I Became the Youngest Member of a Top Idol Group

Chapter 37: Preview

While the vocal teams returned to the waiting room and awaited the results, the judges picked up their microphones.

The 100 members of the live audience had completed their votes immediately after the stage ended, so the remaining outcome now rested in the hands of the judges.

50 to 50. Since the judges’ evaluation held just as much weight, the attention of the audience now shifted entirely to the judges.

Amid a heavy and serious atmosphere, the singer Yubin was the first to speak.

"How did you see the stage just now?"

Vocal Team A had chosen the song ‘First Confession.’

Vocal Team B stuck with ‘Hold Me,’ despite teacher Yoo Minseo’s concerns. Contrary to Yoo Minseo’s worries, they finished the stage without major mistakes.

Han Dawon tapped his script cards and replied.

"The vocal team stage… Honestly, I personally liked both sides."

"If one side had made a mistake, it would’ve been easier to judge, but both teams didn’t make any mistakes."

"Right. So now what we have to judge is which team did slightly better. For me, first of all…"

Yubin slowly stroked her chin and drew out her words.

"You know that sense of anticipation you get before watching a stage?"

"Yes, anticipation."

"I originally had higher expectations for Team B."

Yubin had held quite a bit of anticipation for trainee Lee Hajin’s talent. As for Do Seohan, who hadn’t been verified as a vocalist, he was outside Yubin’s radar.

However, the higher the expectations, the higher the standards become.

Yubin continued in a firm voice.

"But I plan to put aside all that anticipation and judge purely based on the stage itself."

"Objectively, who did better?"

To MC Han Dawon’s question, Yubin nodded. After a short breath, she gave her answer.

"Yes, I think that was Vocal Team A."

"Ah, really? Even after setting aside your expectations, still Vocal Team A?"

"Yes. I just think they did better."

Han Dawon looked at Yubin with wide eyes. Coming from an acting background, Han Dawon couldn’t evaluate vocal technique like the other two.

So, considering the two songs, and given that ‘Hold Me’ was the more difficult one, he had presumed Team B would have the edge if neither team made any major errors.

Yubin asked him back.

"Han Dawon-ssi, which team’s stage stayed with you more?"

Hmm.

Han Dawon tilted his head, lost in deep thought.

If he looked purely at the stage itself…

Indeed, it was so.

"Personally, I remember Vocal Team A’s stage more clearly."

"Then they did better."

"Ah."

This wasn’t the World’s Best Singing Contest.

Even if it was called a position evaluation, a stage was always built on comprehensive aspects.

If it left an impression, that alone was enough.

Lee Hajin’s ‘Hold Me.’ It had great vocal power and solid stability.

Though teacher Yoo Minseo had claimed it was a reckless choice, the performance turned out unexpectedly well.

Isn’t that enough?

"Anyway, it’s a team competition. The main vocal is important, vocal skills are important, everything is important… but whether the stage leaves a lasting impression comes first."

Using a scene from a famous movie for staging points was clever,

And dividing the parts evenly based on each person’s strengths was an excellent decision too.

The stage you want to see again versus the one you don’t.

That subtle difference determines the result.

"The high notes were flawless. I thought, ‘Wow, they sing this well?’ It was pleasant to listen to. Not overwhelming either."

The intricacies of where vocal technique was applied, how certain vocalizations enhanced the music—Yubin and teacher Yoo Minseo could judge those parts, but really, that kind of technique isn’t such a big deal.

Surprisingly, the general public evaluates stages very accurately.

Technique, vocalization, tone—they may not know those things, but they feel it instantly.

‘Oh, I want to watch that stage again.’

‘There was something really captivating there.’

‘It felt good to listen to.’

Yubin was confident the audience had felt the same.

"So perhaps Han Dawon-ssi’s opinion, and mine… match the audience’s opinion too?"

"Everyone has the same eye for talent," Yubin said bluntly, and Han Dawon chuckled.

"Shall we check it now?"

Han Dawon turned toward the screen on stage.

"Alright! The first position evaluation! Let’s announce the results of the vocal team match! 50 points from the judges, 50 from the audience. Please reveal the combined final results!"

At that moment, the numbers began to rise quickly on the screen.

That night, after the position evaluation ended and the live audience members returned home, reviews began appearing across community forums.

Though spoilers that could impact the program were banned, posts giving a feel of the onsite atmosphere started to go up.

[20170106 Stardust Project Live Audience Review]

Looks like I used up all my 2017 luck early—got selected for the Stardust Project live audience.

I originally went to cheer for Sehyun, but the other trainees’ stages were all legendary too ㅠㅠ

(Photo proof)

We had to sign a form promising not to leak any stage or broadcast spoilers, so I can’t go into details, but… the kids were insane in real life.

The stage order was Vocal > Rap > Performance positions, but I don’t know how it’ll be edited for broadcast. Personally, the vocal position evaluation was surprisingly fun, so I think it might air in the Rap > Vocal > Performance order.

The performance stage was super flashy and fun to watch, and the vocal stage was great live. Since my pick is Jin Sehyun, I paid close attention to Mam-Seohan’s stage too—wow, it was insane. Everyone, watch the live broadcast!

Honestly, I already knew Byeo-Seohan could dance well, but it was my first time seeing him lead a vocal-based stage.

Our Hamjji is truly a vocal genius Hamjji.

I don’t know how it’ll look on TV, but I nearly fainted at the scene.

Hamjji is so kind—during the break times in between recordings, he kept raising his hand to wave at fans ㅠㅠ

Before going off stage, he even asked us if we’d eaten. When I said no, he told me to go eat mango shaved ice fast, lol. Why is he telling me to eat the same stuff he eats ㅠㅠ

…(omitted)

—I went to the audience too ㅠㅠ Our Mam-Seohan must’ve been nervous, but every time he had a moment of ease, he waved at fans and smiled.

└He must’ve been under so much pressure as main vocal, but he pulled it off well. Praise our baby, ha ㅠㅠㅠ

└Byeo-Seohan is a genius idol. Why hasn’t he been picked?

└It’s not too late—everyone, please vote for Mam-Seohan ㅠㅠ

└Voting is open until next Monday!!

—Our vocal genius Hamjji might not understand these things, but… shaved ice isn’t a main dish, it’s a snack ㅠㅠ

└That’s right. Our baby might not know, but usually that’s just one bite’s worth ㅠㅠㅠ

└Every time idols say stuff like that, it makes me wonder if I’m just a pig…

└Their stream of consciousness is insane lololol how did that menu even come up in the middle of this cold winter

Seo Eun-ah quickly scrolled down, scanning the comments that mentioned Mam-Seohan.

Most reviews said he had been concerned whether fans who came from far away had eaten, and others said he turned into an excited bouncing Hamjji upon seeing the studio packed with fans.

After carefully reading through reviews posted over the past few days, Seo Eun-ah sighed and closed the window.

If it hadn’t clashed with her work schedule, she would’ve applied to be part of the live audience… She couldn’t hide her regret.

"Seohan-ah, you really made a legendary stage this time too."

Do Seohan must debut.

Muttering to herself, Seo Eun-ah immediately opened YouTube.

There was one last piece of bait she couldn’t miss in this flood of content—

The preview for Episode 6 of Stardust Project had just been uploaded.

[In the next ranking ceremony, the challenge you’ll face to survive is… ‘Interlinked Fate Position Evaluation.’]

MC Han Dawon’s calm voice delivered the bombshell.

"These broadcasting bastards are crazy."

Although she’d already ranted about it last week, it was still a trash evaluation method no matter how many times she saw it.

Fail in the position battle and you’re eliminated entirely? On top of that, Seohan—who specialized in performance—was assigned to the vocal team, which had driven Seo Eun-ah to peak nervousness.

-They’re insane even upon rewatch lololol a trash evaluation system that can eliminate even high-ranking trainees at once

-TBN survival programs are seriously going to give me a mental illness

-They say that, but then they’ll give the top trainees a special ranking pass or something, so don’t worry — says a veteran of countless male idol survival shows

└This is so true lololol

-They’ll bait us like one of Do Seohan or Kevin is getting eliminated 100%

└So that’s why they put Hamjji in vocals? Damn, I waited forever for Byeo-Seohan’s performance stage

└If that’s a fact, Young-chae, you… lololol

└There are a lot of comments saying the video was edited with cuts in between to manipulate things…

They wouldn’t really use our baby to stir up drama, right?

Among fans, there was speculation that there might be a system to save high-ranking trainees.

‘It’s best to just go up in one shot.’

Seo Eun-ah didn’t want to get anxious over uncertain info—she simply hoped that Vocal Team A would win smoothly.

The screen transitioned to a close-up of Seohan’s face.

His expression looked more determined than usual today.

Seohan clenched his fist tightly and began to speak.

[Since I’ve been assigned as main vocal… I’ll give it my all and try to win.]

Do Seohan’s assignment as main vocal had already been revealed in Episode 5.

Then the stage set appeared onscreen, and interviews from other trainees, edited to be provocative, were shown.

[It feels like the result of the vocal position evaluation is already decided.]

[Hajin hyung sings really well.]

[This… looks really tough for Team A?]

"What are they even saying?"

She’d promised not to get too emotionally invested.

Seo Eun-ah frowned and focused on the next scene.

Vocal Team A’s stage began, edited down to a short clip filled with both anticipation and concern.

Do Seohan wearing a headset. Then overlapping scenes of Lee Dokyung and Kang Siwoo walking forward with microphones.

Just like the live audience reviews said, three angelic figures in white stood still on stage.

"Wow, what the heck?"

Seo Eun-ah covered her mouth and focused on the stage.

-What is this insane concept

-Wow, the rumors were true, their concept really was La Boum

-The styling is crazy

It was only a few seconds, but how could it captivate people like this?

From the outfits to the tone, it really felt like they’d carved out a piece of history.

Next, a preview of Vocal Team B’s stage played.

[Wow, Hajin hyung’s high notes were insane.]

[What? They’re good too?]

-It’s neck and neck, this is crazy

-Even just from the edit, you can feel how intense this was lol this really was the death group

-Hajin, you’re a vocal genius ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

The reactions were just as fiery on both sides. Seo Eun-ah mumbled with slumped shoulders.

"I really can’t tell who’ll win."

They said the vocal team’s stage was legendary—now she understood why they used it for the preview.

Just as she was dying to watch the full performance, the live audience score was revealed.

[Now then… what is the final result from the live audience?]

[Alright! The first position evaluation! Let’s reveal the results of the vocal team battle!]

[The score for Vocal Team A is!]

With the blurred-out score, Do Seohan drops his water bottle.

[Thud.]

A close-up of the wide-eyed hamster face filled the screen.

[I-Is this real?]

-What is this? Looks like Vocal Team A won???

-Byeo-Seohan dropped his water bottle lololol why so surprised, baby

-Uh uh uh Kang Siwoo is crying ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ is this real? Did they really make it?

-Isn’t he crying from sadness?

-Anyone can tell those are tears of joy

"Uh? What the heck? They won?"

Seo Eun-ah’s heart rate sped up. She cast her vote for tears of joy over sadness.

If they really beat Vocal Team B here, then they’re guaranteed to pass the second evaluation.

"Please. Please. Don’t let it go to the voting round—just survive right here, Seohan."

Thus, with the production team’s spoilers, Vocal Team A’s victory seemed almost certain.

Then the screen transitioned, and the performance team’s battle began.

Starting from Performance Team C, which included Kevin, to Performance Team B, which included Seo Ian, Jin Sehyun, and Seo Haim.

This position had been highly anticipated from the time of team assignments.

"Honestly, Kevin is good."

—Just as that thought came up, C Team’s Park Jaeha messed up the choreography. The moment his positioning went wrong was shown clearly, followed by choreographer Choi Myunghwan’s harsh critique.

[Performance Team C… that stage was the worst.]

[Disappointing.]

Following Do Seohan’s wide-eyed moment, the comment section, which had been warm and friendly, turned hostile in an instant.

-What kind of crazy nonsense is this

-Why did they set up the evaluation system like this from the start lololololol

-If it’s TBN, then with editing like this, they’re 100% going to pass the next round anyway. Don’t worry

-Exactly, they’re just stirring drama with Kevin now

-If they have any conscience, they won’t eliminate a first-place trainee like this

If it’s the broadcasting station bastards, they’ll totally eliminate someone like that.

[Ugh… this is dangerous.]

[Kevin hyung… will he not make it to the next round?]

[Hyung, don’t cry. We tried our best.]

With those final words, the 7-minute-long preview came to an end.

Something felt off.

Seo Eun-ah widened her eyes as she watched the rapidly rising comments.

No way.

"Kevin’s going to be eliminated?"