#rkjiwon

eunae nods and they all stand up, getting off the small stage. because yes, they also practice their entrance, from the way they walk to how they greet the fake journalists. no comments are made this time around since they want the girls to go through the whole thing without interruption. it’s important that they experience it all so they’re prepared for the real press conference. there won’t be anyone telling them what do do or say then.

she listens as she first questions are asked, doing her best to smile and nod at appropriate moments, sometimes looking at the member talking and sometimes just looking at the staff members. her turn doesn’t come right away but she mentally prepares for it, past comments coming to mind: look directly at the person who asked the question, don’t cut off a member talking, when uncomfortable it’s alright to take a pause instead of just spewing nonsense (which she’s proven to be very good at).

“Do you regret getting involved in the survival show?”

she dives in first, bringing her microphone to her mouth. “not at all! of course it was very intense and very hard but because of it we learned  lot about the industry and about ourselves! i think the saddest thing is probably that we don’t get to debut with all the friends we’ve made during the show.” she thinks of lisa, and soohyun, and hyuna. “but i know i’ll cherish those memories forever!”

“How is it living with five other girls in a small space? Have you had fights?”

she has a small laugh. she shoots a glance over to the other girls, lips pursed before the finally answers. “we’ve been really busy with our debut preparations so we spend more time at the royal building than we do at our dorm. that’s not a lot of time to get into fights!” she laughs again. “but we’re six very different people, with different personalities so of course we argue sometimes.” she looks at jihyun. “jihyun unnie is a very good leader though, and we go to her with our issues instead of keeping it it, you know? sometimes it’s better to just fight, then we don’t hold grudges.”

“Are you currently dating anyone?”

they decided it’d be less risky to have a single person among them answer this, just in case their body language tells otherwise when they say they’re not dating (which they obviously have to). eunae thinks it’s dumb of the media to constantly ask idols that question considering there’s no way any of them will respond positively unless they want to kill their career before it ever started. “there’s definitely no time for that!” and is she lying? even the three of them that are in relationships could almost be considered single now. “debuting is more important than dating right now, i think it goes for all of us?” who would she even date anyway? everyone gets tired of her after a while she’ll probably never get passed the “some” stage.

“Do the girls who came from other companies feel welcomed by the royal girls? How did the transition go?”

For the audience at home, a brief review of last episode’s events reminds them what’s at stake for tonight. Two groups have been formed by So Jisub based on the finalists remaining in the competition: Team A, consisting of YANG JIWON, JO EUNAE, LEE JIHYUN, MANOBAN LALISA, and LEE SOOHYUN; and Team B, consisting of PARK CHAEYOUNG, JEGAL SEOYOUNG, KIM SEOLHYUN, AHN HYOJIN, and NAM DAWON, and these groups are to perform one last time, their efforts and stage presence determining their future fate in Luxe-- or outside of it. As they’ve only been given a week to prepare for this performance, the pressure has mounted higher than ever and the resulting emotional responses have intensified, as seen in several clips of the girls as they are given a chance to capture a camera and confess their innermost thoughts.

“it’s been a really precious experience.” JEGAL SEOYOUNG says as she steeples her fingers. “In the beginning I thought… I probably won’t make it to the end, but I should still do it. I couldn’t give up the chance. but now it really feels like i could win.” Seoyoung reaches down and takes a sip of tea, which has now cooled to her satisfaction. “If you told me I would be a finalist on a Royal Survival show in one year, I would have fainted. Seriously.”

“The girls aren’t here right now, but I brought them with me!” JO EUNAE lifts up a picture they all took together at the very beginning of the show, when there were still thirteen of them. "We lost three girls along the way. Three talented friends. I guess you could say it’s to be expected when you enter a survival show; you never know when your turn will come and how you’ll react if it does. But when you’re in it, it’s different. We’re so involved that we don’t really imagine this could ever end. You know? The experience I gained during the show is priceless, really. I was confident in my abilities. Not arrogant, but confident. Maybe a little too much?” she laughs earnestly. “But I’ve learned that i indeed have a lot to work on still. i think even years from now, I won’t be able to be completely satisfied with myself. Maybe I’m too competitive, but I think it’s always possible to do better.”

“If I had an opportunity to do this again, to be on another survival show, I think I would do it,” KIM SEOLHYUN confesses, “I thought I knew what I would be getting myself into when I signed myself up for this, but some of the challenges, the interview and the dress…” Her eyes closed and her shoulders bounced in a silent laugh. Hands went up to cover her face with a whine as if wanting to forget the memory. “It’s nearing the end now, right? No matter what happens, every one of us did their best. At this point…  I’m also proud of /us/ for making it this far. Really, with all the memories we shared, I would be glad to be in the same group with any of them. But we’ll learn about that soon, won’t we? I’m nervous just thinking about it.”

“When I auditioned – I thought that I’d be a shoo-in.” LEE JIHYUN reveals honestly. “I’ve been at Royal for so long, I had to get in? But getting put into minor really made me work for my place. I had become so complacent that I had forgotten the feeling of trying and took my seniority for granted. If anything, from this experience – I learned that it’s never too late to keep trying, to prove your worth. Or, show that my dancing has improved a little bit – I know, I’m still not the best but I’m not exactly a sight for sore eyes anymore, right? Riiiiiiiiiiii –ght.” Jihyun laughs, hand coming up to cover her lips, muting the laughter trying to keep it at bay. “I just hope, in the end, that’s what I’m remembered for. started from the bottom, now i’m here.”

“Hi, hi! It’s me, Lee Soohyun, royal entertainment’s sunflower and precious chibi moon.” LEE SOOHYUN giggles then a soft smile appears on her lips, and she then turns the camera to show that she is actually at a cosplay cafe. “i’m here with my boyfriend you know.. i’m sorry sajangnim.. i didn’t want you to find out like this. he’s very good to me i hope you support us!” she jokes, but later becomes more sweetly sincere: “i pray that we make you happy with our performances, please look after us fondly. we all have worked really hard to be here, chasing any dream takes a lot of courage.” Soohyun smiles placing her free hand on her chest, “it’s scary.. even if we don’t show it.. we’re all a little scared. we’re bearing our hearts to you. so with that being said i always remember this: don’t forget, if usagi can! so can you! i love you guys bye bye! god bless!”

“hello hello hello!” MANOBAN LALISA says greetings in the three languages she knows — first korean, then english, then thai. “this whole show has been a wild ride, and so much happened in the span of a few months.” lisa takes a sip of her drink before continuing. “there are a lot of things that happened that didn’t get shown. we had a lot of hardships. sometimes i would be practicing all day and i wouldn’t realize the time, and since the practice rooms have no windows, i would barely even think about it… to be honest, it was difficult in the beginning because i knew that i was lacking, especially compared to the other trainees.” she pauses, taking a breath. “i think that’s what really motivated me. because i thought that i definitely couldn’t show that on television, and that i had to improve no matter what. and i’ve learned so much from sajangnim and my trainers and the other trainees, so i’m really really grateful.”

“it’s been, what, three months now? wow, it feels so…unbelievable. i still can’t decide if the time passed by slowly or quickly, but… i don’t think i’m ready for it to be over yet.” NAM DAWON smiled a warm and reminiscent smile. “it’s been such an important chapter in my life… it feels almost like i’m graduating high school again,” she admitted, light amounts of laughter spilling from within her. “coming into this, i didn’t think that i’d end up caring about all of these people so much, but…” she looked down for a moment, and, when her gaze lifted, it became clear that she had tears forming in her eyes. “coming from another company… i know that this is my last chance to be with them. i’m not ready to leave them yet, so i have to show that to so jisub by working hard, right? i want this more than anything… i realize that now. i’ll adapt, and, maybe you’ll see me on luxe’s debut stage! royal, fighting!”

“i remember when the show was announced, i didn’t sign up nor take part in the special training, i didn’t want to be apart of the show.” PARK CHAEYOUNG explains. “so, when i signed up, it was more-or-less on a whim.” rose glances downwards at her hands, fingers almost bare of rings, other jewelery which usually occupies every vacant limb. “i can say now, that i’m really glad i signed up, and god, who knew i’d be here still. i want to win.” she shifts in her place, leaning back in the chair, folding her arms across her chest, looking downwards. “it means so much to me that i’ve been given the opportunity to debut alongside them, we’ve worked so hard. let's go all the way together. no matter what, everything happens for a reason. this is park chaeyoung signing off, i may be rose of luxe or just rose of royal but,” she pauses. “either way, i’ll be happy. take care now, bye bye!”

“I’m trying really hard. Harder than I ever thought I’d be capable of. Not because…Not because I’m afraid of losing. I know I have to do well for the others.” YANG JIWON is too tired to stave off the way her eyes start to well with tears. “People think I don’t work hard because of the company I represent, or that I think I can just be better without…lifting a finger or anything. All of these girls are so talented. I never thought I’d make it this far. And they’ve all been so good to me. I hate the thought of them not debuting together, especially my teammates...” She sniffs, for at least the third time since she started recording. “I have to be better,” she concedes, looking into the camera, “It could be the last time anyone sees anything from me ever, and that’s kind of a big deal…”

From expressions of positivity to a consistent sense of fear of being eliminated, it’s visible to all that the girls are enduring far more mentally and emotionally than what is shown on the camera. It’s the cost of a survival competition and no one envies their position; they’re offering it all to the watching audience and only one man decides whether it’s good enough or not.

Once more returned to the stage, Seo Kangjoon introduces the first group to perform as Team B. PARK CHAEYOUNG, JEGAL SEOYOUNG, KIM SEOLHYUN, AHN HYOJIN, and NAM DAWON all take center stage and the lights and music begin for their rendition of the original song, “Want You to Say.” Jisub’s eyes are sharp as he assesses the performers individually: Rose, whose lovely vocals and stage presence have improved gradually over the duration of the competition; Seoyoung, whose full-rounded talent adds stability to the group’s overall dynamic; Seolhyun, whose usual high dance quality is marred by an injury he’d heard about from the choreographer, yet who still endures well for the camera; Elly, who impresses him with her suitability to this fresh concept, as well as her softer rapping style that’s a refreshing change to hear; and lastly, Dawon, whose singing style is as flawless as ever and has him closing his eyes in joy to hear it.

It’s tremendous. So Jisub is impressed and the feeling is revealed on his face as he slowly nods in approval once the performance ends. “Well done, girls,” Jisub tells them simply, smiling wide. There will be no critique for these final performances but he hopes his appreciation for their shown hard work is heard loud and clear as he claps strongly for them, along with the audience who shouts their praises to the five girls.

Byun Baekhyun comes to the microphone when the noise finally dies down and introduces the next group as Team A. YANG JIWON, JO EUNAE, LEE JIHYUN, MANOBAN LALISA, and LEE SOOHYUN all take their positions on stage and the lights and music go up for their performance to “Why Did You Come to My House?” An utter change of pace from the previous fun-hearted performance, the audience and So Jisub all watch equally fascinated as the up-beat stage takes place next. As before, the CEO quietly watches all girls in turn: Jiwon, whose potential he’s always believed in despite her being thrust into roles where she couldn’t show it off like the others; Eunae, a talented rapper who one simply couldn’t take their eyes off of whenever she appeared; Jihyun, with a singing talent to shake the soul out of viewers as she hits the challenging high notes; Lisa, the epitome of someone who’d worked hard throughout the competition to improve to his standards; and Soohyun, whose vocals fill the CEO with shameless pride that he’s found her such a long time ago.

Jisub feels the pressure mounting even before the song is over. In front of him now are five girls whose talent could shake a nation, and yet so, too, were five previously who could do the same. However, despite the heavy decision that he feels weighing down his shoulders, the CEO already knows the final conclusion he’s come to. These performances alone were never the deciding factor but everything up to this point. Their past performances, hearing the honest opinions from the coaches over these three months, watching the confessional interviews behind the scenes that weren’t always shown on air and, finally, his own biased opinion over who would suit Luxe -- all these factored into the decision he’d announce once the final ensemble performance graced the stage. “Absolutely fantastic,” he praises Team A, keeping to a simplistic approach as he conveys his happiness over their performance with enthusiastic applause.

The surprise for the audience follows next, as Han Yejin takes over the microphone to announce “Wild” as a special presentation for the loyal viewers watching the show all this time. “May I introduce… your finalists of Royal Survival!” she declares, once the girls have had enough time to quickly change into their ‘Wild’ costumes and the stage is reset for the final performance. The lights go on and the audience is mesmerized by the full sight of all ten young women challenging the third, most difficult concept of all: sensuality to bewitch the mind.

Jisub looks on with pride as he sees them all together on stage for the final time. His chest tightens with an unexpected rise of emotion as he thinks of all the progress they’ve made since joining the show. Those without confidence in their first challenge now shine like stars underneath the bright lights and he exhales out a long breath, smiling fondly as they dance together as a unit and entertain the audience with their unique charms.

Of these girls, his Luxe would be born.

When the performance ends, the audience roars with thunderous cheers and applause. The girls are given time to soak in the live reaction, standing on stage to hear what’s justly deserved as the camera crew and stage crew hurriedly switch over to the results stage. The audience at home is given a commercial break while they do so, and Jisub takes the time off camera to stretch out his legs and take a much-needed sip of water.

This was it. The final reckoning.

There’s no way for him to prepare himself for the inevitable heartbreak he’d cause on that stage tonight. Jisub knew this was the end for several of them, some who might leave his company out of grief and giving up on their dreams ( though, of course, he’d hoped they wouldn’t. ) But, for the others, those who would start on this road with him to make Luxe the shining new stars of the idol industry, he would have to steel himself to face the consequences.

When the show returns, Jisub stands and faces the girls, still dressed in their Wild costumes, with a bittersweet expression. “Thank you, girls, for everything,” he tells them sincerely. “These last three months have been eye-opening and I’ve seen talent that takes my breath away still even today.”

“Without further ado, I will now sort you into groups for the very last time.”

The audience gasps in surprise at this announcement but Jisub has anticipated this reaction and ignores it, choosing instead to stare steadily at the line up of finalists up on stage before opening his mouth to announce their names one by one.

“Ahn Hyojin… you will stay in Team B.”

“Jo Eunae… you will stay in Team A.”

“Kim Seolhyun… you will move to Team A.”

“Lee Jihyun… you will stay in Team A.”

“Lee Soohyun… you will move to Team B.”

“Manoban Lalisa… you will move to Team B.”

“Nam Dawon… you will move to Team A.”

“Park Chaeyoung… you will stay in Team B.”

“Yang Jiwon… you will stay in Team A.”

Jisub pauses, considering the new groups as they stand now: Team A, consisting of JO EUNAE, KIM SEOLHYUN, LEE JIHYUN, NAM DAWON, and YANG JIWON; and Team B, consisting of AHN HYOJIN, LEE SOOHYUN, MANOBAN LALISA, and PARK CHAEYOUNG. The CEO’s gaze settles on Jegal Seoyoung, considering her for a long moment of contemplation before finally speaking.

“Seoyoung, you will join Team A as the sixth, and final member, of the new Royal girl group Luxe.” His smile is radiant as he stares at the chosen girls. “Congratulations to all of you. You have been truly outstanding all of this time.”

To the members of Team B, Jisub’s tone takes on a softer tone. “Ladies, you, too, have been absolutely outstanding since the start of this competition. But, for several of you… Lisa and Rose, especially, I believe there’s still time for you two to grow. You are young trainees still and time is what you need in order to train to reach your fullest potential. Keep working hard, training hard, and debut will certainly be in your futures.” To Soohyun and Elly, he also nods his head apologetically. “For you two, as well, it was a close call -- and probably the hardest decision I have had yet to make. However, Luxe is not the group that is meant for you. I know what you two are capable of, probably better than you know yourself, and I assure you, as your CEO, that I will always steer you in the right direction. I am proud of you, of all four of you, and I can only see your futures expanding wider from this moment on.”

Jisub then turns his attention to the winners of Royal Survival -- the six girls who will soon be presented to the world as his Royal LUXE. “Eunae, Seolhyun, Jihyun, Dawon, Jiwon, and Seoyoung… each of you has proven yourselves to be exactly what I’d hoped for when this competition began. Full of talent, full of potential, beautiful as well as hardworking-- let us travel this road together from now on. Congratulations,” he says again, warmly. “You have won the final round of Royal Survival.”

[ OOC Note: ]

Congratulations to the winners of Royal Survival, and a heartfelt thank you to the contestants who have worked hard to make this event a truly special experience!

For the finalists who have won a position in Luxe, a follow-up post concerning the group concept will appear on Royal Entertainment’s company blog in the next few days (my personal time permitting) with further instructions about what will occur in the next stage for you. For Eunae, Dawon, and Jiwon, a meeting between Royal Ent. lawyers and their original company lawyers will take place privately in which Royal will follow legal procedures to officially buy out their contracts. You will be given a two year contract with Royal starting on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 while those already in Royal will keep the same contracts they have now.

For the finalists who did not win, you may return to your original trainee status that you held prior to the beginning of the competition. Everyone will be expected to move out of the Seocho dorms before the weekend (December 9th) and can return to their normal living spaces and training schedules by the 6th.

Any questions may be sent either to the Royal Ent. inbox or to Mod Sera or to Mod Kyle, as appropriate. Once again, thank you all so much (as well as our opinionated netizens!) for making this event truly a memorable one. Let’s meet again soon! ^v^

For the Royal MCs, BYUN BAEKHYUN and SEO KANGJOON, you may use this episode as the proof post of your participation in this event. Please provide this verification form along with your usual workshop forms for the December 6th activity check. You may submit both Episode 7 and 8 forms together if you wish.

ROYAL SURVIVAL EPISODE 8 (for the Dec 6th form)

[ x ]  * link to this post

+10 CHARISMA POINTS

+ 2 DEBUT POINTS

+1 WK RADIO/TV HOSTING (CURRENT LEVEL + NUMBER OF TIMES TAKEN)

it’s a blur, hypnotizing her as she watches on -- caught on the daze. a romanticized gleam that steal her attentions until eunae comes up from behind her, hands interlocking with her own -- breaking that enchanting spell that had sunken it’s claws deep. the familiar call of unnie has her turning, a sentimental smile donned. this really was it, she thinks as they’re rounded up. their little circle of five, arms round one another as they call for one last meeting ( hopefully not the very last ) as royal flush before the curtains were drawn.

of course, it wouldn’t be like her to let this one slip without any sort of encouragement; 

         ❛   no matter what -- i’m not going to regret a thing,              i love you guys and that’s that. i know we’re going              to give it our all and kill it.   ❜

she shares smiles, the tightening of her embrace with jiwon, keeps her close a little while longer, as her lips whisper good luck and praises, alike; each one different, a variety of sentimental love that wraps around her tongue and sings its way into her members’ ears. she hopes the best for each, and until the very last second when they’re nothing left but them and the darkness of the stage -- she’s there, tightening her hands around eunae and jiwon’s before letting go.

here goes nothing. 

the strong beginning comes and it’s lisa’s time to shine. and shine, she does -- jihyun couldn’t be prouder. for all the worst the show had thrown at lisa, she’s still standing here beside jihyun, and the older girl couldn’t be prouder. the countless times she’s told the other she deserved it and that her time would come. she could see it now, she was shining as bright as the diamond jihyun was convinced ( from the very beginning, like she had always said back during the mgas ) lisa had always been. 

     WILL YOU COME TO ME MORE,                             LITTLE BY LITTLE ---  ❜

jiwon comes after and jihyun can’t help but look at her. look at her. for as much as she thinks she’s not a dancer, jihyun wants to tell her she’s as natural as can be -- better than the other gives herself credit for. the lines don’t do her voice justice and for that, jihyun feels a pang of guilt especially when she remembers walking into the other’s recording session with the girls. a planned surprise that called for hugs and a little more praise -- the other’s tears bringing jihyun close to her own at the time. she can see now that jiwon deserved more and for that, she hopes this wouldn’t be the other’s last. there was so much more that jiwon had to offer. 

and if jiwon had much more to offer, so did eunae. a favorite from the beginning, everyone knew eunae -- they knew the talent the girl had. and as someone jihyun held dear to her heart, she had rooted for the younger girl to the very end. when they had switched places, it was jihyun would had come to the other near tears, telling her that this wouldn’t be the end of it. they were both going to make it to the end. and here she was, her very own colorful rap shining amongst a group of vocalist. a powerful talent that, if anything, could easily shine on its own -- blending in perfect harmony with their voices. if anyone could do it, jihyun knew it would be eunae. it had to be eunae, and as much as she loved elly as well, jihyun was glad she had eunae beside her in team a. 

      ❛  BUT STILL,                  I CAN LOVE YOU .

and for dearest of dears, she couldn’t believe it -- not that she was surprised but because soohyun was here, in the same group as her. it had been something talked about, a wish with a substantial amount of hope lingering behind it. jihyun wanted to debut with soohyun and seeing soohyun beside her in the final group leading up the the finale had made her heart as whole as it come be. soohyun had been a favorite, one she knew would capture everyone’s hearts and for her to be standing beside jihyun, jihyun couldn’t believe it. 

from the start, their relationship had begun to rock in unsteady waters. when she had fallen from grace, left in minors -- to majors, all the way to the very last episode. surprise was an understatement. from the wasted attempt at an audition, jihyun had felt she had failed soohyun and had spent episode after episode trying to make it up to the other. proving to the younger that she was someone to look up to -- that the respect she had garnered for jihyun wasn’t for naught. it was now, that she could truly and finally prove it. she had made it to the end -- if it hadn’t been for soohyun pushing her, would she had really made it all the way? no more would she have to prove it to her -- now that she was right next to the other, she was going to show her she wasn’t finished yet.

as individuals, they each had their strengths. but as a group, it meant bringing all those strengths and making them work in unity. royal flush, for jihyun, were the best at it. their colors were a strong blend of charisma and individuality that jihyun had fallen for faster than she’d thought. and in it, she feels comfortable enough to play at her strengths, knowing that the others would not only match her own but elevate the groups’ potential as well. 

and as one of the group, jihyun knows now isn’t the time to let everyone down. quite the contrary, it was the time to put it all on the line. she works past her own insecurities to show off her strengths. the thing she was so sure about from the beginning and makes a run for it, a breath in as the awaiting high note comes closer and closer and --

all or nothing, it was the last episode, after all. 

she didn’t want this to be the end for them, if anything -- it was going to be the beginning. 

what kind of concept is natural for you? what about the hardest?

that’s easy. sic hums, and fights the urge to release a relieved breath. her lips part as she wets them, straightening in her form. “natural? the girl crush kind of concept-- a little sexy, but not overdoing it. confidence and something cool-- that’s what i think i’d fit best in.” her tongue prods at her cheek as she smiles sheepishly, teeth peeking out with a laugh as she lets her next words slip through. “hardest? something cute-- i’m awful at aegyo. seriously.”

who’s the prettiest in your group?

“can i say myself?” she manages, cheeky grin taking over as her eyes crinkle at the corners. “kidding! uh, i mean. the girls are all super gorgeous? do i have to pick one? aaah…” she rolls her eyes around in thought, lips pouting in thought. “uh...jiwon? wait no-- she’s pretty too-- but joy’s really, really pretty. she’s like, universal? like she’s pretty in a cute way, and then pretty in a like, sexy way too. that’s what i think at least. honorable mentions to all the girls though. we’re a group of visuals, in my humble opinion.”

is there a gift you’ll give your fans if you receive one million views on your music video?

“ooh.” that’s a good one. so far, so good. her mouth parts in thought, her hand lifting to her chin to rub at it. “that’s-- interesting. i’m not sure. a date? a date to my fans?” she grins wide, teeth bared in her grin as she laughs, nodding her head. “i think that’s pretty fair. my fans are all my boyfriends, my girlfriends. i’m dating them all now.” maybe a little bold to say, but jessica jung is all about being bold.

if you had a chance to choose-- would you stay in your group, or go solo?

ah. that’s something -- sic frowns in thought. she adjusts her position, biting her tongue as she glances around. “that’s a question that could get someone in trouble.” she mentions quietly, shaking her head. “but i guess-- depends? on how well i do. what my...reception is, i guess. i’m in it to debut and be a star. if...my group isn’t too...good? i’d want to go solo and see if i can prove myself that way. i don’t think we’d be awful though to get to that point.” she shrugs. “i wanna debut and i want it to be good. i don’t want to be a flop or anything else like that.”

we heard that you were supposed to make a prior debut before trc, what happened?

that’s the million dollar question. that’s what she had been waiting for. her tongue prods against her cheek, and she hopes her feature are blank, hopes the interviewer can’t read her expression; see her irritation, her fear. she crosses her legs over another, playing with a hole in her denim as she thinks it over carefully. “that’s-- a long story. but i guess i can...paraphrase?” she scrunches hre nose up. “i-- i’ve got a brash personality. i’m not mean, but sometimes, people take it that way? people don’t like it, so i got the boot.” it’s not the full truth; there’s a story, a million netizen comments of slander sic can probably reiterate. “it’s not something ground-breaking though. the group ended up falling apart a few months into debut though. and then i heard the company went bankrupt. so i’m not too...caught up in it.”

people have commented on your tattoos and piercing, are there any special meanings behind them?

“uh.” sic’s hand immediately lifts to the one behind her ear, the visible star that she had gotten so long ago. “not really? i like that whole saying that your body is a canvas and you can put art on it, or something. i think tattoos look nice-- and i think they can have multiple meanings. piercings too-- i think things like that make you a little more different than everyone else. more individual, in a sense.” she scratches at the tattoo, then moves her hand up to her ear, twisting one of her ear piercings around in thought. “i know the media isn’t super crazy about them. but they’re apart of me, you know? they’re apart of my body now, and they make me feel nice-- make me feel a bit more me, you know?” a smile plays on her lips. “and i think they look really cool.”

if you weren't an idol, what would you imagine yourself to be? How about your members, what would you imagine them to be?

out of the fire and into the calm after the storm. sic hums, tensing her jaw and clicking her tongue. what would she be? what could she be? “i’ve always dreamed of being...on stage? so if i wasn’t an idol-- i’d probably live a life of busking or something. go to a lot of open mic nights or something.” she shrugs. “or maybe a music producer? i dunno.” her head tilts to the side, a long hum leaving her mouth in thought. “my members? i dunno-- sohee’s definitely fits like, a model image? jiwon...like...a lounge singer? somethin’ sultry. she’s got a voice though, so she’s gotta use that.” she sniffles a bit. “dayoung’s still young, so she’d be a student. hopefully. xiao...xiao’s fun. she’d probably be in school, too. she’s good at being argumentative-- or at least with me. maybe a lawyer?” her eyes flicker from side to side. “minah’s...soft. i could see her around flowers or like, baking or something. jiyoon’s definitely headin’ towards like, choreographer. yubin...an underground rapper? i dunno, i don’t see her being anything but. who’s left-- joy? ah, joy. a dancer? or...maybe a spokesperson? the face of something-- maybe cosmetics. she’s cute.”

what did you think of seeing your performance on the final version of the vtr?

"before seeing it, i was nervous,” she admitted, a few light chuckles sounding from within her. “i didn’t think that i’d like the end result. with there being so many girls, i felt really worried that i’d be overshadowed.” it may have been somewhat selfish for her to say so, but it was nothing short of the truth. “but... once it was put together, it really surprised me. everyone looked so pretty, so professional—i think it’d be impossible to not be impressed by something like that, right? everyone did a very good job—” especially the editors, “—and i think it captured us as a group really well.”

what would you change, if anything, about your performance?

the question leaves her torn, uncertain on how to proceed. dawon feels as though she’s walking on thin ice, all too aware that a single misstep could bring her crashing down. public opinion was crucial, especially for someone in such a poor position as her: if she fails to play her cards right, dawon could easily become the first to go home. she’s forced to choose between carrying on with honestly or confidence, though, as the latter could easily be mistaken for arrogance, it’s far less of a dilemma than she would have originally guessed.

“i regret not standing out more.” her lips formed a faint yet regretful frown. as she speaks, there’s a certain sadness in her voice: one that does well to reflect her predominant fear. “aah, coming from a company that’s known for their dancers...” her voice trailed off, gaze shifting downward as she tried not to let her insecurities get the best of her. tears were just beginning to form in her eyes, though she refused to let them fall. control your emotions, she thought to herself. “i felt sorry that i wasn’t able to meet everyone’s expectations.” her gaze shifted upward once again, somewhat of a weak smile forming on her lips. “so i really wish i had of done a better job of standing out.”

who do you, personally, believe should be on the major and minor teams?

right, it only made sense that they’d ask something like this eventually. she almost wants to dodge the question, though she’s well-aware that she doesn’t have much leeway given her current position in minor (leaving her potentially on the chopping block). "i want to be in major,” dawon replied softly, eyes slightly widening as she nodded her head. “still, i think that we’re all where we are for a reason. when you take people like eunae, jazz, and seolhyun: there’s no question as to why any of them are in major. they just belong there. but, with jiwon and rose now in minor, major is left with a shortage in strong vocalists, right? so... honestly, i think i’d like to see myself or jihyun finally make it into major. but thinking that way is kind of scary because i also feel like she’s my strongest competition to get there,” she admits, laughing lightheartedly. “and she’s so talented.”

tell us about your personal motivations and inspirations that led you here today.

“even when i was little, i knew that i wanted to become a singer,” she explained, her lips forming a warm and reminiscent smile. “my father thought that i’d grow up to become an actress, but my grandfather knew better. he used to tell me that i liked to sing before i had even learned how to talk.” a warmhearted chuckle escaped her, as the thought of her grandfather never failed to raise her spirits. “singing is all that i’ve ever known. it’s what i’m best at... which led me to realize my dream of becoming an idol. my family and i have gone through so much just for me to reach this point, so... i have to debut, no matter what.”

tell us a little about your family and friends who are supporting you on the show.

"ooh! well there’s my cousin, junyeong... he’s my number one supporter. he’s been there every step of the way—even if i haven’t always deserved to have him there beside me.” there was no doubt in dawon’s mind that she should start by mentioning junyeong, as it went without saying that she wouldn’t have ever made it this far had it not been for all of his continued love and support. she loved her cousin, perhaps more than anyone else in the world, and, at the end of the day, this was for him. “he’s my strength! there’s no way that i’d be able to do any of this without him.” she’s almost tempted to mention jiae, but she soon decides against it.