Chapter 10 of the Idol Guide for the Ending

The trainees, wearing pink hoodies, gathered in one place.

Since they were assigned by rank, there were no familiar faces or members who had debuted in a previous life in the training room.

Perhaps due to the compulsion to always show a friendly demeanor, all the trainees were chatting and laughing warmly with the people sitting next to them.

This atmosphere... it's been a long time since I've felt it.

I was lucky enough to sit among the talkative trainees, occasionally adding a few words.

"Are we going to receive the group song now?"

"Wow, really? The choreography for the group song is going to be intense, I'm already scared."

"Yunjae, you don't seem scared at all~ You dance so well!"

"Ah... but the choreography for the group song has always been difficult. I'm worried."

At my answer, the two trainees admitted that they felt the same way and laughed again.

I endured the deafening laughter and smiled naturally.

"You two seem to have really good personalities."

"Yeah, we do. Is Yunjae a bit more reserved?"

"I hear that a lot, but I'm not that easy to handle. I have some things I keep hidden."

"I'm really noisy, though. Luckily, we have three of us, so it's not as noticeable!"

Perhaps because they were still not used to the broadcast-style conversations, their eye contact and tone of voice were oddly detached.

Well, if they were too skilled, it might create a sense of rejection, so this level is probably fine.

At that moment, someone opened the training room door and entered.

"Everyone~ nice to meet you!"

It was Lee Hye-na from Happy Star, who had debuted as the second place in the previous season, which was an idol girl group version.

When I debuted, she was a senior in her second year, but now she's a fresh rookie, having just passed her first anniversary.

I remember that Happy Star finished their three-year contract without any major incidents and disbanded.

During the broadcast, the trainees had intense rivalries, and the members who debuted were known for their strong personalities.

In that sense, it's best not to run into Lee Hye-na.

"Wow, Senior Hye-na, you're really, really beautiful."

"Your face is so small."

"You're a celebrity, a celebrity!"

Indeed, compared to us, who were unkempt and without makeup, she shone.

I stood up with an expression of being moved.

Then, the trainees sitting in front and behind me stood up like bullets and cheered.

First impression is everything.

"Nice to meet you, B-rank trainees! I'm the daily MC who will introduce the main theme song to you today!"

The cheers from the trainees grew even louder.

The training room almost seemed to lift off.

"You and I and us! I'm Hye-na from Happy Star!"

Lee Hye-na, who added a group greeting, waved and looked around at us.

Still, Happy Star seems better than Most Strong.

"Senior Hye-na, aren't you similar to Yunjae?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, right. I remember you applied with a friend in the previous season."

I hadn't watched the previous season, so I had only done a rough review on Ontube.

As I was trying to hide my surprise, the two trainees next to me explained vividly.

"Oh, right, right. But at the first ranking ceremony, only Senior Hye-na passed, and her friend didn't."

"Ah... really?"

"They were both individual trainees. Her friend wanted to come out together, but it ended up like this."

'Why are you suddenly saying this?'

Could they... have forgotten about the microphone hanging around their necks?

I'm grateful for the new information, but if we're linked in the same frame, it could be problematic.

I answered while being mindful of the camera.

"To be honest, I've always envied Hyun's vocals. He was always first in the monthly evaluations... I believe in Hyun."

I hoped the audio director would let it slide.

The two trainees, realizing their mistake, smiled awkwardly.

It's a bit concerning, but Hye-na's situation is different from mine.

The words about her friend not making it past the first round and Hye-na being left to debut.

Yeah, my situation and Hyun's situation, but first, the group song.

I looked back at the screen in front of me.

* * *

The name of the group song this time is "Our Stage."

Given the nature of the idol survival show, there are many parts to sing together, and I expected the dance to be of extreme difficulty.

Now, right here Our Stage

Under the shining stars, I'll walk the stage

I'll be the star of the festival, I will be

Stage Stage, a stage to show us

Stage Stage, a stage where the lights shine

The lyrics were survival-like, with many easy and repetitive phrases.

Survival songs often become more addictive the more you listen to them.

However, this one...

"Yunjae, that move is good."

Choreographer Ahn Yumi, who had seen it at some point, praised me by name.

The steps seem more complex than the Lickers' title song?

I hid my heavy breathing and naturally continued to the next choreography.

Ahn Yumi's triangle was still white.

She seemed more kind than her usual reputation.

"Over there, if you miss the beat, you need to quickly find it and get back in. What if you stop?"

However, except for me and a few others, everyone was the target of Ahn Yumi's criticism.

Among the choreographies I've done, including the Lickers era, this ranks as one of the most difficult.

After finishing the highlight choreography, the trainees collapsed on the floor, making various sounds.

"Hey, why are you sitting? Did I tell you to sit?"

"No..."

Ahn Yumi's lips were tightly pursed, as if she was displeased.

The trainees, who had collapsed without thinking, looked at each other and stood up.

From Ahn Yumi's perspective, after seeing perfectly synchronized idol groups, it's natural that these mixed-level trainees don't meet her standards...

"Is this a hobby class? If you don't have the basics, at least show some effort or make the moves bigger. Why are you hiding your mistakes? Is that your attitude?"

The relentless personal attacks made some of the seemingly gentle trainees look as if they had been shot.

I knew it, but I didn't expect such strong comments.

"You said it was a firework. If you move your hands like that... it's not a firework, it's just flailing. Do-ha, look in the mirror and try again."

It's a perfect way to make someone lose confidence.

To single out someone who can't do it and make them look in the mirror.

Ahn Yumi was one of the main mentors of the series.

While her soul-crushing words often became a topic of controversy, they did help the trainees grow in a short period.

But without editing, it's even stronger than I thought.

I want to, but it keeps appearing in front of my eyes.

Ahn Yumi, who described the B-rank trainees as "unbelievably skilled," continued to lash out.

"I'll check again tomorrow, so everyone memorize it well."

As Ahn Yumi left the training room, the B-rank trainees collapsed on the floor simultaneously.

No one seemed to want to speak.

"Really, she's so scary..."

At someone's small comment, many trainees nodded their heads in agreement.

The atmosphere became heavy.

In such a situation, it's natural for everyone to be scared and not perform to their full potential.

If the atmosphere continues to worsen, the B-rank will naturally appear on the broadcast with subtitles like "Lacking Skill Trainees!"

The evaluation is tomorrow.

If this continues, my image will also suffer.

I had to change the atmosphere somehow.

Last time, I used it because of the situation.

Yes, using the skill would certainly make it more convenient and easier to solve.

But it's not a situation where I have to use the skill, so there's no need to waste coins.

Changing the atmosphere is just a matter of time.

* * *

"Should we divide into teams and practice?"

At my question, the trainees, who had been slumped in a heavy atmosphere, tilted their heads.

"Since we are 21, if we divide into groups of four or five and those who have memorized the choreography teach the others, wouldn't it be faster?"

Some trainees shrugged, as if to say, "What an inefficient idea."

"We only have one day to practice. Do we really need to divide into teams?"

Turning my head at the snide comment, I saw a trainee who hadn't been criticized by Ahn Yumi looking at me skeptically.

Of course, since it's not a team competition but a group song, individual performance is the most important.

But... with the cameras on, it's not good to speak so aggressively.

I can already see the subtitle "Tense Atmosphere" appearing.

"Of course, that's possible."

Given that Ahn Yumi has already labeled the B-rank as incapable in the first training, I had to find a way out of this situation.

To raise the overall average, at least half of us need to perform above average.

So, I have no choice but to take the lead and guide the practice, without looking too eager.

I stretched out my hand with an extremely serious expression.

"I already think of the B-rank as a community of fate."

Whether I become an overzealous motivator or a key to solving the problem depends on the editing, but improving the atmosphere is the priority.

I smiled and calmly countered.

"It's better for everyone to do well together. We're even wearing matching new outfits."

"But teaching might take away from individual practice time."

"Originally, teaching helps you memorize better. It's the same with studying; you learn better when you teach."

"Studying?"

"That's what the top students say."

Kim Woo-hyun, who had been sitting next to me and providing information, burst out laughing and patted my back.

"Right, bro! We should try to have all 21 of us make it to the second round. Let's divide into teams."

The fastest way to change the atmosphere in a place where only mistakes are pointed out is to change the topic.

Continuously thinking about Ahn Yumi as the teacher only makes you more scared and doesn't change anything.

So, if a fellow trainee teaches, it will be less intimidating.

In small groups, it's easier to catch each other's mistakes.

The teaching trainee will also memorize the choreography more perfectly by teaching, making it a win-win situation.

It's a simple method, but a very effective one.

The trainees weren't 100% convinced but had expressions of "Is that so?"

If I cast the spell at this moment, it's over.

"Then, who will be the team leader...?"

"Yunjae!"

I was immediately persuaded that I was qualified to be the team leader since I hadn't been criticized once.

Before teaching the choreography to the trainees in my team, I sat in a corner with a tablet.

I needed to see the weak points of each trainee, so I had to know the choreography in detail.

Suddenly?

There was no separate scenario, so why?

I don't buy it?

Depending on the situation?

When I opened the skill shop, I immediately understood what "depending on the situation" meant.

Graceful Fingers (1 coin)

I've dreamed of being a teacher since I was young (1 coin)

If not, memorize (1 coin)

Your heart's blank (2 coins)

Achieve A-rank in 'Our Stage' (2 coins)

The newly updated skills, as Kim Doo-bum said, were useful for the current situation.

If the shop is being so helpful to promote its business, I can understand.

But I have no intention of buying anything, and I don't have many coins.

At that moment, someone approached me, who had been quietly sitting.

"Excuse me, can I join you...?"

Looking up, I saw a trainee who had been criticized countless times during the training.

He was also a trainee in my team.

He had soft brown eyes and brown hair, giving off a gentle vibe.

"Ah, sure."

"Thank you! You're Do Yunjae, right...?"

I nodded slowly, hiding my skeptical expression.

His name tag, which had been hidden by his smile, was visible.

"Sit down, Do-ha...-ssi."

Baek Do-ha smiled slightly and sat next to me.

This sunny character is a bit overwhelming...

I slid the tablet in front of me towards Baek Do-ha.

At that moment, a damn window popped up.

I suppressed my anxiousness and looked at Baek Do-ha's face.

Baek Do-ha tilted his head with an innocent look.

Achievement Status (1/8)

- Yeon Ji-soo's 'Weak Point':

- Yang Ga-ram's 'Strength':

- Mori Kazuma's 'Most Hated Memory':

- Kang Ji-han's 'Can't Do':

- Baek Do-ha's 'Fear':

- ??'s '??':

Damn.

He was the next blank.