Chapter 8: New Addition

"Ji Hyo, did filming go well? You texted me earlier about the shoes, luckily I packed in extra sneakers." Rachel asked as she turned up the air conditioner in the car.

"Ah Rachel unnie, thank you so much for the shoes. If not really don't know I would have completed the rest of the missions. Today's filming was fun! But it was so tiring...." Ji Hyo yawned. Then someone knocked the window beside her.

Hey isn't that one of Running Man's writers? Why is she here?

Ji Hyo did not expect to be called over to the gathering of the members after filming ended. Neither did Rachel, as she displayed her signature look in an unexpected situation: lifting a single eyebrow. Ji Hyo rolled down the windows and asked the junior what happened. She wondered why she was being called.

Is it because I did a bad job today as a guest? Oh no. I shouldn't have agreed to Myuk PD about guesting on this new show.... Now my stupid self ruined it again!

Ji Hyo looked at her manager at the wheel beside her. She scrunched her face up into the most horrible looking face possible. Rachel tried to resist bursting into laughter, before patting Ji Hyo on her back softly, saying "It's okay. I don't think its bad news." With that, Ji Hyo got out of the vehicle and meekly followed the writer.

As she returned back to the site of filming, she could see that everyone was busy. Cameras were being unattached from places high and low and equipments were being kept. The crew walked around everywhere, busy with their duties. And before she knew it, she was lost. The writer she was following was gone. She looked around urgently, only to discover black, black and more black. She started to panic a little.

Now I cannot even follow someone properly. I'm such a blur person. Now what do I do?

Busy with their own jobs, none of the crew paid any attention to her. It was either Ji Hyo had no star power at all, or they were seasoned workers who were used to the presence of a celebrity. The caps sheltering their faces prevented Ji Hyo from even making eye contact with them. She didn't dare to stop one of them, in fear that they would bark at her for disrupting them. She didn't know how to start anyway, when she could not even catch their eye.

Just as she was combing the area for signs of pink and blue cloth, the Running Man uniform for the day, a man wearing a similar attire with the crew came up to her. "Excuse me, Ji Hyo shii, are you looking for something or someone? Maybe I can help?" he spoke politely.

Ji Hyo could barely hear above all the din and clatter of her surroundings. She looked at the man, a little surprised. He seemed to be part of the production crew, although his cap was in his hand, so she could see his facial features. He looked familiar, somehow, but she couldn't recall where she had met him before.

Just as she wanted to ask for the location of the PDs, Jae Suk got to her first. "Song Ji Hyo sshi! There you are! The PDs wants to discuss something with you, but you disappeared immediately after filming ended and writer Im had a hard time finding you. Let's go! I think they have good news to tell you, judging from their facial expressions." he chattered. Ji Hyo assumed he was still in his 'filming mood', as he had once apologised for during a break from filming Family Outing, because normal Jae Suk wasn't that loud.

It turned out that Ji Hyo wasn't that far from the group of directors and members after all. "Ji Hyo's here!" Haha exclaimed. Ji Hyo couldn't tell if the exclamation was from impatience or excitement. Mentally, she told herself to calm down.

"Annyeonghaseyo. I'm sorry for leaving so early just now after filming. I didn't know you were looking for me..." Ji Hyo trailed off, not knowing what else to add. She gave a slight bow.

Cho PD waved it off smilingly, announcing, "Myuk PD and I have decided on something. If Ji Hyo would just agree to it, and I believe she probably will, you men will have something to celebrate about. Myuk PD, since you are the one who suggested this, I shall give you the honours of breaking this question."

"Eyyy. Why are you so formal all of a sudden? Suddenly saying Myuk PD and not Joo Hyung ah hmm, Cho Hyo Jin PD-nim?" Myuk PD teased.

"Please. Be. Serious." Cho PD glared at his friend and working partner. Myuk PD returned a look that said So what can you do to me? 5 seconds into the impromptu staring competition, both PDs collapsed into fits of laughter.

Kwang Soo, Joong Ki and Gary had looks of envy - not everyone could form such strong friendship bonds, while the other four men smiled, being veterans of variety. As for the only female present, Ji Hyo felt awkward. They were about to ask her an important question, then suddenly everyone was laughing. Just what was the question?

Jae Suk, Ji Hyo's new knight in shining armor in the entertainment industry, came to her rescue again. "Just what is the piece of news, tell us already!" Ji Hyo could tell his filming mode was slowly wearing off, as he became silent after that, and this allowed Myuk PD to continue.

Clearing his throat, Myuk PD started as if he had not been laughing just ten seconds ago. "Song Ji Hyo sshi, would you like to join Running Man as a permanent member?"

"What, are you serious?!" "Hey don't kid with us!" "Is this a hidden camera?" Different words were spluttered, but they all pointed to disbelief. Ji Hyo herself was in shock. “Myuk PD…Please...tell me this is a joke.” she uttered, with a half forced smile on her face.

A part of her believed that this was impossible, that this was merely a hidden camera trick, while another part was earnestly wishing that Myuk PD was being serious. Not only would this chance provide her with a steady income, it would also serve as a popularity boost and greater exposure to the variety world, which she was lost in. It was difficult for her to stand out among other female guests, regardless of which show she was on. She had no special characteristic. “Sweet” and “pretty” were commonly used to describe her, but so were other guests. They were as pretty, or else even prettier. Ji Hyo wanted - needed - this chance to prove to everyone, including herself, that she was not to be passed off as your typical Korean lady, who behaved like a lady and could do aegyo so well to charm the males.

“Would you rather it be a joke?” Myuk PD questioned with raised eyebrows.

“Of co-” Ji Hyo got cut off by Haha.

“Eyy come on tell us already. Is Ji Hyo joining us or not?” Haha impatiently asked.

“Aha. So you do like Ji Hyo sshi, Mr Ha. Now if only Ms Song here would give us a direct answer, I shall set up a loveline between you two.” Myuk PD said with much glee.

“YA! What..what are you saying? You know this can spark a rumor if a reporter hears this!” Haha exclaimed, sounding a little bit too anxious, as he started pacing a few steps towards the PDs who were sitting on the ground. Jong Kook couldn’t help but give a small chuckle.

What was that chuckle for? Ji Hyo wondered for a slight moment, before turning back to the important question at hand.

“Can we all concentrate on the matter at hand?” Cho PD said sternly. “Yes, this is not a joke. Ji Hyo sshi, we are asking you seriously to consider participating in Running Man as a permanent member. If you are interested, we can always discuss the details later.”

“But why would you need me?”

“Well, have you noticed how other the cast of variety shows which include action is almost always made up of all males? I would like to change this perspective of the people, Koreans especially, that only males can be the strong ones. And I think you, would be the perfect person to show that women can also be strong. Fiesty, energetic, and most importantly, you are not embarassed to hide the imperfect parts of you. That is how a comedian should be like, be unafraid to show the real you. You have a long way to go before deserving the title of variety master like Yoo Jae Suk (at this, Jae Suk couldn’t help but let out a soft ‘eyyy’), but I believe you have the potential. So, after saying all these, are you interested?”

“I…am honoured that you think so highly of me. If you think that I can do it, I shall trust you. When can I officially be a member?” Ji Hyo pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. I have potential in variety. I can make people laugh. I can help change the image of women. I am capable.

Cho PD smiled brightly. “As of now.”

“Now?!”

“Yep. You are officially a Running Girl. I will contact your manager in the next few days to settle the contract and you should be able to film the next episode as an official member.”

Haha was the first one to cheer, followed by the others. Jae Suk and Suk Jin pat her head, congratulating her. The others cheered, and the PD asked if they wanted to have breakfast. The sole female in the group just stood there amongst the loud cheers. Everywhere she looked, people, who would be her colleagues soon enough, were clapping and cheering for her. Then all of a sudden she spotted Kim Jong Kook, wearing a satisfied smile on his face, and unreadable eyes staring at the entire group of celebrants. As though he sensed Ji Hyo’s gaze, Jong Kook turned up to look at her. Ji Hyo had tried so hard to avoid meeting him today, and the moment she let her guard down, they made eye contact.

A/N: I don't even know what to say anymore other than telling you that I have edited some things. *hides*

(6/07/14)