Chapter 214
After a survival show ends, where do the eliminated trainees go?
It was a question that sparked plenty of curiosity, yet to some degree, the answer was already known.
[Seong Won Hyeop @ONEhyoep_TT]
(Photo)(Photo)
To all the Star Shooters, and the fans who have shown me so much love—hello. This is Seong Won Hyeop.
This will likely be my last post on the account the Targeting Star production team created for me 🙂
As of today’s live broadcast of Targeting Star, after a brief period of rest, I will be going to fulfill my military service.
After much deliberation, I’ve decided that this is the best choice for me right now.
Having spent all my time as a trainee, the thought of a new environment suddenly thrust upon me is scary, and I can’t help wondering if I’ll be able to handle it, but….
No matter when or where the moment comes, I know I’ll be able to draw strength by remembering the sight of all of you in the audience.
I will not give up on my dream of being a singer.
Because I’m happiest when I’m singing and dancing.
And because I have all of you cheering me on.
Until the day comes when I can repay that love, I’ll be doing my best right where I am.
So until we meet again, please take care of your health and fill each day with love.
From Targeting Star Final Rank #12, Seong Won Hyeop
Going back without any certainty of when they’d appear on broadcast again, but carrying hope.
Since Targeting Star was a joint production between AG Entertainment and Music Music Days, most Korean trainees on provisional contracts ended up signing trainee contracts with AG.
“Kim Joo An, didn’t you get a contract offer?”
“…What do you want, Kim Chunyong? Don’t act all friendly with me, you psycho bastard.”
“Right, we’re not close. Happy? So just answer the question, you a*s.”
“…I’m going back to Quince. My uncle’s there, so why the hell would I stay at AG? I’m sick of looking at your face.”
“For someone who says that, you congratulated me when I got sixth place.”
“Are you insane? You think I should’ve slapped you on the back on camera and said ‘as if you deserve to debut’?”
“Well, the old you definitely could have.”
“…Hmph. Get lost. You’re distracting me while I’m packing, seriously.”
There were exceptions, but that was the case for most.
“My flight’s tomorrow at 8 PM. I’ll officially start preparing for the AG Global Chinese team now.”
“…I see. Feels a bit bittersweet knowing this is the last time.”
“Last time? We’ll be under the same company once you debut. I can come to Korea every now and then.”
“Well, if not, our team could do a concert in China. Not sure if it’ll work out given the current atmosphere, but… you know what I mean?”[1]
“Yeah. And if I happen to run into that bastard Liu Wei over there… I’ll break his nose with my fist.”
“Ha, haha… Keep it to treatable injuries and get a hit in for me too.”
“Of course.”
Most overseas trainees returned to their home countries.
That was equally true for Ryota, one of my multinational-room roommates.
“I’m not sure what I’ll do right away! I’m going to rest and think about what comes next. Hehe. I’ve gotten really close with Tsubasa too, so we’re planning a trip to Hokkaido together!”
“…That sounds fun, Ryota.”
“You bet! It’s been so long since I’ve been back to Japan, I’m actually worried if I can still speak Japanese properly!”
Ryota had shed so many tears throughout the survival show, so full of turbulent emotions… I’d been really worried.
But rendering that worry pointless, Ryota was composed beyond my expectation.
“Seriously, I’m so excited. After going through a survival show, I feel like I can do anything!”
No, if anything, his eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
I couldn’t exactly tell him something like, “You’re going to debut as an idol in Japan, so rest up and have fun,” but.
As always, I just did what I could do.
“Sure, dude. Seeing as you learned how to cheat at card games from Logan… you’ll do great at anything.”
“Aniki, now I finally understand why Logan screamed that it wasn’t cheating. I know that’s supposed to be a compliment, but somehow it doesn’t feel like one!”
It was enough to give Ryota’s thin but now-reliable shoulders a couple of pats.
Anyway.
Most of the eliminated trainees from the survival show were preparing for their next chapter like this, but….
“But where’s Gao Yan? I haven’t even said goodbye yet.”
“Huh? Bro, you didn’t say goodbye to Gao Yan? No way! I saw him leave earlier! He and I shared a tearful embrace!”
“…What?”
Somehow, the guy I’d formed a secret alliance with and shared so many experiences alongside had vanished without so much as a farewell.
“Hm, farewells are for those who leave. Gao Yan is not leaving, so Gao Yan does not say goodbye. Naturally, this was destined to happen, Chunyong hyung!”
…So that’s what this was?
Watching Gao Yan shrug his shoulders with a grand, imposing air, I couldn’t help but stand there with my jaw dropped.
The surprise of seeing this guy at the company had made me scrawl my contract signature like chicken scratch, for crying out loud.
Logan, who’d missed the front-row seat to this news because he’d been busy discussing parental consent, would beat himself up when he found out.
“Of course. Letting talent like Gao Yan slip away would be like smearing mud on an uncut gem. This contract was only natural.”
Originally, Gao Yan had stayed in Korea for about three months before catching the eye of some digital creator agency and making a name for himself as an influencer with 15 million followers.
“They said they want to nurture Gao Yan into a great broadcaster. But that is absurd. Gao Yan is already a complete broadcaster. Star Gao Yan. This is a destined path. Oh, the power of fate.”
Of course, thanks to this round of Targeting Star, he’d gotten far more attention than the previous timeline, but…
…a digital creator contract with our company of all places?
This was beyond unexpected—it was downright shocking news.
No, it was good.
It was really good!
Translation Notes
[1] ↩
Discussion
1 Commentkcyfan1000
I really hope Ryota and Li Ming Sheng make appearances in later chapters!