NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89
On the way home from work.
A man gazed at the digital billboard hanging in the subway and let out an exclamation.
“Wow…”
It’s about the trending show “The Daredevils 3.”
He also occasionally watched it after work.
But he couldn’t be bothered to vote.
“I knew she was pretty, but… seeing her again, she’s really stunning…”
The feeling of facing that big billboard was completely different from watching it on a screen.
The ad he was looking at featured Do-hee in a pastel yellow dress with a white ribbon tied in her hair.
It was a photo taken by Do-hee’s Home Mama during the third round of the competition.
He wouldn’t know, but it was an ad submitted by Do-hee’s Home Mama, who had shaken hands while applying for the subway advertisement.
It cost around three million won.
In the end, she funded it by selling off photos of other trainees and put up the subway advertisement herself.
However, even people who usually weren’t interested in idols glanced at Do-hee’s photos while passing by, so the ad was definitely effective.
Not only Do-hee’s Home Mama but also her heavy fans were encouraging viewers to vote for the live broadcast and were raising funds to apply for advertisements in public transport and various media.
However, due to the short preparation time, only the subway ads were currently in progress.
Of course, looking at the plethora of ads for other trainees hanging around, it was clear that other fandoms were also ramping up their efforts.
Nevertheless, the number of ads for Do-hee was superior compared to other participants.
[Compilation of Do-hee’s Subway Advertisements (Latest ver)]
1) Wide Screens
– Gongdeok Station (photo)
– Samsung Station (photo)
– Dongdaemun Station (photo)
2) Digital Posters
Gangnam Station (photo)
Sinchon Station…
.
.
.
In fact, wide-screen ads at prime transfer stations started at about three million won each, so even for Do-hee’s sizable fandom, raising the funds wasn’t an easy task.
Yet, this level of support came due to a specific trigger.
After the 11th episode aired, when Do-hee’s community was about to ignite again, another post spread through the community like gasoline.
To avoid spoilers, Gu Eun-hee was only able to post after the 11th episode aired.
As soon as the broadcast ended, Gu Eun-hee excitedly posted on her SNS.
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[Thank you to all the supporters so far!]
It was a really tough filming period, but looking back, it feels like a joyful memory. I hope all the remaining friends can debut.
Especially #Sara, she’s the prettiest I’ve seen and sings amazingly well, she’s the best! Ah! And Do-hee is a total hard worker! ㅎㅎ I really like how she keeps practicing even if her skills aren’t improving!
The prettiest among them, with an incredible singing voice—wow! Oh! And Do-hee is super hardworking! Haha, I love how she practices consistently even when her skills aren’t improving!
Even if she can’t hit the high notes, her voice is still good enough ^^ Just keep working hard! If you can play the piano well, that’s all that matters! It’s okay! Fighting!
#Judeol3 #LiveBroadcast #Fighting
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At first glance, it might seem like a post praising Eun Se-ra and Do-hee.
But if you look a little closer, it’s clear that it’s a snarky comparison of Do-hee to Eun Se-ra.
Gu Eun-hee made a mistake on stage, and Do-hee covered for her.
With a grudge in her heart, Gu Eun-hee posted in a fit of anger.
She had also disabled comments, so Do-hee’s fans couldn’t confront Gu Eun-hee directly.
In the end, their anger turned into an advertising campaign.
As voting turned into a fierce fandom battle, the day for the live broadcast to determine the debut team had arrived.
*
In a gym in Incheon, the last live broadcast was about to be filmed.
The oppressive heat had lessened, signaling the end of summer.
A crowd of 3,000 added to the last burst of summer heat.
In their hands were slogans, posters, and flags for the participants.
Trainers and idols from the debut seasons 1 and 2 filled the designated seats.
Participants under 15 could only broadcast until midnight, so the live show was moved to an earlier time.
Late summer, as the sky turned purple.
At 8 PM sharp, the gym plunged into darkness in an instant.
The familiar intro echoed.
The audience sensed the stage and erupted in cheers and screams.
Wow!!!!
Kyaaaak!!!
Faint purple lights spread from all directions, converging on the dark stage and shining on one spot.
Somehow, 13 final debut candidate participants had climbed onto the stage using stage equipment.
The silhouette illuminated by the purple light transformed into a clear white light.
Now, the participants dressed in distinct title uniforms were visible.
As the intro intensified, the participants zoomed in on the screen.
Now, at this moment, the center of the title song on screen was Do-hee.
She wore a serious expression, but her eyes sparkled with the thrill and joy of the stage.
[Ay! Your gaze on me is electrifying (electrifying!)]
With the thunderous cheers of the audience that seemed to swallow the intro, the final stage began.
*
“[Just choose your Idol Season 3!] Hello! I’m Jin Tae-seop, your host!”
“Welcome to Your Idol Season 3! I’m Jin Tae-seop, your host!”
After the first performance, the participants left the stage, and Jin Tae-seop confidently stepped up with the ease of a famous MC.
“Thank you so much to all the viewers who have joined us on this journey of the trainees over the past 11 episodes!”
The MC’s serious tone echoed throughout the venue.
“Now, what’s left is the final vote.”
The MC elaborated on the text voting methods in a lengthy manner.
To summarize:
The voting has changed from multiple votes to a 1-pick system.
There are citizen voting observers for fairness in the voting process.
Most importantly, the results from the final online voting conducted over the week will simply reflect the total votes received.
On the day of the live broadcast, text votes will be converted into 7 votes and reflected in the final tally.
This was a weighted consideration for the special nature of the final stage and the live broadcast.
“Everyone! Have you decided on your idol?”
Cheers of “Yes!” could be heard from various places.
Alternatively, there were also hesitant “No!” responses from those caught in a dilemma among the fierce trainees.
The MC smiled and said, “If you still haven’t chosen your last one-pick, it might be a good idea to decide after seeing the final debut evaluations!”
With a loud voice, the MC stretched out an arm pointing to the large screen.
“Then right now! Let’s see what songs and parts the participants have chosen for their debut evaluations!”
On the screen the MC pointed to were trainees listening to the composer’s song introduction following episode 11.
Viewers watching the live broadcast reacted through the community as if they were already familiar with it.
– “Same format as Seasons 1 and 2.”
– “What part did Sara get? Please let her be the main vocal and take first place!!!!”
– “ㅠㅠ Guys, let’s all debut.”
– “Seo-yoon, please be the main vocal.”
– “Why am I so nervous about this?”
The viewers hoped their picks would get plenty of screen time as they held their breaths.
Parts were being finalized as the participants pushed and slid stickers in and out one by one.
[“Hana Unni, I love you!”]
Every moment was intense, but the moment Do-hee chose the main vocal was no less significant.
– “Oh, is Do-hee capable of being the main vocal?”
– “Crazy, crazy, crazy… Do-hee is the main vocal!!!”
– “Wow, this is a twist, haha.”
– “? She should choose a lower range, lol.”
– “Looks like she’s taking a risk since her debut is guaranteed anyway.”
– “Please let her do well ㅠㅠㅠ I’ve been annoyed by the backseat vocal criticism from the sound quality reviewers; I just hope Do-hee shines and gets a shout-out.”
Especially for Do-hee’s fans, who were stressed out by other fandoms using Gu Eun-hee’s posts to criticize her, the news of Do-hee’s main vocal was like a long-awaited rain on dry ground.
Due to the stress caused by other fandoms that were harshly criticizing them, Do-hee’s fans were worried not only about whether she would handle her main vocal part well but also considered the news of Do-hee getting the part a refreshing rain on dry land.
Next was the practice process of the ‘Slalom’ team.
[Hana Kwon: Ah~ What’s going on~? My rank is clearly 3rd… but the part is sub-vocal 4~?]
The playful interactions among the participants allowed the viewers to relax and enjoy for a moment.
– It’s really nice to see that everyone gets along.
– For real, all the kids are friendly and nice, but the fandom is fighting like it’s a war.
– Do-hee is always stuck with Hana, LOL.
Next came the full-fledged lesson video.
It started with vocal lessons.
With the sound of her swallowing, a close-up of Do-hee appeared.
The suspenseful BGM played along with subtitles saying [Lee Do-hee, who received disappointing comments in the first evaluation].
The scene of Do-hee’s cracking vocal tones from the first evaluation played.
[Do-hee, will your vocal range be okay? The main vocal part looks pretty high.]
Sua, who had previously pointed out Do-hee’s vocal tone, was worrying about her range again.
Do-hee’s fans watching this scene were also concerned.
[I’ll give it a try!]
After saying those words, Do-hee started singing the high bridge part.
‘Right now this moment rush to flight.’
– ? LOL
Contrary to the fans’ worries.
Do-hee showcased her strengths with precise pitch and timing.
The flaw of her cracking vocal tone was nowhere to be found, leaving only a smooth tone that impressed anyone who heard it.
*
Meanwhile, at the same time under the stage.
Participants who had just finished performing the title song ‘Falling in Love’ were bustling around to change into their next outfits while coordinating and finishing their makeup.
What they had in common was that they were exhaling heavily, radiating dopamine through their whole bodies.
The stage in front of 3,000 people felt like a drug.
‘It’s freaking addictive…’
“Hey? Do-hee, you can’t cry! Your makeup will smudge!”
The makeup artist hurriedly applied a cotton pad to Do-hee’s eyes, speaking soothingly.
‘This is like a drug…’
“Stop frowning! Ah, I have to fix this!”
The makeup artist was in a bit of a bind.