Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 101

[The World Entertainment]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: You should have given a heads-up. Is it really okay for this to be broadcast? (Pointing to employees busy unpacking luggage)]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: Yes, of course. It’s all real.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Ah, hello. Fans of Idol Classism, this is my first time greeting you. I am Producer Lee Yeji of ‘The World’.]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: There’s no need to greet them so formally.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: …I know, but I felt like I should for some reason. Anyway, let’s get moving together. So… you’re here to film The World, right?]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: Yes.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Please forgive me if I stumble a bit. It’s my first time being filmed, and my first interview too… Normally someone else would handle this, but as you can see, the company’s in this state right now. Ah, you want me to explain what The World is?]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: You shouldn’t read the prompt out loud like that… Producer-nim.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Ah. I’m sorry. Well, then I’ll start with an explanation. For those who aren’t familiar, let me give a brief introduction….]

[Producer Lee Yeji: The World is a project agency created for Idol Classism. The project was once canceled in the middle, but… Ah. Am I allowed to say that? Oh. Never mind that, you want me to introduce the building first? It’s not really big enough to be called a headquarters, but….]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: You can’t just read that word for word either…]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Ah! Sorry. Then I’ll introduce the building first. Actually, since the equipment is just now being moved in, the places I can show you are limited. First, I’ll show you the practice room. Honestly, it’s not much different from any other practice room, so it might not be very interesting.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: As you can see, there are just mirrors, filming equipment is laid out, and some tables and chairs for resting. That’s about it. It seems they are in the middle of doing various things for the trainees who will enter The World.]

[Producer Lee Yeji: Yes. This is actually my first time coming in here too. Honestly, why would I have had a reason to come here? The trainees haven’t even moved in yet, and I’m usually either in the meeting room or my office…]

[Producer Lee Yeji: Ah, we have recording booths and studios, of course. The scale is a bit small, but we are doing our best to create an environment where the trainees selected for the debut group in Idol Classism won’t feel any incovenience. Of course, I’m not the one doing the actual labor….]

[Producer Lee Yeji: Ah! The equipment is still being delivered, so I don’t think we can show it yet… Should I go ask first?]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: You seem very busy.]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Yes. It’s chaotic. It might not be as bad as what you PDs and writers go through, but it’s just as hectic here. We had to move everything out and now we’re bringing it all back in. In the middle of that, I have to handle work that wasn’t properly handed over… there’s a lot to process… the phones keep ringing, and the higher-ups are making a fuss too…]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Right now everyone is running around like their feet are on fire.]

 

(Scene: Workers moving various boxes)

(Scene: Employees answering phones all over the place)

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: Still, it’s fun. When the project was first canceled, I felt truly hollow. The memory of leaving this place in tears is still vivid, so you can imagine how happy I am to be back. And I’m also a huge fan of Idol Classism.]

 

(Scene: Producer Lee Yeji kindly introducing the interior of the building as she continues to walk)

(An unfamiliar melody can be heard coming from one of the studios)

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: (Surprised) Oh, shall we take a look somewhere else?]

 

[Fade Out]

[Blackout]

[Fade In]

 

[Benok: Uh. Hello.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: Hello.]

 

[Paige: Hello, PD-nim.]

 

[Benok: So… you want to talk about Idol Classism? My favorite trainee… I won’t talk about that. I have trainees I especially like, but I respect all the trainees equally. No, I’m really not telling you. Questions like that are exactly why I don’t have the best opinion of Idol Classism.]

[Benok: Honestly, PD Ohjoong or you, other PDs, might find it hard to understand. Of course, both of you work in broadcasting and know this industry well, but I don’t think you completely understand the true nature of the idol industry or what trainees go through.]

[Benok: It’s a brutal market. Do you know how many people throw themselves into this? Among all those applicants, including large and small agencies combined, there are only about 1,000 trainees. Among them, less than 1% actually debut, and among those who debut, only a handful of idols succeed.]

[Benok: There are teenagers who rush into it like moths to a flame because of the glamorous lives they see in the media, but once they actually become trainees, they quickly realize how unfair this industry is and how different it is from what they imagined.]

[Benok: It doesn’t even take a month or two. Of course, it’s ironic for someone lucky like me to say this, but….]

[Benok: In the end, the trainees who stay in this field until the end to debut—and the ones who succeed—are those who have passion, a clear goal, or talent. The latter case is better off, but the former is not.]

[Benok: Every evaluation feels like your heart is burning away. You keep asking yourself why you weren’t chosen, wondering if you can keep living this life… Sure, there are happy days too, but when you’re left alone or start getting lost in your own thoughts…]

[Benok: It feels like you’re constantly falling off a cliff. Minhyuk, you know this better than anyone, don’t you?]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: Yes. I debuted pretty late… I basically caught the last train, haha…]

 

[Benok: Of course, I’m not saying that only this industry or this market is brutally competitive. Competition is harsh everywhere, and I respect everyone who’s working hard in their own field.]

[Benok: But trainees are still young. More accurately, they’re far too young to shoulder everything that comes with appearing on a program like this.]

[Benok: They don’t fully understand how they are exposed to the media, and they don’t properly perceive what is right or wrong behavior.]

[Benok: Sometimes, something started with good intentions leads to bad results, and it’s very common for them to fail to adjust to sudden popularity or criticism.]

[Benok: Ah, there’s something I’d really like to ask the viewers through this opportunity. I sincerely hope you won’t hate the trainees too much. I really, really wanted to say that.]

 

[Paige: That came out of nowhere.]

 

[Benok: Yes, noona. But I really wanted to say it. Idol Classism has a tendency to spice up their editing, after all.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: It definitely does.]

 

[Benok: The things they do here are all mistakes born from young hearts and desperation, so I hope you can forgive them generously. After all, they’ve come all the way to the very end.]

 

[Benok: Ah, I feel like I’ve been criticizing the show too much, but that doesn’t mean I have nothing to be grateful for.]

[Benok: I’m grateful that you’re still trying to look after everyone until the very end. Regardless of all the controversies over the past months, even after something like this happened, it still feels like you’re doing everything you can to take care of the trainees.]

[Benok: It looked like a situation where everyone could’ve just quietly let things fade away, but instead you chose to go this far.]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: Do you feel the same way, Mr. Minhyuk?]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: Actually, my opinion is a bit different from Benok sunbaenim. I think the existence of this program itself is an opportunity. Of course, I understand the issues he mentioned, but separate from that, I think simply being able to get your name and face out there is a positive thing.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: I always thought the criticism that the show was ‘making money by selling dreams’ was a bit exaggerated. In the end, trainees need these kinds of opportunities.]

[Kim Minhyuk: And personally, I’m grateful as well. I’m sincerely thankful to the production staff and to all the trainees who worked so hard to put on great performances. I’m sure there are plenty of people besides me who were inspired by watching this program.]

 

[Paige: Was it really that spicy?]

 

[Benok: Well, things were different back in your day than they are now, noona. So what did you think?]

 

[Paige: I think I agree with both of them. However, Benok, I think you view the trainees too much as just children. They are young, yes… but not everyone feels only pain and exhaustion. They’ll also think the whole process is fun….]

 

(Scene: Trainees laughing and chatting)

 

[Paige: And they’ll also get the chance to reflect on themselves.]

 

(Scene: Kim Haejun quietly resting his chin on his hand while typing on his laptop)

 

[Paige: It’ll become an opportunity for them to grow… In fact, during this program, so many trainees have changed, and above all, simply getting your face known is incredibly important for a trainee.]

 

(Scene: Jeon Hocheol remaining alone in the practice room to dance)

 

[Paige: Their respective agencies might also start seriously considering their debut. But wait… is this getting too personal?]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: It’s fine.]

 

[Paige: Anyway, even if it’s spicy, from the trainees’ perspective, meeting producers like these is a stroke of luck. We tell our stories through singing and dancing, while broadcasters ultimately tell theirs through ratings.]

 

[Benok: Yes. You’re right, noona.]

 

[Paige: And it benefited us, too.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: Yes.]

 

[Paige: Minhyuk, you became trending. So did you, Nok.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: Haha… hahahaha….]

 

[Paige: Doesn’t that just prove how Idol Classism pulled you, me, and all of us into the show? Even the filming environment was different. It was completely unlike the formats we were used to. Seriously, this was the first time I’d ever met a writer who didn’t send us a script before filming. I’d never seen anything like that anywhere.]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: My apologies.]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: Oh. Since we’re on the subject, can I ask one more thing?]

 

[Paige: Yes. Of course, PD-nim.]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: To the judges, what is Idol Classism?]

 

[Paige: Well…You really had to save a question like that for the end…?]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: I know it’s a cliché question, but… would you mind answering it?]

 

[Paige: Mmm… a well-made program?]

 

[Benok: I won’t answer.]

 

[Kim Minhyuk: A benefactor.]

 

[Fade Out]

[Blackout]

[Fade In]

 

[Producer Lee Yeji: A challenge. Idol Classism is a challenge for me.]

 

[Writer Jung Heeyoung: I have to say it too? I’ve never thought about it… can I think for a bit longer? PD-nim, you answer first.]

 

[PD Ahn Kyunghee: Mmm… I’ll answer ‘Memories’. Don’t ask why. But it’s memories.]

 

[Main PD Seong Ohjoong: Work. It’s work. Nothing else in particular… ah, definitely work.]

 

[Fade Out]

[Blackout]

[Fade In]

 

[Kim Taeyeol: Without a doubt, passion. Passion.]

 

[Baek Suhyeon: Proof? I think it’s proof….]

 

[Trainee Jeon Hocheol: It was an opportunity to debut. No, it will be an opportunity to debut.]

 

[Han Yohan: Mmm… the place where I made many friends. I also got a lot more followers.]

 

[Jegal Hwi: Mmm….]

 

[Kim Haejun: A farewell. A farewell to the past.]

 

[Jung Taehee: The place where I met Unha.]

 

[Na Younghun: A last chance.]

 

[Park Deokoh: A source of worry.]

 

[…….]

 

[…….]

 

[Trainee Lee Unha: A dream! A dream!]

 

[Trainee Joo Wooyoung: It’s a dream.]

 

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