It seemed nobody really knew it would turn out this way. The production team had done a great job concealing everything before the filming of the show. Still, despite the lack of details, it appeared they were all determined.
The idea of it being a survival show had sunk in fully, and what a brilliant idea it was. A hit variety show and a potential lead in the biggest film of the decade? This was two birds with one stone. Not to mention the people at the helm. Gene PD and Bacon PD—those two didn’t make duds. If they were involved, success was nearly guaranteed.
Zeno didn’t say anything, but he could feel the silent buzz of ambition starting to burn the air. He glanced around.
Suho, who had spent most of the waiting time in silence, finally spoke. “I’ve only ever watched survival shows,” he said with a light grin. “This is interesting.”
A few people nodded. Risa leaned back a little, pulling at the hem of her jacket.
The voice over came again, sounding louder than before.
“Of course,” it said, “you must be wondering… who are the critics who will determine your fates?”
A murmur broke through the crowd. Zeno looked back toward the stage, where Gene PD and Bacon PD still stood.
Then, with a low rumble, the platform behind them started to rise.
At first, they saw nothing but black shoes. Then ankles. Then a woman.
Zeno’s brows twitched. No way.
The announcer’s voice boomed in time with the music.
“Standing alongside our incredible PDs, we have the woman who has changed the face of Korean screenwriting. At the young age of twenty-nine, she has written several award-winning hits—Love Paradox, Cheese in the Hole, Broken Chains of Justice. Known for her dialogue, her wit, her brilliance, and her beauty…”
“Our bae… Ari Bae!”
Applause broke out—mixed with stunned silence. She stepped forward, composed, wearing black slacks and an ivory blouse. Her heels clicked softly against the stage floor.
So, this was the project she was talking about, huh?
Zeno’s eyes met hers.
Her face faltered.
Zeno’s gaze narrowed.
Ari Bae stood tall again, letting out a deep breath once before quickly looking away, but her throat bobbed visibly.
Before anything more could unravel, the stage lights changed again. Another slow rise of another platform.
This one was grander.
The announcer sounded breathless. “Our fourth critic needs no introduction, but we’ll give it anyway. Spanning generations—from childhood actor, to teenage heartthrob, to industry icon. He’s held more grand awards than anyone in this room has held scripts. Even in his late 80s, he still takes roles that break barriers. Please welcome—”
“—Ryeo Wang!”
There was a collective intake of breath. The clapping was from instinct, or perhaps sheer awe.
Zeno’s eyebrows raised. Sir Wang?
Ryeo stepped forward slowly with elegance, dressed in a brown suit that looked handcrafted. His silver hair was combed back, and his lips were pressed in a thin line.
The last time they saw each other was during The Forsaken Prince. Zeno had played the lead. Ryeo had played the withering king.
Somewhere in the room, Oska had practically shrunk. He ducked a little, trying not to be seen. “Crap,” Oska muttered. Ryeo Wang was here? He could still remember how he was lectured at the set of The Forsaken Prince. He was sure it was going to happen again.
Zeno felt light, though. He was friends with Ryeo Wang after all.
As he stood next to the other three, the room had grown hotter. They had already seen four of the industry’s most formidable names appear before them.
So, who could possibly follow after that? They couldn’t imagine who it could be!
“Hyunbin?” Risa muttered. “But it wouldn’t make sense. Ryeo Wang should have entered last, then.”
The massive LED screen above the stage lit up again. Golden letters scrolled slowly across the dark screen.
“Lastly, a man of the making.”
They held their breaths.
“Handsome. Charismatic. Powerful. One of the best producers of artists in the country.”
Zeno’s shoulders tensed.
“He built careers. He broke records. He predicted hits with near-perfect accuracy.”
Quiet and excited murmurs filled the space as they speculated who the last person could be.
“He doesn’t just produce stars. He manufactures them. With vision, control, and algorithmic precision.”
The LED screen flashed white, and then—
“Presenting: The CEO of Daebak Entertainment—Jonas Kim.”
The stage lights burst alive, flaring white like the heavens had cracked open. From the side of the stage, a tall man emerged, suave in a midnight blue suit. Jonas Kim walked with confidence, his head high, eyes scanning the crowd like they already belonged to him.
The Daebak artists in the room gasped. Risa’s eyes widened at the sight of their CEO. What was he doing here?
He was known for being a handsome CEO, but this was his first time in a variety show, so they were all perplexed.
Oska’s brows furrowed as he watched his cousin make his way to the middle of the stage.
“Daebak? That’s daebak1!”
“He’s more handsome than me,” Hero muttered in disbelief.
Zeno stayed silent, jaw clenched.
Jonas Kim looked the same as he did during their first encounter—impossibly put-together. The same chiseled face, the sharpness of his gaze, and that slight smirk that always reached his eyes.
This was only their second meeting. Yet even from afar, something about the man grated at Zeno. The air felt wrong when he stood there.
“He’ll be a stakeholder for this film,” the voice from the speakers declared. “The stakes are higher than ever.”
As the four judges stood side by side on the massive stage—Gene PD, Bacon PD, Ari Bae, Ryeo Wang, and now Jonas Kim—it was clear.
This was no ordinary show.
“This is the Dream Team.”
Just then, Zeno’s system buzzed. It had been a while since he received a notification, so he expected this one to be grand. It seemed he was right.
[New Objective Unlocked: Take the Lead Role]
[Benefit: Origin Reveal]