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I’m off to school.

A one-month variety show filmed once a week.

I jumped in thinking I’d be free from classes after just four appearances.

The format change and all that nonsense were just jokes…

‘Who knew it would actually become real?’

Looking at how things are going, it’s not just a format change—it’s a whole new program.

“What do you mean? That’s my junior’s program.”

“…Did you get in touch through someone?”

“I contacted the association, and they connected me to the academy. The academy connected me to Manager Baek Kang-woo… After talking to Manager Baek, I got a call from Hero Jeong Ha-yul and was shaking while talking. It was the toughest casting I’ve ever done.”

“…You’re all accomplices.”

At the word “accomplices,” people started paying attention.

“Accomplices? What kind?”

“I was told it was a school program. A one-month show filmed once a week. The president explained it, then Kang-woo oppa and Ha-yul unnie explained it at home. Even the association chairman called to cheer me on…”

“So… Hero Kim Yu-shin, Manager Baek Kang-woo, Hero Jeong Ha-yul, even the association chairman. They all tricked Hero Gyeoul?”

“Yes, it’s not the first time, but… this is on a whole different scale…”

Everyone stared at me, dumbfounded.

It’s understandable. The lineup is way too stacked to trick a 14-year-old kid.

And apparently, it happens often.

While everyone was awkwardly smiling, PD Choi suddenly looked like he had an idea.

‘This feels very sketchy.’

If he suggests doing the next program together, I’ll definitely refuse.

It seems like he’s planning to make a variety show observing my daily life.

The cast is stacked.

The content is sitcom-like.

I know my daily life is perfect material for a variety show.

“Hahaha! No one here has the right to complain! Some of you were tricked into coming.”

Fortunately, PD Choi seemed to snap back to reality, thinking that’s a problem for later.

“…Stop joking and explain, please.”

Actor Han Seo-jin, someone you can trust, shook her head.

They say actors have an aura, and it wasn’t a lie—she does seem impressive.

‘But kids like that always look a bit clueless.’

What’s the point of being handsome and fit?

Their faces scream “clueless.”

“Our program’s title is ‘Surviving on a Deserted Island.’ It’s still a working title, but it’ll probably be finalized.”

“…Deserted island? Survival?”

Kim Guk-min muttered, and PD Choi nodded, continuing.

“For one month, you’ll have to survive on a remote island with no one else. You’ll need to find your own food and water, and even build your own house and bathroom. We won’t provide any support. We won’t intervene even if you get injured.”

“…You’ll just stand by if we get injured? What if the wound gets infected and becomes irreparable, or if we starve to death from lack of calories?”

Winter, the main vocal of girl group SOL.

She’s prettier and cuter than anyone I’ve ever seen.

Being a celebrity isn’t for everyone.

Honestly… she might be better than me.

“Of course, we’ll intervene before it gets to that point. There are various events prepared, so don’t worry too much. But don’t let your guard down either.”

“…Um, I’m a former child actor, so I don’t know how to do anything. Suddenly, survival?”

“You’ve never been to a deserted island, right?”

“Of course not.”

“You might discover hidden abilities once you’re there.”

“Is that even a thing?”

Han Seo-jin looked at PD Choi in disbelief.

Honestly, I was just as shocked.

If you throw PD Choi into a dungeon and tell him to survive for a week, he’d probably look at me the same way.

“But have you talked to the company? A month is a long time, and our schedules are packed…”

“I talked directly with the CEO. Winter and Yuna, you’re free for the next month.”

“…What?”

Looks like they were sold out by their CEO.

I was sold out by my master and unnie.

Their company is something else.

Putting the top girl group leading the 4th generation into a month-long program?

The loss from their absence must be huge.

The appearance fee can’t possibly cover it.

Maybe building a connection with PD Choi was more important than money.

Everyone was exchanging worried glances, looking at each other and PD Choi repeatedly.

But honestly, I wasn’t worried.

Food? Just hunt animals or catch fish.

Water? If there’s no way, I’ll just make it with magic.

Building a house? No problem.

Cutting down hundreds of trees on the island would take less than thirty minutes.

Then just assemble them into a log cabin.

The real issue is the hassle of surviving on a deserted island for a month.

That’s the problem.

It’s not like I’m worried about running out of food.

Really.

But here’s the question.

They’re filming a hardcore survival show but editing it for variety…

The moment a hero gets involved, the difficulty drops to Boy Scout level.

Would PD Choi, a master of variety, not know this?

My question was soon answered by PD Choi himself.

“You won’t be alone on the island.”

“…What? Are there natives?”

Actor Han Seo-jin, true to my observation, asked if there were natives on the island.

“No natives, but as soon as you enter the island, another team will enter from the opposite side.”

“…Another team?”

“We’ve prepared another team with a similar composition—celebrities and heroes.”

“So we can cooperate with them? That’s a relief…”

Winter and Yuna seemed relieved that we weren’t alone on the island.

Kim Guk-min, the national MC, was silent, deep in thought.

While everyone was waiting for answers, PD Choi smiled meaningfully.

‘We’re screwed!’

If he’s reacting like that to the word “cooperation,” then the other team’s purpose must be competition.

The girl group members and Kim Guk-min seemed to catch on.

Only Han Seo-jin was still clueless.

“Wow… I’ve been quietly listening and thinking… I can’t do this, no, I won’t!”

Kim Guk-min, who had been pondering whether the cast could survive on a deserted island, declared he was quitting as soon as he heard about the competing team.

If there’s a hero on the team, any situation is manageable.

In a survival show among ourselves, a 14-year-old hero would be the most helpful.

But when it turns into competition and another hero appears, my age becomes a liability.

I thought about stepping in to reassure everyone, but…

I decided to stay quiet for now.

If my thoughts are correct, I might not have to do this program.

“You can’t quit, hyung.”

“I haven’t signed the contract yet. I can totally quit.”

“Remember the last bet we made during the previous program? You lost and promised to do one more program with me. No exceptions.”

“…Oh, right.”

“And where are you even going to go? Are you really going to leave these cute, lovable juniors behind?”

“You’re really…”

Kim Guk-min, tail between his legs, quickly signed the appearance agreement.

Watching this, Han Seo-jin also signed without hesitation.

Kim Guk-min was bound by a verbal agreement, but why did you…

As everyone wondered what was going on, she scratched her head awkwardly and replied.

“If Guk-min hyung is doing it, how can I not? And… it’s a variety show, it’s not like we’re going to die, right?”

“An excellent decision. As expected from an actor we can trust.”

Not sure what being a trusted actor has to do with it, but…

She did make a point about the flow.

Surviving on a deserted island. Competition. No matter how horrifying the words, this is fundamentally a variety show.

No one’s going to die.

The two made their decision…

Now it’s my turn.

“But… I have a question.”

“…Go ahead.”

I raised my hand, and everyone looked at me with nervous eyes.

Yeah, get nervous. I’m about to drop a bomb.

From the moment I heard the title “Surviving on a Deserted Island” and the program’s basic explanation, I thought of a way to confidently leave this show.

Trying not to look too excited, I continued with a regretful expression.

“I’m 14. Minors can’t film after 10 PM.”

“…!”

“…!”

“He’s right! Haha, PD Choi! Didn’t think of that, did you?”

“No! If Hero Jeong Gyeoul leaves… ugh!”

The girl group members widened their eyes, looking back and forth between PD Choi and me.

They seemed envious.

Han Seo-jin, oblivious to the fire at her feet, was busy teasing PD Choi.

Only Kim Guk-min seemed to fully understand the bomb I dropped.

He made a face similar to Munch’s “The Scream.”

“…So, underestimating a 14-year-old could send the entire program to ruin or break it, huh?”

“…Who even says stuff like that?”

Whoever it is, rumors spread fast in the broadcasting world.

“But we have nothing to worry about.”

“Huh?”

Why are you not worried, you crazy people?

That’s illegal.

“Article 22 of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act. Minors under 15 are prohibited from nighttime broadcasting.”

“That’s right. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join this program…”

“This literally means ‘nighttime broadcasting’ is prohibited. We’ll finish filming before 10 PM, so it’s fine.”

“Huh?”

PD Choi had it all planned out.

My killer move failed.

Swoosh—

PD Choi slid the appearance agreement in front of me.

“Problem solved. Let’s do this together.”

“….”

 

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