Chapter 18
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 18
Chapter Title Lockdown on Stage
Even with barely any information released, interest in Idol Training Simulation had skyrocketed.
First off, the theme song performance video had gone viral, with everyone raving about how perfectly cast the trainees were.
Unlike the fancams that had made it big beforewhich focused mostly on stage shotsthe comments were flooded with praise for how well they captured the trainees faces.
On top of that, public opinion had formed that the pool of participants was way better than expected.
It had been a hot minute since Idol Production 101, and people were saying the quality of young trainees had dipped a bit.
But when Idol Training Simulation finally unveiled its lineup, it was packed with seriously attractive faces.
Even the profile introswhich could easily come off as braindeadwere packed with just the right, punchy info.
And the personal profile pics? Magazine photoshoot quality.
Thanks to this perfect storm, a ton of people had lined up early for the first live audience tickets.
Homma never imagined bloodbath ticketing talk this early in the morning, but shed flexed her veteran skills to snag a spot in the 300person venue.
Its been ages since I felt this kind of onsite buzz!
Even before the main competition kicked off, she spotted fans whod already made slogans for their faves.
Theyd locked in their top pick the second the first videos and profiles dropped.
Homma swallowed her regret while noting how Song Hyeongbins slogans dominated.
If were talking visuals alone, Karis blows him out of the water.
Of course, name recognition gave Song Hyeongbin the early edge.
He was a trainee from Awake Entertainment whod nearly debuted.
Word was hed built a fanbase early by posting practice videos on his personal SNS back in his noname days.
Want some stickers?
Oh, yeah! Thanks.
Homma stuffed the merch shed been handed into her bag and made a silent vow.
If he proves totally safe on this stage, Ill head home and crank out Karis merch ASAP.
Her heart racing, she checked her camera lens first thing.
Snapping previews while dodging security? Standard procedure.
This was all about pulling in new fans fast and building a solid core base.
After the long wait, the audience flooded into the set, buzzing with excitement.
The second Choi Siathe judge doubling as MCbowed and stepped out, massive cheers erupted.
Weve kept you waiting, National Managers. Today, Idol Training Simulation Round 1 finally begins. Before we dive into the performances, a few announcements.
The notices were predictable.
The production team would beg everyone to hold off on spoilers, but yeah, rightlike thatd happen.
A quick glance around, and Homma spotted a few fans like her, black towels tied on their arms.
Round 1s theme is Rival Cell Battle. Trainees sharing the same roomsame Cellformed teams. Theyll compete Red vs. Blue on the same song. National Managers, just vote for the team you think did better after each stage. And the top 3 out of 16 teams will get special benefits, so tune in to the broadcast!
No surprise therebattle rounds always came with winner perks.
Homma nodded mechanically, her mind racing.
Gotta be some twisted benefit thatll mess with the trainees heads.
Once all the prep wrapped up, the first stage kicked off.
Homma had fretted that Karis might pop up right away, but luckily, no golden hair in sight until the second slot.
The stages so far? Meh. Totally flat.
Not bad.
Nothing that really jumped out, huh.
The reactions around her nailed it.
Everyone waved at the trainees bowing with bright smiles, thumbs mashing the remote buttons.
Wanna preview some others besides Karis.
The eyecatching trainees from online communities hadnt shown yet.
Then, just as the crowd started loosening up, a big fish appeared out of nowhere.
Whoa, its Hyeongbin!
Thought hed close it out, but nope.
Proportions are insane.
Song Hyeongbins battle group took the fifth slot.
Homma tensed up, clocking security positions.
Guys are probably here to buy data on a star like him.
She snapped shots, checked previewshis photo lines were idollevel crisp.
No wonder his core fans came early.
The performance itself? Best one yet.
Theyd picked a BoLu track from the jump, sparking instant crowd cheers.
Smart pick.
Go mainstream, rack up recognition easy.
Homma kneaded her thigh, checking remaining memory.
Felt like shed shot a ton, but still half left.
Next group up. We just had hot group BoLus song, right? This ones no slouch either.
The crowd reaction? Lukewarm.
Song Hyeongbins killer lineup had set a high barnext group might get dragged in comparison.
Homma felt a twinge of pity too.
Red and Blue teams covering Perishy Boys Lock Down, take the stage!
The second silhouettes appeared, energy surged through Hommas body.
Gasp!
Karis von Walden was right there on the Red Teamthe one shed been dying for!
Homma stared blankly at the stage for a beat, then snapped her mouth shut and adjusted her camera.
Not the time to zone out. Snap pics, snap pics!
Everyone in sleek black jackets.
Some added white shirts for pop, others hairbands.
Through Hommas lens, Karis von Walden was textbook perfection.
Barely any styling beyond the basic fit.
But that raw look unleashed devastating power.
...Hes insanely hot.
Dizzy already, and the song hadnt even started.
After setup, Kariss Red Team lined up first.
Groovy bass pulsed from the speakers, red spotlights rained down.
The six trainees formed an inverted triangle, easing forward slow.
Centerstage Karis von Walden turned his head once, murmuring low.
No escape now
Bouncing off the flanks like stepping stones, he leaped light into the air, landed smooth, crooked a finger, flashed a smirk.
Homma forgot to even lift her camera, screaming inside.
The Parades just getting started
No warning shots
No way out left
Everybody ready?
Backline trainees slid forward seamless, flipping to a perfect triangle.
Heads bobbing to the bass, sync flawless.
Climb higher till we hit the peak
Too good to fizzle out like this
Triangle tip spun cute with a grinone trainee stealing the spotlight.
Even as Kariss visuals stole her breath, Hommas brain autorecalled.
One of the rare foreign trainees.
Oh, rightJapanese trainee Hashimoto Ken.
Bring the server down
Nobody stopping us
Only our vibe flowing between
Lock it all down, make it special
No one gets out
Clear, powerful vocals pierced the speakers.
Trainees shifted paths crisp, lining up 33.
Leaping at each other, paths crossingtall modellike Kang Siyoon flung his arm forward.
Knifesharp group dance hits different!
Prechorus energy already exploded offstage.
Every angle perfect, locked in tight.
She could guess the grueling hours behind that precision.
Funky bass dropped out for reverse cymbals.
Air sucked in, then a bold vocal rang out.
Make my voice
Reach far, scream it out
I cant stop now
No time to rest
Heo Yubin owned the main vocal part with total confidence.
Reverse cymbals faded to dead quiet.
Lock it down
Chains clanked down hard.
Someone yanked Heo Yubins back midturn, sliding forward fluid.
Karis von Walden, armed with a chilling smirk.
Huh.
Homma forgot to scream, just gasped short.
No way she could even think to shoot that moment.
Her glitching brains lone thought?
Thank God I get to see that face live with my own eyes.
As Homma thanked her stars for ditching the screen for real life, synths chirped upbeat into the highlight.
Brass and synths wove a weird harmony.
Trainees rode it body and soul, sync unbroken.
No escape Lock Down
No exit Lock Down
Ay, our own Lock Down
Drop every thought, go wild
Pure party chaos bliss on every face.
But Hommas eyes locked on the center, one guy radiating destruction.
Karis wiped his lip, eyes narrowing sly.
Overkill territory, but it flipped her emotions.
Wanna drop to my knees right now!
Noble aura from first glance, right?
Even on that bright theme song stage, it hit.
Now straightup sexy Lock Down? His unique vibe raged harder.
Mind melting.
Pathetic shed even come to preview.
Just wanna ditch it all, chant his name.
...Im losing it.
Verse 2 shifted positions, snapping Homma back.
Dizzy didnt cover it.
Fallen for idols dozens of times, but this? Car crash level.
More like getting hammered with a sledgehammer.
Regaining sanity, she seized the gap to blast Karis shots.
Ultraspeed preview checks to not miss a beat.
Worried for nothing.
Karis von Waldens cheatcode looks spawned zero ugly shots.
Even sloppy snaps slayed.
Timing irrelevant nowjust capture poses to hook the fans.
Verse 2 hook brought unseen formations.
Circle like ganggangsullae folk dance, trading center one by one.
Throw it all, blow it up
Our own Showdown here
Throw it all, go crazier
Our own Parade here
Kariss turn hit, Hommas head throbbed again.
Barelyheld reason snapped easy.
Brain screamed shutter now, heart demanded drop everything and scream his name.
As she waged war inside, redhaired Oh Taeyoung nailed acrobatic moves.
Park Sehan dusted his shoulders postland, picking up short singrap.
Dont bother denying it
Cuz thats your true face
Just leave it all to me
Lock it down
Lyrics sniped her grip on sanity, chorus crashed back.
Karis dropped insane vibe againpterodactyl shrieks exploded from the seats.
Homma joined in, relieved deep down.
Whew, not just me going nuts.
Groovy intro beat smacked speakers again.
Wild onstage trainees straightened jacket collars, lined single file.
Snare and hihat crackedthey split sides sharp.
Final bass throbbed, all crooked fingers togetherstage over.
Woooaaah!
Insane! Why are they this good?
Whos the center? Anyone know the center? First time seeing him?
Atmosphere went feral!
Magic dispelledgasps everywhere around Homma.
Clearest shouts? Whos the blond guy?
Muscles jelly, Homma checked memory again, eyes squeezed shut.
Halffull before? Gone now.
...Mustve burstfired unconsciously.
Karis von Walden burst shots poured outcould edit into a full vid.
She couldnt hold back the grin.
Back to work.