Chapter 92
The moment I saw Kang So-hee silently shedding tears, a sense of crisis flashed through my mind.
'Hurry up and think, Sunwoo Rin. A way to resolve this situation...'
Actually, the statement itself wasn't really problematic enough to cause an issue.
"It was the worst among today's stages."
Looking at just this statement alone, it was something that had been said on broadcast at least 10 times combined across National Idol Season 1 and 2.
If such a statement was inherently problematic, Kim Na-hee would have had to leave the show about 5 times by now.
But...
'We're both going to get hated on at this rate.'
I never expected her to burst into tears like that the moment I spoke.
Crying because she did well is one thing, but a trainee like Kang So-hee who ruins her stage and then immediately cries over one harsh comment from a judge would definitely not avoid malicious comments either.
That said, me being a 1st-year idol who came here as a special judge, not even a real judge, making a trainee cry with my evaluation would definitely not be looked upon favorably either.
The atmosphere in the studio, which had momentarily gone quiet due to the sudden tears.
The fortunate thing was that MusicNet wouldn't bury a WEUS member who was currently doing well from National Idol Season 2 with malicious editing.
Still, I had an ominous feeling that this scene would somehow make it to broadcast.
'Anyway, I need to wrap this up decently at least...'
While I was thinking that and quickly coming up with words of comfort in my head.
-Due to the effect of the trait 'Brilliant Halo', everyone focuses on your words.
-Due to the effects of the traits 'Charisma that Overwhelms the Masses' and 'Leader's Lashing', the probability that the other person will seriously accept your advice increases.
'Wait, why is this suddenly...'
I wondered what this suddenly appearing status message meant, but.
Anyway, it didn't seem like a bad sign for me.
Maybe it was because of the traits, but I could feel everyone's gaze focused on me.
I spoke to Kang So-hee, whose eyes were still brimming with tears.
"Trainee Kang So-hee?"
"Ye... yes!"
Fortunately, Kang So-hee had come to her senses and responded immediately to my words.
No, actually, I could see Kang So-hee slowly coming back with clearer eyes than before.
"I was standing in that exact spot last year. Actually, it's quite funny for me to criticize Trainee Kang So-hee based on skill. I was really terrible back then too. Judge Kim Na-hee here is a witness to that."
When I looked at Kim Na-hee somewhat playfully as I said that, Kim Na-hee shrugged as if she knew nothing about it.
At the sight of us two like that, the atmosphere in the studio brightened slightly for a moment.
"I think I'm sitting here more as a senior who experienced this audition one year ahead of you all, rather than as a judge. And as someone like that, there's only one thing I can say to Trainee Kang So-hee."
After saying that, I exhaled once before continuing my words.
"The stage you just showed is already over, so erase it from your memory once this time passes. Instead, only think about how you can show more of yourself in this audition going forward."
After saying those words, I momentarily wondered if saying something like this would really change the future of the person in front of me.
'Well, if it ends badly... it's just creating one more dark history.'
Anyway, this was my honest impression rather than just saying "work hard."
I was a bit flustered because she suddenly burst into tears, but seeing her stage reminded me a little of myself from last year.
How she takes my words now is a matter for the trainee named Kang So-hee in front of me to decide. But please, I just hope she doesn't cry more...
"Yes, yes! I'll only look forward and work hard!!!"
Kang So-hee's voice suddenly rang loudly through the studio.
It seemed to ring even louder than when she was singing. Did she suddenly find her voice or something?
-Kang So-hee enters an awakened state.
'Awakening...? Just because of this?'
Awakening just because I gave a few words of advice. If awakening was this easy, all our members would have awakened already.
While I was feeling somewhat uneasy looking at the status window message.
-You made a significant contribution to Kang So-hee's awakening. A reward will be given if Kang So-hee debuts through the audition.
'So-hee. Let's definitely debut!'
I looked at Kang So-hee standing on stage with eyes full of support.
***
The grade evaluation stage that seemed like it would never end was finally coming to a close.
"Trainee Kim Soo-jin's grade is... F grade."
"Ah...!"
The grade of the last announced trainee was F.
The face of the F-grade trainee going down from the stage while receiving comfort from other trainees was already covered in tears.
'Anyway, it's over.'
There was a slightly troublesome incident in the middle. But as long as the editing turns out fine, it shouldn't be a big problem.
I spoke very carefully after that. So probably there won't be any issues...
But why is everyone looking at me with those eyes?
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
"Thank you for your hard work!"
When I greeted the judges around after filming ended, the judges leaving their seats each left a word for me.
"I wish you'd keep coming. Anyway, you were cool today!"
"As expected, it's a trainee senior who understands the trainees' hearts. Did you see everyone wanting to hear only Rin's advice?"
"How can anyone not fall for it when you look at them with those eyes and say that. I realize again today why WEUS is so popular."
Praise from the judges that made me feel embarrassed just hearing it.
And finally, the main MC Yoo Dong-wook said as he passed by.
"I guess I'll have to work harder so I don't get robbed of my MC position by Rin."
Watching Yoo Dong-wook leave after saying that to me, I let out a sigh inwardly and quietly said to Kang Ah-jin next to me.
"Everyone seems to be teasing me..."
"Huh? Teasing you?"
"Never mind."
Actually, I had vaguely felt it since after Kang So-hee.
'Are the traits that cheat-like...'
The trainees sparkling their eyes and looking at me whatever I said. The reactions that came back every time I said a word were too burdensome.
Actually, at this level, I briefly had the delusion of whether I could change my profession to a religious figure.
'Still, I shouldn't go around spouting advice anymore.'
I ended up saying a few things during the audition, getting swept up in the atmosphere.
Thinking about it now, they were extremely cringe-worthy words.
Please, I hope they don't make it to broadcast...
"Let's go for now."
"Yes!"
The filming set slowly being cleaned up.
The sight of trainees moving under the guidance of the staff could be seen.
"Hyung, over there."
At Kang Ah-jin calling me, I looked in the direction he was pointing.
I could see Kang So-hee and the trainees staring intensely in our direction even while walking.
'If I could see the status window, I feel like her respect would be around 100.'
I waved my hand slightly in Kang So-hee's direction.
Then I could see Kang So-hee looking surprised and bowing at a 90-degree angle.
'Will she really be able to debut?'
Kang So-hee's first grade evaluation rank was F grade.
Of course, starting from the bottom could be better given the nature of auditions, but...
'Well, it depends on what she makes of it.'
Logically speaking, even if I receive a reward if Kang So-hee debuts, there was no way I could directly help Kang So-hee.
It seemed unlikely I'd have much reason to come here again in the future either.
"Still, wasn't today fun? Seeing this studio set after a year feels strange somehow."
"I suppose..."
At Kang Ah-jin's words, I looked around the studio one last time as I left the filming set.
'A year ago, huh.'
Back then when nothing was decided, had I ever imagined I would become like this?
The strange feeling that Kang Ah-jin's words evoked.
Still.
'I need to work harder.'
I shook my head once and moved my feet again. No matter how I thought about it.
There was still a long way to go.
***
"I'm home."
I returned to the dorm after finishing a solo schedule I hadn't had in a while, a photoshoot.
But something felt slightly different in the air than usual.
"You're back!"
"Hyung, would you like some cake?"
"Cake?"
Heading toward the kitchen at the sound from there, all kinds of bread and cakes were laid out on the kitchen dining table.
'I thought I smelled something sweet.'
And I could see Kang Ah-jin and Sim Seong-ha looking more energetic than usual today.
Looking at their clothes, the two also seemed to have just returned to the dorm like me.
"What's all this suddenly? Is it someone's birthday today?"
No matter how I thought about it, there was no special occasion.
When I asked with curiosity, Kang Ah-jin and Sim Seong-ha answered with smiles.
"We got our settlement today."
"So we swept up everything we've been wanting to eat normally!"
Hearing the excited words of the two, I realized that today was settlement day.
Looking at them now, the appearance of the breads that Sim Seong-ha and Kang Ah-jin bought was no joke.
"Where did you buy these?"
"We went to Baekje Hotel."
"They only sell this strawberry cake there."
"Ah..."
Flexing at a hotel bakery right after getting their settlement.
'The two of them do suit each other... no, actually, is this kind of thing better?'
Thinking about it again, this was a much healthier way to relieve stress than having some other strange tastes.
"But when are you going to eat them?"
"Yujin hyung hasn't come yet. When Yujin hyung comes, we're going to turn on WAPP and do a mukbang!"
'Yujin was part of this gang too...?'
Thinking about Yujin Kim being in on this too, it didn't seem to fit well.
"Hyung, do you want to do the WAPP broadcast with us too?"
"I don't really like sweet things... I'll just say hi for a bit."
"Ah, okay."
Passing by the two, I hung up my coat and returned to my room.
'How much came in, I wonder?'
Actually, I hadn't shown it in front of the members, but I was also curious about how much the settlement was.
This settlement was the second one I received since debuting.
The first settlement amount was already beyond my imagination, but...
'I wonder if concert revenue is included this time.'
With that nervous mind, I checked the settlement amount.
'Wait, how much is all this?'
A much larger amount than I had expected was deposited in my account.
'At this level... I think I could get a jeonse lease with a loan...'
My grandmother and younger sibling who are still living in the old villa.
I hadn't shown it, but there must have been inconveniences because of my popularity.
It's still far from enough to find a good house in Seoul, but if I earn more by next year...
I calculated briefly, but it wasn't a problem I could decide right now.
Since it's not something I can decide alone, I should also hear my grandmother and sibling's thoughts.
Thinking that, I looked at the calendar on my phone.
'She must be studying right now.'
It's now just past the second week of November.
Next week was the CSAT.