Chapter 917: We are, well... uh... henchmen. (7)

As soon as the preview for today’s episode aired, the ratings shot up.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘A KAIST robot with Wooju and Junghyun’s faces is fishing... and a carp slaps Ri Hyuk in the face?’

No one understood what that meant—but it felt like something you absolutely had to watch.

While those who had just turned on the TV regretted missing the preview—

the main broadcast began.

[Goesan County, Chungcheongbuk-do]

A lake in Goesan County was today’s fishing spot.

“Ah, this place is actually pretty famous. There are tons of fish.”

“This time of year, carp bite really well.”

“Hyunsuk, if you want to make up for last week’s last place, you better catch at least a snakehead today.”

The cast chatted noisily.

And when it came time to introduce the guests—

they became even more excited.

“They’re really hard to invite.”

“When these guys appear, the ratings always skyrocket.”

The moment comedian Kang Manho finished speaking—

a red carpet rolled out.

Rolling, rolling.

The trio—“SamBlack”—stepped out of the car, and viewers immediately felt delighted.

“Helloooooo!”

Jiho ran toward them.

The other two followed, jogging lightly, circling around the cast.

“Woooooo!”

“Wait, what—why are you spinning?”

“We’re just so happy to see you!”

They grabbed hands and started dancing in a circle.

The cast burst into laughter and joined along.

Without even being prompted, the “national idol” group introduced themselves.

Then the youngest of the show, comedian Chu Giseok, asked—

“But why are there only three of you today?”

“Ah.”

Biju smiled.

“Wooju and Junghyun...”

“?”

“Said last time was too hard...”

The cast and crew burst out laughing.

A flashback played—

a handsome man kneeling and screaming, and another dragging up a shark—

everyone laughed again.

Makes sense they didn’t come

This is validㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

The staff made beginners fish for marlinㅋㅋㅋㅋ

The cast nodded in agreement.

“That was rough.”

“That wasn’t normal sea fishing. What we call big fish here were just small fry there.”

Then SamBlack declared their determination.

“Viewers! You’re probably thinking—can we be as funny as Wooju and Junghyun?”

“We’ll prove it.”

[Fact) NewBlack are idols]

Comments flooded in.

Don’t worry... you’re already funny

Born under the star of comedy

The fact that idols worry about being funny is funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Suspiciously serious about variety shows

Then the cast asked—

“So what’s your goal today? Album promotion?”

“Yes, that too...”

Ri Hyuk said,

“Our album is doing well enough... that we don’t really need promotion.”

“That’s true.”

Just releasing a NewBlack album was already big news.

“Last year, we ranked 9th in ‘Entertainer of the Year,’ right?”

“Right.”

“We want to go higher.”

“!”

“For that, we need the support of middle-aged viewers.”

The two members behind him nodded seriously.

Like a campaign slogan—

“Please give one vote to NewBlack for Entertainer of the Year!”

“NewBlack! NewBlack!”

Viewers burst out laughing.

“They’re hilarious.”

“They really got 9th last year?”

“9th is already impressive.”

Their transparent ambition made everyone laugh.

That was NewBlack’s charm.

Greedy—in the best way.

Music, acting, variety, fashion—

they wanted everything—

and worked relentlessly for it.

“Bringers of laughter! Candidate No. 9, NewBlack!”

“To bring you joy day and night... um... nonstop? Eternally? Something like that?”

Jiho fumbled his words.

Ri Hyuk looked into the camera.

“As you can see, we lack common sense—but we’re confident in being funny.”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Please give us your vote!”

They even performed trot songs for middle-aged viewers—

along with White Night.

And they’re actually goodㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Why are they so good at trot???

Practiced to win over elders in their hometown (fact)

Jiho’s bending vocal style fit trot perfectly.

Even trot singer Baek Sanggyo had suggested a duet.

After the opening shoot—

“Let me introduce today’s mission!”

It was a team battle.

Fishing show team vs. SamBlack.

And then—

reinforcements arrived for the outnumbered trio.

[KAIST graduate students]

Men in checkered shirts appeared, carrying a strange-looking robot.

“That robot looks flimsy.”

“Can it even hold a fishing rod properly?”

“It’ll fall over lifting a fish.”

Even on-site, reactions were skeptical.

Then—

the students attached photos.

Boom!

Golden CGI sparkled—

Wooju and Junghyun’s faces appeared on the robot.

Suddenly—

everyone changed their minds.

“...It might work?”

“Maybe the face part was the weak point.”

It somehow looked stronger now.

What kind of talisman is thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ

But it actually looks strong

As expected of KAISTㅋㅋㅋㅋ

And the fishing began.

As always—

fish swam past, mocking humans.

It’s tradition that they don’t catch anything

I’ve never seen them catch properlyㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Then—

Ri Hyuk’s rod bent sharply.

“Whoa...”

“He’s struggling with that?”

“He’s too skinny.”

He fought to reel it in—

when—

“Wait—!”

He slipped and fell into the water.

“Whoa!”

“Oh no!”

Viewers tensed—

but quickly relaxed seeing the shallow water.

Then—

the scene from the preview.

[The Revenge of the Carp King]

Ri Hyuk vs. Carp.

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Weakest battle ever

Fight at the bottom of the food chain

The carp kept slapping him.

Ri Hyuk attacked seriously—

but the carp dodged everything.

Then jumped—

and slapped him again.

Finally—

they charged at each other—

but—

the carp slipped past—

hit a rock—

and fainted.

“......”

Ri Hyuk covered his eyes.

The crew suppressed laughter.

Viewers exploded.

“That counts as a catch, right?”

“Of course~”

“Good job, Ri Hyuk!”

Just as he tried to grab it—

a snakehead fish snatched the carp and disappeared.

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

This is ridiculousㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Why does it always turn out like this

Ri Hyuk looked wronged.

Then screamed.

Everyone laughed.

Meanwhile—

Souffles noticed something else.

‘This is legendary.’

Wet Ri Hyuk.

Unbelievably pure-looking.

Posts flooded online.

[Ri Hyuk’s visuals are legendary today]

Insane

Why is he so pretty???

Wet hair.

Pale skin.

Light blush.

A dazed expression—

like a drama protagonist.

“Where is this from???”

“I need it now”

Answer:

“From the live broadcast.”

Fans suffered—

but accepted it.

‘Whatever. He’s pretty.’

Meanwhile—

the fishing chaos continued.

Time flew.

“Let’s move to another spot!”

Then—

“Look! An eel is following my bait!”

Jiho shouted.

But—

“That’s not an eel...”

“That’s a snake!”

A venomous snake approached.

[(Info) It’s venomous]

Everyone panicked—

until—

An old man appeared.

“Ah, that’s a snake.”

He casually grabbed it—

and threw it away.

Then turned.

“?”

Everyone froze.

“I’m Junghyun’s grandfather.”

Cut.

NOOO show more

You can’t end it hereㅠㅠ

Everyone was shocked.

Junghyun’s grandfather?

Then—

the preview rolled.

Boiling fish stew.

“Whoa...”

It looked incredible.

[Next week]

[Biju’s special fish stew recipe revealed!]

Broadcast ended.

Viewers—

under midnight hunger attack—

stood up.

For ramen.

Trending:

Braised fish

Fishing show

Junghyun grandfather

That’s why—

this episode—

broke records.

Meanwhile—

in Toronto.

“That was fast.”

“Pretty close.”

NewBlack had arrived for their next concert.

Their accommodation—

a mansion owned by Hailey Blue.

“Wow.”

“It’s huge.”

A peaceful place.

Private.

Perfect for rest.

Checking reactions—

“Wow... ratings exploded.”

Ri Hyuk vs. carp.

Junghyun’s grandfather.

Fish stew.

Three major hits.

Jiho bragged—

“I carried it.”

“Ri Hyuk did.”

“But I triggered the snake!”

“...Fair.”

Then—

“Ri Hyuk.”

“....”

He was hiding in a hoodie.

“Show me the meme.”

He recovered after seeing it.

Everyone gathered—

laughing.

Then—

“Where’s Biju?”

“At the pool.”

Wooju went—

“Biju!”

“Hyung!”

“In the water?”

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?”

“Our unit song... about fish.”

“...Right.”

Then—

splash.

“AAH!”

Something grabbed his ankle.

“Hyung.”

“....”

“Where are you going?”

A smiling “water ghost.”

“Let’s think together.”

Fear crept in.

He was trapped.