Chapter 168

To be honest, Seoyeon truly thought it almost impossible that she would win on *Masked Singer*.

It wasn’t an issue of motivation.

It was an issue of skill. Seoyeon wasn’t someone who had been born with extraordinary talent in singing and had only reached a decent level with help from various people.

She honestly only considered herself to be at that level. While adding emotion into her performances had led to dramatically positive reactions, from the singer’s perspective, it was still unclear to her why this was happening.

The internet buzz around the *Sky Garden* insertion song being good was secretly making her feel somewhat proud. But no matter what, there was no way she’d win a singing contest.

“Guess I should focus on promoting *Sky Garden* when I go back.”

Though this thought felt a bit odd for someone while appearing on another show, Seoyeon had hardened her resolve and continued forward. Anyway, when other actors appeared on variety shows, most were generally promoting their drama or film, so why couldn’t she?

Thus thinking, she marched out boldly with the nickname “Man-Lap Rabbit.”

“But who came up with this name?”

Probably because they couldn’t think of a proper rabbit-related name, Seon-yeon thought. However, the reactions from the host and the audience were surprisingly good, so she brushed it off.

With those loose thoughts, Seoyeon looked at her opponent. The opponent was a man wearing a pigeon mask.

Clearly not an ordinary talent.

“Guess this is as far as I go.”

Seoyeon politely bowed her head in respect toward her opponent. In response, the opponent nodded confidently.

“Definitely a strong participant.”

Their actions oozed confidence, as if they were certain about their own performance.

Then.

Thus began the first battle.

“By a margin of just three votes!!! Man-Lap Rabbit wins!”

“Wow, that’s a three-vote difference!”

“Truly, it was a nail-biting battle!!”

“??”

Seonyeon froze, holding the microphone. She didn’t believe she actually won.

***

The main MC of *Masked Singer*, Song Byeong-soo, was a professional entertainer. Managing *Masked Singer* had almost reached its fifth year, placing it among the ranks of long-running programs. By now, Song Byeong-soo had developed a certain depth of expertise.

With just a glance, he could roughly gauge the skills of his opponents.

*Masked Singer* does not reveal the identity of participants to its MC. Strict secrecy was a must since leaking information would disrupt the authenticity of the show.

Even if Song Byeong-soo could only roughly guess the participants, he still immediately understood who had won upon seeing them.

“That was definitely Noryangjin Pigeon’s victory.”

Even with disguised behavior, singers carry habits that cannot be concealed easily. For instance, seasoned singers are accustomed to performing in front of large audiences, confidently taking center stage when faced with countless stares. Their movements convey joy, their voices exude confidence.

Clearly projecting an image of, “I’m going to win.” Contrastingly, the ‘Man-Lap Rabbit’ was entirely opposite.

“Nice mask crafting, huh.”

It somewhat resembled the Baphomet Rabbit or Carbanog from a Western movie? That was probably the monster’s name.

A quite menacing impression. In comparison to Noryangjin Pigeon, the mask craftsmanship clearly won in quality.

“But this isn’t the Masquerade Ball.”

The show ultimately prioritizes good singing, so the more skilled singer would naturally win.

“At least Man-Lab Rabbit doesn’t appear to be a singer.”

The way they held the microphone, their gaze directed at the stage—they felt different. Even though they seemed more accustomed to standing in front of an audience, they didn’t evoke the impression of a seasoned singer.

As if they were unfamiliar with handling the microphone, their stance was awkward. At this point, Song Byeong-soo was certain of who had won.

And it wasn’t just him; likely the viewers thought the same.

“Now, first from Noryangjin Pigeon!! A wonderful performance, please!”

First out was Noryangjin Pigeon. After the arrival of the ‘Ashen Crow,’ strangely bird-themed participants in *Masked Singer* seemed to increase. Probably because they were trying to match the aesthetic.

In stark contrast, the rabbit stood out.

“He’s doing well.”

Noryangjin Pigeon’s skill lived up to expectations. Their vocal techniques immediately suggested professional expertise.

The audience’s and panel’s reactions were favorable.

“Now, next is… Man-Lap Rabbit!”

Judging from the costume and the oddly altered voice, they were female.

In the segment revealing their identity, this peculiar figure kept punching something for no apparent reason.

What on earth was she doing? Watching closer, it seemed like she was hitting something with her fists.

“Cough. Anyway, let’s see if Man-Lap Rabbit has fully mastered singing!”

With the shout of host Song Byeong-soo, a dynamic introduction began. Upon hearing the melody, the audience and panelists gasped in admiration.

“Really an idol song?”

She wasn’t kidding. Typically, idol songs are bouncy with accompanying choreography.

Clearly *Masked Singer* focused more on vocal performance rather than dancing. Picking competition-appropriate songs was key.

Even more strangely, this was a summer girl group song?

Carrying Cha Na-hee.

Truthfully, Cha Na-hee was famous in her own right, but the girl group as a whole? Wasn’t it lacking in good songs?

The song she chose didn’t even make the Top Ten.

While pondering this, Man-Lap Rabbit moved her lips closer to the microphone.

Then…

“!!”

Song Byeong-soo’s eyes widened.

“Wow, she’s good.”

It wasn’t that her vocal techniques were extraordinary; rather, there was this saying—your voice can act as a thug.

Genuinely, the clear tone and emotional depth in her singing made the lyrics resonate deeply.

“Was this song like this?”

Her adaptation was excellent. It was as if the summer girls themselves had rewritten the song, skillfully restructured.

That emotional voice added a refreshing touch to the song. Though there was a lack of technical flair, her vocal control was solid and her voice easily resonated with the audience.

“Surely, I’ve heard this voice before…”

After much contemplation, something dawned on Song Byeong-soo. The *Sky Garden* insertion song.

“Yes, that’s right!”

This recent drama’s OST came to mind because he had been watching *Sky Garden* frequently. While many were tuning into *Grand Game*, Song Byeong-soo had chosen *Sky Garden*.

The emotional tone of the song he’d heard then was strikingly similar to what Man-Lap Rabbit was singing now.

After the song ended, the audience and panel had a buzz of excitement.

Though not the kind that screams “superstar,” it was an undeniably powerful performance. This intensity was something that couldn’t be achieved with technique alone. Perhaps, intensity was Man-Lap Rabbit’s strongest weapon.

Thus…

“The winner is by a narrow margin of three votes, Man-Lap Rabbit!”

The result was unsurprising to most; even Noryangjin Pigeon gave hearty applause in celebration.

“The identity of Noryangjin Pigeon is Park Ren! Yes, rapper Park Ren!”

“Wow, it was Park Ren? The rapper who won *Hip Under Show*?”

“Yes, perhaps due to lack of occasion, he wanted to showcase a new side with this performance.”

Incredibly, Seoyeon defeated Park Ren, a renowned rapper from *Hip Under Show*. While it was a non-rap stage, the victory of Man-Lap Rabbit was undeniable.

“Who exactly is Man-Lap Rabbit to have defeated Park Ren?”

Certainly, Park Ren wasn’t bad. This just wasn’t his main arena so emotion was slightly dulled. But his characteristic rhythm and beats remained intact.

Still, Man-Lap Rabbit had managed to defeat him.

“Thus, Man-Lap Rabbit advances to the upper rounds!”

With thunderous applause and celebration, the two people who were baffled were…

“Wait, how did I win this?”

Seoyeon and…

“Hold on. This feels… dangerous?”

The Ashen Crow, nervously trembling from the throne.

***

“Congratulations!! Want to go to a karaoke place with me next? I know a great place you’ll definitely enjoy!!”

[Running bunny emoticon]

“Ah, you’re coming, right?”

Seoyeon stared intently at her smartphone, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Something is amiss here.

“Of course, it’s not her. Right?”

As soon as *Masked Singer* aired, Seohui Jo was the first to contact her. How had she instantly figured out that she was participating?

If she were hiding her identity, then someone must have told her. After all, Jo wasn’t someone who religiously tuned into variety shows.

“It’s Jiyeon.”

Right, Jiyeon was the only one. Not many people knew that Seoyeon was participating in *Masked Singer*.

So, if she heard, then it must have been Jiyeon. Seoyeon roughly figured out the circumstances.

“Two of them have been acting quite suspiciously lately.”

Not that they had suddenly developed some mysterious relationship. Just, Jiyeon had often learned acting under Seohui Jo, and in return, Seohui Jo frequently received help from Jiyeon in other areas.

“Like the villain role for Young-ae.”

Was that really Seohui Jo?

At first, she hadn’t noticed, but upon consistently watching broadcasts, one began to understand her quirks.

The gold-spoon from the start.

How many characters like that would Jiyeon know? From what Seoyeon understood, only Seohui Jo.

Merely suspicion at this moment, but that was her hunch.

“Thanks to Park Ren’s defeat, communities are showing a lot of interest. If the mask is unveiled, it’ll be great publicity.”

Friend Jo Seohui enthusiastically continued talking. Initially, Seoyeon tried to dismiss her, but soon found herself inevitably accepting her words.

“I’ll go to karaoke after.”

Seoyeon gave in and sighed. Frankly speaking, *Masked Singer* was tiring for her.

She had spent an enormous amount of time honing her singing skills for this light-hearted appearance. For someone like Seoyeon, juggling various tasks, falling in the first round was probably more ideal.

“Seoyeon, we’re about to begin filming. Are you ready?”

“Ah, yes.”

Upon looking up, the director of *Sky Garden*, Kim Il-soo, was giving her a thumbs up.

“Yesterday’s Man-Lap Rabbit was you, right? Honestly, you’ve gotten much better.”

“Ah, how did you know?”

Who informed?

Carrying this question in her gaze:

“Hem, I didn’t hear it from anyone. I just figured it out. After all, who else but me knows how much your singing has improved while I was beside you?”

Even so, identifying her just by voice alone was remarkable.

“But please make sure this doesn’t hinder filming. You understand, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Great! Let’s keep today’s work energetic as well.”

Kim Il-soo’s concerns were understandable to Seoyeon since she had been involved in various projects lately.

If not for her unstoppable TS body, her capabilities might have worn thin by now.

“Because of that…”

There was a noticeable gaze in the filming set.

From some young actors.

Among the actors participating in *Sky Garden*, one person stood out for casting sideways glances at her.

Kim Hyun-seok, who’d been eyeing her critically for a while.

Even though currently, there was no such feeling, the atmosphere itself carried a weighted tension.

The reason was clear. Currently, in *Sky Garden*, all attention was centered on Lee Yoo-joo.

Being the protagonist, it was expected. Failing to capture focus would have been more of a problem.

However.

– Definitely, it’s hard to immerse myself with so many youngsters.

– Honestly, the gap in acting skills is immense, right?

– Some action needs to be taken; occasionally, some actors seem out of place.

Receiving these harsh critiques, it was understandable that things felt uneasy.

“…Not good.”

If this continued, the impact would inevitably affect fellow actors. Especially, tomorrow’s Episode 10 shoot might become slightly dangerous.

The midpoint in the 20-part series of *Sky Garden*, and a pivotal moment key to turning the drama’s atmosphere around.

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