Geon made an immediate decision to join the show after a drinking session with Yeongseok. Slightly intoxicated, Yeongseok went straight to the broadcast station, instructed his subordinate to prepare the contract, and called the station president. Hearing it was Geon's return to broadcasting, the president enthusiastically welcomed the idea with open arms. Yeongseok, having received verbal approval over the phone, read through the contract quickly prepared by his subordinate, then presented it to Geon in the meeting room.
"Here, just sign this after reading it carefully."
Geon, his face flushed from alcohol just like Yeongseok's, smiled.
"If hyung prepared it, I trust it's all good."
Yeongseok playfully smacked Geon on the head.
"Hey, man. You're an adult now, not the high school student you used to be. You need to read through contracts carefully. I'll read the important parts for you first. Then, read it again yourself, twice, three times, before signing. Got it?"
As Geon scratched his head and nodded, Yeongseok highlighted sections of the contract with a pen while explaining.
"First, the signing fee. Normally, there's just an appearance fee, but since we're heading to a remote location like Nepal, it's common to include a signing fee in case you decide to quit midway. You've had a break, but you're still highly rated, so the fee is substantial. Typically, the signing fee is set at the rate of four episodes' appearance fees, and you'll have to pay triple in damages if you break the contract. Understand?"
After Geon nodded, Yeongseok continued.
"Your appearance fee per episode is 8 million won. This program is a pilot, so if it receives a good response, it will be scheduled as a regular broadcast. You're only required to appear in the pilot, likely around ten episodes, each running for about an hour and a half. The shooting period is two weeks. So, that's 32 million won for the signing fee, right? Got it?"
As Geon diligently read the contract alongside him, Yeongseok tapped Geon's head with the pen.
"The important part is here. 'The Participant agrees to abide by the rules established by the Producer to ensure the broadcast's entertainment value, and the Producer accepts violations of these rules if they enhance the show's entertainment quality. However, the Participant must adhere to basic rules, and failure to do so constitutes a breach of contract.' When you do shows in the future, always ensure to include a clause stating 'rules will not damage the Participant's image.' Understand?"
Geon asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"
Yeongseok looked exasperated.
"Idiot, what if they tell you to strip down to your underwear and dive into the Himalayas for the sake of entertainment? Contracts are not just the starting point for a good outcome; they're a safeguard for the worst-case scenario. Remember that."
"Ah, I see. No need to look at me like that; how am I supposed to know?"
"Kid, if it weren't for people like me, you'd be ripe for the picking!"
Geon joked with a playful look.
"Hyung lives without the law?"
Yeongseok nodded emphatically.
"Of course! I'm a good citizen who pays his taxes by smoking two packs a day."
"What? Smoking daily is paying taxes well? Ha!"
Waving his hand dismissively, Yeongseok pushed the contract towards Geon.
"Enough chit-chat. Read this again. Make sure to read it at least three times before signing. I'm watching."
After mimicking the action of watching Geon and pointing towards him, Geon began reading the contract with a smile. Yeongseok, after a while, slammed the table to stop Geon from signing after only two reads.
"Kid, I know you only read it twice. Read it again."
Chuckling, Geon re-read the contract from the beginning before filling in his bank account details, social security number, name, and signature. Yeongseok then presented another copy of the contract.
"Normally, you sign twice. Check if this contract is the same as the one you signed."
Geon, making a face, asked, "Read it again? But it's the same?"
"What if it's different? Well, if it's different, the contract would be void, but check anyway."
After Geon meticulously reviewed and signed the contract, Yeongseok placed both copies together.
"Now, sign here in the middle. Only then is it considered that you've thoroughly reviewed and agreed to both copies of the contract. Stop making that bothered face and hurry up. Can't you see I'm trying to help you succeed? Go on."
Once Geon signed, Yeongseok called over the waiting subordinate to hand over the contract. The subordinate, after receiving the
contract, passed a thick file to Yeongseok and left the meeting room. Yeongseok flipped through the file.
"I'll give you a brief on the program. We'll have a detailed briefing later, so just come back to the station then."
Geon nodded, and Yeongseok showed him the file page by page.
"We'll first head to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. After spending a night at the Baber Mahal Vilas hotel, we'll take a helicopter."
"A helicopter? Where are we going that we need a helicopter?"
"That's a secret. You'll be blindfolded in the helicopter, and you'll only find out where we are after landing. Our goal is to reach a designated destination within a set time to complete the mission and receive a reward."
"What's the reward?"
"Items that will help with your survival in the wilderness."
"Am I going alone?"
As Yeongseok flipped through the file, profiles of two beautiful girls appeared.
"We initially planned to cast Sorin and Youngmi from the girl group TOF, but now that you're joining, we'll have to change that. Getting entangled with a girl group only leads to bad rumors. Do you have anyone in mind you'd like to go with? Ah, if we're choosing a guide, let's go with a woman. Your easygoing nature might get you eaten alive otherwise."
Geon pondered for a moment before Yeongseok added.
"Decide first. A singer? An actress?"
Geon looked thoughtful and then said, "I'd prefer an actress. It's a field I'm not familiar with, and I'd like to learn."
"You want to learn acting?"
"No, I just want to understand the life of an actress."
"Hmm.. then a seasoned actress would be good. Someone of a decent age."
"That would be great."
"We need someone who can handle trekking, so not too old... Ah, how about Ryu Chae-eun? You watched a lot of TV in the military, right? The lead actress from the drama 'Replacement'."
"Ah, I've seen her. She's in her 30s, right?"
"Yeah, mid-30s. Not so young as to start rumors, but young enough. Plus, she's pretty."
"I think that sounds good."
"Yeah, she started as a theater actress. Has been doing small theater for over 10 years before making her broadcast debut last year. Fresh, and she loves music, having starred in a play called 'For John Lennon.' Seems like you two could have good chemistry. I'll arrange it."
"Sure, I agree! Let's wrap this up!"
Tired from the long meeting following their drink, Geon exclaimed for it to end, and Yeongseok chuckled.
"Alright, I'll handle the casting. You can go now. I'll be in touch."
"Thanks, hyung. Had a good time today! See you later!"
** Two weeks later, at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Geon, having been packed with survival gear by his overly excited sister Shihwa, arrived at the airport lobby pushing two large suitcases. Slightly tired from the long flight, he suggested to the shadowing director,
"Director, please have a seat too. You must be tired."
The director, smiling, waved off the suggestion and continued filming. The 'Song of the Himalayas' team, led by main PD Yeongseok, had entered Nepal with a minimal crew of seven, including one AD, two ENG camera directors, one drone camera director, and one each of lighting and sound directors. The small expedition, totaling nine including Geon and the actress, had already become quite close during the pre-departure drinking session, although unfortunately, Ryu Chae-eun couldn't join due to scheduling conflicts.
After passing through immigration, Geon asked Yeongseok, who was catching up,
"Why isn't Ryu Chae-eun here yet?"
Waving his passport, Yeongseok replied,
"She had a shooting schedule, so she's on a flight two hours after ours. She'll be at the hotel soon. Let's go!"
The group boarded a pre-rented minivan and headed to the hotel. As Geon admired the Kathmandu cityscape and noticed their destination, Baber Mahal Vilas, he exclaimed,
"Wow! That's a stunning building. It stands out so much compared to the surrounding worn-down buildings, doesn't it?"
Following Geon's pointing hand, the camera lens captured the hotel, built in a distinctive white and gold Islamic architectural style. The minivan entered the luxurious-looking compound and stopped at the hotel entrance. Yeongseok opened the door, saying,
"Let's get out. AD, check us in. Get separate rooms for Geon."
"Yes, CP!"
Check-in was swift thanks to prior arrangements. Although they had to show their passports as
foreigners, the hotel staff quickly processed them and showed them to their rooms. The staff set up stationary cameras in Geon's room, bustling about as he watched from the bed. Yeongseok approached,
"Ryu Chae-eun just landed at the airport. She'll be here in about 30 minutes, so rest up. We'll set up cameras in her room and start filming your dinner on the second floor as soon as she arrives."
"Cameras in her room too?"
"Of course, man. That's the trend these days. Though, we'll have fewer cameras in her room compared to yours, out of respect for her privacy. We'll set up for the shoot in her room and the restaurant, then head down to the second floor in 30 minutes."
After the staff left Geon alone in his room, he lay on the bed, strumming his J-200 guitar to pass the time. Getting up to head to the second-floor restaurant, he was greeted by a luxurious setting. A Nepalese waitress in clean, white attire flashed him a bright smile. Geon smiled back and entered the restaurant, noticing the quiet corner set up for filming. Approaching Yeongseok, who was standing by the camera, he saw a woman seated demurely in front of the camera. Yeongseok, seeing Geon approach, extended a rolled cue sheet,
"Ah, Geon's here. Go sit down. Say hello to Ryu Chae-eun."
Geon bowed to Ryu Chae-eun, their eyes meeting.
"Hello, I'm Geon."
Ryu Chae-eun stood up, smiling brightly.
"Kay! I'm a fan!"
Geon grinned and took his seat,
"It's been a while since I've been called Kay. Please take care of me."
Chae-eun and Geon quickly became close. Chae-eun approached Geon in a friendly manner, asking him to call her "sister" despite the ten-year age difference and their different genders, which led them to open up and become friends quickly. They soon forgot they were in front of a camera and started chatting away, salivating over the traditional Nepali dishes brought by the staff.
Producer Yeong-seok, standing behind the camera, said, "The dishes being served are traditional Nepali foods: 'Dal Bhat,' 'Jaoi Yen,' and 'Lemon Tree Steak.' In particular, the Lemon Tree Steak, made from buffalo, is a must-try dish. Please, go ahead and taste them."
Chae-eun, with her experience in variety shows, cautiously asked Yeong-seok, "Can we just eat? Normally, you make us play games for food and sleep, don't you?"
Yeong-seok, raising his arms, responded, "Ah~ Today, it's on the house. Enjoy to your heart's content!"
Though Chae-eun looked at Yeong-seok suspiciously, Geon, having no experience in variety shows, immediately started eating the 'Jaoi Yen,' a type of Nepali fried noodles, as soon as he was told to eat. Filling his mouth with noodles, Geon gave a thumbs-up.
"Wow, this is really delicious. The spices are strong, but it's tasty. You should try some too, sister."
Chae-eun, looking worriedly at Geon as he eagerly ate, said, "Geon, I heard from our manager that Yeong-seok CP is a total devil. He said not to just take food because you never know what might happen."
Laughing, Geon offered Chae-eun some of the fried noodles and said, "Worrying won't change anything. If we're going to be put through trials, might as well eat first. It's not like not eating will spare us the trouble, haha."
Unable to resist the tempting aroma of the noodles, Chae-eun began to eat. Seeing their expressions as they savored the taste, Yeong-seok smirked devilishly.
'Eat up, Geon. It's going to be a hunger-filled journey.'
After making sure the camera captured them eating, Yeong-seok announced from behind the camera, "Enjoy your meal. You need to come down to the lobby by 9 AM tomorrow. From there, we'll move to the helicopter pad and then fly to our destination. Make sure your personal belongings are packed in your suitcase and loaded onto the helicopter."
The two buried their faces in their dishes, making circles with their fingers as if to say everything was delicious, prompting Yeong-seok to continue filming with a circular motion of his finger.
**
The next morning, everyone gathered on the first floor of the hotel on time, and the production staff, wearing double blindfolds, escorted Geon and Chae-eun into a car. Feeling her way with her hands, Chae-eun said, "Ah! Where are we going with these blindfolds? I'm scared."
Resigned to his fate, Geon, blindfolded, was loaded into the car. Soon, the sound of helicopter propellers whirring could be heard, and they were escorted onto the helicopter. Unable to see, Chae-eun held onto Geon's hand tightly as they sat on the helicopter and wondered, "Where are we going?"
Geon, holding Chae-eun's hand reassuringly, said, "Don't worry, sister. Worrying won't make it any easier."
Geon then patted Chae-eun's back with his other hand, easing her anxiety as she leaned back comfortably. The helicopter flew for over an hour. Eventually, it stopped its forward motion and hovered in the air before landing at a location, where the staff helped Geon and Chae-eun off the helicopter.
Following the staff's lead, they felt their way to a spot and then heard the helicopter leaving, prompting them to shout, "Ah!! My suitcase! It's still on the helicopter! Did you take it down?"
Chae-eun, unable to see anything because of the blindfold, stomped her feet in frustration. As the sound of the helicopter's propellers faded into the distance, Yeong-seok's voice could be heard, "Now, you can take off your blindfolds."
Geon, reaching into his pocket while still blindfolded, removed his blindfold at Yeong-seok's instruction. Squinting against the strong sunlight, he waited for his vision to return. As Geon's sight adjusted to the light and he lowered his hand, he looked around.
"Wow!!! It's really magnificent!"
The Himalayan mountains unfolded before Geon's eyes. Far away, beautiful snow-capped mountains touched the sky, and the majestic landscape of the overwhelming mountain range made Geon spread his arms and spin around, laughing. Chae-eun, too, was amazed by the view of the mountains and turned around to see Geon, who was smiling brightly far away, looking like an angel against the backdrop of the Himalayas with his somewhat short hair, fair face, and a tall figure with an innocently bright smile.
Yeong-seok gestured for the camera director to capture Chae-eun's expression. The camera director quickly moved to a position where he could capture both Geon and Chae-eun in one shot, lifting the tripod. Geon, still smiling, spun around, enjoying the view of the mountains, then approached a cliff edge to look down. Below, clouds obscured the view, but through them, the endless mountain range stretched out. Turning to the right, he saw a very small village on a hillside, shimmering in the sunlight. Standing at the edge of the cliff, Geon felt the mountain wind on his face and closed his eyes.
Chae-eun watched him from behind, her hands involuntarily touching her flushed cheeks as she stared blankly at Geon. A beautiful melody flowed from Geon's lips as he sang with his eyes closed.
(The Almighty of the Mountain.)
(I am happy in the mountains.)
(Every tree speaks to me through you.)
(Nature is a book made by God.)
With arms spread wide, Geon's voice singing as he gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains resonated far and wide along the ridges of the Himalayas. Chae-eun, astonished by Geon's beautiful voice, covered her mouth with her interlocked hands and looked at him with dreamy eyes, as his figure merged with the mountainside. Raising his arms higher, Geon sang with a louder voice.
(I am now on the roof of the world.)
(Here I look down on everyone, but I'm too small.)
(The Almighty of the Mountain.)
(I am happy in the mountains.)
(Every tree is talking to me through you.)
(Nature is a book made by God.)
Even after the beautiful song that flowed from Geon's lips had ended, Geon's eyes remained closed. Chae-eun, who had been staring at Geon with her mouth agape, the filming team capturing Geon, and even Yeong-seok, who should have been giving directions to the filming team, all experienced a momentary suspension of thought, intoxicated by the magnificent Himalayas, the beautiful young man standing before them, and his song.
After a while, Geon opened his eyes and looked at the scenery below the cliff. The cool mountain breeze fluttered Geon's hair, and he turned to Chae-eun with a smile. Chae-eun, startled by Geon's gaze, quickly cooled her flushed cheeks with her hands and asked, "Wh-What kind of man is so beautiful... And what was that song? It's the first time I've heard it, and it's so good."
Geon shrugged and said, "It's a song I just made up. Just a tune that flowed out, haha."
Chae-eun, wide-eyed, looked at the production team, and even Yeong-seok had a surprised expression. Chae-eun looked back and forth between Yeong-seok and Geon, thinking, 'He's not called a genius for nothing!'
Chae-eun, with the Himalayas as a backdrop and hands on her hips, asked Geon with a smile, "Geon, how did you start music?"
Geon, stepping onto a small rock and closing his eyes to feel the wind, said, "I don't know when it was. One day, someone whispered to me. And at some unknown time, I began to sing, and that brought me many connections. My debut in a drama OST was really a chance occurrence."
"Someone whispered to you?"
"Yes! Someone whispered to me every night. They said to make the world happy with your songs."
Chae-eun was speechless. Yeong-seok, too, just looked at Geon blankly with his arms crossed. After a moment, Geon looked at the camera and asked, "Bro, what should we do now?"
Yeong-seok, a bit startled by Geon's sudden question, shook his head and said, "Ah, sorry. Now, you two, see the luggage over there? Go and check it."
Geon turned to see his guitar placed a short distance away. Upon closer inspection, the luggage consisted of Geon's J-200 guitar, two flashes, a map, and a rolled-up letter. Geon first secured his guitar, and Chae-eun approached to read the letter.
"Welcome to the song of the Himalayas. Enclosed is a map with today's destination marked. Please arrive there within the next eight hours. If you arrive on time, you will receive a survival kit to aid in your survival."
As Geon unfolded the map, a large map of Nepal expanded, with a flag drawing and "Deurali" written below. Geon lowered the map and told Chae-eun, "Today's destination is a place called Deurali. But looking at the map, I can't tell where we are, so I'm not sure how long it will take, sister."
Chae-eun approached and looked at the map curiously. Geon pointed to the small village he had seen earlier and said, "Let's go there first, sister, and ask around."
Chae-eun, looking worriedly at the village Geon pointed to, said, "Will English work there? I'm not worried about English with you here."
"Well, we'll find out when we get there. But, Yeong-seok bro! What about our suitcases?"
Yeong-seok smirked and said, "The helicopter took them."
"What? Then what about us? Our clothes are in there."
"Fend for yourselves. Completing the arrival mission will solve the basics. Of course, if you don't complete it, you won't get anything."
"Wow, you're really a devil PD!!! Arghhh!!!"
Yeong-seok chuckled and shrugged, and Geon, resigned, looked back at Chae-eun and said, "Sigh, sister, let's just head to that
village for now. It seems like a Sherpa village, so there should be someone who speaks English."
After walking for about 20 minutes, Chae-eun and Geon reached the entrance to the village. The village was a small settlement of about twenty Sherpas and their families, with a total of nine old buildings that could be considered houses.
Approaching an elderly man sitting at the village entrance, Geon greeted him. The elderly man, with poor eyesight, squinted at Geon as he approached. As Geon got closer, the man's eyes widened, and he pointed his finger, saying, "???? ?? ???? ??? ?? (Deva? Are you a celestial being?)"