Chapter 3
The visit to the broadcasting station proved rather uneventful as I found myself reluctantly accompanying the writer for a brief interview in front of the videographer. Surprisingly, they didn't even deem it necessary to request a dance, a customary formality. Naturally, they neglected to provide any guidance on joining a dance academy as well.
This, however, served as evidence of their predetermined role for me on the show. The absence of such requests or advice implied a specific purpose already in mind.
But such trivialities held little sway over my thoughts. What truly mattered was the fact that my name had secured a coveted place on the contestant list.
Yet, an unexpected twist awaited me.
"The first shoot is scheduled in a mere 10 days."
"Is that so?" I responded, caught off guard. "Park Moondae-gun must have joined at the eleventh hour. Such opportunities rarely arise. Consider yourself fortunate, as it is Moondae-gun's exceptional talent that has paved the way for you."
How artfully they phrased it, accentuating my role as a replacement. Slightly disconcerted, I contemplated the situation with care.
They presented the opportunity with apparent generosity, and the cost of participation was nonexistent. It appeared to be a favorable offer. However, if they were to discover my inconsequentiality, their previous accolades would swiftly be retracted.
Few fields are as merciless as this one when it comes to severing ties. Furthermore, demanding that a commoner prepare a performance within a meager 10 days, without offering any aid, was an unreasonable request.
They nonchalantly regarded it as inconsequential, but had the contestant hailed from an entertainment company, vehement objections would likely have been raised.
It was akin to instructing me to disregard any musical arrangement, to utilize any instrumental track, and brace myself for the inevitable backlash. And if my performance failed to meet their expectations, they would simply excise me from the show through deft editing.
Yet, I had foreseen this outcome.
"Very well. Thank you," I nodded, feigning nerves for the impending shoot, maintaining an air of obliviousness to any ulterior motives.
A flicker of satisfaction graced the writer's countenance.
"We are the ones who should express gratitude. I shall furnish you with further details soon."
With those words, she departed. I exited the broadcasting station without a hint of regret, already formulating a strategy for the ensuing 10 days.
Given the brevity of the preparation time, it became evident that a more radical approach surpassed the original plans I had devised.
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After a frenzied 10 days of intensive preparation, the day of the inaugural shoot finally arrived.
The show adhered to a familiar structure, commencing with evaluations of each contestant's performance.
The initial appraisal.
Those acquainted with idol survival programs would recognize this phase. However, the impact of these evaluations seldom endured until the program's culmination.
For a contestant devoid of captivating qualities, delivering a mediocre performance would spell catastrophe. It was far preferable to fail spectacularly, becoming the subject of derision, and subsequently craft a narrative of improvement for the show's direction.
Should one be edited out at this stage due to a lack of distinguishing characteristics, there would be no recourse.
Naturally, this did not imply that one should strive for the viewers' disdain.
"Ladies and gentlemen, kindly commit your designated number to memory. You shall be summoned when your turn arrives. Proceed to the corridor," proclaimed the production staff.
The shooting commenced, with each contestant ostentatiously entering the corridor one by one.
This was but a teaser segment, yet the filming of this 40-second preview had already consumed a staggering two hours.
Such was the scale of the endeavor, with an astounding 77 contestants vying for glory.
'These are naught but neophyte souls, brimming with innocence.'
Surveying the faces of the scattered individuals in this desolate waiting room, the once fervent motivation within me began to dwindle.
As a regressor armed with a status window, aspiring to become an idol alongside these youthful prodigies left me feeling an acute sense of embarrassment.
"Excuse me, may I have your attention?
As I stood amidst the crowd, engaging in sporadic conversations here and there, a youthful figure made their way towards me.
It was a challenge to decipher whether this individual was genuinely brimming with enthusiasm or merely wearing a facade to garner favor. Their appearance suggested they were of middle-school age, an observation that struck me as peculiar given my own stage in life.
"Did you apply on your own?" the youngster inquired.
"Yes," I replied, my voice laced with a touch of intrigue.
"Wow, me too. Um, may I inquire about your age?" the youngster hesitated, their curiosity palpable.
"Ah, I'm twenty years old," I responded, my lips itching with a hint of deception as I skillfully reduced my true age by a significant nine years. Surprisingly, a sense of liberation washed over me.
"And are you affiliated with any entertainment company?" the youngster probed further, their eyes searching for a hint of familiarity.
"No," I answered, my tone resolute.
"I see! Usually, in the world of IJC, there is no shortage of contestants hailing from various entertainment companies. Have you ever been associated with duch a company?" the young inquirer pursued.
"No, I have never before been in the entertainment industry, nor am I affiliated with any companie," I confessed, my honesty laid bare.
In an instant, the sincerity in the middle-schooler's eyes faded like a waning flame.
With our conversation concluding, they swiftly turned their attention to strike up a conversation with another individual.
Witnessing such astute awareness of society at such a tender age, I couldn't help but sense that this young soul harbored the potential for future success. Of course, they would need to learn the art of concealing such ambitions from the scrutinizing camera lenses, but I had faith in their ability to navigate the challenges independently.
If even a middle-schooler possessed such acumen, it was undoubtedly a fierce and unforgiving battlefield out there.
As I mused upon the decisions that had led me into this bewildering and surreal situation, I realized there was no point in lamenting over past choices.
"Our journey continues at the filming site!" the staff's voice reverberated through the air, marking the commencement of the long-awaited shooting.
Resolutely, I advanced, trailing behind the middle-schoolers who darted about like nimble meerkats, their anticipation radiating from every pore.
Beside the imposing main stage where the pivotal first evaluation would take place, I positioned myself, awaiting my turn with bated breath.
Eventually, my moment arrived, falling within the ranks of those evaluated in the middle phase.
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"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting contestant Lee Sejin, ranking...15th place! Please take a seat," the commanding voice of the MC resonated through the venue, drawing attention to my modest achievement.
"Thank you!" I graciously acknowledged, bowing my head in humble gratitude.
One of the fellow contestants, part of the group hailing from the same entertainment company, reciprocated the gesture, expressing their appreciation and dutifully following the MC's instructions.
Among the throngs of contestants, this individual possessed a glimmer of potential. However, it appeared that the esteemed producer team held reservations about their capabilities.
"This situation is far from ideal," I ruminated within the depths of my thoughts, a tinge of concern etching my brow.
Ryu Seorin, the esteemed writer, twirled her pen absentmindedly, her countenance marred by a subtle crease of worry.
The dwindling number of investors for Season 3, in stark comparison to its predecessor, cast a somber shadow. The new season had barely emerged from the remnants of the failure that plagued Season 2.
Clutching onto a humorous slogan like 'Relisting,' the determined producer team sought to obliterate the specter of its predecessor and embarked on meticulous preparations for this program.
Yet, no matter the intricate web of connections or elaborate schemes concocted to cloak the past, certain truths remained irrefutable.
One such truth lay in the composition of the contestant pool.
Those with a more refined training and skill set had gravitated towards alternative audition programs, leaving behind a void. In their quest to assemble a precise cohort of 77 contestants, a multitude of subpar individuals had been incorporated, accentuating the glaring chasm in talent.
An excess of untalented souls, no matter the meticulous editing, imposed limitations on the show's entertainment value.
Within the landscape of South Korean audition programs, the ascent to popularity for the devoid of talent was nigh impossible. Even with shrewd editing, a single misstep would unleash a torrent of relentless criticism.
The issue transcended mere disdain accompanying popularity, as these individuals would be swiftly branded as 'talentless' and 'deceitful.'
Nonetheless, the writer had managed to finalize the elite contenders poised for debuting, thereby mitigating the need to rely on an unforeseen dark horse.
"The forthcoming contestant seems to find themselves in a similar predicament," I remarked, observing the unfolding evaluation process.
The current contender under scrutiny stood as a fresh recruit, having joined the ranks a mere ten days before the initiation of filming.
In an unexpected twist of fate, one of the contestants was swiftly removed from the competition due to a DUI incident, clearing the way for this young recruit who was burdened with no preconceived expectations.
"I must recall his name... Ah, well, he will introduce himself before the evaluation," I contemplated, my memory failing to retain his identity.
The contestant possessed a moderately pleasing voice and presented himself with a certain degree of charm. In the event that things did not go according to plan, his personal background could serve as a narrative device to add depth to his character.
With these considerations, he managed to meet the modest standards set by the lady, driven by the urgency of the recruitment. However, despite these combined merits, he remained little more than a random substitute, filling the void left by his predecessor.
"Well... he could serve as a benchmark for the others," I pondered, recognizing the potential value of his presence in the program.
The judges engaged in casual banter, their interest waning as they perused his unremarkable profile, aside from his notable family situation.
And amidst this deliberation, a notion quietly took hold in the lady's mind.
"Yes, it would be more compelling if he performed abysmally. That would undoubtedly capture people's attention," I contemplated, realizing that the audience might grow weary of ambiguously subpar performances. However, if a few were exceptionally dreadful, the program would appear more abundant. After all, as the adage goes, mocking can also be a form of attention.
Considering he was a commoner with a mere ten days of self-preparation on the stage, the likelihood of him delivering a hilariously disastrous performance was rather high.
With a sense of anticipation, I fixated my gaze upon the stage.
"The next contestant, please step forward!" the announcement resounded, signaling the arrival of the commoner contestant.
Fortunately, it appeared that he had availed himself of a reputable salon, as his countenance now exuded a newfound handsomeness.
However, his demeanor struck a peculiar chord, as if tinged with boredom or melancholy.
Though it could be attributed to his family situation on a previous occasion, she found myself perplexed by his unchanged attitude in the presence of the numerous cameras.
Unbeknownst to her, he had encountered innumerable photographers during his tenure as a substitute camera man. Thus, her lack of awareness regarding this fact left her contemplating.
"Is he the type who conceals his nervousness?" She briefly wondered. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it held little significance. She could effortlessly mold his image as a talented youth who had yet to master the art of humility. The gears of her mind spun diligently, seeking out the most captivating narrative angles.
In that fleeting moment, on the grand stage, Park Moondae attentively listened to the MC's words.
"Yes, contestant, please introduce yourself," the MC's voice reverberated throughout the venue.
"I am Park Moondae. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," he replied, punctuating his words with a respectful bow. This prompted a slight snort from the judges.
"Is that all?" inquired a male judge, his voice tinged with laughter.
The query carried a subtle undertone of skepticism, perhaps intended to elicit a more comprehensive introduction. Nevertheless, Park Moondae simply nodded earnestly.
"Yes, I have nothing particular to divulge," he stated matter-of-factly.
The judges erupted in laughter.
"Well, what a unique individual!"
"He's quite the entertainer!"
Whispers of amusement danced among the judges, inadvertently captured by the ever-present microphones.
"Ah, examining your application, it seems there is very little to note," remarked one judge.
"Indeed, hardly anything
of significance," concurred another.
It was merely a matter of time before they would pose the inevitable question, "Why are you participating in this competition?" However, the judges appeared to believe that querying this after the performance would yield a more profound impact. The laughter gradually subsided, signaling a shift in the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the producer team fostered hopes of capturing a captivating segment.
"Very well, please proceed with your performance," the judges instructed.
"Of course," Park Moondae replied, his demeanor betraying a mischievous childlike curiosity as he gracefully accepted the microphone from the staff.
Before long, a perplexing interlude permeated the airwaves, leaving everyone in a state of bewilderment.
Why had this particular song been chosen for such an occasion?