Chapter 209
"Thank you for your hard work~!"
"Thank you for your hard work."
After filming was over, I went around greeting each and every one of the cast and staff.
I diligently went around the studio to meet the PD who cast me for this program and thank him, but unfortunately, they said he was out for a while.
"Hey, you're really evil! Who told you that you can play word chain like that?"
"Our manager told me."
"You studied that in the meantime? You're really an amazing guy."
While waiting for the PD, I chatted with the members.
Kang Si-yoon was about to brag about my word-playing skills, but I had more pressing matters to attend to.
"When on earth were these placards made?"
"We made it without you knowing. What do you think? Isn't the quality good?"
"... This is an educational show, Siyoon. It's not an entertainment show."
"Then you were allowed to play word chain so cruelly on an educational program? Hey, let's not be hypocritical of each other. Okay?"
"Ha."
I touched my forehead and sighed.
"I prayed to God not to let you do anything weird on the day of recording."
"Hey, what's wrong with this! I made this to cheer you on!"
"I never asked for such an embarrassing slogan!"
"This is how you're supposed to make silly slogans!"
If this kind of banter continues, there will be no end.
Fortunately, Song Hyung-bin gently intervened and changed the subject.
"Isn't Karis really a Korean? Siyoon, you definitely confirmed it back then. That Karis is an Estonian?"
"It was like that on the passport. It was like that on the passport."
"Don't say 'like that on the passport' twice, Siyoon. Does that mean I forged my passport?"
"That could be the case."
Surprisingly, this is correct.
I felt a stinging sensation for no reason and coughed a few times.
"I really enjoyed watching it today! It was fun to watch because it seemed like Karis hyung-nim was enjoying it too!"
"... And it was nice to have all the elderly around me treat me so well."
"That's right! Whenever hyung got the answer right, I kept hitting high five with the person next to me!"
It seems like it was a very satisfying viewing experience for the younger brothers.
I'm glad you had a good time with the elderly people around you.
'I thought they would feel awkward because of the large age gap between them and the general audience, but it actually felt like they were attending a talent show.'
I scratched my cheeks.
If that's the case, then it would mean that I'm the one who's trying so hard to show off my talents.
Well, it's somewhat true, so let's just move on.
While spending time waiting for PD-nim.
"Excuse me, over there."
I heard a voice calling me.
When I looked back, there stood Na Ju-young, the high school student who had a bloody fight with me in the finals.
"Hello. Thank you for your hard work today."
"Thank you for your hard work. Oh, there's something I wanted to say...."
Na Ju-young hesitated for a moment, then quickly extended his hand.
"I had so much fun today! I was surprised at how well you spoke Korean!"
"Ah."
I was briefly surprised when I saw Na Ju-young's hand.
Actually, I was aware of it.
That Na Ju-young had been keeping an eye on me since filming started.
I thought it was natural to be concerned about the opponents who were being held in check because he was at an age where his competitive spirit was boiling.
I felt a subtle sense of familiarity from Na Ju-young, who was standing in front of me now.
'It's like....'
Where on earth do I get this feeling of foreboding?
As I was thinking about it, an idea suddenly occurred to me.
Yes, right now, Na Ju-young was strangely emitting the usual Seleve vibe.
'Did we become more intimate thanks to the fierce battle of wits we had today?'
I smiled and shook his hand.
"Thank you. This was my first time on a quiz show like this, and it was more enjoyable than I had imagined. I hope to see you again next time."
As soon as Na Ju-young heard my words, his face brightened.
"Me too! Hmm, ahem! I'll go home and listen to Seleste's songs all over again."
"It would be such an honor if you would do so."
"I'll be cheering you on!"
While I was waving goodbye, the members slowly approached me.
"Wow, Karis is amazing. You even make a new fan while recording?"
When Kang Si-yoon spoke while resting his chin on my shoulder, Yoo Min-ha, who was next to him, laughed out loud and agreed.
"As expected, Karis Hyung-nim captivates everyone regardless of gender!"
"... When you say it like that, it makes me sound like I've become a gumiho (nine-tailed fox.)"
"It's much more powerful than a nine-tailed fox."
"Well, well. If a normal gumiho grows by eating only one liver, then Karis ate the heart and lungs as well."
"... Now then, aren't I just a barbarian and not a gumiho?"
"Is that so?"
When the word "gumiho" came up, Kang Si-yoon's eyes sparkled as if he had seized a good opportunity.
"In the first place, isn't the nine-tailed fox a Korean folktale? In the West, shouldn't it be a demon or a nightmare? You're Korean, right?"
"Before that, Mr. Nightmare. Stop seeing strange things, Siyoon."
"Wow, Siyoon was watching that all by himself?"
"I feel like you only carry your cell phone these days―."
"Oh, it's not that it's weird. I also read webtoons following Karis. You guys are going too far."
Chae Eun-gyu burst out laughing and hit my shoulder, wondering what was so funny.
"It's funny how you always take things so seriously, you know that?"
"I don't know."
"I like it better. I guess we should keep teasing each other."
"Kang Si-yoon alone is enough to make fun of me. If you join, I won't have any sanity left."
"I'm curious about this, Karis, who has become worn out."
I gave up on the conversation.
I wondered if I had used the word 'psychic sympathy' for nothing. I never thought that all the members would feel this refreshed and spew such illogical words at me.
But sometimes the quietest guys make the weirdest noises.
"...."
Ji Yoon-chul, who had been quietly staring at my cheering placard, muttered something frightening.
"Should I make more of these later? They're fun."
"Oh, Yoon-chul! You really know a thing or two! Should we make some placards ourselves and hand them out to the Seleves later?"
"I think it's a good idea."
"Plus, I have to write down all the weird things that Karis is embarrassed about."
"If you're going to give it to fans, think of something normal, please!"
* * *
Just before the end of the 4th week of activities, Seleves turned on the KBC channel, which they don't usually watch.
There was little reason to watch KBC on a Friday evening.
But today was different.
Because the news broke that Karis will be appearing on the Korean quiz show
―(Quote) So, you're saying that an Estonian guest appeared on a Korean quiz show... and the rest of the native Korean members went to cheer on the Estonian guest?
└Something is terribly wrong
└Something big is coming ㄷㄷㄷ
└Honestly, I'm looking forward to it
―But why on earth is this person reading women's romance novels?? ㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└It's actually going well. It's like we're not much different from each other
└The big picture for understanding women's minds
It is truly unprecedented for a member from overseas to appear on a quiz show, especially one in the Korean language.
No one could have predicted what would happen.
Some expected that Karis would show off his amazing Korean language skills that he usually shows off.
Some predicted that no matter how good Karis was at Korean, he would not be able to solve such a quiz.
And when the long-awaited main broadcast aired, the same reactions erupted on Seleves' social media.
-How on earth does he know magpie?
New names I know: Woodpecker, Pigeon, Sparrow
[Ahem! Because of some app that got popular, Koreans named their folders after birds, but inside, it was full of downloaded porn videos. It so happened that Woodpecker [직박구리
└Daughter~ Mommy trusts our daughter!! You're not watching a video of guys being together, are you?
└I looked it up and found that there is a red hawk in Estonia.
└No, he learned Korean through romance novels, but where is the romance novel with a magpie in it? It's not even a stork.
―Hey hurry hurry hurry, can someone please give me that nutrition king cut? He's so handsome in that
└The noble lady that Karis is talking about was a Goguryeo princess? What the hell kind of novel is he reading?
└I think Suja-nim is more generous than I thought. I think he will treat the Three Kingdoms as a romance novel.
└The Peach Blossom Land is also a romance
└Seriously, it seems like Karis passed the Korean Proficiency Test
Karis, who knows words that are difficult enough to be awarded, has no hesitation in solving time-limited quizzes.
It really felt like he knew more words than people who have lived in Korea their entire lives.
There were some Seleves who wondered if this was really possible, but they just let it go, remembering the images Karis had shown in the past.
Thinking about how Karis has always been someone who exceeds expectations.
But the highlight of today's broadcast was not the shocking and terrifying 'Nutrition King'.
The scene where Karis advances to the finals and plays a round of word games with Na Ju-young was truly the highlight of the broadcast.
-This is seriously so vicious ㅜㅜ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└From now on, all word games will be played using Suja-nim's method.
└Didn't Kang Siyoon teach him that? It makes sense when it's done with reverse and strength. He taught the sure-win method.
└Ah, f*ck, in the meantime, look at the placard in Kang Si-yoon's handㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└(Enlarged photo) ★Karis, the best Korean speaker in Seleste★
└Hey... You guys are all Korean.
And soon, Seleste's comeback schedule was also finalized.
An activity that clearly demonstrated their monstrous power by continuously breaking their own records.
They are successful in winning numerous trophies and were evaluated as a successful activity among Seleves.
The only regret is that this time, the dream of the Triple Crown did not come true.
Expectations were very high for their comeback at a time when there were no major idols.
However, not only were there no major idols, but another situation was created where they had to compete head-on with the powerhouses of music charts.
The wall of Hwanjo and Plea, who showed consistent form on the music charts, was high.
No matter how well-made a song is, it is still an 'idol song'.
This means they are bound to lag behind in terms of music chart performance because solo artists release songs that appeal to all age groups.
In the end,
―I really feel sorry... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I thought you were definitely worthy of first place
└I feel sorry for the public who don't know how cool the formula is.
└I feel even more regretful because I thought everything from the concept to the song was perfect
└I guess I should just think that the timing was bad....
―If they're going to overlap activities, wouldn't it be easier to just stick with other male idols?? I think they'd win even if they were to stick with CNX [Connex]
└Of course it is because now everyone is moving from CNX to this side
└You already forgot about the Crazy Light Epilepsy Show? Thinking about it again makes me vomit again
[계지랄
└I can only hope a good comeback in the empty house season next time....
It was a result that could not help but bring deep regret to Seleves.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the remaining parts were overwhelming, but the record of the terrestrial triple crown was so valuable that everyone acknowledged that it was something that had to be achieved.
This feels like the last piece of the puzzle is missing.
But even if they keep saying they regret it, nothing will change.
All they can do is hope that the energy of the universe will come together next time.
After the activity termination teaser was over, Seleves started to focus on other topics.
December is just around the corner.
December, the month that marks the end of the year.
And for idol fans, it has a different meaning.
That means the end-of-year music festivals and award ceremonies are just around the corner.
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