I’m Debuting With The Bias I Killed Chapter 17

Chapter 17

 

The judges’ standards were far more ruthless than I had expected. As if they had made some kind of agreement beforehand, they proceeded to pour out harsh criticism one after another.

“Honestly, I’m a little frustrated.”

Song In-hyuk let out a sigh.

“This is a stage where you’re supposed to show what you’re best at. Is that really so difficult?”

“Why do so many of them overestimate their own abilities?”

The atmosphere in the waiting area gradually sank as well. Well, it would soon be their turn, so it wasn’t as though they could keep laughing carefree.

At least from the single-digit codes onward, a few compliments were starting to come out.

“Next is Code 6’s stage.”

In effect, this was the moment when everyone started paying attention.

Go Jae-seong seemed to have extensively reworked his stage after the midterm evaluation.

“The arrangement is more sophisticated than it was during the midterm evaluation.”

“Thank you!”

Of course, his level of production was still similar to Go Jae-seong’s mixtapes from before my regression.

‘Back then, this level of skill must have been enough.’

Unfortunately, it probably wasn’t anymore.

“Did you rearrange the choreography yourself?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

That was probably why he seemed to have put even more effort into the choreography.

“No, this is incomparably better than the midterm evaluation.”

“I worked hard on it while referring to the parts you gave me feedback on.”

He had created a stage with choreography completely different from both the midterm evaluation and his stage before my regression.

‘What the…’

It was well made.

No, to be precise…

‘It’s too well made.’

The composition was clean, and the point choreography immediately caught the eye. Especially during the hook. The movements that came in half a beat late were closer to the style that had been popular before my regression.

‘Is it just my imagination?’

But even to my eyes, which absolutely hated Go Jae-seong, it looked decent, so naturally, the evaluation was good.

Especially Katin, the dance trainer, showered him with praise.

“It looks like choreography from some famous overseas dance team. The choreography was that polished.”

“I almost feel like trying it myself.”

“Then why don’t you dance it with me!”

Even his spirited final remark helped bring Go Jae-seong’s evaluation to a warm conclusion.

‘Was he always this good?’

It felt different from simply saying his skills had improved.

‘Was my participation in the survival show causing Go Jae-seong to grow as well?’

The uncomfortable question lingered in my mind.

Next came Code 5.

Choi Un-jo’s stage was like being at a hip-hop festival. He was every bit as impressive as someone who had secured a spot in the debut lineup early on.

And finally, it was my turn.

“Code 4, please come up onto the stage.”

Formal applause, and gazes that seemed to be examining me like a test.

I slowly walked onto the stage.

“Phew……”

One deep breath.

“Code 4 trainee, please introduce the stage you prepared.”

I adjusted my grip on the microphone.

“Yes. The stage I prepared this time is an original song, and the title is ‘Yoo Seong-woo.’”

Judge Jack P asked,

“Your trainee period has been short, and this must be your first stage like this. How do you feel?”

My mouth was slightly dry.

“More than I expected.”

I smiled honestly.

“The stage is really big.”

It was obviously a nervous voice.

“Maybe his midterm evaluation was just a fluke.”

“No matter how good he is, if he has stage fright, none of it matters.”

And then I could faintly hear the judges talking among themselves.

“Even so.”

I gripped the microphone a little tighter.

“I’ll show you everything I prepared without any regrets.”

Kang Se-jun nodded.

“Then Code 4’s stage will begin. Code on.”

 

***

 

The lights slowly brightened.

Beneath a pure-white spotlight stood a boy carrying nothing but a guitar.

A loose checkered shirt, shaggy curled black hair, and chunky horn-rimmed glasses.

An outfit far too ordinary for a stage.

No, it would be more accurate to call it old-fashioned.

And that made him stand out even more.

Just like the other trainees, his name was being revealed for the first time since the survival show began.

 

[Yoo Seong-woo]

 

Three letters appeared on the screen.

At the word that could have been either the title of the song or the trainee’s name, Jack P unconsciously raised the corner of his mouth.

‘Did he intend even this?’

If he had calculated even the direction, then his sense for these things was anything but ordinary.

Just as he was thinking that, the guitar strings quietly rang.

Ting

A single clear, light note.

The studio instantly fell silent.

 

♪ I admired them

♪ The shining stars

 

The first line.

The boy’s voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Huh?”

The atmosphere in the judges’ seats changed.

Even the fingertips gripping the guitar were trembling faintly. His breathing wasn’t steady, either.

The awkwardness unique to someone standing on a large stage for the first time.

“Oh dear.”

Jack P’s eyes narrowed.

It was different from his midterm evaluation.

‘He’s nervous.’

But it was strange.

 

♪ Someday, could I shine

♪ As brightly as those stars?

 

The breathing that came across so clearly wasn’t irritating.

‘Why?’

Jack P’s fingers slowly tapped against the table.

Tap.

……Tap.

 

♪ When I’m afraid

♪ Of an uncertain tomorrow

 

The mind that had been trying to evaluate the stage was now following the song.

 

♪ Close my eyes quietly

♪ And imagine myself on the stage

 

The boy closed his eyes.

“…Ah.”

Only then did Jack P realize why Yoo Seong-woo’s clumsiness onstage wasn’t bothering him.

This song…

No, this stage wasn’t supposed to be perfect from the beginning.

It needed to be anxious, clumsy, and unsteady.

Only then would this song become real.

 

♪ Still afraid

♪ But I have a feeling

 

It began to change little by little.

His stiff shoulders relaxed, and his gaze no longer fell toward the floor.

His fingertips plucking the guitar strings gradually gained strength as well.

 

♪ That it will be a wonderful journey

 

For the first time, the boy smiled.

‘Looks like he’s starting to get the hang of it.’

No.

He was growing.

Right now, in this very moment, in front of the audience.

 

♪ I look forward

♪ To my tomorrow

 

Strength filled his trembling voice.

Jack P leaned forward without realizing it.

 

♪ The size of my dreams

♪ Changing day by day

 

The boy’s body began to move with the rhythm.

A body swaying along with the song, a voice growing louder and louder.

 

♪ Watch over me

♪ My song

 

And then there was the expression of someone beginning to enjoy the stage.

‘Fucking hell…….’

Jack P swallowed a short curse.

A stage like this was dangerous. It wasn’t a stage that overwhelmed you technically. And yet, somehow, it touched your emotions.

At some point, no one was taking notes anymore. They had forgotten that they were even evaluating him.

 

♪ Look forward to

♪ My tomorrow

 

The guitar strokes quickened.

The boy’s eyes came alive along with them. Even the camera director unconsciously zoomed in. Because he wanted to capture that expression more closely.

 

♪ Join me

♪ On my journey

 

A wide-open high note.

‘Was he always this good?’

If they had been surprised by his *composing skills* during the midterm evaluation, now his vocals were beginning to linger in their ears.

 

♪ If you believe in me

♪ With every ounce of strength I have

♪ I’ll shine

 

It wasn’t merely song lyrics.

It was a promise to the people who would become his fans someday, far in the future.

Jack P suddenly realized.

The most frightening thing about this stage wasn’t his composing ability or his vocals. It was that they were beginning to want to cheer for the boy standing before them.

That was his greatest talent.

 

♪ And become

♪ The most dazzling

♪ Star

♪ And run to you!

 

The climax exploded as though everything were pouring out at once.

It felt as if an actual meteor shower were falling onto the stage.

Because there had been an awkward beginning, this moment was even more dazzling.

 

“Waaaaa…”

The cheers that had been held back finally burst out. And at the very center of it all, Yoo Seong-woo stood there, panting for breath and smiling.

It was the first time he had smiled so brightly that his braces showed.

Jack P let out a small gasp of admiration without even realizing it.

The stage lights met his braces and made them sparkle exquisitely.

“…Pfft.”

Even that was dazzlingly radiant.

 

***

 

Actually, at first, I had planned to pretend to be moderately nervous.

But the moment I stepped onto the stage, I realized it.

‘Acting, my ass…’

Pretend to tremble, pretend to be clumsy, and immerse everyone in the stage?

What a joke.

It was almost ridiculous that I had practiced alone in front of the mirror.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart was pounding like crazy.

‘Wow, this is no joke…’

My fingertips gripping the guitar were trembling violently.

And why were there so many cameras?

Forget finding the red lights.

The fact that I could keep my eyes open at all was a miracle.

 

♪ I admired them

♪ The shining stars

 

The moment I uttered the first line, I knew instinctively.

‘I’m fucked…’

Acting?

I didn’t even have the fucking room for that.

It felt like I had gone back to the days when my noona dragged me onto a stage.

At this point, it was impressive that I wasn’t crying.

But when that memory came to mind, strangely enough, my breathing became a little easier.

‘Yeah. Let’s just show everything.’

If I trembled, then I would tremble.

If I was afraid, then I would be afraid.

No need to pretend otherwise.

Third-grade Yoo Seong-woo, who had performed the choreography while bawling his eyes out and eventually even managed the ending pose.

That little kid was still inside me.

From the moment I made that decision, my body gradually began to loosen up.

When I stopped desperately trying to find the cameras, the cameras instead followed me.

At that moment, a sensation I had never experienced before swept through my body.

‘Wow…’

I thought I understood why idols became crazy about performing onstage.

The exhilarating feeling of having every gaze directed solely at me for several minutes.

It must have been a sensation you could never experience anywhere but onstage.

Before I knew it, Kang Se-jun was speaking.

“Your gradual change was impressive.”

The other judges nodded as well.

The direction I had calculated at the beginning had ultimately worked perfectly.

‘I didn’t know I’d actually be this nervous, though.’

I swallowed a hollow laugh.

“I thought the song was good during the midterm evaluation as well, but the finished version is much better.”

“Thank you!”

This time, Park Jae-hoon picked up the microphone.

“You sing much better than I expected?”

That remark made me especially happy.

The truth was, simply being good at producing wasn’t enough to make the debut lineup.

Because an idol was ultimately a player onstage.

“You were really nervous at the beginning, weren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“But–”

He gave a small laugh.

“That nervousness actually went very well with the song. So this is…… something I can’t really criticize.”

“Thank you!”

“I think you have a natural sense for this. It also feels like you’ve watched a lot of good stages.”

‘Professionals really are professionals.’

“I liked watching performances.”

“That’s a good hobby.”

And finally, CEO Song In-hyuk picked up the microphone.

“I enjoyed the stage. In keeping with the theme of this mission, it was the stage that best showed who you are.”

His voice was calm. But what he said next was important.

“However.”

As expected, it wasn’t over yet.

“The parts the other judges praised will end with this stage.”

It sounded like a kind of warning.

“You didn’t dance at all this time. You probably did that intentionally, right?”

“Yes. I didn’t think it was enough to be one of my strengths yet.”

The corner of Song In-hyuk’s mouth rose.

“That was a good judgment. But starting with the next mission, you’ll have to dance and sing, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then your current clumsiness will become a weakness, not a strength.”

Pressure poured down on me head-on. And yet, strangely, it was more fun than frightening.

It had been the same when I was a producer. The thrill of someone doubting you, and the exhilaration of overturning that doubt with your skills.

I knew that feeling very well. And it was a fluttering excitement I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing trainee Yoo Seong-woo become a slightly more perfect idol.”

Song In-hyuk closed the evaluation sheet.

And smiled very faintly.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I tried to hold it back, but the corners of my mouth rose.

“Yes!”

I answered with a smile.

“Please look forward to me a lot.”

As I returned to my seat, my back felt hot.

When I turned around without thinking, the trainees were looking at me.

Their eyes were completely different from before.

It wasn’t the gaze of people looking at a newbie. Nor was it the gaze of people looking at a trainee who had gotten lucky and made one stage blow up.

It was the gaze of competitors looking at someone who might take away their spot in the debut lineup.