After an hour of butchering hits, something miraculous happened. Jinsoo, drenched in sweat and hoarse from effort, managed to sing a full song without sounding like a human disaster. He raised his vocal stat at B-.
He slumped back into the seat, panting like he'd just run a marathon. "Finally," he gasped, wiping his forehead. "I'm a genius."
Before he could bask in his small victory, his phone buzzed on the table, its vibration loud against the cheap plastic. Jinsoo frowned and picked it up.
The screen displayed a single notification:
From: Haron Entertainment
Jinsoo, come to the agency immediately. We need to talk.
His heart sank. This couldn't be good.
"Oh, great," he muttered. "What now? Are they going to fire me for existing? Maybe sue me for wasting oxygen?"
He quickly packed up his things and left the room, ignoring the receptionist's amused look. She didn't say anything, but her raised eyebrow spoke volumes. Jinsoo flipped her off—mentally, of course—and stormed out into the night.
Thirty grueling minutes later, Jinsoo stood outside the Haron Entertainment building. It wasn't particularly impressive—a small, slightly run-down office space squeezed between a laundromat and a chicken joint. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and headed inside, taking the elevator to the top floor.
When he reached the boss's office, he didn't bother knocking politely. Instead, he pounded on the door and pushed it open without waiting for a response.
"Alright, what's this about?" he demanded.
Behind the desk sat Director Kang, a burly man with a permanent scowl etched into his face. He raised an eyebrow at Jinsoo's lack of manners.
"Jinsoo-ya," Kang drawled, his voice dangerously calm. "I suggest you lower your tone unless you want to regret it."
Jinsoo immediately regretted everything. "Uh… sorry, sir. What's this about?"
Kang gestured to a chair. Jinsoo hesitated, then sat, feeling like a child about to be scolded by the principal.
"We've signed you up for a survival show," Kang said bluntly.
Jinsoo blinked. "...What?"
"Proj:ject Star:dom," Kang continued, ignoring Jinsoo's stunned expression. "It's a good opportunity for you to prove yourself—or to show us why we should cut you loose."
Jinsoo stared at him, slack-jawed. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Jinsoo's mind raced. Proj:ject Star:dom? The survival show that had flopped so hard it was practically a meme? The show infamous for its scandals—drugs, pregnancies, and enough drama to rival a soap opera?
"You can't be serious." he said weakly.
Kang smirked. "You start next week. Try not to embarrass us."
Jokes on you, old dude.