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墨書 Inktalez
On the way back to Korea, Anna and Park Chan-yeol both fell into an unspoken silence. They had traveled thousands of miles to Koslief, yet all they could exchange were just a few brief words.
Hogga's departure had become a taboo.
Park Chan-yeol's guilt and sorrow, Anna's confusion and obsession. They might understand each other, but it wasn't easy to resolve their feelings.
However, in Korea, a significant event occurred within just a few days. Unlike the previous false reports, Jin Yu Cheng, the chairman of Century Group, was indeed gravely ill. The Century Group began to show signs of instability.
People in the airport, on the streets, in cars—whether watching the news, listening to the radio, or checking news on their phones—were all informed of this news. A slight disturbance in Century Group could lead to turmoil in the entire Korean economy, making it a focal point of public attention.
"How could this happen?" Anna looked at Jin Yu Cheng's haggard, pale, and emaciated face on the news. Although she hadn't seen him for a long time, she was still genuinely shocked.
"I understand now; no wonder Miki said she was coming back from Australia. It seems Jin Yu Cheng's health has been an issue for quite some time," Park Chan-yeol said.
"But how can Miki handle such a difficult situation alone?"
Park Chan-yeol sighed. "We don't know the specifics. Miki should be back in about a week; let's see if we can meet then."
"I..." Anna wanted to say that she also wanted to see Kim Mi-kyung but feared that Miki might have some reservations, so she kept quiet.
"Miki said she really wants to see you too," Park Chan-yeol said.
"Is that so?" Anna felt relieved. "Alright then, we'll talk when we meet."
As they were about to exit the airport and see the bustling street outside, Anna paused.
"What's wrong?" Park Chan-yeol asked.
"I'm home."
"Yeah."
"I'm home, so we have to part ways now," Anna said with a smile.
She smiled, but upon hearing those words, Park Chan-yeol frowned slightly, unable to refute her. He said, "Okay. You go first."
"You go first. I chose to stop first, so since you're already ahead, you should go," Anna replied.
Park Chan-yeol raised the corners of his mouth, "Alright. No matter who goes first, we'll meet again. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Anna watched Park Chan-yeol's figure as he walked away. Outside the door, the sunlight was bright, and the light gradually blurred him out of sight.
Ding ding ding~~~ The phone rang.
Anna pressed the answer button, "Hello."
"Anna, where have you been? I finally got through to you; are you crazy? I thought you were missing!" Lee Kwang-soo rambled on without pause.
Anna then remembered that during her days in Germany, her phone didn't have international roaming, so she couldn't receive calls from home at all.
"I... went abroad for some matters. I forgot to set up global calling," Anna said as she stepped outside.
"Abroad? Where did you go? Why is Jung Kook running abroad every day? Have you been infected too? Are you going to the U.S. to find Mrs. Smith? Why didn't you invite me along? I want to meet Jack too," Lee Kwang-soo rambled on.
Anna sighed, "I went out for something, and I'm back now. What is it? Hurry up and tell me."
"It's nothing much, just that GARY's concert is tomorrow night, right? Everyone is going, and I thought I could give you a ride since it's on the way," Lee Kwang-soo said with a smile.
"Is that all?" Anna asked.
"Yeah."
"Okay, but I have to work tomorrow. I'll just go directly from SBS."
"Oh right, I forgot you have to work tomorrow," Lee Kwang-soo said, realizing it. "But where are you now?"
"I just got off the plane."
"Do you want me to take you out for lunch?"
"No," Anna replied. "I just got off the plane after such a long flight; I just want to go home and get some good sleep."
"Alright then, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
The last snowfall of winter finally passed, and the remaining snow was slowly disappearing. Sunny days were becoming more frequent, and some fashionable girls began wearing skirts again.
As the taxi passed by Hongdae, Anna inadvertently spotted a café where Haha Brother seemed to be playing drums and strumming a guitar with a few young, stylish boys. He looked so carefree; despite being married with kids, if one didn't look closely, he didn't seem much different from those college students.
This winter, I haven't been to Hongdae even once. Several shops along the street have been renovated and have become more exquisite and fashionable. The cafes here are still numerous and varied, and through the clean, bright glass windows, I vaguely see a familiar face that looks like Han Yufei. But when I turn back, the car has already turned the corner, and I can no longer confirm it.
However, I heard from EXO's manager that she seems to have gone to Century Group. Now, aside from the issues with Century Group, I wonder how her situation is.
I'm really tired. I lean against the car window, and everything in front of me becomes blurry.
I don't know when it happened, but when I open my eyes again, the car has stopped. Looking closely, I see that I'm surrounded by an empty ruin. The sky has darkened, and in the ruins, there are pairs of eerie green eyes staring at me, with low growls like beasts. I am so scared that my legs go weak, and I quickly return to the car. Fortunately, the driver has returned to the driver's seat without me noticing. I tap on the driver's shoulder, urging him to drive quickly. But the driver feels icy all over and slowly turns his head; it's Andy with a pale face...
Ah!!
"Miss, miss, wake up, we're here." The calls wake me up, and I realize it was just a nightmare. Looking at the slightly plump and shiny face of the driver uncle, I let out a long sigh of relief, gathering my spirits. There are no ruins or green lights around; instead, I'm in the parking lot downstairs of my own home.
"Oh, thank you." I glance at the fare meter and sigh that taxi prices in Seoul seem to have risen again. After paying the driver in full, I grab my luggage and get out of the car.
Exhausted beyond belief, I don't even care about the unwashed clothes in my luggage. I toss my bag onto the sofa and take a nice hot shower before collapsing onto my bed. It’s already evening; this sleep lasts until dawn.
Just as I step out of the elevator, Park Soo Eun pulls me aside mysteriously and says, "Anna, let me tell you something. Miao PD has been unhappy these past few days."
"What happened?" I ask.
"You wouldn't know since you weren't here these days. Three days ago, Miao PD was called in for a talk by the director. I don't know what they talked about, but Miao PD hasn't smiled since then; he’s been frowning all day at work like he's walking on a tightrope," Park Soo Eun says. "Don't blame me for not telling you; be careful not to make him angry again."
I smile and say, "Got it. But what exactly is going on? Miao PD may have a temper but he's not someone who keeps things bottled up for so long."
"Who knows?" Park Soo Eun replies helplessly.
As soon as we walk into the studio, we indeed see Miao PD with a stern face, looking completely different from usual. It's rare for me to see him like this; if what Park Soo Eun said is true and it's been three days already, that's unprecedented.
"Anna is back," Miao PD said.
"Yes, Miao PD," Anna replied politely with a smile.
Miao PD looked around and saw that everyone had arrived. He sighed, thought for a moment, and said solemnly, "Now that everyone is here, I have an announcement to make."
Everyone tensed up in unison.
"The Entertainment Department has decided that due to the poor ratings of Running Man over the past six months, the program's budget will be reduced by one-third to develop new shows," Miao PD stated.
As soon as these words were spoken, the morale of those who had hoped to turn around the current predicament of Running Man instantly diminished. Who didn't understand that the organization was already preparing for the possible end of Running Man?
"Development of new shows?" Zhang Yuanxiao asked.
"Yes," Miao PD nodded while sighing.
"Miao PD, has it really come to this?" Anna asked.
Miao PD sighed again.
"The budget was already tight, and now with a one-third reduction, there won't be much left to use. Are we supposed to record inside SBS every day?" Park Soo Eun said angrily.
"The executives only care about ratings and the value this program creates. In the past two years, China has launched its own local version of Running Man, and the organization has sold the rights to Chinese broadcasters and has already made enough money. In fact, everyone can feel it; not only our domestic fans but even our once-proud international popularity is gradually fading. The executives have made enough money and naturally won't invest their energy in a declining Running Man," Miao PD explained.
Anna was slightly surprised. In her years working here, she had never heard Miao PD speak like this. He was always focused on how to improve the show and help his staff grow, never complaining about the executives. Now, his words were all too reasonable. It turned out he had been troubled by this matter for days and had waited for Anna's return because he believed that Running Man belonged to all its staff.
"Not to mention all the special venue rentals; just our Task Force's necessary equipment alone would take up a large portion of the budget. Plus, there are costs associated with inviting celebrities. We can't rely solely on Members or everyone's connections for invitations. And regarding the current fixed members' invitation issues—it's clear to everyone that Running Man's attention is not what it used to be. How many people are willing to join at this critical moment? You all don't know how netizens are talking about Brother Gary's departure. Although a statement has been made, some still say Brother Gary left because Running Man isn't what it used to be and accuse him of being unfaithful. If it were truly for music, why didn't he leave before? The executives certainly won't clarify; it's not them who are being criticized," Dong Wan said angrily after a long tirade.
"But we have no choice; we belong to SBS, and Running Man also belongs to SBS. No one can change that, and it's our own fault for not doing better. If the ratings were good, how could we be abandoned? Now we can only think about how to create a show that is at least as good as before, or even better, given the current situation. As for the new fixed member, I still think SHINee's Choi Min-ho would be great. Let's see if he can fit into the schedule for the next recording," Miao PD said.
"Does Yunhao have the willingness to participate?" Anna asked.
"He did before, but I haven't communicated with him recently. If everyone thinks it's feasible to record again, then we'll discuss it," Miao PD replied.
"Understood."
"We only have two-thirds of the previous budget. How should we plan this show..." Dong Wan said helplessly. "Eighty percent of the proposals from the writers require a big budget, which is already quite restrictive. What are we going to do in the future?" Dong Wan looked anxious.
"There will always be a way. If we think there’s no way now, then there really won’t be any solutions," Miao PD said. "Even if Running Man is really going to be replaced by a new show, we must put our heart into it until the last episode. After all, there are many viewers who have always loved us; at the very least, we owe it to them to stay committed."
Everyone was unsure how to respond, but Miao PD's words resonated deeply with them. No matter what happens, they must find a reason to keep going, and Miao PD provided them with that reason.
"Park Soo Eun, please contact Choi Min-ho and see if he can participate next week or soon. Let's also look for other suitable candidates who are willing to become fixed members," Miao PD instructed.
"Okay."
Park Soo Eun moved to her small workspace and picked up the phone to start discussing with Yunhao's manager.
"The writers have submitted their creative game proposals. Anna, you haven't seen them since you've been resting these days; take a careful look," Miao PD said to Anna, then turned to everyone. "Think about where these proposals would be best recorded—winter is almost over, so outdoor recordings at places like the beach or parks should be considered."
"Got it."
The atmosphere was not particularly cheerful; everyone buried their heads in thought about various matters. Work was naturally one of them, but it was difficult not to have any distractions after discussing so much today. Even Miao PD himself wore a worried expression; everyone understood how challenging the road ahead would be.
Meanwhile, Park Soo Eun finished her call and returned to sit back at the conference table.
“Miao PD, Yunhao's manager said that we can come in for recording next Monday,” Park Soo Eun said.
“That’s good. In that case, we have plenty of time. I hope everyone can pay attention to the new member situation and think it over carefully,” Miao PD said.
“Okay, understood.”
This was Anna's first time attending Brother Gary's concert. Her current financial situation made it hard for her to justify spending money on a concert ticket.
She arrived backstage with Brother Jae-seok and Brother Kwangsoo, where Brother Gary was getting his makeup done. Next to him was Mr. Kiseong Jeong, whom Anna had only met once before, and she politely greeted him.
Seeing Sister Jihyo also getting her makeup done, Anna walked over and asked, “Sister Jihyo, will you be going on stage later?”
“If time permits, yes. Haha Brother will also have a duet,” Ji-hyo pointed to Haha, who had just returned from the restroom.
“Haha Brother is performing again?” Anna was surprised.
“Of course,” Haha said with a smile.
“Where will we be sitting later?” Kwang-soo asked.
“The front row; it’s already arranged,” Brother Gary replied with a grin.
“That’s great!” Kwang-soo exclaimed excitedly.
“Is Jung Kook not coming today?” Brother Jae-seok looked around but didn’t see Jung Kook.
“He’s in America and hasn’t come back yet. It seems like he’s only in America except for recording and some work. I really wonder if Jung Kook has already gotten married and had kids in America,” Haha joked with a laugh.
"That really is big news," Jae-seok said with a smile.
"When are you planning to have the next generation?" Haha asked Gary.
Gary seemed a bit shy and replied with a smile, "We're working on it."
Ji-hyo, hearing this, crumpled the paper in his hand into a ball and threw it over, saying, "Hey, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Everyone laughed happily. The concert was about to start, and everyone was busy with their tasks, no longer joking around. Anna, Jae-seok, and Kwang-soo all sat down in their assigned seats, waiting for the concert to begin. Some fans who had already arrived recognized Seok and Kwang-soo, and they screamed in excitement. Seok and Kwang-soo politely bowed and waved to everyone, trying not to cause any commotion, sitting quietly and chatting.
"Where did you go abroad? You didn't secretly get married like Jung Kook, did you?" Kwang-soo joked.
"Kwang-soo, are you jealous?" Jae-seok playfully patted Kwang-soo on the shoulder.
Anna shot a glance at Kwang-soo. "I went to Berlin for some business. Why do you always think about these things? Can't you think of something else?"
"Berlin? What were you doing there?" Kwang-soo asked.
"I already said I had things to do," Anna replied.
Jae-seok smiled and looked at Anna thoughtfully before saying, "Anna, you should take some time to visit your mother."
"What?" Anna exclaimed. "What happened?"
"Nothing serious; I just ran into her at the mall a few days ago. She didn't look well and had lost a lot of weight. She seemed quite low on energy. We talked a bit, and when she mentioned you cooking for her, she lit up. I think it's important to cherish the present because everyone has their struggles. Don't wait until it's too late to regret it. I've wanted to tell you this for a while; it's just that you've been out of the country lately, and I've been quite busy."
"I understand, Brother Jae-seok," Anna nodded slightly.
“Brother Jae-seok, why do you know everything?” Kwang-soo asked, puzzled.
“I just happened to come across it,” Yoo Jae-suk replied.
Anna knew that Han Yoon-soo understood how much she admired, trusted, and liked Brother Jae-seok, which is why she spoke her heart to him without reservation.
What Brother Jae-seok said was something Anna had thought about too, but she really didn’t know how to overcome this hurdle.
“I’ll go see her as soon as I get a break,” Anna said.
Brother Jae-seok smiled reassuringly, “That’s good.”
“Why do you listen to everything Brother Jae-seok says, but never listen to me?” Kwang-soo complained.
“Can it be the same?” Anna shot him a glare.
Ignoring him, the stage lights suddenly dimmed and then brightened again. The familiar melody filled the air, and at the center of the stage stood Brother Gary and Kiseong Jeong.
Brother Gary loved music. Although Anna wasn’t fond of hip-hop, she would always remember the first time she heard the song “Only I Can Sing This Song.” She had always felt that the lyrics were written for Sister Jihyo, and now her thoughts were finally validated.
The heartfelt lyrics and passionate melody of this song, which once left Kwon Ji Yong speechless, would immerse anyone who heard it. BADA’s affectionate gaze before singing must have meant she also fell in love with that song, those words, that melody.
The love in the lyrics was truly beautiful.
That was their story, but when would Anna’s story truly become beautiful? Looking back now, even a brief moment of peace felt like a luxury. Anna thought of Joe from Watcher, here everyone was celebrating while time stood still, yet the currents kept flowing. She feared loneliness but could only immerse herself in it—despairing and helpless.
She felt stuck in her dreams. There were times when she was so close to her destination, within reach, yet so many unexpected events left her empty-handed. Whether in emotions or dreams, Anna felt like a failure. She admired the life of someone like Brother Jae-seok, yet it felt increasingly out of reach. The crisis facing Running Man wasn’t something that could be easily overcome; before reaching their goal, she realized the lighthouse’s light was dimming more and more. One day it would disappear completely—how ironic. It truly left one feeling lost.
Indeed, Anna was feeling lost. She still wanted to become the best female PD in South Korea's variety shows, but she didn't know how to move forward. If Running Man really came to an end, where would she go? She truly didn't want to see that day come.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Lee Kwang-soo tapped Anna on the shoulder.
"Oh." Anna instinctively clapped her hands.
"What are you clapping for? The song hasn't even started yet," Lee Kwang-soo said. "I mean, what are you really thinking about? You're so distracted. It's a big deal; we're all here to watch Brother Gary's concert."
"I just... tend to zone out," Anna smiled. "Let's enjoy the concert."
"Try to be a little happier! Otherwise, if Brother Gary sees you looking like this, he'll think he didn't perform well, and that would be so sad for him," Kwang-soo said.
Anna thought for a moment, forced a smile, and said, "You're right. Okay, no more zoning out. I'll focus."
"That's more like it! After this ends, we still have to go eat together," Kwang-soo said with a smile.
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