6kv Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
To sum up my life, I would say that I was like a dragon born in a time of peace.
My family was moderately happy, but we werent wealthy. Once I became an adult, my parents died in a car accident. After a difficult recovery, I had to raise my ten-year-old brother, Seo Hojin.
Seo Hoyun, why do you live so harshly?
I want to live well and eat well.
To survive in this harsh world and not be separated from Seo Hojin, I had to be ruthless and not back down from anyone.
When I passed the broadcasting stations open recruitment as a PD, I felt like I had the world at my feet. I studied diligently, spoke fluently in front of interviewers, and worked on various news and entertainment programs. I earned the nickname the most ruthless one despite being a rookie and not a career PD.
Was that all? At 33, I made a small competition program called Pick the One, which surprisingly became a huge success.
Wow, isnt the trailer insane?
Wont they face editing sanctions for this?
The program captured the hearts of Koreans living in a competitive environment with trendy editing, appropriate MSG, tear-jerking stories, and a never-ending competitive format. As a result, I received numerous requests to transfer to various broadcasting stations and got to negotiate higher salaries.
That genius PD was me, Seo Hoyun.
Hey, did you really become an idol, hyung?
But then my career took a nosedive.
I became an idol.
It was unexpected.
Please repay my hard work.
But hey, hyung, youve really aged.
Be careful, you punk.
I stood up and shook Seo Hojins shoulders, realizing that I had been overly protective of him, seeing that he was trying to stand up to me.
Has anything changed about you?
No, why do you ask?
Seo Hojin frowned and searched through his phone. He explained that his homework and the news were still the same. After searching for another five minutes, he came to a conclusion.
Nothing has changed except for you.
Is this some kind of prank show?
Do you think I would do something like that and risk getting killed by you, hyung?
I took Seo Hojins phone and searched for the Unknown Idol Tycoon game he had installed, but it was nowhere to be found.
What is this
Ding!
A system window appeared on top of Seo Hojin, but he seemed unable to see it.
[Quest: You are now trapped in Unknown Idol Tycoon!
We have provided a guide for those unfamiliar with the game.]
A guide?
As I said it, the system window began to scroll through, and I urgently read the explanation that appeared.
[As PD Seo Hoyun, you ruined other peoples lives, so you have been trapped in Unknown Idol Tycoon. Apart from your family, Seo Hojin, and a few others, no one remembers you as a PD. Simply put, its better to consider it a parallel world.]
A parallel world?
[To return to your original world and become a PD again, you must clear Unknown Idol Tycoon. If you fail, you will be permanently logged.]
What if I study and become a PD again?
[If you significantly deviate from the main scenario, you will be heavily penalized.]
Ha
I was speechless. My previous world, where I worked so hard to achieve fame, disappeared in a single day. To regain it, I had to clear this game.
What do I have to do to clear it?
[Follow the main scenario.]
What is the main scenario?
[You need to become a first-tier idol recognized by everyone!]
My fist trembled. This reality was beyond belief.
I slumped onto the sofa and searched for a cigarette. As I tried to light it, the system window urgently popped up.
[Idols dont smoke!]
I glared at the screen with a look that could kill. Shortly after, another window popped up.
[In Unknown Idol Tycoon, we respect the players freedom.]
The system window quickly changed its tone. I wasnt sure if I should be thankful or angry for interrupting my smoking. Once I finished dealing with the bothersome system window, the situation was as follows:
[Begin the Main Scenario?
Yes / No]
As a broadcasting PD, I was used to calculating the entertainment industry. In essence, I had to become an idol the kind everyone recognizes, the type that can dominate Asia, if not quite at the level of Billboard.
I took a deep drag on my cigarette and made my decision.
Start the main scenario.
[Starting the Main Scenario.
Quest Received.]
What? Are you serious, hyung?
The challenge was not about whether or not I could become an idol, but rather, how to make a living.
Food.
What? Are you obsessed with food?
I gave Seo Hojin a smack on the head. If we wanted to eat and survive, we had to take action. The outcome was already set in stone, but the means to achieve it was in our hands.
I ran my life like a maniac and earned the moniker Devil PD. It didnt matter if the methods were clean or dirty as long as I could attain the status of a first-class idol.
Hojin.
Yeah?
Have you ever witnessed me fail at anything?
Seo Hojin stuttered, sensing the ominous atmosphere.
[New user reward.
You can check your stats.]
Stats?
Show me.
[Seo Hoyun, D-list Idol.
People wont recognize you even if you dance on subway line 1. They might assume youre a subway maniac.]
[Vocals: B
Dance: D-
Talent: B+
The Dawn was a one-year-old rookie group.It was an idol group hastily created by an actor management agency during the K-pop craze.The groups performances have not been successful.
He said it indifferently, sighing and looking through some papers without glancing at me.
C-CEO.
The manager was sweating profusely.
As I listened to the criticism openly, I glanced at the manager. It seemed like the CEO was a little intimidating.
Hoyun, as you know, were an actor management planning company.
Yes.
If The Dawn doesnt generate profits, disbandment is possible. Do you know how much money it takes to maintain an idol group?
I did.
I already knew that the group would eventually disband.
How could I not know?
However, for some reason, I felt like I didnt know anything since I was being scrutinized. While rolling my eyes momentarily, I looked around the CEOs office and asked, How much time is left until disbandment?
What?
I kindly asked again.
How much money is left?
Seo Hoyun!
The manager jumped. I was dumbfounded. It was easy for me to intimidate the CEO of a small planning agency that couldnt even care for its own idol.
Just behave yourself.
The CEO appeared slightly taken aback and raised his eyebrows.
Youre bold for someone I havent seen in a while.
Well, you claimed earlier that you had never seen me.
Although he could clearly see through me, I didnt want to continue with a weak topic, so I returned to the main subject.
Thank you for the compliment. So, how long will it take?
At most, six months.
Six months. I shook my head. If it was six months, it was a period where we would end after releasing one title song and doing a few broadcast activities. What was important was how well we would perform within that period.
Cant I debut somewhere else?
I asked the system window.
[Additional Explanation!
No, you cant. When you draw your sword, you have to use it.
It must be The Dawn.]
It was obvious that I was just trying to stir things up.
I understand.
I obediently replied, and the CEO scanned me up and down. Honestly, I wanted to make a bold move now, but I didnt know enough yet.
Did you change because you were ill?
Me?
Yeah, you used to be a little blurry Well, forget it. Send me the contract again. You have to reapply for employment.
I couldnt recall how I was when I was 23. I think I was similar, though.
Anyway, I nodded my head. I had to carefully review the contract. It was a crucial matter.
Ill deal with negotiations later.
Lets work hard for now.
In reality, he stuttered, L-lets w-work hard for now, but I disregarded it lightly.
Ding!
The system window appeared for a moment. I furrowed my brow and looked at it. It didnt feel right.
[Options:
Ill do it, no problem!Give me more money.I will succeed even if I have to sacrifice my life!]
What was this? These burdensome options?
At first glance, it appeared as if I had to choose one of them, but I really didnt want to.
I tightly sealed my lips. Then the timer at the bottom quickly reached zero seconds.
Suddenly, my mouth moved on its own.
I will succeed even if I have to sacrifice my life!
What?
It felt like I was in an absurd historical drama. I couldnt believe it, and the CEO awkwardly smiled at me.
Um thats a bit much. You dont have to risk your life for this.
No, thats not it!
Hoyun! Lets go! Hurry!
Feeling wronged, I opened my mouth, but the manager suddenly covered it and pulled me away.
Im not to blame; Im going insane!
Hey, whats going on with you!
[Unknown Idol Tycoon offers various mini-games ^^]
You said you value freedom, you punk.
[Do not trust what the game status window shows! >//<]
This guy was truly
[Quest Completed: Visit the agency!
You have successfully accepted the current situation.
Visit the declining group, The Dawn, and listen to their explanation 1/1.
Success: Charm +5.
The following scenario will commence.]
[Quest Alert: Talk to the members!
Greet the members of the declining group, The Dawn 0/4.
Success: Charm +5, and the next scenario starts.
Failure: Discord with The Dawn members.]
I intentionally chewed out what it just said. As I was flipping through the system window in frustration, the manager hit my back hard, causing my face to scrunch up.
It hurts.
Are you crazy? Why are you like this? How could you talk like that in front of the CEO?
I didnt intend to say that.
Did something just pop out of your mouth?
If thats the case, well have to take you to the emergency room.
Wow, this guy. I can see your mouth piercing me right now
The manager was irritated and thumped his chest.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now!
Also, would you consider making a donation to support our ongoing efforts in translating new chapters?
Ready to be a hero? Commission more chapters for everyone to relish (beyond the regular releases), get cool credit, and turbo-charge our translation speed - it's all part of the fun!