Chapter 2

If I don't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me 002

‘Idol Corporation’.

This was a survival reality show series that was very popular around this time.

After auditions where dozens or hundreds of idol hopefuls were voted off became a trend, several programs that copied this format also emerged.

‘Idol Corporation’ was one of these mass-produced shows, but there was a reason it became particularly famous.

It became even more ruthless in a capitalist way.

First, let's look at the advertising slogan from Season 1.

[Your idol stock grows as much as you buy!]

That's right. It means you can vote as much as you spend, under the name of 'stocks'.

This year, the show was in its third season.

After Season 2 flopped for some reason, the show came back with the ambitious subtitle 'Re-listing', treating the previous season as if it never happened.

As a result, many people mocked Season 3, saying it was doomed to fail.

…What about me? I was too busy preparing for exams to think about it.

Anyway, contrary to people's expectations, Season 3 was a huge hit.

Despite the intense controversy and criticism, it secured a strong hold on ratings and produced a male idol group that sold 80,000 entries on music sites and 600,000 physical albums in the first week.

So, I decided to try out for this show.

Today, I went out to take the first step.

"Okay, all done! I didn't cut the sides too short as you requested."

"Thank you."

Finally, I look more like myself. I thought, looking at my neatly trimmed hair in the salon mirror.

The effect of eating and sleeping well for the past few days had already reduced the gaunt, depressed look. Thanks to this, it was fine to cut my messy bangs and reveal my forehead.

At that moment, an auntie sitting next to me, getting a perm, offered some flattery.

"Oh, you look so good! You look much better now!"

I thanked her and paid in cash at the counter.

‘I was lucky to have some money in my account when I checked at the bank.’

It seemed the money was from my parents' insurance, which I couldn't use, but I felt I had to use some of it.

‘…When I earn money, I'll pay it back and donate it to a children's welfare organization.’

It was a bit bitter. I had checked my records and opened a new phone line, and it seemed that this 'Park Moondae's' suicide wasn't an impulsive act.

He had already moved out (and lost most of his deposit due to unpaid rent) and canceled his phone.

Even on his birthday.

He must have really wanted to die.

…Well, I understand. I felt the same way.

‘I hope you're in a better place.’

I briefly paid my respects and finished my thoughts. Then I opened the salon door and stepped out. The sun was bright, almost noon.

I still had a lot to do to achieve my goal of going out.

‘Let’s do this properly.’

I already know the missions, debut members, twists, and theme songs of this program.

Of course, I've forgotten some details from preparing for the exam, but it's still the best opportunity I can find right now.

If I can make it to the second round, the show will be big enough for me to get a contract with a small to medium-sized agency.

The only critical issue is that the open auditions for this season have already ended.

But I have a hint. I plan to use it to my advantage.

My goal is to become a participant in this survival show, even though the auditions have ended.

And I want to do it within a week.

Not at the broadcasting station, but at a karaoke room nearby.

* * *

- Auntie? Oh, Idol Corporation. One of the writers there is completely crazy.

This was a guy at a photo club after-party, chuckling and saying something ridiculous.

He claimed he heard it from a relative who works at the broadcasting station, and he was spreading various rumors, so he wasn't exactly a likable person.

- He said they were scouting participants at some karaoke place. You know, the one in SeongX-dong? He was scouting ordinary people and got rejected by the PD. It was a complete failure. She must be a total airhead, right?

The guy kept talking about the scouting in a scattered and heated manner.

While it's common to hear nonsense at drinking parties, it was rare to have someone talk so boringly at a group gathering after-party.

‘Who invited this guy?’

‘Don’t invite him again.’

‘Right.’

People exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Of course, I didn't believe this nonsense either. I was just focused on the free drinks.

But surprisingly, someone verified it.

- The ordinary person he scouted was Lee Go-yoon.

- …What?

Lee Go-yoon is a female idol who debuted in Season 1. She gained popularity with her fresh appearance and cheerful, quirky image, speaking in a rustic dialect.

There were some appropriate exclamations from the crowd.

- Wow, she really did debut?

- Yes.

- Oh… How did you know?

She was a senior in the journalism and broadcasting department, about to graduate, and she continued calmly.

- That 'airhead' is my sister.

The guy who was talking suddenly stumbled. The surrounding people poured disdain on him.

- …Ah, ha, no, that's not what I meant.

- But she hasn't been rejected by the PD. Instead, she's getting more money.

- ……

After that, the guy shut up and sat quietly.

I was grateful because it allowed me to enjoy the drinks more. I remember drinking soju while listening to the senior tell the story.

It was a pretty interesting situation, so it stuck in my mind.

When the number of satisfactory participants in the survival show auditions is insufficient, they check karaoke rooms near the broadcasting station for about a week after the auditions end.

- Wouldn't street karaoke be better? It's easier to scout.

- There are already many aspiring singers there, so they avoid it. They want fresh characters, not typical survival show participants.

It means they're not necessarily looking for someone who will definitely debut, but rather for someone who can add interest to the show.

Nowadays, idol hopefuls are trained by agencies not to say anything reckless.

So, this ordinary participant might be sacrificed for the show's entertainment value.

‘Of course, that's not the important part right now.’

The important part is that the writer is likely still using this method in Season 3.

‘Once you succeed, it's hard to let go.’

Maybe because Season 2 flopped, they're working even harder on the preliminary auditions.

So, let's think objectively.

This body of 'Park Moondae' is thin, but his face is decent, and his height is good.

Plus, he can sing well, so there's a good chance they'll give him a try if they meet him.

Moreover…

‘I need to level up.’

I need to achieve practice achievements and invest in my stats. I need something outstanding to stand out.

I grabbed the microphone and selected a song. Then, I glanced at the door of the karaoke room I entered.

The door was made of glass.

It was designed to give a bright and open feel, targeting people in their teens and twenties, but it also made it easy for people to look inside.

This was why I chose this karaoke room.

The person I was waiting for was a writer in the broadcasting industry.

If they have to go out to scout ordinary people while preparing the program, they would likely start with a place near the broadcasting station that is easy to check.

So, this karaoke room is the best choice.

Without hesitation, I reserved ten songs in advance and started singing by pressing the intro skip button.

* * *

[Achievement unlocked! 〈10 Attempts〉]

Level 1 -〉 2

1 point earned!

I quickly unlocked an achievement. It was for singing ten songs, which I knew would be easy to achieve.

I invested the point in singing, so my vocal rating went from C+ to B-.

I tried the same song again as a test, and it felt like my base had improved.

My voice was deeper, and my range had increased. It seems that growth in vocal ratings works like this.

At this rate, I could rapidly improve my abilities in the early stages, but there was something I needed to focus on first.

"Ah, I'm looking for someone like you."

I didn't expect to be found so quickly.

I started a bit earlier than I calculated, but it was a surprising early success.

I took the business card offered by the woman with glasses.

She looked tired but was trying to sound cheerful.

She seemed to be trying to give me a good impression, and it seemed to have worked.

The name on the card was what I expected.

[Ryu Se-rin]

The senior in journalism and broadcasting was named 'Ryu Se-jin'.

‘They must be sisters.’

"What's your name, student?"

"My name is Park Moondae."

"Your name is unique. Really think about it. You have star potential. Our show is good at discovering people with star potential."

"…Thank you."

I didn't show too much enthusiasm. If I seemed too interested, it might look like I was setting this up.

They probably want to avoid people who come here on purpose.

It seemed to be a good approach, as the woman continued.

"You look good, and you can sing well. I think you'd do really well on our show. …Hmm, how about coming to the studio today to shoot a test video?"

"Really?"

The woman seemed to be pushing a bit, trying to wrap things up quickly.

"Right. Call your parents. They'll be happy to hear that their son has been scouted for a show and is going to the broadcasting station."

"…I don't have parents."

At that moment, a small spark appeared in the woman's eyes, who I assumed was the writer.

She must have seen it as a sensational story.

After all, selling personal stories is a must in survival shows. Even if it draws criticism, it's actually beneficial.

She might find it too valuable to pass up, just in case.

But the writer quickly hid her excitement and spoke more softly, as if sympathizing.

"Oh… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's okay."

"I just thought you might enjoy seeing the broadcasting station. It's not a common experience, you know~"

"…Hmm."

Should I agree now?

I pretended to hesitate for a moment, then slowly nodded. The woman's face visibly brightened.

"Ah, good thinking! The broadcasting station is right here!"

That's how I achieved my first goal.

It was a smoother start than I expected.