‘Self-PR…?’

 

Could it be a pre-release?

Revealing the trainees’ profiles in advance was a clever move.

Even though HON is a major entertainment company, getting high ratings for the first episode isn’t easy.

Most casual viewers aren’t automatically invested in the agency itself.

So, the plan to generate buzz by releasing the participants’ profiles early was smart. 

HON seemed to be aiming for a dual strategy: revealing the idol debut process while boosting ratings.

I had to admit, it was a much better idea than trying to piece together several teasers.

The CEO continued to explain. The evaluation method would be based on a total of 110 points.

 

“In other words, it’s 100 points from the judges’ scores in the ‘Individual Capability Mission’ and 10 points from the number of recommendations in the ‘Self-PR Mission.'”

 

He elaborated that the PR videos would be uploaded to MeTube, but those wouldn’t count towards the final score.

Instead, the tally would be based on the number of recommendations posted on the official website, and that would only last for a week.

For the first time, I considered speaking up.

 

‘Huh…. Still, this seems a bit….’

 

No matter how I calculated it, this setup heavily favored the “debut group” kids.

The ‘debut group’ refers to trainees who HON deemed likely to debut and managed more intensively.

I had heard rumors during practice: some of them had even been backup dancers for HON artists. They had more experience, more visibility, and even small fan bases.

Naturally, these trainees were already more familiar to the public than I was. They were bound to have a leg up in the PR mission, with their existing fans ready to recommend them.

Still… I consoled myself with the thought that the CEO had the final say in determining the debut lineup. 

No matter how popular a debut group trainee was, if they didn’t impress the CEO, they’d still be eliminated.

I actually saw some trainees who I’d heard were in the debut group recently, but none of them stood out like Yoon Hee-jo.

This meant she wasn’t one of the scheduled debut members.

Yet, regardless of that, I felt introducing this type of scoring method for the first mission was a bit extreme.

Looking around, I wasn’t the only one with a gloomy expression at the CEO’s words. It seemed everyone shared my unease.

 

“Now, let me introduce the people who will be judging alongside me on this show. You’re all probably familiar with them.”

 

After explaining the mission and the evaluation system, the CEO proceeded to introduce the judges one by one.

They were all well-known figures: choreographers, composers, producers, rap and vocal trainers. Even from their brief introductions, their impressive careers were clear.

The CEO then asked some broadcast-friendly questions to a few recognizable trainees, but the filming ended rather anticlimactically.

Once all the explanations were over, the CEO and his entourage left the practice room, and a new manager I hadn’t seen before suddenly barged in.

 

“As you all heard from the CEO, HON will be launching a new girl group.”

 

The manager seemed nervous in front of the cameras, constantly fidgeting with the paper in her hands.

 

“Those who’ve been here a while will know, but for an in-house survival show, this is quite a large number of participants. There are 30 of you in total.”

 

I could almost hear the unspoken implication: ‘So be on your toes and do your best.’

Of course, the more participants there are in a survival show, and the fewer debut spots available, the tougher it is for each individual trainee.

 

‘Even so, I’m the most desperate one here.’

 

What did it matter how many participants there were? I was going to debut no matter what.

The manager quickly wrapped up the additional explanations about the filming process and things to be mindful of.

To summarize, starting next week, cameras would be installed everywhere, so we were urged to be careful.

And since there wouldn’t be any lessons or interim evaluations for this mission, we had to prepare on our own.

All trainees, including me, were required to move into the designated dormitories.

Suddenly, I found myself having to leave behind the comfort of my own house.

 

“And… well, I think that covers everything. Does anyone have any questions?”

 

After a brief Q&A session, the first official filming concluded. 

Like the other trainees who politely bowed to the manager, I also bent my waist slightly.

As everyone began dispersing to their respective tasks, Yoon Hee-jo followed me just as I was about to leave.

 

“Now that we’ve received the first mission notice, it feels more real, doesn’t it?” she said.

 

“Oh… yeah, it does.”

 

“The dorm? Have you been assigned one yet?”

 

“No, not yet.”

 

“Ah, I see….”

 

Oops.

I should have been trying to get along with her, but I had unknowingly given a curt response.

Hearing my dry tone, Yoon Hee-jo bit her lip awkwardly, her expression turning somewhat dejected.

 

“Um, hey….”

 

Seeing her slumped shoulders, I tapped her lightly, and she looked up at me with a downcast expression.

 

“…Want to practice together?” I asked.

 

“!”

 

Her eyes widened in surprise before she nodded enthusiastically. 

If she was good enough to debut, she must be skilled. Practicing with someone like her would benefit me.

Besides, I could improve my stats and get closer to Yoon Heejo in the process. 

It was a proposal that killed two birds with one stone.

But before we could start practicing together…

 

“We need to shoot some interview cuts with the trainees, so please wait a moment!”

 

A staff member interrupted us, halting the trainees who were packing up their things.

 And the first person called for the sudden interview was…

 

“Shall we start with the trainee right here in front?”

 

It was me, just as I was about to step out the door.

 

“The rest of you, please line up in order!”

 

What I thought would be a simple exit with Yoon Hee-jo had now turned complicated. 

 

I was dragged away by the staff, still wearing my backpack

 

“Dan-ah, do well!” 

 

Yoon Hee-jo’s enthusiastic cheer followed as I was led away.

The interview started as soon as I arrived, and honestly, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. 

Considering my background in this life, it wasn’t my first interview, so it didn’t feel particularly difficult. 

Of course, this was my first time doing a face-to-face interview that would be broadcasted on such a large scale.

The questions themselves were simpler than I expected.

Just how I became a trainee at HON, my motivation for appearing on the show, and what my future goals were, etc.

Most questions were aimed at promoting HON’s status and introducing the trainees.

 

“What’s your family situation like?”

 

“…”

 

I expected it. Even if it was only touched on briefly, I knew this question would come up.

 

“I’m an only child. My parents are currently in the United States.”

 

I quickly glossed over the family history, relying on my background research and omitting all related personal circumstances.

 

‘It was worth memorizing the family register diligently yesterday and today, just in case.’

 

Investigating the text message history with family members was also good preparation.

However, there was something a bit disturbing among the contents I had inferred from those messages… 

It turned out this character had an older brother who was a law-breaking gambler.

Rather than calling someone whose whereabouts and identity couldn’t even be confirmed, a brother, it was better to treat him as non-existent.

That’s why I answered that I was an only child.

However, there was an unexpected pitfall beyond the well-handled family question:

 

“By the way, what’s your MBTI?”

 

“…Oh.”

 

Here it comes. The pseudo-science that’s all the rage. This ‘personality type test,’ which stands for MBTI, is a fundamental question that pops up in recent entertainment industry interviews.

However, since I wasn’t usually interested in such things, I had only taken the test once in real life. 

It gave different results each time, anyway, and I didn’t remember it well.

As I hesitated to answer, a new window popped up in my lower field of vision.

 

—– —–

>What’s that?

>I don’t believe in such things.

—– —–

 

Unexpectedly, it was a selection window.

 

‘I had a feeling, but even the selection window is implemented the same way?’

 

It was a screen too bewildering for me, who had just gotten used to the system. If it weren’t for the [Mental Stability] passive, my dumbfounded face might have been caught on camera by now.

Moreover… is this all there is?

 

“…”

 

Even if I try to say a different answer, only a slight voice comes out.  Words that could serve as answers won’t come at all. 

This is driving me crazy. Both options are terrible. 

It would be better to properly inform and increase the buzz.

 

‘Oh lol, same MBTI as me.’

‘Look at the difference in reactions between T and F kids lol.’

‘↳For real, the stark contrast is hilarious lololol.’

 

… Surprisingly, mentions increase significantly with things like this.

This reality-like game gives ample rewards and penalties based on community reactions, so it’s important. 

It’s a mistake to think, ‘Well, it’s just talking about personality types…’

The appearance of a selection window is the start of this game’s manipulation.

 

I’ve already fallen into ruin a few times in past plays due to such trivial questions.

The consequences for choosing the wrong option in this game were severe. 

The butterfly effect was so strong that it could lead to the character’s demise… It was no less intense than any political game.

 

Therefore, I had to be cautious with each choice.

 

“Trainee Seo Dan-ah?”

“Ah, I…”

Did I take too long?

Can’t be helped. What more could I expect with such low stats?

I can’t antagonize the pseudo-science believers…

 

>What’s that? ◁(Selected!)

 

“What’s that?”

 

This is the best I can do.

 

* * *

 

After finishing the interview, I found myself alone in a corner of the practice room, waiting for Yoon Hee-jo, with whom I had agreed to practice earlier.

 

“Sorry, I’m a bit late…”

 

“No, not at all.”

 

Despite me sitting in a corner of the small practice room, Yoon Hee-jo found me without much difficulty. 

 

She hung her bag and outer clothes on a chair one by one, then hurriedly approached me.

 

“Did you wait long?”

“I just got here, and I was practicing on my own, so it’s fine.”

 

By the way, the scene of me speaking formally to her might seem a bit strange, but the reason was simple.

 

‘Well, that’s because she’s older…’

 

As it turned out, she was a year older than ‘the current me.’

It was a misunderstanding that arose from assuming we were the same age because we seemed close.

A younger sibling who has been speaking formally suddenly switches to informal speech overnight?

Even I would have more than a few questions, but she managed to endure it for a long time. 

However, she must have thought she should say something, as she hesitantly opened her mouth.

 

-‘By the way…’

-‘Hmm?’

-‘Did I do something wrong? You suddenly started using informal speech… I was a bit surprised.’

 

…The conversation that started like this ended with my thousands of apologies: “I’m sorry, unnie(1). I’ve been out of it lately…”

 

‘Haah… That was really close.’

 

Fortunately, it was a relief that the kind-hearted Yoon Hee-jo was able to smooth things over.

During the conversation, she even made comments asking me to speak informally again or saying that it sounded nice, but I stuck to the polite language I had originally used.

It was clear she was teasing, so I maintained my stance. If only I had obtained ‘that’ earlier to prevent such accidents from happening.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

I still don’t have the relevant authority, but… should I give it a try?

Without further delay, I inwardly called out towards Yoon Heejo, who was slowly stretching:

‘Target Profile.’

 

>>You have not yet acquired the relevant passive…

 

…Well, that makes sense.

I tried it just in case, but it seems it won’t work unless I acquire the [Target Profile Viewing Rights].

As I was about to give up on that thought, another message popped up, causing me to lift my head again.

 

>>Due to an unreasonable challenge, 1% of your life force will be deducted…

>>Current Player Life Force: 99%

 

“What?!”

Is this thing crazy…?

 

 

(1) Unnie – is a term used by females to address older sisters or older female friends.