* * *
Ten contestants came onto the empty stage.
The audience that would have shouted has long since disappeared, but it feels like their enthusiasm still remains.
Coming Up Next is over, but it feels like we need to put our heads together again and prepare for the next mission.
While the participants were making strange expressions amid such sentiments, CEO Choi Dae-ho opened his mouth.
"I've worked really hard so far. The long journey is over. But before announcing the results... … ."
Choi Dae-ho bowed politely to the participants.
"I don't think I've ever learned as much from singers as I did in my nearly 20 years of working as a producer. Thank you all, it was amazing."
Ten participants hurriedly bowed.
In this warmer atmosphere, trainers Blue, Yoo Seon-hwa, and composer Lee Chang-jun also gave warm words to the participants.
Eventually, the scores were revealed.
Take scene 9552 points.
9490 points for 3 months and 100 days.
62 points difference, take scene victory.
Fireworks exploded and the four judges applauded.
Takeshin stood blankly for a moment, then hugged each other and began to share the joy of winning.
Their joy was not fake.
Of course, the results were known from the beginning of the program.
But the process was difficult.
A monster outside the standard called Hansion appeared, and among the remaining members of Sedal101, there was always one person who exploded.
First it was Koo Tae-hwan, then On Saemi-ro, and this time Lee Ion.
As a result, even though it was a predetermined result, it brought me great joy.
Because they won anyway.
There may have been a slightly biased judgment, but it was a possible result because their stage was also excellent.
Of course, if Han Sion had known these thoughts, he would have been shocked, but the members of Take Scene did not hate Han Sion, except for Fade.
Not long ago, I was a bit taken aback when CEO Choi Dae-ho said he would be recruiting Han Si-on.
But as I thought it was already decided, my anticipation rose.
Hansion has witnessed the members of Sedalbaekil show off their potential several times.
Plus, his composition skills are amazing.
In this way, the main character of Coming Up Next was decided through the take scene, and the participants began to share their thoughts one by one.
The microphone was given first for the take scene.
The next turn was three months and one hundred days.
"Hansion participant?"
"yes."
"How do you feel?"
"I can't believe it's completely over. I also wonder what it would have been like if I had done better... … . I am satisfied because I did my best. "I would like to say thank you to the members of SedalBaekIl who worked hard together and to TakeScene who won with a great performance."
Shion Han, who said that, bowed his head.
Although the atmosphere was dry, the content of the answer was standard.
Anyway, the dull atmosphere will be transformed into a feeling of 'suppressing regret' through the magic of directing.
At that time, CEO Choi Dae-ho opened his mouth.
"Actually, the members of Sedalbaekil, excluding Han Si-on, visited the production team not long ago."
Shion Han raised his head.
Then, he looks at the members of Sedalbaekil with a surprised expression as if this is his first time hearing this.
However, the members of Sedalbaekil remained calm.
I just shrug my shoulders.
CEO Choi Dae-ho, who was watching this, spoke.
"It would be better to tell you the details through the VCR."
That's how the VCR started playing.
The first episode began with the members of Sedalbaekil, excluding Hansion, removing the 8mm camera mounted in the practice room.
[Is this working?]
[that's right. It's blinking.]
Lee Ion's face looking into the camera lens is captured in full shot, and then the screen changes.
Producer Kang Seok-woo appeared in front of the Sedalbaekil members who were moving somewhere with a unique selfie camera view.
[Producer Kang. I have something to tell you.]
[yes? What is it?]
[It's a bit awkward to say here, but could I possibly meet the judges?]
[hmm… … .]
The screen that showed producer Kang Seok-woo's face switches again.
Four judges.
Three months and one hundred days for four people.
In the foreground of a table where a total of eight people are sitting, CEO Choi Dae-ho opens his mouth.
[I heard you have something to say.]
[yes. I know it's rude, but there's something I really want to tell you.]
[I don't know what it is… … . Please speak comfortably.]
Lee Ion nods and opens his mouth with a calm face.
The words that followed embarrassed CEO Choi Dae-ho on the screen.
If Sedalbaekil were to lose, Han Si-on asked if he could debut alone.
[Before answering, I am curious. Why on earth did you think like that?]
[You're so good at it.]
[Is that the end?]
[I thought it was unreasonable. If a singer named Han Si On had stood on stage alone, what kind of results would she have achieved? But… … . She already saw the answer. Under the streetlight, falling flowers, at the end of dawn.]
[…] … .]
[Excluding the concept of take scenes and three-month-long competitions, an audition program is ultimately a program that discovers stars, right?]
[You can't deny it.]
[So. I wanted to tell you that I would be really happy if Shion made her debut, even if she was alone. Of course, we haven't lost yet.]
This time, Blue, who was sitting next to Choi Dae-ho, opened his mouth.
[Assuming that Sedalbaekil was eliminated, have you ever imagined that Sedalbaekil would all become trainees to debut together?]
[I tried it, but I don't know how long it will take. I don't know what might happen during the process.]
After a moment of silence, CEO Choi Dae-ho spoke again.
[I understand why you say this and how warm it is. However, that is difficult.]
[…] … .]
[In any case, Coming Up Next is a program where Take Scene and Sedalbaekil compete. It is our promise to the viewers that only one of the two teams will debut.]
Here, the VCR ended without any sincerity.
But although the VCR may be over, the show is not.
Because Choi Dae-ho, the head of the scene, opened his mouth as if continuing his words in the VCR.
"But suddenly this thought occurred to me. "Wouldn't it be possible for a Hansion contestant to debut with a take scene?"
* * *
Choi Dae-ho is talking about something, but I can't hear him well.
My thoughts are still on the VCR.
When was that video taken?
Did I go to the production crew after I told them I was debuting with a take scene?
To reduce the level of criticism poured at me by providing a plausible reason?
If not, did the production team ask for it?
If the reason why Han Si-on debuted through the take scene was because of Sedal101's request, it was because the picture was beautiful.
Yes, I think this is correct.
In the actual broadcast, that VCR will probably be edited out as it was filmed after the final contest.
That's a prettier timeline.
Moreover, it is dangerous for Sedalbaekil to assume 'if we are eliminated' before the final contest.
I knew that Take Scene would debut on the 10th of a month, so I approached it that way, but I also didn't want it to look that way in the eyes of viewers.
But at that moment, the conversation I had with the members came to mind.
"I was sure that the production team would support the take scene… … . "That's not why I noticed."
"You were a little strange. You act like you normally do, but you feel a bit stiff? "It's not hostile, it feels like a turtle hiding under its shell."
"Taehwan noticed around that time."
"Are you the only one who debuted in 3 Months and 10 Days?"
Afterwards, Onsaemiro definitely said this.
"Don't worry too much. "For us and the viewers."
"viewers?"
"It means there won't be any criticism from viewers."
"No way. "People who cheered for the third month and a hundred days will curse me."
"We think not."
I didn't think much of it at the time, but it was definitely an odd choice of words.
Onsaemiro uses defensive words, perhaps because she has lived a poor life.
I don't know about other people, maybe I'm the only one who thinks that way, but speaking from my own standards.
There are many times when I start a conversation with this kind of premise.
But I definitely said, 'We don't think so.'
That means Onsaemiro knows the opinions of all members, and it is not an area of speculation.
In other words, that VCR was filmed much earlier than expected.
Before even preparing for the final competition in earnest.
Then their intention is... … .
pure.
That's really what I think.
If Han Si-on had done it alone, he would have done much better than he is now, but he said he was sorry for becoming a burden to them.
and.
"Zion. "Did you appear here so your parents could hear your singing at the hospital?"
"That's the way it is. That's why I want to debut as quickly as possible."
Since Han Si-on needs to debut, couldn't he debut on his own?
I was out of breath for a moment.
I had that thought a while ago.
The reason I feel particularly comfortable with the three months and 100 days and can keep them as good memories is because I have no sense of responsibility.
I feel relieved because they are not the ones I chose.
But on the other hand, the Sedalbaekil members felt a sense of responsibility towards me.
And I was hoping for the best.
Of course, there were many people who showed favor to me over a long period of time.
There were many people who showed an incomprehensible interest.
But it has rarely been unrelated to their situation.
Like Sedalbaekil, who cares about my debut regardless of their elimination.
Like visiting my parents' hospital room the day before the contest.
I became embarrassed.
I thought Lee Ion's voice was trash, and I thought Choi Jae-sung was a characterless vocalist.
On Sae-mi was labeled a sensitive person for no reason, and Koo Tae-hwan thought that if I hadn't pointed out the point, he would have been eliminated from Coming Up Next.
Over time, these thoughts became harmful, but the fact that I treated them that way did not change.
At that time, CEO Choi Dae-ho presents a choice.
I asked the Take Scene members about their intentions, and they said they were okay with it.
So now all that remains is my decision.
"Would you like to face elimination for three months and 100 days? Or will you follow the members' wishes and join Take Scene?"
Elimination of three months and 100 days.
If I choose this, I feel like everything I have achieved in three months and a hundred days will go to waste.
Following the wishes of the members, he joined Take Scene.
If I choose this, I feel like I have achieved some success thanks to the excellent performance of Sedal101.
CEO Choi Dae-ho chose the word intentionally.
To make it look good for viewers, so that the production crew doesn't get criticized, and so that there is no noise during take scene activities.
That's how he put his mind to it and presented options through political rhetoric.
But for me, the hand on my shoulder is heavier than any other option.
You can tell without turning your head.
Lee Ion, who was standing on my right, put his hand on my shoulder, and Koo Tae-hwan, who was standing on my left, tapped my back.
I'm saying don't worry.
It means moving forward.
but… … .
I am a person who cannot move forward.
This is a person who is trapped in non-linear time and is forever walking in place.
therefore.
"Just throw it away. "At first glance, the public seems indifferent, but that is absolutely not the case."
"There are so many people in the world who will recognize the essence of your music. like me."
It'll be okay once in a while.
"I will face elimination."
I did not choose one of the options presented by CEO Choi Dae-ho.
I chose a new option.
No matter what difficulties there are, we will all debut together on the 10th of every month.