Chapter 7
The day Episode 1 of Fight for DI-World finally aired.
Hayan had wanted to watch it quietly by herself, but—
“Guys, can you move over a bit?”
—She ended up watching it in a crowded room.
All the trainees living on the same dorm floor had gathered together.
…The cameras aren’t running right now, right?
She suddenly felt uneasy. What if she reacted too honestly and it got edited weirdly later?
She thoroughly checked every corner of the dorm for hidden cameras before returning to her seat.
Good. Looks like they haven’t installed them yet.
Honestly, the broadcasting station was partly responsible for turning her into such a paranoid person.
After the commercials ended, a grand drone shot revealed the studio, covered in flashy CG effects.
“Whoa!”
“Unnie, stop pulling my arm—ah!”
Catherine grabbed Hayan’s arm while watching the dramatic screen movements, almost like she was in a VR experience.
“In DI-World, a world connected by music, a mysterious villain named ‘Residue’ is trying to destroy it. The world now faces extinction.”
The earth turned black under thick smoke. The serious yet slightly low-budget CG felt like the opening of a cheap sci-fi movie.
“Oh right, that was the concept.”
Catherine muttered. Judging by everyone’s reactions, they had completely forgotten about the world-building already.
The silhouettes of the fifteen trainees appeared one by one. After an overly dramatic explanation, the trainers and MC were introduced.
Dance Trainers
Shuming—Choreographer from the powerful crew “Pale Row,” known for girls’ hip-hop and choreography.
Moosung—Former leader and main dancer of the group “Catch Rare.”
Moosung looked sharp and intelligent on screen, nothing like his usual petty self. It made Hayan’s stomach churn.
“Receiving fair and sharp evaluations is not an opportunity you can easily get. With a strong heart—”
“What is he even saying?”
“No idea.”
The trainees ignored his speech without hesitation.
Then short determination clips of the trainees began, starting with Heera.
“I’ll work hard to grow through this show. Please look kindly on me.”
“I’ll enjoy it to the fullest!”
Unlike the others who looked nervous, Catherine’s eyes were sparkling.
“Catherine, did you think you came to a theme park? Why are you so excited?”
“Because it’s fun~ You’re so stiff.”
Ah. That was what real bright eyes looked like.
“Since I have nothing left to lose, I’ll show you everything.”
It was Hayan’s turn.
Because it was filmed before her regression, her face looked tense and determined.
I look like I enlisted in the military, not joined an audition.
Minsu looked between the screen Hayan and real-life Hayan.
“You feel different now.”
“Different how?”
“You seem more relaxed.”
“…Really?”
She scratched her neck awkwardly. His instincts were sharp.
“I’ll show you properly.”
That was Jua.
Her voice was intense, her gaze burning.
Hayan instinctively avoided eye contact with the screen.
Why is she so intense…
Even Haemi’s short line at the end felt like a drill instructor’s.
The scene shifted to the trainees entering the studio.
As Hayan walked in confidently, the other trainees turned their heads.
“Hayan unnie? I’d be lying if I said I’m not conscious of her.”
“She’s been in a lot of company content.”
Clips from small company variety shows and music videos flashed.
Every time someone glanced at Hayan, a dramatic sound effect played.
“Hello!”
Suddenly Catherine entered energetically, dragging Minsu with her. The lively entrance made everyone laugh.
Finally, Haemi walked in quietly and sat down without looking at anyone.
“Who is she?”
“No idea.”
“I’ve trained for three months.”
Her interview played.
Online comments started appearing.
[Title: I only recognize a few faces.]
I know Moon Hayan, Jeon Minsu, Catherine, and Tak Ji-eum.
But who are the others? Also, Shin Haemi is insanely pretty.
- Now I get why they hid her. Or maybe she just trained for 3 months.
- I gasped when I saw her.
- Looks like someone who’ll say one line in the highlight and disappear.
- Three months and already on a survival show …?
It seemed expectations for Haemi weren’t that high yet.
But—
Why were the editors putting her and Haemi in the same frame like a morning drama rivalry when they hadn’t even exchanged words?
I expected them to cross-edit my off-beat singing with trainer reactions… but this?
She folded her arms.
They’re clearly trying to create a narrative.
A 6-year veteran trainee vs. a 3-month rookie.
The directing is so old-fashioned it’s shocking.
This kind of editing hadn’t existed before her regression.
Her anger rose, but she forced herself to think strategically.
Everyone around her kept glancing at her.
Please stop looking. It’s more uncomfortable.
Just as she felt like running away, Catherine broke the tension.
“The vibe between you two feels like…”
“Huh?”
“Did you fight with Haemi~?”
“Fight? About what?”
The question was so simple it almost made her laugh.
Then Haemi’s interview was cross-edited right after Hayan’s evaluation.
Q: Some trainees have trained for up to 8 years. Do you feel pressured being only 3 months in?
Haemi: “I don’t think training length is the most important thing.”
Very Haemi-like.
True—but still irritating from Hayan’s position.
“Haemi’s cool.”
“……”
“Hey, why did you hit me?”
Catherine was chewing on seaweed snacks when Minsu smacked her arm.
Hayan felt awkward.
“It’s true, though.”
She smiled calmly.
Why are you apologizing?
Next trainee.
Of course, it was Haemi.
Time to get compared to death.
Her entrance felt like slow motion. Stylish pop music played.
She’s annoyingly cool.
Online reactions exploded.
[Title: I found my love]
GIF
I found my love.
- Who is she???
- Shin Haemi.
- Is she a model?
- Guess I’m watching this show.
Then Heera’s turn came.
Heera suddenly stood up.
“I’ll… go inside while my part plays.”
“Just watch with us.”
“No… I don’t want to.”
She hurried into her room.
Seeing herself on screen scared her.
Hayan turned back to the TV.
[Title: Moon Hayan got C?] She’s my top pick ㅠ]
- Should’ve been at least a B.
- C makes sense lol.
- Wasn’t she the company’s favorite?
└ If she was, would they edit her this badly?
└ Then why give her C from the start?
At least the “company favorite” suspicion was fading.
[Rankings]
- Catherine
- Shin Haemi
- Tak Ji-eum
… - Moon Hayan
- Hong Heera
- Catherine deserved it.
- Hayan is almost in elimination danger… hasn’t she trained for 6 years?
Another post:
[What if Haemi is rigged?]
Three months and already 2nd place?
- She’s just good.
- Are you dumb?
Hayan scrolled absentmindedly—
Then froze.
[Title: This is insane.]
(Link)
She put in one earphone and clicked it.
A fan-made video played.
Instead of her evaluation song, a different background track played. The cuts synced perfectly to the beat.
Moments that were edited harshly on broadcast—tiny gestures buried under cold trainer reactions—were turned into something adorable and charming.
Some clips were from four years ago.
Old music videos, tiny cameo appearances—someone had gathered everything.
She realized then—
There were fans who had liked her for a long time.
“Your own idol who takes responsibility for everyone’s happiness.”
“I won’t always be perfect, but I’ll keep trying.”
The rearranged J-pop song playing in the background was cute and sweet.
She felt embarrassed—but moved.
It had only been an hour since the broadcast aired.
And already—
Shares: 1,000
She refreshed.
The shares kept increasing.
- This edit is amazing.
- She was such a baby back then ㅠ
- Watching this after the broadcast hits different.
Exactly.
Back then, comments like that would’ve hurt.
Now, she agreed.
Without the flawed vocals, her gestures and expressions stood out.
Without the singing… I actually look decent.
Years of stage experience meant she instinctively knew how to move her hands and where to focus her gaze.
The trainer’s words echoed in her head.
“Her gestures and eye contact show depth.”
Charm.
If skill supported it, it would shine brighter.
Okay. I can cover weak skills with charm.
But dancing—
That was always the problem.
In her individual evaluation, she focused on vocals to hide her stiffness.
This time, it was a group stage.
Performance mattered.
She pressed her fingers against her forehead.
And the others are all vocal positions too…
Would her idea really work?
Would they pull it off?
Her palms were sweating.
***
Two Days Later
When you’re anxious, time flies.
It felt like she blinked twice, and it was already evaluation day.
They restructured positions. Rearranged the song. Practiced endlessly.
The two days felt like 200—and also like nothing.
She hadn’t spoken to Jua about anything except the stage.
They’d talk after results.
“Please move.”
Staff led them to the studio.
The pressure hit her chest as she stepped in.
“Nervous?”
“Very. But you look calmer than during individual evaluation.”
“I was panicking back then. Stand tall. You’re the main character today.”
“What main character…”
She smiled awkwardly.
Her heart pounded.
Filming began.
“Next, we’ll watch Team 3’s stage.”
