Killer Concepts

And So It Began

N-net Broadcasting and Swordfish records formed what they hoped would be a unique collaboration they called "Make me your Idol". It would be a competition/documentary on the making of a new Idol singing group. Each week the show would feature the men training individually and in groups as well as participation in different competitions. Not only would they be judged by the entertainment company executives but the viewing audience was encouraged to vote online for their favorites. Each week a contestant would be eliminated until the perfect group remained. Viewer comments were also encouraged. This was the executives plan. They wanted to play up the viewer participation to further interest in their TV show and the resulting Idol group.

Through off camera auditions, 19 young men were chosen to compete against each other on camera. They were informed that the new group would only have five, possibly six, members. The company executives wanted to make the competitions for those coveted spots as fierce as possible for the enjoyment of the TV audience. None of the competitors were allowed to meet until the first day of shooting at Swordfish Records' main trainee center.

Through a one-way mirror that covered the front wall of their largest practice studio, the executives watched that first meeting. Though talent was of upmost importance, harmony between the members was equally important. Not only did their voices have to come together to make the perfect sound, they had to move as one in dance routines. As an idol group, these men would be living in each other's back pockets for months at a time, so personalities also had to mesh. Viewers comments on all aspects of the competitors would be taken into consideration, but the executives would have the final decision.

Or so they thought.

Within the first twenty minutes they recognized each other. No words other than standard greeting among strangers were exchanged among them. They laughed and joked around like everyone else, but it was there. An understanding that did not need words extended out, trailing from one to the next until five were bound as surely as being chained.

I know who you are, what you are.

Like called to like. Recognition formed an unbreakable chain that bound the five closer than family. There was possibly a sixth, tentative, young and fearful. A link not fully forged, to be taken under their wing. Or not.

As the competition got under way the TV cameras recorded every aspect of the competitor's lives. From training to public competitions to private interactions inside the dorm, nothing was hidden. Nothing but the chains that grew stronger with each passing week. The connection burned with their passion to succeed and to be bound formally as one group as they worked together to eliminate their competition. Quiet words whispered in the dark sent one contestant packing in the middle of the night. Subtle acts of betrayal and sabotage caused others to falter. Week after week the competitors were eliminated until only six were left.

Cha Hak Yeon chose the stage name N derived from the last syllable of his name. The character "EN" symbolized destiny. His shorter stature and beautiful baby face hid the fact that he was the oldest in the group. He would be their leader.

Jung Teak Won was given the name Leo by one of the company executives. That executive thought his intense, feline looking eyes and regal bearing reminded him of a lion. The executive also thought that, in spite of his introverted nature, Leo had the potential to dominate the music industry.

Lee Jae Hwan received the stage name Ken. His bubbly personality showed great similarities to a popular Japanese pop star with that name.

Kim Won Sik kept his street name of Ravi. It was a name he had been given when he was just a young street singer by a fellow rapper that Ravi respected. It came from the French word to enchant and Ravi's voice had the power to enchant anyone who listened to him.

Lee Hong Bin decided to keep his own name. It was his chance to show all his doubters how far he had come, no mistake.

Han Sang Hyuk also kept his own name. As the maknae* of the group he wanted to make his name known to doubters of his own.

*(maknae – South Korean term that means the youngest of any group either in age or the newest member)

The viewing audience's final contribution was to choose the name of the group. They chose VIXX. It was an acronym for "Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis." Excelsis translates to "highest" in Latin, so VIXX's name referenced the group's skills and talent.

The TV and talent company executives congratulated themselves on the success of the show. Crowds of viewers cheered their support of the new idol group. It was a time for celebration. But through it all, no one noticed the ominous chain that bound five VIXX members and enticingly drew in the sixth.