Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 240

When faced with a beautiful lake reflecting sunlight without a flaw, it naturally drew attention, much like a boy who had just emerged from a fairy tale, resembling a water nymph.

His appearance had always drawn eyes since he first entered the practice room.

With the stage set just for On Raon, people found it impossible to take their eyes off him, knowing it was somewhat rude to stare at someone so intently.

‘What will he show us?’

Considering the issue caused by Pick Heart last year, almost everyone in the entertainment industry present had seen at least a brief video of On Raon’s choreography practice during his trainee days with True.

In those videos, anyone could see that On Raon had a natural talent for dance. Even just standing still in the center of the practice room gave the impression of someone with exceptional skills.

Moreover, Seo Moon-gyeol, a member of the same group, had just performed a fairly difficult and dazzling technique, earning applause, which only heightened expectations.

For reference, Gyun Seong-ha had previously shown only a cartwheel, citing advice that he was prone to injury when doing acrobatics.

Skipping a performance entirely would turn the event into a sort of graduation showcase or talent show, so everyone had to perform something to pass their turn.

“I saw his fan cam, and his dance lines were…”

“His lines are really good.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I think he’ll be great…”

Whispers from close friends nearby could be heard everywhere.

Overall, the atmosphere was one of heightened anticipation, and in the quietly elevated mood, Kang Ji-woo called Seo Moon-gyeol, who had attended the same high school as On Raon, with a worried look.

“Gyeol, how was Raon in school? Was he good at things like this?”

Seo Moon-gyeol had been recalling memories of On Raon in the same school uniform even before Kang Ji-woo asked, but he couldn’t quite remember how On Raon had been at school.

“I heard he was good, but we didn’t share many classes, so I don’t know for sure.”

“Really…?”

Kang Ji-woo was slightly disappointed by the less certain answer than he had hoped for, but Seo Moon-gyeol continued with a clearer tone.

“But I’m sure Raon hasn’t practiced acrobatics since joining our company.”

“Right. I haven’t seen him do it either.”

“No way he’d attempt it suddenly without practice.”

Whether it was dance or any other physical activity, consistently practicing and preparing the body for unusual movements was crucial.

Particularly for acrobatics, the movements were so intense that even a small mistake during the takeoff or landing stages could cause serious injury.

While Seo Moon-gyeol worried about On Raon’s unpredictable boldness and recklessness he sometimes sensed.

“!”

Among the onlookers, cheers erupted from those who seemed to have anticipated it.

On Raon successfully performed a clean backflip from a sitting position, placing his hands on the floor and flipping backward, which another idol from a different group had shown earlier.

Although it was the same move they had seen before, the elegance with which he executed it was entirely different.

“He’s really good.”

“He’s light.”

“Even someone who doesn’t know can see he’s very skilled.”

Even Kang Ji-woo and the Orca members thought they might have worried for nothing.

“Did he practice when we weren’t watching?”

Of course not.

On Raon had only learned of the move’s existence a few minutes ago, and his attempt just now was his first ever try at an acrobatic technique in his life.

‘I thought I could do it, and it worked.’

On Raon chose this technique because, if he failed, he would merely roll on the floor, or so he thought.

Having never experienced any acrobatics in his life, the move called ‘Rainbow,’ which involved flipping over from a low height with hands on the floor, didn’t seem particularly difficult to him.

However, it wasn’t a move to be attempted without practice.

Had Sae-bom Jung, the Seed choreographer, known about this, he would have scolded On Raon severely for his recklessness.

Fortunately for On Raon, only he knew about it, and it was to remain that way.

As he bowed his head slightly with a calm smile towards the applauding audience and was about to return to his place, a system window popped up in front of him.

[Sudden Quest Activated!]

[▶ Quest Description: It’s time to become the Dancing King.]

For the moment, On Raon ignored the ridiculously grandiose quest name and introduction, wanting to call Larry over and punch him.

[Acrobatics is a dazzling skill that can make you the star at any time and place. (Omitted) Excessive dance practice can adversely affect joints and knees, but for someone with your extraordinary skills, this is not a problem. Now, let’s make the precariously beautiful art of acrobatics yours once more!

▶ Completion Criteria: Collect 5 Acrobatics Techniques

▶ Guaranteed Rewards: Some Experience Points, +10 Stat Points, Skill 《Acrobatics (Intermediate)》

▶ Penalty for Failure: None]

[Y/N]

‘!’

It had been a long time since he received this kind of quest.

‘And it’s intermediate, not beginner.’

Could it be because of that guy’s influence, like how the English language skill was advanced from the start?

With no penalties and having Grace, On Raon accepted the long-awaited quest without hesitation.

The choreographer, who had been attentively observing On Raon’s demonstration, then spoke up.

“Can’t you do a Seonja?”

It was basically a request to show another skill. Kang Ji-woo, who had been ready to warmly welcome the youngest back after his impressive performance, momentarily froze at the choreographer’s request.

On Raon, with a curious expression, asked back.

“What is a Seonja?”

The choreographer, who initially thought On Raon was pretending not to know out of reluctance, remembered that On Raon, despite his appearance, was American and responded with a smile.

“Butterfly.”

Although the choreographer restated the move in its English term, On Raon, who didn’t even know the name of the move he had just performed, still blinked in confusion, unfamiliar with acrobatic terminology.

“I’m not sure what that is, could you show me an example?”

The choreographer then turned his head and called out to Ahn Hee-seop, who was sitting sullenly against the wall.

“Mr. Hee-seop, could you come out and show us a Seonja?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Can’t you do that much?”

“…I can.”

Even Seo Moon-gyeol, who was not particularly perceptive, could easily guess that there was unusual tension between the choreographer and Ahn Hee-seop.

Ahn Hee-seop gave On Raon a look of irritation, as if he were the cause of the unwelcome attention. On Raon considered glaring back but decided against it, given that Ahn Hee-seop was his senior and there were many eyes watching. Instead, he returned a polite yet seemingly mocking smile.

Ahn Hee-seop’s favorability dropped by 10 points.

On Raon realized a profound truth: there were people outside of True who could lose favor towards him despite his looks.

“…I just need to do a Seonja, right?”

“Yes. If you could do more, we wouldn’t be doing this.”

As Ahn Hee-seop lightly stretched, the people around gave him a polite round of applause.

On Raon, who was annoyed by Ahn Hee-seop’s needless antagonism, mimicked clapping without making a sound, keeping his palms apart. He felt a surge of satisfaction when he caught eyes with Gyun Seong-ha, who was doing the same. That small, petty gesture felt like a declaration of solidarity.

Ahn Hee-seop then demonstrated the Seonja, a move where he jumped into the air and spun with his torso bent.

“Can you do it?”

“I’ll give it a try.”

On Raon responded nonchalantly, but Kang Ji-woo, who thought the move looked far more dangerous than what On Raon had done earlier, couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

“Maknae, you don’t have to do it if it seems too dangerous.”

“No, I think I can do it.”

He had received a related quest just moments before.

He felt like trying it, and somehow, he felt confident it would work out again.

“Wow!”

Contrary to his members’ worries, On Raon successfully executed the Seonja with ease.

Thanks to the Grace he used earlier, his body felt light and free from the fatigue of preparing for the comeback.

As he performed the move perfectly, he even felt a sense of mental liberation.

“They say he’s a good dancer, but he’s really too good. Let’s try one last thing.”

This time, the choreographer demonstrated the move himself.

It looked about twice as difficult as the Seonja.

Unable to watch any longer, Kang Ji-woo directly addressed the choreographer.

“Sorry, but we’re preparing for a comeback, so practicing something this dangerous without prior training…”

The choreographer turned to look at On Raon.

“But Raon looks like he thinks he can do it, doesn’t he?”

“What?”

Kang Ji-woo turned around in shock.

However, On Raon’s face, standing still, was at best blank and thoughtful, not at all looking like someone who believed he could do it.

The choreographer, as if he had already decided on the answer, persistently asked again.

“You can do it, right? If you can’t, just say so. I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to.”

In the end, On Raon nodded with an ambiguous expression, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.

Even the Orca members, who were struggling to keep their expressions neutral, and the Blue Team idols, who had worked with this choreographer for years, shook their heads.

“That teacher is really consistent.”

“I know, right? How can you say no in a situation like this?”

“What a pity.”

Watching Orca’s concerned reactions, a member of OneBoys mumbled.

“I’m jealous.”

Another member, catching the small remark, asked.

“Why?”

“They seem to get along well.”

By then, On Raon was already moving his feet slowly but surely.