Chapter 55

If I don't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me 055

I returned the mask to the rental shop before sunset and went back to Seonahyeon's apartment.

My whole body felt damp from the moisture inside the mask.

‘It’s hot.’

The expenses were considerable, and I was exhausted.

However, I wasn’t in a bad mood.

‘Maybe it’s because I only heard good things.’

The reactions when I took off the mask at the end were surprising, but actually, it seemed more interesting to wear the mask and walk around.

People wanted to take photos with me and laugh, and some even gave me pictures of Bokmun University or snacks, which was a fresh experience.

‘Of course, I didn’t expect such pictures to come out…’

There were even photos with yellow animal ears added.

I put the photos and other items I received into my bag, planning to look at them later.

Then I took a shower immediately.

‘I feel alive.’

After drying my body and changing clothes, I felt much more refreshed.

Sitting on the bed and drinking cold water, I noticed the group chat was buzzing non-stop.

[Big Sejin: Wow, I saw all the news, everyone had a great time lol except for Yujin!]

[Cha Yujin: ; (]

[Kim Raebin: Why did you talk while wearing the mask?]

[Cha Yujin: I didn’t know...]

Scrolling up, I saw that Cha Yujin had been caught shouting "Thank you" and fleeing, which was captured in a video.

‘No wonder it’s not surprising.’

[Big Sejin: Yo, Bokmun University visited 15 places? That’s amazing, a determined Korean, everyone give a round of applause]

[Kim Raebin: (clapping old emoticon)]

[Cha Yujin: Congratulations…]

[Big Sejin: lol no problem (heart emoticon)]

I smiled and replied.

[Me: Thanks.]

[Kim Raebin: (basic greeting emoticon)]

[Cha Yujin: Awesome!]

[Big Sejin: lol no problem (heart emoticon)]

I turned off the group chat, which was flooded with emoticons, and logged into my SNS.

‘Should I look more closely?’

I wanted to check if anyone had said anything strange like, “Instead of wandering around during breaks, you should practice more. Do you have a brain?”

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Everyone seemed to be having fun.

I scrolled up further.

When people noticed that four people were wearing masks and looking for different participants' ads.

At first, people thought it was a prank among fans.

-I want to do it with my fellow fans too

-It’s so harmonious and cute, I wish fans would get along and be friends :(

-Debut together, Cha Raemun Big! ♡

But as Cha Yujin was exposed and one by one, the participants took off their masks, the atmosphere turned to shock.

-Mimi, are you crazy?

-Oh my, what’s going on?

-I went to Jamsil Station yesterday, oh no, Bokmun... If I knew, I would have camped there today...

-What’s with the bare face? Is it real?

-Guys, I gave a photo to Bokmun, who looks like a Welsh Corgi... Bokmun, I love you!!! [Photo of Bokmun with dog ears added]

After that, people wondered if this was also part of the filming of "Ajusa," but they became even happier when the mask rental company posted a review with a sign.

=========================

[It seems the kids rented masks to match their images (link)]

=========================

-Oh my, how did they come up with this idea?

-When I think about how my kid chose the Welsh Corgi mask because his mask was broken, I feel like dying of cuteness [love to death and capture]

-When I think about how fans called him their "puppy" and he chose a yellow one, I feel like my heart is breaking

‘...It’s good that they enjoyed it.’

It was a bit embarrassing, but since people liked it so much, it was bearable. However, I’m not sure if it’s necessary to keep saying how cute it is.

‘Is it a problem with my emotions?’

It was hard to tell. I shrugged and got into bed.

Then I realized.

‘I didn’t eat anything today.’

I had been so busy wearing the mask all day that I forgot.

But strangely, I didn’t feel hungry.

Should I eat something before going to bed? I had a brief thought, but soon fell into a deep sleep.

It was a dreamless, deep sleep.

That early evening nap continued until noon the next day.

Well... it was a fulfilling holiday.

* * *

I rested for half a day, doing light exercise.

And the next morning.

I headed to the studio to prepare for the live talk show.

Seonahyeon, who had returned from her trip with some walnut cookies, came along.

By the way, the walnut cookies were delicious. The red bean paste with white adzuki beans was soft.

“Bokmun, did you rest well?”

“Yes.”

As we entered the waiting area of the studio, Ryu Cheongwoo, who had arrived first, greeted us.

Seonahyeon had been called by the production team and was not there.

“Did you rest well, hyung?”

“Hmm... Yeah.”

Ryu Cheongwoo smiled. He didn’t look well.

‘Now that I think about it, he didn’t even lead this time.’

I heard he had given it up, but I don’t know why. I don’t really care.

“I saw your mask thing. It looked fun.”

“Ah, thank you. I saw you did some ads too.”

Just in case, I decided to give a proper response in case we debut.

Ryu Cheongwoo hesitated a bit before answering.

“...I haven’t done it recently.”

“...”

What’s he getting at?

It seems he wants me to ask about it, but I don’t really need to know the details of Ryu Cheongwoo’s story.

I shrugged and finished with a closing remark.

“You can do it after the show.”

“Hmm... I feel like it would be embarrassing if I don’t debut.”

Ryu Cheongwoo laughed.

‘Why does he keep nitpicking?’

I cut him off.

“I think you’ll debut.”

“Thanks, but it’s uncertain. My ranking dropped, you know.”

Is he talking about falling from first to fourth?

‘I know you’ll debut and even lead.’

I gave Ryu Cheongwoo a skeptical look but acknowledged that any participant at this point could be anxious.

Besides, this guy seems to be experiencing some burnout.

‘Wait, if Ryu Cheongwoo is eliminated, there will be an open spot.’

I had a hopeful thought for a moment but quickly dismissed it. At this point, even if his mental state is broken, the only thing left is the final.

I decided to answer casually.

“Even if you’re eliminated, fans would prefer you to do ads rather than not.”

“I don’t know... After the show ends, I’m not sure if the fans will stick around.”

“They spent money on ads, so I doubt they’ll disappear suddenly.”

“Huh?”

“If it’s a transfer station, the minimum cost is 200,000 won, and a good location is 1,000,000 won.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes.”

I heard Ryu Cheongwoo swallow.

‘He didn’t know?’

“I need to work hard...”

“Of course.”

I stared blankly at Ryu Cheongwoo.

“Bokmun!”

Just then, Big Sejin entered energetically, raising his hand.

‘I can use this as an excuse.’

I naturally bowed to Ryu Cheongwoo and approached Big Sejin.

I thought to myself.

‘So, if I calculate the minimum cost, I owe 5,400,000 won.’

It was an amount that would make me feel guilty if I didn’t work like a cow.

I didn’t expect such a strong motivation to come after the sudden death.

* * *

The subtitle for this week’s main broadcast of "Re-listing! Idol Corporation" was this.

"Re-listing! Idol Corporation - Earnings Presentation"

I didn’t expect a talk show to have such a concept-like subtitle, but it was quite an impressive naming sense.

The content was no different from a typical special episode of an audition show.

It involved sitting down the surviving participants, asking questions, and sharing some episode-related stories.

However, since it was a live broadcast, there was no magic of editing, and the questions were naturally much milder than usual.

“Ooh, 14 pick-and-eat fans! As expected, pick-and-eat is more popular!”

Such TMI revelations made up the majority of the content.

‘They’re just eating it up.’

I put down the pick-and-eat panel I was holding and thought to myself.

Instead of the usual MC, a talented talk show host was leading the program, and it was impressive how he could keep the show going with 20 amateurs.

‘Still, the ratings might drop by half like this.’

Every time I thought that, the MC would throw in some new content.

“This next segment is... Random Play Dance!”

It was a famous content where participants would run up and dance when the music played, but with 20 people rushing out, it was a chaotic and lively fun.

-Come to me

Come to me

Blinding Paradise by your side

“Wow!”

“I wanted to try it!”

“Haha!!”

Some participants, including Cha Yujin, ran out and danced to "A New World" by Malrangdalcom.

“Ooh!”

The participants from October 31 laughed and clapped, completely immersed in the choreography from the first team battle.

Since the program only used songs that had appeared on the show, it seemed there would be a high demand to see participants performing other teams’ choreography.

‘Not bad.’

Just as I thought that, a familiar melody hit my ears.

-POP! POP!

You’re my popcorn~

“Huh?”

“Wow, this one!”

“Haha!!”

The participants who were about to leave suddenly jumped out and started dancing to the popcorn dance.

Since it was a simple and famous dance, almost all twenty participants came out.

Except for me.

“Mr. Bokmun! Mr. Bokmun!”

“...”

The MC enthusiastically called out to me.

‘I guess I’ll be hearing this until I retire...’

I walked out and joined the participants.

Since I’m doing it, I might as well do it well.

-POP POP POP!

POP☆CON!

Thanks to the production team playing the entire song, I even got to do the final pose.

The participants who had been in the front row and stuck with me until the end chatted as they came in.

“Hey, Bokmun, you’ve really improved!”

“You’re a genius, a genius.”

“...Let’s stop.”

“Eh? It’s a compliment? Are you embarrassed?”

“Hyung, you’re too humble~?”

“...”

Maybe it was a mistake to be on the same team as Big Sejin and Gold 2.

Anyway, the show was flowing quite well.

The 20 participants, who were all diving into the content without hesitation, actively followed the MC’s lead.

“Alright, let’s ask a question from our viewers.”

“Ooh!”

“Hold on, I’ll draw a name...”

The MC drew a ball from a box in the corner of the set and read the name inside.

“Participant Bokmun!”

“...Yes.”

I didn’t expect to be chosen with a 1 in 20 chance.

I quickly raised my hand and answered.

The MC brought over a tablet PC that was being used for PPL in "Ajusa" and swiped through the screen.

He seemed to be filtering out inappropriate questions for the broadcast.

“Among the questions coming up... Ah, this one!”

The MC touched the screen to enlarge the question, turned it to the camera, and read it.

“Well, the question is, ‘Is it true that Bokmun changed his name?’”

“...”

What?