Chapter 378
Chapter 378
Posts about Ryu Gun-woo began appearing on university community boards immediately after the first episode aired.
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[An alum just appeared on TV]
Wait, did we actually have someone this insanely handsome at our school?
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People who were initially dismissive changed their tune the moment they saw the screenshot. Such is the power of visual stats and editing.
The post, which was about to get buried as the feed refreshed, suddenly exploded with comments. Eventually, someone claiming to know Ryu Gun-woo appeared.
Fortunately, it seemed this version of Ryu Gun-woo had lived a life similar to mine during my freshman year; the stories coming out were all fairly consistent.
‘At least there’s no nonsense about him being a free-loader.’
I wasn't famous enough yet for people to start faking "proof" posts, so that was that.
I shook my head as I watched the comments devolve into a fight between those trying to doxx me and those telling them to stop. Naturally, since Ryu Cheong-woo was more famous than I was, his name started coming up too.
...Ryu Cheong-woo’s nonsense almost spread as fact, but fortunately, it was corrected.
These posts were then screenshotted, uploaded to other communities, and eventually made their way onto social media.
It was a textbook viral process.
‘It’s spread quite a bit.’
Whether the stories were true or not didn't matter; the mere fact that they originated from a verified university community gave them a level of credibility that viewers trusted.
‘People find it interesting because there’s so little information out there.’
This kind of trend is usually a double-edged sword, but since it wasn't cutting into me yet, it was proving useful.
However, the frequent mentions of Ryu Cheong-woo were a bit unsettling. Treating a guy who quit the national team to find a new path as a regular student like a celebrity...
I asked him directly.
“The rumor that we’re cousins has spread. Are you okay with that?”
“It’s not like you’re doing anything bad, hyung. Why would I mind? Of course it’s fine.”
Ryu Cheong-woo brushed it off, saying it wasn't the first time his current status had been posted online.
‘Hmm.’
If he says so.
I continued browsing the internet.
First, the target audience. Even though nothing much had been revealed about Ryu Gun-woo yet, he seemed to have safely landed in a niche where fans grouped him with others who had a similar "art style."
The initial fan acquisition was a success.
And as for the specific points of interest outside of the stage...
Watching similar posts, I roughly mapped out my angle.
My selling points here.
‘Genius, calm, smart, pure, elite, silver spoon.’
The model student who grew up sheltered and untainted.
It was a keyword that worked, but it was also one that a very specific demographic would absolutely loathe.
‘The reactions are going to be incredibly polarized...’
I ran a few more searches. It seemed there weren't any "search-shield" nicknames yet. Then again, this program had a different vibe compared to Idol Inc., where everyone was a direct competitor.
Still, once we passed the halfway mark, the haters would start attaching themselves in earnest.
‘They’ll probably mock my first stage and call me something like "J-trash" or "Jazz-hole."’
Regardless, for now, I could find plenty of evaluations just by searching my name. For instance, clicking on a post titled "My impressions of the trainees so far"...
Right. That’s the vibe, then.
I let out a short laugh. Since I had prepared a "one-shot" specifically for this, seeing posts like this didn't bother me. It only made me want to check if things were moving along as planned.
‘When is it coming?’
I straightened my shoulders.
A few days later, the official trailer for Episode 3 was released.
[Elite Class VS Supplementary Class?]
[A result no one expected]
[??: Aagh!]
[CEO Kim Tae-in: I will judge coldly, regardless of your affiliation.]
Without spoiling everything, the stages were shown through a mix of close-ups and full-cam shots.
[The talented members of the <Supplementary Class>]
[Trainer: If it goes on like this, (Bleep) is definitely going to win. You know that?]
Kim Rae-bin was shown briefly, and Cha Yu-jin was given quite a bit of screen time. A few seconds of the highlight from his stage with Cheong-ryeo made it into the broadcast.
‘They just gave away who’s fighting whom in the pre-release.’
Impressive, flashy movements were captured before the clip cut short.
[An unexpected struggle]
[Shin Jae-hyun: Even so, I can’t afford to lose.]
Cheong-ryeo’s bitter smile flashed across the screen. After that, a series of frozen faces—likely the trainees who had been picked—passed by in quick succession...
Then, a face gasping for breath with a hardened expression was slowly zoomed in on.
It was me.
[CEO Kim Tae-in: Why don't I see any desperation?]
[Ryu Gun-woo: ....]
The trailer ended with the sound of that deep breath as the title logo appeared.
Ah, they did show the scoreboard.
This part.
[<Supplementary Class> ■■■ - Win!]
[The shocking results will be revealed this week.]
It meant someone from the Supplementary Class had won. I nodded in satisfaction.
‘Good.’
They gave me the ending, but since the actual screen time wasn't much, it shouldn't trigger any "fixed winner" controversies.
‘Though the editing is clearly not friendly.’
It framed it as if I had completely botched the stage. A talented guy failing is always delicious bait for engagement.
Perhaps because no one expected me to be in trouble, social media—which had been waiting for the trailer with excitement—was turned upside down.
It went like this:
These two posts were uploaded by the same person within two seconds of each other.
Of course, the talk wasn't just about Ryu Gun-woo. Many viewers were startled by the "preemptive strike" trailer announcing that the Supplementary Class had won.
Since no one was a fool, they had assumed from the Episode 2 ending trailer that the "Supplementary Class" was just a temporary obstacle.
But the trailer explicitly said they won. At this point, even the veteran fans of the agency were flustered.
Since it was such a mess, posts started appearing on general entertainment communities as well.
[The LeTi Survival trailer that’s currently blowing up (Participants replaced)]
Excellent.
At this rate, it wouldn't just be considered "spicy" for an in-house survival show; it would be rated as plain old "spicy."
Leaving behind the internet, where the "Spirit Bomb" of engagement was gathering, I headed back to the filming set.
"Phew."
One of the Wise participants let out a deep sigh. He knew the cameras were there, but he couldn't help it.
It was too frustrating and cruel. That was how he felt about the new treatment he received at the latest filming.
"You are now 'Outliers.'"
If the Supplementary Class didn't win their first one-on-one deathmatch, they were eliminated immediately.
But the original participants? They were literally "Outliers." They became a marginalized group, excluded from all main events.
And under the fear of potential elimination, they had to pack their bags and leave their dormitory bedrooms in solitude. They had to watch as a Supplementary Class participant took their place and unpacked.
This was what happened to him after losing to Kim Rae-bin.
"I'm sorry. I'll use the room carefully. I'm so sorry!"
"No... it's fine..."
It was infuriating to have to suppress his irritation toward the Supplementary Class member who was apologizing so sincerely. Because the cameras were rolling.
‘They didn't have to go this far...’
It was all part of show business, but for a young trainee with a short training period, it was quite a shock. He trudged along, following the production staff's directions.
He had pushed to the back of his mind the fact that, until a few days ago, he had subtly looked down on the trainees who hadn't been chosen for this survival show.
And then, he faced reality again.
"Ugh."
The "Outliers" didn't even have beds. The place he had thought was a storage room until now was where the Outliers would be staying. It felt like being treated like a servant. It was enough to make him feel sorrowful.
‘This sucks, fck.’*
However, he wasn't alone. Ryu Gun-woo—the older participant whose short training period seemed like a lie given his insanely good evaluations—was right there next to him.
That gave him a bit of schadenfreude and comfort. To think that someone who did so well on the first stage was also facing elimination; I guess luck really did play a part.
Seeing him say that to the Supplementary Class member taking his spot, it seemed he still had some composure left.
He had even seen him shake hands with his roommate, Shin Jae-hyun, before leaving the room. But surely, wouldn't he show some signs of dejection now?
‘Let’s see.’
The participant peeked up to check Ryu Gun-woo’s expression.
"...??"
He looked surprisingly serene. The participant’s mouth opened of its own accord.
"Um... Hyung, are you okay?"
"I'm not okay, but... there's nothing I can do," Ryu Gun-woo replied with a stoic face. "I'm the one who failed to perform, so I have no right to feel wronged."
"..."
For some reason, that was a bit annoying. How could he be so composed in this situation?
‘It’s because he has a place to go back to.’
He was an elite university student, after all. The participant felt a surge of emotion and almost looked at Ryu Gun-woo with rebellious eyes.
But Ryu Gun-woo wasn't finished.
"But I'm not getting eliminated like this."
"!"
"I have to make it up there somehow. Even if I have to crawl."
The participant realized then. He looked calm, but that was only because he was hardening his resolve.
"...Me too."
"Right. Let's hang in there."
The participant gladly bumped fists with Ryu Gun-woo. Then, with his mouth shut tight, he thought to himself: Now that I look at him, he seems like he’s suppressing a lot of thoughts, like he’s had some kind of epiphany...
‘Ah.’
It was inevitable. Because that was exactly how I wanted to appear.
‘Good. This will definitely make the cut.’
After finishing the meaningful exchange with the participant, I grabbed my blanket, inwardly cheering.
‘The resolve of two trainees facing elimination. Since there are only two of us, this has to be broadcast.’
I had secured a solid bit of screen time.
By the time I finished roughly organizing my things in the storage room we’d been kicked into, the official filming schedule began again.
Of course, there was no such thing for the Outliers.
"While the main event is happening, you two can tidy up the dorms."
"Pardon...?"
"Yes."
That’s what they said.
‘Actually, this is better.’
The main event this time was singing some campaign song for a public service announcement. I didn't regret missing it at all. There was nothing to show off there. Even if it made it to broadcast, it would be a 20-minute segment at most, with the more provocative team battles taking up the bulk of the time.
‘Fourteen people for one campaign song? This is better.’
Doing chores would be less predictable, and people would find it more entertaining. I worked hard tidying the dorm and cooking. It was important to work seriously and diligently so it didn't look like I was joking around. However, I had to make sure I didn't look so miserable that it became unpleasant to watch.
"It’s much better now that it’s clean."
"Yeah..."
The guy working with me wasn't very cooperative, but... I could just coax him along.
‘The more I do, the more advantageous it is for me.’
I should take this chance to shed the image of someone who grew up without ever getting their hands dirty. I made up my mind as I grabbed the rubber gloves.
"I'll go clean the bathroom."
After spending the afternoon verifying that I was "not a silver spoon from a greenhouse," the event finally ended, and the real deal began.
Time to prepare for the third performance.
"Before we announce this theme, the Outliers will move separately."
And here, too, the Outliers were treated as extra personnel. We were sequestered in a different practice room to wait, and only an hour or two later did a trainer finally arrive to explain how things would work.
"You don't have the right to choose a team."
First, they gave us no information at all. We just had to wait for a team to choose us as a member.
However, if no one came...
"You're automatically eliminated."
But if anyone did come, we would be accepted as a "wildcard."
‘Considering the loss in part distribution, the smart move for a talented team would be not to come.’
But it would never work out that way. This was an in-house survival show.
I didn't let my thoughts show and stood still, waiting with a serious expression.
Sure enough, about ten minutes after the announcement, the practice room door slid open smoothly.
And what I saw was...
"Excuse me."
It was Cheong-ryeo, Shin Jae-hyun.
He walked into the room and naturally stood next to the trainer in front of the camera. I kept my mouth shut.
"Is there an Outlier participant your team has decided to accept?"
"Yes."
As if he had nothing to hide, he looked directly at me and spoke.
"The participant our team wants to work with is Ryu Gun-woo..."
It was then.
Knock, knock.
With the sound of a knock, the door opened once more. A bit more urgently than before.
"Um..."
"...!"
The one who entered was... Chae-yul.
The Supplementary Class member who had moved up alongside me, and a member of VTIC in the original world.
"Does your team also want to take an Outlier?"
"Yes."
He seemed a bit flustered to see someone else already there, but he answered immediately.
"...It's participant Ryu Gun-woo."
I thought so. I figured you’d come as long as you could convince your team.
Now, what was the trainer’s verdict?
"If two teams nominate the same Outlier, that participant gets to choose for themselves."
Oh, this was unexpected.
‘I thought it would be first-come, first-served, or they’d make them play rock-paper-scissors.’
But honestly, I wasn't too thrilled. I shouldn't look like I had high status here. Right now, the position of someone climbing up from the very bottom was what worked best.
‘Hmm.’
I blinked a few times as if I were flustered. Then, I quickly scanned them.
Without knowing how the teams were formed, I had to choose based only on the "faces" of the teams. Based on the revealed facts, it was uncertain if Cha Yu-jin and Kim Rae-bin were even in these two teams.
‘Hmph.’
I pretended to look at the floor for a moment while I finished my calculations.
Then, I made my decision.
"The team I want to join is..."
This one.