Chapter 35
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 35
Chapter Title Team Performances Revealed
Kang Siyoon had noticed the strange vibe too.
They aired that interview without cutting it on purpose.
You think so too, Siyoon?
Of course.
Kang Siyoon ticked off points on his fingers one by one.
First group had no real conflicts. Second group got most of their footage slashed. Third group was just boring. There wasnt a single moment that captured the classic team breakdown feel. They decided to slot this into Minhas group.
Sure enough, considering the trainees images, it wasnt normal.
If they got branded as troublemakers stirring up drama from the early episodes, itd be a headache in all sorts of ways.
But there was one thing to keep in mind.
Its impossible to rule out the chance that it was exactly what she said.
Clever editing that stitched together answers from other questions to pull aggro.
Producers often used tricks like that to drum up controversy.
However, judging by Baek Sihwas expression and tone, the odds were high it wasnt edited.
Shall we start by sorting out ranks and positions?
After the team formed, Baek Sihwa immediately picked up the panel for part assignments.
Oh, and if its okay with everyone, could I take the leader role?
Sure!
Sihwa makes a great leader!
Thanks.
Baek Sihwa flashed a bright smile at Yu Minhas enthusiastic applause.
A question Id been mulling over popped into my head.
Come to think of it, howd you meet that friend of yours, Minha?
Oh, Sihwa! We trained together way back. Were at different agencies now, though.
How long were you together?
A little over a year!
Oh ho.
Kang Siyoon narrowed his eyes and nodded.
Theyd spent just over a year right next to each other.
Given their skills and ages, they mustve been prepping for debut the whole time.
...But something about her feels like shes looking out for Yu Minha while subtly keeping her in check.
I stared at the TV screen, deep in thought.
This parts a bit high, so Hyeongseok should take it.
Main rapper has to be Minha, and Woohyung can go sub.
For center, lets watch the people who want it dance and then vote.
Yu Minhas team handled part assignments strictly based on skill.
The undergroundrank trainees showed a clear gap compared to higher ranks.
Instead of consoling the laggards, Baek Sihwa quickly finalized parts and jumped into group practice.
Minha, what do you think works best here?
She consulted Yu Minha, who had dance and arrangement skills, multiple times.
At a glance, it might look like she was giving Yu Minha screen time...
No. Shes not highlighting Yu Minhas skillsshes acting with the assumption everything feeds into her own leader narrative.
Cold judgment paired with flexible leadership that incorporated team input.
Even asking for opinions felt like meticulously calculated moves to build that image.
Q Wasnt it tough?
Baek Sihwa It was tough, but it was fine. I know what a leaders job is... I just worked harder. Well win for sure and grab those benefits.
The producers editing direction aligned perfectly with Baek Sihwas story.
Whether she foresaw it or not, I couldnt say.
Smart cookie.
Kang Siyoon, whod been quiet, muttered.
The practice room scenes followed.
Thats when it started revealing why Baek Sihwa had said those inflammatory things.
Knee, waist, shoulder. Up three times like this. You in the back. Are you just gonna keep zoning out?
SSorry!
Were swamped just keeping up with progress. I dont get why you keep staring at the other team. Focus here.
The setup had groups sharing practice rooms.
Quickwitted Kang Siyoon and Park Sehan had drilled into us not to glance at the other team.
Now Baek Sihwa and Yu Minhas group was demonstrating why firsthand.
Focus, focus! How many times do I have to say it!
......
Heavy silence descends
Team members exchanging awkward glances
Baek Sihwa, whod started polite, hit her limit.
Slow progress and wandering eyes toward other trainees turned her gaze fierce.
Im saying it again I can pull an allnighter choreographing and teaching you. But practicing what I show you is on you. ...Please, get your heads in the game. Dont you want to win?
No.
Just work hard! Its tough parts, sure, but dont give up
Minha. We gotta nail the key spots properly.
Hm.
I raised an eyebrow.
That subtle check on Yu Minha hit again.
On the surface, yeah, follow the leaders words.
But even so, one trainee kept messing up, cracking under the pressure.
MidEval D1
Baek Sihwa, racing the clock, couldnt hide her anxiety.
Ive told you how many times not to do that. Im frustrated too? Im being nice about it, but if you cant keep up...
No time. Were all messed up because of Woohyung. How are we supposed to go slow...
Door slams shut
If they mess up like that, even Id get mad.
Heo Yubin, hands clasped and staring at the TV, sighed.
Yu Minha gave his shoulder a pat with a wry smile.
But they pulled off the stage well in the end. I was happy.
In that state?
The judges gave them an earful, and they snapped out of it!
What fate awaits the team?
As Yu Minha said, the stage polish was topnotch.
You could tell how hard Baek Sihwa had driven them postmideval.
Watching it sparked another thought.
Yu Minhas skills are just too good.
Though Baek Sihwa snagged center, Yu Minha dominated as main rappermain dancer.
Her lowmid tone rap contrasted her puppylike visuals in the ending pose.
Her sharp, precise dance lines spoke to her practice volume.
I told them good job and idly wished wed team up again next time.
The teams after lacked impact.
With the chicken gone, food coma was setting in.
Finally, the name wed been waiting for dropped.
Next up, the concept mastersthe Perishy Boys group!
Its here, its here, its here!
Whew, finally off the hook. Man, Karis, were lucky.
Phew.
Bestcase scenario.
I grinned watching us take the stage.
No other team matched Yu Minhas in skill or visualsexcept hers leaned more on team drama than performance.
Perfect timing to leave a strong impression.
Hashimoto Ken The vibe was amazing! Kang Siyoon and Park Sehan were so friendly and took good care of me. Thanks!
Oh Taeyoung Felt like I got the perfect team.
Karis von Walden Satisfied nod
Postfirstmeeting interviews showed everyone satisfied.
I chuckled helplessly at sternfaced, nodding Karis von Walden.
Why do I look so goofy?
Its cute, though? If they edit you like this all the time, theyll hype the gap moe.
Youre actually like that, bro! Crown Prince is adorable.
MMe, cute?
Yeah!
Heo Yubin spouted utter nonsense.
I fumbled my water cup, flustered.
Never heard cute in Grand Quest Saga or real life.
Their eyes must be shot.
Oh, it feels great! My throats clear!
ThThank you.
I wanna sing like Yubin but cant. Main vocal suits Yubin.
Part assignments reemphasized Heo Yubins main vocal talent.
Park Sehan I couldnt understand why this guy was underground before. Hes that good. Ah, our songs gonna rock!
Kang Siyoon Yubins the real deal. I always told him build confidence and hell soar. Hope this boosts it.
Smooth center vote highlighted Park Sehan and Kang Siyoons harmony.
Up to here, Karis von Waldens footage was relatively light.
Practice showed him quietly handling his part from the back.
Sub position, so not heavily featured.
But mideval shifted things.
Reminded me of the producers direction.
Its good, but wanna try switching things up.
Yeah. This guy like this... and him like that. What do you think?
Sounds good.
Quick shot of Bae Kangwoo and Baek Chaehyun conferring.
They concluded they wanted me at center.
Karis ???
Hashimoto Ken Truth is, during practice, we nominated Karis for center once. His expressions and visuals are killer. But he kept refusing. Said his dancing wasnt enough.
Kang Siyoon Yeah, yeah.
Park Sehan Could work?
With everyones buyin, we swapped parts.
Quick chorus runthrough.
Feels different, right?
Definitely more weight. Oh, and Siyoon! This fits your moves betterlooks tailormade.
Thanks!
We just suggest. Discuss and decide among yourselves.
Postfeedback, we huddled in the practice room and decided fast.
You sure its okay?
Im good if we win. Butone thing. Nail it so the other teams center vanishes from memory? You can do that, right?
Ill give it my all.
...Seeing my princely speech pattern straightup was embarrassing.
The other three looked unfazed, used to it.
My cheeks burned.
Cant fix this.
Luckily, my personal interview restored normal tone.
Q Switched to center?
Karis von Walden Honestly, a bit scary. Wasnt sure I deserved it... But the team believed in me, so Ill grind till I break.
Look at Karis looking so determined.
He said that and pulled an allnighter practicing.
No wonder your stamina was insane during basketball, Sir Karis.
ThThats unrelated.
I waved it off.
Unlike my current fluster amid the sappiness, onscreen Karis von Walden gritted his teeth in practice.
Doubling down on the narrative like this.
Producers irked by pretty face no talent talk?
They were painting a gritty trainee image.
Alright, from the top?
Can we rest 5 minutes first?
3 minutes, then back!
No!
Park Sehan drove hard. Teammates kept up without quitting.
Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin got solid screen time, riding high.
Wondering how the stage turned out...
......
......Whoa.
BBros. It looks seriously good.
We fell silent watching the group ending shot.
Even I, avoiding snap judgments, couldnt hold back today.
Reactions are guaranteed.