Embrace The Chords & Strings | ZEROBASEONE

The colors scattered and muddled, all calling out to their labels. Those names accompanied a number. As he gazed at the order, he had an inkling of what it might be. But as for its consequence, he has no idea. So he focused on finding his name, scouring through each row but coming out with nothing. "You can't find your name, June-ah?"

The boy who looked his way was none other than Lee Hoe Taek. The idol noticed the boy looking through the whole section for K Group and found it concerning how his eyebrows were still drawn together. When the younger boy nodded at the older's remark, he gave a smile. "Don't worry, ours aren't there too."

The simple words comforted him and stopped him from bouncing off the walls. And so he bowed to the older boy and went to stand with Jiwoong. His friend gently placed his hand on the younger boy's back to ease him until the wait.

It wasn't long until star master Hwang Min Yun graces them with a step from the wooden doors. His gentle step brings them all to direct their attention to him. He was the true idol in the room, even clad in simple wear made him distinct from everyone else. "You'll be like him in the future, a known idol and actor." June's words warmed Jiwoong's heart more than he cared to admit. And he may not have replied then or won't ever directly respond back, but his step closer — barely space between them — was a sign of how June's belief mattered to him.

"Before announcing the first mission, let me tell you this." The idol knew of the struggle in being in a survival show. In every instance another thing was withheld from them, which was a risk. A risk that can be used against them. "The star creators from all over the world watched your signal song performance and gave their evaluation."

As he glanced around at those in the same situation as himself, June knew that the absence of a number means something good. These people are those that fans will immediately root for, after all. "You are the trainees who won 1st to 10th place."

Top 10? The shock on his face caused Jiwoong to raise his eyebrow. Why can't June see that he's got the charm to have people root for him? Because certainly, as he glanced along the room, he can note a list of names of young boys who are certified fans of his. The person near them, Lee Da Eul, is already one.

The boys looked around at one another, even across the room where Group G stood. Furthering the bias for Korean trainees, the script dictated the star master to speak of the results of Group K first for more screen time.

"In ninth place, trainee Lee June." The boy receives a round of applause from everyone as he takes his place. A few of his newfound friends sending a thumbs-up as he smiled and quietly waited for the results of the rest.

He knew that wishing for Kim Jiwoong to overtake Lee Hoe Taek was a stretch. It was the start of the competition, and so far only Hui proved to be a certified idol in the big league. But maybe new blood was meant to be spilled — a BL actor can frontline. But alas, today was not the day. June still sent a big round of applause to both of the top Group K trainees while the host proceeded with Group G.

Both lineups had an element of shock due to the results depending solely on the views. As he gazed back at those in lower positions, he could pinpoint a few that were far more ready than even himself to debut. But this is just the first challenge, it isn't even the rankings of the mission. Maybe Mnet just wanted to spice up the way people are grouped.

"Now we'll reveal the seven Kpop songs from seven million seller artists." The pressure to perform songs by groups who garnered a success rate of a million was a feat. As he gazed forward, he could hear his heart drum. But the curiosity was far louder. It can be easy to guess who they could be. There are very prominent groups nationally and internationally. But the songs assigned — are they the most known, the soft, or the unexpected popular anthems?