Chapter 274
Chapter 274
If someone with a strong sense of inferiority and competitiveness enters a survival audition, their true colors are bound to leak out eventually, no matter how perfectly they handle themselves at the start.
‘Because the program is designed to provoke that kind of psychology.’
Especially by the time the first team battle rolls around, they would have already checked the public’s initial reaction to the contestants. Even if they don’t know their exact ranking, everyone can tell based on view counts and mentions.
‘He probably knows he’s in the top tier. And he’ll know which contestants are a threat to his position.’
The more potential you see, the more obsessed you become. There was a high probability that Chae Seo-dam was among the "mean contestants" Mirinae had mentioned.
I spoke into the phone again.
“May I ask which contestant it was…?”
—Oh, well, I might be biased! It’s a bit awkward for me to say specifically who did what wrong!
“I understand,” I replied flatly. “I’m not trying to use this information to slander anyone. I’m just a bit concerned. If they debut, they’ll be under the same agency as us.”
—Ugh~ that is a bit of a concern!
“Yes.”
I paused for a beat before asking.
“So… could I ask about the most memorable mean thing you saw?”
A blunt voice came through the receiver.
—Ah, well, that should be fine, right?
Got her.
“Of course.”
—Right! What bothered me the most was how they’d pretend not to hear someone on purpose!
“Ah, so they ignored them?”
That seemed a bit one-dimensional.
—No, no! It’s like… Ah, how should I explain this?
How should I know?
It was then.
—Huh?
—Unnie!
The background of the call became noisy with the sound of someone running and a scream-like exclamation.
“…?”
There was a brief silence as if the phone had been covered, and then the voice changed.
—Hello, sunbaenim! This is Park Min-ha from Mirinae!
She was the 2nd place contestant.
“Yes… Hello, Min-ha.”
—Yes!!
She was panting, as if she had rushed to grab the phone. Did she also misunderstand this as some romantic vibe?
“I was calling because I had some questions regarding the new season of Idol Inc.”
—Ah, if you tell me what you’re curious about, I’ll explain! I was there too!
She was in a hurry.
“I see. Since the episodes you filmed haven't aired yet, I thought only Jung Yul-gi had appeared.”
—Ah, aha!
That was a lie. I just thought it would be easier to get an answer from the 1st place winner, Jung Yul-gi.
—Yes… What are you curious about, sunbaenim!
I briefly summarized the conversation I’d had with the 1st place winner. Park Min-ha took a sharp breath.
—Ah… that.
“I take it you saw it too, Min-ha.”
—Um, yes.
The junior spoke hesitantly, sounding reluctant.
—What Unnie was talking about… was the framing.
Oh.
“Framing?”
—Yes. They acted in a way that made only themselves look like the victim.
The 2nd place winner grew calmer as she explained.
—So… they were clearly told about the new practice schedule when the cameras and mics were off. But in front of the cameras, they’d say things like, ‘I never heard about that,’ with this devastated look on their face.
“…!”
—Unnie and I heard it while we were moving to go grab something. They probably didn't know we were there.
It must have been a proactive sight—a contestant creating their own editing points.
“If that’s the case, the victim must have protested quite a bit, saying it was a lie.”
—Yes. But then they’d just… say in this humble tone, ‘Right, you might have told me and I just don’t remember. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.’
“…….”
—So it became awkward for us to step in and say we saw it….
Smart.
It was a move that made the asserting party look like a fool. It was an act done with full consideration for the editing.
In that case….
“The victim probably wasn't ranked very high. And they probably weren't the type to have many friends.”
That way, they could be cut out of the picture immediately at the next ranking announcement. It was a way to prevent trouble.
—…Yes. Um.
“What was the victim’s position, by any chance?”
—Dance.
I intentionally asked the next question without a pause.
“And the person who did it is definitely in the debut range, right?”
—…! Th-that, um.
“Ah, if it’s a sensitive topic, you don’t have to answer.”
Caught off guard, her reaction was unrefined. I felt bad, but that reaction was as good as a ‘yes.’ It would all come out once the show aired anyway.
‘Currently in the definite debut range for the dance position.’
There were only two or three people, including Chae Seo-dam. And considering how similar it was to the case I heard from Seon A-hyun….
‘It’s safe to assume it’s Chae Seo-dam.’
As expected, the guy’s head was screwed on tight.
He had used a vulnerable contestant—someone in the same position who could compete for parts, but had a low rank and poor interpersonal skills—as a sacrifice.
And considering the production team’s editing style… it would likely be portrayed exactly as he planned: as the victim’s inferiority complex.
‘This makes it hard to call him out even after being eliminated.’
Hadn't he already defended himself by pretending to lose, saying, ‘I might not remember’?
Once the image is set, any protest from the eliminated contestant would just look like bitterness toward the 1st place winner.
‘…Unfortunate.’
There was no real way for the victim to save themselves.
I clicked my tongue, but in truth, this wasn't a bad situation for me. It meant he was showing his true character here as well. It would be easy to catch his tail.
In fact, Mirinae had already caught it once.
‘It’ll be hard for us to do it directly….’
It couldn't be helped; I’d have to use this phone call.
“…By any chance, do you have any more schedules related to this season of Aju-sa?”
—Huh? Yes. Since we’re giving them a song, we’ll probably go at least one more time! Around the time the second teams are finalized for the mid-term evaluation.
“Then, could you keep an eye on the atmosphere among the trainees for me?”
Gulp.
I heard the sound of someone swallowing hard over the phone.
—M-may I ask why!?
“Hearing what you just explained… I have a very bad feeling about it. If they do something even worse, I’m thinking of keeping my distance even if we end up in the same agency after they debut.”
—Ah. Um, I understand!
The 2nd place winner seemed much more at ease.
After adding several times that she would try but ‘please don’t expect too much from me,’ she hung up with a polite farewell.
Seeing her add self-protective remarks instead of just blindly saying ‘I’ll do my best,’ it seemed her rookie days were coming to an end.
—Goodnight, sunbaenim!
“Yes, you too, Min-ha. Sorry for the late call.”
I hung up.
“Hmm.”
The situation was good.
The bastard seemed to have a brain, but I could see him gradually making careless moves.
‘If it were me, I would have definitely stayed low.’
Since he didn't know he was 1st place at the time, I could understand his obsession with ‘maintaining momentum’ rather than ‘solidifying his position.’
And now that he was 1st… he was probably starting to let his guard down.
“…….”
Since it looked like I might catch something interesting, I should set up one more line.
Coincidentally, it was currently the break in filming before the first ranking announcement. After thinking for a moment, I sent a text.
[I saw the broadcast. I hope you get a good result. I’m rooting for you.]
The recipient was Gold 2, Kwon Hee-seung.
*
When I checked the next morning, Gold 2 had replied immediately.
[Hyung ㅠㅠ Thank you so much for the support! I didn't contact you because I was afraid it might be a burden!]
[I’ll work hard! I’ll definitely see you on stage! (Heart-blowing emoji)]
Since we’d exchanged greetings occasionally, it didn't seem like he felt I was suddenly contacting him just because he was likely to become famous.
And for someone who had appeared on that damn program again, he seemed quite hopeful and energetic. He had reason to be.
‘He got Platinum this time.’
Gold 2 had escaped Gold. Moreover, he was riding high with good editing.
Usually, a second attempt at a survival show is either a huge hit or a total flop, and he had hit the jackpot.
That’s why his initial rank was 3rd.
Even with an existing fanbase, it was a strong showing, and the fact that his popularity hadn't cooled since the broadcast started meant his chances of debuting were significant.
‘And if I had to pick a position for Gold 2, it’s closer to dance.’
What that meant was… there was a high probability that Chae Seo-dam had marked him. As someone to keep in check if necessary.
“Moondae-Moondae, who are you texting?”
“Gold…, I mean, Kwon Hee-seung.”
“Hmm.”
“I heard something interesting last night.”
I told him about the call with Mirinae and added a few deductions.
“Ah~ I get it. Okay.”
Keun Se-jin nodded with a smile and turned on his smartphone.
[Keun Se-jin: Is everyone doing well? (Eye-rolling emoji)]
[Keun Se-jin: I saw the first team battle for this Aju-sa, and it totally made me think of our team ㅋㅋ Man, in my mind… it was a legendary legend stage!]
He briefly activated the group chat for ‘October 31,’ the team he was on during the first team battle of Aju-sa.
Then, over a few days, he put in the effort to draw out active responses and participation from Gold 2.
[Keun Se-jin: How is it, Hee-seung-ssi? Are you showing us another legendary legend stage? (Sparkly-eyed emoji)]
[Kwon Hee-seung: ㅋㅋㅋ Ah, hyung, I don’t know!! (Shy emoji)]
Bae Se-jin was flustered by the sudden activity in the group chat.
“Why is he… doing this?”
“Spying on this season of Aju-sa.”
“Spying? …Ah! That guy. Got it.”
Bae Se-jin suddenly became very cooperative. And it seemed he tried to write something himself.
[Keun Se-jin: I’m planning to watch the live broadcast of Aju-sa tonight while eating an apple. Don’t you think the apple will taste spicy? ㅋㅋㅋ]
[Kwon Hee-seung: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 100%]
[Bae Se-jin Hyung: That’s why it’s better to eat apples in the morning than in the evening.]
After the message suddenly cut off, a reply came two minutes later.
[Golden Age Ha Il-jun Hyung: ㅋㅋ Se-jin is the same as ever!]
“…….”
Thump.
Bae Se-jin slammed his head down and buried himself in the sofa. Well, everyone expected that from him, so he didn't need to feel too ashamed.
Regardless, he had played his part in lowering the tension and making things comfortable.
And a few weeks later, the time came.
[Contestant Chae Seo-dam, who says he wasn't notified of the changed practice time]
[The frozen team atmosphere]
[Chae Seo-dam: …No, I’m sorry. I must not have heard it. I’m sorry.]
[Lee Ho-yoon: No, that’s not it (Edit) I definitely told you!]
[Chae Seo-dam: Yes, you told me, but I think I remembered it wrong….]
‘That scene’ finally aired.
“Wow, incredible.”
“Seriously.”
The members were watching the episode in the living room while Seon A-hyun was doing punch needle in his room. I had already explained the situation to them.
[Q: Anything you feel is unfair?]
[Chae Seo-dam: It can’t be helped. I can’t ruin the team atmosphere… It’s okay.]
Even Chae Seo-dam’s interview, appearing at the perfect moment, was the typical flavor of Aju-sa editing.
“Is there any chance he really couldn't remember due to a fatal memory issue…?”
“No. He’s just a mean guy.”
Bae Se-jin’s expression hardened as he glared at the screen. It seemed he felt it too.
Anyway, the broadcast continued.
[The winning team is… ‘Changer!’]
[Waaaaah!!]
[You will receive a survival draw ticket! And… as a prize, you will be able to appear on Tnet’s global music show, MusicBOMB!]
The episode ended with Chae Seo-dam’s team winning.
“Now they’re even giving out survival rights through random draws.”
“I know, right.”
They really knew how to make people suffer. Though, I had work to do rather than dwelling on such thoughts.
‘Since it’s confirmed that the guy Mirinae mentioned is Chae Seo-dam.’
I followed the members as they naturally dispersed after the program ended and went into the room with Keun Se-jin. It was time to implement what we had discussed.
“I’m doing it?”
“Yeah.”
He’d be better at this than me. Keun Se-jin shrugged and made the call.
To Gold 2.
“What about recording?”
“He can’t. He uses an Apple phone.”
Good.
Before long, the call was connected.
“Hey, Hee-seung. I’m calling just in case…. Actually, I heard some things.”
—Yes?
Keun Se-jin skillfully processed the information he’d heard from Mirinae. Of course, he changed the source to some other staff member.
His tone wasn't one of slander, but of concern for Gold 2.
“…So. But seeing today’s broadcast, that… that scene actually came out, and I wondered if maybe.”
—…….
Gold 2 was silent for a moment. But soon, a long, long sigh could be heard over the phone.
—Ah…. Ah, no wonder it felt a bit strange.
Exactly.
“Was there something bothering you?”
—Yes! In our group chat… Ah, anyway! His attitude toward me changed a bit after the rankings came out.
“Is he keeping you in check, by any chance?”
—Exactly! Now I see…. But I didn't know his personality was like this! Ah, why do these situations keep happening to me? It was like this last time too!
Gold 2 started whining.
Come to think of it, Gold 2 had been uniquely targeted and ignored by Choi Won-gil last season. That’s probably why this hit home even more.
Keun Se-jin smoothly steered the conversation.
“Well, if that person debuts, he’ll be in the same group as you. So I thought I’d call and tell you to be careful, just in case!”
—Ugh…. Yes, hyung! Thank you, really…. Sigh, my life, sigh.
Gold 2 grumbled and let out a deep sigh before hanging up.
Click.
Keun Se-jin lowered his smartphone and smirked.
“The groundwork is good, right?”
“Perfect.”
With this, Gold 2 would likely join as an ally if the need arose.
I shrugged, gave him a high-five as he requested, and walked out.
Click.
It was as I was entering my room.
Seon A-hyun, who was sitting at his desk tidying up a finished rug, asked quietly.
“Um… you, you watched Aju-sa, right?”
“…!”
Did he hear us?
I nodded. Seon A-hyun spoke calmly.
“I-it’s okay. Next time… I want to sit and watch it with you.”
“…Sure.”
Seon A-hyun’s face was a bit pale, but he finished tidying up with a smile and stood up.
“I can’t, stay like this forever… I want to get better.”
“I understand.”
I patted him on the back.
‘I can start by showing him short clips.’
However, the opportunity for this ‘challenge’ came sooner than expected.
A few days later.
“Hello, sunbaenim!”
TeSTAR ran into this season’s Idol Inc. contestants, who were accompanied by a swarm of cameras, in the hallway of the broadcasting station.
It was the music show appearance that was the privilege of the winning team.
‘Shit.’
Naturally, he was among them.
“Hello.”
Chae Seo-dam.