Chapter 375
Chapter 375
Joining a survival show midway and immediately challenging the top contestant to a deathmatch?
I’ll be honest.
‘It’s a good idea.’
If the goal is for the new stone to knock out the one already settled in, and if you have the skills to back it up, it’s a solid strategy.
Besides, this isn't a national vote survival show; it’s an agency-run one. The public knows the CEO calls the shots and, to some extent, they accept it.
It means that if someone truly talented shows up, the audience would rather see the rules changed to let them pass even if they lose.
But here’s the thing.
‘Even so, you picked Cheong-ryeo?’
Cha Yu-jin, you little punk, you said you were going to pick me!
That’s exactly what he said just last night.
‘I had the whole scenario planned out, and this guy just goes rogue?’
I stared at Cha Yu-jin, forcing my twitching eyes to stay still.
If I let it show, I’m the only one who’s screwed.
“Great. The people standing before you are now your rivals and competitors.”
The CEO was reading the script with a meaningful air, but I was too annoyed to give him a proper reaction.
I just took a deep breath, pretending to be nervous.
“Of course, competition must have its rewards. Those from the <Supplementary Class> who win will unconditionally be promoted to the <Elite Class> for the next evaluation.”
“…!!”
The murmuring trainees’ faces brightened at the sight of the carrot being dangled. They were easy to please.
“And for the trainees who weren't picked, you also have an evaluation task: ‘The Completion of Teamwork.’ Lead these two rivals and complete a three-person stage.”
I nodded.
In short, it meant being the shrimp caught in a whale fight—performing as the third wheel in a stage that was bound to turn into a chaotic one-on-one deathmatch. He certainly had a way with words.
But do you know who ended up in my group?
VTIC’s Shin-o.
“…….”
My luck with the draw was just fantastic.
“I look forward to working with you!”
“I’ll do my best.”
The three of us were assigned a vocal practice room. Once inside, I checked the song we had been randomly assigned.
‘No song-stealing here, I see.’
The song had been chosen by the "CEO"—read: the company—because they thought it would suit the three of us.
— Blue Jack’s <Icy Eyes>
It was a high-energy EDM debut track from a boy group that hit it big in the late 2000s, back when autotune ruled the music industry.
To put it simply, the lyrics were the usual cliché: the crush’s eyes look cold, but I’ll muster up my courage anyway.
The fact that it’s cringeworthy by today's standards was just a bonus.
[Oh ohoh Icy Eyes, so cold~]
It was a typical hook song with short phrases repeated in the chorus. The only part that could showcase vocal ability was the high-note ad-lib at the end.
“…….”
Hmm.
“Ah, I love this song!”
Chae-yul, the VTIC member from the Supplementary Class, was busy giving enthusiastic reactions.
‘…Chae-yul.’
I paused my analysis of the song and recalled my conversation with Cheong-ryeo.
It was when we were stepping off the stage to change our tapes and microphones.
— Junior. I never contacted Chae-yul separately here. I didn't bring him in, either.
— Don’t tell me you’re going to call it a coincidence.
— Rather than a coincidence… it was bound to happen.
He had smirked.
— Whenever a survival program happens, Chae-yul always participates as a member of the Supplementary Class.
— …!
I understood what he meant.
— …Always.
— That’s right. Chae-yul was in the group from the very beginning. It wasn't my choice.
I recalled Chae-yul’s status window.
[Jin Chae-yul]
Vocal: C+ (B+)
Dance: B (A)
Appearance: A- (A+)
Star Quality: S- (S+)
Trait: Circus (A)
His potential was top-tier all-rounder material.
As expected of someone who became a top-tier idol, but for now, he just had decent lead dancer skills.
However, his star quality was insane.
‘It’s almost on the level of Cha Yu-jin during <Idol Inc.>.’
Furthermore, his trait supported it.
[Circus (A)]
: Because acrobatics should be fun.
- Stage Adaptability +150%
— He doesn't act out personally, and he’s never had compatibility issues with other members. The public always loves him.
If a guy like this stood out in a survival show?
‘If I were the CEO, I’d pick him in a heartbeat.’
It was a convincing explanation.
The problem started after that.
— And interestingly, every time he naturally appears in a survival program, he always targets the same position.
— The Main Vocalist.
And this time, that Main Vocalist was me.
Cheong-ryeo had added an explanation saying, ‘I didn't think he’d pick you because the guy he usually targets is still here,’ but I couldn't trust that.
The important thing was that Chae-yul was going up against me.
‘And look at this song choice.’
I scoffed inwardly as I listened to the track.
They were pushing an EDM hook song where the only part to show off vocal skill was a five-second ad-lib?
‘Especially after I just came down from a stage where I did nothing but sing.’
Whoever picked this song clearly wanted to disadvantage me by sealing off my strengths in this match-up.
‘Fine.’
I welcomed it.
[No~ Nonono….]
The song ended. Conscious of the cameras that were in the room to capture reactions, I clapped appropriately.
Then, a slightly excited voice asked, “Um, what kind of arrangement would you like to do?”
It was Chae-yul. Let’s hold back for a moment.
I gave a faint smile.
“As long as we can perform, I’m fine with almost any genre.”
“Whoa…….”
I meant for you to show your hand first, so why are you impressed?
What followed was even more ridiculous.
“Me too!”
“Me too… um, I’ll work hard and think of everything as a learning experience.”
“…….”
I realized it then.
These guys… were "Yes-men" pushovers with no opinions of their own.
I could see why Cheong-ryeo had picked them. I spoke as calmly as possible.
“Since it’s a competition, how about we go for something intense?”
There was no objection.
“Intense sounds really cool and great!”
“Yes, then… fighting, team!”
Suddenly?
Anyone would think this was a team battle. I had suddenly become a senior student stuck doing a group project with two freshmen.
‘Ryu Gun-woo is only three months into his trainee life, so what is this?’
If I took the good parts, I’d look greedy; if I gave them to him and he messed up, I’d get cursed at for doing it on purpose.
‘I need to prevent that.’
I’d have to highlight this unfairness in the interview later in a way that wouldn't get edited out. I nodded.
I also needed to change my way of communicating.
“Then, tell me which parts look the coolest to you.”
Instead of using words like ‘want’ or ‘hope,’ I had to use more objective terms to get a concrete answer out of these guys.
Sure enough, I finally got some usable responses.
“I think the intro part looks cool!”
“Um, this part of the bridge.”
“Then I think it would be good to arrange it in a way that brings out those two vibes.”
“Yes!”
I finalized the direction of the arrangement while adding words and phrases to make it seem like I was heavily considering their opinions.
I also distributed the parts they thought were ‘cool’ appropriately.
“…….”
Doing this while being conscious of the camera was quite a tedious task.
It made me think of the guy who used to do this with me every time….
‘Stop.’
What’s the point of missing someone who isn't here? Let’s just focus on the work.
I quickly sketched out the outline for the next stage. At least the fact that the other two were unconditionally cooperative made this better than <Idol Inc.>.
And finally, late at night, a short break arrived.
‘I should stick with this.’
I walked down a corner hallway carrying my notebook, which contained the arrangement direction and part distribution. I wanted to get away for a bit to clear my head.
Perhaps because it was close to dawn, I didn't see many other people.
“Did everyone go back to the dorms?”
Just then.
A guy walking with long strides appeared around the corner from the opposite side of the hallway.
Cha Yu-jin!
He raised his hand high and quickly approached.
“Hyung! Mmph-mmph!”
Perfect, it’s just the two of us. Good. Don’t say anything else and follow me.
I led him to a blind spot where there were no cameras.
“Um….”
Cha Yu-jin started to speak but shut his mouth when he saw my gesture of putting a hand to my lips. Right, the audio will pick it up.
Instead, I held out the notebook and pen I was carrying.
I wrote that down.
I crossed my arms and glared at him.
Cha Yu-jin bit his lip hard, then took the pen and wrote forcefully.
His writing, scribbled in English as if he were frustrated, had a fairly logical structure. I didn't stop him and slowly read his words.
“……!”
‘I see.’
Of course, the Supplementary Class would have coordinated with the production team beforehand to make sure their choices didn't overlap.
But Chae-yul, who was ahead in the order, had picked me first.
‘So he picked Cheong-ryeo instead because he remembered what the guy said?’
That bastard Cheong-ryeo said he didn't have anything to do with Chae-yul’s choice, but he kept his mouth shut about Cha Yu-jin’s because he did have a hand in it. My eyebrows twitched.
Cha Yu-jin didn't stop writing.
I immediately took the pen back and wrote my answer.
Honestly, looking at the stage alone, I couldn't really imagine a scenario where Cha Yu-jin lost.
You might not know, but that guy is an ultimate veteran who has gone through this process dozens, maybe hundreds of times.
I heard Cha Yu-jin snort. This punk?
Look at him.
I moved the pen.
We have to debut together anyway.
Cha Yu-jin scribbled letters three times larger than usual with a cheerful air, then shrugged his shoulders.
“We’re good. I’m excited!”
“Fine.”
Since it’s come to this, make sure you milk as much buzz as possible.
‘Because I’ll be doing the same.’
After parting ways with Cha Yu-jin in the hallway, I immediately returned to the practice room.
Shin-o seemed to have fallen asleep while huddled in a corner listening to his part on repeat, and Chae-yul reacted to my return.
“You’re back!”
“Yeah.”
Then he said this:
“Um, hyung, please speak comfortably to me. I’m nineteen!”
“…Um, okay.”
Well, I guess I’m finally speaking informally to someone who was originally a senior with years of experience. I nodded.
“If you want to speak comfortably to me too, that’s fine.”
“Okay!”
Seeing how he didn't even try to decline, he seemed to just be a bit simple-minded.
I sat down. He was still watching me. I should ask him something.
“Come to think of it… can I ask why you picked me?”
“Ah, that.”
I could have been asking why I looked like the easiest target among them, but he didn't seem to have calculated that far as he just rubbed the back of his head.
“Actually, since I wasn't originally a LeTi trainee… I didn't think I’d be able to become a participant in this program.”
An unexpectedly realistic answer came out.
“So, I wanted to try performing with the most talented person at least once! I thought I’d gain something from it.”
He muttered with a flushed face, saying he had seen my first solo performance.
“If I’m going to be eliminated anyway, I’d rather it be like that.”
Hmm. For someone who supposedly never got eliminated, he sure talked like this. If he had lived as a trainee, he would have definitely been gossiped about for humble-bragging unintentionally.
I let out a short laugh.
“I don’t think you’ll be eliminated.”
“Really??”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you!”
He bowed his head, his face full of anticipation and excitement.
‘…No.’
I had tried to create a heartwarming scene by saying we should both do well and move up together….
But he seemed to have momentarily forgotten that if he passed, I would be the one eliminated. He was just happy.
I watched him and remained silent for a moment.
What on earth am I supposed to do with him….
‘…Shin Jae-hyun will handle it.’
I don’t know. Since there haven't been any issues for ten years, he must have a way to control him. I’ll just look after my own group.
“Shall we practice just a bit more before going to the dorms?”
“Yes!”
A week passed like that, and the day of the first deathmatch dawned.
[<Supplementary Class> Kim Rae-bin – Win!]
[Participant Confirmed!]
The third stage.
Kim Rae-bin had picked a rap-position contestant with a similar vibe to himself and completely crushed him.
‘Impressive.’
[Park Jung-woong – Removed from Elite Class]
[At Risk of Elimination!]
If he knew Rae-bin was a producer, he should have clung to dancing. Why on earth did he choose a rap-focused stage? What an idiot.
I clicked my tongue inwardly as I watched the guy who lost.
Kim Rae-bin bowed repeatedly, then backed away to his seat with an extremely polite attitude.
His teammate who performed with him seemed a bit flustered, but what did it matter? There was nothing to criticize.
— Rae-bin. From the moment you go on the program, just think of everyone you meet there as being around your grandparents' age.
It seemed like good advice to prepare for the editing. I nodded.
“Now, the next stage is….”
And then came the stage that would likely be edited to be the finale of the broadcast.
“Elite Class, Shin Jae-hyun.”
It was the deathmatch between Cheong-ryeo and Cha Yu-jin.