NOVEL FROG Chapter 117
One day, a certain variety show set to air on a cable channel was unveiled.
It was a variety show that GH Group had invested a considerable amount of money to create.
However, that alone wasn’t enough to draw much interest from viewers.
Cable variety shows often featured sensational content that one wouldn’t usually see on public channels, leading to polarized opinions.
Whether it involved colossal investments or being scheduled in prime time didn’t really matter.
Especially.
“Survival audition variety show?”
“Again?”
Another survival audition variety show, already tired of the concept before even its release.
The public reaction showed that many were not thrilled at the thought of yet another show selecting new idols.
Given the ongoing manipulation controversies surrounding variety shows like this one, it felt like a done deal.
But today, the much-discussed trailer for the cable variety show “Hyper Action Star” was released.
On YouTube and on the broadcast.
“Ah, is there nothing good out there…?”
Han Bong-sik, a YouTuber with 1.37 million subscribers, scratched his head as he searched for something new to review.
He had already reviewed all the recent hit movies and dramas, making it hard to find anything suitable.
“It seems like subscribers are dropping a bit with Joo Seo-yeon.”
There were many who were leaving just as quickly as they had surged.
– How about that variety show?
Then came a comment in the chat.
Han Bong-sik shook his head at the suggestion.
“Ugh, I’m a reviewer, not a variety show host. How do I review a variety show?”
– It’s an actor audition variety show, you know?
Actor audition variety show?
That made Han Bong-sik perk up.
But could an actor audition variety show even exist? Were they judging performances on stage?
“What kind of variety show is this? Ah, wait. It might not be completely a variety show… you never know.”
As he skirted around the subject, a teasing comment with the title popped up.
“Hyper Action Star?”
A title that sounded odd indeed.
Just hearing the title made it hard to guess what kind of show it was.
– The trailer just went up ㅇㅇ
– Where do they even find these kinds of shows?
– Not viral, right?
Seeing such responses from viewers who hadn’t heard any news about it, it clearly wasn’t a well-known show…
– Seo-hee Jo and Seo-yeon Joo are in it.
– ???
– What kind of show has Seo-hee Jo in it?
Seo-hee Jo.
The moment he heard that name, Han Bong-sik was taken aback.
And rightly so, as Jo Seo-hee didn’t often appear on variety shows.
Promotional interviews were about all she’d done.
She was in the same boat as Park Jung-woo among her peers.
“…Seo-hee Jo on an audition variety show? Oh, this has to be a lie. It makes no sense. An actress like Seo-hee wouldn’t choose this without a script.”
Jo Seo-hee was a young actress.
Just a high school student, but her career was far beyond what a regular student would have.
She had already starred in two ten million movie productions and had appeared multiple times in dramas leading the ratings since the prime era of public broadcasting.
Her close relationship with veteran actress Jeong Eun-seon ensured that Jo Seo-hee’s acting career was always on a solid path.
So much so that it was said even films featuring her that should flop end up becoming hits – in the industry, she was seen as a lucky charm.
And she was a young actress with no notable scandals.
“According to the description, GH Group is filming a movie and is selecting actors for it. The winner becomes the protagonist. Oh, but it’s female leads only? So only actresses, huh.”
– Sounds super boring at first glance.
– But what do they do in a variety show if it’s an actor audition? Act?
“Well, I honestly can’t guess.”
But he felt intrigued.
He was curious about why Jo Seo-hee was participating, but more than that.
“If Joo Seo-yeon is also in it…”
– How many shows is she doing in a year?
– She was just on a variety show recently. Seems like she’s overexposing herself after getting popular.
– If she keeps burning through her image so fast, she’ll run out of steam quickly, you know?
Han Bong-sik could relate to those viewers’ comments.
Joo Seo-yeon.
To him, she was practically a goddess.
The one who had immediately boosted his subscriber count by tens of thousands.
Honestly, even if Jo Seo-hee weren’t in it, Joo Seo-yeon was reason enough to watch the show.
Even if the ratings were low, it was a matter of face.
Han Bong-sik was a YouTuber who knew the score.
“Let’s check it out first. You have to watch it to know.”
It was something he was telling himself too.
After all, the video wasn’t long.
Ten minutes.
Of course, the full version; the short clips on TV or YouTube were just two-minute ads.
‘Or is it long, considering it’s a trailer?’
As he thought this, he pressed the play button.
First, many actors were seen arriving at a building.
It was a building that seemed to be a set.
They entered the building and began to sit at a large round table, each in different time slots.
20 people per group, for a total of 5 rounds.
The total participants numbered 100.
That thought flashed through his mind.
“Wow, this actor is also here.”
Many actresses that action fans might know flashed by.
Of course, most were unfamiliar faces.
Stunt actors who came to increase their recognition and to become real “actors.”
And then.
“Here she comes.”
Jo Seo-hee’s group appeared on the screen.
This was at the two-minute mark of the video.
As soon as Jo Seo-hee appeared, the other actors started to stir excitedly.
– Wow, what’s with that girl?
– Why is she the top actress with no school bullying rumors?
– Are they really trying to slander our ten million actress Jo Seo-hee right now?
– To be honest, if Jo Seo-hee looked at me in real life, I’d probably wet myself.
There were many comments, but nobody could deny her cool and beautiful appearance.
Especially compared to the stunt actresses, the difference was plain as day.
– Not to say it, but it’s clear there’s a level difference.
– Jo Seo-hee isn’t even an action actress, why is she here?
– ??? Now that you mention it, that’s true???
– Look at how all the other actresses are avoiding her. They know they’ll get humiliated if they sit beside her.
The wicked girl.
She truly suited that impression.
But Jo Seo-hee’s acting skills meant she wasn’t stuck as just that.
When she starred in those ten million films, she gave off an incredibly gentle image.
The one who turned the theater into a sea of tears, yet now she was simply an arrogant noble villain.
With Jo Seo-hee sitting there, it was honestly funny to see all the others carefully avoiding her.
It could have easily looked like Jo Seo-hee was being bullied, but her haughty demeanor instead made it feel like she was isolating others.
– Here she comes.
– Oh.
Just as there seemed to be no more seats left, a girl in a school uniform revealed herself.
Joo Seo-yeon.
After glancing around, Seo-yeon frowned slightly and sat next to Jo Seo-hee.
At that, Jo Seo-hee could be seen smiling.
– What’s happening?
– Are they close?
– I’ve never seen Jo Seo-hee smile like that before;
– They’re the same age, I guess they are?
The way Jo Seo-hee interacted with Seo-yeon was noticeably different from how she treated everyone else.
Furthermore, as the two sat side by side, a strange synergy seemed to be born.
– Look at how the others deflate around them.
– They’re all around the same age; honestly, it makes sense to be intimidated.
– I wouldn’t even want to get close if I saw those two just sitting there.
Not just Jo Seo-hee, Seo-yeon also had an expressionless demeanor, creating a chilly atmosphere.
When you looked into her beautifully red-tinged eyes, you couldn’t help but shy away under the pressure.
Alongside a presence that radiated beauty.
The aura of an actress.
It felt as if the two were on a completely different plane.
– It’s like the art style is different for just them.
– Art style LOL.
– Are you out of your mind?
Amidst such reactions, the video continued.
「You’re late?」
「I ran here after school.」
「…Aren’t you from Yeonhwa High School?」
At the same time, the distance appeared between the filming set and Yeonhwa High School.
– Did she run five stops?
– Is that even possible?
– Joo Seo-yeon would be able to do it ㅇㅇ
– ?
A stir was felt around them, just as the viewers reacted.
And then.
「You ran here? That’s a funny joke.」
In the stillness, a muttering was heard.
「Oh my, isn’t it a bit much to dismiss it as a joke just because you can’t do it?」
Tension filled the air as Jo Seo-hee shot back in a sharp voice.
A battle of nerves between the actresses.
In that moment, Seo-yeon poked Jo Seo-hee’s side with her finger, trying to mediate.
– Gasp;;
– Why the surprise?
– That girl could crack a coconut with her finger;
– ? Is that even possible??
– Seo-hee’s going to get wreckedㅠㅠ
Fortunately, after that, there were no further remarks.
Right after the nerve-wracking encounter ended, the PD of “Hyper Action Star” came out and began the explanation.
The faces of teams A through E flashed by.
「Since this is a special occasion, let’s start with a light preview.」
As the PD spoke, the screen shifted.
Starting with Team A, the actors began to rappel down from a window in an “act.”
「What kind of superpower were you imagining while jumping?」
They had to act as if they possessed superpowers while performing the rappel stunts.
The majority of the actors were too busy trying to get down to even think.
Those towards the end of the line managed to put some effort into their performances after a bit of consideration.
As the screen quickly flicked through the actors, Han Bong-sik’s eyes widened.
Joo Seo-yeon appeared alone on screen.
Unlike the brief clips of others, she was solo.
What was happening?
Just as he pondered this, the chat filled with astonished reactions.
Without properly securing her waist with a rope, Seo-yeon simply ran and jumped out of the window.
The other actors screamed at her.
However, Seo-yeon jumped, spun mid-air, and landed flawlessly on the air mattress.
– Crazy girl;;;
– Who thinks it’s normal to just jump like that even with an air mattress?
– Why did she spin in the air? She looked like she was trying to strike a pose.
– Must’ve wanted a superhero landing.
– ??
Reading the chat, Han Bong-sik thought, “Could she really have jumped without an air mattress?”
No way, surely not.
But then again, with Joo Seo-yeon, he had a strange trust that perhaps she’d pull it off.
Then, the instructor of this “Hyper Action Star,” Cha Min-kyu, who was already down waiting, asked what kind of superpower she had in mind while jumping.
In response, she said.
「Regeneration ability.」
– No freaking way.
– What does that have to do with falling from a height?
– Re…generation?
– LOL, she meant that since she wouldn’t get hurt, she could jump down.
Despite all the snarky comments, Seo-yeon had a strangely proud look, as if satisfied with her answer.
Of course, the viewers reacting to her demeanor were:
– Ugh.
– Why does that churn my stomach?
While Jo Seo-hee noted,
“Are you not doing the rappel, Seo-hee?”
“I can just go down,” she answered.
“What’s your ability then?”
“Um, a genius with a good head? Being rich is nice too.”
Saying that, Jo Seo-hee just took the elevator down.
Since she took the elevator alone, she stood out even more.
And in the end, Jo Seo-hee’s clip appeared as a cameo, wrapping up the video.
“Um….”
Han Bong-sik stared at the ended video, contemplating what to say.
What could he say?
“This looks fun, doesn’t it?”
Just about that.
But honestly, that was all a variety show needed.
And proving Han Bong-sik right,
[[Hyper Action Star]‘s trailer crossed 3 million views in just two days!]
[The fierce showdown of young action stars, who will be the lead?!]
“Hyper Action Star” instantly became the talk of the town.
A movie that GH Group was investing in.
Where young actresses wrestled for the lead role.
Among them, the ones who stood out the most were none other than Seo-yeon and Jo Seo-hee.
Beyond name value, they definitely left quite a strong impression.
Of course, for every presence that made a mark, there were those who didn’t.
Bang!!
“Is this… all there is?!”
Min Do-ha muttered through clenched teeth.
Ten seconds.
That was all the time she had appeared in the video.
And most of it was spent picking a fight with Seo-yeon.
The rappel scene was a mere two seconds that whizzed by.
Min Do-ha’s rappel action was skilled, but there were many others from different groups who could do the same.
Being simply good at it didn’t make her stand out or leave a lasting impression.
In fact, she couldn’t even find her name in any articles.
“…Joo Seo-yeon.”
Jo Seo-hee didn’t care much.
She had no real passion for this variety show to begin with.
But Joo Seo-yeon was different.
A monster returning to the entertainment world after ten long years.
“I absolutely won’t…”
She was displeased.
Having gained popularity but taking a ten-year break and returning much later, she certainly didn’t want to lose to that actress.
Absolutely not.
And at that moment.
“Uh… so, what did you just say…?”
With gritted teeth, Min Do-ha gazed at Joo Seo-yeon, who looked somewhat excited as she glanced at the frozen male students.