From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

The stage was set, the lights dimmed, and the studio became silent as the 50 participants took their seats. As of now, the identity of the participants was still a mystery to the audience, so they excitedly waited for the revelation.

Each contestant had a pristine whiteboard and marker before them. June took the time to observe the materials, bemused to see the things he had only seen on television.

The silence was shattered when smoke rolled in, shrouding the entrance of two giant LED screen doors.

Kim San, a popular MC in Korea otherwise known as the Quiz God, entered the room with a wide smile. The crowd went crazy, their cheers echoing off the walls. Kim San emerged from the mist wearing a regal crown and a formal suit and tie.

"Welcome, my brilliant minds and avid watchers," Kim San's voice resonated through the smoke-filled room.

"Today, we have yet another episode of Quiz God—a show where nothing but your intellect and luck matters. We will be witnessing these participants clash in the ultimate battle of knowledge. This is Quiz God!"

The audience's excitement heightened as the participants behind Kim San were finally illuminated. To some of the audience members, the people before them weren't too familiar.

Most of them were in their mid-30s to 40s, so it was expected they didn't know the rookie artists in the room. However, all of them were still excited to be graced with the presence of good-looking people.

There were a couple of grandmas at the very front, and they squealed when they saw the familiar pink-haired idol they had rooted for in Rising Stars.

"And, for today's special episode, we have none other than the 'rising stars' among us. The brightest rookies that will eventually turn into stars—who will show the brilliance of their minds?" Kim San asked.

"Before we get into the mechanics of the game, why don't we interview a couple of these promising young artists?"

The crowd cheered in agreement.

"First," Kim San said, walking over to June's row, "this guy has been causing a frenzy backstage. I believe most of the participants are looking forward to his intellectual performance."

The guy beside June smiled, looking down at his whiteboard.

"Zibo of MORPH3D," Kim San announced, eliciting applause from the audience. "You came here with the sole objective to win, right?"

Zibo nodded. "Why else would I join this show?"

"Ooh," the audience exclaimed.

"Confident," Kim San nodded, "I like it. Well, I heard from a little birdie backstage that you're currently studying at Seoul University."

Zibo's shoulders squared in confidence as the audience exclaimed in amazement. For most of the audience members, it was their dream to send their children or grandchildren to a university as prestigious as Seoul University.

"You managed to enter the university while being an idol?" Kim San asked.

Zibo nonchalantly shrugged. "I balance my education and passion pretty well. I studied during the short breaks I had, so when I took the entrance test, it wasn't as hard as I imagined."

"Wow, what a responsible young man," Kim San patted his back. "I'm looking forward to your performance later."

Zibo nodded. "And while you're at it, why don't you check out my group's actual performance? It's entitled 'Cramped,' and I'm sure you'll also like it very much."

Smooth.

Very smooth.

This guy already managed to promote their song with the casual conversation.

June was thinking about how he could promote their song, too, since Chul instructed them to include their title track if they ever had a conversation with Kim San.

However, before he could think of a decent way, Kim San was already in front of him.

"Ah, this guy," San said, "Your face is almost blinding, young man. What kind of soap do you use?"

June smiled, acting professionally. "The skincare set my grandma bought me."

The audience chuckled at June's witty answer. They thought he was joking, but June was actually being serious.

"This guy knows how to gatekeep," Kim San chuckled. "I've actually seen your name circulating around, June. You were very popular in Rising Stars."

June pursed his lips. "It's because of the people who continued supporting me."

That earned him some cheers from the older women in the audience.

"However, your name has gotten popular these days for a different reason—your grades."

"You've seen them, right?" Kim San asked.

"Yeah," June stiffly answered.

Kim San let out a huge chuckle. "Has the audience seen it too?" he asked, turning to the audience.

The audience started whispering to themselves, coming to the conclusion that June was the rookie idol exposed for having very bad grades. Most of them, especially those in their mid-40s, shook their heads in disappointment.

"Well, I'm going to ask what everybody is dying to ask in their minds," San said. "Why did you join this program?"

"I was chosen by our company," June bluntly said, eliciting yet another round of chuckles from the audience and the participants.

"But aside from that," June continued, silencing them, "I came here to win."

Kim San raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Wow, that's one great ambition."

June stayed silent. When Zibo said the same words, the audience didn't react badly. However, when June did, it seemed like the others were looking down on him.

"Well, good luck to you, June. As I said a while ago, this isn't just a battle of intellect, but also a battle of luck. Maybe you'll get lucky and win."

With that, Kim San moved on to interview the other participants. However, June stared at his own whiteboard and marker, feeling a new sense of determination.

He heard someone scoff beside him, causing him to lift his head in inquiry. June found Zibo staring at June with humor in his eyes.

"Is there something you'd like to say?" June calmly asked.

"Nothing," Zibo smiled, albeit fake. "Good luck."

June smirked. "Good luck, too."

Zibo shook his head as he turned away from his seatmate. How could June even have the audacity to smirk when he was going to be eliminated right away anyway?

Kim San finally stopped interviewing the participants after Seven, and he made his way back to the center to tell everyone the mechanics of the game.

"Here's how it's going to work," he announced.

"We'll start with a preliminary round for each question – a warm-up if you will. It could be a simple dance, a question fit for a 5th grader, or a riddle that'll tease your neurons. The one who emerges victorious in each preliminary round gets to choose a category they feel unbeatable in."

He gestured toward the whiteboards in front of each participant. "All 50 of you will answer the question, but those who falter, alas, must bid farewell to their seats and join the eliminated ranks, watching the rest of the show unfold."

Participants exchanged nervous and determined glances, readying themselves for the intellectual battlefield ahead.

"Without further ado," Kim San declared, "let the quizzing begin! May the gods of knowledge be ever in your favor!"