Debut or Die - Chapter 51
If you can’t debut, you’ll get a fatal disease Episode 051
‘A conspicuous contestant.’
Cheong-rye smiled and was skeptical about the long-term success of Azusa contestants, regardless of whether she had finished filming with them.
The program’s current top rankings were going well thanks to the audition variety show. However, competitiveness when it actually came out on the market was another story.
‘Maybe it’s just that they seem to do well within the story of the program.’
After all, there were a lot of cases where I was eliminated from the company’s internal competition and ended up in an audition program.
Cheong-Ryeo was just going to continue talking about the lunch menu, and then mentioned a participant who inadvertently came to mind.
“Park Moondae?”
“Oh chicken feet?”
Hearing the younger member laugh, Chung-rye did not laugh.
“All the answers on the questionnaire matched mine.”
“omg! really? that’s interesting. … Are you similar in personality to your brother?”
“… To some extent.”
“Oh really?”
Cheong-rye was a little sorry for ignoring her astonished younger brother.
‘It’d be nice to have one of those types on the team.’
It was clear that Park Moon-dae thought the view of the survey was stupid. It was clear that he took care of the broadcast and somehow took a neutral answer.
“Hmm, if you have a personality similar to hyung’s, it’s very… Will you be cool?”
“You mean realistic?”
“That’s right.”
The type that doesn’t get immersed in other people’s circumstances and is not good at unrealistic thinking. It is a talent that is more suitable for ordinary companies than celebrities.
In general, aspiring idols, especially talented youngsters, possessed all the strengths and weaknesses unique to the arts and sports fields.
It meant less cold, in a good or bad way.
However, the reality they would face as young people was an adult society dominated by the logic of capitalism.
“Well, it’s good that someone like you is the leader.”
“okay? thanks.”
Some people might see it as gold lacquer on her face, but Cheong-ryeo agreed with her younger brother’s words.
‘It’s better for a cool-headed person to set the mood.’
Just like VTIC, where you are the leader.
In that sense, Moondae Park was a pretty good candidate for the next debut team.
‘If one thing rolls over the years, I’ll be able to dance.’
And if he was older in his personality, even if his years of service were short, his right to speak in the team was bound to become stronger. I was able to assure you that it was something that Cheongryo herself had experienced.
‘Then it would be easier to work together.’
It was good for both the team and the company.
However, just because VTIC re-signed with the company and received some shares, there was no need or room to pay more attention to the next male idol.
After all, once you debut, being a competitor is one thing.
It was enough for me to recommend it once out of conscience.
‘I’ll contact you if you have any thoughts.’
At the end of the short conclusion, Cheong-Ryeo drew a line in her head and cleared the ‘already completed schedule’. It was a busy season.
* * *
Inside the filming set of 〈Idol Inc.〉 shortly after the ranking announcement ceremony began.
The format was the same. However, the number of people has drastically decreased.
Only 20 people can join.
That alone created tension in the hall.
And there was still one factor that would cause a change in the cramped staff.
“The leaders of the two 1st place candidates for the 3rd team match, please stand up!”
That’s the benefit of winning a team battle. Survival right to advance to the next round unconditionally for one player agreed upon by the first-place team.
Our side, of course, has reached an agreement with Gold 1. I already submitted it during the pre-interview before filming.
“Our < Moon Rabbit > team… Ha Il-jun was selected as a participant.”
However, for quite some time after Saejin’s words, the leader of the < Husky > team, Chengwu Liu, did not speak.
It seemed there was a problem.
“Please announce the team members you have selected for the < Husky > team.”
The MC’s urging sounds like excitement, probably because of my sense of victimization.
Ryu Cheng-wu opened his mouth slowly.
“Our team selected Choi Won-gil as a participant.”
“… !”
Hey, I’m going to do what I did until the end.
‘Was he unexpectedly me?’
To be honest, I didn’t expect to get that. Then, it means Choi Won-gil gave up the 50% free pass ticket and changed it.
And somehow, thanks to him, things got ambiguous.
This is because the crew had already been informed of who they had selected before filming.
As I noticed, it seems that the production team did not give a confirmation that Choi Won-gil changed it in a hurry after escaping.
But now, the production team took the motion of an urgent meeting as if embarrassed and sent an autograph to the MC.
The MC looked at the production crew’s sketchbook and slowly completed his lines.
“An unexpected situation has occurred. In principle, if a voluntarily exit occurs, the benefits of that participant will of course disappear. However, considering the special situation of < Casting Call >, we will give the < Husky > team an extra 3 minutes of award time!”
“… All right.”
Liu Qingyu bowed and sat down to gather the team.
And I clicked my tongue in my heart.
‘… It’s over.’
Even if you don’t see this, that team is number one.
‘If you unplug the screen like that and don’t give benefits, the picture won’t live.’
The production team wasn’t stupid, and there was no way they made it that way.
After all, Gold 1 means you have to survive on your own.
‘The bye went across the water.’
Looking at the face of Gold 1, who tried to pretend not to be nervous, it seemed that the other side was also feeling a subtle quarrel.
And sure enough, the 1st place was not the < Moon Rabbit > team.
“Congratulations! 1st place… < Husky > team!”
“thank you.”
But the funny situations didn’t end there.
“According to the additional agreement of the < Husky > team, the participants who unconditionally benefit from survival… Cha Yoo-jin is a participant!”
Those crazy people gave Cha Yoo-jin a benefit.
‘It must be one of the two.’
Either the agreement broke down or Cha Yu-jin looked ridiculously disgusted.
Anyway, that was their own business, and the < Moon Rabbit > team had a second-class atmosphere.
“It’s a bit unfortunate.”
“That’s right.”
“Hey no! You get a fair ranking!”
Gold 1 is shouting out boldly, but honestly, it wasn’t strange even if I was pouring out double curses at the < Husky > guys in my heart.
‘I already did it too.’
The announcement of the first place in the team match ended like that.
Then the real ranking announcement began.
“The 17th is… I am Kwon Hee-seung participant!”
As if the atmosphere released by < Casting Call > was a lie, the air tightened whenever the rankings were announced.
“Thank you… … .”
Gold 2, which was called second after 18th place, went up to the podium with an openly relieved expression.
‘That guy keeps going quietly.’
I didn’t know it would go to the end. Although it was a chin-up.
The rankings were announced without any major changes up to 10th place. It is said that there are people who can stick together.
The surprising thing is that Lee Se-jin rose slightly.
“No. 11 is… Sejin Lee~ A! I am a contestant!”
It was a good result for an open fight in the previous team match. Perhaps thanks to fighting Choi Won-gil, who was filmed as a villain, he received a questionable correction.
Next to him, Sejin Sejin swept his chest and applauded Sejin Lee.
“Ah, I envy you.”
Sejin Keun muttered a little vaguely as if he was worried about falling.
“… … .”
Isn’t that deception?
In terms of momentum, he was a guy that anyone could see.
It was clear that he was reciting the Buddhist chant, “Please call me later.”
It was a really professional camera ritual.
“Congratulations~”
On the podium, the MC paused moderately while announcing the rankings.
Most of the participants with whom they were close went up on the podium after their names were called.
And Park Moon-dae’s name was called sooner than before.
“thank you.”
I was seated in 6th place.
It was a slight decline from last time.
‘As expected, the ranking fell.’
It wasn’t that the number of votes was reduced. It’s just that my votes haven’t increased as much as the top-tier inflation.
The reason for the inflation was simple.
Since you can vote as much as you spend money, the more fans are aware of negative votes, the more they buy votes out of anxiety.
And this tendency was inevitably stronger as the participant looked desperate.
‘If you’re scared, I’m telling you to shout more.’
In any case, it means that the production crew adopted the method of squeezing the wallet.
However, compared to other top-tiers that are controversial in terms of quantity, rank, or the past, there was no situation in which ‘Park Moon-dae’ was particularly caught up.
‘It can’t be helped.’
But it was crazy to create controversy. It’s not me who controls the level of editing, it’s the production team.
‘It’s a bit of a waste to just skip over < Casting Call >.’
It was a bit disappointing, but it was a ship that had already passed. As long as VTIC protruded anyway, it was wrong to draw the amount of the center of Park Moon-dae.
“Congratulations~”
“Uh. thanks.”
Keun Sejin, who rose slightly and finished in 7th place, smiled and asked for a high five. It was a very standard reaction from a fellow participant.
‘Looking at his momentum, I think he’ll debut.’
Excluding the negative votes attached during the school violence controversy, Keun Se-jin had more votes than Park Moon-dae.
As expected, the voters seemed to have gathered.
I never thought good deeds would threaten the back of my head.
‘Was it a hogu after all… .’
It didn’t matter because we were on the same team at the time. Still, it was unavoidable to have a little stomachache. I clicked my tongue briefly in my heart and turned my eyes to the road MC.
1st place was Cha Yujin.
“wow!!”
Cha Yoo-jin laughed excitedly and received the 1st place badge, then suddenly adjusted her attitude seriously and expressed her feelings and gratitude.
“Come out here… You will learn a lot and think a lot. In the future, I will work harder and stronger to create a great image. Thank you so much for the first place.”
The grammar was still bizarre, but it was a serious voice that I had never shown before. It was an aspect that could create synergy with the recent quantity.
‘That’s why I got first place.’
The fact that he didn’t seem to be aiming for something like that was the guy with the highest talent stat here.
“Participant Cha Yoo-jin, the No. 1 shareholder chosen by shareholders! Congratulations once again~”
Cha Yoo-jin went up to the first class seat with appropriate applause.
The remaining survivors are in the bottom two places.
And still, Gold 1 has not been on the podium.
‘Once I heard about the candidates.’
The situation was hopeful until the four candidates for 20th and 19th place appeared on the electronic board and the face of Gold 1 was visible. Because the probability was 50%.
And the name of Gold 1 being called… … .
“No. 20! 〈Re-listing! The last contestant to advance to the final stage of Idol Inc. > is… This is Seo Tae-mun!”
… There was no
Like the first place in the team battle, the half chance is to betray Gold 1 again.
It was a result that made me want to lose even the enemy with a 50% probability.
“I will return with pride that I have come this far. Thank you so much to the shareholders who voted!”
In the end, Gold 1 Ha Il-jun ended up participating in the audition in 21st place.
“brother!!”
“Hey, call me!”
As soon as the MC’s closing remarks were over, the dropouts had a less formal farewell than before. Since we’ve been together for a few months, I’m sure I’ve had three or four close friends.
After Gold 2 and Seon Ah-hyun, who were shedding tears, I was greeted by Gold 1.
While the camera was rolling, it was burdensome to have a conversation after the two were soaked in emotion.
Let’s shake hands appropriately.
“Mundae~”
However, this side also started with a hug as if it had become a formidable emotional build-up.
‘I can’t take this off.’
Gold 1 said calmly, trying to be embarrassed.
Words that seemed to hold down a look of regret.
“I think you will debut. cheer up.”
“… … .”
I don’t know if I would have believed it if I had just entered the body of ‘Park Moon-dae’ and told me that after a few months, I would have a complicated feeling about the virtues of an aspiring idol.
‘That’s great.’
Instead of sighing, I returned a good word.
“Your brother too.”
“what?”
“I think hyung will also debut soon.”
Gold 1 Ha Il-jun untied his hug and smiled.
“yes? I am ready to be good.”
I do not know. With the ambiguous final ranking of 21st, will they be able to achieve results?
But I just nodded.
Surprisingly, the camera was rolling, so it wasn’t an action that came from the thought of doing it in moderation.
“Thank you so far.”
“I was really grateful!”
20 participants left after 57 were eliminated. Now, all they were waiting for was the finals.