The Idol Who Returned from Hell – Chapter 187

Author: Dawn

While leaving the SBM building, I quickly checked the internet entertainment category.

News about the special program had already spread rapidly.

[KNet proceeding with idol all-star battle…… Total of 6 teams including Zefa·Comet being cast]

[Male idol group showdown, which team should we watch?]

[‘Emperor’ Zefa and ‘monster rookie’ CENTIX both rising to prominence…… Will first-year prowess be shown? ‘Attention’]

[〈All Star〉, eyes focused on what format it will proceed with, Producer Park Shin-hyeong ‘Hard to give specific details’]

It seems they thoroughly executed promotional attacks in all directions.

I let out a short laugh while looking at the audience recruitment notice proceeding on the KNet homepage.

They already had the format all planned out, teams cast, and even posted announcements.

The PD’s interview about not wanting to spoil anything was a bit amusing.

Seong-hwi, who was similarly reading articles next to me, asked directly.

“But Brother. Looking at the articles, it says we’re already cast. We’re hearing about this for the first time today.”

A sharp question.

The manager must have felt it too, as he slowly answered with an awkward tone.

“Actually, I heard the news yesterday too. I guess the broadcasting station contacted the chairman directly. They said KNet’s best output is CENTIX, so they absolutely had to be in this large-scale program. They said it would be quite a difficult challenge, but CENTIX could definitely handle it, so they already reserved a spot.”

“……It’s not a very good situation.”

Kang Seon-woo showed an uncharacteristically serious tone.

“If it’s revealed that the production team conveyed those words to us, wouldn’t it be like acknowledging the ‘KNet’s son’ title that gets mentioned constantly?”

“……You’re right, but. Hah. Kids, the chairman already coolly gave the OK. You’ll probably end up going.”

As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, CEO Go Hyeong-seok is someone who follows the money.

Like all businessmen, when he finds a vein that can raise his reputation and capital, he goes without hesitation.

A gathering of male idols judged to be the current top tier.

A spot where promotion is guaranteed, and they’re just putting CENTIX in?

There’s no reason to refuse.

“Even if those words don’t come out, just showing our faces will automatically generate those comments.”

“No matter how I think about it, it’s frustrating. They kept telling us to prove ourselves with results, so we kept proving. We’ve done every stage without a single mistake so far. Why should we have to hear those things……”

My calm words were answered by Yu Ha-woon’s deflated sigh.

When we debuted too.

When we made comebacks too.

It’s true that we’ve approached every situation with the mindset of walking a tightrope.

Since we debuted as a survival group that drew tremendous attention, people’s expectations were high.

All the members united and even broke various records and won awards, but it’s frustrating why those comments don’t disappear.

Then Ma Si-hyeok, sitting in the back, quietly muttered.

“……We can just do it again.”

“Brother Si-hyeok?”

“If it’s the same situation repeating, we can just prove ourselves again. The program Brother mentioned said seniors would also appear. If it’s a competition format where every stage gets compared, I think it’s exactly an opportunity.”

“Brother Si-hyeok is right.”

Even Chae Ha-ru clenched his fist and joined in.

“Since us appearing is already decided anyway. Then we should think about what we can show there. What we can gain.”

Both of them had experienced bad things recently.

But it felt like their mentality hadn’t wavered and actually became more solid.

Hearing the younger members’ words, Kang Seon-woo relaxed and smiled slightly.

“Haha, hearing it like that, it all makes sense. Right, guys. Are we a group that loses in skill anywhere?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Since our appearance is semi-forced, let’s just go and destroy everything. Think of it as an opportunity!”

“Good!”

I also shook my fist along with the members, but my head was still thinking about another topic.

Turning public attention around was also an important matter.

But I also had to be wary of the person who might be behind all this.

‘I can’t miss whatever Baek Joo-won is scheming.’

* * *

The days became very hot and July arrived.

We, who had been busy digesting schedules while promoting our first full album hard, had no time to rest.

“This place always gives me an uneasy feeling whenever I come.”

“I get the feeling there’s going to be a ranking announcement every time I come here too.”

Looking at the KNet headquarters building, Kang Seon-woo and Yu Ha-woon simultaneously expressed the same sentiment.

Cerberus, who had climbed onto my shoulder in transparent form after a long time, chuckled.

{Somehow those two seem too similar, Master.}

‘Similar? One is just a punching bag who always gets hit and the other doesn’t even know he’s a shadow power holder.’

{Hmm, they might be different in that way, but they look the same when making those vacant expressions.}

I also wanted to relax my body’s tension, but it was difficult.

‘You know well, Cer? We’re going to see that red pepper paste head bastard again, so we need to prepare.’

{I really hate seeing that disgusting human.}

‘It’s not like I want to see him either.’

{I don’t quite understand. Isn’t the past just the past? Even in hell, we burn souls with fire to make them forget everything from the past. Why does red pepper paste head keep clinging to it?}

Cerberus asked the question I’d been curious about all along, leaving me speechless.

I glanced sideways at Seong-hwi.

He was wearing the same smile as always, but I could see subtle tension in his body.

‘He’s also aware that he’ll be seeing Baek Joo-won.’

{Anyway, Master. What should I do?}

‘If you sense anything strange, tell me right away.’

Even if Cerberus catches something, in the end I’m the one who has to play the role of stopping Baek Joo-won from touching Seong-hwi.

I’ll have to prepare for the stage and worry about Baek Joo-won too, so my mind will be incredibly busy.

We entered the waiting room and quickly changed into stage costumes.

The first recording of 〈All Star〉 was none other than a face-to-face meeting.

‘What is this, some college MT. Starting with a face-to-face meeting.’

It was quite an awkward format, but there was no way around it.

CENTIX, who were clearly the youngest, kept bowing their heads repeatedly even while entering the recording studio.

“Hello, Senior!”

“Hello!”

“Oh, it’s been a while everyone. How have you been?”

“This album was good~. I’ve been listening to it.”

“Thank you! We’ve also been listening to your comeback songs with great appreciation!”

CENTIX’s seats were on the far right edge.

When I looked to see where Zefa was sitting, as expected, they were in the front closest to the MCs.

I didn’t particularly want to make eye contact with Baek Joo-won, so I quickly turned my head, and Comet’s Joo Han-ul sitting across from Zefa came into view.

He nodded his head slightly first, so I responded the same way.

‘Still, thanks to Joo Han-ul, I was able to think about this coming in advance, so I’m grateful.’

The MC, confirming that all six teams had arrived, quickly began the proceedings.

“Welcome to everyone who came to Korea’s first male idol battle program, 〈All Star〉. Nice to meet you, I’m Master Min Yonghan who will be hosting.”

Polished applause poured out, befitting idols tempered by numerous broadcast experiences.

“〈All Star〉 was created to see your excellent stage skills, as befits a gathering of Korea’s best male idols. There will be a total of three competitions. As announced, today we’ll have each team’s main song battle. The 500 audience members who came to the scene will vote directly to select the best stage and the most disappointing stage. The group with the highest combined score from three competitions will become the final winner of 〈All Star〉!”

It’s just a slightly modified format of a survival program like 〈Idol Stove League〉.

Similarly, fate is decided by audience votes.

Though they haven’t revealed it yet, benefits that will be useful in the 2nd and 3rd competitions will probably come out.

“Also, the higher you rank in this 1st competition, the more advantages you’ll have in the 2nd competition, so please keep that in mind!”

As soon as I finished thinking, the benefit talk came out.

KNet production staff’s true nature is always the same.

“Now we’ll decide the order for the 1st competition. Everyone, do you see the touch pad in front of your seats?”

“Yes~.”

“When you touch the screen, the names of the 5 groups excluding your own team will appear. Here, you can select the team you think ‘I can definitely take this team down.’ The more nominations you get, the earlier your stage order becomes.”

I exchanged glances with Kang Seon-woo.

For a moment, it looked like he almost cursed too.

CENTIX hasn’t been around long since debut, but we’re still in quite a high weight class.

But all the groups gathered here are seniors with at least 4-5 years of experience.

They’re groups with advantages in overall album sales and lots of experience.

In a situation where everyone is similar, if you had to pick just one weak link.

Naturally, you’d point to someone you think has less experience than yourself.

‘Isn’t this basically inciting them to target us?’

The members who came here worrying about being called KNet’s son were becoming embarrassed.

Son my ass, not even a son picked up from outside.

“Si-hwan, how should we handle this nomination? Who should we pick?”

“……Should we just go for it?”