Chapter 99

99. Top Star on Campus

– Goosebumps! What did I just see!

– Is this real? It’s not staged, right?

└ If it were staged, would they repeatedly put up subtitles saying it’s not staged or edited? There are more than a few witnesses. They even show the camera angles from different perspectives.

└ It’s not that you doubt it, but it’s just hard to believe.

– The important thing here is... Jinhyuk hasn’t served in the military.

└ I bet even someone from a special forces unit would find this difficult.

└ Of course. Even the opposing team’s special forces sergeant looks bewildered.

– Is Jinhyuk being taken away by the military? They’re wearing black and taking him away….

└ You’ve been watching too many movies.

The comment section exploded, needless to say.

Not only fans and viewers, but even passionate veterans who foam at the mouth whenever military talk comes up, and even current active-duty soldiers, were deliberately seeking out the video to chime in.

Even the elite members of the 707 Special Mission Unit, known as the best of the best in the Special Forces, were involved.

“Hey, Kim Sergeant. Is this even possible?”

“Hmm, it seems tough. Let’s watch it again. It doesn’t make sense….”

With all the commotion, it’s no surprise that the ratings for the two episodes featuring the KCTC training also skyrocketed.

The first episode surpassed the previous 21.1% to hit 27.3%.

After Jinhyuk’s incredible performance was aired, the second episode, featuring the second round of KCTC training, set another record.

In terms of both content and ratings.

Initially, if the participants were eliminated too quickly in the first round, they planned to proceed with the second and third rounds to ensure enough footage.

However, the opposing teams were eliminated so quickly that they had to film the second round.

The concept for the second round was Jinhyuk’s suggestion.

“Defense game?”

A 1:3 defense game.

The participants’ team had to defend against the attacks of the other three teams within a limited time.

The PD’s eyebrows raised at Jinhyuk’s impromptu suggestion.

“Hmm….”

It was a decent proposal. If the participants’ team could defend properly.

They already had incredible scenes from the guerrilla warfare, so a new game format could add more excitement.

Given that they had witnessed Jinhyuk’s godlike performance, it was a feasible game format.

Even though the defending side had an advantage, a 1:3 game seemed impossible.

If the production team and the opposing teams hadn’t seen Jinhyuk’s performance in the first round, they wouldn’t have agreed.

But now.

“Let’s do it.”

Everyone agreed.

Thus began the 1:3 defense game. The condition was that the participants’ team had to defend against the attacks of the other three teams within the limited time to win.

“Ah! This is impossible!”

The result was the elimination of the three attacking teams.

This unbelievable scene was broadcast again, and the result was.

An unbelievable 32.8% rating.

“Ah! This is impossible!”

The screams of Jinhyuk’s opponents on the battlefield echoed through the MBS entertainment department.

“PD! Is this even possible, right now?”

“Wow, this is huge.”

“It’s huge!”

The PD, who was shouting in joy with his team members, said,

“Hey, did you know that the Air Force and Navy are in an uproar too? Hahaha.”

Compared to the Army, which had been actively cooperating with the filming, the Air Force and Navy had shown lukewarm responses.

However, as “Born a Man” began airing, the nation’s attention turned to the military, which was predominantly the Army.

In just one month of broadcasting, Army enlistment applications had more than doubled compared to the same month last year, demonstrating the impact of this variety show.

Now, the Air Force and Navy were actively courting the broadcasting station.

“Sigh… But what about when Jinhyuk leaves….”

“Hey!”

The PD interrupted the writer’s worried sigh.

“Let’s enjoy it now! Leave tomorrow’s worries to tomorrow!”

It’s hard to draw attention initially, but once it’s focused, it’s possible to maintain it somehow.

The PD decided not to worry.

Thus.

One fact was reaffirmed through this “Born a Man.”

Whatever Jinhyuk does, it works.

His already soaring value was rising even higher.

***

“What? You’re not going to appear on variety shows for a while?”

Jinhyuk’s words made Lee Kwang-soo’s face fall.

“Jinhyuk, now that the college entrance exams are over….”

“I’ve been admitted.”

“What?”

Jinhyuk smiled innocently, a rare sight.

“……”

It was a disarming smile, even for a man. Lee Kwang-soo was speechless.

“About one or two movies or dramas a year. Anything else is difficult.”

Even though it’s said that once you enter a Korean university, graduation isn’t hard, at a university like Korea University, basic studies are necessary.

Moreover, business administration was a new field for Jinhyuk.

“I’ll graduate from this university.”

To do that, he needed to meet the attendance requirements.

“Jinhyuk, universities have something called a leave of absence. They say to row when the tide is high….”

“I need to graduate quickly.”

Despite his innocent smile, Jinhyuk’s firm words left no room for persuasion. Lee Kwang-soo knew this well.

Moreover, Jinhyuk had already risen to the top ranks of stardom with just one project a year.

He wasn’t just a top star. If you had to name the current top CF king in Korea, it would undoubtedly be Woo Jinhyuk.

His incomparable looks that made products shine.

A spotless, clean image.

A clean private life and personality to match.

And the intellectual prowess of being admitted to Korea University.

He was a star that any advertiser would covet.

Just by filming the CFs he had lined up, he wouldn’t need to do any more acting projects for a while in terms of income.

While he didn’t necessarily need a lot of activities, he was still a newcomer.

Continued project activities to maintain popularity were essential.

If he continued to have such box office success, one project a year might be enough, but there was no guarantee.

Lee Kwang-soo had his concerns, but he knew he had to accept the genius’s decision.

“Alright, Jinhyuk. If the current situation continues… but if things get tough, you’ll have to reconsider.”

“Sure, I will.”

Sighing at Jinhyuk’s decision wasn’t just Lee Kwang-soo.

“Huh? What….”

The main producer of WP, Joo Hee-tae, who had been eagerly waiting for Jinhyuk’s debut as a singer, also had to wipe his face.

“It seems a full-fledged debut or activities as a singer will be difficult. Maybe just occasional single releases or OSTs.”

The producer shook his head at the manager’s words.

“Can’t help it. Let’s release a single around summer. It’s a song made for Jinhyuk. I can’t imagine anyone else singing it.”

“Alright. I’ll pass that on.”

In fact, Jinhyuk had a hidden reason for trying to minimize his broadcasting activities.

It wasn’t the right time to reveal it officially, but through this variety show, Jinhyuk had a sudden urge to do something, or perhaps something he had to do.

***

HUSC (Korea University Shooting Club) office.

“Wow, what’s this? It’s almost time to select new members.”

“Haha, who would have thought. It’s all because of ‘Born a Man’.”

The reason Jinhyuk’s shooting scenes were so impressive. At the beginning of the semester, the number of new members applying to the shooting club surged.

“Even I, a man, thought it was cool.”

While the number of male applicants increased, the number of female applicants skyrocketed.

“Should we select 50-50 male and female?”

“Hey, man.”

“Huh?”

“What are you talking about?”

A male student sitting at the computer turned his head and said,

“Most of our members are men, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So, of course, we need to balance the gender ratio based on the current members.”

“Oh!”

“I think 2 men and 8 women would be right.”

“You’re a genius!”

Another male student grinned. The student at the computer smiled and turned back to the monitor.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

Creak.

“What is it…. Huh!”

The male student’s breath caught in his throat.

“I want to join the shooting club.”

“……”

The male student, who was supposed to respond, froze like a mute who had eaten honey. The student looking at the computer screen slowly turned his head and said,

“Sorry, but we can’t accept any more male members…. Ah!”

The student screamed as he turned his head.

Standing in front of them was.

Woo Jinhyuk.

“Is this… Woo Jinhyuk… right?”

“Yes.”

The student sitting at the computer quickly stood up and prepared a chair.

“Here, here, please sit!”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Do you want something to drink?”

“No, it’s fine.”

The two, who were at a loss, finally composed themselves and sat in front of Jinhyuk.

“You want to join the shooting club?”

“Yes.”

“Ah… but, what can we do. We’re full of male members….”

Smack!

The student at the computer hit the other student’s back to stop him.

This clueless guy!

“Are we full?”

“No! Absolutely not! We’re still accepting members!”

The student, who finally caught on, chimed in.

“Of course! We’re still accepting male members! That’s what I meant.”

Oh. Being in the same club as Woo Jinhyuk.

It was a moment that would make his college life legendary.

“Ah! I see!”

The student said, as if something had occurred to him.

“In ‘Born a Man’! I see, you’re so good at shooting. Did you do it as a hobby in middle and high school?”

“Ah… that….”

He couldn’t say that in his past life, in real combat….

“No, I’ve never shot in middle or high school.”

“Huh? Ah….”

That’s strange. The shooting skills I saw on screen… As the student tilted his head, the other student quickly said,

“Wow! So you did that well on your first try? That’s amazing. By the way, do you know that the shooting we do is a bit different from military shooting?”

“Ah, yes. I know. I want to try the 10m air pistol.”

“The air pistol is great. It’s easy to get into.”

Actually, the event Jinhyuk wanted to do was the 25m rapid fire pistol using .22 Long Rifle ammunition.

It was closer to live ammunition shooting, but it was a difficult event to do in the club for that reason.

The Korea University Shooting Club had a 10m shooting range, and the most suitable event was the 10m air pistol.

While the shooting mechanisms were slightly different from military firearms, shooting was ultimately a matter of physical strength and senses.

With Jinhyuk’s physical strength, which was not as good as in his past life but still far superior to an average person’s, and his shooting sense, which he confirmed was no different from his past life in “Born a Man,”

In his past life, Jinhyuk was classified as a sniper in a death squad due to his overwhelming shooting skills.

He was also an excellent individual tactician and infiltrator, which is why he was assigned to the elite search team rather than as a sniper.

“Do you plan to participate in competitions?”

“Yes.”

Oh yeah!

The two cheered internally. Planning to participate in competitions was a sign that Jinhyuk was serious about the club.

Participating in competitions with Woo Jinhyuk? Who would steal the spotlight at those competitions was obvious.

The corners of their mouths curled up in excitement.

“What competitions are you thinking of? There are local competitions, national competitions, and even international friendly matches….”

Jinhyuk looked at the two and said,

“I want to challenge the Asian Games next year. Is that okay?”

“Huh?”

The national team selection for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, to be held in September next year, was in April, a year from now.

“Ah, the Asian Games… Ahaha.”

The two exchanged glances and awkwardly smiled at Jinhyuk.

The Asian Games….

After seeing Woo Jinhyuk in person, they thought he was incredibly handsome.

And.

He wasn’t just crazy good-looking.

The two thought.

***

Korea University campus.

It was still a bit cold, but you could definitely feel the spring air at midday.

New freshmen, excited about their new college life, gathered in groups here and there.

Among them, Kim Min-young, a freshman in the Department of Media and Communication, was mingling with her friends.

“Hey, Jin-hee. I joined ‘Cons’ yesterday.”

“Wow, great! You’re finally a member. Welcome warmly. Hehe.”

Cons.

It was the name of Jinhyuk’s fan club.

Convenience Store, abbreviated as “Cons.”

The name came from the scene where Jinhyuk made his strong TV debut in “High School 2” with the line, “Can you move a bit?” in the convenience store scene.

Additionally, it had a meaningful connotation of being open 24/7 to Jinhyuk, like a 24-hour convenience store.

“But why is it so hard to see our Jinhyuk on campus?”

“Really. I was so excited, but I haven’t seen him once in a week.”

Woo Jinhyuk, the legendary creature of Korea University, was often talked about but rarely seen.

“People who have seen him say he’s incredibly handsome. They say he’s speechless.”

“Ah…. I want to see him! I want to see him!”

“Me too! I want to see Jinhyuk!”

Seeing the two acting out, Min-young couldn’t help but smile.

“Jinhyuk is handsome.”

“Huh?”

Min-young’s slightly loud mutter made her friend widen her eyes.

“Hey, Min-young. Why are you calling our Jinhyuk so familiarly? Don’t tell me…!”

“……”

“Were you also a member of Cons? You, you. You should have told us. Why did you pretend you weren’t….”

Seeing her friend’s meaningful smile,

Ah….

Min-young awkwardly smiled.

At that moment, a familiar face caught Min-young’s eye.

“Huh? Jinhyuk!”

“Yeah, yeah, so our Jinhyuk….”

The female student who was about to say something to Min-young stopped and followed her gaze, turning her head.

There, standing where the two girls turned their heads,

was Woo Jinhyuk.

“Hi, Min-young.”

Jinhyuk’s smile was clearly directed at Min-young,

“Squeal!”

But the scream came from somewhere else.