The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 151
Maybe the reason I go this opportunity to come back was so that I could have this moment now—so that I could return and have people by my side.
I think that’s why I was so strong for this moment.
“…I’m thinking all sorts of things again.”
I slapped my cheeks hard, snapping myself back to focus.
Just because I had people helping me didn’t mean I could afford to get distracted.
— “All trainees, please gather in the main hall within 30 minutes. There will be an additional announcement regarding the next mission before practice begins.”
If I really wanted to settle my karmic debts, there was still a long way to go.
* * *
Since Targeting Star episode 5 aired last week, we had already started preparing for the next round.
Mentor evaluations, original songs, senior artist covers, and position battles.
We had already performed four times, but every time we heard about a new mission, we couldn’t help but check our arms for goosebumps.
It was just how idol survival shows worked: the later the rounds, the more important the performances.
The audience had already seen our growth, now they wanted to see us fully polished.
Even though only a short amount of time had passed, the performances in the later rounds had to be flawless.
The reality was, we haven’t improved, but our performance needs to be high quality.
So, what does this mean?
“Five, six, seven, eight—”
“Park, Come on. Not even close. Again.”
“C-Can we rest for just one minute? I—huff, huff—I can’t breathe—”
“If you keep moving like that, you shouldn’t be resting at all.”
“Huff. This is the fastest I’ve ever heard Mentor Dasol talk….”
“…Five minute break. We’re finishing verse one today. No one sleeps until we do.”
Naturally…
—”Trainee Ryota. Enunciate properly. Can you even hear yourself mumbling? Is that what the lyrics say?”
—”N-No, sir!”
—”Rapping is all about diction. Open your mouth! More! Right now, you sound like a baby babbling.”
—”Understood, sir!!!”
We had to train like hell.
“Damn, if Ryota keeps practicing like that, he’s gonna accidentally become a main vocalist.”
“Hah… Right? Oh, Chunyong hyung, can I get some water?”
“Here. If you were thirsty, you should’ve just said something earlier.”
“Thank youuuu….”
I patted Si Woo’s shoulder as he carefully sat beside me, then finally turned away from the rap mentoring room.
Even the gentler mentors, Jin Dasol and Na Ji Hyuk, were gritting their teeth while preparing for this stage.
That alone said everything. During practice, at least for that moment, I had to set aside thoughts of Liu Wei and focus entirely on preparing for the stage, especially since this fourth mission was going to be something special.
“Hello, trainees! This is Gaon. Now, do you all know what the theme of this round is? I’m not going to say it outright. Haha, because I know none of you will guess it anyway!”
“…How special does it have to be for no one to be able to guess?”
“Ahn Jin Woo, that little trick of muttering under your breath to get a solo camera shot—very nice! You’re becoming a true broadcast professional, aren’t you?”
“T-That’s not it! I was actually just curious…!”
“Don’t worry, it was a compliment! But yeah, I know you’re all wondering just how special it is, right?”
“Yes!”
“Then I won’t drag this out too long—let’s get straight to it!”
“…….”
“…Wait, there’s nothing on the screen?”
“Ah, my bad. I phrased that wrong. It’s not going to be revealed on the screen. In fact, it’s not going to be revealed in writing or speech at all!”
“Tsk….”
Thinking back on that announcement, I clicked my tongue.
Joo Cheol Yeong had gone all out to make Targeting Star a success.
It wasn’t just about the show’s format or content. He wanted to pull in viewers who normally didn’t care about entertainment or idol competitions, and that goal was reflected in the lineup of guest producers.
“This round, you’ll be performing original songs created by these legendary senior artists—please welcome them!”
Leopold. Serenia.
Min Si Young. Choi Gaon, and, for an added narrative impact, Lady Swan.
They had already brought in huge names for the previous rounds, but clearly, Joo Cheolyoung’s ambitions didn’t stop there.
In fact, even calling it “ambition” felt too small—it was on another level entirely.
“Hello, everyone! This is singer Lee Se Ryeong!”
“I’m singer-songwriter Laki. It’s an honor to meet you, trainees.”
“Gasp—cough, cough, cough!”
“W-Wait… that Lee Se Ryeong seonbae…?!”
…They had actually gathered artists who had reached the top of the industry using only their own music.
While the other trainees were caught between excitement and sheer panic, I was trying to keep down the creeping sense of unease rising in my spine.
“…….”
Because among those top artists, there was one…
“I hope you’re all practicing hard?”
“…S**t.”
Had he somehow heard what I was thinking, because just then, the practice room door swung open, and a tall, striking man strode in with a casual smile.
“Ack—! Cough, hack!”
“Ah, did I startle you? Sorry about that, Jang Si Woo.”
“N-No, no, it’s fine! Hello, seonbae!”
“Hello, seonbae!”
He was someone who deserved the trainees’ formal greetings—even mentor Jin Dasol, the dancer, had dipped his head in respect.
The leader of SLEDIX, a big idol who had debuted three years before the powerhouse group Leopold, yet still topped all the charts with them.
A chart-recognized songwriting genius.
A crazy workaholic.
“I brought some snacks for you all to keep your energy up. And while I’m here, I might as well watch your dancing too.”
Jeong Yeon Woo.
“Did you know if you take anti-anxiety meds with alcohol, you fall asleep easier? But you’ll be out for so long, you gotta be careful.”
“…How do you even know that? Isn’t it weird that you know that? The doctor explicitly said not to do that.”
“Huh? Rex, you should know by now. I only take them once in a while to focus on performances and work, but you’re different, aren’t you?”
‘If you’re going to keep living like this, you better at least learn how to take care of yourself.’
…One of my drinking buddies.
So obviously, when I saw his easygoing stride, I couldn’t help but feel both a bitter smirk and a fresh wave of nerves creep in.
Bees
A new enemy arises?!
[“Did you know if you take anti-anxiety meds with alcohol, you fall asleep easier? But you’ll be out for so long, you gotta be careful.”] :/ did bro want to kill him?