Surprise! The Supposed Talent Show Was Actually–?!

Description

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Wu Jin, as a trainee from a certain entertainment company, had a peerless, stunning face. He was qualified to debut as a lead performer even if he just sat there and did nothing.

After signing up for a certain talent show, the shining path to stardom beckoned to him––

Wu Jin: Hold on, why is this show different from what we agreed on? Wasn’t it supposed to be about jumping around, dancing, and singing songs? Why do you have to send me out into the wilderness…

Program Producer: You’re a once-in-a-century high appearance value competitor! We’re relying on you to save the program’s ratings!

Wu Jin: … I seem to be on the wrong show. Wait a minute, this isn’t an idol show, it’s a fighting survival reality show ahhh!!

Ten months later, the little cutie who had been thrown into the show––

Turned into a human weapon.

Powering up through various instances, slight entertainment circle elements.

Extremely overpowered gong x little cutie who grows to become an overpowered shou.

Associated Names
One entry per line
STSTSWA
Sốc! Sao Bảo Là Show Tài Năng Cơ Mà
The surprising talent show
สู้จนเลือดหยดสุดท้าย เป้าหมายฉันต้องได้เด
惊!说好的选秀综艺竟然
驚!說好的選秀綜藝竟然
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
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Recommendation Lists
  1. BL Novels: Unlimited Flow/Infinite Flow
  2. Liz's Collection : BL { Unlimited Flow / Horror / ...
  3. Best BL Novels
  4. Interstellar bl
  5. Chrysanthemun (Reading Completed)

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/09/20 XIIN c238 part4 (end)
12/08/20 XIIN c238 part3
12/07/20 XIIN c238 part2
12/07/20 XIIN c238 part1
12/06/20 XIIN c237
12/05/20 XIIN c236 part2
12/04/20 XIIN c236 part1
12/03/20 XIIN c235
12/02/20 XIIN c234 part1
12/01/20 XIIN c233 part2
11/30/20 XIIN c233 part1
11/29/20 XIIN c232 part2
11/28/20 XIIN c232 part1
11/27/20 XIIN c231
11/26/20 XIIN c230 part2
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144 Reviews sorted by


koouniverse
koouniverse rated it
December 30, 2020
Status: c238
I really enjoyed reading this novel

  • MC is cute and hardworking
  • MC's path to being strong feels natural
  • ML is devoted while not being overly possessive. He still lets MC improve and grow on his own path.
  • There's no "b*tch" character thats one-sidedly evil that everyone hates or tries to tear the relationship apart
    Spoiler

    I mean theres the scientists but that doesnt count since they arent really expanded upon

    [collapse]
    . Every character in the talent competition genuinely just wants to do well for themselves and their team, its great to see
  • Theres female characters introduced for one arc and I really like how they arent portrayed horribly as other bl novels I've seen (Ive seen so many novels treat women characters as sluts and its so annoying tbh)
  • Some arcs may be long and can kinda drag on but the scenarios that the trainees go through are so creative, it makes up for it. Seeing MC figure out the scenario is so fun and interesting. Every arc for the talent competition is so distinctive and described well
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Jammyyyyxx
Jammyyyyxx rated it
December 27, 2020
Status: Completed
I just finished reading this good novel and all I can say is, it is worth the read and time. You won't regret this!!! I love loveeee the characters, the plot, and it is well written. Thank you to the author and the translator XIIN and team!!

5/5 rate, highly recommended ♡♡♡
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nctzen
nctzen rated it
December 17, 2020
Status: Completed
This is perhaps one of the most well written novel I have ever read and I have read lots of them. I'm thoroughly impressed with almost every aspects of the novel. The best thing in this story is hand down the instances or games. I have read a lot of novel where the MC and the ML have to go through a few instances like this one but almost none of them have it as complex and beautifully portrayed as this novel. Each of it's instances is really interesting and... more>> do not focus on only one or two aspects. We are talking about
Spoiler

dinasours, entertainment, amus**ent park, Louis eras, and even science stuffs that I could not recall

[collapse]
Almost every arcs have their own puzzle that is extremely interesting. Not only that, this novel also focuses on the actual world building surrounding both the MC and the ML. The whole thing is puzzling but it all comes together at the end. This is also another reason why I really like this novel because the MC has a reason for the whole transmigration thing. Most stories involving transmigration do not have a reason why the MC is picked but this one clears that out.

I also really enjoy the relationship between the MC and the Ml. Some might say that the whole MC is cute while the ML is cold is extremely boring at this point, but it compliments the story and the world building as well. Another thing is how much I can't stress over how much the ML cared about the MC and actually shows it like a normal human being. The ML also never forced the MC regarding the s*xual thing and even wait for a very long time before actually doing it. The MC is not OP at all in the beginning which totally make sense and keep on growing so that he will not depend on the Ml. The whole effort of his tp become better is written carefully which makes the whole journey so much better. Another aspect that I like is how the side characters are actually involved in this story. With a 200+ chapters, this is what I will want to read. A novel that has enough story telling about the side characters making the whole story a lot more interesting. At the end of the novel, I really like each of the characters and how they are connected to the main couple. Lastly I could not stress enough how much I like the extras. All of them are just so good to read and give another charming point to the novel.

Overall, I would totally recommend you guys to read this especially now that the novel is completely translated. The translator did a good job with the translation which makes the whole reading so much more smoother. <<less
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Omniscient Couch Potato
Omniscient Couch Potato rated it
December 5, 2020
Status: Completed
This book is lit!

When I first saw this one, I wasn't interested much and thought that the comments are little extreme.

But I was WRONG!

Thank God that I got bored and gave it a shot! Really worth it.

But its true that first few chapters aren't that interesting but I can vow that it gets better much much better.

About translation it was good except occasional naming mistake and seriously we can ignore it. Overall translation is 4.5/5

And plot 4.8/5

Great job author and translator team
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brightsmith
brightsmith
December 2, 2020
Status: c232
very cute and fluffy! There are funny moments, sweet moments, and spicy moments. MC grows a lot as a character, and becomes strong through his own efforts more than the ml's influence. ML is powerful, but doesnt oppress MC -- he respects mc's choices and supports him no matter what. The romance is slow burn, but theres never any doubt as to who the main cp are, and theres no cheating or unpleasant misunderstandings (which I hate!) the main cp have an entertaining relationship and a very nice tacit understanding... more>> at times. Aside from romance, there is a lot of focus on friendships and building a family. At the end of the novel, you can really get a sense of how far everyone has come since the beginning. The author puts a lot of research into their story, and it shows. The translators are also excellent, and their hard work makes this story very enjoyable to read.

Spoiler

the plot twist of MC not actually being a transmigrator was very well done, and hints for it can be found leading up to the reveal. MCs circumstances explain a lot about his character, like how he can adjust so easily to new situations and how quickly he learns new skills.

[collapse]
<<less
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Plebianian
Plebianian
November 27, 2020
Status: --
It’s a good read overall but there’s so really weird decisions made by the program team. Like you’re a survival show, why are you dancing? “To gain more viewers” um tf? Stick to your intended audience?? The program team is a mess and forces the players to do things that are super unrelated to the survival show.

... more>>
Spoiler

they start supporting cps because viewers ship the guys together so lets have the guys kiss like ???

[collapse]

Spoiler

there was also this guy who decided MC wasn’t good enough so lets send him to an illegal stress training WITHOUT EXPLAINING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGES HE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IF ML DIDNT POP UP LIKE ???

[collapse]

MC is soft and fluffy and sells meng like crazy, and he basically completely derailed the company. <<less
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WanderingReader
WanderingReader rated it
November 17, 2020
Status: c116
I just want to say this is one superb novel in my opinion. The survival theme is good enough for me to read this, but the side characters are truly shining in this story along with the romance.

... more>>
Spoiler

The MC is your typical naive type of character who is loved by everyone, but don't let that stop you from reading this because surprisingly the MC is truly likeable! I rarely like this type of character but for MC I can make an exception. He's smart, probably have a dark past but still never give up struggling to do what he loves. From being an idol to a challenger in a survival show where you must train harshly with guns and everything. He's hardworking and even when his luck isn't that good, he flipped the situation with his knowledge.

As for the ML, he's probably a typical cold and domineering ML at first glance, but after knowing his background and story, there's a reason why he's like that and why he can dodge the cameras. Later on he decided to show up in the cameras as well so it's all good.

His interaction with MC is gradual, not love at the first sight. He's probably interested in MC and helps him because of his condition, but after that he's starting to really like the MC. MC also regards him as a big brother but gradually realized his feelings for ML.

Laughed a lot when I read the part where MC tries to pursue ML, MC didn't know ML already pursuing him first. Their relationship is just amazing, full of trust and love.

I want to cry a bit when reading the part where MC need to help ML to get out from his own past memories, I keep chanting nothing bad would happens.

As for the survival show, I love how everything is arranged. The author truly put a lot of interesting theme and stories within the challenges. The side characters all got their own spotlight and it's fun reading this because it reminded me of the times where I watch variety shows

As for OP-ness the ML is absolutely an OP character, but he didn't exploit his OP-ness to grab the spotlight or win everytime, as for MC I'd say he's strong but there are lot of others who are stronger than him, I guess in later chapters MC will be an OP character after surviving the shows and everything.

Oh and ML didn't always help the MC or giving the win for him on a silver platter, so it's another plus for me. ML just there to help MC grows.

[collapse]
<<less
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Erudite.Cielo
Erudite.Cielo rated it
November 11, 2020
Status: c89
So far I'm greatly enjoying reading this story! Good job to author and thanks to translator-san for picking up this story.

P.s. Wu Jin reminds me of Agares Picero from Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun! (^v^)
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Gege Waifu
Gege Waifu rated it
July 19, 2020
Status: c160
Seriously just read the amazing review. Im not good at writing review, but definitely definitely definitely read this please.

... more>>
Spoiler

the plot twist is worth it in my opinion

[collapse]

The idea of the competition is so just 5 ratings above. Never in my short journey reading danmei, that I learned so much just by reading this novel. And, that, my friend is the key of good novel.

Besides the usual troupes (ye I know), this story is good that I braves to read the mtl one. But oh God, how I Torn between cringe or Glee for spoiler-ing myself so bad that am now suffering for the amazing translator to hurry update. *Cry* <<less
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Rhia89
Rhia89 rated it
June 4, 2020
Status: c112
Fun read. The mechanics of the instances pretty much went over my head and there's an excessive amount of rabbit related adjectives, but other than that, very enjoyable. The main couple has great chemistry and the side couples are interesting too. Thanks to chrysanthemum gardens (xiin and co) for picking this up and looking forward to the rest of the updates
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angelwolf123
angelwolf123 rated it
May 15, 2020
Status: c100 part1
Absolutely amazing! Both the MC and the ML are extremely likable and their chemistry is just perfection. The series is a great blend of sci-fi, survival, and romance. The MC is weak at first, but also very smart, and he works hard to become better. Watching him progress and solve puzzles is very, very satisfying.

The side characters are pretty good as well. They could be developed a bit further, but each one has their own bonds and their own camaraderie with their teams/company that is very refreshing to see. So... more>> far there are no stereotypical cannon fodder type villains, which is also really nice. All of the characters are rivals in the show, but in my opinion they are all likable in their own ways.

Like others have said, the descriptions of the main character as being overly cutesy or "bunny-like" are kind of cringeworthy in the beginning, but they do get better as he becomes stronger! He is well matched with the very strong ML and doesn't like to overly rely on him. Speaking of their relationship, they grow to be in a mutual love and you can tell that they really care about each other. No spoilers, but there is a sci-fi aspect to their relationship as well that gives it some extra significance/complexity.

As for the survival aspects of the show, other reviewers have mentioned that since people don't actually die, they feel like there is no sense of tension. I would disagree; I feel like the emotional stakes set by the game show itself make the challenges very engaging and exciting. The survival events aren't just big shoot em ups either, because each one has its own theme and unique rules that must be solved.

Overall, a really fun read. The translation on Chrysanthemum Garden is excellent, and I highly recommend it to anyone into this genre! <<less
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733ash
733ash
January 22, 2024
Status: c53
The premise seemed interesting, but the story so far seems boring. From reading up until chapter 53, I can see we are meant to follow the main character's (mc) on their leveling up journey (weak-to-strong) but, it all seems to come easy to the MC. The author just has the MC work for long hours of time, and boom MC is skilled now. In other stories it's written in an engaging manner, like the reason the MC suddenly becomes skilled is usually attributed to finding something useful, so a... more>> cheat. Here the author seems to be going the working hard way, but it's boring. So much time is dedicated towards describing the mc's looks. I can ususally skim past this, but in this story IT'S SO MUCH. <<less
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jsdhwdmaXandQuestionKing
jsdhwdmaXandQuestionKing
January 1, 2024
Status: c238.4
Loved it!
when I first started reading it I was a bit sceptical because of the whole emphasis on how the MC is so innocent and stuff but as the story progresses and you get to learn more about him it’s fine.

I really really loved how much the writer thought out each game and how much effort was put in researching eras and people!
I also think the side characters were interesting and funny and I wasn’t bored for one moment. The translation was also good and I was genuinely... more>> a bit sad when the story ended.
I would 100% recommend this one! <<less
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Jiiemm
Jiiemm rated it
September 22, 2023
Status: Completed
It took me a full week to finish this story in between my busy schedule in teaching.

ooh, this is like a sweet vitamin that gives me a lot of sugar in the midst of a busy schedule and accumulating boredom.

their characters are bright and fun. Even the possessive Wei Shi and the crazy Shao Yu are portrayed very epically in this novel.

Sweet side CP but very short I want to tell more about the cute Jingyi Couple..

Read this story. Really!! It's a fun story with epic world building.

4.7/5
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Nom de Plume
Nom de Plume
December 9, 2022
Status: Completed
Interesting take on the survival game genre and ‘transmigration. The author used the interstellar setting to its full advantage to provide a live action MOBA-esque game competition. The twist for the mc’s ‘time travel’ was well played and his confusion at the unfamiliar environment provided some really good tension that immediately hooked me as a reader.

The puzzles for each arc were complex and contained some real historical knowledge. This was both good and bad for the story. The logistics of getting some of the effects to work were a little... more>> crazy and I’m shocked they didn’t have a much higher death toll from the environmental dangers. The trainee competition also came across a lot more fancy than the professional completion, like playing minigame events rather than the game itself. The tarot card level was the most unreasonable/unrealistic.
Spoiler

The permutations for possible level configurations means that each of the 12 or so chambers had to have been able to change its environment and game mode on the fly to any of the possible 52 cards, unless the initial order was rigged in advance. Even rigging the initial card order would only be able to narrow down the possibilities. That overly complex field had to have been one of the most complex and expensive outside of the Versailles level (that art would have been expensive af if it were real). And then they just burned it down equipment and all??? At least for the bug and dinosaur levels stuff was on loan from sponsors and then returned safely.

[collapse]

The main couple is cute. The side characters are all unique and engaging. Even the ‘villain’ is handled well.

Worth a read. <<less
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hy-d-ra
hy-d-ra
November 25, 2022
Status: --
I'm sitting and laughing my ass off at other reviews mentioning the description overuse how MC is all cute, has doe eyes, his clear skin is glowing and his milky scent, good god please don't tell me he has butterlies in his stomach and he poops rainbows!! So thanks for good laughs, especially moon-bunnies, you made my day.

But I can't help, but agree to this point in the story. Sometimes authors get too much water with character description, which is not needed, but it adds the word count. Yet being... more>> reminded every second how MC looks like and how cute he should be it makes me feel like I'm being underestimated, more my ability to remember things. Men sweat, it's wrong to be delusional about it, sweating is okay and getting stinky too. Also, don't you find strange when MC has all description of what you'd say about a kid? I know it shouldn't be interpreted in the wrong way, but this aesthetic that originates from rl where, especially women, are expected to be always young. I once saw a video of a Chinese girl describing women stereotypes and being young, cute, silly little white was one of them (e.g. I especially got shocked from TV drama screenshots where an old guy stands with much younger actress who plays his mother lol). I suppose it got spread on shous too. But I prefer my men being described as not so tender. Thus this aesthetic sometimes leaves me with questions.

As for the story... I must admit, it's beed pending in my on-hold list for a very long time, by long time I mean more than a year for sure. I've read a ton of other stories after that and every time I see my list and this novel pending in there it always ends up in - nah~, not feeling it. This should be credited to the fact that unlike many who are so obsessed with this story and are so into the romance between the two I'm not feeling it and I got bored. I would have finished this off, but when it was apparent how ML has issues and for a reason MC keeps him more sane, yet also it's like the bordering "want to protect, but also would bully" type of thing, the game was all shooting here and there with bit of humor coming and going, anyway you saw where things would go from there and that very moment is deciding for me, I can get bored in a second with a flick because of that, unless there's one redeeming factor that would keep me going. I had none, so I put this away and I'm not sure I want to come back.

For others who seek a bit of fluff on the bloody arena with a seasoned ML slowly getting close to a cute little guy damn this story will be fore you. It's all about taste, not really to my taste. <<less
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shuulys
shuulys rated it
September 23, 2022
Status: Completed
too great!!!!

amazing plot and characters. Loved the romance as well. Wasn't too fast paced.

WuJin is toooo cute and adorable ❤ cuteness overload. Plus WeiShi is super doting (in his own way) and damn cool. Heh.

highly recommended. Its actually my second time reading this :)
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loneplum
loneplum rated it
July 10, 2022
Status: Completed
Premise: A 21st century boy band lead dancer trainee suddenly finds himself as a contestant in a survival game 1000 years in the future.

Since the main plot centers around a survival show, I had assumed that the story pacing would be much faster. As a result, the story moved slower than I had expected, and it took about 50 chapters before I really got into it. Then, it all became very exciting and was well worth reading.

The antics and bickering amongst the show contestants, moderators, and fans are hilarious.... more>> The themes and puzzles of the survival game are inventive and complex; the author (and translators) clearly put a lot of research and effort into this aspect. It’s a great story about a hard-working innocent boy who slowly becomes a tough combatant.

I wavered between giving 4 or 5 stars as the pacing is my main gripe - it took a while to delve into the story - and the story repeatedly describes the MC as obedient, bunny-like, or beautiful which, depending on your mood, can get tiresome. Despite his outer appearance, the MC is actually a strong character who is unafraid to implement his own ideas. The ML is awesome as he is super supportive of the MC, helping him grow from a pretty boy into a fearsome survival show contestant.

Overall, I decided to give it 5 stars because the novel’s deficiencies were ultimately made up by its strengths. <<less
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Ality
Ality rated it
April 8, 2022
Status: c1
This story is about love and guns.

It's wonderful and easy going. The MC is a youth without any combat experience in the beginning, but very hardworking and smart. He climbes up in the rankings with his own strengths and power (with his intelligence in particular, because the point that he can't just overbeat the contestants with more experience and strength is very realistic and well written). The ML is seems a bit OP, but it's not a minus, but a setting! He teachs MC, so he becomes a thoroughly sturdy... more>> survival player. Although ML's power is based on his history line, and he doesn't intervene in MC doings and fights when MC wants to do it himself, even if he can lose. MC isn't scared to force his own way to the top without ML help and even ready to fight against ML in future brawls! And I like that MC chooses not the same life way, that he knows,
Spoiler

instead of rising on the solid foundation of his idol skills he chooses the completely anknown pass as a survivol trainee, and I like it so much!

[collapse]
. There are also games-instanes that are like in quick transmigration novels, carefully designed and very interesting, with complicated rules. Other characters are different from each other and well written, some of them becomes a family and friends for MC, some of them not, but even opponents are interesting and do not fall in front of MC (except big evils that related to MC and ML histories. They just flip over like broken houses of cards when ML reaches them, and some of their moves are very predictable. But even so it's quite nice to watch these badass fall) There is some drama in heroes backstories, but overall this story is a comedy with fluff ending.

If you like harworking MC, fights, puzzles, guns and romance, you would enjoy "Surprise!...", the story is absolutely worth reading (ノ◕ヮ◕) ノ*.✧ <<less
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Yumeru
Yumeru
March 9, 2022
Status: c100
Leaving first a review here

There's twist in the storey. Our MC is so hardworking and loveable! ML also has his own struggles and slowlybeing melted by MC. Their past is tragic but fate connects them. May exciting scenes on the survival show. Although there's too much description sometimes I jjst browse it. I took a peek at the end and of course it's HE
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