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墨書 Inktalez
What does a variety show mean to the audience? A source of laughter during leisure time, a common topic for conversation among friends? If one invests a bit more emotion, it becomes a mere longing, but over time, that longing can fade.
Being fickle is human nature. If this is true for partners, how much more so for a program that lacks flesh and blood? Only when one loves it to the core does it possess a soul; otherwise, it is nothing at all. Park Chan-yeol once said that he really wants to become a true singer or actor because in Korea, the identity of an idol is far too common. Every month, there are countless newcomers waiting to debut, most of whom are idols. Idols are eliminated too quickly; any country never lacks beautiful boys and girls. Those who stand firm at the top amidst the torrents are mostly predecessors whose talents overshadow their appearances.
Choi Min-sik is like this, Song Jianghao is like this, In-sun is like this, Lee Seon-hee is like this, and Yoo Jae-suk is also like this. Perhaps their early life paths were incredibly arduous, but with a solid foundation, no matter what kind of storms or changes they face, they remain unshaken.
Anna used to feel that she was far from Park Chan-yeol, but seeing him recently busy with his transformation made her realize that a glamorous exterior can easily weather away. Park Chan-yeol also has his own helplessness and insecurity; he has not yet reached the pinnacle of life and still has a long way to go.
Running Man has now had so much of its budget cut that it is evident SBS has completely lost hope for the program. For a broadcasting station, a show is merely a product. Products can only be categorized as valuable or worthless. When something is deemed worthless, it can only be discarded in favor of newer and more appealing items.
This is an undeniable fact that no one can change, and this reality is gradually approaching.
The entertainment industry is never calm; even if it appears tranquil on the surface, there are turbulent undercurrents beneath. It is filled with bizarre phenomena that those outside this circle cannot see or experience.
“Anna.” A familiar voice appeared beside her.
Originally looking down as she stepped onto the stairs intending to enter the S.M. Company building, she looked up in surprise. In front of her were two unfamiliar faces; the girl smiled warmly while the boy greeted her politely.
The girl's eyes sparkled with light, nearly bringing tears to Anna's eyes. She quickly controlled her emotions as her nose tinged with warmth.
“Beautiful… Miki.” Anna smiled with relief upon seeing the face of the unfamiliar Kim Mi-kyung filled with happiness.
Gone were the days of beauty, arrogance, and madness; what remained was calmness, warmth, and reassurance.
“This is my boyfriend, Seo Jeong-woo,” Miki introduced.
“Hello, my name is Seo Jeong-woo,” Seo Jeong-woo greeted politely. He was slightly chubby and tall, wearing black-framed glasses and always smiling gently.
"Hello, my name is Anna Zheng," Anna replied politely.
"Brother Zhengyu, wait for me over there for a moment. I will talk to Sister Anna and come over," Miki said.
"Okay," Seo Jeong-woo replied, then said his goodbyes and went to wait in the car.
Anna felt a mix of emotions. The current Miki had truly changed completely. She could imagine it, but it was only an imagination; no one could truly understand the immense pain Miki must have endured to become who she was now. It was certainly more painful than Anna could comprehend.
"When did you come back?" Anna asked.
"I just arrived last night to get some things from Brother Canlie," Miki said with a smile. Her face still looked somewhat stiff; the skin from that place was not as delicate as the skin on her face. Those vibrant expressions were something Miki would never be able to have again in her lifetime.
"Oh," Anna was momentarily at a loss for words, her throat feeling a bit choked.
"I originally planned to arrange a time for all of us to go out together in a few days, but I didn't expect to run into you here today," Miki said.
"Yeah, I didn't expect it either. What a coincidence," Anna paused for a moment. "Miki, are you doing well?"
"The bad times are all behind me now; everything is good now. Brother Zhengyu treats me very well. We have agreed that once the matters here in Korea are resolved, we will return to Australia for our wedding. I hope you can come."
"I will definitely go," Anna said sincerely, feeling relieved. "How is Mr. Kim Yoo-chung?"
"I heard from my father that during the last crisis, thanks to your help, Sister Anna, he managed to get through safely. Thank you so much. It's just that this time..."
"Last time was also because of Andy; he is my brother, so I couldn't refuse some responsibilities," Anna said.
"If saying that you need to take responsibility because Andy is your brother, then it was also because Andy gave me a kidney at that time that led to everything afterward. So whose fault is that?"
Anna was somewhat surprised; Miki had truly transformed into another person.
“Miki” continued, “Everyone must bear the consequences of their own mistakes. Others are not responsible. I am the same, and so is ‘Andy’. ‘Sister Anna’, do you know where ‘Andy’ is right now?”
“He is on a small island in Italy.” ‘Anna’ suddenly had a bad premonition.
“I know that the man named ‘Hogga’ beside you is already dead; he was the one who trapped ‘Andy’ there. Also, our father is seriously ill now. Who do you think can take care of him? Do you really think he would be willing to stay there for a lifetime?” ‘Miki’ said.
“‘Miki’, do you know something?”
“I am also investigating; nothing has been concluded yet. With our father’s illness, there are too many things I need to consider. But I want to tell you, ‘Sister Anna’, you must be careful.”
“I understand.”
‘Miki’ raised her hand to check the time and said, “I have other matters today. ‘Sister Anna’, let’s go out together in a few days and have a detailed chat. I have many things I want to tell you.”
“Okay.” ‘Anna’ smiled, hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up, “‘Miki’… actually, I have broken up with ‘Park Chan-yeol’.”
Why did ‘Anna’ feel the need to tell ‘Miki’ this? Perhaps deep down, she felt she had let down ‘Kim Mi-kyung’s wishes and blessings when she left. Maybe the fact that she and ‘Park Chan-yeol’ did not have a happy ending was her greatest debt to ‘Kim Mi-kyung’.
‘Kim Mi-kyung’ was taken aback for a moment, smiled, and said, “I know… I already knew.”
“I’m sorry,” ‘Anna’ said.
‘Miki’ lowered her head, lost in thought, then looked up and smiled while waving her hand, “Contact me on your phone, ‘Sister Anna’, goodbye.”
“Okay, goodbye.”
Watching her slowly walk away until she disappeared after closing the car door, ‘Anna’ finally witnessed that ‘Miki’ was doing well now. A stone that had been hanging for a long time finally fell. However, another ominous premonition slowly crept in. She had been too careless; why hadn’t she thought about it? Now that ‘Hogga’ was dead and ‘Jin Yu Cheng’ was seriously ill, what would be ‘Andy’s reaction upon hearing this news?
If ‘Andy’ really returned again, who could protect her like ‘Hogga’ did time and again?
After signing the contract with Yunhao's agent, Anna hurried back to SBS. Just as she stepped out of the elevator, she bumped into Park Soo Eun, causing the contract papers to scatter everywhere. Both of them instinctively crouched down to pick up the fallen sheets.
"What's wrong with you? You look like you're on fire, running so fast," Anna asked.
"You wouldn't believe it, but I'm in a rush to Mugyeongdong," Park Soo Eun replied.
"What happened?" Anna asked, puzzled. Mugyeongdong is where news programs are produced; typically, only Miao PD or Dongwan PD would go there for meetings. What was Park Soo Eun doing there?
"I don't know either. I'll explain when I get back," Park Soo Eun said as she stuffed the papers into Anna's arms and hurriedly left in the elevator.
What could it be?
Anna couldn't figure it out.
Upon entering the studio, Miao PD was absent, and Dong Wan was discussing next week's recording with Zhang Yuanxiao and a few new FDs. When he saw Anna enter, he gestured for her to join them.
"Is the contract signed?" Dong Wan asked.
"Yes, it is," Anna replied as she handed it to Dong Wan.
Dong Wan took a look at it, placed it in a folder, and said, "The preparations for the recording are mostly done. You should listen in and see if there’s anything that needs changing; you have quite a few new ideas." Dong Wan smiled.
"I don't have that many new ideas; they're mostly strange thoughts that aren't really usable," Anna said with an embarrassed smile.
"Having ideas is better than having none," Dong Wan remarked.
"Yeah, I wish I could be like you, Sister Anna, always coming up with so many creative ideas," Zhang Yuanxiao added.
Anna smiled as she looked at the already highly developed recording process. This time's theme revolved around traditional Korean folk games, one of which was 'The Wu Qiong Flower Has Bloomed,' an old trope that had been used countless times in various shows. This game segment had been slightly adapted by Zhang Yuanxiao based on the writer's proposal. Anna observed that although it had been modified, it still didn't stray far from its original concept.
"This game..." Anna began, but she couldn't think of what to say next.
"I also feel like something is missing. I originally thought about putting some pressure boards below, but I feel like that method has been used too many times, and I'm afraid the audience will get bored," Zhang Yuanxiao said.
Anna pondered, "How about this? Instead of pressure boards, we could put a layer of thin foam boards, cover them with plastic sheets, and then drench the top with soapy water. Wouldn't that be better?"
"Hey, that's a good idea! That way, there will definitely be more physical comedy, but the members are going to have a tough time," Dong Wan said with a smile. "But later when they complain, they'll definitely say it was your idea."
Anna chuckled but remained silent.
The true reason for Park Soo Eun's visit to Mugyeongdong SBS was finally revealed; it turned out that the bureau intended for Miao PD to participate in planning a new program, and Park Soo Eun was there to help with some procedures.
In a studio filled with positive energy, after experiencing one setback after another, everyone felt completely deflated. Although recording was scheduled for tomorrow, no one could muster any enthusiasm. Miao PD had no choice but to comply with the bureau's wishes; everyone understood this. Reality can never be as described in movies—better to be shattered than to remain intact—but when it comes down to it, which is the gem and which is the tile?
Wasn't Family Birth also replaced by Running Man?
In fact, who is the gem and who is the tile is just a matter of time and circumstance.
No matter how capable Miao PD is, he is not one of those superheroes from movies. He has flesh and blood, eats grains and vegetables, and has a family to care for. Beyond dreams and perseverance, there are many more important things in life to protect. No one can complain; if you want to change a situation you find unsatisfactory, you can only wait until you become truly strong.
When people are young, they constantly compromise; it's a form of honing. If you refuse this honing, you'll never have a day that is smooth and brilliant.
"I'm sorry everyone," Miao PD said as he stood up and bowed deeply, trembling slightly. His sadness and guilt were known only to him.
No one spoke; comfort, atmosphere, complaints, reluctance, confusion—all seemed inappropriate to voice. So they fell silent; time would provide an answer. The most genuine feelings would come when they were truly calm.
"I've already spoken with the director. After I leave, Dong Wan will take over as the program's chief PD, and Anna will be the Assistant Director. If... if one day Running Man really comes to an end, there will definitely be a place for all of you in whatever new program I am in. Of course, I hope even more that you can create a Miracle," Miao PD said.
Silence lingered once again.
Miao PD sighed deeply and bowed once more. "Thank you all for your hard work, I'm really sorry."
"Miao PD..." Anna spoke softly. She wanted to say it was okay because she truly understood, but she also felt some resentment. In the end, it turned into a sigh, and she had no other words.
Miao PD left, and until the end of the day, everyone said their goodbyes and left the silent studio.
Is it really coming to an end?
Anna smiled helplessly; it was truly ironic that at this moment, she had just become a PD. Did it even have any meaning?
Ultimately, one must find some kind of meaning to want to continue moving forward. When reaching beneath the Dream Tree, discovering that it was already on the verge of dying, what should one do? Sit under the tree and cry? Look at her battered feet and wallow in self-pity?
Or should she strive to find water, working hard until the end to nourish it? But where is the water source? This place has become desolate; perhaps before reaching the water source, the great tree would have completely withered away.
Then let’s cry, cry earnestly, desperately, using tears of sadness and reluctance to nourish it. Even if the final outcome doesn’t change, there will be no regrets in life.
“Anna, do you think Running Man is really coming to an end? It’s been almost nine years since we started; I really, really don’t want it to end. You have no idea how we got through those early days; how did it turn into this…” Dong Wan said to Anna as he walked behind her.
“No matter what, we must hold on until the very end, okay Dong Wan? After all, I believe there are still people looking forward to us on Sunday nights.” Anna forced a smile.
Dong Wan raised the corners of his mouth; from Anna's eyes, he finally found a bit of meaning in holding on. “Alright, we will definitely hold on until the end.”
Although Anna knew that Jin Yu Cheng was seriously ill, she never imagined he had reached a state where he needed a ventilator 24 hours a day to sustain his life. She was genuinely shocked.
“How could this happen?”
“It was a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. We don’t know if he can pull through or if he will wake up again.” Miki said with red eyes as she looked at Jin Yu Cheng, who lay unconscious on the hospital bed. “There are still so many things that need to be handled at the company, and my father... I really don’t know how to get through this.”
Anna gently patted Miki’s shoulder. The first time she met this top South Korean entrepreneur, he seemed to possess the power to control everything. Even when he was somewhat downcast due to being careless and harmed by Andy, his gaze remained sharp. Anna could hardly imagine that such a strong person was now hanging by a thread.
Who knows, Hogga was once so powerful, so mysterious, so in control of everything, but a small bullet pierced through his chest, and his life came to an abrupt end.
After all, that bullet that took Hogga's life was fired by the person lying in bed.
It's a complicated emotion to the extreme.
"Everything will be alright. Didn't the doctor say that there is still hope for Uncle's condition?" Park Chan-yeol said.
Miki wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded firmly. "However, there is one more thing, Anna sister, you need to pay attention to this; we all need to be vigilant."
"What is it?" Anna and Chan-yeol asked.
"Brother Zhengyu found out that Andy has already left that small island in Italy."
Anna's mind felt like it had been struck by thunder. "What...?"
"Anna sister, do you know what that small island is?" Kim Mi-kyung asked.
Anna shook her head in confusion; she only knew that Hogga had trapped Andy there.
"That small island is a stronghold of the Italian Mafia. How powerful is that Mr. Hojia to have arranged for him to be there? Also, Father knew about Andy's whereabouts and has been monitoring him secretly. Now that Father has just fallen ill, how could Andy know? Moreover, according to what we've found out, before the news was made public, Andy had already received the information and escaped while Mr. Hojia passed away and Father was seriously ill, causing all defenses to relax. As for where he might be now... I think we should all be mentally prepared for this," Miki said.
"Andy... given his personality, he will definitely return to Korea," Park Chan-yeol frowned.
"Regardless, what's done is done; everyone should be mentally prepared," Kim Mi-kyung said.
"Miki, there's something I don't understand. Mr. Kim Yoo-chung's illness was initially a secret known only to a few internal personnel at the company. Why did Andy find out?" Anna asked.
"I've thought about this too; I suspect that someone within the company leaked the information," Miki said.
"If the information was leaked, there must be some kind of benefit involved. He didn't sell the news to the media but secretly informed Andy, which indicates some sort of vested interest, right? The most likely scenario is that there are still followers of Andy within Century Group, hoping to reclaim Century Group alongside him. After all, Andy holds too much vital information about Century Group," Park Chan-yeol said.
Miki let out a long sigh. Noticing that Jin Yu Cheng's lips were chapped, she turned on the humidifier and used a cotton swab dipped in water to apply some moisture to Jin Yu Cheng's lips. "I don't know much about the company's matters. Fortunately, there are many of my father's subordinates helping to manage things, and Brother Zhengyu is here supporting me. I just hope my father wakes up safely; if he does, everything might just fall into place."
"Don't worry; he will definitely wake up."
Once they exited the hospital building, they realized that the sky had darkened without them noticing. It was still not noon, yet the gloomy weather made it feel like dusk, leaving them somewhat bewildered.
"I have to rush to a schedule soon; otherwise, we could have had lunch together," Park Chan-yeol said.
"You go ahead. I plan to find Ms. Han Yoon-soo and see how she's doing," Anna replied.
Park Chan-yeol smiled down at her. "Alright... If Andy really comes back, you must be careful."
"I know; you too," Anna said.
"Okay, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Driving the car that Andy had bought for her, Anna couldn't deny feeling a twinge of guilt towards Andy. However, when she thought about him—especially the possibility of him reappearing in her life—she genuinely felt a chill run down her spine. Would her hard-won peace be shattered once again?
Hogga and Jin Yu Cheng acted as two layers of barriers keeping Andy confined, but now one barrier had vanished while the other was weakened beyond repair, unable to contain the restless ambitions stirring beneath.
It was truly distressing; had Andy really returned? Was Brother Kwangsoo's earlier claim of seeing Andy real? What was he plotting this time?
Hogga had told Anna not to seek out Andy, but even if she didn't look for him, what was meant to come would eventually arrive.
Seeing Jin Yu Cheng in his current state highlighted how powerful he once was compared to his current fragility. Everyone understood that the chances of Jin Yu Cheng waking up were slim; even if he did wake up, he likely wouldn't resemble the heroic figure he once was. Over the years, Anna had witnessed many people leave in various ways, but Jin Yu Cheng truly made her feel the unpredictability and fragility of life.
Seeing a delicate little shop on the street, the hats and scarves displayed by the model looked particularly warm and thick. Anna turned in a different direction and stopped at the store entrance.
"Boss Lady, how much for this set of scarf and hat?" Anna asked.
"68,000 Korean Won," the salesgirl replied.
"Great, do you have other colors?" Anna looked around, touching the material of the scarf and hat, which felt very soft.
"This set is Indigo, and we also have black, Gray, and red," the salesgirl said.
Anna thought for a moment. "Please pack me a set in Gray. The Gray looks even warmer," Anna said.
"Sure, please wait a moment."
The salesgirl took out a set of Gray scarf and hat for Anna to see. Anna nodded, and the salesgirl carefully wrapped them up.
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