35. Survival (1)
"We've arrived!"
After riding the bus for quite some time, we arrived at our destination. Following the staff's instructions, we got off the bus and saw a spacious pension.
"It's really spacious......"
"We're staying here today?"
We looked around in admiration. Excitement was evident.
The pension looked neat and pretty just from the outside. The pretty grass and barbecue grills clearly gave off a healing vibe.
'We have to film until tomorrow morning, so they prepared carefully to get a lot of footage in a short amount of time.'
As we were about to enter the pension with the members, the staff stopped us.
The members couldn't help but be flustered because they didn't give any explanations on their way here, perhaps to keep things real.
"Okay, okay. Follow me."
Everyone followed the staff in a dazed state at the sudden instructions. Then, an empty lot reminiscent of a military camp appears. It has a completely different atmosphere from the cozy pension.
"Where is this?!"
"It's like a training ground......."
But we couldn't leave the audio blank, so I waited for an explanation while adding some urgency. Through the cameras, I saw the PD of the studio that had taken care of the filming laughing brightly. It sent a chill down my spine.
"This is... a survival game field!"
"...Huh?"
The members blink. The PD pointed at me and said,.
"Intro, what is the concept of your music video this time?"
"...a game."
"Yes! That's it!"
......There's no explanation at all. All the members had that kind of expression.
'The idea isn't bad, but shouldn't we have talked about this in advance?'
But I thought I knew what the PD was trying to say. He wanted to include at least one game that reminded you of the music video and concept of Intro in this Jacon. The writer who was next to him suppressed a sigh and spoke instead of the PD. It was a very tiring day.
"You will be divided into two teams and play a survival game here, on the mountain, for about an hour. We will give you a total of 50 paintballs."
"Is there a separate reward if we win?"
Hwang Bo-kyun, who had quickly adjusted, raised his hand and asked. Then the PD nodded. Before he could open his mouth, the writer said.
"Yes, we will give the winning team a premium Korean beef set."
"Gasp."
Baek Han-gyul's eyes widened and sparkled excessively. Strangely, I already felt tired.
'A Korean beef set, it's okay.'
There's a reason they often give it out on TV. It's because there's no need to change your taste, and in this type of MT-related content, you can even have a scene where you eat together.
At that moment, Ahn Jung-woo, who was checking the number of members, tilted his head.
"There are seven of us, so the team numbers don't match."
"Oh, that's right."
The members each muttered after hearing Ahn Jung-woo's words. It was a fact that they had overlooked because they were used to being together.
'We can't leave one person out here.'
If you leave out just one of them, there could be rumors of discord and even bullying of members. In addition, the characters who are not included in the game will naturally have less screen time. That is not good.
I shrugged as I stared at the writer.
"Yes, so you can recruit the remaining one from around here."
It seemed a bit vague, but I nodded because the recruiting process could also be used as content.
'Probably just exploring the surrounding area and trying to get some scenes.'
There are options if you recruit or not. It's probably better for the studio if we can't recruit because there's no variable.
After hearing all the explanations, we put our heads together and discussed who would recruit and how.
"Hey! Can I go?!"
"Um....."
"Let's just send him."
"Han-gyul is friendly, so I don't think he'll be bad."
"Then how about we split up into groups and look for people? People who share the same room in the dorms can go and come back."
"Okay."
As soon as the decision was made, we moved quickly. Seol Yi-soo, who was in the same group as me, hummed and asked.
"Young-ah, have you ever played a survival game?"
A survival game.
I've played phone games to kill time while waiting, but I don't really enjoy games or sports that take up a lot of time. I've been busy trying to make a living.
"No, this is my first time."
"Really? It's my first time too, but I think it'll be fun."
"Are you good at games that require your body like that?"
"Huh? Not really...."
Unlike when we were at the dorm, the cameraman kept following us around, so Seol Yi-soo laughed awkwardly.
We looked around occasionally, and rolled our eyes at the space where we couldn't see a single ant.
"There's really no one."
"That's right... Should we go back? It's about time we all gathered."
"Yeah, let's do that."
In the end, we returned to the survival game room without any results. Only Hwang Bo-kyun, Lee A-ram, and Ahn Jung-woo, who had returned before us, greeted us warmly.
"Did you find anyone?"
"No. We went around the back a few times, but it wasn't there."
"I guess we have no choice but to lean on Han-gyul...."
Not long after, we saw Baek Han-gyul coming back in the distance. Fortunately, it seemed like they found someone... The more we saw their silhouettes, the more shocked we became. Finally, Baek Han-gyul returned to the survival field and introduced the person next to him with a big smile.
"It's Bok-hee nunim!"
"Oh my, the bachelors are so handsome."
The person between Baek Han-gyul and Ryu Hyun-seung was... an old woman who was estimated to be in her 60s.
I stood there, unable to find anything to say, and looked at Ryu Hyun-seung.
'Even if Baek Han-gyul is like that, why didn't you stop him?'
Lee A-ram, who was standing with his mouth open, had a look on his face that said he had a lot to say. I held onto Lee A-ram and calmed my mind.
Seol Yi-soo was the first to approach Baek Han-gyul. He seemed to be curious about something.
...... He asked something he was most curious about. I waited while controlling my expression, and Baek Han-gyul calmly answered.
"But why do you call her 'Nunim'?"
"Bok-hee nunim said that all older women are called 'Nuna' regardless of their age!"
"Aha."
Seol Yi-soo quickly understood. It's a good mindset as an idol, not too prejudiced. Anyway, if it's what grandmother... no, nuna wanted, then I can't help it, but I have doubts about whether this is right.
'Where should I start pointing this out?'
Despite my feelings, the camera rolled, and I could only smile for the public.
Hwang Bo-kyun, who had been calm until now, asked Bok-hee nuna a question in a cheerful manner.
"Hello, Bok-hee nuna. How did you come around here? Do you happen to be managing this survival game center?"
"Yes. It's been ten years since I've managed it. It was my late old man's hobby."
"I see.... But did you come after hearing the explanation? Is it okay for you to play survival with us?"
"Why will I refuse when I could play with handsome bachelors? I was a special agent when I was young. If you ignore me because I'm old, you'll get a big nosebleed."
If you say so....... The PD and writer didn't seem to care whether the other person was a grandmother or a child. Rather, they clapped and sat down, saying it looked fun.
"How old are you...?"
"Aram hyung-nim! It's very rude to ask a woman's age!"
"... Haah."
At Baek Han-gyul's beating, Lee A-ram decided to keep his mouth shut. I was the same.
Seeing that Ahn Jung-woo didn't seem to care, I wondered if Lee A-ram and I were strange.
'No, that's not it. Is this a situation like a comic book?'
Even if it was fiction, if it was like this, the writer would get cursed at for losing their mind.
I tried to calm my mind and approached Bok-hee noona. It was the last confirmation.
"Are you really okay?"
"That's right. At best, we'll meet up with my grandfather for the first time in a long time and go for a walk along the Jordan River. Don't worry about it."
Is this really an idol Jacon? Is this kind of conversation okay? My head was spinning. She was mumbling to herself, but I was right next to her so I could hear everything she said.
"I'm sorry, old man. I promised myself that I would never hold a gun again."
I was so curious about Bokhee noona's story, but I didn't ask. I thought I would know more if I knew something.
'Just... don't think about it.'
I bet even Director Kwak In-hyuk couldn't have imagined that something like this would happen during filming.
After the casting was over, his son came and helped with the orientation, equipment distribution, and wearing. After wearing the camouflage uniform and safety vest, it finally felt real that we were going to start filming.
"Then, the team is Seol Yi-soo, Ryu Hyun-seung, Ahn Jung-woo, and Yoo Young. The remaining three and Grandma Kim Bok-hee are the team."
"Yes, please take care of me!"
"Ho, ho, ho, have fun~"
"Don't get hurt, be careful, and have fun!"
They had walkie-talkies on their waists to communicate with each team.
Seven men and an old woman, holding survival guns, dispersed into the mountains while receiving repeated safety warnings.
***
I hid in the bushes with the cameraman following me. The wind rustled the leaves. Bzzzz. The walkie-talkie rang.
[Everyone hid well, right?]
[Yes, where hyung?]
[Behind the tree with the red mark.]
"I just saw Aram hyung go that way. Be careful, hyung."
I glanced to the side, and Ahn Jung-woo nodded. We moved forward one step at a time, keeping a close eye on our surroundings.
"Wait a minute."
Ahn Jung-woo stretched out his arm to stop me. When I held my breath, Ahn Jung-woo pointed to the ground below. Footprints were imprinted here and there on the dirt.
I looked at it carefully and whispered.
"Judging by the size of his feet, it's not hyung."
"Yeah, Aram hyung passed by earlier, and Bokhee noona has different shoes."
"Then it must be Baek Han-gyul."
I explained the mystery one by one while being conscious of the camera. Since I was focused on the survival itself, there was nothing to be embarrassed about.
'It's better to be unnecessarily serious about this.'
It was fun to do it myself, so I was able to immerse myself in it. Everything, starting with the equipment, was better than I imagined.
Chuk.
At that moment, a small sound was captured.
Ahn Jung-woo nodded as I sent the hand signal I had coordinated with my teammates before the survival game.
I aimed the gun forward and focused on the sound. I had to put a lot of effort into my senses because I was wearing a helmet that protected my face.
Tak, tak. The dirt and my shoes collided like slippery slicks. A black object was reflected in the small scope.
'It's Baek Han-gyul after all.'
I adjusted the position of the camera attached to the gun and placed my finger on the trigger.
Baek Han-gyul walked with his back low, it seems that he didn't notice our presence. He even whispered 'Shhh' to the cameraman behind him.
'Push me to the side.'
'Okay.'
After finishing communicating with An Jung-woo, right before pulling the trigger. Bzzzz. The radio rang again.
[That...! Bok... Nuna...!]
With a short shout, Baek Han-gyul turned around. An Jung-woo, who had come face to face with me, reflexively fired his gun. Chuk. The paint bullet flew straight.
"Ugh."
Baek Han-gyul rolled to the side with a strange sound. Ah, the paint bullet narrowly missed. His reflexes were good as he swayed.
"Hyung-nim!"
Baek Han-gyul shot his gun toward us, screaming. Several paint bullets flew to the left.
Anyway, I was caught. An Jung-woo, who had winked at me, stepped aside and fired his gun, and I lowered my body as much as I could in return. Baek Han-gyul's gaze turned to An Jung-woo.
"Now!"
In that brief moment, I moved my index finger that had been waiting.
The trigger was pulled, and a blue paint bullet rushed toward Baek Han-gyul's chest. At the same time, he snapped his index finger once more.
"Ack!"
Baek Han-gyul, who dodged the first step dramatically but failed to dodge the second, sank down on the blue waves. Even though it was a paint bullet, it hurt more than he thought, so he seemed to have been startled for a moment.
"Ah! That's too bad."
Baek Han-gyul stretched with a relieved face. Feeling relieved, I lifted my upper body, and Ahn Jung-woo approached Baek Han-gyul, who was looking gloomy, and helped him up. It was a warm sight.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, it hurts, but it was fun!"
Baek Han-gyul brushed the dirt off his pants and laughed. He also made a V sign for the camera.
After everything was sorted out, he put his gun on his shoulder and walked towards Ahn Jung-woo to give him a high five.......
"...Huh?"
A purple paint bullet hit Ahn Jung-woo's helmet. I quickly backed away, leaving Baek Han-gyul looking even more dazed than Ahn Jung-woo. I couldn't see the other person.
'Come to think of it, someone was transmitting on the radio earlier.'
I moved before the question crossed my mind. I thought it would be harder to aim if I moved than if I just stood still.
As expected, the place I was was dyed purple.
"...Go quickly."
I turned around and ran away, leaving Ahn Jung-woo behind. Ahn Jung-woo walked down the mountain with Baek Han-gyul by his arm.
"Huk, huk."
I heard heavy breathing behind me. The cameraman carrying the camera clenched his teeth and ran after me.
The camera itself was heavy, and running through the mountain with that weight seemed to make him out of breath.
'You've worked hard.'
I felt sorry for him for some reason, so I quietly lowered my head. The floor was soaked with sweat.
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