Chapter 274

If a guy with a strong sense of inferiority and a strong competitive spirit participated in the survival audition, even if he handled it perfectly in the beginning, his true intentions would be leaked more and more.

'Because it's a program that deliberately encourages that kind of psychology.'

In particular, by the time the first team match was underway, he must have already checked the public's first reaction to the participants.

No one knew the exact ranking, but everyone knew it by the number of views and mentions.

'He knows he's at the top. And a contestant who would be a threat.'

Originally, if he saw a good possibility, he'd become more obsessed.

The probability that Chae Seodam was included in Mirynay's 'bad contestants' was not low.

I opened my mouth again.

"If I asked you what kind of contestants they were…"

-Uh, but I could be prejudiced! It's hard to say who specifically did something wrong!

"Yes."

I answered monotonously.

"I don't mean to use it for the purpose of slandering anyone. I just have a little concern. Because when they debut there, they will belong to the same company as us."

-Yes~ That's kind of iffy!

"Yes."

After taking a break here, I asked again.

"Therefore… May I ask you the most memorable misbehavior you've seen there?"

An unstoppable voice came from over the receiver.

- Oh, that's what you meant! Will it be okay if I say it?

Done.

"Yes."

-Yes! The thing that bothered me the most was pretending not to hear!

"Oh, you mean they ignored it?"

It was a bit one-dimensional.

- No, no! Um… . Oh, how am I supposed to explain this?

How would I know?

It was then.

- Huh?

-Unnie!

It became noisy with the sound of running beyond the phone and exclamations like screams.

"… ?"

And there was no sound for a moment as if the phone was blocked, and then the voice changed.

- Hello, sunbaenim! This is Mirynay's Park Minha!

It was Rank 2.

"Yes… Hello, Minha-ssi."

-Yes!!

She was gasping for a quick change. Did she misunderstand this as a love affair?

"I called because I had questions about the new season of ."

- Oh, if you have any questions, I will explain! Because I went too!

I was in a hurry.

"I see. I was wondering if only Jeong Yulgi appeared."

- Ah, aha!

It was a lie. It was just because I thought it would be easier for Jeong Yulgi, who was Rank 1, to tell me.

-Yep… What story are you curious about, sunbaenim!

I moderately shortened the conversation I had with Rank 1 before delivering it. Then, Park Minha inhaled.

-Ah… That's it.

"Minha-ssi must have seen it too."

- Uhm, yes.

The hoobaenim spoke hesitantly with a tone of disapproval.

-What unnie said… She was talking about a false accusation.

Oh.

"False accusation?"

-Yes. There was a person who seemed to accuse another person.

Rank 2 became calmer and calmer as she explained.

-Therefore… Obviously, when there was no camera or mic, it seemed like they were given more time to practice, but in front of the camera, he said, I've never heard of such a thing', dejectedly.

"… !"

-I heard it while unnie and I were on the move to get something. They wouldn't have known we were there.

It must have been a sujiective scene where the participants knew the editing points and created them.

"If it was that way, I think the victim would have had a lot of backlash. It made him look like he was lying."

-Yes. So he just said… 'Yes, you said it, but I may not remember. I'm sorry I couldn't hear you,' he said in a low-key manner.

"… …"

-That's why it's ambiguous to say that we saw it…

He was smart.

It was an act of fooling the opponent. It was an act that fully considered the editorial angle.

Then…

"The one he said that to wasn't ranked high. I'm sure he's the type to not have a lot of friends."

So that he could be banned from the board right at the next ranking announcement. To prevent trouble

-…. Yes. Hmm.

"What is the victim's position?"

-Dance.

I didn't pause on purpose and immediately asked the next question.

"And the person who did it must have the right to debut."

-… ! That, that's it, um.

"Ah, if it's sensitive, it's okay not to answer."

The reaction was not refined, probably because of carelessness. I was sorry, but that response alone was nothing short of positive. Anyway, once it was aired, it could come out anyway.

'A definite debut right now in a dance position.'

There were only two or three people, including Chae Seodam. And considering that it was quite similar to the case heard from Seon Ahyeon…

'In fact, it's safe to say that it's Chae Seodam.'

He was also a guy with a lot of brains.

He targeted a person that had the same position in his team that would compete with him. Due to the other one's low ranking and narrow interpersonal skills, he was sacrificed as he was an easy participant.

And considering the editorial style of the production crew… It seemed that the victim's plan would be dealt with with heat.

If this is the case, it will be difficult to cut after being eliminated.'

Didn't he already defend himself by pretending to lose on the spot, saying 'It could be something I don't remember'?

In a state where the image was fixed already, it'd only make him look inferior.

'… That's too bad.'

There was no way to rescue the victim.

I clicked my tongue, but it wasn't really a bad situation for me.

Didn't it mean that Che Seodam was always showing his true personality here? It seemed easy to catch his tail.

Wasn't I able to use Mirynay once already?

'It would be difficult for us to do it ourselves…'

I couldn't help it, but I'd have to use them now.

"… By any chance, do you have any more schedules related to this season?"

-Yes? Yes. Since we're giving away a song, I think we'll probably go one more time! That… It's during the mid-evaluation after the second team is confirmed.

"Then, can you look at the atmosphere of the trainees at that time?"

Gulp.

A swallowing sound came from the other side of the phone.

- Can I ask for the reason!?

"Because I heard what you just explained… I feel so bad. If they do something worse, I will try to keep some distance even if they debut and are in the same agency."

-Ah. Well, I see!

Rank 2 seemed to be more relaxed.

And after adding the words 'I'll try, but please don't expect too much from me' several times, she politely said goodbye and hung up.

Seeing that she added self-reported words besides the words 'I will work hard', it seemed that her rookie days were coming to an end.

- Goodnight, sunbaenim!

"Yes, you too, Minha-ssi. Excuse me for calling so late."

I hung up.

"Hmm."

The situation was fine.

This bastard seemed to be using his head, but gradually I could see that he was going to do something careless.

'If it were me, I wouldn't have bought it.'

It was at this point in time that he didn't know that he was number one, so I could understand that he was obsessed with 'continuing the upward trend' rather than 'solidifying it'.

And now that he had won first place… I wondered if he was getting careless.

"… …"

Maybe I'd catch something interesting, so I'd have to make another string.

Right now, before the first ranking announcement, it was time to take a break from filming.

After thinking about it for a while, I put in a text message.

[I watched the broadcast. I hope you have good results. I'll cheer you on.]

His opponent would be Gold 2, Kwon Heeseung.

• * *

When I checked the next morning, Gold 2 replied right away.

[Hyung ㅠㅠ Thank you so much for your support, I couldn't contact you in case it would be a burden!]

[l will do my best, you will definitely see me on stage! (Heart-blowing emoticon)]

Thanks to the exchange of regards from time to time, it must have felt like a nuance of 'I've suddenly contacted you because you seem to be popping up'.

And for being back on that damn show, he looked pretty hopeful and spirited. This guy deserved it.

'He got the platinum this time.'

Gold 2 escaped the gold rank.

In addition, he received good editing points and is on a winning streak.

Originally, participating in a survival show for a second time was often a jackpot or a side hit, but this time, it was a jackpot.

-Heeseung is the icon of political upheaval

-As expected, he's still young. Amazing. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

So, the first ranking he received was 3rd place.

Even if he had an existing fan base, he performed well, and the possibility of debuting was considerable in that it had not cooled off even after the broadcast began.

'And if I had to think about the Gold 2 position, it would be closer to dancing.'

What that meant was… there was a high probability that 'Chae Seodam' was filmed.

If anything, he was a target that needed to be kept in check.

Moondaemoondae, who are you texting?"

"Gold….. Kwon Heeseung."

"Hmm."

"I heard an interesting discussion last night."

I told him the details of my phone call with Mirynay. And added some reasoning.

"Ah, I see. Okay."

Keun Sejin smiled and nodded his head. And he turned on his smartphone.

[Keun Sejin: Are you all alive? (eye-rolling emoticon)]

[Keun Sejin: The Idol Co 1st team match, seeing that, doesn't it just remind you guys of our team back then? ㅋㅋ, in my mind, it's completely… The legendary stage of legends!]

He briefly activated the group chat room of 'Idol Co 31', which was the team at the time of the 1st team fight.

And after a few days of hard work, we got active responses and participation from Gold 2.

[Keun Sejin: How is Heeseung? Are you showing the legendary stage once again? (bright emoticon)]

[Kwon Heeseung: ㅋㅋㅋ Ah, hyung, I don't know!! (shy emoticon)]

Bae Sejin was taken aback by the group message room suddenly ringing.

"He's… why?"

"We're spying on this season."

"Spying? … Ah! Okay."

Bae Sejin suddenly became cooperative.

And it seemed that he himself tried to write something.

[Keun Sejin: Tonight, we are going to watch while eating apples. Don't you think apples will taste spicy? ㅋㅋㅋ ]

[Kwon Heeseung: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 100 percent]

[Bae Sejin hyung: That's why I prefer to eat apples in the morning rather than dinner]

After the message was suddenly disconnected, a reply came two minutes later.

[Golden Age Ha Iljun hyung: ㅋㅋ Sejin is still the same!]

"… … ."

Thud.

Bae Sejin hit his head and fell on the sofa.

Well, since everyone was saying that, he didn't need to feel ashamed.

Anyway, since he played a part in lowering the tension and making it more comfortable, it was as if he did his job properly.

And after a few weeks, the time came.

[Participant Chae Seodam said that he was not notified of the changed practice time]

[Frozen Team Atmosphere]

[Chae Seodam: … No, I'm sorry. I don't think I heard it. I'm sorry]

[Lee Hoyoon: No, that's not it. (editing) So I definitely said it!]

[Chae Seodam: Yes, you said it, but I think I remembered it wrong…]

'That scene' was finally aired.

"Wow, that's great."

"I know."

The members were watching the episode in the living room while Seon Ahyeon embroidered in this room.

We had already discussed all the related matters.

[Q: Any regrets?]

[Chae Seodam: I can't help it. I can't ruin the team atmosphere… I'm okay.]

Even the interview with Chae Seodam, which appeared in an exquisite location, was typical of 's editing taste.

"The probability that he really couldn't remember because of a fatal memory problem…"

"No. He's just a bad guy."

Bae Sejin hardened his expression and glared at the screen. I guess he got a feeling.

Anyway, the broadcast continued as it was.

[The winning team is… 'Changer!']

[Whoa!!]

[You will receive a Survival Lottery ticket! And… As a prize, you can appear on TNet's global music broadcast, !]

And the team to which Chae Seodam belonged won the championship.

"Now, the right to live is also given at random by lottery."

"I know, right."

They were bloodthirsty people. Of course, there was something I had to do right away when I thought about this kind of appreciation.

'Because it's been confirmed that the guy I heard from Mirynay is Chae Seodam.'

After the program ended, I followed the guys who naturally dispersed and entered the room with Keun Sejin.

It was time to implement what was discussed.

"Should I do it?"

"Yes."

This guy was better than me. Keun Sejin shrugged his shoulders and then made a call.

To Gold 2.

"What about a recording?"

"I don't think he can. He uses an Apple phone."

Good.

Soon after, the phone was connected cleanly.

"Oh, Heeseung. I'm calling in case you don't know… Actually, I've heard some stories."

-What?

Keun Sejin processed and explained what he heard from Mirynay. Of course, the source was appropriately changed to another staff member.

Of course, the tone was not slander, but worry about Gold 2.

"…But when I saw the show today, that… I wondered if that scene would really come out."

-… …

Gold 2 was silent for a moment. But soon, a long, long sigh was heard over the phone.

-Ah… Oh, it was kind of strange.

Yes.

"Did something bother you?"

-Yes! In our chat… Oh, anyway! After coming out of the rankings, his attitude toward me became a bit strange.

"No way, was he keeping you in check?"

-That's right! I get it now… But for humanity to be like this! Oh, why does this keep happening to me? It was like that last time too!

Gold 2 whined.

Come to think of it, Gold 2 suffered extraordinary checks and disregard from Choi Wongil last season. So this seemed to make more sense.

Keun Sejin spoke softly.

"Once he debuts, he will be in the same group as you. So I thought it would be better to tell you to be careful just in case, so I called!"

-Yes, hyung! Thank you so much… Oh, my life.

Gold 2 grumbled and sighed heavily before hanging up.

Tuk.

Keun Sejin put down his smartphone and laughed.

"The groundwork is fine."

"Good."

At this level, Gold 2 would join as an assistant in case of emergency.

After shrugging my shoulders, I gave the palm of my hand to the guy who asked for a high five and left.

Click.

And it was time to enter my room.

Seon Ahyeon, who was sitting at his desk and tidying up his finished rug, asked quietly.

"Excuse me… W-were you watching Idol Co?"

"… !"

Did he hear it?

I nodded. Seon Ahyeon spoke calmly.

"I-it's okay. Next time… I want to sit down and watch it with you."

"… Okay."

Seon Ahyeon had a slightly pale face but smiled and cleaned up and got up from his seat.

"Because it can't continue like this… I want to get better."

"Alright."

I patted him on the back.

'I'II just show him a short video.'

However, the opportunity for this 'challenge' came sooner than I thought.

A few days later.

"Hello, sunbaenim!"

Because TeStar ran into the contestants of this season, who were carrying a lot of cameras, in the hallway of the broadcasting station.

It was a privilege for the winning team to appear on a music show.

'Fuck.'

Of course, he was among them.

"Hello."

Chae Seodam