Chapter 797: Fishing is Life (2)

For fishing enthusiasts, there are countless dreams.

Catching a giant fish.

Creating your own fishing spot.

Eating sashimi made from a fish you just caught.

Among those dreams, there was also one called overseas fishing.

Fishing in exotic settings and catching species rarely seen in Korea.

"Phuket, you see."

The trot singer Baek Sanggyo said with a satisfied sigh.

"It's half water, half fish. Manho, have you ever fished in Thailand?"

"I tried it in Pattaya with my wife."

"Pattaya?"

He snorted.

"Don't even mention it. The fish you might see once every three hours in Pattaya are practically pouring out in Phuket!"

"Look at that exaggeration."

"Leave him alone. He's just excited because he gets to talk about somewhere he's been."

The trot singer flared up at the teasing.

"I'm telling you it's true!"

With his magnifying glasses pushed up on his forehead, Baek Sanggyo searched through his phone and showed the others photos of fish he had caught.

The people who had been laughing at him stopped.

"Huh?"

They stared at the photos.

"That's really big."

"You can actually catch things like this?"

"I'm telling you. It's unbelievable."

Soon the anglers' imaginations began to run wild.

They pictured themselves laughing loudly while holding massive fish rarely seen in Korea.

"So this is overseas fishing."

"I'm getting excited already."

For people who had fished almost every spot in Korea, Thailand was a new land of opportunity.

Their hearts pounded.

Perhaps because of that excitement, their gaze drifted toward the two handsome men pushing their suitcases beside them.

"Our Black boys!"

"Yes?"

"Oh my! Our lucky charms!"

The NewBlack members looked bewildered when the seniors suddenly surrounded them enthusiastically, then smiled shyly.

In the eyes of the fishing fanatics, affection was shining.

Lucky charms. Truly lucky charms.

After all, the ones who made this overseas trip possible were NewBlack.

What kind of program was Dear Fishing?

Until recently, it had been a variety show on IBC with the lowest ratings on the channel.

Although it had a cult following among middle aged viewers, it was like Go or golf—a program mainly enjoyed by dedicated enthusiasts.

The budget was so tight that even the cast's appearance fees were barely covered.

Even so, the cast lineup was impressive.

The reason was simple.

Every cast member loved fishing.

"You'll pay us to fish?"

"And you pay us after we fish? This isn't a scam, right?"

Their hobby had become their job.

For people who would go fishing even without pay, the idea of earning money while fishing was something to be thankful for.

Still, a lingering regret always remained.

If only the program had more money.

Whenever the IBC variety department allocated budgets, their show was always pushed to the bottom of the list.

Even when Baek Sanggyo poured drinks for the variety department director and danced in front of him at company dinners, the man never budged.

"You understand how this industry works, right? Ratings decide everything. We need to see visible results before we can invest more..."

He wasn't wrong.

So no one could argue.

In the end, the problem was always the same.

Chronic lack of budget.

Even going to Jeju Island had once made the production team happy enough to say, "This is basically an overseas trip."

But now the situation had changed.

Because NewBlack had appeared.

"We're going overseas!"

The overseas trip they had only dreamed of had finally become reality.

And for people who had always fished in difficult conditions, this was the first time they were experiencing a comfortable environment.

"Saving on airfare makes a huge difference."

Because the airfare for both the entire staff and the cast was saved, the fishing environment could be far more generous.

And the reason that airfare was saved—

"That is our private plane."

"Ooooooh!"

Through the terminal window, the staff pointed their cameras while the cast gasped.

The upper half of the aircraft was painted elegantly black like an orca.

The New Black.

Written in both Korean and English.

The cast swallowed nervously as they looked at it.

A private jet.

The symbol of enormous stars.

They looked again at the two handsome men standing beside them.

Because of the friendly nickname "national idols," they had forgotten something.

NewBlack were global stars now.

"Wow."

The actress Oh Hyunsuk covered her mouth.

"You two are incredible."

"It's not that amazing."

Wooju waved his hands.

"We travel overseas with our staff quite often. The schedule became so frequent that we ended up needing a private plane."

The calm explanation from NewBlack's leader made it clear that the jet was used for practical reasons, not for showing off.

The cast quickly agreed.

"Of course you'd need it. You travel overseas all the time."

"So this is what you ride when you go to the Billboard Awards in the U.S.?"

"Yes, that's right."

While chatting about the plane, they followed the NewBlack members inside.

Their hearts pounded.

Chu Giseok, who had evolved from Fake Souffle into a full Souffle member, turned to the camera.

"Everyone! For the first time ever on IBC's Dear Fishing, NewBlack's private jet is being revealed. What does the inside look like? I, as the first Souffle to visit the jet, will investigate."

Soon they stepped inside.

"Wow!"

Because the large aircraft had been converted into a private jet, the interior resembled a first class cabin.

A spacious room like a living room.

Soft leather chairs that could swivel.

A large screen like a mini theater showing the current location and weather.

"Want to see the back? There's even a bed."

"A bed?"

Beds you could lie down on and sleep in.

Various convenience facilities.

Both the cast and the staff stared with their mouths open.

The normally sharp faced entertainer Kang Manho looked around in disbelief.

"Wooju. Junhyun."

"Yes?"

"Should I bow to you?"

"Hahaha!"

The two members laughed and waved their hands.

"This is incredible."

"Going overseas is already exciting, but we're taking a private jet."

"Can we drink alcohol here?"

"Drink at home, Hyunsuk."

After wandering around the jet for a while, everyone finally took their seats.

The soft seats felt luxurious.

Except for Chu Giseok, who was in his thirties, the cast members had an average age of around fifty.

They sighed happily.

"This is paradise."

"So what happens now? Do we depart immediately?"

At Oh Hyunsuk's question, Junhyun answered.

"The captain will make an announcement, but before that there will be a safety briefing."

"Oh, the life vest thing?"

"Yes."

Everyone turned their gaze toward the screen.

But something strange hung above it.

A chicken doll, hanging like a crucifix in a church.

PD Lee Junhee asked,

"What... is that?"

"Ah. That's Bruce."

Wooju smiled awkwardly.

"It's a kind of lucky charm."

Just as he was about to explain something about it being a takeoff companion—

The safety announcement began.

And everyone burst out laughing.

"Hahaha!"

A slender figure dressed like a flight attendant walked forward.

Someone everyone knew, though he wasn't present here.

"Hello, passengers."

It was Ri Hyuk.

Wearing a white shirt and tie, Ri Hyuk continued with a composed expression.

"Now we will explain the emergency equipment and evacuation procedures."

English subtitles appeared below his speech.

"Please store your luggage properly."

Behind him, Jiho was struck by falling luggage and collapsed.

"Seat belt instructions are..."

Junhyun pulled the belt too hard and broke it.

When Ri Hyuk turned his head, Junhyun quickly placed the broken belt across his waist and gave a thumbs up.

The staff filmed while the cast laughed loudly.

The safety video continued.

"Please refrain from using electronic devices."

Behind Ri Hyuk, NewBlack members were using their phones.

When he suddenly turned his head, they hurriedly lowered them.

A red X appeared.

The video continued like that until—

"That's enough."

"Huh?"

Wooju paused the video with the remote.

"This part is sufficient."

"There's more?"

"After this, Ri Hyuk gives advice about various accidents that could happen on the plane."

Junhyun added,

"It's three hours long."

"I see."

Everyone nodded.

Because it was Ri Hyuk.

Even though he wasn't technically part of the broadcast, NewBlack's main vocalist had somehow dominated the show.

Soon the captain's voice followed.

"Hello. This is the captain. Wooju, Junhyun, and the cast and crew of Dear Fishing, welcome aboard NewBlack's private jet."

The production team and cast cheered when their names were mentioned.

Wooju and Junhyun smiled shyly.

"We will safely transport you to Phuket."

The plane began preparing for takeoff.

Their destination was Phuket, the tourist island in southern Thailand.

Dear Fishing - NewBlack Special

NewBlack's trendy song METRO played in the background as promotional footage from the Thailand Tourism Authority appeared.

Phuket.

A province in southern Thailand.

Thailand's largest island and a famous tourist destination.

Scenes of Phuket's beauty appeared.

Colorful buildings.

A massive Buddha statue.

The turquoise ocean and beautiful beach resorts.

A wide shot of Phuket's sea appeared.

What kind of fish are waiting here?

The scene shifted to the cast arriving at Phuket Airport.

"Junhyun."

"Yes?"

"Didn't you say Phuket has a population of about four hundred thousand?"

"Uh... just a moment. Yes, that's right."

I pointed forward with a stunned expression.

"Then what is that?"

"Good question."

Not only us.

The other cast members stared blankly as well.

The airport was filled with people.

The entertainer Kang Manho blinked.

"Is it usually like this?"

Junhyun shook his head.

"You might see this at major international airports... but we've never seen something like this here."

An airport in a city with a population of only four hundred thousand.

Yet the crowd was enormous.

"Look. Even the security guards are filming."

Following Baek Sanggyo's gesture, we saw airport guards pulling out their phones to film us.

I was confused.

Where did all these people come from?

"I found out."

Manager Mingi approached.

"It's because of your drama, Wooju."

"My drama?"

I thought for a moment.

Then he spoke.

"Don't you remember? Our Family Is Alien."

"Oh. Our Family Is Alien?"

"Did you forget?"

"Of course not."

How could I forget the sitcom where I played Agent Kim Wooju?

It had been famous throughout its broadcast and achieved enormous ratings in its final episode.

But something puzzled me.

"That drama aired the year before last."

"It aired in Thailand last year."

"Oh...."

A Thai broadcaster had purchased the rights and aired it in the second half of last year.

And apparently it had been a huge success.

That explained the banners reading Welcome Kim Wooju.

Combined with NewBlack's popularity, fans and curious onlookers had gathered together.

"Thai broadcasters came too. They're curious why you're here."

Oh Hyunsuk looked worried.

"What should we say? That you came to film Dear Fishing?"

"Our show is about to become internationally famous. What was the English title again? Honey, I Want to Go Fishing?"

"Kill Me might be better."

"You want to get slapped?"

While the variety members joked around, Junhyun and I looked toward the crowd waiting for us.

"Hyung."

"Yes, Junhyun."

"Please give the plan. I'm your loyal servant."

"The plan is..."

I quickly organized things in my head.

Originally our goal had been to make a big impact on the fishing show.

But now it felt like an extra quest had appeared.

The drama's success.

NewBlack's existing popularity.

But until now we had never done any activities in Thailand.

To the Thai public we were simply famous stars.

Kim Wooju.

But now we had a new opportunity.

"PD."

PD Lee Junhee turned toward me.

"Yes?"

"You said today would mainly be location scouting?"

"Yes. We can't fish immediately on the first day. We'll visit local restaurants and check the boats."

That meant plenty of chances to interact with the public.

Various ideas formed in my mind.

For now—

"Junhyun."

"Yes."

"Let's change clothes first."

That evening.

Thai audiences raised their eyebrows at the news spreading on TV and the internet.

"Oh?"

Superstars NewBlack had arrived in Phuket.

They came to film a TV program.

"Must be a famous program."

Apparently it was a fishing show.

But the news of NewBlack's visit quickly became a hot topic.

"Did you see? NewBlack came."

"Bangkok?"

"No, Phuket."

"NewBlack? The famous singers?"

Videos and posts spread quickly on Thai social media and MyTube.

The first video showed their arrival at the airport.

Two handsome men wearing matching light purple shirts inspired by the Falling Blossoms album.

One of the most handsome men in the world greeted the press politely.

"We're very happy to be in Thailand."

He even spoke a simple sentence in Thai.

"We chose purple clothes on purpose."

"Purple?"

"Yes. Thailand has lucky colors for each day of the week. Saturday is purple, right?"

Thai viewers were amazed.

The idol clearly knew a lot about Thailand.

While Thai Souffles admired the shirts from Falling Blossoms, NewBlack began exploring Phuket with the variety cast.

Breaking news appeared constantly.

Junhyun: "My favorite Thai movies are Ong Bak and Shutter."

Wooju: "Tom yum goong should be preserved as a cultural heritage of humanity."

Wooju: "The weather is beautiful. I'd love to live in Thailand someday."

Photos and videos appeared everywhere.

Wooju hugging a fruit juice vendor.

Quoting famous lines from his drama for fans.

Junhyun carrying a child on his shoulders.

Junhyun cutting a watermelon with his bare hands to make watermelon juice.

Various fan services continued.

Thai viewers smiled.

This is nice.

But that was only the beginning.

Wooju: "Thai food is incredible."

Junhyun: "Thailand's Buddhist culture is amazing."

Wooju and Junhyun praise Thailand's colorful taxis.

Wooju: "Many Thai seniors and juniors exist in K pop. Their musical talent is impressive."

Wooju: "I'm studying Thai. My Thai nickname is Sun."

Meanwhile Korean viewers watching from overseas began feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

At first Thai viewers laughed and enjoyed the fan service.

But gradually—

They swallowed nervously.

This is...

Nice.

But.

It's a bit overwhelming.

Please stop...

So what exactly are we supposed to do for you?

Watching NewBlack promote Thailand as if they were advertising a movie release, Thai viewers slowly began feeling a strange kind of pressure.