“From now on, I will reveal the second betting system!”
Hearing Yang Hajun’s voice burst out with cheerful sound effects, I immediately started analyzing the possibilities.
‘Unlike the last betting system, elimination isn’t on the line this time.’
Yang Hajun was a rather soft-hearted person, so he would often get emotionally upset when given scripts that were too harsh on the trainees. Seeing him read the script so cheerfully this time, I assumed that this betting system would simply be a combination of benefits and mild penalties.
And unlike the previous betting system, the announcement was made after the performance had been completely finalized, so it was highly likely that it dealt with content that could only be assessed based on the current situation.
Additionally, the surviving trainees all had similarly large and significant fanbases, they wouldn’t be able to take the same approach as last time, which imposed excessive penalties.
‘They’re trying hard to maintain the program concept.’
Once I had a general idea of what was going to happen, my nerves relaxed. This betting system wouldn’t be too much of a burden for me.
“I don’t want to be eliminated! I hate betting! Seungbeom-hyung, please save me!”
I could hear Do Yuda’s screams from where Woo Kangwon’s team was gathered. Those were the words of someone who didn’t have even a 1% clue about the betting system.
“All of you must have closely observed the members of your team while preparing for the fourth mission’s performance. The key to this betting system is to bet on your teammates!”
‘So this is why they waited until the mid-term trainer evaluation.’
At this point, the trainees had a clear understanding of who excelled and who fell short, influenced by the trainers’ recent mid-term evaluations. This was the ideal time to proceed with this type of betting.
“Trainees, please pick one
trainee who you think will rise in ranking during the fourth mission’s live evaluation
, from your team excluding yourself. If the trainee you choose does indeed rank higher, you win the bet, and you will receive a benefit of 100,000 votes.”
‘But then, the bets will become too concentrated on certain trainees.’
When the trainees started murmuring, their minds filled with that obvious question, Yang Hajun calmly explained it in detail as if he had anticipated their reaction.
“If several trainees pick the same trainee, the 100,000 votes will be divided among those trainees who placed the bet. In other words, the fewer people who chose a particular member, the more benefits they can receive if the bet is successful.”
“What is the penalty for losing the bet?”
Woo Kangwon, who had been quietly listening to Yang Hajun’s explanation, raised his hand to ask a question. His face was covered in cold sweat, as if he anticipated the answer to be, “
If you lose, you will be eliminated
“.
I looked at Woo Kangwon, who was sweating profusely and nervous, and chuckled.
‘f they eliminate someone like that at this point, they’ll get tons of backlash. The fandoms of the trainees here are so big. The most they’ll do is not give them any mission benefits.’
“Trainees who lose the bet must forfeit all the benefits they’re supposed to receive in the fourth mission as a penalty.”
The answer that came out of Yang Hajun’s mouth was exactly what I expected.
In short, if you don’t want to lose all your benefits, it’s safer to choose the trainee that everyone else is choosing. But if you have confidence in your judgment, you can take the risk and aim to monopolize the votes by choosing a less popular option.
‘You can find out how your peers evaluate you.’
“Thank you for your answer.”
Woo Kangwon let out a sigh of relief only after hearing that the penalty was not as extreme as elimination. He lowered his head and put his hand down. Immediately afterward, Lee Danbi raised his hand.
“What if there is a first-place trainee in the team? There’s no higher rank to go up to.”
‘This is about me.’
That was the question I had been asking myself ever since the betting system was revealed.
What on earth is going to happen to me, who is currently in first place and will remain in first place in the future, with nowhere higher to rise?
‘Why you don’t include me? Let me in too.’
“Maintaining the ranking is also considered a successful bet. Trainee Han Seungbeom needs to try to maintain first place for the sake of the members!”
Yang Hajun, who smiled at my empty gaze, replied with a bright face as if to reassure me. After hearing his answer, my team members finally patted their chests in relief and began to chatter.
“Thank goodness. We almost couldn’t vote for both Nicholas and Seungbeom. If that had happened, our team would have been doomed.”
“I should go for the safe option … we’re lucky to have the top 1 and 2 on our team.”
“I’m planning to choose someone who had a slightly lower rank in the on-site evaluation during the third mission. That way, it will be easier to surpass the ranking.”
“Oh, you’re right. There are members who have definitely grown since the third mission. Should I choose someone like that too?”
“Hey, we need to be careful not to overlap. If we all pick the same option, neither of us will win.”
While my team members were having a harmless conversation, I listened to the voices of another team’s conversation and heard a fascinating story.
“You pick him. I’ll pick him.”
“Isn’t that too much of a loss for me?”
The trainees had started to subtly scheme to divide themselves into appropriate numbers. However, as if expecting this, the production team immediately blocked it through Yang Hajun.
“For your reference, you must not discuss or consult with anyone about where to place your bets! Trust only your own instincts! Now that you’ve been on the show for a while, you know it well, right? No matter how hard you try to hide it, the cameras will catch everything, and the microphones will pick up every sound! If you get caught, all your benefits will be canceled!”
“…….”
In the filming set that suddenly became quiet, we silently began to think about who to bet on.
***
“That’s funny. I never imagined that he was the younger brother of pianist Baek Kiheon.”
“For real. I thought they were just people with similar names because they didn’t look alike at all.”
“There’s no way an idol trainee would come from a family that’s been playing classical music for generations. Are you sure you didn’t get that wrong?”
“Nope. He posted a video himself? He said he’s cheering for his younger brother.”
After finishing filming the betting system, when I returned to the practice room, I could hear the members of the other team huddled together, chatting. Perhaps out of fear of being overheard, they tried to lower their voices, but every time their conversation grew more heated, the volume would suddenly spike.
‘Where the hell did my members go?’
I left them alone and carefully looked around the inside of the practice room, trying to find my team members. However, I couldn’t find any of them, and the practice room was filled with other teams’ trainees in a chaotic atmosphere.
“Did you see Baek Kiryang’s expression earlier? His face turned completely pale and he was shaking.”
Baek Kiryang.
In a conversation that I had no interest in at all, my team member’s name was mentioned. At that moment, I felt a sudden jolt of focus and listened intently to their discussion.
“Isn’t his personality completely different from pianist Baek Kiheon? That person seemed to live completely for his own glory.”
“It feels like all his confidence was sucked out by his older brother. Did his talent get sucked out too?”
“Huh, hey, ssh! Lower your voice! They took the microphone, and now you’re carelessly running your mouth again.”
“Hey, you laughed too. What can I do if it’s so funny?”
I paused my search for my team members when I heard that mocking voice. I immediately changed direction and walked toward the group that was deeply engrossed in conversation.
I leaned in behind them and asked, “What is it?”
“…….”
“…….”
As soon as they saw my face, the mouths that had been chattering happily until just now immediately shut up. I frowned, stared down at their tense faces, and asked again.
“Why, what’s so funny?”
“…….”
But no answer came. The group was just exchanging glances, watching my reaction.
‘No, I’m asking you to tell me. What’s going on? What is it?’
They seemed to think I was angry, not genuinely asking.
Ah, of course I was angry. Where did they learn their manners from? These young, ignorant brats were talking about others behind their backs, so how could I not be angry?
But first, I needed to figure out what was going on. It was past the meeting time, but members were nowhere to be found, and the only people who could explain the current situation to me were these guys.
I clicked my tongue and turned to the guy who had been talking the most trash, “I’m not angry. I’m just asking because I really don’t know.”
“A, aah … yeah.”
The guy, who seemed flustered by that, started stuttering out an explanation as I softened my expression a little.
“Just now … Pianist Baek Kiheon uploaded a cheering video on his personal NeoTube channel five minutes ago. He said that Trainee Baek Kiryang, who is currently appearing on Survive IDOL, is his younger brother and asked everyone to support him so that he can make his debut.”
I was a little surprised and my eyes widened.
‘Pianist Baek Kiheon?’
Even someone like me, who wasn’t very interested in classical music, recognized the name
Baek Kiheon
.
Baek Kiheon was a highly renowned pianist, having won prestigious international competitions and earning the title of South Korea’s national pride. It was truly shocking news that
Baek Kiheon
was Baek Kiryang’s older brother.
I recalled the faces of Baek Kiheon and Baek Kiryang one by one, searching for their similarities.
‘Come to think of it, they do share some similar facial features. But their overall vibes are completely different.’
If you stripped away the masculinity and confidence from Baek Kiheon’s face and made his facial lines a bit more delicate, you would get a face that looked exactly like Baek Kiryang’s. Additionally, the two of them shared the similarity of having similar tall, slender builds.
Other than that, the two of them look nothing alike. Especially in internal aspects such as attitude, manner of speaking, and expressions.
I found it puzzling that they could be so different when they must have grown up in the same environment. Since the two brothers were so different, it’s understandable that I didn’t notice it at all.
However, with that realization came a question.
‘But why on earth has Baek Kiryang been keeping his famous older brother a secret all this time?’
The other trainees with famous family members had already revealed it early on to boost their popularity. However, Baek Kiryang never mentioned his brother, not only in front of the cameras, but to us as well.
The reason why he never mentioned it, even though it would clearly have helped with his recognition, was obvious
‘He was hiding it on purpose.’
Trainess who appeared on this kind of survival program would have their entire past, including their school days, uncovered the moment they gained recognition. Given these circumstances, it’s likely that Baek Kiryang must have put in an unimaginable amount of effort to keep his family relationships hidden for so long.
‘And yet Baek Kiheon just revealed it so easily’
I immediately frowned. I began to have a vague idea of why Baek Kiryang didn’t want to reveal his family history.
“The-then, can we go now?”
The trainee who had been explaining to me started to back away nervously, watching my expression. There was no real need to be this cautious, but something felt off. I grabbed him to ensure he couldn’t run away and asked again.
“What do you mean Baek Kiryang-hyung was shaking? If no one provokes him, he wouldn’t have to be shaking like that.”
“No, it’s just that he was sitting there all alone, looking really down and not even realizing how much of a commotion people were making. So, I went over and asked him. I asked if pianist Baek Kiheon was really his older brother, and whether his brother had said anything about what he was currently doing.”
“So?”
“He jumped in surprise, turned pale, and suddenly ran out. The members of your team chased after him.”
At those words, Baek Kiryang’s bright voice suddenly surfaced in my mind.
“I’m so happy. You’re the first person to say something like this to me.”
“…….”
My head began to throb with pain.
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Translator’s Corner:
nvm my friend said she will go to campus tomorrow and it’s been so long since I saw a friend, so I’ll just go tomorrow too
anyway, the family disappointment gang, raise your hand~ (me). this is it. the arc.