[  🌹  ]  𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖌𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖊 𝖆 𝖍𝖚𝖌 !

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  FINALE SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖍𝖚𝖌 ❞ AS HIS FINAL CHALLENGE FOR NEXT GEN S1 ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  NO ONE SPECIFIC, ETC. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN 𝟔𝟓𝟓 WORDS.

when this adventure began, sarang was convinced that he would be sent home very early on; if not round one, then definitely in round two. having been dropped from his former company just before embarking on this journey had him feeling unconfident in himself, but having a renewed attitude during the filming of “next gen” seems to have been the largest contributing factor to his current success. even though he still feels like he has a lot to improve upon, it doesn’t negate all of the progress that he’s made while here. now, instead of being somewhat tone-deaf, he’s trained his ear enough to consistently sing in-tune; he’s gotten rid of the leftover clumsiness in his body and has strengthened his coordination; he’s even picked up the very, very basic beginnings of rapping. he wouldn’t have gotten to do any of this had he not been offered the opportunity to appear on the show, so no matter what the final results are, he’s grateful for the experience, and is glad to be coming out of it with new skills, new friends, and even a small fanbase that’ll hopefully continue supporting him after the finale airs. he’s depending on them to continue boosting his image post-series, especially if an entertainment contract isn’t extended to him during the last episode.

in order to do that, however, he needs to put his whole heart into this performance—an original song that he, as well as the rest of his team, was given to wow the audience tuning in. lyrically, it’s about trying to apologize to a lover that’s been hurt, and the vibe of the set is innocent, and cute, and if there’s one thing that sarang knows he can do with no hesitation, it’s being adorable—his visual appeal and styling only amplifying those traits in him; his coppery hair curled perfectly and his outfit hugging his figure just right. that, and as the maknae of this unit, he feels a lot of pressure to maintain the winsome energy, and after days upon days of rehearsing, he’s finally ready to step on stage and impress the crowd with his vivid charms.

when the lights hit him and the beat booms through the speakers, he’s revealed as the central figure—immediately schmoozing with his expressions since he has the opening part, and therefore, needs to set the tone for the rest of the stage. facial acting is his strong suit, so he infuses a pitiful, yet cherubic, character into his lines; one he practiced for an embarrassing amount of time in front of the looking glass.

with each passing second, everything seems to be going off without a hitch. the choreography transitions are smooth; his motions are graceful, but bouncy when it matters; showmanship is at an all-time high as he pours every ounce of his heart, soul, and focus into creating a delicate impact on the stage. for most of the song, his voice is stable and characteristically his own—light, high-pitched, and delightful—but when the bridge arrives, he tries to belt out his line with more power, but instead, ends up going too far with his breath support; the note he hits being sharper than the one in the melody. those with ears for music, or those who also sing, are for sure able to hear his error, but those who don’t possess either skill may not really know the difference. that being said, he’s hoping the latter demographic is the majority.

wanting to make up for his mistake, he powers through the rest of the song with stunning smiles, well-timed winks, and when he sings his last line and once again takes his place in center formation, he blows the camera a kiss, then sends it finger-hearts; noticing that the hd-lens is focusing on him for an extended period of time.

with everything said and done, all he can do now is wait; hoping for the best.

[  🌹  ]  𝖞𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖑 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞...

𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖓𝖕𝖑𝖚𝖌𝖌𝖊𝖉 𝖒𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖈 𝖋𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑 /  20220710. 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖑 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞 ❞ BY THE LOVELY TROYE SIVAN FOR HIS OPEN MIC SET. 𝖗𝖊𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊[𝖘] /  VOCALS — THE FULL DURATION. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 815 WORDS.

the fact that he’s even doing this is an absolute surprise to him, but if sarang expects to be scouted into a company, he realizes that he needs to start stepping out of his comfort zone. at least a little bit. that, and well, having some experience in the art of performance is definitely a good thing — even if for some reason things aren’t as smooth as he’d like for them to be. the only way he’ll get better is by trial and error, and while he tries to approach the situation he’s in with a sense of realism and practicality, he somehow feels confident in what he’s prepared. sure, he selected a piece that might be simple as far as melodies and vocal technique are concerned, but it’s sung completely in english. he doesn’t speak a lick of it, but he taught himself how to get through the song in one go without stumbling over syllables or absolutely butchering the pronunciation of the lyrics, so he’s hoping that he can pull it off when it really matters... which just so happens to be mere moments away. how terrifying.

when he’s told that he’s on deck, he can’t even enjoy the performer-before-him’s set. he can hear the music blaring from the speakers, the applause from the crowd, and the exuberance of the individual on stage, but all of that fades into a blur. all he’s focused on are the words to his song, the fact that this is honestly his first time performing in front of an audience, and hoping to the heavens above that he can pull it off. rumor has it that scouts are in attendance to prune budding talent, and he genuinely wishes that he’ll catch the eye of some of them. with their training, he knows he can bloom into a marvelous spectacle — one that’ll make his older brother proud, and in the future, set him up for life. there’s nothing he wants more than to repay seulgi for all the sacrifices he had to make, and he prays that that starts here.

all of these wonderings add to the already weighty pressure on his shoulders, but he’s forced to shrug it off when he’s introduced to the group of people looking to be entertained. his obsessive thought patterns distracted him so much that he had no time to prepare for his entrance, so he charmingly stumbles his way to the mic stand set smack dab in the middle of the stage — his soft black whorls being tousled lightly by the breeze, the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips refreshing and bright. it’s clear that he has abundant presence and aura, but does he have the pipes, too ??

instinctively, sarang bends forward in a ninety-degree bow; non-verbally greeting and thanking his gallery for the undivided attention they’re providing him. it fuels him more than they realize. the rush of adrenaline is enough to obliterate the paralyzing nervousness he was feeling moments prior, and when the backing track hums through the audio system, he licks his lips and starts singing; his vocals timid, but the amount of heart he delivers with each section is palpable and notable. he knows that’s his biggest asset, but that he also needs to remember the technical tricks he’s learned to stay in tune, breathe at all the right times, and support the higher notes.

he carries out the first verse, first pre-chorus, and chorus well; the soft breathiness of his tone sometimes a little too quiet, but thankfully, the microphone is sensitive enough to pick up his sound. at the start of the second verse, he picks up the mic from its stand and ambles towards the front of the stage; schmoozing those nearest him with sweet smiles, and even a few winks here and there, but these motions cause his diction to decline slightly. not only that, but his pitch is faulty for a line or two, but he’s thankfully able to correct himself before the next chorus. he’s also fortunate that his ear isn’t trained enough to pick up on his mistakes, so he steamrolls through with scrumptious confidence and charisma. sometimes ignorance is bliss, right ??

at what seems like lightning speed, he’s reaching the conclusion of the song, and although it’s repetitive even in its closing, he tries to vary up his expressions and adjust the emotions that he infuses into each bar so it feels fresh, and when it’s finally complete, he sighs a breath of relief; bowing once more toward his onlookers as he secures the microphone back where he retrieved it from. though, this time, before he exits, he lilts a “thank you so much! please look forward to more of me in the future!” into the open air — departing shortly thereafter; truly proud of himself for not passing out, falling on his face, or doing anything wholly embarrassing. 

𝒉𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓.

𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔, various locations, dates, & times. 𝒕𝒍𝒅𝒓, an sr media trainee update from sarang.

his life has become a ceaseless whirlwind over the last few months, and though it's been stressful, he's also found ways to make it fun—the hours spent at headquarters not as anxiety-inducing as they were at studio delta. honestly, the changes he's had to make to his life are abundant, but somehow, he's doing okay. he's never been someone that's comfortable with such rigid schedules, or dull same-ol'-same routines, but despite that, sarang is adjusting to his second chance at being an idol trainee with grace. being that he's familiar with this song and dance, he initially thought he wouldn't be able to keep up with how demanding the agendas are, or that he would feel inferior due to clearly lacking any musical talents, but being signed to sr media has given him hope that there is a spot for him in the industry.

while at his new company, he's adored the support they provide him and instruction they give him. it all taps into his interests, utilizes his natural-born skills, and boosts his confidence in a way that being a trainee at studio delta never did. being at sr media has re-inspired him, especially after his overwhelming first place win on "next gen" season one. while he doesn't want his placement to go to his head, sarang doesn't think it's bad to acknowledge that he was able to prove to himself, and the world of entertainment at large, that he has impeccable star quality; that there's something admirable—and sellable—about him, even if that something isn't the ability to sing, dance, or rap.

sr media not only caters to those who want to perform on-stage, but to those who want to branch out into other avenues, as well. with acting and modeling classes involved, he's able to sharpen what he's already come equipped with, and he couldn't be more grateful that he's able to nurture these sides of himself instead of suppress them. that, or replace them with a bulky guitar in his lap, or his fingertips glissading across the keys of a piano. he doesn't knock the people who enjoy expressing themselves in that way, no. if anything he's envious that they harness something that he seems unable to. in fact, that's largely what added to his inferiority complex at studio delta. being told that he was going to be made into an "artist" never seemed fitting to him. he's an artist, sure, but not in the way they wanted him to be, and that led him to make comparisons; made him feel horrible; made him question his reason for being there; made question his interest in being an idol at all.

here, though, that's not been the case, and while his teachers haven't gone easy on him, per se, their encouragement and their patience is something he appreciates very much. he wonders if it's because they realize that not every person sr media signs is going to be "gifted" musically, and instead of shoving them into a box of perfection, they focus on alternative ways to make them stand out. he's not made to feel bad about himself here. he's told to embrace his differences, and he couldn't be more grateful. the work is hard, the days are long, and sometimes, the exhaustion weighs him down a lot, but overall, he's finding his place, and he's glad to be on the journey.

[  🌹  ]  𝖔𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖈𝖍...

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISC SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PRACTICES ❝ HUG ❞ ALONE; FEELING AS THOUGH HE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  HAN SAEM, & MOON JINYOUNG. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟓𝟔𝟓 WORDS.

the song comes to a stop, and as the last beat plays, sarang lets out a deep breath—one of his hands resting on his hips, his posture wilting like a flower. this is the sixth straight run-through of “hug” he’s done, and after he’s given himself a moment to collect himself, he ambles toward the ipad he used to capture himself; ceasing its recording. reaching for the plush towel he set out for himself earlier, he gracefully dabs away the beads of moisture that accumulated on his brow, the back of his neck, and throughout his hair; his palate aching for a nice, huge gulp of pocari sweat to rehydrate. being that this is the final performance he has in this competition, he wants to take it seriously. even if he doesn’t end up winning any prizes at the end of this, he wants to show those who’ve been watching next gen that he improved, and that even people who may not seem like perfect picks for a show like this can participate, and even make it to the end. it was clear from the first day that the odds were stacked against him due to his lacking skills, but over time, he likes to think that he’s showed what he’s capable of—even if his best shots at getting signed are still personal charm, presentability, and attractive looks; what comes naturally to him.

nevertheless, he still wants to end on a good note—showcasing a stable, bright, and cute set. so, wanting to analyze what he’d just done for the last take, he guides the tablet over to the corner of the room; starting the footage once he settled in and had something to drink. the choreography for “hug” isn’t one that he considers difficult, which truth be told, shocks him. mere months ago, he found everything that moon jinyoung taught him impossible to do. it upset him that he was so bad at picking up movements, and getting the timing right, but lately, he’s become far more confident in his dancing. so, as he watches the video back, he’s pleased with how he handles each transition, and he’s even more pleased with his vivid array of facial expressions. if there’s one thing he knows how to do, it’s infuse a song with personality, sparkle, and overwhelming presence. he’s more of a showman than a singer or dancer.

what he continues to be disappointed in, however, is his vocal performance. it’s not as though the song is in a bad key for his range, but he’s realizing that his style of singing voice appears quiet on-stage; that, realistically speaking, it only works well in a recording studio, where the microphones are delicate enough to pick up even the softest of sounds. he grimaces, trying not to feel defeated. it’s something he can work on, but he doesn’t know if he has enough time to make any remarkably big steps forward. maybe instead of practicing the dance so much, he needs to start focusing more on singing? it’s not a bad idea, but he wants to be able to practice in a way that doesn’t damage his chords. he’s not an expert at this and would hate to cause any harm to himself, so for a moment, he stops and decides to text saem.

[ 23시 11분 ]  hi, hubby ♡ [ 23시 11분 ]  are you home from training yet? [ 23시 11분 ]  i need your help TT ♡

with that, he decides to gather his belongs and go—feeling hopeful.

[  🌹  ]  𝖉𝖊𝖆𝖗 𝖘𝖊𝖚𝖑𝖌𝖎...

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  LETTER SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PENS A LETTER TO HIS BROTHER TO READ ALOUD IN THE INTERVIEW ROOM — EP 5 ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  HIS OLDER BROTHER, YEOM SEULGI. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟕𝟏𝟓 WORDS.

while he currently lives with his older brother and sees him very often, sarang sometimes thinks that he doesn’t express how grateful, and lucky, he is to have him in his life. literally all of his early memories, even the very first ones that he can recall, involve seulgi in one way or another. every time he took a fall and scraped his knees, seulgi was the one that dressed his wounds and kissed them better. whenever he was having a hard time with math homework, seulgi sat beside him and helped him work out each equation. all of his tears were wiped away by seulgi, all of his meals were lovingly made by seulgi, and seulgi was the first ever “model” he had—being a trooper while sarang draped him in old curtains, and sheets, and blankets in an attempt to make “garments” like the fashion designer he’s always dreamed of becoming. if it wasn’t for his sibling, he has no idea what kind of existence he would’ve led. it’s not secret to either of them that their parents aren’t great, and in all honesty, they’re more like devious phantoms than actual fixtures in their lives.

that, though, is for the better, and now that they’re on their own and able to freely pursue their goals, he’s never been more happy, and he wants seulgi to know that his current state of mind is all because of his love. so, as he settles down to read the letter he wrote to him, he’s ready to pour all of his heart into it—wanting the public to know that he has the best big brother in the world; that there’s genuinely no contest.

“to my big brother,” he begins, a fond smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. he’s not the type to get flooded with emotions, but he already feels warmth swelling in his chest—his eyes threatening to burn with tears, but are thankfully still dry as of now. “first of all, if i haven’t told you lately, please know that i love you so much.” sarang pauses, takes a steady breath, then proceeds. “for as long as i’ve been alive, you’ve been there to hold my hand whenever i was in need of support. whether it be giving me pep talks before going to school, or bringing me little gifts whenever i was feeling down, or nursing me back to health when i wasn’t well, you’ve always taken care of me, even when it wasn’t your job to do so.” that statement creates a lump in his throat, but he breathes through it; not wanting to get overwhelmed so soon.

“you have sacrificed so much of your life to raise me, and all i can hope is that i’m able to repay you somehow. whenever it is i can reach my goals, and make my dreams come true, the first thing on my to-do list is to ensure that you’re living as comfortably as possible; that you’re able to kick your feet up and relax after living a life that’s put so much weight on your shoulders.” a delicate frown contorts his countenance, and as he fights off the urge to become emotional, he lifts a hand and dabs away the single tear that falls down his cheek. “i know it hasn’t always been easy for you, and for us, but there’s nothing i want more than to help you carry the weight you’ve been sustaining all alone; to support you like you always support me.”

refusing to sob in front of the microphones and cameras, he remains composed as he utters the last of his letter; hoping that seulgi hears him. “thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me, and for everything you continue to do for me. i couldn’t ask for a better brother, role model, and guardian, and i’m so lucky that i get to go on life’s journey alongside you. remember, if you ever need anything from me, i’ll always be there for you, too. i love you so much. with love, your bratty little brother, ddarang.”

with that, he bows to the staff present in the room, then finds the nearest mirror to touch up his face—not wanting any of the other contestants to see him sweat.

[  🌹  ]  𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖔𝖞𝖘 𝖔𝖚𝖙 !

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISSION THREE SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖔𝖞𝖘 ❞ WITH HIS TEAMMATES FOR THE GROUP EVALUATION — EP 4 ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  VARIOUS TEAMMATES / THE JUDGES. FIND THE LINE DISTRIBUTION FOR THE SET HERE ! 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟕𝟎𝟓 WORDS.

somehow, most all of the performance pieces he’s been given are songs that were originally done by girl groups, and while some of the other male contestants may not enjoy that, sarang feels lucky that production continuously hands him music that fits his style of performance; making him feel like his assets are being highlighted. while that’s not to say that he’ll only ever be good at learning choreography that has a heightened sense of femininity to it, the songs make it easy for him to showcase his strengths—to capitalize on them in an attempt to further wow the panel of judges, as well as raise his ranking even more. going into this phase of the competition, he was feeling great about his odds; stoked to know that he’s still here in the first place, and he’s dedicated to the uphill battle that he’s been fighting since filming commenced. however, as rehearsals went on, his motivation depleted almost completely—his spirit feeling drained, and unmotivated, and exhausted from the preparations.

being that it’s showtime now, there’s not much else that he can do in order to boost his mood. he wonders if anyone else has noticed that he’s been quieter than usual. in the hair and makeup chair, he honestly fell asleep during the application process; the brushes blending product into his face feeling therapeutic and relaxing enough for him to catch some z’s before being sent to the holding room. he knows it’s not the best look to doze off in such a high stakes situation—if anything, it may make him seem unprofessional—but he hopes that the audiences watching are able to cut him some slack due to how intensely he’s been practicing, like all the others have been.

thinking of the last preparatory period, he inhales a deep breath as he stands at his mark—the energy of his teammates hopefully able to uplift him enough for him to wow the masses. luckily, the parts he’s been given aren’t out of his comfort zone, and as mentioned, the dancing lends itself to his strong suit, so he hopes that he can pull this off. it’ll be the first time he’s stepped on this stage without feeling confident. it makes him nervous, but maybe the jitters will help give him a much-needed boost? without much more time to think, the first beat plays, and along with the others, he starts to sing—his voice warmed up, but tired. thankfully he has the others singing in unison with him, better masking the delicate rasp that’s coloring his vocal tone.

however, when it’s his first individual part, he does so as he was taught—his facial expressions still sparkling despite his movements lacking punch, and sadly, he’s a little bit sharp when it comes to the lower notes; not able to heed the advice he was given when it mattered most. it’s one strike against him, but he tries not to keep count. instead, he relies on muscle memory to carry him through the rest of the set—striking each move with softness and fluidity, per usual. he received a good bit of center time in the formations, and he makes sure he’s at least able to dazzle the crowd when he’s leading the pack, but whenever he’s not the person in focus, he fades into the background entirely, clearly not delivering at his typical standard.

then, the most iconic part of the dance comes up, and as he drops down with the group, he shuts his eyes for a millisecond and tries his damnedest to muster up all of the fight in him to carry out the rest of the song. when it’s his section of the breakdown, he infuses the lyrics into his motions and countenance; forcing himself to perform at a ten until the last beat is struck, and when it is, he schmoozes with the cameras that are spiraling around him, in hopes that he can provide them with a refreshing ending fairy shot if that’s what’s in the cards. given that he receives high praise for his aesthetic appeal, it wouldn’t shock him if his visage is the last thing the audience sees. all he can hope is that he doesn’t look as tired as he feels right now.

[  🌹  ]  𝖈𝖆𝖓’𝖙 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖕 𝖆 𝖍𝖚𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖊… 𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝖎𝖎.

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISSION TWO BONUS— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG REFLECTS ON THE PREPARATION PERIOD FOR HIS PERFORMANCE OF ❝ 𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖚𝖙𝖊 ❞ ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  SAEA, STEVIE, MATTY, & JINYOUNG. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟒𝟑𝟎 WORDS.

much like last time, as they’re receiving their critiques and being asked questions in relation to their rehearsal process, sarang stands how jinyoung taught him—poised and graceful, like a dancer. there’s a confidence in his posture, one that’s prominent and ready for whatever words are tossed his way. while he realizes that his display wasn’t perfect, he likes to think that he’s continuing to impress the judges and viewers alike. some of the individuals overseeing him strike a modicum of fear in his soul, but for the most part, he’s able to remain neutral and cool; not allowing himself to break a sweat due to the intimidation. being that he’s gotten used to the filming process, and he’s gotten to know the other contestants more personally, he’s feeling far more comfortable than before, especially since he has a team to lean on now.

so, when the queries roll in, sarang listens with intent, and as he’s not someone who needs an ample amount of time to give a proper response, he dives right on in—a master of conversation. "personally, i feel confident in everything that i showed today!” he begins, beaming. “while i know i still have a long way to go as far as showing more power in my dancing is concerned, i tried my best to overcome that obstacle for this performance. in my opinion, i think i balanced the sexiness and the strength quite well, and i wouldn’t have been able to do so without my teammates!” with that, he turns towards all of them; offering each one a grin and a soft bow.

“the greatest challenge, for me, was not only being knowledgable of what i lack and hoping to improve, but also ensuring that each one of my group-mates felt confident and comfortable, too—particularly in their expressions. i loved being able to help them out with something, and i feel honored that they trusted me enough to ask for my guidance!” wanting to be cheeky, sarang decides to throw in a playful comment for added affect; his tone of voice effervescent. “i hope all of us were able to woo and wow all of you with our faces! we’re definitely a visual team, at least in my opinion.” adding a wink to emphasize his silliness, he takes a step back and laughs adorably.

sometimes he worries that his disposition and demeanor are too much for the cameras, but he’d rather stand out than fade away. all he can hope now is that the judges continue to see potential in him; he’s keeping his fingers crossed.

[  🌹  ]  𝖈𝖆𝖓’𝖙 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖕 𝖆 𝖍𝖚𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖊...

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISSION TWO SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖚𝖙𝖊 ❞ WITH HIS TEAMMATES FOR THE GROUP EVALUATION — EP 3 ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  SAEA, STEVIE, & MATTY / THE JUDGES. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟕𝟑𝟓 WORDS.

there’s a confidence that infiltrates his soul as he stands on stage—body poised in his starting position, facial expressions relaxed, and his breathing steady; even. knowing that he has a team during this evaluation has him feeling more centered, especially knowing that he gets along well with all of them. the journey to this moment was arduous, sure, but the preparation period will now until forever live in his memory, and he already has plans in regards to getting the “salute” team back together for dinner or something whenever this is over. he knows this is meant to be a high stakes competition, and maybe it’s wrong of him to focus so much on strengthening bonds and friendships, but he can’t help himself. it’s very much in his nature to prioritize communication and good vibes than it is to stress out over trivial details. at the end of the day, all four of them are as prepared as they’re going to be, and they’re here to put on a good show, and in order to do that successfully, lots of fun must be had onstage. if not, they’ll lack soul, and energy, this is a song needs both in droves.

not having any time to think or second guess himself, the music starts and he lifts his head to catch the light; his newly dyed auburn hair matching stunningly with the darkness of his outfit. frankly, he’s not thrilled by the ensemble he’s in, but mostly because he personally doesn’t think that structured and stiff garments suit him. with the amount of roundness and curve he has to his frame, as well as having a more delicate bone structure, they typically conceal all of his best assets. thankfully though, he was able to convince the stylist on-set to allow him wrap a belt around his waist to show off its slimness; giving him a much stronger silhouette. sarang will always be someone that performs best if he’s confident in his look, and with that in mind, he comes to life as the first verse starts—aiming to represent the women.

ringing through his ears the entire time is yoojung’s voice, and after being given lessons in strength from his group-mates, he does his absolute best to force more tension in his limbs, as well as his hips, chest, and shoulders, for the parts of the song that require a bigger bang from him. isolations like this are hard for him, but luckily, this choreography blends power and sensuality, so there are moments within it that accentuate his personal style of dance, and he leans into those with passion. those instances fall perfectly in his wheelhouse, so he milks them for all they’re worth.

though, he doesn’t want to get accused of avoiding improving what he lacks by honing in specifically on his strong-suit. he’s learning that dynamics are important; that being a chameleon is a better option than only pulling off one particular vibe.

that being said though, the rest of his team seems to have difficulties conveying sexiness and flirtation, and as they’re all mostly focusing on the coolness of the song, he thought that adding a hefty dose of sex appeal to his motions, and to his visage, would allow him to stand out. he isn’t trying to showboat or one-up anyone, but add a new flavor to the mix; one that’s very him. when the timing is right, he isn’t shy to wink at the camera, or lick his lips, or even bite the tip of his thumb—his countenance oozing with sexuality throughout the floor work portion, as well. he may not possess the high level of power that’s been asked of him, but he hopes that the panel of judges can see that he’s at least attempting it; that he’s trying his best. though, a large part of his critique was that he needs to learn to fit the concepts given to him, and in his opinion, he’s doing exactly that right here, and right now, with “salute.”

in the bat of an eyelash, he’s striking his final pose, and when it’s time for him to unfold after the cameras capture whatever ending fairies and expressions they want, he turns to his team and gives them all a bright sunbeam of a smile; bowing towards them all as a means to say they did a fantastic job, and have nothing to worry about.

[  🌹  ]  𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖉𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜 ?  𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝖎𝖎.

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISSION ONE BONUS— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG REFLECTS ON THE PREPARATION FOR HIS PERFORMANCE OF ❝ 𝖒𝖞 𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖓 ❞ — EP 2 ! 𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 /  MOON JINYOUNG & MATTY LUONG. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟓𝟑𝟓 WORDS.

having mistakenly exited the stage too early, he’s ushered back to his mark by one of the staff members backstage; an adorable look of embarrassment on his face as he bows towards the panel of judges once more—hoping they’ll forgive him for his error. the dance portion created slight nervousness in him, but standing here before the individuals overseeing his progress, sarang’s confident in his ability to charm people; an interview with them something he feels he can excel at. as image conscious, witty, and presentable as he is, there’s no doubt in his mind that he’ll deliver strong replies. so, when the first question is asked to him, he listens with intent; his head nodding towards them before he poises himself to speak. his stance, and posture, is similar to a dancer’s, just like jinyoung taught him; a smile decorating his moon-shaped face.

“the most challenging part of this mission, to me, was trying to find the right balance between singing and dancing!” he knows that many others will likely utter the same response; it’s a tricky skill to learn for a novice. “however, i really enjoyed learning not only from you all, but from the friends i’ve made here, as well. with everyone’s help, i believe i put my best foot forward and did my best, especially with the foot-work, as that’s what i was most nervous about!” throughout his answer, he maintains steady eye contact with those seated before him; offering each one of them smiles. he wasn’t completely unknowledgeable of k-pop and its artists when he was living at home, but he’s also no expert. while he can recognize the judges and instructors are staples in the industry, his lack of familiarity with them makes this easier on him.

the follow-up is a query regarding who, specifically, was the most helpful to him during the preparation period. a few people immediately come to mind, and sarang doesn’t even pause to reflect. “my good pal, moon jinyoung, is a lifesaver. he’s talented, and handsome, and he’s been there for me so often throughout practice. how he had the time to help me so much, as well as work on his own performance, is beyond me, but i’ll forever be grateful,” he halts, takes a beat, then proceeds. “matty luong also taught me how to do the high-kick with precision, and he’s such a class act, too. they’ve definitely been incredible to me. well, them, and of course, my talented senior, yoojung. i hope i can someday possess the same power you have!”

cheeky as ever, he sends a playful wink in the idol’s direction, then chuckles; bowing his head delicately as he simmers down. “above all, i want to thank you all for your consideration. while i’m confident in what i showed you all, i realize that i still lack in many areas, but i hope that, with your help, and in your care, i can walk the flowered path towards success.” as the inquiries come to an end, he folds over in a ninety-degree bow; showing utmost respect the judges before he finally takes his exit—this time at the proper moment, hoping that he was able to woo them somehow.

[  🌹  ]  𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖉𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜 ?

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  MISSION ONE SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖒𝖞 𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖓 ❞ FOR THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF JUDGES FOR EP 2 ! 𝖗𝖊𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊[𝖘] /  DANCE — THE FULL DURATION. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟕𝟑𝟓 WORDS.

as he takes his mark in the center of the floor, he feels the light rain down on him; his eyes closing for a moment so he can take one last deep breath; memories from past few weeks zooming through his mind in that instant. it’s been a long uphill battle, but now that he’s here, all he can do is hope that he worked hard enough to showcase an entertaining performance. going into this, he isn’t expecting perfection out of himself. if he did, he would end up sorely disappointed. he’s able to realize that, one, being perfect isn’t an option for literally anyone, and two, he’s nowhere near the level of the other contestants, so it’s wise not to compare himself to any of them.

it would be unfair of him to align himself with someone like jinyoung when it comes to dancing, or someone like joomi when vocals are involved, so he’s focused on remaining true to himself—showcasing the charms that he has to offer. after all, some people love an underdog story; they love watching a once-dull diamond become polished over a stretch of time; they love witnessing the sparkle happen with their own eyes. in this show, maybe yeom sarang can fill that role? maybe he can prove that, while he may not be considered immaculately skilled now, he has the potential to grow into a performer that can shine as bright as the most brilliant stars someday?

suddenly, the first beat of the song hums, and it’s mellifluous sound brings him to life; every thought evaporating from his head as his focus hones in on his expressions—the twinkle in his eyes evident from the start. it’s clear that his visual appeal is cutting edge, and that there’s a natural radiance from his soul that infuses itself into his presence. anyone can tell that there’s something there, and when it’s time for him to open his mouth and sing, he does so with confidence. is his voice revolutionary? no—what it is, though, is soft and high-pitched; the key of the song not an issue for him being that he can hit all of the notes—including the top ones—without exerting too much force, or straining. its lightness, however, makes his volume rather quiet; the art of projection not mastered yet. it’s apparent that his singing would work well in the recording booth, but not live stages. at least not yet. he can remedy that.

when it comes to the choreography, sarang still finds it complex, but thanks to his friends, he’s picked up some tricks to make remembering each eight-count easier, as well as the proper techniques to ensure each motion is done with ease. his dancing is passable, at best, but his style is what isn’t connecting with the song. the boys’ moves contain strength and power in many parts, but that’s always been difficult for him to convey. instead, his body harbors grace and fluidity; his angles clear, but the dynamics that balance striking impact, and smoothness, are missing. every action is delicate; making it appear like he lacks energy, but that isn’t exactly the case. he’s proud of the fan kick, though, even if he lost his footing for a millisecond after.

what he’s excelling in, though, isn’t surprising. throughout the whole set, his facial acting is superb; maybe even breathtaking, depending on who you ask. each expression has been carefully practiced in the mirror, yet somehow still feels spontaneous, and furthermore, they convey the lyrics written beautifully. each point he gets to strike a pose, it’s hit with precision, and he’s unveiling his genuine mastery of this aspect of the performance; or of performing, in general. as obnoxious as it may sound, he considers it a gift bestowed to him; an asset he was born with.

as the song progresses, he begins to lose his breath, so his vocals are even softer than before, but no matter how exhausted he is, his countenance remains vibrant; sweat accumulating on his brow from the effort he’s exerting. his dancing is getting mildly sloppy, but his final stance is magnetic; his aura beaming from him like he’s the sun itself. his chest rises and falls heavily, and when he feels it’s time to unfold from his position, he falls into a thankful ninety-degree bow; waving towards the judges overseeing him as he makes his exit—feeling better than he thought he would.

[  🌹  ]  𝖒𝖞 𝖇𝖔𝖉𝖞 & 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌...

𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖌𝖊𝖓 𝖘𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 /  AUDITION TAPE SOLO— 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG PERFORMS ❝ 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖊 ❞ BY THE LOVELY SOLOIST LEE SUNMI FOR HIS AUDITION ! 𝖗𝖊𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊[𝖘] /  DANCE — THE FULL DURATION. 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙 /  WRITTEN IN ROUGHLY 𝟔𝟖𝟎 WORDS.

having filmed audition tapes in the past to ship off to companies, sarang has become used to presenting a solid display of his talents in the medium of film. maybe he has an edge on his work since his brother is a working professional in video production and editing, but at the end of the day, he’s genuinely felt confident in every piece he’s submitted for consideration. so, when he started to prepare for this new opportunity, he was swathed in optimism. sure, there are fragments of insecurity that exist inside of him after his failure at studio delta, but more than anything, he wants to showcase that he’s able to pick himself up and dust himself off after a stumble. that, and he’s actually been hard at work when it comes to brushing up his skills. thanks to the help of close friends, he’s been ardently polishing his dancing to a fine point—one that’s still softly dull, but the more he practices, the sharper and stronger it becomes.

he’s proud of himself for sticking with it for as long as he has, and he has no plans of stopping. sarang’s not as perfect or as improved as he’d like to be for this prospective competition show, but he hasn’t been able to find a good part-time job yet, so he’s decided to put his energy into this recording, and now that it’s come time to capture the footage, he’s feeling good; centered. the first frame shows a black chair in the center of the floor, and as the beat builds, he walks to take a seat and hit his first pose; his limbs creating an attractive shape to kick things off with. the song he selected is a daring choice for a male dancer, but he feels the choreography itself accentuates the style he’s been curating over the last few months. not wanting to subscribe to any sort of gender roles, he enjoys movements that blur those lines—that are both masculine and feminine—and that’s what he’s showcasing in this clip.

when it comes time to finally unveil all of his efforts, sarang focuses completely on making this a performance art piece, not only a dance. he’s been learning about how to pair his charisma—and knack for variegated facial expressions—with his motions to convey a message; emotions that coincide with the true meaning of the music. it helps him understand and connect to it. all the while, he still tries to focus on what jinyoung’s been teaching him in their lessons, and he’s careful with his body; trying to exert strength where it matters, and trying to be soft when the delicateness of the melody calls for it. despite the dancing being on a chair, on the floor, and overall utilizing a lot of levels, he maintains his coordination fairly well. it’s clear that he’s not the best technically—that he’s far from it, honestly speaking—but there’s potential, and maybe, just maybe, heaps of star power and presence; a natural radiance.

for example, for what he lacks in precision, he makes up for with his face and his visuals; being engaging in a manner that can’t exactly be taught. it’s something that he considers valuable, but it just comes down to whether or not other people think it’s valuable, as well. other hopefuls are definitely going to be superior in terms of singing, rapping, and dancing, but in his opinion, no one will be able to rival him in magnetism and presentability—no one. that’s what he’s most confident in, and that aura embraces him as he finishes out the roughly minute-and-a-half excerpt. it passes by all too fast, and when it’s done, he holds his position; schmoozing for the camera before breaking character, so to speak. unfolding from his stance, he stands up and heads for the camera; wanting to now watch this take for personal approval.

he’ll do as many redos as possible to make sure he’s sending in his best attempt, and once he makes his choice, all he can do is hope for good news in the near future.

[  🌹  ]  𝖉𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋 𝖔𝖋𝖋 & 𝖙𝖗𝖞 𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖎𝖓 !

𝖘𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖌’𝖘 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊, 𝖓𝖊𝖆𝖗 𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖉𝖆𝖊 /  202211XX. 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG STARTS A BRAND NEW ERA.

his results are not surprising to him, and he has no idea if that should make him sad or not. while he signed his probationary contract with high hopes, all of them came crashing down to cinders and ash the instant he stepped foot into the studio delta building. all of the others around him were so talented, and they seemed so eager to steep themselves into company’s mantra of turning individuals into artists; of honing talents to a precise edge first and foremost. many of them seemed to fall into that category seamlessly. they possessed a drive to showcase their skillsets and improve. they aimed for the top and didn’t mind how heavily competitive the environment became. in truth, their tenacity and grit is what began to get into sarang’s head. his end-goal in all of this is to attain fame and status, not to unveil himself as someone with a spectacular singing voice, or with precise rap skills, or the ability to dance circles around others. if anything, his assets lie in being photographed, or endorsing products, or even interacting with fans in a manner that makes them ache for more of him. studio delta doesn’t align with what he wants out of an idol life, and it didn’t take them long to see that, and though he was eager to try it out, the fit wasn’t right, and because of that, there was almost nothing they could do for him.

breaking this news to seulgi was hard. he was terrified of admitting his failure, even if it felt more like a relief than a disappointment to him. the last three months have shown him that the road to becoming a k-pop idol isn’t as easy as he thought it would be; that skating by on looks and charisma isn’t exactly the best plan of attack, especially in a place that prioritizes artistic expression. upon the revelation, his brother understood and still supported his endeavors, but has made it abundantly clear that, since fashion school isn’t on the table at the moment, he needs to look for a part-time job. that, of course, was to be expected, but there was a small fragment of him that hoped seulgi wouldn’t mind him taking some time off to properly relax. the larger part of him knew that that would be asking too much, though. being that his sibling is an ardent workaholic, there was no way that he would’ve been alright with sarang’s laziness. that’s one thing that yeom seulgi has never tolerated.

so, trying to pick himself back up after a few long months of training, he peruses the job boards; searching for something that’ll allow him to showcase his creativity. there’s openings at a local flower shop, one of his favorite fabric stores, as well as one of the best cosmetics stores in the city. he applies at all three and awaits callbacks, but is hopeful that someone will take a chance on him. it’s happened before, and even if he failed, all he can do is keep moving forward. life doesn’t stop for anyone.

[  🌹  ]  𝖑𝖊𝖒𝖒𝖊 𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖎’𝖛𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖙 !

𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖉𝖎𝖔 𝖉𝖊𝖑𝖙𝖆 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖖𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 /  20220813. 𝖙𝖑𝖉𝖗 /  SARANG AUDITIONS FOR STUDIO DELTA.

while this isn’t his first choice for a company, the fact that he was approached by someone at the greenplugged festival at all completely piqued sarang’s interest. that, and well, it’s also an extreme confidence booster to be told that he’s “ good-looking ” enough to be extended an exclusive invitation to audition for studio delta in the first place. what makes him nervous, though, is the fact that he was also told that this company creates “ artists ” above all, and as he’s someone who recently went viral for all of the wrong reasons, he’s unsure if calling himself an “ artist ” is appropriate. it’s possible that he has the potential to become one, but as it stands right now, there’s no way in hell he’ll be walking into the room with a fully equipped skillset to display to the panel of individuals reviewing him. that said, he’s prepared a dance to show them — one that may not be the most technical in terms of choreography, but one that shows off his unbeatable charisma and stage presence. if there’s one thing he’s confident in, it’s definitely that, and in typical sarang fashion, he shows up immaculately dressed and looking like a ten; the pieces he adorns designed by him, so naturally, they hug his figure just right. his aesthetics meant to wow and woo.

taking a deep breath, his knee bounces nervously as he sits in the holding room with the other hopefuls in his group; his hand slipping into his pocket to retrieve a small compact he brought with him to check on his face and hair. somehow, his makeup has remained looking really good, and his hair is falling in all the right places, and in the midst of his vanity, he hears the unit he’s in get called into the room. preparing himself mentally for whatever happens, he stands and shuffles in; donning a smile that’s warm and bright in hopes to conceal any outward insecurities. sure, being talented is largely the cause for many people getting cast in a company — especially one that prides themselves on housing a high caliber of talent like studio delta does — but sarang’s aware that another huge part of being an idol is being presentable. if he’s lucky enough, he’ll gain access based on potential and image alone, but his brother advised him to be realistic so his hopes aren’t too high, then come crashing down, so he’s heeding that advice as best he can; not falling prey to any delusion.

when it’s his turn to take his photos, he does as instructed; confident in knowing that he’s very photogenic. then, he and the rest are set to face the judges, and it all turns into a blur for him until his name is called specifically, and doing what he’s been told to do, he takes center, beams an affectionate grin, and bends forward in a ninety-degree bow. as he rises back up, he begins the process with an introduction. “ hello !! my name is yeom sarang. i was born in 2003, and i’m participant number 17. thank you for your consideration !! ” he bows once more. “ today, i’ve prepared a dance for you and i hope you enjoy it. please take care of me well !! ” now comes the hard part, and before his music starts, he breathes another deep sigh; trying his best not to overthink the choreography he’s spent days upon days learning. he takes his first stance, and when the music starts, he blooms like flora; arms unfolding like petals.

𝖗𝖊𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊,  00:06 — 00:40.

he’s made some friends while frequenting clubs in itaewon that helped him prepare for this, and while he’s no expert at the art of waacking, he finds the dance style really beautiful — falling at the intersection of masculinity and femininity. that, and as a bonus, he appreciates its rich history and how it’s steeped in queer culture, which he resonates with and is still learning about. his motions are graceful and rather soft, the intricate detail of the choreography focusing mostly on body waves and his arms. some might argue that he lacks power in his motions, or that the angles of his limbs appear messy sometimes, and they would be right, but what he lacks in power and technical precision, he makes up for in variegated facial expressions and acting. there’s even a section mid-dance where he pauses and schmoozes the judges with facials alone and he milks every second of it. being that the section he prepared is less than a minute in length, he’s able to finish it successfully, and as he finishes, he bows one last time and returns back to his original spot in waiting to catch his breath.

in the end, sarang has no idea what his fate will be, but no matter what, he’s glad for the experience. to him, that’s the most precious and valuable part of all of this.