GIJS

Chapter 5

Can you show us?

Kim Seok-hoon, the general producer of Idol Training Simulation, was feeling quite desperate. 
"We don't have any standout characters."

The lack of an overwhelming character presence—that was always the biggest problem with idol survival shows.

Survival shows with interesting contestants thrive. On the other hand, survival shows filled with bland characters can never succeed. No one understood this better than Producer Kim Seok-hoon.

That's why he had put more effort than anyone else into recruiting participants who had both skills and strong personalities.

The so-called "Big 3" entertainment companies wouldn't send their trainees to survival shows. He had scoured second-tier and smaller agencies to diligently gather participants, but there wasn't any character that really stood out.

"Sigh, why is everyone so dull?"

"Producer, but don't you think the kids' skills are decent enough?"

"There are plenty who can sing and dance well. But that's just the basics."

"Hmm, is that so."

"There's no one who just grabs your attention."

Even though he had done his best despite the lack of talent, he couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment.

Perhaps it was because of the contestants from previous idol survival shows who had become "national villains."

The audition participants were extremely cautious.

Their interviews were by the book, and they only chose songs with a low risk of failure for their performances.

This was not at all what Producer Kim Seok-hoon wanted.

In the end, out of desperation, he decided to hold an additional open audition for the general public.

This audition was to select members to participate in Idol Training Simulation not as agency trainees, but as individual contestants. It was a kind of supplementary selection system.

The intent behind this additional audition was clear.

To gather interesting characters.

He didn't expect someone with the talent to make it to the top. Instead, he aimed to pick characters who could at least add some buzz to the show.

So, the application process was also handled differently. Rather than picking contestants with experience as agency trainees, they were filtered out. Contestants who were former actors with an existing fanbase were also excluded.

But despite all this, none of the general participants were characters that caught Producer Kim Seok-hoon's eye.

There were some participants who came with their own gimmicks, but...

"They're amateurish."

They didn't have the real madness. It was clear they were all fake.

The awkward masks of inauthentic contestants inevitably come off during the survival camp. That's the nature of survival shows. Even the trainers sitting next to Producer Kim Seok-hoon looked quite bored.

"Hm, none of the contestants are sparking curiosity."

"Yeah, this season is a bit disappointing."

"You feel the same?"

"Everyone sees things the same way."

Not just the producer, but even the experts in the idol music industry were thinking similarly.

"This season is going to end without any controversy or buzz."

[Contestant No. 44, Yu Gunja, please come forward.]

It was at that moment.

"What?"

"Huh?"

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

"Oh my god..."

"Wow, unbelievable."

Yu Gunja appeared at the audition hall wearing a blue-and-white hanbok and riding a white horse.

"Greetings, I am Yu Gunja."

The trainers, staff, and even the general producer rubbed their eyes. They all wondered if this was real.

"Is he sane?"

"Unbelievable."

"Wow, it's Gunja on a white horse..."

In that moment, the boredom that had been hanging over the audition hall was instantly swept away.

Some crazy guy had shown up to the audition on horseback.

And he was even wearing a gat (traditional Korean hat) and a hanbok. He must have lost his mind completely.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

"Whoa."

Neighhh—

But what was even more surprising was that none of it seemed out of place.

The way he calmly patted the horse and dismounted from the saddle.

Then, standing on the ground, he smiled and patted the horse's neck, connecting with it.

Why did it seem so natural?

"Yes, you did well."

Neighhh.

"Wait here for a bit, I'll be back soon."

Neighhh.

He looked like a calm and dignified scholar from an old time. No one could take their eyes off Gunja.

His face was certainly not refined, and it didn't seem like he had undergone any cosmetic procedures.

But the potential was already evident.

His facial features were well-balanced as if someone had carefully drawn them. Even though his proportions weren't fully visible due to the hanbok, he looked tall and impressive.

But what was more amazing than his looks was his aura.

Even though it was a situation where everyone could have burst out laughing, no one did because of the aura that Gunja exuded at that moment.

"How can someone look so graceful?"

"His lines are so delicate."

"Did he learn horseback riding?"

"A real character has arrived."

"Isn't it just a gimmick?"

"If it's a gimmick, it deserves recognition at this level."

"Is that so? I usually don't like gimmicky characters."

There were various thoughts, but everyone agreed on one thing.

This guy is intriguing.

Who on earth is he?

"Pass! He's passed!"

Producer Kim Seok-hoon was the first to slam the pass button.

"Me too! I'm giving him a pass!"

Next was trainer Jang Min-hyuk, a former vocal group member and currently a solo singer, who pressed the button.

"...I pass too..."

Songwriter and vocal trainer Young Eun-chae also declared a pass with her signature small, whispering voice.

"Hey, Eun-chae, weren't you supposed to be on a vow of silence today?"

"...No, I'm not..."

"Hmm, so why did you pass him?"

"..."

"I'm curious?"

"..."

"Ha, sorry! I shouldn't have asked!"

After the three of them pressed the pass button, dance trainer So Ye-jin hesitated for a moment before also pressing the pass button.

"Well, for now..."

"Oh, so you like him too."

"His lines are beautiful."

All three trainers and the general producer pressed the pass button, and it was only based on his visuals. The room began to buzz.

The camera crew, who had been slacking off, suddenly sprang to life and started working. The staff became busy. Everyone instinctively knew that they needed to capture this moment.

As the atmosphere reversed, vocal trainer Jang Min-hyuk was the first to speak.

"Uh, I'm sure everyone has a lot of questions. Can I ask mine first?"

"Go ahead."

"Thank you, PD. Then I'll ask contestant Yu Gunja."

"Yes, trainer."

"Where did you get that horse?"

An unexpected question, but it was what everyone was curious about.

"I borrowed it from a riding stable near my house."

"What? They rent horses at a stable?"

"I can't drive yet."

"You can't drive, but you know how to ride a horse?"

"Yes."

"Phuhahat."

Jang Min-hyuk burst into laughter, but everything Yu Gunja said was true.

The horse-riding school [Let's Ride the Horses>, located in Seongsu-dong.

Coach Won Hyun-seop still couldn't gather his wits, feeling dazed.

A young, handsome boy suddenly appeared and asked to borrow a horse.

"Excuse me, but could you lend me a horse?"

"Excuse me, but are you out of your mind?"

It sounded like complete nonsense, so he just told him to leave, but the most temperamental horse at [Let's Ride the Horses> approached the boy first. The horse, Uni, was known for its delicate and sensitive nature, quite the opposite of the boy's refined appearance.

"Wait a moment! Uni is dangerous..."

Neigh, neigh-

"Haha, I see."

Neigh, neigh-

"It seems you want to come with me."

"...Unbelievable."

The notoriously ill-tempered horse had become as gentle as a lamb!

Even after 30 years of riding horses, this was a scene he had never witnessed.

Neigh

"Alright, don't be spoiled."

Neigh, neigh

"But what can I do, I'm not your master."

Neigh

"Yes, I would love to run with you once."

Neigh...

"In the next life, let's be together..."

Sniff, neigh...

The boy and Uni both turned their glittering, sorrowful eyes towards Won Hyun-seop.

Before he knew it, Won Hyun-seop was handing over the reins to the handsome boy.

"This is fate. Yes, Uni recognized his true master."

At the audition venue, Jang Min-hyuk also didn't question the details too much. Where the horse came from didn't really matter. What mattered more was that Yu Gunja had captured everyone's attention.

'What an interesting guy.'

Jang Min-hyuk continued with the questioning.

"You've never practiced with a company?"

"No."

"Then you're completely self-trained... Why did you choose this character setting?"

"I'm sorry, I don't understand your question."

"I mean, you came in riding a horse, wearing a dopo, and behaving like a scholar. It suits your appearance very well, so I'm curious about how you came up with this setting."

"..."

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing; I want to compliment you. Nowadays, idols need to be good at building their character as well as their skills. I'm saying you've done that well."

"I apologize, but I still don't fully understand."

"Haha, what I mean is..."

"I'm a scholar, so I dressed like a scholar and acted like one. It's not a false setting; this is who I truly am."

"Huh?"

"I learned that auditions are a place where you reveal your true self. So I wanted to stand here in the most honest way possible."

Even as he said this, Yu Gunja's expression didn't waver. His calm demeanor and posture matched his attire perfectly.

"Wow, this is truly impressive."

Jang Min-hyuk, who had asked the question, let out an exclamation and raised both thumbs.

"This is some seriously committed concept work. I'm impressed!"

"Thank you."

"I really like Yu Gunja as a contestant. I've just taken a liking to you!"

"I like you too, Trainer Jang Min-hyuk."

"Phuhahat, when you say 'trainer,' it sounds like I'm someone who trains dogs."

Kim Seok-hoon, the PD, had a broad smile on his face.

'Yes, this is it!'

Just when the excitement of the audition was about to fade, such a remarkable oddball made an appearance.

If it had felt like a half-hearted act, he would have dismissed him immediately. But this was the real deal.

From the moment he walked in with the horse, Kim Seok-hoon knew he wasn't ordinary. But that was only the beginning.

Everything about him—the way he acted, the way he spoke, even his facial features—he was the embodiment of a handsome scholar.

'Yu Gunja, I have to have you in this show!'

But not everyone was smiling.

While Jang Min-hyuk continued with the questions, dance trainer So Ye-jin was staring intently at Yu Gunja with a sour expression.

There was no denying he was a captivating character.

Some people have a presence even when they do nothing. There are those who look beautiful without plastic surgery or a personal trainer, just naturally. Yu Gunja was exactly that type of person. It was as if the gods had chosen him to be an idol. These types of people should be trained and nurtured.

However, something about this situation didn't sit right with her.

Sure, he was handsome. Sure, he had a good vibe.

But taking him without seeing him sing or dance? That wasn't right.

What about the efforts of the other contestants who had sweat and bled for this audition?

So Ye-jin made up her mind, picked up the microphone, and spoke up. She had to say what was on her mind, regardless of how it affected the mood.

"I have a question too."

"Yes, Handler."

"Please call me Trainer, not Handler. Your concept is good, but you need to follow the rules."

"Yes, I'm sorry, Trainer."

She tried to throw him off by nitpicking, but instead, he responded brightly with a cheerful smile.

"I was careless in that regard. I'll be more careful."

"...Alright."

What kind of character is this, anyway?

Determined not to lose her composure, So Ye-jin continued.

"Anyway, since you've received four approvals, you'll be joining [Idol Survival>. Congratulations."

"Yes, thank you."

"But still, I don't think this is right."

"..."

"No matter how many approvals you've received, this is still an audition. The essence of an audition is to assess the contestant's skills."

"Yes."

"Even if the PD and the other trainers don't mind, I need to see Yu Gunja's skills."

"..."

"Whether it's singing, dancing, or something else."

So Ye-jin's piercing gaze bore into Yu Gunja.

"Can you show us?"