Three days passed by and the first day of filming had finally arrived.
Ji Hyo sat in the backseat of a sleek black van, arms folded as he stared out the window, watching as the early morning city blurred past. The sun was just starting to rise over Seoul, its golden hue softening the skyline, but Ji Hyo couldn't relax.
He checked the time again.
7:30 a.m.
Call time was at 8:00 a.m. He was early—but not by much. The site was all the way in Mapo-gu, and if it weren't for the butler driving him, he might've gotten caught in the morning traffic.
The van was silent except for the soft hum of the road. The butler, Mr. Song, was focused on the wheel, occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror. Ji Hyo appreciated the quiet. His nerves were already playing a symphony in his chest.
He took a deep breath.
This was it. The first day of PICK ME +1.
Even now, he hadn't told anyone he was participating. Not even Felix.
He bit his bottom lip and opened the message thread with his mom.
Mom: What exactly is this training again??
You've never stayed out this long before.
Mom: Is it a camp?
Are you joining a competition?
Be honest. I won't tell your father.
Mom: Why are you not answering me?! Yahh?
Mom: You better not be dating anyone weird. I swear.
Ji Hyo couldn't help but smile. Classic.
He quickly typed a vague reply:
Ji Hyo: It's just advanced practice for long-term trainees.
I'll be staying with others for a while.
Please don't worry, I'm not doing anything crazy.
A new reply popped up almost immediately.
Mom: Fine. But Mr. Song said you brought a suitcase.
If you're lying, your dad will find out eventually.
Just don't embarrass yourself on camera.
Ji Hyo froze. Wait—did she just say on camera?
He blinked. Was that… a guess? Or did she already suspect?
He quickly replied:
Ji Hyo: …what camera?
No answer.
"Ah, this is bad," he muttered under his breath and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
He looked out the window again, his expression tightening as the van finally pulled into a secluded entrance. A large warehouse-like building stood behind gates, guarded and lined with vans and cameras. There were already a few people outside, staff in black shirts with earpieces, and several vans just like his lined up near the entry.
A large banner hung near the gate:
"PICK ME +1: Shooting in Progress – No Unauthorized Access"
His heart skipped a beat.
The butterflies in his stomach came alive.
He was really here.
He didn't know what to expect once he stepped inside, but he knew this was just the beginning. Today was class evaluation. Every trainee would perform a short piece and be placed into a tier—usually A to F. That ranking would affect their exposure, screen time, and even sleeping conditions.
He was still masked, dressed in neutral black layers and a hoodie. Nothing flashy. He didn't want to draw attention yet. Just enough to blend in.
Mr. Song looked back at him.
"We've arrived, young master," he said politely. "Shall I take your luggage out?"
Ji Hyo nodded. "Thanks, I'll handle the rest."
As he stepped out, the cool morning breeze met his face. He zipped his hoodie and took his suitcase handle.
Several trainees were already entering the building. Some in groups. Others alone.
Ji Hyo tightened his grip.
So it begins.
Upon arriving at the filming site, Ji Hyo gave Mr. Song a quick but polite farewell.
"Thanks for the ride, Mr. Song," he said as he pulled his suitcase from the trunk.
"Good luck, young master," Mr. Song replied with a gentle bow before stepping back into the van and driving away.
Ji Hyo turned around to face the massive warehouse that now loomed in front of him. The moment he stepped through the entrance, he was greeted by a staff member who wore all black and held a clipboard.
"Ji Hyo-ssi?" the staff asked.
Ji Hyo nodded, a little taken aback that they already knew who he was.
"Please follow me. You can place your belongings in the holding room first."
He was led down a quiet hallway with polished floors and white-painted walls. The air smelled like fresh paint and camera equipment—sterile but alive with tension. The staff opened a door and gestured inside. Ji Hyo placed his suitcase down and quickly fixed his clothes, glancing at himself in the mirror near the entrance before the staff waved again, now asking him to follow to a different room.
When he entered, the space was small and quiet, clearly designated for individual trainees—those not under any entertainment company or representing only themselves.
He looked around.
Empty.
He checked the wall clock. 8:00 a.m.
Strange, he thought. No one else is here yet?
Before he could get too comfortable or ponder too long, the door opened again and another staff member entered.
"Ji Hyo-ssi," the staff said with urgency, "the filming has already begun. Please follow me. You'll be entering now."
Ji Hyo blinked. "Ah—okay!"
His heart rate shot up. Already? He barely had time to collect his thoughts.
The staff guided him through a different path this time—one that led behind the main stage.
And that's when it hit him.
As the black curtains pulled slightly aside and he stepped through the back entrance, Ji Hyo froze for a second, his breath caught in his throat.
It was massive.
The venue was unlike anything he had seen before. Towering lights framed the walls and multiple cameras floated smoothly on cranes and tripods. The stage itself was grand and polished, with bold white letters spelling out "PICK ME +1" displayed at the top center of the LED screen.
But what caught his attention the most…
Were the seats.
Rows upon rows of sleek, triangular-stage seats stretched before him, organized in a stair-like pyramid. Numbers marked each one clearly—1 to 101—symbolizing rank.
Ji Hyo muttered under his breath, "So… I just need to pick a seat, right?"
He wasn't expecting anyone to reply.
It wasn't like he was talking to a person. He was just processing the moment.
Still, he couldn't help but laugh to himself softly.
Here he was, on the set of the biggest survival show in the country, completely alone.
It was both terrifying and oddly comforting.
Maybe it's good I went in first, he thought. If all the trainees were already here, I might've frozen or panicked or tripped.
The silence let him take it all in without pressure.
As he stared at the pyramid of seats, a crazy idea popped into his head:
Should I… just sit in seat number 1?
His eyes flicked to the top—seat number 1, placed at the very peak.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Nah… they'll think I'm delusional."
He didn't want to be labeled as arrogant before even opening his mouth. Even if he had the skills to back it up, making a bold statement right off the bat wasn't his style—especially not when no one knew him yet.
Still, a small part of him—itched for it.
Ji Hyo scanned the seats for a strategic location.
He wanted a spot where he could observe everything clearly, keep track of who entered, and still not draw too much attention to himself.
The center of the middle row looked perfect.
He made his way up the steps and sat down quietly, placing his hands on his lap and adjusting his posture. He took one final glance around the giant, echoing room and smiled softly beneath his mask.
So this is what it feels like to stand at the starting line of a dream.
Now all he had to do… was wait for the others.