Chapter 385
Chapter 385
LeTi’s survival program, Wise, invited five hundred audience members for this performance.
Unlike typical variety show audiences, they weren't chosen by a random draw from applicants. Instead, people were invited from specific corporate-affiliated universities, high schools, and hospitals.
The CEO acted all high and mighty, claiming it was to ensure the objectivity of the evaluation panel, but there were those who benefited from this arrangement.
‘Jackpot!’
Among the high school students cheering about seeing idols, a teacher clenched her fist, trying to act composed.
‘Ah, I couldn't come to see things like this because I was afraid I’d be recognized… What a stroke of luck.’
She had been a passionate fan of an idol during her school days. Even though she had "left the fandom" years ago, that passion was still alive and burning.
‘I’m a multi-fan, but still...’
Indeed. She loved all kinds of idols!
Thanks to that, she was currently enjoying LeTi’s survival program with just the right amount of interest, immersing herself without going overboard.
Having watched all of Episode 5, which aired just yesterday, she was even speculating about today’s performances.
‘Since a team battle just happened, maybe it’ll be another individual round.’
Naturally, her mind drifted to the most intense individual stage so far.
Specifically, the Shin Jae-hyun vs. Cha Yu-jin deathmatch from Episode 4, which aired last week.
Their stage successfully inherited the "aggro" from the Ryu Gun-woo vs. Jin Chae-yul match, pouring even more fuel on the fire.
A peculiar phenomenon occurred here as well.
Originally, an in-house survival show operates differently from a standard survival show, which is usually a "war of all against all." There is a segment of the audience that tries to gauge the final group that will be formed through this process.
However, with the arrival of the outlier "Supplementary Class," and especially the meteoric rise of Cha Yu-jin, a new segment of general viewers emerged—those who focused more on individuals than the team.
‘It was total chaos.’
For several days, sudden turmoil ensued as existing viewers labeled the newcomers as "trolls," while the newcomers called the old fans "the toxic old guard."
Furthermore, it had the effect of reigniting the controversy from the previous episode.
However, all these conflicts were dramatically resolved when Episode 5 aired yesterday.
‘The keyword was Sexy!’
That stage had already sent heavy viewers into a frenzy based on audience spoilers and a mere five-second pre-release clip.
Shin Jae-hyun and Cha Yu-jin were performing together again, and Ryu Gun-woo had joined them. It wasn't an individual battle, but complete teamwork.
Moreover, the pre-release cut featured a solo shot of Cha Yu-jin with his usual eye-glare dialed down.
It was as if he were asking, ‘I fit in this agency too, don’t I?’
Furthermore, the process of preparing for the stage—where the charismatic leader Shin Jae-hyun gently encouraged and led the team—reminded people of the nature of an in-house survival show.
‘Right, these guys are going to be an official group soon!’
Since the talent pool was small, the general consensus was that kids this good should all debut together.
With the heartwarming recruitment of the outlier members and Ryu Gun-woo’s "awakening" added as toppings, even the stressed-out viewers began to calm down.
If Ryu Gun-woo’s life as an outlier had looked excessively painful, the story might have been different. Fortunately, the intensity was adjusted to an appropriate level, just as he intended.
Of course, elements unrelated to his intentions were also included.
Like what the teacher in the audience was currently thinking.
‘That kid… he’s seriously obsessed with housework.’
It went something like this:
[Ryu Gun-woo: I like cleaning because it makes distracting thoughts disappear.]
[Ryu Gun-woo: So, I’ll clean the bathroom too.]
[……?]
[A task no one ever assigned.]
Ryu Gun-woo’s "housework trio" didn't just build an image of being meticulous and capable.
Instead, it was aired at 10x speed.
The sight of him sweeping and wiping the dorm like a madman contrasted with the bewildered expressions of the other outlier members, creating a quite hilarious picture. The production crew didn't miss it.
[Tenacity ♨️]
[A level of cleanliness they dare not touch….]
The sight of him pouring his burning passion for performance into rice and chores was accepted by the public as a cute meme.
Surprisingly, everything was rationalized, and his "silver spoon in a greenhouse" image didn't even get a scratch.
If Park Moon-dae, wearing Ryu Gun-woo’s skin, had known, he would have been horrified. Regardless, the comedic image was effective in easing the tension.
The scene where he joined Shin Jae-hyun’s team while also looking after Jin Chae-yul—killing two birds with one stone—also proved powerful, softening the sharp public opinion regarding Ryu Gun-woo.
And now, as an audience member, she was able to peek at the next chapter beyond that stage….
“We begin the first performance!”
‘Whoa.’
The teacher, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality. She fixed her gaze on the stage.
‘I wonder who will come out first?’
Naturally listing the popular participants in her head, she watched the black silhouettes ascending the stage.
Then came a series of stages: glamorous ones with familiar faces, awkward ones, stages that exceeded expectations, and ambitious but disappointing ones.
“Waaaaah!”
Still, the audience members, most of whom had little experience seeing such performances in person, enjoyed the show and pressed their voting buttons with excitement.
This was because the CEO had intentionally not told the audience that they held the power.
As a result, the evaluations were brutally honest.
[The winner is… Jin Chae-yul from the Elite Class with 371 votes!]
Usually, there was an overwhelming victory, but occasionally, participants of similar skill levels faced off.
In those cases, interestingly, the existing participants tended to receive more votes. It was the effect of pre-established recognition.
‘Oh, it’s Yoon-shin!’
The teacher was the same, voting for the person she felt drawn to with a light heart.
Meanwhile, the participant who was to perform next watched this through a monitor before getting into character and moving to the standby area.
The stage he was about to show was a famous dance-pop song by an American male soloist.
It was a vocal-focused arrangement of a groovy song with a bouncing rhythm.
However, there was a secret.
‘Well, actually, I’ve already done this stage before.’
It was a song he had practiced as a candidate for his agency’s monthly evaluation a few months ago, only to drop it at the last minute.
But he didn't feel guilty.
‘I didn't actually show it, so the company doesn't know.’
Even if another participant remembered it, they wouldn't go out of their way to stir up trouble, so he felt it was okay to cut corners like this.
It was possible to "coincidentally" perform a song one had practiced.
‘It’s not like it’s a fcking scam just because I saved some stamina.’*
Leading a stage alone was no small feat. Considering he had handled everything from song selection to the stage setup, he felt he deserved this advantage.
The Elite Class participant—the former main vocal of VTIC, whom Ryu Gun-woo had dubbed "Club Main Vocal"—finished his rationalization.
He stood up straight, complaining about his tight pants.
Beside him, two men who looked subtly alike, Ryu Gun-woo and Ryu Cheong-woo, were waiting calmly side-by-side.
They were even smiling and talking about their blocking as if they weren't nervous at all.
‘Are they really trying that hard to look cool?’
Being that conscious of the camera was practically a disease.
‘Who doesn't have a national archery medal? And what’s with the guy who retired and ran away as soon as he got a military exemption?’
In the midst of that, the guy next to him, who thought he was so smart, had even babbled this to him during practice:
— How about the challengers all appear together only at the end, and until then, only the person assigned to the part comes out on stage? That’s how featured stages usually go.
It sounded like he was being deferential, but there was no way that was the case in a survival show; he definitely had an ulterior motive.
Normally, he should have been put in his place for trying to dictate the stage when he didn't even have the authority… but he let it slide.
There was no reason to refuse if the guy was offering to reduce his own screen time.
‘He probably thinks he’ll save stamina and definitely raise the live quality….’
His intentions were transparent, likely because he’d only ever studied and had a short training period.
Unfortunately, he himself was born with great lung capacity. That trick was useless.
‘That bastard probably thinks he’s some great strategist.’
It seemed he’d grown arrogant because people called him a "character" for being handsome.
Those were the types who became trolls with nothing but a massive ego in games. Though, since it was an individual battle, he actually welcomed it.
“Vocal B, move!”
“Yes!”
And finally, the time for the stage arrived.
Since they might end up debuting together anyway, the Elite Class participant joined in the words of encouragement.
“Regardless of winning or losing, let’s show them what we’ve got, hyungs.”
Ryu Gun-woo nodded with a smile.
“Yes, let’s do our best. …How about a quick ‘fighting’ before we go?”
“Sure, sure.”
Visualizing a future where they could get along well enough after debut, the Elite Class participant joined the cheer.
“Let’s show them everything! Vocal B, fighting!”
A moment later, on stage.
The silhouette appearing with its back to the audience was alone at first.
Just like a solo stage.
‘Huh?’
Ba-bam-bam-bam-bam—!
The moment the pinpoint light hit, the Elite Class participant spun around to the bursting music.
He began the song with gestures, riding a light, dance-like rhythm.
Funky Rhythm and Blues.
[I’m gonna show you something—]
Cheers erupted at his stable, soaring high notes.
[especially Good—, and remarkable]
This was it!
The Elite Class participant sang the familiar lyrics with ease.
His accumulated practice allowed him to carry the song automatically without even thinking.
[Come on, it’s not late!]
Just grabbing and lightly spinning the stand mic was enough. With singing this good, everyone was bound to be impressed even if the choreography was just a side dish!
The Elite Class participant finished the end of the line with a triumphant flourish.
‘This is as good as over!’
But the moment that first verse ended.
Another light came on on stage, illuminating a new person.
[You’re gonna show you something]
The same melody as the first bar.
But the arrangement had changed.
The accompaniment almost vanished, and a husky voice dropped onto a smooth piano melody.
[Too bad—, and unforgettable]
“…!”
In an instant, the level of focus sharpened.
And a chill ran down the Elite Class participant’s spine.
A sense of crisis.
‘Uh…??’
Because Ryu Gun-woo had intentionally not shown his full capability during practice.
[Come on, I’m waiting!]
The Elite Class participant was a trainee.
What that meant was that he wasn't used to unexpected situations during a live performance.
For instance, the pressure felt when realizing a competitor’s skill had suddenly skyrocketed.
‘…!’
The Elite Class participant almost missed his timing, but he reflexively grabbed the mic and entered the chorus.
[Break this dance hall!]
The moment he felt relieved by his own cleanliness, an ad-lib pierced through from above, exactly as planned.
[Break this dance hall!]
It was only a slightly higher note.
But the technique and vocal volume showed a clear difference.
As if there were a difference in resolution.
Like a chorus versus a star singer.
It chased after him as if to devour him.
“Waaaaah!!”
The cheers sounded as if they were making a comparison.
‘Fck, fck!’
The Elite Class participant grew frantic, and his tempo became slightly rushed. The CEO raised an eyebrow.
[Ohh— yeah, yeah!]
Finally, Ryu Gun-woo’s part ended.
Ryu Gun-woo disappeared from the stage with a slightly flashy farewell gesture. Even that drew a response from the crowd.
But what remained were an empty mic and a spotlight.
‘Okay!’
Just as the Elite Class participant, performing light choreography during the instrumental, was finally regaining his composure.
Even though the singing hadn't started yet, cheers suddenly erupted again.
“Kyaaaah! Waaaaah!”
‘Huh…?’
In the spot where Ryu Gun-woo’s stand mic had been, Ryu Cheong-woo was now entering.
The audience reacted with surprise and excitement to the unexpected appearance, but Ryu Cheong-woo simply began the second verse in a smooth, low voice.
[I’m gonna show you something—]
Cheers followed the pleasant voice.
However, his performance wasn't much different from practice. He himself was definitely a better singer.
The Elite Class participant entered the next verse with his nerves on edge.
But….
‘Why… why do the cheers for me sound smaller?’
Normally, the person with the most screen time on stage should stand out.
The problem was the change.
Audiences get bored quickly.
The moment a new appearance captures their attention, what was always there becomes old.
A plain, boring flavor.
And the "toppings" that kept changing their appearance essentially became the protagonists.
‘Ah…….’
The person who kept their spot simply became the chorus.
Unless they were overwhelmingly, top-tier, undeniably good.
Drip.
The moment he felt it instinctively, cold sweat ran down the Elite Class participant’s back.
His pace began to falter under the tension.
‘Ah.’
The habits he had been singing with out of inertia crumbled as his mental state collapsed.
And the audience could see it too.
‘Hmm….’
‘He’s a bit shaky, isn't he?’
The impression of being outshone by Ryu Gun-woo in the first half was solidified into a single image as he fell apart in the second half.
As "He’s not as good as I thought…."
But whether the person next to him was doing better or worse than in practice, Ryu Cheong-woo remained natural and composed.
Since he already knew his stats weren't better than his opponent’s, he had nothing to be intimidated by or to expect.
And even when the third mic appeared in the back and Ryu Gun-woo returned to the stage, causing the audience’s cheers to swell, he carried through his own part.
[Ohh— yeah, yeah!]
And then, the ending with exquisite harmony.
“Waaaaah!”
Cheers poured out again, and the stage ended. Soon, the person everyone expected appeared on the electronic display.
[The winner is… Ryu Gun-woo from the Lower Class with 320 votes!]
The winner: Ryu Gun-woo.
And it was practically decided which of the losers would be eliminated.
*
The stage was over.
A short break backstage before the true loser was announced.
“Hyung, this… is really fun.”
As soon as he took off his mic, Ryu Cheong-woo ran over and said this, forgetting to even catch his breath.
And he poured out his words without waiting for an answer.
“I didn't know it would feel like this. This… even though the score isn't coming out, and even though I lost… it feels like I played a winning game. Strangely.”
His voice was excited, unlike the guy who always handled things maturely.
He spoke with sparkling eyes.
“Since he’s more skilled than me, it’s hard to expect a good result… but I want to stay and do more. Even if I get cursed at.”
I smiled faintly.
“You don't have to worry about that. I think you’ll make it without being cursed at.”
“…Really?”
Hope and desire suddenly flickered across Ryu Cheong-woo’s face.
At that moment, I saw his status window pop up on its own, flashing as it spat out new words.
[The status of the trait is…?]
No way.
[B -> A!]
[Full Draw (A)]
- When you pull the string, it will be in the exact right position.
: Performance Composure +120%
“…!”
I see. It seems Ryu Cheong-woo’s regained passion for something has affected his trait.
It’s… a very good thing.
“Hmm…….”
Anxiety suddenly spread across Ryu Cheong-woo’s face as his excitement cooled.
“…Hyung. Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s not that.”
It wasn't a problem.
But… actually, there’s something I did on impulse the moment I stepped off the stage.
[Fame is increasing….]
+50,000 Exp
The Fame Points had been settled right on time.
[Hul-hul-hul-hul, you can spin it 50 times, Hyung!!]
I felt pretty good since I’d seemingly sent that "Club" guy packing.
So, thinking of it as a surplus, I gave it a spin while the adrenaline was still pumping….
And it appeared.
[Haha!]
[★★★★★ Ryu Cheong-woo / Lead Vocal]
“……”
What kind of signal is this?