Because the exams were around the corner, one unknown student didn't have any motivation. So, in her dispirited state, she just decided to procrastinate while laying in bed.
No one could ever waver her resolve to not study!
'Studying should be done at school, not at home!'
Just as she was browsing through UCube to search for idol videos to watch, a particular live stream made it to her top list of recommendations homepage due to algorithm.
[Idol:Revive Live Create Your New Idols! (Flower Garden Entertainment)]
Curious, the student tapped on it and went directly to the comment section. Sometimes, you could see if the show was interesting just by looking at the comment section.
Yet, all she saw were comments in different languages. Just like the math equations she had a hard time understanding, the letters and symbols made her feel dizzy. Scrolling down more, she finally saw some simple english comments and some Koreans too.
– (stupified emoji) The sponsors!
– Flower garden, daebakkkkkk!
– Drake? Drake?
– Carter Won! So many celebrities!
– JM Park was here.
– Another flop survival show.
– What flop? Get out if you don't recognize anyone from the seats!
The unknown student frowned with the senseless comments. She thought that what she had clicked was something related to idols, but she only saw names she didn't know—well, aside from JM Park.
Because of JM Park's name, the unknown student decided to watch the live without closing the comment section.
As a black clothed woman was speaking on the screen, the camera panned to the sponsors who were intently listening to her words. The unknown student's eyes widened upon seeing some people she knew.
There was that Hollyforest actor she was obsessed with after watching his movie. Actors, singers, producers and even CEOs.
'Really, daebak.'
What's this survival show? Even though she only knew a few people who were shown on the screen, but with the levels of those people, she could entirely be sure that the others she couldn't recognize were also renowned on different parts of the world.
So, that explained the collective surprised comments and emotes on the comment section. Was this survival show about these celebrities?
The unknown student couldn't understand English well, so she focused on reading the Korean subtitles below the screen.
'Oh, so they're sponsors... They would create a global idol group? So, is this like Idolverse? Heh.'
Idolverse, a once popular idol survival series meant to create a so-called global idol group but was cancelled because of a controversy. Its last season became a huge scandal because of the rigged votings and collusions of various entertainment agencies, so the series finally ended after having more than four seasons.
And really, although there were other idol survival shows like Idolverse in the market, most had flopped with their low ratings. After being duped by the "snake" company of Idolverse, no one trusted these kinds of shows again which uses paid public voting. They were deemed popularity contests and not genuine contests of skills and talents.
Just recently, another survival show trended on SNS after the trainees were treated like dancing machines.
Waiting for a bit more without any expectations, the first audition participant was finally shown. Looking at his panicky expression and his plain but somewhat charming looks, the unknown student couldn't help but chuckle.
'Oh, he's quite cute...'
That's what she thought until the participant somehow had a change in his aura before his performance.
"Ahhhh... Where did I go wrong?"
The unknown student's heart seemed to stop for a moment just hearing the man's voice.
Gulp.
'This participant... I want him!'
Deciding to later search up for this man's name to add on her support list, the unknown student was even more glad she decided to slack off today. Today, she just met another love of her life.
The comment section also slowed down for a bit.
– Oooohhhh.
– Holy.
– Whoever broke this man, thank you. Let me fix him on your behalf.
"I wanted to hold onto you..."
As the last words of the man lingered in the air, the unknown student felt his melancholy even when a screen separated them.
'I think this show at least wouldn't be a flop.'
Overflowing with various lines of text from commenters, the unknown student wasn't even able to follow the comment section anymore.
– goosebumps.
– It's finished?
– I want more!
The sponsors on the screen were left hanging with some of their mouths agape.
Before the live viewers could even recover from the feeling of being left behind by the first participant's song, someone from the sponsors' seat had already calmed themselves and requested for the participant to dance.
The breathless man, who had just performed a breathtaking song, was informed of it and reluctantly stood up.
'They didn't cut it?'
Usually, in these shows, some performances would be cut out because not everything could be shown within a limited time. Only the interesting parts would be able to make it during the broadcast.
'Don't tell me he's not only good at singing?'
With a wide smile and fast heart beats, the unknown student anticipated the dance performance of this participant. When the song played, the comment section took a great turn again. English comments and laughing emojis flew all over the comment section.
– Wait, is this what I'm thinking of?
– Bruh Fitness? (Laughing emoji)
– Fellow countryman?
– Hahahahahahahahaha
– condolence in advance.
'What's happening?'
A few moments later, the unknown student was able to understand it. His dance performance was really shown because it was interesting. It wasn't interesting because he was good, but because he was ridiculous.
– 100 singing, 0 dancing!
– Whoever said they could fix this man, please fix him now (crying in laughter emoji)
– Still a cutie tho (heart heart)
– I can still fix him. Imma just buy some oil.
Laughing her heart out, the unknown student scrolled down the comment section to amuse herself. True, he's still cute, but she couldn't watch anymore as it would taint the first impression she had of him.
When negative comments, entered her vision, she scowled in disappointment. There were just too many people who hadn't received love at all and had to say bad things to other people!
– Yuck, you think this is cute?
– Die, sucker.
– RU joking? Dis person wants 2 become an idol? Eww
– Please fix your typings first before you comment.
– Eww (puking emoji)
– Eww (puking emoji)
– Eww (puking emoji)
– Stop spamming, would you?
But once again, the comment section momentarily paused when the participant on the screen did an unthinkable thing. Even she was taken aback and shifted her gaze back on the show.
Backflip!
– What just happened?
– I just blinked and he could dance well now?
In the end, the first participant left the audiences with a mixed feeling. Most thought it didn't matter if he couldn't dance well—just his singing alone was phenomenal. Others said that he should just be a singer and not attempt to be an idol.
On the other hand, the unknown student was just praying that this man would pass. The sponsors were also left baffled by this person.
Finally the results were shown on the screen. Five faces were fitted on different frames, each having their own expression. One had a similar look with the unknown student—a wide excited smile on her face. The other three had an unreadable expression, while the last one was just clapping with a small smile on her face.
"Five sponsors."
Seeing the result, the man's black rounded eyes twinkled. The corner of his lips turned up, his face brimmed with innocent radiance.
'Ah, he's too cute...'
The show continued and the second participant also showed up. His long brown hair made a sexy impression to her.
'This one's also handsome. Maybe I should also add him to the list.'
Thinking about that, the unknown student also remembered her best friend. Usually, they would share stories about idols and stuffs when they were together.
For sure, she would also like this show. Although it was co-ed, which was a bit of a turn off, there were so many cute guys too.
After copying the link for the live, she quickly closed the app before opening CocoaTalk.
[Seoyun!!!]
It took a while before her friend replied.
[What?]
[Look, look. There are cute guys! Link]
A few minutes later, her friend responded again.
[You're right! Hehe, where did you find this show?]
[Just somewhere.]
Giggling in happiness of sharing the good food with her friend, the unknown student came back to UCube to watch the live.
Ding!
Another message arrived from her friend.
[But Minji, have you studied for the exams tomorrow yet?]