Make Your Idol.
When I first got that call from Admin-nim, I didn't ask much questions, as all I cared about was the money.
But after signing the contract and convincing myself to work hard, I started drowning in the world of idol survival shows, and even other variety shows that weren't just Korean.
Among these shows, I found that they all had one thing in common: they had a theme within a theme.
For example, idol survival shows are a genre of survival shows, but each show is also a little different from others. It's all because the had a theme of their own, whatever it be about planets, vampires, or academies, they just had one.
After discovering this, I checked the contract again, twice.
There were really no explanations of the show, except for the fact that it's a survival show to make a global boy-group, but K-pop style.
All I had was the title to think about: Make Your Idol.
Make, to create or produce a certain object. And in this case, the object is the idol.
I think I can make something up.
.
"Chan, you genius!"
"I actually forgot about that part!"
Right now, I'm getting complimented for figuring out the most basic part of an idol survival show. And I agree with these kids, I am pretty smart for that.
"I was wondering why we had so much time. Well, it's still generous, but I bet the other teams would have forgotten all about that!"
Okay, maybe not with this guy. Who the hell thinks one week is enough to create a whole dance routine?
"Hehe, I figured so. Usually, we would be introduced to the show before episode one even begins, but here..."
Just as I was talking, my head turned to my left and right. I was supposed to look around just enough to make eye-contact with everyone for a second, yet my eyes landed on the damn whiteboard instead.
And at my pause, everyone else did, too.
'You were supposed to know these things through hints!!'
Now that I look at it, beside the staff member holding out that board was someone else who held a big raffle box name 'challenges', while a big-ass wheel spin, each section covered with envelopes titled 'hint (number)', hid in the back.
So it seems I have cheated the system.
And just right then, for the first time since entering this damn practice room, Daniel spoke in a hoarse voice, "So... are we screwed?"
I mean now we are, for sure.
.
In a dark room, lie two screens as a source of light. A shaggy man sits in front of both, slump in his chair. His face grew a consistent stubble and his appearance was that of someone who never showers—corporate salve style.
"Darn hag... What's so special about this guy anyway-"
All of a sudden, the room turned bright with white, shocking the man out of his seat. By the now open door was a woman in a clean bun and a medical mask on, her glasses rim too big to be taken seriously.
"How is the episode going, editor?" The woman ask with a rasp voice.
The shaggy man awkwardly points to the monitor screens, his other hand hovering over eyes to protect them from the sudden light.
"It's been easy, boss. The guy you pointed out really makes good scenes and highlights," he answered.
It was clearly pleasing to hear.
"Good, good. Of course, make sure the other five stand out as well. I'll also make sure that producer keep the good ideas coming."
Without waiting for a response, the woman turned her head and closed the door, not bothering to turn the lights back off. It was no unusual thing for her to personally check on the flow of everyone's work, but her annoying actions were still hard to get used to for the poor editor.
"At least remember my name, you hag..."
.
Good news: we didn't have to restart.
As soon as Daniel asked the dumbass question, we were given a ten-minute break, which I used to have a quick conversation with the staff.
There actually was no trouble at all, with the only problem being the fact that we might get less screen time. I then talked it over with the other guys as well, but we all agreed it was better to use the rest of the time to create a choreography.
Therefore, we can continue the shoot with no trouble.
"Good for you, Dan. I almost took advantage of the Korean language and the fact that you were the only one who would understand it."
Daniel shivered at my nice-guy tone.
"Sorry..?"
"No, I'm just kidding. It's also thanks to you that we got a little break, haha," I respond, finishing my drink.
After the discussion, which didn't take long at all, the break time remained and I gladly made use of it to grab a drink all the way in the cafeteria. This guy, Daniel, just followed me out naturally.
"How's your throat feeling now, any better yet?"
"Yeah."
"That's good to hear. Mahesh gave you a cough drop this morning, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay..."
So the only time you speak is when dropping bombshells, I see?
This guy's got me sweating my ass off when I could usually find a conversation topic with ease.
I decided to bring us back to the mission instead while handing him a hot cup of water. He thanked me quietly and I sat back down across him.
"Well, what do you think about the mission? Before we were cut off, that is."
"It sounds fun."
You don't sound like you're having fun at all!
"Yeah? I heard your main thing was dancing. Do you have any ideas already?"
Daniel hesitated, but then he opened his mouth.
Just now, I didn't know this was the last time I'll be seeing the guy in such a cold light.
.
"Sorry, are we late?"
"Not at all, you two. Just in time. Let's start discussing now!"
I nodded at Mahesha's words and took Daniel's hand, seating the both of us back on the floor where it was a previously unfinished circle.
It seems that Mahesha was finally taking the lead. He occasionally glanced at me from time to time, and I figured he probably wanted to talk before the break was over but couldn't.
It's not my fault, promise!
This blonde guy next to me was the one who started yapping about choreographies and stage positions!
Had I known Daniel loved making choreographies that much, I wouldn't have opened the door to his mouth and given him room to talk then. This guy had somehow squeezed a whole dancing lesson in a 10-minute break.
But from him I was glad. A miracle happened, and I somehow understood most of Daniel's wholehearted speech.
"I actually had a theme in mind. Daniel and I talked about it together just now," I said, taking attention to me.
I would have let someone else have the spotlight or at least shared it if I could, I really would. But there was just no time to share my idea before the cameras started rolling again. Even Daniel glanced back in confusion.
"How about we make the theme...dolls in a factory?"
The others looked at me in interest, then I pointed at the lyric sheet that magically appeared in Kato's hands.
"See how in the chorus it goes,
- I'll be the figure that shines in your life
Come and see which one of me do you like
Anything you want, I'll be anything you want
I'm yours from now and on,
so just set me as you please! -
It speaks about adjusting ourselves to the viewer's liking, and Daniel thought it would be great to move as if we're switching gears, like a chain effect!"
I spoke for a while, and it seems that Daniel grew an idea from the things he'd told me back in the cafeteria.
"In this part, we could pretend to switch hairstyles and expressions, as if we're dolls being modified according to the customer's preference."
"Woah, Daniel. You even came up with choreos already?"
The others chimed in like bunches of fish in a pond fighting for the bait. Indeed, most of the thinking came from Daniel, whilst I just helped in wording it for him.
I did make a bunch of guesses last night a I memorized the song, but what I imagined was more like a music video rather than a dance routine.
The way I imagined it was with the contenders of the debut line in mind, where they gather in a dollhouse as one big set, fresh out of the factory. So my idea was somewhat identical to Daniel's.
Honestly, the idea that we're all just 60 guys being treated like preset dolls in a show to arrange felt fucked up. I'm also curious as to how we could have this much freedom in deciding our own themes.
Is PD Bang just lazy? But he would have to create games that relate to the theme the winning team chose.
Or maybe...the team with the closest idea to what the producers already had in mind would win.
I decided there was no use in thinking about it and listened to everyone else's ideas.
"Then how about we do different poses for the pre-chorus? Since the next line is about figure."
"Let's have some footwork in verse two, since it's fast-paced and the notes don't waver much."
Wow, these guys really are talented.
It's hard to believe that in just a day, we had a full choreography in mind.
Maybe it's because we missed out on getting to play the games, but everyone was excited to contribute and practice.
Sure, we didn't need to worry about formation since it would stay the same, but they really do seem to know what they're talking about. It made me feel sorry once more that the line up was already set.
I made sure all of them would have at least two scenes make into the final cut.
"I think we should take a break now, it's dinner time," I said. We–or at least, most of us–just finished recording the choreography from start to finish so we could review it tomorrow.
I somehow made it as a leader along with Daniel, so I used told him to lead the ones figuring out the choreography, while I sit on the sideline, 'judging' if the moves fit the song or not.
I actually have a good ear for music, so I'd occasionally point out some things, like if the dances aren't matching the music's flow or if they made a beat missing.
Turns out it wasn't much different from theatre acting, especially musicals. Every movement by the actor is precise and on beat, each step planned and gestures exaggerated just right.
I never had a proper acting lesson, but the way I described these 'mistakes' was easily understood by the guys and they gladly took my advices and modified the choreo.
In any case, it's about time we stop.
There were surprisingly no stubborn guys and we all exited the practice room after thanking the filming crew.
As I walked, Nicholas followed behind, his steps just one or two away from mine.
"Great job today, man. From the way you started the conversation, I thought you'd figured out the whole choreography on your own."
I can't even follow the one you guys made, though.
"Haha, I just discarded everything once Daniel made move."
Daniel, who was, surprise-surprise, by my side looked surprised at my words. I had to immediately assure him that all is well and that I truly preferred his choreo.
Oh, and Kato ran past all of us so he could take a shower first. I figured he would be sweaty, considering he had also contributed a lot today.
To the other ten or so people still walking in the same pace, though, I thought to make plans for tomorrow while here.
"How about we practice singing while warming up tomorrow? Just to make sure everyone is stable."
My suggestion was immediately agreed upon since it was reasonable enough.
"I really need some lessons for my English," Akira spoke up, reminding us of the discussion held this afternoon.
"Don't worry about it. We have to help each other out while we can."
"Just worry about what's for dinner right now, Kira. We can think about that tomorrow when we practice."
Oh man. Have I told you how bad I feel, knowing not everyone will debut here?
I'm sure I have.
I'll say it again, though, because these guys really don't deserve being out of the spotlight.
So, even if I have to make sure those in the debut line up really stick out, I'm going to take care of the rest of Make Your Idol's participants as best as I can.
As I built that resolve in my head, my potato phone vibrated against the pockets under my pants. (Because yes, my underwear has pockets.)
That reminds me.
"Go ahead, you guys. I'm going to the bathroom."
I have to call Admin-nim again.