Team Leader, You're an Idol Now - Chapter 30
From early morning, the trainees gathered in the living room. There was a video announcement from the CEO to watch on TV.
‘The CEO really does like being on broadcast more than he looks…’
Woo-Gyeom thought as he watched him on screen. Kang Jae-Guk was sitting at a desk in a suit.
‘Still… why is he acting like some cartoon boss character?’
Especially the fedora in his hand. Woo-Gyeom found the CEO’s “concept play” more painful than anything else.
“Everyone, please gather in the center.”
The writer called the trainees’ attention before filming began. Everyone looked worse than usual.
Their tension had dropped after the first stage yesterday. Especially those whose rankings were lower than expected—they looked miserable.
“We’ll play the video shortly. Please give big reactions.”
The writer counted the people and gave the cue. The video began playing.
[Good morning, everyone. I watched your performances yesterday. It was great to see how hard you all worked.]
Apparently, the CEO’s concept wasn’t a boss, but some wandering gentleman. His awkwardly polite tone made Woo-Gyeom cringe.
‘Smile. Bright smile. Bright smile.’
Woo-Gyeom put on a social smile and focused again.
[After the first ranking announcement, you were divided into teams, right? Since only the winning team can avoid elimination, the competition will be very intense.]
The trainees’ eyes darted around. Without realizing it, they had already sat grouped by team.
[Therefore, each team will use separate practice rooms. You’ll also take lessons by group. From now on, you are truly bound together.]
Woo-Gyeom had to take a deep breath just to endure the CEO’s tone.
[Then do your best. I’ll be watching.]
The video cut off, leaving tension in the room.
‘The real survival starts now.’
Woo-Gyeom stared at his reflection in the dark screen.
***
Woo-Gyeom had finished getting ready and was on his way to change clothes.
“Woo-Gyeom, come here.”
It was Hae-Rang calling him. Woo-Gyeom tilted his head and went to the living room.
“What is it?”
Hae-Rang showed him several photos on Raul’s laptop.
“What’s that?”
Hae-Rang said brightly,
“Our concept!”
“What?”
Woo-Gyeom’s voice rose in shock. Hae-Rang blinked like a startled rabbit.
“What’s wrong?”
Raul rushed over from behind.
“What is it? What happened?”
Seeing Woo-Gyeom’s expression, Raul quickly grabbed the laptop.
“Hae-Rang. Why are you showing them our concept? We’re competitors.”
Aware of the camera, Woo-Gyeom spoke slowly and clearly.
Hae-Rang looked confused.
[Why? Can’t the team leaders discuss together? We’re competitors, but also colleagues.]
Then he switched to English, clearly sounding upset.
[Leader meeting. Let’s do fair competition. Yeah?]
His “sad” face was way too obvious. Woo-Gyeom pushed him away without hesitation.
“That’s not happening. Nope.”
Hae-Rang looked disappointed. Raul too.
‘You said “bet your all” yesterday, and now you want to collaborate?’
If there were no cameras, maybe.
But—
‘Not in front of viewers.’
They had just established a rivalry narrative. It was better to maintain that dynamic.
‘Besides… they’ll do fine without my help.’
Woo-Gyeom glanced at Min-Jae, who was already discussing concepts with his team.
“Then if we go with a deeper concept, the outfits should…”
Woo-Gyeom smiled slightly and returned to his room.
***
All six members gathered in the practice room.
Woo-Gyeom looked around.
‘Me and Dan-Woo for vocals, Yu-Chan and that “slug” for dance, and two rappers.’
He focused on the “slug.”
‘Didn’t want him on my team…’
But sending him to Hae-Rang’s team wasn’t an option either.
‘Especially not after talking behind his back.’
Then he looked at the rappers.
‘4th place… and 11th place.’
Big skill gap.
The 4th place one—
‘Ah. That guy. Total attitude problem.’
He didn’t like Woo-Gyeom at all.
‘Always glaring… always picking fights.’
Dan-Woo had told him before—
‘He once said, “I’m a real rapper, not some idol rapper,” and got scolded hard.’
‘What?’
‘He’s insecure about not being “cool” enough. That’s why they call him Hip-Hop Boy.’
Woo-Gyeom sighed internally.
‘Why is it never simple?’
He finally spoke.
“Let’s choose a leader first.”
Honestly, he didn’t think they needed one.
‘It’s basically my team anyway.’
Still, appearances mattered.
“Anyone want to be leader?”
No one raised a hand.
Dan-Woo raised his instead.
“I nominate Baek Woo-Gyeom.”
Yu-Chan added,
“Yeah, Woo-Gyeom hyung. His stage was insane.”
Woo-Gyeom smiled.
But Hip-Hop Boy looked annoyed.
‘…Here we go.’
He nudged the 11th-place trainee to speak.
‘Seriously?’
Woo-Gyeom stepped in.
“Then I’ll do it. Since I’ve been recommended.”
“Nice, leader!”
Leadership decided.
“Now let’s pick a concept.”
Woo-Gyeom preferred a vocal-focused song.
Ideas came out:
-
- [School, youthful, uniforms]
-
- [Intense, dark, hip-hop]
Split evenly.
“I think youthful fits us better.”
Woo-Gyeom explained—
“We need to consider camera work. Not just live audience.”
Dark concepts required strong presence—
“And seniors do those better. Viewers will compare.”
Dan-Woo agreed.
But Hip-Hop Boy objected.
“This is a competition. Shouldn’t we go for impact? What’s the point of acting cute?”
No one agreed.
Woo-Gyeom intervened.
“Let’s vote.”
Youthful: 4 votes
Dark: 2 votes
“Majority wins. Youthful it is.”
Woo-Gyeom quickly organized everything.
“School uniforms… first-love vibe… excitement of a new beginning…”
Yu-Chan was amazed.
“How are you so good at this?”
‘Because I used to do the design team’s job too…’
They reviewed songs.
“Nothing fits perfectly…”
Then—
“What if we add a story?”
“Huh?”
“A delinquent falls in love and becomes soft.”
He played a song.
“Start fresh and bright—then add a strong dance break.”
Everyone reacted.
“That’s genius.”
“I’m in.”
Concept decided.
Woo-Gyeom left to inform staff.
Inside—
Hip-Hop Boy started complaining.
“So choosing a leader is just a popularity vote now?”
No one responded.
“Seriously. He joined last, and now—”
The trainees stayed silent.
But Yu-Chan stopped the music.
“Hyung… why are you talking to yourself?”