NOVEL NEXT chapter 117
117 – Entertainment (3)
117
Although it was called the “Muddy Football Team,” they didn’t actually play football in the mud.
Even Working Man, notorious for tormenting guests, wouldn’t go that far.
No matter what, it was impossible to risk injury by playing football in the mud just for the sake of entertainment.
“Can you teach dribbling in this muddy field?”
“Can you teach trapping and free kicks here?”
But they could play with the ball in the mud.
The absurd development of the “Muddy Football Team” had Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin exchanging glances.
It wasn’t football, but what were they doing playing with the ball in the mud?
“Is this okay? Should we not do it?”
Their minds were racing with conflicting thoughts.
But,
“Ah! I finally did it right this time!”
“Wow! I did it!! Is this success? I must have some talent, right?”
“Hmm, is this really success? It doesn’t feel like it…”
When surrounded by beautiful women, the story changes.
“Hehe~!”
From Oh Hye-in, who tripped and fell while trying to dribble the ball, to
“Ah! Ah! Catch me~!!”
Liz, who lost her balance and clung to Jo Jae-shin,
“Ah, I can’t do this. Can you help me?”
Even Ha-yeon, who was usually confident, was struggling.
Despite the summer weather, they wore thin clothes that were now covered in mud, revealing their figures. Jo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin exchanged a quick glance.
“…This is really unavoidable. Acknowledge?”
“…Acknowledge.”
Of course, the production team wasn’t just watching.
“What’s the mission? What’s this? How do we dribble here?”
“Huh? Free kick?? Here??”
Originally, the production team’s plan was to take advantage of the World Cup fever and the popularity of the two representatives, who were also the faces of the national team, along with a girl group.
Jo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin were not just ordinary faces – they were even better than the visual centers of some boy groups. With the World Cup spirit and the addition of Yu Je-seok and Jo Sae-ho as MCs, they thought it would be a great combination.
Although it was unexpected, the synergy between the sports stars and the idol group members turned out to be great.
Especially the chemistry between Jo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin was better than expected.
“Wow, so I really don’t know how surprised I was back then. I was a striker, but suddenly I became a defender and told the coach, ‘I want to play defense!’ What did the coach say? What did he say? Coach, I want to play defense! Ha ha ha.”
“Jae-shin looks calm, but that’s all an act. He’s really bright. What’s with his serious tone? Did you see that?”
“Hmm, is that how they usually are? Even in everyday life?”
The two people, who had grown accustomed to the filming atmosphere, burst out laughing, and even Yu Je-seok couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“By the way, were those two childhood friends?”
“Yes, they’ve been together since they were kids. Their parents are also close, and they’ve mentioned it in an interview before.”
“So that’s why their chemistry is no joke. Hmm… Let’s put them together in a scene. It just so happens that they both look great, and women will love it.”
On screen, the two people were smiling and high-fiving each other, and the PD burst out laughing.
The two people’s entertainment debut didn’t end with Working Man.
“Hello, we’re Jo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin, who came from Dongmedal High School.”
As the two people, dressed in school uniforms, appeared in the classroom, the students erupted in cheers.
“Wow! World Cup stars! Dongmedal! Golden Ball! Silver Boots!”
“Hey, hey, it’s not Silver Boots, it’s Silver Boot. That’s important.”
Hee-cheol’s exaggerated cheers were interrupted by the giant, and
“Oh, you know soccer really well. Then, what’s harder, soccer or basketball?”
“Ha, well, I’ll tell you exactly. Basketball. Basketball is harder. Think about it. Soccer is—”
The giant, who was asking unexpected questions, was former national band member Kyung-hoon.
“But I’m really curious about something. If you win a medal in the World Cup, how much prize money do you get?”
“Is the prize money the problem? These kids make a lot of money. Right? Your salary is in the tens of millions, isn’t it?”
“Ah, what nonsense are you talking about? Salary in the tens of millions? Ah, I don’t believe it.”
“Hey, so you’re saying Ho-dong can’t even get a fraction of what Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin get?”
“No way~! Those two are what kind of people?! Our World Cup star idol! National hero! National treasure!! What’s with the money talk about Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin?”
“Hey, okay. Now, let’s read the entrance application quietly, Ho-dong.”
And then, there’s the debt-ridden gagman, Sang-min, and Seok-geun, who are hosting the representative variety show, “Hyungnim-go,”
“Today, we have a very special guest. The first Asian and Korean to win a World Cup medal! The owner of the Golden Ball and Bronze Boot, Joo Ji-tae! The Bundesliga’s top scorer and World Cup Silver Boot owner, Jo Jae-shin!”
“Wow~ I really thought I knew. I knew they were good-looking, but… wow~”
“Hey~ I found out that these two have already filmed several variety shows. Is that true? Look, I knew it. Then, they must have also filmed some CFs, right? Ah~ that’s still a secret, right? But they must have received many offers. I know everything. So, come on, come on, let’s get started? Both of their prices are quite high, you know~”
“Anyway, it’s too embarrassing. What’s with the hand gestures?”
Another representative variety show, “TV Star,” was also there.
The two of them, who had already appeared on all three major broadcasting stations, went on to sign various CF and sponsorship contracts.
It’s like the saying goes: “Make hay while the sun shines.”
Their bank accounts exploded.
* * *
『World Cup Star’s Variety Debut! Working Man, Hyungnim-go, TV Star Tour!』
『The 5th generation girl group representing the era has gathered! Working Man, where Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin teach football to three fairies, with a hilarious and intense training session』
『The two men who look more charming in school uniforms than anyone else! But, they’re actually in their 10s?』
『CF jackpot? The two people’s body prices will be revealed on TV Star!』
—Aren’t they famous for not appearing on TV?
ㄴㅇㅇ;; They didn’t appear at all last year, but they’re showing up frequently this year
ㄴIt’s all just hot airㅉㅉ
ㄴYeah, it’s all just hot air (3rd place in the World Cup, Golden Ball, Silver Boot)
—These two people are like this, lol. They’re really funny, lol.
ㄴI thought Joo Ji-tae was really mature, but he’s unexpectedly cute
ㄴWhen he’s with Jo Jae-shin, it’s hilariousㅋㅋㅋ What’s with the friendly vibe??ㅋㅋ
—The football team in the countryside is ridiculousㅅㅂㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ What are these guys doing in the countryside?
ㄴAnd Oh Hye-in’s beauty is real;;;
ㄴThe 5th generation girl group is legendary… They’re beautiful even when covered in mud
ㄴBut, why aren’t the two of them getting any attention for their looks??
ㄴWhat’s with the sudden interest?? These guys’ visuals are also world-classㅋㅋ
—Hyungnim-go is really funny, you have to watch it twice
Jo Jae-shin smiled brightly, looking at the overflowing community opinions about the two of them.
“It’s true, public broadcasting is public broadcasting. The power is no joke.”
“Hey.”
“Look at this. They’re saying we’re idols, right? Ah, and I’m good-looking too.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“You and I have good chemistry, don’t we? I think I’m suited for broadcasting. At first, it was hard, but it got easier—”
“Yeah, okay.”
“…What are you doing?”
“…Hey?”
“What are you doing, not even looking this way and just playing with your phone?”
Joo Ji-tae, who had been lazily responding while lying on the sofa, suddenly glanced around and put his smartphone in his pocket.
“What’s up. I was just browsing my gallery for a bit.”
“…….”
“…….”
He met the suspicious gaze with a calm expression for a moment.
“Hand it over.”
“What?”
“My phone.”
“What the hell, man. Why would I show you my phone? Are you my girlfriend or something?”
“…You’re so suspicious. As your boyfriend, let me do a phone inspection.”
“Get lost, you psycho.”
“What’s going on? You’ve been messing with your phone all this time.”
“It’s called browsing my gallery.”
“What’s wrong with you? Are you typing away on your keyboard like that while browsing your gallery? Hand it over.”
Joo Ji-tae, who had been struggling physically, shouted out loud.
“Ah! Seriously! It’s about the transfer! Did you not get a call from Representative Jung Seon-woo?”
“Uh… I didn’t get one.”
“Then it’ll come soon.”
“…Really?”
Despite still being suspicious, Joo Ji-tae let out a sigh of relief as he saw Jo Jae-shin backing down at the mention of the transfer.
“What’s with the ‘really’? It’s true. Ah, get lost. Go home quickly.”
“Alright, I’ll go. Why are you so worked up?”
‘Hmph. Seriously, what an idiot. If it was about the transfer, would we do it over text? We’ll discuss it in person.’
As Joo Ji-tae watched Jo Jae-shin pack his bags, he quickly took out his constantly ringing smartphone.
Purple Oh Hye-in ＞ ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Purple Oh Hye-in ＞ Really? Then I’ll check the schedule.
Nike Rize ＞ Ahahaha what’s going on~ When are we eating?
Girl Seven Ha-yeon ＞ Yeah, let’s do it.
Girl Seven Ha-yeon ＞ Let’s make a promise.
As Joo Ji-tae was about to delete the already piled-up texts, a new notification popped up.
Representative Jung Seon-woo’s team ＞ Please contact us after seeing the text.
Joo Ji-tae’s hand, which was about to delete the notification, stopped in its tracks.
“What…? It’s really here?”
It was the long-awaited contact from Representative Jung Seon-woo.