Chapter 38
“Mangdol I Raised on My Back”
The third round of the competition began with Chrome, who had tasted bitter defeat after finishing 6th in the Position Battle.
“Waaaah!”
“The concept is insane!”
“The arrangement is crazy!”
“What do we do?!”
Exclamations erupted throughout the waiting room. Among the six groups, Chrome—closest to being a top contender—had completely transformed.
The three-member girl group unit Oh! La.La’s Haganggwi-jubo presented “Cheonsanghwa (Heavenly Flower)”. Despite the serious title, the original song was a light, bouncy B-grade dance track. It told the playful yet fatal charm of a celestial being descending to the human world to tempt a woodcutter, observed from above.
Chrome, however, completely flipped the script.
The graceful hand movements of the original were transformed into sharp martial arts motions, and the elegance and deadly allure of the fairy became a sword dance. Gold-accented modernized hanbok, synchronized choreography with a full troupe of backup dancers—together, it looked like an epic war saga from the Three Kingdoms era.
The audience was instantly captivated. Fans and casual viewers alike cheered, and even those who weren’t fans yet felt their curiosity sparked.
“Wow, is this really Cheonsanghwa by Haganggwi-jubo?”
The vocal trainer judge opened the remarks, as always, beginning with praise as she had on the monitor.
“…Interesting.”
Even the Lumis fans were surprised. Judging, which seemed short on screen, was actually longer and more engaging. Occasionally, the judges interacted with the audience, adding a fresh twist.
Though the judges worried about what would follow Chrome’s impactful stage, their fears were unfounded. Toy Box performed a pop ballad with a high-teen band sound, and Spectrum turned their stage into a theatrical performance, each group showcasing their unique style.
Next up was Beat Twelve Y.
“Waaah!”
Even with the lights off, just their turn prompted an incredible roar from the audience.
“…So this is why they call them a big company?”
Lumis’s first-time fan was amazed by the power of a major agency. Even though it was RE:VIVAL’s debut, the audience held glow sticks and banners in support.
The stage began.
♪♫ —
A strong bass and shaking beat filled the body.
“…”
If it weren’t for Lumis, perhaps her ultimate fandom would have been for Beat Twelve Y. Members in leather jackets began commanding the stage with rhythmic energy.
“Is that… her?!”
Jeong Jeyoon, the one who had set their chatroom on fire, appeared.
“…She’s good.”
Reluctantly, the fan admitted her skill. Her voice remained steady despite the intense choreography. Luckily, the occasional wink toward the camera was not her style.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Luha waved a “helping hand” broom and spoke.
“Huh? Haven’t I seen this scene somewhere before?!”
Kang Ian looked playfully between Ryu Sian and Cha Eun-gyeol.
“Nope. You need a scolding too!”
“Ah, ah! My head!”
“Sigh…”
Luha shook his head. Were they careless, or just not nervous?
“Guys, you need to be nervous. Haven’t you seen the previous stage?”
Baek Do-ha scanned the members with a slightly anxious expression.
“Hyung! A stage is meant to be enjoyed! A genius can’t beat someone who works hard, and someone who works hard can’t beat someone who enjoys it!”
Kang Ian shouted proudly. The members responded with admiration.
Bam!
Luha’s “helping hand” hit the wall.
“Enjoy it? You came here to play? Behave professionally.”
His sharp voice froze the waiting room.
“Those outside spent their time and money to come here. If you’re going to be sloppy, quit now!”
Instantly, the room fell silent. Both Lumis members and staff held their breath. The words from this five-year-old cut through reality.
“Be proud in front of the fans. Go on stage ready to fall. Got it?!”
“….”
The members’ gazes wavered. From their youngest member, RE:VIVAL, PD Lee Geon-woo, in-house content, to Hwaseon—they’d been excited by sudden fortune.
“…No.”
They realized it too late. The so-called luck was superficial. The only proof they needed was themselves on stage. Perhaps this could be their final performance. Like Luha said, they had to give everything. As if it were their last day.
Screech—
“Lumis, ready!”
The door opened, and the staff announced the turn.
“Yes!”
Five voices rose together—a solemn cry filled with determination.
Screeeeech!
White smoke engulfed the stage.
Thump-thump—
Lumis’s fan’s heart raced.
“Finally, finally!”
She gripped her glow stick tightly. Though modest among the many colorful glow sticks, it was her most treasured item.
The stage resembled an abandoned factory. Red lights bled through steel structures. Fire props trembled subtly, like living embers. As the murmurs in the audience subsided,
♪♫ —
White noise and a reverb-filled pad sound enveloped the studio.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
A pluck sound, filtered with reverb and delay, swept across the space.
“Whoa!”
The Lumis fan covered her mouth. The five silhouettes slowly emerged, shadow-like.
Without the MC announcing it, no one would have noticed. A coldness previously unimaginable.
Silver chains and accessories glinted over black outfits. Black masks hid their faces, erasing the usual gentle, kind eyes. The eyes that were visible behind the mask showed only one thing: determination to dominate the stage.
“Are these really the sweet ones I knew?”
She gripped the glow stick tighter, nervous.
“…What?”
Not only the fan was surprised. Judge Han Jin-seo quickly checked the script.
Lumis – Burn it Up (Blaze Seven)
As a remake, a change in concept and arrangement was expected. But this version was drastically different.
Blaze Seven’s Burn it Up was a C major song with strong beats and flashy synths. Lumis’s version was in A minor.
Gone were the flashy synths, replaced by low, mist-like pads. The song felt desperate, heavy, and dark—almost sorrowful.
“…Key relation?”
Han Jin-seo’s eyes widened in shock. C major vs. A minor. Structure, key signature, scale—all the same. But the emotion was opposite. Major felt like a bright afternoon, minor like pre-dawn darkness.
“Ha!”
Han Jin-seo let out a bitter laugh. Jin Do-hyun was astonished and frustrated.
Even if it were a flashy technique, he could just admire it, but all they did was lower every note by a third. Simple theory that anyone with basic music knowledge could do—but it completely transformed the song’s emotion.
“…Why didn’t I think of this?”
Jealousy or self-doubt gripped him.
—Ignite the dying heart
Under the red light, Ryu Sian pushed through the steel structures. He swept the mask over his lips and neck with his hand and stared at the camera with piercing eyes. Overwhelming presence, glimpses of his face through the mask—a visual spectacle.
“Oh…”
The audience stirred.
“Sian-ah!!!”
The fan shouted in her heart, fearing her heart would stop otherwise. Another light revealed Cha Eun-gyeol’s silhouette.
“Whoa!”
She covered her mouth again. His eyes, visible through the mask, were cold enough to freeze the air—intensely sexy.
—Remember even the moment you fell
Born again where no one else was
(Lumis it up!)
Cha Eun-gyeol leaned against the steel frame, brushing hair like frost from a window, staring into the abyss. His voice was dark and lonely like the midnight sea. Behind him, the members’ robust doublines layered.
“…What do I do!”
The fan felt tears sting her eyes.
Thump-bat!
Members appeared through the cold steel frames. Their emergence was like buds enduring a harsh winter, about to bloom.
Labeled “Mangdol,” they had doubted themselves—but never retreated. That effort now blossomed in lyrics on stage.
Thud-thud—
Sharp steps followed. The members charged to the center. Heavy drum beats layered, the sound grew more massive. Kang Ian and Ha Jin-woo maneuvered between members.
—Yeah, I’m risin’ up from the ashes
Who can stop me? I’m already past!
Kang Ian’s rap erupted. No playful charm remained—just burning intensity.
—Stepped off the cliff,
Diving fearlessly, I’m crazy, no classes!
Ha Jin-woo’s once gentle appearance was gone. His fierce rap devoured the stage. They pushed each other’s shoulders, stomping heavily. Thud! Red lights sliced across the stage like cracks in the floor.
“Oh!!”
The audience reacted to the spectacular stage effects.
The two youngest quickly moved sideways. Ryu Sian and Cha Eun-gyeol stepped to the center.
—What I struck on the ground, now I burn it all! (Get higher)
The flame lives inside me, ready to explode (fire, fire)
Their voices alternated each line, backed by Baek Do-ha’s doublines.
Thud, thud-thud-thud!
Choreography followed. Silver accessories shimmered with every move. Cameras captured their eyes and harsh motions.
♪♫ —
Brass, claps, hi-hats, tight snares, upward-filtered sound—building intensity.
—Even at the end of despair, run! (run!)
Throw my dreams hotly!
I can’t stop here~
Even at the end of despair, run! (run!)
Throw my dreams hotly!
I can’t stop here~
Repeated lyrics, fiery red lights, commanding stage presence, perfect choreography, rising tension.
Thud—!
Finally, the chorus exploded.
