Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 72

“Why are you so late?”

“We’re not actually late. We arrived fifteen minutes ago.”

The ones who had angered Kim Jun-woo and Ok Do-yoon earlier, Choi Tae-woo and Ha Seo-joon, were sitting at a slight distance from each other.

“Hi.”

Next to them sat Lee Seung-hyuk, wearing a somewhat reluctant expression.

At that moment, I made eye contact with Ban Yo-han.

‘This team is doomed.’

‘I must stay with the previous team no matter what.’

Some things in life, you just know without experiencing firsthand.

Staying here would only result in the despair of group projects.

Unfortunately, my intuition proved accurate.

First, Oh Hyun-jin disliked me.

Then, Choi Tae-woo and Ha Seo-joon disliked each other, probably due to some quarrel.

Lastly, Lee Seung-hyuk disliked both Oh Hyun-jin, Ban Yo-han, and me.

According to the favorability notification, Lee Seung-hyuk seemed to dislike anyone who was even slightly good-looking.

So, I decided to dislike everyone as well.

‘It’s not like I don’t know how to dislike people.’

Being in this group made Ban Yo-han seem like a decent person, which said everything.

I wondered how my luck with team members could be this skewed.

In my opinion, the main producer of Produce Team BB, Bang Hyung-min, had a very poor eye for selecting trainees.

Anyway, Team BB’s song was a sexy concept song, “Day and Night,” which often did well in competitions.

The song wasn’t bad, probably because it had the backing of a large corporation, but I liked Seo Moon-gyeol and Jung Ha-neul’s “Rewind” better in every aspect.

Do I dislike True?

Absolutely.

I’m someone who cares deeply about petty matters.

“Guys, we need to decide on parts now.”

A moment later, Oh Hyun-jin easily secured the main vocal position thanks to the strong recommendation of the composer, who bent over backward for him.

‘He doesn’t even try to hide his favoritism.’

Lee Seung-hyuk, whose expression slightly hardened at the blatant favoritism, took Sub Vocal 1.

Ban Yo-han and I, who had no interest in this team, quietly took Sub Vocal 2 and 3.

When it came to dividing the rap parts, Ha Seo-joon and Choi Tae-woo had a fierce power struggle.

Specifically, Ha Seo-joon tried to suppress Choi Tae-woo, who was aiming for the main rapper position, even though Choi Tae-woo objectively wasn’t suited for it. But Choi Tae-woo stubbornly held his ground.

“I think the person who can do the best job should be the main rapper. And that person isn’t you, Tae-woo. It would be better to give it to Raon.”

Why am I being dragged into this?

Receiving Choi Tae-woo’s gaze, I shook my head and crossed my arms in an X to show I had no intention of taking it.

“I can do it well. My original position is rap…. And this time, I must show the CEO my good side to survive.”

“You’re not the only one desperate. This is my last chance too. It’s a bit selfish to think only you should survive.”

Though still aware of the filming, Ha Seo-joon and Choi Tae-woo maintained a consistent tone.

Of course, this didn’t blunt the hidden barbs in their words.

“I never said only I should survive. But you’ve debuted once before, so this is your second chance. For me, Pick Heart feels like my first and last chance… My ranking keeps dropping, and last time, I couldn’t sing well… Sob….”

“If you cry here, what am I supposed to do? My ranking dropped too. You’re not the only one at risk. Saying that is honestly selfish. Stop… crying.”

Their argument escalated, becoming more intense and emotional.

Did these two think they had no image left to protect?

Unless they were certain this wouldn’t be aired, I couldn’t understand their behavior.

The composer, watching with a stunned expression, abruptly cut off their non-conversation.

“This is a mess.”

The fierce emotional battle, which had allowed no room for intervention, suddenly ceased as if they had come to their senses.

“I don’t want to give important parts to someone without skill.”

The composer’s harsh gaze was directed precisely at Choi Tae-woo, who hadn’t even wiped away his tears and was still crying.

“I’m sorry, sniff… I’ll go wash my face.”

“Yeah. You need to get a grip.”

The sound of Choi Tae-woo’s sobbing seemed to penetrate the soundproof walls as he abruptly left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Meanwhile, filming paused, and the camera director sternly instructed us to stay put before following Choi Tae-woo outside.

I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened in less than five minutes.

‘I’m exhausted….’

Thinking about practicing the choreography here and then taking the subway back to the dorm made me even more tired.

I didn’t feel like talking. The exhaustion wasn’t just physical but also mental.

Every time the door opened and closed with staff bustling in and out, I faintly heard Choi Tae-woo’s sorrowful crying from afar.

Ban Yo-han glanced in that direction, his expression cold.

He seemed to be wondering how Choi Tae-woo had survived this long.

If I had to give a reason, it was purely because of his looks. Choi Tae-woo was considered cute by general standards.

One might feel slightly sorry for an eighteen-year-old acting like that, but seeing Ban Yo-han’s cold reaction suggested that Choi Tae-woo had caused significant trouble in the previous group.

Aside from that, I personally found Ha Seo-joon’s attitude more unpleasant.

“Seo-joon hyung, it would be good if you talked things out with Tae-woo when he returns. After all, you’re the elder here. He’s only eighteen.”

At twenty-five, fighting seriously with someone seven years younger and making them cry seemed pathetic.

Watching Ha Seo-joon reminded me of an older trainee at my previous company who behaved similarly. It struck a chord with me because I was a trainee at a similar age to Choi Tae-woo.

Did I mention? I care deeply about petty matters.

My words caused Ha Seo-joon to sigh, his favorability towards me plummeting.

“You know that eighteen isn’t considered young here, right On Raon? Why act so naive?”

“Regardless of industry, eighteen is still considered young by general standards.”

Just as I was about to retort, Ban Yo-han interjected.

“What? This is why clueless newbies are…”

Ban Yo-han ignored the provocation and continued with his point.
### Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer – Chapter 72

“And besides, hyung, you provoked him first. This could have been resolved much more amicably, and it seems only right that the one who did worse should apologize first.”

“Are you done talking? You disrespectful little…”

“I’m being perfectly polite. And do you think that won’t be aired? No? If I were the PD, I’d definitely include it. Aren’t you at all worried about what I might say in my interview?”

Ha Seo-joon glared at Ban Yo-han, who was smiling with his eyes shaped like crescent moons, then finally shut his mouth.

Seeing Ha Seo-joon put on his earphones irritably, I asked in a low voice.

“Hyung, how do you know if that will be aired?”

“What?”

As soon as the situation settled, Ban Yo-han, who had been frowning and sinking into the sofa, responded.

“How did you know that would be aired?”

“How would I know if it will or won’t be?”

“?”

“But I don’t know, and neither does he.”

“!”

Though not obvious, he seemed quite irritable due to accumulated fatigue, weight management, internet reactions, saesangs, and the stress of hopeless group projects. His attitude was rather prickly.

And when a fox gets tired and irritable, its personality becomes doubly dirty and nasty.

‘I better not provoke him.’

A while later, Choi Tae-woo returned with red eyes and apologized.

Even Ha Seo-joon, who had glared at Ban Yo-han and me, reluctantly faced Choi Tae-woo and apologized.

In the end, Ha Seo-joon became the main rapper, and Choi Tae-woo was the sub-rapper.

Had Lee Seung-hyuk, who was chosen as the leader, intervened and mediated earlier, the situation wouldn’t have escalated this far. But he seemed unwilling to draw any attention to himself.

Just like the composer said, it was a mess.

“……”

Even just dividing parts was exhausting.

Now, it was time to move to the basement practice room to learn the choreography.

As a parting comment, Team BB’s composer mentioned that we were the first trainees to visit his studio, so we should consider it an honor.

His expression was serious enough that it was hard to tell if he was joking or not.

Either way, it felt like something a status-obsessed old-timer would say.

Anyway, we moved to the basement practice room as we did last time.

[You have entered a place deeply connected with the player’s past. Status effect: Anxiety.]

[Due to the status effect: Anxiety, all abilities are reduced by 20% until you leave this space, and fatigue accumulates faster than usual.]

A notification appeared as I walked down the stairs, just like last time.

This time, I was prepared, so I managed to descend the stairs without faltering, even though my body suddenly felt weak.

“……”

The second basement level we arrived at was still uncomfortably white.

* * *

Fortunately, it seemed the system didn’t intend to make me relive the past today.

The mirrors never rippled to show any illusions.

After practicing the choreography for about an hour and a half, I prepared to leave a bit earlier than the others.

Even with the kind Gwak Sang-hyun offering to walk me to the station, I had to leave now to catch the last train.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

It was unpleasant working with you, and I hope we never meet again.

It was truly unfortunate that there wasn’t a single trainee in this group who wouldn’t make it to the last broadcast.

At that moment, Oh Hyun-jin grabbed my arm, stopping me as I was about to leave.

Why does he always grab my arm instead of calling me?

Should I start pulling his hair every time I call him?

“Say you can’t do it.”

“What?”

“Anything. Just don’t think about anything else and go back to your country.”