Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Suddenly, light burst from the slot, and the movement stopped on a silver space that hadn't been there before.
"Hmm."
Seeing the words 'Great Success' gave me a good feeling for a start.
Would a more effective trait come out this time? Ideally, something helpful for the stage...
[Trait: ‘That sounds right (C)’ Acquired!]
Stirs emotional agitation in the listener.
Activation Probability: 35%, Default: Active
How was I supposed to take this trait that seemed more suited for a hype man?
Was it telling me to go manipulate public opinion on the internet?
No, seeing as it specified 'the listener,' that wasn't it either.
Let’s think about this for a second...
“...”
As I calmed my mind, I realized it was actually a pretty good trait.
Given the nature of survival programs, participants often have moments where they speak directly to the viewers, such as self-introductions or ranking announcements.
In those moments, it would be much more advantageous for the audience to feel something rather than just indifferently passing by. It was a decent trait.
Furthermore, the phrasing 'the listener' suggested that the method of delivery might include singing.
If that were the case, it was a definite win. It would make it easier to create a sense of immersion on stage.
Good. It was much better than having nothing.
After quickly assessing the situation, I checked my status window.
[Name: Park Moon-dae (Ryu Gun-woo)]
Level: 8
Title: None
Vocal: A-
Dance: C
Appearance: C+
Star Quality: C
Trait: Infinite Potential, That sounds right (C)
!Status Effect: Debut or Die
Remaining Points: 1
I had one point remaining, thanks to achieving the achievement <First Experience> when the first stage was broadcast.
And I was only three sessions away from completing the achievement for practicing singing 500 times.
I planned to level up today to gain an extra point and then distribute the points I had immediately.
The top priority was...
"Let's pump Appearance."
It was time to cross the threshold into the B-grade.
I manipulated the status window without hesitation.
...I hope the amount of mentions increases starting from the next batch of content.
I thought idly as I prepared for bed earlier than usual.
Filming would resume tomorrow. Since it started early in the morning, I needed to manage my stamina starting now.
Considering the usual order of things, tomorrow would likely involve either the first team match or filming self-introduction videos.
“Idol Inc. has begun once again! Participants, did you all get some good rest?”
“Yes!!”
My prediction wasn't off. I looked around the filming set from among the participants who were energetically responding to the MC’s question.
Placards were placed here and there in the large auditorium, the same place where we had first performed the theme song.
The setup was such that any viewer of the previous season could easily guess that the first team match was about to take place.
Besides me, several other participants seemed to have already noticed this, as I saw them exchanging glances with one another.
Whether they could actually team up was a mystery, but it didn't seem like a bad idea.
Should I try to recruit someone too?
“...”
Now that I thought about it, there wasn't a single participant I was close enough with to do that. Let's just focus on what the MC is saying.
“The stage you will be preparing today is... a team match!”
“Ooh!”
Everyone reacted with 'I knew it' expressions.
“Since it’s the first team match, I’m sure you all have participants you’d like to work with, right?”
Given how he was setting the stage, the next sentence was bound to start with 'But.'
“But! An idol must be able to demonstrate teamwork no matter who they meet. For this evaluation, you cannot form teams arbitrarily among yourselves!”
The program that had made participants form their own teams in the first season—only to edit it to make it look like they were bullying each other, effectively ruining about five people—certainly talked a big game.
“Then how will we form the teams? First, everyone, please pick a ball from this box!”
“This is scary.”
Keun Se-jin (Gold Grade), who was standing behind me, whispered.
Of all the places the production crew could have put me, he was the only person I was on speaking terms with nearby. It seemed like he was doing this because he wanted to create a reaction shot.
Since the cameras were rolling, I couldn't just ignore him.
I gave a half-hearted nod, followed the person in front of me, and picked a ball from the box.
'Number 12.'
It seemed like we would either form teams by number or choose teams in this numerical order.
“Participant Number 1, who is it? Please raise your hand! Ah, it’s participant Lee Hong-soo!”
A Silver-grade participant awkwardly raised his hand. The MC pointed toward the placards placed around the auditorium.
“Participants can choose each placard in order!”
It was the latter. The MC smiled and swept his arm across the room.
“Now, please reveal the contents of the placards!”
Ping—.
The placards lit up, and text appeared. It was somewhat high-tech, but the content was more important than that.
The names of famous agencies were written on each placard.
“The names of the agencies leading K-POP across the globe are written here! You just need to pick one of these agencies. However, the capacity is 14 people!”
The MC spread his hand wide.
“However, if the capacity is exceeded, a person with a higher grade can push out someone with a lower grade and take their place!”
“Wow, the rules are brutal.”
Keun Se-jin, the Gold-grade, spoke to me again, making a fuss.
“Even if you pick the same agency as me, don't push me out, okay? I'm good, you know?”
“...You're a Gold.”
I couldn't understand why a guy with such a high grade was assuming he'd be pushed out.
“Even a Gold can be pushed out by a Platinum!”
“...I won't push you.”
“Oh~ What a cool answer.”
“...”
Don't get sucked in.
For the record, there were five agency placards. A setup where seven people would inevitably be unable to stand at a placard and would have to stand in the corner.
I could already see the interviews that would be spliced in.
[It was really scary.]
[I realized this is where the real survival begins.]
“Then, we will start with participant Lee Hong-soo, who picked Number 1!”
The first participant went and stood in front of an agency famous for being a powerhouse for boy idols.
My number was 12, so I was quite early. I probably wouldn't need to push anyone out.
However, the fact that I couldn't check my teammates in advance was quite troublesome.
The quality of the stage and the direction of the editing would change depending on who the teammates for this first team match were, and that would shift the entire landscape afterward.
Furthermore, until Number 11 was called, there wasn't a single participant I recognized. This meant none of them were in the final debut lineup.
I had to use my head.
“Next participant, please move!”
After some deliberation, I decided on my destination.
I headed toward the placard that had been chosen by the most high-grade participants so far.
Every agency had its own hit songs anyway, so as long as I chose well, the song selection wouldn't be a major issue.
Therefore, the teammates were more important than the agency.
The stage would be better if there were talented people, so even though it was a small sample size, I calculated based on the 11 people ahead of me.
For now, I'll go where there are many high grades.
As I walked toward a placard holding my ball, two Gold-grade participants gave me an awkward welcome.
It seemed like the two of them had agreed to choose the same placard.
I had only ever exchanged greetings with them, but they were clearly trying their best to look welcoming.
You guys are working hard too.
“Oh~ Main vocal!”
I decided to accept that reaction gratefully as well.
Fortunately, both were participants who were strong in dancing.
The problem started after that.
“Next is~ Ah, participant Lee Se-jin!”
Lee Se-jin, the former child actor, had also chosen this placard.
Lee Se-jin, holding Number 15, approached with a stiff expression and stood behind the placard.
The two Golds seemed like they were going to try and welcome him as well, but Lee Se-jin just turned around and stood at the back, causing their attempt to fizzle out awkwardly.
“Ah...”
I heard an embarrassed sound from the front.
Well, since he was right behind me, I should at least make this much of a gesture.
I turned my head and bowed slightly to the actor Lee Se-jin. Lee Se-jin gave a curt nod back. It was a sullen reaction.
As expected, I had a bad feeling about this. I wondered if someone would push this guy out.
However, after that, the possibility dropped to near zero as participants with Bronze grades, lower than Silver, began to join.
Damn it.
Then, around the 30s. Seon A-hyun, holding Number 33, approached with a nervous expression.
“...”
Well, more Gold grades were always good. He had a cooperative personality, too. I gave a slight wave, and Seon A-hyun’s face brightened as he waved back vigorously.
It was a bit embarrassing.
The next notable addition was Ryu Cheong-woo, a Platinum grade.
A former national archer, he was one of the debut members I knew.
“I look forward to working with you!”
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a wide smile and took his place as the 13th person in line.
Only one spot remained.
Unfortunately, the 1st and 2nd place debut candidates I knew had gone to a different placard. It was the one the first participant had gone to, the agency famous for boy idol groups.
Because that agency was particularly popular, its spots were the first to be filled and contested.
It included several people who had become hot topics during the first stage or were in the debut range, including the 1st place, Cha Yu-jin.
Over there, even Silvers were being pushed out.
“I’m sorry.”
The Silver-grade participant who had been pushed out nodded with effort and approached our placard. He looked utterly miserable.
“...”
For the record, this guy was Choi Won-gil.
He had been picking fights so hard, but it seemed his mental state had truly shattered after he messed up the grade evaluation and dropped to Silver.
It might just be my imagination, but he seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me.
“Heol, now someone has to be pushed out for anyone else to get in. All 14 spots are filled.”
“Oh boy.”
The two Golds who had stood in line first whispered to each other.
...I was starting to worry about the composition of this team.
And then, the one who pushed his way in at the 60s was this guy.
“The person I am nominating for removal is... Bronze-grade participant Jung Hyung-joong. I am truly sorry!”
Keun Se-jin, the Gold-grade, had chosen this placard.
Keun Se-jin, who kept bowing his head, became the first to push someone out and join this placard.
Because he acted so apologetic and affable, everyone seemed to just accept it.
“Oh, Moon-dae~ Are you going for main vocal?”
“Whoever suits it best will do it.”
“Wow, so cool~ ‘Whoever suits it best will do it’~”
“...”
If the cameras hadn't been there, I would have thrown a punch.
I stared at Keun Se-jin without responding, and he just grinned, gave my back a slap, and moved to join the line.
I felt so wronged...
“Everyone, have you all chosen the placards you wanted?”
The movement only ended after the remaining participants, who had been pushed out from various places, were assigned to a newly brought-out placard.
At the placard where I stood, there had been no changes since Keun Se-jin (Gold) joined, other than one Silver pushing out a Bronze.
To summarize the grades of the participants here:
—2 Platinums, 5 Golds, 5 Silvers, 2 Bronzes.
Overall, excluding the 1st place team, it was the best distribution. The members seemed to realize this as well, looking somewhat satisfied.
Of course, it wouldn't end here.
“Now, I’m sure you’ll want to pick some great songs!”
“Yes!!”
There was no way they would cram 14 people into one team. They would split us into groups of seven.
I knew exactly who I wanted to avoid, and as for who I wanted to work with...
I turned my head. By chance, I made eye contact with Ryu Cheong-woo.
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a slight nod. It seemed he was also thinking of forming a team centered around high grades. Good. Then, in a way that looks as least petty as possible...
“Now, before that... those who picked the placards first, please raise your hands!”
Participants standing directly behind the placards here and there raised their hands high.
The MC said with a smile.
“Those who raised their hands, please press the button on top of the placard once!”
“Pardon?”
“The placard?”
“A button? Ah, that square thing up there. Oh, that’s it.”
The participants buzzed among themselves before each finding and pressing the button on the top of their placards.
Then, the content of the placards flickered and changed.
“Oh, what’s this?”
“Are these lotto numbers?”
Two rows of seven numbers appeared on the placard screens. It was the same for the agency placard I was standing at.
[4, 7, 12, 15, 33, 37, 62]
[17, 24, 27, 38, 41, 59, 72]
“Do you see the numbers on the placards?”
“Yes!”
“We see them!”
“If you buy a lottery ticket with those numbers...! Haha, just kidding. You will become a team based on those numbers! ...Does everyone remember the number of the ball you picked for the starting order?”
“...!!”
“You will now be a team with the others whose numbers are listed on the placard! And you will have a one-on-one match against the other team!”
The filming set was instantly filled with noise.
“Oh, hey, what number are you... I was Number 5, right? Heol.”
“Wow, what the hell is this...”
“Are we split up?”
Our placard wasn't much different. First, the Gold-grade participant who had pressed the button let out a cheer and hugged the other Gold-grade who had been standing right behind him. As expected, they had come here to work together.
And then he immediately turned to me and shouted.
“Hyung-nim! Number 12~ We’re on the same team!”
“Wow, jackpot! We secured the main vocal!”
And immediately, someone grabbed my neck from behind and joined the huddle where the Golds were embracing.
“Our team is great?!”
It was Keun Se-jin. I see. He was Number 62.
Amidst the three people who were making an even bigger fuss on purpose, I tried to match the order of the teammates.
The remaining ones were 15, 33, and 37.
First, Number 33 was Seon A-hyun.
That worked out well. I slipped out from between the three of them while turning around to talk to Seon A-hyun.
It was so uncomfortable I almost got annoyed.
“I look forward to working with you.”
Seon A-hyun nodded vigorously. Okay, who are the remaining teammates?
It would be great if Ryu Cheong-woo, the Platinum grade and debut member, was here. Was he Number 37...?
“...”
He wasn't. Number 37 was Choi Won-gil. He was definitely standing there awkwardly, holding his ball.
Ryu Cheong-woo already seemed to be gathering people over there to start a briefing.
Damn it.
And Number 15 was...
Dammit, it was the actor Lee Se-jin.
He was also staring at the group of three Golds with eyes that clearly refused to communicate.
This is a disaster. This is a recipe for a total editing nightmare.
Regardless of my predictions, the grades visible on the surface were overwhelmingly good.
Perhaps that was why Seon A-hyun added in a rare, joyful voice.
“I, I, I think the teammates are good.”
“...”
Sure, at least you should stay positive.