Chapter 7

For the Idol Guide to the Ending, Episode 7

Assistant director Han Ji-yeon watched the trainee who was about to step onto the stage.

‘Oh, it’s him.’

It was Do Yun-jae, the individual trainee who had made her feel a chill during the pre-interview.

‘In the end, they both came up together.’

Next to Do Yun-jae stood Choi Hyun.

Putting them together was all Kang Hyun-gyu's doing.

‘Edit it as dramatically as possible. Make Do Yun-jae look like a pretty but crazy guy, and Choi Hyun as the good, talented one standing next to him.’

Until Do Yun-jae started singing, Han Ji-yeon was thinking about how to edit according to Kang Hyun-gyu's instructions.

It was a stage that highlighted his strengths and hid his weaknesses, but objectively speaking, Do Yun-jae's singing skills were...

Well, just average.

And recalling the audition video,

‘His dancing was even worse than his singing.’

Do Yun-jae took his place at the center of the stage without any hesitation.

Han Ji-yeon signaled the sound director without much expectation.

Like that,

that night (hit the drum)

As the opening of the song started with a loud saxophone sound, Han Ji-yeon looked at the stage with a puzzled expression.

It was a world-famous hit song that everyone knew.

A fast-paced disco pop that instantly got people in the mood.

‘He chose this song?’

It was a song that was everywhere on TV last year.

It was loved by all ages, and the original choreography was well-known for its sharpness. How does he plan to do it with his body?

Han Ji-yeon watched the stage with doubt.

At that moment, Han Ji-yeon was stunned by Do Yun-jae's expression, which seemed to transform into someone else's.

‘...Is that the image he wanted to show?’

Like that,

that night (break the beat)

The cold impression he had during the interview was completely gone.

Moreover, the dance...

Even Han Ji-yeon could tell.

Do Yun-jae was performing a new choreography, moving freely to the rhythm.

The way his white shirt wrinkled with his movements looked natural, as if it were part of the performance.

We can take over this night (at this moment)

I’m gonna be a party bomb (perfectly shot)

One shot of tequila, one bite of canape (cheers)

We’re not playing, just conquering the gap

Do Yun-jae playfully mimed clinking a glass in the air, then pretended to drop and step on it.

From the ankle that stepped on the glass, Do Yun-jae's body moved rhythmically.

It looked as if his body was an instrument, with his joints bouncing to the rhythm of the song.

“Wait... If he can dance like that, why did he film his audition video so poorly?”

Next to her, writer Lee Ye-rim, who had been watching in a daze, spoke in admiration.

Han Ji-yeon felt the same way.

The climax of the song was approaching.

Do Yun-jae, who had been moving his hips to the thumping bass, stopped and put his finger to his lips.

At that moment, Han Ji-yeon unconsciously held her breath.

Do Yun-jae then playfully readjusted his tie as if he were the host of the party.

Hey baby, (shhh)

rock this funky night

Do Yun-jae, who had caught the glass from the air, carefully prevented it from falling and playfully brushed his shoulder to his knee.

Despite his large build, his movements looked light.

As if he had been dancing like that since birth.

At the end of the song, Do Yun-jae bowed deeply, as if he were a comedian taking a bow after a show.

The surroundings suddenly became quiet.

‘...Is he really crazy?’

Han Ji-yeon was convinced that she needed to reverse Kang Hyun-gyu's instructions.

* * *

She slowly took a breath as the applause sounded.

It had been a long time since she danced with such passion.

Apart from the script... Honestly, it was the first time in a long time that she danced as she wanted.

Looking at the judges' expressions as she caught her breath, they seemed more relaxed.

The triangle of dance mentors Ra Hee, Eun Gi, and An Yumi had turned white.

The other three mentors were a light yellow.

It was indeed a good performance.

After all, she had shown almost everything she could.

Though she didn't want to admit it, the skill that Kim Dohm mentioned was indeed the best choice for now.

She was a trainee who desperately wanted to become an idol, just like the others.

So she needed to participate with all her heart, like them.

By showing her true skills.

The skill she bought was a simple one for 2 coins.

It was a skill exclusive to new users.

It analyzes the user's activities over three months and recalculates the basic stats.

※ The period of the scenario is not included.

It was a skill she had to buy, even if she put aside her doubts about Kim Dohm.

She didn't want to lose the scenario, but more importantly, she didn't want to ruin the stage.

Now she had escaped the F field.

Visual: B+

Vocal: D

Dance: B

?? : ??

?? : ??

Coins: 2

Skills: None

– Current title slot is empty.]

Compared to her days in Likers, these stats were ridiculous.

But after the performance, this sense of achievement was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

...Kim Dohm can be helpful sometimes.

Oh, right.

“Why did you write the expected grade as D?”

Eun Gi asked, showing a lot of curiosity.

“I thought what I like and what I'm good at are different.”

She chose a moderate answer that showed humility but didn't seem lacking in enthusiasm.

She couldn't be crazy in her first meeting with everyone.

Rap mentor PIAI asked with interest.

“You wrote Choi Hyun as your rival?”

“Yes, I always admired many things about Choi Hyun, like his neatness and warm smile.”

She glanced at Choi Hyun and smiled.

To provide good material for the PD.

“Your vocals need a lot of training. Did you intentionally avoid high notes?”

In response to the sharp question from the famous composer Kim Kyung-rae, she smiled awkwardly and nodded.

“I know I'm lacking. I need to practice more.”

“Did you see it?”

As soon as Kim Kyung-rae's evaluation ended, Parani asked with a calm expression.

“Yes, I saw it.”

“Why did you choose this song? I'm really curious. Is it from an anime you like?”

“It's an animation I enjoyed when I was young. I chose it because it's a song I like. As Mr. Kim Kyung-rae mentioned, there are no high notes...”

“Doesn't Mr. Kim Kyung-rae seem a bit distant?”

“Yeah, there are too many titles, aren't there?”

Though it wasn't clear what was funny, the judges chuckled.

Ra Hee sharply interjected in the gap.

“Your control of dynamics and expressiveness show that you know how to dance well. You're very skilled.”

“You keep drawing attention. You have a presence that makes people focus.”

“You performed at a level where the original choreography is almost forgotten.”

“Is this freestyle?”

“Yes, it is.”

“See, he's good. Did you see how his expression changed when he danced? It was like he was a different person.”

Even An Yumi, known for her harsh critiques, gave a positive evaluation.

“Let's end the evaluation here and see Choi Hyun's performance next.”

Choi Hyun took a deep breath and walked to where she had been standing.

“Good luck.”

“Mm-hmm.”

It seemed he was still tense as he answered in a low voice and took his place at the center of the stage.

The song he chose was a ballad.

It was a song that matched his image and voice well.

But.

“Standing here, looking at your back.”

It wasn't today.

He hit a sour note at the climax and missed the following chorus in confusion.

“...Thank you.”

After what felt like three hours, Choi Hyun bowed weakly.

“Not making mistakes is also a skill. Recovering from mistakes and finishing the stage well is also a skill. It seems your vocal condition isn't good, right?”

“Ah... I practiced a lot.”

“Let's focus. Managing your condition is also a skill. Now, let's see your dance.”

Unfortunately, the song he prepared was full of group choreography from Parani's group, Everlight.

Choi Hyun looked pale and missed the beat at the chorus point.

The atmosphere turned cold instantly.

“Did you prepare properly?”

Choi Hyun bowed his head in response to Ra Hee and Kim Kyung-rae's reprimands.

She calmly watched Choi Hyun's back.

Though it was unfortunate, the judges' words were not wrong.

Even with the skills of a main vocalist, if you can't show them on stage, they are meaningless.

Given the scenario of becoming the best idol, being with Choi Hyun is not a good choice.

She knew very well.

There are things in the world that can't be done with just passion.

Most importantly, the quest said to appear on Dolf with Choi Hyun, not to debut together.

“Choi Hyun also wrote Do Yun-jae as his rival.”

“I think a rival is not necessarily an enemy but a relationship where we grow together.”

Choi Hyun finished his prepared speech and bowed.

The last thing left was the grade announcement.

Expecting a low grade, Choi Hyun tightly closed his lips and didn't even blink.

“Do Yun-jae is graded B.”

She reflexively bowed and shouted her thanks.

“Choi Hyun is... graded D.”

Next to her, a trembling finger was visible.

But Choi Hyun naturally bowed.

“I'll work harder!”

As soon as she sat in the prepared chair, a notification window appeared.

Just as she was about to speak to Choi Hyun, he spoke first.

“You did really well, Yun-jae.”

“Thanks.”

At that moment, she realized.

“Congratulations on getting B. You're really good, Yun-jae. I'll catch up soon.”

“...No. They said there will be a re-evaluation, so there are still many opportunities.”

She replied naturally, but her face showed an awkward smile.

It was a different kind of tension.

A face pretending to be okay.

Even though he danced like a flounder during practice and called her a rival, he flew on stage.

It would be accurate to say he felt betrayed.

It was a situation where she inadvertently lied.

Of course, that's one thing, and mistakes are mistakes.

No matter how much he felt betrayed by her, the one who was shaken and made a mistake was Choi Hyun himself.

She calmly watched An Su-hyuk, who was singing on stage.

It would be a pity, but if Choi Hyun is difficult, it's better to mark someone else early.

Of course, not someone like An Su-hyuk.

There must be other trainees who are talented and passionate besides Choi Hyun.

Ding!

At that moment, a notification sound rang.

[The first candidate for ■■■ is... Choi Hyun!]

Is he really crazy?