Chapter 853: Answer (6)

Why do people watch variety shows?

There are many reasons, but fundamentally, it’s because they’re fun.

Then...

“Where do you think the fun in variety comes from?”

At Producer Gu Jaeyoung’s question, we answered.

“Um... maybe something unique? Like unusual scenes. Things you don’t see in everyday life.”

“Like Wooju hyung riding a unicycle.”

“Or Junghyun hyung doing a handstand.”

At our answers, the Newniverse production team burst into loud laughter.

“Cute” could be heard here and there.

They weren’t wrong.

“Hmm. So that’s how you think about it.”

Producer Gu Jaeyoung rested his chin on his hand and looked at us.

On his bandit-like face, his eyes sparkled.

Maybe because he was talking about something he loved, he looked like a child talking about his favorite cartoon.

“It’s not wrong. Variety doesn’t really have a single correct answer. And you’ve given people big laughs with unique scenes up until now.”

“...Honestly, we don’t fully understand the laugh points either.”

I said,

“We approach things hoping viewers will laugh... but we still don’t know what exactly makes people find something fun.”

“That’s something we struggle with every day too. What should we do so viewers will like it? The truth is, viewers don’t even know what they like. Even when industry people rack their brains every day, there’s no clear answer.”

Producer Gu Jaeyoung nodded in agreement.

“But in the big picture, there is an answer. About where the fun in variety really comes from.”

We listened closely to the words of the national PD who had reigned as the king of variety since the mid-to-late 2000s.

But instead of giving the answer right away, Producer Gu Jaeyoung paused.

“I’ll ask you a question.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the manga Dragon Ball?”

“Yes, I know it.”

“Why is Dragon Ball fun?”

The youngest, who liked comics the most among us, answered.

“Because the main character keeps getting stronger? He gets stronger and fights stronger enemies.”

“Right.”

Producer Gu Jaeyoung’s eyes shone.

“But that’s not the real point. It’s not about how strong the protagonist becomes. What matters is who he fights with that strength.”

“So who he faces is what’s important.”

“Exactly. A story can’t exist with just the protagonist alone. You need compelling villains. You need appealing supporting characters who help the protagonist. That’s what makes it interesting.”

I felt like I was grasping the point.

Ri Hyuk thought for a moment and said,

“So just the protagonist getting stronger isn’t fun.”

“Correct. Even if the protagonist trains, becomes powerful enough to destroy planets with a finger and recreate the universe—would it be fun if he’s doing all that alone?”

“Ah...”

“In the end, fun comes from relationships between people. The clash between villain and protagonist. Cooperation between protagonist and allies. Who’s stronger.”

After saying that, Producer Gu Jaeyoung brought the conversation back to the present.

“In that sense, variety is the same. The fun comes from the relationships between the cast members. Doing a handstand or riding a unicycle can be entertaining... but that’s not the core of what viewers find fun.”

“Ah...”

“People like the relationship between the five of you. The order is just reversed. They’re drawn to you first, and then they’re interested in what you do. They don’t like it because you ride a unicycle.”

As if hypnotized, we listened and felt enlightened.

It truly felt like experiencing the weight of someone called a national PD.

He looked like a simple bandit while talking about variety, yet I found myself nodding along without realizing it.

He winked.

“Now do you understand why the material itself isn’t the most important thing?”

“Yes. I understand.”

I understood perfectly.

In the end, viewers are interested less in what the five of us do, and more in how we look while doing it.

Producer Oh Taejun continued,

“Of course, that doesn’t mean material isn’t important. Even if you have a combination with great chemistry, if the concept is too outdated or weak, you won’t be able to draw out that potential.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Fortunately, that part is our job.”

The production team smiled.

“That’s where the production team’s capability really makes the difference. You gather interesting people and decide what to do with them.”

“The material is decided, so now we move to the idea stage.”

“All right. Start throwing ideas!”

The staff, excited at the thought of working on a variety show, began firing off ideas.

At first, it felt fascinating watching them bounce ideas back and forth like ping-pong, throwing out anything that came to mind.

Head writer Yang Mihyeon said,

“NewBlack is already a familiar combination to viewers. People can predict scene by scene.”

“Right.”

“So it would be good to add variation. For example, after getting your licenses, you could do beginner driving lessons. Friends close to NewBlack could coach you. Like Ri Hyuk and Cha Woo Hyun.”

The idea was to combine our driving lessons with celebrities we were close to.

Writer Han Juyeon, who used to be the youngest on the Jusehan team and was now a sub-writer, said,

“Or what about bringing in verified regular people or fans? Souffle coaching NewBlack’s driving lessons.”

“Oh. That’s good.”

“You can promote your next album and communicate with fans at the same time.”

Ideas that made our ears perk up kept coming.

Biju whispered to me,

“Hyung. I think I get why Jusehan became a national variety show.”

“Me too. This is insane...?”

It felt like watching our TF team at work.

Seeing firsthand how the dream team that had produced national variety shows for over ten years operated was astonishing.

What kind of factional politics would push out people like this? If it were me, I’d raise their salaries just to keep them.

They were that capable.

More than anything, their eyes were sparkling.

Even now, it didn’t feel like a meeting but like people excitedly chatting about something fun.

Writer Yang Mihyeon, sitting beside me, smiled sheepishly.

“Overwhelming, right?”

“No. It’s great. Everyone looks like they’re having fun.”

“Of course.”

She took a sip of her Americano and smiled.

“If you don’t love it, you can’t do this job.”

“I relate.”

“By the way, the atmosphere is different from the preliminary meeting, right? It’ll take time to adjust. Our full meetings are always like this.”

“We’ve already adjusted. We’re used to this vibe.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Our album meetings are like this.”

It overlapped with our own lively brainstorming sessions about future concepts.

And another similarity...

When brainstorming, it turns into a festival of random ideas.

“After getting licenses, NewBlack could run a one-day taxi project. Drive fans to school. Avoid rush hour somehow....”

“What about Delivery NewBlack?”

“What about going bumper car racing before getting licenses? Crown the best driver among NewBlack.”

“After getting licenses, what about ATV racing? Honestly, NewBlack would be fun doing anything.”

As the mood of throwing out any idea continued, we started offering ideas too.

“I think something like this would be touching. Driving ourselves to the company.”

“If we’re doing driving lessons, it should be somewhere with little traffic. Safety is the most important thing.”

“I want to try that ATV idea. Filming a real-life kart race with the hyungs sounds fun.”

For nearly two hours, we sipped Americanos and excitedly exchanged ideas with the staff.

By the end, our throats were almost sore.

Biju said in admiration,

“I didn’t know you could get this much content from just getting a driver’s license. You’re amazing.”

“Amazing? We can only think of these things because of you.”

“Ah, my shoulders are stiff. That was really fun.”

When someone stretched and spoke, everyone checked the time.

“It’s already been two hours.”

“Still, it’s good. This is our jinx.”

“Jinx?”

As we tilted our heads, Producer Gu Jaeyoung said,

“Ever since Jusehan, we’ve had this jinx. The more ideas come out in a meeting, the bigger the hit.”

“Ohhh!”

“I have a good feeling. I like it.”

We looked at Junghyun.

After closing his eyes briefly as if sensing the energy of the universe, he said with a very unfortunate expression,

“It feels ominous.”

“That means it’s going to be a massive hit...!”

“Everyone! Junghyun hyung said it feels ominous!”

Laughter erupted around us.

Amid talk about checking Junghyun’s magic jelly scriptures later,

“Oh.”

Producer Oh Taejun narrowed his eyes at the schedule sheet.

He had a sharp, meticulous impression.

If Producer Gu Jaeyoung was the one who enthusiastically created variety, this side felt more like an administrator coordinating practical matters and filming schedules.

“I heard your schedule from the TF team. Can you film in March?”

“Yes. We have time.”

“Then how about filming the driver’s license acquisition content in March? Once the format is confirmed, we go into main filming around April.”

“That sounds good.”

We spent a moment coordinating schedules.

Ri Hyuk, writing on his tablet, summarized.

“Then the main broadcast would be around late May.”

“Yes. We need that gap.”

The suggestion was to film in March and April and launch through NBS in late May or early June.

“We haven’t finalized whether it’ll be seasonal, but the goal is a regular weekly show. After the first project, driver’s license, we’ll have to film the next project.”

“That makes sense.”

“So the plan is to link it with MyTube.”

They briefly shared promotion plans.

“It’s the MyTube era now. We have to accept that the center of media power has shifted from broadcasting stations to MyTube.”

Despite having worked at a major broadcasting station for years, the staff showed flexible thinking.

“We’ll upload the driver’s license acquisition content to MyTube, and air the driving lesson scenes on TV variety. We’ll guide MyTube viewers to the main broadcast.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll coordinate with the NewBlack TV production team through the TF team.”

Mediation between the existing NewBlack TV team and the newly joined Newniverse team would be handled by the TF team.

Writer Han Juyeon twirled her pen and muttered,

“I hope the NewBlack TV staff don’t dislike us. We’re obviously the rolling stone.”

“Don’t worry. They seemed happy.”

“Really?”

I had wondered if they’d dislike the MyTube linkage, but when they heard Producer Gu Jaeyoung’s team was joining NBS, they reacted with both hands raised in delight.

“So our workload decreases?”

“New slaves! Ha ha ha! That’s amazing! Ah... of course, amazing as in great content will come out.”

“Tell them to take lots of work. Wooju.”

Remembering their eyes shining with manic joy, I softened the wording.

“They said to tell you they’re very welcoming.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

As we laughed warmly,

Producer Gu Jaeyoung concluded,

“It might feel burdensome since it’s a weekly show, but think of it as creating your own content.”

“Yes.”

“No need to feel too pressured. If you can’t think of something to do, we can film a rest content episode.”

“We’ll film with a relaxed mindset.”

We nodded and smiled.

Honestly, I was anxious.

I had seen their capability in creating content around “getting a driver’s license.”

But could we really make viewers laugh with something like this?

“Well....”

I was worried, but what could we do?

Let’s try it.

“Guys.”

“Hyung.”

We met each other’s eyes and smiled.

The same thought reflected in our gazes.

If I’m not funny, he will be.

Hyung will handle it.

Someone will handle it.

Like someone once said online, being an idol was a group project.

Some time later.

Gangnam Driver’s License Examination Center.

“Oh my.”

“Isn’t that NewBlack? NewBlack...?”

“They must be filming something. There are broadcast cameras.”

People waiting in the basement for physical exams pulled out their phones and began whispering.

“Hey... honey... it’s me... yeah, NewBlack is here. What? An autograph... yeah.”

“Mom. NewBlack is here....”

As we watched them, Producer Gu Jaeyoung stood with his arms crossed.

With his thick beard and bandit-like impression, he looked like he might shout, “I shall take your blood and flesh!” at any moment.

But no one looked at him with fear.

“Oh?”

“Wait...?”

No one failed to recognize the PD of a national variety show that had aired for over ten years.

Sometimes cunningly deceiving cast members, sometimes innocently fooled himself.

Friendly gazes turned toward him as people holding application forms asked,

“Are you filming Jusehan?”

At the innocent question, the staff smiled awkwardly.

Producer Gu Jaeyoung smiled warmly.

“No, ma’am. Jusehan ended recently. We’re with NBS now.”

“NB....”

“NewBlack’s broadcasting station.”

“Ah!”

Then he smiled like a salesperson.

“We’re launching a variety show called Newniverse. Please spread the word.”

His friendly whispering tone made people nod favorably.

Soon, the tapping of phone keyboards could be heard.

Producer Gu smiled.

Hope word spreads widely.

After finishing the physical exam and greeting citizens with fan service, NewBlack moved to the second floor to register for the written exam for a Class 1 regular license.

Jiho held up the exam paper.

“Wow. My eyesight got a bit worse.”

“That’s because of games. You’ve been playing that Zelda thing too much lately.”

“It’s always because of games. Last time when I got a pimple, you said it was because of using the computer too much.”

As they discussed their eyesight, they completed registration and moved to the fourth floor.

Acting as if there were no cameras, like in observational variety.

Before the written exam, Ri Hyuk reviewed past questions on his phone app. Biju flipped through a study book.

And Wooju closed his eyes.

Junghyun adjusted his snapback that read [Already Passed].

“Hyung, aren’t you cramming?”

“I am.”

Wooju seemed to be memorizing something deeply.

Watching his younger members cram, he asked the production team,

“But really... will this become content?”

“Of course.”

“It feels like we should be doing something. Maybe filming a skit.”

“Just be natural. Do a skit if you want. We’re still adjusting too, but we’ll try.”

Producer Gu Jaeyoung laughed in agreement at NewBlack’s leader, whose body was trained in variety.

“By the way, aren’t you going in first?”

“We’re going together.”

He looked at the youngest playing a mobile game.

“Study a bit. Jiho....”

“I already did earlier.”

“You’re always gaming.”

“I’m not gaming. I have to run daily quests. It’s a guild quest. If I don’t do it, I’ll get kicked out. With practice, I never have time to play.”

As the eldest sighed at the youngest squeezing in gaming during busy days,

Biju nodded firmly.

FourBlack headed to take the written exam.

“Gather your strength, brave warriors!”

Junghyun raised his palm like a bear god giving blessings, and FourBlack marched off confidently.

A short while later.

“Whew.”

Biju came out first.

He smiled brightly.

“Wow. I thought I’d fail, but I got 81. You need 70 to pass for Class 1, so I was really nervous.”

“Nice.”

Junghyun and Biju high-fived.

Then Ri Hyuk came out with a dissatisfied expression.

It was the face of a top-ranked student pretending to be upset.

“Ah....”

Biju’s eyes widened.

“What’s wrong, Ri Hyuk? Did you fail...?”

“I studied really hard... and I got one wrong. 98.”

“.......”

As a vein popped slightly on Biju’s forehead while he still smiled,

Wooju walked out.

“Shall we go first? Jiho looked like he’d take a bit longer.”

“Really?”

Leaving separate staff behind, we went back down to the second floor.

Ri Hyuk approached Wooju.

“So what did you get?”

“Me? 100.”

“.......”

As Junghyun and Biju giggled, Ri Hyuk pressed his lips together.

Then—

He turned and walked somewhere.

Wooju blinked.

“Where’s he going?”

“Not sure...?”

As Ri Hyuk pulled a number ticket and approached the counter, everyone tilted their heads.

NewBlack’s main vocal asked seriously,

“Can I retake the exam?”

“Did you fail?”

“No. I got 98, but I’d like another chance.”

As the receptionist stared blankly at his serious inquiry, ThreeBlack burst into laughter.

Producer Gu Jaeyoung laughed too.

With daily life like that, what were we even worried about?

Recalling how they had worried about being unfunny, he turned his head.

Shuffle shuffle.

Jiho walked back with the cameraman.

The cameraman’s lips twitched as if suppressing laughter.

“You didn’t....”

The hyungs sensed something and asked.

Jiho closed his eyes tightly.

“I got... 69....”

“Ha ha ha!”

“You would’ve passed Class 2....”

Even citizens watching nearby burst into laughter.

Producer Gu Jaeyoung smiled with pure joy.

In his mind, captions were already stamped with a loud thud.

[Wang Jiho Fails Written Exam]

[Retest Confirmed!]

Producer Gu Jaeyoung’s job satisfaction was at its absolute peak.