[TS] Starting the Broadcast - Chapter 103

I know it's a truly sorry and regrettable thing.

To apply for an audition, come all the way here in person, and then refuse.

But I'm bound to New Continent TV and YouTube by my contract with the goddess, so I can't aim to be an idol.

Honestly, even if that wasn't the case, I'm really not interested in being an idol.

No, should I say I rather avoid it?

Without having your own life, being harassed by obsessive fans, and even just the malicious people coming to broadcasts now are annoying, but if I become a celebrity, those malicious people will level up even more... they'll become anti-fans and cause trouble.

Moreover, not just on a mere platform but nationwide... If I debut in a girl group and gain popularity to advance to the world stage, won't they come flooding in globally?

It's horrifying just thinking about it.

I refuse such a life no matter how much money they offer.

In fact, just the thought of being in a girl group is already physiologically too much.

It feels like just yesterday I was cheering for girl groups at military bases, but to debut and become like that myself, I feel quite repulsed.

"No, why? You can definitely succeed. Don't underestimate yourself. That shining star quality! Looks! And skills! You have everything, so why are you hesitating?"

"No... it's not that I'm hesitating... Argh! I really don't know how to explain this."

In the end, I had to honestly spill most of it, albeit with some embellishment.

I'm currently a BJ on New Continent TV and also running a YouTube channel, and I really, truly have no intention of becoming a celebrity.

"Then why did you apply for the audition?"

I explained that I'm attending a dance and vocal academy, and when I heard JYC Entertainment was holding auditions, I applied thinking it would be an opportunity to get an objective evaluation of my progress so far from professionals.

"Haha..."

"This is, some applicants would really desperately want this opportunity."

The judges look at me with a somewhat dumbfounded expression.

"I, I didn't know I'd pass like this either. I've only been learning for about a month."

"What? You've only been learning at the academy for a month?"

"Is that true?"

The judges' gazes change once again.

It's like they're looking at me as if I'm a once-in-a-lifetime 'genius'.

Or like carnivores drooling at the sight of really delicious food.

I waved my hands desperately in refusal.

Absolutely! Never! Being a celebrity is definitely not an option.

"I'm really sorry if I caused any problems or disruptions to your schedule because of me."

"No, there's nothing like that... It's just such a shame. You can definitely succeed no matter what. I don't usually say things like this."

"That's right. Just looking at your appearance you have competitiveness, but with that unique charm in your singing, I really want to snatch you up."

"I agree."

"...I'm sorry."

I had to keep declining despite the judges' high praise.

At my repeated refusals, the judges finally stepped back saying if I dislike it that much there's nothing they can do.

Meanwhile, Producer Bae Il-man was still staring at me with fiery eyes.

He doesn't seem to have any intention of giving up.

"Lee Hani-ssi."

"...Yes."

"You have a dazzling talent that can make you bigger than anyone else. That talent! I will do my best to support you so it doesn't go to waste."

"......"

No, can someone please stop this guy!

---

The audition ended.

Well, there are still many applicants left, but anyway our group's schedule is over.

Arin with a slightly gloomy expression.

On the other hand, Seah failed in singing but received praise from choreography team leader Lee Jin-ah saying there's potential in her dancing.

So she's determined to supplement her singing skills even more until the next audition and pass for sure.

"What about unnie?"

"How did it go?"

Seeing the faces of the two girls full of curiosity, I feel a pang of conscience.

What am I doing in front of these kids who are so desperate?

I guess this is the end of my relationship with this academy.

"Oh, well, I just failed."

"What? No way."

"Wow! The judges here really have no eye for talent. How could they fail a future star like unnie?"

The clueless kids looked indignant, and even the director listening got a dark expression, so I secretly made a circular sign with my other hand.

Seeing that, the director's expression changed quickly, which is impressive in its own way.

"Now now, even though the result was disappointing, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so let's focus on the areas pointed out as lacking and cheer up again."

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

"...Fighting."

Arriving in front of the academy in the car driven by the director, I feel like all the strength has drained from my body.

The kids who actually demonstrated both singing and dancing were still full of energy, I guess age really is a thief.

Or is it because I was mentally drained?

Anyway, I sent the kids ahead first and had a general talk with the director.

What happened at the audition.

I have no intention of becoming a celebrity at all, and in case Arin or Seah find out about this situation later and get hurt, I expressed my thoughts that I should quit the academy too.

The director tried to dissuade me at first, but realizing my thoughts wouldn't change, he agreed.

He also said he'd give me the compensation for passing the audition that we talked about before.

As expected of an excellent educator! A truly worthy teacher!

[It seems the meaning got a bit distorted, but.]

I drag my tired body home.

So many things happened, but when I checked the time after arriving home, it was still only around 3 PM.

Wow, I thought it would be past 5.

Anyway, I skipped lunch in my absent-mindedness, so I ordered some simple delivery food, then took a quick shower and changed clothes.

Ding-!

"Huh?"

A notification sound rang from both my computer and phone at the same time.

Puzzled, I picked up my phone and sat down in front of the computer.

Checking, the phone was a text message and the computer was an email.

Looking at them, they were both from the same person... well, not exactly, but might as well have been sent by the same person.

The text was from Producer Bae Il-man and the email was from JYC Entertainment.

They probably checked the phone number and email address I wrote when filling out the audition application forms and contacted me.

"They're really persistent."

Still, since I did something wrong, I couldn't just cut them off coldly.

Checking the contents of the text, it was an extremely long message.

I reasonably suspect they might have done the judging half-heartedly after lunch and only agonized over the text content to send me.

But the content was really sincere.

Starting from the reasons why I should become an idol, what my strengths are and what I'm still lacking... not only that, but plans for programs to utilize and supplement my strengths and weaknesses, what concept I would debut with if I debuted, and so on.

It was truly sincere to an incredible degree.

Even so, how could they come up with such plans in this short time?

I was a bit suspicious, but they said that ever since they found me on the street ten days ago, ideas have been pouring out and they've been overflowing with enthusiasm as if they met their persona, so they've been preparing since then.

It's really at a level that leaves one speechless.

'Still, I can't be an idol. Absolutely not!'

They say sincerity moves heaven, but I too have a line I absolutely cannot cross.

Checking the email too, it had a bit more sincerity but similar content.

I wrote apologetic replies to both.

Then I quickly got a response by text.

They said they'll step back for now but are determined to persuade me and make me debut no matter what.

No, please just give up!

As I was screaming like that internally, the delivery food arrived just in time.

Even Mt. Geumgang is viewed after a meal, they say.

Let's eat first and think about it.

---

-Haha! Hani, means hi.

-Isn't it about time for a cam broadcast? It's been quite a while since you did one.

-Hani-nim, please definitely give us wings in this cam broadcast.

-What wings. Hani-nim is definitely horns. Let's go with horns.

-Oh my, those concept fanatics came all the way here ㄷㄷ;;

I turned on the broadcast.

The viewer count instantly surpassed 2000.

At this rate, I think I can shed the small business title now.

Not quite a large corporation, but maybe a mid-sized company at this level?

-Wings suit Hani-nim. An angel, or a devil! Because Hani-nim has a beauty that transcends humanity...

-Horns! Only horns. Do you know about the etymology of horns? Generally there are two English words referring to horns, Horn and Antler, but what they refer to is completely different. Antlers fall off and regrow every year and are attached to the skull, while Horns grow throughout life...

-ㅋㅋㅋ These concept fanatics always go around famous rooms as a set saying things like that. It means Hani has definitely reached that level now.

-For real, at Hani's level now wouldn't she be in the top 100 rankings? Looking at fan club numbers, not water balloons.

I've heard about those wing bird and horn bird before too.

They're part of the famous concept fanatics going around New Continent TV, with the characteristic of going around as a set.

They don't particularly use vulgar language or spam excessively, but the problem is their chat content is so boring.

No, what are you doing with wings and horns?

Could they possibly have some sexual fetish for that?

-Oh! Hani's fan club membership number is currently 58,727, ranking 287th. Lower ranking than I thought. Or is ranking up that tough?

-Honestly this is still an easy section. The differences get bigger as you go to the upper ranks, so it gets tough to go up one rank. Look at the number 1 ranked fan club number ㅋㅋㅋ

The viewer below was definitely right.

BJ Gorani, ranked 1st in total New Continent TV fan club memberships, marked 567,000 members, while BJ Legeno, who fell to 5th place after a year of self-reflection but is recovering lately, had 424,000 members, so you could see the differences in the upper ranks are huge even for one rank.

-Legeno was originally 1st, but the 1 year self-reflection definitely had a big impact.

-Honestly if this project is a big hit he'll probably quickly return to 1st.

-But do you think it can succeed? I felt a bit uneasy looking at the members.

"What? What are you talking about?"

-Huh? Hani, you still don't know?

-What have you been doing to be so oblivious to recent trends ㅋㅋㅋ

-Then we'll explain, so listen carefully.

The viewers excited by the rare opportunity to lecture took over the chat.