From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Dan's smile fell as soon as he left the room. He felt shitty for kissing up to June's ass, but he also knew it was necessary.

"June's really something, huh?" an employee from ESPER Entertainment said. "No wonder EVE is beating OCTA in terms of popularity. His face alone could start a war."

"Is he your gift for Mr. Kim?" another past colleague asked.

Dan nodded as he blew out some smoke.

They chuckled.

"And you said you were leaving the industry."

"I just left Phoenix," Dan said. "Kim Young Do is nothing without the big boss. He wants us to treat trainees better now, talking about ethics and shit when he's not a clean man either." "I'm surprised June followed you, though. Are you sure a big star like him wants to go here?" Dan smirked as he puffed his cigarette once more.

"It doesn't matter," Dan said. "His sympathy is enough for him to stay here. As long as I play innocent, he'd cave in. Besides, he won't be able to do anything since he'd be passed out later anyway."

They looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"You put something in his drink?"

Dan smirked. "I don't know," he innocently said. "Let's just say that I'm getting that property investment by the end of this night."

With Dan's statement, they all burst into laughter.

June, on the other hand, felt it was the perfect time to get some information from these trainees.

June was about to speak when the girl who was on one of the men's laps exclaimed in disgust as soon as they were gone.

"Fuck," she cursed. "Do we have to do all of this shit just to get our name out there? I felt that man's hard-on as I was sitting on his lap, and it felt like a deformed cactus."

"That bad?" Hyuck asked.

The girl nodded and sat right beside Ali.

"Oh, where are my manners," she said when she saw June. "Hi! My name is Scarlet. You can

call me Scar. I'm an aspiring actress who has yet to land any supporting roles."

June took her hand and nodded curtly.

"Nice to meet you, Scar."

Scar was dumbfounded for a moment as she stared at June's face.

"Wow," she couldn't help but say. "They're right. You really have no pores at all."

June chuckled. "That's an exaggeration."

"It's really not!" she exclaimed. "Are you made of porcelain or something?"

"Now, I kind of understand why I'm stuck without roles. If you're the kind of people that we fight with on a daily basis, then it's understandable."

"Being an actress isn't all about looks, though," June said as he looked at the drink before him. "Isn't your acting skills the most important?"

"That-I agree with," Scar said. "However, there's something even more important than those two combined."

June looked up at them with curiosity.

The four of them turned to each other with knowing looks.

"Money!" they exclaimed at the same time.

June couldn't help but chuckle as they jinxed each other. However, his expression quickly became serious when he realized that this must be their coping mechanism.

"Is that why you're all here?" June asked, breaking their celebration.

Hail pursed her lips before slowly nodding.

"I guess," she said.

"Hmm," June hummed.

Ali skeptically looked at him. "You're not judging us, right?"

June leaned against his seat before shaking his head.

"No, why would I? You wouldn't be here if you were not desperate enough. This must be the last measure for you."

"You feel like you've already exhausted all your resources. You're doing your best, but it's never good enough. You see your friends enjoying their lives and wonder when that time will come for you-when the universe will finally be on your side."

"So, having nothing to lose, you go to this place. You feel like this is your last chance. You have already sacrificed so much for your dreams, so what more can you not sacrifice?"

"I do think that this means would only give short-lasting results. However, who am I to judge when you feel that this is your chance?"

They were all stunned after June said those words.

"How can you summarize it so well?" Scar muttered.

"Bro," Hyuck said, placing his hand on his shoulder. "You really deserve your fame. You're an angel!"

Ali placed her hand over her chest. "I'm so touched," she said. "I didn't think you would be able to understand how we feel."

June shrugged. "It's just how I think."

Hail smiled at June. "You're a good man."

June shook his head in amusement.

"I'm assuming that you know why we're here then," Hail started off.

"Yeah," Hyuck chimed. "So, why did you come here despite all of that? Or did you not have a clue about Sir Dan? He's famous here for bringing fresh meat and gifting them to these rich men to gain some favors."

June chuckled. "Well, it seems like you guys know a lot about this place."

They knowingly looked at each other.

"Well, we're the last ones here since we only do certain favors. Maybe it's also the reason why

I haven't gotten a role just yet," Scar said.

"The guys you're doing favors for are not powerful enough to give you such things," June

said, knowing the intention of such people.

"They just make it seem like they could help you, but in terms, they're also kissing someone's

ass."

Hyuck sighed deeply. "I fucking knew it. I was just too desperate to accept it."

June looked at their distressed faces and pulled something out from his wallet.

"You're all aspiring actors?" June asked.

"Scar and Hyuck are," Ali said. "Hail and I are independent idol trainees, hoping to get recruited into big companies."

June pursed his lips and gave Ali and Hail a calling card.

"This is for Mentor Gun's dance studio," he said. "Hone your skills and audition in Phoenix.

They're still recruiting this time, I believe. You can also have free vocal lessons from Miss Ji- hyun's studio. I'll tell them beforehand."

"And you, guys," June said, handing them another card. It was given to him by Director Jam, who wanted him to audition for the lead role of his upcoming musical. However, June still had too much on his plate, so he said he would think about it.

"Go to this site on Sunday. They're looking for extras. Just do your best, and I'm sure you'll make it," June said, knowing that Director Jam was looking for roles for 'party-goers,' to

which the two fit perfectly.

They couldn't believe their eyes as they stared at the cards.

"Why-why are you doing this?" Hyuck stammered.

June smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"It's not for free," he started off.

They looked at him with curiosity.

"I need you to tell me who Mr. Kim is..."

"...and why Dan is using me to gain a favor from him."