Chapter 84 (1/2)
Volume 2 / Chapter 84
TL: LightNovelCafe
“Hello. I am MC Moon Kyung Min of Tomorrow’s Star. We have come to the 5th season of ‘Tomorrow’s Star’. This season, with a lot of news and raised standards for participants…..”
The MC’s cheesy praise of the program and introductions of the judges continued. Once each of the judges relayed their greetings to the audience, the MC explained the assessment criteria.
“I will tell you the evaluation regulations. Until the top 5, judge scores will be 50%, text message votes will be 45%, and the audience vote that we are introducing this season will be 5%. The sum of the results will decide which finalists advance to the next round.”
The atmosphere on the field was clearly different than with TV viewers. There was a difference in the sound quality between a music hall sound system and a TV speaker. This is a new formula to reflect that difference in the scores.
“Those of you in the audience can use the button that you were given when you came in, to enter your vote. There are three opportunities to make your vote. You can vote during the performance and you can vote after you listen to everyone’s songs. Please choose the three people that you would like to see in the next round and press their numbers.”
Lastly, he instructed them on audience participation which is a way to raise viewer ratings,
“Viewers can enter their votes by texting the number at the bottom of the TV screen. #5700, press #5700 and send the text after typing the participant name and participant number.”
He introduced each of the 12 participants and got the audience to cheer. When he introduced Jun Hyuk last, the audience showed that they had already decided their votes.
It was almost impossible to proceed with the broadcast because the audience was cheering and chanting ‘Jang Jun Hyuk!’ so loudly that the other 11 participants’ families had twisted expressions.
Young women cheered him for his looks, young men for his rebellious temperament, and older people out of compassion.
MC Moon Kyung Min was trying to abate the audience’s fervor and was finally able to return it to its normal state with the staff running around to calm everyone down.
When Moon Kyung Min’s introductions ended, a countdown began on the TV screen, further creating suspense.
“Okay, the texting votes begin now. People of Korea, we ask that you think carefully about who you would like to see in the next round and participate in the vote.”
Fanfare sounded to indicate that an elaborate show was soon to start, and the competition began.
“The first participant to grace the stage is…..”
***
A junior assistant producer came running to a Producer Kim Ki Sik who let out a breath of relief thinking that everything was proceeding smoothly.
“Senior, we’re in trouble.”
“What is it now?”
“We’re overwhelmed with text messages.”
“What? We just started.”
“That’s…..”
“It can’t be Jun Hyuk?”
Not even Producer Kim Ki Sik had not expected the reaction to be to this extent.
“Yes. The broadcast’s board is no joke either. They’re saying forget everything, it’s Jun Hyuk. What should we do?”
“How about the audience?”
“It seems members of the audience are all giving one out of the three votes to Jun Hyuk. Over 95% of them already voted for Jun Hyuk at least once.”
They did not need to see that the remaining 5% were related to the other participants to figure it out.
“You have records of internet preference statistics, right? Which group has the lowest participation rate?”
“Hold on.”
The assistant producer went through vote statistics.
“30 year old men.”
“Then adjust the preference graph a little for people who aren’t Jun Hyuk.”
“Excuse me?”
The assistant producer could not understand Producer Kim Ki Sik’s intention.
“You don’t understand?? I’m telling you to put out the graph showing the other kids as the preference of 30 year old men. Then, 30 year old men who were watching TV will send in their text votes for Jun Hyuk.”
“Oh, I see.”
“And give me a real-time update on the texting usage data.”
“Okay, I will.”
Backstage was as frantic as the control room. People from the sponsorship companies were walking around checking to see if the makeup was okay and if there were no problems with the clothing.
Jun Hyuk was looking at a tuxedo hanging on one wall and thinking of an excuse not to wear it.
Last night, Yoon Kwang Hun had come to the dorm for the first time.
“Sir.”
Jun Hyuk was surprised that Yoon Kwang Hun had appeared without calling ahead, but also thankful.
“Hey. Are you eating well? You have to rest well tonight since the first stage is tomorrow.”
“You’re not coming tomorrow?”
“No. It’ll get noisy if I go. The lawsuit isn’t over yet. Reporters are going to come swarming. Don’t worry. I’ll watch you really carefully on the huge screen at the cafe.”
Yoon Kwang Hun pulled a black outfit from the car.
“I prepared this so you could wear it for your performance tomorrow. You’re performing with an orchestra, so you should do them this courtesy.”