The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 75

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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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Reincarnated Idol Hard-Carries the Indie Band
Chapter 75
“Man, I’m starving.”
“Hey, Cha Seo Ha—once you’re done filming, want to grab a burger?”
“Why don’t you eat one, you pig.”
“……Did you just say that?”
We made our way backstage, our victory in hand.
Just as I’d predicted, Destruction had prepared their round focusing purely on musicality.
They’d proven to the audience how impressive a band they were, true enough.
But the audience judges lifted our hands instead—the ones who’d leapt and laughed alongside them.
It was a gamble of a strategy, but hardly a close call.
“Hey, Kang Min.”
As we turned toward the Waiting Room, a familiar voice caught us from behind.
Im Hyun Taek’s voice.
I turned to see Im Hyun Taek walking toward us.
The cameras were rolling—surely he wasn’t about to do anything foolish.
Im Hyun Taek paused for a moment.
Kang Min didn’t answer, just stared at him with obvious displeasure.
He let out a long breath and continued.
“……I was sorry back then.”
“Hm?”
It was completely unexpected.
Kang Min’s sullen expression softened in an instant.
“Yeah, I said I was sorry.”
“Uh, well. Okay then.”
His tone wasn’t much of an apology, but it didn’t seem to come from any malicious intent either.
He’s just naturally contrary, that’s all.
And Kang Min, caught between Im Hyun Taek’s attitude and the abrupt moment, gave a halfhearted reply and left it at that.
“And you.”
Now it was my turn.
“You’ll do well enough on your own, but if you’re going to do it, do it right. Understood?”
What did that remark mean?
Was he saying we should climb higher so they wouldn’t be embarrassed after we beat Destruction?
On the surface, that’s what it sounded like—but there seemed to be something deeper beneath it.
“We’ll handle it fine, so don’t worry about us.”
I could have taken it graciously, but I didn’t want to.
Not from someone who’d struck my friend.
“Yeah, good luck then.”
And with that, Destruction headed back to their Waiting Room, and we moved toward ours.
Do it right, Im Hyun Taek had said.
It didn’t take me long to understand exactly what he meant.
* * *
Once the production team confirmed Oktop’s victory, all hell broke loose on set.
“Wow, Oktop won. We don’t even need to adjust the narrative now.”
“Okay. Let’s pin down the editing direction right away. This has good staying power, so let’s dial down the Destruction narrative a bit—make sure they don’t look too villainous.”
“What about Jo Sung Hoon’s band, then?”
“Keep it short. They don’t have much narrative to work with anyway, and Oktop’s already got massive airtime.”
“Understood.”
During Rehearsal, the production team had expected Oktop to lose.
But Oktop delivered an extraordinary Stage and easily swept past Destruction.
They needed to build solid groundwork in the lead-up for this magnificent moment to land.
The production team was already rubbing their hands together in anticipation of public response.
* * *
Main Rounds Part One concluded, and the final Top 9 was decided.
While the Session Battle and One-on-One Battle took place, Episodes Two and Three of “Who’s The Real?” were released over the course of two weeks.
Episode Two featured Oktop’s Metal Arrangement version of “Awaken.”
Oktop, who had shed their pop-music image and delivered an authentically passionate Stage.
Overall reception was positive, but judge Park Chul Hwan’s post-Stage remark about “clothes that don’t fit” was emphasized in the broadcast.
And the scene that followed—Im Hyun Taek’s snickering.
He was pointing and acting arrogant, but it wasn’t actually aimed at Oktop.
The production team had spliced the footage together strategically—edited seamlessly enough that anyone watching would think he was mocking Oktop directly.
After Episode Two aired, reaction to the program was scorching.
Band communities especially were dominated by talk about Oktop.
-Wow, Oktop can do that too?
-They literally just arranged it straight metal and released it lol but why would you even put something like that out
└If they’d just released pure metal, who in Korea would listen haha
└Fair point, we’d like it but it wouldn’t chart
-Every other judge is giving them praise but what are you guys doing saying it’s bad or whatever, armchair critics are so gross
-But Park Chul Hwan did have a point—Cha Seo Ha’s vocals do feel like they’re getting buried
└Really? Honestly I thought he was just being petty
└Are you deaf? lol It was super obvious they’ve never done metal before
└It’s normal when you try something new, just stick to pop music
-To me Oktop’s just a one-trick pop pony, so I doubt they’ll place that high
-Wow Oktop was insane, honestly felt like the best in Round One?
-Like Park Chul Hwan said, it didn’t quite fit. Probably better if they just keep doing songs like Rendezvous
-Come on, they did that well—what more do you people want? Are you seriously thinking this on your own, or are you just following Park Chul Hwan’s lead?
└Fair, how are people’s ears so bad? Why are they tearing down that Stage? Do they just still hate Oktop?
Opinion on Oktop was split down the middle.
Half nodded along with veterans like Park Chul Hwan.
Half stood by their own assessment and valued Oktop’s Stage highly.
That debate raged fiercely for a week.
Another week passed, and Episode Three of “Who’s The Real?” dropped.
The episode featured the One-on-One Battle, and Oktop’s turn—they’d prepared a Michael Jackson song—was revealed toward the episode’s end.
-Hello, this is Oktop.
Oktop took the Stage in a clean Shirt and semi-formal slacks.
A wide shot captured them on Stage, and the feed cut to the Waiting Room.
-Wow! Look at them—what’s with the outfit?
-They coordinated well? That’s how you get the Idol Band controversy.
-Man, they look like idols? With matching outfits and everything.
-Hey, they look cool though?
-Ugh…. Don’t tell me they’re doing a ballad or something?
The Waiting Room buzzed at their striking visuals.
The production team skillfully wove together reactions of those impressed with Oktop and those scoffing at how mismatched they seemed with rock.
After the reactions from the performers, Oktop’s second Stage was unveiled.
Oktop taking on a Michael Jackson song.
The opening passage was clean and understated overall—no flashy arrangements or provocative staging to speak of.
An ensemble rooted in fundamentals.
The judges nodded along or smiled contentedly, their appreciation carefully inserted.
Meanwhile, the performers watching from the Waiting Room were shown reacting.
-Yeah, not bad.
-Pretty solid?
-Clean. Ah, so that’s why the outfit? Michael Jackson song.
-There was a reason for the clothes. Now that makes sense.
-But there’s barely any arrangement? Isn’t that basically a cover?
-Still, just nailing the basics like that is genuinely impressive.
-Didn’t expect Oktop to come with so little arrangement.
The Stage continued as reactions from performers and judges were expertly blended.
Then, the second half.
Cha Seo Ha emerged from behind the Stage, quickly donning a Fedora and Jacket, and launched into his Choreography segment as the judge’s table was captured in a wide shot.
-Whoa!!!
-Hey, they’re dancing?
-Oh……?
-What? They’re really good at dancing?
Cha Seo Ha, outfitted in his Fedora and Jacket, executed his Choreography flawlessly.
And toward Park Chul Hwan—the one who’d labeled them “Fake” last round—he pointed his finger defiantly and wore a rebellious expression.
The shot naturally cut between him and Park Chul Hwan, making the moment unmistakable.
A production choice that framed them as adversaries.
Park Chul Hwan laughed, seemingly incredulous.
And Cha Seo Ha stood firm, as if to say: Watch us closely.
The feed cut back to the Waiting Room.
-Wow, what—how are they dancing like that?
-Wait, they’re pointing at the judge?
-Seriously defiant. Now that’s rock.
-No way, aren’t they actually idols?
-Were they trainees before? They’re dancing way too well for this to be random?
-The Idol Band controversy wasn’t there for nothing, I guess.
-But seriously, they’re insanely good dancers? How did they even learn?
After Cha Seo Ha’s Choreography segment ended, Heo Jun Sung delivered a stellar Guitar Solo.
Until the very end, Oktop maintained their focus and delivered an outstanding Stage.
What followed was individual interviews with the other performers.
First, Dam Pa from the Damjang Party.
-How did you feel about Oktop’s Stage?
-I mean, I thought Cha Seo Ha was just good at music, but he was dancing like crazy, you know? Seriously, I thought it was incredible. Really the best!
A few more performers gave their thoughts, leading to Im Hyun Taek’s response.
-Doing choreography at a band audition seems a bit…….
After his answer, Im Hyun Taek and Jung Bo Woon, sitting beside him, let out a thin smirk.
Then the scene shifted to Yoon Jung Ah from the Maruru Band.
-I mean, it wasn’t bad.
Her bland answer.
It was ambiguous in intent, but the production team certainly had one.
With that, the final shot showed Oktop and their opponents waiting for the judges’ decision on Stage.
“The winner of this round is…….”
-To be continued Next week!
-Who’s the Real?
Episode Three ended with the verdict delayed until the following week.
Right after the broadcast ended.
That day, the community erupted.

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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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