From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

The audience fell into a hush as the last group went up the stage.

They held in their breaths as June stood at the very center with a small smile. The audience wanted to scream, but with one action from June—his index finger against his lips—they continued to stay silent.

The stage was bathed in a gentle glow, the kind of light that promised a fresh start and endless possibilities. A soft, pink hue enveloped the performers, giving the scene a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The girls were dressed in adorable, almost schoolgirl-like outfits—plaid skirts, knee-high socks, and white blouses with Peter Pan collars. Their hair was tied up in neat ponytails with bright ribbons that bounced with every movement. June, in his crisp polo shirt and jaunty sailor scarf, looked like the picture of youth. He looked like a reliable older brother to the young girls, which added more to his charm.

The entire ensemble exuded an aura of innocence—like the first day of spring.

Compared to the other stages, which started with the lights all turned off, this particular stage started with all the lights shining down on the performers, which definitely added to the impact.

As the camera focused closer on June, the people in the waiting room exclaimed in amazement.

"Ah, his face is really a cheat sheet."

"What the heck is this kind of aura?"

"He's so handsome. I'm going to vote for him just for his face alone."

"Don't you think he wouldn't like that?"

"Oh, who cares? I like his face! Screw me!"

"I would want him to screw me."

Finally, the music began, and a lively, upbeat tune instantly lifted the spirits of everyone in the room.

The melody was infectious, with a bubbly energy that made it impossible not to smile.

Jia held onto Bora's am and squeezed for dear life.

"Cute June. Cute June. Cute June," she muttered, almost in a daze.

Bora, who was equally as crazy as Jia, merely accepted the strength and kept her gaze on the screen.

They were really going to have Cute June once again after a while!

The choreography, though simple, was delightfully synchronized. Each moment was a playful expression, easy to follow and even easier to enjoy. They clapped their hands, spun in circles, and swayed to the rhythm of the cute melody.

"At 4 years old, our biggest problem was the portion of food,

We'd argue and wrestle in a playful, endless feud.

You'd steal my fries, I'd take your pie,

Mom would laugh, shake her head, and just roll her eyes."

June started off the song, which set the standard high. For most of the audience, it was their first time hearing June sing live, and it definitely didn't disappoint.

"So, this is what the OG astras are raving about."

"His live voice is even better than the recording."

"Everyone wasn't exaggerating when they said that his voice was angelic."

'I've only ever heard him in recordings. I'm so glad I can actually listen to him in real life."

"Girls, this is a rare moment. Let's make the most of it."

"You're acting as if this is the last time you'll ever hear him live."

"With the bloodbath that is their concert ticketing, I'm confident that this might just be the last."

The mentors backstage, already aware of June's raw talents, focused on the lyrics instead.

They knew June as being the master of concepts—and it seemed like he had outdone himself once again.

Right off the bat, Lee Sik's attention was captured.

"This kid is really meant to be a star," he muttered. June transformed such a weird title into something that would equate to a masterpiece.

For the first verse, the girls and June mimed squabbles over imaginary portions of food, their faces scrunched up in exaggerated displeasure. They tugged on invisible plates, pretending to count and compare, their playful bickering drawing laughter from the audience—especially those who had siblings. The segment was filled with light-hearted teasing and innocent disputes, perfectly capturing the trivial worries of early childhood.

"At 5, I went to school, you cried, you said you stubbed your toe,

But we both knew the truth, though neither would show.

You missed your partner in crime, your playmate in disguise,

I promised to come back with stories to surprise."

Yeri sang the next verse, showing the complex between a brother and a sister—where one would miss the other but would rather hide it than say it out loud.

Again, the audience members could relate to the performance, and it made them pay even more attention to it.

As the music transitioned, so did the storyline.

The cheerful notes turned slightly more complex, mirroring the changes in the siblings' lives.

The playful atmosphere took on a sadder tone.

"At 8, mom and dad separated, our worlds torn in two,

But we found strength in each other like siblings often do.

We'd whisper in the dark, sharing dreams and fears,

Finding comfort in our bond, silently wiping away the tears."

Gun's eyes narrowed as he felt tears brimming in his eyes. His parents had separated when he was younger, so he could deeply relate to what they were trying to portray.

The performers now depicted the separation of their parents through expressive, heartfelt movements. They reached out to each other, hands grasping but never quite reaching.

Their faces reflected the confusion and sadness of children trying to understand a fractured family. The choreography remained simple yet profound, each gesture resonating with the audience.

"Dang," Bora muttered. "Is this song about me or what?"

"You don't have a sibling," Jia deadpanned.

"But my parents are divorced!" she exclaimed. "Who the heck wrote this?" she muttered.

June.

It was none other than June.

The other girls helped, too, but he curated the progressing storyline.

However, if you asked him, then he would say that it wasn't a hard task.

Why?

Because this wasn't just a song.

It was the story of his life.