From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show



Are you all familiar with the statement — "Too Many Cooks Spoil The Broth?" 

Apparently, the origin of the phrase can be traced back to medieval times, where it likely emerged from a communal kitchen. Suppose individuals are involved in preparing a dish with differing methods, preferences, and opinions. In that case, it is almost certain that a disastrous dish would be the outcome. 

That's exactly what was happening within June's team. 

10th...9th...6th...5th...1st

A team of six where five members are within the top ten. 

And there was June — in 20th place. 

By no means was his rank low, but compared with these big dogs, he was somewhat like a chihuahua. 

Zeth's decision to join the team wasn't taken lightly, too. How could a rapper/dancer pick a ballad song with intricate vocal styles? 

Zeth cleared his throat and decided to take the lead. 

"So, umm...Why did you guys pick this song?" he asked. 

"I like Hwan," Yuri said. "I've always admired him since I was younger, and I believe this genre suits me the best."

Indeed, Yuri's voice was comparable to Ren's. His vocal style is mellow, which will work well with the song. 

"I already have a choreography in mind," Leo responded. "I majored in contemporary dance, and this was the only song that could help showcase that."

Jisung shyly raised his hand. "But wouldn't it be predictable if we go the contemporary route? Of course, this is just my suggestion. You guys can just ignore my statement," he trailed off when he felt pressured by the look his teammates 

Zeth awkwardly patted his back. "Hey, it's okay, man. We'll take all the suggestions we need."

"The reason why I chose this song is solely because I already have a contemporary dance in mind," Leo said. "Besides, wouldn't it be great to show the starlights a stage that differs from our competitors?"

"Hmm," Zeth hummed. "That is true. I have another suggestion, though. The song is quite high-pitched. What if we transpose it one chord lower? Just so it can match all our vocal ranges?"

Lin Zhi nodded in agreement. "Yeah. This isn't my comfortable range. Contemporary is nice, but we can also take Jisung's suggestion and add some pop elements in the chorus."

"Pop elements in a ballad song?" Yuri asked. "We're going to look funny if we execute that. And I don't really agree with changing the key. I believe the starlights would want us to challenge ourselves. Besides, this is a range I'm comfortable in. I'm sure June can reach the high notes too."

"But you need to think about the whole team," Lin Zhi argued. "It's not only you who will be singing the song. It's all six of us."

Leo let out a deep breath. "You're not thinking about the entire team, too. Taking it lower would also mean making June, Yuri, and I sing uncomfortably. Besides, changing the key will make it a bit disappointing." 

"Umm, I can just settle with the parts in the beginning," Jisung said. "Since I can't reach the notes in the chorus."

Zeth nodded. "I can't reach the high notes, too," he said. "But I want to sing the chorus and the bridge. I feel like I can do it well."

"It's not just about your feeling," Yuri chuckled. "It's a matter if you can really sing it or not."

"Yuri definitely suits the main vocalist part more. Then, I can be the main dancer if you'd like," Leo added.

Jisung pursed his lips before courageously speaking up. "I also want to be the main dancer," he said. 

Zeth clicked his tongue. "What shall we do? I want to be the main dancer too."

"Ah, this is bad. I also want to be the main vocalist. I heard this song before coming to Rising Stars and immediately liked it. I even sang it in one of the trainee's evaluations," Lin Zhi said.

"Again, this isn't about what you want to sing," Leo said. "It's about who suits the part the best."

"So, are you saying I don't suit the part at all?" Lin Zhi asked. 

"Well, if you can only sing it with a lower key, then maybe, you don't suit that part at all."

Yuri let out a chuckle while Zeth and Lin Zhi frowned. 

The tension increasingly became more uncomfortable, and it was clear that the team had very different visions. 

"B—but I think, brother June suits the main vocalist part the best," Jisung suddenly said. "His voice is very pretty."

With the mention of June's name, the five trainees turned toward him. 

June raised both his eyebrows as he looked them in the eyes. 

He was keeping quiet for a reason. There were already too many ideas, and he was sure his suggestion would only make things worse.

"Come to think of it," Zeth said. "You haven't spoken at all, June."

June nodded, still not saying anything. 

"Then, what's your opinion?" Lin Zhi asked. "Why don't you decide for us, brother?"

His teammates looked at him with wide, hopeful eyes. 

Oh, hell no. 

June's not going to decide. 

"You guys decide."

***

June stood in the middle of the room, looking at his teammates with a gloomy expression. 

It couldn't be denied that the conversation had diverged the team into sub-teams. Zeth was in the corner of the room with his earphones in. He was seriously studying the lyrics of the song while trying to come up with some choreography. Compared to his bubbly and 'Golden Retriever-like' personality, he was more composed than usual. 

Leo was on the other side of the room, doing the same. There was a frown on his face as he tried to get the moves down. 

Jisung, too, was choreographing the bridge part of the song. 

In the end, since the 'Main Dancer' agenda still hadn't been settled, they decided to cut the song into three parts and come up with three different choreographies. 

However, in the meantime, Leo was able to persuade everyone that he'd be a reliable 'Main Dancer.' He also forgo his vocal parts and settled on Sub-Vocal 4, which has the shortest lines. 

The vocal parts had been decided too. 

Yuri was hailed the Main Vocalist, while Lin Zhi became the Sub-Vocalist 1. 

June was stuck with Sub-Vocal 2, and it was significantly lesser than the 'Main Vocal' and 'Sub-Vocal 1' lines. 

However, there was already too much tension in the room, so June couldn't really speak out. 

He glanced to his side and saw Lin Zhi. He was practicing the song, yet instead of the 'Sub-Vocal 1' part, he was practicing the 'Main Vocal' part. Yuri noticed that too, since he frowned and made his voice louder, his voice ringing in the room. 

The sound of dissonance resonated in the practice room, and June couldn't do anything but stand there and watch. 

June sighed. 

Maybe 'Bodylicious' wouldn't be too bad, after all.