193: Chapter 191 The Amazing Upo Is Unafraid of Difficulties!

A special episode?

The girls looked at each other in bewilderment. Didn't he just say there was enough footage?

As the leader, Kwon Eunbi had to step forward again to voice everyone's doubts. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone calm and polite:

"PD-min, sorry to bother you. Didn't you just say that today's filming was over? And that the large-scale props for later would take time to make... So what is this 'special episode'?"

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to have expected Kwon Eunbi's question. He nodded, his face still wearing that unfathomable and calm expression, as he explained:

"That's right, our main recording for the 'Mortal Realm Survival Challenge' in Myeong-dong today has indeed come to an end. We have enough footage to edit the main episode."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, as a meaningful curve hooked the corner of his mouth:

"However, the 'special episode' is an independent project outside of the main storyline that is more... well... relaxed and enjoyable. It doesn't require large props, and the scene is already prepared."

He raised his hand and pointed in another direction backstage:

"So, please head to the dressing room now. The production team has already prepared the costumes for the 'special episode' for everyone. Once you've changed, please take the special vehicle provided by the program team, and we will head directly to the filming location for the 'special episode'."

His explanation sounded reasonable, but when the words 'relaxed and enjoyable' came out of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth, it always made one's spine tingle. Moreover, having just endured a whole day of 'torture,' suddenly being told there was a 'special episode'... it was hard not to suspect it was a new 'trap'.

The joy on the girls' faces had been completely replaced by doubt and unease. They exchanged looks, silently conveying messages like 'What should we do?', 'Are we going?', and 'What exactly is PD Jiang up to?'

Jiang Zhiyu took in everyone's reactions but didn't rush them or offer further explanation. He just tilted his head slightly, showing a somewhat innocent yet mysterious expression, and spread his hands. In a breezy 'trust me, it'll be fine' tone, he added one last thing:

"Once you all get there... you'll know."

After saying that, he even blinked at them and flashed a („• ֊ •„)੭ emoji-like smile that looked cute but actually made them feel even more uneasy.

Everyone: "..."

Like hell we'd believe you!!!

However, the PD's word was law, especially during recording.

Kwon Eunbi looked at Jiang Zhiyu's unquestionable (though smiling) attitude, then at her younger members behind her who were equally apprehensive but clearly didn't dare to resist. Finally, she could only sigh in resignation again.

"Okay, PD-min, we understand." She accepted on behalf of the team, then turned to the members and said, "Girls, let's go change."

Her tone was filled with the tragic solemnity of 'if it's a blessing it's not a curse, if it's a curse it can't be avoided'.

And so, IZ*ONE, who had just been immersed in the joy of 'getting off work,' now filled with doubts and a premonition of misfortune, followed the staff's guidance. Dragging their feet—which had only been free for a short while before being 'kidnapped' again—they slowly walked toward the dressing room to change into the unknown 'special episode' costumes.

Jiang Zhiyu stood where he was, watching them leave. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by an excited glint that was a mix of anticipation, calculation, and the thrill of a prank about to succeed.

A special episode?

That wasn't just any ordinary special episode.

It was another 'grand gift' he had meticulously prepared for this group of Star Saints.

He hoped they... would like it.

With hearts full of doubt and the premonition that 'PD Jiang definitely has no good intentions,' the members of IZ*ONE apprehensively put on the 'special episode' costumes prepared by the production team in the dressing room.

When they saw these clothes, their inner urge to complain almost burst through the roof.

If the 'constellation battle suits' and plush headgear they wore in Myeong-dong during the day were embarrassing but at least had a sense of 'combat' and 'variety show' setting, then these clothes could only be described as 'silly'!

The overall style was uniform: hooded sweatshirt sets in extremely bright colors printed with childish cartoon patterns (stars, moons, small animals). The colors were still differentiated according to their constellations, but the design sense was almost zero, looking like something that would only appear in a clearance sale at a children's clothing store. On the back of the hoodies were huge, eye-searing artistic characters saying 'twelve star envoys: Special Episode,' along with their respective 'Star Envoy' titles (like Lionheart Sovereign, Star Spring Guide, etc.) in exaggerated fonts.

The pants were matching loose sweatpants, and on their feet were uniform white socks and... Crocs?! And in various colors, too!

This outfit instantly turned them from 'Star Saints fallen to the mortal realm' into 'kindergarten seniors about to go on a suburban day trip (questionable aesthetic version)'.

"This... is this really the costume for the 'special episode'?" Kim Chaewon held up the bright purple Scorpio hoodie, a look of disbelief on her face.

"I thought it would be more... formal, or at least... normal?" Jo Yuri was also stuck between laughing and crying.

"Crocs..." Jang Wonyoung looked at the sky-blue Crocs assigned to her, feeling her fashion sense was facing an unprecedented challenge.

"Forget it, today is already like this anyway," Kwon Eunbi resignedly put on her golden-brown leo hoodie. "We should have been mentally prepared for PD Jiang's aesthetics long ago."

That being said, when all twelve of them had changed into these 'silly' sets and stood in a row before the dressing room mirror, the scene... actually had a weird harmony and cuteness? Especially when they saw each other's expressions of having given up on life while suppressing laughter, they couldn't help but burst out laughing together. They might as well just roll with it!

Having changed, they were led by the staff out of the backstage area to a relatively quiet exit at the back of the building. The program team's vehicle should be waiting there.

However, when they saw the so-called 'special vehicle' parked at the exit—

"Aish—!!!"

Several members, such as An Yujin, Choi Yena, and Kang Hye-won, almost simultaneously let out short cries mixed with shock, shame, and collapse. They instinctively covered their faces or buried them in the shoulders or backs of the companions beside them, unable to bear the sight.

Even the usually calm Kwon Eunbi and Sakura had their lips twitching wildly.

Jang Wonyoung was directly petrified, her beautiful eyes wide and round as she stared straight ahead.

What was parked there wasn't some low-key van or business car at all, but a... large, gaudily painted tour bus!