Chapter 9
-The trait 'Rival' is activated. (Target: Eugene Kim)
When achieving a higher grade (rank) than Eugene Kim, the Charm stat will increase by 1 level.
A condition that I wondered if I could ever achieve had appeared.
After the last grade evaluation ended, I looked up a few of the somewhat famous participants.
Especially Eugene Kim.
He was a much more amazing person than I thought, to the point where it was strange I didn't know about him.
After placing as the runner-up in the American audition, he successfully charted on the Billboard album chart with his first single album, for which he wrote and composed all the songs himself.
Although he didn't make it into the Hot 100, he was a rising rookie whose musicality was already recognized.
After releasing his album, he took a break from activities for a while, so his whereabouts were unknown.
‘To think he came out for a Korean audition to become an idol.’
I don't know what kind of persuasion the National Idol production team used, but just having Eugene Kim appear would be a huge help to the program's buzz.
If the production team had any sense, they wouldn't use a good card like Eugene Kim as a one-time disposable.
Probably, the early ranking battle would undoubtedly be dominated by Eugene Kim, right?
I even thought that maybe the X grade was created for Eugene Kim's growth narrative.
I don't know what role I would play in that growth narrative, though.
‘There's no harm in sticking close to him.’
Just sticking by his side was unconditionally beneficial in terms of broadcast screentime. Since we were in the same grade and would be using the same room, I would probably get a few passing shots at least.
‘Let's just make sure I don't get strangely tangled up as the villain.’
For now, there were no signs of that, but if the broadcasting bastards set their minds to editing, who knows what could happen.
I made up my mind to be careful with every word in the interviews, and at the writer's instruction to unpack before the entrance ceremony, I moved to the X grade room.
When I entered the room, the 4 trainees besides me had already arrived.
The room seemed to be for 6 people, with 6 beds and lockers placed inside.
Since there were 5 of us, one spot would be empty. It was obviously better than being fully packed.
However.
The four hadn't even unpacked yet and were just staring blankly at each other.
No, to be exact, two of them seemed completely uninterested in this situation. The other two were fidgeting with expressions that said, ‘I should do something, but how?’
Normally, I'm the type who can't stand stifling atmospheres, so I would have stepped up and sorted things out.
But thinking that every single one of my actions could be broadcast right now, even my actions became more cautious than usual.
"Are all the X grades gathered? The entrance ceremony will be held in the main auditorium in an hour, so you can unpack, rest, and come down before then."
Fortunately, the writer came and told us what we needed to do.
Now, I just need to pick a spot and unpack.
"Excuse me, writer. I don't quite understand..."
"Ah, Wei Tianyu trainee. Do you perhaps not understand at all?"
The Chinese trainee Wei Tianyu spoke in awkward Korean.
I also remembered him saying he hadn't been in Korea for long.
‘Anyway, he's really handsome.’
To describe Wei Tianyu in one word.
A sculpted pretty boy.
That one phrase explained everything.
Anyway, seeing the flustered faces of Wei Tianyu and the writer, it seemed like I shouldn't just stay still.
I swallowed a sigh that was rising to my chin and spoke.
[She said you can unpack and rest in the dorm, and then attend the entrance ceremony that will be held in the main auditorium in an hour.]
[Ah! I understand! Thank you!]
When I spoke in Chinese, the writer and the other trainees looked at me with intrigued expressions.
"Oh my, Seonwoo Rin trainee, you speak Chinese really well!"
"I can handle basic conversation."
"Come on, you look like you're really good at it just by looking. Wei Tianyu trainee can rely on Seonwoo Rin trainee from now on."
As expected, the price of stepping forward was taking on the responsibility.
This is why I shouldn't step forward first, but this damn personality of mine doesn't change easily.
Still, seeing Wei Tianyu looking at me with sparkling eyes gave me some comfort. It feels like I've become a bit of a babysitter?
"Oh right! One more thing. We need to choose a room leader for this room, is there anyone who wants to volunteer?"
Hey writer, if you say that now...
At the writer's words, the three trainees excluding Wei Tianyu looked at me as if perfectly timed.
"It would be best for Seonwoo Rin trainee to do it, right? Then Seonwoo Rin trainee is the room leader of the X grade dorm! Here, fill this out and hang it on the room door."
The writer gave me a piece of paper and immediately left.
Looking at the paper, it seemed I just needed to write our names for each bed spot.
‘It's not the military, but to think I'm back in dorm life right after being discharged.’
Anyway, since I took on the role of room leader, even if it was annoying, I had no choice but to do it.
"Alright, let's decide on the spots first. Does anyone want the top bunk?"
As soon as I spoke, two people raised their hands immediately. I explained it separately to Wei Tianyu in Chinese, but he shook his head.
The ones who raised their hands were Eugene Kim and Baek Sihyeon.
And.
"I don't mind any spot."
Perhaps feeling relieved now that the atmosphere had eased a bit, Sim Sungha said with a slight smile.
Sim Sungha was also a face I knew well.
He was the talked-about figure who appeared as the eldest son among 11 siblings in the '11 Siblings' episode of 'Human Drama', my grandmother's favorite program.
I remember that at the time, his appearance taking care of his younger siblings and his warm looks caused a lot of buzz.
I remember his dream was to be an idol, but to think we'd appear on the audition together.
"Then two people will use the top bunks, and the three of us will use the bottom bunks. Let's unpack first."
Fortunately, the spots were decided without any major issues.
I took my luggage out of my carrier and started organizing it in the locker.
"Wow, how did you do this?"
Sim Sungha, who was organizing his luggage next to me, exclaimed in admiration as he watched my locker being organized.
"How do you fold towels like this? It's really amazing."
"Ah, this isn't difficult."
I unfolded one towel in front of Sim Sungha and showed him how to fold it again.
‘Ah... this is what they call a 『Military Veteran』.’
While I was having my delusional thoughts. The other three, who hadn't said a word until then, also stared at me with interested eyes.
"It's amazing!"
"Wow!"
I felt a bit embarrassed that they were admiring something so trivial, but I didn't feel bad seeing the kids admiring it so purely.
"Hey, we haven't even introduced ourselves properly yet. Shall we each introduce ourselves?"
Thinking the atmosphere had eased a bit, the now brightened Sim Sungha suggested introducing ourselves first.
At Sim Sungha's words, the other three also nodded, and Sim Sungha started his introduction first.
"I'm 19 years old, Sim Sungha. I've been a trainee for 2 years. I'm still lacking a lot, but please take care of me from now on!"
"I'm Eugene Kim from America. I'm 20 years old."
"I'm 18 years old, Baek Sihyeon."
"I came from China. It's been 3 months since I came to Korea. I'm Wei Tianyu."
"I'm 21 years old, Seonwoo Rin. Seonwoo is my surname and Rin is my name. Since I became the room leader, I'll do my best. Please take care of me, everyone."
"Aha, you're the oldest hyung here."
Like that, I exchanged awkward greetings with the four.
Sim Sungha also seemed bothered by the two blunt guys, and became quiet again.
In the end, silence lingered in our room until the entrance ceremony began.
***
Coming down to the auditorium on time, preparations were still in full swing.
We had to line up by grade here as well, so we couldn't escape the X grade trainees.
Seeing the four people following me, I felt a strange sensation, like I'd been a babysitter constantly since coming here.
Passing by the B grade trainees, I saw Kang A-jin waving at me.
The Bu brothers didn't need to worry. I was worried about whether Kang A-jin was doing well, but fortunately, she seemed fine.
As I stood in place and waited, it seemed the filming preparations were already finished.
Waaah-
At that moment, I heard cheers from the A grade trainees on the far right.
Looking over there, the chief judge Lia was slowly walking up to the podium.
Lia took her place in front of a desk on the podium that looked like a principal's lectern.
"Ah, ah. Has everyone been doing well?"
"Yes!"
Lia smiled at the trainees' energetic voices.
"I feel good seeing that everyone seems full of energy. If you work as hard as that overflowing energy, there will be good results."
Everyone nodded and listened intently to Lia's words.
"Right here and now, the title song of our 'National Idol' that you will challenge first will be revealed."
Lia set the mood with a different voice than before.
"The total number of people gathered here right now is 77, and among them, the number of people who will survive to the end and debut is 7."
‘The debut number is only 7.’
At Lia's words, many trainees wore surprised expressions.
"I won't speak at length about the importance of the first mission. However, never forget that the national judges are always watching you. Your grades will not remain as they are. Depending on the results of the first mission, your grades can change at any time."
Lia stared at the trainees without a word for a while, then shifted her gaze to the A grade trainees.
"A grade. I'll be watching to see how long the A grade trainees can keep their spots."
"B, C grades. Compete fiercely and work hard to rise to A grade."
"D grade. If you don't want to be the first to leave this place, you must now properly show your skills."
Every time Lia called out a grade, sparks of enthusiasm spewed from the trainees' eyes.
"And finally, X grade."
Lia's gaze turned toward us.
It felt like she was definitely looking at me. It's probably my imagination.
"X grade are the trainees whose potential could not be properly grasped."
Was that the meaning of the X grade?
Let's focus for now. Lia hasn't finished speaking yet.
"There are two paths for X grade. The path to rising to A grade, or the path to falling to D grade. You cannot go to B or C grade."
The moment I heard Lia's words, the puzzle pieces fit together in my head.
‘Was it to make Eugene Kim an A grade?’
I became almost certain of what the X grade meant.
Eugene Kim, who couldn't dance at all. For the success of this program, they had to unconditionally put Eugene Kim at the forefront.
But if they favored him too overtly, controversy would obviously arise since the viewers aren't fools.
‘So they created a completely new grade.’
If nothing goes wrong, Eugene Kim will probably rise to A grade along with an angelic edit saying, ‘Our Eugene Kim can't dance, but he worked this hard.’
‘This kind of favoritism from the very beginning.’
Let's not care. I didn't expect it to be fair to everyone from the beginning anyway.
‘I'll turn that favoritism into an opportunity for me.’
I reorganized my mind as I looked at Eugene Kim's face, which showed no particular change in expression.
"Now, we will reveal the main theme song of 'National Idol' for your first group stage. The title of the song is 'JACKPOT'."
The auditorium lights dimmed, and a screen appeared behind Lia.
Dancers appeared on the screen.
The intro of the song flowed out.
-I've dreamed of this time
My figure standing on this stage
Now in my heart Falling Falling
Only for you Shining Shining
An easy-to-sing melody repeated,
And the dance wasn't as difficult as I thought either.
Looking around, everyone had hopeful faces thinking, ‘I can do this much.’
-Blow it up JACKPOT
On this splendid stage
Look at me
A JACKPOT for you
It's the beginning now
Let's be together forever!
The difficulty of the song suddenly shot up vertically.
The chorus melody required handling incredible high notes,
And the choreography was broken down into such tiny pieces that it was hard to believe it was a group dance.
And the much-anticipated dance break.
"Wow..."
"Crazy."
It seemed like everyone around me felt it.
‘I'm screwed.’