Deadline: September 10, 11:59PM KST (note: the audition deadline was in EDT by error—deadlines for Secret Sibling, as with all base schedules and monthly schedules, going forth will be in KST)
Those involved in Secret Sibling this month may earn up to 8 points total for writing, by the end of September 10 KST:
Completions of the two interviews included in the in-character prompt. (1 point each, up to 2 points total)
One solo para of 400+ words based on filming for episodes 1 & 2. (2 points).
EITHER two threads of six posts (three per participant, including the starter) OR one thread of ten posts (five per participant, including the starter) with their assigned Secret Sibling taking place during their first filming. (2 each, for up to 4 points total OR 4 points)
These do not count toward monthly limits or toward normal schedule points. All posts for this task block should be tagged with #fmdsecret1.
There are not tasks available for muses outside of the main cast for this task block.
IN-’VERSE INFO
The following idols are informed they’ve been chosen in early August and will be sent a contract to sign: @fmdhyoyeon, @fmdartemisia, @fmdxsuwei, @fmdhyuk, @alicefmd, @fmdminhee, @fmdtaejin, @durifmd, @fmdheesung, @miyeonfmd, @fmdwoochan, @fmdrina, @fmdjaeyeol, @fmdting, @fmdsan, @fmdminah, @fmdsooah, @fmdminjung, @fmdsophie, @fmdjynx They will be told not to share the news of their casting with anyone yet and sharing the news with anyone outside of their management before they’ve been officially announced will result in them being removed from the cast and replaced.
The cast members will be paired up as follows, with the designated filming date (for a twenty-four hour span from the afternoon/evening of day one to the afternoon/evening of day two):
Lipstick’s Artemisia & Fuse’s Sooah - August 7 - August 8
Lipstick’s Ruby & Lucid’s Hyoyeon - August 8 - August 9
Lipstick’s Minnie & Lucid’s Suwei - August 9 - August 10
Fuse’s Minjung & Lucid’s Alice - August 14 - August 15
Fuse’s Miyeon & WISH’s Rina - August 15 - August 16
Knight’s Hyuk & Unity’s Ting - August 16 - August 17
Knight’s Duri & Unity’s Jaeyeol - August 16 - August 17
Decipher’s Taejin & Knight’s Heesung - August 21 - August 22
Knight’s Woo & Alien’s San - August 22 - August 23
Aria’s Jynx & WISH’s Sophie - August 29 - August 30
(admin note: The date of the first day of filming should have been checked to work around all muses’ schedules with the consideration idols do not attend music shows on Mondays and some schedules may happen on the morning of the day they meet, but if you notice any problems, please send in a message and the date will be fixed!)
Before the first meeting, each pair member will be driven to the filming location by a manager and told whether they are the younger or older “sibling” of their pair, but not the identity of their partner. They will then be asked the following interview questions by their manager and are expected to answer them as if having a casual conversation with their manager. There will be three cameras stationed in the car for different angles of the interview “conversation”.
What are the traits you think you should show as a good younger/older sibling?
What kind of personality would you like your older/younger sibling to have and why?
What might surprise your sibling about you if they only know you as a celebrity?
The idol member will then have their partner’s identity revealed by their manager by playing the message from their audition as linked above (if their partner didn’t say their name, their manager will tell them who it is).
What do you think about your partner now that their identity has been revealed? From what you know of them, what are they like / what do you think they are like?
Following the conclusion of the in-car interview, they will be taken to the location of their first meeting: an apartment rented out by production and set up with mounted cameras where they’ll be spending twenty-four hours together to get to know each other. They’ll be aware that this is the setting and concept for the first day of filming beforehand.
The older “sibling” will arrive first and will be given time by themselves to get to know the apartment, which will include everything the pair might need, like food in the fridge, a video camera and Polaroid camera, board/card games, and pair-specific props like a guitar, a karaoke machine, cooking essentials, video games, etc. based on public knowledge of the interests of each member of the pair. Each idol will also be allowed to bring a single bag of their own full of anything they may need overnight like pajamas, toothbrush, snacks, bonding activities, etc.
Examples of what the apartment might look like are here, here, and here.
The younger “sibling” will arrive after the older “sibling” has had about thirty to forty-five minutes in the apartment on their own.
In addition to everything else in the apartment, each pair will also have also have a “secret notebook” which will include questions and tasks for the pair to get to know each other including the following:
Have three meals meeting the following requirements:
Leave the apartment for one meal mutually agreed upon by both siblings.
For another meal, cook together using what’s supplied in the kitchen.
For another meal, order take out agreed upon by both siblings to be delivered to the apartment.
Take Polaroid photos together as proof of this memory.
Teach each other the point dances of one of your songs.
Use the projector set up in the living room to watch a reel of moments (stages, variety appearances, etc.) from each of your careers prepared by production and discuss your experiences as an idol.
Share your concerns with each other.
A note is included in the notebook including these missions and telling them they should work to achieve every mission by the time they part at the end of the twenty-four hours.
Outside of these missions, the “sibling” pairs will largely have free reign over what they discuss and what they do within the apartment with their twenty-four hours together, although everything should remain family-friendly and image-conscious and idols should not be too candid about any frustrations with their company, their group members, or their fans.
When/if the pair sleep, they’ll sleep in the same large bed like real siblings might do in their childhood.
At the conclusion of their first day together, they’ll do separate talking head interviews before leaving:
Was there anything that surprised you about your sibling during the time you spent together?
What was the most memorable part of the twenty-four hours you spent with your sibling?
Do you feel that you opened up to your sibling or is there still a barrier between you two?
What would you like to do with your sibling next time you meet?
OUT OF ‘VERSE INFO
The final number of submissions was twenty with even numbers of muses by gender, so all muses submitted were cast in the show, although the casting process would have been selective in-character. Pairing was semi-random as complete randomization was not possible while still keeping pairs realistic and making sure muns weren’t paired up more than once across multiple muse submissions!
Any questions can be directed to the main’s ask box!
"what places do you like to eat at?" seeing as they had to go out to eat as the list dictated. jiyoo had been enjoying herself so far. and the fact that they had to eat so much, that was a big plus for her. a huge plus really. if there was one thing she really, really loved to do. it as eating and she refused too not be proud of it. "i'm not a picky person, i can something to i like to eat anywhere." and maybe she shouldn't have sounded so proud about it, but she was.
and she was almost prepared to go, shoes on and doing one last check of her bag to make sure she had everything. "and it's on me!" she couldn't make her younger sibling pay. ( not so soon at least and the thought had her giggling again. ) "we should take the camera too, we can capture the memories while were taking the trip." she would get that list done, if it was the last thing she did. the jiyoo had to bring herself back down. "sorry! is that all alright with you or should go a different route?"
to be quite honest, duri’s really excited about the whole secret sibling television show. he had just arrived to where he’d be staying with his secret sibling for the next twenty-four hours, his bag in tow as he made his way up the stairs. finally, he’d arrive to the door of the apartment, pressing the code into the door keypad moments after arriving. he opened up the door, “hello?” he said, looking around. he giggled, “ah, i guess i’m the first one here?” he said, before coming inside, and gently putting his bag down upon the floor. “woah!” he said, giggling a bunch more as he took a look upon the apartment they’d be staying in. “is that a mini pool?” he said, walking over and running his hand through the water, giggling once more. his eyes looking around, before seeing a bunch of the cameras. “ah, hello!” he said, waving at the cameras, which would cause him to giggle again.
for the next thirty or so minutes, duri explored his new home for the next twenty-four hours, eyes had been attached to a book that was sitting upon the coffee table, reading over it as he awaited for the other to arrive. the book would go down upon the table when he heard a click of the door, standing up to greet them. “hello little brother!” he said, giggling.
What are the traits you think you should show as a good younger/older sibling?
“truthfully, i’m feeling nervous about being an older sibling. i’m the youngest member of lipstick, and i’m also the baby of my family, extended family included. i expected to be the older sibling though, so i’ve been thinking about it in preparation for this! i think it’s most important to be caring and supportive, and to help your younger sibling do their best! it’s probably not good to spoil your younger sibling too much but i can’t help wanting to.”
What kind of personality would you like your older/younger sibling to have and why?
“ideally, i’d like someone who’s kind of like me! i’m very squishy on the inside, so i’d like someone who’s just as squishy, so that we could bond over that. i find it difficult to get closer quickly with people who are less soft, and i want me and my younger sibling to get off on the right foot straight away!”
What might surprise your sibling about you if they only know you as a celebrity?
“probably ... my ... well, i’m not the most clever, and i think that’s pretty widely known, but i also think that i’m not as silly as a lot of people think i am. i’ve got a positive disposition, but that doesn’t mean i’m not a good listener, and that i don’t give good advice.”
What do you think about your partner now that their identity has been revealed? From what you know of them, what are they like / what do you think they are like?
“i’m excited! i love lucid! i’m close with alice already, but i’ve wanted to get to know more of lucid’s members for a while now. her message was so sincere ... i think mine was kind of silly now. she seems like such a sweet girl. she reminds me of me back when lipstick were still starting out.”
ah. sia walked in sloppily into the room, lips pulled into a huff and eyes squinting from fatigue. and as though she could zero in on the sofa--as though it was the one something that she had been looking forward to out of all the filmings all this time, the rapper makes a beeline for the sofa, plopping down onto it with a heavy sigh, not even bothering to push her luggage into a proper place to keep and simply just leaving it by her side as she tossed on the luxurious sofa, trying to find for herself the best angle, the best pillow and the best form to sleep in on the sofa itself as though it was what she was exactly here for, instead of being at the apartment for the secret sibling filming.
she hadn’t even bothered opening up the file that had been given to her to see who was her secret sibling, choosing to shuck it into her luggage with a yawn and a shake from her manager’s head as she tripped her way down the car and into the apartment, oblivious to the camera and completely ignoring the instructions that was lain upon the table to faceplant into the pillow and stretch out her limbs.
“ughhhghhgh..” a loud groan filtered in, slightly muffled from being pressed into a pillow as sia fought off a terrible yawn that stretched her lips apart, kicking out her feet as she started what she did the best--sleep, without a blissful care in the world, oblivious to the opening of the door nor the rolling of a luggage on wheels slowly approaching. whoever it was that was her secret sibling...even she herself pitied her, unfortunately.
minhee really doesn’t want to burn down the nice apartment that the production team rented. she also really, really doesn’t want to accidentally kill suwei with her terrible cooking either. minhee’s aiming for a middling outcome where they share a perfectly averagely made breakfast. she flips her secret notebook - that she actually quite likes, it makes her feel like she’s in a spy movie - closed and tip toes back into the kitchen and living space of the apartment. she jumps up onto a stool at the island counter and rests her chin on both heels of her palms.
“they’ve picked out a nice place, haven’t they? it’s so cozy!” minhee points towards the fridge excitedly. “suweiiii, are you a picky eater? i can only make really simple things, so i hope you don’t mind.” at home, she usually eats instant food and takeout food. “i already looked in the fridge and the cupboards though, and there’s a lot to choose from. we can work together and make something great!” she pauses, stretching her lips thin. “and if we make something bad ... we can order food later to make up for it!”
they were both the respective maknaes of their groups, minhee realized. from two totally different generations of idols, but nonetheless the point still stood. she jumps back up onto her feet, and sidles up next to suwei. “it’s really exciting to do this with you. i’m close with alice, so i’m looking forward to getting to know you in person.”
summary: thoughts after wrapping up the filming. mentions of @fmdheesung
warnings: none
wc: 412
it feels different to step into the role of himself — it becomes the most difficult role he’s stepped forth to pretending to be himself inside a world where they just want a picturesque boyfriend. and that’s what becomes of the name ‘kim taejin’ — the perfect image of formalities and manners, politeness that keeps infatuation pooled in the viewers’ eyes. because to the public, he’s perfect — does no wrong. the leader of twelve years that remains steadfast and unhindered by the pressures thrown around the world around him.
except, they’re wrong. taejin’s no prince charming nor is he the be-all, give-all leader he can be. there’s differences, a strong clash of images that bc exacerbates to make him a more profitable deal on camera — he gets the gist by now.
and he doesn’t put up a fight because — the cost isn’t as effective as the outcome he knows to have no control over. instead, he goes with the flow allowing the motions without thought to carry him through the day. lucky for him, heesung’s easy going. kind, has a lightness surrounding him that makes the filming bearable, or at least manageable through the shoot. and taejin imagines heesung to not be so bad, finding the common string of leadership to tie up the distance between the two.
maybe, he’s self reflecting — learning once more what’s right and wrong. or maybe, he’s just polishing up the frayed edges of something he hasn’t perfect yet. people skills, the art of mingling in small talk and keeping up when time separates. taejin thinks that this is a start, and maybe here he can begin opening a warmer shoulder as opposed to a cold blind eye.
he imagines heesung to be nice, just as much as tired as taejin feels after shooting. reality, variety. two things, he’s never found a calling for. because deep down he fears the cuts and edits, copies and paste that have the potential of titling him to ‘villain’. one move, and his image he’s crafted for the twelve years shatters.
but he puts aside those thoughts because after it all — he’s tired. drained. the world around him and the voice of his manager muffled as he leans back in the van meant to take him home. he wants to fall back to the ease and comfort of stepping away because the most laborious role given is the one where it writes his essence for him.
summary: minjung writes a letter to @alicefmd after filming. this letter isn’t written to be shown/read in front of the cameras, but meant for a keepsake for alice.
warnings: none
wc: 433
hi pretty small alice,
did i shock you when i became your sibling? i hope not — i hope you had a fun experience being tied down to me. and i know it probably wasn’t easy having the cameras chase you down to every move. this kind of stuff isn’t easy, right? — pretending to be friends or the closest of siblings plucked from the same feather when in reality we’re just strangers assimilating with each other in front of the cameras for the first time.
i’m not saying hello — you’re my new child that i’ll adopt nor am i writing this letter to tell you how awful it was having camera crew breathe down our necks each time we followed the blueprint they gave to us. what i want to say is that i hope we can meet again — this time, not in front of the cameras and the calls of the directors.
i want to become friends because let me tell you alice — you’re a sweet peach. but it’s just rotten that the staff had to micromanage a blossoming of a beautiful friendship. let’s become friends, for real this time. this is why i’m writing you a letter that i hope never sees the studio lights or becomes subjected to talks amongst staff.
we can go to lotte world or everland, or i can even invite you to my apartment and i’ll paint you like you’re in wonderland. we can sit down have a glass of wine — wow, i’m making it sound like we’re absolute lovers? i don’t mean that — no offense, girly pie. you’re not my type :~)
i guess what i want to say is thank you for being a good team sport during the past two days of filming, and i hope this isn’t a one time thing. i’m strange and i don’t have many friends to begin with, but when i do come across a good egg — i want to collect them all because i’m the white rabbit inside the lost wonderland. so, please do call me on a good day, little alice. or call me at a bad day and i promise to pick up my phone and cook you a good meal (i’m a good cook, you know).
i hope you had as much fun as i had filming with you. and i hope you didn’t feel too burdened hanging out with my eccentric persona i leave on for the big stage.
