I am a Pioneer

Raise the Standard

Waking up the morning after our final dress rehearsal, we all gathered in the cafeteria and had breakfast. We were then taken by vans to the filming location and started to get ready to perform. As we were preparing our judges and audience members, the other JYPE trainees, JYP himself, and some of the trainers began to arrive and take their seats. The sound of conversations could be heard from backstage. There were about 30 trainees, 7 trainers, and JYP who had turned up to watch and judge us. All of us were beginning to feel pretty nervous.

The other 5 man group was up first for their performance. They looked like they had finally sorted out the issues and Seol Young was now playing along, however, it seemed that they still hadn't had enough practice as even during the little rehearsals they were doing backstage, they came across as nervous and unfamiliar with the movements. All I could do for them was mentally hope for good fortune to fall their way.

They walked out onto the stage, all decked out. They were all dressed in schoolboy outfits and the stage had been decorated like a classroom. The trainees all cheered when the guys walked out. Everyone loves the schoolboy concept, no matter how many times it's used. They performed their original song. They had called it 'Educator' it seemed to be a song about losing your childhood innocence. It talked about becoming more aware of the world around us, and what was happening outside of our own lives. The choreography and outfits made it tell a story of kids in their final year of school, slowly beginning to learn about the big events that are happening outside of the old bubble that they had lived within up until that point. It shows them slowly becoming more aware and knowledgeable of everything that is going on. It was an interesting song overall, but due to the low amount of practice that they had due to various arguments the performance was heavily lacking. The song finished and they received some cheers and claps from the audience. JYP thanked them and called for the next team to come on stage. That was us. We came on stage dressed in white and gold military uniforms. DongBang and I had capes on. Mine was a shoulder cape that you would see on generals in films, while DongBang's was a cape that flowed from behind. Younjae carried a prop sword around his waist, while Chan-wook had a golden eyepatch. The set on the stage had been changed to what looked like the outside of a castle, where the soldiers would gather before battle. We quickly introduced ourselves and the song we would be performing. The song was called 'Raise the Standard' It was a reference to the standard which was prominent in ancient Roman military formations. It carried the morale of the army. It also referenced the gathering of the army, a call to arms. While simultaneously referencing our performance, and how we would get better every time we performed. It was a call to arms and a challenge to our fans. It was like saying "We've arrived and are ready to fight, are you?" 

Following the introduction, we all got into our positions. As I was to start the song, I disappeared from the stage for the beginning. The music started to play. The start was that of a trumpet playing a call to arms. Then the drums started. The rest of the ensemble joined in gradually. I was raised from an elevator to appear on the balcony of the castle, usually where the King or general would address his troops. The rest of the group members and backup dancers were formed up like an army waiting for a speech. Each member was standing at the head like a commander of a platoon. 

"The lines have been drawn for the new campaign. It is time for us to begin our crusade" I start the song in a slow, melodic tempo and style. 

"Nows the time to muster, nows the time to rise. Pick up your swords, and come to our side" I continue. 

Kyu-Bong then begins his first rap portion of the song. "Calling each and everyone one of you trailblazers out there. This is your call to arms, the call to reveal yourselves, the time to rise is now!" 

As the rap is beginning I jump from the balcony as we practised in rehearsals. I move to make it look like I had pulled out a sword and stabbed it into the wall of the castle. There was a sword hilt already in the wall that I grab a hold of. It then lowers me to the ground, making it look like I was using the sword to slow my fall. I reach the ground and pull the sword from the wall then join in with the choreography. Youngjae and Chan-wook have both sung their lines so my turn to sing has come again. I sing the bridge as we head into the chorus. 

"Everybody stand up, pull out your swords. It's time to raise the standard and march towards a new dawn. Everybody has armour that they adorn, a weapon can take on any form. So join up, form up, and show us what you've got. The colours have been raised, we set off at once!" 

The song continues with high energy. The crowd seems to be really into it. Many are jumping up and down or clapping along. Even JYP is nodding his head to the song. The beat drop then catches everyone off guard. There was no warning. I smirk as me and DongBang take centre stage for a dance break. The song continues after that with just as much momentum. We head into the final verse. 

"We are moving forward to find new lands, to meet new cultures, to develop ourselves. Here we are leading you forward, all we ask is that you pray for our safe return." 

With that, the song ends, and we are all in a pose. Younjae and Kyu-Bong are kneeling like they are exhausted from marching for days without break. Chan-wook and DongBang have posed on either side of me like they were my right and left-hand men. I stood central. Arms folded like a general waiting for a report. We are breathing heavily, having just performed the most intense choreography ever while singing live at the same time. A minute passes in silence, all you can hear is our heavy breathing over the microphone, before the Audience erupts into claps and cheers. JYP is standing up smiling and clapping too.