Chapter 53

“No, it’s because I want to do it. Let me correct that. Why do you want to become an idol?”





There was no need to ponder.





“Because I like idols.”





It was fake, yet sincere.





I liked the version of myself who was an idol.





Because I loved every moment of improvement and effort in my journey.





And someday, I would be able to show such a version of myself to the public.





Of course, with that came the pressure, and it would be easy to get hurt.





Though I wasn’t sure if I was strong or fragile in this regard.





Right now, I was curious about how I looked on camera.





“Just… I want to be an idol.”





“Hmm, asking an idol trainee why they want to be one was a mistake.”





“But playing the piano well and being an idol are completely different things, right? You know that, don’t you?”





“Yes, I do.”





I knew my skills were still lacking.





That’s why I liked it even more.





Because tomorrow’s me will be cooler.





“Understood. Give it your best shot.”





As we descended from the stage, we attached the Tier 1 mark handed to us by the production staff.





Seo-yoon Unni, wearing the Tier 1 badge, giggled mischievously while teasing me.





“Ah, Do-hee stole our screen time!”





“Ah, yeah. That’s star quality—pulling the camera towards you.”





“Hmph… Are we all captured on camera?”





The production crew smiled and said upon seeing us.





“How does it feel now that all three of you have received Tier 1 ratings?”





“I’d die happy right now.”





“If you die now, it’ll be a bad death, though.”





Na-eun Unni pinched both Seo-yoon Unni’s and my cheeks as she spoke.





“We’ll try our best to survive till the end with these troublemakers! Remember Topist trainees Do-hee Lee, Kim Seo-yoon, and Kim Na-eun!”





After finishing the interview, we returned to our seats.





Nam Seo-yeon, sitting next to me, stared at me with wide eyes.





“Wow… Dohee Unni…”





“Aww, it’s nothing~”





The stars won’t be overshadowed by me… Kewl.





Now, all that’s left is the main stage everyone acknowledges.





The level evaluation by three major entertainment agencies.





On the ceiling of the stage, a sign with Haru Entertainment’s logo appeared.





“Woah, Haru Entertainment.”





“I’m really looking forward to the big three agencies.”





The judges’ expressions were filled with anticipation.





“Hello! Haru Entertainment’s dynamic duo!”



“Jeon Ha-rang!” “Kim Se-yeon!”





“Here we are~”





Currently ranked first, Jeon Ha-rang.





Moreover, from Haru Entertainment.





Attention couldn’t help but focus on them.





“First of the big three agencies, Haru Entertainment. Let’s see your performance. Please begin.”





Haru Entertainment’s stage began.





A hip EDM beat mixed with dancehall and electronic house music.





Fittingly, it was the kind of song Haru Entertainment favored.





“Today still Friday!”





“Wow…”





Both did great.





Their singing and dancing were both top-tier.





Especially Jeon Ha-rang, whose confidence seemed to stem not just from Haru Entertainment.





I leaned close to Seo-yoon Unni’s ear and whispered.





“- I can dance better than that, huh?”





“Yeah, you’re the best.”





“Okay, thank you.”





When the stage ended, unsurprisingly, both Jeon Ha-rang and Kim Se-yeon received Tier 1 ratings.





“Eek…”





I was excited for no reason after receiving Tier 1.





Indeed, compared to previous seasons, this season had leveled up significantly overall…





Next came Zy Entertainment’s Yoon Seo-won and Gong Chae-rin.





Didn’t Yoon Seo-won debut publicly?





“Trainee Yoon Seo-won appeared in DIAZ’s ‘Clean Love’ music video, right?”





“Yup, that’s correct!”





“You also starred in an acne cream advertisement. Zy sure has a lot going on, doesn’t it?”





Yoon Seo-won smiled brightly, much like I used to.





“Hey… Bulleshi-like…”





Zy’s pride, Gong Chae-rin, fighting!





“Please begin.”





With the judge’s words, the stage commenced.





True to form, Zy trainees delivered a clean and polished performance.





However, nothing stood out particularly.





It might be because their synergy didn’t match well, and it felt like public trainee Yoon Seo-won struggled to keep up with Gong Chae-rin.





Still rooting for Gong Chae-rin.





She’s the best!!!





“Trainee Yoon Seo-won…” “…is Tier 3.”





“And trainee Gong Chae-rin…” “…is Tier 1.”





Even though I expected Tier 2 out of respect for a major agency, the judges were ruthless.





After Gong Chae-rin and Yoon Seo-won stepped down, finally, the last act.





JS Entertainment’s Eun Se-ra took the stage.





Most people considered her the number one candidate.





At 6 a.m., most trainees were on the verge of collapse, yet many stayed awake to watch the final grading.





I stared intently at Eun Se-ra’s face.





Face genius Do-hee Lee admits—she is pretty.





A beauty worthy of comparison with me.





Of course, let me reiterate: I am prettier.





I turned to look at Seo-yoon Unni.





“Don’t.”





“What? What do you think I’m going to do?”





“You’re going to whisper something weird again.”





But it wasn’t weird at all.





While joking around with Unni, the prelude started playing on stage.





“Ah, this one.”





The dreamy R&B song ‘Bull Fighter’ by the queen of pop, Luina—a track exuding self-absorbed vibes, fitting perfectly for Eun Se-ra.





“- We are megalomaniacs -”





A deliberately dreamy nasal introduction.





“- We both have a hard time admitting our faults -”





Once the intro ended, the sound cleaned up instantly.





Her vocal tone control made it evident that she sang well.





“- Everything becomes smoke -”





Of course, the choreography was simple, matching the dreamy atmosphere.





Eun Se-ra’s stage concluded.





I wanted to check her dance skills, but unfortunately, the judges announced her grade without requesting additional choreography.





Naturally, Eun Se-ra received…





“Trainee Eun Se-ra… …is Tier 1.”





In the end, four out of five from the top three agencies reached Tier 1.





Of course, the top talents from the big three agencies were showcased, and everyone had reasons to feel confident.





I turned to Seo-yoon Unni again.





“Don’t.”





I pouted and said,





“No… I was going to say you’re the best…”





“Ah… Really? I misunderstood because you joke so much. So stop messing around.”





“Yeah…”





“Sorry anyway.”





“It’s fine…”





Lies.





After Eun Se-ra’s final evaluation, the PD shouted,





“Cut! Take a 10-minute break before we start filming the last scene!”





Ah.





The title track filming is still left.





I’m dying.





After the 10-minute break, the judges climbed the stage, grabbed the mic, and spoke.





“All level evaluations are complete.”





“Now, it’s time to reveal the title track for Jodol Season 3.”





“Before that, let me inform you of the current number of members per tier.”





“Tier 5: 17 members.”





“Tier 4: 23 members.”





“Tier 3: 29 members.”





“Tier 2: 17 members.”





“Tier 1: 13 members.”





“As you all know, the title track stage presented to Chu-sers isn’t fair for everyone.”





“Tier 1 will be at the front of the stage.”





“Tier 5 will be at the back of the stage.”





“But Tier 1 members, don’t celebrate too soon.”





“And Tier 5 members, there’s still hope.”





“The reevaluation after three days of practice…”





“Before then, here’s the title track you’ll be practicing until the reevaluation!”





The screen ahead displayed the title track’s name:





“[ Crush On You ]”





Then the text faded into darkness, and the screen switched to a rehearsal room filled with dancers.





“- Your gaze on me feels thrilling (zing zing) -”





“- The touch of your hand brushing mine feels electrifying (zing zing) -”





Dancers began performing a cute choreography that matched the bouncy rhythm and adorable lyrics.





Hmm…





Occasionally, challenging moves appeared to differentiate participants’ skills, culminating in the chorus.





“- C C C C C crush on you -”





“- L L L L L rush to you -”





“- C C C C C crush on you -”





“- L L L L L rush to you -”





An electronic house-based edm with a bouncing rhythm representing addiction.





Using ‘crush’ and ‘rush,’ the track encapsulated both the program’s title, Jodol, and the contestants’ desire to be chosen by Chu-sers.





Together, they formed a hook song emblematic of girl groups.





Of course, as a survival show title track, focusing on addictiveness rather than quality to capture the audience’s ears was natural.





Just…





Why is the choreography so fresh and cute?





Isn’t there something more powerful to perform…?





***





All trainees, having finished the final filming, arrived at the dormitory near the set.





We reached the dormitory at 9 a.m.





Having arrived at the filming location at 11 p.m. yesterday and staying until 9 a.m., it was a grueling 22 hours without sleep.





My assigned room was 1-1.





Unfortunately, I got separated from Na-eun Unni and Seo-yoon Unni.





I opened the door and entered my assigned room.





Ah.





Bunk beds.





At first, the top bunk seems sweet, but later, climbing up and down gets annoying, so people usually prefer the bottom.





Only, a camera was attached to the top bunk.





So I subtly placed my luggage on the top bed.





I had three roommates in total.





All Tier 1 members, their nametags read Hana Kwon, Kim Se-yeon, and Eun Se-ra.





For some reason, Eun Se-ra has been staring at me ever since we entered.





What’s wrong?





Is it because of the camera on the top bunk?





No, it’s been happening since we came in…





Everyone unpacked quietly, still shy with each other, without speaking.





I should probably start the conversation.





“Shall we introduce ourselves?”





Kim Se-yeon reacted enthusiastically, breaking the silence.





“Ah, yes! I’ll go first. I’m Kim Se-yeon from Haru Entertainment, and I’m 17 years old.”





“I’m Hana Kwon from Puding Entertainment, and I’m 21 years old.”





Looking naturally at Eun Se-ra, who kept staring at me intensely.





“Why are you looking at me like that…”





“I’m Topist’s Do-hee, and I’m 15. Nice to meet you.”





“I’m… Eun Se-ra from JS Entertainment, and I’m 18.”





“You’re all older than me, aren’t you?”





Kim Se-yeon overreacted to my comment.





“Ah, that’s true!”





Hana Kwon spoke with a watery voice.





“I’m… the oldest here…”





“No way! You look incredibly young!”





“Thank you…”





Another awkward silence followed.





Ah…





“…Let’s shower and rest, shall we?”