After Story 124
“We’ll just capture natural footage from the side. We’ll try our best not to disrupt the broadcast so don’t worry too much,” said the writer of Hot Blooded Youths.
The camera shot Suyeon before turning around to capture the girl idols that just came into the booth.
“You’re okay with being on camera, right?”
Maru nodded at the writer’s question.
“Suyeon, you should introduce Hot Blooded Youths for a brief moment and then just proceed as usual,” said the producer for the radio.
Suyeon put on the headphones again. The song was ending.
“That was a refres.h.i.+ng song. While we were listening to the song, another guest came to visit the studio. Do you all know about Hot Blooded Youths? I watched this show a few times, and they’re working at the TV station this time. Miss Jennie, say h.e.l.lo to our audience.”
Jennie spoke into the unoccupied mic,
“h.e.l.lo everyone. I’m Jennie from Daylee. I’m honored to say h.e.l.lo on a radio I usually enjoy listening to.”
“What work are you doing today, Miss Jennie?”
“I’m following the writer and helping out with program procedures. I have been looking, and it really is hard to do it for real.”
“Right. The production crew members do a really hard job. Ah, right. Miss Jennie.”
“Yes?”
“Our current segment is giving a word of encouragement to people who are exhausted from work. Please say a word or two to cheer on our listeners who are going home.”
Suyeon’s request seemed to have been arranged beforehand, so Jennie replied without hesitation,
“I heard that if something bad happens, something good will definitely come to you. So let us all do our best without feeling down. Fighting!” said Jennie.
Suyeon smiled and followed up,
“I’m feeling encouraged by Miss Jennie’s energetic voice. I hope everyone listening has received some of the energy as well.”
Suyeon then looked outside the booth. The writer outside was making hand gestures. It was a signal for her to pick up the phone. Suyeon spoke after receiving the message,
“Everyone, Miss Luna, who sent a story a while ago, seems to have called us back. She says she wants to say something. Let us hear her out. h.e.l.lo? Miss Luna?”
-h.e.l.lo? Can you hear me?
‘Luna,’ who sent the story before, could be heard again. Her voice sounded rather excited.
“Yes, we can hear you. Miss Luna, did something good happen to you? You sound a lot better than before.”
-The thing is, wait a minute. I’m so excited I can’t speak properly right now.
“It’s okay so take it easy. You aren’t sick anywhere, are you?”
-I’m not sick at all. In fact, I feel great.
“What happened?”
Maru became curious as well. What could’ve happened in that ten or so minutes?
-That person from before… the guest. I’m so sorry, I swear I could remember his name until just a moment ago.
“Mr. Han Maru?”
-Yes! Han Maru. Anyway, After I heard what he said, I felt frustrated. So I stopped on my way home and thought about it. It was just for ten minutes, as Mr. Han Maru said. He also said that if it’s a big fire, then avoiding it is one method.
“Yes, that he did.”
-I thought about it. Is that a.s.sistant manager really a fire that I can’t do anything about? Is he really someone I should run away from? I thought about it, and no, he wasn’t. He’s annoying and I don’t like him, but it wasn’t bad to the point I had to give up what I attained after much difficulty. As soon as I had that thought, I inadvertently called the a.s.sistant manager.
She was decisive alright. Maru waited for the following story with interest.
Suyeon looked like her interest had been piqued as well.
The production crew for Hot Blooded Youths had not left and continued the shoot. They seemed to have thought that the sudden call was a rather decent item, as the producer and writer for Hot Blooded Youths started whispering to each other.
-I asked straight, about why the a.s.sistant manager hated me so much and why he treats me like that; I told him that I don’t want to quit the company, so I have to resolve the problem.
“You said that?”
-Yes! I was even surprised at how easy that was after I said it.
“What did the a.s.sistant manager say?”
-The thing is, it went ridiculously well. When I talked about the things that happened until now, the a.s.sistant manager apologized to me first. Apparently, he has been on the edge because of family matters recently, and ended up taking it out on me. We talked for a little more and I could understand where he was coming from. If I look back, I think I was being th.o.r.n.y in front of him as well.
“That sounds great. You must be relieved, Miss Luna.”
-Tell me about it. This was such a simple problem, so I feel like a fool for suffering all by myself. It was a great decision to consult you about it, unni. If not, I might have quit the company. Then I would’ve really regretted it.
“I’m glad that you had it resolved.”
-The a.s.sistant manager said he would buy me lunch tomorrow as an apology Every morning, I would feel terrible when I wake up because of stress, but I think I can wake up tomorrow feeling refreshed.
“Congratulations. I’m happy everything worked out for you.”
Text messages were flying in real time. Half of them congratulated Luna, and the other half mentioned that they wanted a consultation.
-Thank you Ssu-D, and thank you Mr. Han Maru as well. I don’t think I’ll feel as bad in the future even if I run into something similar. If it’s a big fire, I can just avoid it, and otherwise, I can just face it straight on.
“I hope you can live a wonderful life, Miss Luna, and congratulations once again.”
-Yes. I’ll keep listening to the radio in the future. One last thing, I love you, Ssu-D, and you too, Mr. Han Maru!
Luna left behind an energetic laughter before hanging up. Suyeon, who put a hand on her headphones, twitched her nose and smiled. She seemed to rather like Luna’s cheerful voice.
“I think that was the fastest resolution of this segment in the history of our radio. Her voice sounded like a completely different person, didn’t it? Miss Luna is really cool, going to her superior and resolving things on the spot. I hope I can learn from her.”
Suyeon then looked at him.
“It’s really hard to put what you hear from someone else into practice, but Miss Luna managed to do it on the spot. I’m sure she would’ve resolved the problem by herself even if I didn’t say anything much.”
“No way. Your help must have played a big role. You know we’re getting a flood of texts from people wanting consultations from you, right? I’m a bit jealous.”
“Then, let me be shameless to ask for the main DJ position….”
“Hey, I didn’t know you could be like that.”
“If there’s a position, I might as well take it.”
Suyeon laughed into the mic.
“We have to introduce our second story for the day, but we spent too much time on the first one. We’ll go to the short stories today. As compensation, I’ll try to make some time to read more of them so don’t worry too much. Then, Mr. Maru, could you read one for us?”
He read the text message that he had eyed beforehand.
“This is from 3626 in Ansan. Today, a colleague of mine sent me a wedding invitation through a messenger. He didn’t come to my wedding either. What should I do?”
“I guess it’s May, the season of marriage. What would you do, Mr. Maru?” Suyeon asked.
“I would set 50,000 won as the baseline. Then you add or subtract based on that. That person sent you a wedding invitation just through the messenger without telling you anything about it? Uh, it’s a bit iffy, but I’d deduct points. Not close to that person? More points deducted. You don’t run into each other often and work in different departments? Even more points deducted. Stuff like that.”
“Wouldn’t you feel embarra.s.sed if you ran into each other later?”
“Of course, it is a celebratory occasion, so if you have the time and the monetary leisure, then it’d be great if you could make it. But if you don’t like that, then try using that formula. Sometimes, it’s better to be a slightly cold person rather than someone who acts kind to everyone.”
Suyeon raised her voice slightly.
“Since Mr. Maru has talked about the realistic side of things, I would recommend that you definitely go. Go, and meet some good people and eat good food.”
“Compared to the congratulatory gift money, the food at a wedding isn’t that good. You should use that money to go to a better place with your lover, family, or friends.”
“Hey, how could you do that? 3626, please decide. Will you listen to me, or will you listen to him? Don’t forget to write a review later.”
Having a character in a broadcast was crucial, and Suyeon just decided on the characters for him. Maru continued in the direction the broadcast pushed him toward. If Suyeon came up with rounded, gentler solutions, he would come up with more realistic, albeit perhaps cruel-sounding, solutions.
“8372 has sent a text message, saying that an angel and demon are trying to do business on one person. I’m the angel, right?” Suyeon asked.
Maru spoke into the mic,
“It’s such a pity that this is not a video simulcast. Ssu-D’s expression was really proud just now. I wish I could show everyone.”
“Unfortunately, I’m not wearing makeup today, so I can’t show anyone.”
Suyeon, who was looking at the monitor, raised her thumb. She looked satisfied.
“Today, time really pa.s.sed by in a flash. Unfortunately, we’ll have to end this segment here, and I’ll come back for part four in a while. Thanks to our sponsors ‘Lala Travels’ and ‘Daily Soup’, and of course our guest Han Maru. Mr. Maru, please say goodbye to our listeners.”
“I had a great time today. I’d love to come here again. Lastly, watch out on your way home. Safety first.”
After the brand song, ads started coming out. Maru took out his earphones. The nearly 30 minutes of the show had ended.
“Thank you for your work,” he stood up from his seat and said to Suyeon.
Suyeon took off her headphones and stood up.
“You were better with the proceedings than me?”
“Not at all. You were a great guide that I only hopped on slightly.”
“It’s no wonder the president compliments you.”
“The president?”
“He told me in private that our new recruit is out of the ordinary. Anyway, I very much enjoyed today.”
Suyeon reached her hand out. Maru shook hands with her.
“But I don’t think today will be the last time.”
Maru turned his head around, following Suyeon. The producer was waving at him from outside the booth. He could also see the producer for Hot Blooded Youths, whose production crew had left about 10 minutes ago.
“The response was just that good. The third segment usually doesn’t have a fixed guest, but we always talk about fixing someone for the position.”
“Am I going to get a regular schedule?”
“I’ll tell the producer about it as well, about how easy it was to work with you. You’re free on Wednesdays, right? Like today.”
“I’m practically unemployed at the moment. I have no work.”
“That’s good. You can leave for now. The producer seems to have something for you.”
He looked at Suyeon who smiled at him before leaving the booth.
“Mr. Han. Good work. Come this way for a second.”
The producers for the radio and Hot Blooded Youths were waving at him. He stood in front of the two.
“When it comes to programs, the will of the person matters the most. Mr. Han. You saw the text messages from before, right? This segment had great responses. I think we can keep up with that good-evil duo and go with it. Are you busy?”
“No, I don’t have a fixed schedule for the time being.”
“Really? Then can you work with us? I can’t pay you a lot, but our program usually ranks first or second among the radio shows of YBS.”
“If you call for me, I’ll be here in a heartbeat.”
The radio producer smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. Her hands were quite spicy.
“I’m a bit strong for a woman. I’m sorry if that hurt. It was just too good.”
The producer for Hot Blooded Youths, who was waiting on the side, took the opportunity to speak.
“Mr. Han. Would you like to appear in our program as well? I knew the moment I saw you that I had to scout you.”
Maru glanced at Suyeon inside the booth. This man was probably not looking for Han Maru the person, but an entertainer affiliated with JA. That didn’t matter that much though. That was how things worked around here.
“If you give me the work, I’d love to take up the task.”
“Then you are saying yes?”
“Yes. But I’ll have to talk to my agency about it.”
“Right. Give me your manager’s number. Our writer will proceed with it.”
“Uh, the thing is, I don’t have a manager yet.”
“Really?”
“If you could give me the writer’s contact info, I’ll make the call later.”
A fixed guest for a radio segment, and a guest for a rather eccentric TV show. It was some decent work.
He smiled and received the writer’s number.