From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

The sun was high in the cloudless sky, casting an intense heat upon the vast expanse of a dry desert. The viewers, despite not being in the same location, already felt like a heatwave was coming their way.

The sand, fine as powder, danced with the wind, creating smoke-like effects as the camera was brought down to the eight handsome members of OCTA. From a distance, the roar of engines echoed, growing louder as the convoy of high-speed luxury cars emerged from the horizon.

If EVE thought they had a good budget for their music video, then OCTA must have had a field day with their music video.

The price of the cars itself was probably equal to the amount Azure had spent on the entire production of EVE's album!

Well, that may be an exaggeration.

However, it was expected that Esper Entertainment would invest more in their idol groups than Azure.

As the vehicles raced forward in a tight formation, a triangular shape formed with Uno at its center. The cars kicked up clouds of dust, creating a blurry filter on the group of boys.

A sudden beat drop signaled the beginning of the song, and Uno, clad in a weathered leather jacket, walked closer to the screen.

The scene shifted, and he was now sprawled on the scorching sand, appearing unfazed by the heat as he sang the first lines of the song.

"Flag on the summit, waving in the breeze,

We're the heatwave, bringing you to your knees.

We rise like mercury; can't you feel the surge?

In the heat of the moment, an emperor will emerge."

The other members of the group followed suit, each taking their place in the formation. The camera transitioned between each member, capturing their unique style and energy. Uno, Dos, and Tres moved synchronized to the beats, creating an appealing visual against the hot, deserted background.

Cars continued to race behind them, leaving trails of smoke that mingled with the dust that the group created with their group choreography.

As the chorus hit, Uno's voice echoed through the desert with a powerful shout.

"HEATWAVE!"

The intensity increased, and the group broke into a dance break. The sand appeared alive, swirling along with the infectious rhythm of the music. Each member displayed precision in their movements, their synchronized dance almost making them look like robots.

"No shade can shield, no oasis can hide,

Heat's the conqueror; your hands are tied.

Heatwave, Heatwave, can't escape this blaze,

We're the inferno that leaves you amazed."

June raised one eyebrow when their song title was mentioned in their lyrics. He was sure this was going to be yet another trigger for a fan war.

The second verse and chorus were more or less the same as the first one. However, during the bridge, Dos took the spotlight, his muscles flexing under the sun.

The camera lingered on his impressive display, seemingly a deliberate move that was sure to set the fangirls ablaze.

As the song reached its last chorus, employing the same intense sound during their dance break, the group raced towards the summit of a sandy desert mountain.

The cars that had been racing behind them earlier were now parked in a line at the base.

The camera focused on the members' faces, all ascending with determination.

"This is so unrealistic! They don't even look tired," Akira complained. "Not an ounce of sweat is on their skin. Do they not have sweat glands like Zeth?"

"Shh," Ren said, placing his hand over Akira's mouth.

June focused his gaze on the screen. They had now reached the final chorus, an addition of grand string instruments making the song sound more grand.

Uno was the first one to reach the pinnacle. He stood there for a while, the sun casting shadows behind his back. Then, like magic, a flag appeared in his hands. He planted the flag at the summit, making the thin cloth ripped in the wind, proudly displaying their group's emblem.

The camera panned out, capturing the entirety of the desert. The other members gathered around Uno, forming a sporadic yet cohesive formation.

The music faded, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant engines.

The final scene lingered on Uno with the flag waving triumphantly behind him.

And then, the screen turned black.

For a moment, the boys didn't speak. The silence spoke for itself.

"Hmm, I don't know what to feel," Akira said, scratching the back of his neck. "It's good? Yeah, it's good. Esper Entertainment is known for good music."

"There's only one thing I'm thinking of right now," Zeth started off. He turned to June and suddenly gave him a hug, causing the latter to push him to the ground.

"What's your problem?" June asked, glaring at Zeth.

Zeth chuckled and shook his head, standing back up to go to his seat. "I'm just thankful. If we would have done any of the songs we suggested, then it would be more compared with OCTA."

"Yeah," Sehun smiled. "And if we compare their budget for this music video alone, then we would have undoubtedly lost."

"Thanks, bro!" Jisung chimed. "I think Oasis was the perfect choice for us. I just wish the general public would like it as much as I do."

"Of course!" Ren proudly exclaimed, ruffling June's hair. "If Jisung likes it, then I'm sure most people will like it."

Akira scoffed. "So, you're saying that Jisung is ordinary?"

Ren pursed his lips. "One day, I'll go to your room and tie a knife to your light so you'll get stabbed when you wake up."

"Go ahead," Akira teasingly said.

"What about you, June?" Casper asked, already used to Akira's and Ren's bickering. "What do you think of their music video?"

June shrugged, looking more relaxed than ever.

"It's alright."

"Alright?" Zeth asked. "Can you elaborate more on that?"

"It's good, of course," June said, nonchalantly picking at his nails. "I'm sure it's going to be a hit on the charts."

"Holy shit. You're right!" Akira exclaimed. "They're currently #1 on Durian's search list. Their song debuted at #14 too. That's super big for a rookie male idol group, especially since the charts are being dominated by girl groups these days."

Sehun bit his lip in anxiousness.

"Hey, do you think we can accomplish that?" he asked June.

June pursed his lips since he honestly didn't know the answer to that question.

"Only time could tell."