An idol distinguishes themselves from other performers by singing while also dancing. Of course, some had specializations, while some were called all-rounders. Jun happened to fall under the latter.
"Fate compelled me...
To step forward
To stand in front of the door of my long-awaited dream."
A curious look flickered across everyone's eyes when Jun did not just sing but also dance. This curiosity changed into concentration when he began from the top yet didn't stop dancing even before reaching the chorus. His movements were precise, on point, and, most importantly, looked natural.
"...There's a little flame inside me
And it has brought me here with you."
"His singing is stable so far," commented Xavi.
Kato focused on the dance moves and could not help but mutter, "I thought Neo was the only dancing monster here. Jun has not said a word. I did not even see him practice, but he has memorized the steps!"
"Not just the steps. Everything."
If Jun heard his words, he would have dropped dead from embarrassment. He could only do it immediately and so fluidly because he knew the choreo from the get-go. His body could not help but remember it. The song was a staple in their concerts for fans who wanted to reminisce about ETM's BOI days.
Jun's performance continued. He danced everything. As for singing, he skipped lines not included in Part One. Then, when the chorus began, he pushed his vocals to hit the high notes without sounding strained.
He did all this without forgetting to add gestures and show appropriate facial expressions, a virtue that all idols in the field had already mastered. To those watching him right now, his ability to assign appropriate expressions and details to a song he had just learned left the biggest impression.
Jun's turn ended soon. Among the Part One candidates, he was the only person who started from verse 1 to chorus and the only one who showed a complete performance.
But nobody complained or said that he cheated.
"Wow."
"Amazing!"
Instead, the majority clapped in amazement, with some still with their mouths slightly open.
Juwon playfully elbowed Jun's calf. "Hey, you learned the song and dance after listening to it a few times today. You are cool just now."
Jun awkwardly smiled. "I just like the song a lot."
He panted as he took his seat and lowered his head. "I... and the other candidates will close our eyes. Please cast your votes by pointing at your pick at the count of three."
Jun then closed his eyes.
"Just a moment." But before the counting could begin, Sujin raised his hand. "I decided to concede this part."
The others were shocked at first, but they instantly understood when their eyes followed Sujin's gaze. The rest of the participants also gave up.
Jun opened his eyes and blinked in a daze as this outcome was not within his expectations. Of course, given that he changed his actions, he thought their responses would also be different. But he never thought his competitors would give up outright.
'I still feel like this is not real.'
In the past, Sujin had the role. But since he changed some moves to become much easier for others, the choreo's overall cohesiveness got sacrificed. As a dance fanatic, Neo was dissatisfied and questioned Sujin. Kato, another strong trainee, joined in, and then others who saw the change but failed to understand the intention behind it. Sujin felt isolated and began to question himself as well. Because of the unrest, Part One changed from Sujin to Neo, who impressed everyone with his dance.
Then, later on, another issue arose. It did not surface at first because everyone was focused on the choreo. But it showed at the mid-term check where the Greenhouse Inhabitants had to sing and dance simultaneously in front of the mentors.
Neo's singing skills were underdeveloped. Honestly, at the time, underdeveloped was already being euphemistic. It was to the point that everyone considered switching Neo's part with Sujin again.
Jun tried hard to recall the details, but his memory was a bit fuzzy and all he remembered was that at the actual evaluation three days later, Neo remained at the center. Then, in the end, the performance earned a low score, and 6 people had to be sent to the Barren Land. He was one of those 6 people.
Jun shook off the unnecessary thoughts as he took a deep breath, back to current reality.
"Thank you everyone." He bowed gratefully with his hands in a prayer pose.
This time, he really would not be known as the tough guy who thickened his skin to raise his hands 8 times. The thought thrilled him a lot.
"Then let us proceed with Part Two. Please raise your hands if you're interested."
When Sujin raised his hand, everyone else who planned to compete immediately erased the notion from their minds. Without a fight, Sujin got Part Two.
Part Three went to Min. The competition had been intense before the boy with short curly hair won. Part Four went to another trainee who was skilled at vocals. Kato got Part Five which surprised Jun as Kato used to always go for Part Two. Part Six went to Juwon, and Seven went to another vocally trained participant.
Jun continued leading the part distribution. This time, Neo and Xavi still went after one-liner parts. Because he had spent more than three years with these two, he was not really worried about them, since he knew they both had charms that would make eyes follow them naturally. He was also not worried about Hyeon-ju, who is currently in the Barren Lands. Hyeon-ju, once his face and personality became known to the public, would definitely soar in popularity and become the most popular contestant.
"Now we're done." He led the clap with a slight smile, and everyone followed. "We can begin in earnest. First and foremost, and of course, the hardest of all, the choreo."
Everybody headed for the practice room on the first floor, which was the largest and, at the same time, closest to the pantry.
Nobody brought up the election of the leader the whole day. Jun automatically assumed the role through his actions. Instead of rehearsing his part, he flew around, teaching the steps to the others. Honestly, his friend Juwon looked surprised, but thankfully, the guy refrained from asking anything.
It was a busy day when the Greenhouse Inhabitants had to pour all their brain cells and strength into learning the steps and formations.
"Let's call it a day, everyone." Jun clapped twice to get the attention of the boys.
After he said that, several individuals plopped down or lay on the floor like puppets that had lost their strings. Seeing that, he shook his head and listlessly headed for the corner to fetch a towel to wipe the sweat off his face, neck, and arms.
"Catch." Then he grabbed the bottles which he threw towards the others. A good thing was that these people still at least had the strength and focus to catch.
"Go back to wash up and rest. But before you guys sleep, please make sure to memorize your lines."
"Okay." Out of eleven, only three managed to reply verbally. The others only made an okay sign using their hands.
...
"So how old are you this year?"
In an interview days later, this question somehow came up and Jun splendidly made a mistake.
"I'm 21." He was so tired and muddle-headed from juggling multiple roles that he let his mouth speak without his brain processing his words.
The puzzled glances thankfully woke up his sleeping brain cells. His eyes shook. He felt cold sweat trickling down his back as he hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.
"I mean 81, if reversed, haha..."
Fake and awkward laughter escaped his throat.
"It seems like our young friend here has a good sense of humor." The interviewer laughed at the awkward peace sign and beamed at Jun's face.
Jun fervently prayed for the producers to edit or not include it in any episodes.
"So Jun. You were a trainee from the same agency as Juwon and Sujin, right?"
"Yes."
"Your fellow contestants unanimously elected you as their leader. How have you been managing so far?"
Jun thought for a moment then answered, "I'm happy with the progress that everyone is making. Because we want to show a perfect performance, we are all pouring our time and effort into practice and cooperating with each other."
"No difficulties or issues so far? Especially when it comes to mastering the song and dance steps?"
A shy yet proud smile adorned Jun's handsome face. "Everyone is so talented. Maybe, some are ahead while others are slightly behind. But at the end of the second day, all of us could dance and sing the song fluidly."
A surprised expression crossed the male interviewer's eyes. "That sounds awesome. Do you mean, you all have memorized everything?"
"Yes! Everything!" Jun's confident answer was accompanied by a flashback that only played in his head.
The eleven contestants in the Greenhouse all underwent rigorous training while guided by him. Of course, he was not the only one teaching, especially the choreo. Since Neo was a monster when it came to dancing while Kato and Sujin were great at memorizing moves, Jun split the group into four where he headed one. That was how everyone ingrained the dance moves into everyone's brain and body in just two days.
The rest of the time was spent on singing practice or, better yet, singing plus dancing.
'Actually, at the end of the practice, I'm sure as hell I saw some trainees paling at the sight of me.' He mentally giggled. 'But I'm also certain that they will thank me tomorrow.'
The interview concluded after a few more questions regarding his relationship with the other participants.
Honestly, today, before the training began, some were seen sporting worried and lost expressions. The line distribution left some feeling restless and afraid of their future. However, Jun's schedule was hellish yet mysteriously within reason. He also emphasized the cameras so nobody would dare slack off or loosen their expressions.
Then the next day dawned. Then came the afternoon of the fourth day.
Because Jun decided not to give spoilers, when 3 people suddenly paid their training hall an unannounced visit, they all appeared surprised.
"Hi, Greenhouse Inhabitants!"
The boys, including Jun, looked ahead disbelievingly as they gasped and covered their mouths in shock.
"Drew! It's Drew!"