Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Final Stage
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We were now awaiting the final performance.
For this round, they would form teams of seven to perform a song produced by RED CUBE.
Although, with Kang Ju-hyeok's voluntary departure, the teams had been adjusted to seven members each.
[Ah. I'm so conflicted. I want it to be over, but I also don't.]
[I wish we had one more week, but the guys would be completely drained. I'll just have to endure.]
“Let's meet the stars of our next stage!”
The first team to take the stage consisted of Haru, Jung Eun-woo, and the contestants ranked 8th, 9th, 11th, 13th, and 14th.
They were dressed in slightly oversized blue varsity jackets and black slacks.
“Waaaah!”
The fans waved their slogans and cheered.
The members waved back warmly, blew kisses, or made hearts at the fans before taking their positions.
Lined up in a row, they lowered their heads slightly.
As if on cue, the performance began.
―Yeah, yeah, yeah
They kicked their left feet into the air in time with the beat.
The song itself was fantastic.
It had a dreamy yet clean feel.
You could tell RED CUBE had put a lot of effort into the music.
[This song is good.]
[They've been putting in a lot of effort since the theme song.]
[RED CUBE really picked out all the best songs. If my idol performed a song like this, I'd literally pass out.]
―The moment I first saw you
The 8th-ranked contestant gave the fans a salute and a light wink.
“Aaaah!”
“Kyaaaa!”
Fans of the 8th-ranked contestant clutched their chests and screamed.
It was a sound closer to a shriek than a cheer.
[I thought something bad had just happened.]
[What was that? LMAO, you scared me.]
―My heart pounds
And sinks
On the lyric "pounds," the 14th-ranked contestant bounced lightly and gave a radiant smile.
It was no exaggeration to say this song was perfectly optimized for the contestants to show off their charm.
―My mind goes blank
A white canvas
Haru, who had the next part, ruffled his hair slightly and scrunched his nose.
[The blessings from this string of handsome men never end.]
[Wow.]
[This is like free LASIK. My vision just cleared up.]
―It's not up to you
The 11th and 9th-ranked contestants high-fived as they harmonized.
[It's nice to see them all enjoying the stage.]
[They look happy.]
[Their expressions are so different from the first broadcast.]
During the first broadcast of RED CUBE, the contestants' faces were shadowed with worry.
No matter how brightly they smiled or acted cute, they couldn't fool the sharp eyes of the fans.
[It hurts to see them trying so hard to act bright. It's like... they're allowed to show they're struggling, but they seem to be forcing it all down.]
↳I've thought that a lot too. The guys... It's just... pitiful. They seem so wary of everything they do.
↳I know exactly what you mean about them being wary. It feels like they're so careful with every single comment they make. Even the eliminated trainees, when they do live streams, they'll say one thing and check reactions, say another, and check again.
↳I wonder how much their previous agencies made them walk on eggshells...
↳It's probably not just the agencies. Because sometimes there are fans like that. The ones who purposely follow idols from small, unpopular companies just so they can act high and mighty.
↳People like that exist?
↳Yeah. They go to fan signs and say things like, "If I don't buy your album, you won't get a next comeback, are you okay with that?" or "Why don't you remember my name?"... It's a total spectacle.
↳And the agencies probably didn't stop them, since they're still "fans"...
Seeing those same boys now performing with such genuine happiness brought tears to the fans' eyes.
They weren't listening to a sad song or watching a recap of the contestants' hardships, so they felt foolish for crying and quickly wiped their tears away.
―Should I raise my hand
And say hello
Jung Eun-woo waved and gave a slight nod.
Then he immediately turned and moved to a new position.
―Should I smile
And say hi
Neither the choreography nor the song was particularly difficult.
In fact, it was one of the easiest stages the RED CUBE contestants had performed.
―Hesitate and miss my chance
I'll only regret it
This was to be expected, as most of the performance involved the person with the current part stepping forward to provide fan service.
―I'll gather my courage and take a step forward
[This is giving off major first-love vibes.]
[This song is seriously good.]
Created as an easy-listening track, it was the kind of song anyone would find themselves humming after just one listen.
Even for a survival show song, it had the potential to do well on the music charts.
―Going around
And around
“Waaaaaaah!”
Amidst the roaring cheers, the performance concluded successfully.
“That was so cute, it was bad for my heart.”
Naturally, the fans began to anticipate that the next stage would have a similar feel.
Not long after the stage lights went out, the silhouettes of the remaining contestants began to appear one by one.
A faint light remained, making their silhouettes visible, but details like outfit colors or hairstyles were indiscernible.
The stage lights were still off when the intro began to play.
An intense electric guitar and a fast-paced drum beat.
It was a song with a completely different vibe from the previous performance.
Intense red lights flooded the stage.
The contestants were wearing leather jackets and slightly ripped jeans.
[What? This is completely different?]
Another distinctive feature was that all of them were standing in front of microphone stands.
―Follow me
One two three
Let's go
[This has a second-generation idol vibe, doesn't it?]
This song wasn't easy listening; it was steeped in the nostalgic feel of second-generation male idols.
[Wow. I've been waiting for a song like this.]
[There isn't a single bad song this round.]
Unlike the previous stage's free-flowing choreography, this one featured perfectly synchronized dancing.
The members, all of different heights, showed meticulous precision, lowering their torsos or bending their knees to match every angle.
[Seriously, the choreo, the song, it's all so nostalgic. Nowadays, the trend is to showcase individual dance styles so they just match the overall formation, but back then, they even matched their heights.]
[I was just watching this because my younger sibling is, eating snacks on the side, but suddenly my heart started pounding. I've missed this kind of vibe so much.]
[Wow. Yes, this is what K-pop is all about...]
―Hey
Can you hear my heart
Lee Ho-jun, who had this part, stomped his foot to the beat, signaling the start of the song.
―Under the name of a friend
You wrap it up nicely
And pretend you don't know
―Do you think I wouldn't know
Doubling.
The two parts overlapped.
[Even this feels like second-gen.]
[There used to be so many parts like this back in the day.]
Those who had been fans of second-generation idols began to steep in nostalgia.
[Wow. If these guys had debuted when I was in high school, everyone would've been watching their videos on the computers during lunchtime.]
[I'm suddenly getting so nostalgic. Even the mic stands have that exact vibe.]
[It feels like my ears are being cleansed.]
The reaction was explosive, but in a different way than before.
―But I'm not
I'm different from you
The 10th-ranked contestant furrowed his brow as he delivered his part, then switched places with the person next to him.
Due to the mic stands, they couldn't move around much, so there weren't many formation changes.
However, if they had stayed fixed in one spot for the entire performance, the fans of the contestants on the sides or in the back would not have stood for it.
―Everyone tells me to give up
They say it's over now
But I still can't let you go
Seo Yoon-seul flawlessly transitioned between falsetto and his natural voice as he sang his part.
Those who had assumed Seo Yoon-seul would be the main vocal couldn't hide their surprise.
[???? If Seo Yoon-seul isn't the main vocal, then who is?]
[I was so sure it would be Seo Yoon-seul.]
[I'm not a huge fan of Seo Yoon-seul, but you can't deny his skill. That's why I thought he'd obviously be the main vocal.]
―I think I'm going crazy
Just looking at you
I really can't take it anymore
The 12th-ranked contestant and Park Ji-ham, who were at opposite ends of the stage, dragged their mic stands and swapped places.
[Is it normal to get butterflies from someone just dragging a mic stand?]
[He's kind of just trudging along, but it doesn't look bad, it looks cool. I guess his face really is the plot.]
―Just say you love me
Just say that one thing to me
[I could shout that I love you a million times.]
[Is it even possible to keep someone like that just as a friend?]
[I'd be the one begging. Please, please love me.]
―I'm waiting for you
Lee Ho-jun's narration led straight into the chorus.
―HOO WOO HOO
The chorus didn't have any specific lyrics.
Instead, the choreography became more dynamic.
The contestants jumped in place once, then performed a footwork sequence.
Then they kicked a leg back as they turned.
“Waaaaaaah!”
They crouched down and stood back up, grabbing the hand of the contestant next to them before moving formations again.
And with that, the second verse began.
[I can't believe this is the final performance.]
[After this is the ranking ceremony, right?]
[I wish this stage would never end.]
As the performance neared its end, the fans' emotions started swinging back and forth.
[I want it to be over, but I don't want it to be over.]
[I think I might be bipolar. My mood can't be swinging this much in just a few minutes.]
―Answer me
UH OH UH OH
Park Ji-ham punched the air as if riding the beat.
―I feel like I'm losing my mind
In front of you, I'm still
Just acting like a child
After Lee Ho-jun's part, which highlighted his low voice, the chorus began again.
―HOO WOO HOO
The contestants pulled their microphones from the stands and slowly walked out onto the extended stage.
―HOO WOO HOO
The sound of clapping could be heard between the beats of the instrumental.
The contestants encouraged the audience to join in.
Soon, the entire venue was filled with the sound of clapping.
―Answer me
UH OH UH OH
The 4th-ranked contestant turned his microphone toward the audience.
“Answer me! UH OH UH OH!”
The audience was enjoying the performance right along with them.
―HOO WOO HOO
“HOO WOO HOO!”
A natural call-and-response continued.
―I'm still lingering by your side
The stage went completely dark.
All the performances the contestants had prepared were over.
There was only one thing left.