"Thank you."
After the end of every performance, whatever show it is, comes the judgement of said performance.
In the show Make Your Idol, it's obviously no different.
Once my performance ended, I posed for a few seconds as those across me stood to applause. Whether they did it out of courtesy or genuinely felt proud made me nervous again, and I could only wait for the four judges to say their thoughts.
"Wow."
That was how Jacob Brown broke the silence after the applause.
I once again received a series of praises from the judges, this time it's for my singing.
"How many octaves did you lower the original key by? Because I barely heard it," Bailey Huang, despite being mainly a dancer, asked me so.
"Yes, I did lower it by an octave since I felt like I could reach the female key."
WIN also added his opinion, "Your voice was steady even for the rap part. That's no easy feat."
"The choreography itself isn't much, but your moves really were enticing!"
This one was a little embarrassing, but it was praise received from Oh Seonmi, so I could only thank the gods.
Then Jacob Brown asked again, "Did you rearrange the music on your own? Considering you're not from a company that could do it for you..."
"Ah, no. It was my idea, but I had someone do it. I can't use a producing app for life's sake!"
I didn't want to lie in case they would make me produce a song in front of them or something. It would be amusing to fail, but the idea of getting attention from that sort of hate felt silly.
The judges soon shut their mouths and gathered to discuss my grade, which, I almost forgot about. This 'grade' would change every round, and it determined which dorm the participants would be staying in.
Of course, what mattered most was the skill level each grade is considered to require. I personally don't mind being anywhere, but to get closer to the guys in the debut line-up, I should probably make an effort to get into the highest grade—the first grade.
Admin-nim said there would be a redemption arc when we memorize the show's theme song, so it's fine even if I don't get it now.
"It was honestly an easy agreement. Us four have decided that you would be placed in...grade one!"
I got it, though?
It seems like the fact that I managed to be the first performer and the first the get the first grade wasn't surprising to the other participants. Aside from Dojun who was jumping like a kid, everyone else clapped without much surprise on their faces.
I could see that they had zero objections, yet were also tense. It was understandable since I performed first, yet did so well.
Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised and almost hopped around the stage in heels. Although that would've been funny, I decided to bow appropriately since I didn't want to break my ankles in front of dozens of people.
"Don't forget to follow @h.chan on Instapounds!"
I walked off the stage by promoting my social media as I lifted the chair along with me.
"He's really expressive when acting, huh? Like a whole different person," Oh Seonmi remarked as I returned backstage, receiving agreement from the other judges.
"He clearly still loves to act."
.
The rest of the performances were so-so. I sat on the top seat next to Dojun with a blank head, but my reactions remained controlled and exaggerated.
"You're crazy, Chan! It's so revealing," Dojun whispered to me out of nowhere, his eyes pointed to my stomach before darting away.
I realized what he meant and dragged the lower zipper down again. It's not like I care, but I did it in case Dojun felt uncomfortable.
I should stay more fit.
While I won't explain each performance to you all, you could say the arrangement of it was thought up well. There were many 'flop' performances right after mine and most didn't get a grade, but the main stars from big companies soon showed up and made it bearable to watch.
Though, to me, everyone did their best.
Dojun's number was soon called up and he waved goodbye. I didn't forget to encourage him some more before he really went back.
I'm excited to see what he prepared. A lot.
Thankfully almost half of the performances were done in groups and pairs, so the recording was finishing up quickly.
By the way, Dojun was participant number 49. His stage was that of a group of four, their numbers ranging from 47 to 50. Coincidentally, Daniel's and Mahesha's turn is right after that. Dojun told me after I covered my ears to avoid his spoilers.
And boy, am I ashamed of that. How could I expect a masterpiece when everything is laid out already?
His group's turn came up after a while and there I see him standing with three other people I have no idea who are. Not that I need to.
Greetings were made and everyone introduced themselves, however all that jazz went. I'm here to see the Korean line-up shine!
- I bring the pain like venom
I bring out fear from all
Say what you want, I've got none
This time I bring the venom -
What...the shit-fucker-doodles is this?
"This is ass," I whispered unintelligibly.
- Come from sticks and stones
I'm made of bricks and bones
My drive strikes anyone
This is the strike of my venom! -
This is so ass.