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-ˋˏ EPISODE TWO, PART THREE ˎˊ-

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OVERTHROW STAGE ,, 06:00pm

The stage is grander than it has been for any of the previous rounds of competition. The trainees are dressed cohesively in formal yet elegant suits; looking more like a single team than they have in the past.

Welcome to s live show! Today is the final episode, where the final lineup of will be revealed.

The camera pans to the boys who cheer and clap excitedly, making the most of this day.

And here are are the mentors:

The screen behind changes for each respective mentor as they walk out onto the stage.

Once the mentors take their seats at the panel, continues to speak.

Over the past couple of months, you and I have had the opportunity to see these 15 spectacular boys learn and grow into their current selves. However, no one knows more about their progress than the mentors themselves, let's see what they have to say.

The screen behind begins to play messages from the mentors. The trainees turn around to look up, surprised and touched when they see smiling and waving down at them.

Hi everyone! This is s and 's rap mentor! There aren't too many rappers on , but honestly, that might be a good thing as I feel that I've gotten to know each of them as individuals and seen their weaknesses develop into strengths.

, we all know that you didn't start off this show on a great note, in fact, you were listed as a dancer during your audition! I don't know if this is common knowledge, but a week later we sat down together and I asked you to volunteer yourself as a rapper for the next mission. And what'd ya know? He's a natural! Your improvement has truly been shell-shocking, and I'm proud of how far you've progressed.

, honestly it feels wrong talking to you like a senior because you're truly a natural-born leader. I'll never forget the swagger you walked on to the stage with on day one, and how quickly it cracked. I'm glad that you no longer have to hide behind a confident image because now you ARE just confident. From the way you talk to the way you walk, it no longer feels forced; you're just relaxed, reliable, an unmovable rock.

and , though both of you are technically dancers I've decided to steal you hehe. You are still young, and there's plenty of room to learn and grow still. Despite the setbacks, there's a constant brightness in your eyes, never lose it. Good work!

Finally, You've always been so interesting, spunky and filled with attitude on stage, yet you blended into the background when put in a group. I think it was the issue of you being foreign and unsure of how to express yourself when music wasn't involved, and I was shocked to see you break out of that shell during the second half of the last mission. Of course, you've progressed as a rapper, but more importantly, you've progressed as a person, and I couldn't be any more proud.

The boys all look touched by 's kind words, but before they can fully internalize them, 's face appears on the screen.

Hello everyone, this is 's otherwise known as the vocal mentor of !

I want to preface by saying I know I haven't always gone easy on you boys. But I hope you do know that I see your hard work, and I see the improvements you've made since this show started; I couldn't be more proud.

, your journey definitely hasn't been easy. I'm glad to see that you took the advice I gave you after the first mission, and kept your chin up, setting a wonderful example for the younger trainees on your team for the last mission. You've truly evolved without losing your initial charm.

! I know you're technically a dancer, but you sang in your audition and your vocals in the last mission were so different, I couldn't resist. I remember telling you that your audition was bland, but after that blind for your love center performance?? I feel like I understand you so much better. When paired with your dancing, your vocal timbre is soothing and natural. You've gotten so much more comfortable with your voice, it's great to see.

I know you have lots of regrets about the last mission. Let them go. You pulled your weight as a vocalist, you did your job, you did your best. You were one of the most skilled singers entering the show, and that hasn't changed whatsoever. I'm very proud of you.

(laughs), I know I didn't go easy on you that first mission, but you were born to be up on that stage. No, you're not perfect, but you've never once backed down from a challenge on this show and I appreciate that. You're more ambitious than you let on boy, your hunger is insatiable and that's what you need in the entertainment industry.

Ahh yes, and how could we forget ? You stole our hearts with your audition, and haven't let them go since. It's clear that the whole world wants to see you succeed, and your sunny disposition makes it hard not to root for you. Nobody's flawless, but you're getting scarily close for someone so young.

Best of luck to all of you! Fighting!

The vocal trainees shoot hearts at who laughs and joking swats them away. Finally, appears on the screen.

Hi everyone! It's s , and the dance mentor of . There were so many incredible dancers on the show, and I'm so happy to see the improvements that all of them have made.

! You went from to first place in your group, and for good reason. Your natural charisma while you rapped combined with your smooth dance moves turned you into a whole new person. You were criticized in your audition for lacking star power, but had a complete turnaround and evolved like a pokemon all of a sudden! I'm so proud, and would argue that you're the most improved trainee on the show.

! You've just been consistently GOOD, not showing any weaknesses until someone digs beneath the surface. Behind the scenes, you changed quite a bit. Going from a boy who was seen as cute and fragile, to a reliable, strong competitor. There's an imperceptible shift in you, just a little more confidence, assuredness when you speak. I'm glad this show taught you that.

, I told you it was going to happen! The center of centers on . You too lacked personality during your audition, but this was a complete 360. You wrapped yourself up in the concept and made it a part of you. Everything about performing is effortless to you, and I hope you never lose the passion you showed during that last stage.

, one of the boys I've known since before the show. Seeing you come second during the last mission truly warmed my heart because I know how hard you worked for it. You oozed sophistication and charisma every time you were in the center, something you were unable to do during your audition. You've really come far and I'm beyond thrilled with the level of comfort you now show on stage.

And last but definitely not least, ! Your energy during practice was always contagious, and I dare say you're what kept your group motivated to work long after the other teams headed to bed. Your audition was beyond incredible, so of course it was a difficult act to follow up. Rather than worrying about numbers, I hope you're happy with how much you've learned about working with a team, leading them, and speaking up when you have something to say.

Each and every one of you boys is special and unique, so no matter the results, I hope you hold on tight to your dreams. Good luck!

With the mentors messages complete, the trainees look starry-eyed. These are three people that they used to admire and then suddenly they became their mentors. Now they're close confidants, people they trust and know they can talk to. All the trainees know that, far beyond the show, they can always reach out to the mentors; though, whether it's a member of or not is still yet to be determined.

While it was wonderful to hear from the mentors, I'm sure our viewers at home are getting anxious.

It's time to reveal the final the final lineup of .

The spotlights circle around the stage before pointing down a walkway towards seven pedestals in the shape of a crown: four seats in the bottom row, two in the second, and one at the top.

I will start by revealing ranks six through one, then reveal seventh place. Let's begin.

In sixth place is...

's eyes widen, for once at a loss for words as he makes his forward towards the mic. Once hands it to him with a wide smile, the future member takes a moment to collect his thoughts.

I...Holy sh- shiitake mushrooms, wow. I just want to thank everyone who's supported me: the entertainment staff, my fellow trainees, my role models, and my friends back in . Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of , I'll work hard!

The rest of the trainees cheer, excited that someone like who's emerged as a leader in the competition managed to make the final lineup.

Next up, in fifth place is...

laughs, completely baffled by the situation, and it takes him a moment to realize he has to take the mic from .

Oh god what do people even say in these situations...think , think! Oh, I promise to keep dancing hard! I'm very thankful that I was able to make it to the final lineup of despite not being perfect. Thank you to everyone that voted, I'd buy you all food if I could!

The trainees laugh warmly, clearly 's infectious energy made it hard not to root for him, and he was a close friend to nearly everyone. The future member moonwalks to his fifth place seat at the crown, giving a high-five.

We're up to fourth place; the person taking this spot is...

looks shell-shocked, and a little like he's about to burst into tears when gives him a comforting pat on the back along with the mic.

Wowowow...wow! Ah thank you so much everyone! I just want to quickly thank my grandma...she was my biggest motivation, and the person that supported my dream the most. She's no longer with us but I know she's smiling down at me right now, love you grandma!

blows a kiss before making his way over to his seat.

We're now at third place! Another future member of is...

smiles widely, not sure of what else to do as he takes the mic.

Oh wow I really didn't expect to come this far...thank you everyone. I want to give a special shoutout to my family, (begrudgingly) even for supporting me all these years. I'm excited to spend a long time performing with these boys, thank you again!

takes his seat above the other boys, smiling as he playfully kicks 's chair to get his attention. He also high-fives who was on his team for the last mission.

I will now announce the two contenders for first place...

The boys hold their breath, excited to hear who the two trainees are.

and

The two boys turn to look at each other, jaws dropped in shock, before sharing a quick hug and making their way to . Both are near tears, excited to just be members of at all, first place would just be the cherry on top.

Both of these trainees were on the winning team last mission, and performed well in the audition round as well. Let's find out who the first place future center of is...

Congratulations !

At this point, really did begin to cry, comforted by patting his back with a proud smile on his face.

This is such a huge honor, thank you so, so, SO much everyone. My fellow teammates and trainees have worked super hard, and I wish them all the best as well. I'll do my best to show a more perfect version of myself in . Thank you!

And that of course means...