"Music became a chore. Didn't want it anymore."
Abe Kosuke was a child prodigy in classical music during the late 2000s. At the age of singular digits, he mastered prized pieces in piano and cello. The world was waiting for the young Japanese child...
The mentors before them had the credentials that any hopeful praying to be trained under their supervision. And now 100 boys had the opportunity at the expense of the damages a survival show brought on their character and health. He surveyed the seven, taking note of how each presented themselves differently. And he had to satisfy all of them, at least to an extent.
Ultimately, it would be the star creators who he'd have to vy attention to. They decided his fate and it would be foolish for him to set aside their expectations and wants.
"You must do well if you want to keep enjoying this, right?"
The reminders of how the show is a competition are highlighted by the words of the supporting team. Even confidence is put to the test. As he gazed at his three-star level, he knew that although the gap between K and G was minimal, it still made them rank lower than the other team. And it brought him to a disadvantage, like the show's intention against the international trainees.
He saw many Koreans place their level above the maximum. And as much self-esteem it could've brought earlier, he knew this would diminish over time. After all, were they really any good enough to surpass the four-star if they still had not been part of a final lineup in debut somewhere? Maybe it was his pessimistic side that brought on the unnecessary commentary — but it was better to see the worse for he was once burned by fame and expectation in the past.
"...you'll either keep, add, or have to take off all the stars on your name tag."
A threat they weaved in eyes drawn by stars at the chance. Cruel. Cruel. Cruel. But wasn't the whole entertainment industry running on the backs of people begging to see someone like themselves on screen? A representation of their clause on media, that somehow kids like them made it possible.
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The level ratings confused Corbin. Other groups and trainees were reduced to the three-star level for not expending excellence in a certain area. Yet others were welcomed in the four leagues despite not exhibiting all-rounder talents. There had to be some scale they weren't aware of, the list of exceptions.
As they rang past trainees, he knew that the justice scale tipped at a blind but biased decision. Others would argue it leaned over the birthplace of Kpop. Corbin didn't disagree. He eyed many nameplates of those who went past the test and noticed how there were more K trainees who kept a high track of stars. His hands gently brushed against his own stickers, knowing that they were at risk with whatever narrative the show would mark him with.
But as he observed the whole competition as a whole, it somehow catered to a few more trainees than solely on nationality. "Voters aren't as easily deceived nowadays though." The comment slipped past his lips in hushes. But despite the volume muted, a few of those seated near him heard.
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A Chinese Yuehua trainee glanced at him, sensing the frustration even if Japanese wasn't his forte. There were some soft syllables that he rolled out scathingly in the quick comment. And as someone who mostly kept his silence in glares, Corbin's comment caught his attention. And frankly, Zhang Hao understood why many were intimidated.
