ALL NOVEL Chapter 91
Chapter 91. Bomb? (2)
Without even a moment to be surprised, the next lines continued.
– He has no choice but to take on the leader role, Hajin does.
– He sees a lot. Everything is visible to him.
– Who is struggling with what, who is good at what, things like that…
– It’s instinct, instinct. He can’t help it.
Over that audio, footage of me appeared.
It was probably one of the assistant directors who scoured through the entire timeline to find those small moments.
– So, I think that’s why he often ends up saying things he regrets. Because he sees the mistakes or regrets from his past.
– Ultimately, being an idol is about the group, but you also have to shine within it, right?
– Sometimes it seems like the current Hajin doesn’t have that desire.
‘…He’s spot on.’
Listening to Seo Taeil’s interview, which had perfectly grasped my psychological state even better than I had, made me feel strange.
Back then, I was really lacking in confidence about my stage and my skills.
Even if I was confident that I could perform without shame, I wasn’t sure how far that stage would go or how high it could climb.
‘…Not anymore.’
It would take some time for the sense of defeat, which had been ingrained in me for so long, to completely disappear.
But now that I had once again recovered the sense of ‘it’s okay,’ it was clear that things would be different than before.
“…….”
Come to think of it, there was someone who understood me just as well as Seo Taeil, sitting right next to me.
Although it wouldn’t be shown on the broadcast, right after that moment, Lee Doha had hit me with a brutal dose of reality.
Lee Doha, who still didn’t trust me more than 70%.
‘Was his lack of trust back then related to my attitude at that time?’
If that’s the case, now that I’ve regained some confidence in myself, maybe… I could raise it by about 2%?
‘I should talk to Doha about this soon.’
This damn Regressor hunt. It’s making me too diligent and sociable.
As I finished those thoughts and turned my attention back to the TV.
– Ready, slate!
“Oh, please.”
– March 2nd, 8:42 PM. B Team, mid-evaluation, one, two, three!
*Clap!*
A sharp, loud clap echoed through the living room of Joo Eunchan’s house.
I could feel that everyone was looking at me with bewildered eyes, even without glancing around. No one could find the words to speak, and just then, Dan Haru, who was leisurely rolling up two additional slices of pizza he had ordered, tilted his head.
“Hmm, I think he’s doing a pretty good job of shining himself….”
I quietly poured garlic sauce over Dan Haru’s pizza slices.
Is my image really okay like this? No matter how I think about it, PD Kwon did too good a job.
‘…The editing was just too good.’
As I recalled the scenes that would follow, I felt slightly uneasy.
It seemed like I’d have to stay up tonight to monitor the reactions, even though I had planned to do it tomorrow.
* * *
“Wow, they’re really pushing Kang Hajin hard, those crazy bastards.”
If they’re going to push him like this, they should just debut him with a bunch of kids they’ve gathered up, damn it.
Savage curses spilled out without any filter. Leaning back in his chair, with a neutral expression, he logged into SNS on his phone.
**Kim Makki @makkiii**
Bunny boy concept is so nauseating
Seo Taeil’s vision must be shot, getting old
Really, when your sense drops, you should just die ㅋㅋㅋ
Even with that face, thinking he’s the main character, trying to force a 4D character
It’s hilarious how they push that as a good thing ㅋㅋㅋ
There wasn’t even a hint of emotion left on Kim Makki’s face as he uploaded such blatant criticism of someone.
For Kim Makki, this level of language was just like saying, ‘Ah, Miro Maze is too focused on one person, it’s no fun~’.
If you scrolled down Kim Makki’s timeline a bit, you’d see that, aside from Hajin (who he called “Bunny boy”), there were countless evaluations and curses directed at other celebrities.
– **Please stop the plastic surgery, Seo Ryae-ung,** your nose is turning into Namsan Tower
– **Choi Kyung-nu,** this jerk should just strip for his fangirls instead of pretending to be a real musician. The fact that this joker’s songs aren’t even listened to by his fans is the comedy of the century
– **Stop dating random fangirls** and making excuses, you bowl cut fans. Listen to me and quit now. I’m telling you this because I’ve been there, done that~
**Followers 0. Following 0.**
Whenever he left a sharp quote on some celebrity’s buzz, he’d get some reaction, and then it would die down.
Sometimes, when people who found his account or followed a quoted tweet stumbled upon his account, they’d report or DM bomb him.
But whenever that happened, Kim Makki would just deactivate his account for a bit and return after some time. He’d change his nickname, change his ID, and swap his profile picture and header, then start up again as if nothing had happened.
‘Sometimes crazy bastards follow me, but blocking them solves that.’
For Kim Makki, this was just a fun sport.
After all, these celebrities make millions just by showing up on TV for a bit, so what’s the harm in someone like me saying a few harsh words?
That was Kim Makki’s mindset.
“Stop showing that bunny boy and push someone worth watching, you producers with no sense.”
And this time, Kim Makki’s target was Miro Maze.
All the top-tier male idols were either in the military or had left after failing to renew their contracts. Even the second-tier or rising stars had been swept away by scandals, leaving the house empty. In such a situation, the trainees who were already making a buzz online even before their debut were perfect prey for someone like Kim Makki.
‘Shall I throw in some fuel?’
Kim Makki pulled at his shabby pajamas and logged into the forum he frequented.
* * *
Had it not been for Hajin dealing with CP Yoon, the protagonist of episode 2 was originally supposed to be Han Sung-woo.
However, he had been disgracefully ousted, and the broadcasting station didn’t want to take even the smallest risk.
**[Miro Maze trainee treatment shown]**
They seem determined not to show him ㅋㅋㅋ Is this an exit?
* * *
– So even in the full shot, only 8 people are visible. Isn’t that crazy?
– Besides, from the preview, he had the first part ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ How did that happen?
– The rhythm editing is totally messed up.
**[Rumors about Han Sung-woo getting booted]**
Here’s the rumor that Han Sung-woo got cut after trying to bribe his way with connections.
It’s from a no-proof source, so take it with a grain of salt.
More details soon.
* * *
– Where did you see this?
└ Just stumbled across it while searching.
– They say it’s a company’s doing.
– Wait, wasn’t he the one who always had the rich kid trainee flair?
└ No one really knows.
– The producers are suspiciously doing justice… I kinda like it.
The production team minimized mentions and screen time for Han Sung-woo as much as possible while maintaining the narrative’s coherence.
As a result, with Han Sung-woo’s battle scene disappearing, the narrative of Hajin’s battle also couldn’t be emphasized.
Having no other choice but to drop the Sung-woo battle storyline, the production team searched for another comparison target.
That target was A Team’s leader, Jung Siwoo.
**[If you were the leader, which team would you choose?]**
A Team, which is a mess despite having powerful individual skills.
VS
B Team, which is weaker individually but has strong teamwork.
The survival show formula typically ends with A crashing and B rising, right? ㅋㅋㅋ
But A has such strong members this time, so who knows?
* * *
– Look at the wording ㅋㅋㅋ A mess, really?
– I was going to catch a ride with A, but after seeing Jung Siwoo getting crushed today, I don’t think I can.
└ **Siwoo fans** (a derogatory term for Jung Siwoo fans) were bragging about their oppa being a strategic genius, but he got exposed as a loser within 2 episodes. How embarrassing, I feel secondhand shame.
– They keep shoving faces that aren’t worth looking at, A wins by a landslide;
└ 2
– ?? What’s with the comments here? Did I log into the wrong community?
└ They all swarmed here. Just report and close the comments.
Jung Siwoo’s struggles to manage a team of members who were all individually focused aired as it was.
In particular, the conflict with Lee Yugeon, who had been teetering between ‘lack of diligence’ and ‘just a carefree personality’ throughout the practice, was highlighted.
– I don’t expect anything from you. But at least give your opinion.
– So I can do my job, too. (Siwoo looking at Yugeon with a sharp sound
effect)
– No, I mean. (Yugeon with a frustrated expression)
– How many times do I have to say it? I don’t care. Just let the hyungs decide, and give me what’s left.
In reality, even though Lee Yugeon got the smallest part, he didn’t show any complaints. After that conversation, Jung Siwoo didn’t seem to particularly have any issues with Yugeon during practice.
True to its label as a ‘survival show without malicious editing,’ the production team kept it clean and mild.
But that didn’t mean the viewers just let that scene pass.
**[Got PTSD from watching the survival show]**
Had to turn it off because it reminded me of those freeloaders in group projects. They’re the ones who whine later about not getting their fair share.
* * *
– For real, never seen anyone on a survival show who just wants the leftovers ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– If he’s going to act like that, he should just drop out and go home;
**[But that’s a bit reckless, though]**
I watched the whole show, and I get what he was trying to say, but… I think he’s the type to speak without thinking. It was a reckless attitude.
* * *
– (Anonymous 1) I had a bad feeling about him since episode 1 ㅋㅋㅋ Face reading is science.
└ (Anonymous 2) Here comes the expert again, face reader extraordinaire~
└ (Anonymous 3) These guys always pull this crap without even watching the show.
└ (Anonymous 1) I watched the whole episode, though? ㅋㅋㅋ He half-assed the mission since episode 1 and ruined his screentime, didn’t he?
└ (Anonymous 3) A half-assed guy danced 10 girl group relay songs in a row?? You just want to bash him.
– Seriously, haven’t you guys been through this enough with survival shows? Everyone’s jumping to conclusions based on edited footage.
**[Did you guys even watch the video when you said Yugeon was being reckless???]**
If you watch it, Yugeon kept saying he’d let the hyungs pick first and just take whatever was left; he said that several times. Sure, the background music and captions made it look intense, but Yugeon was smiling the whole time and saying he didn’t care. It was actually Siwoo who suddenly snapped and said he didn’t expect anything from him;;;;
I’m not even a fan, but this pissed me off so much I had to write this.
* * *
– (Comment 1) Typical Siwoo fan, keep going…
└ (Original) People like you just live to tear others down. Try living a real life… Go outside…ㅠ
└ (Comment 1) Yeah, you should stop projecting on a trainee who’s got dead fish eyes before even debuting~ㅋㅋㅋ
– (Comment 2) But honestly, I was also wondering why Siwoo suddenly got so angry… Of course, there might be parts that were edited out because it’s a show, but stillㅠ
**[Current situation with Miro Maze trainees, reactions divided.jpg]**
(Capture of Jung Siwoo and Lee Yugeon’s conversation 1)
(Capture of Jung Siwoo and Lee Yugeon’s conversation 2)
(Capture of Jung Siwoo and Lee Yugeon’s conversation 3)
**Jung Siwoo’s sudden outburst is the problem**
VS
**Lee Yugeon’s lack of cooperation is the problem**
Opinions are divided.
What do you guys think?
The entire forum exploded, but fortunately, the controversy didn’t escalate further.
Because when A Team’s stage followed, Lee Yugeon performed too well. Though his part was small, as soon as the dance break came, Yugeon shot to the center like a fish in water.
And then, with a joyful smile never seen before, he flawlessly executed the difficult choreography.
Especially when, just before the dance break, he locked eyes with a nervous Kim Wonho and deliberately made a playful face—when that moment aired, new posts flooded in for a completely different reason.
– I fell in love with that mischievous main dancer.
– Damn, that was so cool.
– Honestly, the others seem like they’re just trying to survive the stage, but Yugeon genuinely looks like he’s enjoying it. He’s a born star.
– What was all that about him being lazy? He did so well.
The viewers, who had been captivated by the carefree, bad-boy main dancer, started swooning over Yugeon, even going so far as to gloss over his lackluster live singing and his earlier friction with Jung Siwoo.
**[So about the fight between Siwoo and Yugeon earlier]**
It’s about an older brother’s tearful concern for his younger brother who’s talented but has already given up before trying.
Okay, I’m shipping Yugeon x Siwoo now. I love this love-hate relationship.
* * *
– Really, what a ridiculous leap.
– Is this a disease?
– Just give them a win already, even if it’s a mental victory.
Both Siwoo’s fans and Yugeon’s fans were left feeling uneasy as the situation settled down.
Both fandoms remained extremely cautious, wary of becoming targets for haters or rising-star bashers looking to stir up trouble.
‘It’d be better if a more blatant villain showed up to take all the heat.’
Someone out there might have been thinking this.
That’s how overheated the interest in Miro Maze had become. In such a situation, if any controversy arose, it could spiral out of control.
And then…
**[Isn’t it obvious they’re pushing Kang Hajin?ㅋㅋㅋ]**
In that tense atmosphere, someone threw a spark.