<h4>Chapter 4: Rising Stars</h4>
"Rising Stars?"
The TV automatically turned on, and a signal song yed, the small room resonating with a blissful piano. June remembered it to best year''s song. It seemed like this world was the same as the world he lived in. The host of the show was a familiar face, too.
Kang Minho, the most popr young actor of the generation, stood at the very center of the stage. June knew about him since he''s also popr in China. Numerous bright lights illuminated his face, making him look deathly pale. The iconic 100 seats were behind him with numbers written in a glittery blue font.
[Have you heard of this show, host?]
Of course, June knew about "Rising Stars." It was a highly-popr idol show in Korea, with the first season birthing the most popr girl group—GIRLS EVOLUTION. After the sess of the first season, they started making a boys'' season. That, too, became popr, with the group bing even more sessful than GIRLS EVOLUTION.
They faced bacsh during their third season for exploiting the trainees and rigging the results. The birthed group from that season disbanded not even months after.
How does June know all of this? It''s because his sister cried her eyes out when they were disbanding! Mei Ling had always been interested in these kinds of shows, so she became a fan of each and every one of the groups. She even begged Jun Hao to take her to theirst concerts.
"Rising Stars" became the blueprint for all other idol shows in Korea. However, even with multiple showsing out with the same concept, "Rising Stars'''' continue to reign on top. This is mainly due to the TV station''s mischievous and witty editing. They''re the best at recruiting the most handsome and interesting trainees, too.
So, despite their unsessful attempt at a third season, it seems like there are still a decent amount of people who are interested in watching a fourth season.
Based on Joon-ho''s status window, he must have been epted to be the edy relief." The show knew that not everyone should be talented, and people like Joon-ho were needed to make the show more interesting.
June focused his attention back on the TV as the signal song stopped ying.
"100 boys. 100 dreams. But only 10 can make their dreamse true! Rising Stars is back with another season. So,dies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for an unforgettable experience! Get ready to be mesmerized by the incredible talent, amazed by the electrifying performances, and inspired by the sheer determination of these 100 boys. Together, let us witness the birth of the next generation of idol superstars! Wee to the stage, wee to the magic, wee to the ultimate idol survival show!" Minho said with vigor, the familiar piano piece escting.
June can already imagine thements from the public.
<i>- Rising stars is back again? I''m so excited! I hope more handsome trainees join this time.</i>
<i>- Rising stars? That rigged show? Such a thick face they have for wanting to make another season!</i>
<i>- Shut down Rising Stars! It''s a rigged show. Their favorites will debut anyway.</i>
<i>- People are hating, but they''re going to watch it again.</i>
<i>- I''m definitely going to be watching.</i>
There were mixed reactionsing from the public. Some loved the idea of a new season, while others still remember the scandals that arose from the third one. One thing''s for sure, though—it got the attention that it wanted.
As soon as themercial aired, the topic rose to be the number 1 trend on Navel, thergest social media tform in the country.
June didn''t want to join such apetition, but he couldn''t deny that this was one of his best ways to debut. Then, he can give Mei Ling a good life and possibly get his old life back. He couldn''t wait to find out who his boss really was and give him a taste of his own medicine.
As themercial ended, June saw the first airing date—July 24, 2023.
He sighed in relief. It''s still one year from now! Howe they''re in such a rush for promotions?
[It''s next month, host.]
His eyes widened in surprise. He looked at the old phone in his hands and saw that it was indeed 2023 already.
Then, does that mean that one year had already passed since his death?
[That''s right, host.]
[The preliminary interviews will be taking ce soon. Make a good impression so they don''t rece you, okay?]
"How soon are we talking?"
[Tomorrow.]
"What?" June eximed. "Tomorrow? I don''t have any skills yet! And have you forgotten that I look like this?" he gestured to his botched face. His injuries made him look scary, and he was sure he would be eliminated even when the show hadn''t started.
[Oh, goodness. I almost forgot, host. Let me use one of my potions really quickly.]
June watched himself in the mirror and waited for the magic to happen.
[System error. Potion had run out.]
[System error. Recharge healing potion.]
"Well?" June asked. "You''re taking such a long time."
[Pardon me, host. It seemed like I ran out of the healing potion. I still need to recharge.]
"Then recharge. You have until tomorrow."
[...]
[That''s the problem. I''ll only be able to recharge when your skills are at least a D. So until then, you''re going to look like this.]
June massaged his temples. He looked at his face once more before pacing back and forth. He''s already not the most handsome, but now, he had to enter apetition with plenty of facial injuries?
He kept pacing back and forth until he stumbled upon a soft yet sturdy material. He stopped pacing and saw a cute cat mask on the ground. He frowned and picked it up. It was pink with sparkly details. It looked like something Mei Ling would like. Why would Joon-ho have something like this?
He was about to throw it in the trash can when he thought of a brilliant idea. He ced the mask on his face. It was a perfect fit.
He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled when his injuries were finally covered. It also made him appear more handsome since Joon-ho''s eyes were the most charismatic part of his face.
"Alright, let''s go with this concept," he decided.
If his wounds couldn''t be healed on time, then he just had to wear the mask until they were all gone.