章 9: First Mission
The trainees are now in the Main Hall. They are grouped by levels. Just as Wooin expected, they were given training clothes. Trainees in class A are wearing white sweatshirts and sweatpants with a royal blue crown print in their left chest. Class B trainees are wearing orange sweatshirts and sweatpants. Class C trainees wear yellow, green for Class D, and grey for Class F. The royal blue crown is only present in Class A. It is the symbol of their supremacy.
The trainees in lower classes are clearly jealous of the crown. Who wouldn't when it looked really cool. Meanwhile, trainees in Class F joked about how dull they look with their grey training suits. They are even saying that they will look like dirt when put beside Class A trainees who are wearing an all white training suits. Thankfully, they were standing quite far from Class A trainees as they were arranged based on classes.
"Trainees, here is your first mission." Lee Seung-gi (mc) started. A video played in the huge screen of the Main Hall. It was a dance choreography of a song.
"The song that played just now is gonna be your theme song. You will perform this in M Countdown as the opening!" The trainees cheered.
M Countdown is a music program. The show features appearances by popular music artists. Different Kpop idols will perform live on stage. An award will be given to the idol group or solo artist that will receive the most votes for their single (song).
"Now onto your first mission... We will give you only three days to memorize the whole song. From the lyrics down to the dance choreography." Different reactions can be seen from the trainees. Some expressed their distress as they know that learning the dance while memorizing the song's lyrics in just three days is gonna be hard. While some are confident that they will be able to do well.
"After three days, you will record yourself dancing and singing live in front of the camera. You are only allowed to film once. So make sure that you are mentally prepared because even if you make mistakes, you can't repeat filming. The filming will be done in your respective class' practice rooms all the while your fellow trainees will watch you perform in front. So I hope that you will not be pressured by your fellow trainees' stares and just think of doing your best because you will be reevaluated. We will promote trainees who did well and we will also demote trainees who failed to reach our expectations. So trainees in lower classes, now is your chance to move up the ranks." The trainees cheered. Fire lit up their eyes. They look ready to fight haha.
"The final A class trainees after the reevaluation will be the center of the performance in M Countdown. Meaning, they will be in front of all of you and they will have more screen time. Behind them will be B class trainees and so on. So if you don't wanna be put behind and become like back-up dancers, you should do your best. Your only goal should be the highest— A Class."
"The official start of the '3-day' count will be tomorrow. You will also be following your official schedule tomorrow and a mentor will come to your practice room. For now, you are free to do whatever you like. Think of this as your free day. You can take this opportunity to get to know each other as you were not able to do so yesterday because we finished shooting late; you can also rest in your room if you prefer doing so or; you can practice the song and dance beforehand if you like." Lee Seung-gi excused himself.
"Hyung what are we gonna do today?" Jiwoo asked his older brother.
"We're gonna learn the choreography beforehand of course." Wooin answered while looking around, trying to find someone.
When Wooin spotted Jung Chanwoo, he walked towards his direction. Of course, Jiwoo, Jisuk, and Gangseok followed him from behind. It was natural for them to stick with their leader anywhere he go.
-----
Jung Chanwoo didn't know what to do. He is not used to initiating a conversation so although he wanted to have at least one friend, he find it hard to approach someone.
He couldn't understand how people can be friends with anyone even when they only knew each other few moments ago.
He was frustrated. He is an individual trainee so he was left alone while the trainees around him are already engaging in groups. He turned around and was about to leave the main hall to just stay inside his room to sleep or something, but he heard his voice being called so he stopped in his tracks.
"Jung Chanwoo-shi..." He looked at the owner of the voice and was shocked to see Kang Wooin with the rest of the members of DAWN.
"Y-yes?" Chanwoo answered, still starstruck.
"Woooaaah hyung! You're so pretty!" Jiwoo shamelessly said. Noticing Chanwoo's discomfort, Wooin grabbed his brother's head and forced him to bow.
"Please excuse his rudeness. This brat is just senseless." Wooin apologized to Chanwoo. Wooin knows that Chanwoo has an inferiority complex when regards to his feminine looks.
Jiwoo finally realized his actions and sincerely apologized to Chanwoo.
"Hello Chanwoo-shi. My name is Kang Wooin and this is Choi Gangseok, we're 17 years old— same as you."
"Ah.. yes. Hi, I'm Jung Chanwoo." Surprised that Wooin of DAWN actually knows him, even his age, Chanwoo shyly bowed.
"This is Yoo Jisuk, he's 16 years old. And this is our youngest, Kang Jiwoo, 15 years old." Wooin also introduced their maknaes. "We're gonna practice the choreography of the song. Wanna join us?" Wooin smiled as he invite Chanwoo.
Jung Chanwoo felt a surge of emotions. He felt happy and relieved that someone approached him. Specially since it was DAWN, who every trainees here admire. He also felt touched that someone who is famous and seems unreachable knows his name and age. And at the same time, he felt confused. So he can't help but ask.
"I would really love the idea. But why me? I will not be of any help for your practice." Chanwoo asked Wooin.
"Why not? It's not like we approached you because we want something. We just want to be your friend. And you will not be able to help. But that's just now. It hasn't been long since you've been training after all. You may not be considered as great for now but I can see a lot of potential from you. I was actually impressed by your grade evaluation performance. It was a pity that you were not put in A class." Wooin assured Chanwoo. He did not want him to think that they have hidden agenda behind approaching him.
"Wooin-hyung you talked like we've trained for years already. We haven't even trained professionally yet. LOL" Jiwoo teased.
"We were enrolled in a music school, stupid. That's what you get for sleeping through the classes." Jisuk smacked the back Jiwoo's head.
"That's because Wooin-hyung teaches better than our boring professors!" Jiwoo debated.
Chanwoo laughed at their silliness.
"Wow.. you're really pre-" Jiwoo was about to compliment Chanwoo's looks again when Gangseok covered his mouth. He did it so easily as Gangseok is taller by a few centimeters.
"So what do you think of joining us?"
"Sure." Chanwoo agreed.
Wooin smiled contentedly. He focused on Jung Chanwoo first because he knew that Lee Hajin and Jay would be able to handle themselves. Lee Hajin is good at dancing and Jay is under a big company which is known for its harsh yet effective training. Wooin is certain that they will be able to pass this mission with flying honors even without his intervention. The problem is with Jung Chanwoo who has a little above average skills. Unlike Jay who shines in vocal position and Hajin who shines in dance, Jung Chanwoo can do good but he won't stand-out. He is pretty and attractive, but a lot of trainees are attractive as well. So he wouldn't get that much advantage just from his visuals. Even in his past life, Chanwoo only survived 2 missions. After that, he was eliminated.
Wooin intend to help Chanwoo leap over time and improve by bounds. And as soon as possible, he wanted Chanwoo to reach the level he was in, in Wooin's past life.
The Main Hall is so spacious that it was more than enough to accommodate 105 trainees. It covered the whole floor of a huge building after all. Many trainees remained in the main hall and practiced in groups. While some went to the other building where the practice rooms for classes are located. None of the trainees went to their dorm to rest. They knew that they couldn't afford idling around when their screen time and chance to earn popularity is at stake with this first mission.
DAWN and Chanwoo chose to stay in the main hall.
Jisuk asked a staff for an IPad. Because their personal mobile devices were confiscated, K-NET prepared IPads. Only the demo video of the theme song is present in the IPad. They are prohibited to open anything aside from the demo video.
Jisuk requested 2 IPads from the staff. One for Jiwoo, who will lead them in learning the dance choreography. And one for the rest of them to share so that they can familiarize themselves with the song.
Jiwoo placed the IPad against the wall and began copying the choreography.
'Is he even real?' Jung Chanwoo gaped in shock at how fast Kang Jiwoo is absorbing the choreography. Chanwoo looked at the rest of DAWN. They are not paying attention! 'Well I guess they are already used to seeing Kang Jiwoo this way.'
While Jiwoo is dancing on the corner, Wooin, Gangseok, and Jisuk sat on the floor. Seeing that Chanwoo is still standing while watching Jiwoo, Wooin held Chanwoo's hand and urged him to sit with them so they could watch the demo video together.
Their position looked like this:
Gangseok - Wooin - Chanwoo - Jisuk
Wooin let Chanwoo sit on the center so that he would feel included and comfortable.
While watching the video, Wooin and Jisuk gave him pointers. They told him ideas on how to sing the theme song effectively. Chanwoo just nodded every time. He appreciate their advice and he was amazed on how vast their knowledge was. Chanwoo did not think much of this as he already knows that DAWN studied in a music school.
However, Chanwoo did not know that DAWN is not enrolled to an ordinary music school. Rather, DAWN are students of an elite music school that boasts the best facilities and where excelling students aiming for the top of music industry gathers.
After few minutes, Jiwoo taught them the choreography step by step. DAWN could do it in one try but Chanwoo made a few mistakes here and there. DAWN helped him patiently.
When they played the song, Chanwoo had a hard time matching the beats of the song. The choreography looked easy on first glance but in actuality, it was extremely hard as good balance was needed because there are moves that required them to just stand on one foot while dancing.
Chanwoo felt like crying. He's only being a burden to DAWN who was able to follow the beats easily. DAWN encouraged him by saying that they were having fun teaching him. Jiwoo did not scold Chanwoo despite him being a perfectionist. It was because just looking at Chanwoo's pretty face made Jiwoo unable to scold him.
'Even I received harsh criticisms from Jiwoo. Chanwoo-hyung is lucky.' Jisuk thought as he remembered the days when Jiwoo scolded him a lot when he made mistakes in the choreography.
Their group was filled with laugher, drawing the attention of other trainees to them. When they saw that DAWN is personally teaching an independent trainee, they were jealous. But they are not immature to pick up a fight. Instead, they made a mental note to ask for DAWN's guidance some other time.
When the clock struck at 12 o'clock, they went to the canteen and ate together.
After that, DAWN and Chanwoo spent the whole afternoon learning the dance. Of course, they took breaks in between time. They also played around a little.
Jiwoo particularly enjoyed the playing part. Because he is always the only one who knows how to have fun. His Wooin-hyung is calm and is always busy planning things for their career, his Gangseok-hyung is quiet almost all of the time, and his friend Jisuk is mature for their age and only cares about books and photography.
Jiwoo and Chanwoo became close instantly as they have common interest— gaming.
Wooin watched them with a smile. He felt like a father watching his son make a friend for the first time. Chanwoo will have a hard time. I'm pretty sure Jiwoo would follow him around like a puppy.
'The brat found his owner.' Gangseok thought and almost laughed but hid it.
-----
After 3 days...
The five mentors and the mc are currently in a conference room. They are seated and in front of them is a screen (TV). They are about to watch the solo video of trainees performing the theme song.
"Okay, Let's start with A class trainees." Lee Seung-gi (mc) started. "Do Hyun, a trainee from IST Entertainment." He introduced before playing the video.
"Oh no."
"My goodness.. He's in trouble."
The dance trainers reacted when they saw that Do Hyun, an A class trainee, was unable to perform according to their expectations and standards. Do Hyun looked like he couldn't remember the lyrics because of nervousness. He became distracted and made mistakes in the dance choreography too.
"I think we can turn this off. This is worse than I thought." Bae Yoon-jeong, the strict dance trainer said.
"Next up, we have Hwan Jin-ho from C9 Entertainment."
They were relieved when he did great at first but...
"His energy is depleting as he goes."
"Yeah... he's trying to hype himself but balance was already broken."
"Haaa.. why did we even put them in A class?"
The mentors were disappointed that the aces are not doing well.
"Jay (korean name: Park Jongsung) from JYB."
"I like his gaze."
"He has a confident expression.."
"I think his vocal is A level."
"He is a bright kid." The trainees complimented Jay.
"This boy (Jay)... stood at the back and cried during our lesson." Bae Yoon-jeong started.
"Why? Because he couldn't do well?
"He seems to have practiced ruthlessly, but his dancing is still not up to par yet." The dance trainer added.
"But he did great in the video."
"Yeah. Looks like he did not give up." Bae Yoon-jeong smiled slightly.
"Oh.. I heard that Jiwoo of DAWN helped Jay." The mc informed.
The mentors exchanged knowing looks.
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