Young-bin was in a good mood today.
The anger he had felt for days, which forced him to stay over at the office, had faded away considerably.
“Team Leader, you’ve worked hard on the launch preparations. The Director said to go home early today and take a rest.”
Because that was the word from above, Young-bin returned home right away. Of course, they assured him he’d still be paid for the day’s work, so there was nothing to worry about.
“Never thought I’d be leaving this early.”
Young-bin, who worked for a game company, was generally very busy. Overtime was frequent, and he came home at irregular hours.
Lately, with the preparations to launch a new game, things had been especially hectic. This break, therefore, was particularly sweet.
This was also an opportunity to become Director, so the extra efforts made it all the more satisfying.
“Finally, I can play some backlog games tonight.”
Young-bin wasn’t concerned about the company game’s launch. Although he generally admired the current Director’s skills in producing mass-market games, he doubted its quality.
“High school days were the best.”
Back then, he had made games with Sua. They even won awards in competitions, which helped him secure his current job. Nevertheless, the games being made now were far from the dreams he once had.
“If I become Director this time, maybe I can change that?”
Should he go independent?
While pondering that, Young-bin looked around his house.
“Hmm? Where did the frame go?”
The protective fencing outfit that his daughter had torn in half was nowhere to be found. Despite his daughter’s objections, Young-bin had proudly displayed it. Although he knew his daughter was strong, he hadn’t realized she had this much strength.
“But where could she have put it?”
Curious, he searched around. After some exploration:
“Hmm.”
There was an eerie silence. It felt like the layout of the house had changed slightly.
“Did someone do a thorough cleaning today?”
Young-bin didn’t give it too much thought. The only person in the family who didn’t know about the upcoming appearance on *Golden Duckling* was him.
It was due to his recent busy schedule handling field projects. Even during the camera installation period, he had been bunking at the office and therefore had no idea.
“Is it in my daughter’s room?”
He heard some whispering. Walking quickly, Seoyeon’s door was knocked on three times before he burst in.
“Our house’s dinosaur puncher, what are you doing with mom?”
However,
“Huh?”
Young-bin was momentarily shocked. Sua was unusually dressed up.
For some reason, she had fully made up her face, and her hair was neatly arranged.
Her outfit was also quite impressive.
“What kind of door do you burst through like that?”
At that moment, his typically emotionless daughter responded with an unusually flustered expression.
“What’s going on?”
Something was definitely up. Young-bin’s instincts were tingling.
Before he could question it,
“U-um, let’s go outside first.”
Sua had no choice but to drag him out. After all, Young-bin was always weak when it came to Sua.
***
Father’s unexpected return was a surprise.
With the expectation of overtime, the family thought it would be okay, but who would’ve guessed he’d come home early?
There was no time to explain now.
And with cameras rolling, there was no proper moment to broach the subject. Even if he were told, the scene would surely be edited out, but would his reaction change?
And oddly,
“Explaining might just bore him again.”
Young-bin was peculiar that way. While filming, his tendency was to manage his image, so leaving it as it was decided.
However,
“I don’t understand.”
Young-bin leaned close to Seoyeon and muttered.
“Our daughter, didn’t you deflect bullets before?”
“…”
“Ah, did you think maybe you could deflect one in a game too?”
Seoyeon’s hand holding the mouse trembled. It was true that she had walked into a bullet earlier, but it wasn’t deliberate. She just thought she could take a single hit, not expecting it to connect with her head.
“Actually, it wasn’t a game.”
Honest to say, she hadn’t intended to play any game. Esports were merely a last resort. The plan was to do something else, but Young-bin’s early return threw everything into disarray.
“At least, she’s been diligent in studying.”
As she thought this, a familiar voice rang out:
[Headshot!]
Seoyeon’s character fell backward with a crash.
“Is the concept of cover foreign to you?”
“…”
Killing many but dying repeatedly—that was Seoyeon’s style. However, with Young-bin watching, her death tally increased more than usual.
Naturally, Young-bin’s teasing also increased.
“Why isn’t she reacting normally today?”
Typically, Seoyeon would counter sharply, but today, she was quiet.
“Hmm…”
Despite the oddity, Young-bin continued pestering her. Naturally, that resulted in her dying even more.
“Ah, damn it.”
Frustrated, Seoyeon jabbed her finger into Young-bin’s side. It wasn’t a strong jab, just enough to make him fall sideways.
A curious sensation, however, tickled her fingertip.
“…”
Looking at Young-bin, Seoyeon found him grinning triumphantly.
“Hey, this feels pretty good.”
Confused, Seoyeon watched as Young-bin unzipped his hoodie, revealing the ripped protective fencing outfit worn like a jacket.
“Daughter, you were hiding this.”
“…”
“Did you feel embarrassed about it?”
“…”
“And going forward, let’s stick to sword fighting. You’re fierce!”
At those words, Seoyeon picked up the chair Young-bin was sitting on, him included.
“Feeling a little what Lee Yoo-joo went through with her chair throw.”
Though different in context, the chair toss still carried weight.
***
*Golden Duckling* is one of the popular variety shows airing on MDC.
With an average ratings of over 9 percent, it occasionally even broke the 10% mark, placing it in the “super-hit” category. Consequently, many stars clamored to be a part of it.
However, until about six months ago, the team vetted requests carefully.
“Today, I’ve heard that actress Sooyeon Joo will make her first appearance.”
“Do you think she’ll be alright? After all, actors can be unpredictable.”
In the midst of the need for a refreshed atmosphere, PD Jang Hae-young somehow managed to convince one of the currently hottest actresses, Sooyeon Joo, to join as a guest.
But,
“Hmm, not sure about that.”
“But every variety show she’s been on has done well. All of Sooyeon Joo’s appearances have been fun.”
“Ah, not doubting Sooyeon Joo as an actress but, you know, it’s just the profession…”
Actresses aren’t fun.
That was the internal staff’s general consensus about *Golden Little Duck*.
After all, an actor’s job largely revolves around maintaining appearances—being laid-back or free-spirited. Surprisingly, they might actually like gaming or turn out to be a regular person despite their star status.
Yet, these clichés are often repeated.
Since actors manage their image, it extends to observation-based variety shows.
One actress who revealed a somewhat wild lifestyle did significantly boost ratings initially, but:
“Turns out, the quality of projects she got afterward dropped.”
Because most of the films she worked on focused on her mysterious persona, when that image shattered, so did her market value.
Many fans who adored her mysterious aura deserted her, leading to recent slumps in her career.
Anyways,
“Director Jang, you don’t seem worried at all?”
“Me? Completely confident!”
Director Jang Jang was beaming. No matter how others questioned, she didn’t explain.
“Ever since the meeting with Sooyeon Joo, she has been like that.”
During this meeting, Sooyeon’s mother was also present. No one is really sure what happened there that made her so confident.
“Admittedly, the reality-star fishing segment was entertaining.”
“True? But I personally liked Hyper Action Star…”
This reduced the staff’s doubts. Considering Sooyeon might not fit the typical mold, curiosity grew.
Given the importance of PDs in observation variety shows, this was understandable.
Observation variety show plots heavily relied on the PD’s capabilities, especially editing.
Because whether an observation variety show is good or bad is heavily determined by editing.
Observation-based variety shows extensively use cameras, emphasizing the characters and focusing on certain points, all managed entirely by the PD’s skill.
*Golden Little Duck* survived despite the rise and fall of many similar variety shows, proving the director’s quality.
Thus, trust in Jang PD was substantial.
“Looking forward to this a bit.”
“It has felt like we’ve been making more image-centric programming lately, but will this be alright?”
“Hopefully, it doesn’t just end with a hype.”
The station personnel naturally began looking forward to the shoot day.
“Now, today we have an exciting new guest.”
“Wow, I’ve heard, I’ve heard. A new Golden Duck is joining today, right?”
The filming of *Golden Little Duck*.
The MCs welcomed the regular panelists with excitement.
The term “Golden Duck” refers to the new guest appearing, usually young stars who’ll star in the screen’s unfolding daily life as the protagonist.
“That’s right! So, who is it?”
“The moment everyone’s waiting for—actress Sooyeon Joo!”
As Main MC Gong Hyung-man announced, video clips from *The Chaser* played on-screen, and exclamations of awe followed. There was only one young actress who had appeared in *The Chaser*. Even the addition of *Dream Future* solidified it was her.
“It’s actress Sooyeon Joo!!”
Clap, clap, clap! Applause erupted, with Gong Hyung-man peeking around. While everyone seemed surprised, their reactions masked some underlying concerns.
Due to the recent actor who caused ratings to plummet, there was pressure to make amends and bring ratings back up. Yet, another actress?
“Maybe something fresher would’ve helped.”
But what unique occupation could someone her age have?
At least, wasn’t an idol better?
The thoughts lingered.
“As for our guest today, we welcome her mother, our Golden Duck’s mother. Don’t be surprised!”
“Huh?”
“Is she famous?”
“Not really. Hey, Sooyeon Joo isn’t the offspring of movie star, right?”
Gong Hyung-man’s somewhat teasing tone left the rest confused.
Why’s he acting like this?
“Probably just the usual hoopla.”
Only the Main MC Gong Hyung-man knows the guest ahead of time. The other panelists met the guest’s parents for the first time on set.
So while curiosity brewed, they figured it’d probably just be the usual star parent—an ordinary individual at best.
If only the mother was humorous or a good conversationalist.
Around forty-five, Sooyeon Joo’s mother likely would’ve been a little stubborn.
Hopefully, she’d avoid controversy.
As everyone contemplated this,
Clunk!!
Sooyeon Joo’s mother entered.
Everyone prepared to react casually, clapping and ready to welcome her.
“Huh?”
Most were frozen in place.
“Actress Sooyeon Joo’s mother, Min Suah!”
Mother? Really?
Her long hair was tied up, her slightly droopy eyes fluttered nervously. Her awkward smile revealed flawless white skin with no wrinkles.
Not overly tall, her proportions were impressive. Her narrow waist, broad hips, long legs, and well-rounded thighs highlighted a graceful physique.
And among the standout features:
“What is that?”
Female panelists momentarily questioned their vision.
“Hold on, hold on.”
Male panelists had to quickly shift their gaze, avoiding the risk of staring too openly at such a figure.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")