part one of episode one
greetings, players

[1회] "게임에 오신 것을 환영합니다!' 🎮  가이드를 만나다...

43 players.... but who will make it to the end,

and who will be lost along the way?

the screen starts off as pitch black, but that's of course only for a few seconds. then, with one light at a time, the recording studio is lit up and a room is visible. it shows the edge of a table and several comfortable looking chairs around it. the camera slowly spins around, showing that the table is round with a cut-out in the middle which apparently is where the cameras for this area are located. 

as the camera has turned a full 180 degrees, the first person of the episode is visible. a woman, who's face is blurred out, clasps her hands together over the table as she faces the camera.

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Well, well, well... look who finally decided to show up,

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I've been here, sitting around, waiting for...

the woman pauses, as if to think of the line she'd clearly rehearsed several times in the past, but only for a second or so before she continues.

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
...over a month, and you're finally here.

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I don't see a reason to keep you waiting, though it would be satisfying, so let's just get this started, shall we?

the woman clears her throat before waving at the camera, and finally her face is revealed. with a big smile on her face, she begins her introduction.

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Hello viewer, and welcome to Project: Reach The Stars!

◤ ???? ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I'm your host, or if you're being all fancy, game master... Geumie!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I honestly prefer host to game master, but that's besides the point!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Anyways, I'm Geumie – A-K-A, Ikeda Megumi – of Stupid Cupid, and I'll be one of many guides for both you, the viewer, and all the lovely players who have chosen to participate in this show.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Because yes, it was a choice!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Now, in the prologue – which I'm sure you all watched, right? – I talked about the journey of the players and about how the fate of each and every player lies in the hands of you, the viewers!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Or, the fancy word our producers came up with... you, the star creators.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Of course, we can't expect these trainees to earn your favour just by existing... no, we need them to improve and show you all what they're truly capable off! Though I'm sure many of you will base your votes on completely other things, which is fine, we still need their skills to be as good as possible so they have a chance to succeed out there in the real world.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
And how are they supposed to improve, you ask, well dear viewer, it's quite simple! Us, the guides, will help the players along on their journey. Give them advice and show them how things are done. 

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I can't do this all by myself though, can I? No, I'm gonna need help from a couple of friends... so, let's get you introduced to them!

Geumie shows one of her signature smiles, apparently dropping the very dramatic and formal act, as she turns to the right, looking at something (someone) outside the view of the camera. She waves to them, gestures for them to come over, and stands up.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Welcome, my close friend...

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Jo Yuri!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
We go way back... in a way many of our players probably are hoping for.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
You're being very cryptic Geums, she means we were in a group together.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
A survival show group! You all know the one, we're just not allowed to say the name...

An image of the two, from this "shall not be named" era, shows up on the screen with small pixelated hearts around it before the image goes away.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Moving on! 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Indeed...

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Now, dear Yuri, why don't you make a proper introduction for yourself?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Right! Well, hello viewers, I'm Jo Yuri! Solo artist and actress–

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
And the best vocalist of our generation?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
In your opinion, yes.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Ugh! Can you believe her?

Geumie makes an offended face at the camera as she points at Yuri, before giggling and dragging Yuri with her back over to the table for them to sit down.

Right as the two pull out their chairs, someone out of camera coughs and the women turn to look toward this stranger. As they turn their heads, so does the camera – revealing an above average height person with "messy" hair, which clearly was intentionally styled to look messy.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Me oh my! A giant!

◤ ???? ✶ CO-HOST ▐  tired
Really?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
My god... Geumie... it talks?!

◤ ???? ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Wow.... Maybe I should just leave?

The person turns around and starts walking away toward some place outside the view of the camera, probably toward the entrance of the room. Geumie dramatically puts one of her hands out, as if reaching for the stranger.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Nooo I'm sorry! Don't leave!

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
We need our friend! We can't host this show without you!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
You're the most skilled mc of us all!

◤ ???? ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Aw.... you think?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
No.. but I can pretend?

◤ ???? ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Good enough, 

◤ ???? ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Hello! I'm the second co-host, and obviously your all-time favourite yapper, Charlie of The Boyz!

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Yay!

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Now, anything I missed?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Just Yuri refusing to admit she's the best vocalist of our generation.

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Honestly I think you'd get canceled for saying that, not that I don't agree.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
You think?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
I got canceled for posting a photo of my pet, so... yeah. Avoid the sns with that one.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
You're too aware of these things...

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Thanks! 

A short silence fills the room, where all three of them are just standing around and nodding. Geumie, upon realising that they'd all gone silent, begins to talk again. 

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
So um... you want to come over to the table or are you gonna stand over there?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Well it's kind of nice here, it's got nice cool air and everything.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Actually yeah... can we stand there instead?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
It's got good lighting too... 

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Guys? 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Yes?

Geumie sighs.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I didn't think I'd have to say this, but, um, no... it'd get hard to introduce the others if we're stood in the–

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST▐  jokingly
Boooo! You're being boring!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Hey!

Geumie gives the other a stern stare, to which they let out a dramatic sigh.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Charlie.

Charlie looks at her, crossing their arms like they're an upset toddler.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Come over here.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Please?

Charlie, dragging their feet, walks over and stands next to the other two. Geumie in the middle, Charlie on the right and Yuri on the left. The three look at each other, and all sit back down.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Thank you.

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
No problem!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Now, us three are going to be the hosts of this lovely little show.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
But, very important, me and Charlie aren't full-time hosts!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Yes!

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
We're going to be like.... well, we're co-hosts. Geumie is the full-time one, but we're just sort of  here to help and make her not feel all alone and bored?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
And we're both also sort of busy... me with the group and you with the acting, so we might not be available for every episode! Originally we were supposed to be full-time hosts all three of us, but it got hard to change our schedules to fit that.. so now, we're sort of secondary hosts instead!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Yeah! This is my full-time thing for all the of the show, and you're both doing this sort of part-time.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Mmhm!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Okay so like, err, maybe try to explain the role of co-host and I'll explain the role of host slash game master? 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Charlie or me?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Who wants to? Doesn't matter to me or the producers.

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
You do it!

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Okay! 

Yuri nods, and then searches for the camera to start talking.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Um, so... our role as co-hosts is, well, pretty simple. We're here so that there's someone aside from the specialists that the trainees can have relations too. Since we're not here to judge and are only really here to talk and guide the trainees there's only gonna be the idol and trainee relationship instead of trainer-judge and trainee relationship. 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
And also we're here so that Geumie isn't the only one with sort of announcing and host roles, because being a solo mc can be sort of... a lot? 

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
And my role as the host, or game master, is.... well. Basically the exact same as the co-host role, actually, I don't think I really thought through this whole introduction thing... I guess the main difference between the host and co-host role is that my main focus is talking and announcing and sort of leading, whereas my two lovely friends are mostly here to chat. I guess?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I really didn't think that through, we should've scripted this...

Geumie shakes her head, and in response Charlie lets out a chuckle. 

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
It honestly feels like we're doing a podcast.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
It really does! 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Geumie is the host, me and you are the guests that never left, and.... the rest of the cast are... guests!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
What are the trainees then?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Hm...

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
They're the.... listeners? No, wait, that's the viewers... well, what kind of podcast is it?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
The... talking kind?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Maybe they're... Oh, I don't know!

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Oh my god, this made me realise I havent had either of you on [bleep]– 

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Sorry! Forgot, no promo! Um... Maybe the trainees are the friends we made along the way, eh?,   (awkward laugh),  I don't know...

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Anyways! So... Reach The Stars as a podcast, we should get on that! Producers can we–

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Moving on!

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST▐  jokingly
You never let me have any fun!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
It's for your own good.

Charlie slumps down in their chair and sighs. Geumie looks at them before doing a The Office type of stare at the camera.

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Well, I think this is a sign for us to start introducing the rest of the guides! 

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Ooo!

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Did the producers tell you who they are?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Obviously, yeah– Wait, do you not know?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Well, I know like... one person or so because they themselves told me...

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
How about you, Yuri, did they tell you?

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Uhh... I think so?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Did they forget me? Producers?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Aw man...

[producer note: we did not forget Charlie, we didn't tell her because she could spoil it.]

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I guess it'll be a surprise to you and the viewers then! That's fun!

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Yeah! Oh wait, does the other cast know about... the other cast?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Because, like, [bleeep]  told me that they only knew that [bleeeeeep]  was on the show beca–

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
Charlie!

[producer note: see? told you she'd spoil it.]

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
I think that's why they didn't tell you..

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
I also don't even know if.. they will be introduced here, because I don't think so...

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
What? So the few I know I won't even get to meet today?!

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Well I guess it depends on... who else do you know?

◤ CHARLIE ✶ CO-HOST ◢
I know that [bleeep]–

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
We can maybe talk about this later? After recording? 

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Oh yeah, I guess that's smarter... less work for the editors that way.

◤ YURI ✶ CO-HOST ◢
So.... should we start the introductions?

◤ GEUMIE ✶ GAME MASTER ◢
Right!

The trio seemingly look at someone outside view of the camera, probably a sort of producer or something, and after a short cut in time (with one of those cute little transition animations), and the screen now shows someone standing in the same area both Yuri and Charlie previously were at. They are, of course, entirely blurred out as to not expose their identity.

it seems you'll have to wait for that first specialist, there seems to be an ad!

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 WILL CONTINUE AIRING AFTER THE COMMERCIALS !!

AUTHORS NOTE:

we all already know the cast, i know, but i need to get into my writing and i want to introduce like cast dynamics idk. i feel like most of the cast will probably be kind of ooc and im sorry!! i'm just not that used to writing idols as they are? i write mostly marauders stuff and there's not really a lot of specific personality to follow there but here i'm also using actual idols and i feel like everyone are probably not accurate. 

next up is our introduction to the rest of the cast! I wanted a sort of short first part but i think that most other episode parts might be sort of long??? thats just how i see it ending up lol

ALSO i think that i'll post the first mission when this episode has wrapped up or sometime in the middle? it's kind of hard to guess how much I'm going to write for this episode and i know realistically first episode is where they do that "audition" or "try-outs" stage thing, but this is a different thing so yk! plus, i dont have time to watch and maybe help with the mission right now so i dont want to abandon everyone lol.

also, image i edited but then realised wouldnt look good in the chapter for the "image of the two shows up on screen" part.

it was iz*one and produce 48 that they "cant name" because of company mnet all that stuff. idk if that's how it really would be but considering former members of groups/disbanded groups like never mention their old group it feels like there's.... some sort of thing idk

another reason i started with cast is that im not that in tune with the characters yet.. im kind of scared to start writing them because of this, like there's 43 of them??? and im... gonna write all of them?? AHHH!! any advice from other survival show or big applyfic authors are appreciated!!! im just not used to it and im gonna try to just. section them off. start writing one company at a time until i know all of them, or something, idk... it's kind of intimidating to start and im starting to think that maybe i should've stuck to a lower number of applicants but it's just so fun to get characters and everything :(

if i ever write another survival show i think im gonna limit the numbers more so i dont get this like scary feeling to write the characters </3

final note before i leave you: HOPE YOU LIKED THIS! and sorry for all the delays<3