I'm so tired, I want to close my eyes.

The show's staff kept the contestants seated in the set throughout the evaluation process of the 77 chosen trainees.

Even during the break, they divided us into groups and only sent us to the bathroom.

It's probably because it's awkward to handle dozens of energetic kids, but thanks to them, my patience is wearing thin.

I glanced at the status windows of the others because I was bored. I was sick of seeing covers of idols I had already taken photos of in the past, but the performances of the contestants weren't that impressive. Of course, there were two or three contestants who did impress me.

I looked at the two people sitting in the fancy seats at the top. They were currently in first and second place. They came from a famous agency, so their presentations were excellent. Their status windows were gorgeous.

They both debuted and one won first place, so I'll have to team up with them to increase my chances of debuting. Considering my actual age, it terrifies me to think of playing with teenagers I would have gotten along with ten years ago. I'd better think about it again when the team battle missions come up.

And, fortunately, the evaluation is gradually coming to an end.

Ryu CheongWoo's ranking is... Rank 9!

As I had planned before, the last qualified contestant went to sit in the 9th seat that previously belonged to Lee MiBaek, who would now shift to 10th place. Since this happened again... My current ranking is 22nd place.

That was very good. In fact, I'm thinking of several contestants who were better than me in stats... Apparently, seven people have surpassed me. I'll have to try and improve my skills much more in the future so they don't think they overestimated me.

-Thank you!

The former representative of the national archery team left the stage with a smile.

I heard that he won a gold medal in the last Olympics, but I'm not too sure about that. I only know that he did make his debut at the end of this program.

Anyway, he was a talented young man that entertainment agencies would like to hire because he wouldn't do military service.

Wait a moment.

Come to think of it, I... Should I do my military service?

In the past, I got grade 4 and had to do social service in the Municipality.

Filming ended just before a terrifying topic I had never thought about took over my head.

-Cut! Thanks for his hard work! Participants, let's go out now~

-Yes~

There was applause and conversation everywhere. I got dizzy as I moved around following the staff guiding us out of the TV station.

Since the filming ended, I had to verify the treatment of "Park MoonDae" according to his evaluation results.

-You will be transported according to your received rankings!

The accommodation was a ten-minute walk from the set. Following the success of Season 1, a new lodge was built in the hilly area behind the television broadcast station.

However, they dared to use means of transportation and the reason was obvious, they wanted to make more camera cuts and raise the expectations of viewers.

The means of transportation differed according to the classifications.

-Contestants, please approach the top ten~

-Oh, it's a limo!

-Wow! It's really great!

-It's incredible.

The lower-ranked contestants were seen standing behind those who ranked higher, giving the camera a thumbs up.

All trainees from rank 51 to rank 77 would have to travel on foot. They tried to pretend to be positive and find the situation funny, but I could see them suppressing expressions of sadness and tears everywhere.

The cameras persistently followed the participants to record all their moments, no matter if they were good or bad.

Frankly, it's a bit creepy.

-Oh that's good.

For the trainees located between positions 11 and 25, a premium bus was waiting for us.

Lee SeJin smiled and got on the bus first.

Wanting to avoid the mishap of sitting together, I waited a while before boarding, though someone hurried after me and then quietly sat down next to me.

It was Seon Ah Hyun.

-...?

Why...? Well, it doesn't matter. It's nice that he's quiet.

***

We're in a snap at lodging, and just like last season, this time we're also using different rooms based on our ranks, better known as ranks.

The ranked dorm system will continue until we are given team missions.

For positions from 11 to 25, three spacious rooms for 5 people were assigned. Since they were to be ranked, I was lucky not to be in the same room as Lee SeJin because he got the 20th place.

-Cool! I want this bed!

As soon as I entered my room that consisted of two bunk beds (cabins or beliches) and a single bed, a boy jumped on the last one.

I guess he wanted to look mischievous and cheerful on camera.

I chose the lower bunk bed; On the other hand, Seon AhHyun quickly placed his luggage on top of the same bunk.

-...

We exchanged glances in silence. Why does it feel like I have gum stuck to my shoe?

He did the same thing again when we changed into the training clothes we received and he followed me into the meeting room.

On second thought, he may have been very overwhelmed by the encouragement the other participants gave him in evaluating him, so he may be more comfortable with me, since I'm a relatively easy-going person.

I don't think it's problematic for him to be by my side, but he shouldn't be close enough to pick the same team because he might find fault with my personality if we get into an argument.

-From now on you will start training seriously! They are called "Custom Classes"!

The MC hype introduced a training system that everyone already knew.

-Based on the results they received from the judges, you will be given training in the areas of singing and dancing. Remember your rankings?!

-Yes!

-Each class is divided into basic, intermediate and advanced levels; each level seeks to improve your skills through personalized training.

Until now, the system was similar to previous seasons. The problem would be the following...

-And you can change your ranking at any time!

-...!

-It all depends on your hard work and dedication!

For example, if you suddenly absorb the teaching of the "Intermediate Singing" training like a sponge and do well, next time you will be trained in "Advanced Singing". Although that also means that if you fail to develop in the class, you will be lowered in level and it will affect your ranking.

After ten days of training, the final classification will be determined by individual evaluation of the musical theme that they will give us.

It meant that he would burn the children's mental state mercilessly in order to get enough dramatic recordings for the show.

-The next contestant to receive their badges will be... Park MoonDae!

-Yes.

As expected, I received a badge indicating the class "Advanced Singing" and one for "Basic Dance". It was a little awkward wearing a shiny gold badge next to a dull bronze one on my shoulder; they were overly decorative, so much so that they looked cheap.

There were some cases of contestants who did not receive any badge.

On the Internet, these cases were called "Disposable".

Those who don't have badges... They're out of those classes, but they'll take some low-level lessons together, they'll also need special training at night.

To be honest, those guys were in a prime position to get more attention from the cameras, as their dramatic stories can be narrated to move the audience.

However, if I were part of that group of guys, I would have a different opinion. A good example is the boy who was a former child actor, his hands were shaking.

According to rumors, he had acted in a thriller that 10 million people saw 10 years ago; but he was unable to retain his acting career due to unfortunate circumstances.

That participant was considered to be out of class and sang because his skills were less than basic level. As I saw in his status window, his grades were F and D respectively.

He is probably participating in this show to cheer for his return to the industry, rather than participating because he wanted to debut as an idol.

It was a bit surprising to find out that his name was also "Lee Sejin". I didn't know there would be another person with the same name, although I'm sure he wasn't the one who debuted. Why don't I think it's him who debuted in the past? One need only look at him to understand that he looks like a card to be used and thrown away in the competitive first round.

Sejin openly expressed his grief and anger.

"That will please the producer."

When all the class badges were distributed, a huge screen lit up.

Now, the song that you are going to practice for the next ten days will be released! Do your best to master her and present her to the "Idol Reincorporation" shareholders!

It was a song that would be played everywhere until next year. Even I, a public servant who had distanced himself from the media, remembered the choreography of the choir.

It wasn't at the level of "POP☆CON", but it was still worth learning and dancing to.

-This season's song is called... "Shining Star! (It's me!)"

With a rhythm sticky to the ears, moderately cool and tolerable lyrics began to flow.

I am standing on the stage.

Even though you don't know me.

The flows inside of me

So like a flash of light I'll come to you

The dancer appeared on the screen and performed the choreography. There were gasps and groans everywhere.

I also realized that the difficulty of the choir would be great.

For the song to become popular, it seemed easy to learn, but the choreography is terribly complicated.

The first verse passed without me daring to memorize it. Then the chorus erupted.

It's me who shines on stage today!

Yes, the that you are creating

It's me!

I finally wake up and shine

Look at me, right now~

The brightest is me!

Seeing the choreography of the choir, I knew that I would fall several times while practicing it, so I immediately made a decision.

-Status window.

Just... it's better not to sleep.

-...Activate "Sleep will be after death".

***

Calories.

I had to calculate my calories well.

In other words, it means that I should have been aware of the high calorie intake when I am active and not sleeping. I almost got mad because I was so hungry when I stayed up the whole first night.

-Th-th-this... W-want some?

Seon AhHyun gave me a chocolate bar.

I sincerely thanked him and without using honorifics, there was no problem to call him like that since he is the same age as "Park MoonDae". Rather, I felt rejuvenated when I spoke to the pale boy.

From that day on, I ate three meals a day and drank as much as I could. The rice is... It tasted like seasoned rice, but I liked that they didn't limit how much rice I could serve.

The second day came and I memorized the choreography from start to finish. Being able to go all night without fatigue certainly worked.

Also, I was able to move up two levels in my status.

It was lucky that he was able to practice around 500 times and got various achievements.

But I didn't want to distribute my remaining points yet, as it won't have much of an impact if I do it now.

"As of today... five people improved."

Five participants had been promoted from Basic Dance classes to the Intermediate Dance level. Very few people have drastically improved their skills after just a few days of training, so most of them must have failed their first test and are just learning this skill.

Even if I showed some development now, it was very likely that I would be included as one of the group of boys who improved and not pay much attention to me. So, I don't see the point of being promoted right now. I prefer to show more dramatically that my skills have improved, so I would have different scenes of myself to use in editing the show.

This is due to the demands of the choreographer from day one.

-Again!

-Bend your left foot!

-Why are you moving your arms? Hold tight!

On the first day, as soon as the class started, the choreographer mercilessly directed the contestants causing the atmosphere to become heavier and heavier.

At the end of class, the choreographer called me in to talk.

-Park MoonDae.

-Yes?

-If you continue like this, you won't get a good grade on the next test.

-...

I wasn't particularly bad in this class.

First of all, it was a Basic Dance class. If I had to describe myself, would it be someone of a normal level? He was at the level of an ordinary person who was not good at dancing even though he tried very hard.

But among all the students in this class, I was the one with the highest position ranking, so he had high expectations of me.

As expected, the choreographer said similar words to me that he had already said to other contestants from past seasons.

-No, I don't think you will. I was wrong to rate you. I guess you didn't have the skills to get that ranking in the first place.

That's how it is. He knows, but he called me that for fun.

-Do it right, okay? If you try harder, you can get it.

-Yes.

Most trainees wouldn't suddenly develop basic skills they didn't have during their ten days of training unless they're really lucky, but I can, so I nodded my head as if I'd made up my mind.

Criticism and advice without substance were boring; however, it was important that others find it painful. Although it seemed like an offensive mockery of me, I had to think of it as encouragement.

I just have to wait a few more days.

-Thanks for your hard work!

-Yes, don't give up.

The choreographer nodded to the thanks of the sweat-drenched participants and after checking that the staff was setting up the cameras, he looked at his phone and left the class.

This is how this morning's Basic Dance class ended. After lunch, I would have the Advanced Singing class.

Lunch consisted of bulgogi and seaweed soup. I ate as much as I could and after a short shower, I headed to singing class.

Oh, now that I think about it, I have something to confess.

-Then I'll have to call MoonDae.

My singing flowed naturally with the song.