Chapter Forty-One: Love Letter (Part One)

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Entertainment Is All Around

Story set in April 2005

Recommended Song: Qiu Ze – Missing Just These Few

Disclaimer: This work is purely fictional. Please do not ascribe real-life counterparts. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

“Lazy Cat, let me tell you about this week’s main schedule.” Li Ran and Jiang Yihan were on their way to a program recording. After handing Jiang Yihan the schedule, Li Ran began to outline the week’s agenda. “Yesterday, I mentioned ‘Ten Thousand Won Happiness.’ Today and ‘Love Letter’ are being recorded together. Then there are two ad press conferences, interviews for dramas and movies, a signing event for your album, Yoon Do-hyun’s music program, several radio shows, and some out-of-town concerts, and finally, music shows.”

Li Ran rattled off a string of activities, leaving Jiang Yihan gaping in shock. “Why has my schedule suddenly gotten so packed?”

“This is more or less what it’ll be like from now on. I’ve already tried to cut it down as much as possible to ensure you get some rest. Some people have schedules three to four times as busy as yours, so…” Li Ran had worked hard to compress Jiang Yihan’s commitments, but some were unavoidable. Missing them would be a big setback for a newcomer. “Besides, if your drama and movie auditions go well, you’ll be shooting soon—then you’ll be even busier.”

“So should I hope my auditions go well or not?” Jiang Yihan made a face, making Li Ran both amused and exasperated.

They were on their way to SBS to record ‘Love Letter’. Twenty minutes later, they arrived and had just stepped out of the car when a man carrying a portable camera approached. Li Ran leaned in to whisper, “This is ‘Ten Thousand Won Happiness.’ I’ll go park the car.”

The man approached with a beaming smile, “Jiang Yihan, hello. We’re from ‘Ten Thousand Won Happiness.’ Filming starts now!”

Jiang Yihan, upon hearing this, didn’t reply. Instead, he looked skyward with an innocent face, mumbling, “Nice weather today,” and walked straight toward the SBS lobby, completely ignoring the show’s producer.

The PD, realizing Jiang Yihan was ignoring him, hurried to block his path. “Jiang Yihan, you can’t run away. Your challenge starts today.”

“Why do this to me? Can’t we start tomorrow?” Jiang Yihan pouted, pleading, “I haven’t had breakfast, so I’m not fit to start the challenge. How about tomorrow? PD, you’re the best. Bye now.” He tried to make a quick escape, but the alert PD intercepted him again. “Jiang Yihan, you’re putting us in a tough spot. The challenge has already started.”

“Can’t I just not do it?” Jiang Yihan widened his eyes, giving the PD a pitiful look.

The PD awkwardly turned away, “No, the challenge has begun.” He handed over an envelope.

“Hmph, fine, let’s start.” Jiang Yihan snatched the envelope, made a face at the camera, stuck out his tongue, and ran off, shouting, “PD is a big meanie! PD is a big meanie!” drawing the attention of everyone nearby as the helpless PD chased after him.

‘Ten Thousand Won Happiness’ is a highly regarded MBC variety show, typically featuring two celebrities (usually one male and one female, though there are exceptions) who each have to live a week on just ten thousand won. This sum must cover all expenses—food, phone bills, transportation, and more. For context, an average day’s meals in Korea costs about ten thousand won, so surviving a week on that is no small feat. The participant who has more money left at the end wins and receives a travel voucher to give to their parents, while the remaining funds are donated to charity on the celebrity’s behalf.

The show holds a special status in Korea, long considered accessible only to top stars. Many newcomers have used it to showcase their personalities and quickly gain popularity. It’s highly coveted, and Jiang Yihan’s slot was one ABC Corp. spent a long time negotiating for. No matter what, his challenge had already begun, though he still had no idea who his opponent would be.

In the ‘Love Letter’ waiting lounge, Jiang Yihan saw the familiar Kang Ho-dong, as well as a dizzying array of performers waiting to go on (note: at this time ‘Love Letter’ was still in its first season, specifically the second-to-last episode, with the format of one female guest and a group of male guests competing). The female guest was Han Chae-young, a young Korean actress and model affectionately nicknamed “Barbie Doll” by fans. She’d starred in many ads and dramas, including the hugely popular ‘Autumn in My Heart’ and had recently gained renewed attention for her lead role in the high-rated drama ‘Sassy Girl Chun-hyang.’ The male guests for this episode included Tei, Min Kyung-hoon, Andy, Shin Jung-hwan, Chun Myung-hoon, Yoon Tae, and Jiang Yihan.

As Jiang Yihan was greeting his seniors, Kang Ho-dong swooped in, giving Jiang Yihan a hearty slap on the back, making him cough. “Yihan, you finally made it! Hahaha!”

“Ho-dong hyung, you’re too rough! That hurt!” Jiang Yihan complained, his face reddening as Kang Ho-dong looked unsure whether to continue the roughhousing. Then both burst out laughing.

They found a spot to sit and read over today’s script. The script had the general framework, process, game segments, and even some of the lines the guests might say. In other words, the basic structure was set—guests just needed to follow the script and improvise a little, and the show would run smoothly. Jiang Yihan recalled what Park Myung-soo and Shin Jung-hwan had once said: that being a comedian on variety shows was tough—they constantly had to come up with new material to keep the audience laughing. The script made that clear. Shin Jung-hwan, recording with Jiang Yihan today, hadn’t noticed him come in, busy strategizing with Chun Myung-hoon about how to coordinate on the show. Watching them, Jiang Yihan gained a deeper appreciation for how the industry worked.

After a short while, the director came in, “Half an hour until we go on set.” Everyone glanced up and continued their preparations. Li Ran came over, pulled Jiang Yihan into a chair, and only then did he realize he hadn’t had his makeup done yet. Seo Hyun deftly started applying his makeup as Jiang Yihan chatted with her, half-focused on his script.

Just then, Jiang Ziyi brought him some snacks. Jiang Yihan was about to eat when the PD from ‘Ten Thousand Won Happiness’ appeared. “You can’t eat that—if you do, you have to pay.” Jiang Yihan looked helplessly at the PD, while Jiang Ziyi, delighted at his plight, sat nearby, nibbling snacks and making faces at him.

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Half an hour passed quickly.

Everyone instinctively filed into the studio, but Jiang Yihan noticed Han Chae-young heading in a different direction from the other male guests. As he wondered where she was going, Shin Jung-hwan came over, patted him, and smiled, “Don’t be too nervous.” Jiang Yihan blushed with embarrassment—it was his first time on a matchmaking show.

Most of the guests were regulars, so as soon as everyone was in place, filming began. Kang Ho-dong kicked things off. “Let’s introduce our guest with song!” he announced, then, with exaggerated lip movements and an operatic voice, began singing. After introducing one guest, it was Jiang Yihan’s turn.

Kang Ho-dong announced excitedly, “Today, we have a newcomer joining ‘Love Letter’—the prince who has risen like a comet, Jiang Yihan!” He clapped and cheered, making Jiang Yihan blush with embarrassment.

Next, Kang Ho-dong asked Tei, who’d already introduced himself, to sing a song to encourage Jiang Yihan. Not knowing what was happening, Jiang Yihan turned to see Tei facing him, singing, “If I’m here, there’s nothing to worry about.” The nonsensical line made Jiang Yihan and the others burst out laughing. Kang Ho-dong quickly had Jiang Yihan respond in song as well; improvising on Tei’s lyrics, he sang, “If I’m here, there will be plenty of problems.” The quick wit had everyone laughing even harder.

“These two—why use song when they could just talk? What a waste of effort,” Shin Jung-hwan joked, making Tei and Jiang Yihan both embarrassed.

And thus Jiang Yihan’s brief but memorable introduction ended.

“Now, let’s bring out today’s female lead!” Kang Ho-dong roared.

A van drove onto the set from the far end, and Jiang Yihan realized Han Chae-young had gone to ride in the vehicle. Chun Myung-hoon and Yoon Tae raced each other to the car, even blocking each other, both eager to be the one to open the door for her.

As Han Chae-young stepped out, the veteran guests began screaming and making a scene—including Kang Ho-dong—creating such a ruckus that the variety show newcomer didn’t know how to react and could only clap awkwardly.

With Kang Ho-dong’s over-the-top introduction, Han Chae-young herself became shy. Guided by the host, she introduced herself, and then Kang Ho-dong asked a question that left her at a loss.

“Please choose the male guest who made the best first impression.”

It was Han Chae-young’s first time on a variety show, and she hesitated shyly before naming someone, “Jiang Yihan.”

Jiang Yihan blushed but couldn’t help smiling brightly.

When Kang Ho-dong asked why she’d chosen Jiang Yihan, everyone started teasing. Han Chae-young gave a shy smile. “Because he looks cute and handsome, and gives off a comfortable vibe.”

Everyone immediately began clamoring, “I’m handsome too!” “I’m cute too!” making both Jiang Yihan and Han Chae-young even more embarrassed.

A staff member then presented everyone with a pink rose, and the next segment began.

“Now, imagine Han Chae-young as your girlfriend and give her a pet name,” Kang Ho-dong announced, starting the first segment. He began slapping his body, theatrically passing “energy” to everyone, and said, “I’m hypnotizing you now—from this moment, Han Chae-young is your girlfriend. You must remember!” Seeing this bizarre display, Jiang Yihan couldn’t help but laugh—variety shows really did require exaggerated body language.

Seeing Jiang Yihan laugh, Kang Ho-dong immediately asked, “Jiang Yihan, do you have a girlfriend?”

“No,” Jiang Yihan replied instinctively.

Kang Ho-dong yelled, “Han Chae-young is right in front of you, and you say you don’t have a girlfriend! Don’t you like Han Chae-young? Isn’t she beautiful? Huh? I’ll ask again—do you have a girlfriend, Jiang Yihan?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yihan quickly caught on.

“Han Chae-young, he says he has a girlfriend.” Kang Ho-dong turned to Han Chae-young. The whole studio laughed, leaving Jiang Yihan dizzy from all the teasing.

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Kang Ho-dong asked again, “Jiang Yihan, do you have a girlfriend?”

Jiang Yihan hesitated for 0.01 seconds before replying, “No.”

“Aiya, what’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with our Han Chae-young? Do you dislike her so much? Why won’t you let her be your girlfriend?” Kang Ho-dong, clearly enjoying himself, pressed on sternly, “So, do you have a girlfriend or not?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yihan replied helplessly.

“One moment yes, the next no. Which is it?” Jiang Yihan was flustered by Kang Ho-dong’s questions. At this point, Shin Jung-hwan said from the side, “You’d better escape with your manager while you can.” The studio again erupted in laughter.

Kang Ho-dong suddenly turned to Tei, “Tei, do you have a girlfriend?”

“Yes!” Tei replied loudly.

“Ah, your girlfriend is Han Chae-young, isn’t she? Well done,” Kang Ho-dong grinned. “See, Jiang Yihan? Look how well Tei’s doing.”

This left Jiang Yihan so shocked he couldn’t close his mouth. It was obvious Kang Ho-dong was having too much fun at his expense, and everyone else was laughing uncontrollably.

Next came the pet name segment. Shin Jung-hwan put on a serious face and said, “On the wide pastures, frolicking on the beautiful grass, your name is Cow.”

The bizarre nickname set off a wave of laughter in the studio.

Especially Kang Ho-dong, who was so tickled by the word “Cow” he couldn’t speak.

Then came the eye contact segment. Shin Jung-hwan, wearing a “burdened” expression, stepped forward and handed Han Chae-young the pink rose, taking the opportunity to touch her hand, making her even more embarrassed.

It was Jiang Yihan’s turn next, and Kang Ho-dong restarted his mischief. “Jiang Yihan, can you give your girlfriend a pet name? Are you sure you have a girlfriend now?”

Jiang Yihan smiled shyly. “Yes, I’m sure I have a girlfriend.”

“Good, that’s the spirit,” Kang Ho-dong commended. “Now, give your girlfriend a nickname.”

Jiang Yihan thought for a moment, then, before he could speak, broke into a bashful grin, making everyone around him exasperated—he hadn’t even said anything yet and was already blushing.

After ten seconds, Jiang Yihan was finally about to reveal the pet name he’d chosen for Han Chae-young.

Rambling Cat’s note: This is the first chapter today. Not in top form—second chapter will come later. As for the level of fantasy, everyone has their own standards; to each their own. As for Jiang Ziyi, it’s just fate—her story will continue later.