•

•

┏━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┓

-ˋˏ EPISODE ONE, PART FOUR ˎˊ-

┗━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┛

•

CINDERS DANCE STUDIO ,, 10:36PM

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

What the hell was that?

Immediately, gulps nervously, his fingers fidgeting around the microphone for comfort; though it doesn't help much as stares daggers at him.

Looking stern and unimpressed, picks up his microphone to give his comments.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

-ssi, what's your major and sub-skill?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Dance-vocal, sir.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Dance-vocal? You danced on a chair, lost your centre of gravity, had non-existent breath support, forgot your lyrics yet you still signed up as a dance-vocal trainee.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

To be completely honest, I gave up on trying to evaluate you halfway through your performance.

A clip of looking unamused and frustrated reacting to replays, with the caption:

"He didn't even want to continue watching the performance."

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I sincerely hope that today was just a bad day. I expect a lot from dancers, and will be expecting improvements from you.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You need to work on your flow. Your dance was awkward and choppy and your use of the chair seemed to hinder you, rather than contribute to the performance.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Your vocals were not outstanding either. Instead of singing, you were mumbling, and I could barely hear you at times. Despite being a dance-vocal trainee, you tried to bring rap into your performance. While I think your rap was the best aspect of this performance, it was nothing extraordinary either.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

The whole thing was just that: average. Below average even. I could not spot a single "wow" factor in your performance. As a dance-vocal trainee, please stick to pieces that properly showcase your talents. I'm severely disappointed.

hesitantly picks up the microphone to give the trainee her comments.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

-ssi...

then takes a moment to phrase her comments in her head. After a brief silence, shespeaks again.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You claim to be a dance-vocal trainee, but the only truly redeeming part of your performance was the rap. Your dancing was tense, rather than getting into the song it felt like you were barely brushing the surface. Your vocal parts were mumbled and unclear as well, please take the time to monitor yourself more before your next performance, I want to believe you can do better than this.

With the mentors already done withtheir comments, bows down apologetically to thank them for their time, before going back to sit with the trainees.

Despite his disappointment,hestill tries to force a smile on his face as the trainees around him attempt to console him.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

(pats his back) Hyung, don't beat yourself over it...you did your best.

These emphatic gestures catch 's attention, and he discreetly mouths "It'll be okay" to a very disappointed-looking .

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Were the mentors a little harsh? Of course! But I can sincerely tell you that we just want the best for the trainees.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

While we recognize that he may have worked very hard for his performance, the truth is that the audience doesn't care about what goes on behind the scenes. They only care about the final product. If it was bad, we have to be honest--rather than sugar-coating it--and point out areas he did wrong. That way, he'll only be able to improve.

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Who's next?

looks down at the list of boys in front of him, pressured to choose one quickly under 's heavy gaze.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Uhh-!

The boy's eyes widen slightly, and he looks to --sitting beside him, in order to confirm that his time has finally come.

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Hi, I'm , a '97-liner under !

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I was accepted into through the infamous online audition. No one else I know under the company got in that way, other than maybe -sunbaenimand -sunbaenim

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

(laughs)...Geez, those are big names, it makes me sound so much cooler than I am-

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Anyway, I used to post vocal covers on YouTube, and after noticing how much support I was receiving from fans, my friends encouraged me to try going into music.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

The online audition was the easiest way for me to audition in Vancouver, and though it felt like a shot in the dark, I apparently hit the mark; been training here ever since.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Please support me on , thank you!

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

The boy seems a bit jittery, still dazed about the fact that he was called up so suddenly. Clamping the mic in his hands, nervously nods to signal the start of the performance.

performed by

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

scrutinizes the boy for a second, before nodding decisively, seeming to have made up her mind about something.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You have a cute smile and definitely captured the vibe of the song ... but that's about as far up as you went. Your dancing felt like you were still trying to get the hang of the movements, and I'm no vocal genius, but I don't have to be one to note that you lack power in your execution. I'd suggest spending a bit more time in the studio before your next performance.

She finishes, nodding slightly to indicate that can give her feedback.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Do you expect to debut with something like this?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

The dance in itself was sloppy. None of the moves were defined enough, and none of the moves seemed to have enough strength or power behind them. As for the vocals... The vocals, I don't even know where to begin. It says here that vocal is supposed to be your main skill? If so, I could hardly tell. The voice itself was wispy and lacked power and projection; the notes were not sustained. Overall, there was a huge lack of energy and power. A few smaller factors that hindered you would be stamina and stability, since it looked like you were running out of breath... although the dance wasn't a very energetic one, so it shouldn't have been a major problem. It felt like you were holding back for the entire performance. The one thing I will say, though, is that it was cute.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Stand up straight, look me in the eye, and promise to give it your all next time.

The boy is unable to meet her gaze, staring hard at the table, seemingly holding in his emotions. Next, to speak, looks almost apologetic when he raises the microphone to his lips, letting out a small sigh.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

It wasn't bad, but "not bad" isn't the level that we're looking for, is it? I expected a much higher level of stage comfort from a trainee with 3.5 years of training to back them up, but you seem inexperienced when it comes to dancing and singing at the same time. Your movements were disconnected, you kept looking down to see if you were in the right position...I see the potential but you didn't take advantage of your strengths here.

Dismayed, bows low, before quickly making his way back to his seat; hoping to get out of the spotlight as quickly as possible. The mood in the studio also seems to have reached a low, before claps his hands together and makes an announcement.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Alright, we've all been sitting for a while, let's take a quick break, shall we? Be back in 5, boys!

With that, most of the trainees hop out of their seats. Some give props to their friends that have already performed, others go to get water or stretch...two boys, however, remain seated on opposite sides of the long bench that runs along the length of the practice room.

The camera pans to , who quickly identifies the two sulkers before looking around to see if anyone is paying attention. is speaking to , and seems preoccupied with a cat video on her phone, so the idol slinks out of her seat and makes her way over to the boy on one side of the room.

seems quite shocked when he finally picks his head up, but doesn't even look at him. Instead, she summons over , the only other boy that had remained seated with his head in his hands. Only once both boys are seated before her, looking up with wide eyes, does begin to speak.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I absolutely do not want to see either of you looking down. Do you hear me? Chins up. This is the best opportunity of your entire life. One bad performance isn't going to kill you, is it?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

No, ma'am, it's not.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Exactly.

Her eyes soften as she continues.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Listen. Millions of people would kill to be in your position. The exposure you're going to be receiving is incredible, take advantage of it. Be that success story. Be those trainees that take feedback, turn it into motivation, and end up on the top. I'm rooting for you.

She smiles briefly, ruffling 's hair affectionately, before turning around and returning to her seat as if nothing even happened.

The two boys look at one another, stunned, before breaks out into a grin.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Let's do this, yeah?

He holds out a hand for to clasp, which he does, matching the elder's enthusiasm.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Yeah. We got this.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

(announcing to everyone) Alright, break over boys! Let's get back to our seats.

and share one last encouraging smile, before parting ways; a new friendship blossoming between the two unlikely partners.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Alright! Now that we're all refreshed, who wants to go next?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Me!

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

(nods in approval) I like your enthusiasm.

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Hello! I'm , a 23-year-old dance-vocal trainee from .

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Having joined the company 5 months ago after being an individual trainee for 3 years, many mentors thought I was one of the best trainees under . Within the first month, I was told I performed exceptionally well, and was up for debut as a member.

Clips of training with the boys play. However, while the boys practice their choreography, is seen being a bit more hesitant and unsure with his moves and sometimes has to go over each move with him. Despite the idol's efforts, still remained hesitant and it was pretty clear the boy was stressed.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !! V/O

However, I struggled to keep up with the sudden change to a company trainee's lifestyle. Over time I found that I could barely keep up with preparing for the group's debut and felt I was dragging the group down. I could tell the members didn't blame me for holding them back, but I really did not want to continue being a burden so I told the mentors about my feelings, and the higher-ups all agreed that I should be removed from the group's line-up.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

After a few months, I've been feeling extra confident in myself and finally ready to take on , to achieve my dreams of debuting. I hope the viewers will support me on my journey!

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Good luck.

Taking a deep breath, relaxes his body and prepares to sing as the music starts to play.

performed by

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The mentors scribble their notes attentively on their clipboards before looks up from her board, her expression pleasantly surprised.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I have to admit, your voice is surprisingly pleasant to listen to. If you made a whole album of covers like this I would definitely listen to it!

Flattered, smiles brightly at the mentor.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

However, being an idol doesn't just mean having a good voice; It means being able to capture the audience's attention, and this time it feels like you were singing for yourself rather on a stage. You should work on building your confidence and stage presence, remember to relax and have fun while performing.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I really hope you make an album of your covers though, I was being serious when I said I would listen to it.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Your singing sounds effortless, very relaxing, and most people would probably let you get away just based on your natural talent alone. However, speaking objectively, there was a lack of stylistic choices in your performance, and on many of the runs, I felt that you broke up the natural flow of the lyrics.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

In short, your voice would be wonderful to listen to on the radio, but seeing you live has no added perks.

however, is not very impressed with the performance.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

To be honest, I find this performance... average. That's the only word I can use to describe it.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

As -sunbaenimsaid, there was a lack of stylistic choices. Your performance felt very monotonous and there was no dynamic change. Your voice didn't feel like it was moving forward--it was like you were going somewhere, but without an actual aim.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Moreover, your performance lacked emotions. As an entertainer or idol trainee, your job is to captivate the audience and make them feel a certain way--especially with a song like this. I'd like to see you push yourself with something more challenging next time. Do better. I know you will.

Thanking the mentors, bows down politely before going back to sit with the trainees. gives him a thumbs-up as takes a seat.

┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈

. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

As soon as -hyung was done, I thought it was a pretty solid performance! But -sunbaenim didn't seem to like it so I was just thinking... "Wah... pleasing her is going to be harder than climbing Mt. Everest."

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

-hyung's feedback was actually the direct opposite of mine; His vocals were his strength and his charisma was his weakness. I still think his performance was good nonetheless.