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The finalists for this <SIT ON THE MONEY> competition are all skilled individuals.

Among the finalists, there wasn’t anyone who stood out too significantly or fell too short.

In a situation where even a tiny difference could determine the outcome, they all hoped that such a difference wouldn’t lean in their favor.

Maybe that’s why.

“This is really something, it’s not something I can enjoy.”

“What terrible luck.”

Just a few days before the live broadcast finale of <SIT ON THE MONEY>.

News broke among the contestants that the female singer who was supposed to feature with Hwang Ji-hyuk had to withdraw due to unavoidable circumstances.

The other finalists, who were trying hard to control their expressions, felt a sense of relief while pitying Hwang Ji-hyuk; after all, their rival had effectively tripped himself.

Regardless of Hwang Ji-hyuk’s circumstances, that’s his issue. The quality of Hwang Ji-hyuk’s performance at the finale would inevitably suffer due to the absence of the featuring singer.

As time passed and finally the day of the <SIT ON THE MONEY> live broadcast finale arrived.

Even until they finished their own stage without any major mistakes.

Even up until the moment when the final stage, which was Hwang Ji-hyuk’s finale, began.

Hwang Ji-hyuk had been completely excluded from the competitors’ minds.

They believed that with a hurriedly revised stage just days before the final, he wouldn’t be able to compete with them.

However, after his solo rap part, which was even more impressive than they had expected, ended.

When the camera angle briefly turned to the back of the stage.

[Feat. Pinocchio]

In an instant, every finalist’s eyes stiffened at the caption that popped up in the corner of the live broadcast screen.

What followed was the pure, clear voice that had spent a long time on many people’s playlists.

Even standing still without a distinct choreography, her presence was overwhelming.

With a clear voice that held no tremor, she dominated the stage’s atmosphere.

The commotion that had dwindled for some time now.

Replaced by puzzlement and murmurs directed at Pinocchio.

The finalists, sitting in their respective waiting rooms, were also mesmerized as if hypnotized, just watching in silence.

Finally, at the moment the second featuring part began and the black silhouette took a few steps forward.

“Uh…? Wh-what is that!!”

I unintentionally stood up at the voice I’d heard somewhere before, accompanied by a familiar face.

Almost simultaneously, the text votes began to skyrocket.

It felt like I got hit in the back of the head with a stick.

All that was left in their minds was the thought, “Is this even possible?” as they stared blankly at the rapidly increasing vote numbers.

Strictly speaking, the stage performance was also part of this <SIT ON THE MONEY> finale.

In hindsight, all Pinocchio did was sing her featuring part and walk out to center stage.

There wasn’t a single violation of the finale rules.

Still, the unbelievable identity that had been revealed.

The audience’s cheers directed at a single person.

“Wow, whoa….”

“Crazy.”

“Did they bring a cheat key!!”

The finalists and their producers sensed that something had gone terribly wrong and were dumbfounded.

From the start, assuming Pinocchio would be the featuring singer was already an unanticipated situation.

Bringing the one who had been praised for having the voice that matched the song of Dubli the best to stand on the same stage as Dubli was imbalanced from the get-go.

No matter what anyone says, Dubli is at the top of the K-pop industry.

Having a voice that fits well with songs from such people means that she’s destined to succeed as a singer.

Her nickname ‘National Hip-Hop Top’ was given because she actually achieved first place in the music charts with real hip-hop music.

Unlike the other female singers who were casually referred to as National Hip-Hop Tops, her basis was entirely different.

The problem was that this true identity was revealed during the finale.

The fact that the faceless singer Pinocchio was actually a famous actress was the bigger issue.

[Text votes: 71249]

“…It’s over.”

The biggest problem was that the first digit of the final text votes received by Hwang Ji-hyuk was different.

It’s true that the audience’s votes at the venue would be reflected in the score, but the audience there would have been shocked by Pinocchio’s true identity too.

Moreover, Hwang Ji-hyuk’s rap part exceeded what people had been expecting.

It was clear that he was the final victor of this competition.

About 20 minutes later, the final winner announcement began.

Lo and behold, the person announced as the final winner of <SIT ON THE MONEY> was none other than Hwang Ji-hyuk.

I didn’t even feel a speck of reality, so I didn’t even get angry.

I just smiled blankly and applauded for Hwang Ji-hyuk.

Hae-eun in the waiting room also clapped for Hwang Ji-hyuk.

However, her phone had been practically on fire since earlier.

[Min Da-yeon] – Hey

[Min Da-yeon] – Hey

[Min Da-yeon] – Hey

[Min Da-yeon] – Hey

[Min Da-yeon] – Mr. Pinocchio

[Min Da-yeon] – National Hip-Hop Top Mr. Pinocchio

[Lee Hae-eun] – (sly otter emoticon)

[Min Da-yeon] – It’s crazy here right now

[Min Da-yeon] – It’s all about you

[Lee Hae-eun] – (otter running away emoticon)

Eventually, she switched her phone to airplane mode.

She lacked the stamina to deal with all the messages pouring in.

However, she couldn’t help but feel the magnitude of the impact from this <SIT ON THE MONEY> finale.

That’s because.

“I rushed to post it, but please let me know if there’s anything to fix.”

She had checked the article about Pinocchio from Heo Joo-eun, whom she reunited with at a café near the finale venue.

In strict terms, there were no corrections needed in Heo Joo-eun’s article.

Though there were a few expressions that felt slightly embarrassing for Hae-eun, references to <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> were included as well.

The comment section of the article was also buzzing.

By some chance, Heo Joo-eun’s article landed in the [Hot Topic] section, so the view count was soaring sharply.

“Seems like you wrote it well. Thank you.”

Shortly after, Heo Joo-eun handed her another interview request.

She added her suspicions or rather her certainty that people would be buzzing about ‘Lee Hae-eun’ for a while.

Though there was a valid reason for her needing to attend the post-finale gathering.

“It seems tough right now. I’m sorry.”

The interview with Heo Joo-eun was postponed to a few days later.

Heo Joo-eun, who initially looked disappointed, simply agreed.

After parting with Heo Joo-eun.

She hopped into Joo Young’s black van, heading toward the barbecue restaurant near the finale venue for the gathering.

“I’m here.”

Once she warmly greeted the people welcoming her, she casually made her way to sit next to Lee Joon.

From there, the surveillance began.

“Well, sirloin goes perfectly with sake──”

-Pinch.

-Twist.

“Eek!!”

“If you keep doing that, I’ll tell Uncle Gun-nyul everything.”

“I-I was just kidding. Just kidding…”

“Don’t even talk.”

Currently, Lee Gun-nyul had gone to his hometown immediately after the finale due to a relative’s ceremony.

Thus, he had to stay with Lee Joon, taking care of him instead of heading to where Yoo Seong-jae and Da-yeon were.

Well, no matter what.

Hwang Ji-hyuk’s promise to win had been kept, and it was just the right time for the first episode of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> to begin.

“Um, sir, could I change the channel for a moment?”

After seeking permission from the barbecue restaurant’s owner, she changed the TV channel.

Soon the first episode of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> appeared.

“Eh? Is that <The Moonlight Split by Clouds>?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, the filming is nice. The wild boar CGI looks real. It looks like they’re actually butchering a wild boar.”

“………………”

“……Is that CGI?”

“………………”

“……Over there?”

“It’s gonna get cold. Eat up.”

From there, she simply repeated the act of picking up chopsticks and putting well-cooked beef in her mouth.

At that moment, everyone present at the gathering, enjoying delicious beef while watching Hae-eun’s acting in <The Moonlight Split by Clouds>, was blissfully unaware of the stir occurring elsewhere.

A little distance away from the <SIT ON THE MONEY> post-finale gathering.

“Director! Have you seen the internet? Hae-eun’s article is completely all over the place!”

“Yes. Sung has already informed me.”

They were discussing Hae-eun who had unexpectedly caused <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> to enjoy promotional benefits.

However, they were still unsure about the current ratings.

For now, they focused solely on whether the first episode of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> was airing well.

Director Jin Kyu-seong wasn’t particularly concerned about anything outside that.

“Di-Director!”

“I saw the article on Hae-eun.”

“Oh, no. That’s not it. Our ratings!”

“?”

Upon hearing that the current ratings for <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> far surpassed those of the time slot competitor <Full Moon Lovers>, Yoo Sung-jae, who happened to overhear, rushed over to Da-yeon, briefly took back the teddy bear she was holding, and declared.

“Today’s MVP! Applause!”

The gathered crew and cast of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds> began to applaud towards the teddy bear decorated with Hae-eun’s picture.

“…She’s quite impressive.”

He significantly revised his evaluation of Hae-eun.

By some chance, he had completely forgotten about the <2 Nights 3 Days> episode, which was supposed to air before the second episode of <The Moonlight Split by Clouds>.

No one, including Jin Kyu-seong, could have predicted what the result would be of ‘Lee Hae-eun’ being in the spotlight for two consecutive days.