The morning dance class for the debut team starts at 9 AM sharp. Hwang Seong-man, the dance instructor, entered the practice room. Hwang Seong-man takes great pride in his dancing skills. Due to his exceptional talent, he is not only an active dancer but also trains the debut team at Honey Entertainment. Before starting the morning dance class, he noticed a new trainee he had never seen before.
'He's handsome.'
His first impression was admiration for the trainee's looks. Having seen many trainees, he occasionally came across someone who seemed promising, and today's new trainee gave him that feeling.
"Are you the new recruit?"
"Yes. I'm Jin Hae-sol, 20 years old!"
"You seem spirited."
The fact that such a trainee had been added to the debut team was quite significant.
"After class, come to the office after lunch. You need to sign the contract."
"Contract?"
"You haven't signed the trainee contract yet, right? Once you sign that, you'll be under full management. Have you all stretched?"
"Yes!"
"Yes."
Listening to the responses from Gi Woo-yeon and Kang Gyeong-tae, Hwang Seong-man carefully examined the body of the new trainee, Jin Hae-sol. If a woman did this, it would be considered sexual harassment, but as a man, Hwang Seong-man had the right to scrutinize the male trainees' bodies.
"Have you exercised? Your body is nice."
"Not really?"
"Why are you asking? Either you did or you didn't."
"I don't think I have."
Puzzled by Jin Hae-sol's strange way of speaking, Hwang Seong-man directly touched his body.
"Ugh."
"It's okay for guys to touch each other a bit, right? You won't have any problems dancing. Your muscles are adequately developed."
"Can you tell that just by touching?"
"More or less? I learned a bit in C-Class."
"Haha, maybe just the basics?"
"Looking at your face, it seems you didn't learn much. Well, if it weren't for her background, she would have been kicked out of Honey Entertainment long ago. Unfortunately, she's the niece of the CEO, so she can't be fired. She started as an A-Class instructor but was demoted to C-Class due to her lack of ability and multiple sexual harassment incidents. There's no way she could have taught you properly."
"If you bring the attitude from C-Class here, it won't work. You know what the debut team is, right? In C-Class, no matter what you did, you weren't controlled, but now that you're in the debut team, you'll be managed in every aspect. You'll probably get all the explanations when you sign the trainee contract."
"Yes."
The response was not very enthusiastic.
'Does he lack confidence in his skills?'
There are many who start their trainee life relying solely on their looks. Most of them can't endure the rigorous trainee life and the jealousy from other trainees, eventually giving up.
'No matter how handsome he is, to survive in this industry, he needs perseverance and effort. I wonder if this guy has what it takes.'
These days, young men lack ambition. Since men are so rare, they are pampered and avoid hard and tiring work. Many don't understand why they should choose this difficult path when there are easier options. As a result, Honey Entertainment has the most male trainees applying but also the most dropping out. Hwang Seong-man decided to test the new trainee Jin Hae-sol's attitude.
"Let's start the class."
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It's tough.
"Pant! Pant!"
"Who told you to rest?! Is practice a joke?! Run!!"
The loud voice hurt my ears. But more painful than my ears was my heart. My heart felt like it was about to burst, yet I had to keep running. Is learning to dance always this hard? Am I the only one struggling this much? I glanced at Kang Gyeong-tae and Gi Woo-yeon. They were sweating too, but they were dancing much better and enduring well.
'Damn it.'
Curses escape my mouth. Gi Woo-yeon has been enduring this life since he was 12. And me? I came here with no resolve, no dreams, just attracted by the glamour of being an idol.
'I want to run away!!'
But Pony threatened to dispose of me if I didn't succeed in debuting as an idol. Although it's likely a bluff, I can't ignore it. If I run away and it turns out not to be a bluff, I'm dead. I can't risk it.
'What should I do?'
Idiot, what do you mean what should you do? Obviously, have sex. If just having sex can boost your abilities, and you're not impotent, why did you chicken out?
"With skills like that, I can't believe you got into the debut team. Honey Entertainment must be going downhill. How could they think of putting someone like you in the debut team? What gave you the confidence to join the debut team? Just give up and leave Honey Entertainment."
Kang Gyeong-tae, who initially guarded against me, now pitied me after hearing the harsh words from Teacher Hwang Seong-man.
'My mental state won't be shaken by this.'
At least this is because I can't dance well. Getting scolded for something I didn't do would be much worse. I deliberately acted disciplined.
"I will try my best!"
"Do you think trying will make a difference? You're a klutz. Does it make sense for an idol to be a klutz? The male debut team will be decided soon. You know the rumors among the trainees. With your skills, it's impossible to make the debut team this time. You said you're 20, right? You better give up on the next chance."
If a trainee doesn't debut by the age of 20, the chances of debuting decrease significantly. The average age of idols is very young.
'Why are you guys getting so worked up?'
I'm the one being scolded, yet Gi Woo-yeon and Kang Gyeong-tae look more distressed. Especially Kang Gyeong-tae, who is part of the group being criticized, is on the verge of tears.
'He looks like he's about to lose it.'
I rolled my eyes, signaling the teacher to look at Kang Gyeong-tae.
"I'm talking right now, so why are you rolling your eyes… Gyeong-tae?!"
Kang Gyeong-tae finally broke down in tears. Seeing this, the teacher realized his words had gone too far and looked regretful.
"Why are you crying?"
"Sniff…! Teacher, can I really debut? I'm already 21. If I don't debut this time, I have to leave, but I'm not sure if I can make it into the debut team. Sniff…! I worked so hard to become an idol, what am I lacking?"
He sobbed. I discreetly joined Gi Woo-yeon and gave the teacher a reproachful look. The teacher was sweating profusely, trying to console the crying Kang Gyeong-tae.
"Are you okay, Hae-sol?"
"Huh? Why?"
"You heard some harsh words from the teacher earlier."
"Nah, those weren't harsh. He was just stating facts. I know my dancing skills are terrible. You must have noticed, but I got in here because of my looks, not my skills. I expected to get scolded."
"Wow… You have a really strong mentality. If I were you, I would have cried like Gyeong-tae."
"If you want to be an idol, you need this kind of mentality. If you start crumbling now, you won't make it."
Male idols make a lot of money, but there's a price to pay. They have to endure a certain level of sexual harassment from their female fans.
Wait a minute!
Don't interpret sexual harassment and sexual assault in Earth terms.
'Just holding hands without permission is considered sexual harassment. Staring intently can also be considered sexual harassment.'
Male idols have to endure being touched or stared at by fans. Men here are not pufferfish; they feel significant stress from the attention of women. But when you hear about it, you might roll your eyes, thinking, 'What's the big deal?' However, experiencing it firsthand is no joke.
'I never knew a gaze could be so piercing.'
Male idols have to endure this.
"Hae-sol, you're amazing. If we debut together, it will be very reassuring."
"Do you think it's okay for me to be in the debut team? You've seen my skills."
"Honestly, I'm confident in my skills, but I'm not good-looking. But you, Hae-sol, you're handsome and have a strong mentality. Being around someone with a strong mentality can be healing. Hehe, I know it's too early to be excited since we don't know if we'll make the debut team, but just imagining it makes me excited! Hehe!"
The pure smile of a 17-year-old boy. Gi Woo-yeon also openly expressed his desire to be in the debut team.
'I feel a bit sorry.'
If he started his trainee life at 12, that means he's been working hard for 5 years. My being in the debut team is a done deal.
'To not feel sorry for this kid.'
It seems the only solution is sex.
"Ahem. Gyeong-tae, go to the bathroom and take a short break."
Gyeong-tae, with tears streaming down his face, disappeared into the bathroom. The rest of us in the practice room looked at each other and the teacher.
"…Jin Hae-sol, are you okay?"
If I start crying too, I could completely shatter Hwang Seong-man's mentality.
"I'm fine. It's true that I can't dance well. Feel free to scold me in the future. Just don't tell me to quit. I have a strong mentality. If I can improve my skills, I can do anything."
My words seemed to resonate with the teacher. His expression softened.
"…It seems I misjudged you."
"Huh? Misjudged?"
All I did with Hwang Seong-man was learn to dance and get scolded. What could I have done to be misjudged?
"If you're that determined, good. I'll do my best to teach you. But be prepared as you said."
"Yes!"
This was the first sign of goodwill from Hwang Seong-man. Honestly, I was planning to improve my abilities through sex, so this enthusiasm was unexpected. But I couldn't say it was unnecessary.
'I think I said something wrong.'
This feels ominous. But Gi Woo-yeon, excited, didn't give me a chance to speak.
"Wow! What are you doing?! Me too! I'll work hard too, Teacher!! Teach me more."
"You're the best dancer among the trainees, what more do you want from me?"
"To make it into the debut team, being the best among the trainees isn't enough. Teach me more~ Teacher!!"
Gi Woo-yeon clung to Hwang Seong-man. Such enthusiasm was something I could never do.
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