Chapter 14

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me 014th Chapter

After the most chaotic and hopeful discussion of the past two days, I tried talking to Seonahyeon during a short break.

"Are you tired?"

"A, no…."

Seonahyeon shook her head with a tense expression. It seemed she was nervous, perhaps fearing a scolding, as she herself thought her condition was not good.

Is this the right way to approach her? I tried to bring up the topic as gently as possible.

"Then, are you still bothered by the feedback during the choreography check earlier?"

An immediate apology came back.

"…S, s, sorry… I, I'll try harder…."

What a chicken. I feel a sense of grandeur.

"You don't need to apologize to me. And I'm saying this so you don't misunderstand."

I tried to convey the message gently that "the dance trainer criticized you to motivate you, not because there's a problem with your personality."

"The dance trainer didn't say that because they think I'm better than you. They were trying to motivate you."

To create a comfortable atmosphere, I sat down near Seonahyeon.

"They probably said that because they think you can do better. The trainer is just a bit harsh in their words."

"…."

Seonahyeon couldn't answer, perhaps because he couldn't bring himself to say, "No, you're better."

"Do you think my words make sense?"

"R, really, I can… do well…?"

"Hmm?"

Is she asking me?

I don't think she asked this to hear me say, "The choreographer is one thing, but I don't think so."

I crossed my arms and replied calmly.

"Why would I lie to you?"

"…!"

Seonahyeon swallowed hard and asked with a slightly hopeful voice.

"T, t, then… how can I… do well…?"

"…Are you asking for my opinion?"

"Y, yes!"

Seonahyeon nodded enthusiastically.

'You're asking for advice from a rookie who started with an audition?'

I tried to hide my slightly cold feeling and, based on Seonahyeon's status, gave a straightforward answer.

"In my opinion, you think too much."

Seonahyeon seemed shocked.

"T, t, too much…?"

"It's not that your thoughts are useless. It's just that you think too much about things you don't need to. Try to clear your mind."

Let me give a more specific example.

"Just think, 'I will do this.'"

"…."

Seonahyeon seemed lost in thought. It's a bit contradictory to react this way after being told to clear your mind.

Still, the words that followed were positive.

"O, okay. I'll… try."

The determination was visible on his face, so it didn't seem like empty words.

But he's burning with more passion than I expected. His shoulders are tense.

And he's even muttering to himself… probably something like, "I will do this."

"…."

Hmm, did I have this much talent for giving advice?

As I had this thought, a status window popped up.

'[It sounds right (C)] activated!'

-Target: Seonahyeon

-Effect: Trait activation due to successful persuasion

So, this 35% chance worked.

I didn't know it could be used like this… It seems quite useful given the nature of this program. Of course, assuming the 35% chance is met.

To check the exact changes, I opened Seonahyeon's status window.

[Name: Seonahyeon]

Vocal: B- (A)

Dance: A (EX)

Appearance: A+ (S+)

Talent: B (A+)

Trait: Perseverance (A)

!Status Abnormality: Low Self-Esteem Deactivated

The status abnormality was deactivated?

The popup earlier mentioned a trait activation. Could this be the effect?

Let's check the trait.

[Perseverance (A): Your mindset is something you create. Burn your concentration to suppress negative states.]

-Activates to negate one status abnormality (highest priority).

What a cheat trait.

If I had this trait, I would have already deactivated the status abnormality that would ruin my debut and quit the audition.

I was so angry I couldn't think straight.

It took some time for me to calm down and organize the situation after the vocal practice resumed.

Anyway, can Seonahyeon now use his full potential based on this status window?

Fortunately, the producer praised Seonahyeon's voice.

"Ahyeon, you just hit the right note!"

"T, thank you…!"

Even to me, it sounded better than during practice. It seems he's gradually hitting the B- level.

'Hmm.'

It's good that Seonahyeon is focused and improving his stage quality. But I can't let him stand out too much alone.

'Even if our positions don't overlap, it's problematic if he takes all the buzz.'

I need to create a stage that highlights me personally.

I need something that contributes to the stage quality while allowing me to stand out.

"So, horror? If you do well, I think it's a good direction. What are you planning?"

I raised my hand, following the team members who were excitedly discussing the arrangement direction in response to the producer's question.

"I have an opinion on the arrangement of my part. Can I share it?"

"Oh, Moondae~ Sure, go ahead."

"This part."

I pointed to the lyrics sheet.

"It's the bridge."

The person next to me, Choi Won-gil, opened his mouth wide.

Thanks for the part, Won-gil. You did a good job.

* * *

〈Idol Stock Company〉 Season 3 was burning on the internet, fueled by mockery and criticism.

At this point, only the profiles and first performances of the participants were revealed. The press conference hadn't even started, but the Tnet broadcasting company's website already had a call for audience members for the first team battle.

Due to the shooting schedule, the audience application had a decent competition rate (27:1) thanks to the overwhelming buzz.

And here, someone who broke through this competition rate and came to the audience with confidence!

'Won't I be caught?'

Now that I look at her, she doesn't seem very confident.

In her backpack, hidden under a cardigan used as a smokescreen, were a small, portable whiteboard and a camera.

There was a reason she brought the camera and came to the audience.

The moment she saw the first performance of this season, 〈It's Me〉, she had a gut feeling.

This might work!

'This atmosphere… Even though they're getting criticized now, once the broadcast starts, this could all turn into attention. If the participants are good enough!'

Then the value of the photos I take now will skyrocket!

It's half a gamble. But the idea that a stock that skyrockets is a gamble dominated her mind. Plus…

'If there's a really good one, it's also good to settle in as a fan early on.'

Her (former) idol was making a dirty entry into the news, so she wanted to take this opportunity to clean up her account.

So today, she had to take as many photos as possible. She didn't know which participant would stand out on which stage.

She waited calmly for the shooting to start.

After the MC, who transitioned from a public broadcaster to a talent, delivered a few words of encouragement, the shooting began.

"This stage features two teams covering songs by senior idols from the same agency. The winning team will receive an incredible special prize. What is the special prize? Find out on the broadcast!"

The audience had agreed not to spoil the show until it aired.

Still, there were plenty of people talking about it on the internet, so they seemed to be trying to keep as much as possible from being revealed outside the stage.

"〈Idol Stock Company〉 Season 3, the highly anticipated first team battle begins now! Shine Your Star!"

After the voting method was announced, the stage setup was checked, and the first performance began.

The first performance featured two teams covering an idol song from the well-known QuZ agency, known for producing popular idols.

'A bit boring?'

It wasn't bad, but it was inevitably worse than the original.

She didn't have high expectations as she secretly took a few shots. The important thing was the team with participants who were mentioned on the internet.

The second team battle was also uneventful, but a team worth watching finally appeared.

It was the match featuring Cha Yujin, who had the most cuts in the 〈It's Me〉 performance.

"Wow, Cha Yujin!"

"The kids are good~"

Since there were many familiar participants, the initial cheers varied. Some people were already holding up placards.

Most importantly, the performance was excellent.

'Wow, they're really good?'

The skill level was so high that it could be believed they had already debuted, and the arrangement was also good.

They transformed an old song that was consumed like a meme on the internet due to its excessive sexy concept into something sophisticated and cute.

Moreover, not only Cha Yujin but also the rapper from the same agency stood out.

'These two will make it.'

She diligently recorded data, focusing on the two, while subtly avoiding the security's gaze.

The next team, which faced this team, was also interesting in a different way because it had many recognizable participants.

'Perhaps this will be the last segment in the broadcast?'

She felt a bit disappointed but also excited.

The next team onward seemed less interesting.

Since more than half of the promising participants were concentrated in the previous team, the following teams seemed dull.

And as expected, the next performance was not interesting.

It seemed to be a team of members who were not chosen, and it was evaluated on an absolute scale. Honestly, it was clear why they weren't chosen.

'This is the worst performance so far.'

"What is this?"

"My legs hurt."

People in the back were already trying to sneak out.

They were tired and their legs hurt, so they didn't want to watch the remaining performances.

In that scattered atmosphere, the MC shouted.

"The first team battle is heating up. The next performance is… participants covering a song by LeTi, the agency of the recently award-winning global trend group, VTIC!"

The MC didn't mention 'Malrang Dalcom'.

This was a bait for the audience.

But it was very effective.

"VTIC?"

The audience started to murmur.

VTIC was currently the hottest boy idol group.

The fact that they were covering a song by an idol group that sold 1.2 million copies on the first day made people who were about to leave pause.

A bit of hope was restored, and the MC called out cheerfully.

"First up, the team Actober 31!"

It was a team name that reminded one of an ice cream shop.

It wasn't a name that stuck in one's ear.

Since the participants' own sense of naming was often poor, everyone heard the team name without much interest.

'Anyway, what VTIC song are they covering?'

"The song the participants are covering is… Ah, these people debuted as flower fairies? The national girl group, 'Malrang Dalcom's 〈To a New World〉!"

"…!?"

People were taken aback.