Episode 22: Yeah, That’s Right
Maybe because of what I said in Round 1, Taeoh hasn’t mentioned EUJN since.
But—
“Yujin-ssi, are you really EUJN?”
After a short interview about my Round 2 resolve and song choice, Song Jaeryung stops the camera, asks for another off-the-record moment, and poses the question.
It’s no surprise the crew caught wind of it.
The cameras were rolling, and our mics were clipped on.
“Yup.”
I nod casually, and Song Jaeryung lets out a gasp, leaning back in her chair.
“Wow, how did I not think of that? EUJN, Yujin—it’s literally your name.”
“Yujin’s a common name.”
Plus, the song I performed for them, ‘Why’d You Come to My House?’, was worlds apart from ‘For a Moment’.
She nods a couple times at my response, then leans toward me again.
“I was gonna ask this later, but I can’t wait. Why didn’t you register for Blind Singer under your stage name?”
“It wasn’t really about wanting a stage name. Honestly, Han Yujin’s name doesn’t carry much weight. I used EUJN to stir some buzz. Didn’t expect it to blow up like that. But here…”
“Here?”
“Blind Singer values skill over names. So I wanted to use my real name.”
She smiles, pleased, then shifts to a mischievous grin.
“We don’t usually ask this stuff, but it’s you, so I have to. No plans to stir some buzz here too?”
None at all?
I used EUJN for ‘For a Moment’ precisely for that reason.
It was aimed at triggering Seo Yoonje, so it’s a bit early, but I’m not about to refuse a stage they’re setting for me.
“Not saying we do it now. One contestant—number 2—figuring it out is a bit vague. If viewers start recognizing you, then we’ll talk.”
Her words sound like, “If no one figures it out, we’ll spill it ourselves.” No mistake there.
I nod, playing along.
“That’d be great. I was worried since I only hit 30th at best.”
“That depends on how we package it. Alright, good job on the interview. Kill it on stage. We’re expecting big things.”
I bow slightly to Song Jaeryung and leave the small room. The waiting area is quiet.
The male group, mixed group, and female solo groups have finished, their qualifiers and eliminees sent to separate rooms.
The male solo group is performing now.
With Taeoh gone, I sidle up to the friendlier Noh Jiyoon.
“How’s it going?”
“Number 37 got an all-pass. Total banger. Now it’s 66’s turn, then 2.”
“What about the others?”
Noh Jiyoon shakes her head.
Whether Eom Dongkyu crushed it or the others flopped, it seems only three from the male solo group will advance.
“So, 10 confirmed qualifiers so far?”
“Yup. Every group’s one short of the max… This round’s bar is brutal.”
Noh Jiyoon sighs.
With no group hitting the maximum qualifiers and our female group stacked with three Round 1 all-passers plus me, the all-pass hopeful, it’s a death group. No wonder she’s sighing.
Knowing Noh Jiyoon’s tendency to fret offstage but transform once on it, I find her dramatics amusing.
I can’t just say, “Don’t worry, there’s always the X-Pass,” so I turn to the screen showing Park Juan.
-“Letter to Heaven”?
Yoon Ichae’s voice comes from off-frame, and Park Juan’s white mask bobs up and down.
“Yes. Thinking this might be my last shot, I chose the song I can do best.”
Do Junseong’s ‘Letter to Heaven’.
Among the many ballad masterpieces that adorned the 90s Gilboard charts, it’s a standout.
A true successor to the ballad prince lineage, perfect for Park Juan.
-“How well are you doing in that place without me?
You don’t even show your face in my dreams.”
Park Juan’s soft voice, paired with the piano melody, fills the stage.
“Wow.”
His nostalgic performance draws a small gasp.
‘Park Juan’s back.’
With a gut feeling that all six Ps will light up, I stand.
“Female group, get ready.”
Kwon Junghyun peeks through the just-opened door.
-“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.
Unable to live well without you,
I take this letter and go to you.”
Unlike Park Juan’s voice, soaring gently like an angel’s wings descending heavenly stairs, some in the room hesitate, weighed by the fear they might never return here.
I step lightly, the first to leave the waiting area.
“Number 2, with five passes, secures third place in the male solo group and advances to Round 3!”
As I step from the waiting room to the studio, Taeoh’s performance has already ended.
Park Juan summoned the 90s ‘Gayo Top 10’ vibe, snagging an all-pass, which bumped Taeoh to third. Still, a five-pass is solid.
“Maybe it’s just me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Number 2 was overly excited, so I couldn’t focus on the song.”
AZ’s critique nearly makes me flinch.
‘AZ… she’s tough.’
Taeoh was hyped, no denying it.
And I know I’m the reason.
“Every artist struggles with this, but emotional control is essential for a singer. We pour emotions into our songs to move the audience. That’s why I couldn’t press. Still, aside from that, it was a flawless stage. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
“Thank you.”
Taeoh knows it too.
His slightly deflated response comes as he shuffles back to his seat.
‘Maybe that’s for the best.’
Taeoh’s a bit oblivious.
With five eliminated contestants nearby, his usual bouncy stride might’ve gotten him called out for being tactless.
Soon, Ji Sehyuk’s closing remarks signal the eight male solo group contestants to exit through the opposite hallway.
Though I can’t tell if our eyes meet through the masks, I bow to the heavy-footed stragglers.
“Now, the final group! Let’s bring out the eight contestants of the female group!”
Over faint sniffles, I climb onto the stage with Ji Sehyuk’s voice booming through the speakers.
“Ugh, here they come.”
“Man, facing them now, I’m suddenly regretting this. Why’d we group them like this?”
Sally and Lee Sangwoon’s groans from the judges’ panel lighten the mood, proving our group’s impact.
“This guilt-free thrill is the last one. Round 2’s done now.”
Unlike the anguished judges, Ji Sehyuk, who just has to enjoy their pain, sounds almost disappointed.
“Sehyuk, wanna switch for next season? I’ll MC.”
“No way, lyricist-nim. I’m not cut out for that. MC’s my calling.”
“Ugh, so slick! You weren’t like this as a kid. So annoying!”
Yoon Ichae stomps at Ji Sehyuk’s charm, sweeping away the last of the heavy air.
Meanwhile, in the shadows out of the camera’s frame, Hong Hyunwook twirls his finger, signaling to move on.
Ji Sehyuk nods lightly, shifts his gaze from the judges, and faces us.
“Alright, let’s decide the performance order.”
As he speaks, a man with an earpiece rushes up, hands Ji Sehyuk a large box, and darts offstage.
“You’ve seen this four times, but this box has balls numbered 1 to 8, determining your order. Hmm… Number 36, any preferred number?”
“Huh? Me? Uh… anything but 1 or 8.”
Noh Jiyoon stammers but firmly states her preference as Ji Sehyuk expertly cradles the box.
He passes the mic to the others.
“Number 19?”
“Uh… same, not 1 or 8…”
“Did all the women collude? Everyone’s saying not 1 or 8? Alright, Number 80, same deal?”
Kim In, seventh to be called, doesn’t wait for Yang Seunghee to pass the mic. She strides to Ji Sehyuk, leans in, and speaks into his mic.
“When I didn’t have this mask, I always closed the show, so I’d like 8. But 1’s fine too.”
“Wow, confidence! Love it! Alright, Number 1, what about you?”
With only me left, I take the mic from Yang Seunghee.
“I was first on the first day of prelims.”
I pause deliberately, exhaling to set the moment.
A cue for them to slip in my prelim footage.
‘Hong PD will catch this editing point.’
Picturing Hong Hyunwook’s grin at the perfect timing, I stifle a laugh as Ji Sehyuk jumps in.
“Oh, really?”
“Yup. Given I’m here, you can tell it went well. I’d love 1. Though the closing spot’s tempting too.”
My answer, similar yet opposite to Kim In’s, draws soft laughter.
Hong Hyunwook, twirling his finger, now spins his whole arm.
“Alright, since some have preferences, let’s have them draw first. Personally, I hope they pick different numbers for some fun.”
At Ji Sehyuk’s words, Kim In and I step forward, but—
“Oh, Number 80 yields!”
Kim In gestures for me to go first, stepping back. I nod in thanks and approach Ji Sehyuk.
I roll my hand in the box, pause for effect, then grab a ball.
“Number 1 draws… oh, they got their wish! First up in the female group is Number 1!”
Ji Sehyuk’s genuine disappointment draws sharp glares from the judges.
Luckily for him, Kim In gets 7, not her desired 8, which goes to Noh Jiyoon.
“Nooo!”
Noh Jiyoon clutches her head, and I think—
‘Classic Noh Jiyoon. Her luck’s unreal.’
Good luck, that is.
The furthest slot from my performance—what a great spot.
She doesn’t know it yet.
“Alright, other contestants, head to the waiting area. Number 1, over here.”
As Ji Sehyuk directs, staff hand my song choice to the judges.
All six pairs of eyes widen.
“Wait, Number 1’s song is really this? You’re serious?”
Sally grabs a retreating staff, asking in disbelief.
Under my mask, I answer with a smile.
‘Yeah, Sally noona. That’s right.’