From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Chapter 984: Bad Apple



The night was alive as fans lined the streets outside a large movie theater.

Tonight was the grand premiere of Untouched Souls, the film that had been in the making for what seemed like forever.

A fantasy historical fusion with intricate lore, stunning visual effects, and a star-studded cast -it had been one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Yet, despite the excitement surrounding the project, it had faced numerous setbacks: delays, cast changes, and the highly publicized and debunked scandal involving June.

But now, all seemed to be back on track. The red carpet was already filled to the brim with celebrities, media, and enthusiastic fans. The flashes from cameras appeared like lightning as the stars of the night made their way down the red carpet.

Taehyun and Hana, the film's main characters, arrived together, hand in hand, stepping out of their luxury car. Taehyun, tall and impeccably dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, flashed his famous smile at the cameras. Hana, looking every bit the leading lady in a shimmering, floor- length gown, clung to his arm. The pair looked like a power couple, and the fans ate it up, screaming their names as they slowly made their way down the red carpet.

"Taehyun! Hana!" The reporters rushed toward them, microphones outstretched, eager for a soundbite.

"What an entrance! You two look stunning!" one of the reporters gushed.

"Thank you, thank you," Taehyun said with a modest smile, adjusting his tie while glancing toward Hana, who gave a small wave to the crowd.

The two exchanged glances, clearly excited, but as they posed for photos, Taehyun leaned closer to Hana and whispered something. She covered her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.

A curious reporter raised her hand and asked, "What's the secret? You two seem to be in such good spirits!"

"Oh, we're just... anticipating someone special's arrival," Taehyun teased.

Hana grinned, unable to hide her amusement. "We're waiting for June, of course," she said, almost giggling.

Taehyun nodded in agreement, feigning seriousness. "Yeah, the movie's great and all, but honestly, we're just here for June."

Their playful banter caused the crowd to erupt in laughter.

The reporters also laughed, amused by the two stars' enthusiasm for their co-star.

"So, you're both more excited about June than your own premiere?" one asked cheekily.

"Look, the movie's great, but June? June's on another level," Taehyun replied with a mock- serious expression, earning more laughter from the crowd. Hana gave a mock sigh of agreement, holding her hand to her heart.

As the laughter died down, the excitement only grew. The clock was ticking, and there was still one person left to arrive.

The atmosphere felt like it was building up to that final moment-the arrival of June, whose every move had been watched closely since the resolution of his scandal. Fans whispered among themselves, some clutching banners and light sticks.

But not everyone was so thrilled.

Standing off to the side of the red carpet, away from the flashing cameras and fawning fans, stood Bad Apple-a well-known film critic whose reputation for brutal, no-nonsense reviews had made him infamous in the industry.

Dressed in a tailored suit, he adjusted his cufflinks, his eyes narrowing at the chaos around him. His presence at the premiere had already caused a stir; after all, he was notorious for his harsh critiques. But the reason people respected his reviews was because they were honest, even when they were scathing.

Bad Apple surveyed the scene with disdain. "This place is a circus," he muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a sneer as he watched the mob of June's fans clogging the streets. They were loud, energetic, and utterly unbearable, in his opinion.

"They've turned this premiere into a fan rally," he complained to no one in particular, his gaze shifting to the limousines pulling up one after the other. "I came for a premiere, not a riot."

He couldn't deny that Untouched Souls had a dedicated fanbase. The book series had been wildly popular, and the film adaptation was supposed to be a major cinematic event.

But in his mind, casting an idol-June, of all people was the ultimate misstep. He had seen the somewhat positive response online, but he wasn't convinced. June, to him, was nothing more than a product of his fans' obsession. Sure, he had seen June's work in Love To Hate You, but even that had left him unimpressed.

"Childish," he had called it in his review, slamming the plot as overly simplistic and the characters as underdeveloped. He'd given it a pitiful 1.3 apples out of five.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

And now, June was about to star in Untouched Souls, a beloved book series that had captivated readers with its complex characters and detailed world-building. Bad Apple couldn't help but feel dread.

"They've butchered the casting," he muttered again, crossing his arms as he scanned the crowd. "How can they expect him to carry such a role?"

As if on cue, the final black limousine pulled up at the end of the red carpet. The crowd immediately erupted into deafening screams. Signs with June's name shot up into the air, and fans surged forward, eager to catch a glimpse of their idol.

The sound was almost unbearable to Bad Apple's ears, but even he couldn't look away as the door of the limousine slowly opened.

And then, there he was.

June stepped out of the car with a small smile that made the crowd lose their minds. Dressed in a fitted black suit, he looked like he was the main character of the event. His hair was styled to perfection, his face glowing under the lights.

He gave a calm smile to the fans, waving as the cameras flashed nonstop, capturing his every

move.

Even Bad Apple, in his eternal cynicism, couldn't deny that June cut a striking figure. For a brief moment, he found himself-dare he say-impressed.

But the moment passed quickly.

"Looks aren't everything," Bad Apple muttered, narrowing his eyes at the idol on the red carpet. His expression darkened as he watched the overzealous fans scream

June's name. "It's all a facade. Let's see if he can actually act."

"I'm ready to give this movie half an apple if he doesn't do Jian's character justice."