The sun set long ago, and lights of various colors now illuminate the stage. I didn't have time to observe everything while we were in the waiting room, but the stage is truly well-constructed. It is spacious and elevated so that every member of the audience has an unobstructed view. Facing the main stage is a platform with the judges' chairs, silver mechanical seats. Behind the judges is a section for the Mnet production team. To the left of the stage is the holding area where accepted candidates wait. The sound is clear enough for us to hear every performer. I turn toward the audience and am surprised to find it isn't as homogeneous as I expected. I thought there would only be Koreans in the audience, but I notice that about a quarter of the crowd is of various ethnicities.
The night moves along, and the final candidate finally takes the stage. I know the presentation order is supposed to be random, but what a coincidence that this candidate ended up last. He is a young man with a hazel complexion, matte skin, and long, shiny hair falling past his shoulders. He has a charming smile that could melt a snowman in the middle of a blizzard. With broad shoulders and a square jaw, he looks like one of those desert princes my sister used to be obsessed with on Wattpad. He performs to the song Bole Chudiyan from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The song has been remixed to have a faster, more modern tempo, but the high notes are still there. In the original movie, part of the song is danced to a feminine choreography and the other to a masculine one. The choreography here was also adapted, a blend of breakdancing, Afro dance, and belly dancing.
It is truly impressive to see such a "masculine" young man perform belly dancing, moving his hips with a suppleness and sensuality unseen since the start of this show. His gamble paid off, as the screams from the crowd are the loudest heard since the beginning of this phase. Some fans in the audience were visibly moved by the performance. One person even tried to jump the security barrier to get closer to the stage, but luckily, they were stopped by security. Once his performance ends, he takes a moment to catch his breath before greeting the judges and the public.
_ A truly incredible performance from candidate number 57. Mina says, amazed.
_ You really made us see stars tonight. Incredible! Lee Junho adds.
_ Thank you the candidate smiles.
_ First of all, wonderful performance. J.Y. Park begins. Could you please introduce yourself?
_ My name is Rahul Essam, I am 21 years old, and I am from Houston, Texas, in the United States. I am passionate about music.
_ Nice to meet you. I just want to say your dancing was amazing and your voice even more so. I loved the arrangement. Did you do it yourself? Ejae asks.
_ Yes, thank you. He smiles softly.
_ I hope to see more of you in the next rounds. Ejae says.
_ Are you part of the dance troupe, Agni? Kyle asks.
_ Yes, I've been dancing with that troupe since I was 13.
_ OH MY GOD!!! I love your performances, your family is incredible! Kany exclaims, full of enthusiasm.
The rest of the judges offer words of appreciation and encouragement before letting him take his place among the accepted candidates. The hosts take the microphone to continue the night's proceedings.
_ What a night! So much talent with us this evening. I am honored to be a host for this show. Junho says.
_ You can say that again. I can't even imagine who will win. So many possibilities. Mina continues.
_ We shall see. But for now, dear audience, it is time for you to vote for the candidates you want to save.
_ The images of the candidates who didn't automatically qualify for Phase 1 will appear on the screen behind us. Simply click on their profile on the tablets in your section before heading calmly toward the exit.
_ Remember to follow staff instructions. And don't forget to avoid spoilers, remember, you signed a contract. The rest of the evening will continue once the audience has completely evacuated the premises. Mina finishes.
_ It looks like they don't want the public to know the rankings before the broadcast. A female voice murmurs to my right.
I turn to face her and realize the person to my right is a female candidate. I was so exhausted after my performance that I had just dozed off in my seat. I hope I won't be edited badly because of that later. I hadn't watched her performance closely because I was lost in thought before my turn, but based on the crowd's screams, she must have done well. My neighbor is a young woman who looks Latina, though I couldn't say her exact ethnicity. She is all smiles, with brown hair, brown eyes, long lashes, and full lips. I don't know if it's the stage lights, but I feel like I see hints of yellow in her eyes. She is dressed in white, pink, and turquoise; her hair is tied in a cute bun, and her makeup is perfectly drawn and accompanied by glitter.
_ By the way, my name is Isidora Muñoz, I'm 16, Chilean. I've wanted to talk to you for a while, but you looked exhausted, so I left you alone. Your performance was supra-mega-incredible! She says excitedly.
_ Thank you. I smile. My name is Anael Khumalo, 19, Canadian. To go back to what you said, yes, they are probably trying to limit leaks this way. But the audience can already make good guesses about the rankings just by the performances.
_ Do you think they'll be harsh with the rankings? She asks worriedly.
_ No idea, we'll see later. Don't worry, it should be fine. And besides, the ranking isn't permanent. We can always improve in the next round.
We continue getting to know each other while the public clears the stadium. I learn that she is a YouTube content creator, primarily a dancer and makeup artist. She saw the announcement and took her chance because she's always dreamed of being in a group. After a forty-minute break, the hosts return to the stage.
_ Dear candidates, thank you for your patience. Junho begins.
_ And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. Mina continues.
_ The rankings!!! They say in unison.
_ To begin, Group C, when you hear your name, please head to Section C."
Then begins a long period where several participants' names are announced one after the other. All candidates in Group C were ranked from 46 to 75. No one in this group made a strong impression on me during the performances. Group B candidates were ranked between 21 and 45. In Group B, apart from Isidora, who earned rank 25, I recognize no one. Then comes Group A, which contains only 20 people, ten girls and ten boys. Among the girls, I notice that the "baddie," Nam Jiho, is number 1. For the boys, I am not surprised to see Cat at rank 7 and Rahul at rank 2. I don't really know the others, but they all performed well. Most are trainees or candidates with experience as dancers, singers, or rappers. I myself obtained rank 6 and was sitting right next to Cat. For Group D, the atmosphere was much more tense. Apart from the candidates chosen by the judges and the 10 saved by the public, everyone not chosen will be eliminated. Ranks 76 to 110 were called quickly.
_ Now that the ranking is complete, it is time to announce the rules for Intermediate Challenge number 1.
_ You will need to film an eight-minute introductory 'Live' about yourselves using props you draw at random. Mina explains.
_ The Live will be the public's official first impression of you, so do it with care. Junho continues. Once the Live is filmed, the recording will be posted on the show's various platforms.
The final step of the evening is to go and draw a number from the manual lottery machine. Each number corresponds to an item. The candidates must use their items in the video. It could be an edible item or not. I get up to draw my number when suddenly, I am grabbed by both arms. I stop in my tracks to find that Cat and Isidora are holding my right and left arms respectively. I feel a certain tension between the two. Do they have a bad history together? Did I dream it, or did I hear Cat hiss like a cat? If so, he is well-named.
_ P'Anael, come with me. Cat says, pulling me toward him.
_ No, she's coming with me. Isidora says, pulling me to her side.
_ You understand Thai, Isidora? I ask, surprised.
- No, but I can feel that he said something like that.
I laugh lightly and head toward the machine, dragging both of them behind me. We all proceed with the draw, and a number is assigned to us. Then, it is finally time to leave.
_ Will you be okay getting home? I ask Cat.
_ Yes, my brother is coming to pick me up.
I nod and turn to Isidora.
_ And you, can you get home easily?
_ Yes, don't worry, I live close by. And I have a good sense of direction.
_ Take my phone number. Call me when you get there, okay?
She hands me her phone, delighted, and I give her my contact info.
_That's not fair! What about me?! I want your phone number too! Cat cries out.
_ Give me your phone. I sigh.
He hands it over, and I give him my number. We all make our way to the exit. Cat's brother is waiting in front of the stadium exit doors. He looks like an older version of Cat, with darker eyes and a cooler vibe. He stands like a model for a luxury car brand. We greet him politely, I say goodbye to Cat, and we part ways. Isidora and I continue along the same path. We are later surprised to discover that we live in the same building. We decide to head to the set together the next day.
___
References:
_ YouTube: Social network and video-sharing platform owned by Google.
_ Mnet: Music Network, a South Korean music television channel.
_ Wattpad: An online social reading platform where users can post articles, stories, and poems.
_ Bole Chudiyan: A famous song from the Bollywood film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
_ The inspiration for this chapter is partially drawn from the song FiRE by Xdinary Heroes.
Have a good day.