Without a trace of having been digging herself into a hole, Im Seoyoung, mixing amidst the girls, lied naturally that she had hit her head on the door and cried because it hurt so much. Though, it didn’t seem like anyone believed her.

‘Will she be okay?’ Kim Hyunjo mouthed to me.

I silently nodded.

Then, not long after, we all stepped onto the studio set.

*

10:35 a.m. A spacious VIP dressing room.

Producer Yoon, who gave a gaunt, rigid impression, and Writer Park, who was experienced in the public network entertainment scene as a main writer for ten years, both of them were flipping through each cue card as they explained the rules.

“Also, Im Seoyoung of Neptune apparently went on a few entertainment shows. So when you pass the conversation over to them, it’ll be good to pass it over to her to prevent any trouble…”

“If they can’t receive the conversation properly when I pass it to them a few times, then I’m not going to talk to them,”

Said one of the MCs, Park Taepyeong, a comedian who debuted with IBC and was known for his irritable character. Hong Sukwoo, the other MC, who debuted as an anchor and had been leisurely eating an energy bar, replied,

“They said they are rookies. Hyung, are you going to step and kill them before they can even grow?”

“I’m saying if they can’t when I pass the conversation to them, if! When the cast is so large, are we going to teach those who can’t even follow up on a conversation? Is this a school? If they can’t even do that, then tell them to go on a cultural program and just read the script!”

“Haa, this is why all our juniors find it hard to approach you.”

“I care about those who do well!”

Writer Park, who had been listening to their conversation, smiled as she cut in,

“Okay, okay. Glossing over the celebrities, please pay attention to the managers. They are just normal people.”

Producer Yoon lowered his head as he requested,

“That’s right. Although we did pick those who should be good on air, you know it too. If we place normal people in front of a camera, no matter how great of a talker they are, they can’t show their full ability. If seniors don’t save them, our broadcast will flop.”

“Tell doctors to save them. Well, are there any decent people?”

At Park Taepyeong’s reply, Producer Yoon licked his lips.

“Lee Hyunjong’s manager has a sense for it since he’s been on air a few times. Jang Noksu’s manager was someone who used to be an aspiring comedian. Also, Neptune’s manager has a few stories about Lee Songha so we’re keeping an eye on him as well.”

“Haa, we see celebrities on air all the time. If we want to beat out other network’s Lunar New Year’s specials, then there needs to be a gem amongst the managers.”

Park Taepyeong clicked his tongue as he flipped through the managers’ profiles.

Hong Sukwoo smiled as he added,

“We’ll look for one. A gem.”

10:55 a.m. 10 minutes before the recording.

The lights poured onto the set like the scorching summer sun.

In the middle were seats for the two MCs, and stands fanned out from either side. On one side were gorgeous celebrities and on the other sat managers with name tags on their chests.

A young, female producer explained in front of the clearly nervous managers,

“Since we’re not a live show, you can speak with ease. As you all have mics on, the audio will pick up everything you say so no going off on tangents. Also, the writers are going to be continuously writing instructions so constantly watch them through the corner of your eye.”

“Yes, understood! I’ll do my best!”

Jang Noksu’s manager, Kim Dongho, shouted in a loud voice.

“Just do as you did in the prior interviews, Chief Kim.”

“Don’t worry. The beef set will be mine and Noksu’s.”

His expression was different from any other manager. The tenser other managers looked, the more composed his expression became. That was obvious since he was confident he would be stand out the most among them.

As soon as the producer stepped off the set, the managers began to talk with people next to them. Sitting at the end, Kim Dongho was cursing the producer who had guided them as he glanced to the person next to him.

Neptune’s manager. Jung Sunwoo.

He wasn’t the type of person Kim Dongho liked.

First, he was taller than him, and on top of that, he looked quite distinguished because he was from a big company. Also, he looked very much at ease as he sat with his legs crossed and was waving to Neptune on the other side.

Why was this person so carefree? Was he a team leader?

Inwardly complaining, Kim Dongho started a conversation.

“Excuse me, hello. You’re sitting next to me so I hope you can provide good reactions.”

‘Although I’m not going to.’ He swallowed this thought.

“Ah, yes. Please take care of me.”

Jung Sunwoo greeted him. Kim Dongho frowned subtly. Although he didn’t look like he would be disliked by the viewers, he still wasn’t likable. However, after listening to his voice, the scales tipped more towards being ‘likable’.

“Why did you come on the show? If it’s Neptune, ah, is it to help the rookies grow?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Ah, you must be going through a lot, being assigned to rookies. I was cast before this program was proposed. I used to be an aspiring comedian. Though, I’m a manager because I wasn’t lucky. My dream is still to become a broadcaster.”

“Then you must not be worried about today’s recording.”

“It’s a program meant for me.”

Trying his best not to sound arrogant, Kim Dongho continued to speak,

“Also, as someone who’s worked in this industry for 6 years, what is there to be nervous of? Other people should have also been working for a few years now so I don’t know why they are so nervous. Don’t you think so?”

“I’m not very experienced. I ate a cheongsimhwan before I came.”

“Ah, really? You don’t look inexperienced. How long have you been working?”

“4 months.”

Kim Dongho blinked.

“No, not as Neptune’s manager, in total.”

“Yes. It has been 4 months since I’ve started working.”

“… Ah.”

Kim Dongho ridiculed himself for having been wary of him.

He was only for display.

*

11 a.m. They began.

The studio, which had been bustling with dozens of staff and involved parties, became silent. The faces of the celebrities in front of me and the managers around me changed. I could even feel a prickling sense of tension.

The two MCs, who would appear whenever you turned on the TV, skillfully progressed with the opening.

Fortunately, Neptune didn’t look very nervous. Even Im Seoyoung, although she was still a little stiff in the shoulders, she was much better than before. It seemed the MCs looked at them favorably as Neptune’s introduction was longer than others.

The problem was this side. The managers.

The phrase ‘general crisis’ was meant for situations like this. Every time an MC talked to them, there would be silence for a few seconds. Also, over half of them would stutter or say some nonsense. I felt that the producers would have a stomach full of frustration when they went to edit it later.

There was only so many times the MCs could gloss over it with jokes, Park Taepyeong looked like he was about to throw the cue cards at us a few times now. Even the faces of the producers and writers were becoming gloomy.

Although it wasn’t nice to say it was thanks to them, seeing the managers messing up made my heart more steadfast. Should I say it was learning from others’ faults? My parents and relatives would be watching this, maybe my entire family would gather to watch this, so I couldn’t show myself acting like them.

I thought my self-introduction went well since Kim Hyunjo’s expression was good when I looked at him from the side.

After the introductions of the cast and a light talk about their private lives ended, the MCs placed a toy-like object on top of each manager’s table. It was semi-circular and was barely big enough to fit on a person’s hand. On top of it were grooves for fingers.

I thought I saw something like this somewhere.

The MCs mischievously said,

“Now, managers, put your hands on top of those devices!”

“Those viewing the broadcast probably know this, but these are portable lie detectors.”

Lie detectors?

“From now on, we need only the truth to come from managers’ mouths. But because the relationship between a manager and celebrity could be unhealthy or maybe because they are aware of their company CEO, they might unconsciously lie.”

“That’s why we prepared this. Since the device will shock you if you lie, you will have no choice, and I emphasize this because it’s important, you will have no choice but to tell the truth!”

Murmurs erupted around me.

I carefully placed my hand on top of the lie detector.

Maybe it was because I had so many things that could be considered secret, but this small device felt like a bomb to me.

The truth, huh?

What would the MCs ask me? There wasn’t anything that could be considered a lie in the lines I prepared beforehand. Also, even if it was a lie detector, it wouldn’t be as precise as those that appear in dramas since it seemed like they were doing this as a joke.

Well… There wouldn’t be any trouble, right?

^{1} Refers to younger members being the breadwinner of their household (or in this case, Neptune).

^{2} Pills that relax one’s heart. Sort of like anxiety pills.

^{3} ‘If you laugh after crying, you’ll grow a horn on your butt.’