Chapter 75

Park Jung-woo thought.

Just how did things end up like this?

The scorching heat beating down and the people around him staring blankly—most of their gazes seemed to say:

‘Why is this guy here?’

They probably had some vague notion of that sort. Park Jung-woo himself wasn’t entirely free of such doubts.

‘Why am I here?’

So, it had all started several days ago. He remembered hearing about a deserted island survival show from Shin PD, an acquaintance of his father.

He didn’t quite recall exactly what he had said at the time, but it was decided in no time that he would appear on the show. And for good reason.

“Man, you must have really made an impact with the [Past, Memories to See] episode! Approval came through in a flash!!”

It was thanks to Shin PD’s laughter and quick securing of an agreement. His agency must have not even tried to stop it.

“Anyway, you don’t really have anything to do until shooting for your next drama starts. Just take a break.”

This was the carefree response from Hwang Jin-hwan, the CEO of On Garam Actors, the agency Park Jung-woo belonged to. It felt like he was being sent off to have fun.

“Lately, survival shows are more laid back. The filming’s not that tough.”

He even said this while lightly patting Jung-woo on the shoulder. But this enthusiastic encouragement was for a different reason altogether.

You see, Park Jung-woo never appeared on variety shows. He focused solely on acting and modeling, without ever showing his face on other broadcasts.

“Actors need to manage their image carefully.”

This was likely due to his father’s thorough education. Though Jung-woo wanted to point out that times had changed, even someone as famous as the head of the agency wasn’t about to contradict a renowned actor.

“Just don’t cause any scandals.”

“…”

“Scandals.”

It was clear who this referred to. Considering how memorable the episode of [Past, Memories to See] was, everyone who met Jung-woo inevitably asked him something like, “Aren’t you involved with Princess Yeonhwa or something?”

“Sir, that person is still in high school. She still has 3 more years before adulthood. THREE YEARS.”

“Well, you’re only 3 years older than her anyway.”

And with that, he would always follow up with,

“Three years go by in a flash. In the blink of an eye.”

Though he said that, he knew very well that Park Jung-woo wouldn’t get involved in any scandalous affairs. The guy was meticulous with self-management.

Anyway, before Jung-woo could even decline,

“Hey, I’ve heard there’s a secret guest!”

The main MC of the desert island survival show, Jung Dae-hyun, greeted him with a bright smile first.

Scorching sun.

Sandy beaches.

Not far away stood a dense patch of shrubs. The climate wasn’t Korean but tropical at night.

This place was full of things Park Jung-woo disliked. And there he was, arriving on a deserted island somewhere overseas.

—

‘Deserted Island!’

[Desert Island Survival] was a well-known variety show familiar to Sooyeon.

Of course, it wasn’t her favorite show in her previous life. It wasn’t exactly suitable for “studying.”

Nevertheless, she found it intriguing. Given that she had never ventured overseas or been stranded anywhere in the wild like this, [Desert Island Survival] was a program that always garnered significant commentary.

It wouldn’t be considered a megahit, but it had a loyal fan base that ensured consistent viewership ratings.

Although people often talked about how grueling it was, the show respected the safety of its cast, refraining from being excessively harsh or reckless, and as a result, no serious accidents had ever occurred.

However, due to the long filming period, only those whose movie shoots had wrapped up agreed to participate, namely Sooyeon and Park Hee-joon.

“I greet you! I am the leader of the Desert Island Exploration Unit: Jung Dae-hyun!”

A giant-sized man who easily surpassed 6’3″ bowed in greeting. The self-proclaimed leader of the exploration unit was originally a gymnast-turned-comedian who naturally became the main MC of [Desert Island Survival]. Despite his imposing size, his face was very approachable, calming those who were initially tense.

“And over there, we have two actors from the soon-to-be-released movie [The Chaser].”

This was followed by a natural introduction. Then a brief promotional preview for [The Chaser], which had just begun shooting at an airport, was held—just a teaser, not the full content.

Of course, Seoyeon remained quiet while most of the talking was done by actor Park Hee-joon.

“I’m just a part-time convenience store worker….”

It wasn’t so much that Seoyeon didn’t want to talk. Rather, given the well-known roles she played, it felt cautious not to speak too much.

“Well, introductions are complete. This time, we have two distinguished guests so this will be quick, right?”

[Desert Island Survival] was formatted with Jung Dae-hyun and three other fixed members who teamed up with the guests.

This episode featured two guests: actors from [The Chaser], Seoyeon and Park Hee-joon.

“…Will this be alright?”

MC Jung Dae-hyun didn’t seem to be worried, but Na Tae-sik, another fixed member of the desert island show, was feeling some concern. Specifically, he didn’t worry much about Park Hee-joon, who had served in the Special Forces; a tall male at 6’0″ with a muscular and robust physique.

“Let’s go.”

And so, Seoyeon’s first overseas shooting began.

—

Thus, in a place near Papau New Guinea.

A sufficiently sized island where an ecosystem had somewhat formed.

Seoyeon’s mouth dropped open at the serene emptiness. It was her first time being in such a place, and overseas at that, so her heart was racing.

“And, now I reveal this…”

At that moment, Jung Dae-hyun stepped forward and began speaking. The group’s gazes focused on him as they were unpacking their baggage.

“Actually, we have one more guest today!”

“One more guest?”

The other members’ attention shifted to Seoyeon and Park Hee-joon. “Was there someone else from [The Chaser] coming?”

“To the others, you might not know this, but this person is quite familiar to Seoyeon.”

“…Me?”

Seoyeon? Familiar person?

‘Is there anyone like that?’

Considering the extremely limited interpersonal relationships Seoyeon had, someone she would refer to as “familiar” was indeed very few. Of those, only a couple of them could truly say she “knew them.”

“Right, actor Park Jung-wooo!!”

Dun dun!

The sound effect played in the background.

“Park Jung-woo?”

“Wow, stop joking. Why would Jung-woo be here?”

As the members exclaimed, a figure emerged from the bushes.

A tired look on his face, with no apparent understanding of why he was here—an impeccably dressed man.

“…”

Park Jung-woo stood there, and Seoyeon was taken aback upon seeing him.

‘Why is he here?’

And rightly so, Park Jung-woo in the previous life had never appeared on any variety show.

—

Anyway, though the scene became momentarily chaotic with Park Jung-woo’s appearance, the filming resumed in earnest. As befitting its title, [Desert Island Survival] involved participants surviving for 2 nights and 3 days on the island.

What they were initially given were merely water bottles. Unlimited water supply was provided, for health reasons, of course.

“Ah.”

Seoyeon felt slightly disappointed.

“…I read all the survival series.”

She shook the water bottle in her hand, wanting to try the method of making a water purifier using a PET bottle.

“Hey, what can we do with this without any tools?”

With a baffled look, Jung Dae-hyun turned to Shin PD.

“We have some tools, but they are hidden somewhere on the island.”

Shin PD chuckled as he explained, turning Jung Dae-hyun’s face pale.

‘They’re not planning an easy way out.’

Certainly, handing out all tools would make the show boring. It wasn’t the usual jungle or harsh conditions.

“Alright, let’s divide into an exploration team and a survival team.”

Jung Dae-hyun gathered the members. First, the exploration team would look for tools. Second, the survival team would focus on finding immediate food sources and building shelter.

The exploration team included those more physically fit, while the survival group was made up of individuals who did not seem physically adept.

Seoyeon naturally joined the survival team along with Park Jung-woo and the sole female member from the original squad, Bang Ha-yoon.

‘I’m saved.’

Park Jung-woo, who feared he might get dragged into the exploration team, finally sighed in relief.

“Let’s start a fire first.”

At that moment, Seoyeon’s enthusiastic voice was heard, filled with determination. Park Jung-woo gave her a bewildered look.

“Why?”

“Starting a fire is just common sense, right?”

“No, why?”

He was genuinely curious. Moreover, how did she plan to start a fire?

“You need tools to start a fire. They’re out searching for those, aren’t they?”

With that statement, Seoyeon grabbed a piece of wood with just the right thickness and some branches.

‘Could she really be planning to start a fire with these?’

Was she throwing caution to the wind, eager to gain exposure on the show?

But looking at Seoyeon’s strangely gleaming eyes, he thought:

‘She’s serious.’

Her passion and determination were evident, making Park Jung-woo’s lips tremble.

“Alright, let me try starting the fire, while you go look for some wood…”

“I want to do it.”

“…”

Starting a fire by rubbing sticks together was far easier said than done. An energy-intensive chore that even men struggled to perform, Jung-woo felt it was something Seoyeon couldn’t accomplish.

‘Maybe Seoyeon, you want to try starting a fire yourself?’

Seoyeon glared intently at Jung-woo with narrowed eyes, insisting on her right to start the fire.

“Then, let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”

“Eh?”

“The one who wins gets to start the fire.”

“Jeez…”

Before Jung-woo could respond, Seoyeon extended her hand with rock-paper-scissors. By reflex, Jung-woo extended his hand as well. He threw rock, while she had scissors.

“…”

“I won.”

Jung-woo sighed in relief despite the sudden development. He thought he had successfully convinced her, albeit with some confusion.

But,

“Huh?”

Her scissors had somehow pressed heavily against his rock.

A creaking sound emanated from his hand.

“Ah!!”

Jung-woo quickly retracted his hand, startled.

Seoyeon proudly proclaimed,

“Scissors are stronger, see?”

“No, this…”

“Is it broken?”

He glanced at his hand, relieved to see that nothing was broken.

“Alright, alright. I’ll do something else. You handle the fire.”

“Sure.”

With Seoyeon’s agreement, Jung-woo turned around, letting out a sigh. Surely, she would soon tire and give up.

‘But, how can her finger strength be so strong?’

That was when it hit him. Was that why she wanted to start the fire?

He suddenly recalled her earlier comment about ratios.

‘…’

Could it be that her question wasn’t random?

As he pondered this, Seoyeon, alone, was earnestly attempting to start a fire by rubbing the log and branches together.

The cameraman observing her,

‘She’s quite unique.’

Witnessing Seoyeon’s unexpected initiative, the cameraman decided it was worth capturing on film.

Perhaps it was for the sake of showbiz, but despite the doubts, her efforts were entertaining.

Watching her struggle to ignite the fire,

Suddenly, Seoyeon put force into her actions.

Poof, crack!

The stick Seoyeon held shattered like it was ground by a wood grinder. Naturally, no fire was ignited.

“…”

Holding the reduced-to-splinters branch in her hand, Seoyeon’s eyes flickered in surprise.

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