Meanwhile, Hyunseung—helmet as always—arrived at the studio for the first main‑round taping.
The set was a battlefield: everyone scrambling to get ready, staffers sprinting with walkie‑talkies.
“Did you check off all the judges?”
“Everyone but HS— Oh, there he is!”
“Somebody wire a mic inside that helmet.”
A female PA stepped up like she’d been waiting all day.
“I’ll do it!”
She strode over and greeted him brightly.
“Hello! Thanks for coming—let me get you wired.”
“Looks like I’m last again. Everyone else here already?”
“Oh, you’re fine. The star always arrives last.”
Chatting amiably, she threaded the mic cable under the helmet.
“Pardon my hands…”
She lifted the front visor to tidy the transmitter.
“A‑ah…”
For a breath she just stared, cheeks flushing.
“Done?”
Flustered, she jumped back. “Y‑yes… all set.”
Clack!
Hyun‑seung snapped the visor shut. The PA wet her lips at the fleeting after‑image.
I’m wiring his mic every shoot from now on…
Scheming inwardly, she led him up the platform.
“Take these stairs, seat is one to the right of dead center. Please sip the water—it’s a PPL product—logo facing camera.”
“Got it.”
With his answer she melted into the crowd, regretfully.
“Man, that’s high.”
The judges’ dais loomed like their reputations. Climbing the pomp‑laden steps he saw the four already seated behind a long table.
“Oh, HS made it?”
Center judge Kim Gwang‑jin waved.
“Good afternoon.”
Kim’s wave drew every head: Lee Young‑ah on the far right, Jayble and Won Jin‑sub to the left.
“I’m composer HS.”
Reactions varied.
“Come, have a seat.”
Kim Gwang‑jin smiled warmly.
Lee Young‑ah sniffed, “Late again?” and flicked her head away.
“Huh?”
First‑time‑meeting Won Jin‑sub chuckled. “What’s with the helmet? Guy’s a comedian.”
He glanced at Jayble, knowing everyone had heard of their “chart‑duel” months back.
Scrrrp—
Hyun‑seung pulled out his chair; Jayble still gave no sign, simply gulping water.
Won Jin‑sub nudged him, whispering, “You and HS know each other, right?”
“Not in person—first time today.”
A sidelong look at the helmet. “Didn’t think he’d really wear it.”
“Same here,” Won Jin‑sub nodded. Lee Young‑ah added tartly,
“He wore it at the Seoul prelims—why change now?”
Seeing it drag on, Kim Gwang‑jin gently intervened.
“It may look odd on television, but I’m sure he has his reasons. Let’s drop it, hm? We have three months together; best not start off prickly.”
Grumbling quieted; Kim winked at Hyunseung—Just lean on me.
Hyunseung dipped his head in thanks and took in the vast set.
They all want this helmet off, he mused. The producers only agreed because they’d figured he’d cave eventually.
And except for Kim, the others plainly disliked Min Hyunseung himself, helmet or no.
Concrete jungle, he reminded himself. One slip and past‑life history could repeat.
A megaphone blared: “Rolling the opening—please chat naturally about contestants while looking at the dossiers.”
Judges straightened.
“I’m excited for this Gyeonggi singer—blew me away last round.”
“Same here, real star potential,” Won Jin‑sub and Jayble traded comments.
“I can’t wait to hear Edison Kim again,” Lee Young‑ah chimed.
“Indeed, marvellous tone,” Kim agreed.
Only Hyunseung stayed silent, eyes on one file: Yun Jae‑i.
He’d slipped her a hint with the mission song; who knew if she’d solved it.
Even if the others still failed to see her worth and axed her, he could always invite her off‑camera later.
A dusty pawn‑shop instrument to them, but to him an untouched treasure: even her rough play hypnotised—what would she sound like in tune?
That was why he’d spent the super‑pass.
Just then Jayble spoke up to the row.
“I’m actually most curious about the contestant HS saved with that pass.”
“Who was that again—?” Won Jin‑sub asked.
“Yun Jae‑i,” Jayble answered. “I still don’t understand the choice.”
Lee Young‑ah snorted, “Her voice is pretty, but listening saps your energy. I’m just saying.”
Jayble nodded, but inside he bristled. He’d replayed Yun Jae‑i’s clip countless times, frame by frame, unable to spot the latent spark HS must have seen; the thought that his own eye might be dulling ate at him.
He turned back. “Really, HS—why that super‑pass? ‘Better song, better voice’ was all you said. Is that it?”
Hyun‑seung remained mute. With the visor no one could tell where he looked; Lee Young‑ah half wondered if he was dozing again.
A low hum emerged from the helmet.
‘I guess he’s awake.’ Everyone leaned in.
“You’ll understand after this round,” he said at last. “Watch.”
Hours dragged; fatigue etched every face.
“Ugh, I’m too tired to hear anymore,” Lee Young‑ah groaned, slumping in the break.
“Almost done,” Kim soothed.
“Not tired, HS?”
“I’m younger than you all.”
Kim laughed. “Youth is wasted on the young.”
“Next contestant!”
Break over. Groans, stretching. Footsteps echoed; a lone figure walked onstage.
“Oh?” Lee Young‑ah recognised first.
“It’s her,” Jayble murmured. “Yun Jae‑i…”
Won Jin‑sub blinked. “That’s Yun Jae‑i? Kinda… gloomy.”
Black‑and‑white among colour. What did HS see? he wondered.
Jayble grabbed his mic.
“Ms. Yun Jae‑i, the most talked‑about contestant of Season 1 at last!”
“M‑me?”
“The one who made top composer HS burn a super‑pass.”
Yun Jae‑i swallowed, eyes searching for Hyun‑seung—only the mirror‑black visor.
‘He’s watching… he must be.’
“Yes… I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
“Then please make the most of it.” Jayble closed the question.
Lee Young‑ah added, “You’ll sing the mission song HS assigned, correct? If you’re nervous you can sit like before.”
“I expect great things,” Kim finished.
HS said nothing, but Yun Jae‑i kept her gaze fixed on him, shutting out the others’ folded‑arm skepticism.
Suddenly his hand moved—pointed to her, then to his own visor. Look at me.
Her pupils sparked under the lights.
I practised like crazy. I can do this.
She nodded firmly.
“Hmm.”
A soulful groove intro drew a pleased “Oh?” from Kim—but the slow tempo worried him: would her voice get dragged again?
Indeed, as she began he shook his head—until her eyes flashed and the music stopped.
“Eh?”
The arrangement flipped; the hall rustled.
“Oh—!”
Judges who’d slouched straightened, eyes shining.
Sharing a song from a JP guitar duo that I like.
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