4:14 A.M., December 6th, 2017;
*Clap* Clap* Clap*
"Okay, it's time for the next contestants to come up onto the stage. The male duo that was grouped together consisted of members that are constantly at top 11 rankings until now. There are a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders and a lot of pressure too.
Without further ado, let's welcome Team D&J with a huge round of applause." The host gave an extra introduction regarding this time, receiving the instructions from management. After all, this group's performance is bound to be included in the episode.
In the midst of claps from all the contestants, Jun and Kang Daniel stepped onto the stage, wearing a black shirt and black pants covered by a maroon-colored silk robe with distinctive patterns on it. Jun could feel cold air brush past his skin.
If not for the fluid movements needed for the performance, Jun wouldn't have bought a silk garment, which doesn't help against the cold temperature. It's not only Jun but others also scolding the production department in their minds for shooting at such a time.
As the both of them got onto the stage, the lights focused on them and Jun did the talking after the introductions.
"We chose performance category for this round (meaning: live singing + dance). The song we are about to perform is Goodbye by Lee Taemin-sunbae-nim. Hope you enjoy it, thank you."
For a few moments, the lights were off as both of them turned around and stood apart from each other by at least 10 ft. As per instructions, a couple of staff stepped onto the stage while Jun took a deep breath as he did hand motions around the upper part of his face.
Slowly the music of the piano started and the lights were on once again.
"Hmm Hmmm" – Jun
After a little hum, both of them turned around to reveal blindfolds, surprising the judges, mentors as well as some of the other contestants. Lia Kim seemed proud as she watched their performance. She was the one that mentored them this week.
A majority of the contestants heard the rumor that the duo is going to do a blind performance and some of them can't wait to see it fail. It's natural that many of them feel envy of Jun and Daniel because of their superior talent and looks.
Daniel started to sing while making little movements.
"If only I could hold you in my arms
And walk together
In front of my eyes that are looking at you, inside your eyes that are looking at me
There's a future that we have to follow" – Daniel
"Waving hands to our days
That is fading away
I walk sadly in front of my eyes that
Turned dark like a candle that stopped burning" – Jun
"Just like how falling flower petals greet
I'm smiling with lonely tears
Goodbye my love, don't be sad alone
There are flowers that bloom brightly in this world" – Jun & Daniel
**
Until there, their movements were light and didn't have to move much from their spots but then, as the heavy music started, their movements went fast just like how it is in the original song and they were moving towards each other but didn't collide, perfectly avoiding each other's path.
Everyone was just amazed by the incredible coordination they have with each other and YG couldn't stop grinning until the end of the song. But, the surprise has yet to come to them.
"Goodbye my love, just like how I embrace you
You are blooming brightly in my heart" – Jun
"Goodbye my love, don't be sad alone
There is a flower that shines brightest in this world" – Daniel
"Owu owu oooh~" – Jun
"wo~" – Jun'
"wo~" – Daniel
"wo~" – Jun
"Goodbye, now forever
I don't wanna say goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye" – Jun & Daniel
***
The song was about to end and Jun sat on the floor with one of his knees facing up while his hand rests on it. Meanwhile, Daniel just stood behind.
Facing the camera, both of them finally opened their blindfold while Jun finishes the song.
"Goodbye" – Jun
***
*Gasp* "What the…" Almost all the mentors and fellow contestants gasped in shock for a second as Jun stared at the camera and raised his head, revealing his emerald green eyes.
Jun was happy that the effect was visible before him. Of course, it only stayed for a couple of moments as everyone thought it was contact lenses until JYP asked him a question after giving out his complete positive evaluation for the first time for Jun.
"I have a question for Sungjun-ssi."
Jun raised his mic and looked at him, expecting something that's regarding his eyes.
And just like he thought, JYP put forth the question. "I believe I asked this question during the final auditions. Let me ask it again. Is there a specific reason you used contact lenses until now when you have a 20/20 vision according to your medical chart?"
Jun is already prepared for it for he knew he must have to face this situation sooner or later when he is on the path of becoming a celebrity. For this very reason, he decided on a blindfold. He knew that revealing at the end will give a maximum impact but at the same time, there's also hesitation in his mind, which keeps telling him to not do that as it might negatively impact him.
Until this day, he debated with himself on whether revealing it at this stage is the right step or not but his date with Somi helped him realize that the more he keeps the things to himself, the more he'll get stressed. It was then, he finally decided
He answered in a calm tone, "I was worried about how other people look at me because they are different. I attended counseling sessions during the past few weeks and it helped me a lot, I guess."
Jun wanted to speak more but he knew that this isn't the right stage to speak about bullying incidents that occurred in his life. So, he kept it short and listened to the other evaluations before the both of them returned to their seats.
Since this is an elimination round, the scores weren't revealed until the end. The shooting started at 3 o'clock in the morning and by the time, all the performances are finished, it is around half past 8.
Everyone was given a short break. Meanwhile, they were provided a burger and banana milk. Of course, it won't be enough but future idols can't eat full and gain weight. A lot of trainees even eat a single apple and water for their diet.
So, in the minds of organizers, the contestants had to be thankful that they were given a Quinoa burger filled with protein and big enough to fill their appetite for now.
Guys like Shonwu and Jun are bound to suffer by it considering they are tall and have a good physique. Their bodies require more food but anyway, no one is in the mood to complain about such a thing when the results aren't revealed yet.
It was then the staff called out the names to go into a room one after another for a one on one short interview with the production director while the mentors and the judges got busy in another room, preparing the list of rankings.
Each interview started as short as one minute but eventually, the time increased. Jun observed that the top-ranking contestants were getting more time.
In the end, it went on for four hours until Jun gets his turn during lunchtime. In fact, he was the last one, considering he ranked 1 in the last week.
He stepped inside the room and saw the production director was sitting with cue cards and cameras also on standby.