Chapter 2
“You’re the first person to come in a military uniform. Did you discharge today?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I was currently standing in front of a camera and several people, in an awkward posture like a mannequin.
The broadcasting station I had arrived at following the writer.
The moment I stood in front of the camera after arriving at the station, the eyes of the writer, who had been treating me so amiably, suddenly changed.
The gaze of a chef looking at fresh ingredients. Like a skilled chef, the writer was looking at me, pondering how to cook me.
If it were the usual me, I would have kicked away this uncomfortable spot and left immediately, but the reason I was quietly enduring this discomfort was...
-Debut as an Idol (0/1)
Reward: ???
Debuting as an idol. Words that felt entirely too sudden to me; countless thoughts crossed my mind while coming here.
‘Is this the path to success?’
‘But an idol? Is this really the right path for me?’
I had never doubted a given objective this much before. What on earth was this objective? Was it the final test given to me?
The time given to me was too short to make a decision right away. However, I didn't want to just let this opportunity slip by.
‘The timing is too coincidental. A broadcasting writer I meet right after the objective to debut as an idol appears? There’s definitely a connection.’
I was confused, but I had to stay true to the current situation. Because I didn't know what kind of impact this opportunity would have on me.
I gathered my dizzy mind and focused on the reality before me.
“Mr. Sunwoo Rin, may I ask what your family situation is like?”
The man who had introduced himself as PD Lee and had shown little change in expression asked me a question for the first time.
“Yes, I live with my grandmother and younger sister.”
Even though I only mentioned my grandmother and younger sister, I could see the eyes of the two writers sitting next to PD Lee sparkling.
Unlike the writers' reaction, PD Lee calmly continued his questions.
“You live with your grandmother and younger sister, I see. Then what about your parents?”
“My father passed away when I was young, and I haven't seen my mother since I was in elementary school.”
“Ah, I see.”
After that, trivial questions continued. They were mostly questions about my relationship with my grandmother and sister, and my childhood.
“By any chance, is giving up on college and enlisting quickly also related to your family situation?”
“I suppose it isn't unrelated.”
At my answer, the writer excitedly jotted something down.
Probably, inside the writer's notes, the story of a pitiful boy challenging to become an idol amidst poverty and despair was being created.
“Then, have you ever learned to sing or dance?”
“No. Not even once.”
“Not even as a hobby? Well, these days a lot of people join dance clubs and stuff like that.”
“Unfortunately, no.”
At my answer, the questioner's face slightly stiffened. Seeing him glare at the writer who brought me, it seemed like the person asking the questions was higher in rank.
The one who hastily stepped up to salvage the situation was, as expected, the writer who brought me here.
“Ahaha, well, that can happen. Anyway, you came here because you have the mindset to challenge yourself now, right?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Everyone, look at this screen. He looks great in person, but his appearance on screen has such a great vibe, doesn't it? What do you think, PD-nim?”
The sight of the writer trying so hard to liven up the dampened atmosphere was almost tear-jerking.
What exactly do these people want from me?
The same desperation as the other audition participants?
I could force a desperate appearance, but that was a poor move. I couldn't spit out a lie here that would ultimately be judged by skill.
The national idol audition, ‘National Idol’.
Although I hadn't been interested in idols until now, I couldn't not know about this audition itself.
‘National Idol’ Season 1, which aired last year. And the girl group ‘Every Girl’ formed through Season 1.
I didn't know exactly how successful this girl group was, but it seemed they were successful enough to capture the hearts of soldiers.
Considering I heard them so much in the barracks that I even remembered each member's name.
Thinking about it, ‘National Idol’ was quite a successful audition, and perhaps I was standing right before catching an amazing opportunity.
According to what I heard while coming here, the period left until the first filming was only about two weeks.
They said the recruitment for most participants was already over.
The remaining spots were roughly one or two. I was standing here right now as a candidate to fill that spot.
The last one or two spots. They say remaining spots, but seeing how they were still looking for people, there was a high chance a vacancy occurred somewhere. In other words, a filler.
Thinking like that, what these people expected of me wasn't a dark horse who would set the debut group competition on fire with incredible skill.
There was no way they'd bring someone in just by looking at their face on the street if they were looking for that kind of talent.
If so, what they wanted from me was an ordinary participant who could spark buzz for the program.
Without an agency, they could use me as they pleased. If things went wrong, they could easily discard me; they were looking for a device to use for such a program.
‘Not a bad opportunity.’
Originally, if I were to compete with skill, it was a position with no prospects. A tool to generate buzz? A device? If they wanted it, I could do it.
I stopped reading the room. The PD sitting in front with a bored expression; if I could just persuade him, I could go on the audition.
I'd think about what happens after I get out later. It was an opportunity given by the ‘Objective’. There was no more time to hesitate and ponder.
I looked into PD Lee's eyes. A slightly tired face and an uninspired gaze. If I didn't show something here, I'd probably never see that face again.
As I stared intensely, perhaps reacting to my gaze, PD Lee's mouth opened.
“Mr. Sunwoo Rin?”
“Yes, PD-nim.”
“What is it that you can show in this audition, Mr. Sunwoo Rin? What special competitiveness do you have compared to other participants?”
A question that felt like it would be the last was thrown at me.
Something only I can show. Thinking too long is a minus. Here, I will show them that I am an entertaining character who can generate buzz for this audition.
“If there's anything that differentiates me from others, it's that I possess an indomitable spirit that never gives up easily.”
“Hmm, I feel like I've heard those words from many other participants as well.”
At my answer, PD Lee's face seemed slightly disappointed. But it was too early for him to be disappointed.
“Will you give me a chance to prove it?”
“Hmm, I'm not sure what it is, but go ahead and do as you please.”
As soon as the PD gave permission, I took a deep breath and placed both hands on my waist. And.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
I rolled my right foot heavily to the beat. The soles of my combat boots hit the floor, creating a loud resonance.
The PD and writers looked at me with expressions of disbelief. I stared back without avoiding their gazes.
[We are men. Men of steel
This life dedicated to country and kin]
A military song I had sung countless times during my service. I stared straight into the camera and sang the military song in a loud voice.
In the end, what I could bet on was my character. Among them, something only I could show, having been discharged not long ago.
I quickly calculated. The die was already cast.
[Men who live by faith and die by justice
Let's go, to that sea, our home]
Glancing at the people, they all wore shocked expressions.
Succeeding in getting their attention was half the battle.
And PD Lee, whose expression was hard to read, was looking at me with a more interested gaze than before.
Would it be a success or a failure?
Finishing came before worrying. The final measure, with a much more determined expression than when I sang it in the barracks, I finished the military song.
[Ah, the united men of UDT
The underwater demolition squad with a manly name!]
‘The result?’
The first thing I saw were the writers' faces, frowning as if they had seen something bizarre.
But I saw a faint smile forming on the PD's lips.
Silence for a while, and then the PD's voice breaking that silence.
“That's interesting. What you want to show, and what you can show, Mr. Sunwoo Rin. I feel like I've understood it enough.”
“Thank you.”
Was it a success?
-Experience points increase.
-Level up.
Looking at the messages floating in front of my eyes, I felt my thoughts were right.
The PD agreed that the character I showed had something that could draw viewers' attention.
I crossed one hurdle for now.
I was curious about what experience points and leveling up were, but I put off checking that for later.
The test wasn't completely over yet.
“I'll ask just one last thing. You seem to have more than enough confidence, but skill can't be replaced by confidence alone. How far do you think you can survive in this audition?”
The last question the PD threw at me.
Was there some hidden intention in that question? I thought for a moment, then stopped pondering.
-Debut as an Idol (0/1)
Reward: ???
I saw the objective right in front of me.
“I have never failed to achieve an objective I set for myself. And my objective this time is to become an idol. Is this enough of an answer?”
Faithful to my current situation. That was enough for an answer.
Hearing my answer, PD Lee replied with a subtle smile.
“Yes, that seems enough. Give it your best shot, Mr. Sunwoo Rin. I'll be watching.”
***
“What has someone who discharged today been doing all day to only come home now?”
It was my sister who greeted me fiercely as soon as I got home. At times like this, there's only one thing needed.
“Here, a gift.”
“Eung, a gift? What is this...”
Handing the shopping bag to my sister, I could see her soften up quite a bit.
“A bag? Isn't this expensive? What money does a soldier have to buy something like this.”
Sister, you say that, but the corners of your mouth are so honest.
Seeing her like it this much, it seems that smooth-talking junior's words weren't wrong after all.
I still don't know if a high schooler really needs a bag at this price, though.
“Wear it well, okay? By the way, where did Grandma go?”
“She went out to buy groceries.”
Even while answering, my sister's eyes showed no sign of leaving the bag.
I decided to give her some time to freely greet the bag at this point and left for my room.
Finally, some time alone.
My mind was still hazy from all the things that happened today, but now it was time to check the most important thing.
“Right, I need to check.”
The status window obtained as a military discharge reward.
And the objective called ‘idol’ obtained after that. It was clear there was some connection.
‘If not, the audition is meaningless.’
With a pounding heart, to check the status window...
“But how do I check the status window? Would saying it out loud work?”
I knew my sister was still distracted by the bag, but...
To prevent any unforeseen disasters, I confirmed that my sister in the living room had gone into her room and closed the door again.
I didn't want to be treated like a weirdo by my sister right after discharging, so I had to be sure about things like this.
Alright, the security perimeter was perfect, and now it was really time to check. With a trembling voice, I spoke softly.
“Status Window.”