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Since the government is blowing into it, it would be nice if they could at least provide some help, but the government seemed to draw a clear line and wanted to have nothing to do with them. Whenever they requested data, they would show it, and if an interview was needed, that would happen too, but there was no special assistance to be found.

“This must be something related to diplomacy.”

As it was certain that there would be a significant backlash after the broadcast, it seemed they wanted to avoid giving Japan any ammunition.

However, thanks to this attitude from the government, it was the broadcasting station that ended up getting pushed out.

And so, they were pushed out.

In a frantic manner, no less.

But there was a reward in being pushed out.

They were able to differentiate usable materials for the broadcast.

Though there were some shortcomings, with enough effort in editing, it seemed like it could be used somehow.

“Is this really confirmed? It has to be.”

“We’ve checked it several times. It’s confirmed.”

“You know what happens if it’s wrong, right? Accusations of manipulated broadcasts, it’ll backfire, complaints will flood in, and the viewers will feel utterly betrayed based on what they expect. So check it again.”

“I told you it’s confirmed…. Fine.”

The ‘Tracking, Investigation, Reporting’ team seemed intent on being careful, confirming again and again, and thus time passed until the recording began.

* * *

The first recording of ‘Tracking, Investigation, Reporting’ took place in the studio.

The studio, resembling a study, had two empty chairs waiting for someone to sit in them. At the edge of the studio, a spiral staircase made of wood was where the MC awaited the cue, while a young man dressed in a suit stood outside the studio.

The man had a tall stature and a gentle-looking face, wearing a kind smile.

Perhaps because of that gentle aura?

He reminded one inexplicably of a rabbit.

“Okay, we’re starting. 3, 2, 1.”

Squeak-!

With the signal from the PD and the sound of clapping, the studio recording began. As it started, the MC stood tall, descending the spiral staircase and positioning himself before the podium. He bowed in greeting and then opened his mouth, looking straight at the camera.

“The world of Europe is complex and bizarre.”

The MC said with a solemn expression.

“It means that Europe is complex and bizarre. But, you see—”

He paused for a moment, pointing his finger at a green cloth hanging in mid-air.

As if characters were floating there.

“We must say this: The world of Korea is complex and bizarre.”

He said that, halting for a moment.

Then, as if to break the pause, he started clapping loudly, and afterward, as the PD raised his arms and made a circle, he continued.

“Countless mountains, countless monsters. This mysterious incident seen clearly by countless hikers. To unravel this mystery, we have brought someone who can help.”

He continued speaking with a familiar tone.

“It is Shaman Park Jinseong.”

It was a contextually bizarre development, as if something had vanished midway.

This was just how things worked when recording only the necessary scenes for the broadcast.

Jinseong, watching this nonsensical progression, slowly began to move his footsteps when his name was called. He then opened the installed door and entered, giving a light greeting to the studio. At this moment, the expression Jinseong wore was identical to the smile he had outside the studio, but under the studio’s lighting, he appeared truly radiant and kind.

“Shaman Park Jinseong is here to investigate the recent incident with the production team….”

Thus, Jinseong and the MC continued the recording on stage.

The MC naturally introduced Jinseong and went on about how his upcoming ‘investigation’ would greatly benefit from him, claiming that it helped find a clue, and so on, as scripted.

There were a few NGs along the way, but as there wasn’t much filming material to begin with, the recording ended swiftly.

It was so inefficient and brief that I felt like thinking, “Is this all just for this?”

In fact, it was an inefficient recording.

Having filmed everything and then making a script to shoot the opening, progression, and ending scenes all at once would have been far more effective.

However, there was a reason for doing it this way.

Because of Park Jinseong.

Normally, bringing guests directly into the studio was quite rare. They would either opt for a separate interview and show footage, or simply wrap things up with a phone call. This was also the case even for experts who assisted during the filming process.

Yet Park Jinseong was no ordinary guest.

He was the reason this special broadcast was created and an expert from whom they needed assistance throughout the filming.

Moreover, he had backing from power….

Thus, the broadcasting station decided to make a big splash by bringing in Park Jinseong from the opening, which was why he ended up in the studio for filming today.

Then a question arose.

Why not just film everything as per usual and shoot the opening to the ending all at once?

After all, adding just one more person wouldn’t change much, so why make this choice?

“Hmm. He doesn’t seem to have camera sickness….”

The reason was twofold.

One was to check if Park Jinseong was suited for broadcasting.

There’s a term called ‘camera sickness.’

It refers to a phenomenon where a person overflowing with charisma turns into a wooden puppet in front of the camera, their joints cracking, and their behavior becomes as awkward as a robot acting.

In severe cases, they might experience extreme stress, manifest unusual symptoms, or even panic to the extent of screaming or collapsing due to hyperventilation during filming.

If Park Jinseong were to suffer from camera sickness, that could disrupt the filming.

Thus, they called him on the pretense of studio filming to confirm.

Since he would be prominently featured throughout the filming, they had to ensure beforehand that he wouldn’t hinder the process due to camera sickness. If they started filming only to find out he couldn’t handle it, it would be a headache.

Fortunately, contrary to the station’s concerns, no camera sickness was found in Jinseong.

In fact, he seemed so unconcerned with the camera that he appeared natural even.

At this point, he could be compared to those overflowing with charisma described as ‘broadcast material.’

And the second reason they called him was simply.

“Shaman Park Jinseong. I’ll reintroduce myself. I am Lee Dong-kyun and will be with you for this special broadcast.”

It was to converse with Park Jinseong.

Jinseong, smiling at Lee Dong-kyun who approached him, said,

“Ah, PD Lee Dong-kyun. It’s my first time meeting you in person after only speaking over the phone. I look forward to working with you on this shoot.”

Jinseong treated Lee Dong-kyun in a friendly manner.

As if to reflect the friendliness Lee showed him.

“Haha. Rather, I should be the one saying I look forward to working with you. The production crew has placed their trust solely in Shaman Park Jinseong.”

Lee Dong-kyun spoke as if trying to win over Park Jinseong, leading him towards where the others were gathered.

“I’ll introduce you to the people you’ll be seeing a lot during filming. First, here is the heart of our program, the writers. Now, the writer wearing glasses here is Park Sang-a, our main writer.”

“Hello, I’m Park Sang-a. I have high hopes for Shaman Park Jinseong. Please take good care of us during filming.”

“And also….”

Others were likewise showing a friendly attitude towards Park Jinseong.

As if they were trying to win him over.

‘Though they said it was nepotism, isn’t it the same as saying he has tremendous connections?’

‘And what if he’s a shaman, regardless of whether he’s top-notch or not? Making connections will undoubtedly be helpful.”

In truth, they were indeed trying to win him over.

The production team had some doubts about Park Jinseong’s abilities.

But that doubt stemmed from an unverified standpoint, not because they disregarded Jinseong’s connections or the heavyweight title of ‘shaman.’

He was someone with tremendous connections.

Of course, if he became friendly with them, it would also be great to seek assistance when needed.

Moreover, wasn’t he just an ordinary person?

He was a shaman.

Even if his abilities seemed mediocre or lacking, the title of shaman held immense value.

When it came time for interviews with experts regarding magic or even special abilities, reaching out to Park Jinseong would result in incredible material.

An indigenous shaman of the Republic of Korea giving firsthand interviews.

It was like having a cheat code.

And given that he looked good too, what more could one ask for?

Once you became friendly, he could be a resource you could rely on for a long time to come.

Thus, friend-making was a must.

Absolutely.

And so, the production team and Park Jinseong exchanged warm introductions.

There’s a saying that first impressions are brief but lasting, making the strongest memories.

Because of this, the production staff left a good first impression on Park Jinseong, and to solidify that impression, they engaged in conversations amid a friendly atmosphere.

Of course, it wasn’t personal talk.

Given they had no previous acquaintance at all.

Instead, they talked about the upcoming filming.

And in that process, Jinseong managed to acquire quite useful information.

That they contacted the military to enlist the engineering unit.

That they were planning to bring in Heart Demon hunters to serve as guides.

And that they would have bodyguards accompanying them just in case.

And.

The route of travel as well.

‘The first filming will begin at Hwangjang Mountain.’

 

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