One Step Behind (3): Star's Birth Audition Show
Audition programs like Star's Birth usually have a pretty long gap between filming and airing, but that interval tightens up as the episodes progress. 'The semifinals coming up soon will involve live text voting.' The highlight of these shows is definitely the live text voting. No time lag means real-time votes. It's proof that the broadcast station staff are pouring their souls into editing.
Thanks to that, the interview footage shot just two weeks ago, right before Round 1 of the finals, was about to hit the airwaves.
Star's Birth - Main show starts soon!
"Hey, hey. There she is. Ji Soeun."
It was Sunday, 5:50 p.m. My mom, who was sitting next to me on the sofa peeling oriental melons, stopped her knife and pointed at the screen.
This was right before the live broadcast started—they were replaying highlights from the previous episode. The screen showed Ji Soeun from last time.
"She's the most popular one these days, right?"
"Feels like a winner candidate."
"I like her the best too. Here, eat some melon."
I took the fork from Mom. I was just about to bite into a piece when—
Crunch!
"So, how's it going with you and Ji Soeun, son?"
"Huh?"
What was this out of nowhere?
"It's all over the internet articles. You went to her agency last time and shot an interview video, right?"
"No, that's—"
"You only told me it was an interview about your new song, but you snuck off to meet Ji Soeun, huh?"
My mom, Lee Hyeseon. She's got a huge interest in online buzz and entertainment news. She looks prim and proper, but she's got a playful side.
"Our son's out here seducing idols—trouble's brewing~."
"That's not it."
"From that preview clip of the interview, she takes the camera super well. Doesn't get overshadowed even next to an idol. No wonder girls are lining up."
"No, I mean—"
"If the broadcast goes wrong, fans'll pelt you with eggs. If there was zero chance of seducing an idol, you wouldn't get hate, but you—"
"No, really, it's not like that."
Mom grinned mischievously as I floundered.
"Well, we'll see from the interview in today's broadcast. If it's total bestie vibes or something else."
Of all things, why'd my face have to show up in the preview clip? But what Mom was hoping for wouldn't happen. Not even close to besties—super awkward. Even PD acknowledged it. No romantic vibes whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Mom's eyes went back to the TV. The screen was showing the highlight from last episode: Ji Soeun's one-on-one with CEO Kang Jungi.
"Ji Soeun, you're one of our trainees. You snuck out, and now you pick me as your mentor?"
The two faced off across a table. CEO Kang Jungi asked with an incredulous look.
"What's your angle, Soeun?"
Ji Soeun on screen answered without a hint of hesitation.
"I like you, boss."
"Hahaha...."
One line that instantly disarmed him. The fearsome Kang Jungi let out a hollow laugh, his expression softening.
"Sorry."
Seizing the moment, Ji Soeun apologized quick. Kang Jungi shook his head like he couldn't win.
"If you're gonna go this rogue, you better win it all."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
To stay that cool in front of an industry heavyweight. That level of shamelessness is a massive talent. If it were anyone else, they'd be blacklisted on the spot.
I was tense just watching on TV, but Mom seemed to be thinking something else.
"Yeah, yeah, that's star quality."
"Huh?"
"That's how you get screen time. Seryeon, when you go on shows later, don't just nod politely. Pull some aggro, make it fun. That's how you become a star. Okay?"
"Uh...."
"You gotta be pretty and talented to pull it off, though. Anyone else trying that just looks rude."
"Ah, got it."
As I nodded, the screen cut to previews, then ads.
Star's Birth - Live broadcast in 60 seconds.
The main show was about to start.
On screen, Kim Seryeon sat at a cafe table for the interview.
"I think Soeun's always been really serious and deep-thinking. So I figured she'd pull off a song like this perfectly."
Ji Soeun picked up from across the table.
"Yeah. Seryeon's amazing at making songs. He knows how to match them to the singer, so his advice was super helpful."
Mom set down her fork while peeling melon in the living room and clicked her tongue.
"They're really not close."
"Told you."
"It's a broadcast—fake some closeness at least. This makes you look worse than strangers."
"That's the faked closeness."
"Sigh."
Mom looked deflated as she popped a perfectly peeled melon piece into my mouth.
"Fine. Even if our handsome son's involved, chasing an idol trainee isn't cool."
"Just business? I get natural promo for my new song. The station boosts ratings with my buzz."
"And Ji Soeun? She's stuck in the middle—if she didn't like you, no reason to do it."
"Huh."
"Right? You get promo. Station gets ratings. But what does she get?"
My mom, Lee Hyeseon (12 years of melodrama watching), showed her sharp instincts.
"At least seems like she wants to get close to you."
I didn't deny it, so Mom went to the next step.
"You know big companies are involved, so be careful not to cause trouble. Got it?"
"Yeah, I'll be careful."
Mom said it out of worry, but anyway—no romance vibes at all.
"But you seem kinda disappointed, Mom."
"Would've been fun if you actually did seduce her. Even if it ended in disaster."
"......That's why I don't."
Misunderstanding cleared. As I relaxed—
The broadcast took a sharp turn.
[Finals Round 1]
[Contestant: Ji Soeun]
The lights on stage went out.
The awkward gag character from the interview was gone.
'What.'
Why's she so pretty?
Unexpectedly, Ji Soeun wore a deep black sailor uniform. Red blood-like ribbons and hairpins for accent, but definitely sailor style. Too conceptual? No, it fit her fresh, playful image perfectly.
She stepped out to the standing mic—and from that moment, she seemed from another world.
[One Step Behind]
Original: Glass Doll (1999)
- Twisting the pure, pitiful unrequited love cliche.
The subtitle at the bottom. Then silence. Pin-drop quiet. The camera closed in on Ji Soeun.
Impeccably pretty, neat sailor uniform. Deliberately tousled hair in contrast. Eerily vivid blood-red ribbons. Ji Soeun's forced-calm eyes amid it all.
I unconsciously straightened up.
Memories of the first timeline flashed. She did well in finals then too—made it to the finale. But it was growth-arc stuff: overflowing talent spilling into overkill emotions or forced perfection. Raw, unpolished gem charm.
That was then. But now's Ji Soeun was different.
Spotlight in darkness. Drumsticks clacking. The moment she sang the first line—I knew.
Dark Ji Soeun. Reinterpreting unrequited love's sorrow in two words.
'Give it up.'
First love often can't be had. A love that slips away forever. Pitifully, desperately. Craving your first love in life, but it never comes. So you clench your fist in rage, cry, grieve. A bold girl who lived strong, shattering in a moment.
Low, pressing voice stabbing sharp. Fist clenched white-knuckled, yet empty eyes stay flat. Rugged mic performance clashing with prim outfit.
Every element made me think:
'Is she insane?'
Beyond skill—maybe actually crazy.
I recalled my advice:
- No need to fake sadness. Just do it comfortably. That should work.
I said natural and comfy, but raw emotion like this? Dropped the original's lyrical chorus for sharp vocals. Heavier bass. Keys swapped warmth for icy chill.
Ji Soeun reached out, gesturing demand: Love me. Give me attention. Has to be you, no one else. Pure desire no acting can fake.
Intensity like this, yet flawless stage? 'She's insanely good.'
Insanely good. That's what she was doing.
As the song hit climax, pent-up emotion exploded.
Brief silence. Boom.
Mom dazedly speared the last melon with her fork. Poke.
"She sings so well. Not just singing—nails the stage."
Then, eyeing screen Ji Soeun:
"Who dumped her?"
Thunderous cheers from the audience on TV.
Judges grabbed mics.
CEO Kang Jungi shook his head in disbelief.
"Ji Soeun. Is this really the trainee I know? How are you this good?"
Pure rave. Other judges followed.
"First time feeling threatened for my life listening to a love song."
"That intensity usually feels unstable, but this stage? Not a single flaw. Not one."
"So Ji Soeun's already pro-level or beyond. That's my take."
"Great job!"
"So good."
"You killed it."
Ji Soeun shyly smiled through the praise shower. Diva who owned the stage gone—back to high school girl.
"Prep for this stage was full of worries."
MC passed the mic; she spoke. Amid lingering stage echo, only her voice calm.
"Original plan was a super sad ballad. Way off my personality, so I didn't know how to sing it. Fake sadness? Cry?"
She paused, stared straight at the camera lens. Like locking eyes with someone beyond.
"But then I remembered what my friend said in the interview. Don't fake it—just be you. Trust the loneliness inside."
My heart dropped.
No way. Not here, right?
But she kept going.
"Thanks to that, I got the courage for this awesome stage."
Ji Soeun beamed at the camera—at me watching TV—waving.
Then the killer line.
"Seryeon! You watching? Thank you so much!"
Clink.
No time to explain—Mom's fork hit the tray, rolling.
Crash!
Slowly. Like a glitching robot. Finally, Mom turned, voice icy.
"Seryeon. You lied to Mom?"
"That's—"
"Not close, huh."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Calls you out by name on national TV—and you're really not close? Think anyone'd buy that?"
"Ah. You know, you trust me, Mom. But like—Seryeon."
"Think others'll believe our son didn't seduce an idol trainee?"
Probably not. So this is on Ji Soeun being crazy.
Chilly. My phone buzzed.