"Step Forward"

About 10 minutes after finishing my performance, we were all called to the stage. It was time for us to find out who won the challenge and who is eliminated. It was also time for the rankings to be established.

We all walk out and line up on stage facing JYP. He picks up a microphone and begins to talk to us. "First, I want to congratulate all of you on a job well done. Every performance was of high quality and standard. I'm glad that you have all proven to me that casting you on this show wasn't a bad decision." We all bow and thank him.

"Now that I have watched all of your performances, I have graded each of you, and am ready to announce a winner, and who will be eliminated. But first, I want to ask a couple of questions" JYP says, making the room even more on edge.

"Nam Youngjae, you performed message by MyName. How do you feel after your performance?"

"I believe that I performed to the best of my ability. I had a lot of fun performing a song by a group that I both love and respect. I have no regrets and believe that I have done enough to at least keep me safe this round" Youngjae confidently answers.

"Ra Chan-wook, do you have any comments you would like to make about your performance?"

"This is my first time being on a show like this, and just being able to perform a song that I chose, and having people see what I can do makes me feel happy. I feel like I accomplished everything that I set out to do in this performance and don't believe that I should have a reason to fear elimination" Ra Chan-wook answers, his confident aura overflowing like a Hip Hop star.

Finally, Seol Young. You performed a song that is both loved and questioned by the people of Korea. Do you feel as though your song choice could have been better?"

"I believe that I chose the right song. I believe that it fits me well and that the people who will watch this will enjoy and support me in the future after the performance I gave" Seol Young answers, his ego overflowing and the cockiness that we are used to flows out easily.

"Very well" JYP continues. "I will now announce the results of my judging" dramatic music plays and the lights change to red. "When I call your name, step forward," JYP says.

"Chu Jin-Ho, Akizuki Akira, Nam Youngjae, Ra Chan-wook, please step forward" JYP calls. We all step forward, the nerves getting to us as we await his announcement. "You four put up amazing performances. Your dances were spectacular and your vocals and rap were sublime and fit well. Congratulations, you're all safe!" JYP announces. We all relax and start to smile. We hug each other and head over to the side of the stage for safe ones.

JYP calls another set of names. "Sim Hyun-Shik, DongBang Kyong, and Hayashi Roh, please step forward" the three whose names were called take a couple of steps forward. My heart is beating fast. I don't want to see any of my friends eliminated. "Each of you performed songs that had a distinct and powerful theme. Your dance was the highlight of the performances, however, your vocal techniques could use a little more improvement" they all acknowledge his advice. "Luckily for you all, you are safe for today" JYP announces. They all smile and head towards the safe area, where we greet them and hug each other.

"Now, Ho Hoon, Ho Jung, Sim Kyu-Bong, and Seol Young, step forward now" JYP calls. They all walk forwards. "All four of you put on excellent performances today. However, you were outdone by the other competitors. Ho Hoon. You showed complete mastery of your vocal and music arrangement ability to transform a very well-known girl group song into one of your own. However, your technical skills were the only thing that shone through. You lacked strength and practice in your choreography, and your facial expressions were like that of an amateur." JYP's comments sting. You can see Ho Hoon's face contort as he takes the comments straight to the heart. he is tearing up. "Ho Hoon, please walk to the last stand zone," JYP asks. Ho Hoon bows and walks to the other side of the stage. To the area where contestants will be asked to perform another song to fight for the last safe spots. It is a harsh way to eliminate someone, but that is how the Korean entertainment industry works. "Next, Ho Jung. You performed So crazy by the AA. It was a good choice. The song fits you well. Your dance was very good, however. Your breath control was lacking. Your vocals as a result were scattered and pitchy. This caused your performance quality to drop gravely. Please enter the last stand zone" again, JYP's comments sting, although this time Ho Jung accepts them and clenches his teeth. He walks over to where Ho Hoon is standing.

"Sim Kyu-Bong and Seol Young. You both chose songs that are well-loved and well-known by the people. Seol Young's performance of troublemaker was good, but your movements were rough. It looked like you lacked practice. Your vocals were stable, but you lacked any connection to the lyrics. This caused it to feel distant. Meanwhile, Kyu-Bong, your performance of King was of high quality. The rap and dance were very good and even if your vocal ability is lacking, you worked hard and didn't let the quality drop. However, your song selection was boring. You are playing it too safe. I would have liked to see you challenge yourself. Perhaps next time." JYP's comments this time struck true. Seol Young although he performed well, was not perfect and didn't quite feel right when he performed. Kyu-Bong on the other hand was very good. But it felt like he was performing the same song over and over each round. He was playing way too safe. "Luckily for you two, I have already put two into the last stand, so for today, you are both safe. I hope you can take my comments today on board and improve your performance for the next challenge. I look forward to it." With that, the judging was over and Ho Hoon and Ho Jung were set to face off in the last stand to see who would be eliminated. But before that JYP announced the winner.

"I will now announce the standings, based on my judgement and then reveal the first popularity vote. As we have not aired the show yet, the popular vote has been completed by the show's staff and your teasers, so it is not a complete portrayal of your performances on the show as of yet."

The results looked like this:

10: Ho Jung/Ho Hoon

9: Seol Young

8: Sim Kyu-Bong

7: Sim Hyun-Shik

6: Hayashi Roh

5: DongBang Kyong

4: Nam Youngjae

3: Akizuki Akira

2: Ra Chan-wook

1: Chu Jin-Ho

I had won this episode's challenge. I was ecstatic. JYP and the others all congratulated me. It took a couple of minutes for us to calm down before the popular vote was released. Then it would be time for the last stand. While we were receiving the results, Ho Hoon and Ho Jung were backstage selecting their song, being re-styled and practising so that they could fight for their safety.