Devil’s Music

Guests arrived at the blue-roofed house at Manjaedo.

There were only two visitors, a man in his forties who seemed to be from the CCTV team and Tsuh Mei. The man was conversing sporadically in English with Yeongseok, while Tsuh Mei seemed restless, stealing glances at Geon since her arrival.

"Really, really! Geon oppa is right in front of me!"

Tsuh Mei, just settling in after arriving, shyly waved her hand when Geon noticed her sitting by the usual spot outside.

"Teacher! Jesus! Buddha! Allah! Thank you!"

As Yeongseok struggled with English, he turned to Geon in frustration.

"Geon, could you interpret for a moment? You're good at Chinese."

Geon nodded and spoke to the middle-aged man in Chinese.

"Hello, I'm Geon Kim. Since there's no one among the staff who can speak Chinese at the filming site, I'll interpret for a while. Is that alright?"

The man extended his hand with grateful eyes upon seeing Geon.

"Ah, Mr. Kim Geon. Thank you. I didn't expect to see Mr. Kim Geon in person. It's an honor."

Geon shook hands with the man, smiling bashfully.

"Oh, I'm not anyone special. Ah, let me interpret. What's your name?"

The man held Geon's hand firmly as he introduced himself.

"Yes, I'm Liu Wei, Mr. Geon."

Geon smiled and introduced Liu Wei to Yeongseok, then started interpreting for the meeting to set the program format. Seungwon, Haejin, Chunho began preparing dinner.

After briefing Liu Wei, Yeongseok glanced at Tsuh Mei and then spoke, clapping his hands.

"Tsuh Mei is one of the cast members, right? Then, Mr. Liu Wei, please watch over with the staff. Let's start with an interview with Tsuh Mei."

Yeongseok shouted as he clapped his hands.

"Wait a moment. Seungwon hyung, keep cooking, and Chunho nim, continue what you were doing. Let's have a brief interview here with Tsuh Mei and Geon."

Geon, caught up in interpreting, had missed the dinner preparations, so he stood beside Tsuh Mei sitting on the floor when Yeongseok brought out a fishing chair and set it in front of them. Adjusting the camera angle, he spoke.

"Geon, sit at the end of the floor so that you're not in the camera frame, just interpreting in Chinese. When it's broadcast, my questions and Tsuh Mei's responses will be shown, and your interpretation will be in subtitles, so make sure not to be picked up by the audio."

After Geon nodded and explained to Tsuh Mei, she faced the camera and spoke.

"Hello, I'm Tsuh Mei. I'm 16 years old and attend Beijing International School of Arts for secondary education."

Yeongseok, having pre-discussed the school information, instructed the AD to substitute the details with subtitles and asked again.

"I see. What's your major?"

Looking at the camera, Tsuh Mei answered.

"Fine arts. I'm not in college yet, so I'm learning various aspects of fine arts, from pure art to painting and sculpture."

Nodding, Yeongseok continued, "I see. As a young art student from China, why did you decide to appear on a Korean entertainment show this year?"

Tsuh Mei looked slightly dreamy, clasping her hands.

"It's because of Geon oppa!"

Yeongseok chuckled, saying, "Geon's popularity among Chinese fans is well-known. You might be seeing Geon for the first time. How do you feel right now?"

Tsuh Mei tilted her head down and said, "It's not the first time. I saw him at the airport last time."

Surprised, Yeongseok asked, "Really? You were at the airport then? I was there too."

Tsuh Mei laughed, "Yes, I saw you. Perhaps you didn't see me. But you might remember?"

As Yeongseok nodded in amazement, Tsuh Mei pointed at herself, saying, "I was the girl Geon oppa helped up at the airport. Remember?"

Both Yeongseok and Geon, along with the crew, were astonished.

"Really? You were the girl back then?"

As Tsuh Mei nodded, Yeongseok quickly brainstormed how to vividly portray this moment in the program. He instructed the AD to insert a scene of the airport entry in the event and continued speaking.

"I see. It seems Geon also remembers. It's quite a remarkable connection, isn't it? How does it feel to see Geon up close? Must be exciting as a fan."

Blushing, Tsuh Mei glanced at Geon. "Yes... yes. It feels like a dream. I don't know what to say. My mind goes blank when I stand in front of him."

Seeing Geon and Tsuh Mei, Yeongseok smiled contently.

"Haha, I see. Well, it's only for two days, but please cooperate well. Oh, I've mentioned earlier, this show is self-sufficient, so even guests should find a role and help out. Tsuh Mei, you need to assist as well."

Tsuh Mei vigorously nodded. "Of course! I can do well."

With clenched fists, she assured them. Chunho laughed at her cute gesture while Seungwon, stirring the pot, said, "Tsuh Mei, since you're good at art, why don't you draw something? It's so empty here. It'd be nice to have your drawings of our daily life here."

As Geon interpreted, Tsuh Mei nodded. "I can do that. I brought my tools. Please allow me to draw!"

Seungwon grinned, "Great, great. Wait a bit. When Cham Bada comes back from fishing, let's have a meal together. I'm starving."

Seungwon reheated the leftover soybean paste stew from lunch and rinsed rice. Geon helped Tsuh Mei take out art supplies in a small room and set them near the floor. Tsuh Mei sat beside Chunho, gesturing and laughing cheerfully, unable to communicate verbally.

As about an hour passed, they sensed Cham Bada returning from the sea.

"Oh dear ~"

Seungwon laughed heartily upon hearing Cham Bada's distinctive loud voice and hurried out.

"What did you catch? You caught something, right? Isn't it?"

Haejin raised his hand with a bucket.

"Well, it's nothing much... just a sea bream, a pretty big one, actually. Caught four of them. Let's try something delicious."

Holding the fresh sea bream in the bucket, Haejin whistled as Seungwon began preparing.

Haejin played the guitar and sat by the floor, observing the bucket, while Cham Bada put his hands on his hips, standing with pride.

Geon, having fulfilled his duties, washed the knife Chunho had prepared earlier.

Sitting close to Geon, Tsuh Mei was crouched, gazing at the scene. The second day at Manjaedo was gradually drawing to a close.