Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Genius Idol's Guide to Conquering the Entertainment Industry
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Regardless of the circumstances, I still find it difficult to comprehend why they would require an individual with such an extraordinary countenance—one that evokes a sense of profound fulfillment in any observer—to perform a magical girl trot dance instead of a more sophisticated routine.
Following the conclusion of the training camp, a recording of the talent show was uploaded to a video platform and subsequently circulated with incredible speed, causing our secondary school's name to become a prominent search term associated with the original song.
Despite my efforts to lead a quiet and ordinary existence, the visibility afforded by my standout appearance resulted in a continuous influx of casting offers from various agencies.
That particular moment also served as my initial introduction to the allure of performing on a stage.
I recognized that such memories carried little significance in my current predicament.
The primary point I intended to convey was that the choreography was not challenging in the slightest.
I possessed a level of comprehension approaching ninety percent even without the benefit of formal practice, leaving me confident in my ability to outperform my peers.
The selection of music was conducted randomly from a prepared list, leaving me entirely ignorant of which track would eventually play.
Nevertheless, this specific dance represented my only available option at the moment.
I resolved to proceed with the performance regardless of which melody was selected by the production team.
I placed the microphone upon the floor and turned away with a deliberate air of mystery, sensing the palpable anticipation radiating from the crowd.
I felt a sincere desire to meet those high expectations, even if the resulting performance differed significantly from what they envisioned.
Lee Chang-yeon, who remained entirely unaware of my true intentions, gave the command for the music to begin.
The track that emerged was a vibrant and upbeat electronic dance number with a compelling and enjoyable rhythm.
The realization that the music complemented my prepared dance effectively banished the last remnants of my characteristic introversion.
A sharp and decisive vocalization—the defining element of the track—signaled the beginning of my movement.
I executed a rapid spin and positioned my arms with a level of artistic precision that impressed even my own critical judgment.
The reaction from the gathered trainees and mentors was immediate and filled with visible astonishment.
I infused the routine with a greater degree of power and elasticity than the original version to maximize its visual impact.
However, I refrained from exaggerating the movements to the point of appearing intentionally humorous.
I reminded myself that I was currently an idol rather than a comedic performer.
I dedicated my entire focus to capturing the whimsical and spirited essence of the choreography, which mimicked the movements of a freshly caught fish.
By the time I concluded the routine with a fluid wave of my arms, the entire set had descended into a state of chaotic amusement.
Laughter erupted from the audience as they remarked on the extraordinary nature of my movements.
My performance elicited a far more intense reaction than the more polished and conventional routines that had preceded it.
However, I recognized that there was a significant technical discrepancy during the performance.
My movements and the rhythm of the music were entirely out of synchronization with one another.
Nonetheless, I was confident that very few observers had actually noticed the discrepancy by the time I finished.
The crowd remained visibly entranced by the sheer audacity and flair of my dance.
Muk Hye-seong eventually called out my name in a low and commanding voice.
He maintained his signature impassive expression while the rest of the room was still recovering from their laughter.
He inquired if the performance was intended as a jest, noting the artistic nature of my off-beat timing.
I responded with absolute sincerity and denied that the dance was meant as a joke.
I explained that I felt compelled to follow through with my prepared routine even if it meant ignoring the musical accompaniment.
I maintained a posture of profound humility and hoped that he would believe in my underlying dedication.
I wondered if it were possible to diminish the intensity of the trait's effects on my appearance.
Regardless of my personal desires, the atmosphere in the room grew noticeably solemn and heavy.
Muk Hye-seong refrained from further questioning, leading me to release a quiet sigh of relief.
As the influence of the trait began to wane, the mood of the room gradually recovered its previous levity.
Han Ji-hee inquired with a tone of genuine curiosity whether the performance had been prepared in advance.
I had previously noted that none of the celebrities in this world were familiar to me, which meant the dance would be equally foreign to them.
I confirmed that I had arrived with the intention of performing this specific routine regardless of the circumstances.
She asked if I had been responsible for creating the choreography myself.
I provided a negative response to her inquiry.
I took a steadying breath and prepared to deliver an elaborate and nonsensical explanation.
I claimed with a serious expression that a mermaid had appeared in my dreams during the previous Christmas and bestowed the dance upon me.
The mentors stared at me with looks of utter bewilderment and disbelief at my statement.
I continued the narrative, describing how I had assisted a stranded mermaid and was rewarded with the knowledge of the routine.
One of the mentors questioned the logistical possibility of a mermaid possessing legs for dancing.
I clarified that she had simply secured a pair of legs through a bargain with a witch.
I resorted to this fabrication because I lacked any knowledge of the character's true history within this world.
However, my personal integrity prevented me from claiming credit for a creation that was not my own.
I reflected on the fact that my nonsensical stories always possessed a complex internal logic rather than being spoken for amusement.
I offered a silent apology to my original and unknown instructor for transforming them into a legendary creature of the sea.
Han Ji-hee wondered if my serious denial of authorship was a result of being embarrassed by the nature of the dance.
I suggested that I was simply the type of individual who could deliver such absurdities with a convincing air on camera.
The mentors appeared to find my explanation oddly persuasive and remarked on my perceived intelligence.
They noted that I seemed to possess a keen understanding of which elements best suited my personal brand.
I recognized that this excessive praise was likely the result of a system-guided correction of my attributes.
One of the mentors inquired about my preference regarding which team I hoped to join.
I boldly requested to be placed under the guidance of Mentor Muk, citing my profound respect for his career.
The other trainees gasped at my audacity while the mentors themselves looked visibly surprised by my pitch.
It was unheard of for a trainee to deliberately seek out the individual widely considered to be the most intimidating mentor.
I found that I did not fear Muk Hye-seong in the slightest, regardless of his reputation among the others.
I reminded myself that he was ultimately a non-player character designed to assist the player within the game.
I had been receiving various notifications regarding favorability since my initial vocal performance.
I had initially wondered if these values were calculated in decimals, given the minimal nature of the increases.
The system confirmed that decimal favorability was rounded down, which explained why previous changes had resulted in no gain.
While other mentors were far more generous with their approval, Muk Hye-seong proved to be exceptionally stingy with his goodwill.
Nevertheless, I remained focused on establishing a specific dynamic of growth under a stern but capable instructor.
I believed that the narrative of an underdog being elevated by a demanding mentor was a compelling story for the audience.
I resolved to pursue this path regardless of the potential for a negative outcome.
Jena offered a warm smile and requested a brief moment for the mentors to consult with one another.
The instructors huddled together and began a quiet discussion regarding my potential and flair for performance.
They had disabled the microphones, leaving me unable to hear the specifics of their evaluation.
I remained curious about whether the private discussion would eventually be included in the final broadcast.
I suspected that my demonstrated skills would naturally lead to a placement in a lower-tier class under Muk Hye-seong’s supervision.
I had made my preference clear and had refrained from requesting a position for which I was not yet qualified.
Jena eventually announced that I would indeed be training under the guidance of Muk Hye-seong.
I responded with an enthusiastic expression of gratitude.
She inquired with genuine wonder why I would choose a mentor who inspired so much fear in others.
I paused during my exit from the stage and delivered a dramatic declaration that he was my professional role model.
I reflected on the incredibly frugal nature of Muk Hye-seong’s favorability while I attached his identification sticker to my name tag.
A member of the production staff then led me to a simple interview set to record my immediate thoughts.
A writer and a camera crew were waiting for me to provide a commentary on the recent performances.
I was asked for my opinion regarding the stage presented by Oh Hyun-jin.
I praised his performance and described him as a trainee who appeared to be fully prepared for debut.
I maintained a high level of vigilance during the interview to avoid providing any material that could be edited in a negative light.
I spoke with a soft and humble tone while answering their subsequent questions.
When asked if we had been acquainted previously, I confirmed our past relationship.
I felt a brief moment of gloom as I reflected on our significantly negative favorability rating.
The interviewer inquired if I viewed him as a rival, but I dismissed the notion by stating I was far too lacking to be compared to him.
I then skillfully redirected the conversation by asking what he had said about me.
The writer informed me that his comments were a secret, prompting me to feign a sense of disappointment.
I was eventually instructed to wait until the next agency concluded their performance before returning to my seat.
I found myself standing awkwardly near Oh Hyun-jin in the cramped space behind the stage.
He appeared as though he wished to speak with me, yet I remained silent due to our mutual lack of goodwill.
Upon returning to my seat, Seo Chan-bin greeted me with an enthusiastic display of approval.
His favorability toward me had increased significantly, proving him to be an exceptionally generous individual.
He had been moved to laughter by my dance and continued to smile whenever we made eye contact.
I suggested that he should feel free to speak with me informally since we were now companions.
He agreed and noted that I should also refer to him as an elder brother.
Our quiet conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a new group of trainees on the stage.
Chan-bin expressed his awe at their physical appearance, a sentiment that I shared immediately.
I recognized that if even I found them to be exceptionally handsome, their looks were truly extraordinary by any standard.
The newcomers introduced themselves as Ban Yo-han and Seo Moon-gyeol from Seed Entertainment.
I noted that their names and appearances were far too prominent to belong to mere background characters.
I felt certain that these two individuals were guaranteed to debut regardless of the competition.
They possessed the kind of visual appeal that the industry simply could not afford to ignore.
Ban Yo-han possessed a soft and endearing aesthetic that was designed to attract a massive following with a single smile.
In contrast, Seo Moon-gyeol exhibited a sculpted and almost glamorous beauty with sharp features that commanded attention.
I reflected on the fact that individuals like him possessed a natural screen presence that I currently lacked.
I reminded myself that my original face was even more impressive than those of the two trainees combined.
I felt a sudden and profound desire to reclaim my former appearance.