Trapped in the Idol Universe

└ “They’re saying the signing bonus was ₩10 billion, wow.”

└ “As expected of a super rookie.”

└ “Daehan even issued an official statement denying it, though.”

└ “They’re probably still filming.”

└ “I wish ‘God Gong-i’ would appear—at least let me glimpse his noble face on video.”

└ “No way lol—they’d pick him even if he never moved.”

But that “no way” turned out to be exactly what happened.

With summer break in full swing, feeding armies from across the country swarmed the outdoor set in Paju. Among the 202 who passed the Star Hero prelims was still the ever-talked-about “God Gong-i.”

“Wow—there are so many people.”

“Roi, are you okay?”

“.......”

Roy could only shake his head at Taeeon’s concern. They said fire-attribute Awakeners are weak to cold and strong against heat—so why did he feel the opposite?

If this continues, won’t it be a problem even after I unlock my skill?

Every time he used his power, he seemed to take damage himself. The thought of being burned to death by his own ability made him dizzy.

Roy swayed, closed his eyes, and began mind-controlling. Nearby, he heard Yeonwoo’s dialect drawl.

“Anyone got a handheld fan? Handheld fan. Didn’t bring one?”

Yeonwoo, cap pulled low, pretended to flick a fan at himself.

“Nope.”

“Really? I should’ve brought mine. But you’re fire-attribute, right? Not ice-attribute?”

“I’m definitely fire.”

“Huh. But you’re sweating like crazy... Ah, I’ll get something. Wait here.”

Yeonwoo left the group to fetch cold water. At the entrance to the Star Hero set, street vendors had gathered despite what you’d expect for a closed shoot—probably because the bare field made policing difficult. Participants only needed their number tags, no passes.

When Yeonwoo approached a stall, the vendor greeted him happily.

“Welcome—what’ll it be?”

“Three waters, please.”

“That’s ₩3,000.”

As Yeonwoo reached for his wallet, he caught a soft voice. He turned to see a masked man in a cap, sweltering under the sun yet impeccably dressed.

“Do you take cards?”

“It says cash only right there. No cash?”

“Ah...”

The man awkwardly withdrew his hand holding a credit card. Yeonwoo quietly slid him a ₩5,000 bill.

“Let me cover yours, too. Just take it.”

“Uh, no—really, I’m fine. I’ll have my manager—”

“No, here. Just drink it.”

Yeonwoo turned to leave, but a low voice stopped him.

“Are you Park Yeonwoo, the athlete...?”

Yeonwoo froze, then glanced back.

“Me? How did you know?”

“I heard our company reached out to you several times.”

“What are you talking about?”

Avoiding the familiar man, Yeonwoo stepped back. The man removed his mask, offering a warm eye-smile. Yeonwoo bristled in annoyance—yet muscle-memory recognized him from bus ads and billboards.

“Oh!? Could you be a celebrity?”

“Shh.”

It was actor Seo Hangyeol.

Yeonwoo, who’d never seen a celebrity in person, gaped dumbly. Who is this guy doing here? And how does he know me?

Seo Hangyeol realized he’d overstepped.

“Oh—my manager is actually your huge fan. I just got excited. Anyway, thanks for the water. Enjoy.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You’re here as a contestant, right? Hope to see you on set. Bye.”

They exchanged awkward goodbyes and parted.

✧

Meanwhile, Taeeon and Roy sat crouched in the shade, waiting for Yeonwoo when they overheard:

“Word is they’ve already decided the winner will be contestant 202.”

“Really?”

“I asked staff earlier—they said there are 202 entrants.”

“So?”

“Dude, think: two-zero-two. Lee Gong-i.”

“Are you insane?!”

Roy thought it the dumbest rumor ever—until Taeeon murmured in awe.

“Wow... it could actually be true, Roi.”

How could it?

Roy shot Taeeon a withering look.

“They said Gong-i’s at the Busan campus, so he wouldn’t even be here. They said he manipulates fire at will.”

“Manipulate fire at will? ...Really?”

Roy scowled: here Taeeon was using his cool-down so he couldn’t even cast Godslighting twice in a row. Taeeon chuckled and ruffled his hair.

“It’s okay. To me, you’re the coolest. You literally saved me.”

“Enough. Gong-i can’t win.”

“Ha ha. Fine? Then let our Roi win. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Seriously, he can’t win.”

Only Hojin knew the truth: the real Lee Gong-i was right here, and everyone else was fooled. He needed to tell his hyungs, but the timing was off, and so it became their little secret.

Should I tell them now? Or not?

Just then Yeonwoo returned, clutching the ice water. He ran up excited.

“Hey, guess who I just saw?”

“Hyung. Where’d you get the water? Why so late—”

“I saw Seo Hangyeol!”

“...Who?”

Roy, reaching for the water, froze.

“Seo Hangyeol!”

“Seo Hangyeol? You mean the actor?”

Taeeon calmly repeated.

“Yeah! You know, I’m his fan. It’s embarrassing~”

When in front of Hangyeol, Yeonwoo acted aloof; in front of Taeeon and Roy, he puffed up with pride.

“He was so handsome! Tall, delicate features.”

Yeonwoo laughed, shaking Roy’s limp hand, then thrust the water at him.

“Come on, have a drink. Jealous or what?”

Roy set the bottle down and leapt up, interrogation blazing.

“Where did you see him? What was he wearing? Let’s go back there, right now.”

“Go back? He left already. We split earlier.”

“Then where did he go? You know the direction.”

If only Gong-i had appeared now, Roy wouldn’t need to give this survival show his all—he could fake it and drop out. But his hyungs, ignorant of the truth, misread his behavior.

“Are you jealous you didn’t see the celebrity?”

“Ha ha. So you like Seo Hangyeol?”

“No, I don’t!”

Roy jumped and denied it, then bolted after Yeonwoo’s retreating back. Voices called after him, but he kept going.

He said he comes back in a month—why’s he here now? If I’d known, I’d have followed him!

If Gong-i appeared before him now, Roy would forgive his betrayal and everything. But finding Yeonwoo in the crowd proved impossible. Roy tore through the masses like a madman until Yeonwoo caught his wrist.

“Hey! Where are you off to?”

Roy paused, then decided honesty was best. There was still time before filming. If he confessed and enlisted their help to find Yeonwoo, everything could be sorted neatly.

“I—I didn’t plan to say this, but...”

He tugged Taeeon and Yeonwoo aside. In a quieter spot, with utmost seriousness:

“Don’t freak out. The truth is...”

gulp

They both audibly swallowed.

“I’m the real Lee Gong-i. But because of an Awakened side effect—a curse, really—I have to meet Seo Hangyeol to break it.”

He’d stripped out the status-screen jargon for clarity. Their faces turned grave.

“I know it’s hard to believe. But it’s true. If I meet Hangyeol, the curse will lift, and I have so much to tell you guys.”

“Hmm......”

“Oh......”

They exchanged glances, debating.

“My gosh, the heat must’ve fried your brain. What should we do about this?”

“Right? It must be heatstroke...”

“No, I swear it’s real! I have my Awakened license—”

Roy pulled out his photo album and hurriedly found the picture of his gold license.

“Here! See?”

Had he convinced them? No.

“Roi, Awakened licenses are silver, not gold...”

“My brain’s melting—this is crazy.”

Despite his proof, no one believed him.