Chapter 410
The competition program in which Wishze appeared this time,
This was to maintain the concept of a battle between talented groups with the idea that 'everything is said on stage'.
So, on the contrary, Ryu Gunwoo was happy.
'If we show too much of the preparation process, the impact will decrease.'
If they showed the entire preparation process they wouldn't show rookie-like images since they were all experienced workers anyway.
He didn't want that kind of character.
'We have to give it a feeling that betrays expectations.'
Thanks to this, Wishze received the editing typical of a 'big rookie with one song', with very little preparation.
[〈What is the fifth team?]]
[The idol you want~ Hello. This is Wishze.]
It was a neat look with an advertisement-like introduction to the currently popular song, 'Timer.'
Originally, Wishze would have received more since they were considered monster rookies.
However, the rest of the initial portion went to groups with compatible positions and images.
T-Holic.
[Ah~ Welcome!]
[〈Here they come, national idols!]]
Because they were a group that was more widely known and had many hit songs, viewers' reactions were focused on that group, whether it was good or bad.
However, some people who liked to show off their sharp analysis left comments.
-There seems to be some overlap.
-This is a casting failure. The two groups have very similar images.
-It would be better to differentiate with Ryu Chungwoo.
Each member who had been active in individual activities was well-known and also had created hit songs for the public overall.
To list that fact alone, Wishze was clearly a latecomer when it came to competing with T-Holic.
Moreover, the theme of this 101st episode performance didn't help Wishze.
[Topic: Beginners]
[Theme for singers who have taken on the challenge of 'True Competition', which has surpassed 100 episodes and is now entering its first episode]
Beginners?
In addition, the festival-like 100th episode special featuring gorgeous stage sets and famous songs by famous composers felt just a tad bit boring.
Even when the last words before the stage, when leader Shin Jaehyun's requested 'words of determination' were spoken, people were shocked.
[Thankfully, we have made our name known through various individual activities, but in reality, we are essentially group performers.]
[We want to prove it to everyone.]
-This looks like a death flag.
-If anyone sees it, they will think that they've been on entertainment shows for 5 years already ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-I guess they accomplished a lot with the song Timer?
When viewers reacted in a somewhat appalling manner to the remarks of a promising newcomer who already had a hit song…
A fan who was leaving a message of support couldn't resist and started tapping on the keyboard.
- ㅋㅋㅋ You all don't know. Wishze is from a survival program.
-The group competition itself is the kids' first priority.
The text disappeared in an instant, but at that moment the broadcast screen changed.
[Live broadcast]
The moment a real-time broadcast appeared in the upper corner and the layout of the screen changed, the camera moved and illuminated the stage.
The opening stage was ready.
A huge cursive font appeared brightly on the top electronic display board.
[Yesterday]
Yellow light like sunlight fell on the stage.
In front of the blue sky-like electronic display board, the stage set was a school's wonderful entrance made of brick.
And performers appeared between the panel structures.
The members of Wishze wore neat private school student uniforms.
They gathered along the route and formed into a formation, with blonde Chaeyul smiling in the center.
[Should I turn the timer and go to the past?]
It was the appearance of a song that everyone knew.
The stage, which changed the movement and singing style somewhat musically and included a brass accompaniment, was somewhat retro and pleasant.
There was an overwhelming and joyful feeling.
In addition, each time each member did his part, he mixed in a slightly humorous mix of the personalities he had built up in other entertainment shows.
Ryu Chungwoo was wearing glasses and reading a book. Then, Ju-Dan performed a magic trick by lighting a newspaper on fire. Cha Eugene, on the other side, was squinting his eyes.
And Ryu Gunwoo, who was holding a campaign sign as if he was protesting, hugged the sign tightly and sang the chorus while smiling.
[You are in my racing heart
A meteor falling from above us
I still remember today too]
Members waved their hands while doing the choreography.
All those moments… It gave a very natural and pleasant feeling of support. From the successful arrangement to the relaxed appearance of the members who didn't even look nervous.
-It's okay.
-They're good at it. It's a positive thing for an idol~~ It feels like I'm being cheered up ^^
-They're singing pretty well.
It may have been a bit boring, but it was a good and pleasant opening performance. The vocals were also flawless.
-Huh? Where is Kim Raebin?
While fans were unaware of the complicated movement lines and distorted camera work…
There was someone climbing up the railing behind the stage set.
The camera that followed behind showed a hand on the school clock… It was Kim Raebin with white hair.
That moment when his downcast eyes met the camera…
[D-------ing-----]
Suddenly, the camera work pulled back.
The blue sky on the electronic display board stirred, and a new sound came in, accompanied by the sound of a bell.
It was a recorder.
And the tempo of the accompaniment changed.
-????
While Kim Raebin leisurely descended the railing, one step at a time, the remaining seven gathered together and showed off their choreography.
It looked like a dance break interlude, but the choreography was off-kilter and somewhat slow, giving a slightly strange feeling.
And when Kim Raebin came down and joined in, the bell sound and the existing accompaniment had already died down.
In white noise.
Kim Raebin walked to the center and nodded his head.
And a low, hoarse voice came out.
[Move the timer]
[Grant my wish]
An unfamiliar rap was attached to the mismatched melody, and the song unfolded again.
A powerful riff melody.
[A spell I will never forget
Memorize it and teach it to me
Your world]
Suddenly, the electronic display board turned red, then dark, and a crescent moon appeared.
It was night time.
[Yesterday]
When the letters at the top changed, the real choreography began.
And every time a member came out for their part in Timer.
[Turn the timer]
[I'm here, I won't change]
A new minor melody followed the melody of Timer.
The classical arrangement was pushed aside and modern sounds naturally took its place.
Viewers were taken aback because it was impossible to not know this much.
-What song is this?
-Isn't Timer their debut song?
No.
There were a variety of their debut songs that catered to the tastes of KPOP fandom and kicked off the popularity of domestic music.
[Even if I memorize it forever
I'm not sick of it, hold on to me
Leave it here]
'Wish'.
The story of a ghost forever trapped in a midnight school ate away at the timer.
Every time Timer's riff melody came on, Wish's beat pressed down like a squeal.
The choreography changed.
[The picture sparkles]
[The sound of the prey breathing on a hunting night
I am the one who grants Wishze]
As if pushing back and blocking Jin Chaeyul's movement in the timer refrain, Cha Eugene took the dance center with his eyes shining.
During Timer's part, members who intentionally had fewer parts came to the forefront.
The beat got faster and more intense, and the choreography became rougher and more violent.
A chilling high-pitched sound surged.
[Ohohohoh-]
There was a dark and powerful voice beneath it.
[Make me enhanced
Make me better
[Come-in]
The moment when the outstretched hands and stopping movements were captured…
The song ended.
A human figure came forward from the center, lowering its raised hand into the air.
[one
Two
Three
Now grant my wish]
Neat attire.
After arranging the fabric with his fingers, Shin Jaehyun smiled and turned away, and the movement solidified into a pyramid shape.
However, the back row was still looking forward. And voices were coming out.
[Right… right… ]
A cappella sounded like jeers.
The bell rang in the red midnight school.
[Ding-]
The upper body shook to the rhythm.
[Dong-]
The lights went out.
[… …]
The opening stage ended with only the sound of the bell remaining on the dark stage.
Soon, the MC's comment sounds through the VCR for the next stage, but…
-???
-What song is this now?? Someone, please answer
-It was thrilling.
-What did I just see?
Viewers' reactions could not keep up with the flow and were filled with astonishment.
-? I just came back from the bathroom… What's with the sudden change in mood?
After the live broadcast on this day was over, there was a 10-minute voting period for half the audience and half the viewers.
Wishze performed well by finishing in 2nd place.
• * *
Before leaving work, I stopped by the bathroom and came back to scroll through my smartphone screen in the hallway.
Every time I moved to the next page, the story of this group popped up.
The main keyword was astonishment.
-Is this how Wishze usually performs?
The stage of 'Timer', which was aimed at the music source, was intentionally designed to be easy to follow and easy to watch.
This meant that the main focus was not to shock people with an insanely high difficulty level or to have a strong jaw-dropping force that made people shocked.
It was just a 'tage where people could feel good and we could show off our talent.
Therefore, the public perceived Wishze's long-term route as the 'T-Holic's friendly competitors.'
But they realized it through this performance.
This group's aspirations.
-The entertainment shows were really a side job.
Surprisingly, it was true. I nodded while looking at the best comment.
-No, is this actually real? How'd they do this on a live broadcast?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Wow, how did they get the timing right for this? They're all good, wow, crazy live…
-I didn't expect the minor sensibility to reach this level, but it's attractive. Was this what their original debut felt like?
While these reactions were pouring in from the entertainment community that was interested in idols, general viewers also added a few comments.
Besides, this was not an ordinary program.
-It was a refreshing performance. Perhaps because they are young, they know how to take on challenges. They're geniuses.
-I never thought the opening would end like this~~It was great!
-With such talent, they must have suffered from a heartless company that only put them out on entertainment shows. They're really good at singing and dancing.
A long-standing contest program.
The viewers were already hoping for a more intense and stimulating contest stage.
After watching over 100 episodes, people believed that this was just the right stimulus for those who had come to see almost everything else as a cliché.
Stage-wise and narrative-wise.
'If you're good, then you're good. They can't deny that.'
Thanks to this, it was good to see that the overwhelming majority had changed their stance.
'Great.'
I nodded and turned off the internet. I thought that if they published all the articles tomorrow, they would be able to boost the group's image without any problems.
Now, it was time to go in, stretch, and sleep for more than 6 hours for the first time in a while…
"Um, excuse me."
"Yes?"
When I turned my head, I saw a familiar face…
'Hmm.'
That bastard… Who was it?
'Ah, T-Holic.'
However, the reason I didn't know him was because he was a member who had left the group.
I was sorry, but in reality, it had been a while since he left the group. Well, I should have had a chance to see his face.
I quickly bowed and said hello like a rookie. The guy nodded.
"I enjoyed the stage. You prepared very hard, so I knew you would make it to second place! You deserved it!"
"Thank you."
I politely shook the hand that he held out. Then, a look somewhere between disregard and caution passed through his eyes.
"I think it would be cool to release your next comeback song with that same kind of feeling. Wishze seems to be the best at that."
Was he trying to make us more popular?
Well, this guy probably didn't know that a rookie didn't have the authority to decide that.
I guess he just felt bad about losing so he deliberately wandered around our waiting room to be treated like a senior.
'Oh.'
Was this a guy who knew how to abuse power?
How about it? He was going to retire in a few years anyway.
I smiled inwardly and nodded.
"Yes, thank you."
"Yes. I hope we can see you again on our next entertainment show."
"Oh, yes."
Still, should I act a little discouraged?
My waiting room door was right in front of me, and I didn't feel very happy about not being able to leave work right away. So, would he mind shutting up and getting out of the way?
But suddenly, the door opened.
Click.
And then a guy dressed in normal clothes came out.
Cheongryeo.
"Hello, sunbaenim"
"Ah, Jaehyun. Great job."
Since he was the leader, I guess he would know what to do better than the others.
'Shall I leave them alone and go in?'
The T-Holic member slowly opened his mouth.
"You always have a good attitude. If you want it to last long, you have to keep it up."
"I always respect you."
"Yes, yes."
Meaning and confidence that he would never leave this position.
That was the moment I was about to interrupt the conversation.
Before I could, though, Cheongryeo slowly opened his mouth.
"But you can't be at your peak forever. Both groups and people."
"… !"
Shin Jaehyun immediately smiled and looked at the T-Holic member.
He was implying that T-Holic wouldn't last as long as us.
'… … This guy.'
But… I never thought I'd see him say something like that out loud.
-Your prime time is over.
I remembered what I said to that guy earlier.
And the defector's face got redder and redder, and he began to look with a straight face.
"You… What did you say just now?"
"Oh my, hyung, you're here!"
At that moment, a bright voice intervened again.
The guy who came running from around the corner was another member of T-Holic.
"The manager was looking for me. Ah, Wishze."
The youngest of T-Holic, the singer of the song 'Party in me' that I did during my first evaluation of 〈Idol Inc.〉, narrowed his eyes.
"I really enjoyed the stage. Let's compete in good faith so that we can be seen on broadcasting stations for a long time!"
"No. We wouldn't dare…"
"You're very humble."
No, if we went back to reality, it meant we wouldn't be able to compete because of the generation gap. At that point, it would be like attacking the elderly.
Anyway, the guy seemed to be smiling a little grandly, but he quickly corrected his expression.
"Thank you~ Come on, hyung, let's go!"
T-Holic's youngest member disappeared, dragging the one who was going to leave the group eventually.
"…"
I looked at Cheongryeo. The guy shrugged his shoulders and smiled slightly.
"Well, how does it feel to have your words quoted by me?"
"Don't you already know?"
"Haha!"
I left the laughing guy behind and opened the door to the waiting room.
So, all the conditions were met.
Now came the awards season.
• * *
"Hello, viewers~"
At the awards ceremony, Lee Sejin of the group GY-ROP held the microphone on the side of the MC seat and greeted everyone with a smile.
He, who received rave reviews for his dyed black hair, was standing there thanks to his steady group activities and outstanding individual performance this year.
Of course, one of the reasons was that he was one of the few qualified people who could skillfully handle the live broadcast, but there were circumstances that the company did not know.
'… … I think it'll work out, though.'
Lee Sejin was here in case of any unexpected situation.
For planning and operations.
'We're trying everything.'
He secretly swallowed his saliva out of nervousness, but smiled casually and raised his head.
"
The year-end awards ceremony had begun.
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