Performance
"Ok then. Our first performer for tonight is...." JYP begins.
I know exactly who it is, so I sit back and wait. I can just feel the other contestants' nerves from my room. I can tell that they are on edge.
"Sim Kyu-Bong!" JYP announces the name. I smile. I chose Kyu-Bong for a couple of reasons. The first is that he isn't a natural performer. He can rap, but his dance and vocals are a little bit lacking. I thought that putting him first, will help to give his performance some impact on JYP, especially if it contacts with the following performance. I also selected Kyu-Bong, as I wanted him to pick the number 2 performer. The more central Seol Young's position in the episode, the less effective his performance will be.
An introduction video made up of different moments that have occurred throughout recoding so far is played to introduce him to the audience that will watch on TV. Kyu Bong then walks out onto the stage that had been set up. It looks like a medieval throne room. he is dressed like a prince in military uniform. the backup dancers are dressed like royal guards and rebels with weapons. The music starts, and Kyu-Bong turns serious. He is performing King, by GOT7's Jinyoung and Bam Bam, which fits him perfectly as an artist who is an amazing rapper, but a little weaker in vocals. He has completely transformed. His stage presence is amazing. he has the charisma of a k-pop artist. His confidence is brimming. His performance ends with a bang. Jyp sits silently and claps a little. He then quickly interviews Kyu-Bong and asks a few questions as the stage is cleaned up and changed. He then indicates for Kyu-Bong to select the second performer.
"The next performer to go is...." he takes a pause for dramatic effect.
"Ra Chan-Wook" Kyu-Bong announces. He then heads backstage as the staff prepare the next set. Ra Chan-Wook's introduction video plays while the stage is set up. Then Chan-Wook walks out. He is dressed in black dress pants with dress shoes. He wears a suit jacket that is kept open, revealing his still-developing abs. He has a couple of gold chains hanging around his neck. My first thought went towards a SHINee song, but as soon as the music played, I recognised it. TVXQ Mirotic was the song he had decided to perform.
The performances went on for a little while, with a few breaks in between. Ho Hoon, another trainee performed a Nine Muses song, Figaro which came as a little surprise as no one was expecting a girl group song. Ho Jung performed So Crazy by AA, while DongBang came out with Infinites Be Mine and absolutely teared up the stage. Next up was Hayashi, who following the introduction video walked up onto the stage. The difference in this stage compared to the others was pretty obvious. The stage was designed to look like the rubble of a destroyed town. But in the centre of the stage, a band was set up. Hayashi walked up, trying his best to give off a confident aura. He grabs the microphone off its stand in the centre of the band and they start to play. The song is Hello Hello by F.T. Island. He had added choreography to the song to help himself cover all aspects of the evaluation, but had also gone for a different approach using a band instead of backup dancers. It felt new and refreshing. He performed very well. By the end of the song, JYP was leaning back in his chair smiling and clapping. It seemed like he enjoyed it.
Following his performance, Hayashi decided that now was the right time, and called out Seol Young to perform next. His intro video played. I couldn't help but get annoyed. It showed his performance of MOVE in it, as well as his modelling in the incorrect outfit during the fashion challenge. It also showed him completely taking over the group performance challenge too. Soon the video ends and he walks up on stage. He's wearing a leopard print suit as he walks down the stairs of the set, which looks like the entryway of a luxury mansion. I can instantly tell what song this is. I can't believe that he is about to perform this song, but it is so like him to do that. The song starts as his dance partner comes out in a black dress. It's a famous song of questionable choreography and a catchy tune that everyone knows. The song is sung by 4minute's Hyuna and Beast's Hyunseung. Troublemaker is the song that he chose. I have to admit that he sang the song well, and his chemistry with his dance partner was pretty good. But I just felt a little disgusted by his choice in song, knowing the kind of person that he is. The song came to an end and Seol Young is interrogated by JYP just like the others. Following that he is asked to choose the next performer before he leaves the stage.
The next performers went in this order; Sim Hyun-Shik, who performed BigBang's Lovesong. Nam Younjae who performed Message by MyName, and finally Akizuki Akira who performed Insane by BTOB. Following that, it was finally my turn. The introduction video played, showing all of the best cuts from the previous episodes that will air soon. Then I prepare to enter the stage. I have been waiting for this moment for weeks. I can finally make a big move on the show. This is thanks to JYP's approval of course. But I wanted to release all my pent up anger due to Seol Young. Hence I decided to release this original song to combat MOVE and hopefully make the audience that watches begin to question Seol Young and wonder if he was actually the creator of the song. The stage is set up with a chessboard floor. The walls look like that of a church. Fake Fog is spread across the floor as the music starts to play and I walk out onto the stage. The backup dancers are huddled in the centre. I walk over and kneel in the middle of them. The dance and singing begin. I am wearing a black and white suit with a green and black checkered shirt and tie to match my hair. The stylists called it a chique look. I decided on this look as it was one of my favourite outfits that Taemin used when performing this song in my past life.
[Lyrics translated to English]
Yeah whoever says what, my way
my face without gaps
Words spit out without a filter no oh oh oh
smile in the glass mask
Even the veil that was covered up
Lost oh oh oh
Ay you!
Disassemble me as you like
Ay you!
Words that speak to your taste
tip of tongue
You don't get it, get it
Do you never get the keys to my lock
Let your imagination run wild
I broke the torso you were chasing
One advice you already know
I'll shoot the one advice
The more you lock me in, the more it seems to go wrong, look carefully
If you want to see the end, stimulate it
This is one advice for you
Best take my own advice
As soon as I hit that high note, JYP's jaw drops. I slightly smile at this reaction as I continue. Taemin wasn't able to hit that note when he sang it, so we had to change it in the studio and he would sing the octave lower when performing live. Luckily for me. I was born with an insane vocal range which allowed me to hit that note. Boy was I happy about that. I head into the final section of the song.
Creepy, the drama you wanted
the moment it starts
I'm just twisting again
No, no, you're confused
why cross the line again
Only you are right voi-voice
corner to lock me in
Floppy
gently close your eyes
Do not cover your ears
I don't touch it oh I
No, no, you're confused
Only you know love ya
voi-voice for me
Pouring loser oh
Show your imagination more sharply
I broke the torso you were chasing
One advice you already know
I'll shoot the one advice
The more you lock me in, the more it seems to go wrong, look carefully
If you want to see the end, stimulate it
This is one advice for you
Best take my own advice
I perform a short solo dance before finishing the song
Best take my own advice
I pose in the crucifixion pose with my head looking straight up. I'm breathing heavily. Dancing while maintaining my vocals takes a lot of effort. I wait for about 5 seconds before JYP starts clapping. I relax and move to face him.
"Incredible performance Jin-Ho" HYP acknowledges.
"Your dancing was perfect, I found that it fit the song perfectly, and it really helped to tell the story. Your vocals are also insane. That high note you pulled off, B6 and C7. That's amazing."
"Thank you PD-nim," I reply, bowing.
"You do still need to work on your facial expressions as they still seem a little forced"
"Yes, PD-nim"
"Also, I like the style of that song. It's new and unique. What's the name of the song?"
"I named it ADVICE," I tell him.
"Nice, I like it. You can return to the waiting room while I decide on a few things." With that, I head back to my waiting room after thanking the backup dancers for their help.