"Give me the phone."

I took over Keun Sejin's smartphone and looked through the article.

The top aggro article was the one that chose 'Park Moondae a tanked stock' as the title.

"Hmm."

I roughly got it.

'The article is made by Idolco.'

It was written as if they were conveying Park Moondae's story, but in fact, the focus was not on me.

'I guess they want to emphasize the dramatic enjoyment of Idolco.'

They wanted to emphasize the enjoyment of the unpredictable aspects of a bio-stock-like program where a person, who participated without a decent background, could also suddenly win.

However, that idea didn't seem to be very great.

'Aren't they overdoing it?'

The first rating I was given was gold, and in the grade evaluation, I received platinum.

In addition, just like a regular audition participant, I consistently advanced on a royal road in groups that were a hot topic and at the last minute, won first place after the family background issue was solved.

Meaning that I wasn't a participant that was particularly shown as different in .

'It's full of nonsense boasting.'

Although they just did this to remind people of the enjoyable aspects of an audition show, it seemed that the production crew took a strange sense of pride in the opening of this audition program.

'Seems like these guys lost some of their forms.'

Did it become a jinx to waste the even-numbered season?

'As I thought, TeStar has to step out of this.'

As long as you were an affiliated celebrity, it would be a big loss if you made an enemy of T1, so if an offer came in, whether it was a reappearance or a collaboration, we need to create a justification to decline it comfortably.

First of all, let's check the aftermath of this article.

"I read it."

"Okay~ it didn't have any bad vibes, right?"

"Yeah. It was fine."

Let's take a look at the fans' reactions first.

I returned Keun Sejin's smartphone and started to search with my own phone.

"..."

And I was taken aback.

Wow, this was a bit... embarrassing.

Even the people, that faded away after the survival show ended, were pouring out new posts.

It seemed like there was some part that struck a chord somewhere.

I had thought that half of the people would be annoyed at Idolco and the other half would just be glad to see my face appearing, but there were more people gathering than I expected.

'Maybe it's a good thing...?'

I was somewhat reluctant, but the situation wasn't bad.

I decided to accept the situation.

'Then, next... should I check public responses?'

There wasn't anything notable about the fans' responses. In addition, the comments on entertainment articles were also disabled, and since the article emphasized the promotion of , it was sharply just focused on that.

Most responses to me, that were not about the program, only said that the article 'said it well'.

I could collect the negative responses, but I wonder if they had any meaning.

The negative comments were about this much.

Comments that weren't to this level had no swearing, so I didn't recognize them as malicious comments. There was nothing to worry about since they were just nonsensical remarks.

'That's enough.'

It was a bit annoying that they used my image vainly like this, but the fans were pleased so I will call it even. Let's quickly stop any losses from happening.

I shrugged my shoulders.

However, as I was about to turn off the screen of my phone, I happened to see the latest comment on the social media post I was reading.

It was a post that shared an article titled, 'Park Moondae's wise advice in season 4 of '.

'Oh?'

The nuance in this was very subtle.

It wasn't just a malicious comment about not liking me. I could see a keyword that tried to artificially turn the tides.

'Ignorant?'

Wasn't that just one of the statements naturally attached to Park Moondae?

Besides, turning the tides this way wouldn't be the most damaging to me.

'It would be more effective to combine IdolCo's fairness issue with T1's media manipulation.'

So, how should I say it, there strangely seemed to be a different purpose.

'Hold on.'

I checked the corresponding account.

There was participation in events and shares of humorous articles. The timeline was sparsely filled with obvious posts such as, 'What should I eat for lunch~' or 'I want to go home'.

'Hmm.'

I tried to search several times by combining keywords such as, 'Park Moondae', 'ignorant', and 'middle school graduate', and I was able to confirm the existence of similar accounts.

They were accounts with simple profiles and user IDs that did not have the kinds of posts that showed their personality or were about specific topics.

'They're skilled.'

Next, I searched using completely different keywords on social media.

Then, a great number of results poured out.

The most shared post was titled, 'Idols who give off the feeling of a young lady or young master from a rich family'.

'Not this one.'

I found a minor post that was less shared and checked the account of the one who shared it.

...The account profiles with no personality I saw earlier were scattered between them.

'Found it.'

I smirked. I was sure of it now.

'Looks like they're starting to work on it on Golden Age's side.'

It was about what Choi Wongil had told me.

As expected, their company did not directly compare me to a member of Golden Age who was a Korea University student.

'They're grouped together instead.'

They subtly made viral media posts opposite to idols with low academic backgrounds with good reputations like me.

In addition, the Golden Age member in question was tied to a list of celebrities with a high educational background, so the work to imprint that image on him was carried out at the same time. Because these kinds of images were definitely in demand.

It was an act of growing the situation while suppressing the backlash as much as possible and effectively raising his class and image.

'They're good.'

Well, it wasn't like I was anxious or annoyed about this. Wasn't this something that most entertainment agencies do?

But it was kind of... tiring.

'I'm too busy to care about other things.'

There were many things I had to deal with right now from the new status abnormality to the new season of IdolCo.

And it seemed like it would most likely be more troublesome to deal with if the level of what these guys were trying to do became higher.

So, I should just end it with this agency.

'Let's see.'

The moment I was about to recall a list of names in my head, someone suddenly spoke to me.

"...What are you looking at so intensely?"

It was Bae Sejin.

"Ah, I'm monitoring."

"Is that so? Then... is there something going on?"

"Yes, well..."

Bae Sejin noticed that I was conflicted, and soon spoke in a small voice.

"...Tell me if you have any concerns. Since I've been in this industry for a long time..."

Perhaps it was because he gained more confidence when he cooperated in front of the camera, but this guy was trying to play the role of an elder that didn't even come to him naturally.

'I appreciate his effort but...'

Right now, Bae Sejin's help was not particularly needed in this situation.

But still, it would be better if I explained it. Since it still has to do with our schedule.

I explained it in the most passable way possible.

"I'm going to appear on a show, but I want to set a schedule for a broadcast that could be aired as soon as possible."

"A show? What kind of show all of a sudden?"

I smirked.

"There are some people on the Internet who say that I'm ignorant. I want to make an appearance where I can use my head."

"Wha- what? What a bunch of wacks!"

Bae Sejin huffed and puffed about it probably empathizing with me as he busily moved back and forth in his position a few times.

Then after a moment, he abruptly stopped as if something had suddenly come to his mind.

"...That's right! I know this writer!"

"Yes?"

"A writer from the Bureau of Liberal Arts!"

Bae Sejin's eyes were flaming.

"The writer of the drama I filmed this time also did a variety show with them. Hold on!"

Then he took out his phone and furiously texted and called someone.

I should mention that it was 8:30 in the evening right now.

"..."

What the hell was going on here?

"Yes, yes... writer-nim. Ah, it's not like that. It's not... about that role. Well, uhm, I'm sorry, but by any chance..."

Bae Sejin hid his awkwardness and somehow finished the call with great effort, then he clenched his fist and looked back at me.

"I did it...! They said they'll talk on my behalf about filming for a show that can be aired as soon as possible."

I spoke calmly.

"Thank you."

"Well, this much is nothing...!"

"But what program is it?"

"...?!"

Bae Sejin's complexion turned white and then turned red again, perhaps realizing that he had requested a specific program without even asking about my intentions first.

"Uh, it's educational, but it's close to a variety show..."

"Yes."

"...It's ."

//TN: The word 'past' in Korean is 'Gwageo' which is also what they called a civil service examination during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties... and guess who also prepared for his civil service exams in his past life

Aha.

"That's nice."

"...Right?!"

That's right. It was very nice.

was a program that I had seen occasionally.

It was the kind of content that made the cast members go to a place that was recreated to look like some point in the past to solve a case.

And in the midst of it, you could bring out your educated personality at critical moments by solving the logic and history quizzes.

'I'd be an idiot if I don't take this.'

As someone, who prepared for PSAT and Korean history to become a civil servant among those who had devoted their lives to art and sports? I really lucked out.

"I'll talk to the company and adjust the schedule well. Thank you, hyung."

"You, you're welcome!"

In return, I made Bae Sejin a toast for a late-night snack to commend him.

"Hyung! I want to eat too!"

"Get permission from Sejin hyung."

Everything went smoothly.

* * *

Then, the day of filming arrived.

I encountered someone unexpected.

"Hello, sunbae-nim!"

The guy bowing his head... was Golden Age's main vocalist from Korea University.

It was the guy who was the roasted chicken with a ribbon.

'Oh.'

I smiled and nodded my head.

"Yes. We meet again. I look forward to working with you."

"No, I'm the one really looking forward to working with you!"

The guy, who bowed and raised his head to greet me, talked while rubbing his chest.

"I came here really nervous because I was suddenly given this schedule, but I'm really glad and honored to see you here, sunbae-nim!"

Would you look at that?

"So, you got this all of a sudden. I also decided to appear only recently."

"Is that so! For me, it was pretty much today... Ah, I'm sorry. I'm talking too much about useless things..."

"No. It's nice to talk to you. Let's do a good job on this shoot as well."

"Yes, thank you!"

The Golden Age's main vocalist soon left to greet the rest of the cast members.

And Seon Ahyun, who went to the convenience store for a while, returned, missing the other guy on the way back.

"I-I'm back...!"

"Okay~ Let's fix your hair later, Ahyun!"

The Bureau of Liberal Arts asked for one more member to appear, so he came along as support.

Seon Ahyun asked with a smile while sorting out the snacks he brought.

"Mo-moondae-ya. Are you looking forward to the filming? Y-you seem to be in a good mood..."

"Ah, because it's fun."

It was really fun.

As soon as I urgently took a variety show where I could use my brains, that guy followed suit and also took the variety show?

There was only one conclusion.

'There's a rat in our company.'

I was already excited thinking about how I could use this fact.

Of course, for now, I should finish this shoot well. I opened the chocolate that Seon Ahyun gave me.

'Let's see if it works against the Korea University.'

After a while, the filming proceeded right on without delay.