Star Peak was a popular idol survival program in South Korea. Its first season in 2021 gave birth to the girl group ENCHANTED, who rose to fame in their era. Riding on that success, the producers launched a boys' season, which was just as successful.
But in 2023, Star Peak suddenly vanished. No announcements. The annual tradition simply disappeared without a trace. The public speculated endlessly—internal conflicts, financial troubles—but no one really knew the truth. Just like its first season that appeared out of nowhere, Star Peak vanished quietly as well.
The hiatus gave other survival shows a chance to dominate the airwaves. Programs like Dream Idol, Star Race, and Chasing Stardom captivated audiences with fresh concepts. Over time, Star Peak faded into the background, overtaken by new formats offering similar formulas.
Then, three days ago, the official Star Peak website updated with the schedule for its third season—a new boy group season—along with an apology for the previous year's absence.
Within hours, the news was trending on Naven, Korea's biggest platform. Some were thrilled to relive their favorite show. Others were skeptical, questioning whether Star Peak could still hold relevance in a crowded industry.
There were good reasons to anticipate its return. Witty editing, handsome and charming trainees, and unexpected twists in every episode.
Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse. Several rival shows were already running with tougher concepts and loyal fanbases. As a result, the number of applicants for Star Peak Season 3 fell short of expectations.
That was why Caterina scouted random places like karaoke bars, hoping to find someone to fill the 70-participant quota. Originally, the plan was to cast 100, but reality hit hard. The casting team had already scoured small agencies and training schools. Landing even a few from major agencies was a blessing.
"And then I found you, Maehwa... Wait, are you sleeping?!"
A sleepy thought-bubble popped above Maehwa's head as he woke up with a blank stare. "Right, where were we?" he muttered with a yawn and glanced at Caterina with half-lidded eyes. "You talk too much. This body needs rest."
Caterina inhaled deeply. No point in getting annoyed. Maybe this guy had a laid-back concept, but he'd be great for screen presence. Especially with that face. He had the kind of look that was hard to ignore.
"Would you be interested in joining our show?" Caterina crossed her arms. "I know Star Peak seems unstable right now. But I believe it's just a matter of time. We were the trendsetters, after all. People trust our casting skills."
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Eh?" Caterina blinked in disbelief. Just a second ago, he seemed cold. "Just like that?"
"A pretty woman asked me. As a gentleman, I can't say no."
Caterina pouted as he grinned at her.
I was wrong. He's not just laid-back... I think I just invited someone dangerous.
***
The next day, Maehwa arrived at Scarlet, the broadcasting station behind Star Peak. He had agreed to join, but he didn't expect an interview this soon. Was Caterina in that much of a hurry?
Last night, she gave him the office address and told him about the interview. She even looked mildly pleased when she read Maehwa's profile and learned he was an orphan.
It seemed like the kind of detail producers loved to turn into tearjerking content to gain sympathy from the audience. Maehwa didn't care. It wasn't even his real body. And he hated opportunists—people who exploited others' pain for personal gain. They only made the arrogant more powerful.
"You have an older foster brother, right?" Caterina's voice snapped him out of thought.
Maehwa frowned. "Brother?"
"Yes. It says here your guardian is Im Rae. And you're both from the same orphanage—Mujigae." Caterina tapped the papers with her pen. "Looks like you two have a strong bond. He supported you and paid for your education after you left the orphanage."
Huh... That was new. His ID never mentioned anything about the boy's family background. So he wasn't entirely alone. He had a caring brother.
Then why did this kid take his own life?
Maehwa wanted to brush it off and pretend to know nothing. But he wasn't Indifference—the sin that didn't even care about its own name. He was curious. What really happened to the owner of this body? It was all so mysterious.
Oh well. That could wait. What mattered now was the interview. He wanted to get it over with. The package he'd ordered would be delivered around noon. Finally, he could enjoy himself like a real sin.
Apparently, the original owner had plenty of money in his bank account but never used it. That kid's life must've been painfully dull. Rather than let it sit there and get eaten up by the bank, he might as well spend it on something important.
No hard feelings, okay? Hehehe.
"Are you even listening?"
Maehwa flinched as the pen scratched roughly against the paper. He turned to Caterina, who stared at him sharply. He flashed a sheepish grin. "Yeah, yeah. I heard you." What did she just say again?
"In that case, get ready for filming. See you in five days."
"Wait, what? Five days?"
She had to be kidding. Caterina expected a non-celebrity to prep for a shoot in five days? That was way too soon. He barely understood the industry. He needed time to study it.
"You agreed just now, didn't you? So there's no problem."
Ugh. Maehwa had no excuse.
Caterina stood up with a triumphant smirk. She knew he hadn't been paying attention and decided to prank him. Serves him right for zoning out.
"Welcome to Star Peak, Maehwa. I have high hopes for you. Fighting!"
Was becoming an idol really the right way to gather sin points? His intuition warned him this path wouldn't be easy.
Maehwa pondered his decision the whole way home. But as he reached his apartment, all that disappeared when he spotted a large box in front of the door. It was the package he'd been waiting for. His face lit up.
"Why'd the delivery guy just leave it here? Couldn't wait for me?" He chuckled. "Maybe he got scared when he saw what's inside."
Maehwa opened the box and smiled.
"A full BDSM set... Did he think I'd actually use it?"