Second Try Idol

Chapter 111: Blue Room Party (8)

“Good work, Chronos."

“Thank you!"

The rehearsal for this week’s Music Case had just ended. Unlike the previous live performance, this show had an audience, and the movements of the camera were restricted. So, we had to adjust the choreography of “Blue Room Party,” which was designed with camera interaction in mind, to better fit the format of the music show.

However, even with these adjustments, we still had to minimize our movements, so we ended up repeating the rehearsal a couple more times. It was a relief that the choreography was simpler. Otherwise, we would be too exhausted to perform even before the music show started.

“Great job. I've brought some lunchboxes to the waiting room."

“Could you check something for me, noona? Something seems to be scratching my waist when I walk."

“Sure, I'll check it."

“Can I go grab some coffee? I feel like having coffee more than eating right now."

“Coffee? Let's go together later."

It became quite noisy as we and the staff entered the waiting room. Since there weren't any issues with the stage or my costume, I decided to eat my lunchbox in a corner to avoid getting in the staff's way.

Joo-Han went with the manager to get coffee, Yoon-Chan was surrounded by stylists checking if there was an issue with his costume, while Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung were chatting in front of the camera. The scene was nothing out of the ordinary.

However, I suddenly noticed that the staff in the waiting room seemed to be thinning out. Indeed, the once crowded room now felt more spacious, and familiar faces were subtly disappearing.

“Goh Yoo-Joon, where did all the staff go?"

“Huh?"

When I asked, Goh Yoo-Joon rolled his eyes and smirked. “Uh, I don't know."

That was not true. The way he giggled while looking at Lee Jin-Sung... It seemed like he knew something.

“You definitely know something.” I put down my lunchbox and approached them, sensing that they were up to some prank.

“We really don't know," they insisted.

“Your faces are giving it all away, you fools."

When I was about to interrogate them further...

“Hello there! Awww, Chronos!"

“Whoa! You startled me! What's this!" The waiting room door suddenly flung open, and familiar faces came pouring in.

“Oh, Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung! How have you been?"

“Where are Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han?"

I was surprised and reflexively trembled, retreating to a corner. They greeted the other members and then swarmed toward me. “Hyun-Woo! Oh, our Hyun-Woo!"

The person calling my name so warmly was none other than the national MC, Yoo Il-Seok. To my surprise, not only he but also the regular cast of SES Flying Man, along with the cameras, lights, and microphones from the program poured into the room. ‘Wait, isn't their program from another broadcaster?’

“Why are you here? Hello..." I greeted them with a surprised face.

Then, with a half-apologetic and half-amused smile, Yoo Il-Seok brought me in front of the camera. “Ah, our Hyun-Woo! Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, come here too!"

I was still clueless about the situation. However, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung seemed to already know this, so they weren't surprised at all and were chatting with the cast.

“Did you know about this?"

“Yeah, we knew." The brazenness of Goh Yoo-Joon's reply was astonishing. No wonder the staff were disappearing one by one.

While I was half-heartedly accepting our sudden appearance on Flying Man, suddenly Yoo Il-Seok and Dada, along with the rest of the Flying Man cast, started kneeling in front of me.

“Hey, why are you doing this, seniors?" I tried to help Yoo Il-Seok up, but he wouldn't budge.

“We are so sorry! Hyun-Woo! And all of Chronos!"

“Huh?"

“That brat dared to get Hyun-Woo's number!"

“Ah, that idiot!"

“We do not have the face to show anymore, but we still felt like we needed to apologize!"

“No... it's okay..." I said.

Of course, Flying Man’s members weren’t at fault. They had merely featured a rookie idol, and Goh Seong-Cheol was the source of controversy. The cast members were also aware that they weren't at fault, and the atmosphere was more like a skit, a situational act. It felt more like they were extracting footage for the guest rather than an actual apology or compensation.

“Hyun-Woo, did you see the video we sent you?"

“Yes, I saw it. The members teased me a lot."

“Oh dear, you got teased. What can we do about this!?" Yoo Il-Seok kneeled again, and the other cast members dramatically sighed and knelt as well.

“No... haha, what's even happening here?" I asked.

“Hyun-Woo, please tell us clearly. Will you accept our apology? Yes or no! Choose one." Yoo Il-Seok's playful words made the kneeling Wo-Seok burst into laughter.

“Who apologizes like that!?"

“Right, oppa! How can you apologize like this?" Dada got up, expressing her dissatisfaction, and tried to lift Yoo Il-Seok, but he stubbornly maintained his kneeling position with a smile.

“Ha-ha! Hyun-Woo! Please decide! Accept our apology! Yes or No?"

“Ah, hyung! Why are you doing this to Hyun-Woo?"

Having been quietly observing the situation, Jang Seok now stepped forward and gestured for the Flying Man members to step back. Then, he slipped his hand under Yoo Il-Seok's armpit and swiftly lifted him to his feet. Yoo Il-Seok popped up as if sprung from a spring.

“Goodness, what is this all about!?" Yoo Il-Seok got embarrassed and grabbed Jang Seok's collar, but Jang Seok simply released his grip with pure strength. The entire situation was so amusing that it was hard not to laugh at it. Goh Yoo-Joon was already rolling on the floor, laughing uncontrollably in one corner. Well, he was easily amused after all.

“Anyway, Hyun-Woo, ah, no, Yoo-Joon, get up. You shouldn't be rolling on the floor in your costume!"

Following Yoo Il-Seok's command, Jang Seok picked up Goh Yoo-Joon. Despite Goh Yoo-Joon being quite muscular and heavy, Jang Seok lifted him effortlessly—truly the fitness icon of the entertainment industry.

I watched this spectacle unfold and then spoke up. “But seriously, why are you all here? Isn't this another broadcaster's territory? Is this even allowed?"

I asked out of genuine concern, but it seemed like being from different broadcasters wasn't much of an issue for these veterans.

“Ah, it's fine. Don't sweat the small stuff. Anyway, we do have a reason for being here."

Only after a couple of skits did I finally learn why Flying Man had come here. Once all the members were back in their places, Producer Han Bu-Joon spoke.

- Flying Man is looking for a new member! The second contestant in this race is none other than Chronos's Suh Hyun-Woo. Il-Seok, please pose the official question to Hyun-Woo.

Only then did I fully understand the real reason behind their appearance. The vacancy in the regular cast of Flying Man seemed to be the theme of this race—to find a new permanent member.

“Yes, then, Hyun-Woo, I will pose the question."

“Ah, okay." I matched Yoo Il-Seok's serious demeanor and put on a grave face. Behind me, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung watched with keen interest, while Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan were peeking out from behind the door to keep an eye on me.

“Hyun-Woo, will you be a regular member of Flying Man?"

“It's not an opportunity that comes easily. You understand that, right Hyun-Woo?"

“Being a regular on Flying Man practically guarantees your pension!"

As Yoo Il-Seok asked his question, the other cast members chimed in.

“Now! What's your choice, Hyun-Woo? YES or NO?"

It felt as if dramatic music should be playing in the background. In response, I pretended to ponder seriously. Looking back at our manager behind Joo-Han, I received a signal to choose as I wished. Popular shows were indeed different. They just decided things on the spot.

“Well, Hyun-Woo, you're deep in thought, but...."

“But you have to do it. Honestly, what entertainer wouldn't want to be on this show?"

“That's true. Even in the earlier first race, they lost the game and it was canceled. However, they really wanted to do it, didn't they?"

The cast kept chattering, giving me time to think. Yes, such opportunities were rare.

“I've made my decision." Still, it took courage to say it.

“Oh! Good." Yoo Il-Seok got excited. He then returned to a solemn face and asked, “What's your answer, Hyun-Woo?"

I replied just as solemnly, “I decline."

“...Huh? Again?"

It took me even greater courage to decline the offer this time.

“No, why! Why?"

“Why on earth?"

“How can you decline?"

“Hyun-Woo, you don't have to maintain a refusal image at times like this!" The Flying Man cast was shocked by my refusal.

I awkwardly smiled and shook my head. “It's not that, haha... It's the same reason as last time. We are still newcomers, so I want to focus on our group for now."

From the mention of “second contestant,” it seemed there were other candidates for the regular member position. That made it easier for me to decline. After all, I wanted to be a singer, not a variety show entertainer. If my group was doing well, I wouldn’t need to divide my time by joining as a regular member of a variety show.

“Popular idols really are different. 'Wanting to focus on the group,' that's seriously cool!" The cast seemed convinced by my refusal. While my refusal would likely bring the shooting to a close, that was enough for me.

I wore a polite smile, ready to wrap things up. But...

“Alright!" Yoo Il-Seok clapped his hands, changing the atmosphere.

“Then let's start the game!"

“...Senior, wasn't it over?" I asked in confusion, gripping his arm, and Yoo Il-Seok just shook his head with his characteristic playful look.

“Hardly! How could we gather such esteemed guests and just leave? Hyun-Woo, you wanted to decline the regular appearance, right?"

Wanted to decline? Not just that, but this question left me puzzled.

Despite my doubts, I nodded. “Yes."

Following my response, Director Han Bu-Joon spoke.

- Today's game, which is about “winning the right to decline”, will be explained.

“The right to decline?"

Not the right to appear but to decline... what was that even about? As I chuckled at the forced game prize, a table was brought into the waiting room as if everything had been planned. On the long table, there were ordinary dumplings laid out. I just looked at Director Han Bu-Joon in disbelief, but he ignored Yoo Il-Seok's grumbles and continued speaking impassively.

-Today's game is 'Avoid the Wasabi Dumplings!' Out of ten dumplings, only five are normal. If Hyun-Woo picks and eats a normal dumpling, we will give you the right to decline the invitation to Flying Man.