The Genius Idol is a Joseon Scholar - Chapter 5 : Can you show us?

The overall PD (Production Director) of “Idol Development Simulation,” Kim Seok-hoon,, was quite desperate.

“We don’t have any characters, no characters.”

The absence of overwhelming characters. That had always been the biggest problem in idol survival shows.

Idol Survival shows with interesting contestants were popular. On the other hand, a show that only sells bland characters can never succeed. Kim Seok-hoon PD knew that fact better than anyone else.

Therefore, he had put in more effort than anyone else to recruit contestants who possessed both skill and character.

In the so-called “Big 3” entertainment agencies, they didn’t send trainees to survival shows. He diligently scoured contestants from tier-2 or lower agencies, but he couldn’t find a character that really stood out.

“Ughh, Why is it so difficult?”

“PD-nim, even so, the skills of these kids are all pretty good, aren’t they?”

“There are a lot of kids who dance well and sing well. But that’s just the basic requirement.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“It’s just that there’s no one who really catches my eye.”

Even though he did his best amidst the shortage of talent, he couldn’t shake off his disappointment.

Was it because of the contestants who became “national villains” in the previous few idol survival shows?

Audition contestants were extremely cautious, doing everything by the book, and choosing songs with a low probability of failure for their performances.

That was not what Kim Seok-hoon PD wanted at all.

In the end, he decided to hold a general audition for ordinary people with the determination to catch even a straw.

An audition to select members who would participate in “Idol Development Simulation” purely on an individual basis, without being affiliated with any entertainment agency. It was a kind of additional acceptance system.

The intention behind creating such an additional audition was clear.

To gather interesting characters.

They didn’t want someone with enough talent to climb to the top. Instead, they were looking for characters who could add a little bit of controversy to the program.

That’s why they selected contestants in a slightly different way. They even selected contestants who had experience as trainees in entertainment agencies. They also picked contestants with an acting background who already had formed a fandom.

However, despite all that, there wasn’t a character among the ordinary contestants that caught Kim Seok-hoon PD’s eye.

Some of them had their own gimmicks, but…

“They’re just mediocre.”

There’s no real madness here. It’s obvious that they’re all fake.

The flimsy masks of insincerity worn by the contestants would eventually be exposed. That’s the characteristic of survival shows. The trainers sitting beside Kim Seok-hoon PD seemed quite bored.

“Hmm, there aren’t any interesting contestants.”

“Yeah, this season is pretty disappointing.”

“You think so too?”

“All the judges have the same perspective.”

Not only PD, but also experts in the idol music industry had similar thoughts.

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

“[Contestant number 532, please come out – Yu Gunja.]”

It was at that moment.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

Clop, Clop…

“This is insane…”

“Wow, incredible.”

“Wow, amazing.”

A man dressed in light blue walked into the audition room, riding on a white horse.

“Hello, I’m Yu Gunja.”

Trainers, staff, and the PD all stared. Everyone wondered if this was for real .

“Is he in his right mind?”

“Unbelievable.”

“Wow, a man on a white horse…”

The boredom that had been lingering in the audition room disappeared in an instant

A crazy person had entered the audition room riding a horse.

He was even dressed in a hat and robe. Even if he was crazy, he was crazy in a solid way.

Thud, thud -.

“Wow.

“Hehehe-.”

But there was something even more surprising.

His appearance was not awkward at all.

He lightly calmed the horse down and got off the saddle.

After standing on the ground, he smiled and stroked the horse’s neck, communicating with it.

No, why does this seem so natural?

“Alright, you did well.”

“Hehe.”

“Just wait a moment; we’ll go back soon.”

“Hehehe.” (just imagine a nice gentle smile, idk how to write that in words, sorry for ruining your reading experience)

His appearance was that of a refined and calm scholar. Everyone couldn’t take their eyes off him.

His face wasn’t necessarily well-groomed. It doesn’t even look like he’s touched his hair.

But his potential was already showing.

His facial features were arranged as if they had been meticulously drawn by someone.  Even with a robe on, his proportions were sleek.

But what was even more surprising was his atmosphere, not his appearance.

Despite the situation that could make everyone burst into laughter, no one laughed all thanks to the aura emanating from Gunja at that moment.

“No, why is he so handsome?”

“His demeanor is so refined.”

“Did he learn horseback riding?”

“He’s really hitting the mark.”

“Isn’t it just a gimmick?”

“Well, even if it’s a gimmick, we have to acknowledge it at this level.”

“I guess so, but I’m not a fan of gimmicks.”

Various thoughts crossed their minds, but there was one sentence that everyone agreed on.

This guy is intriguing.

No, seriously, what’s going on with this guy?

“Pass! He’s passed!”

Kim Seok-hoon PD was the first to press the pass button.

“Me too! I pass him!”

Next, Jang Minhyuk, a trainer who was a former member of a vocal group and currently a solo singer, pressed the button.

“…I also pass…”

Composer and vocal trainer Young Eunchae declared her approval with her uniquely soft-spoken voice.

“What’s this? Eunchae, weren’t you supposed to fulfill your vow today?”

“…No…”

“Well, why did you pass then?”

“…”

“I’m curious.”

“…”

“Hahaha, okay! Sorry for talking to the horse!”

After the three of them pressed the pass button, the dance trainer So Yejin hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the pass button.

“Well, for now…”

“Wow, sis, you liked him too.”

“Because he’s handsome.”

All three trainers and the head PD pressed the pass button just by looking at his visual. The room began to buzz.

The cameramen, who had been idle for a moment, suddenly sprang into action. The staff became busy. It seemed like everyone instinctively understood that they had to capture this scene.

Amidst the changing atmosphere, the first to speak was the vocal trainer Jang Minhyuk.

“Uh, I think everyone must be very curious. Can I ask the first question?”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Thank you, PD. Then, I’ll ask the contestant Yu Gunja.”

“Yes, trainer.”

“Where did you get that horse from?”

It was a sudden question, but it was also something that everyone was curious about.

“I borrowed it from a horse-riding club near my house.”

“What? They lent you a horse from a riding club?”

“Because I don’t know how to drive yet.”

“You can’t drive, but you know how to ride a horse?”

“Yes.”

“Hahaha.”

Jang Minhyuk burst out laughing, but what Yu Gunja said was all true.

–

Located in Seongsu-dong, the horse-riding club “Let’s Ride Horses.”

Horse riding coach Won Hyun-seop was still in a daze, unable to regain his composure.

A young man suddenly appeared and asked to borrow a horse for a moment.

Excuse me, but can I borrow a horse for just a moment?”

“Excuse me, but are you insane?”

Thinking it was some kind of nonsense, he initially told the young man to leave. But, at “Let’s Ride Horses,” the most aggressive horse was the ones that approached the young man first. It was Uni, a horse with a sensitive temperament despite its elegant appearance.

“Wait a minute! Uni is dangerous…!”

“Hehehe.”

“Hahaha, that’s right.”

“Hehehe, hehehehe.”

“You want to come with me too, don’t you?”

“…Unbelievable.”

Turning such a cantankerous(bad-tempered) horse into something so docile!

Having ridden horses for 30 years, this was a sight he had never seen before.

“Heeeng.”

“Come on, don’t be stubborn.”

“Heeeng, heeeng.”

“What can I do? I’m not your owner.”

“Heeeng.”

“Yes, I also want to run with you at least once.”

“Heeeeng…”

“If we have another life, let’s be together…”

“Heek-sniff, heeeng…”

The eyes of the boy and Uni, as they spoke, were looking at Won Hyeon-seop with a pitiful, sparkling gaze.

When he snapped back to reality, Won Hyun-seop had already handed the reins to the young man.

“This must be fate. Yes, Uni recognized his owner.”

–

Jang Minhyuk at the audition site didn’t bother to ask for details either. Where the horse came from wasn’t really important. What mattered more was that it captured everyone’s attention.

“He’s an interesting friend.”

Jang Minhyuk continued with his questions.

“You’ve never trained at a company before?”

“That’s correct.”

“So you’re a completely independent trainee… But why did you choose to create a character like this?”

“I’m not sure I understand your question.”

“I mean, you’re currently riding a horse, dressed in a robe, and acting like a scholar. It suits your appearance very well. I’m curious about how you came up with such a character.”

“…?”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not criticizing, I want to compliment you. Nowadays, idols need to not only have skills but also excel in character building. I’m saying you did that well.”

“I’m sorry, but I still don’t quite understand.”

“Haha, what I mean is…”

Jang Minhyuk was about to explain further when the conversation was interrupted.

“I dressed like a scholar and acted like one because that’s who I am. It’s not a false setting, it’s my true self.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve learned that auditions are where you should reveal your most honest self. That’s why I wanted to stand here in my most authentic form.”

Even as he said these words, Yu Gunja’s expression remained unwavering. His calm demeanor and bearing perfectly matched his attire.

“Wow, I have to admit that’s impressive.”

Jang Minhyuk exclaimed and gave two thumbs up.

“You really nailed the concept. I totally approve!”

“Thank you.”

“I like Yu Gunja, the contestant. I just do!”

“I like Trainer Jang Minhyuk too.”

“Hahaha, when you call me ‘trainer,’ it feels like you’re talking to someone who raises dogs or something.”

Kim Seokhoon PD had a big smile on his face.

“That’s it!”

Just as the anticipation for the audition was about to fade, this big character appeared and saved the day.

If he had acted awkwardly, they would have kicked him out immediately. But this was real.

From the moment he brought the horse, they knew he wasn’t just an ordinary guy. But that was just the beginning.

His mannerisms, way of speaking, and even his facial features – everything was like a perfectly groomed flower boy scholar.

“Yu Gunja, I’m definitely taking you!”+

But there was also someone who wasn’t smiling.

While Jang Minhyuk’s Q&A session continued, dance trainer So Yejin stared at Yu Gunja with a stern expression.

There was no denying the appeal of this character.

Some individuals exuded charm effortlessly, just by standing still. They were the type who didn’t need plastic surgery or personal training, as their natural beauty was enough.

Yu Gunja was a typical example of such a person. It was as if God had marked him and said, “You shall be an idol!” These kinds of individuals were the ones you had to take in for training without hesitation.

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

Sure, he was good-looking, and he had charisma.

But does that mean they should take him in without even hearing him sing a line or seeing him dance?

That didn’t seem fair.

Then what about the efforts of those who have sweated and worked hard on this audition stage?

So Yejin made up her mind and grabbed the microphone. Whether it would influence the atmosphere or not, she had to speak up.

“I have a question too.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Call me ‘Trainer.’ The concept is good, but you still have to follow the rules.”

“Yes, I apologize, Trainer.”

She tried to provoke him with an unnecessary argument, but he responded with an even more refreshing smile.

“I was a bit reckless in that regard. I’ll be more careful.”

“…Alright.”

What can you do with a character like this?

To maintain her composure, So Ye-jin continued her words.

“Anyway, since you’ve received four passes, Contestant Yu Gunja, you’ll be able to participate in Idol Training Simulation.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“But still, I don’t think it’s enough.”

“…”

“Even though you’ve passed, this is an audition. The essence of an audition is to assess the contestants’ skills.”

“Yes.”

“While PDs and other trainers might not mind, I still need to see your skills a bit.”

“…”

“Whether it’s dancing, singing, or something else.”

Soyejin’s stern gaze bore into Yu Gunja, as if she wanted to see through him.

“Can you show us?”

At this point, Soyejin wanted to assess Yu Gunja’s actual skills to make a more informed judgment.