Grab the Manual and Debut!-Chapter 33: ✦Variety Filming✦

The concept for ’Shiny Day’ had undergone a radical transformation under Kang-joon’s quiet guidance. Instead of the traditional, literal "sailor" look, they were going for "Digital Sailor"—think oversized white hoodies, vintage denim shorts, and bucket hats, with an aesthetic that felt like a 90s handheld game coming to life.

"Okay, let’s try the ’Loverboy’ hook one more time," Kang-joon said.

He was standing in the center of the practice room. He had ditched his usual black training gear for a light blue sweatshirt. Without the sharp glasses and the intense "Professor" stare, he looked younger, his features softening into something undeniably "staryu."

[System Notification: Impression Roulette]

[Trait Active: ’Natural Aegyo’ (Level 1)]

[Skill Active: ’Stage Presence: Star’s Gravity’]

As the bouncy, Jersey Club-inspired beat of the ’Shiny Day’ remix kicked in, Kang-joon didn’t just dance; he flowed. His movements were loose and effortless, reminiscent of a skater cruising down a summer street. When the chorus hit, he had to perform the "Heart-Blink"—a move where he winked while forming a heart with his fingers.

In previous loops, he would have done it with clinical precision. This time, he did it and followed up with a small, embarrassed scrunch of his nose.

"Hyung! That was it!" Jae-hyun cheered, jumping up and down. "That nose-scrunch thing! It felt so... real!"

"It wasn’t a move," Kang-joon muttered, his cheeks flushing. "My nose just itched."

"Doesn’t matter," Gun-woo said, wiping sweat from his forehead. He was wearing a headband that made him look like a retro arcade character. "The camera loves it. You look like you’re actually having fun, Joon-ah. It’s weird, but I don’t hate it."

To promote the final group name, the production team set up a "Variety Games" day. The 14 trainees were sent to a massive indoor theme park designed to look like a retro arcade.

"The team that wins the most tickets gets a ’Special Clip’ promoted on the main portal for 24 hours," PD Na announced.

Kang-joon’s team—now unofficially being called the staryu unit—was up against Min-soo’s power-vocal team.

The first game: Human Claw Machine.

One member had to be suspended in a harness while the others "controlled" them to pick up giant plushies.

"I’ll go up," Kang-joon volunteered.

"You?" Han-bin asked. "Usually you’re the one calculating the angles from the ground."

"I have a good sense of balance," Kang-joon said. What he didn’t say was that he had spent 42 spins on the roulette and had unlocked ’Physics of Play’, a passive skill that made his body feel light.

As he was hoisted into the air, the cameras zoomed in. Kang-joon looked up at the ceiling, a focused but calm expression on his face. He looked like a character in a high-stakes adventure game.

"Left! A bit more to the left, Gun-woo!" Kang-joon called out.

Gun-woo was manning the joystick, grinning like a maniac. "Hold on, Joon-ah! I’m going for the big one!"

He dropped Kang-joon into the pit of stuffed stars. Kang-joon didn’t just grab one; he wrapped his arms and legs around a massive, five-foot-tall plush star, holding on for dear life as he was hoisted back up.

"Look at him!" the MC screamed into the mic. "Trainee Lee Kang-joon looks like a baby koala! Is this the same person who solved the math problem?!"

Kang-joon was dangling ten feet in the air, hugging the giant star. He realized he was being watched by dozens of staff members and cameras. Instead of stiffening up, he leaned his cheek against the plush fabric and gave a small, victorious thumbs-up to the camera.

[Social Media Clips: "staryu Arcade" - Trending Now]

[Clip 1: Koala-Joon]

* Views: 1.5M in 2 hours.

* Top Comment: "The way he’s just hanging there hugging the star... he found his family ?ToT he looks so soft I’m crying."

[Clip 2: Gun-woo’s ’Evil’ Laugh]

* Views: 800k.

* Top Comment: "Gun-woo is literally that one older brother who tries to kill you for fun. I love this unit’s chemistry."

[Clip 3: staryu Group Hug]

* Views: 2.1M.

* Top Comment: "Did you see Kang-joon’s face when the other boys piled on him after they won? He looked so surprised and then he just... melted. staryu is the only choice for the finale."

***

Min-soo sat in the waiting room, watching the monitor. He saw Kang-joon laughing with the other boys. It was a different kind of Kang-joon—one that didn’t feel like a rival to be feared, but a friend to be protected.

"He’s changed, hasn’t he?" a voice said.

Min-soo looked up. It was Doh-yun, the main vocal.

"He’s not changed," Min-soo said, a small smile appearing. "He’s just finally arrived. He spent so much time worrying about the ’right’ way to be an idol that he forgot he was already one."

Min-soo looked at his own team.

"We have to step it up, Doh-yun," Min-soo said, standing up and stretching. "If we don’t, Kang-joon is going to sweep the finale votes just by existing."

Kang-joon’s POV: 3:00 AM

The variety filming had ended late. Kang-joon was walking back to the dorms, his hoodie pulled up. He stopped by the vending machine in the hallway.

[System Notification: Impression Roulette]

[New Milestone Reached: 10,000,000 Total Impressions]

[Bonus Reward Unlocked: ’The Loverboy’s Heartbeat’]

* Effect: During live performances, your microphone will pick up your actual heartbeat if you are within 5 feet of the audience. (Creates an immersive, ’intimate’ experience).

Kang-joon stared at the screen. A heartbeat? The system was getting more and more surreal.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, 8-bit star sticker he had won at the arcade. He carefully peeled it off and stuck it to the back of his phone.

As he turned the corner to his dorm, he saw Gun-woo and Jae-hyun waiting for him, arguing over a bag of chips.

"Hey! Joon-ah! You took too long! We almost ate your share!" Gun-woo yelled.

"You did eat my share," Kang-joon said, walking toward them with a light step. "I saw you through the window."

"Whatever! Come on, we’re watching a movie!"