From Talent Show to Superstar

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If life were a story divided into protagonists and supporting characters, Xie Xizhao had always been cast as the cannon fodder.

As a boy band member, he was the least popular outsider, the weak leader ostracized by his teammates.

As an actor, he was a background extra, a nameless figure mocked by gossip columns.

Just when he finally rose to fame as a singer, tragedy struck—an anti-fan poisoned his throat with a special dr*g, ruining his voice forever. Reduced to obscurity, he met an untimely end in a sudden car accident.

The moment he closed his eyes, Xie Xizhao calmly watched the montage of his exceptionally unlucky life.

When he opened them again, he found himself back at the very beginning.

Employee 001 of the Time-Space System, Xie Xizhao, had finally reached full completion and was officially retiring. All the employees of the system celebrated his departure.

As a key member of the “Cannon Fodder Division” in the entertainment industry, Xie Xizhao’s hard work over the years had not gone unnoticed.

Someone patted him on the shoulder and sighed, “It’s been tough. It’s over now.”

Xie Xizhao smiled, finished his celebratory drink, and replied, “Not tough at all. It’s just beginning.”

Half a month later, Xie Xizhao returned to his original body.

Six months later, the entertainment industry witnessed the debut of the strongest dark horse in history—a triple-threat rising to the very top.

#No Romance

Reading Notes:

1. A max-level Boss returning to the Novice Village. The story begins with a talent show and leads to dominance in acting, singing, and variety. The talent show structure is inspired by the traditional “Produce 101” format.

2. The protagonist is a calm and collected master of the scene.

3. No real-life references—please do not assume character inspirations.

Associated Names
One entry per line
从选秀开始成为顶流天王
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Treated Like a Big Shot by Everyone in the Boy Group Survival Show (4)
After the Group Disbanded, I Became Famous! (3)
The Sacrificial Royal in the Boy Group Survival Show (2)
Superstars of Tomorrow (1)
After Transmigrating Into An Idol Talent Show (1)
Transmigrated into a 200-Member Boy Group (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. showbiz novel ive read (part 1)
  2. Showbiz
  3. Famous MC
  4. Entertainment industry novels (Male protagonist)
  5. Read a bit

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/20/25 A Wandering Potato c175
04/20/25 A Wandering Potato c174
04/20/25 A Wandering Potato c173
04/19/25 A Wandering Potato c172
04/19/25 A Wandering Potato c171 part2
04/19/25 A Wandering Potato c171 part1
04/18/25 A Wandering Potato c170
04/18/25 A Wandering Potato c169
04/17/25 A Wandering Potato c168
04/17/25 A Wandering Potato c167
04/16/25 A Wandering Potato c166
04/16/25 A Wandering Potato c165
04/15/25 A Wandering Potato c164
04/15/25 A Wandering Potato c163
04/14/25 A Wandering Potato c162 part2
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11 Reviews sorted by


trynaFindthat1story
New trynaFindthat1story
May 27, 2025
Status: Completed
Loved this story, although there is no romance, the story itself kept me engaged.

This took me several days to finish reading and more than half of those days were off-days. I finished this story on the day of my last exam :D (i read more than I studied)
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Qween_Weeb
New Qween_Weeb rated it
May 24, 2025
Status: Completed
Fantastic. I REALLYYY loved this MC. Genuinely intelligent, op, high emotional intelligence too, and down-to-earth and likeable. His EQ and introspection in particular were the highlights of this novel for me. Overall a very endearing character. Loved seeing him succeed at life, and the face-slapping moments were truly satisfying. His group dynamics were also nice, with a likeable cast of side characters as well. The way author handled MC's introspection, him coming to terms with his trauma and past experiences, and setting new goals for the future-- I LOVED IT.... more>> Love when characters seem like real people, who can take a step back, acknowledge their flaws and address them.

The final 2 chapters were VERY well done, with MC opening up to
Spoiler

Lin Song, one of his friends from his time in the system. Their bonding moment, as well as MC's recollection of his new life after rebirth, was a great way to end the story.

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The lack of romance in this novel didn't bother me at all, and it was a fitting choice for this novel, given that MC had well-developed and close bonds and friendships with multiple characters. This novel was also career-focused, which truly was a breath of fresh air. <<less
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LittleOak
LittleOak rated it
March 3, 2025
Status: Completed
I really enjoyed this one, it's one of the better entertainment and idol novels out there. He's definitely OP but he doesn't grow arrogant or think "I'm better than you all" like other MCs.

There isn't much face slapping or many villains. Most of the side characters aren't outrageously evil and petty so you won't get any direct face slapping. But there are ups and downs, face slapping water armies and such. But overall, the novel is more relaxed and heartwarming, not a rush to become a superstar.

What makes me like... more>> this novel so much is how down-to-earth the MC is. He makes the lives of everyone he meets better and just strives to live how he wants. In other novels where the MC returns from a system, the MC tends to believe that every choice they make is right, and anyone who disagrees with them tend to get face slapped or regret. Their stories are fun but it gets exhausting to wait for the secretly strong MC to show off and for the endless bad guys to get retribution. I like how in this story, there isn't an emphasis on revenge or an "eye for an eye" mentality.

Other stories get you a rush of adrenaline when the MC fights back. This stories makes you cheer on the MC for their happy ending, be happy when they are and just watch their journey. <<less
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swagarilife
swagarilife rated it
April 18, 2025
Status: --
My First Review (Sorry if something doesn't make sense, I used a translator!)

At first, this novel seems to follow the typical cliché of a reborn protagonist with a somewhat arrogant personality. However, as the story progresses, you realize that Xie Xizhao is quite the opposite. His character development is one of the aspects I enjoyed the most.

The funny moments with the TP boys are really entertaining, and the way XXZ seems to unintentionally form a "harem" is also quite amusing. I grew really fond of the story because it... more>> shows the protagonist’s journey through a hierarchical structure until he reaches "the top" of the entertainment industry.

It's not a particularly unique story compared to many other similar novels —objectively, I’d rate it around 4.2 out of 5 stars— but there’s a personal factor that affects my opinion: I started reading it when it only had about 10 chapters, so I feel a bit nostalgic about it. There are still some extras to be released, but it already gives me that bittersweet feeling of not wanting it to end, haha.

If you enjoy light reads about personal growth with a touch of comedy, this is a great choice. <<less
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thecrivens
thecrivens rated it
April 27, 2025
Status: Completed
A good one to read. No romance at all but many shippable characters. The MC is OP, but I like that his character is quite realistic in line with his background story. I thought with the length of talent show arc, the author wouldn’t have time to expand on the other aspects of the entertainment industry. I was wrong.

Overall, a very satisfying read
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
asampe_tae
asampe_tae rated it
May 5, 2025
Status: Completed
I had so much fun reading this! I'd been in a reading slump for a while when I stumbled upon this novel in a forum, and it was exactly what I needed. Was it a groundbreaking, never-been-done story? Nope. But Xie Xizhao's relentless rise to the top was so satisfying to witness.😌

Best part for me was how the story didn't just focus on his climb—it let him stay at the peak. I've read tons of entertainment industry novels and so many of them obsess over the struggle to the top... more>> and then fizzle out, but here, Xie Xizhao's dominance was unshakeable. Quite frankly, this is the first I've read a showbiz novel that really hammers MC's fame in. I nearly screamed while reading the airport scene with the sea of fans. The power! The presence! That part was pure gold.

Spoiler

That said, a few parts could've been tighter. Why did he sign onto Specter knowing the script was changed? It was really unncessary.

And that Produce-style survival show arc (can't remember the name🤦🏻‍♀️) felt a bit wasted. Yes, his influence was shown but the show felt very bleh. It made it seem like the group that debuted was very average. That arc was a missed opportunity, honestly.

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But overall, I loved it. Xie Xizhao was an absolute gem, darling Purple Star and ACE.😌 I also adored The Phoenix members (Fu Wenze, you have my heart. 💖) Also, major props to the translator! Xièxiè fānyì dàlǎo! 🤍

PS: This is more me fangirling than a proper review.😶 But do read it. <<less
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solar_eclipsxx
solar_eclipsxx rated it
April 30, 2025
Status: c175
I'm usually just a silent reader and don't post reviews frequently, but I've genuinely haven't been attached and intrigued with an entertainment novel since debut or die, but this really was a fresh of breath of air. I love the world-building, mc's interaction with everyone heck even the forum posts. I truly love Xizhao and his mindset about everything, he knows his strengths but also his weakness, not everyone can be a perfect person even if the world think he's one, and he knows that.

His personality is also pretty great,... more>> quite, straightforward, and analytical but a great leader, friend and group mate, although people view him as apathetic he genuinely tries to help people whenever he can and would get angry on their behalf (e.g panpan's situation). He's a very interesting, knows how much his worth is, and a dependable MC that people look up to.

although I really would've like to see his other members works too and more scenes after TP debuted since at the 100+ of the novel especially when xizhao has started his acting career, TP quietly wasn't mentioned that much anymore, it would've been better if after acting we'll focus again on TP then after that acting again, but sadly it didn't do that. Their farewell concert also should've been a more longer arc considering the fact that he worked hard to for TP and was the cataclyist of his fame, but it was just mentioned on the extra chapter so that was that. I know there was a timeskip and all but still. Overall, this was a solid 10/10 read, highly recommend for you guys to read this, kinda upset it's not not that long and a downside is that this novel put my expectations too high I can't pick another one to read after this lol. <<less
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LilahSherm
LilahSherm rated it
February 24, 2025
Status: c48
Maybe its because I used to watch alot of talent survival shows back then, this story feels very nostalgic to me.

In the first few chapters XXZ kinda came across as arrogant which I wasn't a fan of. But its later revealed that that was intentional. The MC is smart and talented which im a big fan of.

I think part of the reason I like this story a lot is because of how easily it can get me to feel things for the characters. The frustration when he gets supressed by... more>> the production team. And the happiness when he succeeds at something <<less
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clemyl
clemyl rated it
May 12, 2025
Status: Completed
My review may be biased as I have a strong preference on this type of novels as a fan of survival shows, but I really liked the story for a casual read.

The novel is really fun to read, even just to pass time, and while we follow most of the MC in the story, I really liked how the side characters were characterized and fleshed out as well.

My favorite character aside from MC -

... more>>
Spoiler

Ji Yan. I really liked how fun he was in the survival show arc and how he stuck to his original plan of gaining exposure through the show instead of getting the "buff" MC has.

Oftentimes in these novels the first friend of MC either becomes really successful or is secretly backstabbing him, so Ji Yan just being a cute and funny guy throughout the arc was really fun to read. While he might seem just the funny guy in the story, I liked how he shared some moments with Xie Xizhao where XXZ felt the connection between a friend again after coming back to his world.

I definitely wish he had more appearances in the later part of the story, but I am satisfied with how he was shown and the difference in his character vs when he was more inexperienced.

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My favorite arc/section -

Spoiler

Shooting the TV show Summer. While I do not have personal experience of the creative block that WY/the director seemed to have in this part, it felt like the story during this part touched me the most on the creative process of producing shows/music/art.

Also, I really liked how they described the drama as well on this part, where I could almost imagine how it would have looked. I almost wish this was a real drama that I could have watched.

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What I wish they explored more -

Spoiler

Was on MC's motivations and mental state after his experience on the system. This came on way later in the story, when he was already a well established celebrity in the novel, but I wish this was explored a bit earlier to have this feeling of an "end goal"? While reading through the different arcs - I actually wondered if it would be explored or this would just be a MC just became OP and his journey to becoming great.

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This is almost a pure feel good story on MC's experience in the entertainment industry, but not without the character growth and characters that would make you feel for them. I would recommend for people that like entertainment-world novels to read this :) <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
DaydreamGe
DaydreamGe rated it
February 11, 2025
Status: Completed
Why the description looks different from the story in chapter 1 is a question.

So MC got a car accident with his dream of becoming stuck in lab in his future dream as scientist.

Become agent in time space system which when described makes me want to destroy it. (So cannon fodder assistance system is like a tool man to fulfill a story, WTF is my response) .

So MC complete that, return to original world, suddenly enter entertainment? And no cheat for now except skills he learn himself. An unknown dice?
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anjellyfeesh
anjellyfeesh rated it
April 4, 2025
Status: c148
It's a very good story and has some good character development.

... more>>
Spoiler

My only issue with idol novels like this one, especially ones with survival shows, is the fact that the author barely writes about what happens after the idol group debuts. After the show, the author just wrote the creation, process, and audience reaction of the debut song and then time skips into the part when the group is about to disband or is already at the peak of their popularity as a group. The MC in this one pursues acting after two-three years of being an idol. It feels so abrupt and disappointing that the author skips the part when they actually struggle as a group and just writes all of their struggles into a summary.

I've read another idol novel where the MC also ends up acting in the end. Their struggles as a group in the entertainment industry was barely shown in that story and it was disappointing. KR novels focus on their struggles before anything else, at least. Meanwhile, CN novels usually skip over those parts.

But despite my slight disappointment, I do like this novel and the MC. The MC is very cunning and has learned a great deal during the four years (?) of being an NPC. He's very sharp and knows how people inside and outside of the entertainment industry think about idols. He's very calm about the hate he gets because of how many times he became an NPC in another world.

The novel is fun and the humor made my stomach hurt from so much laughing. The MC, despite how mature he looks, can be childish depending on who he's with. I also love his relationship with his group members and friends.

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<<less
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