The space around the Music Bomb facility, where the 3rd Team Battle would take place, was packed with people.

Most of the crowd were not spectators, but people who came to try to hear the music from outside.

A college student, who was queuing to enter the facility in the crowd, was not pleased about that.

"Why did so many people come if they can't get in?"

She didn't understand why they were so excited even though they couldn't see the performances live.

"They did the same thing in the second Team Battle, but there seem to be a lot more people."

She was tired of standing in line to get in. Looking at the length of the line, it seemed like it would take between one and three months to get into the facility.

"That annoys me."

In front of and behind her, there were many people lining up holding slogans and refreshments. All the slogans they held promoted the name of one of the participants.

"...That boy has become very popular."

She pouted as she recalled the second tag team battle.

She felt bad because the person sitting next to her was a fan of Park MoonDae, but she felt remorse that Kim RaeBin, the contestant she supported, was on the same team as Park MoonDae.

"Why did I like that concept?"

She grumbled. She still refuses to accept that she ended up insanely excited as soon as the last team presentation was over.

After that experience, she couldn't make fun of Park MoonDae on the internet, but she didn't go any further.

"...He put on a good performance, so I'll respect him."

She looked away from Park MoonDae's catchphrase as she tried to deny it. She didn't know who came up with those slogans, but she was annoyed that they turned out so cute.

-Please keep order!

-Don't push!

She lined up in line according to the number she had received in advance to enter, but as she entered, the people in the middle of the line began to run. The set they entered had no seats, the audience could only watch the performances standing up, so it would be more advantageous to stand as close to the stage as possible.

And she held down the security fence right in front of the stage.

"I made it!!"

She had no choice but to praise herself for not giving up and running for the eighteenth time to be part of the show's audience, because after so many failures, she finally succeeded.

It was a splendid achievement thanks to the flood of applicants for the hearing, so the production team again changed the application on a first-come, first-served basis.

"I will see them in front of me."

Her heart was beating fast. Just before her high expectations turned back to awkwardness from the long wait, the MC walked out on stage.

-Welcome everyone to the Third Tag Team Battle of "Idol Corporation - Reincorporated!"!

The relief, joy, and irritation of the beginning finally blended together and the cheers resounded with explosive joy.

"Start already!!"

She tightened her grip on the fence, screaming to herself.

The theme of this Team Battle is "In-house Production"! All the elements of the performance, from the song selection to the stage equipment, were made by the contestants themselves!

"Kim RaeBin must have done a good job!"

She could only think of the person she was supporting by buying her stock, but she cheered excitedly like the rest of the audience.

-Additionally, by analyzing the trend of past shareholder purchases using Big Data algorithms, we have teamed up the participants that shareholders like to see together.

At the MC's words, the audience murmured, "What nonsense is this?"

It is not that they did not understand his words, it is just that they did not get the opportunity to vote to form the teams, something that had been done in previous seasons.

Anyway, the MC finished the opening in a good way.

-It seems that right now, shareholders have high expectations! So we'll start the introductions by calling the first team!

-Woooow!!

-The song chosen by the participants of this team is "Good Waiting"! An emotional song by the idol group Maximite.

Immediately, the audience focused all their attention on the stage.

The young woman's eyes filled with anticipation as she gazed at the dark stage, wondering if her favorite contestant would show up at that very moment. It would be nice if he came out a little later... But no! She expected him to come out now!!

As if to make up for that thought, a light shone on the stage.

Piiiiing.

"Ah!"

But it wasn't completely brilliant.

Thick yellow beams of light rose from the surface of the stage, slowly illuminating it as it was still dark.

As the silhouette of a tree stump was revealed on the stage, the melodious notes of a wind musical instrument began to be heard.

Uung- Uuueung- Uu- Uuu-

It was a tune played by a daegeum, a bamboo flute used in traditional Korean music. Elegant and sad notes resounded on the stage.

And then, a contestant, dressed in a costume that combined traditional Korean and modern styles, came out from the left corner of the stage and did a perfect somersault.

The tall young man, who was wearing a wooden rabbit mask, ran out and did a flip in the air, landing successfully.

-...!!

At that instant, the daegeum's musical notes stopped.

As the young man landed on one leg, his ornate outer robe flapped with movement and revealed the inner suit he was wearing.

At that moment, the beam of light that illuminated the stage completely disappeared. In the darkness, a voice sounded instead of the sound of the daegeum.

I've been waiting for a long time

It's always been fun though

The voice was very clear and perfect, as if it had been recorded without any musical accompaniment.

The public recognized that voice very well.

"Park MoonDae..."

The light returned to the stage accompanied by a great roll of drums.

Dung- Dungdungdung! Dung- Dungdungdung!

On the stage, five young men in costumes reminiscent of traditional clothing stood in a circle with a wooden rabbit mask covering their faces.

Behind them, the dazzling Milky Way appeared in the black background of the stage.

The group began to dance.

Seureureuk.

The dance moves, which began slowly and sensibly, became more complex and faster as the rhythm intensified.

The dance was already more like a natural phenomenon.

The speed changed continuously and the timing seemed to be off, but there was no one who did not match the musical rhythm or the steps of their partners...

The dance made the sounds of the heavy drums sharper, the modern bass accompaniment joining in afterwards. A piano and daegeum note scale was then added.

Uhwi- Wiwiwi-

Uhwiuhwi- Wi~~

As soon as the percussion was fully part of the sound composition, the five young men raised the rabbit mask to the side of their heads in unison to the choreography.

At the same time, the person on the far right began to sing.

It was Park MoonDae.

Everywhere I am waiting for you

I am always very excited

Dancing the choreography, Keun SeJin, who turned completely to the far left of the stage, smiled happily and sang.

You can't be more anxious

I know, that's why...

As if it was a martial arts formation, the formation split and Kim RaeBin appeared from behind.

I know you'll show up around here

We'll meet again

I'm sure, because my heart

It's beating fast like that!

"RaeBin-ah!"

The college student holding the fence cried inside and wanted to scream, but somehow held back.

Coming to the rap part, there was something that most of the audience, not just her, definitely noticed.

"He changed the words to Korean."

Yes. The original rap had English words, but they were changed to Korean words to match the atmosphere of the stage.

"After all, my boy is a genius!"

She cried inside, convinced that she changed him perfectly. It didn't occur to her that other members of the team had changed it.

However, she became so immersed in the performance that that feeling and conviction of hers quickly disappeared from her head.

it's too obvious

I'll know you

and you will know me

In response to Gold 1's voice, Ha IlJoon, Keun SeJin completed the pre-chorus.

The answer is already decided

Our inevitable destiny will come~

Seon AhHyun walked out to the center. His rabbit mask shifted clumsily and covered part of his temple, but still, his face glowed.

"... He is so handsome."

The college girl couldn't get mad to see AhHyun so close to her, his beauty and talent were so perfect that she couldn't make any negative impression on him.

Seon AhHyun began to sing elegantly as he stood up.

I like to wait

I've been waiting for a long time

It's always been fun though

"Eh?"

From that chorus, the family movements began to mix.

The point of the original song's choreography was the hand gestures; however, by adding a new foot movement in unison with that of the hand, it caused a strong sensation in the spectators.

Hwiik!

The choreography, which was much more complex than the original song, was incredibly impressive as it matched the beautiful and graceful movements of the cranes as they flew.

"Uh..."

The performance had a historical drama style with a romantic and overwhelming feeling instead of the original song that was emotional and simple.

When this wait is over

I know you'll find me

My bright heart is waiting for you

Park MoonDae sang the highest notes at the end of the chorus.

Perhaps the color of his hair faded a bit during the shoot, and before he knew it, his blond locks were disheveled by the movements of the mask.

"...But it doesn't matter if he's disheveled... He looks great."

Apparently, the stylist who fixed him up put a lot of effort into stage makeup and achieved the masterpiece of a lifetime from him.

And at the end of his high notes, Park MoonDae turned around and looked towards the back of the stage...

"What?"

The audience, who focused on the movements and facial expressions of the participants, reflexively watched the displayed background.

Behind the bright stars shown in the projected background, a dark blue streak could be seen moving on a trajectory.

-...!

Soon, only the notes of string and wind instruments could be heard in the musical background.

And with that tune, the dark blue stroke drew a huge circle. The circle, which was completed as if painted with ink mixed with water, finally glowed a beautiful blue.

It was a round silhouette that shone blue among the stars. Without a doubt, it was the planet Earth, seen from the Moon.

Uhuu- Uhuu- Uhu, Uuu--

To the rhythm of the melody, the participants gently fell to the ground, and when they got back to their feet, they took off their decorated robes and threw them into the air.

I usually daydream

And in them, I'm on my way to see you

Suddenly, the participants stood up in full dress and performed a short and intense group dance.

More than a dance, they seemed to be body movements in such elegant and smooth ways that they caused strange sensations in the audience. In fact, the musical accompaniment without percussion already sounded quite sensual.

"Kim Rae Bin, you're crazy..."

-I can die now...

-...!

The young woman was startled when she realized what she was about to say, but she calmed down when she realized that she would not be heard because the musical melody resonated louder everywhere.

You have been waiting for me too

When you told me, I felt a clear déjà vu

NT: The French term "Déjà vu" is about an event that feels like it has already been lived but actually hasn't.

By changing the word "Déjà vu" to "gisigam", the song felt more mysterious, as if something unknown was enveloping us.

Our destined time will come

Do not hesitate!

Tang!

In that instant, the percussion returned to the musical accompaniment and the slightly cheeky sensuality quickly disappeared.

I like to wait

I've been waiting for a long time

It's always been fun though

When the choir returned, Keun SeJin stood in the center of the lineup and led the complex dance.

The choreography became more beautiful and colorful.

When this wait is over

I know you'll find me

My bright heart is waiting for you

Then followed a nice humming.

Hum hu hu hum- huhu

DDu-ru Du-ru Du Du

They were humming the choir tune.

With the steps where they moved their feet, it was as if they were waiting for someone and singing with excitement.

Some notes could be heard in the musical background that resonated as if they were heartbeats.

Later, the college girl realized that it was Park MoonDae, who was humming notes an octave higher than his teammates. That gave her goosebumps.

"...I thought it was a musical instrument."

She swallowed her nervous saliva.

On stage, the choreography was changing once again. The lineup was constantly changing, and eventually all five people stood around the only prop shown on stage.

"Eh?"

It was a large tree stump. The stump of a cassia tree.

Note: Cassia is a plant native to Egypt, the Middle East, and warm parts of Asia from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and southern Sri Lanka. In some American countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina) it receives the name of cane fistula. It is a tree of vibrant yellow flowers with five petals that hang from the branches like rain.

The young men sat around the stump and immediately took off the jackets they were wearing and threw them away.

-...!

Showing off a shirt-like men's jeogori, Keun SeJin looked ahead and smiled. He covered his face with the rabbit mask again and sang the final verse.

I will wait for you.

The presentation ended with blue light from Earth falling on the moon rabbits who fell asleep leaning against each other while sitting on the stump of the cassia tree.

Then, a loud cheer erupted, the uproar was so intense that it seemed like the ceiling of the set would crack from their screams.

-WOOOOOOW!!!

-AAAAHHH!!

-OOOHH!!

Below the stage, there were all kinds of reactions in the audience, from those who shouted to those who put their hands to their mouths in awe.

It was because everyone was excited by the combination of high ranked participants, they didn't expect to see such a high level of perfection performance at the start of the competition.

Furthermore, the amazing concept they showed in their performance had something to warm the hearts of fans.

Since she couldn't digest the entire presentation in one go, she wanted to watch it again to find the hidden elements that she might not have been able to see.

Obviously, there will be many viewers who are already anxiously counting the days until the broadcast of the chapter in which this competition is broadcast.

"It's over."

The young woman let go of the security fence and muttered proudly. She was screaming, but when the stage lights went down, she came to her senses and composed herself.

Since the first team had finished their presentation, the members of the next team automatically positioned themselves on stage.

After hesitating, she finally admitted the emotion to her.

"...Well, the guys from Aktober are good too."

She also thought, "You can debut together with Ryu CheongWoo and Cha YooJin," and as she did so, the annoyed expression she had before entering the set disappeared for good.