Chapter 1: A New Hope
Inside the enormous broadcast hall, countless spotlights and cameras focused on the stage. Below, a dense crowd of staff, a large number of fans and audience members, and representatives from various companies in the seating area all held their breath, waiting for the final results to be announced.
“The last member selected to join X1 is…”
The host on stage continuously built suspense, stirring the emotions of everyone present. The background music in the venue grew more intense, and the atmosphere became increasingly anxious.
All lights and attention were focused on the two individuals on stage.
However, Kwon Xuanhe, one of the two candidates whose results were to be announced, felt extremely calm inside, his gaze peaceful as he waited for the host to reveal the outcome.
He even found it boring listening to the host’s drawn-out suspense.
He was fed up with this fraudulent show!
He already knew the final result; he had become a victim of unspoken rules and private benefit exchanges.
Produce 101 Season 4, Mnet’s flagship audition program, which consistently produced stars, had reached its fourth season, becoming the most popular annual audition show.
The program’s consistent output of top idols made all entertainment agencies green with envy, leading them to use various tricks, each employing their unique skills to compete for debut spots.
The final outcome was regrettable: Kwon Xuanhe, a quickly trained trainee from a shell company, making it to the final step was already astonishing, dropping countless jaws.
During his brief contemplation, the host on stage, Lee Dong-wook, finally announced the final result.
“The last member is…!”
“Lee Eunsang!”
Kwon Xuanhe listened as he passionately announced the final choice. Lee Eunsang, standing beside him, instantly burst into tears, covering his face and sobbing emotionally, stammering his final remarks into the microphone.
At the same time, Kwon Xuanhe also applauded. Some trainees came over to comfort him. He had known this result all along, so he felt nothing, instead returning a smile.
This continued until the show ended.
“How do you feel?”
After Kwon Xuanhe finished dealing with the acquaintances around him, he heard his uncle’s voice from behind.
He turned around to see his uncle and sighed helplessly.
His uncle, Park Zhengting, looked at him, shook his head, and led him out of the broadcast hall, heading outside.
At the moment the show ended, the debut lineup and news had already spread across the internet via live broadcast.
A flurry of trending topics dominated the headlines of the online world that night, countless hot posts emerged, and online discussions continuously escalated.
Kwon Xuanhe, who was just a hair’s breadth away from successfully debuting, undoubtedly occupied a portion of these headlines.
“Kwon Xuanhe has been around the debut spot since the middle of the show, and even reached a high position in the last performance. How could he be eliminated??”
“Several people never even entered the debut spots. Even if there were one or two, that’s too many.”
“It’s really a shame he didn’t debut…”
“Kwon Xuanhe was someone who continuously defied expectations. How did he not succeed in the end? It’s too strange.”
Some questions about the show began to ferment with its conclusion, awaiting a final explosion…
“Go back and pack your things, and prepare for what’s next.”
Park Zhengting looked at him, feeling that not saying something warm would make him seem cold, then added,
“At least you’ve accumulated some popularity, which will be useful for the future.”
Kwon Xuanhe turned his head for one last look at the still bustling broadcast hall. The show was over; there was no excuse to stay here.
His gaze swept around, pausing for a moment on a few figures, then he turned and left.
His uncle, Park Zhengting, was his greatest support in entering the entertainment industry and his only relative within it.
“I told you, listen to my arrangements and become an actor. Slowly hone your skills for two or three years, and with your conditions, you will succeed.”
An actor’s breakthrough also takes time, usually one to two years, unlike those who debut from audition programs, reaching their peak immediately upon debut.
“See, you were too impatient, and you wasted all this time.”
“So many people are watching this show, and so many big companies are eyeing it. I couldn’t even help you if I wanted to.”
Park Zhengting earnestly advised him.
In his opinion, although his nephew’s elimination was regrettable, he had a bright future ahead, and it wasn’t one show that could end his life’s judgment.
“It’s also a firsthand experience of the cruelty of the entertainment industry.”
Kwon Xuanhe said casually. His mindset was still very good, and he had prepared for this result early on.
“From now on, follow me. We’ll start with small supporting roles and go down the path of an actor.”
Park Zhengting was very optimistic about his nephew, believing he could shine and succeed on the path of an actor.
Whether it was his appearance, acting talent, or social skills, in his eyes, he was an excellent potential stock.
Being an idol was unproductive; being an actor was the right path.
“An actor it is. Uncle, you’re so amazing, of course I’ll listen to you.”
Kwon Xuanhe seemed unaffected by the recent elimination, even smiling as he spoke.
His uncle, Park Zhengting, was a veteran in the entertainment industry, with many years of rich experience. As for how rich…
In 2012, Park Zhengting, as a representative of an entertainment company, bet on the future boy group market and launched a male idol group. They had good momentum, but then encountered the boy group war in 2013, where market competition was extremely fierce, and they eventually faded into obscurity.
Later, the group disbanded in 2015. Park Zhengting didn’t give up, and in mid-2015, he launched a girl group that had been prepared for three years.
This time, he bet on the Greater China market, and development was very smooth at first. Who would have thought that by mid-to-late 2016, there would be no more development opportunities…
There was no other way; the girl group also hastily disbanded the year before last.
Currently, Park Zhengting serves as the head of the management department at a veteran actor agency.
His two experiences of having the right direction but lacking luck showed that his uncle did have some vision and ability, but was short on luck.
And for Park Zhengting, Kwon Xuanhe was his next bet. He was impressed when he learned that Kwon Xuanhe had fought to the very last step in the show.
Kwon Xuanhe almost wanted to run away when he heard this, to stay far away from this unlucky relative of his.
In fact, his decision to participate in this show was his own idea; he didn’t fully listen to his uncle, and this time the result wasn’t very good.
“You have nothing right now. Even if I wanted to have you join our company, it would be difficult. So, your next step is to first listen to me and audition for a few drama crews, try to get into a production to gain some experience, and then I’ll arrange for you to join the company later.”
Park Zhengting drove while turning his head to instruct him.
He currently works at BH Company, one of the top entertainment agencies in the industry. Just hearing the lineup tells you how strong this company is.
Lee Byung-hun, Han Xiaozhou, Han Jiaren, Kim Go-eun, Qiu Cixuan, Han Ji-min, Ahn So-hee, etc.
Boasting a powerful lineup of film emperors, film empresses, and TV empresses.
“I understand.”
Kwon Xuanhe nodded, mentally prepared.
He himself decided to participate in this audition program because its duration wasn’t long, at most three months, which wouldn’t significantly affect his future development.
“Take a look, these are some scripts I prepared for you. I’ve marked the key projects for you.”
Park Zhengting held the steering wheel with one hand and laboriously pulled out several plastic-sealed scripts from his briefcase, handing them to him.
Kwon Xuanhe reached out, took them, and began to flip through them.
“Don’t look down on these small roles. You can’t handle roles within the top three billing or even slightly more important ones. Start diligently with small supporting roles. As long as you work hard, with my help, it won’t take long for you to make a name for yourself.”
Park Zhengting, while driving, turned his head to instruct him, fearing that he might be overly ambitious and look down on these small roles.
“I understand these principles. I’m a newcomer, so I’ll start from scratch.”
Kwon Xuanhe glanced at the scripts, his attitude quite compliant. He knew Park Zhengting was worried he wouldn’t listen to advice because he had insisted on participating in Produce 101 against his wishes before.
“Good that you understand.”
Park Zhengting turned his head, pushed up his glasses, and then nodded.
Just at that moment, Park Zhengting was about to turn his head to say something more to him, but a sharp screech of brakes sounded, and blinding light rushed towards his eyes.
Then Kwon Xuanhe felt a powerful impact, had no time to react, and then everything went black.
He passed out.
The scripts were scattered throughout the car, strewn across the floor.