Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 35

“[You’ve been loved by many viewers for the past 35 days. Could you please share your thoughts?]”

“[Uh… First of all, I’m really happy to be able to let many people hear my voice after a long time. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.]”

“[Oh no, we should be the ones thanking you for letting us listen to such a wonderful song.]”

In the video, Kang Ji-woo bowed his head to greet the excited panelist and continued speaking calmly.

“[Actually, the song I sang today, ‘Fairy Tale of My Life,’ is a precious song that gave me the desire to become a singer.]”

“[Oh, really?]”

“[Yes. I received a lot of comfort listening to this song during tough times. So, I thought I wanted to sing and give strength to many people.]”

“[I see. No wonder today’s performance was especially moving.]”

“[If those who have listened to my song on this wonderful program, ‘King of the Screen,’ gained even a little bit of strength, I would be very happy. Thank you for your support so far.]”

As the broadcast, which was nearing its end, finished, an advertisement for educational materials came on. Gyun Seong-ha turned off the TV with a knowing look.

Kang Ji-woo, who gave Gyun Seong-ha a grateful look, turned to me and spoke.

“I think I’ve explained it to some extent, but to go into a bit more detail, my family’s situation wasn’t very good when I was young.”

Kang Ji-woo, speaking about past events, looked comfortable. Maybe that’s why it was easy to listen to.

“But now, those memories aren’t so painful that it’s hard to recall them. Thanks to the meals my parents made for me and the few songs I listened to repeatedly on a second-hand MP3 player until it broke.”

I listened silently to Kang Ji-woo.

Now I realized that his voice, whether singing or speaking, had a warm affection that made me want to try him as a radio DJ.

“I learned then that delicious food and good music can make people happy. That was when I was in elementary school, I think? I wanted to make more people happy, and that became my dream.”

He seemed to have matured early due to his surroundings.

“But when I thought about it, no matter how quickly or much I cooked, there was a limit to how many people I could reach. That’s when I decided to become a singer. Music is relatively easy to access even without money.”

Unlike me, who wanted to be an idol for personal desires and enjoyment, he had an exceedingly sound and admirable reason, making it hard for me to find the right words.

Part of the reason I was speechless was because Kang Ji-woo wasn’t embarrassed to say these things.

No, how could he say such embarrassing things in broad daylight with five people around?

I would never be able to do it with a sober mind.

Kang Ji-woo was strange, and it was also strange that the other three didn’t find this situation odd. Everything was weird.

“Did I talk too much for our first meeting? You can just forget it if you want.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Kang Ji-woo smiled slightly, perhaps seeing the embarrassment on my face.

“Come to think of it, we haven’t even introduced ourselves.”

The fact that he said all that without even introducing ourselves was legendary.

“But we did eat together. Eating is much more important than introductions, which we can do anytime.”

“You’re right.”

Kang Ji-woo nodded solemnly and suddenly said,

“My name is Kang Ji-woo, and I’m 21 years old.”

“…Pardon?”

I thought he was speaking casually all this time because of his face. 21 years old?

Ban Yo-han, who is the same age, looks young enough to blend in with high school students, but Kang Ji-woo’s face is a bit different.

He still had a youthful and fresh student-like appearance that seemed like he’d be asked for ID even ten years later in a bar… such a baby face.

Looking closer, Kang Ji-woo looked like a genuinely kind person.

He seemed like he would live a good life even if no one was watching, and he had a positive impression that made him seem upright in nature. Adults would likely love him.

While his overall features were soft, his eyes were determined, so he didn’t look weak.

Just like Gyun Seong-ha, Kang Ji-woo also seemed like he would fit well as an actor in the future.

‘Is the standard for selecting trainees in this company really based on looks? It can’t just be about looks since Seo Moon-gyeol and Kang Ji-woo are also skilled…’

Looking at the people gathered in the living room, such thoughts naturally came to mind.

Having already said a lot, Kang Ji-woo seemed to think no further introduction was needed and looked at me silently.

“I’m On Raon, 18 years old. I ended up depending on you like this. Thank you for taking me in. If not, I would’ve been wandering around in the rain without an umbrella and ended up staying at a jjimjilbang today.”

Ban Yo-han, sprawled out on the sofa, put the last strawberry in his mouth and interrupted.

“It’s really hard to see you two talking so formally. Can’t you just talk comfortably?”

“What does it matter to me if it’s hard for you to watch?”

Kang Ji-woo was baffled. So was I.

“That guy has always been a bit weird.”

“You seem to know something. I don’t know what sin I committed in my past life, but I’ve known him since we were kids, and seeing him like this always makes me angry. And Raon, just talk comfortably.”

“Okay, hyung.”

“…You two seem to get along so well that it’s annoying.”

Indeed, the fastest way for people to bond, though not ideal, is rationally justified backbiting. In this case, is it front-biting?

Kang Ji-woo poked Gyun Seong-ha, who was sitting sullenly a bit away.

“Seong-ha, you should introduce yourself too.”

“…I’m Gyun Seong-ha, 19 years old.”

Gyun Seong-ha stopped talking and stared at my face.

[Gyun Seong-ha is feeling awkward seeing you, the ultimate family tree breaker. Gyun Seong-ha’s affinity -1. Current affinity: 2]

Was that the issue? Considering he knew I had graduated high school without me saying so, was he from the same school?

“Even though I graduated high school, Hyung-geol also calls me hyung, so just think of me as an early-year student.”

In reality, I called Kang Ji-woo, Seo Moon-gyeol, and Ban Yo-han, who were all younger than me, hyung, so this wasn’t a big deal.

“You two can be friends.”

“Why would I be friends with him?”

Gyun Seong-ha retorted, clearly dissatisfied, and got up and disappeared into the room inside.

[Gyun Seong-ha feels like he just got a younger sibling for the first time. Gyun Seong-ha’s affinity -2. Current affinity: 0]

Kang Ji-woo, watching Gyun Seong-ha’s retreating figure with a stern look, sighed softly.

“Seong-ha isn’t a bad kid, but he’s been a bit sensitive lately.”

Are you his guardian?

“Even though he spoke like that, he doesn’t really hate you. I’d appreciate it if you could get along with him like friends.”

But he did hate me. His affinity dropped from 3 to 0 in no time.

Anyway, since I was indeed an uninvited guest, I nodded while managing my expression. Kang Ji-woo seemed reassured and smiled.

“I heard you’re staying here until the next training camp. When is that, Ban? End of April?”

“Yeah, in about a month.”

“Is it okay for me to stay that long?”

“The CEO already okayed it, so what does it matter?”

Is it normal to do this much for someone you don’t know well? The lodging costs alone would be considerable.

Seeing my puzzled expression, Kang Ji-woo explained.

“Our CEO is originally a person who is… surprisingly good. And you helped Ban Yo-han a lot there. Even though Hyung-geol can manage alone, what does he know?”

“I know a lot.”

Ignoring Ban Yo-han naturally, Kang Ji-woo continued.

“Think of it as our CEO’s noble intention to take good care of his cherished nephew and help out a lot in the future. It’s a tough world to live alone.”

If he puts it like that…

Although there were still some unclear points, I accepted it appropriately. After all, it wasn’t a bad thing for me.

“This dorm originally housed seven people, so don’t think you’re causing trouble or feel burdened, just stay comfortably.”

Instead of digging deeper, I said okay and thanked him again.

If it weren’t for these people, I couldn’t even imagine what kind of life I would have led.

I might have been wandering around and then got kicked out from the shoot with people saying, “Why is a beggar here?”…

Just thinking about it was sad and miserable.

* * *

Pop! The bubble gum that Kang Ji-woo was blowing burst with a small sound. Next to him, Ban Yo-han sat blowing a slightly bigger bubble.

Ban Yo-han had already told Kang Ji-woo about the personal circumstances of On Raon, whom he had learned about on the car ride.

After managing the gum stuck to his mouth, Kang Ji-woo opened his mouth.

“Honestly, I was very surprised.”

Glancing at Ban Yo-han, who seemed more focused on blowing bubbles than listening to him, Kang Ji-woo added.

“You really brought him.”

Ban Yo-han intentionally popped his bubble

. Then he replied.

“I don’t say empty words.”

Ban Yo-han, spitting out the gum and throwing it into a nearby trash can, continued.

“Actually, I was more surprised.”

They had known each other for ten years for a reason. Kang Ji-woo easily understood what Ban Yo-han was talking about without needing a long explanation.

Kang Ji-woo was more reserved than he seemed. At least, he wouldn’t usually talk about his private matters to someone he just met.

“As you said, it’s a bit much to tell someone you just met.”

Kang Ji-woo hesitated before speaking.

“The kid seems a bit gullible.”

“…”

Kang Ji-woo waved his hands and quickly explained, seeing Ban Yo-han’s face as if saying, ‘You talk like that?’

“No, no! It’s not an insult!”

“Not?”

“It’s just a vague feeling that’s hard to explain, like he’s soft and easygoing, making people let their guard down. I’m not sure if ‘letting the guard down’ is the right term, but that’s the feeling.”

Ban Yo-han nodded slowly as if he understood. He had felt a similar sentiment.

“And he eats well. Seeing kids who eat well makes me think of my siblings at home and feel good. Maybe it’s because I’m used to seeing kids who are always hungry and skinny.”

In some agencies, ‘Did you lose weight?’ had become a greeting due to the trainees’ obsession with weight control. They starved by not eating, taking pills, or vomiting.

Starving in front of perfectly good food.

Although he had been briefly swayed by a scammer in the past, Kang’s family motto, being a long-established Korean food house, was ‘Eat well while you have it.’

When Kang Ji-woo decided to become an idol, the first thing his family said was, “Those kids can’t even eat properly.”

Kang Ji-woo, as a trainee, was also managing his weight.

However, he was blessed with a body type that didn’t gain weight easily and was an excellent cook, so he was relatively well-fed compared to other trainees.

If not, his parents would have already taken him back home, holding his skinny wrist.

It would have been fine if he only ate well himself.

But his habit of taking care of his three younger siblings in place of his busy parents didn’t go away, so Kang Ji-woo always tried to ensure younger trainees had nutritious meals.

Even Gyun Seong-ha, who lived under the same roof, often gave in to the excellent smell, taste, and visuals of the food, despite complaining about interfering with his weight control.

Gyun Seong-ha chose to eat more than he originally did and increased his exercise rather than reducing his food intake after living with Kang Ji-woo.

“Feed him moderately. We’ll be recording in a few days.”

“Our Yo-han… You’ve become a complete trainee in a month? Will he debut before me at this rate?”

“Debut? No way. He’ll quit.”

The reaction to the idle joke was cold.

“You know. We can’t debut.”