Chapter 131. A Small Trigger (3)
So, the beginning of everything was because of that damn “back.”
Like the full roe in a seasonal soy sauce marinated crab, the 6th episode of Miro Maze had packed in the 3rd competition to the brim.
The Blue Flare team, which Hajin was part of, was already hot from the team formation process.
– Hey guys, is this combination okay?;;;
└ I don’t know, I’m suffocating just watching this tlqkf.
Even though the spoilers had already leaked and everyone knew, knowing something with your mind and facing it directly with your own eyes felt a bit different.
Jung Siwoo, Kang Hajin, Lee Doha, Kim Wonho, Lee Yugeon, and Joo Eunchan.
Half of them were trainees who had been tied to controversies with Yugeon in real time, and the other half were those who had subtly become the background of those controversies!
[But saying this… I kind of like this Blue Flare combination… Guys, I think this is pretty good.]
Average height 180, visuals, and harnesses. Are they insane?
– Are you talking about me? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The visuals are insane.
– Kim Wonho, visual…? Hmm… A Wonho fan, huh.
└ Ha, what’s with this guy again?
– I totally understand the reviews saying the stage was torn apart.
But with all the controversies already clarified, there was no reason to grab each other’s hair and fight again now. Most viewers quickly shifted to just enjoying this visually pleasing combination.
As the much-anticipated “Truth Game with Collars on the Line” aired, the fun atmosphere continued.
– What the heck did Nam Daun teach these kids?
– I want to go on a school trip with a guy named Kang… I don’t know about dating or flirting, but I think we’d have a blast for 2 nights and 3 days.
– Why do the rules keep getting added on?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Since the kids keep calling it a collar, it actually looks like one to me now. Strictly speaking, it is a collar, but now that they keep calling it a collar, the word sounds weird. Ah, I’m experiencing collar disillusionment.
The last turn, where Yugeon’s parents were mentioned, was appropriately cut by the production team. Following the neatly extracted essence of the Truth Game, the Blue Flare team’s preparation process was compactly structured with only the fun narratives Hajin intended.
Yugeon becoming Doha’s dance teacher, and Doha becoming Yugeon’s rap teacher. Hajin and Siwoo’s first encounter that led to the main vocalist battle. Even Eunchan, who was thought to have a vague rap position, officially debuting as a vocalist.
All the trainees except for Wonho were introduced with their own dramas. Even Wonho, who was shown struggling while composing choreography, appeared on the broadcast. But since it was revealed in the interview that he made it with Yugeon or Hajin, unfortunately, he didn’t receive much spotlight.
But that didn’t really matter. The stage was too amazing!
**Kangdae Jang @strongjin**
**REST**
Same old story.
But wait, none of you told me Kang Hajin would sing ‘Let Me Go’ while exposing his back!
I retract my words. Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey.
**Kangdae Jang @strongjin**
**REST**
…
**Harang @dohajin_luv**
Wow, now the entire Blue Flare team is trending ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ.
But hey, Kang Hajin’s back<<
Is it okay for this to be ranked #1?ㅠ
(Screenshot of trending list)
The shocking outfit was one thing, but the performance itself was too good. With Kang Hajin belting out a three-step high note while wearing a sheer back outfit, dormant accounts started creeping out of their coffins and lifting their shutters.
And the peak was during the post-stage talk.
– ㅁㅊ Kang Hajin is crying.
– Hey, Kangㅎㅎhaᅟᅵᆽㄴ is crying.
– Ah tlbal Hajin, don’t cryㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ.
– Aaaaagh, our puppy must debut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Starting with Hajin’s story of becoming the Subway Story Guy because he was so moved after watching the first performance video, the interview revealed how Hajin had been a trainee at his previous agency, had been dropped from debut groups twice, and was on the verge of giving up on his dream of becoming an idol.
<Kang Hajin Trainee: I’m so… grateful that I could meet all of you today.>
<Kang Hajin Trainee: You have no idea how relieved I am.>
<Kang Hajin Trainee sheds tears in the end.>
As Hajin, with sincere feelings, teared up while giving his thoughts, people started screaming and tearing their hair out.
[Guys, so does this mean that the tears he shed in Episode 2…]
He almost gave up on his dream after missing the debut group multiple times, barely got his resolve back, and entered Miro. But as soon as he arrived, he got placed in the Feather rank (when he was supposed to be in Wings, but due to adjustments, he was forced into Feather), and even ended up alone in Team B among the top 10 members…
Despite that, instead of giving up or feeling down, he took on the role of Team B leader and led them to victory. That’s what he went through…
Now that I think about it, I’m suddenly tearing up, and my chest feels tight. I used to think he was just a guy who grew up in a well-off family, doing everything well without worries, but it turns out that wasn’t the case. What must have been going through Kang Hajin’s mind during this survival show?
I will make sure Kang Hajin debuts, no matter what.
Honestly, if Kang Hajin doesn’t debut, who will?
– Seriously, those who called him PD-pick or agency-pick, saying he’d debut anyway, I want to tear them apart. Thinking about how desperate this opportunity must have been for Hajin makes me cryㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ.
– Honestly, ㅎㅈ needs to debut. No matter how I look at it, there’s no one else who can lead the group but Hajin.
– Kangfans, let’s make sure Hajin debuts, please….ㅜ.
In the process, some information slightly different from the truth got spread, but… whatever. Except for the fact that those tears were purely crocodile tears to draw attention….
Since there wasn’t anything wrong with the statements, let’s just move on.
Anyway, because of the shocking “Kang Hajin’s Tears Incident,” his scattered fans began to unleash their firepower with terrifying momentum. Communities and social media alike united with the sole aim of “Kang Hajin’s debut.”
In the face of “my baby’s tears,” the trivial quarrels stirred up by trolls could be handled with proper ignoring and precise documentation.
And the timing was impeccable. The person who had spread manipulated posts about Yugeon and consistently posted malicious comments was caught.
[ㅁㅊ, the one who wrote those posts got caught.]
It was an employee fired from Miro.
The article said there will be no leniency, and they’ll make an example out of them.
– Who was Yugeon?
└ E U geon.
– Miro doesn’t go easy on malicious commenters. They went through so much with Utopia, they must be experts at catching those people.
– The comments are being deleted in real timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. Hey guys, this is pathetic.
– I hope not only Yugeon’s attacker but also the other trainees’ bashers get caught and end up eating jail food…
As soon as the article about the slanderer actually being sued came out, those hiding behind anonymity quickly began erasing their tracks.
As the activity of those who bashed and cursed Hajin for no reason dwindled, legitimate posts promoting Hajin and fans fawning over him began to fill up one by one.
And the result of that was right now.
“Ninth to advance to the next mission is… Trainee Kang Hajin!”
At the first elimination and 4th mission announcement, Hajin barely made it as the 9th person to be called.
As he walked over to the block where the surviving trainees stood, Hajin quietly sighed in relief.
‘If I hadn’t received the benefits from the 3rd competition and votes didn’t pour in at the last minute, I could have really been eliminated this time.’
Not 8th, but 9th. A sense of crisis, realizing how close this was, gripped Hajin tightly.
After briefly expressing his thoughts and sitting in his seat, Hajin checked the survivors who had arrived before him.
‘1st place is, as expected, Seo Taehyun. 2nd place is Jung Siwoo, no surprises there…’
Eunchan, who originally had a strong core fanbase, placed 3rd. Haru, who had consistently been mentioned for his cute and sunny image, placed 5th. Yuki, who seemed to have received a lot of votes from Japanese fans, was in 8th place.
‘Lee Yugeon and Lee Doha have risen at a crazy pace.’
It seemed that a solid core fanbase had formed since the second mission, and the two, who were previously in the Feather rank, had now placed 4th and 6th. Judging by their reactions, neither of them expected this
rank, and they just mouthed words as Seo Taeil asked for their thoughts.
‘And the 7th place is…’
Hajin’s gaze turned to the 7th place trainee, Wonho, who didn’t seem at all happy about being in the debut range.
‘…That guy’s taken some heat this time.’
When it was revealed during the broadcast that Wonho had been in the Wings rank during the 3rd competition, some people started expressing dissatisfaction.
Since they couldn’t openly criticize him due to the lawsuit article about the malicious commenters, they subtly and skillfully tried to undermine him.
– I really like No. 1 and have a good feeling about him, but… Honestly, I’m not sure about debuting.
– If No. 1 debuts, what’s he going to do? He’s behind in dancing, can’t sing, his looks are average… Maybe he’s got a talent for variety shows?
└ No. 1’s looks aren’t bad enough to be criticized ㅇㅇ, but… it’s just… it’s unfortunate that other trainees have S-tier visuals ㅠ.
└ No. 1 fans say if he’s not there, who will create the choreography?ㅋㅋㅋ.
└ ㅅㅂ Then let him be a choreographer, why insist on being a singer… They say Blue Flare’s choreography was co-created by Sijjin and Euggp.
– Honestly, there’s a sense that he’s overrated compared to his skills. Sarin also mentioned his live vocals were lacking.
– No, even Sijjin is in the Feather rank, so why is he in Wings… Honestly, that’s ridiculous, guysㅠ. We’re not just playing around for 3 years, this is supposed to be a formal groupㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ.
It seemed he managed to hold onto 7th place due to fans who disliked Yugeon voting against him, the solid mission benefits, and his mild-mannered personality earning him favor votes.
But Hajin thought that by the time this result aired, the criticism against Wonho might grow louder, and he looked at him with worried eyes.
‘…For some reason, when I look at him, it reminds me of my old self, and I feel a bit uneasy.’
That fear, as if he was realizing his limits too soon. Every time Hajin saw that fearful look in Wonho’s eyes, it somehow made him feel even more frustrated.
‘He’s someone who can do much better… I’d like to debut with him if possible.’
He’s sociable, positive, and quick-witted. Most importantly, Wonho worked well with Hajin when it came to tasks. Having someone like him in the group would mean Hajin wouldn’t have to struggle alone, doing and explaining everything by himself.
‘I should probably accelerate my plan to recruit Kim Wonho as an ally.’
Just like how Seo Taehyun occasionally displayed “Very Depressed” status, once he recruited Wonho as an ally, Hajin might get a better understanding of what was going on inside his head. He thought it would be good if he could offer Wonho some encouragement and support that might help him.
With that thought, Hajin turned his head back and refocused on the recording. Before he knew it, the 10th surviving trainee was giving their speech.
“S, seriously, kuh, I really didn’t expect this, snif, um, um, I started from the bottom here. Hic, hng, it’s all thanks to the Destis, I thuh, think…”
‘Oh my.’
It was Park Jaeyoung, who had originally ranked dead last (19th place, which became 18th after Yoon Taehee dropped out, and automatically became 17th when Han Sungwoo left).
Jaeyoung had imprinted himself on viewers with his growth narrative shown in <To You>, as well as displaying his chaotic chemistry with Haru and Eunchan during the unified sports event.
On top of that, the performance <I’ll Confess> received an unprecedented evaluation as the most fresh, bright, and cute stage in boy group survival history, leading him to skyrocket in popularity, especially among older sister fans.
“Thank you so, so much…!”
“Yes, Trainee Park Jaeyoung. You’ve done well. Please go up to your spot.”
As Jaeyoung sobbed in gratitude, Seo Taeil warmly embraced him and even handed him tissues to comfort him.
Seeing Jaeyoung sniffle as he walked over to him, Hajin chuckled and instinctively opened one arm.
“Come here, Little J.”
“Sniff…”
“You did well. Hopefully Big J will make it through safely too.”
“Sniff…”
Jaeyoung trotted over and hugged Hajin, still sniffling. Hajin patted his head and then looked at the remaining trainees who hadn’t yet reached the survivor block.
‘…I can’t be sure about Seok-hyung either.’
By now, Hajin had grown attached to all of them, and he felt that when the moment finally came where someone had to leave, he might shed tears after all. Even if it was his delinquent little lamb, Kyungho, getting eliminated, he felt he might end up with drawn-on frown eyebrows.
“So, now, I’ll announce the first eliminated trainee among the remaining 7.”
This really was a terrible task. Hajin wrinkled his already aching nose and focused on Taeil’s announcement.