Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 236

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A tense silence lingered among us as we pondered the schedule that included the Idol Athletics Championship.

“Wow. If we’re unlucky, it’ll clash with our comeback.”

“Not if we’re unlucky… The filming itself will definitely clash…”

“On Raon is going to die.”

“I won’t die, okay?”

“Did you already forget that you didn’t even make it to Level 3 in the long-distance running? Your stamina is terrible. How do you think you’ll manage in the future if you’re like this now? Instead of playing games during your free time, go out and exercise.”

I recalled Gyun Seong-ha’s annoying attitude, marveling at how someone could be so weak when he saw me measuring my muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance during the last fitness test.

At that time, I barely managed to go back and forth twenty times and felt like I was going to die. I thought about using a boon but decided it was a bit like cheating, so I didn’t use it.

However, aside from endurance and strength, I performed better than that guy in agility, explosiveness, and flexibility.

Still, since I had extreme variations in each category, whatever I said wouldn’t likely affect Gyun Seong-ha, who scored the highest Level 1 in every category.

And as his hyung, I couldn’t attack his mentality in a sneaky and petty way.

Ha!

“Hey, I’ll let you off this time.”

Gyun Seong-ha, who would be mentally broken and cry at just a few words, looked at me with disbelief.

“What nonsense are you spouting? I should be the one letting you off.”

“Guys, save your energy for now.”

With wise words, Kang Ji-woo mediated early, tapping a pen against the paper.

“The number of participants per group is 2 for sprinting, 1 or 2 for basketball, 2 for the quiz competition, 1 for wrestling, and 1 for the relay. So, we’ll have 7 or 8 participants in total. Everyone should participate in at least one event.”

The production team also recommended that, unless unavoidable, no single member should participate in too many events.

“Then, should we start by deciding the wrestler?”

“Sure.”

As soon as Gyun Seong-ha nodded, all the other members’ eyes turned to him.

“But we should definitely send Seong-ha for wrestling, right?”

“Right. Is there anyone among the other idols who can beat him?”

“One Eleven’s Ha-dong hyung? He’s a bit bulky.”

“Still, Seong-ha would win.”

“Honestly, unless we bring in Yoo Sung-hyung, no one can beat Seong-ha.”

“Yeah. That guy’s strength is no joke.”

When I lightly praised him, Gyun Seong-ha’s favorability slightly increased as he tried to suppress a smile.

Simple guy.

“Seong-ha, are you okay with it?”

“Yes. I’ll go for wrestling.”

He made a quick decision, as expected from someone who excels in sports.

“Alright. So, Seong-ha for wrestling…”

Kang Ji-woo, who wrote Gyun Seong-ha’s name under wrestling, looked up and asked in a slightly apologetic voice.

“Guys, can I participate in the quiz competition?”

Although his stamina was the best among us, Kang Ji-woo wasn’t good at using his strength or running fast over short distances. His main sports were soccer, table tennis, and badminton, which were canceled this year.

“Sure, hyung, go ahead.”

“No problem.”

“Thanks.”

The remaining easy spot in the quiz competition, where we just sat and held up boards, was naturally taken by Ban Yo-han.

But Ban Yo-han, who usually hated physical activities and sweating, unexpectedly volunteered for basketball.

“I want to play basketball.”

“You, hyung? Basketball?”

“I’m good at studying, good-looking, and good at sports too.”

“What should we do with this hyung?”

“I’ve given up.”

“Me too.”

“But didn’t Joo Yeon-ho hyung say basketball practice is really tough?”

Team sports like basketball and soccer involve a few practice sessions and practice matches with other teams before the actual broadcast filming.

It seemed the training sessions weren’t just for show but were quite intense.

There had been a subtle competition among the current basketball coaches invited by each team for a few years now.

‘If that’s the case, they should just bring in professional players to play…’

Anyway, for these reasons, basketball was inevitably more challenging than other events.

Since soccer was excluded this year, there was a possibility that more focus would be given to basketball.

But it wasn’t like Ban Yo-han suddenly wanted more screen time.

Kang Ji-woo also didn’t seem to understand Ban Yo-han’s sudden change of heart.

“Why? What’s gotten into you?”

“Is it strange for me to participate in something I’m good at?”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely.”

“It’s really strange since you’re participating.”

“What do you guys take me for?”

Anyway, there was no reason to stop him if he was willing to work hard.

Even though Kang Ji-woo tilted his head in confusion, he dutifully wrote Ban Yo-han’s name under basketball.

Seo Moon-gyeol, who had good athletic ability and was the second tallest after Gyun Seong-ha, also decided to join basketball, and I decided to participate in sprinting and the relay.

This concluded the list for our first participation in the Idol Athletics Championship.

* * *

The day after the logo for our 3rd album was revealed, a schedule outlining the promotion events leading up to the comeback was released.

The Airies, who had been expecting a sports concept after seeing the logo, cheered at the schedule that confirmed the basketball concept.

– Wow, I expected it, but it’s really a basketball concept!!! This isn’t a trick, right????

– Crazy, can we really expect them to perform on stage in basketball uniforms this time?

– I won’t be able to sleep for a whileㅠㅠㅠㅠ Give us the concept photos and music video soon.

– Ah.. but a Wednesday comeback is awkward.

– This activity is important, can’t we have a Monday comeback? Seed really does things their way.

┗ I’m new to idol fandom, why is a Monday comeback better? If it’s because of initial sales, it still counts for a week from the comeback day, so it doesn’t matter, right? I’m really asking because I don’t know..

┗ Initial sales do count for a week, but music show rankings are only counted for that week. So if we come back on Wednesday, Monday and Tuesday are excluded from next week’s ranking count. That’s why Friday is the worst comeback day. Wednesday is awkward too, and Monday is the best. There wasn’t even a team to avoid for this comeback.

┗ Oh, I see. Thanks for explaining.

– It seems like they might be timing the comeback for Seong-ha’s birthday.

┗ That’s right, our Seong-ha’s birthday is on the 22nd. We have to go to the showcase.

– Anyway, everyone, Orca is making a comeback!!! Even though they’ve been through a lot recently, they’ve prepared diligently, so please show lots of support.

Meanwhile, news about the delivery of the official light sticks that were pre-ordered recently began to come in from Airies across the country.

– Wow, my Orca light stick is at my house right now.

Yeah, but I’m working overtime.

– (Photo) The Orca light stick has arrived!! It looks way prettier in person than in the photosㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

┗ Wow, did you customize it? If you shake it, won’t the custom parts fall off?

┗ I was worried about that too, so I shook it like crazy as a test, but the parts didn’t fall off at all. It’s sturdy!

┗ (Photo) I thought I shook it gently, but why did it turn out like thisㅠㅠㅠ

┗ LOL, sorry for laughing, but it looks like a storm swept through the ocean inside thereㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠㅠ Are the parts broken or cracked?

┗ LOL, you need to click the parts firmly into place until you hear a click! Read the instructions carefully.

┗ Wow, it really doesn’t fall off. Thank you so muchㅠㅠㅠ All the parts are intact!

– Orca Official Light Stick Review

(Photo)

The members requested functionality in terms of brightness, durability, sturdiness, and lightness. Among these, the brightness is insane, and it’s really sturdy.

(Photo)

This is with all the lights off in the living room and blackout curtains drawn, with only one light stick on. Just looking at the photo, you can see how blindingly bright it isㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

When you first turn it on, the default color is a soft light blue, but the light is anything but softㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ You get what I mean, right?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Thankfully, you can adjust the brightness level by pressing a button. The above photo is at the brightest level 3.

But at this level, you can’t see the custom parts. The most aesthetically pleasing is level 2.

For emergency signaling, level 3 is the go-to.

It looks a bit fragile overall, so I was worried, but although it couldn’t break a car window…

(Photo)

Even when dropped from the top bunk, it didn’t break or detach the head and handle! As long as you assemble it properly, it won’t fall apart by accidentㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

I left one on each of levels 1, 2, and 3. The level 3 light lasted about 10 hours before going out, while levels 2 and 1 are still on.

It’s slightly heavy, to be honest.

But given its performance at this price, I’m satisfied.

It seems like the profit from the light stick is meant to come from the custom parts, as the light stick itself is relatively cheap. Or maybe they kept the price low to avoid backlash.

If I hadn’t bought 10 sets to collect all the members’ parts, I would have looked for tradesㅋㅋ

(Photo)

This is a real photo of the treasure chest part.

It doesn’t look cheap and is so luxurious that I have no regrets. But seeing 10 light sticks lined up gives me a slight reality check.

(omitted)

Anyway, when you turn on the light stick in a dark room, the waves reflecting on the ceiling are breathtaking. I took a video, but you have to see it in person!

The Orca light stick is going to get even prettier in the future.

┗ It’s really pretty. Best long review.

┗ I can already hear Airies screaming with each new part that comes outㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

┗ But seriously, did you try to break a car window with itㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Why would you even do thatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

┗ LOL, that’s just how fans are like their idolsㅋㅋㅋㅋ This isn’t an insultㅋㅋㅋㅋ

┗ Wow, the brightness at level 3 is insane.

┗ Another light stick that doubles as a flashlight.

┗ Isn’t 30,000 won really cheap for that level of performance? These days, light sticks with central control features start at 35,000 won.

┗ Don’t forget… All the decorations except the whale inside are sold separately.

┗ Ah.

┗ Also, the whale in the center and the treasure chest are random.

┗ Oh no.

And the next day.

Teasers for the 3rd album were officially released.