Chapter 5

(TL: I just realized that RO can also be read as AL O that stands for ALPHA OMEGA. The R in korean can also be read as L. So RO MATCH can also mean romance between alpha and omega.)

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[RO Match Survival in Island Portal]

I’ve never seen Jung Daesoo give such a long interview before.

⤷ Are you saying that was a long interview?

⤷ He lived abroad for a long time.

⤷ Isn’t Jung Daesoo from Busan?

⤷ No, no. He’s from the U.S. He learned Korean with a Busan dialect because of a movie. But he usually doesn’t talk much, and his agency prefers he doesn’t talk too much. He’s not a bad guy…

⤷ It’s amazing there hasn’t been any controversy about Jung Daesoo’s attitude. His casual speech is too much. Why is everyone so lenient with alphas? It’s ridiculous to excuse his rudeness as being influenced by foreign culture.

⤷ The PD must be having a hard time conducting the interview.

⤷ Why is this person always upset? Jung Daesoo is the oldest and most experienced among the participants. Isn’t it okay for him to speak casually? Are we supposed to maintain formal speech in a group setting?

⤷ The problem is that he’s speaking casually to the PD. Defending that blindly is more annoying.

⤷ (Photo of Yiyeon looking shocked by Joo Dansol’s cuteness)

⤷ Has Yiyeon gone crazy over Dooly? But who is Joo Dansol? Where did they find someone like that? A once-in-a-thousand-years talent… How did I not notice before?

⤷ For real, once-in-a-thousand-years talent! Everyone is stunned. It’s hilarious.

⤷ (Photo of Jung Daesoo blushing after looking at Joo Dansol)

⤷ A proud mom watching her son’s school performance, Yiyeon.

⤷ Aren’t they meeting for the first time? Why does he look so proud?

⤷ Jaegal Minhyuk always criticized idols’ musicality but now seems to be taken aback.

⤷ Even if you’re biased, you should speak the truth. He criticized the idol agencies, not the idols themselves, for manipulating album sales.

⤷ I listened to the original song after hearing Joo Dansol’s cover, and it wasn’t great. It sounded much better without accompaniment.

⤷ Oh, my God. The EDM MR was so tacky. The song is good, but the production feels amateurish.

⤷ Joo Dansol’s character is polarizing. I think he’s a bit too much.

⤷ Here comes the professional complainer. Joo Dansol is the star of my heart.

⤷ But who is the omega at the end?

⤷ Probably just a troll.

⤷ They seemed pretty serious.

⤷ Isn’t it Han Jisoo? There were rumors about him being one. Didn’t he also star in a movie about omega relationships?

⤷ What nonsense. Just because he was in such a movie doesn’t mean he’s one.

⤷ Isn’t that outfit Yoon Yeomin’s favorite? He always wore it casually.

⤷ It’s a sponsored item. Everyone wore it. Yoon Yeomin’s favorite is a brighter red.

* * *

—Hello, RO Match Survival in Island contestants. Welcome to Chunmong Island and our Chunmong Pavilion (Spring Dream Pavilion).

As the contestants entered the house, a pre-recorded guide message played.

RO Match Survival in Island was filmed solely with these speaker announcements to maximize the participants’ immersion, without a host.

Besides the living room where the staff were present, every room had observation cameras, but secret meeting spots for the couples were revealed each round.

Not knowing there were cameras everywhere, Dansol showed his fatigue. He was an innocent lamb unaware of the cruelty of the broadcast crew.

Dansol’s dry eyes thus became a sign of disrespect towards a senior.

To avoid this, Dansol purposely didn’t wear contact lenses and made sure to blink frequently.

Although his vision was blurred, there was nothing here worth seeing clearly anyway.

—Alpha participants, your rooms are on the second floor, to the left. Please choose your rooms.

As the broadcast announced, the alphas moved slowly. Yiyeon approached Dansol.

Before his regression, Dansol first had a meal with Yiyeon.

Even then, Yiyeon had quietly asked before going upstairs.

“What do you like, Dansol? I want to eat with you.”

Dansol almost laughed at the unchanged plot.

The face that suddenly came close was still handsome.

High nose, bright eyes, softly falling brown hair, and the musk scent emanating from his white shirt—all playful and assertive traits.

‘Damn, he’s my type.’

Yiyeon seemed like someone drawn to match Dansol’s ideal type.

But falling for that appearance would only result in pain.

Yiyeon was in a terrace room with a brunch spread.

Dining in a picturesque room was enough to make Dansol fall for him.

‘Never again.’

Resolving firmly, Dansol spoke up.

“I… like spicy catfish stew, senior.”

“Uh… your taste is quite classic…”

While a flustered Yiyeon stammered, the broadcast continued.

—Alpha contestants, please hurry to your rooms. Omegas can enter multiple rooms, but each alpha can only enter one room. Please hurry.

“See you later.”

Yiyeon, holding Dansol’s shoulder, hurried away.

‘See you later, my foot.’

Dansol scoffed.

Upstairs, meals prepared by chefs specializing in brunch, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine awaited.

There was no spicy catfish stew. Yiyeon, known for his picky taste and constant weight management, flaunted his selective palate on dates.

‘He’ll just pick at vegetables again.’

—Have you all chosen your rooms, alphas? In our old saying, even a sip of water has its manners. Now, could Han Jisoo, Yoon Yeomin, Yoo Doohyun, and Joo Dansol please go upstairs?

Dansol decided to avoid Yiyeon at all costs.

The other alphas weren’t interested in Dansol anyway.

But that was a complete misunderstanding on Dansol’s part.

* * *

“Close the door? Only one alpha per room.”

“Could you give me this room, senior? I like Korean food.”

In the room with a neat Korean meal spread, Jung Daesoo was already seated. Yiyeon opened the door and stubbornly insisted.

He was convinced that Dansol, who wanted spicy catfish stew, was definitely a Korean food lover.

“I like Korean food too.”

“Since you grew up abroad, I bet this food doesn’t suit your taste. How about yielding a bit?”

“I don’t think so. Aren’t you the one who only eats salads 365 days a year? Don’t act like you enjoy this.”

“Who are you waiting for, stubbornly holding your ground?”

“I told you, I like Korean food.”

While the two were having their staring contest, the broadcast began.

Jung Daesoo didn’t care and gulped down the water in front of him.

At that moment, someone lifted Lee Yiyeon’s arm, who had been leaning against the door.

“Hello, everyone. Were you waiting for me?”

Han Jisoo walked in naturally and sat opposite Jung Daesoo.

His face contorted into an even more menacing look.

“What are you doing here?”

Jung Daesoo and Han Jisoo.

They were best friends who had appeared together in an indie film early in their careers.

They could meet anytime without needing to share a table here.

There were even a few dating rumors when they first debuted, but they were quickly denied and squashed, just like neighborhood friends.

“Oh… are you two already like that? I thought…”

Lee Yiyeon made a knowing face.

“Yeah, I like Korean food. I’m fine, so I’ll sit. It’s fun eating with two Alphas fighting over me. I like this kind of thing.”

Jisoo’s words were answered first by Yiyeon.

“No, I have someone waiting for me.”

He had no choice but to step back.

Even if Dansol didn’t come in, there was still plenty of time.

It was better than missing an opportunity and getting tangled up with Jisoo.

Experienced older omega like Jisoo were not Yiyeon’s type.

As the door closed, Jisoo’s smiling face changed instantly.

“One down, but how do we deal with this big guy?”

Jisoo looked at Daesoo.

Though they were of similar height, Daesoo was a solid, well-built man compared to Jisoo’s slender frame.

“You don’t even like Korean food. You said it makes you gain weight.”

Daesoo asked, gritting his teeth.

“No? I love Korean food. A lot. Unlike a big guy like you, I don’t gain weight, so I need nutritious food. Especially spicy catfish stew.”

Jisoo teased Daesoo as he responded.

Jisoo had thought that from the moment he saw Dansol dancing, he would inevitably be paired with Jung Daesoo.

The reason they couldn’t see each other as romantic partners was clear. Their tastes were identical.

“Small, cute, fairy-like Omega.”

* * *

Dansol, unaware of the small ball thrown by the Korean Food, was still lost in thought even after Yoo Doohyun went upstairs.

The atmosphere shouldn’t be harmonious or the conversation too smooth.

Dansol had been criticized more in the early stages for creating a sweet, cozy atmosphere with Lee Yiyeon and getting a lot of airtime.

This time, he had to be almost invisible.

Jung Daesoo, with his reserved demeanor, was the most suitable, but he was an Alpha who stood out just by existing.

Many Omegas would be drawn to Jung Daesoo, so he might be an opponent to avoid even more than Lee Yiyeon.

Ma Taeoh was… quite talkative and loud.

Despite being an idol, his rich broadcasting experience made him a favorite of the producers due to his good reactions.

Moreover, with his large fandom, it was hard for the broadcasting station to edit him out entirely, even if he wasn’t interesting.

The remaining one was Jaegal Minhyuk.

Even in his memories, Jaegal Minhyuk was the least noticeable Alpha in the RO Match Survival show.

His musicality was globally recognized, but his lack of entertainment sense meant he didn’t get much screen time.

‘Where was Jaegal Minhyuk again…’

Dansol recalled as he went upstairs. Then he opened the door to the room where Jaegal Minhyuk had been staying before his return.