Chapter 34

If I can't debut, I'll get a deadly disease - Chapter 034

On the screen, Kim Raebin calmly explained the reasoning.

[Kim Raebin: Since participant Park Munda has a vocal range that doesn't fit the song, there's no burden in terms of song selection.]

[Kim Raebin: Additionally, I've observed many instances where he flexibly accommodates other team members during group activities. He is the top choice for a team member.]

Immediately after, a scene was intercut where Kim Raebin quickly won a mini-game and pointed to "Park Munda."

Then, an interview clip of Park Munda with a dazed expression appeared.

[Park Munda: ...?]

[Park Munda: I was grateful, but... (Why?)]

Thanks to the BGM and additional subtitles, Park Munda, who bowed his head in greeting to Kim Raebin, looked extremely flustered.

Another shot showed Kim Raebin clenching his fists and expressing a small sense of victory.

It felt like a YouTube skit.

“...”

The production team has been creating reactions for a while, but this was the first time they accurately captured the inner thoughts.

[Kim Raebin: The next participant is Cha Yujin.]

[Kim Raebin: And participant Ryu Cheongwoo.]

Kim Raebin, with his own logic, picked team members without a moment's hesitation, and the scenes of the team members looking puzzled continued.

It was a rather cute production.

‘Kim Raebin must be trying to save them.’

The editing was clearly aimed at neutralizing the fierce image from the first round.

However, the atmosphere didn't last long.

After the red subtitle "But" appeared on the screen, a suffocating scene filled with white noise was broadcast.

[A few days later, mid-evaluation]

[Young-rin: Who did the arrangement?]

The scene alternated between Kim Raebin lowering his head and some team members looking back at him.

A large subtitle appeared again.

[What happened?]

And...

a commercial break came in.

“...”

I gulped down the remaining beer.

The way they tried to boost ratings... now I'm impressed. The production team of "Aju-sa" is amazing.

On the internet, various speculations were rampant.

The general consensus was, "Is Kim Raebin's team failing again?"

-When the reason for picking Park Munda was revealed, I thought he had no eye for people at all. lol

“No...”

Would Park Munda be the first to be criticized here?

With the beer, I felt a bit more relaxed, but I was more irritated than usual.

I turned off the screen with a frown and switched back to Tnet. The commercial was just ending.

As expected, the scene after the song was decided and the discussion began was broadcast.

[Ryu Cheongwoo: Let's hear Sejin's opinion first.]

The editing highlighted Ryu Cheongwoo, who took good care of even the less socially adept team members.

Especially, his calm response to Lee Sejin's nervous reaction was prominently featured.

‘Lee Sejin is also out.’

Is this going to be another win for Ryu Cheongwoo?

A few shots highlighted the charm of Cha Yujin's genius in choreography, and a few shots showed Kim Raebin working on the arrangement, but so far, it was a clear win for Ryu Cheongwoo.

The situation changed during the mid-evaluation.

[Although many changes were made to the original song, it feels worse than the original.]

The judges' comments were edited to be even more serious than the originally lukewarm atmosphere.

The unexpected late comments from the original song's creator were spliced into the middle of the judges' comments.

[Your performance lacked the power that the song "Burning Like the Sun" possesses.]

I didn't expect this to be broadcast as if it were a killing blow.

In the serious atmosphere, one team member pointed out Kim Raebin as the arranger.

[It was Raebin who did it.]

The team members' gazes shifting to Kim Raebin were overtly emphasized in the broadcast.

It was a spine-chilling edit.

‘This is bad...’

They tried to cover this up, but could they all be eliminated?

At that moment, the screen suddenly zoomed in on "Park Munda."

“Huh?”

‘No way.’

Park Munda on the screen seemed to be deep in thought, and suddenly a flashback scene appeared.

[It would be better to lower the key.]

[How about adding some rap?]

[The arrangement should fit the cheerleader concept.]

[...Okay.]

It was a scene where some team members suggested elements that didn't fit the arrangement to Kim Raebin.

Park Munda's gaze, as if he was carefully observing, was also included.

Then, the scene returned to the mid-evaluation.

Park Munda spoke calmly.

[Yes, since Raebin can arrange, I discussed it with the arranger, and the direction was decided by all of us together.]

Kim Raebin's surprised face was zoomed in.

And Park Munda's interview was shown.

[Q: Why did you defend Kim Raebin?]

[Park Munda: (Perplexed) I just told the truth.]

This was... a cut from the interview about the arrangement during the first team battle.

“...”

‘I tried to casually turn the conversation, but...’

After the magic of editing, Park Munda, who didn't care about others' opinions, just told the truth on the broadcast.

‘No matter how many times I see it, it's still absurd.’

Despite my frown, the broadcast continued.

[The honest message]

[Kim Yujun: I'm sorry...]

After a team member apologized to Kim Raebin, the atmosphere quickly turned hopeful and warm, and Kim Raebin's touching interview concluded it.

[Kim Raebin: I think I've gathered a good team.]

While saying this, Kim Raebin's faint smile didn't make him look bad at all.

And the new arrangement... surprisingly, it was shown as if Kim Raebin and Park Munda had excitedly created it during a casual chat.

[Ryu Cheongwoo: I saw them talking during a break.]

[Ryu Cheongwoo: But when I came back, Raebin was already at the keyboard, and Munda was excited, saying he was going to do something (beep).]

Ryu Cheongwoo's interview served as narration, and the sped-up arrangement discussion process looked even more ridiculous.

[Ryu Cheongwoo: Are geniuses always like that? Haha.]

After that, short clips made it seem as if Ryu Cheongwoo was fond of the two antisocial geniuses and the team was well-integrated, and the stage preparation segment ended.

“...”

I really didn't expect them to handle it this way.

At least it wasn't a negative portrayal, so I should be satisfied with this.

Moreover, I always thought the stage was one of the best, and thanks to the production team's obvious attention, I was very satisfied.

The ending was also good.

[3rd place?]

[No one expected this situation]

The team's 3rd place was highlighted as very surprising and shocking, even with the commercial break.

They covered everything they could.

It was a clean gain.

“Not bad.”

I immediately tidied up the bedding. The tension was gone, and fatigue set in.

‘I can check the internet tomorrow.’

Because I didn't immediately check the reactions, I realized the impact of my segment in Episode 7 was much greater than expected around lunchtime the next day.

* * *

-Park Munda is a keeper. Compared to the jerks from the first team battle, he's a goddess.

-When I look at Munda again, his face is pretty good. Raebin and Munda look good together; they should be in the same team.

-Rabbits and puppies are a perfect match, especially medieval rabbits and Siberian huskies. It's a perfect combination. :(

-Oh, I knew this combination would skyrocket. (Shrug)

-Surprisingly, they became friends instead of fighting. :;

“...Oh.”

Surprisingly, as soon as Episode 7 aired, the public opinion about Park Munda among Kim Raebin's fans drastically changed.

Most were normal fan accounts that didn't badmouth other participants, but some were accounts that had been calling "Park Munda" derogatory names and laughing until yesterday.

The shift was truly remarkable.

Park Munda's fan accounts seemed relieved about the reduced negative votes, but a few were angry.

-When they were cursing him, it was one thing, but now they're cleaning their mouths and acting like this... It's really... I'm also annoyed by my relief. :(

-When I think about having to stan with such people if both debut, I sigh... I'll just stick to Munda.

-Why should I care about other things when Munda showed a great attitude, great ideas, and a great performance? lol

‘I hope they're not too stressed.’

It's supposed to be fun to spend money, but it seems these people can't.

If they debut through this show, even if they end up on the same team, the current participants are all in competition, so it's understandable.

Still, most were enjoying the well-received stage.

From midnight after the broadcast to this morning and lunch, Episode 7 was continuously scheduled, so there was a steady influx of viewers.

The stage video immediately entered the YouTube real-time popularity rankings.

-How can they so perfectly digest such a crazy concept? These guys are insane;;;

-They're heroes who came to destroy my grades, but I love them.

-Changing a baseball cheer to a hero theme song. The stage, the concept, and the arrangement skills are all outstanding.

-Ah, they even matched their colors and had unique items. This level of detail makes my fangirl heart race. :(

-3rd place? Isn't the control vote embarrassing? lol

-Here's a summary. 0:06 Cha Yujin (Red), 0:16 Min Jeonghoon (Green), 0:24 Ryu Cheongwoo (Blue) ... [More]

The individual clips released at midnight were also gaining views rapidly.

While the scale was larger than the first team battle, even considering that, the views on "Park Munda's" clip were increasing incredibly fast for a main vocalist.

The comments were more positive than in the first round, and the "dislike" ratio was lower.

-Can't deny his genius.

-Munda, thank you for the blonde. Thanks to you, my sister held back her resignation. I'll buy a lot of Munda stocks. :(( Please debut and do silver and pink hair too. :(((

-Coming up with a hero concept after a horror one, this guy is amazing! I support him a lot. Please debut! :))

-Why do you keep getting better and better? If you debut, will you ascend to heaven? :(((

It was a bit embarrassing but also satisfying.

It's an inevitable part of the job, but I can't deny the sense of achievement.

Thinking about it, the last best comment caught my eye.

-Young and cute, with good dancing, a main vocalist is like a left-handed fireball pitcher. I have to catch him even from hell, but he walked right into the plate. Thanks, Munda. You can't leave now. :^

“...”

Honestly, it was a bit scary.

‘I hope debuting doesn't mean he can't retire or something.’

I quickly shook off the ominous and unprofitable fantasy and composed myself.

At this point, there didn't seem to be anything to worry about for the next ranking ceremony.

‘Now there are only two stages left.’

Two more team battles, and the program will end.

It felt strange to think that the show was already in its mid-to-late stages.

I thought it would feel refreshing as the day to remove this annoying status effect approached, but it wasn't quite like that.

It must be because my performance was much better than expected.

After being cooped up in my room as a civil service exam taker for years without any sense of achievement, the taste of success was quite stimulating.

‘Of course, the fatigue from the stress is greater, but...’

Avoiding sudden death... and looking back a few years from now, it might be a meaningful experience.

Of course, that's only if I don't fail, so I need to focus on survival first.

Zzz.

As I made this resolution, a message came in.

[Big Sejin: Munda, are you doing well? Want to go out on the shooting day? Ah-hyeon included. :)]

* * *

So the faces of the guys I met on the shooting day were completely dead.

I mean, I even got rid of the troll Choi Wookil, so why are they dead? Who made them look so bad?