The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 9

Professional dancer and veteran who created choreography for countless K-pop idol songs, Shin Jae-hoon.

He was a dancer before being a choreographer, and an artist creating one form of art before being a dancer.

True to someone who pursued such beauty, Shin Jae-hoon valued passion above all else.

Based on countless experiences, he had a habit of looking at people’s eyes to understand what kind of mindset they currently had and what they were thinking.

Like an artist who lived pursuing only passion, eyes without sparks that touched the heart couldn’t gain his interest.

Perhaps that’s why Shin Jae-hoon hadn’t been tremendously satisfied with Ryu Si-hwan’s level test performance.

How should he put it—at that time, Ryu Si-hwan’s eyes were the complete opposite of tremendous passion.

Like the sea after experiencing all kinds of storms. That kind of sea that didn’t surge hotly but exuded calm leisure.

He was definitely a trainee with unknown skills, but since he didn’t reach Shin Jae-hoon’s heart 100%, he had squeezed out harsh criticism that wasn’t quite harsh criticism.

“I can’t breathe, I can’t hear anything

Only my heart beats in the darkness”

“……”

It was 〈HIT〉 that he had heard sickeningly for hours, but the intro Ryu Si-hwan sang felt completely different.

Clear pronunciation that stuck in the ears?

A refreshing voice like drinking carbonated water?

All good. Such aspects might have immediately reached other judges.

But what made Shin Jae-hoon’s soul leave his body was Ryu Si-hwan’s eyes.

“What the hell is that kid’s identity.”

To the point of making him mutter to himself, Ryu Si-hwan displayed eyes he had never shown during the level test.

Like passionate and intense flames that could swallow the stage whole.

At the choreography full of venom that could be felt from far away, Shin Jae-hoon couldn’t turn his gaze away for even a moment.

“Gonna make it HIT, shouting toward you

All of this burning heart shouting to you

Gonna make it HIT, you who made my heart beat

I want to run only toward you”

Riding the escalating beat, Ryu Si-hwan’s flexible body showed knife-like movements.

Originally, his dance lines themselves were perfect. This was a fact Shin Jae-hoon had acknowledged during the level test. But in these few days, even the atmosphere of his dance lines had changed.

Shin Jae-hoon, who had conducted training sessions every day, had only this thought.

Why hadn’t he noticed this change during practice?

Had he failed to see it because he was guiding too many trainees?

But he should have seen at least a little of this overflowing, explosive passion.

None other than Shin Jae-hoon, who had lived for passion alone.

“Look only ahead and run

Nothing else matters

I want to tightly embrace you who’s right in front of me

Gonna make it HIT

I’m the only one who will catch you

Gonna make it HIT!”

Shin Jae-hoon’s signature mixed choreography appearing with the addictive chorus—pivot and arm animation. Direction changes occur and you need to maintain balance while performing complex arm movements, so if balance breaks even slightly, it creates an ungraceful picture.

The so-called killing point where you need to connect to the gun-shooting motion that’s the key choreography of 〈HIT〉.

Ryu Si-hwan completed even this part that needed the best flavor with appropriate tension. The angles of both arms formed perfect symmetry, creating a very beautiful result, and while showing this flawless performance, his pitch never wavered.

Even to Shin Jae-hoon, who was a complete layman in vocals, it was faultless.

Shin Jae-hoon, barely escaping from the initial shock, looked around at his colleagues.

Sure enough, both Lee Jin-hak and Min Si-hyeon, who were in charge of vocals, couldn’t hide the smiles on their faces.

Lee Jin-hak was so impressed he even removed his earphones to listen.

To savor Ryu Si-hwan’s voice not through speakers but as this live sound itself.

Even when entering the bridge section that repeated again after the first verse, there was no change in Ryu Si-hwan’s expression.

This venom that reached even the judges’ seats, distant from the main stage.

As if he had come up with a determination to pour out everything on stage, Ryu Si-hwan released energy generously.

Appropriate use of strength felt from his fingertips. The properly controlled strength made every movement sharp and naturally blended into 〈HIT〉’s upbeat bass rhythm.

Watching this amazing scene, Shin Jae-hoon thought of one word in his head.

Beat killing.

Right now, Ryu Si-hwan was executing the designated choreography at precise timing without missing a single beat.

‘Really, is this the same person as that kid I saw during the level test?’

A week ago, he was just a participant with very solid fundamentals and clean dance lines.

While handling the high-difficulty choreography of 〈Spotlights〉 and showing good live skills, he was that kind of participant who lacked something that would make Shin Jae-hoon fall for him.

However, though he didn’t know where and what kind of practice he had done during this time, Ryu Si-hwan had completely overturned Shin Jae-hoon’s evaluation.

Not a trainee with only solid fundamentals.

But a monster-like trainee who could use such solid fundamentals to show performances beyond that.

‘That’s not an area that can change overnight.’

Of course, he would have practiced desperately during that week, saving even sleeping time.

But to show such an amazing scene, you need experience accumulated for much longer than 168 hours.

Shin Jae-hoon thought while watching Ryu Si-hwan who had reached the climax of the song.

Hearing the high notes that went up cleanly after dancing this difficult choreography, he found himself smiling without realizing it.

‘How much has he practiced alone until now?’

With the high note that echoed to the far end of the set as the last note, the accompaniment to 〈HIT〉 also ended.

Ryu Si-hwan, who had maintained his ending pose until the very end, finally lowered his arms and exhaled deeply when applause began bursting out one by one from the judges’ seats.

“Thank you.”

Shin Jae-hoon also sent applause while looking into Ryu Si-hwan’s eyes until the end.

‘Yes, these are the eyes I wanted to see.’

Not the leisurely smile after finishing a smooth stage, but eyes full of heat that appear after pouring out all one’s strength.

Feeling this tremendous difference in atmosphere, Shin Jae-hoon swelled with one emotion.

Satisfaction.

Had there been anyone among these young trainees recently who made him feel satisfied?

Before this overwhelming emotion could fly away, he grabbed the microphone and spoke.

“You all know what position I’ve established since 〈ISL 1〉.”

A coldhearted person who spat out harsh evaluations without hesitation.

A judge who shattered trainees’ mentals with his own firm evaluation standards.

Such Shin Jae-hoon didn’t know he would end up saying this.

“My character might collapse, but I still have to say this. Si-hwan, you did fucking amazingly well.”

“Thank you.”

Though it was a calm word of thanks similar to usual, Ryu Si-hwan smiled brightly like he had never shown before.

* * *

“…Anyway, I told you all. That Si-hwan could do this. How about it now, do you all understand what I meant?”

I smiled awkwardly while watching Min Si-hyeon give her passionate speech.

I wondered if this wasn’t too blatantly showing she liked me.

Receiving praise from judges is always good, but.

When you receive such one-sided acclaim from one person like this, couldn’t it look bad somehow?

‘Still, the production team isn’t in a position to drive even judges into a corner, so if they think it’s excessive, they’ll edit it out appropriately.’

“Now that I’ve seen it myself, I understand. Why you said it was okay to set the last part high. Wow, you still have breath left over, more than enough.”

“The dancing was so cool too!”

Considerable praise had poured on me during the level test too.

But the atmosphere of the favorable reviews I was hearing now was on a different level from then.

If before it had a slightly lukewarm taste, today it returned as enthusiastic support as if the energy from my stage had been directly conveyed.

I kept bowing my head while trying my best to make a tired expression.

Since I had expended this much energy, it would be normal to at least be panting.

Though it was a retrospective story, this was definitely the best choice.

Against my will, Ryu Si-hwan within 〈ISL 2〉 had been marked early as a hidden master type.

If I had shown a stage that didn’t meet the judges’ expectations during the final grade evaluation, it would prove that Min Si-hyeon’s judgment in entrusting me with 〈HIT〉’s important part was wrong.

To avoid remarks and criticism like ‘It was beginner’s luck during the level test after all,’ I had to attempt a frontal breakthrough during this grade evaluation.

With such thoughts, when I displayed a bit of the skills I had accumulated over the past 50 years, this scene unfolded before my eyes.

I wiped the very slight sweat on my forehead and exhaled.

‘Still, it does feel good.’

“Then shall we hear Ryu Si-hwan’s final grade now?”

At MC Go Hyeon-ju’s question, Lee Jin-hak, who was still in ecstasy, grabbed the microphone.

“I believe all the judges sitting next to me were thinking the same thing. Ryu Si-hwan’s final grade is A. Congratulations.”

“Thank you!”

After properly giving my greetings until the end, I walked to the A-grade section that was still completely empty.

Unlike other sections, the A-grade chairs were very spacious and made of luxurious white leather. Sitting first in such a place, an inexplicable burden gently rose.

‘Having made this choice, I really can’t let my guard down for even a moment from now on.’

Knowing I shouldn’t make a serious expression even after receiving the highest grade, I watched the stage with as relaxed a mind as possible.

‘Even if risks of slip-ups or devil’s editing still remain, I’ve definitely secured screen time, so let’s think positively at least a little.’

“The next order is Kang Seon-woo.”

Among the group I practiced with, Kang Seon-woo was the first to follow me.

Though vocal stability still fell short because he was in a rap position, Kang Seon-woo succeeded in sufficiently showing off his skills and sat next to me.

“I’m not too late, am I?”

“I was panicking thinking you’d get B-grade.”

“Dude, even as a joke, cut out that kind of talk.”

After lightly exchanging broadcast-friendly banter, we waited for the other guys’ evaluations.

“Ma Si-hyeok’s final grade is A. Congratulations!”

The biggest reversal burst during Ma Si-hyeok’s turn.

“Really? Really? This is unbelievable……”

Ma Si-hyeok sat down on the stage with a face of disbelief. Tears like chicken droppings flowed down his cheeks.

‘I really couldn’t even imagine that he’d receive A-grade too.’

Ma Si-hyeok’s dancing went without saying, but I thought he’d get B because he still showed weakness in singing. Even during the last practice, he had really struggled to complete the song.

But as if he had awakened, he handled the real thing amazingly and confidently seized A-grade.

“Si-hyeok, what did you do during this time for your singing to improve this much?”

“Judge Min Si-hyeon taught me so well every session that I could fix my weaknesses. And I think practicing until dawn every day was most important.”

With tears still welling up, Ma Si-hyeok glanced at where I was sitting.

“Actually, I really have poor speaking skills…… and I felt like my abilities were inferior to other trainees here, so I lacked confidence. But thanks to my Class 3 friends who worked hard together for a week, I was able to gain strength. Especially Si-hwan…… Si-hwan really helped me a lot.”

Is this how our relationship gets established?

I instinctively noticed all the cameras in the set turning this way and quickly equipped an expression full of empathy.

“Thank you so much for practicing late with me and teaching me how to sing here.”

“Wow, thrilling bromance.”

Having to hear such nonsensical words from judges was a flaw.

But still, I could catch the attention of viewers who like sympathy votes here.

So Ma Si-hyeok, covered in tears, joined the A-grade section.

“Yu Ha-woon receives B-grade. Good work.”

“Ah, he really did well though……”

“So disappointing.”

“Hehe, thank you! I’ll do better next time!”

Unfortunately, Yu Ha-woon couldn’t overcome the hurdle in the latter half of the second verse and made a mistake, receiving B-grade.

On his way to the B-grade section, Yu Ha-woon, whose eyes met mine, made a bright expression and mouthed.

“I’m okay!”

What’s okay about it, when you’re forcing such a smile.

Fewer participants than expected received A-grade. Even though the name tags Go Hyeon-ju could draw had noticeably decreased, only about 8 people sat in A-grade chairs.

Dozens of minutes later, only the last participant remained.

“This is the last order for the final grade evaluation. Seong-hwi, please come up on stage.”

I quietly watched the trainee emanating an extraordinary aura even from far away.

I thought his face looked familiar—he was the guy who sat in 2nd place, right below Kang Seon-woo during the level test.

‘He seemed pretty capable too.’

Since we were in different classes, I couldn’t really see him practice 〈HIT〉, but thinking of the performance I saw before, he seemed like he was from a major agency.

Seong-hwi walked up on stage with big strides and then fiddled with the microphone.

“Seong-hwi, you’re the very last order?”

“Right, I thought I’d get tired from waiting. I almost fell asleep.”

The judges burst out laughing at his smooth way of speaking.

While I was also suppressing laughter, Seong-hwi added in a gentle voice.

“Ah, but I enjoyed watching several people’s stages, so it was very entertaining. I made one decision.”

“Hahaha, what did you decide?”

“There was someone interesting among those who came out earlier.”

Seong-hwi turned his body to one side completely. Then our eyes met very precisely.

“Was it Ryu Si-hwan? You performed well. I felt like my position was being threatened, so it was interesting. So I decided I need to destroy this stage so I don’t fall behind. I have a strong feeling we’ll meet often in the future—shall we do well together?”

My lips, which had been holding back laughter, instantly flattened.

I looked at Seong-hwi’s grinning face and sighed internally once again.

What the hell is this guy doing now?