Chapter 161

At the time when the first teaser was released and shortly after the end of the second competition, the fans Noeul were peaceful.

Thanks to the amazing performance of Easy Tempo in the first competition, every day was enjoyable.

As expected by Seo Hoyun, there were hardly any connections with Lia Purple.

Moreover, in the highlight reel of this first teaser, the center of attention was seized by The Dawn especially with Seo Hoyun's ribbon scene.

Gently furrowed brow, languid gaze, pulling the ribbon around his neck, Seo Hoyun was deadly on those. Those watching were momentarily stunned.

[Seo Hoyun: Yes~ I'll kill you. Noeul: Yes~ I'll die for you.]

When it spread to various communities and social media platforms, the speed of posting increased significantly.

[Oh god... Thank you for sending us this genius face genius main occupation genius rabbit god doll.]

[Seriously, they live with venom...]

[They're trying to win... I understand why they got 2nd place...]

Facing a stage they could suffer on for the next 10 years, and not a bad ranking.

Knowing they were last in the final pre-voting for the first episode broadcast,  Noeuls were satisfied with the already well-distributed results of the first competition.

But happiness didn't last long.

[Hey, spoilers for the 2nd competition.]

Because spoilers for the 2nd competition emerged.

[The Dawn is 5th place ?!?!?!???]

Everyone was bewildered.

[Why??? 5th place? How can you drop to 5th place after getting 2nd place in the first competition?]

[They were 1st in the expert vote, how could they be 5th?]

After consolidating various reviews and stories, one conclusion was reached.

[It's a restraint pick.]

At that moment, frustration surged.

[Damn, are we screwed? ㅠ]

[Damn, are these people crazy? They really messed with us big time.]

[Ah, it's infuriating....]

As suspicions about rankings and spoilers circulated, another storm hit when about 30 seconds of The Dawn's 2nd competition stage cam leaked as if it were filmed in secret.

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠWhat should I do about The Dawn I'm  confused ㅠㅠㅠDamn, someone smash the cartwheel.]

[Whoever made that so heavy, come out...]

[Wow, ㅠㅠ but still, he's holding onto his mental well until the end ㅠㅠㅠ]

Of course, not everyone was heartbroken or sad. Like a chronic disease in fandoms, those with ill intentions didn't miss this opportunity.

Amidst the heightened sensitivity of being 5th, they exaggerated and criticized Jung Dajun's mistake.

[Ah, damn, he just ruined a whole verse.]

[Isn't it because of Jung Dajun? We can see mistakes too, but how will the audience react? They must have noticed it big time.]

[Dajun, you bastard~~ㅠㅠ We told you to practice, didn't we?ㅠ]

Jung Dajun's mistake may have had some impact, but it wasn't decisive. However, a minority of critics latched on fiercely, as tensions escalated among fandoms due to issues surrounding the second competition's restraining picks.

As another shooting day arrived, it was time for the 3rd round, the unit competition.

Originally, it would have been conducted in a warm atmosphere.

"Today feels unusually tense, doesn't it?"

It was like walking on thin ice.

No one spoke easily, whispering instead.

One of the staff members murmured while surveying the atmosphere on set.

"It's really eerie."

Although participating groups greeted each other with smiles, it soon became as quiet as if not even the sound of an ant passing by could be heard.

TEW, who took 1st place in the 2nd competition, maintained a confident expression throughout, while High Five showed no expression at all, and the rest of the groups seemed vigilant.

It seemed like everyone had received information from their respective companies, resulting in a tense atmosphere.

"As if a survival program would have a warm atmosphere."

With the current situation, high ratings were guaranteed.

Even though Kim Heeyoung didn't respond with incorrect words, her mind wasn't at ease.

"Is their mental state okay?"

Giving instructions to the surrounding staff, Kim Heeyoung glanced discreetly towards The Dawn's designated seat.

Seo Hoyun initially paid no attention. Even if the whole world criticized him, he seemed like he would just respond with a nonchalant "Oh, okay."

While scanning the room, one member caught her attention, The Dawn's youngest member.

"Well, if he's seen the internet reactions, he probably can't be in his right mind..."

The TEW members sitting next to him were also caught muttering while looking at Jung Dajun.

Although the exact details were unknown, there was a sense that something was amiss.

As she watched the shot captured on the monitoring screen, Kim Heeyoung raised her eyebrows.

"What's going on? Did they fight? This doesn't seem right to include."

However, there was no time to dwell on it further.

The shooting soon began.

To the sound of applause, MC Ha Seoyeon appeared.

"Great job on the 2nd round competition."

After casually asking for impressions, Ha Seoyeon diligently introduced the details for the 3rd round competition.

"The 3rd round consists of vocal and performance units."

Having seen Ha Seoyeon's script countless times, Kim Heeyoung didn't need to listen; she could recite it by heart.

This competition was divided into two main parts:

The performance unit and the vocal unit.

In the performance unit, one member from each group competes individually.

The vocal unit, on the other hand, was slightly different. Each group selects only one member to form a team of five, with teams A and B created accordingly.

Votes are allocated to each individual, and the team with the highest total score of individual votes wins. The winning team also receives additional points.

Furthermore, within the winning team, the individual who receives the lowest votes must transfer their score to the individual with the highest votes in the losing team.

In other words, it was a battle of strategies, with intense competition both within and between teams, leaving no room for relaxation.

"So, the strategy changes depending on which member ends up in the same team."

Regardless, there were certain individuals that each team had to secure in order to win.

"We must definitely take Sung Jiwon with us."

In competitions, having a safety net meant eating a mid-game snack.

"First up is the vocal unit. TEW, who took 1st place last time, and High Five, who took 2nd, will each select their team members as team leaders for groups A and B. The members will be chosen first by TEW, prioritizing the 1st place, and then High Five will have their turn to choose. The selection will go back and forth. TEW, please come forward first."

The members of TEW gathered closely, bowing their heads and briefly discussing before the main vocalist stood up with a bright smile.

In front of the pre-installed stand microphone, Ha Seoyeon asked TEW's main vocalist, "Jung Wonha-ssi from group A, can you choose the person you like the most? Do you have a member in mind?"

"Oh, yes! Of course!"

Despite his relatively inexperienced face compared to his seniority, TEW's main vocalist skillfully wore a confident smile, as if he had been rolling in the entertainment industry.

"I have someone in mind!"

He would either choose Sung Jiwon from The Dawn or High Five's main vocalist. If he thought about the possibility of being taken away, he might pick Sung Jiwon first.

"Oh~, really. Then who is the lucky one?"

"I choose-!"

Jung Wonha's head slowly turned towards The Dawn

'I guess it's Sung Jiwon after all.'

"The Dawn--!"

Just as Kim Heeyoung, who had guessed that there would be nothing particularly interesting in the predictable scene, was about to turn her head,

"I choose Seo Hoyun!"

"...?!"

An unexpected event occurred.

The camera captured everyone's surprised faces.

Even Ha Seoyeon, who had been calm all along, seemed a bit flustered, but only Seo Hoyun calmly stood up from his seat.

Without giving a glance to Jung Dajun, who was staring at him with shaking eyes, he walked slowly towards Jung Wonha, who was flushed.

"Did you really pick me right away?"

"Hey, don't be upset~."

'…Since when was he upset?'

The two of them whispered and exchanged words.

TEW definitely gave off a strange vibe looking at Jung Dajun. If the camera caught it and it caught his eye, there was no way Seo Hoyun wouldn't have noticed.

But the current Jung Wonha treated Seo Hoyun as if he truly trusted him like a close older brother.

And Seo Hoyun accepted it as if it was natural.

"Then next, High Five, please come forward."

Without any hesitation from High Five, Kang Yeon-hoo, who was not the main vocalist of High Five, came forward.

"Kang Yeonhoo-ssi? Will you choose a team member from Group B?"

"I will... choose Sung Jiwonssi."

Kang Yeonhoo chose Sung Jiwon for a sure victory.

Then, Jung Wonha nominated the Tri-main vocalist, and it was Kang Yeonhoo's turn again.

Kang Yeonhoo, who carefully examined all the idols, grinned and said, "I'll choose Joo Hyungjin-ssi from TEW."

He was an idol whose name was rising in various communities, YouTube, and social media due to skill controversies.

...!

In the midst of the confusion, as it could have easily turned into an awkward situation, Kim Heeyoung's lips curled up.

"It's a sniper move."

Things were unfolding quite interestingly.

The High Five leader was smarter than expected and quickly grasped the rules.

"Now, teams A and B are complete."

Kim Hee-young looked at the evenly selected vocal unit members from each group.

Team A, including Seo Hoyun, Jung Wonha, and High Five's main vocalist, they're strong in its own way, but it couldn't compare to Team B, which included Sung Jiwon and Kang Yeonhoo.

Without Seo Hoyun, Jung Wonha's selection criteria were somewhat incomprehensible.

"Give it your all, jung Wonha-ssi."

"We'll definitely win!"

"Why did he choose Seo Hoyun first?"

After the vocal unit teams were formed, it was time for the performance unit members to be selected.

At The Dawn, it seemed like Kim Seonghyun and Jung Dajun were having a long conversation—.

"The Dawn's performance unit."

An unexpected situation arose when Kim Seonghyun unexpectedly nominated Jung Dajun, who seemed to have lost all hope.

"Jung Dajun is going out."

"...??"

Everyone's gaze naturally turned to The Dawn, expecting Kim Seonghyun to come out.

"Jung Dajun?"

"Wow, I thought it would be Seonghyun..."

However, soon everyone relaxed.

It was Jung Dajun, considered the weakest link, who was selected instead of Kim Seonghyun, who was quite famous in the dance scene since high school and was the biggest beneficiary of Shining Star Season 1.

"...Wow, look at the relieved faces of the cast. This must be a big blow to his pride."

A junior director whispered quietly to Kim Heeyoung.

As expected, Jung Dajun bit his lower lip for a moment, then stepped forward and lined up for the performance unit.

"Jung Dajun is out. ...I'll choose 'Ride with you' for the song."

"Yes, thank you!"

While Seo Hoyun chuckled at Jung Wonha's polite tone, his eyes were following his team's youngest member.

'What's going on in his mind?'

Just then, when Seo Hoyun's gaze turned and met Kim Heeyoung's slightly startled eyes, Seo Hoyun playfully rolled his eyes.

Seeing this, Kim Hee-young realized.

'He knew all along.'

It was almost as if she was shooting an idol survival show, not a modern-day disguised palace intrigue.

'Well... do whatever you want.'

Might as well make it fun.

Since she knew she couldn't guess the crazy guy's mindset.

***

"Hyung, are we going to start practicing right away this afternoon?"

"Yes."

"Should we create a group chat?"

As the red light of the camera went off, TEW's main vocalist responded vaguely, but she felt piercing gazes. When she looked up, Kang Yeonhoo, who was in Team B, smiled as if by habit.

"Let's work hard."

Nodding, they returned to their dorms with their members.

There was no way Sung Jiwon hadn't noticed this strange atmosphere, so he deliberately approached Jung Dajun.

"Dajun, are you going to practice?"

"Oh, yes. ...With Seonghyunhyung."

Since the 2nd round of the competition, Jung Dajun's speech had noticeably decreased. He didn't run around or play jokes. He just seemed busy checking the reactions of his seniors.

As he led his tired body to the sofa and lay down, Jung Dajun hesitated before suddenly getting up and heading to the practice room.

"Hey, hyung..."

"What is it?"

"It's... nothing."

As if he had something to say, he hesitated with his fingers, then shook his head and got up to leave for the practice room.

"I'll go with you. To see how you're doing, Dajun."

Except for Kang Ichae, who went to his room saying he had something to bring, Sung Jiwon and Kim Seonghyun followed Jung Dajun to the practice room.

I chuckled as I watched them leave the closed entrance door.

"He's grown up a bit, hasn't he?"

As I looked at the closed entrance door, I chuckled.

"Well, he's grown up a bit, hasn't he?"

I thought he was going to whine, but it seemed like Jung Dajun had figured out his own way of dealing with things while feeling down for the past few days.

I tried to check the item shop, but unexpectedly, the system window popped up.

Ding!

[Seo Hoyoon.]

"I saw how skillfully you managed to bring all the TEW vocal members over these past few days. Impressive skill, I must say. Well done."

"...?"

[Why???]

"Why on earth did you voluntarily join Jung Wonha's team? There must have been some benefit involved, right?"

Feeling annoyed, I tried to ignore it, but—

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

-...!

The alarm kept ringing.

"Ah, my ears hurt."

[Why on earth??? What benefit did you get?]

benefit?

I never do anything for free.

It was definitely Kim Heeyoung. Around the 3rd round of the competition, she must have decided to add some spice.

Thanks to her, a scenario unfolded before my eyes where I could gather points generously while also enjoying the narrative.

Right, 'to each team's top scorer.'

In this competition, as long as I secure the top spot, whether I win or lose, there's no loss.

If our team wins, we can also take the last-place team's points.

And I knew it all before the competition even began.

"Hyung! Did you know about this??"

The day before the shoot, I received a call from Jung Wonha.

In fact, the friendship with TEW's main vocalist Jung Wonha was lightly cultivated in preparation. I didn't expect him to call me so friendly.

"Our members think this way."

Maybe thanks to information obtained through the power of a major agency, Jung Wonha told me about the 3rd round competition format and suggested forming a team with him.

His plan was simple. Given that TEW's scores weren't bad so far and each team would have at least one member, he suggested not to come in last.

"So let's make a team together!"

"Are you sure it's okay?"

TEW members thought of themselves as the main actors of the 1st round. Except for the rival High Five, there weren't many people with decent recognition from Shining Star, so it was a suitable choice.

One thing was funny, though.

"Yes! Hyung is quite a nice person!"

Jung Wonha really believed me easily.

Without even knowing what I was thinking.

Well, I'll let that slide—.

'Kang Yeonhoo got caught.'

-Kang Yeonhoo seemed to have the same thoughts as me, which annoyed me a lot.

Seeing him choose a member who would willingly take all the insults from TEW showed his purpose quite clearly.

It seemed like he was forming the team like that to make up for coming in 2nd place behind TEW in the last competition, but he still believed he could win.

'Well, as long as I do well.'

Sung Jiwon had nothing to worry about. I'm the problem that Team A should be overwhelmed with in terms of skill.

"Hey, show me."

I picked up a candy from the table and rolled it into my mouth. The system window, filled with noise as if it were buzzing, showed up on the screen.

With slots still empty, and some items displayed weren't worth much attention.

Amidst that, one item highlighted with a shimmering symbol caught my eye.

'Just right.'

It was a self-improvement tool that could be used perfectly, but there was one thing that bothered me.

[※Caution: Use may cause symptoms such as vomiting, gastritis, and body aches.]

"...Hmm."

One of our group members, who looks like a rascal, is particularly concerned about the health of the members.

I kept repeating the phrase and was silent for a while, and Kang I-chae came out of the room with earphones in his ears.

"Hyung, I'm going first~. I'm going to comfort Dajun who's down because of the eldest brother~."

"...."

Kang I-chae, who was humming and jokingly speaking, saw my expression and his eyes narrowed.

"Hmm?"

"...."

"Why are you being so cautious?"

Hey.

"...When did I?"

If I use this, will I die?

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