CHAPTER 7
The people most surprised by my blunt words were the group of contestants sitting near the wall of the stage.
Their eyes widened as they stared at me in shock.
Some were so startled that a few even hiccupped.
Even I never imagined I would end up using this kind of controversy.
“Uncomfortable?”
“Yes.”
When the judge asked again, I confirmed it firmly.
At this point, I had already given them enough provocative material for the preview.
Now, I needed a twist.
A reasonable explanation that showed I wasn’t just being rude for no reason.
“That incident is still a deep wound for me.”
As I said that, I lowered my head slightly.
As if I didn’t want anyone to see me on the verge of tears.
Did I always have this side of me?
I had always been careful to avoid controversy, so it felt strange to see myself using it instead.
But… it’s much easier to step into controversy than to avoid it.
“I trusted them. We spent a long time together, so I grew very attached to them. We weren’t related by blood, but I believed we were like brothers. But that trust collapsed in an instant. I was the only one who wanted to protect the group.”
The sharp gaze of the female judge softened slightly.
That meant my words were working.
“You told me to acknowledge my failure. I do acknowledge it. That’s why I’m standing here. If I hadn’t accepted my failure, I would still be there. I wouldn’t have done that live broadcast either. Not mentioning the group name doesn’t mean I’m denying my failure. It’s just… a small wish that I won’t be seen as one with them.”
As I finished speaking, I bowed slightly toward the judges.
It was my way of apologizing if my words had sounded offensive.
“I just want to prove that I’m innocent.”
After I finished, there was a brief silence.
The female judge cleared her throat lightly, as if to change the atmosphere.
“Ahem. Then, let’s see your performance.”
The stage lights dimmed slightly, and the backing track began to play.
—You who resemble the shining sea
The moment Seo Yoonseul began to sing, the contestants’ eyes started moving quickly.
—Let’s cross over the rolling waves
At that moment, it became clear why he had been the main vocalist of his previous group.
His voice was soft and clear, yet his vocal foundation was strong.
It was a pleasant voice to listen to.
—On the waves that never stop flowing
Drawing forward on top of them
His lower register sounded completely different.
There was no unnecessary or unpleasant technique.
The judges’ eyes, which had been sharp before, softened.
Watching this, the contestants swallowed nervously.
—Like your shining light, I didn’t realize
That I was shining too
The song moved toward the chorus, gradually picking up speed.
Yoonseul lightly nodded his head to the rhythm.
—Because we were together
Suddenly, the pitch rose sharply.
It wasn’t an easy range to handle, but his expression remained calm.
He was enjoying the song.
The high notes came out effortlessly.
Watching him sing so easily made it feel as if the song wasn’t even that high.
Since it was a notoriously difficult song that many skilled singers had attempted, everyone present couldn’t hide their admiration for his vocals.
“There’s no need to hear more.”
—Because of you, I was able to find another kind of beauty
Even if we’re in different places, let’s face each other
And flow toward the same place
Yoonseul held a long high note.
His breathing control was incredible—there was no shaking at all.
It even felt longer and stronger than the original.
As the first verse ended, applause broke out.
“You’re really good. It felt like my ears were refreshed.”
“It was perfect. Honestly, I don’t think you even need vocal training. By the way, the song title is the same as your name.”
“Yes. That’s why I liked the song. It felt like it was speaking to me.”
“That explains why your emotional expression was so good while singing. Now, let’s see your dance.”
“Yes.”
Yoonseul placed the microphone down with a serious expression and stood in the center.
Both the judges and contestants were filled with anticipation, wondering what kind of performance he would show next.
The person most excited, however, was the PD of Red Cube.
He had argued with many people just to include Yoonseul in the show.
“Wait, you want to include Seo Yoonseul? That’s too risky. You know what public opinion is like right now.”
“It changed a lot after the live broadcast. We should use that controversy instead.”
“What if it causes problems for the show?”
There had been countless objections.
But the PD understood their concerns.
This was a program they had prepared with great effort.
Before Red Cube, he had planned a survival show for unknown actors, but it failed due to a school bullying controversy.
Even though they managed to edit it and broadcast it, the results were disastrous.
The disappointment had been huge.
Still, he couldn’t just give up, so he immediately planned a new program.
That became Red Cube.
This time, he thoroughly investigated every participant’s background.
He even called their schools and checked social media for any rumors.
That’s how they narrowed it down to 50 participants.
So naturally, the staff were reluctant when the PD suddenly wanted to include someone at the center of controversy.
The PD showed them Yoonseul’s live broadcast and proved his innocence.
That was how they agreed to at least meet him.
After the meeting, even the writer sided with the PD.
She had enough experience to judge people just by looking at them.
To her, Yoonseul seemed like a good person.
Just a wounded, timid young man in his twenties.
“PD, we’re going to get a great preview clip out of this.”
The head writer spoke, and the PD nodded with a smile.
It proved his judgment had been right.
“If we hadn’t had that meeting, it would’ve been a big mistake. They said, “While everyone else was nervous backstage, Yoonseul was different.”
“How so?”
“He was sweating from nerves, but his face was calm. They said he looked like someone meditating.”
“Really? We can use that. Let’s give him a character—like a stone Buddha or something.”
“That would be funny.”
“Right?”
The PD’s eyes lit up.
“I told him we’d do ‘evil editing,’ but I didn’t expect him to use it like this.”
“Unlike others, he’s been on shows and done livestreams before, so he probably has a better sense of media.”
“So what dance is he doing?”
“You’ll see. You’ll be surprised.”
“What? Even I don’t get to know.”
“We need a genuine reaction.”
The writer grinned mischievously.
“What are you planning to film me for?”
“You’ll see.”
She gestured toward Yoonseul, telling him to watch.
The PD pouted slightly, then looked forward again.
Yoonseul stood on stage with his back turned, hands behind him, waiting for the music.
From his posture, it was impossible to guess what he would perform.
Then—
Boom.
The sound of drums echoed through the room.
It sounded familiar, but no one could identify the song yet.
—A single rose
I step on it and leave
It was “POP” by BID.
The PD’s mouth fell open in shock.
It was a girl group song famous for its hip-focused choreography and viral challenges.
The camera zoomed in on the PD’s face.
The judges’ reactions were captured as well.
—What is love to me anyway
Yoonseul continued the choreography with a cool, almost playful expression.
The image of him singing beautifully just moments ago began to fade from everyone’s memory.
It was that shocking of a contrast.
—You’re the one who gets hurt
Not me
Why would I cry alone
Clenching his fists, Yoonseul mimicked a cat’s gesture and brushed his face.
The production staff struggled to hold back their laughter.
Some ended up making awkward expressions.
The judges openly laughed.
Especially the female judge, who had been harsh earlier—she was clutching her stomach, laughing loudly.
Only the contestants couldn’t laugh.
It was funny, but—
He had just become a powerful competitor.
—WOO HOO WOO
The highlight part of the choreography began.
Standing at an angle, Yoonseul moved his hips in rhythm.
If it had looked awkward or forced, it might have been off-putting.
But he performed it perfectly, fully immersed in the song.
That made it appealing.
And it would likely feel the same to viewers watching at home.
—POP IT POP IT POP IT!
Yoonseul winked at the judges, showing his charm.
The PD burst out laughing.
“Wow… he’s insane. I can’t believe he chose that here.”
“Exactly.”
“The judges seem to love it too, right?”
“Of course. He’s good. Honestly, it’s hard for men to pull off that kind of dance cleanly.”
The PD had never danced himself, but after producing countless idol and audition programs, his eye was sharp.
He could tell.
This kind of dance was actually difficult to use in auditions to prove skill.
“Ah… I’m already excited for the rest of the filming.”
