Chapter 798: Fishing is Life (3)

The first day of filming for Honey, Let’s Go Fishing ended successfully.

We walked around the Phuket night market, bought food, and took photos with people we met on the street.

“So how was it?”

I asked our managers.

“Did my plan to steal the hearts of Thai people succeed?”

“Wooju.”

“Yes.”

“They said it was a bit much.”

“....”

Mingi stared off into the distance as he spoke.

“I gathered some online reactions, and... it seems like people felt a bit overwhelmed. Kind of like when Director John Edwards visited Korea before, and people felt burdened by it.”

“Ah....”

Only then did I remember.

During the domestic promotion of Nostalgia, when Director John Edwards leaned too hard into patriotic marketing and made people uncomfortable.

Seeing Junhyun and me looking dejected, Mingi quickly tried to fix it.

“But most people really liked it.”

“Right?”

“Yeah. Favorability definitely went up a lot. Honestly, the ‘overwhelming’ thing is more like an internet meme.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

As if to prove it, he summarized both online and offline reactions, and it seemed like yesterday’s promotion had worked quite well.

“Nice. That was good.”

“It was a success, hyung.”

Junhyun and I shared an air high-five and smiled in satisfaction.

“Now we can go fishing with happy hearts.”

“Let’s get ready.”

I stood in front of the mirror and carefully applied sunscreen.

I put on such a thick layer that my face looked pale, and I wore arm sleeves over the parts sticking out from my T-shirt.

According to what the variety members told us yesterday, the sunlight out at sea was brutally strong, so this was necessary. Just like how the supply sergeant in the military always wore arm sleeves in the summer.

After finishing all preparations, Junhyun and I put on sunglasses.

“.......”

“.......”

We looked at each other and flinched.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“Those look like PE teacher sunglasses.”

“....”

I took mine off and said,

“Junhyun.”

“Yes.”

“You look like Zhu Bajie.”

“....”

We both sighed and took off our sunglasses.

Leaving the laughing managers behind, Junhyun and I slung our arms over each other’s shoulders.

As soon as we left the hotel room, we got into the prepared vehicle and headed to the harbor where the boat was waiting.

“Hey!”

The members who had arrived earlier greeted us first.

Kang Manho, who had been watching the sunrise in the early morning sky, turned toward us while suppressing a yawn.

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“No. I skipped it in case I get seasick.”

“You said you’ve never been on a boat before, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then an empty stomach is better.”

The members dressed like professional fishermen nodded.

Soon, casual chatter continued as the cameras started rolling. We delivered the lines we had prepared in advance and began the opening.

PD Shin Murok picked up a megaphone.

“Yes! Today is the long-awaited first day of fishing in Phuket!”

“Wooooo!”

“How does everyone feel?”

Teacher Baek Sanggyo waved his hand.

“Feelings, my foot. Just get on with it, PD Shin. Time is everything. If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the tide.”

“That’s right! We need to go catch fish!”

Oh Hyunsook joined in, teasing the PD as they squeezed out some screen time.

Eventually, sounding like he had no choice, PD Shin called over the local staff standing behind the cameras.

“These are the people who will help us with fishing over the next few days. First, the captain who will lead today’s boat.”

“Ooooo!”

A chubby middle-aged man waved awkwardly as he appeared.

He had a warm impression, though a scar on one side of his face stood out.

He spoke in Thai, and the interpreter translated.

“You can call him Mario.”

“Nice to meet you, Captain!”

Next, a muscular middle-aged man in a T-shirt and shorts stepped forward.

“This is Mr. Kick, the guide who will assist with fishing today.”

“A pro, huh.”

Chu Giseok jokingly asked, “Do you know us?”

The man who introduced himself as Kick, with a blunt expression, said something to the interpreter after looking at the members of Honey, Let’s Go Fishing.

“What did he say?”

“He said that since you’re filming together with NewBlack, you must be incredibly famous in Korea.”

“Hahaha!”

“And—”

The interpreter continued,

“He says his daughter is a huge fan of NewBlack and would like an autograph later, if possible.”

“We’ll even record a video message for her.”

Kick, who had seemed stern, gave a thumbs-up and showed his white teeth. Suddenly, he looked much friendlier.

Hearing that, Captain Mario quickly chimed in as well.

“He says his daughter is a fan too.”

As Junhyun and I smiled brightly at the mention of Souffle, Teacher Baek Sanggyo suddenly cut in, eyes wide.

“Tell them they need to catch a lot of fish. Many fish. NewBlack happy. Your daughters happy.”

“OK.”

“You communicate well! Hahaha!”

At the logic that catching lots of fish would make NewBlack happy, and therefore their daughters happy, the two men nodded.

After greeting the other crew members boarding the boat, the production team brought out a panel they had made.

“These are the fish you’ll be catching in Phuket.”

“Wow, there are a lot.”

There were all kinds of fish.

From the sharp-looking barracuda to plump groupers, tuna, and even something called giant whatever.

PD Shin smiled.

“The goal of fishing in Thailand this time is to catch a big one, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Literally, the person who catches the biggest fish wins! Weight doesn’t matter. The longest fish wins.”

As if possessed, I raised my hand.

“Yes, Wooju.”

“What’s the prize for first place?”

“If one of the regular cast wins, they’ll receive the usual ‘Fishing King’ perk. The Fishing King gets the benefit of avoiding penalties even if they fail missions at the next filming location.”

The cast widened their eyes and nodded.

“As for NewBlack, we thought you’d need something different, so we prepared something special.”

“What is it...?”

“When your next title track comes out, Honey, Let’s Go Fishing will produce a fishing version music video for you.”

Junhyun and I slapped our hands together.

“This is it!”

Kang Manho narrowed his eyes.

“It’s an individual match, but essentially a team match.”

“That’s correct.”

“So if NewBlack takes it, we’re screwed?”

“Exactly!”

The regular members, who had been laughing just moments ago, began to look at us warily.

I also teamed up with Junhyun.

“Alright!”

The PD smiled.

“Before we depart, let’s hear everyone’s determination.”

“Yes.”

Teacher Baek Sanggyo stepped forward with a hearty laugh.

“Dear viewers. The one who eats well is the one who has eaten before, and the one who fishes well is the one who has fished before. With my 40 years of experience, Baek Sanggyo will catch a massive fish today!”

“Woooo!”

“Call me not a singer, but a master fisherman!”

After him, Kang Manho stepped forward.

“Since ancient times, those lacking skill tend to have long tongues.”

“Hey!”

“I will prove it with skill.”

As I was thinking about how to introduce myself—

Oh Hyunsook, wearing a cap over her wavy bob, smiled gently at the camera.

“I got divorced because of fishing.”

“Pfft!”

“Oh, Hyunsook...”

She gave a sultry smile.

“I’ll show you. Divorce fishing.”

The set burst into laughter.

Junhyun and I, who had been 고민ing impactful introductions, gave up and simply smiled warmly.

Ah.

There’s no beating that.

In the end, after stating a modest ambition to win the music video for the younger members—

We boarded the boat and set off.

The cool sea breeze.

Under the clear sky, the sunlight poured over the beautiful ocean, refreshing my mood.

“How is it? Nice, right?”

“Yes!”

I spread my arms in response to Chu Giseok.

Ah.

So refreshing.

It felt like all the stress built up in Korea was washing away.

After getting cut as a trainee, I used to stare out at the sea in Gunsan when I felt suffocated. That memory briefly came back.

“Wooju, Junhyun.”

An assistant director approached.

“How’s the seasickness?”

“I’m fine.”

“No problem.”

Maybe because it was a bigger boat than expected, I didn’t feel much seasickness.

I smiled and said,

“I’ve even been to Ulleungdo.”

“This is my first time on such a nice boat. Thanks to saving on airfare.”

Hearing that, Teacher Baek Sanggyo waved from nearby.

“Thanks, NewBlack!”

“Yes!”

It was a large boat, big enough to have beds and a bathroom.

Everyone looked happy on the sleek, white vessel.

After more than an hour out at sea—

“We’ve just arrived at the point!”

The point.

A place where you catch fish.

Kick’s explanation was translated.

“In Phuket fishing, the number of bites is important. If you cast three times without a bite, you have to move immediately.”

“So if you throw bait three times and nothing bites, you move.”

“Ah, okay.”

As I nodded at Kang Manho’s whisper, Baek Sanggyo said,

“Manho, why do you keep telling them?”

“They’re beginners.”

“They’re competitors now. Don’t you know NewBlack? Junhyun will probably catch a marlin later.”

“No way.”

We waved our hands in denial, but Kang Manho looked at Junhyun with a strangely convinced expression.

Anyway, after arriving at the point—

While everyone busily checked their rods, we took the guest rods into our hands.

“Move backwards. And release.”

Kick demonstrated in simple English.

“No time to waste! Throw it!”

“I’ll go first!”

While the regular members argued over order, we beginners received training.

When I followed the motion in one go, Kick gave a thumbs-up.

“Practice. One more time.”

“One more?”

I pulled the rod back and pushed it forward.

Whoosh.

As I swung it back—

“Huh?”

Something caught.

When I turned, the hook had perfectly snagged the cameraman’s jungle hat.

The staff burst into laughter.

“Ah, this...”

As I reeled it in, the hat slid upward.

Sparkle.

Under the Phuket sun, the cameraman’s shiny bald head began to gleam.

“Ahh!”

As the hat kept rising, the staff clapped and laughed.

Even the cameraman laughed.

Seeing the hat dangling from the hook, I quickly bowed.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay!”

“Another update to Wooju’s personality controversy.”

I glared at Junhyun’s joke.

Baek Sanggyo laughed.

“Did you already catch one, Wooju?”

“Teacher!”

My face burned.

I cleared my throat and took position.

On the swaying boat, I pulled back and cast forward just as I’d been taught.

“Nice.”

Kang Manho murmured.

The float landed perfectly.

Kick clapped, saying it was a perfect form.

I smiled proudly at the camera.

“Biju, Ri Hyuk, Jiho. I’ll catch a huge one and bring it back.”

But at that moment, I didn’t know.

Fishing isn’t about form.

Two hours later.

“.......”

“.......”

Holding the rod loosely, I stared blankly at the blue sea.

The mountains are mountains, the water is water.

The waves slapped against the hull.

Everything was the same as before.

And yet—

“Sweetie. Not catching anything, huh?”

Oh Hyunsook asked with a smile.

“Yes, sunbae.”

“Fishing isn’t that easy.”

“Really.”

“Two hours feels long. On TV, it just says ‘2 hours later,’ so you don’t feel it.”

“But this is the taste of fishing.”

“Ah...”

“If you empty your mind and let go, you’ll find inner peace—oh! It’s here! It bit!”

She jumped like a rabbit and grabbed her rod.

“Sunbae, just now you said to empty your mind—”

“That’s nonsense! I just need to catch it! Hahaha!”

“Uh...”

“Sweetie, sorry, don’t talk to me—hyah!”

After struggling for a while, she looked deflated.

The bait came back empty.

Kang Manho muttered,

“It took the bait and ran.”

“Just like my ex-husband!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

I turned to Junhyun, who was quietly reading.

“What are you doing?”

“Reading for a bit.”

“On this rocking boat...?”

“You just move your eyes with the waves.”

He flipped a page.

“I got interested in this topic while writing rap. Who am I? Who are we? Where do we come from and where do we go?”

“I see.”

“Ri Hyuk recommended it.”

“What period are you on now?”

“Aristotle’s era.”

It felt like a segment that would air in 10x speed as “Junhyun’s Philosophy Class.”

Then—

“Hm?”

Junhyun grabbed his rod.

“I think I got something.”

“You did?”

Cameras rushed over.

Junhyun lifted the rod.

At first, everyone reacted—

“Oh my! Oh my!”

Then laughed.

“It’s the bottom.”

“The bottom?”

“The hook got stuck. You’re scraping the bottom. When that happens—”

Click. Click.

Suddenly—

Junhyun reeled hard, and something big came up.

“...?”

Soon—

Splash!

Something emerged.

“That’s...!”

A staff member shouted.

“A rock! He caught a rock!”

“A rock?”

A seaweed-covered stone came up.

Junhyun awkwardly held it up.

“Ta-da.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“When others scrape the bottom, Junhyun catches the bottom.”

“How strong do you have to be to catch the bottom?”

“Take a commemorative photo!”

We smiled and held the rock.

Click.

Junhyun measured it.

“About 30 cm.”

Then released it.

Splash.

I grabbed my rod.

It’d be nice if I caught something.

Then—

“Huh?”

“Hyung? Did you get something?”

“I think so.”

“Wooju, what is it?”

Everyone gathered.

Chu Giseok nodded.

“This one’s real.”

Something was pulling from the sea.

“Do this! Do that!”

Following their instructions, I reeled.

Slowly, something big approached.

“Looks real!”

“Tuna, I think tuna.”

“The captain says tuna!”

“They’re preparing a knife!”

This is insane.

“Ah!”

My arms trembled.

Then—

Snap.

“...Huh?”

“Ah!”

“It got away!”

The hook came loose.

Everyone sighed.

“It ran again.”

Then—

I shook the line.

Like a living fish.

Whoosh!

A seagull swooped down.

Snap.

“...Huh?”

“...Huh?”

I caught the seagull mid-air.

“...It’s not a fish, but...”

I looked up.

“Does this count?”

Everyone smiled warmly.

‘Do you think it counts.’