Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 10

Out of nowhere, the thirty or so underperforming students who had been spacing out suddenly claimed their minds had cleared and their strength had returned, diving into serious practice.

Other trainees from different classes looked at us strangely, but none of us cared about such trivial matters.

Once we collected our wits, it became glaringly obvious that if we didn’t practice hard, our class teacher would chew us out soon.

However, for most of the Hye-sung class trainees, the choreography was still a high hurdle.

Even though they tried hard, their minds and bodies just didn’t cooperate.

‘Even with the buff, if they’re like this, their average stats must be as low as mine.’

Let’s all do our best, fighting!

In the midst of this, I somehow managed to remember the choreography well enough to imitate it, making me appear somewhat competent. Those who made eye contact with me started asking for help as if I were their last hope.

“On Raon, I don’t understand this part.”

“Why so formal? Just call me Raon.”

“Raon, help me out!”

“Well, I’m not skilled enough to save you, but I can join you in failing.”

“What? I don’t want to fail with you.”

“Then fail alone.”

Of course, being a person of prominent character, I helped even those who spoke rudely.

Honestly, even though I had memorized it, my understanding was less than 10%, making me far inferior compared to the Ji-hee class trainees, who were soaring high. 

Therefore, rather than properly teaching them, I just slowed down the fast-moving steps from the choreography video. Even that was a significant help to many of the Hye-sung class trainees who couldn’t even do that.

So, even a novice like me could be helpful.

“Raon. Help me, please.”

Most of the foreigners who appeared this season were in the Hye-sung class because they lacked basic skills.

For example, the trio from Star Production and Jing Xiao, who I saw before entering the studio.

Based on the names floating above their heads during filming, it appeared that trainees from at least four countries were present here: Korea, Japan, China, and English-speaking countries.

Given the significant number, it was obvious that language barriers and cultural differences would cause headaches when we were later split into teams for practice.

During this, the Star Production trainees, who had been hesitantly watching among the Koreans, cautiously approached me for help.

“Okay, okay. What part?”

“[That part right now….]”

“Oh, this dance.”

Nagase Ritsu, after jabbering in Japanese that I couldn’t understand, switched to clumsy English and used hand gestures.

Then, suddenly,

[Acquired skill 《Beginner Japanese》.]

[Restoring part of character information to acquire skill 《Advanced English》.]

Huh?

[Skill List]

– Language

┗ Advanced English (43.75%), Advanced Korean (56.11%), Beginner Japanese (0.01%)

Huhhhh?

[Tip! Exposure to a language a certain number of times generates language skills. Additionally, when language skill proficiency reaches 100%, the grade increases to a maximum of advanced.]

I recalled the memory of the Japanese trainees from Star Production speaking Japanese and the interpreter translating it.

After hearing it a few times then and briefly now, I seemed to have met the conditions for acquiring it. Plus, I suddenly became as proficient in English as I was in Korean.

‘Why tell me this now? I would’ve chosen charm instead of Korean.’

…… After thinking rationally for a while, choosing Korean was the right decision.

I asked Nagase Ritsu to speak in Japanese just in case, but I couldn’t understand most of it.

It seemed to me that acquiring a skill didn’t mean it was instantly effective.

“Raon, I can’t do this part either.”

Seeing the Star Production trainees, other foreign trainees in our class flocked to me.

Trainees from cultures where perfectly timed dancing wasn’t as crucial for Idols particularly struggled with this kind of choreography.

Do I look so free and easygoing that I can take care of each of you one by one even as competitors?

“Thank you!”

“No, no. Thank you.”

Sure, it was easy. Damn it. Such naïve kids….

To be fair, it’s more challenging than it seems to ignore these kids, who feel like little brothers from another home, struggling alone and then gathering the courage to ask for help.

But it wasn’t a complete loss since my understanding increased bit by bit even while teaching.

You know, when they say teaching is the best way to study.

Helping out like that allowed me to at least briefly talk to almost every trainee in our class.

For someone who prided himself on being as socially inept as an orangutan, this rapid progression of relationships was overwhelming, but I endured it by thinking, ‘This is a game.’

I was proud of myself for enduring it despite my lack of social skills.

“Raon, aren’t you worried about barely practicing yourself?”

“It’s okay. It’s not like today’s the only day to practice.”

“Wow, an angel, an angel.”

“From today, Raon is the guardian angel of the Hye-sung class.”

“Oh, guardian angel, oh.”

“These guys are crazy! Gross!”

[You have been penalized for inappropriate language use. (Remaining time: 02:29:59)]

Don’t penalize me for this crap, you system bastard.

Isn’t calling someone crazy a normal expression? I urgently need a solution for this annoying filter.

[A lot of group members have favorable feelings towards you. Group favorability +7]

My intelligence isn’t going up, but my favorability is skyrocketing.

If I had known this, I would have asked the president to give me a dating sim.

Can’t I seriously just choose a different game genre and start over?

* * *

“Did everyone practice hard? Let’s have each class come out and perform.”

Before I knew it, practice time was over.

The Ji-hee class took the stage first, and the rest of the trainees stepped aside.

‘Hope they do well and raise my wisdom.’

The Ji-hee class trainees, knowing Han Ji-hee chose them because they were good and were the first to be called out, had expressions of subtle tension.

They were the group being most watched and checked at this moment.

Despite the pressure, the Ji-hee class trainees performed excellently.

“Wow…. They’re very good.”

“Only those who deserve an ‘A’ grade are gathered.”

Still, my wisdom didn’t increase.

Instead, my choreography understanding increased a tiny bit. I felt overwhelmed by the thought of when I would learn and understand the song.

Next up were Soo-young’s class, Chang-yeon’s class, and Juan’s class. Their skills varied. Some did poorly, those who did well, and those who were just average.

Among them, if I had to pick out trainees who stood out in skill or appearance or something else, it would be Ok Do-yoon from Soo-young’s class, Kashima Sora from Chang-yeon’s class, and Seo Moon-gyeol from Juan’s class.

“Next, let’s have the Hye-sung class.”

More than 30 trainees, including myself, moved to the center of the stage.

There were so many of us that securing the minimum space needed for dancing was a challenge.

I stood roughly in the middle right, but Ban Yo-han and Kim Jun-woo grabbed my arms and pulled me to the very front, right in the center.

So, the center?

The funny thing was that the other trainees stepped aside and looked at me with eyes full of expectation.

These guys still haven’t lost their buzz.

If they look at me that eagerly, I have to respond.

“Hye-sung class! Are you ready?!”

“Ready!”

“We can do it!”

“We can do it!”

‘What’s with these guys?’ thinking this, a few of the Hye-sung class trainees who shouted ‘We can do it’ with me blushed and lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Are you embarrassed? Huh? Are you embarrassed?

Be confident. You’ve just secured screen time.

[Everyone here is paying attention to the Hye-sung class.]

[Everyone here particularly thinks you’re a weirdo.]

The mentors, chuckling, said,

“Good. I like this kind of thing.”

“These guys know what they’re doing.”

Don’t be ridiculous. You thought I was a weirdo.

“Start.”

The melody that I had heard over and over during practice played.

When our eyes meet,

When you say my name,

I’ll set my sights on your heart,

Heart a-ttae-ttae-tack!

Honestly, we were much worse than the previous four classes.

In the narrow space, we frequently collided or hit each other’s hands during turns.

However, no one gave up midway, and until the music stopped, everyone kept trying by looking at the person next to, in front of, or behind them.

Maybe because of that desperation, even though the overall performance was a mess, the mentors’ expressions weren’t bad.

Some mentors even looked at us with pride.

“They have good energy. This is difficult.”

“Guys, if you keep this energy up for three days, you might achieve something you thought impossible. Keep it up.”

“Oh, senior Hye-sung is smiling.”

Does that look like a smile to you?

If it were 2D graphics, it would be treated as his mouth lifting by one pixel. Hye-sung’s favorability rose by 1 to 2.

There’s a long way to go to be considered close.

“Raon, you were sitting alone up there for hours, but you’re still full of energy. Your eyes were sparkling while dancing. Aren’t you tired?”

What is this person talking about?

I feel like I’m going to die from exhaustion.

Can’t you see me almost kneeling and gasping for breath, as if I’m making a deep apology?

Despite that, if I don’t look tired, it must be thanks to sitting in the first-place chair, reducing my fatigue to 20, and eating the donut snack that replenished my worn-out blood.

Thinking that, I quickly stood up as a trainee who hadn’t even debuted and answered politely.

“Yes! I’m still fine!”

“Being young is great.”

[I also used to be like that……. Jena reminisces with a nod. Favorability +2, current favorability +14]

How old is this lady?

At most, she looks to be in her mid to late twenties, but does she have more experience than she appears?

Considering she’s not just a mentor but a director, her career must be quite substantial.

“Raon, you seem a bit stiff like a wooden puppet when dancing, but you’ve almost memorized the choreography, right?”

“Yes. Raon memorized the choreography almost immediately and helped us.”

At Lee Chang-yeon’s words, Kim Jun-woo nodded.

‘It was like a blind person teaching another blind person.’

By that standard, they’re amazing for understanding something from this shabby example.

“Anyway, I was most worried about your class, but now I feel assured you’ll do well.”

Lee Chang-yeon concluded warmly, and the Hye-sung class trainees, who had been experiencing exhaustion after the group buff wore off an hour ago, retreated with relieved faces.

It was now time for individual lessons with each mentor.

But is there enough space here for proper lessons?

It seems impossible for 100 people to practice simultaneously. The set might collapse if we all jumped together.

Despite that, the production team made us practice right here.

Without giving us lunch, dinner, or any break.