Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 9 (Part 2): I AM (1)

I arrived at a hair salon in the middle of Gangnam.

This kind of fancy hair salon is a first for me. I even dug through reviews to book the highest-rated stylist.

“How would you like it cut?”

I used to always say, “Just short, whatever.”

Not this time.

“Do you have any hairstyles that would make me stand out as much as possible?”

“As much as possible… stand out?”

“Yeah. Even if it’s super curly, as long as it doesn’t look bad. Not too off-putting, but something that grabs attention?”

“Hmm…”

It’s for recognition. To catch even one more shot. In [MoMo], there’s even a hairstyle buff.

“Just a moment…”

The stylist fiddled with my hair. They lifted my hair slightly and examined my face here and there.

“I think it’s best to maintain this length.”

“The length?”

“Yes. It’s a bit messy because it’s grown out too much, but if we style it properly… you’ll look a bit more special.”

So basically, go for long hair.

It’ll definitely stand out more than a plain cut.

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Great~ So, what’s the occasion?”

“…I’m going to be on TV.”

“Ah~ I see.”

I closed my eyes. The stylist didn’t ask further and picked up the scissors.

*Snip snip. Snip snip.*

For a while, the only sound was my hair being trimmed.

“Could you stand up for a bit~?”

I thought it would just be a simple cut, but the process was way more complicated.

“Let me know if it’s too hot~”

Rollers in my hair, some kind of chemical, a perm, and more stuff.

They rinsed my hair three times in two hours. It was borderline torture.

“All done~”

The stylist rested a hand lightly on my shoulder.

I slowly opened my eyes. My hair, completely dried, came into view.

“What do you think?”

“…….”

My temples throbbed. I nearly swore out loud.

Guess my soldier mindset hasn’t fully faded.

Long hair—shiny and slightly wavy—makes me want to gag, but I need to stay calm.

Right now, I’m not me.

I’m a character in [MoMo]. I’m the Seol Ha-woon card.

I have to endure it with that mindset. If I can’t, I’m scrapped.

[High-Grade Hairstyling: Recognition acquisition increases by 5% for one week.]

“If you want to stand out even more, we could dye it. Come back in two weeks?”

“I don’t have that much time until the show. So, how much is it?”

I stood up. The stylist smiled brightly.

“400,000 won~”

“…….”

I almost gouged my eyes out.

—

* * *

After three years, the explorer audition program *Labyrinth Exploration NaN* is back. Today’s production press conference drew quite a crowd of reporters.

“Doesn’t the massive success of the last season put pressure on you?”

A 20% viewership rating. The biggest OTT export ever, topping global charts for three weeks.

Three years ago, *Labyrinth Exploration AAA* set the Korean peninsula—and the world—ablaze.

“No. We have participants worthy of it. There’s no pressure at all.”

But for Yoon Sa-hyeok, there’s no burden. The reason’s simple: the quality of the contestants.

That’s why they took their time coming back after careful deliberation.

They even secured written commitments from several agencies in advance to lock in the right cast.

“The contract term’s longer than last season. Isn’t two years a bit much?”

A reporter asked.

Lee Kin-se from Morita Seoul. A real pain.

“Given what the participants will gain from *Labyrinth Exploration*, a two-year contract period is reasonable.”

“Reasonable… Is it industry standard?”

“Yes.”

The questions kept coming.

Some reporters deliberately poked nerves, while others stuck to the guidelines.

“That’s all for questions.”

The Q&A wrapped up.

Yoon Sa-hyeok stepped down from the podium first. Kim A-rang followed, letting out a sigh.

“Reporters are so chatty. They’ll cling to this season like leeches, huh? It’s gonna be hell.”

“They smell money. Just live at the office during production.”

“Oh, come on. What kind of advice is that? Work-life balance can kiss my a*s.”

“You’ll buy a house once it’s over.”

“…Hmph. Anyway, senior, this season’s batch is way better than we expected.”

Yoon Sa-hyeok stopped walking. His fast, inconsiderate stride—those selfish legs swinging in long steps—finally halted.

He asked.

“Is there a standout participant?”

“There are quite a few, actually~ Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Lee Je-hoon, Kang Hyun, Kate, Zhao Yun, Ryu Wei, Ichiko…”

Kim A-rang ticked them off on her fingers. Yoon Sa-hyeok shook his head.

“Not those. A dark horse.”

“Oh~ That kind?”

A dark horse. Every *Labyrinth Exploration 101* series has one—a variable who starts at the bottom but climbs to the top with unique charm and growth.

“Well… there’s one guy who’s kinda annoying?”

“That guy’s in trouble.”

Kim A-rang narrowed her eyes at Yoon Sa-hyeok’s deadpan face.

“What trouble? That’s a good thing. He’s already caught my eye.”

“So, who?”

“…Hmm.”

Kim A-rang rubbed her chin and muttered.

“Seol Ha-woon… that soldier guy. You know him, right?”

—

* * *

[Finalists, please arrive at Baeksan-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do by 10 a.m…]

Early morning. I’m on my way to the filming location in Gangwon-do. Found a direct express bus.

I dressed up a bit. Black shirt, dark gray slacks, and the 【Mysterious Staff】.

For me, the 【Mysterious Staff】 is a key item.

【Mysterious Staff】. Even the brackets are fancier than other items, right?

…Before I knew it, I’d arrived.

“Here, huh.”

Nestled in Gangwon-do’s mountains were small buildings clustered together.

Staff members were running around, and on the ground, ingredients and filming equipment were piled up—

“Changed your style?”

Someone called out to me. It was PD Kim A-rang.

“Oh. Yeah. I tried somthing new.”

“Better than before. Head over there.”

Where Kim A-rang pointed, there was a portal. Maybe a meter wide, three meters tall.

As I started toward it, her necklace caught my eye.

“You changed yours, too, PD.”

It was a different artifact from the first prelims.

Kim A-rang furrowed her brow.

“…Hey. I was about to ask you to pay for it, you know? That thing you used last time reduced the output by 90%.”

“Hm. I’ll head in.”

“Hey, wait—”

I limped exaggeratedly into the portal.

*Whoosh.*

A slight floating sensation hit me. The inside of the portal was just a regular broadcasting station hallway.

Waiting Room 1, Waiting Room 2, Waiting Room 3—and so on, filled with rooms like that.

“Seol Ha-woon, right?”

A staff member approached at the entrance.

“Yeah.”

“Here. Stick this anywhere visible. Somewhere obvious.”

A giant sticker with [Seol Ha-woon] written on it. I slapped it on my chest.

“Wait in Waiting Room 3, please.”

“Got it.”

I entered Waiting Room 3 as directed.

About eight other finalists were already inside.

No one spared me a glance. They were all either taking deep breaths with tense faces, chatting with someone, or scrolling through SNS shorts.

—

“Recording starts in one hour. When your name is called, follow the staff to the main set…”

Kim A-rang’s voice boomed from the ceiling speakers.

Dangun

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