Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15.

“Whose mentor will you steal?”
“I…”

I feigned hesitation, drawing out the moment as I gazed toward the camera.
Broadcasting thrives on controversy—it begins with it and ends with it.
Given Oh PD’s personality, he’d probably cut here and move on, so I needed to give him an editing point.
The more controversy I stirred, the more screen time I’d secure—that much was certain.

“I won’t steal anyone’s mentor.”
“!”

Oh PD’s small eyes widened as far as they could go—genuine shock.

“Why… why won’t you steal one? Without a mentor, you’ll be at a significant disadvantage.”

But Oh PD quickly recovered, attempting to persuade me.

“During missions, mentors help with arrangements, choreography, training—all of it. You’d lose all those advantages. You’re really willing to give up everything?”

Oh PD regarded me with incomprehension, his gaze tinged with suspicion.

“Trainee Yun Chung, are you that confident in your own abilities? You’re saying you don’t need a mentor? Or is it that only Representative Seo would matter to you?”

I could sense it instinctively.
This would become a massive on-screen caption.
Accompanied by dramatic background music, no doubt.
I could already hear it in my mind.

Caption: Trainee Yun Chung refuses a mentor. The reason is…?

I need to answer well here.
My character’s editing direction will be determined by how I respond.
If I say I lack confidence, I’ll come across as a weak-minded fool.
If I say I’m confident, I’ll be seen as an arrogant trainee who disrespects all the senior idols.
The former becomes a boring character, the latter a villain.
And I couldn’t afford to take on either role from the beginning of the broadcast.

“That’s not it at all. I actually believe mentors are incredibly important, which is why I decided I couldn’t take one away from the other trainees.”

I tried to appear as composed as possible.
But I couldn’t let my face go rigid.

“So how do you plan to prepare for the performance alone? Without a mentor?”

Perfect.
The moment I heard Oh PD’s question, I silently cheered.
It was exactly the question I’d been hoping for.

“Instead of taking another trainee’s mentor-”

I took a deep breath,

“I’ll create my own mentor.”
“…?”

I exhaled.
Oh PD looked at me with eyes that screamed, “Is this person out of their mind?”
I endured that uncomfortable gaze and spoke directly to the camera.

“I’ll ask the other trainees for help. I’ll make my fellow members, who have watched me all along, my mentors.”
“!”

Oh PD looked at me again with surprised eyes.
But this time, it was closer to positive surprise.

“I see what you mean.”
“…Will that be alright?”

I deliberately sought Oh PD’s permission.
People like Oh PD appreciate when you ask for their approval like this.
Why?
Because if I insisted on doing things my way without permission, he’d want to crush me under his heel.
That’s how such people are.
They prize ‘authority’.

“To be honest, it’s a bit unexpected….”

Sure enough, Oh PD’s expression softened immediately.

“I don’t see why not. Sounds like it could be fun, actually. What do you think, Kang Writer?”
“I think it’s fine too. Trainees help each other out in audition programs anyway. Formalizing it a bit shouldn’t be an issue.”

Kang Writer, the head writer, nodded in agreement.
I exhaled in relief.
Thank goodness.

“But here’s the thing.”

Oh PD smiled wickedly.

“Are you confident the other trainees will actually help you? This is a competition. And it’s awkward for me to say this, but… the other trainees are currently viewing Yun Chung as a strong debut candidate.”

I said nothing.
Having this broadcast on air wasn’t good.
Being called a “strong contender” was certainly pleasant to hear.
But if it went out on broadcast, the disadvantages far outweighed the benefits.
Why?
There were two reasons.
First, I’d become a target for elimination.
Put nicely, a target for elimination—put harshly, I’d become everyone’s enemy.
Considering the upcoming votes, that was the worst possible direction.
Second, I’d become the one people thought, “Surely she won’t fail? Others will pick her. Let’s vote for the ones in urgent need first.”
This actually happened in many audition programs.
Even candidates who seemed absolutely safe, who couldn’t possibly be eliminated, sometimes fell through.
Why?
Precisely because of this.
I couldn’t become someone people felt safe about. Not under any circumstances.
I swallowed the urge to clamp Oh PD’s mouth shut.
But at the same time, showing a lack of confidence by saying something like “I don’t think I’ll be able to debut” wasn’t a good choice either.
People don’t feel attracted to those who lack confidence.
Maybe I could gain sympathy votes at first.
But that’s merely sympathy.
It’s not popularity.
The two are distinctly different.

“In a situation like this, do you think the other trainees would help Yun Chung?”

It was a fair question.
But at the same time, it was one I’d anticipated.

“Yes.”
“!”

Oh PD and Kang Writer’s eyes widened.
Probably because I’d answered far more decisively than they expected.

“How can you be so certain?”

How could I be so certain?
…Well.
I hesitated slightly before answering.

“It’s not that I’m certain—I think I need to be certain.”
“You need to be certain?”

Oh PD raised his eyebrows, as if taken aback.

“Yes. Because—”

***

An 8-pyeong studio apartment.
On the television, the most buzzworthy idol audition survival show of the moment was airing.
Specifically, “Make a New Color”.
Episode 3 had just begun, yet the response was absolutely scorching.
Raw, unfiltered glimpses of clumsy trainees, devilish editing that somehow managed to stay just within bounds.
But in an idol survival program, the most crucial element above all else was—

“Visuals and skill.”

A certain Colors fan muttered from her corner couch, cracking open a beer.
She had chosen to be a fan of the entertainment company Colors itself rather than any specific idol group.
A so-called “Color fan”.
She took pride in that designation.
Why?
Because Colors was competent?
No.
In her view, Colors was spectacularly incompetent—they knew only how to squeeze their artists dry, never how to treat them properly.
And yet.

“…their eye for talent is absolutely uncanny.”

Honestly, I had no idea who Colors’ casting director was, but that person deserved every penny of their salary.
At least, that’s what she thought.
Anyway.
Truth be told, she’d watched Make a New Color without much expectation.
Because Colors already had far too many idols under their belt.
She had no desire to scout yet another idol.
Reality was simply too overwhelming and exhausting for that.
After clocking out, she felt like she’d collapse—and now a new idol?
It was mentally draining work.
So why was she watching?

“…Of all times, why Friday night!”

Perfect timing for office workers to kick back with a beer!
She muttered to herself while watching the screen.
Honestly, Colors rubbed her the wrong way, but every single trainee was exceptional.

“That’s why I can’t quit Colors….”

She sighed deeply and took a sip of beer.
All twelve trainees—not a single weak link among them—were genuinely talented.
It was heartbreaking that not all of them could debut.
But among them, there was always a standout, someone everyone agreed absolutely had to debut.
And that person was the one appearing right now—

Producer: You have to be certain?

[Yun Chung: Yes. Because….]

Yun Chung.
Eight years of devoted Colors fandom spoke volumes.

‘Colors’ signature export—visuals, charm, dancing, the complete package…!’

I couldn’t let this moment slip away!
But talent and charisma were entirely different matters.
So far, she’d been viewing Yun Chung with objective detachment—thinking, “Oh, she’s decent enough.”
Because the girl hadn’t displayed any particularly striking character traits until now.
But then.
Something was beginning to stir in her heart, tapping gently against it.

[Yun Chung: This survival show isn’t the end, though, is it?]

The trainees’ faces bore that characteristic lack of makeup, their black hair carelessly styled in its natural state.
Young enough to pass for a high schooler, though she’d said she was twenty.

[Yun Chung: Whoever debuts, I don’t think this is the end. This path isn’t an easy one, after all. Sometimes there are thorns, and sometimes there are flowers.]

Just listening to her calm, measured tone gave the impression of someone who’d lived a full life.
It was strange for someone who was only twenty.
Yet there was something compelling about the way she spoke that made you nod along.

[Yun Chung: We’re the people who will walk that path together. We support each other, and we’re destined to care for one another.]

The fan’s heartstrings were being plucked, note by note.

[Yun Chung: Everyone wants to debut, of course. But I think you all understand that no one debuts alone.]

From beginning to end, Yun Chung spoke with unwavering conviction, her eyes clear and bright.

[Yun Chung: We’re one group, and I don’t see the other trainees as mere rivals. I see them as future members.]

Production Staff: She sounds so certain that she’ll debut?

[Yun Chung: Yes.]

On the television screen, Yun Chung was smiling radiantly.

[Yun Chung: I think everyone believes that too. Because everyone here deserves it.]

And that smile was touching the heart of a certain Colors fan.

[Yun Chung: So I want to see the other trainees as my mentors. I believe they’ll gladly help me.]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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