Chapter 49
Chapter 49
The personality type questionnaire on the tablet mostly followed this format: describe a situation and ask for a choice of action.
Of course, they were all specific to idol life.
[1. You have been selected as a performer for TaKon, a global K-POP concert showcased to fans in 21 countries!
While immersing yourself in blood-sweating practice, a completely new idea suddenly strikes you!
However, there is only one week left until the performance. What is your choice?]
First, let’s ignore the blatant product placement for their own concert.
Stripping away the fluff, the question was basically... would you scrap everything and start over when the deadline is right around the corner?
‘Of course I wouldn't.’
Do they think this is some school assignment?
With only a week left, everything from the stage sets to the costumes would have been finalized. And they want me to overhaul it all just because I had an idea?
‘In the first place, it would take at least... five years of seniority to even have the clout to scrap a stage like that.’
It meant the situation was practically impossible.
No matter how much I wanted to appeal to my desperation, this wasn't passion; it was recklessness.
[⑤ It’s a shame, but there isn’t much time left. Let’s perfectly finish the preparations we’ve already made.]
I pretended to deliberate as much as possible before picking this option. Then, I looked at the camera and muttered so they couldn't edit it out.
“If it were just me, I’d want to give it a shot... but a stage is a collaborative art, so I have to consider the situation. I’ll organize the good ideas well and try to use them next time.”
With this much flavor added, it would be hard for them to force some weird character onto me again. I moved on to the next question.
[2. You have won the Rookie of the Year award at ToneA, Asia’s largest music awards. However, while traveling to the ceremony, one member is seriously injured in a car accident.
Fortunately, you only suffered minor bruises. It seems you can attend the ceremony if you leave immediately. What is your choice?]
“…….”
Of course you should fucking recuperate.
A passenger was just seriously injured; what kind of confidence do you have to go to an awards ceremony just because you think it's "minor bruises"?
But no matter how I looked at it, the choice to go to the ceremony through "willpower and effort" would likely be framed as the positive one.
‘This is bullshit.’
I suppressed a twitch of my eyebrow and chose the neutral answer.
[④ Look into ways to deliver an acceptance speech remotely from the hospital.]
“It would be better to go in person, but the aftereffects of a car accident might not show up immediately. I believe I should confirm my physical condition through an examination so that there are no setbacks in future activities.”
Even as I added the supplementary explanation, I found it absurd.
‘Is it going to be like this the whole time?’
Yes. It was exactly like that.
Surprisingly, all ten questions assumed these ridiculous scenarios.
Only the production crew would know what on earth this had to do with that damn K-POP concept.
I held back a sigh and finished the rest of the questions.
After passing Question 9, which was related to an advertisement (and subtly mentioned their own company's products), the final question finally appeared.
Finally, the end. I quickly scanned Question 10.
[10. You appeared on <Re-listing! Idol Inc.>, a show to select global K-POP idols to perform on the world stage. Through endless effort and overcoming obstacles, you finally stand before the final gateway. Now, a massive casting call beckons you. What is your choice?]
“…….”
They put this here?
The moment I realized I’d been double-baited, the tablet screen changed.
A countdown from three began.
‘What kind of countdown only gives you three seconds?’
I could feel their firm determination to capture a horrified reaction from the participants.
The numbers vanished in an instant. And before I could think of anything else, the text popped up.
[Choose now!]
At that moment, without warning, the door in front of me swung wide open.
“…!”
“Hello?”
A familiar face was standing outside the door.
Wait. Let me correct that. He was only familiar to me.
Because... I had taken a lot of photos of him.
“Nice to meet you.”
A member of VTIC walked in through the door with a smile.
“…!”
It was the appearance of a big shot I never could have imagined.
I bowed reflexively in greeting. If I were even a little late with the greeting, I’d be in a position to be torn to shreds on the internet.
“Ah, I’ve been enjoying the show.”
“Thank you.”
The VTIC member reached out his hand for a handshake. I shook it with both hands as if I were meeting the CEO of a client company.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
‘How the hell did they recruit him?’
No matter how well <Aju-sa> was doing, VTIC’s agency didn't have an investment stake in it, so how did they get him to appear?
Was VTIC doing an exclusive reality show on Tnet? Did they land an ad for a T1 affiliate?
‘...No, none of that matters.’
The important thing was that I had to watch my mouth. I didn't know what kind of screenshots would circulate on social media if I slipped up even once.
I waited for the VTIC member to sit down before taking my seat again. Then, I calmly identified the person.
‘Was he the leader?’
I remembered his name and popularity scale, but I didn't really recall his other positions.
I just remembered that his individual metrics were great even within that team, and the demand for his fancams was high because he was a good dancer.
His stage name was Cheong-ryeo.
“First, let me introduce myself. I’m Cheong-ryeo, the leader of VTIC.”
I think he had a separate real name, but of course, I didn't know it.
Anyway, he didn't seem to think that ‘Park Moon-dae’ wouldn't know who he was. He just introduced himself for the sake of the broadcast.
“I’m Park Moon-dae. It’s an honor to meet you.”
I didn't know what I was asking of him, but I gave a reasonably polite greeting.
‘Should I have acted more shocked and made a fuss?’
I was so flustered that I actually forgot to react.
“You’re just like you are on the show—very composed.”
“…I was so surprised I froze.”
“Haha, is that so?”
That means he doesn't believe me, right?
Cheong-ryeo laughed just enough to lighten the atmosphere and got straight to the point.
“The reason I came to meet Participant Park Moon-dae today is... to deliver a casting call from LeTi, the agency VTIC belongs to.”
I expected that statement to come out. However, I couldn't help but think this:
‘Are the producers insane?’
With LeTi’s brand power right now, even someone in the single digits of the rankings might be tempted to jump ship.
Of course, there was no guarantee that joining them would lead to a debut in the next boy group. The agency surely already had more than a few trainees.
However, VTIC’s current status was so high that kids around twenty years old were perfect targets to be swept off their feet. Especially since a VTIC member had come in person.
‘Even someone who already has an agency would be tempted to close their eyes and sign.’
Cheong-ryeo continued with lines that seemed prepared.
“Of course, this isn't an offer we give to every participant. Do you remember the questionnaire you just took?”
“Yes….”
“Out of the nine situational questions, Participant Park Moon-dae is the one with the highest response consistency with our VTIC members.”
Cheong-ryeo clapped his hands lightly.
“You could say you share a similar ideal talent profile with the artists at LeTi.”
“…Thank you.”
That meant people from different agencies were in other rooms conducting casting calls.
‘It’ll be easy to pull a teaser out of this.’
Seeing as even VTIC showed up, they must have scraped together every famous agency that was friendly with Tnet, so the viewers would find this entertaining.
“First, I’ll tell you about the benefits you can enjoy if you choose LeTi.”
What followed was predictable. He basically recited their welfare, achievements, and vision.
‘Is this for the agency’s image?’
It was impressive that he’d memorized it. He probably already knew it for public relations since he was the leader.
Anyway, I nodded diligently and made sounds of admiration as if I were listening to a very moving story.
Cheong-ryeo ended the talk at a reasonable point and added a joke as if it were prepared.
“And as Participant Park Moon-dae already knows, LeTi is also the agency of the Malang Dalkom seniors. Um... wouldn't you get a chance to dance <POP☆CON> together?”
“Haha……, yes.”
This damn Popcorn ghost just won't leave me alone.
Anyway, thinking that I was interested, Cheong-ryeo smiled brightly.
“Now, then.”
Documents and a pen were placed on the desk.
It was a contract. Looking at the seal and the format, it looked like they were actually going to use it.
‘For real?’
Is there a need to be this sincere about the production? I scanned the contract with a bit of reluctance.
“Participant Park Moon-dae, will you respond to the casting call from VTIC’s agency, LeTi?”
“…….”
Let’s think.
I was in the first group of ten. There were 30 people left. Three groups.
‘Then that means at least two more people will receive a casting call from LeTi.’
What if there’s more than one VTIC member here?
Then up to six people in total, including me, would receive this casting call.
Let’s say even just one person other than me said okay.
LeTi wasn't stupid; if two or more people jumped ship to their agency, there was a high probability they’d let them promote together once or twice.
It wasn't just that <Aju-sa> was doing well; it was practically a syndrome right now.
‘An agency wouldn't just throw away this kind of fame.’
So, if I didn't want to continue being an idol in ‘Park Moon-dae’s’ body, this might actually be the better option.
Because there was a high probability it would fizzle out after a year or two of activity.
‘After that, I could look for clues to return to my original body... or find a new career path.’
If I stopped promoting, I’d be forgotten quickly. Dozens of new idol teams debut every year.
I lifted the pen over the contract.
“…….”
And then, I quietly put the pen down and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry, but... I want to keep challenging myself here.”
“Ah…….”
Cheong-ryeo reacted as if he were disappointed. He had good fan service on stage, and it seemed he had a good personality in front of the camera too.
“That’s a shame. Participant Park Moon-dae, I really thought you would do well at LeTi.”
“You flatter me.”
I bowed politely once more.
“Is there a reason why?”
Why did I refuse?
First of all... because it would be a disaster if I were the only one who said okay.
They don't let their artists do solo activities.
Even VTIC was only allowed unit activities. They probably think solo activities eat away at the group’s lifespan.
And... in the future three years from now, before I entered this body, no new boy idol from LeTi had debuted.
In other words, it was a guaranteed dead end.
‘Absolutely not.’
I’d rather drop out of the program than wait for a debut at LeTi; that would be insane. It sends a chill down my spine.
But I couldn't say that, so I had to give another reason.
“Well... there’s the matter of investment costs.”
“Pardon?”
“There are people who have purchased stocks for my debut until now, so I want to at least return that investment.”
That’s right.
‘...If I’m going to be an idol anyway, I might as well do it properly.’
Debuting through <Aju-sa> meant a five-year contract with a label under T1.
Then I would at least be active long enough to satisfy the people who spent money and time for ‘Park Moon-dae’ to debut.
...Well, it was the same from my perspective. It wasn't like I had any other dreams or visions anyway.
The fact that people liked me... was somewhat enjoyable.
‘Maybe I’m surprisingly suited for this.’
The stage was fun, too.
“I intend to work harder so that I can debut here.”
This should be a good enough answer.
I didn't get a chance to appeal my desperation because VTIC suddenly popped out, but I wouldn't get criticized for this.
Cheong-ryeo listened intently to my answer and then nodded.