Park Jung-woo pondered.
How on earth did things end up like this?
With the blazing sun overhead and people staring at him blankly.
Most of their gazes were something like this:
‘Why the heck is this guy here?’
They were probably thinking something along those lines.
He himself felt pretty much the same.
‘Why am I here?’
So.
The beginning was clearly a few days ago.
When he heard about the deserted island survival show from Shin PD, who had a connection with his father.
He couldn’t quite remember what he had said back then, but somehow, his participation was decided in a flash.
And it was no wonder.
“Wow, it seems like you were really touched by the last episode of [Looking Back at the Past], huh? You got the green light in no time!!”
Haha, it was all thanks to the smiling Shin PD who quickly secured his approval.
What on earth was his agency doing not stopping him?
“Anyway, you have nothing to do until the next drama shoot, so go have some fun.”
The head of his agency, Ongaram Actors, Hwang Jin-hwan, said this, sending him off cheerfully.
It felt just like telling him to go play.
“Deserted island survival shows are a breeze these days. The shooting isn’t that tough; they say it’s pretty relaxed.”
He even patted Jung-woo on the shoulder as he said that.
The truth was, his recommendation had another reason.
It was because Jung-woo, as a person, barely appeared on variety shows.
He focused solely on acting or modeling, never showing his face on other broadcasts.
‘An actor needs to care about their image consumption.’
That’s probably due to his father’s strict teachings.
Honestly, he wanted to say that the times have changed, but when you’re a big star, even the agency head can’t speak recklessly.
“Just don’t create any scandals.”
“……”
Scandal.
He could tell immediately who that was referring to.
With how impactful [Looking Back at the Past] had been, everyone meeting Jung-woo asked about it.
‘You and Yeonhwa Princess aren’t something, are you?’ Something along those lines.
“Representative, that girl is still in high school. It’ll be three more years until she’s an adult. Three years.”
“Come on, there’s only a three-year age difference between you two.”
He had said that.
“Three years is just around the corner.”
Even saying that, Jung-woo knew he wouldn’t really stir any scandal. He was too meticulous about self-management.
Anyway, he didn’t even have the chance to refuse.
“Wow, I heard we have a secret guest!”
The main MC of the deserted island survival show, Jung Dae-hyun, warmly welcomed him first with a bright smile.
Brilliant sunshine.
Sandy beaches.
A dense patch of lush greenery not too far away.
The climate was not that of Korea but tropical.
All-in-all, it was a place filled with everything Jung-woo disliked.
That’s right.
Jung-woo had arrived on some deserted island overseas.
*
‘Deserted island!’
[Deserted Island Survival] was a variety show Seo-yeon was familiar with.
Of course, it wasn’t a show she enjoyed even in her past life.
It wasn’t exactly suitable for ‘studying’ purposes.
Regardless, Joo Seo-yeon found it pretty interesting.
First of all, she had never been overseas, nor had she ever been left alone in a place like this.
‘I remember [Deserted Island Survival] as a show with lots of talk.’
It couldn’t be considered a super popular variety show.
However, it was a show with a solid fanbase, securing a certain level of viewership ratings.
Moreover, despite claims of it being tough, it didn’t leave the contestants in harsh conditions, so there were no significant accidents.
The only downside was that the filming duration was quite long, so the only participants available were Seo-yeon and Park Hee-jun, who just finished filming a movie.
“Hello! I’m Jung Dae-hyun, the head of the deserted island exploration team!”
A big guy over 190cm tall bowed deeply as he introduced himself.
Claiming to be the exploration team leader, he was originally a former athlete turned comedian, who naturally became the main MC of [Deserted Island Survival].
Given his massive build, his expression was surprisingly soft, making the surrounding atmosphere relax a bit.
“And these are the two actors from the upcoming movie [The Chaser]!”
A natural introduction followed.
They soon began a brief promotion related to [The Chaser], which started at the airport.
Of course, it wasn’t everything; it was just a taste.
Seo-yeon remained quiet while most of the talking was done by actor Park Hee-jun.
‘I’m just a convenience store part-timer…’
It wasn’t that Seo-yeon didn’t want to speak, but she was cautious about bringing up her currently known character.
“Well, that’s all for the introductions. Since we have two guests, this will be quick, right?”
In [Deserted Island Survival], there were a fixed group of members including Dae-hyun.
Along with them, guests would join the show.
This time, there were two guests.
The duo from [The Chaser] had joined for promotion—Joo Seo-yeon and Park Hee-jun.
‘…Is this okay?’
While MC Dae-hyun seemed to think nothing of it, Na Tae-sik, a fixed member of the variety show, felt a bit worried.
He wasn’t overly concerned about the actor Park Hee-jun.
Park Hee-jun had served in the special forces.
He was a solid man over 180cm tall, with a muscular build.
“Let’s go.”
And so, Seo-yeon’s first overseas filming began.
*
Thus, at a location not too far from Papua New Guinea…
A decent-sized deserted island with an established ecosystem.
In this desolation, Seo-yeon stood speechless.
Sudden overseas filming.
Plus, it was her first time being in a location like this, so her heart raced with excitement.
“And now, for a big reveal.”
At that moment, Dae-hyun stepped forward and spoke.
All the crew who were unpacking their gear focused their attention on him.
“Actually, there’s one more guest today!”
“One more guest?”
The gaze of the other members shifted to Seo-yeon and Hee-jun.
It meant asking if someone else was joining from [The Chaser].
“Regardless of others, Seo-yeon, you’ll know this person very well.”
“…Me?”
Someone Seo-yeon knew well?
‘Is there anyone like that?’
For Seo-yeon, who had limited human relationships, the number of ‘known individuals’ was very few.
The only person she might know well was…
“It’s none other than actor Park Jung-woo!!”
Boom!
It sounded as if an effect followed.
“Park Jung-woo?”
“Don’t joke around. Why would Jung-woo be in a place like this?”
As the members all chimed in, someone emerged from the thicket.
A worn-out face.
A strikingly handsome man who looked as if he couldn’t quite understand why he was there.
“……”
Park Jung-woo.
The very moment Seo-yeon saw him, she was taken aback.
‘Why on earth is he here?’
It made sense; Jung-woo had never appeared on a variety show even once in his previous life.
*
Anyway, with Jung-woo’s entrance causing a bit of a stir, the actual filming began in earnest.
[Deserted Island Survival] was about surviving on a deserted island for two nights and three days.
They were only given bottled water at the start.
Water was unlimited.
At least water, because health issues could arise otherwise.
‘Ugh.’
Seo-yeon felt a bit disappointed.
‘…I read through the Survivor series to prepare.’
She shook the water bottle she was holding.
She wanted to try making a water filter out of a plastic bottle.
“Hey, how are we supposed to do anything without tools?”
Dae-hyun said to Shin PD, looking incredulous.
“Tools? We got them, we did! Just hidden somewhere on the deserted island,”
Shin PD replied with a chuckle.
Dae-hyun looked flabbergasted at his words.
‘So they really aren’t going easy on us.’
Well, giving out all the tools from the start wouldn’t make for an interesting broadcast.
Unlike usual, this wasn’t a jungle-type environment anyway, nor was it harsh.
“First, let’s split into exploration and survival teams.”
Dae-hyun gathered the members and spoke.
The exploration team would look for tools.
Meanwhile, the survival team would focus on finding edible fruits or building a shelter.
Those used to physical work would be in the exploration team.
Those who didn’t seem capable would be slotted into the survival team naturally.
And Seo-yeon, unsurprisingly, joined the survival team.
With Jung-woo and Bang Ha-yoon, the only female member among the existing cast.
‘I’m saved.’
Seo-yeon felt relieved that Jung-woo wouldn’t drag her into the exploration team.
“First, let’s light a fire.”
At that moment, Seo-yeon spoke passionately.
Jung-woo looked at her with perplexed eyes.
“Why?”
“Lighting a fire is common sense.”
“Uh, how?”
He genuinely questioned her.
Plus, how was she going to light a fire without tools?
“You need the tools to start a fire. We’re looking for those right now.”
Upon his response, Seo-yeon picked up a suitable log and some branches.
‘Wait, are you really planning to light a fire with those?’
Is it a desperate gamble for the sake of variety shows?
With that thought in mind, she looked at Seo-yeon’s gleaming eyes.
‘She really means it.’
With the eagerness radiating off her, Jung-woo’s lips quivered.
“…Then I’ll light the fire, and you find other wood or…”
“I want to do it myself.”
“……”
Starting a fire by rubbing wood together is no easy feat.
Even guys would struggle to achieve it as it’s an exhausting task.
From Jung-woo’s perspective, Seo-yeon shouldn’t even be able to do it.
‘Is she perhaps just really determined to try it?’
Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes fiercely at Jung-woo’s attempt to insist.
“Then, let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors.”
“Huh?”
“The winner gets to light the fire.”
“Wait…!”
Before Jung-woo could even finish his sentence, Seo-yeon threw out her rock-paper-scissors gesture.
Losing his impulse, Jung-woo held out his paper.
For reference, Seo-yeon had thrown out scissors.
“……”
“I won!”
Jung-woo let out a sigh of relief.
He was startled by her sudden declaration but thought he could convince her this way.
However.
“Wait?”
Seo-yeon’s scissors crushed Jung-woo’s paper.
Crack!
A sound echoing that should not have come from his hands.
“Ah!!”
Jumping back, Jung-woo pulled his hand away.
Seo-yeon declared triumphantly,
“Scissors are stronger!”
“No. This….”
Was it broken?
While pondering this, Jung-woo saw his hand and thankfully, there were no signs of damage.
“…Alright, I got it. Then I’ll do something else, and you just focus on lighting the fire.”
“Sure.”
With Seo-yeon’s reply, Jung-woo sighed and turned his back.
After all, she would give up once she got tired.
‘But, how the heck does she have that much finger strength?’
Could it be that she wanted to light a fire just for fun?
Thoughts of her previous remark about her strength shot through his mind.
‘……’
Was she not kidding when she asked about that?
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
What about the remaining Seo-yeon?
She had a serious expression while trying to start a fire with the log and branches.
And the cameraman filming Seo-yeon was thinking.
‘This kid is more unique than I thought.’
Watching the sudden eagerness to light a fire, the cameraman focused on capturing her.
Was it a yearning for variety?
Although he harbored that question, he felt it was amusing enough.
‘Seeing her struggle to start a fire is…’
At that moment, Seo-yeon scrambled to rub the branches together.
Crack!
The stick held in her hand splintered and fell apart as if it had gone through a shredder.
Naturally, the fire wouldn’t light.
“……”
Holding the crushed branches, Seo-yeon’s pupils shook.
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