novelraw Chapter 237: THE EIGHTH EPISODE (II)
Chapter 237: THE EIGHTH EPISODE (II)
AFTER Dyna left and the eight contestants in each practice room split into two groups, the cameras started capturing how each team tried to get comfortable with one another. Some groups jumped right into conversation, while others took longer to warm up. Then the show cut to scenes of the teams talking about their songs and deciding who would take which position.
In Han Seojun’s team, all his members came from lower rankings, which surprised even him. Without much discussion, they agreed to make him the center. It was the complete opposite in Jung Taeyang’s group. Everyone there was ranked within the top twenty. After they each tried dancing the chorus, they unanimously chose Lee Haru to take the center position.
Unlike these two teams, things were not as smooth with Park Mirae’s team.
The four of them sat in a loose circle on the practice room floor. Mirae smiled warmly at everyone and suggested they take turns saying which position they felt drawn to.
"Since we’re all here now, maybe we should be honest about what we want," Park Mirae said gently. "That way we can figure out what’s best for the team."
The Beta across from him, a contestant named Kim Dohyun, nodded firmly. "I’ll be honest then. I want to be center." He sat up straighter as he spoke. "I’ve been waiting for a chance to really show what I can do. This mission feels like that chance."
The other two members glanced at each other but said nothing while Park Mirae kept his expression soft and encouraging.
"That’s really admirable, Dohyun-ssi," Mirae said. "It takes courage to put yourself out there like that." He turned to the other two. "What do you two think?"
One of them, a quiet Alpha, shifted where he sat. "I mean... I think we should also consider who fits the song best."
The other nodded slowly. "Yeah. Not just who wants it the most."
Kim Dohyun’s jaw tightened. "I’m not saying I want it just because I want it. I think I can do well."
Mirae raised a hand gently, like he was smoothing things over. "Of course, of course. No one’s doubting you, Dohyun-ssi. We’re all just trying to figure this out together." He paused and looked around the circle. "Maybe we should all try dancing first? See how it feels?"
They spent the next few minutes taking turns running through a small section of the chorus. When they finished, the conversation started up again. This time, both of the other members spoke up more clearly. They both said they felt Mirae’s movements matched the song’s vibe best.
Mirae turned to Dohyun with a worried expression. "I think Dohyun-ssi would fit the song really well too."
Kim Dohyun’s face shifted through a series of expressions, complicated at first, then clearly unwilling. He opened his mouth like he might say something else, but in the end he just shook his head. "No, it’s fine. You can be the center."
The other teams had their own small moments of tension here and there, but for the most part, things went smoothly. One of the standout moments came from Baek Eunwoo’s team when they danced the chorus of [Over the Edge]. Everyone already knew how sensual the original choreography was. Watching their team perform it drew immediate attention.
The episode closed with a final shot of the practice rooms, now dark and empty. The cameras had all been turned off for the night. A soft piano melody played in the background as the screen slowly faded to black. Then, in white letters against the darkness, a simple line appeared: [The stage awaits.]
*****
[Taeyang and Haru in the same group? They’re definitely the team to beat this mission.]
- Agree! When I saw Haru pick [Crown the March], I was literally praying he’d end up with Taeyang.
└ Same here. I can’t wait to see what they put together.
- Lee Haru is easily the best dancer on the show. And Taeyang’s no joke either. Add Jang Woojin and Kwon Junho and you’ve got a stacked team. Definitely the ones to watch.
└ That’s some heavy praise. Reading this you’d think they assembled the Avengers or something.
└└ I mean, it’s true though. Every member in that group is skilled.
└└ LOL they’re hyping up Haru’s dancing now since they can’t say much about his singing.
└└└ What does his singing have to do with anything right now?
└└└└ Uh, hello? He’s training to be an idol. Vocals kind of matter?
[Seojun ended up in such a weak team. Is he going to carry his team again? My poor Seojun.]
- I know right. It feels like he always gets unlucky with his teammates.
└ Why can’t he ever be placed with people who can actually match his level?
└└ Is the level actually in the same room as us?
└└ It’s okay. We’ll just vote hard and make sure he stays number one.
└ Unlucky? Don’t talk like Seojun is the only one who matters here.
└└ I’m really tired of his fans acting like this.
- Wasn’t this his own fault for playing it safe? He can’t expect strong teammates when he picks the easiest song.
└ Li Wei chose the same song. Are you saying he also avoids risk?
└└ Well, Li Wei’s skills are also lacking like Han Seojun’s, so yeah.
[That scene with Park Mirae’s team. Did anyone else feel like something was off about how he acted?]
- I noticed it too. It’s like he somehow ended up getting what he wanted while still looking like the good guy? I can’t really explain it properly.
└ No, I get what you mean. It felt weird. Like watching someone perform instead of just having a normal conversation.
- Here come the antis again. Can’t you people just let Mirae exist without twisting everything?
└ Exactly. They’re jumping through hoops to make him look bad when nothing even happened.
└└ They’re literally blaming him now when Kim Dohyun was the one being pushy about wanting to be the center.
└└└ Pushy? Since when is being honest about what you want considered pushy? This is a competition.
[For those who missed Haneul dancing to
- Save! Save! This is going straight to my folder.
[Kyaaa!!! What is this? I think my nose is about to bleed.
└ You’re not the only one. My heart is racing. Am I actually falling for him?
- The way he moves, it’s like he’s trying to seduce everyone watching.
└ This is the power of a dominant Omega right here.
- This song was the perfect choice for Haneul. It really suits him.
└ Why? Because he can just rely on his face and everyone forgets he can’t dance?
└└ Why are you even here? This is clearly a post for people who actually like him.
[Is it just me or does Jeon Hyunsik look at Haneul weirdly? I’m not trying to start anything, but he’s honestly giving me creepy vibes right now.]
- You’re definitely trying to start something. This is ridiculous.
- No, you’re not alone. Did you see the way he licked his lips when they shook hands? *vomit emoji*
└ I thought I was the only one who caught that! I actually went back and counted how many times he did it while looking at Haneul. It’s way more than normal.
└ So licking your lips is a crime now? Maybe he was just thirsty?
└└ Thirsty for Haneul, probably. LOL
- This is such a non-issue. Stop trying to drag Hyunsik’s name for no reason.