Impress Me!

10 days had soon passed and the first day of filming had begun.

Although the show is structured in the sense of a survival program, it begins with an evaluation of each participant.

Much like any audition program, besides the finale the biggest stage to make an impression is the 1st round.

It is not rare for a bad impression to last until the end of the program.

It is said that two things remain irretrievable: time and a first impression.

The worst thing to do is give an average performance.

Instead, even if it's a complete mess and becomes a joke, it can still help you in the future.

There is no worse fate, than being cut for time and being left on the editing table.

Of course, Soo-ha had no intention of being a comedy character.

"Does everyone know their number? You will only be called once. Please proceed to enter this corridor after you've received your instructions."

The filming began by taking a picture of the participants walking though the hall of the set, one by one.

The purpose being to create a teaser, but the filming time used for that 40 second video has already been over 3 hours.

Glancing around at each contestant as they are scattered in the emptying space of the set.

Soo-Ha can't help but marvel at how young the rest of them are.

'They're just innocent kids'

Even though he had a status window and had gone through a regression, he can't help but find it embarrassing in trying to become an idol among these children.

"Excuse me, Hyung"

One of the kids, who appears to be a chatterbox tries to break the ice.

Soo-ha can't help but chuckle, who would have thought that he'd be introducing himself to what appears to be a middle schooler in order to create social connections;

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Did you apply by yourself?"

"Yes"

"Me too, Hyung, by any chance how old are you...?"

"Tw...Eighteen."

While it still feels weird for Soo-Ha to say, he can't help but admit that it feels way better than saying Thirty.

"Do you have an agency, Hyung? I don't see any staff."

"I don't have one."

"Oh... I see"

Almost immediately the little brat seems to have lost any sincerity as he quickly ends the conversation, before moving onto another person.

'I guess not all of them are innocent.'

Soo-Ha can't help but admire that this kid already knows a lot about society.

Soo-Ha is once more reminded, that those who make it in this world, are clearly not normal.

"Everyone, Line up!"

The you stage hand calls, again as the filming for the main broadcast finally begins.

Like a group of meerkats, the middle and high school students begin sitting in accordance with their assigned numbers.

It was not long after, that they called Soo-Ha around the early middle of the session.

***

"Participant Lee Soobin …. Overall A, 5th place! Please take a seat."

"Thank you!" The young man quickly bows, the smile on his face showing that he is satisfied with score, as he hurries to take his seat.

Although he was one of four participants that were grouped and evaluated together since they were from the same agency, beyond a show of fake comraderies, he doesn't show any concern to his fellow trainees who were ranked far lower.

Instead, it seems like the agency purposefully sacrificed the other 3, to make his standing higher.

Like the designated ugly fat friend of a friend group, they are only there to make the popular one shine even brighter.

'It's extreme...'

PD Bang, who was spinning her pen, frowned.

Even greater than last year, the effect of investors influence was even greater.

Even now, if it were up to her the kid before would have barely gotten a B ranking in any of the previous seasons.

This year, even if they tried to hide it. The effect of personal connections and certain plans, were going to be visible.

It's not about the kids being untalented or bad, but rather they were boring.

They majority of the kids sent out by the entertainment companies this year, were lacking in excitement.

She desperately wanted, no needed something to distract the viewers.

But where oh where would she find here shiny ball.

Looking at the evaluation list, she reads the next contestant's profile, which causes a slight smile to form on her face.

The boy who said he wanted to see the ocean.

If it wasn't for one of the participants being caught for driving while under the influence, at the last minute perhaps he wouldn't even be here right now.

From what her assistant had said, his voice was moderately good, his appearance would not be beat and further he had an interesting story to tell.

Thanks to all this, she decided to cast him immediately, she made a few calls to M.S, and quickly figured out that he was above average. But from what she had heard, he was nothing special.

'Well... with enough editing, he could be.' She thinks

The rest of the judges next to her were chatting with an unimpressed look after flipping through the documents provided.

While they admit his visual was top of the line, they knew if even M.S entertainment, famous for putting visuals above talent, then they knew not to expect much.

She glances back at the stage with weak expectations.

As the not so ordinary participant then comes up to stage.

He looked more handsome than before, as if he had visited a fine salon, and gotten a fresh look.

The problem was that the atmosphere was way too calm.

In fact, it was because he had seen the camera flash numerous times before, but the PD had no way of knowing, could only look on with a bit of curiosity.

'Is he the type that doesn't show nerves'

She smiles, as she contemplates his future broadcast image, with that face of his, the image of an arrogant young prince is almost set.

'Okay. Park Soo-Ha.... impress me!'