Episode 7
“He’s only been a trainee for two months, yet if someone like him debuts, how much of a sense of loss will other trainees feel?”
He scribbled lines on the paper with my profile written on it using a marker pen. Throughout the performance, he kept poking his nose only into my profile. I didn’t expect him to ignore the stage completely and focus solely on my trainee history.
Only two months, he’s acting all cute, huh.
‘You can’t really claim to have years of experience, junior.’
“Become an actor or a model. Why did you come here?”
Seezy, the vocalist sitting beside him, shot the other trainers a look of ‘What’s wrong with this guy?’ Next to her, former girl group member Haneul closed her eyes tightly and shook her head slightly.
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
In such a chilly atmosphere, asking me to speak meant completely trampling on my pride.
I felt boiling inside.
It is not acceptable for a junior to dare to talk back to a senior’s evaluation. Moreover, the relationship between trainees and trainers was even more intense. Directly refuting negative evaluations could lead to being portrayed as stubborn and disliked, depending on the editing.
‘Korea is obsessed with Confucianism.’
There was also a way to evoke sympathy and public opinion by shedding tears. However, although it could immediately attract fandom through him, a pitiful and weak image could be engraved in the minds of the public.
‘A model response is probably the best.’
“I will strive to show a good performance next time.”
Speaking calmly and politely, I bowed my head. I understand what you’re saying, so my intention was to tell you to shut up now.
Then Frick chuckled.
“No, not that formal response. I told you to answer my question. Can’t you understand what I’m saying?”
…This guy, seriously.
Do Yuda seemed worried about what I might do, as he held my hands, her face saying, ‘I hope he doesn’t do that.’
“……”
If it were my past life, I would have been eager to show off my skills and jumped into action long ago. But this life was different. I realized that such a response ultimately fueled my empty words, and furthermore, Han Seung beom was not someone whose violent attitude would be well received.
The angle of the eyes, tone of voice, posture holding the microphone, everything had to be flawless.
“…I.”
Suppressing my anger, I spoke up.
“I don’t think being an actor or a model is a job that can be achieved solely through exceptional looks. Of course, I’m truly grateful for the compliments, but I know that it’s not a job to be taken lightly, considering the effort that senior colleagues currently active in the industry have poured in.”
You dared to ignore the efforts and achievements of senior colleagues in the same industry.
“I’ve been steadily practicing with the goal of becoming an idol long before becoming a trainee, and that goal hasn’t changed.”
My experience cannot be compared to the trainee period on my profile.
“That’s why I won’t be complacent with the praise from other trainers, and I’ll carefully consider where Frick Trainer felt I lacked on my stage.”
Though among several trainers, only you criticized me, there was no clear basis for that criticism.
“I will definitely prove myself with my skills in the future.”
It means I’ll crush it with my skills.
“Haha! Great! I’ll look forward to it.”
Before Frick could retort, Jay laughed and applauded. The other trainers nodded in agreement and joined in the applause at Jay’s action, who had the most glamorous career among them.
Realizing his own dignity was completely crushed without any room for rebuttal, Frick stiffened his face.
In this case, he will get caught up in the devilish editing
‘Frick might get scolded harshly.’
Don’t back off weakly. Because it’s not over yet.
“I will announce the grade.”
My and Do Yuda’s profiles appeared on the screen. It was an S grade.
“The grades for trainees Han Seung beom and Do Yuda are S. Please come down from the stage.”
As I descended from the stage and was about to climb onto the ranking seats, I met eyes with Jay.
‘Thanks, you little bastard.’
As I nodded my head, Jay closed his eyes and gave a slight nod. I swallowed a smirk.
‘This guy did it on purpose.’
His laughter was to draw everyone’s attention to himself in the studio, and the applause was to lend credibility to my statement. Since Jay didn’t add anything, Frick’s words ended up being just a nuisance, creating a rift between the other trainers and Frick.
“……”
As I glanced sideways, I saw Frick’s face still seemed full of unresolved anger.
‘He completely fell out of Jay’s favor, the stupid idiot….’
Idols on the front lines were all smart. Living busy day by day, they had no time to raise chicks, let alone get caught up in tearful editing, which was more harmful than beneficial.
In my past life, for similar reasons, I always rejected offers to be a judge on audition programs.
It was clear from their eyes what kind of feeling the trainers in this room had.
Truly dedicated and passionate trainers. Or defeated losers who were pushed out of the frontline with no choice.
Most of the trainers, including Jay, were the former, while Frick was the latter.
‘Moreover, that group seems to be in crisis due to dirty rumors circulating. He probably wanted to appear cool and professional to these young kids who couldn’t even argue back.’
His malicious intent seemed to be instantly discerned by Jay.
And I didn’t like those kinds of guys either. If he continued to maintain that arrogant attitude, I planned to make him pay the corresponding price.
‘Who dares to wrinkle their brows in front of me?’
Mr.Senior is coming. Clear the way, you arrogant juniors.
* * *
After the grading evaluation shoot was over, the 77 trainees moved to the facility prepared for the program, the Lucky Center. Just after us, the trainees who performed right after received the lowest grade.
During the time we were on the large bus, I received a notification.
[Bro, are you okay?]
It was Do Yuda sitting beside me.
Since he hadn’t removed my microphone, it’s necessary to communicate through text. I lowered the brightness of my phone and replied.
[I’m fine.]
[I was really nervous earlier. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to hold back and would charge like a bull.]
[That was close.]
[Still, I’m relieved that you held back and things went smoothly.]
[I won’t let it slide tho.]
[Oh, please. You’re like a gangster.]
As the awkward conversation ended, the bus came to a halt with a screech. We had already arrived at the Lucky Center.
“We need to go to S Grade Room 1!”
Do Yuda, who had looked at the accommodation layout while getting off the bus, pointed at a room marked “S Grade Room 1” with her finger.
Rooms divided by grade showed significant differences in facilities, size, and location from S Grade to D Grade. It seemed they were heavily discriminating between grades to pressure the trainees.
“D Grade rooms cram eight people into one room.”
From the perks listed on the placement chart, it seemed like there were no beds in the D Grade rooms.
“Wow, really?”
‘To give such low grades openly to these kids who are already struggling seems so blatant.’
“S Grade rooms have three people per room.”
“Are you and I in the same room?”
“Yeah.”
“And the other person is… it’s Woo Kang-won.”
“I don’t know him.”
‘Did I watch his performance?’
I had no memory of it at all.
“He was the one who performed when you went to the restroom. He said he used to be a judo athlete, served in the military, and then came here. He’s really tall and muscular like Superman.”
‘Oh, he’s a military veteran.’
Isn’t military service a rare thing in the idol industry?
“I also want to be like that, all muscular, later.”
“…Yeah. But it doesn’t seem like it would suit me.”
While we were having a meaningless conversation, someone came up from behind to look at the placement chart. It was Lee Hwayoung.
‘Hwayoung is in S Grade Room 2.’
“Oh, hello! We’re in the room next door. I’m Do Yuda, and this is Han Seung beom. I watched your grading evaluation stage. It was cool! Let’s practice together later. Please take care of me during the program shoot. Do you want to come up together?”
“……”
As sociable Do Yuda initiated conversation with Hwayoung, he was completely ignored. After mocking Do Yuda with a smirk, Hwayoung turned around and disappeared toward the elevator.
“Aw, it’s embarrassing.”
“It’s okay. You did well.”
Feeling embarrassed about being rejected, Do Yuda slouched like a scolded puppy and hid behind me. Good boy. Good boy. If you’re not friendly, my dorm life will be bleak. Don’t be discouraged.
As we moved into our room, we couldn’t help but admire it. Honestly, even though it was S Grade, I thought it would be shabby since it’s where trainees live. But it was quite nice. Unlike rooms in other grades, the beds weren’t bunk beds, and there was also a TV, microwave, and air purifier.
‘They must have made a proper plan for the broadcast concept.’
“These are products from Sanghwa Group!”
After looking around the room, Do Yuda shouted. It seemed like Sanghwa Group had provided them.
“Hyung, do you want to visit rooms in other grades later?”
“No.”
Wearing S-grade clothes and trying to blend in would only make me look like an oblivious fool. I despise broadcasts that depict scenes like ‘D-grade trainees crying while watching Han Seung-beom and Do Yuda (S-grade trainees) entering.”’
“Then I won’t go either. You must have a plan, bro. I’m just a fool who doesn’t know.”
“Okay.”
Smart move.
‘Hmm?’
While unpacking my belongings in the personal cabinet, I noticed something attached inside.
—
<Lucky Center Trainee Living Rules>
1. Possession of smartphones and communication devices are prohibited (no uploading to SNS).
2. Intentional damage to property is prohibited.
3. Smoking and drinking are prohibited.
4. Lateness and absence from lessons are prohibited.
5. Entry of outsiders and animals is prohibited (the entry of a butler is not allowed also).
6. Excessive physical contact is prohibited.
7. Cooking with fire is prohibited.
Violation of rule 1 results in immediate removal from the program. Violation of other rules results in cumulative removal from the program.
—
‘What’s this nonsense about butlers not being allowed in?’
It must be because of Lee Hwayoung. Since a black limousine had followed him to the Lucky Center and then left, I assumed it was related. The other rules seemed ordinary.
“…Haha.”
Seeing these strict rules reminiscent of human rights violations in today’s world made me finally realize that I had become a trainee again. How many years had it been since I dealt with this nonsense?
“Sigh…”
Even if my skills were lacking, even if I wasn’t ready, if I could gain popularity with the public, I would debut.
That was the idol survival project.
But I have no intention of debuting with these incompetents.
Here’s my plan.
‘I’ll pick my members my way.’
I don’t care about national voting or anything like that.
If I like someone, I’ll push them until they debut, and if I don’t like someone, I’ll push them off a cliff. Period.
