Jiwon stood in the practice room with his groupmates, exhaustion weighing down his limbs after hours of vocal and dance rehearsals. Despite the tiredness, there was an electric buzz of excitement in the air. The CEO had hinted at something big during their morning meeting, but none of them knew what it was. All eyes were on Jiwon as the leader, but even he had no idea what was coming next.
Suddenly, the door opened, and their manager walked in with a serious expression. He held a stack of papers in one hand and a tablet in the other.
"Alright, guys, listen up. We've got something big coming your way," he began, his voice firm but excited. "The company has decided that Atelier will be participating in a reality survival show called Idol Breakthrough."
The room fell into stunned silence. A reality show? Jiwon's mind raced as the implications sank in. Reality shows were known for their brutal honesty, the harsh light of public scrutiny, and relentless competition. While it could boost their fame, it would also mean exposing their weaknesses to millions of viewers.
"The show will be broadcasted nationwide," the manager continued. "You'll be competing with other trainee groups, not just from our company but from others. It'll test everything—vocals, dance, teamwork, and your mental endurance. The winning group gets fast-tracked to debut."
Jiwon could feel the tension in the room spike. Atelier was already close to debut, but this added another layer of pressure. Not only would they be judged by professionals, but by the public too.
As the manager handed out the official forms, he added, "One last thing—this isn't optional. You're all expected to participate. It's a huge opportunity, but it's also going to be incredibly challenging."
Jiwon glanced around at his groupmates, seeing the mix of excitement and anxiety on their faces. Hoseok seemed eager, cracking his knuckles in anticipation, while Taeyong shifted nervously, his eyes glued to the contract.
Jiwon signed his name at the bottom of the form. There was no turning back now.
Later that evening, after the announcement had sunk in, Jiwon found himself alone in the practice room, going through the choreography once again. His mind, however, was elsewhere.
He hadn't heard from the IDOL System in days, and a part of him was relieved. He had reached vocal level S and hit his weight goal of 50kg, and for once, it felt like things were in his control. But now, with the looming challenge of the survival show, he wondered when—if—the system would reappear.
As if on cue, a soft ping echoed in his head.
IDOL System Version 2.0 Activated: New Challenge Available
Jiwon closed his eyes, exhaling slowly as he mentally opened the system screen.
NEW CHALLENGE:
Participate in the survival show Idol Breakthrough. Stay in the top 5 rankings during the duration of the show.
Consequence for Failure:
Loss of vocal stat level S. Vocal level reset to A.
Reward for Success:
Exclusive promotional feature with a major entertainment magazine. Vocal stat level improvement from S to S+.
Jiwon's heart sank. The stakes were higher than ever. If he didn't perform well, not only would he be letting his group down, but the system would penalize him—hard. He had worked so long and endured so much to reach vocal level S; losing it now would be a devastating blow.
The reality of the challenge hit him like a tidal wave. He couldn't afford to fail. This was his moment to shine—or crash.
The next morning, the filming for Idol Breakthrough began. The cameras were everywhere, capturing every movement, every interaction. Jiwon could feel the weight of the lenses on him, but he kept his cool. He had to; this was a make-or-break moment.
The first challenge was a live vocal performance, with each group singing a different song. Atelier was assigned a difficult ballad, a test of vocal range and emotion. As the group's leader and lead vocalist, Jiwon had to set the tone.
During rehearsals, the other trainees watched them closely, their eyes filled with judgment and envy. Jiwon could sense the tension—some groups clearly saw Atelier as the top competition. He didn't let it faze him, though; this was what the IDOL System had prepared him for.
But as the day of the live performance drew closer, the pressure mounted. Taeyong struggled with his harmony lines, and Hoseok's confidence wavered during his rap section. Jiwon did his best to keep everyone focused, but his own nerves were starting to creep in.
On the day of the performance, Jiwon stood under the bright stage lights, the audience packed with fans, and the judges seated sternly at the front. The cameras zoomed in on his face, and for a brief moment, doubt flickered in his mind.
But then, he remembered the system's task. Failure was not an option.
The music began, and Jiwon poured every ounce of emotion and technique into his performance. His voice soared effortlessly through the high notes, his movements sharp and precise. Atelier's performance was met with thunderous applause.
Jiwon could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins as they left the stage. The performance had gone well, but the real challenge lay ahead. Would they make it through the survival show unscathed, or would the IDOL System strip him of everything he had worked for?
As the night came to a close, Jiwon checked the system screen once again.
Progress:
Vocal level maintained at S. Current rank: 3rd place.