– you dazzle, dazzle!
you're dazzling me
– all eyes on you
넌 dazzle, dazzle!
– a worth beyond comparison
You catch me, pull me in faster
Using their feet and legs as the main focus, the members tapped out crisp tap-dance steps, slowly converging toward the center according to the center's choreography. A brilliant sequence: flashy footwork, the ensemble moving with precise unity as they merged into one, followed by quick variations.
Before long, within a formation shaped like a diamond, the members—matching Joo Dan-woo's relaxed snapping—expressed a fast, domino-style ripple as each bent their bodies with slight delays.
– now that I've figured you out
an irreversible flow
– this calling that shakes my heart
You open up a new sense in me
Aiden Lee stepped forward with a slightly more intricate set of steps, overtaking the others. Then, as if surrendering, Gyeong Ji-won lifted his arms halfway up, spun in a full turn, and burst forward with a powerful harmony.
– the highlight has begun
What decorates the end of this night
– is only dazzle, dazzle!
Expressions filled with excitement—members moved freely, using locking techniques to animate their bodies.
The rhythm and melody naturally made the audience feel hyped, the layered session above it, the flawless group choreography with no one out of sync, and the center electrifying the middle of the stage with their presence.
There's a reason this was said to be the most anticipated performance.
Baek I-hyeon watched the stage with a faint smile. And before he realized it, Won Yu-ha stepped forward again.
– you're dazzling me
– (shh-) an uninvited guest
(tune in) join the final game
And appearing with Won Yu-ha was Joo Dan-woo. The other members stayed behind, acting out exaggerated, playful gestures that matched Dan-woo's rap.
– hold your breath for a moment
All my senses come searching for you
The moment I find you
Every nerve chases only you
– (COME IN)
– an unstoppable surge
You, 24/7 anywhere
I don't care where
Won Yu-ha's expressions responding to Dan-woo's rap and gestures were vividly varied. Dancing a pair-choreography beside him, Won Yu-ha brought Dan-woo's rap to life even more with a charming, secretive smile—so much so that Baek I-hyeon let out a laugh.
He's good. Really good.
He'd always been like that since he was young—Won Yu-ha really did seem like someone born to be an idol.
As Won Yu-ha whispered along, the rap was racing toward its peak.
– my mind freezes
Instinct moves me
Whenever I see someone as special as you
– (on shining light)
– everything is already you
Entering the second verse, the atmosphere calmed a bit. But when Kang Hyun-jin came forward again, the stage was instantly swallowed whole by his presence.
– beyond this dangerous borderline, a rare box
– the gentle quiet, my dia
Become the only owner of my heart
– the end of this scene is best or worst
Plan A for certain victory
Step onto this risky stage
Among the trainees layering their individual harmonies, Kang Hyun-jin was literally shining. The deeper the performance grew, the more he seemed to immerse himself, to the point the trainees around him felt overshadowed.
But the others didn't fall behind. Responding to the upbeat rhythm and melody, using gestures that highlighted their own individuality, they instead used Hyun-jin's brilliance as momentum, making the stage richer.
– it's not just a momentary sparkle
Don't call it a fleeting illusion
Only you can decorate the end of this night
– baby, the end of my heart is you know
You know it, my girl (WOO-)
Then came the vocal battle during the bridge.
As if refusing to lose, Aiden Lee and Gyeong Ji-won showcased their skills aggressively, earning another roar of cheers from the audience.
Behind the shifting screen, the massive building was now completely covered in lights. And from the sky on the screen, the "National Phantom Thief" team's cards rained down.
As the "National Phantom Thief" team performed the choreography celebrating their successful jewel heist, the song surged toward its climax with layers of instrumental sessions.
– all eyes on you
넌 dazzle, dazzle!
– a worth beyond comparison
You catch me, pull me in faster
– deep emotions blow
– the melo we made together
– this feeling spreading through my whole body
You open me to a new world
Formed into a formation, the trainees danced their group choreography; with high jumps and extended arms, they expressed freedom. Completely immersed, they all wore bright smiles.
Brilliance filled the stage through the tight synchronization, and lively steps continued across the floor.
– the highlight has begun
What decorates the end of this night
– is only dazzle, dazzle!
With rapid footwork, the members spread out across the stage again, then re-formed a circular formation—an endless series of transformations showcasing dazzling energy. Soon, they stepped quickly as they slowly gathered once more.
At the center, as always, stood Kang Hyun-jin. With the beat fading, Hyun-jin stared straight into the camera.
– you're dazzling me (my baby)
And finally, colored petals rained down from above, and the screen—bathed in gold—filled with trainees looking into the camera with refreshed, confident expressions.
"Whaaaaa!!"
"That was insane! Insane!!"
"Hyun-jin!! Kang Hyun-jin!"
"Dan-woo!"
"Aiden!!"
"Won Yu-ha!!"
The cheers that had been anticipated erupted from the audience.
As names of the trainees burst out from every direction, and the "ending fairy" moment concluded, the trainees rose with heaving breaths and bowed deeply.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"Everyone get home safely!"
Even as they waved their way offstage, the feverish cheers of the idol-makers followed them without pause. Baek I-hyeon exited the monitoring room, thinking:
This time, Yu-ha… you might lose your first place.
Somehow, once again, it felt like I'd gotten burned for helping someone—unable to fix that old habit of mine.
***
"It's legendary. I'm convinced this is going to be legendary."
"…Me too."
As soon as they stepped off stage, Park Won-hyo—speaking unusually seriously—made the comment, and Gyeong Ji-won nodded. Aiden Lee, still riding the adrenaline, nodded along with an excited look.
"Ah, I'm really satisfied. Everyone worked so hard~!"
"The audience seemed really hyped too."
Hearing even Joo Dan-woo say that with a flushed face, I drank from my plastic bottle. My heart was still thundering in my chest. My whole body felt drained to the point that the water barely went down.
"…Ha."
Even as I steadied my breath, gripping the bottle and taking deep breaths, the excited chatter among the members continued nonstop.
"Hyun-jin hyung, you were insane. How can a person be that good?"
"I thought he was crazy-good during yesterday's rehearsal, but today was just… Hyung, seriously, today's fancam is going to be a legendary video in your entire career."
"…Thanks."
At the praise, Kang Hyun-jin gave a bashful, awkward response. I didn't say anything, but silently agreed.
Of course it would be.
Kang Hyun-jin's cheat key had activated.
『Kang Hyun-jin』
Detailed Traits
Specialty (Vocal): C+
Specialty (Dance): S-
Charm (Appearance): S-
Charm (Aura): A
Talent (Expression): S
Talent (Focus): B-
Stamina (Physical): A+
Stamina (Mental): C+ → B+ (+3 stat increase!)
Buff: "Even if I breathe my last today"
"If I could stand on stage even for a single day"
Specialty (Dance) varies depending on Mental Stamina stat
B+ or higher → Specialty +200
C- or lower → Specialty -200
His mental stamina must have surged by three levels mid-performance, triggering Hyun-jin's buff.
Originally, Hyun-jin was already one of the top dancers in
There was no way it wouldn't become legendary.
I didn't mind. In fact, it was good. Enraptured by Hyun-jin flying across the stage—and not wanting to lose to him—everyone pushed themselves to the limit, which lifted the overall quality and atmosphere of the performance.
…Though I am worried about the physical backlash.
My stamina was already low, and forcing myself to match everyone perfectly, scraping together every last drop of energy to keep the tension high… by the time we finished, I felt like I was dying. I didn't regret it, but tiredness was tiredness.
"Man, I hope we get a good ranking. Seriously."
"I think we will. There's no way we won't."
Today's competition results—placements and votes for all five teams—were meant to be revealed at once, so we headed toward the waiting room. Even though we believed we had delivered an all-time-great performance, worry still lingered on everyone's faces.
But the moment we stepped into the waiting room, that worry vanished completely.
"...."
"…Oh."
As soon as the door opened, needle-sharp hostility—thin, stabbing glances—came pouring out.
That tension said everything. We had just come back from a performance worth being wary of.
"…It's a bit uncomfortable, but kind of feels good."
"It means we did well!"
"Ah, are we gonna get first place at this rate?"
As the members exchanged whispered excitement while offering polite greetings to the other trainees and sitting in the corner, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned my head.
"Trainee Won Yu-ha, just a moment."
"...?"
It was one of the staff members I'd only seen in passing. I blinked in confusion, but followed the call and stepped out of the waiting room.
The staff led me outside, toward another room. I had a good guess where it was going, which made me hesitate for a moment.
"You can go inside here."
"…Thank you."
I couldn't refuse. Not when so many people were watching.
"Welcome, Yu-ha."
"…Hello, sunbae-nim."
As expected, Baek I-hyeon was inside. It seemed he'd come down right after finishing the broadcast script; cue cards were scattered across the table as if he'd been organizing them.
"I rushed down right after hosting, so I didn't get to tidy up. Mm, anyway—want to sit?"
"No, the broadcast isn't over yet, so I should return to the waiting room."
"So stiff, Yu-ha. Why're you speaking so formally? Is it because it's been so long and things feel awkward?"
At his familiar, almost wounded tone, I could only let out a hollow laugh.
Because that kindness—whose intention I did not understand—was anything but welcome.
"It has been a long time. It's been over ten years."
"That's true. It really has been ages. I'm glad you look healthy. Have you been well?"
"There's no reason I wouldn't be."
At my reply, Baek I-hyeon tilted his head slightly. As if he'd heard something amusing, a brief flicker of confusion crossed his face before he spoke casually again.
"Oh, no. I just assumed you wouldn't be living well."
"…Why?"
"Well, honestly, I didn't think you'd grow up properly."
"Ah."
At that naïve tone—like he was simply stating a fact without any malice—irritation twisted inside me, and I ended up saying something I hadn't planned on saying at all.
"I guess you thought I'd still be rotting away in that little room."
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