"Hello." Jun greeted him with a bow and sat down.
"The interview will be short. The answers were already written. You just need to answer according to the script." PD pointed to the screen behind him that was displaying the question and answer below it.
It was then Jun realized this is what things go in the background of those reality shows. Sometimes, PD's like him will direct the Q and A interview too. He was wrong a bit. There are two hundred contestants outside. It is impossible to prepare a script for everyone. Jun was just special.
As contestants in top-21 will not be edited, PD felt that it is necessary to write a script for them beforehand. While he was busy with interviewing all others, the writers became busy writing the answers for contestants like Jun, Daniel, Yuju, Euijin, etc…
Q: Are you confident about getting selected?
Looking straight, Jun kept his eyes on the screen and nodded, "we did our best and managed to complete our performance without any mistakes. So, yes."
Q: How do you feel about getting selected to Treasure Campus after failing in the preliminary rounds?
Jun was taken aback a bit as he read the words on the screen. In the end, he still answered, following the script, "four years ago, I met with an accident and has gone into a vegetative state. I missed my chance to debut with Resonance and by the time, I returned, I was already 20 and filled with thoughts like why bother to continue this dream.
The career of an idol is very short. Is it really worth it to work hard for such a difficult dream? Should I just complete my studies and live a normal life? I'm not sure at that time. When Treasure Campus is announced, I thought of giving my last shot.
But, then, I failed. So, I almost gave up on this dream but on the next day, I got the shock of my life. Producer Teddy-nim came to our house and gave me the ticket to the final auditions, telling me that YG-nim wished to give me another chance as he felt I was talented. I still won't forget that day. It rekindled my hope, again."
It was a long explanation and Jun felt embarrassed as he recited the answer. Were they planning to make a drama out of him or something?
The questions continued one after another for five minutes straight. Seeing the nature of the questions, Jun realized that they might probably use them in all the episodes rather than in one of them.
Two more questions left to go.
Q: Is there a specific reason for using contact lenses until now?
This was the same question JYP asked him earlier. The answer on the screen was exactly the same as he answered to him.
Jun recited the answer.
Q: Final question. Name a contestant who you consider as your number one rival.
The screen mentioned Jung Jin Woo who was pushed back to 2nd last week but Jun didn't name him because, in his eyes, he was a good composer but not sure about his dancing skills. Except for the first week, Jinwoo was always placed in a solo group where he only sings.
Surprising them, Jun answered, "Kang Daniel. He has a great voice and is a good dancer. I'm not as good at dance as him."
The production director coughed, signaling him to follow the script but when he thought about it, he felt this might also attract the audience. Both of them are good friends and rivals.
***
12:43 P.M., KBS studio, Gyeonggi province;
Ro Jong-su, the host was standing on the stage with a mic. The screen behind him first displayed the rankings from top 50 to top 41 of male division and then, female division.
"Congratulations for qualifying to the next round."
Then, top 40 to top 31, after that 30 to 21, then 20 to 11.
By this time, almost all the people except for a few who didn't find their names on the screen were seen disappointed as they knew they got eliminated. Unlike before rankings, this time, it was gender-wise, so, it gave hope to some of them to see their names in the top 10.
Meanwhile, Jung Jin-woo, who was always at the top, found himself on the sixth spot. He was just as disappointed as the ones that got eliminated from the show.
And when the list was reduced to the top 5, everyone lost their hope.
"Female division, Rank no. 5"
A picture appeared on the screen with the score and stage name, Arin. The host raised his voice, "congratulations, Choi Ye-won."
A bob-cut 18-year-old cute girl stood up from her seat, displaying a look of surprise. She smiled widely as she came down to the stage and stood beside the host.
"Male division, Rank no. 5, Congratulations, Son Hyunwoo (stage name: Shonwu)"
"Female division, Rank no. 4, Congratulations, Choi Yuna (stage name: Yuju)"
"Male division, Rank no. 4, Congratulations, Hansol Vernon Chwe (stage name: Vernon)
"Female division, Rank no. 3, Congratulations, Im Soeun (stage name: NC.A)
"Male division, Rank no. 3, Congratulations, Kang Euigeon (stage name: Kang Daniel)"
"Female division, Rank no. 2, Congratulations, Hong Euijin (stage name: Euijin)"
"Male division, Rank no. 2, Congratulations, Choi Jungho (stage name: Jongho)"
The elimination round really brought out the best from everyone, especially a guy who was always in the twenties suddenly entered not only into the top 10 but even bagged the runner-up spot.
Jun knew that 17-year-old Jungho is one of the contestants who can sing high notes very well. While he represented a solo group from Brave brothers' side, and sang Tears, giving a mind-blowing performance, Jun felt that this guy would probably turn into a good competitor in the future.
The only issue is that Jun hadn't yet to get an opportunity of giving a solo performance if he excludes the opening one. So, he had no way of comparing his performance. Still, considering how his usual voice pitch is a bit higher than the average male, Jun thought that Jongho might face difficulties in singing a low note. If such a case, then, he'll be no match for Jun.
The announcements continued with only one rank left. There was no tension or suspense in anyone's face as they knew who it is going to be. The girl from JYP's group has been in the top 11 from the start and is considered the most beautiful contestant. As for things like plastic surgery, makeup is secondary. The end result is what matters the most. But, still, everyone expected Euijin to bag the top spot and didn't expect her to go to 2nd spot.
"The winner of the female division, Rank no. 1, Congratulations, Kim Min Jeong (stage name: Winter)"
Jun saw this familiar face from his seat as she went on to the stage and joined the other top 4 girls. In his past life, he thoroughly followed the Twice group until he, unfortunately, got caught in a natural disaster. So, he wasn't that much of a fan of Aespa.
Only one name is left. Jun's image was displayed on the screen with an overall score of 845/850. Number 1 was displayed beside the score.
"The winner of the male division, Rank no. 1, Congratulations, Han Sung-Jun (stage name: Jun"
Amid the claps of the mentors who were also smiling in satisfaction, Jun went onto the stage and bowed a little bit.
The host Ro Jongso asked each contestant how they feeling and all. Some faked with little tears while some like Jun just smiled widely, expressing happiness.
"Sadly, the remaining contestants whose names weren't called were eliminated from the program."
"But, this isn't the end for you all. There are many successful singers who were failed at first too. You just need to hold on to your dreams and work harder."
The next four weeks were a lot comfortable than before with fewer contestants and more time to get training rooms for themselves.
In the second round too, Jun never got the opportunity to get a solo performance either. He was always in a duo or mixed duo group. It made Jun regret putting the attribute points in appearance rather than raising his vocal strength.
Maybe, if his vocals will completely dominate his partner, then, YG might have thought about placing him in the solo group. But, as it already happened, he can't do anything other than work hard to improve his vocals slowly while waiting for an emergency quest.
And so, the month of December passed away with Jun staying on the top spot for another four weeks without any competition. By now, he firmly solidified his position even in everyone's mind.
Outside of practice, Jun received a few more memories, although all of them were related to Somi only. It brought them even closer than before but he wasn't ready to accept her feelings. He intended to stay only as friends.