"…Phew."
I let out a long sigh as I walked out of the private interview room.
I'm used to pretending I'm not nervous, pretending I'm relaxed, pretending I have all the answers, but it wasn't true.
Moreover, the main writer, Lee Hyeon-jeong, had an overly sharp edge.
"I believe the judges' harsh criticism was because our team has room for further improvement. We hope to surprise the audience in the next competition. Thank you!"
That one word that stopped me from walking out after putting up my best defense against the devil's editing as usual.
"Trainee Kim Chunyong. Just a moment."
"Uh, yes? If you have any further questions, please sit back down."
"Oh, this is a personal discussion, so there's no need to sit down. It's just advice."
Could it be that the eyes of a veteran in the broadcasting industry could not be fooled?
"…This time, it would be better to solve it in a way that is visible on camera."
I thought about how I resolved the problems with my teammates during 'Aiming'.
Back then, I dragged Ji Hwa-seong away from the camera, so I didn't get much screen time. I guess they're trying to warn me not to do that 'this time'.
"Ah, um… I don't quite understand what you're talking about."
"Huh. Really?"
"Haha, I didn't study hard when I was in school. I'm good at dancing, though. Should I show you that?"
"..."
Despite the look Lee Hyeon-jeong gave me, I just smiled brightly and ran out.
Please solve it on camera, huh.
Me…
"Ho…."
Make it make sense.
I suppressed a burst of laughter and turned to look at the tall man standing behind the vending machine, hidden from the camera's view.
His voice would still get picked up regardless, but anyways.
"Si-woo. I don't know exactly why you're acting like this, but… let's talk."
Yoo-chan hyung, who had his bangs swept back and makeup that finally suits him, was radiating adult charm, yet looked exhausted.
And standing in front of him with a pale face, is the person who ruined our stage today.
"..."
Jang Si-woo.
"I'm already twenty-two years old, and unlike the others, I have no other strengths besides singing. I'm an individual trainee, and this is my first time in this environment."
"..."
"That's why this survival show is... my last chance to pursue the dream I've always held dear. So, I want to give my all in every last bit, without regrets. But you, you were soulless on stage..."
Yoo-chan hyung's cheerful face was unusually desperate.
Furrowed brows, trembling voice.
Knowing the reason Yoo-chan hyung was there, I didn't dare join in on the conversation and just listened.
…And now, it's clear that Si-woo was wrong. There's nothing I can do.
Yoo-chan hyung, who had been quietly scratching the back of his neck, jabbed at Jang Si-woo once more.
"…Why couldn''t you focus on stage? Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I…"
Jang Si-woo opened his mouth a few times, but stayed quiet when he saw Yoo-chan hyung's eyes filled with concern and anger.
While Jae-ha hyung handled the members with endless affection, Yoo-chan hyung tended to dig into the problems harshly.
And Yoo-chan hyung's approach would make Jang Si-woo feel like he's 'getting scolded'.
"Next, trainee Bang Yoo-chan, come in."
"…Let's talk more later."
Yoo-chan, who had been waiting patiently for an answer, shook his head when he heard the youngest writer's voice and went into the private interview room.
"..."
I felt bad looking at Si-woo, who was left alone and twiddling his fingers.
Of course, I was angry. How could I not be?
Even now, when I think about the mentors' reactions to our performance, my back gets soaked with cold sweat.
"…Please don't let my song be wasted."
Along with the icy words of the original singer, Min Si-young seonbae.
"I had high expectations. But trainee Jang Si-woo was a bit…"
Even Jin Dasol's comment showed clear disappointment.
"Everything is a mess. How on earth did you practice? Ah I'm going crazy... edit this out."
Even Moon Yoon-ha's curses were so bad that they couldn't be aired.
What really hit the mark was Na Jihyuk's evaluation, who had been consistently uplifting the trainees.
"…everyone."
It was a voice so cold that I wondered if it was really Na Jihyuk, who was always covering up the other mentors' trolling with an embarrassed expression.
The saying that a good person becomes scarier when angry also applied to Na Jihyuk.
"I like the choreography. You chose a famous anime opening song, planned the stage from scratch, and even choreographed it. It must've been hard. Individual performances are okay, yeah? But overall, the performance you just showed was truly—"
It's even more out of sync than a kindergarten's talent show.
After hearing those words, even I blushed while trying to keep my composure.
"The audience has traveled all the way to Sangam to see you, so I don't think they deserve a subpar performance. I hope this wouldn't be the case on the main stage."
In particular, trainee Jang Si-woo.
I smiled bitterly as I recalled Na Jihyuk's bone-chilling advice.
'I really hope not.'
Tap-
"...!"
At the sound of my footsteps echoing down the hallway, Jang Si-woo, who was still standing in front of the vending machine with trembling shoulders, raised his head and looked at me.
"..."
"..."
Our eyes met without any words.
What should I say to Jang Si-woo, who's in this state?
'You were the worst on stage today'? 'If this keeps up, we might not be able to debut together'?
Maybe not.
'If you're so stuck in the past, you'll never be able to move forward'?
I buried the words in my heart and spoke to Jang Si-woo in a small voice.
"…See you at the practice room tomorrow."
First, let's roughly choose. Huh?
At my words, Jang Si-woo's eyes shook anxiously, nodding awkwardly at me before retreating back to his room.
"Tch…"
I looked at his back and clicked my tongue.
Anyway, no matter how I comfort or scold Si-woo right now, nothing will work.
Because it's me.
Because we haven't known each other for very long, and I'm just a stranger who doesn't even know what kind of wall he's built around his heart.
Cats do not readily give their hands to people they meet for the first time.
Even if you succeeded in approaching someone, getting closer to that person is a different story.
He's actually been with me for over 8 years now, but what would the current him know?
"Rex hyung. When you drink, do you feel like an adult?"
"Then… can't you give me just one drink too? You drink too much, hyung…"
It's a bit disappointing, but whatever.
"Chunyong aniki… what should we do now?"
Ryota came to me from the end of the hallway and whined.
"I- I! I got a huge scolding from Hwa-seong on the way here. He said, 'Why didn't you beat me right then?' and told me to do a dogeza in the hallway—"
"Hey, let's stop there."
I quickly wrapped my arms around Ryota's neck and protected Ji Hwa-seong's idol rights.
"What are you doing, going around talking about another trainee like that? There are cameras everywhere. Come to your senses, trainee Ishikawa Ryota."
"Ugh…"
"The one sighing is me, kid."
Yeah, ugh.
When faced with a situation that I couldn't solve with my own strength, such pitiful words came out on their own.
Of course, that doesn't mean I won't try to solve it.
This time.
I need some help from other people.
The power of someone who is closer to Jang Si-woo than I am now, someone who can be his support, someone who can share his suffering.
* * *
The next afternoon.
The production team of
"Leopold? When are they coming?"
"There's traffic in Apgujeong right now, so maybe about an hour more."
"Then just tell them to come later. It's best if they arrive while the trainees are practicing anyway."
"Lady Swan is here!"
"Hey, get the mic ready!"
When planning a cover mission on an idol survival program, wouldn't it be perfect for the original singers to appear?
The plan was to create a cozy scene between seniors and juniors by featuring the original singers and pulling in their fans' attention towards the trainees of
Also, the trainees' divine luck in drawing was so strong that even the cast was fierce.
Leopold, currently maintaining an unwavering position in the male idol fandom, 2OCD, that's on a roll after winning last year's Rookie of the Year award, and Lady Swan, Do Jae-chan's sore thumb.
And….
"Can I go down first now?"
"Y- yes? Si-young. Your team's trainees are still getting ready."
"I think it would be better if the trainees came in late while I'm already there. It was the same during yesterday's midterm evaluation. Their poor preparation led to poor evaluations. I wanted to give them a harsh warning."
AG's real power, current top female soloist, and vocal mentor on the idol survival program
"If the mentor who watched all their performances says so, what can the trainees do? Right?"
Min Si-young.
"That's right…."
'Ha, you're talking to me specifically because I'm the easiest…'
The youngest writer, Lee Ha-jun, who applied to the overseas music camp team and was assigned to the survival team, looked at the main writer anxiously at Min Si-young's words.
But she was preoccupied with the guests who were just arriving.
Of course, there was a manual to deal with situations like this where it was impossible to pay attention to each and every performer.
As for Min Si-young—
"Just listen to what she says, as much as possible. She's experienced, so she won't be overly stubborn. Trying to stop her won't fix anything.
"…Really?"
"I'm busy. I want to film quickly. I can make good content."
So what this woman is saying now is not coercion but persuasion?
Lee Ha-jun felt like crying.
"Well, then first of all…."
Lee Ha-jun, who was hesitantly responding to Min Si-young, gestured to the youngest member of the camera crew who had come in with her.
'No, you crazy bastard!'
The youngest member of the camera crew desperately shook his head, but in the end, he was dragged by Lee Ha-jun and had no choice but to follow her.
"…Let's go."
The youngest writer, the youngest cameraman, and Min Si-young. The three of them began climbing the stairs to meet the 'Us Beyond the Waves' team.
"...."
Min Si-young had a stern expression on her face all the way to the practice room.
No. Since seeing the 'Us Beyond the Waves' team perform yesterday, Min Si-young hasn't smiled for a single moment.
'You shouldn't do it like that.'
What kind of song is it?
A precious opportunity from Do Jae-chan, who is like an uncle to Min Si-young, before her debut.
The song that served as the first step for the young est female soloist in Korea and Japan was .
Back then, Do Jae-chan was not yet able to exert influence in the domestic entertainment industry, so her official debut was delayed for a long time, but the memory of her first recording made Min Si-young who she is today.
"Our Si-young is the best!"
The refreshing voice of young Min Si-young resonating through the microphone, Do Jae-chan smiling through the glass, and even the director's constant praise.
'…If it weren't for that song, I wouldn't be where I am today.'
So when Min Si-young first heard that Kim Chunyong's team had chosen that precious song, she didn't like it.
But she couldn't care less about that.
"Siwoo! Did you practice hard today?"
"Si-young noona..."
Because Jang Si-woo, who she had cherished and loved since he was young, as if seeing herself in him, was on the same team as Kim Chunyong.
But the person who ruined the stage was Jang Si-woo.
And at the same time, the person who did the best was Kim Chunyong!
"Trainee Jang Si-woo, if you keep doing this, it'll definitely be difficult to debut. Come to your senses."
She gave a sharp scolding in the mentor's seat, but her heart couldn't have been in good spirits.
That's why, even though she is the most senior among the original singers appearing now, she went to meet the trainees faster than anyone else.
'Siwoo is diligent, so he'll be the first to go to practice. I'll try to calm him down, and if things don't work out, I'll get angry and say.'
I trust Siwoo.
I believe in the sincerity of our August trainees!
Then upon seeing a figure in the practice room, Min Si-young hurriedly slammed the door open and shouted in a nightingale-like voice.
'Siwoo, your noona is here!'
"Oh my, the trainees are already out here practicing…."
…huh?
What greets Min Si-young in the practice room was not the black cat Jang Si-woo practicing while sweating.
「(WEL) The universe's best solo singer Min Si-young (COME)」
A welcome message written in messy handwriting on A4 paper.
And...
"Wha… what is this…."
"Hello, Min Si-young seonbae-nim! It feels a bit strange to call you seonbae-nim and not Mentor, haha!"
Bang Yoo-chan greets her coolly with a bright smile.
"Uh, Yoo-chan hyung and I came in advance and prepared a bit… I'm not sure if you'll like it."
Kim Chunyong smiled shyly, despite looking like a gangster no matter how one looked at him.
Min Si-young tried her best to control her distorted expression, but she couldn't help but scream inside.
'Why isn't Si-woo here!?'
Why are the two hyungs of the 'Us Beyond the Waves' team waiting for her?
That's because...
"Yoo-chan hyung. There's something I want to tell you."
"Huh? What is it?"
"It's something related to Si-woo."
"Ah, then. If that's the case, you can just tell me right away!"
It was Kim Chunyong's plan to bring Jang Si-woo to his senses.