One person let out a short squeal and made a fuss.
Thanks to the other cast members joking that they thought a pterodactyl was passing by, asking if that was a human sound, Go Gyeol was also able to laugh along with them and get through the situation.
The topic of conversation quickly moved to life on Pheromone Island.
“How should we prepare meals?”
“Since there are many people, it would be good if we all do it together at first. Once we get used to it, we can assign shifts and rotate.”
“Wow, it already sounds fun. Let’s get along well.”
Everyone chimed in, deciding on meal shifts and promoting friendship.
“Is anyone good at cooking?”
“I’m confident when it comes to eating.”
“Tommy-ssi, you’re a mukbang YouTuber! Don’t you have to eat like 5 servings by yourself?”
“Gasp, how did you know?”
“Actually, I’ve been subscribed to Tommy-ssi’s YouTube for a long time. I’m one of those Roasted Potatoes.”
“Tommy-ssi’s YouTube fan name is Roasted Potatoes? That’s really cute.”
Harmonious conversation continued, and jokes and laughter were exchanged. As expected of a season mostly composed of broadcasters, the atmosphere was definitely different.
Among them, Shin Junoh was a natural atmosphere maker. Whenever the conversation seemed about to end, Shin Junoh skillfully threw out a new topic, so the talk continued without difficulty. The production team also seemed satisfied.
Watching such a Shin Junoh, Gyeol bit down hard on his molars. Even while maintaining a smiling face, he couldn’t control the feeling of his heart churning all the way to the bottom.
Saying he missed him all this time.
‘What are you trying to do, Shin Junoh?’
You shouldn’t be saying that to me.
Even if others could, Shin Junoh was the one person who shouldn’t say such things to Go Gyeol.
Feeling his heart pounding unpleasantly, Go Gyeol forcibly pushed away the rising past. It was time to find composure and maintain a poker face for the sake of his goal.
***
After finishing introductions, the cast members moved to the accommodations.
The accommodations were bungalows used in pairs of two people. Gyeol considered which Omega would be advantageous to have as a roommate.
In terms of buzz-worthiness alone, idol Kang Heejun would undoubtedly be number one. Their time living together in the room would be frequently exposed, but there was a possibility of being overshadowed by him. Then…
“Gyeol-ssi, let’s share a room.”
While he was contemplating, actor Yoon Isu suddenly interrupted.
He was the cast member who had asked during self-introductions if Shin Junoh and Go Gyeol knew each other.
“Actually, I was a Three One Mi fan before. So I’d like to share a room with Gyeol-ssi. Is that okay?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
He was an unexpected person, but Gyeol readily nodded.
“I even went to a fan meeting before. And a signing event too.”
“Really?”
He could accept the claim about being a SAVE ME fan. Anyone could say that.
But the fact that he was a fan who came to fan meetings was somewhat puzzling. SAVE ME was such a failed idol group that even when they held fan meetings, they couldn’t even fill the minimum number of attendees.
As is typical of failed idols, the fans who came were always the same people. The members, especially Go Gyeol who had considerable attachment to SAVE ME, remembered every single face of the few fans they had.
But he didn’t think there was anyone like this.
“They’ll put up archive footage. Here, like this.”
Smiling with his pretty eyes creased, Yoon Isu drew a rectangle in the air with his index finger. It was as if Gyeol could picture the scene where the autograph album Yoon Isu claimed to have received would be composited onto the screen.
“You must have been a real fan.”
“Yes. I was so disappointed when you disbanded. But to meet you here like this, it’s like a dream.”
With a face like Yoon Isu’s, it wouldn’t easily be erased from memory…
Gyeol, who had been pondering, soon shook off the thought. If by any chance he was the one who didn’t remember, it would be unfair to Yoon Isu. Pretending to smile, he casually mentioned information he knew about him.
“I also watched the drama Isu-ssi was in.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes. The most recent Emflix thriller work. The title was… Death of Solitude?”
“That’s right, that’s right. Wow, I’m embarrassed. To have an artist I like watch my drama……”
Yoon Isu’s face turned slightly red as he said this. His sincerity could be felt from the way he even fanned himself with his hands.
An artist I like. It was an unfamiliar phrase, but one with a pleasant ring to it.
“Gyeol-ssi, please go in first.”
“Ah, thank you.”
It seemed like he could get along well with this person as a friendly roommate for the two weeks.
Seized by a pleasant premonition, Gyeol stepped inside the door that Yoon Isu held open for him.
Yoon Isu, who had let Gyeol in first, was about to follow him but hesitated and stopped. Then he cast his gaze into the distance.
Far away, Shin Junoh was walking along, having a conversation with the Alphas.
Yoon Isu briefly took in the sight of him. Until Shin Junoh entered the accommodation located farthest from here with Choi Seon.
“Isu-ssi, aren’t you coming in?”
From inside, Gyeol called him with a puzzled voice.
“Coming now.”
As if marking a point, Yoon Isu confirmed Shin Junoh’s accommodation and answered amiably as he entered the accommodation.
***
– All cast members, please change into swimsuits and gather at the beach.
The cast members stood in rows in front of the beach, 4 Omegas and 4 Alphas.
While the Omegas generally wore generously-sized shorts-style swimsuits with rash guards or windbreakers, the Alphas were showing their upper bodies completely.
“I don’t know where to look.”
Yoon Isu whispered to Gyeol. He was right. Under the blazing sun, the Alphas’ bodies, built with firm muscles, shone magnificently.
However, what was important to Gyeol wasn’t the Alphas’ muscles or naked bodies.
According to the big data from past seasons, since they were assembled in swimsuits, there was a high possibility they would proceed with a physical game.
<AlX○ Connect> was a romance program that introduced a system advantageous to winners. Therefore, Go Gyeol’s goal was clear.
First place. And thus, he had to lead the flow from the very first round.
– We welcome all the Alphas and Omegas who have gathered on Pheromone Island.
– We will now proceed with the first program of Day 1.
Gulp. Gyeol swallowed dryly, suppressing the faint tension by clenching his fists.
– Before that.
“Ah.”
The cast members, who naturally thought they would start the game right away, made deflated sounds.
Although he was managing his expression, Gyeol felt the same way.
– We would like to introduce the most important person of <AlX○ Connect> Season 10.
“The most important person?”
“What? Was there originally something like that?”
The cast members stirred. There was no such thing in past seasons. What is it?
Before the doubt could linger, the announcement continued.
– Actor, Seong Yohan-ssi.
Someone screamed in disbelief.
“Really?”
“This isn’t a hidden camera show, right?”
Beyond the excited voices, Seong Yohan revealed himself.
He was even more than what they had seen on screen. Every single feature that made up his form was dazzlingly perfect.
Seong Yohan was famous as a 190cm extremely dominant Alpha. However, the real thing he encountered in person looked even more striking thanks to his fantastic proportions. His shoulders were broad, and his extremities were long and straight. He was too unrealistic to be human.
“Hello. I’m actor Seong Yohan.”
The magnificent face pulled up the corners of his mouth and smiled.
The T-zone dropping from his forehead to his nose was as high as if it had been carved, and his eye sockets were deep. His eyes, viewed under the sunlight, had such a light color that they even gave off a mysterious impression.
“I will be participating as the co-producer and panelist of AlX○ Connect Season 10.”
While everyone cheered at Seong Yohan’s appearance, only Go Gyeol froze like ice.
Hearing the heavy mid-to-low tone voice wrapping around his ears, he could feel his hands trembling faintly.
It seemed like their eyes met briefly. A fragment of the past that had bound Go Gyeol for a long time surged in.
‘You’re an idol, right? Ah, no. I heard you’re a failed idol.’
Why.
‘I think I know why you failed.’
Why is that bastard here?
“I look forward to working with you.”
Seong Yohan. There was no one in South Korea who didn’t know him.
The story of being cast as the lead from his screen debut and instantly attracting 10 million viewers was a legend in the South Korean film industry. Having been invited to a French film festival with his debut work, he achieved the feat of winning the Best New Actor award and rapidly rose to become a world-class actor.
His unrivaled appearance was excellent, but above all, what captivated people was his god-like acting ability.
As proof of this, the achievements Seong Yohan had accumulated were extremely brilliant.
Achieving 10 million viewers for five films, the Asian actor most invited to French and American film festivals, endless love calls from Hollywood… All of this was accomplished in just 7 years.
Especially recently, there were constant media reports that his value had skyrocketed after being cast as the lead in a Hollywood blockbuster film.
That Seong Yohan had appeared here.
As a co-PD of a mere romance program.
“Then does that mean we can see you often from now on?”
“Yes, of course. As the co-producer, I plan to be with you during the filming period.”
“Please give me an autograph later!”
“I’ll see you during break time.”
Seong Yohan, answering the excited cast members one by one, was utterly gentlemanly. Like the good stories circulating, he was refined yet kind without a trace of arrogance.
“Wow, this is my first time meeting Seong Yohan sunbae-nim too. He really is a good person just like the rumors say.”
“…Right.”
While readily agreeing with Yoon Isu, Gyeol’s heart headed in the opposite direction.
The urge to run away.
His mouth dried up completely. He barely maintained his expression, mindful that the cameras were rolling.
This wasn’t a film set. So Seong Yohan wouldn’t have any occasion to evaluate his acting or add his words.
It was the moment he was clapping while trying hard to stare straight at Seong Yohan, lest his eyes waver.
His eyes met with Seong Yohan’s.
A shock as if the ground had flipped swept through his body.
– We will start the game.
– The first turn is an Alpha team match.
