[CJ E&M // #4047 - Kim Wonshik] 2011 Classics : Team Round Episode; 3 // Outfit; X // Line Distribution X // Song and Adlibs (3:09-3:15)
It’s clear to Wonshik after meeting the members of Team E that he’s the weakest link in the chain. He’s floating somewhere in the gray area of the average and the mediocre. It was no surprise though, after all, he was in a group of individuals with real talent. Two amazing rappers, an extremely talented singer, and one of the best dancers he had ever seen - and then there was him, just a guy who had lucked out and somehow made it to the third episode.
He knows where he stands in the competition as a whole. After all a quick search of his name bring up nothing relating to the MGAs. Just a few articles here and there about past boxing matches and one result about a Wonshik in Jeju who won seven million won in the lottery. As nice as that all was, it wasn't nearly helpful giving the situation. He had no fans, no comments, not even any antis bashing his appearance or skills. He was just another contestant floating under the radar, waiting for his turn to be eliminated.
Despite his dismay, Wonshik was not one to give up. He decides to make the most of his time in the competition and give it his all no matter what. Starting when the members of team E meet up for the first time.
Their first meeting happens on Friday after the initial episode. All five of them huddled in a tight circle in the middle of the TRC practice room. He remembers each of their performances, a testament to how talented each of them was, and as they go around an introduce themselves. He thinks that they could really get along well with each other. They spend the rest of the evening getting to know each other and trying to figure out how to make their different personalities mesh.
Saturday is their first day of official practice. The team doesn't spend too much time choosing a song. Officially setting on Block B's 2011 single 'Tell Them' an upbeat hip-hop and rap heavy song that Wonshik believes would be perfect to catch the attention of the crowd and the judges. With the group comprised of mainly dancers and rappers, it was an easy choice to make to show off their best talents.
From there they begin to divide up the parts. Minho and Mingyu get the majority of the rap parts. A fair choice seeing as how they were the two strongest rappers in the team. Hyunjung is, of course, chosen as the main vocalist, possessing the best voice in the group. With Yoojung following next she is the obvious choice for the main dancer position and talented enough to handle some of the rap parts, and then there was Wonshik.
He was in a peculiar position in the team. He had shown that he was a decent dancer from his initial audition, but in comparison to Yoojung, he was extremely lacking. He could rap, but they already had two great rappers with experience and better skills than him. The only position left was to be the supporting vocalist to Hyunjung, and singing was not something that he did often. he's nervous that it's the wrong choice that he's going to fuck everything up but the roles are decided and the parts are divided up. The rest of Saturday is spent practicing and rehearsing their respective parts.
Sunday was a day dedicated to Choreography much to his relief. Dancing was something he was comfortable with, something that he enjoyed and a whole day spent doing something he loved was heaven in his book. The hours were long, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't sweat through a shirt or two, but they were also rewarding. Moving to the music and being able to input his thoughts on what moves to do an which to omit was his favorite part of the competition so far.
On Monday they begin their full rehearsal with vocals and choreography and choose their leader and though he was the oldest Hyunjung was the obvious choice for the role. She was smart and efficient, and she leads the team with both compassion and smarts. She was also open to opposing input which he was more than happy to provide.
it's much the same the next few days of practice. With vocals and Chorography being the focus and by the end of the week they had created one cohesive team.
Friday comes far too fast for the male's liking. It felt like only yesterday the five members of team E were huddled together in a practice room trying to figure out each other's strengths and choose parts. Now they were headed for the big stage. They had to appeal to the judges, and an anonymous audience, as to why they should stay in the competition and the thought was nerve wracking, but he believes they’re ready. Or as they could be. They had spent every waking minute in the practice room adhering to a strict schedule, and if they can't rock the house with all the practice, they had gotten in the last week they never would.
As the group huddles around each other backstage, the fact that he had made it past the second episode really settles in on him. He had it all set in his mind that he would be going home, but here he was standing next to 4 people who were prepared to go out on that stage and give it all they had. He was determined to do the same. He would not be the weak link.
When their turn arrives Hyunjung huddles the group together for one last pep talk. He had never been one for sappy words, but right there at that moment, those words were exactly what he needed to hear. A smile crosses his face as he adds his hands into the middle pile on top of his groupmates and the simultaneous battle cry of their team name gave him the surge of energy that he needed.
As the Quintet walks out on the stage, Wonshik can feel his heart beating in triple time. He's nervous. but a glance at the rest of Team dream.e fills him with determination for whats to come. They were here and all they had to do was perform. The rest was out of their hands.
"Yo, do you want to dream? We are dream.e." He follows along with his members placing his palms together and tucking them between his cheek and shoulder to symbolize sleep. He grins as the members begin their introductions and as his turn comes he takes a step forward. "Hello, I'm the resident one punch man of dream.e Kim Wonshik" He shows off a few punches, putting as much power into them as he could, before taking a step back and letting the remaining members introduce themselves.
With their greeting over the members take their spots on the stage, and for a moment everything is hushed. Then the music starts. In an instant, the whole team turns around in tandem and starts dancing. Wonshik is all smiles as he dances to beat.
His parts are few, and for that he's thankful. He didn't have to worry too much about making a mistake since his early parts rarely lasted longer than a few beats and they were more or less the same line repeated. It was the last verse that he was the most worried about. He had never ad-libbed before this week and to have to do it while their best singer was singing the climax to the song was a lot of pressure. He had to make sure he sounded good while also making sure not to drown her out or throw her off. Easier said than done.
As his first part comes, Wonshik steps forward, winking at the Mingyu, as he takes the center spot from the younger male. He inhales and begins to sing his section, his eyes locking with the crowd.
Hey 거기서뭐해
그만숨어 man 정말 어쩔래 (어 어 어)
As his part comes to an end, he moves out of the way to make space for Minho in the center, reclaiming his spot in the back as he picks up the dance where it left off. The song continues and as each of his parts begins he sings each of them with everything he has. He knows this may be the last time he steps foot on the stage and he’s determined to leave his mark
He barely realizes the song is coming to an end until two verses before the finale and a verse away from his ad-libs. he braced himself as the song moved forward. singing his small part once again.
Hey 거기서뭐해
그만숨어 man 정말 어쩔래 (어 어 어)
He watches as Hyunjung takes her spot in the center and as she begins to sing he starts his ad-libs. He moves the mic up to his lips and places his index finger in his ear to keep the right note. He’s surprised by how good he sounds, for not being much of a singer. His voice is stable and he has to admit that his voice and Hyunjung’s sound pretty great together.
He’s in the groove of the song as he sings the finale. His voice is strong and confident and his moves crispe. this was the last thing the crowd would see before the next team entered and he was determined to make it memorable.
가서 전해 모습을 버리고
Your body jumping 꾸물거리지 말라고 (
가서 전해 한번 부딪혀보자고
You're jumping jumping
Asthe song ends, they strike the last poses , and the Dream.e team walk off the stage, Wonshik stands in stunned silence. The performance had gone so much better than he had expected. They were a well-oiled machine and worked effortlessly together. Each person contributing their all. He smiles as the team rushes into a group hug and he's happy that he's had the oppurtunity to spend this last week with these 4 extremly talented people.
He'd like to think they're all going to survive the next episode. That maybe there were no weak links in the chain after all. That maybe they could all keep going to the finals. That they had what it took to steal thet number one spot. But ultimatly that was left in the hands of the judges. All he had now at that moment were these four people and the sound of applause ringing in his ear.
He never wanted this moment to end.