I Became A Big Star After I Quit The Entertainment Industry

Although I do enjoy reading some Mary Sue or Gary Stu stories from time to time, I can't help but feel it's such a waste.

Mary Sue/Gary Stu can be a delightful read when you're in the mood for some overly sweet, pampering romance, but this novel is clearly more focused on the main character's (MC) development—or at least their reputation and popularity development.

I feel it's a waste because the MC's story is already compelling on its own:

An unfortunate idol who faced bad luck (thanks to an incompetent and pit-digging "promoting" agent) fails to gain recognition and quits the entertainment industry to return to the sports world as an athlete, rising to stardom.

The story didn't need to be as Gary Stu as it is, given that the MC has a stubborn and hardworking character. It might have been better if the MC was a different kind of Gary Stu, or if the author had spent more time detailing the MC's independent growth, such as their training, physical transformation, and the transition from an idol lifestyle to an athlete lifestyle. Instead, the focus on the system somewhat undermines not only the MC but also the opposing athletes who train year-round, as well as the male lead (ML) who was motivated and fell in love because of the MC's stubbornness and hard work.

———

I found myself skimming through most parts after Chapter 28 because I realized the story was more about boasting about the MC than about the MC's journey to becoming stronger. I also noticed that fans, netizens, and side characters have far more dialogue than the MC and ML. The author uses these characters to praise the MC...

So, in my opinion, the story focused on the wrong aspects, which made it feel bland.

Really good read. My main issue is that the MC gets the Idol System but never really returns to being an idol in the entertainment industry. Also, be warned that romance is implied until the extras of the first story, so it’s a slow burn.

I just read up to where it was translated because I didn't think it was worth machine-translating. Contrary to other reviewers, I don't mind overpowered characters if the plot is well-written. The issue I had is that, so far, all the races have followed the same pattern: people underestimate him > he races and thinks he can go even faster > he goes faster > he wins or beats his personal best or surprises people with the results > people's faces are slapped, and they also admire how he looks.

There's also a random romance that seems to be happening or not happening. I can clearly tell who the male lead is, but I don't understand how he got attracted to the protagonist in the first place. There's absolutely no chemistry in their interactions. Not that there has to be, but their interactions seem pointless. It's as if they were forced in there just to remind the reader that the male lead exists. I'd rather there be no romance subplot, especially since, according to other reviewers, nothing significant happens in the main story anyway—so what's the point?

I couldn't help but think that maybe some of the reviews are off base. Yes, the main character (MC) is overpowered (OP), but that's due to his natural talent and relentless hard work. Even though he has a system that aids his training, ultimately, it's his dedication that drives his success. He trains from morning till night, and even during his sleep, he enters the system to hone his sprinting and hurdling skills.

It might seem unfair to other athletes because of the system’s rewards, such as stamina recovery and fast healing. However, these benefits are limited—only 10% recovery every 10 minutes or up to 60-70% recovery per hour. Additionally, the MC is the shortest among the other field and track athletes, standing at 177 cm when the story starts. He grows a bit, maybe around 2.5 cm, but he still faces a height disadvantage, especially in hurdles.

Please don’t misunderstand and underestimate the MC’s hard work in this story. Labeling him the same as other overpowered main characters isn’t fair. And he’s not winning every competition, contrary to what some reviews claim!

By the way, reading machine-translated light novels can be frustrating. I’d love a thoroughly translated version, but I’m not sure if anyone will take it up.

Anyway, I’ll give this 5 stars because I really like, appreciate, and admire the MC’s hard work, commitment, and determination.

Hold your horses, everyone! 😂😄😩

I'll categorize this as Book 1, 2 & 3. This novel is firmly in the sports genre (I'm a big fan of sports anime myself), so if you're looking for drama, slapstick comedy, or explicit content, this isn't the place. The BL aspect is quite subtle (for me, as a dedicated BL reader, it's not enough—it's more like a gentle touch, you know what I mean). This novel also has a realistic feel to it. 🤗

Book 1: Track and Field (long) – The author did their research, big time! 👍👍👍👍

Book 2: Shooting (short)

Book 3: Hehehe, just wait and see! 🤓🤓😉😉

This was my first time reading a sports genre story, and I love how detailed it was. It really helped me understand what track and field sports are all about. It's so good!

I'm not great with words, so I'll keep it simple: this novel is really enjoyable, especially if you're looking for something to pass the time.

It’s technically a sports novel, but it has a game-like setting where the main character needs to gain experience to become stronger.

The romance is minimal, but it’s present; however, the focus is more on fan-like admiration or something similar.

, it’s a great read. By the way, I’ve already read this novel twice and I’m about to dive into it again.

I have very mixed feelings about this novel.

On one hand, I enjoyed reading about an overpowered (OP) athlete. I appreciated how, despite the protagonist being OP, he wasn’t the winner most of the time—often placing second, third, or even fourth. This progression from strong to stronger added depth to his character. During major competitions, like the Olympics, you knew he would win a medal, but the suspense of whether it would be gold, silver, or bronze kept things interesting. I also liked how the "karma" moments felt more natural, rather than the protagonist or love interest (ML) directly dishing out punishment. This aligns well with the novel’s theme of maturity for both the MC and ML.

On the other hand, the novel became a bit draggy with the sheer number of competitions and races the MC participates in. The author’s repetitive writing, often reduced to "I can go faster!" for many of the races, lost its impact over time. It also bothered me that there was always a convenient reason for every instance where the MC performed poorly, though I understand that an OP character needs some form of challenge to remain engaging.

Regarding the romance, while reading, I absolutely hated the minimal interaction between the MC and ML. It wasn’t until the end of the main story that I began to appreciate it—somewhat. The final chapter revealed that this novel is about two mature individuals deeply committed to their careers. Any indulgence in romance could have compromised their professional achievements. I admired the MC’s maturity in recognizing ML’s feelings without direct confession and his own realization of his affection. My only complaint is that I wished the author had shown more of their friendship rather than just telling us they were friends.

, I enjoyed the novel, but if you’re looking for a romance-heavy story, this isn’t the right choice.