"Many of you may be curious about the standards the eighty-five trainees used to select the five center candidates for 'See.' Now, we will reveal them on the screen."
With those words, starting from Kang Hyun-jin—the first name called—the reasons written directly by the
For the other four trainees, most of the reasons listed were about skill-related aspects. Clear dance lines, strong performance capability, overall balance, and so on.
However, the reasons listed under my photo were mostly focused on things unrelated to skill.
「Because this trainee has visuals perfectly suited for a center, they will easily capture viewers' attention.」
「As a growth-type trainee who achieved a leap from D-rank to A-rank in one go, I believe they are fitting as the main center of a survival program.」
「Since they're from KRM Entertainment, they will likely receive high initial attention.」
Most of the comments said it was because I looked like a center, or because I fit the "broadcast character" role well, rather than skill.
…Well, it makes sense.
Comments mentioning visuals or name recognition were probably written for the other candidates as well. The trainees chosen this round were mostly selected for their current popularity.
I turned to look at Kang Hyun-jin, Do Ji-hyuk, Aiden Lee, and Yoo Chan-hee. These four all had strong qualities that would draw viewer attention now and in the future.
Kang Hyun-jin, as the son of top-tier actor parents, didn't even need an explanation. Do Ji-hyuk, although not yet publicly announced, would immediately make headlines once trainee profiles were released, since an article would reveal he was a former "failed idol" from another group.
Aiden Lee had a solid storyline and background. And Yoo Chan-hee, being part of DIO's trainee rap crew, had a certain fanbase as well.
Next in terms of recognition… would be me.
As a trainee from KRM—one of the most prestigious idol agencies—I would probably draw attention right after them.
Major entertainment companies were always objects of public curiosity. With their stable infrastructure, resources, long history, and expertise, they consistently produced the most polished idol groups.
In other words, they're guaranteed winners.
It was practically unheard of for a rookie group from a major company to miss out on the Rookie Award. This was why trainees desperately tried to join major companies—debuting under one was the closest thing to guaranteed success.
For that reason, I was bound to get strong public attention early in the broadcast. People would watch
I remembered how Kim Min-gi had also first become a topic of discussion not due to skill, but simply because he was a KRM trainee. He turned that early attention into real recognition and eventually debuted.
…Well, my goal is to let that early attention disperse like smoke, but still.
Anyway, that was why the
And the reason I had more non-skill-based comments was simple.
Because everyone knows my skills aren't good enough to compete head-on with the A-rankers.
Yes, I had made impressive progress in the past five days, but I was still barely clinging to A-rank. The eighty-five trainees who practiced with me and watched the videos knew that.
Realistically, I probably got the A-rank badge thanks to both my skill and my "growth character" arc.
Some people would think that was fair, and others would think it made no sense.
"...."
Like him.
I ignored the burning glare aimed at me. Yoo Chan-hee—also chosen as a center candidate—was practically shooting fire from his eyes. His expression said he found it absurd that I'd been raised to the same level he was.
"The five center candidates will each take turns standing in center position to film the 'See' stage. Both the re-evaluation videos and the videos featuring only the five candidates will be released on the A-Net homepage for one day, and the final center will be chosen through voting."
With those words, the MC ended his announcement by asking viewers to look forward to the final result. The five of us bowed deeply to the camera.
"We're in your care, Idol Makers!"
After that, the five of us moved back to the practice room to film "See" again. We lined up in formation, taking turns standing center for each take.
And once all five rounds were over—
…Once I get out of here, I am raising my stamina stat immediately…
I struggled to hold up my trembling body as I thought that.
I still hadn't used the stat increase ticket, so my entire body throbbed. Ever since receiving my rewards earlier, I hadn't had a single moment alone.
Since today was dismissal day, I planned to raise my stamina the moment I got home.
"Yu-ha. You okay? Want some water?"
"…Please."
Aiden Lee, who looked perfectly fine except for some light sweat, headed toward the water dispenser. I bent forward, hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath while waiting for him.
That was when—
"Your stamina must really be bad. Impressive that you endured this long."
…You again.
As I was quietly panting, Yoo Chan-hee approached from somewhere and started picking a fight again. He must have been waiting for Aiden Lee to step away.
I deliberately kept my expression calm and answered as if nothing were wrong.
"…My health's been a bit poor."
"Ah, your health. For someone unhealthy, you sure practiced hard. You improved so quickly in such a short time. Thanks to that, you got the 'growth character' image and were even picked as a center candidate. Your company must be very proud of you."
At those unfiltered words, I glanced toward the camera. At some point, the red light had turned off.
…Well, they've already filmed everything they need for broadcast.
No wonder he was suddenly picking a fight without holding back. He thought no one was watching.
"The mentors saw me positively."
"Haha, I think it's more image-making than that. You were really good at it."
"…Sorry?"
When I asked him that, he shot back sharply, as if telling me not to pretend I didn't know.
"You deliberately held back during the skill evaluation, right? Your basics, your singing, your dancing—you half-assed everything."
"...."
"Some people fake being bad at first to craft a growth character. Must feel great that it worked so well, huh?"
It seemed he had completely convinced himself that I wasn't someone who trained hard for five days, but someone who pretended to be bad early on for narrative effect.
…No matter what I say, he's not going to listen.
I started to respond but closed my mouth. There was no reason to explain myself, and whatever I said wouldn't change the mind of someone who had already decided I was a fraud.
Besides, what could I even say? That my skills were currently debuffed and I was "recovering," which made my progress look fast?
Yeah, right.
"...."
"That little trick of yours—hope it works on the viewers too."
Since I didn't respond, Yoo Chan-hee muttered irritably and brushed past me, tapping my shoulder as he went.
There was no reason to follow or react, so I simply turned around to head toward Aiden Lee, who was still filling water at the dispenser.
"...!"
And right in front of me—stood Kang Hyun-jin, staring at me with a cold, unsettling look.
…What now?
I frowned slightly and looked at him. His expression was gloomy—almost shadowed with something unpleasant. And because he stood there blocking my path, I couldn't even step forward.
As I wondered why he was standing there like some immovable wall in this strange standoff—
"…Was it acting?"
"…Sorry?"
"Were you acting. For real."
He suddenly asked something out of nowhere.
"What do you…."
"Well, yeah—who gets over a slump that fast?"
Kang Hyun-jin muttered the words like he was talking more to himself than to me.
I was about to ask what he meant, but then he lifted his head, his expression turning openly disdainful as he continued.
"You're good at acting. I almost fell for it."
His tone was completely different from earlier—now openly hostile.
I stared at him, confused as to why he was treating me like this, but he didn't care at all about my reaction. Coldly, he added:
"…I hope you don't become center. Not that you will."
"What…."
Like Yoo Chan-hee, he walked off before I could say a single word—just turned around and strode away on his own.
Left alone, I let out a long sigh.
…A bunch of people who have zero intention of listening.
My head throbbed again. Taking hit after hit of one-sided hostility without responding was exhausting.
I didn't owe them any explanations, but thinking about the future made me feel a twinge of regret. I had a strong feeling these guys were going to keep pestering me.
There's only one solution…
Elimination. Leaving this program and stepping back into a society where I never have to see these people again.
Once I got out of
Now that I'm a center candidate… unless I cause some catastrophic disaster, I'll probably pass the first mission. And once the first mission airs, a flood of new "characters" will appear. I just need to wait until I blend into the background, then aim for elimination in the second round.
A peaceful, headache-free life—that was the target. If I dropped out early, reintegrating into society would be even easier.
Elimination is the only way.
I made up my mind again.
"What's up? Did something happen? Did I miss something?"
Ignoring Aiden Lee's bewildered question as he returned, I took the water bottle from his hand and finally quenched my dry throat.
– Yu-ha! Give us your number.– Oh, mine too then.– …Thanks, Yu-ha.
I exchanged contact numbers with my Room 102 roommates and finished my first
On my way home, dragging my suitcase behind me, I stopped by a bookstore to buy GED test prep books. To save time, I planned to study whenever I could and take the exam as soon as possible.
And once I arrived home, I finally summoned my status window.
『
Specialty (Vocal): B+Specialty (Dance): B-Charm (Appearance): B+Charm (Aura): BTalent (Expression): B-Talent (Focus): CStamina (Physical): D+ (UP!)Stamina (Mental): D-Luck : 50 pointsBase Trait: Regression
I used the stat increase ticket I received from the achievement reward and raised my Stamina stat immediately. Instantly, the muscle pain I'd been dealing with for days seemed to ease up.
"…Ha."
Finally, I could breathe.
It was only the highest grade within D, but even that one-step stat increase made my limp-feeling body regain a bit of strength. Satisfied, I looked over my status window again.
Thanks to the first
After checking the nicely raised stats, I finally looked at the golden button. The increase to A-rank had raised my Luck to 50.
Meaning I now had enough Luck points to try something.
"...."
I stared at the golden button like I was trying to intimidate it, raising one final question in my mind.
Would it be better to use another Random Ticket?Or should I save my Luck as it was?
You can never know what comes out of a random pull.
It could be some worthless stat.Or, like last time, I could get extremely lucky and draw a Fate Confirmation Ticket.Or something entirely different.
It was impossible to know. That was why it was risky.
But… that's exactly why I have to keep trying.