Episode 6
After the performance ended—
“It was great.”
Many producers gave compliments and shared their thoughts, but the only thing that really stayed in Noah’s mind was that one simple sentence.
It was good.
Not amazing or bad. Just good. And that was enough.
“Thank you.”
Noah and Eunha stood side by side and bowed politely to the producers.
“Your team name is… let’s see, ‘Arkive’? It’s a bit different from ‘Archive’. Interesting.”
Another producer, In Seo-joo, looked over their band introduction sheet and commented.
“Yes, we came up with it together,” Eunha answered first.
Noah just nodded quietly beside her.
“Noah wanted to use the word ‘Ark’ in the name. He said it’s connected to his own name.”
At that, soft laughter echoed around the room. Everyone—other contestants and producers—looked much more relaxed now.
“So we thought about it and got the idea from one of our songs.”
“What song is it?”
“Noah composed it and I wrote the lyrics. It’s called ‘Archive’—like a place to store memories.”
Eunha was good at calmly explaining things.
Noah didn’t feel the need to speak. Just listening to her soft voice was enough for him. Normally, as the frontman, he would do all the talking, so it felt strange to hand over the mic—but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
“So we thought, let’s be an ark that stores people’s memories. A band that brings out those memories through music. That’s why we named our band ‘Arkive.’”
Even though they had come up with it quickly, Noah found he really liked the name. A small smile appeared on his face.
“Other bands have more members—some even have six. But your band, Arkive, is the only one with just two members. Don’t you think that puts you at a disadvantage?”
While Eunha hesitated, Noah spoke up quickly.
“Yes, I do think it’s a disadvantage.”
“!”
“So, we want to recruit more members,” he said boldly—while staring directly at the other bands.
Because of Noah’s bold “recruitment statement,” the other band members started eyeing Arkive more carefully. They seemed wary, as if thinking, “Are those two going to try and steal our members?”
Since Arkive already had a drummer and a vocalist, the people in those roles in other bands became especially alert.
To them, it almost felt like a declaration of war.
That reaction’s only natural, Noah thought.
He didn’t really care about people’s sharp stares. He had dealt with that for years already.
Back in the waiting area, Noah sat and watched the other bands’ performances.
First up: the band Spark.
They had four members—drums, keyboard, bass, and a guitarist who also sang. A pretty standard setup.
They also have the guitarist as the vocalist, huh. Just like Noah.
Their performance was solid. The bassist stood out the most, and the singer had a stable voice.
The bassist is really good.
Plus, totally Noah’s type. He had to admit that.
…If the bassist had been bad, he still might’ve tried to recruit him—just for the looks.
Does appearance matter in a band?
Not really. But Noah just had a personal preference. He liked looking at pretty things. Simple as that.
“That bassist…”
“Hm?”
“What was his name?”
Noah’s question made Eunha give him a sneaky grin.
“Why? Want to recruit him?”
“Yeah.”
Noah answered honestly. Eunha raised an eyebrow in surprise but nodded.
“He is good.”
“He’s got charm.”
“!”
“He’s not just playing. He’s expressing. That’s what I like.”
Eunha looked surprised but told him the name.
“Yoon Yeo-san.”
“Yoon Yeo-san…” The name stood out. Noah nodded.
“He’s a year younger than us. He’s 20.”
Noah and Eunha were both 21, so just a one-year difference.
He’s practically a friend already, Noah thought.
Recruitment Candidate #1: Bassist Yoon Yeo-san.
Next: the band Luna.
They had six members—vocals, guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, and a synthesizer.
Everyone was skilled, but no one caught Noah’s eye.
Boring.
That was all he had to say about them.
Then came Hallasan Trail Band.
Five members. Easily the loudest group on stage.
Their strange name caught Noah’s attention, and their performance was full of both strengths and weaknesses.
All members had microphones, and they shared vocal parts evenly.
Instrumentally, they were decent. But their teamwork? A mess.
“They’re a team of individual applicants. That means they formed recently,” Eunha explained.
“Aha.” No wonder they weren’t in sync. Noah nodded.
Also… the main vocalist wasn’t very good.
To sing in a band with that voice? Surprising.
The guitar was okay, Noah thought. Not sure if they’re lead material, though.
He judged them with a cool, professional eye.
Lastly: RainRabbit.
Four members. All dressed in black or gray, standing silently before they played—but once the music started, all eyes were on them.
The vocalist was small and skinny, with flashy makeup and accessories. They looked the most “idol-like” out of all the contestants.
Their musical style felt like…
“This should be in a movie soundtrack.”
In other words—very mainstream.
But one thing stood out.
The keyboardist could sing. Really well.
Even better than the main vocalist.
“What’s that keyboardist’s name?”
“The keyboardist?”
Eunha glanced over.
“You thinking of recruiting them?”
“I’m just asking.”
“Do Ji-won. …They’re a good singer. Totally different style from you, though.”
Noah nodded. Eunha was right.
Noah’s style was all about shouting and explosive energy.
Ji-won had a husky, soft voice that made the music feel richer.
They looked completely different, too.
Eunha looked delicate and cute, despite her sharp personality.
Noah was thin and had a gloomy, beautiful face.
Yoon Yeo-san looked strong and rugged—like a mountain.
Actually, more like a pretty boy, really.
And Do Ji-won had sharp eyes, wore frameless glasses, and had a schoolgirl kind of charm. Less “beautiful woman,” more “cute girl.”
They’re cute, Noah thought honestly.
And definitely—
They look like Gen Z.
There’s no other way to describe it.
“You’re looking at vocalists now?”
“It’s not interest.”
“Then what?”
“It just… sounds nice.”
“…?”
Eunha gave him a what kind of weirdo are you? look. Noah ignored it.
Once all the performances ended, Noah quietly stepped down from the stands.
This is fun.
He thought returning as a rookie would be annoying, but…
He was actually enjoying it.
Seeing these fresh, totally different bands made it exciting.
And at the same time—
“…I wish the others were here too.”
Noah missed his old band, Akris.
Especially Anya—she loved discovering new talent. If she saw a female artist with even a little skill, she’d invite them to tour right away.
But…
“…There’s something strange I’ve noticed.”
Noah’s expression darkened.
“What are you thinking about? You look serious.”
“Huh?”
Noah shrugged casually.
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. What is it?”
Eunha pushed, and Noah hesitated before speaking.
“Didn’t you notice anything weird?”
“Weird? No. What are you talking about?”
“…Among all the bands here…”
Noah looked around and then lowered his voice.
“We’re the only ones… who brought our own song.”
“!”
