Chapter 3: Zero Skills
[These are your stats, host. Every aspect is from the former Choi Joon-ho.]
- Vocals: C+
- Dance: D-
- Visual: C
- Rap: E-
- Charm: E+
June looked at the stats with wide eyes. How was he a trainee for six years but only has stats like this? It was no wonder he didn't debut. Bo Wen probably has better stats than this!
[You should not talk about the dead like that, host.]
June rolled his eyes. "How am I going to be an idol with stats like this? It's impossible!"
[Don't worry, host. Your stats can always be improved. When you complete tasks and side-missions, you have the chance to upgrade your skills.]
"Can I upgrade them now?"
[These are your missions for the day:
1. Give coffee to the old grandma downstairs.
2. Sing a song without your voice cracking.
3. Have someone call you "handsome."
The missions will be replaced with new ones when you accomplish them.]
June scoffed. These missions were easy! He decided to get the first one done so he could at least be decent in singing.
He made coffee and went downstairs, knocking on the door. It didn't take long before the door opened, but it wasn't an old grandma who did. Instead, a small child looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Where's ya grandma, kid?"
The child merely looked at him with horror before bursting into tears.
"What? Why are you crying? Man up and tell me where your grandma is!"
The little boy cried even harder, making June's ears hurt. He clicked his tongue and kneeled down to his level. He tried to smile, but it came out as an intimidating grimace.
"Show me your grandma."
The little kid wailed and tipped the boiling cup of coffee toward June, causing the liquid to splash over his chest and face.
"Little demon!" he screamed as he wiped his face with his shirt. The door slammed close, and he was left with a burning face.
[You need to wash your face, host. That can cause a burn scar.]
June trudged upstairs in a sour mood. He thought he was going to get his skills upgraded, but the little boy ruined everything! It seemed like these missions were not as easy as he thought.
He went to the bathroom to splash his face with cold water and frowned when he saw how bad he looked. His face was red from the hot liquid, he had small scars from the broken mirror, and there was a forming bruise on his head because of his fall a while ago.
He clicked his tongue and left the bathroom, determined to get his stats up. However, with his current appearance, he definitely won't be able to complete the third mission. So, he decided to try out the second one.
He brought out his phone and looked for a song. He played Shining Light by the idol group IMMORTALS. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew a lot of idol music since Mei Ling would always blast them in their living room. At this point, he knew about K-pop as much as his sister.
Other than that, all he listened to was songs from the 1970s and Chinese punk rock hits. The thugs from his gang loved music like those.
He closed his eyes and tried to sing. Jun Hao was actually quite a good singer when he was in his old body. It was his dream to become a singer when he was younger, and the nuns would always let him sing when they were still living in the orphanage.
However, when he got older and became oriented to reality, he realized that being a singer was only for the privileged. They had to train and wait until producers actually liked them before they could start making money. So, he let go of that dream and decided to become a thug to make quick money instead.
He closed his eyes and remembered how he used to sing when he was younger.
"In the darkest night, a flicker caught my eye
A shimmering glow, a spark that reached the sky
A beacon of hope, a flame that burned so bright
I couldn't turn away, it ignited something deep inside
Through the trials and the tears, through the storm and the rain
That light kept shining, it whispered my name
And as I walked this path, uncertain and unsure
I knew deep within, my dreams would endure
You're the shining light, guiding me through the night
You're the fire that burns, igniting my soul so bright
In the face of doubt, I'll spread my wings and fly
For dreams never die, they reach beyond the sky"
June finished the song without any trouble. His voice was still shaky because of Joon-ho's underdeveloped vocal cords, but his past skills came in handy. His voice did not crack, and he had a tone that was full of potential.
As he opened his eyes, he saw the screen pop up before him.
[Congratulations! You have accomplished the second mission. Please pick an aspect to improve.]
June placed his hand under his chin and thought for a while. His voice had a lot of potential, and if he improved on this, he'd have a better chance of debuting.
"Vocals," he said.
[Nice choice! Vocals+1. Current grade: B-]
"Aren't you going to replace the missions?" he asked the system.
[The missions only reset once you complete the whole set. Please do your best to complete them, host. I wish you could improve before the competition starts.]
"Competition?" June asked, taken aback.
[Why, yes! Did I forget to tell you?]
"Yes!"
[Silly me! Choi Joon-ho applied to join an idol survival show before he passed, and he had now been accepted.]
[You are now part of the popular show 'Rising Stars!' The system wishes you luck.]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
SandKastle
SandKastle All of the songs and future scripts will be originals from me!
NEW BOOK IS OUT!
Check 'I Accidentally Became A Superstar' on my profile!
Chapter 4: Rising Stars
"Rising Stars?"
The TV automatically turned on, and a signal song played, the small room resonating with a blissful piano. June remembered it to be last year's signal song. It seemed like this world was the same as the world he lived in. The host of the show was a familiar face, too.
Kang Minho, the most popular young actor of the generation, stood at the very center of the stage. June knew about him since he was also popular in China. Numerous bright lights illuminated his face, making him look deathly pale. The iconic 100 seats were behind him with numbers written in a glittery blue font.
[Have you heard of this show, host?]
Of course, June knew about 'Rising Stars.' It was a highly-popular idol show in Korea, with the first season birthing the most popular girl group—GIRLS' EVOLUTION. After the success of the first season, they started making a boys' season. That, too, became popular, with the group becoming even more successful than GIRLS' EVOLUTION.
They faced backlash during their third season for exploiting the trainees and rigging the results. The birthed group from that season disbanded not even months after.
How does June know all of this? It's because his sister cried her eyes out when they disbanded! Mei Ling had always been interested in these kinds of shows, so she became a fan of each group that came from 'Rising Stars.' She even begged Jun Hao to take her to the past season's disbandment concert.
There was no doubt that 'Rising Stars' became the blueprint for all other idol shows in Korea. However, even with multiple shows coming out with the same concept, 'Rising Stars' continued to reign on top. This was mainly due to the TV station's mischievous and witty editing. They were the best at recruiting the most handsome and interesting trainees, too.
So, despite their unsuccessful attempt at a third season, it seemed like there were still a decent amount of people who were interested in watching a fourth season.
Based on Joon-ho's status window, he must have been accepted to become the 'comedy relief.' The show knew that not every trainee should be talented, and people like Joon-ho were needed to make the show more interesting.
June focused his attention back on the TV as the signal song faded in the background.
"100 boys. 100 dreams. But only 10 can make their dreams come true! Rising Stars is back with another season. So, ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for an unforgettable experience! Get ready to be mesmerized by the talent, amazed by the performances, and inspired by the determination of these 100 boys. Together, let us witness the birth of the next generation of idol superstars! Welcome to the stage, welcome to the magic, welcome to the ultimate idol survival show!" Minho said with vigor, the familiar piano piece escalating.
June can already imagine the comments from the public.
- Rising stars is back again? I'm so excited! I hope more handsome trainees join this time.
- Rising stars? That rigged show? Such a thick face they have for wanting to make another season!
- Shut down Rising Stars! It's a rigged show. Their favorites will debut anyway.
- People are hating, but they're going to watch it again.
- I'm definitely going to be watching.
There were mixed reactions coming from the public. Some loved the idea of a new season, while others still remember the scandals that arose from the third one. One thing's for sure, though—it got the attention that it wanted.
As soon as the commercial aired, the topic rose to become the number 1 trend on Navel, the largest social media platform in the country.
June didn't want to join such a competition, but he couldn't deny that this was one of the best and fastest ways to debut. Then, he can give Mei Ling a good life and possibly get his old life back. He also couldn't wait to find out who his boss really was and give him a taste of his own medicine.
As the commercial ended, June saw the first airing date—July 24, 2023.
He sighed in relief. It's still one year from now! How come they're in such a rush for promotions?
[It's next month, host.]
His eyes widened in surprise. He looked at the old phone in his hands and saw that it was indeed 2023 already.
Then, does that mean that one year had already passed since his death?
[That's right, host.]
[The preliminary interviews will be taking place soon. Make a good impression so they don't replace you, okay?]
"How soon are we talking?"
[Tomorrow.]
"What?" June exclaimed. "Tomorrow? I don't have any skills yet! And have you forgotten that I look like this?" he gestured to his botched face. His injuries made him look scary, so June was sure he would be eliminated even when the show hadn't even started.
[Oh, goodness. I almost forgot, host. Let me use one of my potions really quickly.]
June watched himself in the mirror and waited for the magic to happen.
[System error. Potion had run out.]
[System error. Recharge healing potion.]
"Well?" June asked. "You're taking such a long time."
[Pardon me, host. It seemed like I ran out of the healing potion. I still need to recharge.]
"Then recharge. You have until tomorrow."
[...]
[That's the problem. I'll only be able to recharge when all your skills are at least a D. So until then, you're going to have to look like this.]
June massaged his temples. He looked at his face once more before pacing back and forth. He was already not the most handsome, but now, he had to enter a competition with plenty of facial injuries?
He kept pacing back and forth until he stumbled upon a soft yet sturdy material. He stopped pacing and saw a cute cat mask on the ground. He frowned and picked it up. It was pink with sparkly details. It looked like something Mei Ling would like. Why would Joon-ho have something like this?
June was about to throw it in the trash when he suddenly thought of a brilliant idea. He placed the mask on his face. It was a perfect fit.
He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled when his injuries were finally covered. It also made him appear more handsome since Joon-ho's eyes were the most charismatic part of his face.
"Alright, let's go with this concept," he decided.
If his wounds couldn't be healed on time, then he just had to wear the mask until they were all gone.
NEW BOOK IS OUT!
Check 'I Accidentally Became A Superstar' on my profile!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
32 Power
stone 
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