Chapter 88

Chapter 88

The mini-game episode of The Showcase 2 could be considered break time for the contestants. Contrary to the prediction of people who expected it to be boring because it was an episode without stage competitions, the episode became quite popular and spread through the internet. The first part of the episode began with a summary of the previous competitions. It showed the groups' preparatory process and edited the scenes with appropriate slow-down, sentimental, and heart-wrenching effects.

—The members of each group are running with all their might

With this caption, the screen changed, and a bright set with a completely different atmosphere appeared in view. Members of each group came out in pastel-toned gym clothes, and up to this point, it felt just like any normal sub-episode of a survival competition show.

—They’re giving them a break after making them suffer so much? lol

—Giving both pain and healing haha

—I sometimes wonder if the producers of survival shows have a conscience

People quickly skimmed over the videos and waited for the interesting parts to come out as even for the most ardent fangirls and fanboys of The Showcase, this opening part was usually boring for them. Until this point, they would be looking at their phone to do SNS more than looking at the broadcast screen. Before the game officially started, scenes of different groups coming out in their respective cars were played out in slow-motion, retro vibes. Then, there was a scene where each group was asked what game they wanted to play.

—Hmm. Is there a game with vaulting involved? Or is that too much like a physical education performance evaluation? Haha.

Bleshu’s Han Do-Young said this.

—Let’s, uh, do that—guessing the song quickly!

Only One’s Kim Ju-Hyun said.

—I saw a hot dog eating contest in the US last night? Or something like that? Will there be a game like that?

OnebyOne’s Choi Jin-Young suggested a hot dog eating contest.

—Eating lemons?

Siren’s Woo Yeon-Hoon suggested eating lemons.

—If it’s a mini-game competition, wouldn’t it be nice to have a game like a treasure hunt?

Lastly, Luminin’s Yoo Jin-Won mentioned the treasure hunt, and the screen went dark. The background changed to Wnet’s prop warehouse, and a staff member wearing work clothes and holding a phone in their hand came out.

—Yes. One member from each group just said eating lemons, eating American hot dogs, listening to the intro and guessing songs, treasure hunt, and vaulting.

As soon as they heard the games through their phone, the staff began searching the warehouse and began to search for the equipment.

—???

—They’re preparing the props on the spot after listening to the games?

—crazy hahhahaha why do even the staff here have to fight for their survival?

One staff member found the vault and mat, and another staff member found a speaker to play the song guessing game by listening to the intro. Then another staff member found plastic balls for the treasure hunt and even started writing a treasure list. Other staff members carried out tasks such as buying lemons and obtaining American hot dog ingredients in bulk. These videos inspired a sense of urgency in them.

—Quickly, Quickly!

—Aghhh!

—Lemon! Please give me all the lemons!

—All?

—Yes!

—Oh my, you sure are good at eatin’ those sour lemons. Haha. But you'll die if you eat all of it.

—I won’t die!

—Haha, got it.

One staff member and a fruit store’s rambling became a hot topic of conversation due to the stark difference in their attitudes.

—lol this is like watching my fav idol and me haha

—I've never heard someone say you'll die in such a relaxing way haha

However, there was a meme that became an even more hot topic.

—Woo Yeon-Hoon eating lemon.jpg

—WTH, how can he be so cute while saying that?

Reply: Woo Yeon’s face is insane

—Our cutie peach pie wants to eat lemon so precious aww

—The way he tilts his head while saying eat lemon? Looks like a fox??

—I didn’t know but Woo Yeon-Hoon is brutal

—he’s eating his own family

—is it okay for a peach to eat a fruit?

It was a GIF of Woo Yeon-Hoon eating lemon. A lot of K-pop fans who were disappointed in male idols’ visuals these days were starting to gather around Woo Yeon-Hoon. There were all sorts of talks among fans about whether Kang Hyun-Sung or Woo Yeon-Hoon was better looking, but the general consensus was that in terms of facial features and objective beauty standards, Woo Yeon-Hoon was better.

The type of games they would play was revealed then, and thanks to the funny interaction with the staff member and owner of the fruit store and Woo Yeon-Hoon, who created a sensation with his visuals alone, more and more people began to gradually join the live broadcast. When it was time to grab the audience’s attention and speed up—

—Finally, what everyone is waiting for! I’ll announce the big prize that goes to the team that wins first place overall in today’s games! Oh, I think everyone will be surprised by the huge prize! A chance to appear in PepCola’s commercial!

—Wow, that’s amazing.

—The Showcase 2 must be doing well. They got a big sponsor right away.

—Then let’s start with the first game! Are you ready!

—Yesss!

—They gave reaction cuts and narratives for others too. It’s just that they’re not funny ok

—If you can’t remember them cause they’re not interesting and you’re arguing about their lack of screen time, it must feel so unfair to the PD

—Does your fav group not have much screen time? Then please think carefully about whether your fav is ugly.

Siren’s Woo Yeon-Hoon was being spotlighted as the male idol visual of the next generation, and all the members of Siren had unique talent and gave excellent performances. Furthermore, while Woo Yeon-Hoon was just on another level, the other members were also handsome as well, and Siren had the title of self-producing idols.

Although there was still little public exposure for Siren, The Showcase 2 was the most popular show among K-pop fans in the first half of the year, and Siren had gathered a sizable fandom by this time. Thus, in short, Sirens had enough fans who systematically responded to unfair accusations.

Furthermore, after that, Bleshu came out more than Siren for the hot dog eating competition. Bleshu’s fans were quite happy to see their idols in the spotlight for the first time in a while.

—Wow Bleshu’s leader eats so well

—They say he used to be on the swimming team

—No wonder his shoulders are like Mount Everest

However, Woo Yeon-Hoon stood out again because he was the only one who deliciously chewed one hotdog while everyone else was stuffing hotdogs into their mouths with all their might.

—Did our cutie pie just say he’s full after just eating one hotdog??

—Ah so cute; he’s not even a hamster but he’s chewing like that?

—Too cute aww

After that, the broadcast went smoothly without much trouble. There was a game called Vaulting, but there were no noticeable scenes from that. It was a game that just ended with a simple appreciation such as ‘handsome guys are also athletic’. Siren received the main role in the vaulting game again, but this point was quickly passed over as the editing emphasized Siren’s athleticism by putting cuts where they succeeded in all the vaults that other groups failed to jump over.

—Wow, Siren is really athletic.

—Yeon-Hoon is even good at sports.

—Why does Lee Woon look so elegant even while vaulting?

—Lee Woon looks strangely elegant in whatever he does lol

Reply: I’ve felt this before but doesn’t Lee Woon kind of feel like a princess? Hahaha

Reply: hahahhaha Princess Lee Woon?

Reply: I think I kind of get what u r saying lol

Reply: Then I propose my boyfriend Kang Do-Seung as Princess Lee Woon’s bodyguard:)

Reply: Then Park Dong-Jun as the puppy that Princess Lee Woon raises:)

After that, the treasure hunt came out. The broadcast ended by highlighting that all the treasures from the treasure hunt were a real treat. However, there was a small commotion at the end.

—OnlyOne won the rights to appear in PepCola’s commercial on the treasure hunt?

—Didn’t Siren get it for winning first place in the games overall?

—They must be filming it with OnlyOne

—I have a lot to say but will keep my thoughts to myself.

There was controversy over OnlyOne’s right to appear in PepCola's commercial.

—Well, this is an obvious choice from the advertiser’s point of view.

—Sigh, let’s just move on

Although the audience was simply viewing the show, they knew how the entertainment industry worked and everyone seemed to move on easily. Like this, the show ended. While the audience started their second round of consumption by talking about video clips taken from the broadcast show on various SNS platforms, the main characters of the show were not very cheerful.

Siren was explicitly given the main role of this episode. Following the first and second episodes, the main characters were the same for the third episode. That being said, everyone had a hunch who the winner of this game was and that their struggles really had been nothing more than desperate struggles.

“The show was edited in a really fun way.”

“Ah, haha, yes. I agree.”

“Hahaha...”

“I thought you guys were good at the games and were funny, but you’re even more funny on TV.”

“Siren, you guys must be happy.”

“The MVPs of this episode!”

“I’m so jealous~”

The problem with this was that while Siren was a powerhouse in the broadcasting show, they were still rookies on the scene. There were contestants like Kang Hyun-Sung, and Siren hadn’t made their official debut yet. While sarcastic comments under the guise of compliments were being heard from all sides, especially from Luminin, Bong Tae-Yoon said one line.

“It was so fun even from my perspective. Thank you for the compliments. I will work harder thanks to everyone’s support.”

“Ah.”

“...”

With one line from him, everyone became instantly silent. Although he was the youngest, Bong Tae-Yoon overwhelmed everyone by his energy alone and refused to back down.

* * *

I immediately stopped the tense and uncomfortable atmosphere that was flowing out. Rather than other groups...I just accepted it as Luminins giving us shade for no reason. The members looked quite surprised but maintained their poker faces. I thought we should especially remain confident in times like this.

It was true that the episode was edited so that we got most of the screen time, but what did they want us to do? We really did our best. Although it was true that the atmosphere was uncomfortable, there was no reason for us to feel discouraged. We should be proud of ourselves.

But above all, I thought, ‘Why the fuck are they trying to pick a fight with us?’

It was so ridiculous that they were trying to put us down. Thus, I faced their mockery head-on and said, “Since we’re coming out on broadcast in such a favorable light, I think we have to work harder to meet your expectations. Not just my group but all of us together.”

By saying ‘all of us together,’ I actually meant, ‘If you guys don’t want to be edited out like today, don’t blame us and do better, you fuckers’. This was exactly what I meant if I didn’t soften my words.