Chapter 52

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me 052nd Chapter

After the eliminated participants had all left the room, the remaining participants changed into their training outfits in the dormitory and regrouped.

When they were wiping away their tears and snot to bid farewell, they were all filled with a strange sense of superiority now.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Having received support from many people and made it to the final, it was only natural for their egos to swell.

Any participant who wasn’t mentally strong enough could easily be swayed by the atmosphere. They were young, after all.

The MC was nowhere to be seen, presumably having gone off duty.

Instead, Young-rin was conducting the filming.

“‘Rebirth! Idol Corporation,’ the 20 participants who will complete the final stage. Congratulations. Shall we give a round of applause?”

“Yes!”

Clap, clap, clap. The sound of applause echoed. But what was important now wasn’t such formalities.

‘Why is there nothing here?’

It was clearly the time to divide into the final teams, but there was nothing on the set. Not even a prop in sight.

All that was there was the screen. What are they planning to do?

“First, I will reveal the song you will perform in the final stage.”

[Hello! It’s Eagle here.]

“Huh.”

The screen showed the composer team, a well-known group that had worked on a few hit idol titles. As familiar music videos flashed by, the participants became excited.

[Our team, Eagle, will now reveal the song we have prepared for the participants!]

‘It’s a new song.’

They only gave the song for the debut team’s album now, at the final. The budget scale before the season started is clear.

[Lalu~ lali~]

Anyway, the song was good. It was catchy and not the type that would briefly enter the music charts and then disappear.

The problem was that no one could understand what the guide vocals were saying.

‘It sounds like they’re just singing whatever comes to mind.’

Wait, could it be?

“The title of this song is ‘Final.’ And the lyrics… don’t exist!”

“Huh?”

“No lyrics?”

As Young-rin spoke, the reactions from the participants poured out. Soon, one of the composer team members on the screen awkwardly struck a fighting pose and read from the script.

[Please use your creativity to complete the demo version of ‘Final’! Fighting!]

Young-rin continued as if echoing the video.

“That’s right. ‘Final’ is an incomplete song.”

“…!”

“The participants must write their own lyrics, complete the choreography, and add a fitting subtitle to the song. Additionally, you can also arrange the song.”

I knew it.

‘Is this some kind of self-production delusion?’

No matter how well self-producing idols are doing, I didn’t expect this in the final.

In the third team battle, except for the ‘Moon Rabbit’ team, the production part was practically dead, right?

The ‘Husky’ team’s first place was due to Cha Yujin. The song was nothing special when you just listened to it.

‘And the final is a live broadcast. What are they planning to do?’

I listened to the rest of the final stage song with a frown.

One thing was certain: I had to be on the same team as Kim Raebin. Writing lyrics and arranging the song? There’s no need to look further; I’ll definitely grab this guy.

‘So, how exactly are we supposed to form teams?’

As if in response to my thoughts, Young-rin announced:

“And the team formation for the final stage… is completely free.”

“…!!”

“We will not interfere with who you form teams with. Form teams of up to 7 members and proceed with your practice.”

Oh dear.

‘This is going to be a mess.’

Anyone who makes a mistake here will become a controversy generator at the last minute.

As far as I know, they’ve already laid down some landmines for the live broadcast on the final day. I didn’t expect the final stage preparation part to be a minefield too.

“And the prize for winning the final stage… is ten million won.”

“Whoa!”

Strange sounds erupted from all over.

Everyone seemed taken aback by the sudden prize money.

“To ensure fair competition, the production team has decided to leave the final debut decision entirely in the hands of the shareholders.”

That’s a lie, and ten million won… after taxes, it would be about 7.8 million won.

‘No matter what, I want to win this.’

By the way, I still haven’t received the refrigerator I won in the talent show. I hope they don’t delay this prize money and then deny it.

While calculating, I listened to the rest of what Young-rin said.

“Then, let’s start forming the teams for the final stage… now!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the participants sprang into action.

“Moon.”

“Bro.”

Words were immediately thrown from both sides. It was the 7th place, Big Sejin, and the 5th place, Kim Raebin.

Big Sejin smiled after confirming Kim Raebin.

No overlapping positions, I see.

“Shall we three go together first?”

“Sure.”

“Alright.”

The agreement was reached in an instant. Meanwhile, Seo Ah-hyun, who was standing in 2nd place, hesitantly approached.

Well, Seo Ah-hyun… he’s not a bad addition, so it should be fine.

“Want to join us?”

“Y-Yes!”

Seo Ah-hyun’s face lit up. The other team members nodded without much resistance.

That makes four of us.

I frowned.

2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th.

‘Isn’t this a bit excessive?’

We might be criticized for forming a clique of top-ranking participants.

It seemed we needed to add a participant with good skills but a relatively low rank and no close ties.

“Bro. What about Cha Yujin…?”

“Hmm.”

Kim Raebin started the conversation.

I confirmed that Cha Yujin and Ryu Cheong-woo were already talking over there.

1st and 4th place.

Ah, this won’t work.

“Why don’t we just stop here?”

“Huh?”

‘If I reject this and suggest adding a low-ranked, unfamiliar participant, it won’t work.’

I gave up on additional recruitment.

Big Sejin immediately provided support. He seemed to have already grasped the situation.

“We should also consider the balance on stage, right? Since it’s the final, it would be good to show as much as possible. Our positions are also perfectly balanced right now!”

“……”

He has a point. If Cha Yujin joins, there might be some distortion in the editing or screen time.

Kim Raebin, after a moment of contemplation, nodded calmly.

“You’re right.”

It was a wise decision.

‘It’s just prize money, not a vote.’

I still don’t know the voting method, but even if it’s individual voting and it’s not favorable for winning, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is the screen time for the final stage.

Four is enough.

Big Sejin, seeing the situation, took the lead.

“Then, let’s report this….”

“Hey, seniors!”

At that moment, someone interrupted Big Sejin.

It was Gold 2.

“Um, can we… join you?”

Surprisingly, Gold 2 approached us with 11th place, Lee Se-jin.

‘How did he convince him?’

Gold 2 was trying not to show his nervousness and anxiety, but it was obvious.

“……”

How can I reject this without getting criticized?

I glanced at Big Sejin. He had a sympathetic smile, clearly trying to come up with a rejection.

He must be thinking it’s a hassle to have to deal with this after forming a good, small team.

But Gold 2 was determined, albeit in a somewhat sad way.

“I really will work hard! I can handle any part without any complaints!”

This is getting complicated.

If Cha Yujin had come and asked to join, I could have rejected her without any issues. I could have used some humor and the rival gimmick.

But a high school freshman in 18th place? And more than half of our team was in the same group as him in the first team battle.

‘This will give us some editing material.’

I suppressed a sigh.

I should have quickly ended it with “Sorry, we’re a team of four” as soon as they approached. But no one wanted to take the lead in that.

In this case, it’s better to accept them, but I had just used the screen time excuse to reject Cha Yujin. It would be strange for me or Big Sejin to suggest accepting them.

“Can we… join you?”

Fortunately, the most soft-hearted one among us surrendered first. Seo Ah-hyun hesitantly spoke up.

‘Good job.’

Now, the key is to convince Kim Raebin.

“It should be fine.”

Huh?

‘He accepted it so easily?’

Kim Raebin surprisingly nodded without much hesitation.

I wonder if it was because he had already experienced some editing drama and reacted quickly, or if there was another reason.

“Hmm, what do you think, Moon?”

“Sure.”

“Alright. Shall we all work together?”

“Huh! Thank you!”

Gold 2 raised both hands in a victory pose. Behind him, Lee Se-jin bowed with a stiff expression.

It was surprising that he could still act so stiff.

“Let’s do our best.”

Big Sejin quickly wrapped up the situation and headed towards Young-rin. After a brief exchange, the screen displayed:

[Team 1 Confirmed!]

[Seo Ah-hyun (2), Kim Raebin (5), Park Moon (6), Lee Se-jin B (7), Lee Se-jin A (11), Kwon Hee-sung (18)]

It was confirmed.

Although it was a bit hasty and I didn’t want to include a potential bomb like Lee Se-jin, it was better than being labeled as a selfish team.

At that moment, a disappointed voice from behind caught my attention.

“Oh, I missed it!”

“……”

It seemed they were considering ‘Park Moon’ as the main vocalist in that team. Team 1 was formed too quickly, so the timing didn’t work out.

“Bro! Let’s work together next time!”

“Sure.”

I answered Cha Yujin, who was waving her hand among the participants, and thought to myself.

‘This is the last one, where is there a next time?’

Cha Yujin remained blissfully unaware until the end.

* * *

“Wow, we formed our team quickly, so we have more time to practice!”

Big Sejin smiled and continued the conversation. By the fourth stage, it was nice that the unnecessary ‘getting to know each other’ process was no longer needed.

“Let’s choose a leader and start right away!”

“Ooh~”

People looked at Big Sejin with admiration, assuming he would take the lead again since he had been the leader in all previous team battles.

Big Sejin shook his head with a smile.

“No, I won’t run for leader this time!”

“…!?”

“Why, why?”

To the shocked team members, Big Sejin exaggeratedly blinked, pretending to be embarrassed.

I want to stab his eyes.

“I… want to be the main dancer!”

“……”

It’s not like the two roles are mutually exclusive. I don’t understand why he’s saying this now.

‘Didn’t you do both in the second stage?’

Could he be planning to use this statement to aim for the main dancer role, along with a cheesy line like “I gave