【“Please Take Care of Me” premieres!】 Please Take Care of Me /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ opened with a beautiful view of the Han River. [Wow, Seo Hoyun is insane whoa He just does everything right, clean, on point, totally got sense... is this for real?] At first, Seo Hoyun earnestly carried out the duties of a manager. The playful banter between Seo Hoyun and Min Jiheon added some light humor. However, the format didn’t stray far from typical reality variety shows, leaving a bit of a bland impression. [Hmm, doesn’t feel very PD Choi-like.] [HAHAHAHA I thought it’d get weirder... maybe he toned it down ‘cause Min Jiheon’s on? LOL] Then about 30 minutes in, a caption popped up and the entire mood of the show flipped on its head. 【What’s the most important thing in the relationship between a manager and a celebrity?】 【That’s right, it’s knowing each other well!】 [Ooh, is this a quiz?] [Didn’t Seo Hoyun ace the one with Joo Woosung too? He’s probably gonna crush this too. └HAHAHAHA Not that it proved they were actual besties, but yeah, he did know Woosung’s bio inside out lololol] The variety show’s direction took an unexpected turn. 【We have secretly given a mission to the cast.】 [Wait what? Right now??] It was the infamous “PD Choi,” known for twisted shows and messed-up missions—no way he’d just end it on some natural, slice-of-life tone. 【※We just really wanted to surprise them.】 [LOOOOOLLLLL production team wtf] [Just say that from the start LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO] [Oi oi, I believed in you, PD Choi~~~ hahahahahaha] PD Choi Jisung had always specialized in chaotic, B-grade humor-driven variety formats. He’d clearly intended to build the show around these mission hijinks from the beginning. Min Jiheon, just assigned his secret mission, looked totally uninterested. But there was no way the seasoned staff didn’t come prepared. They already knew Min Jiheon would sell his soul for food. So they played their ace. “If you manage to successfully surprise Seo Hoyun... we’ll give you ten sets of S++ Hanwoo.” The guy who was practically melting into a puddle moments ago suddenly straightened up sharp. [Where did limp Jiheon go just now] [Bro HAHAHAHAHAHAHA why are you so simple-minded LMAOOOOOOOOOOO] Then he narrowed his eyes and asked with laser focus. “How high does his heart rate need to go?” “If Seo Hoyun’s heart rate goes more than 40 beats above yours. Also, you must never reveal that you’ve received this mission. Can you do that?” Hearing that, Jiheon immediately had a flashback to Seo Hoyun’s deadpan expression during the “Over-Immersion Master” episode, where Joo Woosung suddenly wall-slammed a middle-aged man behind a fluttering curtain as part of an online novel roleplay. 【This guy... he’s strong...!】 【Can he really be shaken...?】 A dramatic close-up zoomed in on Jiheon’s serious face. He swept his soft bangs back and gave a subtle smile—charming, but clearly plotting something. “I am an actor, you know.” Next to him, a sparkling golden image of prime Hanwoo floated into frame. 【We praised him for looking cool♡】 [He does NOT look cool, Min Jiheon └LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO] [Why does Jiheon act like such a lovable dumbass LOLOLOLOLOLOL] Min Jiheon might’ve been uninterested in anything that wasn’t acting—but with food on the line, there was no way he could play halfheartedly. He cautiously observed Hoyun and waited for an opening. Attempt One: Annoying Him. “Jihoonie’s Stickle-pop~ Stickle-pop~.” “How old is that joke?” Didn’t even register. That attempt ended in under 10 seconds. Jiheon paused to recalibrate. Attempt Two: Scaring Him. “There should be a spray bottle in the bathroom, right?” 【But waiting inside the bathroom... is a ghost doll prepared by the staff!】 “......” The source of this content ɪs Nov3lFɪre.ɴet Min Jiheon screamed with all the overacting he could muster, but Seo Hoyun merely gave a delayed “startled” reaction, grabbed the spray bottle, and casually shut the bathroom door again. Cut to Jiheon’s interview. “At least he pretended to be surprised. That was nice of him.” [? LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO] [Bro your standards for gratitude are so low HAHAHAHAHAHAHA] And thus, Attempt Two failed too. Then Jiheon suddenly realized—Hoyun always clutched his neck in pain whenever Jiheon came near. Attempt Three: Just Living Normally. “Where you going? It’s almost interview time.” “There’s this XX Dumplings place near here! I’ll get some for you too!” No matter what Jiheon did, Hoyun remained unshakable. Jiheon, meanwhile, kept losing every snack he brought—Hoyun took them all away, saying he shouldn’t eat oily or salty stuff before schedules. Jiheon had always slipped away from his regular manager like a slick eel to enjoy foodie detours, but Seo Hoyun’s hawk-like eyes caught everything. Hoyun used to get irritated just from breathing the same air as him, yet now he was humming and driving along like nothing mattered. Even amid the confusion, Jiheon tried sneaking in kimbap, bananas, and even ramen—all of which were confiscated. Eventually, the deeply starved Jiheon collapsed to the floor. “If you won’t feed me, then just step on me!” “If you take this away too, I’m not moving a step! I’m not letting you go! If you want to leave, step over me!” “Wow, what a unique kink you’ve got.” “—Wait wait wait, not for real!! Don’t actually step on me!” Nothing worked on Seo Hoyun. Naturally, Attempt Three was also a failure. 【No matter what Min Jiheon does, Seo Hoyun’s heart rate won’t rise....】 【An immovable shield vs a repeatedly snapping spear】 By now, everyone watching understood: Min Jiheon was never going to complete this mission. [That spear’s about the strength of a cotton swab └LOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL ㅠㅠㅠㅠ hahahaha too weak] [Honestly feels like Hoyun would just step right over him LOOOOOLLLLLLL] Jiheon kept trying and failing. Hoyun just remained calm. 【Why is Seo Hoyun so calm? Let’s rewind to the start of filming.】 A caption appeared, followed by Hoyun’s interview. “You want me to raise Min Jiheon’s heart rate?” 【In fact, Seo Hoyun was also given the exact same mission!】 He’d also been promised premium Hanwoo. Hoyun blinked slowly, thinking it over... and then smirked. “Our maknae’s appetite’s been elephant-sized lately. Engel coefficient’s out of control—this’ll help.” Then a quick highlight reel showed all of Jiheon’s failed antics. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun’s face never changed. It was as if My Heart Will Go On was playing in the background. His heart rate stayed under 80 the whole time. 【Even a sleeping person’s pulse would be higher than this.】 [ㅍ_ㅍ and ㅇ_< -☆!! They're too perfect together...] [They’re seriously besties huh, I’m crying from laughter] And Hoyun wasn’t just defending—he fought back. When Jiheon had the ghost doll planted in the bathroom, Hoyun suddenly yanked him close, lips near his ear, and whispered: In that instant, Jiheon’s heart rate shot up to 110. Cut to Jiheon’s interview. “Honestly... that was kinda hot.” [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Jiheon you idiot HAHAHAHA] [Bro you’re too easy what the fuck hahahaha] Later, after spending the entire day starving and dragging himself through every schedule, Jiheon collapsed at home—while Hoyun bustled around the kitchen. Once a delicious smell filled the apartment, Hoyun pulled Jiheon over to the table. “I’m fine, really...” On the table sat perfectly presented kimchi stew, fluffy yellow rolled omelets, crispy dried seaweed, neatly chopped kimchi, and steaming white rice. Jiheon picked up his spoon, took a sip of the kimchi stew—and his eyes widened. “...This is delicious?” In an instant, his heart rate jumped to 120. 【Min Jiheon Special Trait: No backbone】 You’re way too easy...] [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Jiheon please grow a spine ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ LOOOOOLLLLL] Jiheon was an unfussy eater, but his taste was actually quite refined. Hoyun’s kimchi stew, with just the right balance of sweetness and deep umami, hit all the right notes for him. “Ooh~ You cook too? Do you do this often?” [Wait... Seo Hoyun can cook???] [Well, to be fair, he did say himself there’s nothing he can’t do whoa... └Nah... the members still tease Hoyun about being stiff as hell, but honestly, he’s better than most dead-eyed fish these days lol] “I don’t really cook. Too much hassle.” “But hyung eats so well.” Seeing Min Jiheon’s eyes shake uncontrollably, Seo Hoyun casually walked over to the induction stove and brought out the steamer. When he opened the lid, inside were the dumplings Min Jiheon had been trying to buy earlier—now warm and ready to eat. “W-What? When did you...?” “But you said dumplings were greasy and salty...” “You said you wanted them, and there’s no schedule tomorrow.” Seo Hoyun smiled smoothly. “You look best when you’re eating.” Min Jiheon slapped a hand over his mouth. 【We thought it was for the mission...】 【But it seems he just genuinely wanted some.】 [LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL omg I’m dyingㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [Seo Hoyun ㅠㅠㅠㅠ lololololol] In the end, Min Jiheon’s heart rate hit 140. The camera cut to a solo shot of Min Jiheon against the Han River view. He stroked Malang and let out a long sigh, eyes fixed on the calmly flowing water as he murmured, “He’s definitely doing it on purpose, right?” 【Seems like he does know.】 “Then why... is it so attractive?” 【But clearly, he still hasn’t come to his senses.】 [LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL] [PD Choi really hit the jackpot with this one. These captions are hilarious lolololol] Then came a cut to Seo Hoyun’s interview. 【Was everything calculated with the mission in mind?】 Hoyun answered firmly—then let his gaze drift slightly. “But I feel like... even just offering food from the start might’ve raised his heart rate.” 【Unlike someone else, this one’s got a good read on the situation.】 [LOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL] As one side approached the mission goal way too easily, the production team called an emergency meeting. “In three days, Min Jiheon’s heart rate spiked fifteen times. Fifteen!” “That’s like five times per meal.” “Right? Who knew he’d be this weak to food...” Clips played of Min Jiheon gazing at Hoyun’s food with sparkling eyes, visibly impressed every time. 【Min Jiheon’s flutter count +1♡】 【Min Jiheon’s flutter count +2♡】 【Min Jiheon’s flutter count +3♡】 Also flashed across the screen were Jiheon’s past roles: a cold-blooded killer, a cool-headed chaebol heir, a closed-off and icy artist... Then at 30% opacity, it overlapped with present-day Jiheon quietly waiting in front of food. [Give me back my Jiheonㅜㅜㅜ lolololol he’s so damn cute] [Props to Daepaseong... for trying to push the mystique concept with Jiheon...] “There is one thing we could try.” With their hats pulled low and identities thoroughly hidden, the staff whispered closely and then the screen cut to a new caption. 【Production Team HELPER Requested!】 After extensive discussion, the crew concluded that Min Jiheon would never be able to raise Hoyun’s heart rate. So they brought in a new guest. [What is this lololol Daepaseong you sneaky bastards lol] [??? Don’t tell me it’s Dajun?? lolololol] [These insane bastards really went there huh] Most viewers thought it was just a “new face” making an appearance. But some who’d been watching The Dawn closely hit the mark. [Pathetic... Unless you're a hardcore fan, you won’t even notice the cross-promotion...] [This is just gonna turn into a mud fight now...] The Dawn's lead dancer and youngest member.】 Next to the visibly nervous Dajun appeared his profile. 【Note: Hardcore Min Jiheon fan】 Having apparently received it in advance, Jung Dajun entered with a key card. While hurriedly taking off his shoes, he tripped and crashed headfirst into the living room. “New assistant manager Jung Dajun has arrived!!” 【Note 2: Extremely cheerful】 A bit flustered, Dajun raised both hands and shouted with energy. Seo Hoyun, who had been sprawled on the sofa, suddenly jolted upright with wide eyes. No matter what Min Jiheon had tried, Seo Hoyun’s heart rate hadn’t budged—until now. In an instant, it shot up to 120. “Yah, Jung Dajun, are you okay?” “You were crazy loud just now, Assistant Manager-nim.” The subtitle lingered beneath the still-high 120 bpm. 【Successful insertion!】 [Heart rate doesn’t lie... lololol] “I’m here to help Min Jiheon sunbaenim while Hoyun-hyung edits the vlog! I’m Jung Dajun, your one-day support buddy!!” “Wow, never seen someone introduce themselves like that...” “Please feel free to relax!!” Every time Dajun grinned and promised to do his best with sparkling eyes, Seo Hoyun’s face turned paler and his heart rate rose even higher. “Oh~, really? Better than Hoyun?” “Hoyun-hyung can cry and go home after tasting mine!!” Roughly ten minutes after his bold declaration, a loud POP! exploded in the microwave as sparks flew everywhere. “I-it’s, it’s fine! I can handle—” “No no, no! You’ll get hurt, Dajun, stop! Stay still!!” Panicked, Min Jiheon rushed in with rubber gloves and yanked out the plug. 【Min Jiheon / Seo Hoyun heart rate: 150☆】 “Sunbaenim! I’ll drive in place of Hoyun-hyung next!” “Oh~. Are you good at driving?” “Yes! I got full marks!! Hoyun-hyung can just relax and edit!” 【Mr. ‘I drive really well’ Jung Dajun☆】 “Well... I mean, he did ace the road test.” Although clearly uneasy, Hoyun nodded and repeated “Drive safe” five or six times before finally giving up the wheel. Dajun sat in the driver’s seat, fastened his belt, and checked the rearview mirror to make sure Min Jiheon was also in the car before starting off slowly. “Dajun, how’d you get full marks on your road test~? I heard it’s tough.” “I had to retake it around seven times!” “At first I couldn’t even tell the brake and the gas apart~ heheh!” He zoomed through sharp curves at high speed, switched lanes with flair, and even added a dramatic drift while parking. Min Jiheon gripped the door handle with both hands, holding back a scream. After arriving at the scheduled shoot location, Dajun undid his seatbelt and gave a confident thumbs-up. 【Min Jiheon heart rate: 160☆】 Thus, Seo Hoyun and Min Jiheon were repeatedly and unintentionally wrecked by the innocent chaos that was Jung Dajun. 【And Jung Dajun’s own heart rate...?】 The graph showed it spiking like mad the moment he locked eyes with Min Jiheon as he tumbled into the living room. 【He’s been at a solid 150 ever since he first saw Min Jiheon^^】 [LOLOLOLOLOL so cute omg lolololololol] [He really is Jiheon’s fan huh lolololol] 【Looks like the three of them can go buy that Hanwoo on their own☆】 “I-I’m gonna go lie down for a bit...” Watching the half-dead Min Jiheon dragging his feet back home and Dajun bouncing beside him with a flushed, ecstatic face, Seo Hoyun thought: ‘Jung Dajun actually helped.’ He hadn’t expected anything, but thanks to Dajun, the variety footage came out great and the controversy was sidestepped. That day, Hoyun felt slightly more at ease than usual during filming. With a satisfied smile, he reached out and patted the maknae’s head. “Hyung, do you think Min Jiheon sunbaenim sees me as someone he’s comfortable with now?” “I think he sees you as a really good junior.” Seeing the pure excitement sparkling in Dajun’s eyes, Seo Hoyun replied with practiced ease. Even though Min Jiheon would never feel at ease around Dajun again, and would continue to suffer from his antics... “Keep it up, Bangbang-ah. Just like that.” Not that Hoyun cared either way.