Honestly, when I heard they were doing a refreshing/bright concept with "Bingo," I started doubting right away.I mean, who hears "Bingo" and thinks "refreshing," seriously?
And on top of that, the team had multiple kids with total visual-center vibes, so all the idol-maker types were smiling like proud moms… and then the moment they said they'd done three self-produced parts, the whole audience went ice-cold.Because out of all the groups that chose three creation parts, literally none succeeded LOL.
After hearing that, my expectations fell straight into the abyss and I was like, "Ah… guess we're watching another kindergarten talent show… what a waste of visuals…" while I prepared myself to endure the stage.
But idols really are beings who deliver dreams and hope ^^
I honestly don't know what to say… I basically have letters for seven different people sitting in my head and I have no idea how to deliver them…
They said their concept was "Princess Maker × dating sim," and I immediately got what they meant.Each member's character setting was so solid, and their charms were just overflowing.
I don't even remember the original sexy vibe of the song anymore LOL.The boyish charm was insane, the concept was crazy good, and the strategy was on point.
Each part had someone who stepped up as the "main," and the members backing them matched the mood perfectly — even their acting was natural.
Especially Aiden Lee and Won Yuha, who were layering ad-libs and harmonies nonstop behind the others… their vocal tones were literally magical.Not to exaggerate but it felt like sanctus was ringing in my ears.
And then Joo Danwoo's rap… yeah. He is now my husband. ^^
Honestly, with visuals that sharp and gorgeous, I wondered whether he'd really fit a refreshing concept, but thanks to this stage, I realized just how narrow-minded I've been.From now on I will place NO limits on a handsome man's potential.
And in the highlight of the song, that crazy high ad-lib (you know, that legendary Yoo Ayeon high note lol) — Won Yuha did it, and I swear he tore the stage apart. Absolutely insane.
Like… how is KRM teaching these kids??There's a reason Karma is Karma.They're totally an agency that gains ridiculous karmic merit through idols and makes fans ascend.I got spellbound for real.
They kept the original key and basically filmed a group-project success story in real time.Their adaptability on stage was crazy, their manners were amazing, and their acting was good too…Anyone watching would think they were already professionals.I even went home and checked his profile again like "Wait… is he actually experienced?" (He wasn't. He's a total rookie.)
The audience reaction was WILD.Even now, thinking about it, it doesn't feel real.I can't even hit notes like that in karaoke…With that face and that skill level, it's literally impossible for him not to debut.
I realize I've only been complimenting them but—this is something you HAVE to see when it airs.Even if the members had beat each other up mid-production, as long as they delivered a stage like this, it would have become a "gifted teens' youth drama."The staff probably didn't expect results anywhere near this good either…
Everyone must bow to the "Your Type" team for matching the theme so perfectly.And at the end, the crowd went insane cheering at the "group project success story" — honestly I think it was even more hype than Kang Hyunjin's moment.
Standout members:Honestly picking just one is meaningless LOL.They all feel like they're gonna blow up eventually.But if I have to choose: Won Yuha, Aiden Lee, Joo Danwoo — they absolutely killed it.
OutCircle – ZERO: (A story that begins at 0)
Group A (Team Number One)
I wasted my whole K-pop-stanning life.I cannot understand how I didn't know Do Ji-hyuk existed.
This face? This dancing? This voice?And I didn't know him??I should be smacked. I need to stop doing sloppy stan life.
After the previous stages felt like a relay of kindergarten showcases choking me out, this team pierced right through my clogged chest like they were idol-world surgeons.Doctor Do, thank you for saving my life.
His nurse assistant was Cheon Serim, who trended during the flash-mob mission as "job satisfaction guy."That kid has insane talent.Rap, vocals, dance — he does more than his share, and even next to debut-level Do Ji-hyuk he didn't shrink at all.I can see him becoming a full-rounder and blowing up later.
Standout members: Do Ji-hyuk, Cheon Serim
Group B (Team Wannabe)
A center who flirts with the beat like it's a game.
A main vocalist who sings like an actor you can't understand without Netflix subtitles.
Members acting like they're in a competition to see who can show the most "extra" talent, like whoever flexes the hardest wins 45.6 billion won.
"A story that begins at 0"?They'd turn it into 0 even if you handed them 100.
And the part that makes me cry is…my one-pick was in this group.
Standout member: Yoo Minseong please save him
"Is it okay to write this detailed?"└ Better to see it in advance LOL. If you're uncomfortable, leave.
"Honestly Kang Hyunjin was already amazing at dancing during his survival show, but Do Ji-hyuk is good too?? I've never seen him on a real stage."└ Do Ji-hyuk needs serious reevaluation; he's a real idol, not a trainee. Honestly it's massacre-level.
"I wasn't interested in Dear Idol but I read everything. Your jokes are hilarious. I hope your one-pick does well… I'll vote when voting opens. I'm watching the broadcast too."└ Overwhelming gratitude… overwhelming gratitude…└ Blessings upon OP's one-pick!
"Sorry but Danwoo-ssi is already registered in my family registryㅠㅠ"└ Get in line; there's already a queue of women at city hall pulling number tickets. Please behave.
"But asking them to self-produce from round 1 was too much. The ones who did well are just insane."└ As long as there's no manipulation I'll endure… They got punished three years ago for rigging on Catch Talent, so hopefully not again??└ I don't trust broadcasters but the kids are basically being held hostage so I have no choice but to watch.
"Wait, Lumiere's Bingo rearranged into refreshing style??? Who did it??"└ According to other fan accounts, it was a trainee named Aiden.└ WTF LOL he's really a genius huh└ I wish "Your Type" would release the audio. I'm serious. The rearrangement was THAT good. And their live background vocals?? I've never seen kids do that live. I need the broadcast NOW I want to hear it again.
"Huh?? Chanhee is center??? Is our Chanhee finally seeing the light?? Please let him succeed this time."└ What? Did something happen with him?└ Chanheeㅠㅠ His debut with D.O almost happened but got canceled at the last minute, so he barely made it into Dear Idolㅠ Please give him lots of love, he's really good.
"Cheon Serim didn't get overshadowed next to Do Ji-hyuk? That's crazy."└ Remember these three syllables: Cheon. Se. Rim. A once-in-a-thousand-years genius idol. Trust me, this stock will rise. Believe me, Souneys. Yes, he's 'job-satisfaction guy,' and 'BurXry Coat Guy.'
"Wow, how good is Won Yuha? I'm dying to see the stage. He already has a subway ad fundraiser open."└ What, already? That's insane, the broadcast hasn't even aired yet;└ If nothing unexpected happens, I think debut is almost guaranteed for him too;└ Smiley-boy, high-note king, rookie idol who feels like a veteran ♥KRM Won Yuha♥ Please remember him ㅠㅠ When voting opens, please vote just once~!
"Ugh when's the first episode airing? Did they release a date yet? ㅠㅠ"└ May 1st└ Wtf that's still so far away, how am I supposed to wait… what are the kids doing right now ㅠㅠ└ Probably sleeping right now
Narrative
A group chat wasn't created. That was only natural.
There's never been a disaster quite like this one.
It wasn't just our team. The others had to be the same. They'd gone through the team battle together, sharing both the good and bad, but at the end the broadcast company bastards had succeeded in creating emotional rifts.
Team 2 also exchanged stiff, awkward congratulations at the end before dispersing. Joo Danwoo returned home with a pale face and even fewer words than usual.
I wonder if he's doing okay.
There was about a month left until the next time they were scheduled to gather. Hopefully he'd be able to pull himself together by then. But the fact that he'd returned to Seize Label of all places didn't ease my worries.
…Not that I'm in any position to worry about someone else.
Thinking that, I lowered my head again and put strength into my hands.
A metallic thunk sounded next to me.
A greasy, burnt BBQ grill plate had been dropped beside me.
"Yuha, can you get this one too?"
"Yes."
I stretched my stiff neck and grabbed the next grill plate, scrubbing it hard with a steel scouring pad.
…When is this going to end.
It had been three days since the first competition round ended—and I was at my part-time job.
[Landlord: Your rent for this month hasn't been deposited, so I'm contacting you. Please pay by next week.]
During the break from
But the moment I got my phone back after Round 1 and saw the landlord's message, I had no option but to find work immediately to earn living expenses.
…I have no money.
My adoptive parents, after their business failed, had cut ties with their relatives. The few relatives I'd met after being adopted had never been close with them anyway, and once debt came into the picture, they completely severed contact. They didn't even come to the funeral.
There was no way I could rely on them. And as someone from an orphanage with no blood relatives, I was the only one who could manage the house, keep it, and earn the money needed to live.
…Maybe it was fortunate I had already moved out of the company dorm.
After my parents' accident, I had left the trainee dorm and commuted between home and the company. Thanks to that, I could work evening part-time jobs without attracting the company's attention.
While working, I vaguely remembered why I'd once decided to join Robinson in my previous life.
I didn't have a choice back then either.
After I was kicked out of KRM in my last life, I signed with Robinson immediately not just because I desperately wanted to debut—but also because of living expenses.
I did get the insurance payout from my parents' deaths, but most of it went to covering their debts, leaving me with barely anything. After debut, I lived in a dorm again, so I didn't have to worry about those things.
I mean, I could move back into the trainee dorm now if I wanted…
But I couldn't completely get rid of the house. I needed some form of insurance myself.
…And it still has some of my adoptive parents' belongings.
That was why I continued juggling trainee life and part-time work.
"…Hah."
I wiped my sweat and scrubbed the grill harder. Working only physically demanding jobs had made my muscles ache constantly — though I felt strangely used to the pain now.
My recent schedule was like this:
From 9 AM to 6 PM, I attended the set lessons and practices at the agency.After I got off, I worked part-time late into the night and early morning before going back again.
And I had to stay on standby too, since
A regular part-time job didn't fit my schedule. I wanted to avoid physically exhausting work, but in the end, short-term manual labor was my only option.
I sighed as I placed the clean grill plate aside and grabbed a new dirty one.
Good thing my stats increased. Otherwise I'd be dead.
Maybe because I trained in the morning and worked at night, constantly moving my body, the sync accelerated even without a stat boost, and my stamina stat managed to rise a tier.
Still, my stamina was low. I had only just crawled up from D to C.
Normally, I wouldn't even be able to move all day like this.
『Achievement Completed!』
You achieved 2nd place overall and 1st place as a team in the
Reward: BboongBboong Drink (30), Stat Increase Ticket (1)
Thanks to the system rewards from the mission, I was barely keeping myself afloat.