New Beginnings (2)

Five hours in and many of the trainees seemed to be exhausted. They had to sit in those ranking seats for about fifteen minutes, as the camera crew got necessary shots. They were then taken in shifting groups, some for interviews and some to practice rooms. 

Joon-woo had tried to linger towards Reggie as they called names for such, but their rank gap made their temporary groups different. Reggie had been called down with a few other contestants that ranked in the 30s for interviews, while Joon-woo had been taken with 11th place to 20th to rehearse the opening dance number. 

Many idol shows did this, in fact as Ha-rin he had seen it, as she hadn't strayed away from catching whatever survival show was on whenever she had freetime. The dance was simple, it was an introductory song to the viewers, welcoming them to the show and thanking them for watching. 

Joon-woo couldn't tell if it was easy for him because of his life as Ha-rin, his harsh practice schedule over the last week, or just that the dance was simple. The movements were very sudden and at least beginner dance skills were needed to do it in sync with the other contestants. 

After a few simple turns on various cues, small kicks and thrusting hips, the trainees were left to sweat for a few moments after, before instructed to do it again. By now, Joon-woo had long memorized the dance, doing it with ease despite his aching legs and sweat drenched face. In fact, there was just one person holding the group back. 

It was number 13, Ryeo Hyun.

It wasn't that his dancing was necessarily bad, in fact, Joon-woo's wasn't even much better than his, but it was his lack of facial expression that made the dance instructor angry. 

"Ryeo Hyun!" The instructor yelled, "All those muscles but you can't even hold a smile?" She scolded, making Ryeo Hyun look to the ground in shame. 

"Sorry, Teacher." He apologized for probably the fourth time. 

By now, the other trainees seemed to be getting irritated with Ryeo Hyun, their expression faltering while they, too, danced. But Joon-woo knew better than to get irritated. He sympathized with Ryeo Hyun, after all as Ha-rin, Joon-woo struggled to make the correct faces in her pre-debut era. She too had gotten scolded for looking like a dead panda on stage. 

"Again!" The instructor yelled, counting in loud, demanding Korean as the group did the moves. She watched, eyeing Joon-woo, then Bo Jaesang, then Ryeo Hyun. She was clearly irritated at this point, eyes watching Ryeo Hyun like a hawk. 

Joon-woo moved, fatigued enough to lose some momentum at this point. The instructor began to notice this in every of the 10 trainee's movements and shook her head. She raised her hand, signaling the group to stop.

"Go get water…" She instructed, shooting a glare at Ryeo Hyun before she herself went to get water.

The group dispersed, and they picked up the Producer10 branded water bottles they had been given instead of normal water bottles. Joon-woo found it comedic, seeing the show's logo on his drinking water, he swore he would grow traumatized from seeing so much. 

He slumped against the practice room wall, downing half of the bottle with ease. He eyed the other people in the room. 11th place, Park Daewon and 14th place, Bo Jaesang had seemed to be conversing in the corner, lightly grinning at each other's words. 

The other trainees kept to themselves, more focused on their needed water intake more than anything else. 

Just as Joon-woo chugged down the rest of the water, he watched as a figure approached him. It was Ryeo Hyun, and his face seemed to be red, with both embarrassment and exercise. 

Joon-woo looked up to the man standing above him, slightly intimidated as the man was truly bulky, not to mention he was at least 5'10'. He could easily hurt Joon-woo if he wanted, and the thought made Joon-woo a bit frightened.

"Joon-woo-ssi." Ryeo Hyun called for Joon-woo's attention, Joon-woo looked up, trying to hide his intimidation. "I think your facial expressions are very good." He suddenly complimented. 

Joon-woo's face brightened a bit, "Eh? Thank you Hyung." He replied, because he truly hadn't expected to be complimented.

"If it's not too much, can you give me pointers?" Ryeo Hyun asked with a smile too shy for any woman not to swoon for. 

Joon-woo's inner-Ha-rin swooned. "U-uh, yes, I can show you…" He replied.

Ryeo Hyun's face twisted into one of relief, as he took a seat just to the side of Joon-woo, "Thank you very much, Joon-woo-ssi." He said, as his gaze suddenly looked at Joon-woo expectantly. 

Joon-woo thought for a moment, what quick tips he used as Ha-rin to perfect his facial expressions on stage. Then, he looked at Ryeo Hyun with a quiet nod and opened his mouth. 

–+–

Joon-woo and the other contestants in his group exited the dance room with sweat wiped off their foreheads. With their bodies tired, they made their way across long hallways until they reached a door labeled 'Interview Room 1'. The staff member, who had led them there, opened the door to reveal a few more staff members, sitting at respective cameras and some with clipboards in hand. 

The cameras pointed at a pure white background with bright lighting and a stool. Joon-woo knew this set up all too well, so he didn't go trembling at the sight like some of the other trainees behind him. 

"Wow…" Ryeo Hyun admired the expensive set up. 

The staff members laughed at the contestants' admiration, shaking their heads. 

Unintentionally, Joon-woo ended up in the front of the group of 10 contestants. He sighed, raising an eyebrow to their hesitant figures. He let himself be led to white backdrop and flashing the nervous group of trainees a 'what is there to be scared with?' look. Ryeo's face practically glowed at the action.

"Three, two, one, cameras on!" A staff member called. 

The camera's red light blinked at Joon-woo as he held what he knew to be a comfortable eye contact with the camera. 

"Contestant Joon-woo, what are you looking for in Producer10?" The interviewer asked, flipping the premade questions along a clipboard. It seemed the interviewer had asked this question a million times already. 

Joon-woo smiled, "I'm looking to win." He confidently said, applying more power into his naturally timid voice.

The interviewer seemed surprised by his answer, shaking it off and reading the paper one again, "Do you think you have the skills to do well?" The interviewer asked.

Joon-woo knew what they were trying to do with that question. Evil editing. Jung Ha-rin had been a victim of such on one of the variety shows she had gone on. They edited her just tilting her head curiously as a scowl. That day SNS was not kind to her, and after that she wasn't invited on many variety shows individually. 

"I think everyone does. I think it matters how hard they put those skills to work." He replied, years of media training on his belt. 

The interview's face frowned, "Hmm." They clearly hadn't gotten the answer they wanted. "And what do you say to all the viewers watching this program?" 

Joon-woo was a bit surprised, because the interviewer hadn't looked at their paper before asking this question. Had they gone off script?

Joon-woo made eye contact with the main camera, and with a sly smile he said, "Thank you for supporting us, viewers." 

The interviewer's eyes widened at the answer, as if surprised by the professionalism in Joon-woo's answers. They gulped, "U-Um thank you Contestant Joon-woo, you may leave…" 

Joon-woo nodded, hopping off the stool and sending a small bow to the interviewer, "Thank you, sunbae." He said, stepping off the white. He looked at the group of other contestants who looked at him curiously, Ryeo Hyun, with admiration. 

They looked at him in silence, to a point Joon-woo was a bit uncomfortable with the stares; would he never get over his fear of people staring at him? He figured he had to if he succeeded as Park Joon-woo. 

The interviewer coughed at the awkward moments of silence, "Next?" They asked, the other contestants flinching at the interviewer's call. 

This time Ryeo Hyun stepped up with his hands balled into fists. He shot Joon-woo a thumbs up and sat on the stool. Joon-woo raised an eyebrow at the man, and flashed him an encouraging smile.

–+–

Reggie practically collapsed into Joon-woo's arms, "Joon-woo-ssi!" He cried, "I'm so tired…"

By now the recording was over, and the contestants that had become friendly with each other were chatting, most though, leaving to go home. After all, it was quite late, about 8 P.M. with recording starting at 6 A.M.. Both Reggie and Joon-woo were packed and ready to go, their small bags packed and shoes on.

Joon-woo chuckled, patting Reggie on the back, "You'll get used to it." He replied, watching Reggie's eyes shine like a dejected puppy. 

"That's not helping…" Reggie replied with a frown. 

Joon-woo wasn't sure if Reggie noticed, but Joon-woo sure had. There was a camera on them. He saw it at the corner of his eye, filming their interactions closely. 

Joon-woo hadn't felt that crawl along his gut since Ha-rin's prime and he definitely didn't miss it. He knew he would have to get used to it again, though, this being one of a million future examples. 

Just as he was deep in thought, Reggie exited Joon-woo's arm, fixing the posture he had to adjust to get to Joon-woo's level. He looked up anxiously as a shadow got cast upon him. Joon-woo looked up too, pursing his lips as Producer Jang-soo stood above Reggie with a frown. 

They both exchanged fearful glances. 

"Reggie Lee, would you stay to have a chat?" Producer Jang-soo requested with his usual deadpanned face.

Joon-woo raised his eyebrows slightly, noticing that the camera was still recording them. He looked back to Reggie concerned, what were they gonna take Reggie to talk about? Reggie flashed Joon-woo a shaky smile, pushing himself off the seat and following the Producer out of the room. Joon-woo rubbed at his neck, unsure.

He watched as Reggie disappeared out the door, suspicions only rising when the camera's followed Reggie even more.

He pursed his lips, slinging his small tote bag over his shoulder and exiting the recording facility, noting to check in with Reggie later.