Legendary Superstar

As soon as the PD wrapped up the briefing, the cast naturally started to mingle with each other. On the other hand, the Cameramen continued to move around, adjusting handheld cameras and setting up angles while the lighting team worked quickly to maximize what little early morning sun was left.

Rina was the first to approach the guests, her energy was bright despite the freezing temperature. She bounced on her heels a little to stay warm, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold.

"I've seen your drama, guys. The Star's Secret, right? You're doing a great job," she said with a wide grin.

"Really, Unnie?" Yura blinked, pleasantly surprised. "You watched it?"

"Of course!" Rina nodded enthusiastically, almost laughing a little. "I even made my manager watch it with me in the car last week. The pacing's good, and that cliffhanger at the end of episode four? It's nice."

"Right? I was screaming when it ended there," Joohwan chimed in as he joined them. "Minjae-ssi, your scene with the coffee spill was hilarious. I watched that twice. You kept such a straight face! You're acting was nice"

Minjae chuckled, a little taken aback by the genuine excitement in their voices. "I was trying so hard not to laugh on the scene. I'm glad it looked good."

"Yes, I remember the scene." Yura also smiled. "The coffee was so cold, and I really felt bad about spilling it and trying to make it natural."

"You pulled it off perfectly," Sungbae added, walking over with his hands tucked into his coat pockets. "It didn't feel like acting at all. You three have good chemistry. It makes the show fun to watch."

"Thank you, hyung" Minjae said quietly, grateful. Though he had been tense about being back on camera and back in front of people, he was grateful that none of them brought up the controversy, not even mentioning it.

He was relieved that they were treating him normally. Like nothing had changed.

That, more than anything, helped steady his nerves.

"We'll keep doing our best," Jihoon said brightly, giving a small bow. "Please take care of us today!"

"Don't worry, Jihoon-ssi," Rina said, elbowing him playfully. "Just try to keep up."

The group burst into laughter as the PA called them to stand by.

Minjae smiled quietly, falling in line with the others. For the first time in days, he wasn't thinking about the rumors.

After a while.

The cameras finally started rolling.

"Alright, everyone! We're starting!" one of the PAs called out from behind the camera line.

The cast quickly moved into their designated spots just in front of a small outdoor set with a rustic wooden backdrop labeled with the variety show's signature logo: Off Track. The logo looked hand-painted and slightly tilted, giving off a casual and adventurous vibe.

The cameras zoomed in, and right on cue, Yoo Jaehyun stepped forward, clapping his gloved hands together with his usual energetic flair.

"Everyone, welcome back to Off Track!" he greeted the viewers with his trademark grin, his voice rising above the cold. "Today's episode is a little different—we're out in the freezing cold, but we've got hot energy and hotter guests with us!"

The cast cheered on cue, clapping and waving toward the main camera.

Jaehyun gestured to the left.

"First off, let's give a warm welcome to our three special guests. The new actors who are taking the drama world by storm right now!"

The camera panned slowly to Minjae, Yura, and Jihoon, who each took a small step forward and bowed politely.

"Hello everyone, I'm Nam Minjae," Minjae said with a smile, calm and composed.

"I'm Seo Yura!" Yura chirped, giving a cheerful wave.

"And I'm Kang Jihoon! Please take care of us today!" Jihoon added, his usual brightness radiating even through the cold.

"Our viewers probably recognize them from the hit drama The Star's Secret!" Jaehyun continued. "And if you haven't watched it yet, well… what are you doing with your life?"

Laughter erupted from both the cast and crew.

"We're really excited to have them today," Jaehyun said, turning back to the camera. "And of course, we've prepared some extra fun and chaos for today's episode!"

"PD-nim said there would be food rewards, right?" Sungbae piped up, already rubbing his gloved hands together.

"Yes! But you'll have to earn them," Jaehyun said, eyes twinkling. "Let's get into our First Mission of the day!"

He stepped aside, revealing a large whiteboard behind him. In big bold letters, the title read:

Mission 1: Warmth Run – Find Your Team, Build Your Shelter!

"Each of you will be randomly assigned into teams of two. Your goal is simple—gather materials around the area and build a small shelter that can keep you warm. We'll test them afterward!"

"What? Build?" Joohwan's jaw dropped.

"That's the fun part," Rina laughed. "And if you don't build it right, guess who's freezing while the others get hot ramen?"

Minjae grinned faintly, feeling the energy from the others.

"Let's go!" Jaehyun looked at everyone. "Time to draw your team partner! Each one of us can pick a color from the bag. Those who got the same color will be teammates."

A staff brought over a cloth bag filled with colored balls inside.

Everyone gathered around as the staff member held out the cloth bag. Inside were small, colored rubber balls, each team represented by a different color.

"Let's do it one at a time!" Jaehyun instructed with a grin. "Let fate decide our team."

Laughter rippled through the cast.

Rina went first and pulled out a red ball.

"Red!"

Joohwan followed. "Blue," he muttered, holding it up with mild dismay.

Jihoon was next. He grinned and reached in dramatically before pulling out a blue ball. "Blue! Let's go, Joohwan-hyung!"

Joohwan groaned, but he clapped Jihoon on the back anyway. "Alright. Just don't break anything."

Yura stepped up and pulled yellow.

"Oooh, this is going to be fun," she said, already grinning.

Then Minjae reached into the bag. He fished around for a moment, pulled one out, and looked.

"Yellow," he said simply, holding it up.

Yura threw her hands in the air. "Oh, we're team?"

Minjae just smiled and nodded, "Let's hope we know how to build."

"Don't worry, Oppa. I've watched camping videos," she said proudly.

"You watched them," he repeated, amused. "Not the same as doing them." He sighed and shook his head.

That left Rina and Jaehyun as the red team.

"Perfect," Jaehyun said, slinging an arm around her shoulder.

Sungbae, who had been oddly quiet, stepped up and pulled a yellow ball.

"Since the number is uneven," Jaehyun said, reading the situation quickly, "one team will have three members."

Everyone looked toward Sungbae, who was still holding his yellow ball.

"Looks like you're with Yura and Minjae," Rina said, already grinning. "Have fun!"

"Wait, hold on," Sungbae blinked as he realized it. "Why do I feel like I just got pulled into hard labor?"

Yura laughed, nudging him lightly. "We'll carry you, Sungbae-oppa."

"No, no, no—I'm not that old yet," Sungbae complained, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Just make sure I don't end up doing all the work."

"We'll depend on you, hyung," Minjae muttered under his breath with a small chuckle, just loud enough for the others to hear.

With the teams finalized, the PD gave them a signal. "Alright, the clock starts now! Fifty minutes to build your shelters. You'll be judged on structure, warmth, and—yes—visual presentation."

Just like that, the teams scattered immediately.

Team Yellow – Minjae, Yura, and Sungbae

The three found a spot beneath a cluster of bare trees. The ground was slightly uneven, but there were enough scattered branches and rocks around to work with.

"Alright, who knows how to tie knots?" Minjae asked, eyeing the survival kit contents as he pulled out ropes and a folded tarp.

"I watched a YouTube video once," Yura offered.

"Then can you do it, Yura?" Minjae raised a brow.

"I'll try, Oppa."

"Alright, that's good. I'll get the extra branches," Sungbae said at the two.

"Sure, Oppa." Yura grinned as she crouched beside Minjae and helped him stretch out the tarp. As they worked, the camera occasionally panned over to catch candid moments.

On the Team Blue with Jihoon and Joohwan, the two were chaotic. It was just the start and yet they were bickering already. The two looked like old friends already even if they just met an hour ago.

"Just put it over, hyung!" Jihoon said.

"You're folding it backwards!"

"No hyung, you're doing it all wrong!"

On the other hand, the team Red with Rina and Jaehyun looked as if they were doing good. The two were efficient and knowledgeable.

"Hyung, how come you know how to do this?" Rina asked as she frowned.

Jaehyun was doing good as he made a tent.

"Well, I took my son to a camping once. That's why." Jaehyun uttered with a smile.

Rina sighed and nodded. She was without a lover or a child, so she couldn't understand it.

"Well, then you can do it hyung. I'll support from here." Rina uttered as she kept handing things to Jaehyun like a good assistant.