-Wow!!!!
-Kyaaak!!!
I came down to the waiting room, hearing the cheers of the audience.
Normally, I would be lost in the afterglow of the stage, but today, worries rushed in.
Gu Eun-hee’s mistake.
She managed to cover it up naturally, but it was probably noticeable enough.
‘Looking at the audience reactions, it doesn’t seem too apparent…’
Even so, it didn’t bring me any comfort.
I wanted to be perfect on stage…
With frustration and a sense of injustice, I felt tears threatening to burst out.
Gu Eun-hee, who made the mistake, also looked uncomfortable, as if feeling sorry for her error.
“I’m going back to the group waiting room!”
There was no time to be lost in emotions.
We had to go get reaction cuts for the ongoing performances.
Since the public voting for the third round of the competition would be announced at the end, our group returned to the group waiting room after finishing our stage.
In the group waiting room, a large monitor was set up so we could watch the live performances.
“It was totally awesome!”
“Seriously, so good!”
“The stage was a jackpot!?!”
Other contestants who were watching our stage praised us as if they were in a frenzy, even though they knew about the mistakes we had made on stage.
“Do-hee is so cute…”
However, Sara Unni approached me, mumbling next to me like a macro again today.
Still, despite everyone being rivals, there was a sense of excitement in praising each other for how hard we all worked.
Thanks to that, my heart felt a little more at ease.
‘Huh… well, it couldn’t be helped. As long as we handled it, it’s fine.’
Now it was time to watch the other teams’ performances and get the reaction cuts.
The next stage had a sexy theme called ‘gosipp.’
The participants gathered had defined facial features that gave off a captivating image.
As it was a sexy concept, it was the group I was looking forward to the most.
Every time a killing part of the choreography or key vocal line emerged, we cheered loudly.
“Wow!”
After doing reactions for four months, I had gotten the hang of it, and it now came out naturally without needing to think.
-Talk about you, gosipp gosipp
Just then, an enchanting stage filled with sensual choreography appeared on the monitor.
“Sheeet!!!”
Um, maybe this isn’t it.
*
This time, the voting was divided into two parts.
Vote for the best team.
Vote for the best trainee.
The important part was the team vote.
All first-place rewards would be shared among the best team.
The reason for choosing the best trainee was to identify the top trainee from the first-place team who would receive additional rewards.
In other words, even if a trainee ranked first in individual voting, it would mean nothing if their team didn’t win in the team voting.
If we lose in the team vote after all this, it will be meaningless.
“According to the on-site vote result, we are in 4th place. Please reveal it now!”
At the shout of the MC, the screen in front displayed the 4th place team.
[Blue Hole], a song with a pure theme.
It was a group that included Na-eun Unni and Sara Unni.
‘It’s not easy to lose with those two on board…’
Actually, it wasn’t so much a team member problem, but rather an issue with the song they were given.
If the song isn’t good, the stage will inevitably be overshadowed.
The pure-themed song [Blue Hole] was a challenging song in that sense.
As proof of that, the personal votes for the 4th place team were announced.
Gasps from the surrounding participants.
– Eun Se-ra 102 votes
– Kim Na-eun 65 votes
…
– Joo Ha-young 8 votes
Considering that the top voters in Seasons 1 and 2 were nearly around 100 votes, 102 votes was a remarkably high figure.
Though being the 4th place team meant they wouldn’t get the 1st place reward.
‘It seems like Sara Unni has some popularity, but… she probably earned that many votes because she did well.’
Next came the 3rd place team.
Unexpectedly, it was the sexy-themed ‘Gossip’.
It was a song that matched my tastes, so I was expecting my team to come in 1st.
So, what remains is…
“Now we’re left with only two teams as candidates for 1st place! The [Subtly] team and the [Stand Out] team! Which team will take home the 1st place reward?”
It was our team and the girl crush themed [Stand Out] team.
“Do you think Zy Gong Chae-rin can secure 1st place?”
In response to the MC’s question, Chae-rin Unni replied.
“I can’t be sure since the Subtly team also put on a good performance, but we worked hard too, so I hope we can take home 1st!”
“Alright! Now, I will reveal the team who will enjoy the glory of being 1st!”
I held my breath, and as expected…
1st place went to the [Stand Out] team.
A team with three debut members: Jeon Ha-rang, Gong Chae-rin, and Hana Kwon.
They had a captivating charm that drew you into their performance.
Still, I felt a tinge of disappointment.
If only our team had been a bit more in sync, maybe we could have won.
I felt sorry for the composer who provided such a great song.
“Now, I will announce the personal votes for the [Stand Out] team!”
– Gong Chae-rin 99 votes
– Hana Kwon 57 votes
– Jeon Ha-rang 55 votes
…
– An Eun-seo 10 votes
Thus, the top voter of the 1st place team, Chae-rin Unni, took home the 1st place reward.
sigh
Seems like 1st place always slips away…
While I was lost in thought, our individual votes as the 2nd place team flashed on the screen.
– Do-hee Lee 114 votes
– Kim Seo-yoon 81 votes
– Park Ye-eun 43 votes
43 votes
…
– Gu Eun-hee 6 votes
Uh…?
114 votes.
Until now, the individual vote leader was Sara Unni with 102 votes, but that has just changed with the newly revealed votes.
Although we came in second place in the team battle and therefore received no first-place reward.
It’s a pretty useless victory, but still…
I feel like my tireless efforts practicing day and night have been somewhat recognized.
My heart swelled with emotion.
“Oh, Topist trainee Do-hee really nailed that cute theme so adorably!”
My swelling heart felt like it was going to burst.
Why does the MC always have to ruin my good mood?
*
On the way home.
As soon as I got into Manager Young-ho’s van, I fell fast asleep.
In my drowsy state, I could hear Manager Young-ho’s voice.
“Hey guys… Happy… confirmation… look!”
Not long after, I felt someone shaking me vigorously.
“Do-hee, wake up quickly!”
I felt a surge of annoyance towards Seo-yoon Unni, but I reluctantly opened my eyes.
“What is it…?”
Seo-yoon Unni and Na-eun Unni were staring at their phones intently.
“Jackpot! Look at this!”
On the screen Na-eun Unni was showing, there was a single text post.
//
[We finally got subway ads!]
(photo)(photo)(photo)
Na-eun, Seo-yoon, and Do-hee
It took us a little longer because we all went to the same station!
Everyone come out to see us! ^^
It’s at Konkuk University Station!
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Zk9sYWw5NGNjMUFPdFdRemh4SUxKeDJUdW9keG0xZVRSZTFrUTFjdmFiWA
//
The support from our fans who placed ads on public facilities like the subway.
This was a voting encouragement ad for our trio, “Dojul3.”
“Oh… Jackpot…”
It felt like I just woke up from sleep to an unexpected gift.
Looks like I’m finally getting some recognition.
The top three entertainment agency Unnis have had their ads up for a while, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.
“Let’s go see it tomorrow!”
Excited, Na-eun Unni started planning our schedule.
Of course, we have to go see it.
“Sounds great!”
“What about going right now?”
“Sounds great!”
The Unnis were ready to rush out and see it immediately.
“Hey guys, I know it’s amazing, but calm down. We’re going with Manager So-young and a camera the day after tomorrow, so let’s just go then.”
I was thankful that Manager Young-ho stopped us, or we would’ve stayed up all night again.
*
Two days later, we gathered in front of the office and boarded the van heading to Konkuk University Station.
During the two days of rest, I suddenly became curious about how much subway advertising costs.
After some research, I found out that in trendy areas like Konkuk University Station with large crowds, it costs nearly 500 a month.
As a result, they said the popular areas, like Gondae Entrance, which attract many young people and a floating population, earn nearly 500 a month.
I felt both grateful and sorry for how hard our fans must have worked to get the three of us lined up in such a place.
There were Na-eun Unni and Seo-yoon Unni, as mentioned.
“Let’s decide on a pose!”
Seo-yoon Unni blurted out out of nowhere.
“Something like ‘Choice No. 1, Do-hee’? What are you even saying?”
“What are you talking about? We’re just shooting as we go—what pose?”
Chatting away like that, we reached Gondae Entrance Station.
Even before we arrived at the billboard, there were people recognizing us.
“Oh! It’s Do-hee!”
“Whoa, it’s the Topist kids!”
“What do we do? Jackpot!!!”
The crowd started to gather more and more.
Starting with a few who recognized us, in true bustling district fashion, the crowd was calling for more.
Fortunately, thanks to the two security staff assigned by the agency, we didn’t have to worry about being trampled.
Still, for safety, we moved quickly.
Upon arriving, there was a giant billboard with huge letters and my face plastered all over it.
[Dear Chusuhs! Don’t forget Do-hee Lee★]
I hadn’t realized how massive the billboard was until I stood in front of it; it felt overwhelmingly enormous.
And below it, there were QR codes for my fan cam and PR videos.
Little phrases expressing who I am were also there.
#Fresh_and_Crisp_Ion_Sweat_Advertising_Girl
#Genius_Piano_Girl!
#Youngest_Do-hee_Let’s_Debut!
These were the traces of my fans’ efforts to promote me.
Moreover, the numerous post-it notes beside it with messages for me…
“Hehe, what’s this ‘Do-hee’s gotta be cute’ thing!”
If it hadn’t been for Seo-yoon Unni’s teasing voice, I might have been so moved I would’ve cried.
True to what Seo-yoon Unni said, the photo on the billboard was me striking a pout pose from the center selection.
‘Well, they said it’s nice, so…’
I felt quite shy about it, but still, it was my beautiful self.
Well, if it’s pretty, that’s what matters.
Right?
“Seo-yoon, stop teasing, Do-hee’s just cute.”
Na-eun Unni.
That KILLED me twice.
“Do-hee! Shall we take a picture with the same pose as on the billboard?”
Manager So-young went a step further, holding out a DSLR camera and asking me to pose.
I wanted to say ‘No’, ‘I don’t want to.’
“Do-hee, you’re too cute!”
“Strike a pose~!”
“Guys, I’m voting!!!”
As the fans surrounded us in a circle while maintaining their distance, they were shooting with their smartphones and cheering.
Out of sheer force of numbers, I had no choice but to strike a cute pose and take the picture…
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