Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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The day of the signal song video shoot.
The trainees entered the set and buzzed collectively at the sight of the massive stage before them.
"Whoa, it's this big?"
"The scale is insane."
It seemed like they would each perform on one of the five stages divided by rank, then merge into a group dance.
"A-rank, we'll start filming with you!"
The A-rank trainees, decked out in flashy styling, took the stage first.
Exclamations leaked out from the trainees off-camera at the A-rankers' entrance.
"Whoa..."
"They definitely have a different aura."
As expected from the rank with the most screen time, a lot of care had gone into their look.
Especially standout was the styling that emphasized an elite concept—all of them in white suits adorned with gold accessories.
That's why they really look like idols.
Among them, Han I-jae had the best suit fit as the center.
It was easy to see why he was so popular in the novel.
"Whoa, they've got so much sparkle on their outfits. We don't have anything."
One of the F-rank trainees looked down at his plain clothes and muttered.
Sure enough, the lower the rank, the starker the outfit differences became.
"It's fine. We're only on screen for 12 seconds anyway, no matter what we wear."
The F-rank trainees comforted each other with such self-deprecating jokes.
"Alright, let's start filming!"
Once positions were set, the call to begin filming rang out.
As the music kicked in, Han I-jae nailed the choreography with razor-sharp lines.
"He's really good."
Lee Hae-won whispered from beside me.
"Yeah, he is."
I nodded, watching Han I-jae's eyes change the moment filming started.
It was obvious the video would turn out great. Every A-rank trainee was skilled as expected, and above all, center Han I-jae held the formation steady.
So in the novel, Lee Hae-won beats this guy?
I glanced at Lee Hae-won next to me.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
Living together like this, I'd almost forgotten how amazing this guy is.
In the original plot, after the video drops, B-rank center Lee Hae-won steals more attention than Han I-jae.
The segment featuring Lee Hae-won in the YouTube video becomes the 'most rewatched moment,' making him the star of the most-played clip across all ranks.
That's the difference between mass appeal and fandom appeal.
It was mentioned in the novel too.
Lee Hae-won won over the public with his cute face and bright energy.
The complete opposite of the cool, stoic Han I-jae, so their contrasting shots stood out a lot on air.
Now the center's me, so who knows how it'll go.
Could I beat Han I-jae like Lee Hae-won and make B-rank the talk of the town?
For reference, I didn't have Lee Hae-won's cute face or bright energy.
But I figured I had a shot. Do Won-woo had top-tier visuals, after all.
In the original, even 12 seconds was enough to gain fans. But now, unlike the plot, our screen time's way longer. Meaning anything could happen.
With more screen time and better skills than the original, I had modest hopes for a good reaction.
"Next up, B-rank filming!"
With the first shoot wrapped, we headed up to the stage.
On the way, I bumped into Han I-jae coming down the stairs. Our eyes met, but he just passed by right next to me.
At least that's a relief. No incidents today.
As we took our positions, reactions erupted from the trainees below.
B-rank outfits were silk blouses topped with silver accessories. Not as flashy as A-rank, but luxurious enough.
Lee Hae-won looks totally different dressed up like this.
Recalling his plaid shirt and jeans from the first rank evaluation, this felt shocking.
Back then he had a wholesome vibe; now he looked more like an idol.
"Whoa, he's on another level today."
"His face is unreal."
Then I heard the murmurs.
Who are they talking about?
I looked around, and a voice carried from below the stage.
"Won-woo's visuals carry so hard. Just putting that on makes him shine."
Me?
Given Do Won-woo's killer looks setting, reactions like this made sense.
Of course, I—average-looking in my past life—was still getting used to it.
"Hae-won, scoot over a bit."
A staffer opposite signaled my position was off, so I beckoned Lee Hae-won closer.
For reference, stage positions were assigned front row by rank evaluation scores, with Lee Hae-won right next to the center in the front.
"Won-woo."
"Yeah?"
"Fighting. Let's do great."
Before filming, Lee Hae-won noticed my nerves and cheered me up.
Having him next to me definitely brought emotional stability.
He was the one person here I could truly rely on.
― ♩♪♫~
Filming began.
I lifted my head and opened my eyes to the starting beat.
Then, matching the choreo, I cycled through varied expressions.
I'm no pro at expression acting, but with these visuals, even subtle faces packed a punch.
For reference, I'd drilled expressions like crazy in the practice room for today.
Like my vocal grind before, single-focus strategy again.
If Lee Hae-won's strength is energy that makes everyone smile, Do Won-woo's is visuals that make everyone gasp. So...
Focus on expressions to draw eyes to my face.
Dance-wise, matching Han I-jae was impossible even with practice. So, play to my strengths.
"Whoa."
My plan seemed to be working.
The trainees below were proof.
"He's so handsome."
I'd heard "handsome" at least twenty times today alone.
Flashing a bright smile to match the fresh sound, I hit a wave on the rising beat.
Endless mirror practice meant I knew exactly when for each expression.
Treating expressions as part of the choreo made them flow seamlessly with the moves.
"Whoa, Won-woo's expressions are on point."
"How'd he improve so much?"
"Isn't he just an idol already?"
At the final pose, I leaned into the camera for a close-up.
Face zoom shot. Tough to pull off usually, but Do Won-woo can make it work.
A performance where I'd maximized every strategic angle.
No regrets now—I'd given it my all.
Glancing down as I thought that, my eyes met Han I-jae's.
Something's changed.
His gaze used to pity me a bit; now it felt like he saw me as a rival.
Not a bad feeling, getting that look from a trainee like Han I-jae.
"Great job, Won-woo. You nailed it."
Lee Hae-won patted my back.
"Think it'll look good on video?"
"Duh."
"Don't worry—you were the best, Won-woo."
We were heading down amid B-rank praise when we crossed paths with Kang In-hyeok and the C-rankers heading up.
"Good work!"
"Thanks~"
Was it my imagination?
A subtle tension hung in the air each time ranks crossed.
With the relay format by rank, competitive vibes were strong—you had to outshine the others.
Not malicious, more like healthy rivalry.
"We'll tear up the stage, so watch out~"
We laughed at the C-rank joke and descended.
Other ranks greeted us with "good work"s. Han I-jae was the only one staring straight ahead silently.
That thoughtful expression...
Day went smoothly, but he didn't look satisfied.
― ♩♪♫~
Thus C-part filming started.
Do well.
Having been same rank before, I felt an odd bond.
But the positioning...
Jeong Hee-min, who should've been center, was stuck at the back.
Honestly, he's better than that spot.
Masters lowballed him in rank eval for obvious reasons.
He got pegged as cocky. Skilled enough, but not enough to overcome the bad impression.
No merit in carrying an iffy personality and skills. Early on, production targeted him as the villain.
This was his shot at center via trainee votes—no masters. Seeing him like that is kinda sad.
Jeong Hee-min, standing listlessly, averted his eyes when ours met.
Filming started, and center Kang In-hyeok poured passion into the choreo. A step up from his mirror sessions back then.
C-rank held their own.
Next, D-rank trainees took the stage.
Hyeon Si-woo led at the front, directing the group.
For reference, he was the last one practicing in the hall yesterday.
That alone showed his desperation.
Just 30 seconds, yet he stayed latest.
Everyone's hungry, but Hyeon Si-woo might be the most desperate.
Even with higher freedom, hope his fate stays debut-intact if possible.
Filming began; Hyeon Si-woo raised his arms high with a bright smile.
Shaking off his usual gloom to muster energy.
In the original, that point moved voters.
His hidden tears on air helped too.
Though some bashed including a recent rehab kid.
Still, he debuts at final 7th with that dramatic arc.
Hope production edits it the same.
Issue was, while some plot stuck, freedom caused changes sometimes.
Most mysterious? Won Ji-an.
What the heck is he?
I spotted Won Ji-an on stage.
A system holder like me. True nature unknown, but...
For now, keep him on watch.
F-rank performance began.
Curious how they'd fill their measly 12 seconds.
Honestly, even Do Won-woo's buzz was visual-driven. What can you show in 12 secs?
As I pondered, watching—
...What?
Something was off.
A strange dissonance from Won Ji-an, unlike before.
Just hitting moves, yet his presence hit hard. That aura thing.
What'd he do?
A title I'd never seen before hovered above Won Ji-an's head.