this was such a welcome distraction. as the cool breeze of the summer air fans her hair, she wonders for a brief moment why they do not do this that often. there was so much delight to be taken out of just peacefully hanging out, body lounged carelessly in a soft blanket, a littler of good food surrounding them, and the best type of live entertainment. even the chatter of the people around them does very little to deter her good spirits. after all, they did manage to find a semi-secluded spot and so the noise wasn’t all that bad.
then she remembers their training schedule and the amount of work it took the both of them to prepare this spread and suddenly, she thinks going on a picnic is better off as a once in a few months thing.
“let’s serve this champagne now while it’s still cold.” she says a little giddily, taking out their choice of beverage from the bag. the plastic flutes were not quite as fancy as the glass ones they have back home but given the precarious environment, it would have to do. “hold the flutes, i’ll pop it.” jisoo directs her companion, a conspiratorial smile on her lips. after many years of doing this, she’s already quite the professional. in just seconds, she was able to open the bottle without much fuss. the pop of the cork coming off bringing a triumphant smile to her lips. “oh, that’s a beauty.” she says as she pours one glass, then another. “cheers to being able to take a break.”
only the power of god and anime is keeping him from complaining about the heat right now, and he doesn’t even believe in god and hardly watches any anime. he almost regrets wearing the all black ensemble that lisa had picked out for him to wear, but even if he’d chosen his own outfit for the day, the chances are high that he’d still be wearing the same color, soaking up all the sunlight that’s left, and all the heat along with it.
at least the food is going to be good, and that will be in no part thanks to either of them. he’d joked about not wanting to die when lisa had mentioned they should buy food instead of packing some to bring since she couldn’t cook, but the fact of the matter is that he isn’t that great a cook either, but it’s always more fun to take a jab at her than to admit his own faults.
the smell on its own is enough to make a man salivate, but the person in front of them is taking forever to order and drooling is not a good look on anyone, so he refrains, fanning himself with a folded up piece of paper as a distraction. “hey, why don’t you go find a place for us to sit,” he suggests to lisa, looking around the park. he says it more like it’s an order, but it’s also a discreet way to pay for her food without the hassle of an argument. “just tell me what you want and i’ll order for you.”
“noona, noona, noona!” serim’s waving his arm as he flags lisa down in the hallway of royal entertainment. once he stops before her, there’s a big and bright grin on his face. “hi, i missed you.” anybody who didn’t know serim and walked in to hear him say that might think he was being completely sincere. he scrunches his face and laughs it off like nothing.
“i wanted to update you on how training’s been since I started.” serim’s still got a smile on his face before he checks their surroundings and leans in closer. “i hate it, hehe.” the training wasn’t bad. it was good. definitely worthwhile. serim likes all the things he gets to do and use, too, like the gym equipment and royal’s rooftop terrace is beautiful. other than that, he doesn’t care much for anything else. “so as my noona and sunbae here, you should treat me to something because i’m suffering~”
2020 ♡ MAY EVALUATION
why so lonely ∘ wonder girls h.a.m
rose is weighed down by a guitar, slung across her shoulder. for once, she’s enthused and bright eyed. the month of may had come to a close and it’s pending evaluation was about to begin. it’s no secret that the feelings between the royal girls and their thoughts on the evaluation are mixed. some are excited while others are excited for it to all be over. and it wasn’t to say that this month hadn’t been challenging, because it had been. but everyone had done their best to work together and reach out when they needed it. it wasn’t easy being out of one’s element, rose knew that for a fact. dancers felt unsettled sitting for a whole song and not being able to move their body. rose felt secure with her guitar in her grasp, a luxury she had stripped from her some while ago.
the girls assemble and find their places for their evaluation, sitting together in somewhat of a half moon shape. rose’s guitar occupies her lap while yuzu manages her cajon, a newer instrument for her but one she managed to pick up rather successfully. yuzu counts them in, down from four and the two of them set the pace for their performance, playing an acoustic rendition of h.a.m’s iconic song, why so lonely. jiwoo opens the song with her sweet vocals. rose taps her head and foot to the beat, keeping herself in check with yuzu. her eyes drift between the coaches and the other girls, and obviously to the instrument in her hands. and before rose knows it, it’s her turn.
baby why i’m so lonely, i’m so desperate, but you’re not.
baby no, my heart, i don’t know when you will leave me.
the chorus isn’t difficult for rose to sing, it’s definitely within her range. it comes easy to her. her voice is clear, but soft and sweet. it’s somewhat of a relief that she’s left with the chorus because for a whole song she can focus on doing what she really loves. not that playing guitar involved much focus because rose could play with her eyes closed. she listens to the other girls sing and rap, and rose can’t help but feel overwhelmingly proud. to think that some of the girls were so hesitant and uncertain about this evaluation, and now look at them. rose was starting to think that they might actually have it in the bag to win this thing if they keep it up.
they run through another couple of verses, followed by rose’s chorus again. she begins to feel excitement brewing in her gut for gahyeon’s rap verses, knowing how hard she and lisa worked to perfect them. rose wonders how lisa is holding up, is this it? is this enough to win it. and even if it’s not enough to win the grand prize, some time away from the crazed, hysteria of seocho and the entertainment world, at least they proved to themselves that they can do just about anything. it made rose certain of one thing. if she was gonna stick it out, it was gonna be with them.
moon bin is about to throw a fit. this month has been awful! for him, mostly because of the sudden drop in temperatures, but also because he feels overworked. too overworked! they’re killing him!
“---it’s legal murder!” he exclaims, flopping down on the training room floor. “practicing for nearly fourteen hours a day. they’re just wearing us down so our brains will all turn to mush, and then they’ll be able to control us! wahh, can you imagine? me, a royal zombie?”
he tilts his head back a bit to look at @rklisa, his lower lip jutting out in an ever-familiar binnie pout.
“we deserve a break.” and then suddenly, a brilliant idea comes to mind: “let’s do a weekend trip to busan. we can go to the beach, and order milmyeon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” and for once, they wouldn’t have to hide! or well, maybe hide a little . . since they’re both public trainees, and surely the last mga season is still fresh on everyone’s mind.
190718 MGA SEASON 5 + EPISODE FOUR + #5050 FEATURING : LEE SUWOONG
⟨ ━━ ❀ ° PART ONE: PERFORMANCE, CLOSE ( 0:00 - 1:50 ) ⟩
when she envisioned her and suwoong up onstage, nothing but perfection stared back at her. they were too similar and got along perfectly; could they have chosen a duo more suited for one another? words could not describe the anticipation that followed the pairing announcement for the upcoming episode - the moment that ZHOU JIEQIONG & LEE SUWOONG sounded throughout the set confirmed a match made in heaven. the following week would be even easier than the past, something she had not thought possible after woojin proving to be a impressive partner last week.
however, the woman was quickly proved horribly wrong.
"are you sure you’re okay with this?” the day following episode three’s filming, the two were quick to get to work. song selection and choreography already picked out and modified to suit them, saturday meant practice, practice and more practice. the choreography they had chosen proved to be a bit too intimate for close friends and met some quick changes, but suwoong still seemed a bit off.
the jokester she knew was oddly serious - causing worry to blossom in the pit of her stomach. they both had the choreography down but the feeling just wasn’t there, and suwoong didn’t seem like he was either. “i told you, it’s okay if you would rather do something else.” a pout slowly plumped her lips, trying her best to pull whatever she could out of her partner. kyulkyung knew he had hesitations when they were making choreography decisions, the thought of being close to another while being with lisa no doubt weighing heavy on his mind.
she understood, she really did. she just wished he’d let them work it out instead of replying with constant it’s fine! and i’m okay’s from a man who was clearly anything but fine.
she couldn’t focus on anything they were doing - all the movements numb to a woman too focused on suwoong to worry about anything else. they met on the show before their pairing and seemed to get along just fine. kyulkyung was excited to work with someone she knew and even dared to consider a friend. but it was hard to enjoy anything when everything just felt so strained. she neared the point of frustration when they would move, dance around one another and it felt like nothing - just useless movements without any meaning or effort. their performance looked lazy in the studio’s mirror, so dull that fear began to move into her chest.
maybe this was a sign that her mga story was finally over.
the thought of putting something on stage that she wasn’t happy with left a bad taste in her mouth. they weren’t doing the routine justice by just running through the motions mindlessly, weren’t treating each other right by leaving things the way they were. she hated being on edge during practice, loathed the dread she felt when watching the choreography through the mirror. kyulkyung didn’t want to leave especially like this - they were both too talented to allow this to get the best of them.
❀
moday seemed to be going a bit different, the pair leaving to get ice cream halfway through practice per suwoong’s request. "we're using your dance studio, so it's only fair!!" kyulkyung didn’t mind the trip really - this was the first time suwoong seemed normal since friday and honestly, it was a relief. did she sense a change of heart? “i guess it’s okay... only if i can get sprinkles?” sprinkles solved any problem, that she was convinced of.
"so i showed some of my friends the routine, and they all said it was too shameless. they were asking 'suwoong-ah, why did you choose something so sensual?' and 'hyung, isn't this too inappropriate? what if there are kids watching the mgas?' as if this is any more inappropriate than jinyoung-ssi's performance last week!!" kyulkyung could only listen to suwoong who had appeared to fly off on a tangent - eyes wide as she licked her sweet treat quickly, careful to avoid a sticky mess as her tongue moved along the cone’s edges.
she began to wonder how long he had been thinking of this and honestly, she was little worried on where it was leading. his friends had good points and she quietly cursed them if they had managed to make him even more uneasy. "i also talked to lisa. she understands it's just for the performance. but even then... lately, i've been acting weird. distracted. i kept thinking 'ah, is this too much?' and 'what if lisa's secretly mad? how can i make it up to her?' and i thought really reallyyyy hard about it, talked to a few people, including my dumb cousin! and in the end... i agree with them."
this is it. he’s gonna quit. kyulkyung held her breath as suwoong spoke - trying to keep an understanding, calm outlook on things but oh, it was so hard. serious suwoong was scary and she’d come to decide she didn’t like this side of him very much. the woman most definitely preferred smiles and laughs to what their week had been so far. at this point, kyulkyung herself was almost ready to give up, but not without feeling like pure shit.
if she had just pushed for a different routine, they wouldn’t be in this position. she should’ve just dropped the topic and went with something more light hearted and upbeat.
kyulkyung just couldn’t help the part of her that craved something different - a routine that was sure to catch everyone’s eye; a routine that could start episode four with a BANG! and leave overs wondering how they could follow it. the vicious beating of her heart almost muted the sound of suwoong’s voice, but she did her best to listen, even if it wasn’t something she wanted to hear.
"i've been unfair to you, jieqiong-ah. you've worked hard these last two days, but i haven't been giving my best. so from today onward, i will do better. everyone understands it's just a performance, and that this is competition, so it'll be okay."
oh.
kyulkyung dropped her head in relief, letting out the largest breath that expelled every worry that had built up over the past few days. "really, i intend to give it my all, so it'll be super intense and shameless! but don't fall for me, okay? my heart belongs to lisa only!!" the suwoong kyulkyung had grown to adore was back - his shoulders less stiff, worries that darkened his expressions gone with his new promise.
she laughed partly in relief, the other half at his request. “oh, me falling for you should be the least of your worries.” the woman raised her head to shoot her partner a grin, amusement lacing her tone as she finally relaxed for the first time that week. “this week proved you’re too high maintenance for me - she has nothing to worry about. trust me.”
and for the first time since they had been partnered up, kyulkyung genuinely felt like they actually had a chance.
❀
walking onto set, she feels confident - chin up, seemingly relaxed beside suwoong. maybe it was the darker makeup and black clothes, but she felt like she was on top of the world. “oh my god. i’m so excited, aren’t you?” the woman couldn’t help the excitement that built up when her eyes fell upon the stage, jumping up and down on her toes before pulling the other along. kyulkyung couldn’t to show everyone what they had put together, but more importantly she couldn’t wait to get up on that stage.
“you better not chicken out now, it’s too late.” when the pair found their seats, she immediately turned towards the man, her eyes wide and for once, serious - hoping to scare suwoong into compliance but ultimately only making her eyeballs hurt. she batted mascara soaked lashes, her bright lips pulling to a smile after accepting that zhou jieqiong could not be scary. “but for real, that number one spot is ours. so bring it.”
kyulkyung was allowed to be greedy after the hell they went through at the beginning of the week - it was impossible not to. suwoong had managed to pull it together so quickly after their heart to heart. hour long practices felt like minutes and finally they were enjoying themselves. she felt like they deserved a reward for the sole fact that they made it through the week.
she’s relieved that they’re first this week after the wait from last week. kyulkyung shoots a thumbs up to her partner as they rise from their seats, leaving their shoes to wait for their return in their seats, bare feet lead them to the stage - anticipation growing with each cool step. the silk of her blindfold is crisp in her gasp, ankles locked together as she leans into a boy before their audience.
“hello!” suwoong and kyulkyung greet in chinese, a smile gracing her bright lips as pearly whites peek out behind the color. two of the brightest contestants stand beside one another clad in nothing but silk and black, personalities so unlike dullness of their attire. her pink hair is so bright compared to her clothing - the pretty flush of her cheeks complimenting the bright hue nicely. “contestant #5050, zhou jieqiong here!” a wave to the camera and a smile like no other is delivered by a woman so anxious to begin.
introductions and explanations flow into setting up for their performance. the two sit with their backs pressed against one another, silk sliding against silk as they lean back into one another - blindfolds masking dark eyes and ripping them of once cheery exteriors.she’s facing the back of the stage while her head hangs between her shoulders. the music begins - soft but loud on the otherwise silent set.
oh damn, oh damn, oh damn
i'm so perplexed
with just one breath, i'm locked in
like a deep breath, kyulkyung comes to life behind her partner - chin turning up towards the ceiling as her fingers crawl up her bare legs. their movements are slow then quick, soft then sharp. calculated and collected, they face each other despite their obscured vision, bare feet and palms moving carrying them around one another.
the two were more similar than they originally thought. peppy exteriors with high energy and exciting performances, they looked to thrill their audience in a different way this time. experience in ballet hid behind their motive. they wanted to do something different but not to them - they wanted impact but a skilled one. what was more perfect than this?
but now, but now somehow
my words roll off my tongue right onto your lips, oh
i know, i know you know you're scared
your heart, your mind, your soul, your body, yeah
in hopes of making the pair more comfortable with the choreography, they switched up a bit of the routine. adding some personal touches and meaning, instead of suwoong lowering himself over her body, their hands linked - halfway pulling kyulkyung up but instead she crumbles back to the ground.
oh man, oh man
i am like you so i want proof i'm what you're feeling
their performance is vastly different than what the practice room had seen. for the first days, they were lazy, emotionless, rolling through meaningless movements. they both had ballet experience, both knew how important it was to act when you were dancing or else it loses its meaning. acting without words, that’s how she classified ballet. and with a routine like this, not necessarily ballet but a take on modern dance, these skills were needed - something they were missing at first.
but things were clearly different now, the dancers connected as they moved elegantly across the stage. this week taught excellent lessons to them both, how to work and overcome issues in order to deliver a noteworthy performance. being adaptable and professional were key characteristics to being a good performer, and she’s damn proud of where they ended up.
they won't, they won't, they won't be careful
but i guess that you don't know me
'cause if i want you, then want you, babe
ain't going backwards, won't ask for space
'cause space was just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get too...
CLOSE ‧ ‧ ‧ the song carried into the chorus, kyulkyung stepping back to run and jump into suwoong’s arms. arms holding herself above his head, the woman collapsed and let herself become enveloped in his arms before pushing him away. the look of agony was apparent on her face, hands curling up to crumble in soft, pink curls. this was her favorite part, the climax of the entire routine where everything just essentially builds up before exploding.
close, ooh
oh, so close, ooh
i want you close, ooh
'cause space was just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get close, ooh
the music is loud and their once soft, gentle movements turn into ones of power. the stage is alive and constantly in motion - kyulkyung feelings as if they’re the only people in the room as they cycle through the choreography. there’s no romance, no feelings just the emotion of a song and friends desperate for their survival. they were telling a story, stamping the tale across the stage with practiced precision. the feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming, engulfing the woman who was once overridden with fear and panic. now she felt nothing but satisfaction and pride.
they slide into their own movements, choreography the pair had deemed too sensual for the show shimmered down to ones of a slow burn. kyulkyung remains on her knees, sliding up and down and letting her hands in her hair as suwoong mirrors her stance facing the judges. the two turn towards one another before beginning to crawl - dramatic movements pulling them towards one another before they’re linking hands.
oh, so close, ooh
i want you close, ooh
oh, I want you close, that close ain't close enough, no
the song is ending as suwoong pulls kyulkyung closer, the two rising while her head falls to rest on his shoulder. there’s a pause as the music fades, hands that were once clasped becoming out of reach as the partner’s part ways. kyulkyung’s pulling herself out the song’s trance when they loop back around to give a final bow, practically jumping with joy as they exit the stage together.
“did we actually pull that out?” she whispers giddy to suwoong, smiling ear to ear as they return to their seats.
( she can only hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as she did. )
yoongi's learned a lot of things about the other trainees as the days pass this month. he's learned which songs of other royal artists others prefer, learned who can act on command and who cannot-- and a bunch of other neat tricks the other trainees can do. despite the fast-paced work load that's been given to them for the evaluation and the overwhelming amount of things yoongi isn't good at for this month, he's still attempting to enjoy himself at least a little bit.
like now, his head is tilted, and he's watching lisa move in her free time. it's an interesting sort of...dance, he thinks. he doesn't really recognize it, but he's still interested, curious as to what she could be working on. during break, he meanders over to her, one hand shoved into his pocket as he watches her for a long moment. he gathers his thoughts together, teeth worrying his lower lip as he taps a finger on his leg idly.
"hey, lisa." he calls out, offering a small smile. "what...what're ya workin' on?" his brows pinch and furrow, head cocked to the side. he exhales sharply, blowing out strands of hair that dangle in his eyesight. "is-- is that for the...evaluation?" he asks dumbly, swallowing thickly as he flushes a bit at how the question sounds.
after being in royal for nearly a year, mingyu always felt insecure that he didn’t make more of an effort to form stronger bonds. even though he wasn’t hugely on board with the entire bonding trip happening later in the month, he did briefly find himself wondering if it was for the best. he has interacted with and seen these other trainees every single day for so long, so his inability to reach out was the only thing holding him back from feeling closer to more of these familiar people. that’s why he was finally making an effort, without the help of the strange weekend getaway that would be happening later on. he wanted to feel like he was doing this on his own because he wanted to instead of feeling forced to.
it took him a while to actually approach the girl and express his interest in getting help with dancing, but he was really pleasantly surprised once he worked up the courage. he remembered her from royal survival, so he already knew about her before even joining the company, which almost made him feel like... he was getting help from someone several leagues above him. he didn’t voice that, but he kept thinking it. it made him happy, honestly, because she seemed so willing to assist that he didn’t know why he was ever nervous to begin with. “i’ve shown a lot of improvement over last year... but i still have so much to learn. i see some people dancing and doing really impressive choreography and i think about how much i’d like to be able to do that, too... but i sort of doubt that i will ever become good enough.”
