🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 10
“A-grade trainees, please come up on stage right now.”
The fifteen A-grade trainees went up onto the stage all at once.
Following the staff’s directions, the A-grade trainees lined up at even intervals along the wall with the large screen.
“Oh ho. As expected of A-grade trainees—the aura they give off is definitely different.”
Looking at them, Yoo Hae-in smiled with satisfaction.
“Then, we’ll begin the theme song mid-evaluation stage. First up, trainee Kim Seon-yoo, please come forward.”
From among the A-grade trainees, Kim Seon-yoo walked out calmly.
Stopping at center stage, where cameras were densely installed, he bowed toward the judges’ table.
“Hello. I’m Kim Seon-yoo, 23 years old, a trainee formerly from Starlight Entertainment.”
At Kim Seon-yoo’s gentle smile, the judges smiled along with him.
“Our top student is here?”
“Wow—choreographer, are you discriminating in favor of Kim Seon-yoo right now?”
“Well, honestly, he is a top student.”
“Kim Seon-yoo is already so good that expectations are really high.”
Despite the sparkling looks in the judges’ eyes, Kim Seon-yoo maintained his confident smile.
“Thank you.”
As expected from someone with experience, he carried himself with clear composure.
“Then let’s see Kim Seon-yoo’s theme song stage.”
“Yes!”
Dudung, dududung.
The instrumental of the theme song, “Cheer Me On,” echoed through the studio.
Kim Seon-yoo stepped forward toward the camera without hesitation.
🎵 I’ll tempt you,
🎵 Every moment filled with you.
His burning gaze never wavered for a second.
🎵 Even after this night passes, I’ll only look at you.
🎵 I’ll give you everything, so choose me.
Countless eyes were watching him, yet he danced effortlessly, showing the ease of a veteran.
🎵 A little deeper, together with you,
🎵 I hope this moment lasts forever.
Finally, the highlight section with high-difficulty choreography arrived.
🎵 Like a dream, feel your breath—
When Kim Seon-yoo executed the moves perfectly and smiled toward the judges, short gasps escaped from all around the room.
His performance was, in one word, the textbook definition of “Cheer Me On.”
Clean, flawless—there was nothing lacking.
As expected, experienced idols are different wherever they go.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
When the music ended, applause bordering on reverence filled the studio.
I, too, put on my professional smile and clapped as hard as I could while glancing at the red-lit camera.
I can’t risk getting dragged into an “attitude controversy.”
Thanks to the system, I didn’t know who the final debut members would be—but one thing was certain.
Unless something crazy happens, Kim Seon-yoo is definitely debuting.
“Amazing.”
“He’s insanely good.”
“Wow… that gave me chills.”
The scattered admiration finally quieted when a judge picked up the microphone.
“Trainee Kim Seon-yoo.”
“Yes.”
“I’m completely smitten.”
“Me too. You’re really good.”
As praise poured in, Park Chae-young lifted her microphone.
“I’m actually a little disappointed. How should I put it… the singing feels too textbook. Technically, it was perfect, but it lacked emotion. I wish you’d expressed more.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Even after the sharp critique from the vocal judge, Kim Seon-yoo kept his relaxed smile.
His mental strength is solid too.
“As a result of the evaluation, trainee Kim Seon-yoo remains A-grade.”
“Thank you!”
As Kim Seon-yoo returned to the wall by the screen, Yoo Hae-in raised her cue card.
“We’ve seen Kim Seon-yoo’s outstanding performance. Next, trainee Kang Chan, please come forward.”
“Yes!”
A deep, concise response echoed through the studio.
A trainee with a tall frame, bronze-toned skin, and solid muscles walked forward confidently.
Even in the school uniform, his broad shoulders made the outfit look exceptional.
With sharp eyes and bold facial features, the masculine trainee stopped in front of the center camera.
“Hello. I’m Kang Chan, 20 years old, formerly from Beat & Wave Entertainment.”
His low voice carried a distinctive Gyeongsang-do accent.
“Oh! Kang Chan, your voice and accent are really charming.”
“I’ve been wanting to ask—where are you from?”
“I’m from Busan.”
“Ohh~ a Busan guy!”
The dance trainer hurriedly grabbed the microphone.
“Wait—are you that famous dancer from Gwangalli…?!”
Kang Chan, who had been expressionless, carefully nodded.
“Yes.”
“…Two million subscribers on GyuTube!”
At the appearance of the legendary Gwangalli dancer with massive views, the studio erupted once again.
Wait—two million subscribers? That means his fanbase is huge already.
“Wow, you always wear a cap in your videos, so I wasn’t sure, but seeing your build, I recognize you.”
“With a face like that, why did you dance wearing a hat?”
Kang Chan’s ears turned slightly red as he rubbed the back of his head.
“When people stare at my face, I get embarrassed. I wanted to focus only on dancing.”
“That’s admirable. Kang Chan, you’re aiming for a rap position rather than vocal, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Let’s start the theme song stage.”
As the familiar instrumental began, Kang Chan’s serious expression transformed instantly.
His powerful dance, paired with intense eyes, captured everyone’s attention in an instant.
Even with the same choreography, the feeling can be completely different.
Honestly, it was shocking.
His smooth lines made it feel like he was born to dance—like watching a piece of art in motion.
Hey, System.
[Yes?]
Show me Kang Chan’s stats.
Ding.
[Status Window]
Kang Chan (20)
Appearance: B+
Vocal (Rap): C-
Dance: A+
Charisma: C
Stamina: B+
Ability: ???
Trait: Gwangalli dancer with 2M GyuTube subscribers
I’d thought his dancing was special, but this was my first time seeing Dance: A+.
From rhythm to fine details, every movement felt tight and alive.
So this is how well you need to dance to be an idol.
His living, breathing dance lines pulled viewers into a trance.
Thinking about my own stiff dancing until recently, I shook my head.
I still have a long way to go.
His rhythmic rap, delivered in a low voice, sounded appealing.
He’s not as good at rap as Seo Ha-yul, but his voice is nice—and his dancing covers everything.
When Kang Chan’s stage ended, applause once again filled the studio.
“Wow! His dancing is insane!!!”
“Honestly, that’s not trainee-level dancing.”
“The way he moves—his delivery is incredible!”
Amid the judges’ praise, Kang Chan shyly rubbed the back of his head.
Park Chae-young, the vocal judge, picked up her mic.
“You dance better than most active idols. But you know your rap still needs work, right?”
“Yes! I’ll work harder.”
Satisfied with his confident answer, the judges exchanged opinions.
Finally, Park Chae-young spoke again.
“Trainee Kang Chan.”
“Yes!”
“The evaluation result is…”
After a brief pause, she smiled brightly.
“A-grade. There’s probably no one here who dances better than Kang Chan.”
“Thank you!”
With a small smile, Kang Chan bowed politely toward the judges.
After he returned to the wall, the A-grade evaluations continued, trainees being called one by one.
“Did you really practice? Trainee Jin Young-hoon, C-grade.”
“Hmm, the singing was lacking. Trainee Lee Jin-soo, B-grade.”
Some trainees maintained A-grade, while many dropped.
The grade changes are harsher than I expected.
“Lastly, trainee Rua, please come forward.”
“YES.”
Finally, the last A-grade trainee was called.
A trainee with shiny blond hair flowing to his shoulders walked out like a model.
A foreigner joined too, huh.
Under long eyelashes, blue eyes shimmered like the sea.
With a high nose bridge and refined features, the flower-boy foreigner’s appearance stirred the studio again.
“Wow… for a moment, I thought a fairy-tale prince was walking in.”
“It’s not just me, right? I swear I saw a white horse behind him.”
“The visuals of Star Picking 5 trainees are next-level.”
At the judges’ blatant praise, Rua smiled brightly, showing his white teeth.
“Thank you.”
He seemed used to being called handsome.
Figures. With looks like that, he’s probably heard it all his life.
“But where are you from, Rua? I’ve been curious. England? Sweden? Denmark?”
“My nationality is South Korea. Seoul.”
“…?”
“Huh?”
Despite his strongly foreign appearance, everyone was confused.
“You were born in Seoul?”
Rua lifted the corner of his lips in a refreshing smile.
“Yes. My mother is Korean, and my father is Danish.”
“Ahh~”
“No wonder his Korean is so good.”
“Looks like he inherited his father’s genes strongly.”
Nodding, the judge picked up the mic with a warm smile.
“Then, trainee Rua, please begin your theme song evaluation stage.”
The theme song, now heard hundreds—no, thousands—of times, flowed from the speakers.
As Rua naturally caught the rhythm, his blond hair fluttered.
From the first line, a clear yet soft voice filled the space.
His gentle dance lines and fresh vocals evoked the image of a prince.
His clean singing and natural expressions made him shine even more.
In an instant, the one-minute timer ended, and the music stopped.
Rua let out a slightly rough breath.
Hypnotized admiration rippled among the trainees.
“Wow… he’s just born to be a celebrity.”
“He’s a trainee, but his expressions are already that good.”
Hey, System!
[You’re calling me a lot today, Cha Si-woo.]
It happens. Show me Rua’s stats.
[Okay.]
Ding.
[Status Window]
Rua (23)
Appearance: B+
Vocal: B
Dance: B-
Charisma: B
Stamina: C-
Ability: ???
Trait: Prince-like mixed-heritage Korean
A-grade really is different. His average stats are high—he’s not just trainee-level.
Praise poured out from the judges’ table.
“This season of Star Picking 5 is definitely higher quality than last year!”
“We knew he was good in practice, but he exceeded expectations.”
“Trainee Rua is A-grade.”
“Thank you.”
With Rua’s evaluation complete, all A-grade trainees were finished.
They’re all solid, overall.
A few of them already showed signs of future debut material.
I need to stay sharp.
“A-grade trainees, great work.”
With mixed expressions of joy and disappointment, the A-grade trainees stepped down from the stage.
Following staff instructions, trainees sat according to their new grades.
While faulty equipment was adjusted, a short break was given.
About twenty minutes later, a staff member came on stage and shouted:
“We’ll resume filming. All trainees, please take your seats.”
After confirming everyone was present, the staff raised a hand and began counting down.
“3, 2… 1.”
Then, clearly and firmly—
“Cue!”
Yoo Hae-in, standing on stage, smoothly lifted her microphone.
“All A-grade trainee performances are complete. Compared to last season, there are many trainees with outstanding skill—very exciting. Next, all B-grade trainees, please come up on stage.”
Finally… my turn to show them.
