Chapter 21

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me - Chapter 21

The first donation message was straightforward.

#Why did you choose chicken feet? 😂

People buzzed, calling it a great question. After a moment of thought, Park Munda answered honestly.

“Well, actually, my collaboration item keyword was not chicken feet but frozen food.”

- Wow, so cool

- Chicken feet look like a fairy now

- Why did the management put frozen food in the idol PR...?

- T1 has carbonated water, so why put something like dumplings on the list? 😂

Park Munda, who couldn't see the comments, continued calmly.

“The chicken feet were the tastiest among the frozen foods I received as samples. So I chose chicken feet.”

- !!

- You... tried all the samples?

- This participant is ‘real’

- At this point, it’s not just a matter of working hard; it’s beyond that 😂

“Well, since it’s an ad... it’s hard to say something is delicious when it’s not.”

As Park Munda answered, he took another bite of chicken feet. Soon, more donations started pouring in.

#What’s your favorite food besides chicken feet?

#Who are you close to among the participants?

#Then, what was the criterion for choosing the triangle rice roll? 😂

“I don’t picky eat. As for the participants I’m close to... well, I think it would be a spoiler if I say, so I’ll skip that.”

- Really thorough 😂

- Our Munda does have close friends, right? Grandma believes in Munda! *^^*

- Hey, in the other broadcast, Seo Ah-hyun said she’s close to you 😂😂😂😂😂😂

- 😂😂😂 Got it, Munda, you’re close to Ah-hyun?

Park Munda, who thought that directly mentioning someone could be a risk, tried to dodge the question.

However, the comments were already using this as material for jokes.

As Park Munda was explaining in detail why he chose the triangle rice roll, more donations started pouring in.

“The tuna mayonnaise is strong and goes well with the chicken feet... Oh.”

#Munda, please sing just one line 😭

#Don’t just eat, introduce yourself too 😂

#Do you have any secrets to singing well?

“Um, singing.”

Park Munda put down the last chicken foot he was about to eat.

- Finally

- The idol self has awakened?

- Only one chicken foot left, and he’s back to life. Is this meaningful...?

- No, Munda’s singing is amazing. I watched a live performance, and it was incredible 😭

- It was good on the broadcast, but how will it be live?

Amid the comments, Park Munda started singing.

“I’m standing on the stage, you won’t know yet~”

It was the theme song of the show, “It’s Me.”

Park Munda chose this song without much thought, as it had already been praised by the trainer and was well-verified. However, from the viewers' perspective, it was like solidifying his character.

- Park Munda, he’s a pro

- Is there anyone more sincere about the broadcast than him?

- Really unpredictable, not the way a criminal thinks

- I’m going crazy, it’s so funny 😂

The comments were filled with people making jokes. But not all of them were jokes.

- But he sings well

- Why does the camera focus on the chicken feet, yet it sounds so sweet?

- It sounds good even without music

- Well done, Munda. Now sing another song 😭

Despite the low-quality equipment used for the live broadcast, Park Munda’s voice was clearly transmitted.

Without any hesitation or muddiness, Park Munda sang the song smoothly.

His voice was clear and pleasant, without a single off-key note.

The comments slowed down slightly, as if concentrating, and occasional exclamations of admiration mixed in.

As he passed the pre-chorus and the chorus began:

“Right now on the stage...”

Ding ding ding ding ding!

The alarm on the desk clock rang loudly.

It was the 30-second warning before the end. The 5-minute extension was over.

“Oh, time’s up.”

Park Munda immediately stopped singing.

He didn’t want to drag it out and create controversy by singing more.

The problem was that he stopped too abruptly.

- No, why did you stop here?

- Just before the chorus 😂

- Ugh, I’m so frustrated. I’ll sing it myself: Right now on the stage, the one shining is me!! Ugh!

- Is this a big plan to make us watch the next episode? Munda is really sincere about the program

- If he had eaten one less chicken foot, he could have sung the whole first verse?

- Just one more line, please 😭 Munda

A delayed donation appeared on the screen.

#Your voice is amazing!

The gentle donation contrasted with the current comment atmosphere, causing the comments to go wild.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best. Um, by the way, the remaining donation questions...”

Park Munda quickly scanned the questions, focusing on ‘introduction’ and ‘singing secrets.’ He thought:

‘It was actually fortunate that time was short.’

In fact, Park Munda was deliberately using the song to buy time and delay answering the next donation questions, as they were difficult to answer.

First, the introduction... he had nothing to say because he was in someone else’s body.

He didn’t fully understand ‘Park Munda’s’ background, and the background he did know was extremely dark.

The singing secret was even more difficult to explain.

‘The system window helps me? That’s crazy talk.’

Park Munda quickly made his decision and continued.

“Let me introduce myself.”

At that moment, the screen went black.

[The live broadcast has ended.]

The broadcast time was over.

- ??

- What is this?

- It seems to be over?

- The production team ended all broadcasts at once

The remaining viewers, initially confused, soon burst into laughter.

- 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

- We didn’t even get to hear his introduction...

- It felt like we just watched a commercial and a food broadcast

- It’s been a while since I had such a good laugh

- No, Park Munda is really funny 😂 A mysterious comedian

People left comments on the still active live comment section.

However, a considerable number of people stayed for quite a while, leaving more comments. They were people who had developed a liking for Park Munda.

They compared Park Munda from the first episode to the Park Munda from the recent PR live broadcast, enjoying it thoroughly.

- But Munda is really cute... eating so well with that lack of enthusiasm and singing so well 😭 His clumsiness is the best, yum yum good

- His face is trendy, and it’s the cherry on top. With a bit more management, he’ll be really handsome

- I like it, I’ll create a fan account today

- Where can I vote?

- On the Idol Corporation website -〉 Stock purchase page. One vote per day, and additional votes with collaboration bundle purchases

- The voting system is a bit manipulative

- I gave a vote because Munda is cute, really

The comments criticized the voting system but soon returned to discussing Park Munda’s recent broadcast.

- Meanwhile, he ate the chicken feet so well 😭 I ended up buying them through the link.

- I ordered delivery. Thanks, Munda, for the midnight chicken feet. My diet is ruined

Suddenly, a comment appeared with an unexpected statement.

- But why do I find Munda’s eating so familiar? Have I seen it somewhere?

- Really?

- Did he do a baby formula commercial when he was little? (Heart racing)

- 😂😂😂 Munda has no entertainment experience

- Ah, I found it. This is it. Genius (Link)

The link led to a chicken feet eating video.

The scene of someone eating chicken feet in one bite and chewing it was identical to what they had just seen in the live broadcast.

The only difference was the title.

[Country Dog Eating Chicken Feet!]

In the video, a large dog of unknown breed was eating raw chicken feet.

The channel name was ‘Exploring the Diet of the Siberian Husky.’

The dog, with perked ears and black fur, looked gloomy as it wagged its tail and eagerly ate the chicken feet.

The image of Park Munda’s enthusiastic yet indifferent eating overlapped with the dog’s.

- Wow

At that moment, Park Munda’s first nickname was decided.

* * *

- Look, they’re so alike 😂 From now on, Park Munda is Munda Dog, no arguments (Siberian Husky eating video capture) (Park Munda live capture)

The SNS post, shared over 4,000 times, featured a scene of ‘Park Munda’ eating boneless chicken feet and a photo of a large dog eating chicken feet.

It was a bit unsettling.

While giving a sense of familiarity and offsetting any negative image... it seemed to have worked.

“Munda Dog...”

At 29, I never thought I’d have such an embarrassing nickname.

I’ve heard a few times that I eat well.

‘Probably because I don’t leave much food and don’t pick much...’

Simply because, after my parents passed away, I couldn’t afford to be picky about food.

I never expected such a reaction just for eating chicken feet.

“Fourth place.”

Shortly after the live broadcast ended, the PR video was uploaded, and my video’s view count was in the top five.

It was still rising, and it might even surpass the third place, Lee Se-jin, a former child actor.

I decided to go with the flow.

‘Embarrassing or not, it’s a good situation.’

In a situation where sudden death could strike, I couldn’t be picky. Besides, I was more curious than embarrassed. I was also very grateful.

‘Thanks to this, I’m one step further from sudden death.’

I briefly thanked the person who posted the SNS post and those who shared it, then started thinking about my next concern.

Now, the immediate problem was one.

How would my edit turn out in the upcoming second episode?

Especially, receiving the Platinum grade was a concern.

‘If the editing is a bit poor, it might lead to reactions like “This guy should have received it, but Park Munda got it.”’

I opened the on-air window on my smartphone, slightly nervous.

At least, the second episode didn’t have unnecessary reaction shots, which was a relief. I even got a can of beer.

[Reappearance! Idol~ Corporation!]

While listening to the opening voice of Ye Rin, I slowly sipped my beer and focused on the content.

“...”

By the end of the second episode, the two cans of beer next to my smartphone had increased to three.

I took the last sip of my beer and thought.

‘It was okay.’

The production team had put effort into editing my grade evaluation.

They re-verified my flawless dance and accurate pitch through the judges’ comments, stamping it as ‘well done.’

They didn’t even highlight the moment I received the Platinum grade, treating it as if it was ‘obviously what a participant of this level should receive.’

They didn’t even bring up the grade controversy.

“What are they thinking?”

The alcohol made my inner thoughts spill out. I carefully reviewed the direction of my edit.

‘There is something that bothers me...’

They didn’t show any of the week of sleepless practice I did.

While it’s impossible to show everyone’s 77 stories, it was strange that they showed the scene where I asked Seo Ah-hyun about the choreography.

It was edited to make it seem like I learned the choreography after hearing it once, which bothered me.

‘And when I received the grade, they included an interview where I didn’t seem very excited.’

Hmm, summarizing this, I got a sense of it.

The production team seemed to be continuing the ‘Park Munda’ character from the first episode.

To put it bluntly... the ‘clueless, my-pace, talented ordinary person’ character.

Fortunately, thanks to the PR live broadcast, the internet already had the image of Park Munda as a chicken feet dog.

‘They probably let it slide.’

I immediately checked the SNS. Sure enough, people who had already processed Park Munda as a clever dog meme had taken control of the public opinion for the second episode.

It was fortunate, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Editing can make or break everything.

‘Should I emphasize the dog more?’

Ding ding ding!

While thinking, my smartphone rang.

It was Lee Se-jin. The thoroughness was evident from the fact that he sent a text message instead of using the messaging app.

[Munda, our team is planning to watch the third episode together. What do you think?]

Do I really have to? I started writing a reply.

‘Sorry, but I have something to do then...’

Just as I was about to make an excuse to decline, another text message arrived.

[Don’t tell me... Munda is the only one missing in this sad situation? 😢 Lee Se-jin hyung is coming too!]

“...”

Is everyone already in agreement?

This guy would tell the production team that we watched it together and even send a group photo.

With the already suspicious editing direction, I didn’t know what would happen if I was the only one missing.

I slowly edited my text.

[Oh, sure. I’ll come.]

A reply came immediately.

[😊 I knew Munda would like it~ See you then!]

“...”

It feels... genuine.