The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 15

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

The Gate Burst Open on My Debut Day (15)
The day after the first Main Quest—the theme song evaluation—concluded.
We moved to the Studio for music broadcast filming.
The trainees marveled at the massive Studio, which could accommodate a hundred people.
“Let’s change into our outfits first, then get our makeup done!”
“Yes!”
The trainees took turns entering the waiting room, changed clothes, and came right back out.
With limited space, they claimed spots wherever they could find room—on the Stage, in corners of the Studio—to receive their makeup.
“Hyung!”
Okada, having finished her makeup, came bounding toward me with rapid footsteps.
Ever since the theme song evaluation Stage, Okada had begun following me like a puppy devoted to its master.
“How do I look?”
I stepped back and took in Okada’s full appearance.
Typically, theme song costumes for Idol Survival Audition Programs follow the school uniform standard.
It effectively showcases the untainted purity and fresh charm of the trainees.
But EX-Grade K-POP Idols are not your typical Idol Survival Audition Program.
“It suits you well.”
A black suit, white shirt, and… a harness.
I couldn’t quite grasp what the harness had to do with the program’s concept, but since the costume had secured buzz early on, I had no complaints.
“Really?”
“Yeah, but…”
I scanned Okada’s full figure once more.
If this costume had a flaw, it was that the difference between trainees who wore it well and those who didn’t was stark.
If we were a debuted Idol group, I’d style each member’s outfit to match their face and image, but there was no way to personally attend to a hundred trainees.
“Excuse me, do you have a comb and hairspray?”
“Yeah, I do. Why?”
“I was wondering if I could borrow them for a moment.”
“Sure, I guess. Just use it and give it back quickly.”
“Thank you so much.”
I approached one of the Stylists who was doing makeup and borrowed a comb and hairspray.
I felt the cameras capturing my noticeable actions.
“Sit down.”
“Yes!”
Okada’s eyes widened as she plopped down into the seat.
‘Why does she follow me so well when I don’t even know what I’m doing?’
It was a bit burdensome, but since I’d already started, I had to see it through.
I gazed at Okada’s frizzy brown bangs.
The slightly long bangs covered her eyes halfway.
‘Okada’s eyes look round, but the corners lift slightly upward.’
However, with her bangs obscuring her eyes like this, the eye corners weren’t visible at all.
“Close your eyes.”
I swept Okada’s bangs back smoothly.
Then I worked a comb through her hair, positioning it so her eye corners were clearly visible.
―Pssshhhhh!
After finishing the styling, I sprayed hairspray to set it in place.
The camera had already positioned itself directly behind us, capturing everything.
“You can open your eyes now.”
“Oh….”
The admiration came not from Okada, but from the staff member watching from behind.
When her bangs were down, she had a cute impression that clashed with her outfit, but now that I’d swept them back, her forehead and slightly sharp eye corners were revealed, giving her a mature appearance.
Okada merely tilted her head in confusion, unable to form an objective judgment about her own face.
“That’s much better. Kim Chowol, did you study styling separately?”
“No. I just had some interest in it, and kept practicing….”
“This isn’t the work of just one or two attempts. You’re impressive.”
Sharp eye, this one.
I smiled inwardly.
Makeup and hairstyling were skills I’d learned on my own through repeated regressions.
They helped boost my appearance stat, and there’s nothing more effective than one’s face for drawing viewer reactions.
“Yoo Sung, if you need anything….”
Since the camera was already rolling, I sought out Yoo Sung for the sake of editing.
Yoo Sung, having finished his makeup, was waiting near the Stage.
“What.”
“Never mind, looks like you don’t need it.”
“Need what?”
Yoo Sung’s brow furrowed slightly in displeasure, but he quickly noticed the camera and composed himself.
‘Handsome guys don’t need to worry.’
Yoo Sung wore a suit with a harness and only light makeup, yet his face radiated the brilliance of a Top-tier Male Idol.
I lightly touched up my makeup and hair to match my outfit, then returned the comb and hairspray.
“We’re going live. Please prepare!”
“Yes!”
At the staff member’s words, a hundred trainees began moving in unison.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
I gently pushed Okada’s back as we climbed onto the Stage.
* * *
The filming was over.
The staff spoke matter-of-factly to the exhausted trainees.
“The broadcast will air on Music Day in five days, and filming will resume in a week. Get plenty of rest, and we’ll see you then.”
The trainees gathered their belongings and headed home.
“Hyung! S-see you next week!”
“Yes, rest well. I’ll see you next week.”
I waved lightly to Okada before hailing a taxi home.
An ordinary apartment in the Outskirts of Seoul, completed twenty years ago.
“I’m home.”
No one answered my greeting.
I didn’t mind and strode into the house.
I collapsed onto the dust-covered sofa and gazed at the family photo sitting on the living room table.
“I’m home, Mom, Dad… Brother.”
A family that no longer existed.
My parents had passed away in a traffic accident two years ago.
It was a shock to hear of the sudden accident while I was devoted to my debut preparations.
I considered quitting as a trainee, but my brother, Kim Chowon, said something.
‘Keep going.’
‘What?’
‘Keep training.’
At the Funeral Hall, Kim Chowon spoke with cold sorrow in his eyes.
‘Mom and Dad wouldn’t want you to give up on your dream.’
‘I….’
‘I’ll figure out the money somehow… so do what you want.’
His tone was cold, but I could feel the warmth in Kim Chowon’s heart.
After that, Kim Chowon worked multiple part-time jobs simultaneously to support both our lives alone.
“Brother, where are you now?”
I spoke to Kim Chowon in the family photo, smiling faintly.
Kim Chowon had suddenly disappeared a year ago.
I struggled desperately to find him, but Kim Chowon left no trace, no clue—as if he had simply vanished.
After failing to join the Entertainment Agency’s debut lineup, I considered abandoning everything and devoting myself entirely to finding Kim Chowon.
But Kim Chowon would be furious if he learned I had given up my idol dream to search for him.
That’s why I decided to appear on EX-Grade K-POP Idol.
If I had known I’d be trapped in this wretched regression, I would have abandoned my idol dream regardless of what Kim Chowon might say to me later.
“Let me just eat something….”
After filling my stomach with instant food, I collapsed into bed.
The fatigue accumulated over ten grueling days crashed down on me all at once.
I had already planned how to spend this break.
Two days for rest, four days renting a Practice Room to train in dance and singing, and the final day to recover and adjust my condition before returning to the Filming Set.
“I have to place first….”
I had to place first to escape the regression.
Only then would time move forward, and I’d have hope to find Kim Chowon.
I set aside my complicated thoughts and surrendered to the approaching tide of sleep.
* * *
“I’m dying….”
Five days later.
After spending the entire day practicing at a rented Practice Room since morning, I returned home.
“I should watch the broadcast.”
After showering, I opened my laptop and pulled up Music Day with the live comment section.
[Oh?]
[Finally starting?]
[Ah… the spicy Idol Survival Audition Program that Jang Hyuk-soo hosts is back.]
The comment section was filled with nothing but talk of the EX-Grade K-POP Idol from the very beginning.
[Hyuk-soo, Dad. I can’t eat anything unless it’s a Survival Competition you host. Take responsibility.]
I wonder what kind of crazy Survival Competition they’ll come up with this time lol Already looking forward to it lol
Jang Hyuk-soo was a master of Idol Survival Audition Programs, and his name alone guaranteed a certain level of buzz for any program he hosted.
I sipped cool water and continued watching the comment section.
[I heard LMH trainees are appearing this time.]
[LMH? Why would LMH show up here.]
[Besides LMH, there are apparently a lot of decent trainees from other Entertainment Agencies. Sounds like they’re all ones who failed debut evaluations?]
Is this official? If it’s just made up, I won’t believe it lol
Official or not, it was true that many trainees who had failed debut evaluations were participating.
As I watched the chat, time flew by.
Finally, it was time for the EX-Grade K-POP Idol theme song Stage performance.
[“Thank you for waiting!”]
A familiar-faced MC filled the screen.
[“The groundbreaking Idol Survival Audition Program that you can only enjoy on Music Day is finally beginning!”]
The MC zoomed out, and a massive screen appeared behind him.
[“Now, we’ll reveal the program name that all of you viewers have been waiting for.”]
The comment section updated at an accelerating pace.
[Come on, finally]
[Why drag it out like this. How amazing could the name be]
If it’s boring, I’ll just burn down Music Day lol
[“Here it is! The Idol Survival Audition Program is… ‘EX-Grade K-POP Idol’!”]
The massive screen behind the MC changed, displaying the program name in enormous letters.
[What did you say?]
[EX what?]
[Wait, is this like… those hunters from web novels… something like that?]
I was already sick of the concept, but the viewers weren’t.
[“For non-awakened ordinary viewers, you can watch 100 awakened trainees complete Main Quests, cheer them on, and vote for the trainee you want to support!”]
[What are you saying? Ordinary people? Awakened? lol]
[Ah, Jang Hyuk-soo’s subtly otaku-like concept… I kind of like it]
[I’m getting secondhand embarrassment though]
Me too.
I unconsciously responded to the last comment.
[“The top trainees selected by general viewers will debut as Idols and work as official Hunters.”]
[After hearing nothing but fan chants for ages, it’s refreshing to hear from regular people for once]
[Hunt…er? Did I mishear that?]
[I can’t tell if they said something or something else]
[“Now, let’s see the first stage of our Awakened trainees!”]
The screen shifted, revealing a pyramid-shaped Stage.
Han Theo’s face, the center of the theme song stage, was zoomed in.
[Oh]
[He’s so handsome]
[His features look slightly exotic—is he mixed?]
[Center face passes~]
Beginning with the thunderous sound of a massive drum, the intro to the theme song Hunt the Stage began to flow.
The screen zoomed out again, revealing Han Theo’s upper body.
[But what are they wearing?]
[Wow, no way?]
[Is that a harness?]
The chat window’s refresh rate accelerated.

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