Episode 1 showcased the two camps in BOI quite fairly.
The rating was not bad because many curious people worldwide tuned in to the Idol Survival program that came out after Idol Camp 101. It may not compare to the latter in terms of viewership which averaged twenty percent before the scandal, but at least BOI still did better than expected and had firmly surpassed five percent. The other programs from other channels at the same time slot barely crossed two percent.
As they said, noise publicity was still a type of marketing. Among those raining criticisms at the show were citizens who liked the survival program or wanted to discover fresh faces to stan.
The participants naturally gained some following. Some who stood out were mostly from the Greenhouse. This was just inevitable.
People could be vain and prone to liking flawless faces, but they prefer the skilled ones more, bonus if they are also very good-looking.
BOI happened to have a few who passed the two criteria. The twelve in the Greenhouse and a few others in the Barren Land.
The participants had no way of knowing these though. The staff had made them surrender their phones. The tablets lent to them were strictly for practice purposes only, and they had no access to the internet.
The boys had had zero contact and news outside for nearly two weeks already. They were isolated from the world. It resulted in two things. It helped them focus on the mission and ironically, the issues within their camps.
"Neo, your singing needs some more push. We only want you to sing on the right key."
In one practice session, the tired Hanada spoke in their native language and told the youngest Inhabitant. It did not become an issue in the previous mission because Neo got stuck with a one-liner, but in the current mission, he went for a better part, which he won without objection because of his superb dance skills. But a problem arose when he opened his mouth.
"It is 'Underneath the golden sun'… You are pronouncing golden sun wrongly." Hanada pointed out plainly.
The fourteen-year-old Neo silently listened. He bowed his head and nodded. Yet when he tried to imitate the melody and pronunciation, it automatically elicited a frown from the listeners.
Neo attempted to reason in a small voice, "I... I am doing my best."
"We only have two days to do this." Sujin was Neo's 'vocal trainer' for the past few days. Because the boy barely improved, they all thought maybe a fellow Japanese would be a better choice as Neo's helper.
The change in strategy proved futile. Hanada was expressionless but everyone knew that he was unhappy losing some personal practice time. Especially when the payoff was barely there.
Sujin pursed his lips. He sat down to rest and drink water. Then he waved a hand and said, "Breaktime. Be back after 30 minutes."
"Okay." The replies were either perfunctory or lacking in energy. Sujin had experienced these for days already, so he just chose not to dwell on them.
Halfway through the break time that he set as the second mission leader, Sujin went out to get new sets of towels. That was when it happened.
Near the stairs leading to the laundry room, he heard three hushed voices speaking in low volume.
"We're doomed. The difference in practice speed is like night and day."
"... As I thought, it's a mistake that Jun left."
Sujin kept his poker face as he closed in to listen. The three did not notice him since he hid behind the wall. His footsteps were lighter than usual as he purposely did not create a noise to alert them.
"In the first mission, we had to learn a brand new song. Now we are only doing a cover. Yet we're struggling worse than before."
A baritone voice replied, "Sujin is also great. He's not Nova's top trainee for nothing. He's a bit better than Jun at singing, but Jun is the better leader."
"And the better dancer."
"I couldn't agree more." Somebody added.
When the youth peeked at the face reflected by the stainless steel surface of the automatic washing machine, he saw that the last guy who spoke was Hanada.
Sujin would lie if he said he was not affected by those words. But he was mature enough not to bolt out there to confront them. He had to acknowledge the truth anyway.
'The impression left is very strong. This is why I know Jun leaving would be a problem.'
Sujin did not think he did badly or neglected his duties. He did not volunteer for the job but still accepted it when others pushed it to him. However, the issues caused by the first mission were just too many.
The members lacked drive. They felt extremely affected by their former leader's unreasonable 'demotion'.
Neo also went for a part that he could not digest. Because Sujin had to acknowledge the voting process of the part distribution, he could not immediately switch Neo's parts. Until it reached the point when it was too late to make changes. Discontent began to rise due to this.
The song was originally by a female singer so there was a higher demand for vocal skills.
And most importantly, there was Juwon.
As long as 'that person' was mentioned, there was just no way Juwon's name would not be brought up.
As expected, the three continued their rants in that direction.
"A lot of time I just thought. Imagine if Jun did not save Juwon."
Gunwook, a tall trainee with brown hair and a prominent mole on his neck, answered sharply, "Which of us did not think of that? We would not be this stressed. Uhhhh, I really could not like that guy."
"Juwon indeed looks quite selfish and arrogant. Did he say sorry after the first mission?" asked a black-haired guy with a fake diamond piercing who came from the Barren Lands.
"I don't remember," answered Hanada expressionlessly.
"Wow." The black-haired boy exclaimed.
'Actually, Juwon did.' Sujin mentally refuted.
The young man felt disgusted when people complained about somebody behind his back, yet he smiled when facing him. He wondered if they would continue to resort to this whenever they feel pressured.
Sujin noted the names of the three who badmouthed their fellow trainees.
"How would blaming someone or dwelling on what ifs help?" As he walked back with towels in hand, he shook his head once.
Sujin came back to the practice hall and a minute later, the three also entered the room. He gave them one long glance before he looked at Juwon who was occupying a corner on his own. Actually, for the past few days, half of the participants kept a distance from the guy, and for Sujin that was a really stupid choice.
He approached the best visual of the Greenhouse and handed him a bottle of chilled energy drink.
"Jun will definitely be back." He simply said, sitting next to Juwon.
The youth was an introvert but not unsociable. Juwon nodded even though he was surprised, "... That is quite random from you. But I know."
"So what's bothering you?" asked Sujin.
Instead of answering immediately, Juwon stared back at him. After some time he curiously replied, "Have you been this friendly at the company?"
"You don't know because we barely meet despite being fellow trainees there."
Juwon laughed and honestly, even Sujin felt defeated by how effortlessly good-looking the youth appeared. "We were from different classes." He added, "I appreciate the concern but I am fine."
Sujin confirmed that the cameras were far away as he turned off his mic. Juwon felt no need to do the same since his mic had been off hours ago. The leader asked while briefly glancing at some trainees, "Is that really so?"
To this, Juwon indifferently shrugged. "It seems to me the one having trouble is you. What's the matter?"
"Just some being restless." The current best trainee among the Inhabitants leaned his back and head on the wall. He appeared a bit demotivated.
Juwon was silent for a while before he said, "If you think what they're saying behind closed doors affected me, you're wrong. I know why many people tried to vote me off."
Sujin studied the young man's expression for nearly a minute before he was able to ascertain that he was speaking the truth.
Juwon closed his eyes as if to signal that he did not want to talk anymore.
Sujin did not force the other.
He stood up and headed for the speaker to play their current mission song. Thirty minutes had passed and being the punctual person that he was, he stuck to his word and gathered everyone back to the practice hall.
However, he waited five minutes, and the twelve of them, including the ones promoted from the Barren Lands, were missing one member.
Neo did not come back.
And nobody saw where he went or knew where he was now.
Sujin almost could not control his expression as both annoyance and worry crept into his heart.
That time, even he admitted. How he wished that Jun was here to be the leader instead of him.