Because this was the day that would decide the Top 10, no, the Top 11, the stage boasted a far more splendid scale than any contest so far.
The nickname of this selection round was Death Match.
Exactly as the name implies, twenty contestants sang one-on-one according to the bracket, and as soon as a stage ended the loser and winner were decided.
Although who would pass or fail that day had already been fixed, in a survival audition giant forces like agencies and investors and countless interests become entangled, so perfect fairness is impossible.
The single saving grace was this.
The contestants marked for elimination, unaware of their fate, performed as if ready to die.
Those marked to advance treated it like their debut stage and presented performances polished to perfection.
No one had prepared half-heartedly.
Kang Hajun, a strong favorite to win, was no exception.
“Black out the surroundings completely.”
Even though his turn was imminent, Hajun clung to the lighting crew and rattled off requests.
“Raise the spotlight brightness a bit more.”
His opponent Yu Ha-in was overwhelming the hall with a rock arrangement of a classic folk song, yet Hajun seemed not to care about that at all.
“Please, I’m counting on you. Thank you.”
Executive Director Park, watching Hajun, felt only pride.
Usually newcomers to this world let the company pull them along and do as they are told, but Hajun was different.
He took the company’s help only in the very beginning then said he would handle things himself, preparing his stages without any support.
How could one not admire that?
There was good reason Park was especially attached to Hajun.
So praiseworthy…
He was gazing at Hajun with a pleased smile when a staffer approached and called, “Contestant Kang Hajun!”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Yu Ha-in’s stage is almost over, you need to get ready quickly.”
Park slapped Hajun’s back vigorously.
“Right, our Hajun will go up now.”
The atmosphere instantly cooled, leaving the awkwardness to the remaining two.
“Then Mr. Kang, let’s go now.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Hajun and the staffer exchanged embarrassed smiles and moved off.
A little later, Yu Ha-in finished and the crew hurried to change the set.
“Hey, move that instrument carefully.”
“Unplug the amp first.”
“Did you check the standing-mic height?”
After a brief bustle they cleared the instruments and left only one standing mic.
Compared with Yu Ha-in’s full-band stage, it felt plain and empty.
Kid, we could have supported you plenty, called a big session, asked for special effects…
Park clicked his tongue in regret at the simple set.
Recording resumed.
Receiving the sign, the MC took the mic again.
“Coming up next in our Death Match is…”
He paused, then stretched out his right arm toward backstage.
“It is Kang Hajun, returned to life through the revival round.”
Hajun walked leisurely to the mic, wearing an unreadable expression.
The day he met HS he had looked as tense as a child on the first day of preschool, but now?
Standing on a stage that makes even seasoned singers falter, surrounded by countless cameras, he looked utterly calm.
Whether that was composure or boldness, Park could not tell, but he only wished Hajun would do well.
Hajun, do well.
Darkness fell on the stage and a quiet melody played.
“My sorrowful heart has lost its place to go.”
As soon as Hajun sang the first line, light slowly poured onto his head.
Wow.
So this was why he had pestered the lighting crew until the last minute?
Because the beam fell straight on his head, shadows covered his face.
Although his features could not be seen well, that made it even better.
On the stage wrapped in darkness, the faint gleam of his forehead and nose bridge between the dim lights created a mysterious mood.
“Today it feels even sadder.”
Every time his full lips moved, a firm voice filled the hall.
“My day is not over yet.”
There was no performance, no flashy production, not even a single lighting change.
A stage led solely by the power of his voice ended in darkness.
Silence hovered as though even breathing were forbidden.
Clap, clap-clap.
Then applause gradually piled onto the stage.
Clap, clap-clap, clap-clap-clap.
This kid, really…
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
Under bright lights again, ear-splitting applause rang through the studio.
Park felt Hajun’s stage was like a challenge, so he did not stint praise.
Because they were filming he only clapped lightly and raised his thumb.
He grew up well on his own.
Yes.
He really grew well.
At this moment Park felt Hajun was truly admirable and precious.
Recording paused for a tape change.
Of course the winner had been predetermined, and the victory went to Hajun.
“The kid tries so hard but Hajun was simply too good.”
“He must have sharpened his blade for this.”
“I felt overwhelmed the whole time he sang.”
Though Park heard the praise, he only nodded slightly.
He knew better than anyone how much Hajun had grown.
During the break the MC returned to the stage.
“Both of you delivered outstanding performances,” he said. “Hajun, you had far less preparation time. Did you practice that much?”
“Since it was a miracle to receive another chance, I practiced as if my life depended on it.”
The MC smiled and turned to Yu Ha-in. “Do you expect to win and enter the Top 10?”
Yu Ha-in glanced at Hajun’s chiseled profile, felt irritation, then spoke.
“Hajun showed a great stage, but I will not go down easily.”
He kept telling himself he would not lose.
The MC raised the tension. “Now we will announce the winner of this Death Match.”
Yu Ha-in’s palms sweated as the hall held its breath.
After the announcement, the cameras stopped and staff hurried about.
The last Death Match stage began.
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