Chapter 81

The biggest feature of [2 Nights 3 Days] is ‘communication’.

The honest and casual communication between famous celebrities and rural residents has been the biggest factor that made [2 Nights 3 Days] beloved.

The main plot of this episode, featuring Ha Eun and Yu Sung-jae as guests, is also about communication with local residents.

Because of this, not only was the traditional market, which was the opening mission location, important, but also the vast watermelon farm, which was the highlight mission location.

“Is it because he’s a young son? His movements are different!”

“Oh mom! I’m not—?”

“Chang Sung-ho has exercised, after all. You shouldn’t compare him to a young son.”

Conversations continued with local residents who came to watch after hearing about the filming of [2 Nights 3 Days].

Residents teased the cast, who were resting momentarily to recover their exhausted energy.

“That young lady has been resting since earlier. Why are you all just sitting?”

“Oh my, elder. Young people typically are full of energy. They should be allowed to use it even now.”

“That’s an excuse. That’s why Im Nam-soo still isn’t married!”

Thanks to this playful banter between the cast and local residents, there was never a moment without audio.

The filming camera angle that only captured Ha Eun and Yu Sung-jae was also undisturbed.

“Take it easy, Ha Eun. If you’re not careful, you might end up with muscle pain all over.”

“I’m fine… Yu Sung-jae.”

“Yes?”

“There’s a caterpillar on your left shoulder.”

“What?!”

Just seconds after that, a shrill scream filled the vast watermelon field.

And amidst that loud scream from Yu Sung-jae, Ha Eun was completely unbothered.

– Snap.

With a bold move that was anything but lady-like.

“Bears and grills say caterpillars are good for the body.”

An utterly un-ladylike statement.

– ??????

– What did I just hear?

– No matter how healthy, isn’t a caterpillar a bit much? Hahaha.

– Even the most dedicated gym rat would think this is too much.

– Does she think a caterpillar is some kind of tonic?

– Isn’t it gross?

– Ooh, don’t salivate.

Viewers had their eyes wide open at the sight of Ha Eun staring intently at the little caterpillar in her hand.

Yu Sung-jae, who had been lying in the watermelon field and looking up at Ha Eun, was also startled.

“I’m joking. Picking anything off the ground to eat would make you sick.”

The caterpillar in Ha Eun’s hand was released back into the grass right after that.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Ha Eun quietly began to harvest the watermelons in the field, captured by the VJ’s camera.

At that moment, Yu Sung-jae, who was still lying in the watermelon field, had no choice but to get up and continue harvesting the remaining watermelons.

Thus, after all the watermelons in the field were finally harvested, the cast of [2 Nights 3 Days], gathered at the edge of the vast watermelon field, was led somewhere by Chang Sung-ho.

“We’ve arrived, elder!”

“Oh dear, I told you not to come. I feel so sorry asking for someone else’s watermelons…”

“Come on, you must accept our greetings, elder. Everyone is here to assist you.”

Consequently, another round of ‘communication’ began.

What aired next was the story of an elderly man.

“My grandfather is very sick, but he’s only worried about the watermelons. I hope the guys from [2 Nights 3 Days] can help.”

A letter sent to KBC by the old man’s granddaughter appeared briefly on the broadcast screen.

It also mentioned that the elderly man has been a devoted viewer of [2 Nights 3 Days] for 14 years.

The greeting between the elderly man and the cast of [2 Nights 3 Days] began soon after.

So, starting with Chang Sung-ho, the elderly man greeted each cast member one by one until he finally faced Ha Eun.

“How could you carry those heavy things with such delicate hands? Weren’t they heavy for you, dear?”

“Oh… no. Not at all heavy.”

The broadcast showed Ha Eun, smiling gently as she told the elder it was a good experience.

“How can she be so kind?”

“Mom, I think she really meant it wasn’t heavy.”

“Whether the watermelon is heavy or not, she is showing consideration because she doesn’t want to make the elder feel bad.”

Given Ha Eun’s admirable lifestyle habits revealed in a morning interview, middle-aged viewers were already seeing her positively.

Her warm interactions with the elderly man, without any hesitation, were also bound to leave a good impression.

Thus.

“Seeing you, Sang-ho, and this girl, it seems these two worked the hardest.”

After being selected to receive the water immersion punishment by the elder, Ha Eun bowed politely without showing any signs of embarrassment, earning her deep affection.

Without realizing it, viewers thought, “I wish I had a daughter like that.”

Of course, the community overflowing with buzz about Ha Eun also reflected this sentiment.

“Wow, the grandfather really knows how to live.”

“Best show ever.”

“This is it, hahaha.”

They did not hold back their praises for the elderly man who played a significant role in getting Ha Eun dunked.

Not long after that, finally, splash!

What everyone had eagerly awaited was aired.

However, Ha Eun’s appearance was more like a drenched mouse just stepping out of the valley.

More precisely, the outline of her figure, fully soaked with her black t-shirt clinging to her body, was revealed.

– ???

– What is that?

– Is that abs?

– Isn’t she still in high school?

– Crazy, hahahaha.

– I never expected her body to look that good.

The viewers couldn’t help but express their awe in various ways.

From that point until dinner time began, there was no discussion anywhere other than about Ha Eun’s impressive physique.

Thus, everything Ha Eun had shown thus far was truly a bundle of dopamine.

No matter what she said or how she acted, it all became a major topic.

Is that why?

“When we play table tennis, every time you win, you can add a side dish. But, for every time we lose, we’ll remove one.”

When the table tennis match between the production staff and cast began, precisely when the decision was made about Ha Eun being on the team.

At the same time, other cast members’ desperate screams erupted.

“Are we really going to win? Are we really going to win?”

“We’re going to lose?”

“Let’s lose.”

“It looks like we’re starving tonight, hahaha.”

“Chang Sung-ho is ruthless about food, you know?”

“Can we finally see Chang Sung-ho really angry?”

Everyone was focused on what kind of dopamine Ha Eun would provide this time.

And it was understandable since Ha Eun had literally shown a despairing table tennis skill just the day before.

It was right after that when a small advantage was requested from Ha Eun.

“Please, serve from the production staff side, regardless of whether I win or lose.”

In the end, there was no denial of her request.

Since she would give up points anyway, they decided to grant that much of an advantage.

And so, the match for ‘steamed eggs’ began among numerous dinner side dishes.

Just before, the production staff’s player served an easily-returnable ball intentionally as per Ha Eun’s request.

– Smack!

As Ha Eun struck the ball with the small side of the ping pong paddle instead of the wide face, it flew across the table and far away.

Following a brief silence.

“This works.”

Ha Eun’s exclamation immediately broke the silence.

The referee, finally regaining composure, recognized Ha Eun’s point.

However, until then, everyone on the [2 Nights 3 Days] set thought, “It was just a coincidence,” observing Ha Eun quietly.

– Smack!

– Ping!

– Thud!

Ha Eun continued to score points by smashing the ball with the side of the paddle instead of the front face.

“What, what is she doing?”

“Why is that even possible?”

Voices filled with confusion resonated throughout the audio.

Even the viewers who had been hoping for Ha Eun to lose just moments ago were astonished and merely watched her antics.

– Is that even physically possible?

– It must be possible if she got the points.

– I’ve never seen anyone play table tennis like that in my life.

As the final match concluded with Ha Eun’s victory, she was calmly calculating the number of side dishes she had earned.

Then, the other cast members rushed over to her.

“Hey! When I count to three, let’s lift her!”

They lifted Ha Eun high in joyful celebration, tossing her into the air.

– She clearly couldn’t play yesterday.

– How did her table tennis skills change so dramatically in just a day?

– In my opinion, her skills are the same; it’s just her smashing method that changed.

– Oh, the physics engine is bugged.

– It’s not a bug; it’s a skill!

Thus, the dinner table, which was expected to be very humble before the table tennis match, turned into a lavish feast.

Throughout dinner, the cast members continuously offered their thumbs up to Ha Eun.

“Wow, thanks to Ha Eun, we’re feasting tonight!”

“Someone who exercises has a natural sense, after all.”

“This tofu stew is incredibly delicious. Ha Eun, you should try it too!”

All the cast united to praise Ha Eun while genuinely caring for even the smallest detail.

Ha Eun received all the kindness directed toward her with a shy smile.

By showing only the most appealing aspects of herself until the last night, viewers were already hooked.

No other guest who had appeared on [2 Nights 3 Days] had shown as much enthusiasm as Ha Eun.

Giving her all at every moment but resulting typically in chaos.

When no one expected it, she showcased an unexpected and remarkable performance.

Every moment Ha Eun appeared was a highlight.

There wasn’t a single scene to waste.

This girl is destined to rise.

Even people who barely knew Ha Eun’s name and face were convinced she would soar even higher.

Ultimately, the episode [2 Nights 3 Days – Gyeongsangnam-do Haman] concluded with a high viewership rating of 16.1%.

Thanks to Ha Eun’s performance, interest in the second episode of [Moonlight Divided by Clouds], airing two hours later, surged immensely.

An hour later, the rebroadcast viewership rating for episode one of [Moonlight Divided by Clouds] far exceeded expectations.

Entertainment news articles on popular portal sites were filled with pieces about Ha Eun and her works.

Articles related to [Full Moon Lovers] were nearly impossible to find.

The few articles that could be found merely stated ominously that they would be trampled by [Moonlight Divided by Clouds].

Good news for [Full Moon Lovers] was non-existent.

[MBS’s ‘Full Moon Lovers,’ armed with luxurious casting, is entirely overshadowed by the newly risen star.]

[Due to the influence of new star ‘Lee Ha-eun,’ ‘Moonlight Divided by Clouds’ is rapidly gaining momentum, along with ‘2 Nights 3 Days.’]

[‘Lee Ha-eun’ of ‘My Love from the Star,’ following ‘Don’t Stop People’ and ‘Moonlight Divided by Clouds,’ is hits in succession.]

New star.

A star that suddenly brightens after being dim for a while.

This was the term frequently used by entertainment reporters like Heo Ju-eun to describe Ha Eun.

Simultaneously, it aptly described Ha Eun, who was once again making a tremendous impact following her child actor days.

As KBC’s drama department and MBS’s drama department waited to air [Moonlight Divided by Clouds] and [Full Moon Lovers] with contrasting expressions and atmospheres, in a modest meeting room of a cable broadcasting station…

“What do you think, Tae-hoon?”

“I think she’s the right person. Let’s proceed with the casting.”

This was when the meeting regarding the casting for the female lead role of the newly completed script [The Shine Sign] reached the conclusion of ‘Lee Ha-eun.’

An actress with the image of a ‘noble lady’ and an unexpected clumsiness.

At the same time, an actress who could also excel in high-level action acting.

Baek Tae-hoon, who is appointed to play the male lead role of [The Shine Sign], believed there was no more suitable candidate than Ha Eun.

The very image he had imagined the first time he heard about the character Kim Jeong-hyun.

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