Anyway, quite a positive reception followed, and then it was Son Jae Ha’s team’s turn.
Frankly…
“Trainee Son Jae Ha, what went wrong?”
Min Si Young’s dismayed expression as she posed the question said it all.
“It’s just…”
The performance started off plain.
Primarily because Son Jae Ha had carefully picked team members with either experience or solid fundamentals, even if they were low-ranked.
The exception was perhaps Bang Yu Chan, who outshone other trainees in vocal skills, making his inclusion understandable.
However, the problem exploded during the dance break.
“Oh, what…? This isn’t right,”
The team’s dance break center member, who had been insisting on doing something different to stand out, suddenly launched into breakdancing, causing a major disruption.
“Ugh…”
Even Son Jae Ha, who usually maintained a composed smile, grimaced at that moment.
Is there a worse sign on stage than frowning?
“That’s…”
With Jin Dasol shocked and speechless, Moon Yun Ha took the microphone from him and sharply criticized.
“Why would you do something like that on stage, not during practice? It’s an eyesore. It’s a nuisance. We talked about teamwork, but you just ignored it… And why couldn’t the other team members support properly? It’s not like this is your first or second day of practice.”
The atmosphere of Son Jae Ha’s team plummeted.
Especially after our team and Liu Wei’s team had received fairly positive reviews, the backlash was severe.
The climax of this discomfort was when all the trainees gathered on stage to see the results on the screen.
[1st Place: Team Ji Hwa Sung / MVP: Ji Hwa Sung]
[2nd Place: Team Liu Wei / MVP: Liu Wei]
[3rd Place: Team Son Jae Ha / MVP: Son Jae Ha]
It was both expected and unexpected.
The expected part, well, is that all the AG pure-blood trainees snagged the MVP spots…
The disappointing part is.
“Guys, you still did well. I know you tried your best.”
…That Jae Ha’s team placed third.
“*Sniffle…*”
“Don’t cry, Ryota. This is just the baseline for us, okay.”
Jae Ha patted Ryota’s shoulder, as the latter burst into tears. He tried to console him, since they would face a certain drop in his ranking due to this stage.
His own expression wasn’t any better.
While he was still higher up in the ranks, the stage performance dropped him from the overall 1st to 3rd place.
It was understandable to worry that his rank would continue to fall.
Of course, Jae Ha is expected to debut securely but… anyway.
“Ah, it’s thanks to the help of my team members that we got first place. … As we will have audiences for the next stages, I’ll work harder to show better performances.”
“Yes, Ji Hwa Sung. Congratulations!”
“…….”
Maybe because of his respected brother’s misfortune,
Ji Hwa Sung, who climbed to the top overall rank after today’s success, didn’t seem too happy during the interview either.
A good stage leaves some unable to smile, while a lackluster performance propels others forward.
That was the nature of survival.
The notion that for one to ascend, another must be pulled down.
* * *
However, the first thing Ji Hwa Sung said to me, returning to the waiting room after descending from the stage, was something I hadn’t expected.
“Chunyong hyung should have received the MVP.”
…Was his grimace not because of Jae Ha’s misfortune but mine?
“Uh…”
I gaped in surprise, not saying more due to the cameras strewn about the waiting room, but I knew exactly what Ji Hwa Sung meant.
‘Not just because of the agency backing for MVP, but I wanted it fair and square, with my own skills.’
He’s thinking about all of this in vain.
Snapping back to reality, instead of consoling Ji Hwa Sung or wearing a sad face, I slung my arm around his neck and spoke cheerfully.
“Hey! Why are you giving all the credit away? Are you boasting about doing well? Huh? Teasing me?”
“No, what are you talking about, I just said something true—”
“Guys, Ji Hwa Sung is trying to act cool again. Come tease him!”
“Got it! Time to revolt against the dictator Stalin!”
“Okay, leave it to me.”
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!”
As Logan and Gao Yan rushed in to tickle Ji Hwa Sung, and he flailed helplessly, I pulled his ear closer and whispered.
“Stop the nonsense. It’s all right. Don’t feel guilty, just go see Jae Ha later.”
At my words, Ji Hwa Sung’s eyes widened. But I joined the others in tickling him as if I had never said a word.
“Ahah, wait! Just a moment! Chunyong! Ahh!”
“Think calling my name will save you?”
Survival.
Some die, some live.
Well, that’s true. After all, I debuted through such a process.
But it’s just been two stages, one nearly a talent show. Too early to get depressed.
Above all, the most crucial thing for an idol hopeful isn’t industry seniors’ opinions.
<HOT!> Idol Survival, Targeting Star’s 1st Teaser Released!
…but the eyes of the public.
YOU ARE READING
TMMIB!
Random**Story not mine** Title: The Malicious Member is Back! Nicknamed the worst malicious member in idol history, called 'Trash-Rex.' Stage name Rex, real name Kim Chunyong. As he was urgently arrested, with only the entertainment world waiting for him...
