The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Producer Troubles (7)

The mood was still somber when FYP called Song Chunghee to sit in the 15th place. Even the usually all-smiles Song Chunghee had a visibly fake smile as he took his seat in the large number 15 chair.

The eliminated contestants were all taken backstage, but not far away enough from the main stage to get away from the ranking announcements. Really, Joon-woo thought, wasn't that humiliating? Listening to your friends who made it to the top 15 while you were whisked away for elimination interviews.

Ryeo Hyun slightly poked at Joon-woo's shoulder. "Don't look too upset. Cameras."

Joon-woo nodded. Clapping along as rank 14 and 13 took their own seats in the proper ranking chairs.

"In 12th place... Ryeo Hyun!" FYP called.

Joon-woo cracked a small smile as Ryeo Hyun stood and walked up the stairs of unlit ranking chairs, to the lit top 15 chairs. He took his seat in 12th with his blank expression somehow blank-er..?

Remaining in the Team One booth was Joon-woo, Baek Du-Ho, and Reggie. It was tense with a small sense of guilt, tense with the need to act as if their friend hadn't had their career ended. The cameras blinked at them like it was waiting, waiting for them to break with a wrong expression that could be used to twist a narrative.

"In 7th place... Baek Du-Ho!"

Joon-woo and Reggie patted Baek Du-Ho excitedly on the back as he stood and began towards the stairs. A good image was necessary. A good image was even more so necessary for them. They were the most popular, they got the most screen time, them. Them.

Reggie and Joon-woo shifted next to each other, the booth of Team One only containing them now. They were confirmed to be in the top 6.

"Top 6..." Reggie muttered, like a place as such was godly.

"We worked hard for it." Joon-woo spoke, about to pat Reggie on the back before stopping. Did he have to follow Producer Jang-Soo's rule anymore? He didn't really want to, but even being a little touchy with Reggie– he had gotten used to.

Reggie noticed the shift in Joon-woo's movement, looking to the cameras pointing their way. He then scooted closer to Joon-woo and slung his arm around Joon-woo's shoulders. Joon-woo stiffened, but ultimately relaxed after a moment. The cameras were watching. The cameras were catching.

"In 6th place... Reggie Lee!"

Reggie shot up, his face in a slight daze. Joon-woo gave the still-standing Reggie a push out of the booth. "You got this..!" Joon-woo muttered.

Reggie nodded, making a fist for Joon-woo to see, before he walked up the stairs past all the ones unlit under 15. He took a seat in a grand rank 6 seat. He looked a fake-typa happy, but a small, real smile crossed his face.

Joon-woo leaned back, alone in the Team One booth. The only people left were Jung Hyun-Ok and Mi Yong of Team Three and one member each of Team Six and Team Four. He wondered where he placed among them. Definitely not 1st or 2nd. Based on his popularity he thought himself to be 5th, maybe 4th at best.

But when the straggling Team Six and Four members got called to cover those positions, Joon-woo froze. The staggering members stood and took their seats ranking 5th and 4th with ease. They seemed to carry that same happy– but guilty expression.

Joon-woo gulped, pursing at his lips. He didn't deserve any of the remaining spots, yet he belonged to one. What was Producer Jang-Soo doing? Had he not rigged the votes? Joon-woo genuinely couldn't tell. Some ranks seemed tweaked, but most– they seemed real. It enraged him.

Joon-woo looked to Mi Yong and Jung Hyun-Ok. They sat in the Team Three booth and waved to Joon-woo with expressions equally defeated.

FYP cleared his throat, "Coming in 3rd, with 54 votes..." Joon-woo was convinced it was him. It was him. Surely. Surely. "Jung Hyun-Ok! Please take your seat in 3rd place."