Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 16

16.

Today is the day the first eliminated contestants are announced. If Lee Hyunjae gets eliminated, all the tutoring and meetings with his parents will be for nothing, so I hope he doesn’t get eliminated, if possible.

The results need to justify the time invested.

Right, until I get eliminated, just until then, I’ll help anyone I can within my abilities.

…Damn it, I’m stuck playing this role. It’s about 40% Chae Hamin’s fault and 20% that bastard Gi Jisaeng.

I lightly nudged Chae Hamin, who was waiting next to me for his turn for makeup. He must have been dozing off because he opened his eyes wide and looked startled.

“D, Donghwa, why all of a sudden?”

“…There was a bug on you.”

“Really? Thanks, Donghwa.”

Then, Lee Hyunjae, who had been watching from the side, chuckled, finding Chae Hamin’s blank expression funny, and said,

“Hyung, there wasn’t a bug on him?”

“…Donghwa, was that a lie?”

Could you not look so betrayed over something like this?

* * *

“Now, everyone, after the second competition! Today is the day the first eliminated contestants are announced. There will be a total of two eliminated contestants today…….”

Lee Dongseok began to explain the detailed rules, seemingly for the convenience of the viewers.

By the way, why is that damn tiered stage still there? Do the eliminated contestants have to fall to the bottom again?

‘No, is there a reason to run a survival show like this when the goal is to debut as one team?’

If they debut, they debut as one team and become one product, but this just makes the consumers of that product fight each other.

I don’t know if there’s any benefit to that.

We stood in a line in front of the tiered stage, silently looking ahead.

“…Depending on the ranking called, you will stand on the stage you see behind you. And the two trainees who ultimately do not make it onto the stage… will be eliminated!”

His tone is cruel. I frowned slightly at those words for a moment, then quickly changed my expression.

“Then, we will announce the 1st place first!”

At least this has changed for the better. The old way was too much. What kind of show puts the last place next to 1st place? I don’t know if it’s the broadcasting station or the entertainment company, but it was a bit much…….

“According to the calculations, the 1st place, who satisfied both the public and the judges… is trainee Ji Donghwa!”

…Huh? Wait a minute.

The judges probably gave me extra points for working hard on the composition, but I’m curious why the public likes me so much.

“Trainee Ji Donghwa, what are your thoughts?”

I went up onto the stage and held the microphone.

“…First of all, I am very grateful to those who have watched over me favorably despite my shortcomings.”

Really, I’m not someone anyone should like.

Other people’s affection is quite unfamiliar, even including my 29 years of life.

“I will repay you by showing you my best efforts. Thank you.”

“Wow, you speak so eloquently. I heard a rumor that trainee Ji Donghwa is planning to enter Korea University?”

I don’t know why he’s bringing this up all of a sudden, but it’s a good chance to emphasize my nerd image. I still have the desire to show that I’m a nerd to clear up any misunderstandings from the viewers.

It’s not so much that I want to be eliminated, but, well, it’s closer to a desire to show my true self.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow, so you’re balancing school life and trainee life?”

I don’t have that experience yet, but for now.

“…Yes, that’s how it is.”

“Wow, so do you have any time to rest?”

Well, I can answer this based on my existing experience.

“There are many subjects that I can study with the mindset of resting. Also, if I want to rest intensely, I read books in related fields.”

Lee Dongseok seemed to be lost for a moment after hearing my answer, then opened his mouth.

“…Do you have any thoughts on tutoring my daughter?”

Oh dear. That’s unfortunate.

“I’ve already decided to tutor trainee Lee Hyunjae for free. I’m sorry.”

Then, strange reactions and laughter were heard from all over the set. There’s nothing funny about that, strange.

After the atmosphere was settled, the rankings began to be called out one by one. Chae Hamin was called in 2nd place, and Ryu Ideun in 4th place.

‘When is this Lee Hyunjae guy going to be called?’

He’s not going to be eliminated, is he? It would be a bit ruthless to be eliminated right after getting a chance.

Lee Hyunjae wasn’t called until the 2nd dropout (Kim Hyun-jin) was called in 7th place. Damn it, what about my mental energy that was consumed in a state of complete concentration for three hours?

“Now, there are three of you left. One of you will be able to participate in the survival show in 8th place, and the other two will have to drop out of the survival show.”

There’s no one who doesn’t know that, so please don’t repeat what you’ve already said and announce it quickly. Look at that, Lee Hyunjae is hanging his head and biting his lip.

“Now, the last one to advance to the next survival show is… trainee Lee Hyunjae!”

Lee Hyunjae collapsed for a moment. The burden of this being his last chance and the pressure from his parents caused him to mess up his first stage, but his skills themselves aren’t those of someone who should be in 8th place.

Lee Hyunjae gathered his emotions and began to speak his thoughts.

“First of all, uh, I want to thank the people who supported me… and I’m really grateful to Donghwa hyung [older brother or male friend] for letting me continue to sing.”

Hmm? His words are a bit, exaggerated…….

“If it wasn’t for Donghwa hyung, I wouldn’t have been able to show a good performance on the second stage either.”

…That’s too much. There’s a logical leap.

“I will do my best to show you a better performance next time! Thank you!”

And after that, the eliminated kids gave their thoughts. If it were me, I would have just said something casually since I was eliminated, but they were spitting out words while crying.

‘…It’s a shame.’

Those friends must have also had desperate dreams and opportunities.

* * *

“The next 3rd competition is a position competition.”

…What’s that?

“You will gather by each position and prepare for the competition.”

No, I’m the only one in the producing position. So, am I preparing alone?

“The positions are divided into three categories: dance, vocal, and rap. Each position has 3 members in the dance team, 3 members in the vocal team, and 1 member in rap. Ji Donghwa, the only trainee who applied for the producing position, must belong to the rap position team to arrange or compose, and must also perform the vocal role.”

The workload is considerable. By the way, the rap position must be Seokjun.

When I turned my head towards Seokjun, he bowed his head slightly.

What do you call that again? He looks like a dinosaur. Just looking at his face, he seems like someone who is always serious and indifferent.

* * *

“Hamin.”

I came out of the shower and saw him hugging a snake doll and lying on my bed, wait a minute.

“…Why are you lying there?”

“Well… it’s too hard to go up to the second floor.”

“…Why?”

“Th, today I was so nervous about being eliminated that my legs are shaking… I’ll go up now!”

If you think about it even a little bit, you’ll know that there’s no way you’d be eliminated. When will you fix your habit of making things hard on yourself?

“…It’s okay.”

I stepped up the stairs to the second floor.

“I was so nervous that my legs are still shaking.”

Ryu Ideun, your legs are too sturdy to be shaking.

After that, Chae Hamin made a fuss for about 10 minutes, saying that it was okay not to change places, but he shut his mouth when I told him to be quiet.

“But Donghwa, you use a really short blanket.”

Unfortunately, it’s just right for me, tall guy.

“Come to think of it, how tall is Donghwa? Actually, I’m not good at predicting how many people are shorter than me.”

“…How tall are you first, hyung?”

“Me? I think I was around 185 [centimeters].”

Then it’s almost impossible for you to predict other people’s heights. At least 90% of the population will be shorter than you.

“…178.”

“Wow, Donghwa, you’re a lot shorter than I expected!”

Hmm, I don’t know what that means. Does it mean I look tall, or are you insulting me for being short? Ryu Ideun looked at Chae Hamin, who was admiring him, and asked.

“Hamin, what about you?”

“Um, was I 183?”

“But if you think about it, isn’t Donghwa the shortest among the trainees?”

Wow, 178 isn’t a height that would be called short anywhere else. Is it common in this industry?

“No wonder it’s so easy to put my hand on Donghwa’s shoulder!”

Shut up, rabbit bastard. Don’t talk like I’m your armrest.

“Donghwa, it’s because you don’t sleep properly.”

Shh, healthy human. It’s inevitable that I, the only normal person among the abnormal, am having a hard time.

* * *

Seokjun and I exchanged our first greetings in the studio. Actually, if you think about it, we introduced ourselves before, but that was just a passing greeting.

“Can I call you Jun?”

“Yes― Please― call me whatever― you’re comfortable with, hyungnim [term of respect for an older male]―”

Hmm, a languid tone. A very slow tone.

“…I will.”

“Please― speak informally― too―”

“…Okay.”

Goodness, he’s too slow. How can someone like that rap rhythmically? Is this a prejudice born from my narrow-minded thinking?

“…What kind of song do you want to do?”

“I― want to do― a song with― a fairytale atmosphere―”

A fairytale atmosphere… like me? Or…….

“Fairy Tale?”

“Yes―”

“…Why?”

“Well, it’s― a little embarrassing― but―”

The introduction is too slow.

“Actually― I like, Donghwa―”

…Strange. I don’t think he’s normal either.

How is it that I’m the only normal person I meet?

“…Jun.”

“Yes―”

“…What kind of fairy tales do you like?”

“Well― um― actually, I like all the Wizney [misspelling of Disney] fairy tales―”

Wow, goodness, I never thought I would confirm that I am not free from prejudice like this. A grown adult likes Wizney.

“…Even among them?”

“The Little Mermaid―”

“So, you want to do a stage with that kind of Little Mermaid concept… is that what you mean?”

“Yes―”

I paused for a moment and buried my face in my palm.

I’ve vowed to help them debut as much as I can, but will listening to this really help him debut?

Ha, well, let it be.

There’s no better opportunity to do my best and fail, but it’s said that even a ghost who dies eating looks good.

If I can only fail happily.

“…You said you can compose to some extent, right?”

“Yes―”

“Bring a sampling of the Little Mermaid song you’re thinking of by the end of today. I’ll follow the atmosphere you want, so let’s work together.”

“…Are you serious?”

Why are you suddenly talking so fast, it’s scary.

“…Then would it be a lie?”

Then Seokjun suddenly got up from his seat, hugged me, and shouted.

“Wow!”

He’s a little scary. Can you let go of this?

“I really wanted to do it, goodness, I’m so happy! Donghwa hyungnim is an angel! You’re so cool! There was a hyungnim who hated me because I liked Wizney! I love you, hyungnim!”

…He’s definitely not normal either.

* * *

# Rap Position Team VCR Edited Version

[Q. What do you think of trainee Seokjun?]

Ji Donghwa thought for a moment, then answered with a serious expression.

‘I think he’s crazy.’

[Q. Why?]

‘…Sometimes a certain madness goes beyond the realm that humans can explain, so unfortunately, it’s hard for me to explain in words.’

[Q. What do you mean?]

‘…It means he’s an unimaginably crazy guy.’

After that, the screen switched and Seokjun appeared. His eyes are red, as if he’s crying. It’s even more so because of the mole under his left eye.

[Q. What do you think of trainee Ji Donghwa?]

‘…He’s the benefactor― who made my dream― come true―.’

[Q. Why?]

‘Where should I start― explaining… He accurately captured the feelings― I’ve felt while watching The Little Mermaid since before― and made it into a song. He also helped me a lot with writing the lyrics―. Thanks to him, one of my bucket lists has been filled―’

[Q. What kind of concept is the stage?]

‘Ah! I can explain that. The concept is that Donghwa hyungnim and I are (beep―).’

The screen switched again and Ji Donghwa appeared.

[Q. What do you think of the concept?]

Then Ji Donghwa hung his head and hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

‘I don’t know if it’s an appropriate expression on the show, but it’s a concept where you can realize how bizarre a human can become when they are absorbed in something.’

[Q. What do you mean?]

‘I tried to say it indirectly, but since you asked, it’s a concept that contains Seokjun trainee’s deep madness.’

[Q. Is that a good thing?]

‘…Do I have the right to remain silent? If so, I will exercise it.’

* * *

Hmm, the song itself seems to have turned out better than expected. Overall, it’s a song with a strong feeling of being in a cool sea. The chorus part even feels like you’re feeling the wind.

I didn’t think that the idea of parodying The Little Mermaid was a bad idea.

Seokjun, who was listening to the first arrangement with the guide recorded, stopped the song for a moment.

“Hyungnim, I think it would be good to change this part to be a little more dreamy.”

I finally figured it out. He speaks quickly about fields he’s interested in.

“…Should I add a bubble sound?”

“…Hyung is my ideal type.”

Shut up, dinosaur bastard. Why is a guy who should have gone extinct walking around?