novelraw Chapter 168: On-Site Work (2)
Chapter 168: On-Site Work (2)
The octopus-catching idea was brought up by the youngest writer.
Although not quite peak season, mudflats had always been a treasure trove for variety shows. The low location costs meant they could offer appearances to higher-profile celebrities.
The fact that catching a single octopus required dozens of shovelfuls of mud also perfectly aligned with the program’s pursuit of hardship. Thus, octopus catching was proudly selected as a candidate.
The problem was who would actually go catch the octopuses. The intensity of the work was the issue.
Even seasoned veterans would be out of breath after a few hours of this strenuous activity. The camera director, who had visited the location for a preliminary survey, returned with a report that just walking while pulling his submerged legs out of the mud was exhausting enough.
While you could at least rest on a mud sled while harvesting clams, the only tool for octopus catching was a specialized shovel. Even then, trying to put force into the shovel would only result in it getting stuck in the mud.
Therefore, celebrities lacking in strength weren’t even considered in the lineup. In this challenging environment, where getting enough footage was already difficult, if the cast members collapsed from exhaustion, they would have to go back to the Mokpo fish market just to fill the airtime.
The cast couldn’t be too reserved, either. They needed to talk at least a little while catching octopuses. Unlike other jobs, there would be no professionals to interact with or customers to chat with.
And above all… they had to have a knack for catching octopuses. Even if it took 50 shovelfuls, even if they had to dig a hole and stick their arm in, they had to catch at least one to create usable footage.
‘So we need to find someone strong, with good stamina, who’s good at shoveling, talks a lot, and can catch octopuses?’‘Will that be hard to find?’
‘No, I don’t think such a person exists.’
The meeting almost fell apart.
Then, the atmosphere was revived with the suggestion of Spark, a group known for their strength, stamina, potential shoveling skills, ability to chat amongst themselves, and maybe even catching octopuses.
‘But will Spark agree to appear?’
‘Why? Did they get that much more popular after IDC?’
Sure, their previous variety appearance had made a splash, but it hadn’t elevated them to another tier.
Seeing the PD’s puzzled expression, a writer spoke up.
‘PD-nim, didn’t you watch the broadcast? Mr. Iwol collapsed during the live show due to aftereffects. I don’t think they’ll have many outside schedules for a while.’
‘Really?’
The PD’s expression turned grim. He knew that Spark’s work ethic revolved around Kim Iwol.
Still, the production team sent out the invitation, clinging to a sliver of hope. And once again, they managed to secure Spark’s participation.
Determined to live up to Spark’s enthusiasm, the crew prepared even more meticulously this time. They wouldn’t reveal the location beforehand and would keep them completely in the dark. So they could capture the bewildered expressions of unsuspecting idols.
However, the production team had forgotten one thing. They liked Spark so much because the group always exceeded their expectations.
‘Ugh…’
‘Jihyuk, what’s wrong?’
‘They’ve been talking non-stop for three hours.’
They didn’t stop talking for the entire three-hour car ride, tiring out the audio director.
‘Mudflats.’
They accurately deduced the destination just by looking at the dark highway.
‘Huh.’
‘How did they know…? Are you sure the driver didn’t turn on the navigation?’
‘Yes, I’m sure.’
The production team went into emergency mode. If the members had cell phones, the entire day’s activities would have been revealed by now.
Fortunately, according to the manager, Spark, unlike most idols these days, hadn’t been allowed to use cell phones yet. That was a relief.
Although his heart nearly stopped a few times, the camera director successfully captured Spark’s surprised expressions. It was cathartic.
The members followed the expert seriously, learning the techniques. Lee Cheonghyeon even seemed strangely studious.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing a live mud octopus in its natural habitat… Their legs are so thin and long…!”
Lee Cheonghyeon covered his mouth in awe. The youngest writer should be tasked with finding out if seafood was one of his interests.
“Now, everyone spread out and start catching octopuses. Don’t forget there’s a penalty for those who don’t meet the quota!”
At the mention of a penalty, the members’ faces paled as they scattered.
The main PD, along with a cameraman, followed Kim Iwol. He had a feeling that interesting footage would come from this side.
Kim Iwol stared at the mudflats for a long time. Then, he firmly grasped the shovel’s handle.
Until that point, he was the ‘idol determinedly attempting to catch octopuses.’
“Mr. Iwol, did you serve in the military?”
That was, until Kim Iwol started digging like a madman.
There wasn’t a single wasted motion in his digging. The mud Kim Iwol dug out piled up around him like a mountain. Compared to the other members digging in the distance, his speed was clearly different.
The precision of persistently digging deep into one hole. The speed sufficient to chase octopuses fleeing within the mud. The tireless stamina.
The three elements worked together perfectly. As Kim Iwol scooped up a large amount of mud, an octopus appeared.
“Is this how you catch them, PD-nim?”
“Uh… Yes! Excellent!”
Looking at the perfectly intact mud octopus, he couldn’t help but praise him.
Perhaps Spark would meet their quota and return gracefully today as well?
A slight fear crept into the PD’s heart. He contacted the youngest writer, who should be on the boat, to find out what time the Mokpo Fish Market auction closed.
***
‘Is this the seventh one?’
I estimated the number of octopuses I had caught so far as I put another one into the basket I was carrying. My arm muscles felt like they were about to explode.
And the ground… With every step, I sank knee-deep, almost becoming a human stake in the Mokpo sea against my will.
“Hyung, how many have you caught?”
Lee Cheonghyeon walked over, dragging his shovel.
“Six or seven, I think?”
“Really? How did you catch so many? I haven’t caught a single one.”
“Just dig like crazy when you see a breathing hole. What about the others? Did they catch any?”
“Joowoo hyung is done for. He’s practically being swallowed by the mud.”
Just from his words, I could picture our main vocalist struggling.
“Well, as long as he doesn’t end up eating mud and wrecking his throat.”
“Sometimes I can’t tell if you care about Joowoo hyung or not.”
“I’m a total Park Joowoo lover.”
As I was confessing my true feelings to Cheonghyeon, I heard a loud scream from somewhere.
With that temper, it had to be Choi Jeho.
Sure enough, in the distance, Choi Jeho was furiously stabbing his shovel into the innocent mud. If there were no cameras, he’d have probably thrown it. Good thing I’d focused on his character education.
“What’s going on?”
“The octopus legs keep getting cut off!”
At the frustrated Choi Jeho’s feet lay an octopus missing two legs.
“Are you positioning the shovel wrong?”
“How can I tell when it’s in the mud?”
“You have to follow the trail.”
“If I keep watching for that, I’ll miss it.”
“Then you have to dig faster.”
“You guys are like Dumb and Dumber.”
Lee Cheonghyeon muttered, looking at Choi Jeho and me peering into the holes.
“The point is, you can’t just mindlessly dig with brute force.”
“So you’re saying I’m dumb?”
“I’m saying your strength doesn’t come with common sense.”
“You think I won’t get what you’re saying if you just change the wording?”
“Your perception has improved, huh?”
Still, I gave Choi Jeho one-on-one coaching so he could catch a whole octopus.
I also rescued Park Joowoo, who was struggling to take each step, and wiped the mud off Kang Kiyeon’s face, who was giving it his all.
Then, we took a break for a mid-round tally.
I had caught nine, and Choi Jeho had caught eight (albeit not intact). Jeong Seongbin had six, Park Joowoo had five—apparently he stumbled upon them while he was face down in the mud—and Kang Kiyeon had one.
And…
“Lee Cheonghyeon, what happened to you?”
…Lee Cheonghyeon proudly displayed his empty basket. He was so confident that I was momentarily speechless.
“The moment they hear even a slight footstep, they run away!”
“You think they’ll just sit there and let you catch them?”
I put two octopuses in each of the younger members’ baskets.
Considering we had an hour left, I figured I could easily fill my quota.
And I didn’t want Kang Kiyeon, with his bad knees and ankles, wandering around in the mud for too long.
“Let’s push ourselves now since it’ll be too late once the tide comes in. Got it?””
“Yes!”
With an energetic cheer, we headed back to the vast mudflats.
As if the art of shoveling was etched into my nerves, I became one with the shovel in the second half of the octopus hunt.
Park Joowoo gained momentum midway, almost instinctively targeting where the octopuses were, and Jeong Seongbin quietly and steadily filled his basket.
Oh, and Choi Jeho finally managed to catch a whole octopus.
He didn’t really improve his technique, he just started digging as if he was churning the earth. I thought he was an excavator. Indeed, if your body is strong, your mind doesn’t have to work hard.
Lee Cheonghyeon finally caught a baby octopus, but he released it back into the wild for the sake of the natural cycle. It was unfortunate, but a necessary step.
“The tide will be coming in soon. We’ll do the final count on the boat!”
With the PD’s closing remarks, all the members gathered on the boat. None of us were in decent shape. Our appearance clearly conveyed how hard we had worked catching octopuses.
“Mr. Cheonghyeon had the lowest count at the mid-round tally, right?”
“Yes, and I’m probably still the lowest.”
Lee Cheonghyeon confidently emptied his basket. Two octopuses, the ones I had given him, crawled out.
“You didn’t catch a single one?”
“No one’s perfect.”
Lee Cheonghyeon was utterly shameless. Kang Kiyeon just looked at him in disbelief.
“How many did you catch?”
“Even at my worst, I still caught more than you.”
Boasting about his superior catch, Kang Kiyeon revealed his harvest.
“Three? Didn’t Iwol hyung give you two?”
“I still caught more than you.”
Two baskets down, and we already had two penalty candidates. The show wouldn’t be boring, at least. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
―
Profile
Name: Choi Jeho
Birthday: November 3rd
Birthplace: Gwangju
Height: 187 cm
MBTI: ISTP
Nicknames: Center Emperor, Emperor Jeho, Giant Troublemaker, Meet-the-Parents Destroyer
Likes: Physical activities
Dislikes: Annoying things, accessories
Motto: (None)
Favorite Food: Meat
Preferred Scent: Lavender
Favorite Music Genre: Punk
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Confident Body Part: Thighs (Later, ‘back’ was added due to someone’s insistence)
Personal Habit: Often fiddles with the hinge of his glasses when wearing them