#yulrk

You initially were passed on during the MGA’s, ironically enough, by Sphere themselves.  What did you work on that made it so when they gave you a second chance, they didn’t pass on you again?

“I would say I worked the hardest at being more well rounded.  When I was in the MGA’s, I was mostly focused on my dancing, with everything else just kind of falling to the wayside.  I worked on my weaknesses, like singing, to make sure that my voice could work as well as my body on the stage.”

What kind of performer do you wish to be and how has Sphere helped you achieve that?

“I want to be someone that can make the fans go crazy!  But really, I want them to respect what I do and know that I came by what opportunities I have through hard work and determination to be the best I can be.  Sphere is helping me do that by giving me the chance to work with amazing and supportive instructors, working with other trainees that are super talented all the while letting us show a great side of ourselves!”

Do you have friends outside of Sphere?

“I do! There’s a lot of friends that I made back in high school. I don’t see them as much as I would like, though that’s gotten easier with training at Seocho.  Wendy from Nova is my best friend, Joy and Sohee from TRC have been great to me as well, and of course Yeri and Yulhee in KT too! Maybe someday we’ll have a big collaboration! I think that would be fun!”

Speaking of Wendy, an interested individual, who said they were definitely not Wendy, left us a question to ask you asking “How much do you love Wendy?”

but, she honestly tries not to let it bother her— how could she when the girls in her group have more talent than anyone could expect of any kt idol. variety is a given. looks? certainly. but they have singers, rappers, and dancers in their group alone. the other kt group has the same going for them and she, for one, thinks they’re well-rounded, then they’re given that song. it could pass for a chichi song in her opinion, even how disconnected parts of it seem. 

( which means let’s not talk about i got a boy, as catchy as it is but you can bring it back to 1:40 ) 

even then, her hope is infallible because they can do this. they can make the song theirs, and for a week they do. endless editing of the song creates a version they adore, one that sounds more like them, and less chaotic. choreography they cover easily. the steps are simple, it’s the body rolls that gets at least half of them— her and eunae for sure, anyway. her doubts are nonexistent when it comes to the group performance but then it comes crashing down on them. 

                                  you’re focusing too much on making the song yours — 

and tiffany hates it, she hates that one of the first times they’re going to perform on a stage in front of trc trainees won’t be theirs. both of their mga teams placed below the one trc had and tiffany’s never completely let go. the thought of anyone thinking kt just can’t compare to trc burns. not being able to showcase what they all can do, that creativity doesn’t belong solely to trc or even sphere, makes her feel guilty. looking at sooyoung, she can’t forget the feeling that she let her down— it’s because her coaching wasn’t good enough that sooyoung came so close to elimination. it’s because of her that her entire team was nearly decimated. to think that it could happen to any of them, it’s unforgivable but not irreparable. 

they still work just as hard ( tiffany thinks they might even be more motivated because of the ‘forced’ change ) and tiffany’s in love with kt girls all over again. she’s reminded once again that kt girls can rock any stage if they put their heart into it and that’s what they’re about. what better company to have a heart symbol but them? 

technicalities like rhythm, lyrics, staying on beat ( which she doesn’t in the second chorus, faltering a second behind the others but quickly covering it up with a small act of aegyo, directed towards her cousin and joy no less ), fall to the wayside because she’s having fun, something she hadn’t expected to still do with the song after the remix had caused them to fall slightly out of favor. her rap is the first part she essentially has, a glance towards eunae for her own comfort— it was like the younger said, she has to let her own color shine through— keeps her confidence at a constant high. her voice isn’t the same tone of huskiness as the original rapper but she has her own unique tone and with a wink and salute, she lets the yessir echo loudly. 

the next chorus is hers too and it’s the sentiment she wants the trc girls to feel the most, to fall in love. with the music, with them, because if kt definitely has something besides looks, she knows it’s charm. not to mention, their playfulness. as the finding nemo quote goes, (s)he touched the butt, and it’s what keeps her grinning as the coda fades out. after all, the inside joke isn’t (k)inky (t)rainees without reason.  

ironic how she left triple crown almost two years ago and now ended up covering one of their songs for the evaluation. she never denied being more drawn to their music style compared to her current company's, but she didn't regret leaving nor did she regret getting signed by katie lee. she would be able to work on other talents here and, who knows, maybe become a decent singer by the time of her debut.

even more ironic how she felt more in her element with global icon's song than she ever would have with chi chi's. she had no idea how to pull off a concept like 'oh!' yet, no matter how people kept telling her she looked cute, eunae couldn't stop cringing every time she had to do aegyo. how did people even do that without throwing themselves out the window from all the embarrassment? she wouldn't rest until she could film her brother doing this, that was for sure.

the song wasn't her favorite, but the beat was mellow and well fitting for the summer season. it set them apart from the other kt team who got a stronger concept this time around. the trainee was curious to see how they would do on the evaluation, but for now her only focus was to give the best performance with her own team.

she wasn't used to being one of the most at ease. since she was much newer than the other four, she often ended up listening to advice and just going along with whatever they decided. as strong headed and independent as eunae could be, she also didn't mind being a follower as long as she trusted the people she worked with, and she did wholeheartedly. this time around, however, she became one of those giving advice, treating her new role very seriously.

she knew she was ready once she stepped on the stage, as well as confident in the other girls' ability to do great. they practiced a lot, experience some setbacks which led to discouragement especially on tiffany's end as she worked so hard on the remix. still, despite all of that, they pulled through as a team and hopefully this would be seen by those watching.

hopefully, too, this would make the kt staff forget about her surprise pokérap from last month.

she was the one to open the song right after the short part they sang together, but she didn't feel nervous at all compared to the previous evaluation. she felt like a fish in water, knowing exactly what to do and put on a playful smile as her 'touch me over, touch me over there' reached the audience's ears. she regained her spot to let sooyoung take over, after which the spotlight was again on her for her rap.

Tonight I drop it low It’s electrifying, my heart is about to burst, blow You’re my Johnny Depp My lips get dry and it tingles down to my bones I can’t look at you, who dazzles, Boy I’m so blind A pearl in the dirt, I’m your bride I will make you mine, That’s what a queen do Yeah in the club, it’s getting ugly, I don’t care Can’t nobody stop the fire, Let them haters sit and stare

♪ ~ 거리에 함께 나온 연인들 밤새 들려오는 노랫소리들 ~ ♪

the girls were certainly an interesting group, a mix of talents and looks that somehow ended up working well together. they were the perfect balance in her completely biased opinion.

♪ ~ 가만히 빛을 내는 촛불에 지금 내 마음을 비춰 보일까 ~ ♪

jieqiong was glad she was able to smile freely in this performance, not missing the opportunity to let the curve of her lips set the mood for the song as her body swayed to the music. her eyes, while staying on the audience most of the time (there were admittedly a few times she smiled extra wide for her closer friends she saw watching them but she's sure no one noticed), filtered between her group mates. she watched each of them sing or rap their lines with pride in her heart.

they were killing it to put as unbiasedly as possible.

♪ ~ 올겨울이 지나고 또다시 겨울이 와도 서로 잡은 두 손 놓치지 말자 ~ ♪

the christmas spirit was floating high above their heads - coating everyone in holiday cheer and beckoning the tiniest hint of a smile from the grumpiest grinch. their voices light and cheerful as one could get, jieqiong was delighted when she found a few smiles to match theirs. after all, who could resist christmas music and pretty voices?

♪ ~ 지금 네 바램이 들려 저 하늘까지 들려 나도 오늘 밤엔 같은 소원 빌게 될 거야  ~ ♪

as the end of their performance neared, so did the holiday. time was speeding rapidly at them, taking christmas from the before they could even realize. a holiday loved by jieqiong, it simply went by too fast for her liking. she loved the lights, the music, the people joined together to celebrate amongst one another or to perform like those who had prepared for this day. they needed christmas twice a year, that was the only solution - jieqiong's thinking.

very wishful thinking, it would never happen but hey, let a girl dream.

♪ ~ 많은 시간들이 흘러가도 우리들의 사랑 지금처럼만 간직해주길 기도해 ~ ♪

in her previous performances, aside from when she and the rest of the nova girls performed superstar, dawon had always performed sadder songs that helped to show off each of her vocal strengths. this time, however, was different; she’d have the opportunity to put her soul into a performance without trying to belt out constant high notes; paying less attention to high notes was part of the advice she’d received from the nova instructor, after all.

모두가 우리 둘의 만남을 축복하는 예쁜 선물들 같아

the smile that accompanies her singing comes naturally, given the fact that she’s genuinely having a good time. everything did seem like a gift, and dawon couldn’t be happier. this year has proved itself to be one of best she’s experienced in quite some time, and she mostly has two sole contributors to thank for this. there were several others, such as each of her friends, sure—but she’s mostly thinking of two in particular. two great blessings that have become a major part of her life.

살짝 네 가슴에 기대 안겨 먼저 말을 할까 나를 느끼는 너의 모든 걸 사랑해

even so, despite the fact that there were two major factors to the success of her year, she certainly doesn’t find her mind wandering to hyun bin. sure, he’d taken one major chance on the girl, given the fact that he’d never actually seen her dance, and for that, dawon is grateful. however, despite her abundance of gratitude, she still finds herself slightly afraid of her own ceo. maybe she’d get to know him better down the road, though she sincerely doubts it. still, she likes to believe that he’s trying his best, and for that, she respects him.

이렇게 너와 함께 있는 나 세상 누구보다 행복하다고

no, in the midst of the performance, she finds her mind gravitating towards a prominent figure: yoo jiae. perhaps jiae is the reason she finds herself able to connect with this song, identifying with the lyrics just as her grandfather had taught her what felt like a lifetime ago. she considers sunday to be her sunlight, her luck. without having the other female around, she’s unsure if she’d be as happy as she is today. in a way, it almost feels as though jiae is helping to completely turn her life around, helping it to become something better.

살짝 네 가슴에 기대 안겨 먼저 말을 할까 나를 느끼는 너의 모든 걸 사랑해

she’s slightly confused as to how well she’s connecting with a love song, given the fact that she and jiae were nothing but close friends, though she tries not to dwell too long on the subject. she waves it off, figuring the two of them simply share a special bond. maybe this connection she felt was simply proof that they were destined to be close with one another, almost as though she’d found the missing piece to a puzzle that would have otherwise remained incomplete. she’d gotten lucky.

살짝 네 가슴에 기대 안겨 먼저 말을 할까 나를 느끼는 너의 모든 걸

towards the end of the song, they’re each singing together, and dawon discovers that she enjoys this part of the performance the most. for the first time in a long time, she’s enjoying herself onstage, showcasing a look of genuine happiness. she’s grateful for the opportunity to perform with the other trainees, and she prays that they’re experiencing this same feeling of joy.

she’s biased when she says that their performance would be a stunning one -- or maybe she’s biased when she says that the two performances she’d be a part of would be the best one the others will be pleased to see. even when singing has been this aspect of her trainee career that she still needs to work hardest on, she’s excited and proud of how long she’s come since then.

they’re all a vision as they step in front of everyone in their white outfits; each of them bringing a different sort of charm that will bring out the charismatic allure of the song. their youthful disposition already brings an edge to their performance. a something that cannot be found in anyone else’s.

you’ll probably remember what day it is, a year has passed since we first met if there’s something different now, it’s probably the size of our love

singing about love and christmas simultaneously leaves a soft flutter of feelings on her heart even when she’s got no one to sing these songs for. it’s just a reminder of how love is what binds and puts christmas as the most heartwarming holiday there ever is and it’s a piece of knowledge that she can never forget.

she sways to the beat of the music, smiles warmly as she listens to rest of her team sing their own respective parts. their energy is reminiscent to the lightness and wholesomeness of the song and it shows on the way her smile never seems to falter the entire time. 

now listen to me, only look at me now