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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Becoming the Leader of a Doomed Girl Group
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Director Kim seemed to be the main judge.
Judging by her sitting in the center with Do Hui-yeong, a member of Grayish.
"Hello!"
After the trainees' boisterous greetings, all the judges took their seats.
"Alright, let's start with Trainee Yeon Ju-hong."
Director Kim took the microphone and immediately got to the point.
"Yes, number 1, Yeon Ju-hong. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Yeon Ju-hong greeted them with her characteristic cheerful demeanor.
Her hands were trembling, but the smile on her face never wavered.
That's a talent in itself.
"Trainee Yeon Ju-hong chose WhiteNoise's song."
"Yes!"
"Why did you choose this song?"
Oh, Senior Do.
Quite the judge's aura.
I had met Do Hui-yeong a few times when I was in StillBlue.
She was a scatterbrained senior in private, but when the cameras are rolling, she's completely different.
"Um, I... I chose this song because I wanted to emulate the confident and cool image of WhiteNoise seniors!"
"This song is quite difficult. Are you sure you can handle it? It's a bit higher than Trainee Yeon Ju-hong's vocal range."
The vocal judge said.
"...Yes! I'll do my best!"
"Just 'doing your best' isn't enough. Show us with results."
Yeon Ju-hong answered steadfastly in her own way, but Director Kim immediately shot her down.
At that, Yeon Ju-hong's shoulders seemed to slump a little.
A little pitiful, I suppose.
***
Yeon Ju-hong did quite well.
Even though the choreography was difficult, she managed to pull it off.
While she wasn't exceptionally good at singing, she performed stably.
Perhaps the arrangement was well done, as the vocal range I was worried about turned out fine.
But what stood out most, as expected, was her charm and expressions.
I'll show myself once more
The me only I knew
That alone was outstanding among the trainees.
It was also why Yeon Ju-hong was so popular.
She was charming.
She didn't have the cool vibe of the original artists, WhiteNoise, but she was cute.
Behind the colorful pile of gifts
Moments more thrilling than the gifts themselves
And
Me
However.
Before even the first verse of the song was over,
"That's enough."
Director Kim raised her hand, stopping the music.
At that, all the trainees' eyes wavered.
Mine too.
It wasn't bad. In fact, I was surprised she did better than expected?
"...Thank you for watching!"
If I was surprised, how much more so must Yeon Ju-hong have been?
But Yeon Ju-hong, panting, immediately greeted them brightly.
"Trainee Yeon Ju-hong."
"Yes!"
Director Kim sighed deeply.
"Why do you think I stopped you?"
Here it comes.
The question everyone feared most.
"Um... I think it's because my skills are lacking!"
"No."
Director Kim immediately shook her head.
"Your skills weren't bad. Maybe it's because I didn't have high expectations."
"...Th-thank you."
To have to say thank you even for words like that.
I sighed inwardly.
"But you know what?"
Is the main point coming now?
I glanced at PD O. Not at Director Kim, who was speaking, but at PD O.
Seeing his face so bright, this situation must be—
"Why is Trainee Yeon Ju-hong always so ambiguous?"
It's scripted.
There are many pre-arranged situations in broadcasts.
In fact, if things aren't pre-arranged enough, the situation becomes uncontrollable and uninteresting.
So, scripting itself isn't bad.
A moderately large framework needs to be provided.
Especially when a bunch of trainees who haven't had any broadcast experience are appearing en masse.
However.
"I apologize."
You shouldn't keep that big framework from the kids.
"You don't need to apologize to me. It's not my loss if Trainee Yeon Ju-hong doesn't debut."
This situation, to put it crudely, is for controversy.
Even if there's nothing specific to pick on, they'll pick on something to draw attention.
Why?
Because it makes it more stimulating.
"The one losing out is Trainee Yeon Ju-hong herself."
Because that raises viewership.
"I'll show you a more improved performance next time!"
The kid is spirited.
Yes, that's better.
To avoid malicious editing, being spirited and bold like that was better.
Be strong, Yeon Ju-hong.
"Alright, next trainee."
***
Most of the trainees received harsh criticism.
Except for a few.
"Trainee Kim Ryeo-yu always seems strong in evaluations. Your performance exceeded expectations, which was great."
Kim Ryeo-yu,
"Trainee Kim Geum covered a boy idol's song, and it didn't feel awkward at all; she showcased her unique charm well."
Kim Geum, and,
"Trainee Ryu Bo-ra definitely has something that catches people's eyes. Is it because she's an actress?"
Excluding Ryu Bo-ra.
As soon as her background as an actress was mentioned, Ryu Bo-ra's face subtly stiffened.
Does she dislike the "actress-turned-idol" title?
"Then only one person is left. Trainee Yun Cheong. Please come forward."
Do Hui-yeong called my name.
I took the microphone from Ryu Bo-ra, who was the trainee before me.
And stood before the judges.
Singing in front of people was something I was more than used to—
"Hello, number 12, Yun Cheong. Please take good care of me."
But standing here as Yun Cheong, I felt a certain tension.
How long had it been since I felt this nervous?
I hadn't even been this nervous when receiving the Daesang or winning first place on music programs.
"Trainee Yun Cheong chose a very interesting song, didn't you?"
"Yes. I chose PurpleApple seniors' song."
Director Kim stared at me, then let out a small laugh.
"Trying to stir up some buzz with the CEO? Your intention is too transparent, isn't it?"
Her tone was quite scathing.
"Yes, that's right."
But I wasn't the type to be intimidated by that.
"...!"
Director Kim and the other judges seemed a little surprised that I would respond like that.
"You're admitting it right away?"
"Yes, because it's the truth."
It *is* the truth, so what am I supposed to do about it?
"...Just drawing attention isn't everything. You have to be able to pull it off. If you can't, it could backfire."
"I know."
"But you still chose this? You must be confident?"
The dance judge asked with apparent interest.
It seemed less like picking a fight and more like genuine amusement.
After all, that song, besides being a song, had very difficult choreography.
"As I recall, Trainee Yun Cheong was strong in vocals but a bit weak in dance. Did you decide to omit the dance while arranging it?"
"No. We decided to keep the dance as is."
This time, both trainers looked surprised.
Since they were the ones who directly trained Yun Cheong, they must have been even more surprised.
"You... arranged it yourself?"
Do Hui-yeong looked up from her script, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, my skills are lacking, but... I tried to do it myself."
"Is there a reason?"
A smile spread across Do Hui-yeong's face.
It made sense, as she was a member who also had an interest in composing.
"I'm interested in composing and arranging, and most of all, it's a song I really love, so I wanted to try."
"...You compose too?"
Do Hui-yeong now looked as if she'd given up on being surprised.
"Why, you know. You did a self-composed song in your self-introduction video."
Another trainer chimed in from the side.
Do Hui-yeong shrugged, as if she hadn't known.
It was probably her way of saying she didn't care what I did in my self-introduction video.
I sighed inwardly.
Because it showed how low their expectations for Yun Cheong were.
The show hadn't even aired its first episode yet.
No matter how well I performed in earlier recordings, the judges were completely unaware.
Therefore, the Yun Cheong they knew was not the current Yun Cheong, but the Yun Cheong of the past.
Expectations and curiosity were bound to be at rock bottom.
"Yes, I'm challenging myself, though I'm still lacking!"
But I wasn't the type to be deterred by low expectations.
After all, I was a singer-songwriter who had personally written and composed every song on my albums.
I'd had enough practice with arrangements.
...Actually, I had arranged this song before.
I'd performed it on a year-end stage once.
Was this too unfair?
"Hmm, well. It is a masterpiece, isn't it?"
"I think it's an incredible masterpiece. I'm not saying this because the CEO composed it."
Actually, that was true.
It was a flattering remark, but I had to make it. It's called social life.
Director Kim scrutinized me with a strange look.
It was the look of someone wondering if I was really that kind of character.
"Our CEO is going to be beaming."
"Right?"
Do Hui-yeong and the dance judge whispered quietly.
...Of course, loud enough for the audio to pick up everything.
"Alright. Then let's see."
***
Bite into me
I'll peel back what veiled your eyes
I am your new world
The song finally ended.
To be honest, even though I acted confident, it wasn't easy.
Yun Cheong's vocal cords were far more damaged than I had expected.
My nerves were completely on edge, worried that if I even made a single vocal crack, it would be over.
Luckily, no vocal cracks came out.
Alright, then now—
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
It's time to see their reaction.
"We need a moment to discuss among ourselves."
Discuss?
I was surprised by their unexpected reaction.
At that moment, PD O, sensing something unusual, suddenly intervened.
"Let's take a short break!"
What kind of situation was this now?
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