Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 579

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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579. A Breath of Air (4)
“Then, shall I play it?”
“…Oh, wait a moment.”
Ha-jin stopped Kwon Wook just as he was about to press play.
After a moment of contemplation, he retrieved something palm-sized from his bag—a phone stand he’d brought before departing for Gangwon Province, intended for filming AiTube content.
“You’re filming?”
“How could I pass up such a golden opportunity? You don’t mind being in it, right?”
“I don’t really care….”
Yoo Gun, reclining with both hands behind his head, glanced sideways at Tae-hyun sitting beside him.
Tae-hyun, who had seemed lost in thought ever since Ha-jin activated the phone camera, hesitated slightly before speaking, as if seeking permission from that gaze.
“Where… are you uploading it?”
“My AiTube channel.”
“…You do AiTube too?”
“No? I’m starting now.”
AiTube? Isn’t that just filming and uploading videos?
Faced with such an innocent expression, Seo Tae-hyun found himself momentarily speechless.
‘Personal channels might seem low-barrier on the surface, but once you start, there’s editing, thumbnails, content selection, copyright issues—it’s never-ending. And these days it’s a red ocean besides, with viewer preferences shifting toward shorter and shorter videos….’
Instinctive anxiety and worry seeped up from beneath his consciousness. It was a habit born from ten years of struggling at the bottom of the entertainment industry.
After so much failure and disappointment, Tae-hyun couldn’t envision a future where something new he attempted would flourish and succeed. Even knowing such negative thinking did nothing for his mental health, there was nothing he could do about it.
“Hey.”
Just then, someone snapped the chain of Tae-hyun’s thoughts.
It was Lee Yu-gun, who had been awkward and reluctant to speak since their explosive argument yesterday.
Suddenly leaning in close, he whispered as if sharing some tremendous secret.
“That guy used to be a PD.”
“…?”
“…No, just in case you forgot.”
Lee Yu-gun shrugged casually and returned to his original position as if it were nothing.
That attitude felt oddly like how he treated a close friend.
He could still clearly hear that voice saying, “You’re lucky you can just dream without worrying.” Yet from the moment Ha-jin dropped to his knees yesterday until now, both Ha-jin and Yoo Gun had shown him an attitude vastly different from what he remembered.
“So, are you doing it or not? If not, just go over there.”
“Yeah, I’ll edit it well so you’re not exposed. Don’t worry about it.”
Yet that intimate distance felt strangely familiar. He didn’t dislike it.
In fact, he might have even missed it.
Unable to comprehend that sensation, Tae-hyun could only recall how exhausting it had been to endure alone for so long.
“…I don’t mind.”
“Huh? What?”
“I said I don’t mind. Besides, I doubt there’s anyone left who remembers me anyway….”
Even if there were, they’d only remember me as “that Cherry Boy from Boy Heaven back then.”
He was accustomed to his failed entertainment career being periodically uploaded to the internet under keywords like “Cherry Boy’s Current Status.” Besides, with a brand-new channel lacking existing subscribers, the exposure wouldn’t be that high anyway.
‘If there happen to be fans waiting… a survival report wouldn’t be so bad.’
Having done what I could in this boundless entertainment industry, the only thing I held onto was the fans who had watched over me since I was sixteen and supported me without wavering.
Though they sometimes caused divisions through excessive fandom and contributed to Kairos’s downfall, Tae-hyun fundamentally felt something like a debt toward them.
‘If I can leave something for Desty through videos like this, if it can make them even a little easier….’
At that level, I felt I could manage it now.
Though it remained uncertain how many Desty would still be waiting for me.
“Ah, so you’d like to use our equipment instead? I happen to have some Content Team gear left over. Just wait a moment and I’ll set it up for you right away.”
“Oh, no. I’m already grateful just for letting us use this space.”
“You’ll be joining our family soon anyway. Think of this as a courtesy gesture for future cooperation.”
Kwon Wook, ever considerate, quickly left the conference room and returned with various equipment.
From cameras to microphones to lighting.
Ha-jin, who had been watching the equipment being set up with a surprisingly nostalgic expression, suddenly rose from his seat.
“Ha-jin. Do you need something?”
“Oh, no. Just a moment.”
Ha-jin suddenly rolled up his sleeves and removed all the props attached to the wall that would serve as the video’s background. He drew blackout blinds to block the view outside the window, and meticulously checked to ensure nothing would be reflected in the glass.
Finally, Ha-jin wrote “Recording in progress. Inquiries to Manager Jung Kwon-uk” in large letters on a blank sheet and posted it outside the conference room door, then returned to his seat with satisfaction.
“Occupational habit.”
“Ah, yes.”
Back in the Kairos days, doing something like this would have earned me about seventeen questioning looks. Now a single word explains everything—this is absolutely perfect!
‘If I go back to the original timeline, should I take a year-long break and work a part-time job at Studio A for a bit?’
[System Alert: Fifty million Desty are clutching their chests right now.]
Why not?
Having experienced being a failed idol, a former PD, and now a first-tier idol with a title—it feels like a waste not to try it.
Ha-jin scratched his cheek a couple of times, then clapped his hands together and flashed a bright smile at Kwon Wook.
“Then let’s begin.”
“Yes, I’ll start the camera recording.”
Beep—.
With the familiar sound, a red light blinked above the camera positioned at an appropriate angle.
Moments later, when Kwon Wook pressed the spacebar, “In the Chaos” Episode 0 finally began playing.
* * *
The first scene was a camera angle lying on the empty hallway floor with nothing around it.
Tap, tap-tap-tap, thud-thud-thud!
Over the screen at an angle as if someone had accidentally dropped it, mysterious footsteps overlapped from far away. The quiet screen began to shake slightly from vibrations originating somewhere.
And then—.
Someone appeared from around the corner of the hallway.
-Seriously….
Beneath subtly styled black hair, a gleaming silver piercing and the ever-present silver cross necklace around the neck clinked softly.
Black washed jeans that accentuated long legs, a black short-sleeved mock neck revealing a toned upper body, a mustang jacket draped over one arm, and black boots.
At first glance it resembled a stylish idol’s casual outfit, but the bare face with no makeup conveyed an inexplicable freshness and raw authenticity.
-What on earth did this senior create…?.
Running desperately to escape someone, he exhaled heavily and placed his hands on his waist. Still peering beyond the hallway invisible to the camera angle, he gripped his knees and muttered desperately.
-God, please.
After exhaling sharply, I noticed something and immediately broke into a sprint again.
I vaulted over the camera on the ground as if one misstep would be catastrophic, disappearing off-screen entirely. The feed fell silent once more, but only for a fleeting moment.
Screeeeeeech!
Dozens of zombies, their makeup so viscerally realistic it was almost tearful to behold, flooded the screen in an instant.
That single, unadorned shot—devoid of any BGM, sound effects, or subtitles—explained everything that was about to unfold in this place. The horde of zombies tore frantically toward where I had vanished, and the camera on the ground tumbled away, the recording cutting to black.
【1 Hour Earlier】
Against a black screen, an apocalyptic title card appeared with a sharp “bang!” sound.
Following an exterior shot of the peaceful Studio A building, the cast members filed one by one into the conference room for the pre-production meeting of 【In the Chaos】.
-Hello.
-Ah, yes. Hello. Thank you for having us.
A typical cast introduction followed.
The standard formula was to open with the most recognizable face, follow with core members who embodied the show’s identity, and finish with the most unexpected casting choices arranged strategically.
Interspersing the positions in between with tasteful flair was equally essential.
【Q. What made you decide to appear on the show?】
【Tae-jin: Honestly, I was really curious about this “immersive survival” concept. I wondered how different it would be from movies, you know? It sounds fun, haha!】
【Sara: To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure why you invited me… But it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my variety show career, so I decided to give it a shot.】
The production team created contrast by intercutting the cast’s candid interviews with their impressive achievements. Brief clips from the actual recording were inserted between segments, building tension about what they would soon face.
Ha-jin appeared only after all the other cast members had introduced themselves and entered the conference room.
【??: Wow, nothing’s changed here at all….】
【Production Team: Feels familiar, doesn’t it?】
【??: It’s weird—it feels like I’m coming to work.】
Ha-jin’s first appearance was captured during a conversation with a staff member as we made our way up the stairs to the conference room after entering the studio.
My face wasn’t yet visible on camera; only the rustling of fabric and my tall, lean silhouette ascending the stairs filled the frame.
-Hello. Thank you for having me.
Then the conference room door opened, and I stepped inside.
My beauty mark stood out distinctly on the multiple camera angles, made even more prominent by the absence of foundation. My somewhat awkward smile and formal greeting, contrasted with my calm, low-toned voice and rough exterior, created a striking positive dissonance.
【Q. Who are you?】
-Pardon?
An interview segment set against sensual LED lighting followed.
Upon hearing the first question, I burst into genuine laughter at the absurdity, scratching the back of my neck with an embarrassed grin. My piercings clinked softly between my fingers—fingers I was often complimented for being slender and delicate.
【Ha-jin: Hello, I’m Kang Ha-jin.】
I smiled with my mouth open, then straightened my posture and bowed respectfully toward the camera. My dark eyes met the lens directly.
【Ha-jin: I’ve been active in a group called Kairos.】
<Ha-jin: Until a year ago, I worked as a PD at the production company that's currently filming this "In the Chaos."
【Q. How did you transition from PD to cast member?】
Because you guys recruited me.
Should I just answer that bluntly? I hesitated for a moment before the second question came.
-Well….
After a brief pause, I answered in a measured tone.
【Ha-jin: I was frustrated. That's why I came out to run myself. I'm something of a specialist in survival, wherever I end up.】
【Q. Pardon?】
【Ha-jin: Frustrated, so I came out to run myself. I happen to be quite the expert at surviving wherever I go.】
A total of 3+N timeline experiences.
N attempts at entrance exams.
By official count, the Military three times.
One idol survival program.
And numerous others.
With an answer that bordered on arrogance beneath the confidence, Ha-jin's refreshing smile filled the screen in pristine 4K clarity.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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