Chapter 60
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 60
Chapter Title Fancam Frenzy and Live Challenge
Shall we do it a few more times?
Youre working us too hard!
I want to drink some water.
Groans echoed through the practice room.
At his juniors earnest pleas for just a short break, Song Hyeongbin flashed a grin and turned off the backing track.
Okay, then lets rest for five minutes and run through it one more time.
Yesss!
They cheered even at the mere five minutes, thanks to the grueling marathon of practice theyd endured.
I wiped the sweat pouring off me like rain and took a swig of water, at which point Song Hyeongbin subtly offered me a towel.
Want to use this?
Oh, thank you.
Even as I dabbed at my forehead, Song Hyeongbin kept shooting me meaningful glances.
He seemed to have something he wanted to say.
He struck me as the type who paid close attention to others reactions even without the status ailment Indecisive active.
So I decided to turn the tables and ask directly.
Did you have something to say?
Oh, uh! Its nothing much, just... Ive been really grateful deep down.
It was quite fresh to see Song Hyeongbin, who usually came off so cool and collected, scratching his head sheepishly.
I felt it again watching episode 7. If you hadnt helped me back then, I mightve struggled on my own and made the wrong choice. So... I just wanted to say I owe you a lot.
No, not at all. I just said what I thought needed to be said.
Hahaha, no need to be so humble. Thanks to you, weve got the momentum to hit the music shows now.
Song Hyeongbin tapped his water bottle excitedly, his face beaming.
Watching him, I couldnt help but chuckle.
Good thing the viewers reactions have been positive too.
Oh, really? That puts my mind at ease.
You didnt know?
Nah. I try not to check communities or SNS much. Good or bad, I dont want it affecting me.
That was unexpected.
From Han Jihyuks experience in Idol Training Simulation, Song Hyeongbin had seemed like someone with an ironclad mentality.
But spending more time with him as Karis had shown me that wasnt entirely the case.
A laugh slipped out of me naturally.
If you havent checked the reactions, then you probably dont know what theyre calling us either.
Theres a nickname for us now?
No way Im telling you. Look it up if youre curious.
Youre evil.
We traded banter like that, but part of me still couldnt believe it.
Here I was, bantering with someone I never thought Id get close to.
Since I was teasing him anyway, I figured Id push it a bit further.
Then you probably dont know how our stage video and the reactions are doing either.
Ah, I do check YouTube occasionally.
Disappointing. So youve been training this passionately for the music show without even checking that?
Oof course!
Song Hyeongbin stammered and waved his hands frantically.
He was surprisingly fun to teasehit him and he really felt it, despite appearances.
I couldve kept going, but the other three came rushing over at once, ruining my chance.
You guys see this? Our straight cams just went up!
The views are insane!
Our teams super high up! Amazing! Incredible!
Park Jaehoon shoved his phone in our faces.
The screen showed the Idol Training Simulation straight cams lined up on YouTube.
Id already checked the numbers at dawn, so I just nodded silently.
Wwait a sec. Our stage videos already at 500k?
The personal straight cams are crazy too! Hyeongbin hyung and Karis hyung are over 200k!
Id figured Song Hyeongbin, whod taken first in the first ranking announcement, would take data like this in stride.
But his eyes were shaking hard, brimming with uncontainable joy.
Finally, a sigh of relief escaped him.
Phew, good. Everyone seems to like it.
I stared at Song Hyeongbin quietly.
And recalled what hed said to me before.
Sorry for showing you this side of me as your hyung.
Even taking first place mustve come with its own worries. Like the pressure to hold onto it.
Climbing to first from the start was obviously a thrill.
Proof that fans latched on quick, securing a debut spot early.
But if the pace dropped and rankings slipped later, the fallout would be huge.
Falling from the top was more shocking than rising from below.
He probably doesnt want to lose the throne hes claimed to anyone. To give his all, he cant let his mindset waver, so hes been avoiding public opinion entirely.
Now that I had a sense of it, I felt a bit sorry for him.
The kid was goodhearted, but overzealous fans could turn around and get him hate.
Better to keep telling him not to check communities at all.
Ah, found it.
Park Jaehoon, fiddling more with his phone, muttered softly.
Then he played a video in full screen.
This is from the trainees who got benefits from Idol Production 101, filmed on the Dance in the Box channel.
Dance in the Box was a famous YouTube channel specializing in idols.
With far better quality than music show stages and beautiful camera work focused purely on members dance lines and visuals.
Its flashy visuals drew average views over a million per video, packing serious impact.
Wow...
Its filmed so well.
No need to be that impressed. Well be shooting one soon enough.
When I cut straight to the point, Heo Yubin shortcircuited on the spot.
III could never! Cameras this close would feel way too awkward! I had to practice smiling naturally so hard already!
Its fine. You do great on stage as it is.
On stage, I can sing, so Im less tense and my expressions loosen up. But here, its just dancing
I just got a great idea.
Song Hyeongbin, whod been listening quietly to Heo Yubin, snapped his fingers.
This is the perfect chance, right? Opportunities like this outside our show might not come again.
Right?
Idol Training Sim isnt just us going outtwo other teams are too. If we differentiate ourselves here, wouldnt that be better? Thats what hit me.
Differentiation.
I narrowed my eyes.
If it was a solid idea, it could definitely work.
How exactly?
Dance in the Box videos are usually just dancing, right?
Yeah.
We dance and sing live too.
My pupils dilated instantly.
One hot topic in the idol scene lately was live vocals.
Idols disappointing in booth recordings or encore lives had taken major heat.
And now, doing a Dance in the Box live that no one had tried?
Pure clickbait guaranteed.
You know how tough dancing and singing at once is. But we nailed it in the contest already, didnt we? Plus, Yubin says he feels awkward just dancing. Call it a special measure?
II didnt expect us to go this far...
Song Hyeongbin grinned slyly, and Heo Yubin ducked his head, peeking cautiously.
Then he cleared his throat and nodded.
Sounds good for live.
Me too! Weve practiced tons, so Im confident!
I agree with Hyeongbin hyungdifferentiation really matters. Hate to say it, but compared to other trainees, every edge helps survival...
With the second ranking announcement right around the corner, this feels like a solid strategy.
I ran the numbers in my head.
Second voting ends in about four days. We do Music K Showdown tomorrow, then shoot Dance in the Box in the same outfits. Stage vid drops right away, Box the next day.
Perfect timing to ramp up firepower before fever time voting closes.
But is it okay if we do something different just us? They wont complain, right?
Song Hyeongbin, whod brought it up, suddenly rubbed his chin.
His habitual anxiety flaring up again.
Time to shut it down.
Itll feel like special content, so it should be fine. If not, well figure it out then. For now, keep grinding practice like always.
Yeah, makes sense.
I nodded firmly, and a message popped up.
Skill, Master of Eloquence C activates.
Moments needing logical persuasion werent frequent, but handy when they hit.
Back to his firedup self, Song Hyeongbin clapped and stood.
Alright, lets add live and practice till dinner! Like contest prepheads up, everyone. Okay?
Yes!
Thanks for letting us eat!
Yes, that special stage today was absolutely stunning, wasnt it?
Seeing it makes me even more eager for the main Idol Training Simulation broadcast! Next up...
We headed to the backstage listening to the Music K Showdown MCs.
Mmy hearts gonna explode.
So nervewracking, but no mistakes...
Good work, everyone.
We all clutched our chests heading back to the waiting room.
Thanks to my Demon King Slayer skill keeping me calm, I felt no tension.
But for the team, first music show appearance hit like major pressure.
Song Hyeongbin passed out water with a grin.
Were done, so now we just watch the others.
Nothing beats watching others suffer!
Haha, dont expect too much.
The waiting room door swung open to a familiar hearty laugh.
Chae Eungyu strolled in, full stage makeup on, waving.
They said get ready, so I came early. Wanted to see your faces to shake off nerves.
Cant imagine you nervous, hyung.
I used to dread going on stage. Shaking from the second they slapped on the songshin pack.
True to form, Song Hyeongbin chatted freely with Chae Eungyu, on good terms with most trainees.
I just sipped water, listening.
Karis, that outfit fit you perfect. Suited you great.
Huh? Oh, thanks.
Haha, why so dry? I thought we were kinda close now.
Close?
Me and Chae Eungyu?
What?
You started talking casually to me at the sports day, right?
Huh?
Arm wrestling, princess costumeyou were chill.
Mentioning sports day made my head throb.
Right, under that status ailment, blurring work and play, Id bantered halfinformally with him.
I mustered my most awkward smile.
Hha... I got too hyped and was rude then.
Nah, I prefer you guys casual. Makes me forget my age
Chae Eungyu boomed with laughter again.
Huh? Isnt that Eungyu?
A voice from the hall.
Chae Eungyus face stiffened instantly.
A bleachyellowhaired idol peeked into our waiting room.
Hey, Eungyu! It is you! Howve you been? Why no contact?
...Didnt have time.
No time my ass! Good one!
Sensing the weird vibe, I watched Chae Eungyu with interest.
New content incoming.