Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 227

I didn’t plan on becoming an idol – Episode 227 (195/343)

Survival programs gain popularity partly because the scenes created by desperate individuals are stimulating.

There may be other attractions, but stimulating stories like ‘dreams,’ ‘the intersection of success and failure,’ and ‘conflicts with others’ are possible because of that desperation.

However, putting aside the entertainment aspect, when you think about it rationally, collectively creating an atmosphere that subtly pressures someone to ‘compromise’ isn’t a pretty sight.

I recalled my conversation with Eun-gu.

‘I heard things like, “You should compromise, aren’t you the team leader?”’

‘They’re fighting?’

‘Yes, well. Suddenly, the whole team was like that, so I said I would.’

At that moment, Han-jin, who had been quiet, grumbled with a sulky expression.

‘It still seems strange no matter how I look at it. The rest of them were already close, right? They all plotted to screw you over.’

‘Would they go that far, you idiot? There are cameras everywhere?’

The Squirrel didn’t hold back.

‘Oh, you foolish younger brother… I’m really worried about you… Not even Ji-sang knows?’

‘Why would I tell him when he’d make a fuss like you if he knew?’

‘Oh, dear….’

It’s problematic to hear a story from only one person’s perspective, but after hearing even Han-jin’s story, who is a completely unrelated third party, I can’t help but lean towards one side. Eun-gu consistently had a nuance of defending that those people did nothing wrong.

Of course, if he were a vicious person, I might suspect that he’s deliberately doing that for political maneuvering, but the Squirrel is not human.

Besides, Eun-gu, as an upright Squirrel, is an animal impressed by the ancient Greek values that death is eternal sleep. For someone who works hard even while cutting back on sleep to not receive the spotlight because he lacks political skills….

“Even so, isn’t there nothing we can do?”

Ryu Iden, who was lying on the chair with a pink neck pillow, glared at me with a puzzled look and replied.

“We can’t interfere with what the kids do on their own.”

That’s right.

“So, I should do what I’m allowed to do.”

“Like what?”

“There’s a mid-term evaluation.”

I’ll use what I learned from you well, Iden.

* * *

I scanned the area where the trainees were huddled together and sat down at the long table that was my designated seat.

“Oh, I’m excited.”

Me too. I briefly agreed with Lukachi-sunbae’s words. Since I was the youngest and taking on the role of MC [Master of Ceremonies] this time due to the absence of the MC-nim, I briefly warmed up my voice and waited for the PD-nim’s [Production Director] okay sign.

“Junior, those kids over there must have stayed up all night. They’re dozing off while sitting.”

“It’s probably one team re-arranging.”

“Completely new?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? Wasn’t the arrangement check yesterday?”

“I ordered it then. They feel very guilty.”

If Giseung heard that, he’d go on about brain nerve activation or something, but there’s no human who can understand that.

“Well, I don’t think you’re the type to do it for fun….”

“…Yes.”

Probably not.

[Montaigne said, ‘A person with a bad memory should not lie.’ I’m glad you have a good memory!]

Shhh.

“Anyway, I’m also looking forward to it.”

I thought a lot about how to say it.

“More than that, I’m worried about the two teams. The teams without arrangers.”

“…Actually, wouldn’t it be better for the production team to do it? They’d have more time to practice that way.”

“I’m worried they’ll be edited to look like abandoned kids….”

It felt like the production team had planned everything assuming all ten members of the arrangement team would survive, but there’s nothing I can do. I heard they were eliminated due to personal issues and lack of ability, so what can I do?

At that moment, the PD-nim signaled that they were starting to film. A momentary silence fell, and everyone’s attention focused on me.

“Colleagues, there will be a mid-term performance evaluation.”

Pfft. Lukachi-sunbae burst out laughing.

“Wow, you really look like a curator. You’re so serious.”

“I know. It’s even more so because you’re wearing a suit.”

“Your seriousness in everything is charming.”

Since last time, there’s been an atmosphere of ‘oohing and aahing’ over everything I do. I briefly lowered my head and waited for the atmosphere to calm down.

“Anyway, officially, today is the day we can give you advice in earnest before the main stage, so I hope you’ll do your best. So, which team will show us first? The team leader should raise their hand.”

[Current emotional state: Fun. / Estimated reason: Knowing that the team leaders are all arrangement teams, so it will take a lot of courage to raise their hands. / Evaluation: Perverted.]

Since the estimated reason was wrong, I ignored Giseung’s message and looked at the trainees.

Everyone had their heads bowed. Theoretically, if you make eye contact, the chance of being called increases tenfold.

And a strong gaze I felt. A feeling that they want me to call them. As someone who had watched all the practice videos in advance, I could understand.

“Um, trainee Han-jin.”

Han-jin, who flinched as if struck by lightning when he met my eyes, answered with difficulty.

“…Yes?”

“Can you raise your right hand once?”

Kwon Han-jin followed my words as if possessed, slowly raising his hand. Perhaps because of his experience being tormented by me during the arrangement team practice, he seemed to reflexively follow my words.

“Yes, with team leader Han-jin’s volunteer, Team B will show us first.”

“That’s a scam, Dong-hwa.”

Starting with Ji Eun-young-sunbae, the other coaches and trainees burst into laughter.

“Is it really a volunteer?”

“He raised his hand, so.”

Even though I clearly stated that raising a hand is volunteering, if there are any complaints, it’s their fault for not reading the fine print of the contract properly.

Kwon Han-jin was laughing even while being hit with Indian burns [a playful pinching or twisting of the arm] by his other teammates. Originally, teams with good relationships tend to have good results, right?

* * *

Praise continued for Kwon Han-jin’s team. It’s true that I ordered it because I knew they would do well from the start.

If you ask if their skills are at a professional level right away, that’s not the case, but the fact that they stood out for trying to make up for their shortcomings deserves this praise relay.

And here’s a brief question. Will anyone want to do it next time? Moreover, if the stage quality is terrible, they might be too scared to even try.

“…Next team, if no one volunteers, I will call someone.”

“Are you not going to cheat this time?”

“Trainee Eun-gu, please raise your hand.”

So, isn’t this a good situation to create an atmosphere where it’s easy to complain?

“…Yes.”

Eun-gu raised his hand with a frustrated expression. Next to him, Sang-ssi, who is from the same agency—his name is ‘Ji-sang,’ single-character names are really difficult to pronounce—was acting cute and flattering him, telling him to cheer up. What is this, Ryu Iden-like.

“Dong-hwa praised it, the arrangement?”

“Yes, he said everyone arranged it well to stand out….”

I sat comfortably and watched Team D, who were standing in formation.

From the moment they stood up, I could subtly sense that only Eun-gu was separated from the group.

That happened often when I was in high school. I can’t be sure if he has the same personality as me, but it must be annoying.

A subtle sense of distance that can’t be known just by looking at the surface, only felt in the atmosphere. A person without political skills should have someone with good political skills next to them, it’s a pity.

And the music started.

The arrangement was done very neatly, but considering the frequent mistakes and the fact that they weren’t properly utilizing the parts where they should stand out, it was difficult to see it as a proper stage.

It would be fine if it were a high school talent show. It was nice to see them spitting out what the arrangement and choreography were feeding them with very intense gestures. Even more so compared to the previous team.

I recalled the information I memorized yesterday. A total of three trainees from ‘Waffle Studio.’ Two individual trainees, two entertainers from other miscellaneous agencies, and Eun-gu.

I heard that the team leader directly selected the members, but how did he pick about half of them as waste products? I feel like even if he put names on darts and hit them, he would have picked better than this, if this is also a talent, it’s a talent.

“I watched this until the end, but.”

Lukachi-sunbae opened his mouth with an annoyed expression.

“First of all, the center.”

Waffle 1.

“Who decided that?”

Waffle 1 mumbled and looked at Eun-gu. An obvious move. For humans to intimidate a hardworking, kind Squirrel, it’s animal abuse. I took out everything I had memorized in advance, one by one.

“According to the production team, trainee Ga-in volunteered first, and the team members agreed.”

“No…, the center is making mistakes, so the balance is all messed up. I don’t want to criticize her too much for her skills, but if she volunteered to be the center, she should have at least practiced. So that there are no mistakes. But her movements are wrong, her gestures are unskilled, and she’s also deviating from the formation. It’s even more so because the person who should be holding the center is like that….”

Lukachi-sunbae speaks with a pitiful look. Ah, this is fun. This is really fun. This is the scene I was expecting since I called Han-jin’s team first. I’m glad I asked the staff in secret on the way home after the conversation with Eun-gu yesterday.

“But it’s not just her, it’s obvious that a few more haven’t practiced enough.”

Ji Eun-young neatly called out the names of Waffle 1 to 3, and the other two.

“The vocals are very shaky, and the choreography isn’t clean either. Dong-hwa praised the arrangement, so I was expecting it, but the arrangement is really the only thing that’s good, and they’re not taking advantage of it.”

I’m glad I talked about it in advance. There’s nothing that disappoints people more than when expectations that have been raised are dropped.

“You guys don’t need anything here, just practice. There’s nothing to give feedback on. I wonder if you were too complacent because the choreography and song came out.”

During that time, I remained silent. There’s no reason for me to say anything directly. The others were already pointing out everything one by one.

I wonder if they want to write this scene. A trainee who volunteered to be the center and ruined even what the arranger worked hard on. If I were the PD, I don’t think I would want to abandon them.

* * *

And as time passed, when I checked the edited version, I bit my rising lips. Except for Ryu Iden and Lee Hyun-jae, who were absent due to personal schedules, the three of us were watching the idol production studio.

“Dong-hwa hyung—nim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]. Is today’s broadcast fun—ny?”

“Yeah.”

I am.

“Oh, what are you doing? I even picked my one-pick [favorite contestant]. They won’t be eliminated, right?”

“Who is it?”

“Trainee Park Eun-gu.”

Oh dear. Then he’ll be a little heartbroken in this episode. He’s scheduled to appear as an innocent victim.

“He won’t be eliminated.”

He’s too handsome and skilled to be eliminated. It’s proof that people’s eyes aren’t bad.

“That’s a relief……. I’m still voting.”

But, I’m really sorry, but why?

I put the small question aside for a moment and watched the program. It was just a peaceful moment, with Seok-joon teasing my face while laughing and Chae Ha-min blocking his mouth.

It wasn’t until about twenty minutes later that I realized that Team D, with Eun-gu as the team leader, had received an edit where all the negative descriptions had disappeared.

After watching a little more, when I saw an edit that very, very subtly portrayed Eun-gu as having done something wrong, my expression hardened to the point that Chae Ha-min flinched.

“…Um.”

Seok-joon, who was sitting next to me, checked my face and quietly got up from his seat and fled to the bathroom. Ever since he got drunk and cursed me to die together, he’s developed a habit of running away when my face hardens.

“…Dong-hwa?”

I think I know.

“Was there, something wrong?”

Chae Ha-min looked back and forth between the screen and my face in a fluster, then shook his head as if he didn’t know at all.

“What is it, I just know that Eun-gu worked hard.”

I took a deep breath and gave Seok-joon, who had finished his escape and returned, a smile.

“Hyung—nim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]. That’s even more scary—y.”

Oh dear, how pitiful. How can I make our Joon not be afraid of me? I’m fine because I’m a country grandma.

“That’s right, he just looks like that, he’s gentle?”

While listening to Chae Ha-min’s words, I quietly pressed the phone screen. Even though I think I know, I’m curious. Why are they doing this?