Chapter 11

If I don't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me 011

Suddenly, a light burst from the slot, and the silver section that didn't exist before stopped moving.

"Hmm."

The word "Grand Success" gave me a good feeling.

Will a better effect come out this time? If possible, something that would help on stage...

[Special Ability: 'It Makes Sense When I Hear It (C)' Acquired!]

It stirs emotional reactions in the listener.

Activation probability 35%, default active state

How should I accept this ability, which seems more suitable for a troublemaker?

Does this mean I should manipulate public opinion on the internet?

No, that's not it, given the explicit mention of "the listener."

Let me think for a moment...

"..."

Calm down, and it seems like a pretty good ability.

Survival contestants often have to speak directly to the audience, such as during self-introductions and ranking announcements.

It's better to evoke some emotion rather than have the audience pass by indifferently, so it's a good ability.

Moreover, the term "listener" suggests that the delivery method might include singing.

In that case, it's definitely advantageous, as it would enhance the immersion of the performance.

Good. It's much better than nothing.

I quickly organized the situation and checked my status window.

[Name: Park Moondae (Ryu Geonwoo)]

Level: 8

Title: None

Vocals: A-

Dance: C

Appearance: C+

Talent: C

Special Ability: Infinite Potential, It Makes Sense When I Hear It (C)

!Status Abnormality: Death if not Debut

Remaining Points: 1

I gained one point due to my first performance being broadcast and achieving the 'First Experience' achievement.

And I only have three more to go to achieve the 500 song practice achievement.

I plan to level up today, gain an extra point, and immediately allocate the points I have.

The top priority is...

"Let's boost my appearance."

It's time to cross the B threshold.

Without hesitation, I manipulated the status window.

'...I hope the mentions will increase from the next content.'

I thought absentmindedly and prepared for bed early.

Shooting starts again tomorrow. Since it starts early in the morning, I need to manage my stamina from now.

Considering the order, it seems like we'll shoot the first team battle or the self-introduction video tomorrow.

* * *

"Welcome back to 'Idol Corporation'! Did everyone have a good rest?"

"Yes!!"

My prediction was right. I looked around the shooting site as the contestants answered the MC's question with vigor.

The large hall where we first saw the theme song was now decorated with placards.

The setup was such that anyone who watched the previous season could predict the first team battle.

Some contestants, including me, were already paying attention to this, exchanging glances with each other.

It's uncertain if they can work together just by doing this, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt.

Maybe I should try to recruit someone.

"..."

Then I realized I don't have any contestants I'm that close to. I'll just focus on the MC's words.

"Today's stage you will prepare is... the team battle!"

"Oh!"

Everyone reacted as expected.

"Since it's the first team battle, I'm sure everyone has someone they want to work with, right?"

Judging by the way he set the tone, the next sentence will start with 'but.'

"But! As an idol, you must be able to work well with anyone. You cannot form teams arbitrarily this time!"

The first season made it look like the contestants formed their own teams and then edited it to make it seem like they were being isolated, leading to about five people being eliminated.

"So, how will we form the teams? First, everyone, please draw a ball from this box!"

"Scary..."

Lee Sejin (Gold grade), who was standing behind me, whispered.

It just so happened that I was the only talkative person in the area arranged by the production team, and it seemed he wanted to create a reaction shot.

I can't ignore him with the camera on.

I nodded casually and followed the person in front of me to draw a ball from the box.

'12.'

It seems like we'll form teams by number or choose teams in this order.

"Contestant number 1, who is it? Raise your hand! Ah, it's Lee Hongsoo!"

A Silver-grade contestant awkwardly raised his hand. The MC pointed to a placard in the hall.

"Contestants can choose a placard in order!"

It's the latter. The MC smiled and gestured with his hand.

"Then, let's reveal the content of the placards!"

Piiing.

The lights on the placards turned on, revealing the text. It was quite advanced, but the content was more important.

Each placard had the name of a famous agency.

"Here are the names of agencies leading KPOP worldwide! You can choose one of these agencies. However, the limit is 14 people!"

The MC spread his hands wide.

"However, if the limit is exceeded, higher-grade contestants can push out lower-grade contestants and take their place!"

"Wow, the rules are harsh."

Lee Sejin, who is Gold grade, spoke up and made a fuss.

"Can I not be pushed out if I choose the same agency? I'm good, right?"

"…You're Gold."

I couldn't understand why a high-grade contestant would assume he would be pushed out.

"Even Gold can be pushed out by Platinum!"

"…I won't be pushed out."

"Ooh, a straightforward answer."

"..."

I won't get involved.

By the way, there were five agency placards. Seven people would inevitably have to stand in the corner.

I could already predict the interviews that would be inserted.

[It was really scary.]

[Now it's a real survival.]

"Then, let's start with contestant number 1, Lee Hongsoo!"

The first contestant stood in front of a famous boy idol agency.

My number is 12, so I'm quite early. I probably won't need to push anyone out.

However, not being able to check the team members in advance is quite troublesome.

The quality of the stage and the direction of the editing will differ depending on who the team members are, and the subsequent dynamics will change.

Moreover, I didn't know any of the contestants called out up to number 11. It means they weren't in the debut circle.

I needed to think carefully.

"Next contestant, please move!"

After much deliberation, I decided on my destination.

I headed to the placard that the highest-grade contestants had chosen the most.

Anyway, all agencies have their own hit songs, so as long as I choose well, the song selection shouldn't be a big problem.

Thus, the team members were more important.

It would be better to have skilled people, so I calculated based on the 11 people in front of me.

'First, I'll go where there are more high grades.'

Holding the ball, I moved to a placard. Two Gold-grade contestants awkwardly welcomed me.

They probably discussed and decided to choose the same placard.

They greeted me, trying to appear friendly.

You guys must be working hard.

"Ooh, main vocalist!"

I gratefully accepted such a reaction.

Fortunately, both were strong in dance.

The problem was what came next.

"Next is... Ah, Lee Sejin!"

Child actor Lee Sejin also chose this placard.

Holding ball number 15, Lee Sejin approached with a determined expression and stood behind the placard.

The two Golds tried to welcome him, but it was awkwardly cut off when Lee Sejin turned and stood behind them.

"Ah..."

I heard an awkward sound from the front.

Well, I'm right behind, so I should at least make this gesture.

I turned my head and bowed to child actor Lee Sejin. Lee Sejin nodded back, but it was a grumpy response.

Indeed, the feeling is not good. I wish someone would push this guy out.

However, the possibility became extremely low when a Bronze-grade contestant, lower than Silver, was called.

'Damn.'

After some time, in the 30s, Seo Ahhyeon, holding ball number 33, approached with a nervous expression.

"..."

Well, it's good if the Gold grade increases. She's also cooperative. I subtly waved, and Seo Ahhyeon beamed and waved back enthusiastically.

It was a bit embarrassing.

The next notable addition was Ryu Cheongwoo, a Platinum-grade contestant.

He was a former national archery representative and one of the debut members I knew.

"Please take care of me!"

Smiling, Ryu Cheongwoo stood as the 13th person.

One spot remained.

Unfortunately, the first and second debut members I knew had already gone to another placard, the one chosen by the first contestant, a famous boy idol agency.

Due to its popularity, it was the first to exceed the limit.

It included the first-place Cha Yujin and many others who were in the debut circle or gained attention in the first performance.

Even Silver was pushed out there.

"Sorry."

The pushed-out Silver-grade contestant nodded and approached this placard, looking pitiful.

"..."

By the way, this guy is Choi Wookil.

He had been causing trouble and messed up his grade evaluation, dropping to Silver.

It might be my imagination, but he's avoiding eye contact with me.

"Wow, now we need to push someone out. The 14 spots are full."

"Oh dear."

The two Golds who were first in line whispered.

...I'm starting to worry about this team's composition.

Even more so when the 60s brought in this guy.

"The contestant I choose to push out... is Bronze-grade Jeong Hyeongjoong. I'm really sorry!"

It was Gold-grade Lee Sejin who chose this placard.

Bowing repeatedly, Lee Sejin pushed out the first person and joined the placard.

Due to his constant apologies and good-natured attitude, everyone seemed to accept it.

"Ooh, Moondae~ Are you going to be the main vocalist?"

"Someone suitable will do it."

"Wow, so cool~ 'Someone suitable will do it'~"

"..."

If there were no cameras, a punch would have flown.

I looked at Lee Sejin without answering, and he grinned, patted my back, and moved to stand in line.

I felt wronged...

"Everyone, have you all chosen your placards?"

After assigning new placards to the remaining contestants who were pushed out, the movement ended.

At my placard, after Lee Sejin (Gold) joined, only one Silver pushed out a Bronze, with no other changes.

To summarize the grades of the contestants here:

- 2 Platinum, 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze.

Overall, it was the best distribution except for the first-place team. The members seemed to realize this and were subtly satisfied.

Of course, it won't end here.

"Now, I'm sure you want to choose a great song!"

"Yes!!"

There's no way 14 people would be crammed into one team. They will be divided into two teams of 7.

I know who to avoid, and who I want to work with...

I turned my head. Coincidentally, I met Ryu Cheongwoo's eyes.

Ryu Cheongwoo slightly nodded. It seems he also wants to form a team with higher grades. Good. Then, I'll try to look as decent as possible...

"Now, before that... the first person to choose a placard, please raise your hand!"

Contestants standing right behind the placards raised their hands.

The MC smiled and said,

"Please press the button on top of the placard!"

"Huh?"

"Placard?"

"Button, ah, the square on top, that one."

The contestants murmured and found the button at the top of the placard and pressed it.

The content of the placard flickered and changed.

"What, what is it?"

"Lottery numbers?"

The placard screen showed two rows of 7 numbers. The same was true for the placard I was standing at.

[4, 7, 12, 15, 33, 37, 62]

[17, 24, 27, 38, 41, 59, 72]

"Can you see the numbers on the placard?"

"Yes!"

"I can see them!"

"If you buy a lottery ticket with those numbers! ...Haha, just kidding. You will be in a team with those numbers! ...Do you remember the numbers of the balls you drew?"

"......!!"

"You will be in a team with the numbers on the placard! And you will have a one-on-one match with the other team!"

The shooting site was suddenly filled with noise.

"Hey, what number are you... I was number 5? Wow."

"Wow, what is this..."

"Are we split up?"

It was the same at my placard. The Gold-grade contestant who pressed the button first cheered and hugged the Gold-grade contestant right behind him. They must have planned to be together.

He then turned and shouted,

"Bro! Number 12~ We're on the same team!"

"Wow, jackpot! I got the main vocalist!"

Then, someone grabbed my arm from behind and joined the group where the Golds were hugging.

"Our team is great, right?!"

It was Gold-grade Lee Sejin. So, 62 was this guy.

Intentionally making a fuss among the three, I tried to match the team members.

The remaining numbers were 15, 33, and 37.

First, 33 is Seo Ahhyeon.

Perfect. I turned around and spoke to Seo Ahhyeon, slipping away from the three.

I almost got annoyed due to the awkwardness.

"Please take care of me."

Seo Ahhyeon nodded enthusiastically. Good, who are the remaining team members?

It would be great if there's a Platinum-grade and debut member like Ryu Cheongwoo, but is he 37...?

"..."

No, 37 is Choi Wookil. He's definitely standing awkwardly with his number ball.

Ryu Cheongwoo seems to be gathering people and starting a briefing over there.

'Damn.'

And 15 is...

Damn, it's child actor Lee Sejin.

He's looking at the three Golds with a refusal to communicate.

This is bad. The editing will be terrible.

Regardless of my prediction, the visible grades are overwhelmingly good.

That's why, unusually, Seo Ahhyeon added with a happy voice,

"The, the team members seem good."

"..."

Yeah, you should think positively.