Chapter 11
The main judge seemed to be Director Kim.
Seeing him sitting in the center with Do Hee-young, a member of Grayish.
“Hello!”
After the trainees’ hearty greeting, all the judges took their seats.
“Alright, let’s start with trainee Yeon Juhong.”
Director Kim received the microphone and went straight to the point.
“Yes, I’m Yeon Juhong, number 1. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
Yeon Juhong greeted with her unique cheerful energy.
Even though her hands were trembling, the smile on her face never wavered.
That’s a talent too.
“Trainee Yeon Juhong… you chose White Noise’s song.”
“Yes!”
“Why did you choose this song?”
Oh, Senior Do.
Quite a judge’s force.
When I was Baek Nokha, I met Do Hee-young a few times.
In private, she was a relaxed senior, but when the camera rolls, it’s different.
“Well, I… I chose this song because I wanted to emulate the confident and cool image of the White Noise seniors!”
“This song is quite difficult. Will you be okay? The range of the song is a bit higher than Yeon Juhong’s vocal range.”
The vocal judge said.
“…Yes! I’ll try my best!”
“You can’t just try your best. Show us the result.”
Yeon Juhong answered quite bravely, but Director Kim immediately poured cold water on her.
Then, Yeon Juhong’s shoulders seemed to slump a little.
It’s a bit pitiful.
***
Yeon Juhong did quite well.
Despite the difficult choreography, she managed to pull it off.
She wasn’t particularly good at singing, but she did it steadily.
Whether the arrangement was good or not, the worried vocal range was okay.
But of course, what stood out the most was her charm and expression.
I’ll show you again
The me that only I knew
That alone was outstanding among the trainees.
That’s why Yeon Juhong was so popular.
She was charming.
Not as cool as the original singer, White Noise, but cute.
Behind the colorful gifts piled up
Moments more exciting than gifts
And
Me
However.
Even before the first verse of the song was over,
“That’s enough.”
Director Kim raised his hand to stop the song.
Then, all the trainees’ eyes shook.
I was the same.
It wasn’t bad. I was surprised because it was better than I thought?
“…Thank you for watching!”
I was surprised, so how would Yeon Juhong feel?
But Yeon Juhong, panting, immediately greeted brightly.
“Trainee Yeon Juhong.”
“Yes!”
Director Kim sighed deeply.
“Why do you think I stopped you?”
There it was.
The question everyone fears the most.
“Um… I think it’s because I lack skills!”
“No.”
Director Kim immediately shook his head.
“Your skills weren’t bad. Maybe it’s because I didn’t expect much.”
“…Th, thank you.”
You have to say thank you even for such words.
I sighed inwardly.
“But the thing is.”
Now the main point is coming out.
I glanced at PD Oh, not at Director Kim who was speaking.
Seeing his face very bright, this situation is-
“Why is trainee Yeon Juhong always so ambiguous?”
It’s a script.
There are many situations in broadcasting that are set up.
Rather, if you don’t set it up too much, the situation is not controlled and it’s not fun.
So setting it up itself is not bad.
A reasonably large frame should be given.
Especially here, like these trainees, when kids who haven’t eaten a single broadcast come out in droves.
However.
“I’m sorry.”
You have to tell the kids about that big frame.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Even if trainee Yeon Juhong doesn’t debut, I won’t lose anything.”
This situation now, to put it bluntly, is an aggro.
Even if there’s nothing to nitpick, you just nitpick something and pull the aggro.
Why?
Because it’s stimulating.
“The one who loses is trainee Yeon Juhong herself.”
Because the ratings go up.
“I will show you a more improved appearance next time!”
The kid is spirited.
Yes, that’s better.
To avoid the devil’s editing, it was better to be spirited and brave.
Stay strong, Yeon Juhong.
“Yes, then the next trainee.”
***
Most of the trainees heard harsh criticism.
Except for a few.
“Trainee Kim Ryeo-yu is always strong in evaluations. The appearance was better than expected.”
Kim Ryeo-yu, and
“Trainee Kim Geum covered a male idol song, but it wasn’t awkward at all and showed her own charm well.”
Kim Geum, and
“Trainee Ryu Bo-ra definitely has something that catches people’s eyes. Is it because she’s an actress?”
Except for Ryu Bo-ra.
As soon as the mention of Ryu Bo-ra being an actress came out, her face stiffened very slightly.
Does she not like the title of being an actress?
“Then now there’s only one person left. Trainee Yoon Cheong. Please come forward.”
Do Hee-young called me.
I received the microphone from Ryu Bo-ra, the trainee who was in front of me.
And I stood in front of the judges.
Singing in front of people is enough to make my back cold-
“Hello, I’m Yoon Cheong, number 12. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
As Yoon Cheong, I’m somewhat nervous.
When was the last time I was this nervous?
Even when I received the grand prize or when I was number one on a music program, I wasn’t this nervous.
“Trainee Yoon Cheong made a very interesting song selection?”
“Yes. I chose the song of senior Purple Apple.”
Director Kim gave me a piercing look and chuckled.
“Are you trying to draw attention as the CEO? Your intention is too obvious, isn’t it?
It was a very sharp tone.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
But I wasn’t particularly discouraged.
“…!”
Director Kim and the other judges seemed a bit surprised, not expecting me to come out like this.
“You admit it right away?”
“Yes, because it’s true.”
It’s really true, so what can I do?
“…Just attracting attention like this won’t do. You have to digest it. If you can’t do it properly, it can backfire.”
“I understand.”
“But you still chose this? You must be confident?”
The dance judge asked as if he was interested.
Rather than picking a fight, he seemed to be really enjoying it.
Which made sense, as ‘Purple Apple’ was not only a challenging song but also had complex choreography.
“In my memory, trainee Yoon Cheong was strong in vocals but a bit weak in dance. Did you decide to omit the dance while arranging?”
“No. I decided to go with the dance as it is.”
This time, both trainers were surprised.
Since they were the ones who directly trained Yoon Cheong, they must have been more surprised.
“You… arranged it yourself?”
Do Hee-young looked up with surprised eyes while looking at the script.
“Yes, although my skills are lacking… I tried it myself.”
“Do you have a reason?”
A smile spread across Do Hee-young’s face.
She was a member who was also interested in composing, so it made sense.
“I’m interested in composing and arranging, and above all, I wanted to try this song because I love it so much.”
“…You also compose?”
Do Hee-young now seemed to have given up on being surprised altogether.
“Why, that. She did her own song during the self-introduction video.”
Another trainer chimed in from the side.
Do Hee-young shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t know.
It’s not her business what she does in her self-introduction video.
I sighed inwardly.
It showed how low the expectations for Yoon Cheong were.
Before even the first episode aired.
Even if I did well in the previous filming, the judges didn’t know at all.
Therefore, the Yoon Cheong they knew was- not the current Yoon Cheong, but the past Yoon Cheong.
Expectations and curiosity could only be at the bottom.
“Yes, I’m trying, although I’m lacking!”
But I wasn’t going to be broken just because the expectations were low.
After all, I was a singer-songwriter who wrote and composed all the songs on my album.
I’ve tried arranging to the point where my back is cold.
…Actually, I’ve arranged this song before.
Because I’ve performed it on a year-end stage.
Was this too unfair?
“Hmm, well. It’s a masterpiece, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s an amazing masterpiece. It’s not because the CEO composed it that I’m saying this.”
It was true.
I have to say it even though it’s a flattering comment. It’s a social life.
Director Kim scanned me with strange eyes.
It was an eye that said, was she that kind of character?
“Our CEO’s mouth must be hanging on her ears.”
“Exactly.”
Do Hee-young and the dance judge murmured softly.
…Of course, it was loud enough to be caught on audio.
“Okay. Then let’s see.”
***
I’ll bite you off
I’ll clear away the things that covered your eyes
I’m your new world
Finally, the song ended.
Actually, I was confident, but it wasn’t easy.
Because Yoon Cheong’s vocal cords were much more damaged than I thought.
If I make a mistake, I’m ruined, so my nerves were on edge.
Fortunately, there was no mistake.
Now, then-
“….”
“….”
“….”
“….”
It’s time to see their reaction.
“We’ll discuss it for a moment.”
Discussion?
At the unexpected reaction, I was also surprised.
Then, PD Oh suddenly intervened, sensing something strange.
“We’ll take a short break!”
What kind of situation is this?