Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols - Chapter 168



Only Noblemtl

| Episode 168. Field work (2)

Octopus catching was an item that the youngest writer came across.

Although it wasn’t the season, the tidal flats have been a treasure trove of entertainment since ancient times. There was also the advantage of being able to offer appearances to more high-profile celebrities than usual, as the cost of securing a location was low.

The fact that you have to dig dozens of times to catch one octopus was also in line with the level of hard work that the program was pursuing. That’s why octopus catching was confidently selected as a candidate item.

The problem was who would go catch the octopus because of the intensity of the work.

Even veterans with many years of experience would find themselves out of breath after working for a few hours. The camera director who had been on a field trip came back with a review saying that just walking with the broken leg out was difficult.

They say that you can rest on a mud boat if you want, but the only thing you can bring with you when catching octopus is a shovel specifically for catching octopus. Even then, if you put too much force into the shovel handle, it will get stuck in the mud.

So, celebrities who lacked muscle mass were not even included in the list of candidates. In an already poor environment where it was difficult to find screen time, if the cast was to be released early, they would have to go all the way to Mokpo Auction House to get screen time.

The cast member couldn’t be too reserved. At least he had to make some comments while catching octopus. We can’t expect scenes where he works with other technicians and leads them to have discussions with current employees or converse with guests.

And above all… …you had to have the sense to catch an octopus. Even if you had to dig a hole 50 times, or if you had to stick your arm in when you see an octopus while digging a hole, you had to catch one and make a scene for the broadcast.

‘So you’re saying we need to find someone who is strong, has good stamina, good at digging, good at talking, and good at catching octopuses?’

‘Will it be hard to find?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’

The meeting almost ended in disaster.

The atmosphere was lively as a spark emerged that made it seem like they were strong, had good stamina, were good at digging, talked well among themselves, and might even catch an octopus.

‘But will it make a spark?’

‘Why? They’re so proud of the royal family?’

Even if one program became an issue, it wouldn’t be enough to surpass the level.

The writer said while looking at the PD who was puzzled.

‘PD, you didn’t watch the broadcast, did you? Mr. Lee Wol collapsed on a live broadcast due to aftereffects. It seems like he won’t be doing many external schedules for the time being.’

‘really?’

The PD’s expression turned desperate. He knew very well that Spark’s work power was centered around Kim I-wol.

The production team made the offer again, desperately trying to grab onto straws. And this time, they succeeded in getting the offer accepted.

In order to live up to Spark’s passion, I will prepare more thoroughly this time. I will not even tell you the location in advance, and I will not let you know the feeling. So that you can see the idols who let their guard down get flustered.

But the production team forgot for a moment. The reason they liked Spark was because Spark was a group that surpassed their imagination.

‘Oh… … .’

‘Ji-hyuk, what’s wrong?’

‘Why have these guys been talking for three hours?’

Wouldn’t it bore the audio director with the non-stop conversation during the three-hour car ride?

‘It’s a tidal flat.’

Can’t you clearly infer your destination just by looking at the dark highway?

‘Huh.’

‘How did you know…? Sir, you didn’t turn on the navigation, did you?’

‘that’s right.’

The production team was on high alert. If the members had even a cell phone, they would have already been able to find out what they were doing today and all the items would be gone.

Fortunately, according to the manager, Spark was an idol who, unlike most kids these days, was not allowed to use cell phones. That was a little consolation.

My heart almost dropped three times, but the camera director managed to capture Spark’s surprised expression. It was cathartic.

The members followed the experts and seriously learned the skills. I even felt a strange passion for learning from Lee Cheong-hyeon.

“I never thought I’d see an octopus in the mountains… … . Its feet are really thin and long… … !”

Lee Cheong-hyeon was so touched that he covered his mouth. He should ask the youngest writer to find out if the member’s interest is seafood.

“Then, from now on, let’s all split up and start catching octopuses. Don’t forget that there will be a penalty for those who don’t meet their quota!”

At the word ‘punishment’, the members became lost in thought and scattered in all directions.

The main PD and a cameraman went to Kim Yi-wol’s side. It seemed like it would make for an interesting picture if they were on this side.

Kim Iwol stared at the tidal flats for a long time. Then he firmly held the handle of the shovel.

Up until that point, he was just an ‘idol desperately trying to catch octopus’.

“Mr. Lee Wol, have you completed your military service?”

That is, until Kim Il-wol started digging like crazy.

There was no unnecessary movement in the action of gritting his teeth and digging the mud. The dirt that Kim Yi-wol dug up piled up like a mountain around him. Compared to the other members who were digging from afar, the speed was clearly different.

Accuracy to dig a single hole with tenacity and depth. Speed ​​enough to chase an octopus running in the mud. Stamina that doesn’t tire.

The three beats were in perfect sync. When Kim Iwol scooped up a large amount of dirt, an octopus appeared.

“Is it okay if I hold it like this, PD-nim?”

“Uh-huh… … Yes! That’s great!”

I couldn’t help but praise the perfectly cooked octopus.

Maybe Spark is still running smoothly today, fulfilling its quota?

The PD was a little scared. So he contacted the youngest writer on the ship and asked him to find out what time the Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative Auction House was open.

* * *

‘Are there seven now?’

I counted the number of octopuses I had caught so far as I put them into the basket I was carrying. My arm muscles felt like they were going to burst.

What about the ground? With every step I took, my knees sank deep into the ground, and I almost ended up driving a stake into the sea off Mokpo against my will.

“Hey, how much did you catch?”

Lee Cheong-hyeon walked in, dragging a shovel.

“Six or seven?”

“Really? How did you catch so many? I didn’t catch a single one.”

“When you see the breathing hole, just dig until you die. What about the others? Did they catch any?”

“First of all, Joo-woo was wrong. He was almost eaten by the mudflats.”

Just by listening to Lee Cheong-hyun’s words, I could guess how much our main vocalist was struggling.

“Yeah. Just eat mud and don’t hurt your throat.”

“Sometimes I don’t know if my brother cares about Joo Woo or not.”

“I’m a total philanthropist.”

As I was pouring out my heart to Lee Cheong-hyeon, a loud scream was heard from somewhere.

That hothead is definitely Choi Je-ho.

As expected, Choi Je-ho was digging a shovel into the mud from afar. If there had been no camera, I would have thrown him. It was good that he had been given a thorough education in character.

“What’s going on?”

“No, the octopus legs keep getting cut off!”

An octopus without two legs was lying at the feet of the indignant Choi Je-ho.

“Did you adjust the positioning wrong?”

“How do you figure out what’s in the mud?”

“You have to follow the traces carefully.”

“If you keep looking at it, you’ll miss it.”

“So we need to dig faster.”

“You guys are really like Dumb and Dumber.”

Lee Cheong-hyeon muttered as he watched Choi Je-ho and me looking into the pit.

“The bottom line is that you shouldn’t just force it out without thinking.”

“Are you saying I’m ignorant now?”

“Your power doesn’t make any sense.”

“Do you think I won’t understand if you just change the expression?”

“You’ve become more perceptive, haven’t you?”

Still, he gave Choi Je-ho one-on-one coaching to help him catch a whole octopus.

He also saved Park Joo-woo who was struggling to move step by step, and he also cleaned the face of Kang Ki-yeon who was doing his best while getting mud splashed on his face.

We also had time to get together and do an interim settlement.

I caught nine, Choi Je-ho caught eight (not in perfect condition), Jeong Seong-bin caught six, Park Ju-woo caught five (which he says he caught by luck while lying down), and Kang Ki-yeon caught one.

and…….

“Lee Cheong-hyeon, what happened to you?”

… … Lee Cheong-hyeon showed off his empty basket. He was so confident that I was speechless for a moment.

“No, if they hear even the slightest sound of footsteps, they’ll run away!”

“Then are you going to just sit there and let them get caught?”

I put two octopuses in each of the youngest children’s baskets.

Considering that I only had an hour left, I thought I could easily fill my share.

I didn’t want to make Kang Ki-yeon, who had bad knees and ankles, wander around in the mud for a long time.

“If we row when the water comes in today, we’ll be late, so let’s cheer up early. Okay?”

“yes!”

With energetic fighting spirit, we headed back to the wide tidal flats.

It seems like the skill of digging engraved in my nerves hasn’t rusted, and in Part 2 of Octopus Catching, I became one with the shovel and caught an octopus.

Park Joo-woo started to gain momentum from the middle of the game and attacked the octopus-filled areas like a ghost, and Jeong Seong-bin also filled the basket quietly but steadily.

Oh, Choi Je-ho also succeeded in catching the perfect octopus.

I didn’t find a trick, but it just dug up the dirt and dug it up. I thought it was an excavator. I guess if you’re in good shape, you don’t have to worry about your head.

Lee Cheong-hyeon caught a baby octopus, but he released it for the sake of nature’s virtuous cycle. It was unfortunate, but it was a natural course of action.

“We’ll be getting water soon. We’ll do the final settlement on the boat!”

After the PD’s final comment, all the members gathered on the boat. No one looked well-off. The visuals were enough to convey how hard we worked to catch the octopus.

“During the midterm settlement, our Cheong-Hyeon’s grades were the lowest, right?”

“Yes, and it probably still is.”

Lee Cheong-hyeon confidently poured out the basket. Two octopuses, presumably the ones I had given him, crawled out.

“You didn’t catch a single one?”

“No one can be perfect.”

Lee Cheong-hyeon was shameless. Kang Ki-yeon looked dumbfounded.

“How much did you catch then?”

“No matter what, I caught more than you.”

Kang Ki-yeon revealed the harvest amount, giving full credit to Lee Cheong-hyeon.

“Three? Didn’t Lee Wol give you two too?”

“Anyway, I caught more than you.”

I broke two baskets and already two penalty performers have come out. The broadcast won’t be boring. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

―

profile

Name: Choi Je-ho

Birthday: November 3

Birthplace: Gwangju

Height: 187cm

MBTI: ISTP

Nicknames: Center Emperor, Emperor Tiger, Big Troublemaker, Broke-up Matchmaker

Likes: Using your body

Dislikes: Annoying things, accessories

Motto: (none)

Favorite food: Meat

Favorite scent: Lavender

Favorite music genre: Punk

Favorite sport: Basketball

Confident body part: thigh (later someone added back to the list)

My own habit: I touch the hinge a lot when I wear glasses.