POV: Min-ho
Finding myself here feels strange, especially since I'm with Seo Joon and Jon-Ho, my fellow members of Reb3ls.
Many idols and groups have been invited, especially those with the most popular songs, making it a national show.
We're not allowed to meet the contestants because we'll be among those who will vote for them, so they've 'exiled' us to a large room where we're enjoying an aperitif and a nice chat. It's nice to meet up with others outside of official contexts every now and then, and being judges gives us a lot of responsibility. Naturally, there are many comments about some names, including Jade, but I feign indifference and don't comment.
Yoshi is also here again, and he comes to greet us with a hug.
"See you again, bad boys," he says with a smile. "Will we be able to do something together sooner or later?"
Amid promises and laughter, the production staff arrives, reminds us of the rules and leaves us a folder with the show's schedule.
Naturally, my eyes flick to Jade's name and I frown: she has a tough job this time!
"Welcome, audience judges. I remind you that you cannot consult each other for the votes; they will be secret and personal, so from now on, I would ask you to refrain from commenting on the contestants. Each participant's individual journey will be recorded, with the aim of highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. This data will not be broadcast; it will be sent directly to the PDAs you will find in the room, so if you haven't been watching the show, you can be informed about the candidate. This time, we won't be going live; it will be a recorded program because it will include rehearsals that may also involve you."
It's Yoshi himself who asks for directions.
"Some of the songs or choreographies performed are from many of your productions, so you might be asked to sing or dance with the contestants, if you like. You'll be asked before the performance, and you're free to accept or decline. Naturally, I hope you do, as it would increase the audience share of the participation and the contestant's visibility."
We nod as a group.
I wonder who will end up with Jade.
I sigh.
Seo Joon nudges me and laughs, making me snort.Jon-Ho looks at us curiously, but of course he doesn't know anything.
Without explaining, we go to our assigned seats in the stalls and I start scrolling through the PDA to understand how it works.
Actor Lee Su-Heok has been chosen as host. He checks the lineup and then, after receiving the go-ahead from the director, starts the presentation.
The contestants arrive behind him, wait for their names, and step forward for a greeting and a brief introduction.
Ari and Jade stand close together, exchange a look and a smile, and then shake hands.
They look so different from the day of the audition that I struggle to recognize them.
Jade has mastered the stage, something she'd never seen before in her debut. She bows, speaks quickly and fluently, alternating between English and Korean, and is so exuberant in her approach to the audience, so much so that my side feels tingly.
Jealousy? Who knows!
Eventually, they're all seated on two long benches at the sides of the stage, the rules of this episode are explained, and I see the surprise on their faces.
Jade covers her face with her hands, while Ari looks towards us, winking as soon as she sees me. Apparently, our presence excites her greatly.
Jade, on the other hand, doesn't look at me, doesn't turn towards me, but her attention is drawn to Choi Min-ho of SHINee.
Does he like him? Isn't he too old for her?
I frown, annoyed.
But I don't have time to investigate because the show is about to begin.
The songs come one after the other, there's little time to get lost in our thoughts, especially since we're called on stage twice for our own songs to sing and dance to.
The skit with the contestants is fun, as are the duets.
I'm relaxing when they call for the first break.
I go to get a drink from the judges' stand and, next to the hallway door, I hear her voice.Jade.
"You're kidding, right?"
She looks very upset.
"No, look at the scoreboard, your name is on it," a boy replies.
"Problems?"
It's Ari's voice.
"I have to sing with Choi Min-ho? Seriously?"
She looks uncomfortable.
"Come on, it's a crush you had in middle school. Haven't you gotten over it yet?" he teases her.
"Did you get over it? Do you think I might get over it?"
I hear them giggling and I walk away irritated.
So she has a crush on that guy.
Seriously.
And me?
You're my talisman.
Sure, until an old-school visual comes along and destroys everything.
I don't doubt Min-ho's talent or beauty, but I didn't believe... damn it!
I sit in my seat and try not to care about what's going on around me.
I think my friends have figured out my bad mood because they don't say anything.
The show starts up again and moves on, with Ari duetting with Hyunjin from Stray Kids. I admit it's a good number, they're close-knit, and she sings really well.
Until the key moment arrives: Jade takes the stage.
We listen to her introduction, the thanks, the compliments for her achievements, and she's given the song Lucifer by Shinee.
"It's a great responsibility and honor for me to sing this song, one of the first K-pop songs I ever heard."
"Do you want Mih-no to perform with you?" Lee Su-heok asks her.
She shakes her head, surprising him.
"No? May I know why?" he asks.
"Well… I… I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've had a decade-long crush on Choi Min-ho and I'm afraid I'll forget everything," she confesses, lowering her head.
Laughter and applause break out from the audience, with Choi Min-ho himself standing up and joining her, but keeping his distance.
"You really don't want me to participate?" he asks her, pouting.
She covers her face, shakes her head, but finally accepts.
Choi Min-ho bows and asks for the microphone, amidst general applause.
"Try to forget I'm here," he tells her with a smile, "and you'll be fine."
"As if it were easy," she mutters, making the others laugh even more.
Finally, the song begins, and Jade unleashes her heavy artillery: I'd think the previous scene was pre-planned, given how her discomfort has completely disappeared and her determination has nothing of the ostentatious shyness about it.
The singer is equally impressive, and their voices are truly well-matched, as they also perform a dance number choreographed to the official music video.
When the song ends, after prolonged applause, Choi Min-ho asks her:
"Have you gotten over your crush?"
She laughs and shakes her head."Now I'm truly head over heels in love."
More laughter and applause follow, a sign that the audience has thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Then we have to do it again," the idol continues.
Jade looks him over, placing a finger under her chin.
"As long as we dance to some really energetic numbers... if you can still do it," she replies.
Choi Min-ho feigns scandal, while laughter and cheers erupt from the audience.
"I can beat you anytime I want, girl," the other laughs, acting like a bully, "even challenging you to your latest song, which is 'Warrior.'"
Jade raises an eyebrow, pretends to think about it, and finally agrees.
They shake hands, as if in an accepted challenge, and then everyone returns to their seats.It's only then that she looks for me in the audience, as if she'd always known where I was, and gives me a quick wink, leaving me stunned.
What does that mean?
It's as if she wanted to...
No, I don't think so.
Did she make all that fuss because someone was making insinuations about us?
I fidget in my seat, wanting to run to her, but I can't
.I grit my teeth and concentrate on the vote.
But I need to know.