Chapter 373
Chapter 373
A short-term project group aimed solely at achieving maximum efficiency in the shortest time possible to escape this place.
For this to be accepted, one ultimately had to acknowledge that reality existed elsewhere and that returning was possible.
‘The problem is whether this bastard can even go that far.’
I kept my mouth shut. Then, Cheong-ryeo slowly spoke.
“Fine.”
He took the bait.
‘It’s a go.’
I clenched my fist and suppressed a sigh. There was no need to show my relief.
“Then, about the survival show…”
I was about to tell him to cancel it. If only his next words hadn't stopped me.
“Hmm? That’s already scheduled to proceed.”
“…!!”
Where the hell has this bastard been listening all this time—?
“Cancel it.”
“Hmm? It’s not like I’m the president of the broadcasting station… It’s a bit late for that now. Haha.”
I really wanted to punch him just once.
As if sensing my urge, he finally offered a plausible reason.
“Isn't a survival show the best for generating initial buzz?”
“………”
I rubbed my chin.
“I suppose so.”
Wasn't I the living proof of that?
As long as it appealed to the target audience, there was no better way to consolidate short-term firepower than a survival show. The problem was that he was the one holding the knife.
“As long as you don’t do anything stupid.”
“Anything stupid?”
Like trying to crush Cha Yu-jin on broadcast just because he pisses you off, you prick.
I didn't say it out loud, but Cheong-ryeo seemed to catch the nuance and shrugged.
“Hmm, I think there’s a misunderstanding here.”
He smirked again.
The look on his face, as if he were pitying a novice, made me feel disgusted.
“Do you honestly think your group members will naturally debut as long as there’s no unfair interference?”
“Yeah.”
This guy must have seen that insane mess in Idol Inc., yet he was talking nonsense. Was there any way someone who survived that madness couldn't handle a 2010s-style agency survival show?
‘With proper coaching, pushing aside the filler trainees is child’s play.’
“Hmm…”
Cheong-ryeo stroked his chin.
“Then shall we make a bet?”
“What?”
“Between VTIC and TeSTAR, who gets more members to debut here?”
What a load of crap.
“Is this something to bet on? Besides, I’ve only gathered two so far.”
“I only have two right now, too.”
“……”
In the first place, wasn't the total number of VTIC members half of TeSTAR’s?
“Hmm, lost your confidence?”
This guy, seriously.
I jerked my chin.
“Let’s do it by ratio instead. To be fair.”
“Sure. You’re overflowing with confidence.”
He let out a laugh.
“Alright then, Junior. Shall we… start planning?”
He reached out his hand.
“……”
I shook the hand he offered.
It was a temporary alliance.
But then, his grip tightened.
“However, if we reach the end and there’s nothing.”
The expression vanished from his face.
“If your reasoning turns out to be wrong.”
“…!”
Cheong-ryeo narrowed his eyes and smirked.
“From then on, you do exactly as I’ve planned. No exceptions.”
“……”
He was always digging a pit for someone.
‘That won’t happen, though.’
I nodded silently and tightened my grip on his hand in return.
“Haha, if this were reality, it would have been a total disaster.”
“A nightmare, you mean.”
And so, a "Mix & Match" survival show that would have made any fandom in reality faint was established.
After a few days of preliminary work, articles began to appear in late February, and teaser trailers started popping up on WeTube.
The teaser was a typical large-agency survival show format.
First, it showed the new LeTi building like some kind of palace with grand camera work.
[The cradle of global idols representing South Korea, LeTi]
[Producer: Something that’s never been seen before.]
[Artist Team Leader: It’s unprecedented. Even we’re amazed at how we gathered them.]
[So-hyun from Malang Dalkom: But in the end, whether they can capture the public’s heart…]
[So-hyun from Malang Dalkom: That’s a different story.]
The staff members threw out meaningful remarks.
Then, a massive title appeared.
[Who is Superior?]
The initials were stylishly bound in 3D graphics.
[WiS]
[The survival show to select LeTi’s next generation]
[<Wise>]
Wise.
It meant "prudent," but the pronunciation was intended to blend "Who is" and "Why," capturing both "Why should they debut?" and "Who is that member?"
—Though everyone just calls it the "LeTi Survival."
I figured as much. I warmed up my body, recalling Cheong-ryeo’s words.
Cameras were already lined up in the waiting room below the stage.
“Face!”
“Yes.”
Perhaps because we were all trainees who hadn't debuted yet, the makeup artists didn't have that "service industry" tone. However, it felt less mechanical than Idol Inc.
‘Is it because there are fewer people?’
I scanned the remaining faces.
There were a total of 14 people sitting on the floor of this building.
Seven from the debut group plus seven other trainees.
‘I see a lot of familiar faces.’
I realized that many of the people the Management Office Chief had gathered on my first day here were included.
Was I ordered to test them for this?
‘I see Shin-o and Ju-dan, too.’
I didn't know if the original VTIC members were naturally there or if Cheong-ryeo had pulled strings, but they were inside.
I crossed my arms.
‘Cha Yu-jin and Kim Rae-bin are scheduled to show up at the right time, too.’
The problem was the others.
The remaining TeSTAR members…
I had checked everyone I could find on the internet to see where they had scattered before the survival started, but…
“……”
In many ways, the two youngest were the only ones currently available. For now, I’d start like this.
‘There will be another chance.’
I briefed myself once more on the structure of this survival show as explained by Cheong-ryeo.
—From the outside… it will look like everything revolves around the CEO’s intuition.
Soon, the main cameras started rolling, and lights and people filled the stage.
The 14 of us entered in a line.
The CEO, a guy with a slick face sitting in the judge’s seat right in front of the stage, began the briefing.
He was a guy who had been the face of a popular singer-songwriter group in the 90s.
“From now on, you aren't trainees to me. I’ll be addressing you as fellow artists. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then, to you who will become the new stars of LeTi, I will explain the rules of this program.”
After an intentional pause, the explanation continued.
“This is a survival show.”
“……!”
“Pardon?”
They were all acting quite well, considering they must have heard all the rumors floating around the company. It was only natural to expect eliminations when there were 14 people.
I just stood there with a stiff expression.
“Who will be eliminated, how many will be eliminated, who will debut, how many will debut… everything is an unknown.”
Isn't that just saying the same thing twice?
Regardless, everyone swallowed hard with disciplined faces.
“You are running toward your dreams, but for those dreams, you must overcome numerous competitions.”
“……”
“So, from now on, those who win the competition will survive.”
—Elite Class, Lower Class. That’s how we’ll divide them at first.
It was exactly as he said.
The first task everyone had been notified of in advance.
[Show a solo performance.]
This was the main content for Episode 1.
“You have to be good, but star quality is just as important as skill. I will also use charm—something that can’t be converted into numbers—as a yardstick for evaluation.”
It meant that even if the judgment was bullshit, we should just accept it as our own lack of charm.
“Yes!”
The trainees who answered vigorously came out one by one to show their dance, song, or talent before returning to their spots.
‘They interpreted the meaning of "performance" quite broadly.’
I watched the stages while managing my expression to ensure I wouldn't be nitpicked, even though that was unlikely.
The quality was… very good for trainees. However.
‘There’s a clear difference from the debut group.’
I smirked inwardly.
‘He intentionally told them late.’
The other seven were thrown in as fodder to highlight the seven in the debut group for Episode 1.
At such a green stage, the gap between one week of practice and one month of practice was enormous.
He probably didn't do it overtly. He likely manipulated the gap by subtly dropping hints to the debut group like rumors.
Something like:
—Did you hear about the solo performance? Oh, not yet? Never mind, just keep practicing, guys~
‘Since I’ve only been here for three months, I wouldn't have even heard the rumors.’
Anyway, because of that, the Elite and Lower classes were split almost exactly as expected.
The debut group was the Elite Class. The rest were the Lower Class. I watched Shin-o and Ju-dan go to the Lower Class. Cheong-ryeo’s expression didn't even flicker.
‘Hmm.’
Is he trying to create an image of them climbing up?
It was then.
“Next performance… Ryu Gun-woo.”
“Yes.”
It was my turn. I stood up and moved.
Ninth. An awkward position.
The first stage.
‘Actually… it’s not that important.’
In a massive survival show like Idol Inc. where half the people are dropped instantly, making a quick impression is vital, but this required a longer view.
Since every stage would be broadcast anyway.
‘I’ll just maintain a stable image here.’
I grabbed the head mic and waited quietly.
The music began to flow.
The CEO of LeTi, currently sitting in front of the stage for the survival show, didn't actually have much interest in the individual trainees.
His interests were the growth of the company, and even greater success.
The fame and wealth that came from it!
‘That’s business.’
The former singer and current businessman, who hadn't released an album in over ten years, laced his fingers together.
Still, he had an eye for talent. He had handpicked and screened such good stock.
The CEO had quickly skipped through the rehearsal and practice videos, scanning the trainees primarily through the reported documents.
[Candidate List Summary]
Text refined by various experts rarely missed the mark. And he had no time to waste on each individual.
Moreover, this guy in particular was exactly as described. The one standing before him now.
—21-year-old Ryu Gun-woo.
After flipping past the personal details, the first line of the characteristics section read:
—The visual type sought after in this project.
‘He’s exceptionally handsome, with a great aura.’
Even among this group of carefully selected individuals, he was strikingly good-looking.
His features were sharp, and he had a sophisticated, intellectual vibe.
It felt like if the CEO showed a bit of disapproval, the public would foam at the mouth and vote for him instead.
‘Okay.’
He decided on his stance. It would be more interesting if he acted a bit harsh.
The CEO crossed his arms.
“Begin.”
The filming lights at the edge of the stage faded, and a spotlight fell on Ryu Gun-woo like a divine light.
Then, elegant and heavy music began to play.
“Hmm.”
It was jazz-pop.
Under the slightly dim lighting, the pale face leaned into the standing microphone.
[In a sweet life,
There are things you need.
Music, dance, wine, maybe roses.]
Pop songs were a genre frequently chosen for performances by idol hopefuls lately.
It was more about tone than high notes. Many songs had a structure that was easy for a decent lead vocal to showcase.
And if it were a selection meant to show the maximum within a mediocre skill level, it would have been the best choice—but this time was an exception.
[Life in the clouds,
Twinkling stars.]
There was no sign of nervousness, no awkward tone, no clumsy vocalization.
What resonated through the microphone was a perfection like the original track, a sound without any shortcomings.
“…!”
Without a hint of amateurishness, his tone flowed like deep wine.
[When the piano rings,
Blooming in the white smoke,
Jazz….]
Reflexively, the CEO scanned Ryu Gun-woo’s next evaluation in the documents.
—High-level vocal skills.
…Wasn't calling this merely "high-level" actually an undervaluation?
—Ranked 3rd overall in this month’s evaluation.
And he’s good at dancing, too?
And…
—Weaknesses: /
Blank. A shiver ran down his spine.
[Hmm umumm, Lalala-la….]
A perfect raw gem with no flaws yet, a high-quality product that hadn't consumed a single bit of its image, shone on the stage.
And his voice still filled the stage. With smooth and weighty technique, until the end of the first verse.
[Twinkling stars.]
With that one high note sung a cappella, the sound that had richly filled the ears vanished in an instant.
All that remained was the handsome face pulling away from the standing mic.
“……”
For a moment, the silence felt terribly empty…
The CEO wasn't doing it on purpose; he was truly lost for words and remained silent.
‘Just where… where has a guy like this been hiding until he popped up at twenty?’
It was then.
A low voice echoed.
“Thank you.”
“…!”
“Ah.”
Clap, clap-clap…!!
At Ryu Gun-woo’s thanks, applause broke out from here and there a beat late.
This atmosphere of being overwhelmed.
‘…Right now!’
The CEO grabbed the microphone.
Detailed reviews could be added later as interviews during editing. He had to say this now.
He felt it. The instinct of a broadcaster and a businessman!
“Gun-woo… you’ve only been a trainee for three months, right? You were originally a university student.”
“Yes.”
“Which university do you attend?”
The young man in front of him answered calmly, without a change in expression.
“I attend Yonhee University.”
Perfect. This was exactly where a cutscene should go. The CEO smiled inwardly.
‘Be grateful.’
For being given this much screen time.
“Then why do you want to be a singer?”
He intentionally didn't add "idol." It was to leave no room for dance to interfere with the thought.
‘If such great singing is given some nice post-processing, it’ll definitely create a stunning picture.’
Then everyone would want this guy to become a singer…
“I feel like you could easily challenge other great things even if you just graduated from university.”
This was where it would explode.
‘Now, come on!’
Ryu Gun-woo looked at him without much change in expression.
He didn't seem conscious of the camera. The words just tumbled out naturally.
“Because… I’ve never been this happy in my life.”
Then, a faint smile spread across his face.
“So, I believe this is the right answer. And I can’t choose anything else while leaving the right answer behind. This is the only thing for me.”
“……”
Without any awareness of variety show tropes, it was a clean, unembellished taste typical of a student.
A rare find for a trainee survival show.
This… was it!
The CEO picked up the microphone with a thrill.
“Did you see that, everyone? Duration isn't what’s important. What matters is that mindset.”
He raised his hand and pointed at the trainee on stage.
“That clear determination to debut! That’s the number one priority.”
Then he delivered the finishing blow.
“Congratulations, Ryu Gun-woo. There’s nothing more to say. You’re in the Elite Class.”
This was the highlight.
“…Thank you.”
Ryu Gun-woo answered a beat late, as if choked up, and bowed his head.
‘He’s a useful guy.’
He smiled a triumphant smile inwardly.
But the other party felt the same way.
‘How is it that all the higher-ups, big or small, have the exact same way of thinking?’
Effort and mindset.
Ryu Gun-woo, who had adjusted his answer so the CEO could spout his "wise words" to his heart's content, was nodding inwardly.
[Hyung, seriously, congratulations! The first filming was the best!]
“Yeah.”
After the filming ended, the agency sent me home instead of the survival dormitory, saying that the footage hadn't reached that point yet.
‘Thanks to that, I have time to think.’
Coincidentally, Ryu Cheong-woo had gone on an MT. Seeing him send photos of mountains, it seemed his hobbies were the same here.
And I sat in my room, lost in thought.
…But for Big Moon to make that comment.
[At this rate, it looks like you’ll debut smoothly, Hyung!]
I suppressed a groan and rested my chin on my hand.
“I have to.”
[Pardon…?]
I had to do well.
Otherwise, I’d face a fucking embarrassing situation.
I recalled my previous conversation with Cheong-ryeo.
—But in the end, you’ll have to debut with someone, Junior.
—That’s true.
In the end, I was the one who had to gather experience points with the system ghost attached to me.
Then, that guy rested his chin on his hand and blathered while pretending to be serious.
—Should I make it so you can debut no matter what?
—What?
—Hmm, no. I said that wrong. This isn't a suggestion. It’s a given.
—…….
—Haha, are you seriously trying to keep your pride here?
And I realized, fuck, if I stopped this guy just because I felt offended, I’d be a clueless idiot.
—As if.
So that’s how it happened.
[A-Are you going to rig it??]
“…In the worst-case scenario, yes.”
If it looked like I was going to be eliminated, that bastard would eventually pull strings to get me into the group through the back door.
I suppressed a scowl.
‘That can’t happen.’
A person has to have some dignity. Having won a Grand Prize, how could I face the embarrassment of not even being able to debut?
“I won’t let it come to that. I’ll plan my strategy well, so don’t worry needlessly.”
[O-Of course! I trust you, Hyung!]
Good.
Just like during Idol Inc., I had to plan every moment properly. I calmly predicted my image and drew out the future landscape.
‘They’ll probably focus my image as an elite university student and put me in a special position. The questions were geared that way, too.’
Then… I should mostly show a mature side. And it would be better to silently cooperate on group projects.
Looking a bit naive might be okay, too. Since the CEO has a strong say, I should appeal to him.
“Hmm.”
[I-I think it’ll go well!]
“Yeah.”
After setting up several alternative plans, I fell asleep that night.
And that very week.
Unlike Idol Inc., the agency already knew the participants' personalities, attitudes, and characters, so they handed over all the data to the production team.
So, without needing much observation time to craft storylines, the footage from that day was quickly edited, and the second teaser was released immediately.
And the moment the profiles of the 14 participants were released…
-Holy sh—! The hot guy in glasses is here!
-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Fuck, he’s so handsome!!
“…??”
I… realized the reality. Hadn't I already experienced this through being a data seller and Idol Inc.?
The number one way to catch someone's eye as an idol was always visuals.