– “Thank you so much for taking care of our boy, Muk sunbaeㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
– “Everyone, despite appearances, Muk Oppa is genuinely warm and caring!! He’s the best at looking out for those around him, seriously.”
Surprised by this new information, the Orca members, who were watching the broadcast while refilling their honey butter potato chips from the kitchen, chimed in.
“You stayed with sunbae back then?”
“Yeah. Didn’t I tell you?”
“No, you didn’t!”
“You told me.”
“What’s this? Why only tell Gyeol? Aren’t I your hyung too? I have a right to know about you.”
“At that time, when everyone was checking in after the broadcast, Gyeol was the only one who asked if I was okay. I told him I was staying at Muk sunbae’s house, and it was before I signed with the company, so we weren’t that close to talk about such things….”
On Raon’s logical explanation silenced Kang Ji-woo, who had been asserting his right as an older brother, but soon, he brightened up and asked with a sparkle in his eye.
“Now, we’re close enough to talk about such things, right? Hmm?”
In his hand, he held a plate of honey butter potato chips, almost as if it were a hostage.
“Yes, I suppose you could say that.”
Satisfied with the youngest member’s answer, Kang Ji-woo released the honey butter potato chips.
“By the way, did you block Muk Hye-sung sunbae before or after you lived together?”
“Before, and I unblocked him after that.”
“Wow, Muk Hye-sung sunbae is a very generous person, and you’re quite shameless.”
“Haha.”
On screen, On Raon carefully entered after unlocking the door lock.
[(Excuse me. Although I didn’t get permission to enter, since you gave me the password a year ago, you should have been prepared for this…….)]
– ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– The majesty of entering after entering the code…
– Ah, he’s cuteㅋㅋㅋㅋ Looking cautious but confidentㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
[How about it, Hye-sung? Did you expect this when you gave him the password?]
[It wasn’t so much expecting it… more like, once you give the password, you’re giving free rein.]
[Ah, so giving the password means he can do whatever he wants.]
[Yes.]
[Oh my, oh my. Why am I feeling excited?]
[Hye-sung, can you tell me the first four digits? I’ll figure out the rest myself.]
[That’s… I’m sorry.]
Viewers chuckled at his overly serious yet polite refusal.
[But Raon still calls Hye-sung ‘Teacher’?]
[Right. Are they not relatives?]
To explain Muk Hye-sung and On Raon’s relationship, a clip from the final broadcast of Pick Heart was shown.
[(Um, but can I keep calling you Teacher from now on?)]
[(What?)]
[(Uncle feels a bit, too distant….)]
[That’s a rare moment when Hye-sung was genuinely flustered.]
[But isn’t calling him Uncle okay?]
[Strictly speaking, Uncle is incorrect.]
[You’re very precise.]
[What about calling you Hyung?]
[Hyung is…]
Muk Hye-sung trailed off at a panelist’s question.
[Calling him Hyung feels wrong to someone born in 2000.]
[Hye-sung, you’re an Ajusshi now, Ajusshi.]
[A fifth cousin Ajusshi.]
[But Hye-sung doesn’t like being called Ajusshi either.]
[Yes. I don’t like it.]
The panelists burst into laughter at Muk Hye-sung’s resolute answer, indicating he wasn’t ready to be called Ajusshi yet.