Chapter 19

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Translated by Sylph

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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To be honest, I was quite nervous until the moment I turned on my smartphone to check the reaction to the first episode.

‘I thought I might have become an excessive laughingstock….’

But unexpectedly, the viewers showed a reaction closer to favor rather than ridicule.

By the time the chorus of came out, public opinion had completely turned around.

With a nuance of likability.

– So much fun

– He’s cute ㅠㅠ He’s so focused

– Honestly, tell me, you came to the audition just to do this lol

– Well, if you came out, you should work hard, it’s good to see

– No, but he’s a different person from the interview lol

– So cute

‘This is cute?’

It was true that I strategically prepared the song choice.

But I thought it would be at the level of ‘He worked hard, so I’ll let it pass,’ so it was an unexpected benefit.

Wasn’t despising those who can’t do it the national rule for audition program viewers?

I was a bit confused, but I soon understood the situation.

‘It’s thanks to doing well in singing just before.’

Since it was a situation where I had satisfied the traditional expectation that a singer should be good at singing first, they could look at the dance generously as long as it wasn’t at an embarrassing level.

But it seemed like character traits were highlighted even more because I even managed to bring laughter.

Even if that character was a bit… disconcerting.

‘I only chose universal answers on purpose, but it still came out like this.’

Basically, it was to avoid giving any room to be nitpicked.

In addition to that, in order to emphasize the main vocal position, I had reacted moderately to everything.

In interviews, I didn’t mention any personal opinions at all and only said objective words that wouldn’t go against social consensus.

‘But… to think they would pick it out with a nuance of having no soul.’

Anyway, all roads lead to Rome. It meant that even if I intended to take the KTX, it was fine to take the express bus.

‘I passed the first step well.’

It was clear that I had secured initial recognition. This wasn’t just a feeling, there were visible results.

Because a status window popup appeared while I was watching the broadcast.

[Beginning of Fame (2)!]

10,000 people have remembered your existence!

: Point +1

[Call of Fame!]

50,000 people have remembered your existence!

: Rare Trait Draw ☜ Click!

The unit jumped to 50,000 with just one broadcast.

‘A sense of reality is disappearing.’

First, I decided to look at the rewards that appeared in the popup later, and instead, I turned on the search bar and entered keywords.

[Relisting! Idol Inc. Viewer Ratings]

The results came out immediately.

[Average Rating: 3.7%, Highest Instantaneous Rating: 6.8%]

My goodness.

‘…Is this really the first episode of a failed cable variety series?’

It seems I succeeded in properly drawing attention.

Of course, objectively speaking, it wasn’t a crazy high rating.

Even so, the fact that a hundred thousand people remembered Park Moondae meant that, regardless of like or dislike, he had left quite an impression.

If so, now shall I look a bit more closely into the ‘like or dislike’ items?

After the overall flow of public opinion of the first episode was checked, I immediately checked my evaluation video clip.

[The Reversal of a 100% Pure Normal Person Participant! Park Moondae]

It feels like my hands and feet are going to disappear.

‘…Let’s erase it from my head quickly.’

I checked the best comments first.

– Pardon? Popcorn here? lol (+7326 / -181)

– I was nodding off while watching, but I’m completely awake now. Moondae-ya, Noona will definitely purchase until you hit the jackpot (+4522 / -294)

– Yeah, this time the Main Vocal is Park Moondae (+2061 / -372)

“Hmm.”

First of all… it was a good sign that comments that liked me enough to be cringey were at the top. It was a bit unfamiliar but…… I was grateful.

However, the fact that the ratio of ‘dislike’ was quite high was a risk factor.

Compared to other participants who received favorable editing… for example, Cha Yujin, it seemed to be about 1.5 times higher.

It meant there were quite a few people who felt repulsion toward the ‘Park Moondae’ shown on the broadcast. It was probably because he came out as anti-social.

Then, what is the most efficient appeal I can make at this point?

The negative image already created can’t be helped, but there were many idols who used this as a gimmick and brought laughter.

Just thinking about it right now…… hmm, there’s at least one in every idol group that has risen.

So, the one thing I have to do in the next shoot is.

‘I have to look approachable.’

I immediately thought of the next search term.

[Idol Inc. PR Video]

The next shoot was for the PR video production.

The remaining days were 3. Until then, let’s find the most meaningful examples possible.

* * *

The filming of the PR video for was conducted live.

However, the process of preparing for the PR video was recorded like a variety show. It was scrap content used to fill time during the rank announcement ceremony.

“Everyone! Is everyone ready?”

“Yes!”

The participants answered enthusiastically to the obvious words of the MC who was in charge of the proceedings.

‘…I feel like I see this scene every filming… is it an illusion?’

Anyway, the important thing was that the participants had become more desperate.

“I’m also glad because you all seem to be doing well! Now, do you know what we’re preparing today?”

“PR video!”

“Self-introduction!”

“That’s right!”

Because everyone must have come after seeing the reaction to the first episode.

Everyone would have realized. No matter what you do in front of the camera, if it’s not transmitted, it’s the same as if it didn’t happen.

‘So, no matter what they do, they can’t help but be desperate for the PR video that is transmitted live.’

In fact, it was never a fair competition.

In a state where recognition was already determined by the first episode, the live broadcast competition was no different from half the results being decided.

However, even in that, since a person who turns it around with a PR video always came out every season, everyone seemed to be preparing for the video desperately without a word of complaint.

Since it was a live broadcast of 77 amateurs, naturally all sorts of controversies followed as a bonus but… for some reason, no one cared.

The participants would think it was fine as long as it wasn’t them, and the production team would be happy because the amount of buzz increases.

“At 8 PM tonight, you will conduct a live broadcast solely for yourself on Tnet’s global Wetube channel!”

“I’m really nervous.”

Big Sejin, who was nearby again due to the arrangement, whispered quietly.

His face looked like he wasn’t nervous at all. He’s quite a deceiver.

“Ah, wait a minute. It seems I said it wrong!”

“?!?”

“It won’t be a live broadcast just for you!”

The MC encouraged a response with his arms as if enjoying the reaction. The flustered participants let out screams.

“What do you think is a celebrity’s dream?”

“Dream……?”

“It’s an advertisement, everyone!”

“…!”

The MC spread his arms wide.

“You each have to pick one collaboration item to advertise, and promote both yourself and the item together!”

“Pardon?!”

These bastards are determined to eat for free.

That collaboration item sounds plausible, but I could bet my left hand that it’s a product of T1, which has Tnet as an affiliate.

They’re probably thinking it’s good if even one or two items get caught and see a viral effect, and it doesn’t matter if they don’t.

Among the crazy commercialism of , it was capitalistic enough to be counted on one hand.

‘Didn’t someone from the top hurriedly stick this in?’

Since the series they left alone thinking it was failed suddenly got a reaction, they’re jumping on the bandwagon.

Anyway, the MC’s words were plausible.

“This item may feel like a burden you have to promote, but please remember that it can also be used as a prop to appeal your charm!”

“Ah~”

The participants seemed to be roughly convinced. Well, since there was no way to do anything even if they weren’t convinced, it was a wise attitude.

“Then how do you obtain this prop that you will have?”

“Running?”

“Rock-paper-scissors?”

“Karaoke?”

Examples from the previous season and similar programs came out from here and there. The MC shook his head with a regrettable expression and then shouted the answer.

“It’s… a treasure hunt!”

“Heok?”

“The production team has hidden treasure balls containing ‘items’ throughout the dorm. You will find the treasure balls for the next 15 minutes!”

Big Sejin whispered with a slightly impressed expression.

“This seems like it’ll be a bit fun?”

“……Right.”

It’s a composition that seems like it would be fun for the viewers watching. For the participants doing it, it’s perfect for a dogfight to break out.

With 77 people searching one building, emotional hurt will surely come out.

Of course, the scrap content for the rank announcement ceremony was for the purpose of releasing tension. It didn’t seem like it would become excessively serious.

But they have done things like leaking subtle nuances as much as they wanted.

‘The scene of all sorts of speculations and rumors being posted on the internet is already vivid before my eyes.’

“Ah! Fitting for an audition program, there are grades for the treasure balls as well. Please keep that in mind and look at the balls carefully!”

They must have just painted them gold, silver, and bronze.

“Now, get ready…….”

Everyone took a posture to run out.

“Start!”

“Uwaaah!!”

Along with a scream, 77 people sprinted into the dorm. I slipped out and turned my steps.

‘Let’s go in through the back door.’

No matter how much I thought about it, there was a high probability that I wouldn’t be able to get a single one if I went in through the front door together.

If I go around to the back and enter through the side door, I’ll compete less with other participants.

Then, Big Sejin and Gold 1 followed behind me.

Grinning, they looked exactly like sycophants.

“Thanks, Moondae. The bus is comfortable.”

“Hyung-nim is smart.”

“…….”

It’s fine even if about two people stick to me, but for some reason, I’m getting annoyed.

Gold 2 and Seon Ahyun, who were standing a bit apart, seemed to have been swept by the crowd and entered through the front door.

As expected, life is timing. Too bad.

* * *

“Oh, Moondae~ you find it right away.”

As soon as we entered through the back door, I found one ball on the doorstep.

It was silver.

‘As expected.’

Big Sejin also nodded as he looked at the opaque silver ball.

“It seems they divided the grades into Bronze, Silver, and Gold, right?”

“Hey, let’s use our correct and beautiful language! Gold, Silver, Bronze! How good is that!”

“Keuh~ what a patriot.”

If they talk more, I’ll leave them behind.

“…How about we search quickly. The other kids will come soon.”

“Yes~”

“I’m relieved because there’s the realistic Moondae.”

I quickly moved my steps. The two followed without further nonsense unexpectedly.

First, the storage room.

“This kind of thing is easy if you think in reverse. A place where the production team would hide… hmm, here?”

Big Sejin smiled and pulled out a brass-colored ball from a chalk box in front of the camera.

“…!”

“Wow~ is it real that it’s Bronze.”

“Ayt, damn. My bad hand isn’t going anywhere.”

Unexpectedly… it’s usable.

These guys’ hands were fast. Thanks to that, we quickly searched the storage room together after dividing the areas without a word of complaint.

“Ah, found one more silver! Shall we move now?”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

Their situational judgment is also fast. They moved to the next area quickly without lingering any further.

“Where to?”

“Let’s go to the cafeteria first. There are cameras.”

“Moondae has good eyes.”

“As expected, the man who found the back door.”

“…….”

It would have been better if they didn’t say such things but… well.

There was no waste of time in the cafeteria either.

All three implicitly began to search around the area where cameras were installed.

It was when I opened the spoon box.

“Found it.”

“Heok!”

“It’s gold.”

I obtained one gold ball.

“Why is it that Moondae finds it first when the Gold Grade is us.”

“It can’t be helped, Hyung-nim. I guess it’s because Moondae has a golden hand.”

“That’s right. As expected, you can’t beat what’s innate~”

“The other kids are coming.”

“Ah.”

I finally found a way to make them shut up. I just have to give them work.

Anyway, after hearing the sound of rushing footsteps, we quickly left the cafeteria.

“Upstairs?”

“Yup.”

We repeated the same search on the upper floor. It was efficient.

“Wow~ it was good that the three of us came!”

“Exactly! Honestly, Moondae agrees with this too, right?”

“Sure.”

“Oh~”

I’ll be honest.

I benefited thanks to these two guys. Efficiency was high because the three of us searched together.

Overall, since their powers of observation and mobility were good, it was convenient because we searched and moved quickly. Their judgment was also okay.

They weren’t guys who insisted on strange things, so the distribution also ended neatly.

“Then we… found 4 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze, right?”

Big Sejin distributed the palm-sized plastic balls smoothly.

Gold 1 said cautiously.

“That’s right. Hmm…… how about each of us takes one of each color, and since Moondae led us, we’ll give him a gold instead of a silver. What do you think?”

“I’m fine with that~”

It’s good that it ended neatly, but I should at least not leave any room for malicious editing.

Since I’ve realized the power of editing once, it feels quite uncomfortable.

“Ah, then I won’t take the brass-colored one. You guys take two each.”

“Oh~ thanks!”

“Okay!”

While we were taking our balls, an announcement came out in the dorm.

– 200 seconds left~

As a reference, we were currently hiding in the storage room next to the back door to avoid the flocking participants.

Because it would be too absurd if we were robbed here.

“Hyung, the kids are flocking over there!!”

“Hey! Let’s run!”

We quickly exited the back door and headed toward the gathering place.

“Ah~ Farming was nice~”

“As expected of our teamwork. Relentless.”

Those guys, their mouths have become free-spirited again, probably because they’ve relaxed.

At the gathering place, participants who had already found one or two balls were opening theirs.

Actions to forcibly take them away hadn’t happened so far.

‘They’ll probably notice that cameras are spread out in all directions openly.’

It seemed that taking a ball that the opponent has openly was psychologically discouraged.

“Wow, shall we open ours too?”

“Sounds good~”

“Sure.”

After returning to our seats, we began to open the balls.

Since Big Sejin and Gold 1 had many balls in their hands, quite a few envious eyes were attached.

Still, two high-grade ones would be better. Even if you get several ambiguous ones, it only becomes difficult to choose.

I twisted open the two gold balls.

And I froze.

“…….”

Wait a minute.