16
Step Sixteen
:: Teamwork Issues ::
As the second day of the mission just began, the mentors didn’t impose too many restrictions on the trainees.
They allowed them to get to know each other and utilize their abilities to solve the tasks independently.
Some teams didn’t disappoint.
The results from the afternoon progress check indicated that some teams were able to find their direction and start moving forward.
This contrasted with other teams that were still scattered and relied on guidance from the mentors and senior judges to navigate ahead.
“I’m going to die, bro.
My arms are completely worn out,” Wang Qi lay face down near the entrance door.
When Jacan opened it, he saw the other party blocking the way, looking completely exhausted and desperate.
“Move aside, Wang Qi.
I’ll just step over you,” Yeo Unche, who had just finished practicing, followed behind Jacan, said as he used his sweat towel to swat his younger roommate butt.
“No, don’t cross over a fallen person.
Haven’t you heard that?” The young man with a man bun turned to lie on his back, his face covered in sweat beads, but still defiantly warning his older brother while rolling himself left and right to avoid the sweat towel.
“If you don’t want to be crossed, then move,” said Kim Jiseong, a regular guest in the last room, was lying and reading a book on Wang Qi’s bed.
Seeing all the room members return, he poked his head out to join the conversation.
If you observed closely, you would notice that everyone in this room, except for Yeo Unche, had a C sticker attached to their uniforms.
Yeo Unche turned to look at his brother behind him.
He saw that the other side also had the same sticker, so he pursed his lips and walked away to grab a towel and head to the bathroom.
“Poor Unche, having to join the same team as An Junsa.
That guy was lucky enough to draw the center spot.
He was announced last.
Other teams were full, so there was no choice,” Wang Qi complained softly enough for Jacan, who was nearby, to hear.
Given the choice, the boy would have picked Yeo Unche as the first member to join the team.
Setting aside their personal friendship, Yeo Unche was a trustworthy vocal and his impressive b-boy dancing still had a grip on his heart.
“Did that side cause you guys any trouble?” Jacan pulled Wang Qi to sit on his own bed, as there were no sound recording cameras in this area for the trainees’ privacy.
However, speaking too loudly would be another matter.
If he accidentally gossiped too loudly…
it would surely be a real mess.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him.
I saw that they had a dance task.
Even though he’s the center, he still wanted the leader and main dancer positions.
And when someone argued, he challenged them to a battle,” Wang Qi sneered.
“If he’s capable, let him have them,” Jacan saw it differently.
Putting aside An Junsa’s malicious intentions towards the program, he was one of the most gifted trainees.
During the class advancement audition, he even praised him inwardly several times.
He thought that if they got to debut together, An Junsa could help make the group very successful.
But after getting to know each other and learning the behind-the-scenes actions of the OMM Ent.
president…
it seemed difficult for them to coexist.
Their attitudes just didn’t align.
“Yeah, that’s true,” the young boy wrinkled his nose again before nodding in agreement with his brother.
They were like fish released into the same tank with limited food provided.
If they wanted to survive, they had to grow bigger than anyone else…
or devour them.
Without talent accompanying them, there was no hope of gaining popularity from viewers.
Even though no one had seen their own vote count or the audience’s feedback on the internet towards the trainees on the show yet, from the airtime in the second episode, it wasn’t hard to guess who was gaining traction.
The first person undoubtedly included this blue-eyed elder brother.
As for the second person, if he wasn’t being too biased towards himself…
no, he wasn’t, he counted his airtime in the second episode already.
The show aired for a total of 45 minutes.
He had 2 standout scenes, ranking second only to his brother Jacan, who had 3 scenes—impressively standing out.
And this didn’t even include his signature cat wink pose that he was confident would attract a ton of fans.
As for An Jusa, the first tape still had some outstanding and memorable scenes.
But the second tape was different.
Even though he had airtime, it was minimal for someone in Class A.
Did something happen to An Junsa’s reputation outside the show?
Pop
“Ah!” Wang Qi raised his hand to cover his forehead.
“What’s up with you?
Where did your mind wander off to?
I asked if you want to shower now.
Unche has finished showering,” Jacan gestured towards the bathroom.
“I just feel like An Junsa’s airtime is strangely low.”
“Notice it, huh?” Jacan raised an eyebrow.
He thought the production team had smoothly edited it out.
Not too prominent but not entirely gone either.
“Just feel it’s odd for someone in Class A,” Kim Jiseong or Im Kureum, who were also in Class A received much higher airtime.
“It’s not like there are rumors on the net about him, is it?” He had seen an idol on another survival show who shot to fame overnight, only to be eliminated soon after when news broke that he had bullied his school friends.
Netizens who valued justice didn’t accept it.
They typed up reports, up to ten pages long, and sent them to the survival show.
Eventually, they gradually reduced the airtime and forced him to leave the show himself.
“Let’s not worry about others just yet.
Show me your sticker, you got a C, right?
What kind of task did you get?” Jacan shifted away from the risky topic, pretending to grab the other team’s task paper to see.
Wang Qi’s institution was quite sharp…
“I won’t let you see it.” The boy leaped forward to snatch it away, not letting his older brother see.
“I’ll show you my handsome side at the real show.
Plus, we’re on separate teams now, so consider us rivals.” He raised two fingers to make a V-sign, pointing them first at his eyes then at his older brother.
“This kid’s gonna get a smack on the butt,” Kim Jiseong, from the top bunk, chimed in with a smirk.
“You’ve not shown me either,” Wang Qi raised his hand high, demanding to see the other’s task.
“Fair trade.”
“Sure, I don’t mind at all,” the older one easily handed over his own task.
[Song Team / Song: One Night / 7 members]
“Wow, what’s this?
How did you get such a cool song?” Wang Qi picked it up and read it before exclaiming aloud.
It’s “One Night”, the song that swept all the music charts for 4 consecutive weeks.
It was safe to say it was a legendary song of its time.
“That’s what a talented person gets,” Kim Jiseong changed his posture to sitting with his legs crossed, shrugging as if to say he couldn’t help.
“You’ve seen mine, now what about yours?”
“We’re each other’s rivals!” Wang Qi declared loudly, raising his task sheet for the other to see.
[Song Team / Song: Monday / 9 members]
“Oh, the song styles are quite similar.
Come on, little bro.
If we battle, it’ll be even more fun,” Kim Jiseong teased.
“But better not.
I don’t want to see kids around here crying their eyes out because they lost.”
“Who’s sure to cry?
If I compete with you, I have to win for sure,” Wang Qi retorted, his face determined not to lose.
After a brief exchange, they both turned away from each other.
“And what about you?” Now that they had revealed their secrets (?), the other side had to share too.
Meanwhile, Kim Jiseong, who already knew, returned to his book.
“I got the song composition team.
Cute song,”
“Ooh,” Wang Qi puckered his lips.
“It’s because you did aegyo at the end of the MV, isn’t it?
The fans loved it so much they probably prayed for you to do it again.” The boy with the man-bun hairstyle analyzed before nodding in agreement with his own reasoning.
“Just a coincidence,” Jacan shrugged, mimicking the younger one by scrunching his nose.
“Brother Unche, I’ll go running with you tomorrow,” Yeo Unche, who just came out of the bathroom, looked at the little brother, confused.
They usually went running together, so why mention it again?
“He just wanted to chat.
Saw you looking a bit down since coming back to the room.
If you’re worried, just say it straight,” Jacan revealed the little brother’s secret, with the latter sitting beside him, mouth agape.
“Bro!
I, umm, I saw you seemed off ever since the group division, so I…
so I…” He stuttered, poking his index fingers together, embarrassed.
“It’s okay, just a bit tired.
You can see who I’m in the same group with,” Yeo Unche smiled gently, seemingly ready to answer.
“Don’t worry.
Besides the camera set up on the table, there are no cameras near the beds.
But let’s keep our voices down a bit,” Jacan touched his lips as a hush and gave a playful wink.
“…” The three younger brothers were struck silent by the big brother’s unexpected charm bomb.
“The center of your group might be stressed out these days.
Yesterday, I saw the staff coming to him to answer a call from home.
Something must have happened.
Normally, that guy is very image-conscious,” always smiled, inviting conversation while holding a hidden knife behind his back.
“It might be like that, bro.
It seems like he’s trying to gather every position to be the ultimate highlight,” Yeo Unche recalled the tense situation during the sticker battle in the afternoon.
Even among team members who often hung out together, he still refused to back down an inch.
“I know he has the right to take all the positions for himself, but even if I know…
I’m still not happy,” the young boy grumbled softly.
He looked around and saw stickers scattered all over every group, but the center and leader that should have appropriately divided tasks in the group almost monopolized every position, not allowing anyone else to shine.
Jacan glanced at the plain outerwear of Yeo Unche, devoid of stickers, and sighed at the unfortunate fate that put him in Junsa’s group.
As Park Insa said, sometimes luck was indispensable in this show…
Working as a team with people you had only known for less than a month didn’t guarantee immunity from conflicts and disagreements.
These confrontations, however, often became the highlight scenes of the beloved survival show.
…
“What were you guys doing?
Didn’t you rehearse last night?”
Wang Qi was in the midst of exchanging opinions within the team when he paused upon hearing a faint, but not subtle, voice coming from another group sharing the rehearsal room.
The members in his group ceased their activity and turned to look at the other group simultaneously.
“I did, but there are still some points I don’t understand.
I just wanted you to give some guidance…” A member from that group countered softly, before lowering their voice even further as they were stared down by An Junsa.
“If you’ve practiced, it shouldn’t be like this,” An Junsa remarked with a dark, reproachful gaze at the repeat offender.
“It’s okay.
It’s only been three days.
There’s still plenty of time to practice more.
We believe our group has progressed much faster than the others,” other members rushed to mediate.
Though there were no cameramen to capture the scene, the room was equipped with cameras installed in every corner.
“This is why you’re not getting any better—you keep comforting each other instead of pushing to improve,” the former president’s son interjected abruptly.
“That’s too harsh.
We’re all trying our best,” the person who had made the mistakes, seeing the situation escalating, hurriedly interjected.
“I’m sorry for not being prepared enough.
I’ll go practice more.
In the meantime, could you help me with the parts I got wrong?”
An Junsa glanced at the cameras positioned around the room, gritting his teeth.
If this were his father’s training room, those who lacked abilities would have already been kicked out of the building.
No one without potential would be left!
Since watching the second episode, An Junsa immediately understood that the show was reducing his airtime, subtly trying to phase him out.
If the days of topping the viewer vote continued to decrease, he might end up being eliminated in the first round.
Despite his lucky draw as a center, why did he have to end up with such incompetent teammates?
It was frustrating!
All they did was cling to the more talented for airtime, not the least bit trying to be useful.
Only a few of those he had approached were still with him, and the rest scattered into different groups.
Nothing went the way he wanted.
Damn it!
It had been six days since the second mission, and Jacan felt quite pleased to have the Kim family ducklings as members of his team.
Everyone worked diligently.
Although the task assigned to them might seem challenging to others, when it was in his hands…
it was a piece of cake.
Jacan formed a loose fist to cover his accidental smile.
Working with the trainees who were just learning song composition could be bumpy at times, overall, it was a lot of fun.
Moreover, he himself had gained more ideas for writing songs as well.
Since their song was all finished, the next step was to think of suitable dance moves.
Senior Jung Wangseong had to step in to save the lost flock of trainees.
The ducklings had exaggerated gestures, drawing arms and legs as instructed by the other side.
Jacan didn’t practice for long before he excused himself to the restroom.
Upon returning, he saw Senior Jung Wangseong trying to act professional, though he almost wanted to collapse from exhaustion.
That sight nearly made Jacan burst out laughing.
If the judge knew he was J, what would he think?
They used to joke around during the trophy competition in the music show.
“Brother Jay, come quickly.
Our hook is ready to complement the dance, and it’s super cool,” Kim Doyun waved his hand, calling the leader and center of the group to join.
Since Jung Wangseong had to go advise the next team, they decided to take a short break and wait for lunchtime before returning to practice their dance moves together.
“We’re doing a cute song, aren’t we?
How can our dance moves be cool?” the mixed-race boy teased.
“A cute song can also have cool dance moves,” Kim Sojun countered, echoing his blue-eyed older brother’s words.
“See, I told you,” Jacan smiled knowingly.
The group considered to have received the most difficult task among all was undoubtedly the song composition group.
If they could choose, nobody wanted to be part of the songwriting team.
There was a song to compose, melodies to create, and every note and dance move had to be rehearsed.
How were ten days supposed to be enough?
“The unbelievable thing is that we finished composing both the lyrics and melody within 5 days,” Kim Juwon boasted.
In reality, he wanted to be in the singing group more, but by the time his name was called, the singing group was already full.
Going to the dancing group wasn’t his forte either.
Before he remembered, this brother had moved up a class by showcasing his own composed song, so he could be confident that the other side probably had enough experience…
and he wasn’t disappointed.
What was more surprising was that this confident brother distributed stickers equally to all members of the group, despite his own versatile abilities.
He could have taken them all like some centers did.
“With the time we have left, from now on, we have to practice hard.
No slacking off,” Jacan scanned the ducklings lined up.
“Don’t waste time doing anything useless.
Anything you can’t do can be overcome by practicing, practicing, and practicing,” he didn’t want this group of kids to feel confident and think they could relax and wait comfortably for the show day.
“You can trust us, big brother.
We have you as a role model.
I guarantee we’ll practice until we drop.
When we get on stage even if we’re so excited that our brains malfunction, our bodies will still remember every dance move,” Kim Minjun, the owner of the dance sticker, reassured.
“If you can do that, then I trust you,” Jacan nodded.
“Do we really have to go to that extent, bro?” Yoo Seung whined.
“For idols, the overall outcome is the most important.
Even if you’re the most handsome or the best singer, if you don’t perform well, it’s meaningless.
Plus, it’ll become the target of criticism for the viewers,” Jacan remarked, patting his arm and leaning back comfortably.
“Yeah, but what’s so scary isn’t just the show day,” Jacan didn’t want to lecture too much, fearing it might provoke resistance, but he felt compelled to speak up.
“But it’s what happens after the show ends.”
“Why is that?”
“Have you ever heard the phrase ‘regret later’?
Well, it means just that.
Whether we do well or poorly, the ones who will think about it the most later on are ourselves,” he recalled how he never felt regret canceling his contract with the old agency, even secretly sending illegal information about the new president to the police.
On the other hand, if he still saw that guy walking around society today, he would regret until the day he died for not making him collapse without a place to stand, just like what he had to face.
Four days later, it was time to rehearse on stage for the first time.
They also had to try on costumes that had been tailored and prepared in advance.
If there were any changes needed, they had to be fixed on that day.
“The cute songwriting team, get ready to stand by.
The singing team, go down and talk to Sujin next to the stage,” Jung Wangseong said into the microphone, urging the teams again and again as he went up and down the stage frantically, due to the limited stage usage time.
As soon as the morning half-day ended, they had to stop the big rehearsal so that the other team could rehearse.
“Oh, I’m nervous,” Hwasung fidgeted, his face marked with full-blown excitement.
“Don’t be afraid.
Hold your breath and count to fifty in your head,” Jacan advised, though his eyes still focused on helping Sojun check his in-ear monitor.
“F-Fifty!
Really, bro?!”
“Yes, really,” the older brother said seriously, and the ducklings waiting nearby subconsciously held their breaths, following his advice without realizing it.
After forty seconds, people started to puff out their cheeks, unable to hold their breath any longer.
Jacan then told everyone to stop and advised them to take another deep breath into their lungs.
“Alright, don’t think too much.
Today is just a big rehearsal.
Save the nerves and excitement for tomorrow.
Today, we have to be punctual.
If you dawdle, Senior Jung Wangseong at the front of the stage will chew us up,” Jacan herded his flock of ducklings onto the stage, nudging them forward one by one.
His mixed warning and threat did the trick—the eight little ducks scrambled onto the stage, momentarily forgetting their fear.
No…
more like covering with a different kind of fear.
Due to concerns about potential problems like before, the newly outsourced team, who took over from the old company that was sued, had to work meticulously, with the show’s team constantly monitoring their work.
Previously, no matter which team went up for the big rehearsal on stage, they couldn’t wrest the attention of the organizing team from their duties.
Until an unfamiliar melody pierced their focus.
At that, several team members accidentally paused their work, their gaze drawn to the stage where the trainees were rehearsing.
“What song is that?
Why have I never heard it before?” One female team member turned and nudged her friend beside her without even taking her eyes off the stage for a second.
“I don’t know.
I’ve never heard it either.
Don’t disturb just yet.
I’m enjoying this.” She brushed off her friend’s hand tugging her shirt.
“So, this must be their original song…
Damn, it’s too good!”
“Wow, this group is killing it, aren’t they?” Kim Jiseong’s team members admired and envied the freshness and coolness of the songwriting group with a mix of jealousy and admiration in their eyes.
“Haha, truly fitting to be Brother Jay.” Kim Jiseong smiled proudly at his older brother.
If this brother didn’t debut…
then no one should!
[STAR FIGHT STUDIO]
The studio, once spacious in the eyes of the contestants, now felt narrow with the addition of 500 spectators who had traveled to witness the special show they had been practicing for ten days.
All the trainees were called to gather in the backstage holding room, with both teams separated into their respective corners.
The wall was lined with televisions broadcasting the events happening onstage in real time.
“Exciting, isn’t it?” Wang Qi, in traditional clothing commonly seen in period dramas in Country K, with his long hair tied up in a bun, his face heavily made up resembling a playful puppy covered in mud, exclaimed.
“Hey, which mud pit did you fall into?
How did you end up like this?” Kim Jiseong teased.
“Tsk, tsk, bro, you have no idea about the charm of ancient men.
It’s just incomparable,” the young boy waggled his finger like a miniature sage.
As for Kim Jiseong, he came dressed in a black muscle shirt, showcasing his muscular arms and chest, paired with skinny jeans cut at the knee and long boots reaching halfway up his calves.
His slightly tanned skin subtly resembled the outfit Jacan wore during their first-class advancement audition.
The difference was that the other side had a darker makeup tone, giving off a mysterious and intriguing vibe.
“Oh, bro…
your costume is really next level,” Wang Qi glanced at his own clothes and then compared them with his brother’s, before feigning tears of jealousy.
“I look like a homeless boy compared to you, waaaah!
Big bro, spare a hundred thousand won, won’t you?
I’m dying for some instant noodles.”
“Is your hometown noodles priced at a hundred thousand won?!” Kim Jiseong couldn’t hold back and retaliated by flicking at him.
“Ow, ow!
No violence, big bro!
Mister Cameraman, did you capture the scene just now?
Keep it as evidence for me.
I’ll file a lawsuit for misaligning three strands of my frontmost hair!” Jiseong glanced back, just realizing that a cameraman had snuck in to capture their antics since who knew when.
This kid was truly wicked.
It must be admitted that Wang Qi had a sharp sense when it came to spotting cameras.
Even if the camera was discreetly positioned and silently operated, it couldn’t escape the eyes of this boy from Country C.
Moreover, he could naturally demand attention draw attention to himself, and perhaps, the incident where Jiseong playfully flicked him on the head was part of Wang Qi’s plan all along.
“You’re good at finding scenes, huh?” Kim Jiseong teased the younger one.
“Of course, my ears and eyes are sharper than pineapples’,” Wang Qi proudly boasted, puffing out his chest.
“Good job, little rascal.” If it weren’t for the fact that the other side had finished doing makeup and hair, Jiseong would have ruffled his hair out of sheer affection.
“It’s almost time to get ready.
Let’s split up and join our teams.” Seeing the crew starting to hustle, Jacan didn’t want to stand in the way anymore.
He then led his songwriting team, heading towards their own team’s waiting room.
Since today’s competition was divided into two sides, each team had to wait at their own team’s area only.
If they all gathered together, the crowd of 99 people would be too crowded.
Moreover, the camera crew might not be able to capture everyone extensively.
As the blue-eyed older brother walked away, Kim Jiseong and Wang Qi watched him go, then turned to look at each other knowingly.
“Jealous, huh?” Wang Qi smirked.
“Well, if we wore those costumes, we probably wouldn’t look so dashing,” Jiseong retorted.
“Nah, I’m not jealous of Brother Jacan’ coolness.
I’m jealous of the members in his group.” If he were in the same group, he would definitely get some intensive songwriting lessons.
“Don’t overthink it.
We’re just trying our best.
If we make it to the final round, we’ll debut together anyway.” Jiseong patted his younger brother’s shoulder lightly, then turned and walked towards their team’s waiting room.
That’s right.
He really hoped they could debut together…
“Wang Qi, come in and get ready in the room,” the door on the other side opened, accompanied by team members wearing similar but slightly better quality clothes, resembling a merchant family’s offspring.
In the background, there was another person checking their face in a small mirror, dressed in smooth, luxurious fabric that nobles in ancient times often wore.
“Osu!
I can’t wait to hit the stage!” The young man half walked, half ran back to his team’s room.
Just as the hallway was filled only with bustling staff members, the front of the stage lit up with the special show by the four judges.
‘Aaaaahh!
Jung Wangseong is too cool!’
‘Lee Danbi!
Lee Danbi!
Lee Danbi!
Lee Danbi!’
‘Kim Sujin, I’m your Cotton bud!
I love you!’
‘Kim Bomi is the best!
I’ve fallen in love with you.
Your vocal power is amazing!’
[Hello everyone!] Park Insa walked out from backstage and joined the four judges who were striking a pose to close the special fan service show.
‘Insa Oppa!
Kyaaaa!
Insa Oppa!’
[Ladies and gentlemen, preserve your voices for now.
Don’t use them all up because we have plenty of great shows waiting.
Right, Team Kim Jung?
Team Kim Lee?]
“Yes, indeed.
Let’s take Kim Sujin’s name as our guarantee that our show prepared for today is superb.
Everyone can vote with confidence.”
“This side won’t give in easily either,” Kim Bomi grabbed her own microphone and retorted, “I guarantee that this side will be fun like no other.”
“All right, here we go!
The two girls are starting to bluff each other.
And what about the boys?
Will they give in or not?”
“If my team loses in today’s overall score, I’ll film myself eating a whole bowl of chili peppers.” Jung Wangseong shrugged, looking at Lee Danbi to see what he would propose for their bet.
“Senior, if it comes to that, I won’t accept defeat.
If I lose, I’ll…
I’ll do anything, everyone.
I can eat anything, there’s nothing I won’t eat.” The rapper, with his eyebrows raised and eyes gleaming mischievously, poked fun at the dance king, who couldn’t eat chili peppers.
“Are you sure?
I seem to remember you pushing those carrots aside on your plate, will you claim they were undercooked?”
[Stepping on one’s own foot for real.] Park Insa waved his hand, looking at the two boys who seemed ready to devour each other.
What began as mere bluffing had somehow turned into a war between veggie-dodgers.
[To avoid wasting time, it’s better to return to our competition tonight.
If anyone hasn’t received a voting device from the staff, raise your hand now.
Hold up your hands if you’ve received one.
If you have, come listen to the rules together.]
<Battle Rules>
1.
Team leaders send representatives for each show to perform on stage.
2.
After the performance, the audience votes by pressing the button to choose their favorite team.
3.
The winning team earns 1 point for their team.
4.
At the end of the competition, the team with the most accumulated points will receive 1,000 voting points for each participant.
[Ready to watch and listen, everyone!] The microphone was held out to the front.
‘Ready!’
“Bring it on!
Can’t wait to see the kids!”
‘Kyaaaaa!!’
[If you’re all ready, let’s introduce the song topics first.
Team leaders, send your representatives now!]