Chapter 17
'Min-ah, you're coming to see your brother's performance, right?'
At my friend's sudden words, I answered that obviously I wouldn't go.
And had to suffer all kinds of criticism like, 'You're cold, heartless, a beast who has abandoned human decency, how could you become a black-hearted beast, you foolish woman.'
'Is it really that wrong to not go to the audience viewing?'
'Of course! As Lin oppa's younger sister, I can't forgive your indifferent behavior!'
'Since when are you my brother's sister?'
'If he's your brother, then of course he's my brother too!'
'No...'
Unable to win with words, I eventually gave in.
Come to think of it, I realized that audience tickets weren't that easy to get, so I hastily wrapped up the conversation by saying that if she got tickets, we'd go together.
"Though I obviously have no intention of applying for audience tickets."
Still, I was curious about what kind of performance it was, so after a long time, I searched about National Idol.
'People are more interested than I thought.'
I had forgotten about it for a while after seeing the preview last time.
It seemed that various teasers had been released in the meantime.
I could see posts rolling out teasers with anticipation for the first round of competition and the audience viewing that was finally about to begin.
'Are there any reactions about oppa?'
It felt like opening Pandora's box, but unable to contain my curiosity, I searched the name Seon U-rin.
'Hmm, there are fewer reactions than I expected.'
Looking at the main track performance video, it seemed he received a high grade. He also appeared quite a bit in the preview, so I was secretly expecting more.
It wasn't completely absent, but there were far fewer posts about oppa than I had anticipated.
'Well, he doesn't even have an agency, and not many videos have been released yet... wait a minute.'
A sudden anxious premonition flashed through my mind.
'No way, that can't be.'
My head was denying it, but my hands were already typing.
Sneeze.
When I searched those three letters, about ten times more posts appeared than when I had searched his name.
-The sneeze is so hilarious no matter how much I think about it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Is the gag character for this season already decided? ㅋ But what was the name again?
└ㅅㅇㄹ
-Currently watching just the sneeze gif for the 100th time, even while writing this I'm grinning to myself while looking at the gif ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ ㅋ
-Why is everyone only talking about the sneeze, stop rolling that damn ㅅㅇㄹ teaser and give us our prepared main vocal Woo Jung-woo-
└ri, wanna meet today...? Achoo!
"Aaaagh!"
I was startled by the mad party targeted at my own flesh and blood and dropped the phone I was holding.
"Ah, it hit my eye."
As I was kicking the blanket with my foot to vent my frustration at the dark history I created myself.
"Min-ah, what are you doing?"
"Ah, it's nothing... haha."
"Really? Anyway Min-ah, did you know your brother is going to be on TV soon?"
"Ah, really? I didn't know."
"Good grief, show some interest in your one and only brother. Grandma is just going to pop over to the supermarket ahead for a bit."
"Okay. Have a safe trip, Grandma!"
I definitely didn't lie.
I don't know anyone called Sneeze.
As I was deep in self-rationalization, I heard Grandma leaving.
'I'm just looking out of curiosity. Let me just peek at what the reactions are like and then stop.'
I slowly looked through the posts about oppa again.
'It's not all positive reactions.'
There were as many negative reactions as there were posts finding it funny.
Posts saying they didn't want to see him, that he was an attention seeker, were common enough, but there were also harsher criticisms.
Among them, the post that stuck in my memory the most was:
-Since he has no skills, he's aggro-baiting with that kind of thing. Trainees without skills will get exposed quickly anyway.
'Whether he has skills or not, what do they know from just seeing the preview?'
I was worried that oppa might see those posts and get hurt.
'Seon U-rin searching his own name? That could never happen.'
No matter how I thought about it, it was needless worry.
I couldn't imagine oppa being hurt by malicious comments at all.
'I should stop looking too.'
In the end, oppa will overcome it well on his own.
He's always been like that since he was young.
Oppa has always been a sturdy pillar of support for our family.
Enduring alone, persevering alone, achieving something alone.
And now, to show his true worth to people, it seemed like he had finished all preparations to soar high.
'Even if I can't help, at least I shouldn't cause harm to oppa.'
There's nothing to worry about right now, but you never know what might happen. I always have to be careful.
As I made that resolution and was about to put down my phone.
'What's this?'
The regeneration speed of the posts suddenly increased, and new keywords started appearing.
'60-second self-introduction? Has it been released now?'
I decided to check just this one last thing and accessed the National Idol main homepage.
As soon as I entered the site, I saw photos of 77 trainees.
Among them, oppa with an A grade was positioned at the very top of the trainees.
'Is this it? Self-introduction video, Seon U-rin. The view count is already... one, ten, hundred, thousand... ten thousand?'
Even though the video had just been released, the view count was already past four zeros.
In the preview, I could see oppa dressed up in the trainee uniform.
'It seems like he didn't do any weird cosplay. He filmed it normally this time, right? Please.'
With a nervous heart, I played the video.
-Certain victory! A super soldier who appeared on National Idol to protect the precious national judges! Captain Korea...
I couldn't endure even 3 seconds and turned off the screen.
-Grenade throw! Fire in the hole!!! Are you okay? Did I startle you?
A problem I hadn't even considered occurred.
"Why is the sound still coming out!!!"
Damn X-tube X-premium.
***
"Grenade throw!!!"
"Everyone run, Captain Korea has appeared!"
"Help us. Captain Korea!!"
I kept my eyes tightly shut and ignored the Bu brothers who were excitedly making a racket behind me.
"Are you okay? Did I startle you? Now that Captain Korea has appeared, don't worry!"
I didn't like this current situation.
Other trainees had finished their makeup and were resting, but I was the only one left, still receiving makeup.
"Captain Korea! I've been waiting only for you! Let's hurry and defeat that evil horde!"
"Of course, just trust me! UDT kick! UDT punch!"
And the fact that I couldn't move right now and was completely unable to fight back against the Bu brothers who were eagerly teasing me.
"Hahahahaha."
Finally, the makeup artist, who was the root cause of all these problems, couldn't hold back her laughter and kept laughing, which was making my makeup time stretch longer and longer, which I extremely disliked.
"You two over there. Are you perhaps only living for today? You must be confident you won't run into me again, right?"
"Eek! Captain Korea is angry!"
"Let's run!"
After barely sending the Bu brothers out, there was still another problem remaining.
"Hehe, hek... keuk, I'm sorry... it's just so funny, hehe."
"It's fine."
You can laugh all you want, so please just finish quickly.
I couldn't spit out the words I had been holding back in my heart, and waited quietly after letting everything go.
"I actually really enjoyed watching Mr. Rin's self-introduction video. Ah! I also really enjoyed the sneeze last time..."
Yes, I understand, ma'am. So please finish quickly.
"I've seen many people while doing this makeup work, but it's been a really long time since I met someone who transmits such good energy like Mr. Rin. Did I tell you? I went to an 'Off' concert before, and ah! I heard you're performing an Off song this time..."
"Yes. That's right."
Rather than listening to those words any longer, I chose to close my eyes and pretend to be tired.
"Ah, you must be very tired, right? I'm sorry for rambling on too much."
If you're sorry, please finish quickly!
"Haha, it's fine."
Why couldn't I speak honestly?
Is this the life of an idol? I didn't expect to have this kind of experience already.
Still, it'll be over soon, right? As I waited with that thought.
"To make up for it, I will truly do my best and make this the greatest work of my life. Please look forward to it!"
I gave words of thanks I didn't mean, and overcame my lonely time alone while wondering if I'd be able to eat dinner tonight.
And about 30 more minutes passed.
"Alright, it's done!"
"Wow!"
The moment I opened my closed eyes.
I let out an exclamation without realizing it at the sight of myself that didn't seem like me.
The me reflected in the mirror had a face with slightly sharp yet deeply defined features, matching today's stage concept.
'Was makeup originally this amazing?'
When I received it before, it didn't seem to have such a dramatic effect.
She told me to just trust her, could she actually be a true master?
"How is it? Are you satisfied?"
"Yes, it doesn't seem like me. Something seems to have changed a lot, but it also still seems like me. Anyway, it's amazing."
This much was enough of a reward to endure the time of suffering.
Even though I was mentally exhausted before the stage.
Probably everyone would be surprised when I returned to the waiting room, right?
As I was having such pleasant imaginations, a message appeared before my eyes.
-Your appearance stat has temporarily increased by receiving the touch of a master craftsman.
"Ma'am! Thank you so much! You are truly the greatest master craftsman! I look forward to working with you in the future too!"
As soon as I saw the message, I immediately stood up and bowed my head at a 90-degree angle.
After bowing repeatedly to the makeup artist who wore a satisfied smile, I left the dressing room and ran to the restroom.
Standing in front of the restroom mirror, I looked at my reflection and thought.
'My appearance stat right now is B+, even though it's temporary. Then...'
I couldn't hold back any longer.
'Status window!'
[Name: Seon U-rin]
Level: 4
Stamina: S-
Vocal: D+
Dance: C+
Appearance: B+(B)
Charm: B-
Remaining Points: 1
Traits
- Hatchling, Perfect Match, Rival, Novice Choreographer
I looked back and forth between the 1 remaining point and the appearance stat flickering before my eyes.
And.
'I will invest the remaining point into the appearance stat.'
-Your appearance stat has increased to A-.
***
The studio was packed with audience members.
The lights in the audience seats flickered, and when Ria appeared on the empty stage, cheers erupted from the seats.
"Hello, national judges. I am Ria, the chief judge of the nation's audition 'National Idol Season 2.'"
The long-awaited 'National Idol Season 2', the first round team battle evaluation stage will now unfold in this very place."
"You're eager to see that stage, right?"
Yeeees!-
The audience members, who had been exhausted from the long wait, radiated tremendous energy as if asking whether they had been tired yesterday.
"Right now, behind the stage, trainees are waiting for your choices. Please shout the name of the trainee you support with a loud voice!"
Yujin Kim!!
Park Han-hwi, I love you~!!!
Kang A-jin is mine!!
Captain Korea...!
"Yes, it seems your passionate enthusiasm has been well conveyed to the trainees as well."
"The first round of competition is a team battle. A total of 12 teams, 2 teams per song, will compete against each other for 6 hit songs by senior idols."
"The winning team of the competition will receive an enormous benefit of 10,000 votes per person, which will be applied to the first ranking announcement."
"Also, the trainee who receives the most votes in the on-site voting will receive a special benefit. Please check what that benefit is through the broadcast."
Just as the audience was about to get bogged down by the lengthy explanation.
Ria paused for a moment, took a breath, and spoke.
"Now, let's meet the very first stage. It's time to pick your star!"