I desperately want to win on the peninsula

The weather in June was already hot, but the entrance to a stadium was packed with people, as if there were treasures inside, attracting them to flock there.

The venue for SMTM was set at the Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, which can accommodate more than a thousand people.

The number of applicants for the fourth season of "SMTM" reached 7,000, more than double the number of applicants in the audition this year compared to 3,000 in the previous season.

The success of the previous seasons has led the production team to consider expansion, seemingly looking for ways to break out of the hip-hop scene and move into a larger music market.

Lin Qianqiao, having tidied herself up, stepped out of the car and casually glanced at the passersby around her.

They found that the people watching were just curious onlookers. Since they had all debuted as idols, it was normal for them to be stared at. Anyway, these people weren't fans, so they quickly stopped caring.

The black van attracted the attention of some of the audition participants. Many people stared at Lin Qianqiao, who had just gotten out of the car, as if trying to find something out of his face.

All sorts of gazes—scrutinizing, hostile, curious—were fixed on Lin Qianqiao.

Lin Qianqiao is here today to participate in the audition, so her outfit is quite simple: a Drewhuse classic smiley face print short-sleeved shirt with a shirt jacket, Rick Owens black jeans, and a pair of white AJ sneakers.

His simple yet chill style of dress looked very fashionable on him and was also particularly eye-catching. Some of the female contestants who participated in the audition couldn't help but cover their mouths in amazement when they saw him, staring at him with their eyes wide open, almost as if they were drooling.

He's like a tank in an online game, drawing a lot of hate and attracting the annoyed stares of the male random players during the audition.

Lin Qianqiao paid no attention to these stares. After glancing at them, he smiled faintly, put on his white baseball cap, and walked straight towards the stadium.

Although Lin Qianqiao's eyes were a little annoyed by this group of colorless people, he didn't bother to argue with them too much.

Ultimately, they're just a bunch of amateur rappers who can't even make it into the hip-hop scene and aren't even qualified to be on the table. Getting into a conflict with them will only get you into trouble and won't do you any good.

"Is this person an idol?"

"No need to think, you can tell which company's idol he is just by looking at him."

"Damn it! This spineless coward has better not run into me from behind, or I'll show him what cruelty is."

"You little brat, instead of being a proper idol, you insist on coming here to beg for food."

Watching Lin Qianqiao's receding figure, the group of ignored stray dogs vomited sour water and couldn't help but huddle together for warmth while cursing.

Outside the venue, several staff members wearing name tags randomly selected contestants in line for interviews. After interviewing several people, they left and started interviewing them.

A staff member saw Lin Qianqiao walking towards the venue and his outstanding appearance caught his eye. He quickly pulled his colleague carrying the camera to chase after her.

The reporter in charge of the interview caught up with Lin Qianqiao and couldn't help but be impressed when he saw his face clearly. His looks were so striking that it was hard not to stare. The reporter's interview became a mere formality: "Hello, are you a contestant on SMTM?"

Suddenly, Lin Qianqiao, who had been stopped, paused in his tracks, his gaze falling on the reporter in front of him. After hearing his question, he was speechless.

He's come all this way to the audition; if he's not going to participate, is he just here to watch the show? ...That's a good question.

As their gaze fell upon his work ID, they immediately understood.

"Yes." He nodded slightly. "I'm Kyo, representing MONSTAX in SMTM."

Both he and Zhou Xian participated in the program with promotional purposes, so it was perfectly normal for them to reveal their family backgrounds.

However, the two entered separately, one after the other, to avoid affecting each other later, and planned to report their results to each other after the audition.

"Oh my god, so you're an idol who's already debuted. No wonder you're so good-looking." The interviewer was even happier to hear this. He had finally caught a big fish. The idol in front of him was not just a random passerby being interviewed.

It's important to know that besides the usual toxic editing, SMTM also has a tradition of controversy between idol rappers and underground rappers, which is why the show's producers have to bring up two opposing groups.

Are you confident you can pass the preliminary round?

The interviewer's questions were fairly standard, and Lin Qianqiao didn't pay much attention to them, thinking, "It shouldn't be a big problem."

"I believe you can pass the preliminary rounds."

"Kamsammida".

"Has Kyo looked into any other rappers?"

Upon hearing this question, Lin Qianqiao knew the show's usual practice was underway, and after a moment's thought, asked, "Does the mentor group count?"

"No, of course not." The interviewer naturally shook his head in denial. "It has to be a rapper who's participating in the competition."

Lin Qianqiao had some understanding of SMTM, and the two most well-known tactics were the devil editing and the group's opposition. These were the key to ratings, and there would be no benefit if they didn't cooperate.

There has never been any talk of peaceful coexistence since he started participating in the competition. This is partly due to the fact that the underground rappers look down on him, and partly due to the popularity halo that idol rappers bring.

This show has voting options; you can't expect fans to vote for those weird-looking underground rappers, can you...?

Idols with built-in popularity have a huge advantage in this regard, and they appear more composed in front of the camera than rats in the dark sewers. Therefore, the opposite is necessary.

He was fully aware of the situation and was willing to cooperate.

He never respected those underground rappers in the first place. He came here to be a robber, trampling them underfoot as symbols of honor, feeding them the traffic and money they deserved, and then saying, "Peace & Love."

He never intended to cause conflict with any group; all he wanted was world peace. Perhaps his wish was too grand, making it difficult to achieve.

"Then I won't be following it," Lin Qianqiao replied listlessly.

"Okay! Thank you for accepting my interview."

The interviewers were immediately satisfied with this answer, feeling that their idol was not only handsome, but also understood the program's purpose, was quick-witted, and knew how to cooperate.

If you pass the preliminary selection, this interview will come in handy, and things will be much easier then.

Watching the reporters gradually disappear into the distance, Lin Qianqiao walked back towards the venue. The closer she got to the entrance of the audition venue, the louder the noise became.

A long queue had already formed at the entrance of the stadium, so densely packed that it looked like ants moving their nest.

Most of them are casual fans, and their outfits are very simple: hats, short-sleeved shirts, and straight-leg pants or jeans—all everyday clothes.

What do the minority do? For example, a small group of people are queuing up not far from Lin Qianqiao.

They scan the contestants with deliberately fierce eyes, their flashy clothes paired with dazzling necklaces and rings, and occasionally a few tattoos. These are usually members of an underground Rpaper group that participates in groups.

The group of people looked around openly, just like stray dogs scanning their own kennels.

However, a rather ugly person paused for a moment after seeing Lin Qianqiao, then stared at him fiercely.

"..." Lin Qianqiao had never been so speechless in his life. This guy even made his friends look over. This group of people were acting like a group of huskies scrambling to catch each other... except they were baring their teeth.

Lin Qianqiao felt that her acting class was worthwhile if she could hold back her laughter, and turned her head to look at the other side with feigned composure.

I guessed that this group of people were probably small fry. Small groups that stick together for warmth usually don't have much strength. Those who are strong usually fight alone or team up with brothers to clear levels, like the characters in Contra.

The group thought Lin Qianqiao had chickened out, and immediately burst into a joyful high-five celebration. Anyone who didn't know better would think that he had won the championship and was now dividing up the prize money.

Their noise also drew frowns and disgust from some passersby. If they hadn't looked like idle people, they would have started a fight on the spot.

Lin Qianqiao, who had shifted her gaze, didn't notice the huskies howling. Her eyes fell on a distinguished guest not far away.

While he was queuing, some contestants asked him for autographs. He recognized one of them: Song Mino from Winner, a YG Entertainment company.

The idol rapper used by the show to attract viewers is also the cousin of Gun, a trainee who was kicked out of the debut battle after being parachuted into Starship by Lin Qianqiao.

Therefore, this is why Lin Qianqiao planned to act as a wild boar when participating in the program, thinking about rushing around everywhere.

They are inherently opposed to underground rappers and cannot be compared with the leading figures of idol rappers.

Sometimes I'm truly amazed by the coincidences in life, and this circle is truly touching.

While signing autographs for a female fan, Song Minhao seemed to notice something, looked up at Lin Qianqiao not far away, and felt that the person looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

The two then locked eyes, and Song Minho suddenly remembered that his cousin, whom he had recommended to Starship, was the one who had been eliminated by this person.

I paid a little attention to him at one point, but then I stopped caring. The only thing I still remember about him now is his appearance; it left a deep impression on me.

I never expected him to participate in SMTM. This is really getting interesting.

My gaze returned to the past, and I saw him smile gently.

The moment Lin Qianqiao's radiant smile bloomed, it was filled with an indescribable brilliance and warmth. Her eyebrows and eyes curved like a crescent moon, surpassing the exquisite features of her face. It was an energy field that burst forth from within, full of vitality, warm and healing.

This smile is like the gentlest breeze in spring, the brightest star in the darkest night, and a cup of hot tea offered when you're tired—effortlessly reaching the softest part of your heart, leaving a warm and beautiful mark, like sunshine.

It not only illuminated its own face, but also brightened the mood of everyone who saw it.

Seeing this, Song Minho also gave a perfectly timed smile, nodded amicably to Lin Qianqiao not far away as a greeting, and then continued signing autographs for the fans next to him, no longer making eye contact.

Actually, it was his female fans who had followed his gaze and were staring intently at Lin Qianqiao. Song Minhao was afraid that if he looked at Lin Qianqiao any longer, all the fans would rush over, which would be awkward.

Seeing such a kind and genuine colleague, Lin Qianqiao felt quite moved. No wonder her cousin was able to debut.

He then stopped paying attention to this colleague and turned to walk towards the entrance of the venue.

Queue, fill out forms, go through security, hand in your phone, and enter.

After passing through security, Lin Qianqiao entered the venue smoothly.

The producer hasn't appeared yet, but the venue is already full of people waiting. Most of them are dressed in hip-hop style, and occasionally you can see office workers in suits. Maybe they are just putting on an act, because rappers rarely have a proper job.

There were even children who looked like middle school students, quite a few fashionable and beautiful female contestants, and even an elderly woman with white hair who participated in the competition.

It's unclear whether the production team arranged it intentionally or if the elderly person genuinely wanted to participate.

This show has indeed begun to enter the field of vision of many people, regardless of age or gender, and has given many hip-hop enthusiasts a stage to showcase their talents.

With nothing else to do, Lin Qianqiao received her number 1024 and casually found an empty seat to sit down.

As more and more contestants entered the venue, many people sat down near Lin Qianqiao, and they began to passively receive inexplicable scrutiny and a little bit of... sour looks from the male contestants?

Before he could think any further, the lights suddenly went out.

The sudden change caused everyone's expression to change.

As MC Kim Jin-pyo's announcements came on again, the spotlights began to dart around, eventually focusing on the stadium stage.

"Creating a new era of hip-hop on the peninsula."

"Hip-hop enters a new era, SMTM Season 4 officially begins now—"

The host, Jin Zhenbiao, sang throughout the venue, and the contestants erupted in deafening cheers upon hearing the start of the competition.

"yeah--"

"Wow—"

A solemn accompaniment began, followed by dazzling sparks that shot into the sky. The gates on the stage opened, and the first production duo to appear were Tablo and JinuSean.

All three members are from YG Entertainment. Jinusean is a hip-hop group from the late 1990s. Their albums sold over 600,000 copies during the millennium, making them the best-selling hip-hop albums of that era.

He saved YG from a financial crisis and was also one of the pioneers in promoting hip-hop on the Peninsula.

Jinusean has many commendable qualities, such as Sean introducing YG to his high school classmate, Perry.

This is YG's first producer, Daddy, who produced many avant-garde hit songs for BIGBANG. He is also a versatile producer who understands design and concepts.

Even YG's second "big dad," Teddy, was discovered by Perry, and his protégé is G-Dragon, currently a member of the BIGBANG group.

The most surprising thing is that after Perry renewed his contract with YG, he simply vanished in the United States, and no one has seen him since. His whereabouts are still unknown.

Compared to Jinusean, Tablo's star power and experience are considerably less. Furthermore, this production duo is slightly weaker in diss battles, while Jinusean is a fusion of hip-hop and R&B.

Tabol has a nickname, "Poetry Wanderer." Anyone who has heard his songs knows that they are generally good-sounding, with rhythmic melodies and distinctive emotional expressions. However, he lacks passion on stage, which is not due to personal reasons but mainly due to his style.

In the third season, his partner Masta Wu was very skilled in this area. The most classic example was the YG team battle, where they were openly provoked by an underground rapper. Masta Wu was the vanguard who took the lead and won the first battle. He was very brave.

Later, that underground rapper refused to give up, which even led to a diss back from CL before her debut.

This girl was already amazing before her debut. Her rap skills are quite stunning. Like boxer Ronda Rousey, she is very good at finishing her opponents. She is a senior female rap idol who combines ferocity, sharpness, and domineering presence. She is incredibly capable.

That wasn't the end of it. What's even more outrageous is that a group of people from YG started chasing after this underground rapper and beating him up.

He apologized after the criticism subsided.

That's how it all ended. It made YG seem like the Yamaguchi-gumi, quite legendary.

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