NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6
Chapter 6. I’m the Crazy One in This Area (1)
85%? I couldn’t even muster a genuine laugh.
“They’ll all be here soon. Actually, we’ve already watched the audition video once.”
What, the crazy person in this area? Are you kidding me?
“Today, we’ll be doing a simple skill check and asking Hajin some questions to get to know him better.”
Sending me to the military twice and making me an idol trainee, and now you’re making me defuse a bomb?
“Hajin?”
You must not have seen a real lunatic. If there’s someone crazier than me, who woke up as a high school senior after regressing from taking the college entrance exam to the military, step forward. Let’s switch lives.
“Hajin? Over here.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I was a bit nervous. I didn’t get any sleep last night….”
“Oh dear, you didn’t sleep at all? There’s no need for that.”
Oops. I had momentarily forgotten reality, distracted by the sudden notice of regression. I hurriedly put on a capitalist smile and focused on the conversation.
Luckily, Manager Jang and Manager Kim from Miro seemed to interpret it as the nervousness of a teenager on the brink of achieving his dream, nodding their heads understandingly.
“But Hajin, did you get your hair done? You look a bit different from when you auditioned.”
“That’s right. You look even better than in the audition video.”
Spending a lot of money on an expensive haircut and new clothes paid off, as they complimented my styling generously.
Here, it was better to pretend to be modest instead of proudly saying, “Yes, I spent some money on it. How do I look?”
“Thank you. I tried to look my best.”
“You really fit the part. You must join our company.”
I almost said “Of course” in response to Manager Kim’s admiring look, but it was only natural. My styling was aimed at impressing Miro.
Let’s take a look at the Miro chart in my Excel sheet.
[Miro Entertainment]
Artists: Utopia, Project W (disbanded), End of Way
Characteristics: Known for powerful male idols, famous for their elaborate concepts and music. Preparing for their next group as End of Way gains a foothold.
… This information was gathered from a stock community. In previous lives, a junior group emerged around this time. The important information is the next part.
[Tendencies: ☆Seems to like anything that looks powerful☆]
There’s a long-standing nickname for idols from Miro Entertainment: “My Way in the Music Industry.”
[Lanion vs. End of Way character analysis is hilarious]
(GIF of Lanion on stage in a school uniform)
(GIF of End of Way on stage in a school uniform)
Lanion: Popular kid in school
End of Way: Kid who doesn’t fit in at school
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ as expected of Utopia’s successors ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
* * *
– Cha Minseok: Thought he was the student council president but turned out to be the mastermind
Choi Wonho: The mastermind’s backing
└ st, the backing ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ What is this character analysis ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Wow, but Lanion ;;; really has a look you want to be associated with
└ What about End of Way?
└ Looks like my arms and legs will be tied up
└ Why are you tying up your arms and legs
It seemed like Utopia’s strong character image was solidified, and they were pushing it as a company trait. Their concepts were all intense, and they were ambitious about their music, valuing stage presence and talent more than idol-like appearances.
‘I was worried the piercing might make me look arrogant, but I guess it’s fine.’
At Renes, which had the capital and know-how to turn raw stones into jewels, showing up overly styled would only make me look like just another aspiring entertainer number 1524.
It was better to dress neatly and cleanly, making them think, “How will he look if we style him?” So I toned down my hair and outfit…,
‘If I had shown up at Miro like that, I would’ve been out before even auditioning.’
Miro was different. Fortunately, with my monolid and sharp eyes, I could avoid looking easy to handle. As soon as my audition date with Miro was set, I got my blocked ear re-pierced and cut my long hair into layers.
When I was younger, I didn’t know what suited me, so I tried trendy cuts like two-blocks or wolf cuts, but I now had ten more years of experience with my face and hair. The hairstyle that suited me best, transcending trends, and the timeless street look never failed.
“Ah, everyone’s almost here. Hajin, get ready.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be nervous!”
Receiving Manager Jang’s encouragement, who seemed more nervous than me, I entered the recording booth. This audition method was something I’d never seen before. At Miro, they occasionally tested by having you record part of an existing artist’s song.
‘They said it was to see how well you take direction?’
Nonsense. This wasn’t even a debut group test, and they were talking about directing a trainee who knew nothing. I thought as I put on the headset in the recording booth.
‘This is an intimidation interview.’
From what Manager Jang told me, Miro seemed to like me quite a bit, but they were doing this from the first meeting.
[Single Quest 02.]
‘I’m the Crazy One in This Area!’
Description: You’ve (or will) enter Miro. Survive the suffocating politics and rivalry in this place, and meet allies to successfully debut. (Reducing the chance of regression activation and increasing quest success rate by removing hidden bombs)
It seemed like the first bomb I needed to defuse was here.
* * *
There were three interviewers.
“Well, do your best.”
The director, who made it clear he didn’t like me.
“…….”
A team leader looking at me with a meaningful expression.
And,
“Wow, so fresh. Hyung, was I like this when I was a trainee?”
Miro’s pioneer and Utopia’s leader, Seo Taeil, who was approaching his 12th year of debut.
The person responsible for making Miro known as a notorious “My Way” group in the music industry.
The centripetal force of Utopia, who led the group to their third contract renewal despite the notorious seven-year curse and military hiatus.
On the day the third contract renewal article was released, he coolly shared his thoughts via an SNS live with fans.
– Well… They should realize by now. It’s a mess without me.
If an average boy group leader made a statement like this, it would have attracted all sorts of trouble and criticism for disrespecting the members, but this was Utopia’s Seo Taeil. Overcoming the struggles of a small company, holding together a rambunctious group, and reaching the top of the music industry despite various scandals, it was Seo Taeil.
Towol @u_top_world
(Video)
The amazing self-awareness of a 13-year veteran idol leader…
Yeah, that’s right, Taeil…
Shares: 8,731 Quotes: 2,213 Hearts: 9,654
Taellam_MainBirdConfirmed @txllam
I think this truly encapsulates the relationship dynamics in Utopia
Utopia who have no intention of leaving
And Seo Taeil who won’t let them scatter
These are our boys
Shares: 6,854 Quotes: 3,976 Hearts: 8,596
[Utopia] Male idols, that’s Seo Taeil. Don’t learn from him. If any other idol said something like that, they’d be heavily criticized for an epic blunder. But Seo Taeil… Seo Taeil can get away with it.
– Anonymous 1: Exactly ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Anonymous 2: Seo Taeil is king
– Anonymous 3: If it were Yoon Jinu, he would probably be introduced as a natural person in a few years
└ Anonymous 4: Cheong Hansol would have stayed in the military permanently
└ Anonymous 3: Well, even now…
└ Anonymous 4: I feel emotional. Cheong Hansol, get discharged, your duty is to be an idol
‘If that guy is the bomb, things could get complicated.’
I loosened my neck while looking at the difficult individuals. In front of me was the lyrics sheet of the song I had to sing today. Fortunately, it was a familiar song.
‘It’s Utopia’s debut song.’
Whoever designed this cruel setup, making me audition with the original singer’s song in front of him. Moreover, Seo Taeil seemed to be directing. An ordinary trainee would have already been crushed by the tension.
Of course, I wasn’t an ordinary trainee.
“First, we want to check your tone. Let’s sing the first chorus lightly.”
As he gently spoke, readying to start, I heard Seo Taeil’s soothing voice. Nodding, I adjusted my headset as a system alarm sounded.
[System Alarm: Skill
Did you think I wouldn’t bring safety gear while defusing bombs?
* * *
The night before.
“I’m not doing it.”
As soon as I read the 85% regression probability, I declared a strike to the system.
[System Alarm: Pardon?]
“Oh, you didn’t hear me? No, you heard me right
. I’m not doing it.”
Crossing my legs and folding my arms, the system window flickered.
Regardless, I adopted the most defiant posture I could manage, pretending not to care.
“I accepted becoming an idol trainee in two months, okay? Sure, I thought, why not try since I’m young, rich, tall, and handsome.”
“But what? Defuse a bomb? Form a debut group? Do you think this is some modern fantasy novel? This is real life. I’m already frustrated that I can’t remember the lottery numbers. Hey! How is a 19-year-old supposed to conquer an entertainment company?”
As my anger surged like a volcano, I stomped the sandy ground in frustration. Sand getting into my slippers was annoying, so I shook my leg to get rid of it. I couldn’t avoid my family’s eyes in the semi-basement house, so I ended up at the playground in front of my house again.
“Oh, seriously. I’m getting mad again. Aren’t you supposed to be my mentor? Mentor? I’m going to die before even meeting the mentee.”
“I’m not doing it. No way. Regression? Go ahead, regress. Let’s live forever.”
[System Alarm: Input error]
[System Alarm: Input error]
[System Alarm: (Fixed) Error due to regressor’s unexpected behavior!]
“What’s the error?”
[System Alarm: I’m flustered!]
“You’re really something.”
I was already personifying the system, but there was no other way to handle it. Anyway, seeing its reaction, it seemed like the right time to bring up my real demand. I shook my foot generously.
“Give me a skill. Or an item.”
[System Alarm: (Fixed) No additional skills are provided to the regressor…]
“Then I’m not doing it.”
[System Alarm: I’m already offering significant convenience by providing…]
“I’m not doing it.”
[System Alarm: …]
“I’m not doing it. Quest or whatever. Let the chosen regressor go crazy from regression.”
The crazy person in this area?
First, taste your own madness, system.