Chapter 107
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 107
Chapter Title The Addictive Performance
The sticky friendship and teamwork displayed by the team moved the hearts of countless National Producers watching the broadcast.
Leading the charge was Karis von Walden, who had firmly united the spirits of his teammates and delivered an astonishing performance, inspiring every trainee to dive into practice with even greater enthusiasm.
And from this, yet another iconic moment emerged.
To be precise... I think I can show you exactly how the moves should feel.
Ji Yooncheol himself raised his hand and offered to help the trainees!
The sight of this impossible scene left everyone utterly speechless.
After all, it was worlds away from the Ji Yooncheol theyd seen in Idol Training Simulation up until now.
Through rounds 1 to 3, he had only ever followed his teammates instructions without voicing a single opinion of his own.
Hed maintained an indifferent expression throughout practice, barely saying a word.
For a character like that to take the initiative and volunteer for this role?
The National Producersespecially those who had chosen Ji Yooncheol as their top pickcouldnt believe their eyes.
Was our Yooncheol pulling all that aggro just to build up to this?? My hearts swelling up
Whys his speech so stiff like that?! So adorably cute
Look at this growth story unfolding right before our eyes... Guys, I think Im gonna cry
Its the finalsif he stays like this, hes screwed... He sensed it and went full survival instinct teacher mode
The fact that he realized it at all is growth in itself Yooncheolies in Awakening mode now
What are you even saying, you weeb
Lately, Yooncheol seems way more sociableam I the only one noticing? But Karis seems to have played a huge part in that
Yeah yeah yeah, seriously curious how he did it Yubin wouldnt have come this far without Karis either
Heartwarming news delivered by handsome friends...
Clip Brolikescoolcat JiYoonCheol Karis
Its on the level of Our baby has changed...
Whoa, putting together clips from his debut to now really hits home how much hes grown
I told youits Dr. Smart Woo Eunyoung?? Bet hes running a counseling session whenever the cameras are off
Watching Ji Yooncheol give special training to Heo Yubin and Kang Donghwi, who lagged behind in dance comprehension, evoked a truly bizarre feeling.
In the end, the indifferent attitude that had worried some fans became a clever twist in the final round.
It provided perfect counterevidence to those claiming Ji Yooncheol wouldnt mesh well with group members even after debuting.
And the number one contributor to drawing out these fresh sides of Ji Yooncheol was none other than Karis.
Hed effectively resolved emotional issues among the teammates.
Stabilized their shaky mental states.
And through an inexplicable sense of intimacy, hed even transformed the trainees attitudes.
Despite the practice saga filled with countless events, all the key highlights ultimately circled back to Karis.
It wasnt just his good looks.
He had the skill to anchor the center, and above all, he fulfilled the role of the teams core.
Building on Kariss influence, the members elevated their teamwork and overcame crises during practice.
Hed even subtly forged good relationshipsand chemistrywith trainees who had virtually no prior connections.
Every potential flaw the National Producers could nitpick had been perfectly offset.
The teams hard work soon bore fruit.
...Wow. You guys really put in the effort.
Even Ha Sangpil, who came to inspect, offered meaningful praise, achieving a flawless turnaround.
When Ha Sangpilthe judge who had dished out harsh critiques during the midterm evaluationappeared on screen with an emotional expression, the National Producers anticipation and excitement for the main stage skyrocketed.
Insanely urgent, please
The songs totally my style already First time with such an overt sexy concept, right? Wouldve loved a preview
I wanna storm KNet headquarters
Yoo Minha and Heo Yubin in sexy concept Cant even imagine, please...
After a single ad break, the longawaited moment finally arrived.
The venue atmosphere was one of extreme excitement.
Ah, if I had a smartwatch, itd be hitting 130 BPM for sure.
Homma clutched her pounding heart as she stared at the darkened stage.
The practice saga had been perfect beyond words for her, a diehard Karis fan.
The screentime forging bonds with the trainees.
The flawless mediator diffusing conflicts.
Everything had flowed in Kariss favor.
Now, all that remained was the main performance.
If he could just prove once more the overwhelming performance and visuals hed shown so far...
Then the dream 1 that Karis fans like Homma dreamed of wouldnt be empty talk.
A taut tension, as if something monumental was about to happen, permeated the entire gymnasium.
The moment every spectator held their breath, eyes fixed on the stage.
Uh hoo
A thin falsetto adlib rang out, followed by the sensual, dreamy beat of urban pop flowing through the speakers.
Spotlights poured down at once on the seven trainees in suits at center stage.
And in the middle, one traineewith hands in his pocketsslowly turned his head.
Yeah, eh eh
Addicted
Karis von Walden cast an intoxicated gaze, whispering the final adlib.
His styled hair, with a garma part and a wetlook effect, hung lower than usual over his forehead.
It swept along his brow bone, nearly covering his eyes.
The shadow from his hair deepened his gaze, amplifying his signature aura.
MMy god!
Homma felt electricity surge through her body in that instant.
Her mouth surely gaped open for a scream, but no sound escaped.
As if every nerve in her brain was locked onto Kariss face.
No other action was permitted.
Eyes meet eyes
Brushing your collar
This encounter is surely like a déjà vu
Karis stood center, fluidly swinging his arms.
The six trainees flanking him lowered their stances, hands gliding over their bodies like a fullbody caress.
Following the raindroplike beat, they withdrew their arms in unison.
Karis propelled himself forward at that precise timing, covering his eyes with his hand.
Though his eyes were hidden, the camera caught his lips curving into a perfect smile.
Overlapping gazes
Everything stops in that instant
Karis retreated with eyes covered, and Chae Eungyu slid into his spot.
Beside Chae Eungyuwho pumped his chest with concise motionsKang Donghwi gripped his suit lapel and took over the part.
Like time has frozen
My whole body reacts to you
The urban pops dreamy beat swelled louder.
The trainees fanned out around Baek Sihwa, swiftly reshaping their formation.
Drawn to you
A fate like destiny
Finally igniting the fire
Oh my Oh my
At the right end of the new Wshaped formation, Ji Yooncheol stood alone, stroking his chin.
Partly because the others sat on the floor, but with his superior physique, Ji Yooncheol exuded standout presence as he nailed the prechorus.
Perhaps its all
Part of your plan
The moment I realize
It tightens around my throat
Like Kariss intro, Ji Yooncheol whispered the final line softly.
The backing track hushed abruptly.
Karis spun around, rising and striding to the front, flashing another grin.
Im addicted addicted
to this move and this scent
Paralyzed, breathless again
The chorus choreography that had given the trainees the most trouble in practice.
Their feet slid side to side with fluid grace.
Arms crossed over each other, swiftly descending from neck to chest.
After the crossing motion, they lightly gripped their throats as a group.
Karis sharply tilted his head skyward before facing front again, beckoning with a finger wag.
Witnessing it live, Hommas chest tingled relentlessly.
Gasp.
A strangely familiar sensation washed over her.
This urge to drop to her knees right then.
This desire to express gratitude just for beholding that noble visage.
To abandon everything and chant only Kariss name.
Yes.
Just like the first time shed seen Karis perform.
Her mind clouded, her gaze pierced by him, refusing to shift elsewhere.
Im addicted addicted
to your every moment
Sinking deeper, no turning back
Heo Yubin took the next chorus, boasting a solid, clear tone contrasting Kariss vibe.
If a team had a standout main vocal like him, it etched in stone just how much he boosted song completion and stability.
His footwork impressed amid constant motion, separate from the live singing.
From side slides earlier, now it shifted to sharpangled bounces.
Imagining how much those seven had drilled in that brief time to match those razor edges was impossible.
Wandering in a dream
This dizzying moment
Reaching out but
Oh my Oh my
Entering the second verse, the dance intensified.
Powerful, precise moves contrasting the sensual, dreamy beat.
The oddly harmonious blend drew the onsite National Producers even deeper.
And leading that temptation was, naturally, centerstage Karis.
Im addicted addicted
to this move and this scent
Paralyzed, breathless again
His gaze burned fiercer than in the first chorus.
An indescribable overwhelming presence and aura.
Homma had zero intention of sparing any other trainee a glance.
...No matter how many times I look, his face never gets old.
Right after the second chorus, Yoo Minha stepped center with two steps.
He unleashed tight rap in a low voice.
I want it more more
I cant stop no more
You get what Im saying now
Craving you this deep
At that moment, Yoo Minha arched his back.
Karis, supporting his shoulders from behind, pressed a hand to his chest like squeezing a heart, then released.
Yoo Minha rocketed back with explosive rebound.
Arms thrust skyward, he advanced to the stages forefront, the trainees reshifting formation behind for the finale.
How much how much how much more
Like this like this like this for you
ha ha, I dont think so
No plans to free this trapped heart
Yoo Minhas pinpoint rap stormed past.
EDMs euphoric beat layered over the urban pop backing.
Heo Yubin nailed a high adlib, hitting the songs climax.
This sensation I dont wanna escape
Oh, oh yeah
The ensuing dance break.
The tireless trainees stomped wide steps into a triangle formation.
Legs spread firm, stomping the stage.
All covered their eyes with palms, bodies snapping left. Then right. With crisp precision.
And in that rightward shift.
Karis alone rose a beat early, roughly tousling his disheveled bangs.
His pale forehead and brow bone what drove his fans wildemerged.
Paired with his subtly feral gaze, it delivered massive impact.
DDo you have to go that far!
Hommas thoughts froze.
National Producers witnessing the moment perfectly captured on the gymnasiums massive screen screamed from all directions.
The people beside Homma were no exception.
Even muffled, the deafening decibels rang in her ears.
Keep me by your side
The risen trainees crossed arms again, stroking neck to chest.
Unlike his teammates, center Karis twisted sideways, chin raised.
His fingers trailed softly along his sharp jawline.
All while flashing Kariss signature smile.
...No strength left to even scream.
Destructive.
No other word came to mind.
Karis had thoroughly shatteredand reshatteredher psyche.
The trainees poured out their last energy into the dance break.
The climaxpeaking vibe subsided, leaving only dreamy raindrop sounds echoing in the gymnasium.
Im addicted, Im addicted
All covered half their faces with one hand, heads bowed as the stage ended.
Waaaaah!
You kids were amazing!
Insaneeee!
As if on cue, the National Producers erupted, shaking the entire gymnasium.
Homma, more immersed than anyone, felt her legs give out.
She nearly collapsed to the floor but luckily grabbed the barricade, averting disaster.
...Karis.
After the stage, only this name lingered in her mind.