Chapter 364
Chapter 364
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 364
Chapter Title: Idol Maker (2)
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"Eek!"
"What's with the squeal? Aren't you gonna take it off?"
"...Vice President, are you a pervert by any chance?"
It felt a bit harsh to say it out loud, but judging by his looks, he totally was. Pervert vibes, maybe? There are all sorts of ugly faces out there, and the vice president had one that screamed pervert. That sleazy expression paired with his pudgy build. No wonder so many trainees instinctively disliked him.
And turns out, he really is a pervert.
Going straight for sexual harassment like that. Phrenology really is a science.
"A pervert? You think I look like one?"
"Don't you?"
"Haa... What do you think would happen if you screamed right here?"
"Hmm... People would come running?"
"And if you started bawling your eyes out?"
"Hmm... People would worry about me."
"Exactly. Then they'd suspect me. Wondering what the hell I did to you. So I can't do a damn thing to you. I can't go to jail over one little trainee. Come on, at least understand that much."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
He had a point, honestly. It was a practice room, sure, but an old one with crappy soundproofing. And on the fifth floor, crawling with staff. One shout, and help would swarm in. But... he did tell me to take my clothes off.
I wasn't sure how to take it.
"Sigh... Telling you to undress? It's all for the lesson."
"Lesson?"
"I told you. I'd teach you the basics of basics."
"Right."
"What do you think is the basic of being an entertainer?"
"...Face?"
"The answer is exposure."
"What? You are a pervert."
"Not that kind! I mean knowing how to expose your charms."
"...My charms?"
"Take your answer, your face, for example. Imagine a pretty girl like you shooting an ad with a mask on. Would people like that?"
"No, they'd hate it since I'm a mask-wearer."
"Right, you get it. That's exactly it."
"?"
"If your face is your charm point, you show it off. You don't hide it."
"Aha."
"Getting it now?"
"Yeah. So you're saying no more masks from now on."
"Haa..."
That wasn't it? The vice president sighed midway through our talk. What the hell was he getting at? I was the frustrated one now. Don't hide your charm points, right? So no masks. I thought I'd nailed it, but his reaction was ice cold.
"If you were an ad model, sure. But you're an idol."
"Right."
"What's an idol's charm point?"
"...Face?"
"No. An idol's charm point is their very existence."
"Their very existence?"
"A pretty face alone isn't enough... What does 'idol' mean? It's an icon, a worship object. Idols have to become the public's 'icons.' And for that, they need to shine with their mere presence. So, what does an idol need to expose?"
"Their very existence?"
"Exactly! Idols have to constantly expose their existence. Face, body, personality, talent... It never ends, but that's what fans crave. That's how idols survive. ...But Ga-eun, are you showing that?"
"...No."
"That's why you're getting hate. 'An idol who relies on her face and does nothing.'"
Aha, so that's it.
Now I got why I was catching flak. It wasn't lack of effort. It was my attitude. Acting all high and mighty, bundled up tight. No wonder I rubbed people the wrong way. The vice president really knew his stuff, a true industry vet.
"I admit it."
"...What?"
"I admit it. That I'm getting hate. Turns out there's a reason."
"Ahem, yeah... Every action has consequences. Famous words. Etch it in your head."
"Noted."
"You've been kinda curt lately, haven't you?"
"Noted."
"Sigh... Anyway, that's why I'm giving you this lesson."
"Exposure?"
"Yeah. More precisely, practice revealing your existence. Ah, not forcing you, of course. But if you can't even follow this... Haaa, I'd give up on you completely."
I wanted to call bullshit—that was forcing—but the vibe wasn't right. He was genuinely trying to help. The method was creepy, but... I could trust him, right? Idols have to reveal their existence... Remembering that line, I nodded faintly.
"Got it. I'll try."
If things got weird, I could always scream... Prepped for the worst with tears at the ready, I stripped for the lesson.
"Hey, can't you even undress properly?"
"?"
"Everything. Down to your underwear."
"You're insane."
This crossed the line. Beyond harassment—straight to assault. Even for a lesson, full nudity? ...Isn't he too old for this? I shot him a doubtful look, and he brazenly fired back.
"What? Embarrassed?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"?"
"Tell me."
"Wouldn't you be?"
"Keep going."
"You're telling me to strip, and... ugh, you're the vice president. Anyway, it's embarrassing. I don't want to show you. I'm scared you'll have weird fantasies about my naked body. And asking this feels gross."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Then why did these people undress?"
"?"
He shoved his smartphone in my face. On the screen, a famous movie's bed scene played. Whoa, first time seeing it like this... Super steamy. I stared blankly at the two A-list actors gasping for breath.
"Actors going naked in front of dozens of staff. Cameras rolling, obviously. The movie hides the naughty bits just right... but you think the raw footage does? Nah, it's all out there, raw and exposed."
"Whoa."
"Question: Are they perverts for exposing like that?"
"Hmm."
"They were embarrassed too. Scared the director or staff might have 'weird fantasies,' maybe even hated filming it."
"Hmm."
"But they did it anyway. Why?"
"Their job?"
"Bingo. Actors reveal characters fully, so they performed the bed scene—embarrassment be damned—to show the character's true self. Getting it now? Exposure isn't just about embarrassment."
"I see."
"Idols especially need to enjoy exposing a bit, even if it feels pervy. Look at Citrus's debut outfits, or what top idols wear now. Any without exposure?"
"Nope."
"Right? That's why full strip. Training clothes or underwear won't cut it. Go all out... Expose yourself completely, get used to showing 'you' to the world."
"...I see."
It sounded nonsense, but kinda made sense too. Seeing that popular actress bare it all helped. That's professional spirit. I could never... Pros really are different.
"Wanna see this? Citrus's debut fancam."
"Whoa."
"Compare with Yuki next to her. See the difference in your expressions?"
"...Noted."
"That's knowing how to reveal yourself versus not. Back then, you couldn't dance or sing, and you didn't even know how to smile on stage. And... you're still like that. You planning to stiff up on comeback stage too?"
"...No."
"Now you get why this lesson matters?"
"...Admit."
Surprisingly, I was the only one lacking pro spirit. The one who couldn't smile. Listening back, I sounded like a total punk. The sexy outfit bugged me, and it all showed on camera. No choice but to agree now.
"Comeback's soon. Time for extreme measures to change you. So drop the admissions and follow along. For you and Citrus."
"...Noted."
"Ahem, Ga-eun... Everything's good, but... ditch the 'noted.' It's risky in all sorts of ways."
"?"
"Ah, never mind. Let's start."
"Okay."
Embarrassing, but... gotta tough it out. I took a deep breath and slipped off my underwear in front of the vice president. A soft rustle as it hit the floor. Cool air hit my skin, breath quickening bit by bit.
"Chin up. Endure the shame, push through."
"Ugh..."
"Look at me. While staring at me, reveal yourself."
"...Yes (Hai)."
And so, I stood naked in the company practice room.
