Of all the people PD Keys could bring up, why a member of KAISER? That group had a gigantic fandom with a mix of wholesome people, trolls, and plenty who hated seeing their idols compared to anyone else.
The director smiled broadly in one corner of the room, which made Drew worry inwardly for the kids.
Feeling compelled to speak, Drew chuckled and said, "Well, a few days have passed since then, and they're all hard-working and aware of their strengths and weaknesses. I have a strong feeling the kids will bring us a surprise."
"I hope so." PD Song bobbed his head without moving his line of sight from the huge monitor. Even without saying much, his entire being radiated presence, and people could not help but be mindful of his words and reactions.
"Greenhouse Inhabitants, please enter and head towards the stage," announced the MC, popular actor Lee Soo-hyuk, who finally revealed himself to the viewers. The handsome man, smartly dressed in a white suit, stood on the raised platform before the stage. Behind him was the judges' room, separated only by a floor-to-ceiling transparent glass wall.
The trainees, dressed fashionably and handsomely, soon made their way into formation. They appeared nervous, as they could see and recognize the people observing them on the other side.
The judging phase began the moment they entered, though Drew wondered if the kids realized it. Being nervous was normal, but being too nervous was not.
The judges grabbed their mics and asked a few questions after exchanging pleasantries.
Not long after, the music started.
"Haaaa~"
Sujin hummed an intro in soft falsetto, earning a nod of approval from the producers. Drew, the only idol on the panel, also smiled to encourage them.
"Sujin's vocal color and techniques are fantastic."
Because the beginning was good, expectations among the audience began to rise. The dance that accompanied the intro's instrumental part was also strong. The Inhabitants were synchronized, and the one leading them, Neo, danced like a pro.
The first few parts were delivered as they should be, following the guide video and vocals to a tee. A few ad-libs and gestures were added to help contestants stand out, yet everything remained in harmony. There was nothing major to criticize.
But then the chorus came. It was like a hurricane that swept away a canvas of beautiful colors, instantly erasing every good point Sujin, Min, and the others had earned for the team.
Drew sported a frown, just like the others in the room.
As the one who had done their mid-check, Keys reacted worse and yelled in an annoyed tone, "What the hell? I clearly told them to switch Neo's part!"
"It's like the song itself changed," another Nova Producer, usually in charge of Nova's girl groups, said with a wry smile.
Imagine the result when the key suddenly shifts midway. That was exactly what happened. It stuck out like a sore thumb—and not in a good way.
Neo, who took over the center for the chorus and solo part, was not tone-deaf. But he was off by a few octaves. It might have been tolerable if the original emotion had remained, but the fourteen-year-old boy failed to express even a trace of it. As a result, it felt like he was singing a different song.
Keys' expression hardened, his face like his day had just been ruined. "This is almost a copy of their mid-check performance."
"No improvement since then? That's… insane," Mariam, the female producer, was speechless.
PD Keys furrowed his brows and clarified, "Some actually improved. Hyeon-ju's vocal talent shines the most. Sujin is stable. Min improved, and so did Juwon and Kato. But Neo…"
The name elicited mixed responses. There was little to criticize about the boy's dancing. But the vocals… were disastrous.
"...At least the facial expression is good, I mean, for a fourteen-year-old," Drew tried to lighten the tense atmosphere engulfing the room.
Because of the judges' strong reactions, some trainees faltered—becoming too conscious of their parts or worrying about Neo and the group's average. But in a performance, losing concentration for even a second was fatal. Things began to unravel.
The smiles never returned to the faces of their audience, even though some contestants carried on without mistakes.
When the performance ended, applause came—but none of the contestants cheered. The producers' and Drew's mixed reviews weighed heavily.
Some of them could not even remember how they returned to the lounge without tripping or bumping into anything.
Nobody spoke as they sat on the sofas and couches before the enormous screen.
As soon as the performance ended, Sujin remained silent, giving the impression he was disappointed. All of them were, but nobody dared to ask who—or whom—he was dismayed with.
"Did we mess up?" Finally, somebody murmured.
"I'm sorry." Neo stood and bowed deeply to everyone. He did not cry, but his expression was both gloomy and apologetic.
Sujin patted his head to console him. No words came, and he silently watched as the others hugged and comforted each other.
"Congratulations, Greenhouse Inhabitants, for completing the second mission. Now let's see the result of everyone's hard work."
After a somewhat long wait, as the judges replayed and scored the performance, the MC returned to view and began speaking. Scores then flashed on the screen.
The Inhabitants braced themselves. They knew what was coming from the judges' reactions. Still, it hurt when 70s and 60s appeared.
The lowest was 42. Neo wordlessly lowered his head and covered his face. He knew it was his. Nobody else had ruined it worse.
"Highest is 82. Lowest, 42." Kato, old enough not to be swept away by emotion, hated the outcome but worried more for his fellow J-contestant.
Their average score fell below 70.
The stares Neo received were not friendly. They blamed him not with words, but with their eyes and actions. His earlier apology wasn't enough to appease them.
"I'm sure everyone did their best. But the rules must be followed. Six people will leave the Greenhouse today, determined by an internal vote between the judges and the contestants," said the emcee as he returned to the front.
The man in the white suit smiled. "However, before that, we can't forget our young friends from the Barren Land, waiting for their hard-earned chance to perform."
BGM played, and the giant screens on both sides of the hall faded to black before showing the Barren Land building. Trainees dressed in plain grey were stretching.
PD Song laughed and leaned toward the mic on the long table. "Now that I remember, if the Inhabitants' average had been higher than 90, the Barren Landers' stage would've been canceled altogether. All their days of hard work would've gone to waste."
Drew blinked twice. "Oh? This is the first I've heard of it! The kids there must've been so nervous all this time."
Keys chortled. "Who wouldn't? I would be, too."
PD Song bobbed his head. "Now, look at them. They're like soldiers gearing up for battle."
"Haha. I think we shouldn't prolong their wait. Let's watch the performance they've prepared with all their minds and hearts," replied the man on the raised platform, smiling at the camera pointed at him.
Actor Lee held the cue card, gesturing elegantly with his professional smile. "So, everyone, here they are—twelve dreamers from the outside, but with spirit, courage, and passion that won't lose to the Inhabitants. Let us welcome… the Barren Landers!"