#8

A reality variety show offer? All of a sudden?

My brows furrowed instinctively.

When it comes to reality variety shows, I’ve already acquired knowledge through Media Acquisition.

Back when I was in the hospital, the boy in the bed across from me and I used to watch television shows every day, and they were always reality variety shows.

They’re about celebrities showing their daily lives to the public as they are, but in reality, they say it’s all fake.

[Some programs even have scripts.]

[Scripts? Then there’s no authenticity.]

[Exactly. The participants use those to create plausible personas and instill them in people’s minds. "This is who I am. Am I cool?" Like that.]

In the end, it’s about showing a fabricated version of oneself to build an image.

Whether it’s a good image or a bad one.

That means it could be an incredible opportunity or a massive setback.

“What’s the format?”

A reality show that L.I.T could appear on? What could it possibly be?

At my question, PD Pyo slowly began to speak.

“They said three male idol groups will be living together under one roof.”

He rested his elbows on the meeting table and clasped his hands together.

Then, with a sharp gaze, he looked straight at me.

"While living together, you'll complete missions, play games, and, well, bond with each other."

Three completely different teams completing missions, playing games, and bonding?

How is that a reality show? That’s a survival show.

Moreover, the L.I.T members aren’t the type to survive in such a competitive environment. No, beyond that, they’re simply not suited for that kind of program.

There must be a reason they specifically decided to cast a team like ours.

“So, why are they asking us… to do this?”

At my question, PD Pyo smirked.

“It’s not all good news, huh?”

"Exactly. There’s no shortage of idol groups out there. But they’re casting us, a group that hasn’t even performed on stage yet.”

No scandals, no charm, no media buzz, and not even a fan club to speak of.

In other words, we’re a team that wouldn’t contribute even a fraction to the ratings.

If they still decided to cast a team like us, then there’s only one explanation.

“I figured there might be another reason behind it.”

"For example?"

"To use us as a foil to make someone else stand out, or something like that?"

I voiced my thoughts with a disinterested expression. At that, PD Pyo nodded.

"Sharp observation."

Unfolding his hands, PD Pyo casually tossed a sheet of paper in front of me.

"HS Entertainment's CEO is the one who recommended us to TVH."

"HS Entertainment?"

"MuteSeven has already been confirmed for the show."

The document PD Pyo handed over was an official letter from TVH.

"Their CEO seems to have strongly recommended us, saying they have a close connection with us."

"We're the deullori. In the end."

"That's right. They're determined to elevate MuteSeven, and they need deullori for that."

T.N.: deullori refers to a "bystander," "supporting role," or someone playing a secondary or background role. Here it conveys being secondary or less important, like being an extra or NPC.

It was an excessively blatant casting offer.

As if there was no need to hide their intentions, they laid it all bare, openly disregarding us.

"A group willing to be stepped on, or rather, one that's easy to step over."

Listening to PD Pyo's words, I pictured Wooyoung of MuteSeven and Director Kim Chanyeong in my mind.

"So that's us."

One looks like a clueless deer, the other like a hyena—are they kidding me?

Who dares to trample whom, and who agrees to be trampled? Huh?

"So, what do you think? Knowing all this, do you still want to give it a shot?"

* * *

HS ENTERTAINMENT BUILDING

Wooyoung barged into Director Kim Chanyeong's office, shouting loudly.

"Hyung!"

The fact that Chanyeong and Wooyoung were cousins was a well-known secret at HS. The older one kept it quiet, but the younger one proudly flaunted it.

"Hey, you."

Chanyeong, who wore a troubled expression, quickly stood up from his seat.

"Didn’t they tell you to call me Director at the company? Or not?"

But Wooyoung didn’t care.

"I don’t know about that. But is it true that Kang Ichan is also going to be on it?"

Ha, where did he hear that from.

"It's not confirmed yet."

Really, it’s so hard to keep a secret in this town.

"It's just a plan for now."

"I don't want to. Why do I have to be on the same program with that guy? He's really annoying."

Wooyoung, who had turned pale, seemed to tremble with rage, his teeth gritting.

They weren't always this bad, but it feels like the rift between them is only growing deeper.

"Wooyoung. That’s why they're saying you have to appear together."

They were once training partners under the same agency, but now they're bitter enemies.

"It's a perfect opportunity to step all over that annoying guy in front of the public."

If their relationship could be used well, it might lead to a pretty good outcome.

"This program was created from the start to elevate you guys. It's a show for MuteSeven."

Elevate MuteSeven, and step on Kang Ichan.

If things go well, it could be a win-win situation.

"If we can drag Kang Ichan into it, it’ll make for a fantastic scene."

Just imagining it makes me feel happy.

"That timid and gloomy guy wouldn’t stand out, but even if he does, we can just bury him with editing."

At Chanyeong’s words, Wooyoung raised an eyebrow in skepticism.

"Are you talking about the devil’s editing?"

"Exactly."

It was already a done deal.

"No matter which team you throw in, the winner is going to be MuteSeven, and the other teams are just the supporting acts. Especially L.I.T, the team with Kang Ichan, they'll be the victims of editing."

"That PD is on our side, so what's there to worry about?"

"That… really?"

"Yes."

As he nodded with a wicked smile, excitement flickered in Wooyoung’s eyes.

"So just pray that Kang Ichan accepts the offer to appear."

Then he casually added one more thing.

"If that guy comes on, you'll all shine more. L.I.T, the name itself is so lame."

Simple-minded. Soon, a bright smile spread across Wooyoung's face.

"Now that you mention it, you're right."

Wooyoung, his fist tightly clenched, raised his hand like he was cheering with a "fighting" gesture.

"Got it. I'll set up some purified water and start praying from today."

"It's not purified water, it's holy water."

"Ah―"

Ignorant bastard.

T.N.: The second word 새끼 (saekki), literally means "offspring" or "young animal" (like a "cub" or "kid"), but in colloquial use, it’s often a derogatory term. When used in this context, it’s a harsh insult equivalent to "bastard" or "son of a bitch." It’s highly offensive in Korean, especially depending on the tone and context.

"Go out."

I gave Wooyoung a side glance and motioned toward the door.

He quickly left the office.

Suddenly, a wave of worry hit me.

Can we really send such an ignorant guy to a reality show? The dread that followed was overwhelming. Also, the unsettling feeling that the seemingly changed Kang Ichan might not be as easy to handle as expected.

"Kang Ichan, this unpredictable guy."

Chanyeong clenched his fist and slammed it down on the desk with a loud thud.

"How much does he even remember?"

At that moment, the red light on the intercom flickered.

Chanyeong composed his voice, his face firming, and pressed the button.

"Yes, CEO."

— "For now, as you said, I asked the TVH PD to actively go after L.I.T for casting."

"Thank you."

— "But really, what are you planning to do? Can't you resolve things with Ichan?"

"Since he has memory issues due to the accident, so it's a bit difficult to act recklessly right now."

— "You said you'd take responsibility, and this is all you can do?"

"Now seems like the right time."

— "What?"

"Since he can't remember, I think it will actually be easier to convince him."

— "What are you planning to do?"

"I'm planning to keep him close while doing the reality show and try to persuade him. If he listens, I'll bring him back to HS, but if he doesn't..."

Originally, I had no intention of bringing him back.

The kid was so stubborn and gloomy, I lost all affection for him.

But the amnesiac Kang Ichan was a little different.

His intense gaze, staring down at me, felt so piercing, like he wasn't the same Kang Ichan I once knew.

With someone like that, you either actively take them on and make them yours, or you get rid of them. In the end, it has to be one or the other.

"We have to completely dig him out of this industry."

* * *

[Let's reshoot the album jacket photo. Same goes for the promotional poster.]

[We’ll remake the music video too.]

[And you guys, start a NewTube channel. Show people your daily lives.]

What the hell are you talking about?

Half of it is incomprehensible, the other half is something I don’t even want to know.

By the time the scheduled meeting ended, a headache that hadn't been there before started creeping in.

"Ichan-ah, you really need to think this over. This kind of opportunity doesn't come often. Really."

As soon as we left the meeting room, Gyuhyung spoke.

"Even if you draw some aggro, exposure to the public is what creates opportunities."

"I'll discuss it with the others first."

I didn’t give a definite answer about the variety show offer.

For issues like this, I felt it was something we should discuss together, so I asked for some time.

[Shouldn’t the people directly involved decide whether to do it or not? After all, it’s not like we’re just background players.]

Should we jump into the obvious fire pit, adding fuel to the flames?

Or should we bring explosives into the pit and blow it all up?

In the end, the ones taking the lead are the children.

I was a little curious about what decision they would make.

"Yeah, it’s rare for the CEO to give you the authority to decide. So, think carefully and make your decision, okay?"

I nodded, taking a moment to clear my somewhat complicated thoughts.

It seemed like a bunch of schedules had popped up, but every one of them was something I couldn’t understand.

"So, what's with the album jacket photos, and the music video? Now you’re saying let’s create a NewTube channel? Are we supposed to dig a hole and hope something pops up?"

"What?"

At my words, Gyuhyung suddenly burst into laughter.

He looked like a black bear, clutching his round belly and laughing for a while, with tears even gathering at the corners of his eyes.

I couldn’t quite pinpoint what was so funny, and it was subtly irritating.

"Did you get a bit more interesting after losing your memory?"

He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out his phone.

"First, watch the music video. I’m sure you’ll be convinced that it's better to re-shoot it."

Gyuhyung pressed the play button, and a video started playing with music.

I was horrified the moment it started.

These awkward, clumsy anchovies, what on earth are they doing in there looking like this?

And then there was another thing. Kang Ichan.

I mean, it's the Kang Ichan from when I wasn't Kang Ichan.

This guy, he’s lost his mind.

How dare they tarnish my face like this?

This awkward performance, this is my face now.

Horrified, I couldn’t help but shout.

"Delete it right now!"

This isn’t right. Kang Ichan causes the trouble, and I’m the one who has to deal with it—that doesn’t make sense.

"Let's reshoot this, right now."

A clear short-term goal had emerged.

To scrap this damn music video, once and for all.