Peninsula: I created the golden age of girl groups

The two continued to move slowly forward with the flow of people.

Before he even reached the entrance of the cultural center, Jiang Yuhe had already been handed no less than ten business cards of all kinds.

Besides the previous "Starlight Project", there are also names such as "Dream Factory", "Star Dust Entertainment", and "Ace Star", most of which he had never heard of.

The industry's underlying ecosystem was being revealed to him in an incredibly raw and unfiltered way.

And this, perhaps, is the true face of the seemingly glamorous Korean entertainment industry.

Radical, crude, and unscrupulous.

At the entrance.

Guided by staff, the candidates and their accompanying family members formed two long lines.

One line consists of candidates who need to go to the registration desk to verify their information and receive a number plate.

The other line is for accompanying parents, who need to wait on the side until the participants receive their number plates before they can enter together.

Although the registration process was not complicated, there were so many people that it took almost twenty minutes for Jiang Yuhe to finally get his turn.

The person registering the information was a young girl wearing glasses. Without looking up, she asked, "Name."

"Jiang Yuhe." Jiang Yuhe deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound hoarser than usual.

"Where are you from?"

"Retirement in peace."

"Yes, that's right!"

The girl quickly ticked a box somewhere on the list, then tore off a sticker with a number printed on it and handed it to him.

"Number 168. Take this and stick it on your arm. Turn left when you go in to find the waiting area. If you have a parent with you, you can meet up with them first and then enter the venue together. Find an empty seat and sit down. Your number will be called over the loudspeaker when it's your turn. Don't wander off."

"Thanks!"

Jiang Yuhe took the sticker and glanced at the thick register next to the girl.

With a dense list of names and numbers, there must have been six or seven hundred people. No wonder the scene was packed with people.

I just don't know... if Lee Ji-eun will come.

As far as I can remember, after returning to Seoul, she began to frequently participate in auditions for various companies, but she failed repeatedly.

But he had no idea which companies he had worked for or when he had worked for them.

So for now, he can only go in and try his luck.

After meeting up with Bae Jong-han, the two followed the flow of people into the cultural center.

The main selection venue was set up in a large auditorium that could accommodate nearly a thousand people. At this moment, it was already packed with people, and the buzzing of conversation filled the entire space.

To avoid attracting attention, the two found a seat on the side and quietly looked around.

The most eye-catching elements were the JYP Entertainment logo and the theme banner for the talent show hanging on the stage backdrop.

However, what made Kang Woo-hyuk's lips twitch was the SBS logo next to him.

This... he's all too familiar with it.

After all, his main battlefield in the variety show field is SBS, and he is extremely familiar with the people in the SBS variety show department.

Let's take a look at the several cameras set up in front of the stage...

He could only pray that it wasn't someone he knew who came, otherwise it would be really awkward!

"No wonder this talent show is on such a large scale."

Bae Jong-han, who was standing next to him, put down his phone and said to Kang Woo-hyuk in a low voice, "I just found out that in addition to JYP selecting trainees themselves, this audition seems to have also reached a cooperation agreement with a new music project of SBS."

"That's why SBS sent their production team over, probably to gather some material."

Jiang Yuhe nodded, and then began to patiently search.

But after looking around, they couldn't find any trace of Lee Ji-eun.

"Maybe in the next batch," Jiang Yuhe thought to himself.

The first 300 contestants and their accompanying parents are seated in the auditorium now. There is still a large group of people waiting, and it is possible that they will arrive late.

He glanced at the number tag on his arm and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

It seems we have no choice but to go ahead and use this machine today.

Fortunately, the rules are relatively lenient; after the performance, you can stay and watch if you don't want to leave.

Just as he was pondering this to himself, the side door at the front of the auditorium opened.

The group filed in and headed toward the judges' table set up in front of the stage.

Jiang Yuhe did not recognize the people walking at the front.

It's probably the management, producers, and PD from SBS who are in charge of this project.

At the very back of the group followed a girl dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, with a calm expression.

Jiang Yuhe did recognize this person.

She was the leader of Wonder Girls, a group that had only recently debuted under JYP Entertainment...

Min Sun-ye!

……

The judges took their seats one after another, and the spotlights shone brightly on the stage.

However, the center seat of the judges' panel remains empty, and it goes without saying who it is reserved for.

It's naturally the soul of JYP, the president and chief producer... Park Jin-young.

They must have been delayed by something, which is why they didn't show up immediately.

At this moment, a JYP staff member wearing glasses picked up the microphone and said, "The audition is now starting. Students whose numbers are called, please come up on stage to perform in order."

"The performance can be in the form of singing, dancing, or a combination of both. Each person is limited to five minutes. After the performance, you may choose to leave or stay and watch."

"Now, number 1, Kim Min-seo, please come up to the stage."

A girl who looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old nervously ran onto the stage.

She first gave a brief self-introduction, and then began to sing a currently popular ballad.

The girl's voice was decent, but perhaps due to nervousness, many of her high notes were noticeably unsteady.

After the performance, the judges exchanged a few words before one of them stood up to announce the results: "Thank you for your performance, Kim Min-seo. You can leave now. Our staff will inform you of the results separately."

The girl bowed as she left the stage, her disappointment evident on her face.

He then left the auditorium directly, probably feeling that there was no hope.

Pei Zhonghan also sighed softly: "It seems this person has no chance. They only showcased their singing, and the performance wasn't very polished. The judges aren't even interested in further evaluating their dancing or other talents."

The selection process proceeded smoothly in the following days.

One by one, the numbers were called, and the young men and women went on stage with a mix of trepidation and hope, showcasing their talents.

With so many people participating, the skill levels displayed varied considerably.

Like the first girl, most people were asked to leave the stage and wait for further instructions after only performing a single item.

Only a very small number of people who perform exceptionally well or excel in a particular area are required to demonstrate other talents.

"Number 168, Jiang Yuhe, please come to the stage."

They waited anxiously, and soon it was Jiang Yuhe's turn.

He took a deep breath, lowered his head, and slowly walked to the center of the stage.

Whispering voices began to rise.

"Huh? That person... looks so familiar?"

"It looks like... Kang Woo-hyuk from X-Man?"

"It really is him! It's Kang Woo-hyuk!"

On the judging panel, several judges from SBS clearly recognized him and looked somewhat surprised.

However, it's not uncommon for people to try their luck in the entertainment industry, and they just assumed that Jiang Yuhe was trying his luck and didn't say anything more.

Jiang Yuhe straightened his posture and forced himself to calm down.

"Good morning/afternoon, esteemed judges. I am contestant number 168, Jiang Yuhe, from Anyang."

"The song I've prepared for today is 'Lies' by g.o.d."

This was the piece of music that he and Bae Jong-han carefully selected.

After all, g.o.d was a top group launched by JYP in its early days, and "Lies" is one of their representative works, which once swept music charts and music programs.

As the intro began, Jiang Yuhe also began to concentrate.

But just then, the side door of the auditorium was gently pushed open, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Then, Park Jin-young's iconic tall figure walked in unhurriedly.

Beside him was another familiar figure.

Jiang Yuhe's lips twitched, and he completely lost control of his facial expressions.

This is... not Yoo Young-jin?

How did he end up here? And with Park Gorilla?