117: Chapter 116 12123

In front of the green screen, the IZ*ONE members, suspended by wires, cooperated by making expressions of being hit by an invisible force and crying out in alarm as they began to "slowly" fall (controlled by the wires).

Im Nayeon maintained her post-spell-casting pose, watching the "falling" goddesses with an expression she was working hard to make look like "evil triumph."

However, at that moment, Jiang Zhiyu suddenly raised his megaphone and added a temporary instruction, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Nayeon-xi! Now! Immediately! Pull a carrot out of your 'Evil Pocket' (prepared by the prop team)! Yes, just an ordinary carrot! Then! Take a big, hard bite!"

"Remember! You must look 'diabolically awe-inspiring' and 'utterly satisfied'! As if you've just defeated twelve goddesses and are now enjoying the fruits of victory (the carrot)!"

Im Nayeon: "...???"

The "evil triumph" on her face instantly froze, turning into complete and utter bewilderment. She suspected she had misheard. A carrot? Take a bite? Diabolically satisfied?

Not just Im Nayeon, but the entire studio fell silent for a moment before erupting into an even larger, uncontrollable commotion and stifled laughter. Even the "falling" IZ*ONE members almost broke character, causing the wires to wobble.

"Jiang... Jiang PD?" Im Nayeon turned her head, silently asking with her mouth, her large eyes filled with the question, "Are you serious?"

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze was firm as he nodded vigorously, mouthing back: "I'm serious! Quick! Pull out the carrot!"

The prop master nearby, suppressed his laughter, hurriedly pulled a clean, slightly damp... orange carrot from a prepared bag labeled "Star Demon's Snacks" and ran over to hand it to the still-petrified Im Nayeon.

Holding the heavy, cold carrot and looking at its plain, almost simple-minded appearance, then thinking about her current identity as the "Star Demon" and her ultimate move, the "Ten Thousand Realms Evil Sealing Array," a massive sense of absurdity washed over her.

She looked up at Jiang Zhiyu with a complex expression mixed with shock, absurdity, the urge to laugh, and a bit of a breakdown. Finally, she couldn't help but shout everyone's inner thoughts toward Jiang Zhiyu in a voice that sounded like she was crying (from laughing):

"Are—you—for—re—al—!!?"

"Bite a carrot?! And be diabolically satisfied?! What does this have to do with the Star Demon?!!"

Her voice echoed in the empty studio, a true soul-searching question.

Jiang Zhiyu, however, acted as if it were only natural. He picked up the megaphone and explained in a persuasively guiding (yet pestering) tone:

"Of course I'm serious! Nayeon-xi, this is art! It's contrast! It's symbolism!"

"Think about it. The Star Demon is the incarnation of evil, but she's also a 'living being' (?). After defeating her enemies, she has to replenish her energy, right?"

"A carrot is such a simple yet life-filled food! It symbolizes the most primitive desires and satisfaction!"

"A major villain who just cast a world-destroying spell (Ten Thousand Realms Evil Sealing Array) pulls out a carrot and takes a satisfied bite—this extreme contrast, this absurd humor, this break-the-rules cult classic vibe (?), is the soul of our show!"

"Quick! Bite down! Use force! Make it crunchy! Your expression must be evil! Satisfied!"

Holding the carrot and listening to Jiang Zhiyu's nonsensical theories, Im Nayeon felt her worldview and idol career were facing an unprecedented challenge. She looked at the innocent carrot in her hand, then at the staff and IZ*ONE juniors nearby who were turning red from holding back laughter, and finally at Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, which were filled with anticipation and the light of "troublemaking"...

She took a deep breath, as if she had made a certain decision.

Whatever! I'm already here! The program effect is what matters most! If I lose face, so be it! It's not the first time I've been pitted by Jiang Zhiyu anyway (the grudge from the destined kim hyo-soon special hasn't been settled yet!)!

Im Nayeon's gaze sharpened as she reclaimed a bit of her "Star Demon" state. She raised the carrot in her hand as if it were a trophy she had just seized (or perhaps a scepter?), and facing the camera (and the direction of the "falling" IZ*ONE), she forced a diabolically arrogant expression (distorted because she wanted to laugh) mixed with "what on earth is this" onto her face, and then—

*Crunch!*

She closed her eyes, steeled her heart, and took a huge, forceful bite out of the thickest end of the carrot!

The crisp sound of chewing was picked up by the microphone on her chest and echoed clearly throughout the studio.

Her cheeks bulged as she chewed vigorously, all while trying to maintain an "evil yet satisfied" expression—her brow furrowed (because the carrot was a bit hard), her lips curled upward (to show satisfaction), and her gaze was disdainful (though the carrot juice made her eyes water a bit)...

The scene was filled with an indescribable, extremely absurd, and life-filled sense of comedy!

"Pfft, hahaha!!!"

"Unnie!!!"

"Oh my god!!!"

This time, no one could hold it back anymore! The IZ*ONE members laughed so hard the wires shook, the staff were doubled over, and even the director, Jiang Zhiyu, clutched his stomach and slapped his thigh while laughing.

"Cut! Perfect! Amazing! A legendary performance!!" Jiang Zhiyu shouted while laughing. "That's the feeling! The Star Demon biting a carrot! This is destined to be a legendary scene of the year! Nayeon-xi, you're a genius! JYP's secret weapon really lives up to its name!"

Im Nayeon spat out the carrot bits, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes (whether from laughing or choking), and looked at the scene of everyone laughing. Looking at the carrot in her hand with a piece missing, she couldn't help but burst out laughing herself, doubling over.

Any idol image or villainous aura was shattered into pieces by that damn carrot bite at this moment.

But she had to admit, although it was embarrassingly explosive... it actually seemed quite fun? And seeing the juniors and staff laughing so happily, it... wasn't too bad?

The filming of the first episode of twelve star envoys reached an unexpected climax of laughter and absurdity with "Star Demon" Im Nayeon's world-shaking (and carrot-scented) "diabolical bite."

And Jiang Zhiyu's "invincible variety power" once again proved its brilliant essence of "turning everything serious into comedy and melting all shame into a highlight." As the IZ*ONE girls watched the scene of everyone doubled over in laughter, amidst their despair, a strange sense of anticipation for future filming actually arose—following this PD might be embarrassingly intense, but it seemed... it would never be boring?

Im Nayeon walked up to Jiang Zhiyu, munching on the remaining half of the carrot, her gaze terrifyingly "kind": "Jiang PD, this carrot... should it be counted as a workplace injury prop? Also, next time you have such a 'great' idea, can you give me a heads-up?"

Jiang Zhiyu smilingly handed her a bottle of water: "Of course it counts! You worked hard, Nayeon-xi! Drink some water! As for the heads-up... wouldn't that lose the surprise effect? Look how happy everyone is!"

Im Nayeon: "..." (Happy my carrot!)

After filming the Star Realm scenes, such as the "Star Demon Sneak Attack" and the "Carrot Incident," which were enough to be recorded in the history of Korean variety shows (or the pillar of shame?), the plot of twelve star envoys finally reached a crucial turning point—the Goddesses fall to the mortal world, lose their memories and divine powers, begin living as ordinary people, and gradually rediscover their strength.

That day, the filming location moved to a neighborhood on the outskirts of Seoul that looked... quite "vintage." The twelve members of IZ*ONE were driven by a van to an old apartment building with somewhat mottled exterior walls that looked like it had been built in the 70s or 80s.

Today, they had swapped their magnificent Star Goddess robes for ordinary, even slightly tacky casual clothes prepared by the crew, which looked like they had been scavenged from a second-hand market. Their makeup was light (even deliberately made to look a bit listless), as they worked hard to create the image of "down-and-out," "bewildered," and "halo-less" mortal girls.

However, when they received the detailed project proposal for the next few episodes (which might even span the entire first half of the season) and saw the "home" they were about to move into, their suppressed "Goddess" tempers (and their dignity as members of a top girl group) finally couldn't help but explode!

Project Proposal Title: "Goddess Cultivation Project From Zero — Mortal Adaptation Training and Bond Reconstruction Chapter"

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Core content: The twelve amnesiac "twelve star envoys" will live together in a "Starting Point" with limited conditions (namely, the dilapidated apartment building in front of them). By completing a series of tasks close to mortal life (such as working part-time, learning skills, resolving neighborhood disputes, participating in community activities, etc.), they will earn "living funds" and "Star Energy Fragments." In the process, they will get to know each other again (pretending to have amnesia), cultivate team chemistry, and gradually trigger "Star Memories" and "Ability Awakening."

"A Goddess Training Plan starting from zero?!" Kwon Eunbi shook the proposal in her hand, her voice slightly distorted. "Aren't we here to film a fantasy adventure variety show? How did it turn into a 'Transformation Program'?! We even have to work part-time?!"

"And another thing!" Miyawaki Sakura pointed at the apartment building in front of them, which looked like the wall plaster could fall off at any moment. Her beautiful face was filled with unbelievable breakdown. "Why do we have to live in such a run-down house?! This looks even more... more... than our trainee dorms." She couldn't find the right word to describe this "retro" sense of dilapidation.

The other members chimed in, their little faces full of resistance. They were IZ*ONE! They were a top girl group standing in the spotlight! Even if they needed to experience life, it didn't have to be this "realistic," right?! This house didn't even look like it had air conditioning!

Just then, the culprit, Jiang Zhiyu, walked out of the apartment building's entrance with his hands tucked away, sauntering out slowly. He was dressed quite "simply" today, wearing his signature smile that made it impossible to tell if he was being sincere or just plain mischievous.

Facing the gazes of the members, which were collectively filled with accusation, questioning, and the unspoken thought of "Are you trying to harm us again?", Jiang Zhiyu first cleared his throat. Then, under everyone's gaze, he put on a slightly apologetic expression and said in a clear, calm tone:

"Sorry."

Everyone: "...???"

For a moment, the angry denunciations stalled. PD Jiang... apologized? So readily? Did he change his personality? Could it be that he also felt this arrangement was too excessive?

Even Miyawaki Sakura was stunned for a moment, forgetting the complaints she had prepared.

However, before they could even think about how much of this "apology" was genuine, Jiang Zhiyu immediately repeated it in the same tone, articulating clearly: "Sorry."

This time, a hint of slyness seemed to flash in his eyes.

Just as the twelve girls of IZ*ONE and the surrounding staff felt something was off and the atmosphere solidified subtly—Jiang Zhiyu suddenly jumped up without any warning! It wasn't a normal jump, but rather he struck a very classic, highly recognizable dance starting pose!

At the same time, he began to hum a familiar, high-rhythm melody, and using both hands and feet, he started to perform the classic hand-rubbing dance moves from Super Junior's legendary song, "Sorry Sorry"!!

What was even more outrageous was that, as if it had been rehearsed long ago, the VJs carrying cameras, the lighting technicians holding reflectors, and even the Manager, who had an "I knew it" expression, all collectively put down their work and joined Jiang Zhiyu! A group of people, right in front of this dilapidated apartment building, danced a synchronized (though some people's movements were quite funny) "Sorry Sorry" in front of the dumbfounded IZ*ONE members!

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry—"

"Naega naega naega meonjeo—"

"Nege nege nege ppajyeo—"

"Ppajyeo ppajyeo beoryeo baby—"

...

The singing (though it was just humming) and the synchronized hand-rubbing, stepping, and hip-swaying movements echoed through this old neighborhood, creating a scene that was extremely absurd, incongruous, and hilarious!

The twelve members of IZ*ONE were completely petrified on the spot.

Kwon Eunbi's mouth twitched.

Miyawaki Sakura held her forehead, feeling a headache.

Choi Yena and Lee Chaeyeon had their mouths wide open.

Jang Wonyoung had a look of "as expected" numbness.

An Yujin and Nako looked at each other. The others all had expressions of "What is wrong with this world?" and "Did we enter the wrong set?"

After a few seconds of collective stupor, it was unknown who let out the first wail:

"I knew it!!"

"Everyone's crazy! This is definitely not a normal variety show!!"

"I want to quit, ahhhh—!!!"

Screams rose one after another, the girls clutched their heads in a breakdown, completely unable to accept this sudden "Sorry Sorry" attack and the overly surreal scene before their eyes.

After the song (a simplified version) ended, Jiang Zhiyu was neither red-faced nor out of breath (since the movements weren't standard). He clapped his hands, signaling the "backup dancers" to stop. He walked over to the still-broken-down IZ*ONE, his face returning to that "sincere" smile.

"Don't get so excited, everyone, listen to my explanation." He pointed to the dilapidated apartment behind him. "The reason we chose this place is mainly because... the budget disappeared during the previous Astral Realm scenes, costume effects, and... um, the appearance fees for special guests (like the one who gnaws on carrots). So the production team had no choice but to... temporarily reduce the funds for on-site filming."

He spread his hands, looking "we are also very helpless," but his eyes clearly said, "I'm lying to you, but what can you do about it?"

"But!" He changed the subject, as if he were about to introduce some luxury mansion, and enthusiastically pointed to a floor of the apartment. "Actually, this place is quite nice! Look, there's even a balcony!"

Following the direction of his finger, the girls saw a rusty, iron balcony stacked with a few broken flower pots (containing dead plants) that looked like it was about to collapse.

A balcony... could this even count as a plus point???

The members looked at Jiang Zhiyu's "hurry up and praise me for finding such a place" expression, then thought about the "Sorry Sorry" group dance just now, and finally looked at the dilapidated building in front of them and that "quite nice" balcony... A deep sense of powerlessness and the despair of "having boarded a pirate ship and being unable to get off" swept over everyone.

They finally understood completely: this "twelve star envoys" program was not a serious fantasy adventure variety show at all! It was a hybrid of a large-scale idol "Transformation Program" + "shameful play" + "absurd comedy" + "extreme survival challenge," led by Jiang Zhiyu, all wrapped in a gorgeous (perhaps once gorgeous) exterior!

And now, these twelve "amnesiac goddesses" were about to begin their "starting from zero" mortal lives in this dilapidated apartment, lives destined to be filled with blood, tears (and laughter).

Jiang Zhiyu clapped his hands, as if announcing the start of a game: "Alright! 'Goddesses,' welcome to your 'new home'! The keys are here, you need to clean and decorate the rooms yourselves! The first 'Mortal Task' list has been posted on the door, remember to check it! Wish you... a happy life!"

He shoved a set of keys that also looked very old into Kwon Eunbi's hand, then took his group of staff members, who had just finished dancing and were currently holding back laughter, and quickly retreated from the scene, as if afraid that if they left too slowly, they would be torn apart by this group of "goddesses" who were about to go berserk.

Leaving the twelve members of IZ*ONE behind, standing in front of the dilapidated apartment building, facing the bleak (?) wind, looking at the keys in their hands and that piece of paper with the "Task List" fluttering in the wind, they looked at each other, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Their "Star" journey, from the magnificent Heavenly Palace, had fallen overnight into this broken apartment with a balcony.

In the future, will they rise, or will they "fall" from here? Perhaps even Jiang Zhiyu himself is looking forward to seeing how they will perform this "Mortal Goddess Transformation." And the audience is probably already impatient to see how a top girl group can create miracles (and laughter) while breaking down in this "hardship" environment.

Although they were ten thousand times unwilling in their hearts, the filming had already started, the contract had already been signed, and more importantly—they were already here.

Under the leadership of leader Kwon Eunbi (who took several deep breaths to calm down the urge to call the company and complain immediately), the twelve girls, with a tragic mood like going to the execution ground, pushed open the iron door of a room on the first floor of the old apartment, which made a harsh "creak" sound.