Episode 146. Fourth Round: Final Announcement (2)
『Some stories become history
All eyes
Turn to the divine』
There was something dreamlike about Park Juwoo’s hand gestures.
The movements brushing across his face, neck, and sleeves were graceful.
Until now, the choreography Spark had shown was dynamic and exhilarating. No matter which scene you paused on, the angles aligned with knife-like precision, and the enthusiasm that left no one behind was distinct in every performance.
On the other hand, now there was more life than ever in their control of intensity. Though there weren’t many violent movements, all five moved in perfect unison. Literally like flowing water.
The sight of their hanbok—seemingly made of a material similar to silk—with even the waist pleats held uniformly was visible. Director Han didn’t miss that scene.
As the members lowered their stances for the next move, Choi Jeho revealed himself at center stage.
『Footsteps walked through snow,
Failures born of challenges
Remain unforgettable,
Every day, into a long story』
Matching Choi Jeho’s solo dance, Spark gathered at the center before spreading across the stage. This part made Choi Jeho stand out even more.
And as Choi Jeho’s part was nearing its end, the moment Gang Giyeon approached his side.
Choi Jeho trapped Gang Giyeon in his embrace and covered the corner of his mouth.
Gang Giyeon grasped Choi Jeho’s hand and pulled it down, smiling.
His downward-cast gaze met the camera inscrutably, and the corners of his lips rose with a hint of bitterness.
『Here, what might we
Be written as?
Does my name
Remain, or does it flow away?』
The gentle atmosphere of the first verse grew slightly firmer as it crossed into the second.
Lee Cheonghyeon took on this role.
During break times or retreats, Lee Cheonghyeon was no different from any other boy his age, but on stage, he possessed an unmatched charisma.
It wasn’t as if anyone in Spark lacked presence on stage, but Lee Cheonghyeon’s gap was exceptional.
The Lee Cheonghyeon who had rampaged like a mad dog in the last performance now exuded a noble, orchid-like aura, like a student of Sungkyunkwan.
He unfolded a fan that no one knew when or from whom he had received, gently waving it as he performed his part.
And as the second verse was nearing its end, just as Lee Cheonghyeon snapped the fan shut with a swish…….
“Waaah!”
Screams of genuine surprise erupted from in front, behind, and beside Director Han.
Dampened hair, irises a dark grayish hue as if coordinated with Park Juwoo, and skin rendered strikingly pale by the bright lights.
『Let me pass it on
For I too
Have words I wish to leave behind』
It was an appearance by Kim Iwol that no audience member could have anticipated. A smile fully bloomed on his moist face.
After finishing his brief part, Kim Iwol returned to the back of the formation.
But the aftershock was immense.
Immediately, the formation adjusted to six members showed a stability different from before.
It was a strange thing. The five members before hadn’t made mistakes, nor were their abilities lacking.
The group dance that followed was truly the pinnacle of splendor.
It almost created the illusion that they were saying, “It’s not that we can’t do extravagance! We just haven’t had the chance!”
With backup dancers numbering nearly twenty joining in, the scale instantly grew.
Intricate movements repeated in line with the grand flow.
Among the backup dancers wearing hanbok with irregular black patterns on a white background, Spark in their turquoise hanbok stood out distinctly.
『Like plants blooming on a snowy mountain.』
It was a sensual thought befitting a cinematographer.
Smooth motions like riding waves followed with time delays.
Walking between them, Jeong Seongbin began to sing again.
『Write our story
So that within it
We can be together
As we are in this moment』
Until now, most stages on Idol Dynasty Records had contained themes of struggle, conquest, and the throne.
Naturally. The program’s very title was “Idol Dynasty Records.”
Even so, Spark had run toward making the process itself their goal rather than seizing the throne.
And now, they were writing down all their thoughts from the journey thus far.
Were the stories of those who couldn’t become king unimportant?
Didn’t the stories from when others couldn’t see or hear vanish?
Was it natural for the stories of those who received no spotlight to be buried?
They were answering someone who harbored such questions.
That they would remember. For that was the role of the record-keeper.
Seen this way, he could understand why the PD had wanted Spark’s final stage.
The theme of Idol Dynasty Records was a story of idols’ growth to become kings. The program known as Idol Dynasty Records was itself a record containing that growth.
And there, Spark were claiming to be the record-keepers themselves. Could there be a stage that better showcased the identity of Idol Dynasty Records than this?
『And it’s not even necessarily a story only about Idol Dynasty Records…….』
Director Han had watched idol stages imbued with meaningful messages in their lyrics for years, so he knew.
That if you listened to Spark’s song from even a slightly different angle, a new interpretation emerged.
A being who commands attention everywhere.
Those who continuously watch him and record his actions.
Those who want to remain together without tearing apart within that.
Didn’t it remind one of something?
『Either way, it’s the “Idol” Dynasty Records, right?』
It was so like Spark to create a stage the production team couldn’t miss while definitely securing their own interests. It meant they were clever.
Moreover, they claimed they would make it history. Their ambition alone was tremendous.
The music gradually built up, reaching its highlight.
『It’s okay to stumble
Even if it’s a failure
I want to be captured in eyes
So I can be brought out and seen』
『I press my heart and write it down
So that after the long night ends
It can be unfolded and read』
Director Han captured in his camera the main vocalists facing each other as they performed the high notes and ad-libs.
There was a story that openly circulated in the industry: if a team had two or more main vocalists with different tones, that team would succeed.
In that sense, Spark was likely the team with the most outstanding vocal capabilities among those participating in Idol Dynasty Records.
Including main vocalists who didn’t waver on a single note while performing intense choreography, everyone was fulfilling their parts without lack. What director wouldn’t dote on those guys?
As traditional Korean instruments blended in subtly, the music grew richer. The balance between instruments was delicately adjusted, reaching a certain point.
In time with the brief silence, Choi Jeho pushed off the ground.
If it went according to rehearsal, it was time for “that” to appear.
Director Han raised his concentration to the maximum. Because if it was exactly the same as during rehearsal, he might miss it this time.
Choi Jeho planted both hands on the stage and flipped sideways.
And the moment both feet touched the ground, he used the rebound to leap high.
The sharply tailored overcoat drew a large circle in the air.
『A flash kick?』
The angle at which he kicked the air was artistry. The movement that drew a perfect circle, his high-level leaping ability, and his long airtime—there was nothing to criticize.
It was a world where idols were good at foreign languages, games, and even art beyond dancing and singing. There were also many, many idols who could perform acrobatics.
But the reason Choi Jeho was special was…….
『Who knows, that kind of thing.』
Don’t you just meet them in life? People who draw attention even when they stay still.
Choi Jeho was such a person. One who made you hold your breath with every perfect movement, who created the illusion that even his clothes and hair were dancing along.
Even if he failed to gain popularity now, Choi Jeho was someone who would have made it big sooner or later. Director Han had seen many such people gain recognition through the magic of a reverse run.
Moreover, since he had gotten off to such a good start, barring any incidents, Choi Jeho would walk a solid path going forward.
The song that had reached its peak gradually lost strength as Choi Jeho’s solo dance came to an end.
As the backup dancers gathered in the center of the stage, backs together and heads bowed, the black splotches on the back panels of their hanbok formed a single shape.
The five members of Spark had already melted into the black character.
Choi Jeho’s low voice settled heavily onto the stage floor.
『Now I
Will remain as a trace
Forever
For a long, long time』
Choi Jeho, who had been kneeling, slowly raised his head.
And he turned and walked away. To his empty place.
Only then was the character “rok” (錄), meaning “record,” completed on the white canvas.
It was a perfect finish.
『Producer Yang must be devastated that this isn’t the final stage, right?』
Adjusting the camera angle to follow where the Spark members stood even on the darkened stage, Director Han thought.
But moving was moving, and work was work.
Director Han had to work. Spark’s interview, two more stages, two more interviews, and the final ranking announcement remained.
Just as he was thinking that he hoped the broadcast would go well, the lights came on immediately.
As he adjusted the camera angle once more to capture the upper bodies of Spark gathered for the interview, the walkie-talkie burst into noise.
Urgent voices and a chaotic atmosphere.
Murmuring audience members.
Director Han raised his head to check the stage.
The Spark members who had been gathering at the front of the stage were running toward Kim Iwol, who had collapsed in a corner.
Chaotic orders flew back and forth—to change the angle toward Yur, and not to film the audience.
While a staff member carried Kim Iwol away on his back, Yur skillfully led the junior members.
Only then did Director Han remember a fact he had briefly overlooked.
Though makeup had hidden his complexion, Kim Iwol’s hair had been drenched in cold sweat from the moment he appeared.
And that he was a patient who had recently suffered an injury requiring eight weeks of recovery.