"There's only one thing we have to do, isn't there? How we handle this well. How we package it properly as a product and put it out there, and how we sell it in the best way possible.
We're the people who have to think about those things, and I'm just trying to give you the fullest support I can."
Director Kwon wasn't wrong. A company must, at every moment, suggest a concept and direction to its artists and think about what opportunities might allow them to "sell well."
But that must only happen with the artist's consent.
'Isn't that obvious?'
No matter how much you're selling someone's image, an entertainer is still a person. Of course they have things they want to hide or things they don't want to do, and that's why the company has to respect certain boundaries.
'But Karma… is hopeless.'
Of course, KRM is one of the most prominent entertainment agencies in Korea. Once you're in, your activities are practically guaranteed—an idol powerhouse with a long and illustrious history.
But does that mean they treat their idols within those boundaries?
If you asked, the artists would probably try to avoid answering. KRM's treatment of their own entertainers, and the power struggles they wage against those who try to leave, are infamous.
Even so, people put up with it because the support, connections, and influence under KRM allow you to "sell" better than anyone else in the country.
Of course, there are entertainers who can't endure it and end up leaving the company—but their endings usually weren't good. Like Yoo A-yeon, the original singer of the song I performed at the first Level Evaluation.
Yoo A-yeon, the former center of Lumiel, couldn't stand KRM's business philosophy, which treated products as products and people as tools, and she left the company—but she had to go through constant hardship afterward.
Under KRM's pressure, she was barely allowed to appear on major broadcast networks, and even when she released music, she was pushed aside and received little recognition.
Her recent resurgence in activity and her return to the public eye began only after she halted her solo career and started preparing for a comeback with the remaining Lumiel members still under KRM.
Behind that comeback was a hidden agreement: after her current contract ends, she would return to KRM.
It would be no different in my case.
Members who debuted through DEAR DOLL were required to entrust their management to a new entertainment company for the five years they'd be active as a project group.
Of course, that didn't mean they left their original agencies. Their income was divided in a rather complicated way.
'A certain percentage goes to the original agency, another percentage to the management company, and another to AINET, the creator of DEAR DOLL.'
Then, based on the ratio agreed upon in the contract, the agency would divide the profits to the artist accordingly.
From the agency's perspective, it was a profitable arrangement. They could earn steady income while putting in less work. Just that alone was enough to make up for the effort and cost they poured into supporting the trainees who joined DEAR DOLL.
After that five-year contract period ended, each member would return to their own agency. Their future direction would be decided there.
'In the last life, about half of the AIDIN members stayed with their original agencies.'
About three didn't.
Aiden Lee left the industry entirely, terminated his contract, and left Korea. Kang Hyun-jin also stopped all activities after his contract ended. Do Ji-hyuk moved to an actor-focused agency.
Changing agencies wasn't impossible. But KRM wouldn't simply let me run away.
'Unless I became a product that doesn't sell, but this debut group probably isn't going to flop.'
This debut group would have many different members compared to last time. But I actually believed that would create even better results.
"Hyung, I'm only saying this because it's just us, but I think these four are guaranteed to debut."
Just like Cheon Se-rim said, I also had a fairly clear sense of who was going to debut this time.
And every trainee heading for debut was anything but easy competition.
Whether Aiden Lee, Kang Hyun-jin, or Do Ji-hyuk would choose the same path as last time—dropping out midway—was unknown.
'…But the situation has changed.'
And the people must have changed too.
If none of them dropped out this time, this debut group could rise even higher than AIDIN did.
And because of that, if I tried to escape, KRM would never leave me alone. Just like with Yoo A-yeon, they'd crush me thoroughly as an example to prevent another escapade.
In other words, if I debuted through DEAR DOLL, then during my five years of activity, I needed to climb as high as possible.
High enough that KRM couldn't crush me—even if they wanted to—and high enough that they couldn't hold onto me anymore.
'Just surviving isn't enough.'
First place was now essential. And I intended to make it happen no matter what.
I wasn't planning to let myself be dragged around anymore.
***
Tension filled the set as the announcement for the third ranking ceremony began.
This ranking announcement was the final gateway to entering the live broadcast stage for DEAR DOLL's debut lineup.
Because of that, a restless, unsettled atmosphere lingered among the trainees seated in the rows of chairs.
Their expressions varied. Some trainees sat stiff-faced with extreme anxiety, while others wore expressions suggesting they already had an idea of the outcome.
But those expressions differed for each person—some carried resignation, others a calmness born from confidence—and that contrast sharpened the tension in the air even more.
Only one final hurdle remained, and after this, the trainees' fates would truly divide.
"Hello, Design Your Idol trainees! The long-awaited day of the third ranking announcement has finally arrived. It's good to see you all again."
Cutting through the tense atmosphere with a lively tone, the MC began to speak. After briefly reading the greeting on the cue card, he moved on to the main point.
"After today's announcement, you will advance to the live broadcast stage for the final debut selection. But of course, not everyone can make it."
At that, the trainees' gazes turned toward the set where only twenty chairs remained. There were thirty trainees left. Ten would have to leave right before the live broadcasts.
"Before that, we will first reveal the results of the short-form challenge held last time. Each member of the first-place team will receive a benefit of 5,000 votes, which will be included in today's total."
The short-form challenge—conducted with "like" counts hidden—had accepted votes until one week after the third evaluation, and the results would be revealed today, the MC added.
"Now, let's reveal the results you've been waiting for."
A tense silence fell. After the MC spoke, the monitor above them displayed a five-way split screen of all the short-form videos. And then—
"The team that will receive the benefit of 5,000 votes per member through the short-form challenge is… congratulations, Team 3!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Thank you!"
Cheers burst out from the teammates who had been in the same team during the third mission.
I looked at them as they celebrated. Among the trainees rejoicing, Kang Hyun-jin—who had personally devised the point choreography for the short-form video—looked dazed, as if he hadn't even imagined this outcome.
"Team 3's short-form video received a lot of love from Tikitok users thanks to its swing-jazz-based, stylish beat and its modified tap-dance-inspired point choreography. Many senior idols also participated in the challenge, making it a hot topic. Trainee Kang Hyun-jin, who created the point choreography—may we hear a few words from you?"
At that, Kang Hyun-jin was handed a microphone by a staff member. After briefly looking at each of his teammates scattered across their seats, he opened his mouth and began to speak.
Unlike before, he wasn't crying, but his face was bright, clearly filled with joy.
"First, I want to thank the Team 3 members who helped refine the idea and gave feedback. When I was creating the point choreography, and while filming the short form…"
His gaze brushed past me. He fell silent for a moment.
"…I owe a lot to Yuha. He encouraged me so I could organize the complicated choreography, and when my condition wasn't good, he took my place at center and carried the burden. I think the short-form video turned out well thanks to my hardworking teammates—and thanks to Yuha, who stood at center."
He then shared the credit with me.
As he said that, the gaze of the trainees—and the MC—shifted toward me. Looking embarrassed after saying so much, Kang Hyun-jin quickly returned the microphone to the staff and avoided looking my way.
'He really has been fixated on it.'
Watching him, I realized that Hyun-jin had been trying to "repay a debt" of sorts. He must have been constantly worrying about the way the show had framed me as some kind of villain in the narrative.
After the sudden "bahyeom" exposé incident and the malicious rumors about my attitude and personality, my situation had been poor for quite some time—so his guilt must have grown.
Normally, to preserve the conflict narrative, Hyun-jin's words would've been edited out. But now, I was certain that his comment would be kept in during the upcoming broadcast of the ranking ceremony. AINET would no longer portray me as a perpetrator.
"Ah, what a heartwarming message. Such close friendship—truly wonderful to see."
As if confirming that, the MC nodded in satisfaction, like he'd just heard exactly what he wanted.
The camera, its red light on, softly panned over the relaxed faces of the team members before lingering on me last.
Compared to other trainees, the camera rested on me a little more insistently. After capturing a sufficient amount of footage, it returned to the MC.
"Riding this warm energy—let's now begin the third ranking announcement."
At last, the ranking ceremony truly began.
***
The announcement progressed quickly.
"14th place: Yoo Min-seong, from VOT Entertainment!"
"13th place: Park Won-hyo, from PlaySun Music Entertainment!"
"12th place: Zixuan, from Hway Entertainment!"
As the names of trainees—some of whom had been my teammates—were called one by one, and the stage gradually filled,
"…Hoo."
I could only hide my trembling hands and take deep breaths.
After the recent series of events, my fanbase had been shaken. Most of the casual, non-fandom voters had fallen away entirely. In other words, I had received very little consistent voting.
'…Can I really survive this?'
Of course I was anxious.
DEAR DOLL's rankings were always unpredictable. Because of broadcast screen time or sudden scandals, trainees had often risen twenty ranks or dropped twenty ranks overnight.
And now, there was no guarantee that wouldn't happen to me.
"11th place: Hwang Yeong-oh, from Yeohun Entertainment!"
With his name called, Hwang Yeong-oh went up to the stage with a bright smile. Now beginning from 10th place was the "debut zone," the blue chairs. The "survival condition" specified by the quest.
If I was called within that range, I would live. But if I ended up in 20th place—or anywhere outside the top 20…
'I die.'
At that moment, I lifted my gaze from the floor and looked toward the stage.
"10th place is…"
In the heavy, suffocating air, the MC opened his mouth once more.
READ MORE CHAPTERS HERE : https://shinchangreat.sellfy.store/