Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: This Stage is Wind (2)
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Seven young men moved in sync with the MR.
The stage unfolded as they perfectly reinterpreted Lee Pyung-yoon’s well-known song in their own unique style.
On top of that, their live vocals poured through the mics.
Watching the performance, Writer Park couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.
“Wow, they’re really good. You sure this isn’t AR?”
“Have we ever allowed even a single AR, Writer Park?”
“No, we haven’t. But they’re just too good.”
As PD Kim said, Classic Hits Bonanza never allowed AR for any performers. The show prided itself on pure skill in its competition format.
That’s why some idol groups had sparked live performance controversies with their subpar vocals.
‘To be honest, I was a bit worried this time too.’
EverPlanet wasn’t yet an idol group with fully proven skills, so some concern was inevitable.
They’d been selected based on impressive stage videos and covers, but no one could rule out the chance of underperforming in the actual event.
Yet as Park watched EverPlanet’s rehearsal, even that lingering trace of worry melted away.
The arrangement was excellent, and their skills exceeded expectations.
Then came the highlight. PD Choi gasped in admiration at the boy reciting emotional lyrics in his beautiful tone over the grand backing track.
“Wow, that kid’s voice is no joke.”
“Yeah.”
“I was actually worried, but they’re crushing it… It’s been a while since an idol group might make it to the finals.”
“Right? They’re better than we hoped.”
“CEO Oh really knows how to raise them.”
PD Kim smiled, recalling how Redby had reached the finals around last year.
‘If they keep this up, ratings will be solid.’
And he desperately hoped they’d deliver the same in the live show.
* * *
After a successful rehearsal, we returned to the waiting room.
“Hehe…”
“Huhu.”
“Hehehe…”
“Heehee!”
From the moment we got back, the members kept grinning ear to ear for some reason.
It seemed to be because of what the PD had said after we even showed them the finals prep song.
-If you perform like this, finals won’t be an issue. Better than expected. No major pointers. Just keep it up for the competition.
Honestly, hearing that made me feel pretty good inside too.
The main PD of a competition show who’d seen countless singers say that meant our stage looked solid.
‘Looks like everyone’s gained some confidence now.’
I thought back to yesterday, when they’d all pretended to be fine but were subtly tense.
Even Lee Jae-oh had been spacing out, scooping ice cream from a tub with chopsticks.
At least now they all seemed properly relaxed. What a relief.
After that, we started on hair and makeup for the stage.
This performance needed to match Lee Pyung-yoon’s activity concept overall. So we all had to apply the heavy eyeshadow that was his key look back then.
‘At least they’re not doing thick eyeliner. Thank goodness.’
For some reason… after getting burned by all that smoky makeup during activities, I’d started flinching whenever the stylists picked up the eyeliner.
That’s when stylist sister Sun-ah asked while applying eyeshadow above my eyes.
“Nervous, Jae?”
“A little.”
“Don’t stress too much. Just relax. It’s fine for rookies to slip up a bit.”
Her warm words were clearly meant to ease my tension. I smiled with my eyes closed.
“Thanks, sis.”
“Hm… Okay. All done. Wanna check the mirror?”
At her say-so, I opened my eyes and looked. The neatly swept-back hair with a touch of aegyo curls and the bluish eyeshadow caught my eye right away.
“Not bad at all.”
“I put some effort into it.”
I’d worried the bold color might look clownish, but the gradient made it natural and pretty—better than I’d thought. Satisfied, I stood up.
“Thanks for the hard work, sis.”
“Sure. Let’s nail the stage today. Go change into your outfit.”
“Okay.”
I changed into the prepared clothes behind the partition and stepped out. Han Tae-hee, already ready, let out an impressed “Whoa.”
“Jae, it’s perfect. Total protagonist vibes today.”
“…Protagonist, my ass.”
“Jae, you look super cool!”
I scratched my head, feeling awkwardly flattered.
With all members prepped, we waited for the competition to start.
That’s when someone knocked on the waiting room door.
“Hello, EverPlanet! It’s MC Yoon Chae-hyun.”
None other than MC Yoon Chae-hyun.
She burst in holding a black box, with a cameraman in tow. We jumped up at the sudden camera appearance.
After a quick chat and some brief reactions, Yoon Chae-hyun got to the point.
“The reason I’m making this surprise visit to your waiting room is~! Yes. Drawing for performance order.”
Here it comes. I eyed the box in her hand.
She tapped the box and continued.
“There are balls with numbers inside. Pick one, and the number is your order.”
“Got it.”
Park Su-rim nodded, and Yoon handed her the mic.
“Any order you really want? Or one you absolutely want to avoid?”
“Oh, sure. We’re fine with anything, just not first or last.”
I nodded at Park Su-rim’s answer.
First in a competition carries the heaviest pressure as the opener.
Last meant watching every other act after full prep, plus vocal strain from long waits—everyone hated it.
‘Middle order’s the safest bet.’
Yoon held the box toward the members.
“Who wants to draw?”
“…”
“…”
“Ahem…”
The members exchanged glances. No one stepped up boldly.
Even Lee Jae-oh, who’d volunteer for errands as “exercise,” avoided eye contact.
Then Go Eun-young nudged Park Su-rim’s side.
“Su, Su-rim hyung, wanna draw?”
“M-Me?”
“You’re the leader…”
“Only calling me leader now.”
“When else would we?”
It was a big draw affecting the competition, so even Park Su-rim seemed burdened.
‘Come to think of it…’
I remembered the title I’d gotten in Busan: 『Doll Drawing Master』. It boosted good draw odds by 10%, right?
“I’ll do it.”
“Huh? Jae?”
“Everyone seems stressed, so I’ll just get it over with.”
Felt bad always pushing it on Su-rim, plus I wanted to test the title effect.
Killing two birds, the members brightened.
“Then Jae hyung draws!”
“Okay. Lucky Boy Ha Jae, let’s go.”
“No pressure.”
“Yeah, then let’s have our Jae pick one boldly!”
With me decided, Yoon held the box my way.
I closed my eyes, reached in, and carefully drew a ball.
“Ooh, what number?”
“What is it?”
“Let’s see.”
“Show us.”
“Jae, hold the ball up to the camera?”
Without checking first, I held it to the camera.
The number on my red ball was…
“Yes! EverPlanet team, number 6! You’ll go last.”
“…Huh?”
No way. I quickly checked it myself.
Sure enough… a clear “6” on the red ball.
Of all things, the very last spot we wanted to avoid.
“Jae…”
“Hyung…”
“…”
The members trailed off. Felt like six pairs of eyes were boring into my head.
Meanwhile, Yoon snatched the red ball from my hand.
“You drew exactly the one you said to avoid. What a twist.”
“…Can’t be helped.”
I answered flatly while cursing the system inwardly.
Said it boosts good results by 10%. Boosts it! You scammer! How are you even a system? I trusted you!
Predictably, the system retorted.
[Good result probability is indeed increased, but bad results are not eliminated. It’s precisely calculated based on ‘Ha Jae’s’ Luck stat and other formulas. All system judgments are objective and fair.]
So even with the +10%, my bad luck made it a dud?
[Correct.]
The system’s defense pissed me off even more.
Fine, it’s true. Yeah, true. So why so infuriating?
Then Yoon dropped this bomb.
“And 6 means right after Jin Soo-hyun’s stage.”
“Gasp.”
“Right after Sunbae Jin Soo-hyun?!”
The members’ faces fell further.
Talk about double whammy. I let out an involuntary sigh.
Yoon softened her tone, trying to lighten our mood.
“It’s a tough spot, sure, but overcome it with a killer stage, and viewers and audience will love it. Alright, EverPlanet. Prep well for 6. See you at the competition soon. Thanks.”
“…Thank you.”
“Thanks…”
As Yoon and the cameraman left, the members glanced around—mostly at me. Ugh, suddenly felt awful.
“…Sorry.”
“No, Jae! It happens!”
“Yeah! Just Jae being a bit unlucky!”
Park Su-rim and Teddy scrambled to console me as I apologized. The others patted my shoulders, saying not to worry.
“Hey, it’s fine, Ha Jae. Don’t get down. Someone had to draw it.”
“Yeah. I’m not fazed, hyung.”
“What’s wrong with last? We’re gonna kill it anyway.”
“Right. We got this.”
Their encouragement lifted my spirits. I nodded with a smile.
No choice now but to deliver the best stage ever. And I had items and skills to help.
“Okay. Let’s do this.”
“Let’s nail it!”
“Rip the stage!”
“EverPlanet fighting!”
And so our Classic Hits Bonanza competition truly began.