God Idol Project: Hope [GIPH]

Chapter 14: Debut Evaluation Stage (1)

The male trainees all moved to the waiting room together. They were told that after staying in the waiting room, they would first perform their team stages in a randomly assigned order and then proceed with their individual stages.

The small theater rented for the entire day by Hanul Enter had the touch of professionals. It wasn't perfect, but it resembled a scaled-down version of a broadcasting station's public hall. Although the background and lighting were somewhat clumsy, they managed to mimic the atmosphere fairly well.

Considering this, it was quite a blessing. To have a debut evaluation on such a grand scale, even with family invited.

While the agency itself broadcasts debut reality shows, it was rare for a planning company to prepare such a stage.

Since the start hadn't been announced yet, the murmuring outside was still audible. I hadn't seen it, but according to Park Ha, the audience seats were almost full. I expected over 150 people.

While waiting, the trainees chatted to relieve their nervousness. We also exchanged some casual remarks.

"Isn't the CEO like a demon? Inviting even our families. Isn't that right, Park Ha-jun?"

Could it be that being in front of family makes him more nervous? I thought Oran would be bold and cynical.

"Oran-hyung, you think you'll just fly on stage? My mom and younger sibling are coming too!"

Ah, so Oran was teasing Ha-jun for being a stage natural. Oran, who seemed irritated by Ha-jun's whining, sighed and said, "It's fine to be nervous, but I hope there are people who come."

"Hyung, can't they come?"

"Business trip abroad. They scheduled the evaluation date terribly."

Hmm, I unintentionally learned some personal details. Oran seemed indifferent.

Chorok-hyung, who was checking his makeup in the mirror, said, "I don't have anyone coming either, so we're comrades."

"I could tell just by looking. You didn't tell your parents, did you?"

"Caught me. They would only make noise if they came. Anyway, since I won't be eliminated, they can just watch me on TV later."

"Wow, hyung. That's heartless!"

Could there be a celebrity among Chorok-hyung's family? It wasn't something I could entirely rule out. It seemed like they all knew each other's family situations well, probably from spending so much time together. Maybe in time, I'd know too.

"I'm a comrade? Well, my parents are still in Brighton."

"Yeah. Ji-on, it's difficult for them to come from the UK. They're busy people. I didn't invite them either. It's far and hard to bring my siblings."

Seohon-hyung said it without any sense of disappointment. Coincidentally, except for me and Park Ha, everyone else's family couldn't come.

"What about Iwon? Is his family coming today?"

The question was asked by Ji-on.

"Yeah, both of them said they're coming."

"It'd be nice to greet my mom! It'd be even better if they get along."

According to the added remark, Park Ha hadn't even entered high school and had only completed middle school. As a result, his mom hadn't been able to get along well with other parents who had kids of similar age. He'd hoped for someone with whom she could connect through their children's stories for a long time.

A true filial son. Park Ha had a deep affection for his family, and it was clear how much he loved them just by observing him for a short time.

"I hope both of us make it into the debut team so we can meet our parents."

I wanted to say I'd introduce them, but seeing my condition, I needed to get home and rest as soon as possible. It would be fortunate if my health didn't get noticed before that....

Feigning fatigue, I closed my eyes. I had to get my condition up as much as possible. The noise from afar gradually diminished, and the CEO announced the start of the debut evaluation with a greeting.

Names were called out one by one, and the trainees who prepared their team stages went up on stage. I could faintly hear the music and feel the weak vibrations due to the large volume from the speakers. I could have watched the stage slightly, but it didn't seem to help me much.

Oran was called first, followed by Ji-on and Park Ha. Then it was my turn.

I lifted my eyelids as I heard the call for our team to prepare. My body still felt heavy. But I must not make any mistakes. This stage was important to me, but it was even more crucial not to cause any harm to my teammates.

Even though I wasn't very close with them, I genuinely supported their dreams. Everyone was working hard for their dream of becoming idols.

I slowly went out onto the stage and took my place. As the stage lights gradually brightened, I could see the camera's red light despite the intense lighting making it hard to see the audience.

It's about to start.

I hoped I could finish the stage safely.

˚˖✧✧✧˚.

Wearing a white short-sleeve shirt with colorful graffiti, navy shorts, and white knee-high socks. To fit the mischievous concept, I wore a hat with yellow accents backwards while singing.

With stage outfits, makeup, and in-ears, it felt like I had truly become an idol.

Maybe that's why. My concentration was higher than usual.

Ecstasy.

I guess that's how it's used. I forgot about the pain and immersed myself entirely in the stage. I didn't forget the bright smile I learned from Oran.

I crossed the stage, letting the song carry my body. The teamwork with the members was well-coordinated, allowing us to finish the stage without mistakes. The heavy breaths I exhaled felt rather sweet.

A mere 4 minutes. Did the audience feel satisfied?

Returning to the waiting room after the stage, my head felt foggy. Fortunately, it seemed I had shown what I had prepared. That was enough. I had no regrets as long as I was satisfied with myself.

Even if I hadn't caught a cold, I wouldn't have been able to perform any better.

"Oh my god! Hyung, you dominated the stage! You were the only one visible!"

"Wow! At this level, you're bound to make it into the debut team."

"Thank you... I wasn't bad after all."

Park Ha and Ji-on, who had finished their stage earlier, were making a fuss. When my reaction was lukewarm, they spoke to other trainees.

Oran, who had not watched my group stage, had removed himself from the commotion and was controlling his mind. He sat with his arms crossed, glancing at me up and down.

"You're a bit strange."

His cute face spoke with a delinquent tone. It felt threatening today. He wasn't sure of my oddity but was suspicious.

"...What's strange?"

"Hmph. Are you trying to say it's not?"

My heart skipped a beat. Ah, he was trying to probe me.

Oran's sharp eyes were known, but experiencing them firsthand was intimidating.

"......"

"If you don't want to say, that's fine. Well, it's not my business."

He didn't seem to plan to tell anyone else. I liked Oran's individualistic attitude today.

Maybe it was because I had drained my energy. My temples throbbed, and it was hard to support my body.

Was there a place to rest alone? If I kept getting pushed around by people, the individual stage might be tough.

"Ugh. It's annoying. I'll connect a few chairs, so lie down."

"...Thank you."

I quickly lay down on the makeshift bed Oran had made from chairs and covered my face with the hat I had worn on my head.

Maybe it was because I thought I had overcome a major hurdle. Or maybe it was the complete exhaustion. My body started to shiver.

Somehow, my clothes felt damp. Did I inadvertently sweat?

Less than 2 hours remained. If I could just endure that, I could go home and collapse.

The people around me, who had been chatting quietly, had noticed my condition and whispered among themselves.

"Why is Iwon lying down?"

"Recovering stamina."

Chorok-hyung, instead of Oran, provided the explanation with a touch of his usual gruff but considerate demeanor.

"When you're nervous and then relax, your stamina drops drastically. Hyung, stop making that 'it shouldn't be like this' face. Not everyone is as strong as you."

"Chorok, I'm weak too."

"Mentally?"

"It's too much. I'll have to hit the bench press later. Definitely with you."

"...Can't we go tomorrow?"

"Nope, we can't."

As I listened to the conversation, I relaxed my body. My consciousness seemed to drift, as if my body was sinking into a deep sea.

"...Iwon! Iwon, it's almost your turn. You need to get ready."

I heard Seohon-hyung's voice along with a hand shaking my shoulder.

When had I fallen asleep? No, had I lost consciousness? At least I was grateful to get a little rest.

My personal stage order was second to last, and the trainees who had finished their performances had already gone out to meet their families in the audience.

In the waiting room, it was just me, Seohon-hyung, and three other trainees whom I wasn't close with.

Thinking I needed to get ready quickly, I jumped up from my seat. At that moment, my vision spun. Trying to maintain balance with my eyes tightly closed, Seohon-hyung quickly grabbed my arm.

"Iwon. You have a fever...!"

Seohon-hyung, who had touched my bare skin to support me, immediately noticed the elevated body temperature.

I tried to avoid him noticing because Seohon-hyung was so attentive. But, having just woken up, I couldn't avoid contact.

Fortunately, Seohon-hyung didn't speak loudly, so it seemed like no one else noticed.

"I'm fine. I just need to hold on for 4 more minutes."

Trainees specializing in vocals were evaluated on both vocal and dance pieces separately. But being evaluated on a single stage would leave a stronger and more impactful impression, so I chose that approach.

I never expected something like this to happen today, but it was a brilliant choice.

"Okay... But still, take care of yourself."

Seohon-hyung couldn't stop me. Anyone in this situation would make the same choice.

I quickly changed into my outfit and went to the restroom.

With a mature concept, I had to wear an all-black suit and style my hair. Before fixing the styling, I wet my hair and face with water.

To hide the dampness from the sweat, I drenched my hair and skin further, preparing an excuse that I had washed my face.

The reactions of the makeup artist and hairstylist were subtle.

"Wow... You're no joke. You've got quite the fierce look. Just a quick wax touch-up will do."

"Come here, I'll fix your lip color."

I couldn't understand it, but since there wasn't much to fix, it was good that preparation was quick.

After a slight adjustment to my hair and outfit, I finished getting ready. My number was called almost immediately.

The stage was dark again.

The song I chose was about the boundary between being a boy and becoming a man. I had originally planned to pick a different song, but Chorok-hyung strongly recommended it.

Although the sexual nuance made it slightly embarrassing to show my parents, I was persuaded by the argument that it highlighted my strengths.

Outstanding singing ability and a deeply emotional voice. The choreography, while not requiring complex techniques, conveyed conflict and change through physical expression.

These were the things I needed to show on stage today.

My body still felt heavy, as if being sucked into a swamp. The sweat had cooled, causing a chill throughout my body, and my head wasn't working properly.

But I could do it. I practiced enough that even if my mind forgets, my body remembers.

The slow, bluesy intro began. I slowly covered my face with my palm, showing only my lips.

As my lips moved, a voice mixed with breath resonated through the stage.

⋆｡♪ The dark night, the moon dimly lighting us,
In the empty house, only our breathing is heard,
The brush of fingertips, the meeting of gazes, I don't avoid,
Whether I cross the line or not, I haven't decided yet,
Standing on the edge of the borderline,
The me between boy and man,
Once I cross this line, there's no turning back,
The borderline of boy and man, the borderline of you and me. ⋆｡♪

The lighting was dim to match the mood of the song. It cast strong shadows on my face.

It felt strange. It was as if my body wasn't mine, like I was out of body.

My lips were dry, my heart was racing, and my blood was flowing too quickly.
I was excited, my heart was pounding, unable to take a step.

I hesitated, wondering if I would become someone completely different.

⋆｡♪ I wasn't afraid. The lies you tell,
Even if I get close enough to breathe,
Can I really ignore that sign? ⋆｡♪

I leaned back and brushed my body with the beat. Then, I turned my head towards the audience camera.

With one eye slightly open and a scornful expression, I nodded.

From the audience, I heard a gasp.