Chapter 10

Holy Idol - Chapter 10 (10/902)

10. If you're going to sing like this, just quit. Instead of doing the devil's editing, I'll make sure you get more screen time?

At first glance, it seemed like a good deal, but in the long run, it was absolutely out of the question.

If you get the devil's editing, even top stars with a good reputation can easily be ruined.

And now, to do the devil's editing on Yeonwoo, who is just starting to gain recognition?

In a situation where his image is already bad, if he gets that kind of editing, people might really start to think he's a bad person.

It would be fatal for an idol.

But because of what President Lim said, Jongwoo had to accept his offer.

“Of course. But, PD.”

– I thought our manager would agree. He's smart, right? He's the best for creating buzz. There are five members, after all! If Yeonwoo gets some buzz, the whole group will rise. You know that, right?

“Yes, PD. But...”

– Yeah, why?

“The two members I originally planned to put in 'Sing Survival' are the two vocalists, Kashi and Taein.”

– Oh, is that so?

“Can all three of them, including them, participate?”

– ...

Jongwoo, in this situation, the only thing he could do for the group was to try to soften the group's image by adding another member to Yeonwoo.

However, PD Kim Murok seemed displeased with the idea of adding members and quickly fell silent.

Jongwoo nervously tapped his foot on the ground.

Jongwoo tried to persuade him as gently as possible.

“If the devil's editing affects the other members and ruins their image, it would be too much for them, who are just starting to gain recognition. Wouldn't you agree, PD? Our submarine idol is just starting to surface; you wouldn't want to sink it, right?”

After an awkward minute, PD Kim Murok finally spoke.

– Right. Yeah.

“Thank you!”

– But three is too many.

“!”

– Yeonwoo and one other member. Let's make it two.

Although it says 'let's do it,' it should be understood as 'do it.'

Jongwoo, knowing this was PD Kim Murok's final compromise, quickly pretended to laugh heartily.

“Oh, of course, of course!”

There are many aspiring entertainers who would be happy to appear on TV even if they have to endure the devil's editing.

Although Yeonwoo was cast in a villainous role to create buzz, if he didn't hold out here, he might lose even that.

– Alright, I'll send you the detailed schedule by email, so check it.

“Yes. Come in.”

Does the fact that the schedule is set mean that the other participants are all confirmed?

Jongwoo was curious, but PD Kim Murok hung up before he could ask.

He nodded to the air, put his phone down, sighed, and returned to his seat.

* * *

Lemblery, as usual, practiced group choreography and spent time singing a song that was hard to distinguish between training and performance in front of the vocal trainer.

“Isn't it strange? You should get tired of hearing the same song, but I don't get tired of hearing you sing.”

The vocal trainer seemed to be deeply captivated by Lemblery's song, which subtly contained divine power.

Lemblery tried to control it, but couldn't completely prevent the divine power from seeping into his voice when he sang.

But it was so faint that he thought it would be fine. Perhaps because the vocal trainer had good hearing, he seemed to sense even that faint divine power.

‘I need to be careful.’

Lemblery clicked his tongue, thinking about the 'recording' and 'internet' systems in this place.

Right now, he is lip-syncing and dancing to the voice of the real Woo Yeonwoo.

But he heard that he would have to participate in the recording for the next album.

He was worried that his divine power might somehow be recorded.

‘It probably won’t be recorded, but just in case.’

Even if it’s not recorded, if he puts a little more divine power into his singing and heals people in a group, the news will spread in this world where information travels fast.

He was worried about that.

“Woo Yeonwoo?”

Just then, the vocal trainer snapped his fingers and nagged.

“I'm really into your singing, but if you sing so carelessly, it shows, doesn't it?”

“Sorry.”

While practicing the song again, the door opened, and Jongwoo came in.

When Yeonwoo glanced at him, Jongwoo waved his hand, signaling him to keep practicing, and sat on a folding chair.

After the song ended, he got up from the chair and gathered the members.

“What's up?”

“Do you have any schedules?”

When all the members gathered, Jongwoo spoke to Lemblery.

“Do you remember what I mentioned a few months ago? The 'Sing Survival' program.”

Hyejeol's eyes widened as she asked.

“Are you serious?!”

“Yeah.”

The members buzzed happily at Jongwoo's words.

The leader, Jungseo, and the dance specialist, Hyejeol, congratulated Taein and Kashi.

Jongwoo had already mentioned that he would recommend the two for a singing competition-based program.

“Um, but Yeonwoo will also participate.”

The atmosphere became awkward when Jongwoo said this awkwardly.

To Jungseo and Hyejeol, it didn't matter whether Taein, Kashi, or Yeonwoo participated.

But they felt awkward, and Taein and Kashi's expressions were completely sour.

“Really?”

Kashi, covering her cheeks with her hands, asked in disbelief.

“Yeah.”

Jongwoo answered calmly and glanced at Lemblery.

Lemblery, who didn't understand what they were talking about, couldn't react.

“What is 'Sing Survival'?”

When Jongwoo looked at him, Lemblery quickly asked.

For about 30 minutes, Jongwoo explained the concepts of reality shows, variety shows, survival shows, and singing competitions.

Not exact knowledge, but common knowledge.

Lemblery nodded, trying to understand.

‘It’s like an impromptu play with singing and competition, with almost no script.’

Seeing that Lemblery seemed to understand, Jongwoo then looked at Kashi and Taein.

“Yeonwoo won't be going alone.”

Kashi and Taein, who had been looking at the floor with blank expressions, finally looked up.

“Really?”

“Don’t tell me. One of us will go with him?”

“Yeah.”

The atmosphere changed again at Jongwoo's words.

This time, Taein and Kashi awkwardly looked at each other.

An idol group is both a unit and a collection of individuals.

When the group is together, it functions like a shared destiny, but if it disbands, each member has to find their own path.

To find their own path, they need to build popularity within the group.

With two people and one spot, they couldn't help but be wary of each other.

Taein asked resentfully.

“But aren't you pushing Yeonwoo too much? He has no memory. What if he makes a mistake on the show?”

“I'm not pushing him. The PD asked for Yeonwoo.”

“...”

Jongwoo handed the sheet music to the disappointed Kashi and Taein.

“This is the assignment song.”

“Assignment song?”

“Why an assignment song all of a sudden?”

“Yeonwoo is going for the buzz, but you two are the vocalists. I'll send the better one. Prepare for it.”

* * *

That night, Kashi and Taein stayed to practice the assignment song and didn't return to the dorm.

Only Lemblery, Jungseo, and Hyejeol returned to the dorm.

“The dorm feels much bigger without the two of them.”

“Do you like it better without Taein and Kashi?”

“Isn’t the space per person different?”

Lemblery muttered proudly and headed to the fridge to get a bread, but Jungseo stopped him.

“No. I told you to lose 3 kilograms.”

“I think I’m at the perfect weight now.”

“It’s your opinion.”

Lemblery, having the bread taken away by Jungseo, was shocked and sprawled on the sofa.

In the small dorm, there was no place to be alone even when shocked.

Strangely, Jungseo, who usually only spoke when necessary or to explain something, approached Lemblery first.

“Yeonwoo.”

“What is it?”

When Lemblery looked up, Jungseo glanced at Hyejeol.

Hyejeol was engrossed in a game on her phone.

Seeing that Hyejeol wasn't interested in the conversation, Jungseo lowered his voice.

“Just in case. If Taein bullies you, tell me immediately.”

“Taein?”

“Yeah.”

Although Jungseo didn't elaborate, Lemblery understood what he was worried about.

Taein had shown hostility since Lemblery first entered this body.

It seemed he had been like that even before Lemblery entered this body.

Recently, with Lemblery's singing skills captivating the vocal trainer, Taein had become even more sharp.

Probably because he was the lead vocalist in the group, he seemed to be wary of Lemblery as a rival.

Hyejeol, who had been playing on her phone, interjected.

“That guy wasn't like that before. He got bitter as our fame didn't grow.”

Then she asked Jungseo.

“But how is his mother doing?”

“Yeah, she's much better.”

Then the two started talking about things only they knew, so Lemblery started browsing the internet on his phone.

Recording unfamiliar words to look up later had become his daily routine.

Suddenly, Lemblery remembered the relic from yesterday and waited for their conversation to pause before asking.

“About the church we went to yesterday. I didn't see any priests.”

“Priests? You mean the priest?”

“Yeah. I didn't see the priest. How can I meet him?”

“I don't know, I don't go there.”

“...”

“Bro, is this because of your memory loss? Why are you suddenly talking about religion so much?”

Because he was from a different world, Lemblery hid the truth and smiled kindly.

* * *

The next day.

Kashi and Taein's assignment song competition was held in front of the other members and the vocal trainer.

Lemblery watched them sing solo with curiosity.

Unlike the awkward and wild sound of the group's title song, the song Kashi and Taein were singing was clean and easy to sing.

Moreover, it was amazing how the same song could be sung with completely different feelings by the two.

Taein sang with passion, while Kashi sang casually but with a refreshing tone.

After listening to the songs, Jongwoo and the vocal trainer went to another room and discussed for a while.

Lemblery, observing the tense Taein, thought it would be better for the group if Taein was chosen.

But Jongwoo chose Kashi.

“Both of you sang well, but since it's a reality survival show, Kashi, who has a strong character, would be better.”

Taein looked angry but didn't show it in front of Jongwoo and the trainer.

Jongwoo, glancing at Taein, told Kashi and Lemblery about the 'Sing Survival' schedule that arrived the previous night.

They were scheduled to meet the cast before the recording, and the date was surprisingly soon.

“The budget was already set when the proposal was made, and the studio setup is complete.”

Most of the participants' names were listed, though a few slots were still open.

Of course, Lemblery didn't recognize any of the names.

But as Kashi flipped through the paper, he suddenly gasped.

When Lemblery looked at him, Kashi had a strange expression on his face.

“What's wrong?”

Not understanding the expression, Lemblery asked, and Kashi, glancing at Jongwoo, asked.

“This person who's also participating. He's a senior who doesn't get along with you. Are you okay with it?”

“Who is it?”

“When we were rookies, this person told you. If you're going to sing like this, just quit...”