Today, This Bystander Passed by the Male Lead’s Set Again

In China, there’s a tumultuous five-member boy band known as ABCDE. Except for the utterly unremarkable protagonist E of this story, the other members are all configured as typical JJ male leads. – A is a reborn individual who was switched at birth. In his past life, he was used as a stand-in by a CEO. His life is filled with complex male-male relationships, daily entangled in various Asura fields and “chasing wife in the crematorium” scenarios. – B is a top scorer in the college entrance examination, actually a big shot from ancient times who transmigrated to the present. He’s proficient in various traditional arts and painting; his works are hailed as national treasures. – C is a superpowered individual who fast-travels through dreams to the movies he needs to act in. He’s praised as a genius of experiential acting. – D is an infinite flow player who frequently disappears for ten minutes during events to clear dungeons, earning a reputation for poor kidney function and being haunted by supernatural events. He’s famous in the industry for his extreme sports skills. Only our protagonist E lacks any superpowers or melodramatic plots in this vibrant boy band, yet he is often inadvertently drawn into the colorful lives of ABCD. For instance: – When a group of CEOs is attempting to “chase wives in the crematorium,” E casually walks by while playing on his phone and says, “Please line up today as well.” – When B is performing mental arithmetic of four-digit numbers multiplied by four-digit numbers, E stands beside him using a calculator on his phone, saying, “Oh, so that’s how it is.” – When C accidentally reveals he’s been traversing through movies and nervously looks at E, E tilts his head but neither confirms nor denies noticing. And when C complains about the high challenge of a scene, E, still playing on his phone, says, “But if it’s you, C, there must be a way.” – Occasionally, upon entering the restroom and coming face-to-face with D—who has suddenly appeared, covered in blood and looking at himself in horror—E calmly says, “There are still twenty minutes before we go on stage. Is that enough time to clean your face?” E believes he’s living a peaceful life, but his four teammates feel he sees through everything and find him terrifying. On the second anniversary of the band’s formation, ABCDE accepts an interview. Reporter: Among the five of you, there’s A, the center of tumultuous scandals; B, who casually produces national treasure-level paintings and might have to go home to inherit the family business if he doesn’t work hard; C, an experiential acting genius rare in a century; D, known for his mysterious aura and being haunted by supernatural events; and… E, who is often ridiculed for always playing on his phone, treating the industry like clocking in and out of work, and is as unremarkable as a passerby. Who do you think is the most unfathomable person? A: E B: E C: E D: E Reporter: …E, what do you think? E, who had been ignored by the reporter, looks up from his phone. “Ah, is it my turn? Hmm, I think everyone is just ordinary people who get along well.” ABCD: *(Looking at E’s gentle smile for the N+1th time)* E is terrifying!!!

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Today, This Bystander Passed by the Male Lead’s Set Again "Today, This Bystander Passed by the Male Lead’s Set Again" is a wild ride, and I mean that in the best possible way. This story blends comedy, drama, slice of life, and even a touch of the supernatural into a surprisingly cohesive and thought-provoking narrative. It's not always a smooth ride, but it's definitely one that sticks with you. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the promise of a lighthearted and funny story. The premise of an MC joining an idol group filled with "male leads" with unusual attributes had me chuckling from the start. The early chapters definitely deliver on that comedic promise, especially with all the layers of misunderstandings that pile up. It's the kind of humor that makes you want to share screenshots with your friends. ### What Works Well The characters are a major strength. The MC is a refreshing change from typical protagonists, and his jaded, world-weary attitude is strangely endearing. The male lead is also very well written. The author does a fantastic job of developing a cast of characters that feel individual and relatable, each grappling with their own problems and motivations. Beyond the humor, the story delves into some surprisingly deep themes. It explores ideas of destiny, free will, and the struggle against predetermined roles. The MC's attempts to subvert the "rules" of the world and free other characters from their narrative constraints add a layer of tension and excitement. It's a clever commentary on storytelling itself. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, before I go any further, let's put up a spoiler warning! Some plot points are better experienced firsthand, so proceed with caution. ### Final Verdict Despite some potential pacing issues, "Today, This Bystander Passed by the Male Lead’s Set Again" is a unique and engaging story. It successfully blends humor, drama, and philosophical themes into a compelling narrative. If you're looking for a story that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even shed a tear or two, this one is definitely worth checking out.