Chapter 93 Rules and Dinner Invitation
Popularity is what most people present care about most.
And now the program team has put all of these on the table, making it inevitable that everyone will be compared.
It’s okay for popular groups, but it goes without saying that newcomers with low popularity will be ranked in the worst position.
Thinking of this, the three groups that debuted last all started to feel nervous.
Just when they thought they would be the first to appear, the result was beyond everyone's expectations.
The first group to appear was not FOREVER, Originore, or LEVELUP, three new groups that debuted less than a year ago, but SEXYcode from Country J. The second group was a Kansai boy, also from Country J.
The former’s official group account on Instagram has 1.5 million followers, while the latter’s has 2.3 million.
The reason is simple. The artist agencies in Country J are not as well managed as the idol agencies in Country K. In addition, China has a larger population base, so the number of fans of the group on social media is slightly inferior.
Originore ranked third with 3.7 million, and Levelup ranked fourth with 4.3 million.
FOREVER ranked fifth, with over 8 million, and Freez ranked sixth, with over 50 million.
In fact, every member of Originore boasts a significant number of Weibo followers. Those who debuted in the top positions generally have over 10 million followers. Jiang Mo Nan, who debuted as the center, even boasts over 18 million. This number isn't considered high at the peak of the talent show industry, but Originore officially debuted less than a month ago, and achieved this despite years of sluggish talent shows. This is truly impressive.
It’s a pity that due to the program rules, only the official account of the group is counted, so no matter how many fans a member’s individual account has, it will be useless.
This is also the disadvantage of talent shows. There are too many fans of only one person, and fans only follow a single person, so the number of fans of the group's official account has not increased.
Since FOREVER is not a talent show group and the company is intentionally managing it, the proportion of group fans is higher than that of individual fans.
They debuted in third place, which wasn't a bad start, and was even better than the members expected. After all, they were the last to debut among all the groups, and as the newest among the newcomers, they couldn't expect to be ranked the best.
After the all-important performance order is determined, the next step is song selection.
Because the program team gave the participants enough space to perform freely, choosing which song to use as the group's first performance on the show became the most critical issue at the moment.
New artists are fine, as they don't have many tracks to choose from, so there's no need to worry too much. Especially with someone like Originore who's only released one single, there's no reason to worry even if you want to.
But if it were those seniors who have debuted for many years, it would be completely different.
Especially for SEXYcode, who debuted for over ten years, they have a rich repertoire of songs and many good songs. When they can only perform one song, it is difficult to choose.
But they can only solve this kind of trouble by themselves.
Because the performance stage of "Idol Battle" will be broadcast live, the program will also be recorded and broadcast at the same time.
Before the performance is broadcast, the program team will record each group's dormitory life and behind-the-scenes stage practice footage, which will be broadcast once a week, with each episode divided into two parts.
Although this broadcast method is stressful, it also reduces the time for post-production of the program and the possibility of malicious editing.
However, due to time constraints, the production team will also cut out many boring and ineffective shots to retain as many interesting points as possible. This also means that if the participating groups themselves are not particularly good at variety shows and are good at handling things, they will most likely be cut from the show.
After all, for a variety show, fun always comes first.
If you act too boring and the audience falls asleep, how can the show have high ratings?
Although the fact that the program invited six of the hottest groups from three Asian countries is a gimmick in itself, this gimmick can only attract viewers. Whether it can keep the audience will depend on the specific performance of each group of guests.
The live performance will be another major test for all contestants. With no post-production audio editing, any vocal break will be clearly heard by the audience, and any dancing mistakes will be captured on camera.
Mature stage performers with countless touring experiences are naturally fearless, but for those new idols who don’t have much offline performance experience, this is definitely a considerable psychological pressure.
After all, they need to compete on the same stage with seniors who are more mature and popular on other stages.
Although it is not shameful to lose to a senior, it is just a self-consolation statement.
Once a mistake occurs, the fan circle and passers-by will definitely cut out the clips of their mistakes and make videos to mock them repeatedly.
Therefore, no matter what the result of this round of competition is, everyone must be fully prepared to deal with it.
On the big screen, the program rules were still being read out——
[The first round of competition will be held next Sunday, a week from now.]
[At that time, the audience watching the live broadcast on site and online will vote for your performance in real time. ]
[On-site voting accounts for 70%, and online voting accounts for 30%. The final vote count is calculated by adding the two together.]
【Time waits for no one, now everyone can prepare for the next performance.】
[Of course, you can also go to the dormitory to rest. ]
[However you choose to arrange your time, it's your freedom. The program team will not make any mandatory arrangements for your schedule.]
[Reminder: The practice room is on the third floor of this building. You can take the elevator to get there. If you want to go back to the dormitory to rest, you can go directly to the first floor. There will be a shuttle to pick you up.]
After reading the program crew's instructions, Freez was the first to stand up and walk out of the studio. SEXYcode followed suit.
Seeing that the two oldest and most popular groups of participants stood up and left, the other four groups also took action.
"Let's go to the practice room to practice too?" Zheng Xingye whispered.
Sheng Yanyu shook his head, "No, let's go back to the dormitory."
Upon hearing this, not only Zheng Xingye, but even Xu Tingchuan, who rarely showed any expression, couldn't help but show surprise and confusion.
Even though he didn't say a word, I could still see the word "why" on his face.
He had just taken a peek and saw that Freez and SEXYcode had both pressed the elevator button for the third floor. It was obvious that they were both planning to go to the practice room to prepare for the stage.
Both groups of seniors are so hardworking, is it really okay for them to be so lazy?
Just when Xu Tingchuan was puzzled by this, Yi Chuheng beside him explained softly: "They go to the practice room because they have a lot of preparation to do. But we are different."
"We only have one song right now." Mo Bei took over the conversation, "And we practiced this song for a full month from before our debut to after our debut."
Especially recently, they practiced every day in preparation for their trip to K Country to participate in a music show. It can be said that everyone knows the song "Lemonade" by heart.
In this situation, practice is no longer the most important thing. Resting well to conserve energy and devise new ideas in the performance is the most important thing.
After understanding the key, Xu Tingchuan couldn't help but sigh: "Fortunately, we don't have many songs, otherwise we would have to prepare from scratch."
After seeing the people at Originore pressing the elevator button to the first floor, FOREVER, who was also going downstairs, couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Aren't you going to practice?" Jiang Xincheng asked.
Sheng Yanyu shrugged, "We only have that one song right now. I've been dancing to it every day lately, and I can even sing it in my dreams."
This means that they can get through the first round of performances relatively easily.
Hearing this, Song Keyu couldn't help but reveal an envious look: "That's great..."
"Don't even think about slacking off." Jiang Xincheng hugged Song Keyu and rubbed him hard on the head. "We have to work really hard while our opponents are resting, and then we'll amaze everyone!"
Song Keyu wrinkled his nose and raised his hand to fix his hair, which had been messed up by the captain again. "I don't think it's possible to amaze everyone. I just hope I don't get last place."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan was immediately dissatisfied. "How can we boost others' ambitions and destroy our own prestige? If we can't compete for first or second place, we must find a way to fight for third place. Don't you agree, Captain?"
"No!" Jiang Xincheng grinned, "Hurry up and practice!"
As he spoke, he and Liu Yuan lifted Song Keyu up and headed towards the elevator. Feng Ziyu and Yao Zhaoyuan, who were standing behind him, smiled awkwardly at the crowd and then followed suit.
“It feels so good to have a day off while others are working.”
Zheng Xingye winked at his teammates, "You agree, right?"
"Look how proud you are of yourself."
Pressing the elevator button to go to the first floor, Choi Jun-hee rolled his eyes in disgust.
Arriving on the first floor, the members were about to leave in the car when they discovered that there were other people besides them who had chosen not to stay in the practice room to practice.
If you look closely, isn’t it LEVELUP?
The two sides met each other unexpectedly and looked at each other in surprise for a moment.
Choi Jun-hee took the initiative to approach and chatted with them in Korean: "Didn't you go to practice too?"
"We just made a comeback with a new song. We've been practicing every day lately. I almost vomited from practicing."
LEVELUP's captain Min Jung-woo made a funny vomiting gesture, which made Choi Jun-hee laugh.
"We're pretty much the same."
Zheng Xingye, watching the two chatting happily, couldn't help but wonder: "What are they talking about? They look so happy?"
Mo Bei, who understood their conversation without any difficulty, said: "...I don't know. I'm curious too."
Cui Junxi: "Are you going to go back and rest next?"
Min Zhengyu nodded slightly: "Yes, I still have to pack my luggage."
"How are you going to solve dinner?"
Cui Junxi paused and said, "We took a look at the kitchen before coming here and found that the production team provided ingredients and seasonings, so we plan to cook hot pot tonight. Do you want to join us?"
When they heard the word "hot pot", not only Min Zhengyu, but also the other members of LEVELUP's eyes lit up instantly.
Kim Hyun Jae swallowed imperceptibly and asked, "Is this Haidilao Hotpot?"
Hearing this, Cui Junxi smiled and shook his head. "Here, many places have hot pot, and each has its own characteristics. Haidilao hot pot is just one of them. This time we had the home-style Sichuan and Chongqing hot pot."
Cui Junxi paused and asked, "You can all eat spicy food, right?"
Min Jung Woo: "We're fine, we can eat a little bit. But Hyun Jae can't eat anything spicy at all."
"But because we need to protect our throats, the company doesn't usually let us eat spicy food."
Cui Junxi nodded, "Okay, then we'll make it into a shabu-shabu hotpot. You just eat the non-spicy part."
In a few words, Choi Junxi took it upon himself to arrange the evening's itinerary for the five members of LEVELUP. Since the five members already had this intention, they didn't refuse.
After waving goodbye to each other with a smile, Choi Jun-hee was pulled aside by his teammates.
Zheng Xingye: "What were you guys talking about just now?"
Cui Junxi shrugged, "No big deal, just inviting them to have hot pot here tonight."
Everyone: “!!!”
Bai Li raised his eyebrows slightly, obviously a little surprised, "Did they agree?"
"Of course." Choi Junxi smiled and said, "I've already made an agreement with their captain. They'll also bring the food from their dormitories. We can all help out together. It'll be more fun when we have more people!"
Although Choi Jun-hee's sudden invitation disrupted the original plan, the members didn't care. It was just a matter of a few more pairs of chopsticks anyway.
What's more, the members of LEVELUP all seem to be easy to get along with, and the two sides had met once before in Country K. Now that they are participating in the same program, it can be considered fate.
So when they returned to the dormitory, the first thing the members did was to prepare the hot pot dinner in the evening.
During the preparations, Zhong Gaoyi suddenly thought of a question: "We have already invited LEVELUP, should we invite others as well?"
Otherwise it would seem a bit biased.
Not to mention that all the members of FOREVER knew Hiko-hye, Freez, SEXYcode, and Kansai Man were all their seniors and foreigners. Wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate to just leave them alone?
After all, judging from the way the program crew prepared the food for them, they will probably have to be self-sufficient in terms of meals in the coming period.
What if the other group members can’t cook?
Mo Bei thought for a moment and said, "They should all be busy right now. I'll have the production crew tell them we're planning a hot pot dinner tonight and ask if they'd like to join us."
"For those who are willing to come, we will prepare more food and space. For those who are not willing to come, we will not force them."
Sheng Yanyu nodded in agreement, "That's great. Let's do as Brother Mo Nan says."
Regardless of the other party's attitude, they still have to observe etiquette. As long as they take the initiative to invite, it is not considered rude.
That being said, the members themselves didn't have high expectations. Aside from groups like FOREVER, which already had connections and shared nationalities, the remaining three groups of seniors had barely spoken to them. Inviting someone to a party like that would likely result in a rejection nine times out of ten.
However, what no one expected was that the other four groups, including Freez, all accepted their invitation.
Upon hearing the news, the members looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a moment of silence, everyone couldn't help but exclaim, "Fuck!"
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