Chapter 66
Surprisingly, the synth-pop genre
"Hello! Nice to meet you! "
Following Baek Si-hwa, who came in 6th place, Kwon Dae-hyun, who came in 10th place in the second ranking announcement ceremony, opened the door and came in.
'This guy's ranking was really surprising.'
When I participated as Han Ji-hyeok, Kwon Dae-hyun closed the door to the debut group by finishing in 7th place in the final round.
So I thought he would be quite a threatening opponent this time too.
Following 12th place in the first ranking, he remained in 10th place in the second ranking, showing that he was still struggling.
As expected, the new faces seem to have had a big impact.
Not only me, but also Yoo Min-ha and Baek Si-hwa did not participate in the previous episode of
These variables are at work, causing cracks in the Top 7 structure that I knew about.
"Wow, there are so many people."
"Ah...."
"It's hopeless."
Following Kwon Dae-hyun, a whopping 5 more trainees joined
Among them, Heo Jun-oh, ranked 17th, took the last remaining spot.
The remaining four were automatically placed on the release list.
"... My heart aches."
Chae Eun-gyu looked at the trainees leaving the practice room with a lonely look on his face.
In the survival world of the Law of the Jungle, rankings are absolute, but it is tragic to see joy and sorrow change in an instant like this.
After all the eliminated people left the practice room, which was overcrowded.
"Groups that have completed their membership can immediately begin distributing parts and practicing~."
"Thank you!"
We were able to start one step ahead of teams that were short on team members.
"Okay, then let's all sit down and divide up our parts."
Chae Eun-gyu grabbed the part panel as if he were used to it.
"It's easier to decide on a leader first, so I'll take some applicants. Is there anyone who wants to be the leader this time?"
"This should be done by Eun-gyu hyung. He was born with an L sticker."
"I think that's right too!"
"I agree."
I also had no objection to Chae Eun-gyu taking the L sticker.
The other trainees also nodded their heads in agreement.
Only Baek Si-hwa hesitated, twitching his fingers.
But I was the only one who noticed that moment.
"Haha, I feel so embarrassed when you say that. Well then, I'll try harder this time too."
"Please take good care of us, Leader!"
The rest of the team applauded and watched Chae Eun-gyu put on the L sticker.
I continued to observe Baek Si-hwa out of the corner of my eye.
Lips that are bitten instinctively.
Pupils that blink repeatedly.
Fingers moving nervously over his thighs.
'You seem very anxious right now.'
I was worried that he might make an impulsive remark, but fortunately, Baek Si-hwa did not object to Chae Eun-gyu.
But the problem arose when deciding the center position.
"We need to grab the center before we distribute other positions. Then, we should also accept applicants first for the center, right?"
"Yes!"
"Let's watch the entire choreography video again, and once we're somewhat familiar with it, we'll accept applicants."
We gathered in front of the tablet.
The video started playing
I opened my eyes wide and looked at the screen carefully.
'The choreography feels similar to before.'
When I participated as Han Ji-hyeok, I went to
Since it was a choreography I already knew, it was right to choose
But as I said before, it is important to create a different atmosphere in the third round.
It was a memory from a long time ago, and I couldn't remember the other stages exactly because I checked them backstage, but I was still somewhat familiar with the movements.
After watching the choreography video, which was about 3 minutes long,.
I decided which path to take.
"Since we need to see dance in order to choose the center, should we just follow the chorus part together?"
We split our time and quickly learned the choreography for the chorus.
What was most surprising during this process was Yoo Minha's ability to follow choreography.
"Eun-gyu hyung, stretch out your legs here, turn your body to the side, and put your hands like this. Okay?"
"Oh, oh, that's absolutely correct. Min-ha, wouldn't it be better if you went ahead and led the way? You get it much faster than me."
"Really? Is it okay if I go forward? "
Chae Eun-gyu, who is an experienced worker, also learned choreography quickly.
However, Yoo Minha had an incredible talent for memorizing choreography movements the moment he saw them.
"Five, six, seven, eight. How about that? That's the feeling!"
"Min-ha dances really well."
"If I were alone, it would have taken me almost an hour to learn this...."
"...."
When I silently gave a thumbs up, Yoo Min-ha smiled brightly and stamped his feet.
It is a sight of someone unable to contain his excitement.
After memorizing the chorus choreography like that,.
"Raise your hand if you want to be the center."
Chae Eun-gyu spoke bluntly.
Heo Jun-oh and Kwon Dae-hyun were just watching.
Yoo Minha's hot gaze was fixed on me.
But this time, I had no intention of applying to the center.
As I continued to remain still, Yoo Minha opened his eyes even wider.
It was as if he was talking to me with his eyes.
'Are you really not going to apply for the center?'
Yeah, I really won't.
There was silence for a few seconds.
"I will apply for the center."
Baek Si-hwa raised his hand.
He had a serious expression on his face since practice earlier, and it seemed like he was trying hard to take the center position.
"Okay, Sihwa. Is there anyone else?"
"... I will also apply!"
A very interesting plot unfolded.
With eyes that were blazing hot, Yoo Min-ha also raised his hand.
"...."
As soon as Yoo Min-ha applied, Baek Si-hwa's face distorted slightly.
As if dissatisfied.
I tapped my fingers on the floor of the practice room with interest.
'We'll find out in this round. What happened between those two.'
I kept wondering.
What kind of past did Yoo Minha and Baek Sihwa have together?
Why is Baek Si-hwa so openly trying to keep Yoo Min-ha in check?
"Then is it Sihwa and Minha? Are Daehyun and Junoh okay?"
"I think Sihwa or Min-ha would suit the image better than mine."
"I'm not that confident in dancing, so it's okay!"
Chae Eun-gyu's gaze naturally turned towards me.
"By the way, what about Karis? Are you not going to apply at all?"
"Karis was the center twice in a row."
"I think it would be weird if you didn't do the center anymore...."
Even Kwon Dae-hyun and Heo Jun-oh threw questions at me.
To those team members, I shook my head and smiled faintly.
"I'm not greedy this time. And personally, there's a position I like better than center, so I think it's right to give up the center position to a teammate who suits it better."
"Okay, then let's have Sihwa and Minha as the center candidates."
Chae Eun-gyu gave a slightly regretful look.
If I think about it, his reaction when we first met in the
'Was he happier because he gained a solid sense of center?'
It's a shame for Chae Eun-gyu, but I have no intention of taking the center position for three consecutive rounds.
It is true that I currently have many fans who like me.
That means the firepower has been concentrated to the point where it can even trigger fever time.
However, the sports day scene that was broadcast on the ranking announcement broadcast.
And considering the restraint from Song Hyung-bin's personal fans that I have previously witnessed, it would be best not to do anything that would be more noticeable than this.
'I have to be careful, because public opinion may be created that I am monopolizing the center.'
The final candidates for the center are Baek Si-hwa and Yoo Min-ha.
While the other four team members sat in the back, the center candidate came forward and danced the chorus choreography, and the votes were held to see who would be more suitable for the center position.
"Let's get started."
Baek Si-hwa came forward first.
The impression I got while watching his chorus performance was very simple.
'It's a good dance without any frills.'
It's neat and true to the basics.
Since he has been a trainee for a long time and has experience participating in survival shows, his skills are certain.
But I didn't get the feeling that he was enjoying dancing.
His expression was a bit stiff, which didn't match the bright mood of the song.
In contrast, Yoo Min-ha consistently maintained a refreshing smile that fit his refreshing image and performed the choreography.
'Their dancing skills are almost at the same level, but Yoo Min-ha fits the image of the song much better.'
After watching both of their choreography, we gathered to discuss who would be more suitable for the center.
And Chae Eun-gyu was the first to express the same sentiment as me.
"Although Sihwa is good at singing, I like Min-ha's expressions much better. It also fits the image I have in mind for this song."
"I also think Min-ha's side was better."
"Honestly, I like them both so much...."
Here, perhaps slightly intimidated by the rankings, Heo Jun-oh only made passive remarks.
Eventually, the role of confirming the kill fell to me again.
"I think Min-ha is more suited to be the center than Si-hwa."
"Okay, so it's decided?"
The crown sticker settled on Yoo Minha's chest.
"Thank you! I will work hard!"
"Congratulations, Min-ha!"
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
Baek Si-hwa also tried his best to control his expression and applaud, but his face was soulless.
Even in the subsequent part distribution, Baek Si-hwa just stared at the lyrics with a blank expression.
"What is your main vocal range?"
"I tried singing it a while ago, and it wasn't that high, so I think I can do it."
"Then, Daehyun will be the main vocalist?"
"No objection!"
Among us, Kwon Dae-hyun, who has the highest vocal range, took the main vocal position.
"I honestly want to be the main dancer."
"I think it would be best if Eun-gyu hyung supported Min-ha in the main dancer position."
"I think so too."
Cha Eun-gyu was unanimously chosen as the main dancer.
And I managed to smoothly secure the part I had been aiming for from the beginning.
"Then, Karis as sub vocalist 1?"
"Yes."
The reason I aimed for sub vocalist 1 was simple.
Sub vocalist 1 should sing the parts that build up right before the chorus.
A position with an ambiguously high vocal range that can easily be overshadowed by the center.
However, there is one modified bridge just before the final chorus.
From what I remember, this modified bridge was practically the killing part of the song.
One of the scenes from the previous episode of
When the rest of the team members stopped after the group dance, only sub-vocal 1 moves to the center to receive a solo shot while singing four bars.
Of course, the center has the advantage of being in the center of every chorus, but it doesn't create this kind of momentary impact.
It's a kind of gamble to cleverly break through current public opinion.
A few seconds of solo shot chosen while giving up a center with obvious strengths.
How I use this is entirely up to me.
"Okay, part distribution is complete!"
Chae Eun-gyu finished the work by attaching Heo Jun-oh's name to the panel.
Everyone seemed satisfied with the distribution results, but Baek Si-hwa, who was assigned as sub vocalist 2, maintained his usual blank expression.
'Judging by his attitude, it seems like he is going to blow things up soon.'
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