TMMIB!

91

Later, when controversy arose about the debut lineup, it was revealed that ‘the points were not significant enough to change the debut members.’ 

While there were many differences between the survival shows that Joo Cheol Yeong had previously produced and <Targeting Star>, the most striking one was the introduction of the ‘mission’ format. 

In past projects, the number of participants ranged from as few as 50 to nearly 100. However, <Targeting Star> only featured a mere 18 trainees, all from August Entertainment, even if some were on temporary contracts. 

Due to the relatively small number of elite participants, they couldn’t rely on an elimination system to create tension for the show. 

‘In the end, what drives people crazy is relationships, isn’t it?!’ 

And so, Joo Cheol Yeong chose to emphasize ‘building chemistry between trainees’ as the key method. 

Ultimately, the core of the ‘mission’ was about fostering closer bonds between the trainees while generating revenue via WeTube Blue.

‘So, basically, all I have to do is go along with the plan, shoot well, and make sure I look as attractive and cool as possible.’ 

“Future missions will be decided by WeTube Blue viewer votes, but for today’s first mission, the production team has specially prepared it themselves!”

As the murmurs among the trainees died down, Choi Gaon grinned broadly, holding up six fingers. 

“This involves six trainees currently appearing right here!”

At that moment, the screen displaying ‘MISSION TIME’ faded to black before slowly brightening again. Altered voices and blurred-out faces of trainees began to play in interview clips.

– “Um… something I’ve always wanted to do? There are too many, it’s tough to pick….”

– “―Beep― I’ve tried almost everything, but this is something you can only do in Korea. Korea is the best at this. I’ve always admired Korean ―Beep―.”

– “When I said I was going to Korea, my friend told me I absolutely had to try this. I haven’t yet….”

– “There’s just… one thing.”

Beep― 

The short interview clip ended.

“What? What’s this? Did you do anything like that?”

“No? Minho, did you?”

“I haven’t either….”

As murmurs filled the auditorium again, with bewildered trainees looking around, Choi Gaon, who seemed to have been waiting for this moment, raised his voice toward the confused trainees.

“Your first mission is…” 

– “Making foreign trainees’ Korean bucket lists come true!”

Choi Gaon’s words echoed through the hall, and all the cameras turned to the trainees.

“…Huh? Foreign trainees?”

“So, Tsubasa, Li Ming Shen, Liu Wei….”

As the twelve Korean trainees stared at the foreign trainees with expressions that seemed to ask, ‘Did you guys know about this mission in advance?’, the foreign trainees quickly waved their hands in denial.

“We, we didn’t know! We thought it was just a personal interview!”

“If we knew, we would’ve told you….”

“Right! Gao Yan knows nothing!”

“Gao Yan, saying it like that makes people misunderstand!”

“Huh, I didn’t know either. Really.”

“……”

“Okay, okay. The foreign trainees are telling the truth. The production team went out of their way to interview them very carefully so as not to reveal the ‘mission,’ so no more suspicion!”

With a whistle, Choi Gaon quieted the trainees and stretched his arm towards the screen, wearing his signature sly grin. 

“But before we get to that, aren’t you curious about what the foreign trainees’ bucket lists are? Trainee Tsubasa, do you remember what you answered during your interview?” 

“Ah, I…” 

“Shh! Don’t say it! The owner of each bucket list must remain a mystery for now!” 

Though one might understandably be thinking, ‘Then why ask in the first place?’, Tsubasa, who had come from Japan alongside Ryota, simply nodded with a calm expression. 

Satisfied with that response, Choi Gaon gave him a thumbs up and continued, 

“Now, the six foreign trainees will enter the room located on the fourth floor and place a symbolic item representing their bucket list outside the door. The rest of you trainees will then have to look at the symbol and try to guess who is inside before you enter!” 

The trainees exchanged glances and began clapping at the idea, all thinking the same thing: 

This looks like fun.

…And if they could build good chemistry with the others, maybe they’d get more screen time, too! 

It turned out they were right. 

The mission video was released shortly after the fourth episode, just as core fandoms started forming, and the exposure from it significantly boosted the visibility of the featured trainees. 

Even my own vote count saw a rise after the second mission was revealed, which I had been lacking before then. 

‘I hope that happens again this time… but let’s not get too greedy.’

The priority for now was safely debuting as a member of Arrows. 

“…….” 

And figuring out why Logan was leaving, then fixing the issue if possible, so I could bring him along into Arrows. 

‘To do that, I’ll need to choose Logan’s room for this mission.’

Talking to him was the only way I’d uncover the truth. 

I chuckled quietly as I looked at the words displayed on the screen.

[1. Have a picnic by the Han River 

Busk in Hongdae 

Visit a Korean PC bang 

Hike up Namsan 

Explore Korean Daehak-ro 

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace]
The six bucket list items listed were no different from the ones I had seen earlier. 

“Hike up Namsan” was Ryota’s, “Explore Daehak-ro” was Liu Wei’s. 

And the “Have a picnic by the Han River,” which I had seen before, was Tsubasa’s. 

Using the process of elimination, it wasn’t hard to guess which bucket list belonged to Logan. 

Moreover, if the bucket lists were the same, it meant the symbolic items placed outside the doors would also be the same. 

As I looked across from me at Logan, who scratched his cheek with an unreadable expression, I started thinking about what I should say when we met inside the room. 

Peek-a-boo? Or since he’s British, maybe… surprise? 

Whatever it would be…. 

I had to uncover some clue related to Logan’s departure through this mission.