Chapter 19: Wrong Song

June looked around the hall to see if Jaeyong was looking at anyone else. However, he couldn't be mistaken. RAVEN's leader was looking right at him!5

Was he insinuating that June wasn't serious about becoming an idol?1

June was probably the most serious out of everybody else in this room. The others want to debut because they long to continue singing and dancing on stage. June was the only one doing this for his sister's life!1

He clicked his tongue and looked at this guy's stats.

[Lee Jaeyong, born in 1998

- Vocals: B-

- Dance: A-

- Visual: B+3

- Rap: B+

- Charm: A-]

This lad was even younger than June when he was still Jun Hao. June ought to teach him a lesson if they crossed paths.1

The two other members had similar skill sets as Jaeyong. They didn't have a grade that was less than C+. Well, that was only expected from already-debuted idols.

"I can see you're very passionate about this," Woo-jin noted. "You can start whenever you're ready."

The three boys went to their formation while Jaeyong signaled the sound team to start the music. A familiar tune started playing, causing most of the trainees to gasp in shock.

"They're doing their own song?"

"It's their most popular song, too. How come they made this decision?"

June frowned. This was definitely a risky decision. While it would be wise to perform something they've probably performed a hundred times, there was always a risk for comparison if they don't do it as well.

And since the main rapper, Luke, had left the group, this was the first time RAVEN would perform the song once again. June still wondered if they could pull it off, considering the song is very rap-heavy.

The song started with Jaeyong covering Luke's iconic rap part. June's frown deepened. He had heard this song before. It was one of Mei Ling's favorites when it came out. He had to endure listening to it for two weeks after that.2

So, he already knew what it originally sounded like. Luke's rap tone best suited this type of trap beat, and part of why it became so famous is because of his part. However, with Jaeyong's tone, which is more fitted for boom bap, the rap was quite disappointing.

"Yo, listen up, I got a story to tell.2

'Bout never giving up, even when life's a living hell.

Dreams are the fuel, the fire deep inside.

Struggles tryna bring us down, don't let 'em override."

The next parts were sung by the original members, and it sounded just like the recording.

However, an ambiguous feeling still surrounded the hall.

"I remember when I started, full of passion and drive.

Thought everything would be smooth, that I would surely thrive

But the road got bumpy, obstacles in my sight.

Challenges and setbacks tested my might.

But I refused to surrender; I ain't backing down.

I kept grinding, chasing dreams all around.

Every failure was a lesson, every setback a chance1

To rise stronger, I took my stance."

It gave a sense that they didn't really improve their skills and became stagnant for the two years when they weren't active.

As the last chorus played, the mentors and trainees still didn't know how to react.

The performance was good, but it really wasn't any better than how they'd performed it before. June pursed his lips. It went just as he had expected. If they were a group that hadn't debuted before and did this exact performance, they would have gotten five stars—there was no doubt.

However, since they did their own song without any improvements, none of them would probably get five stars at all.

"I won't give up; I won't let go.

I'll keep pushing forward and let my true colors show.

When the going gets tough, I'll fight, I'll strive.

I won't back down; I'll keep my dreams alive."

The song ended, and yet the claps weren't instantaneous. It only started when June clapped, causing a domino effect.1

Minho took the mic and let out a disappointed sigh. "You guys are good, but you're not any better."

Jaeyong's face fell while the two other members cast their heads to the ground.

"I feel like I'm watching the old RAVEN," Jihyun added. "I don't think this was the right song choice for you. Did you get lazy and just pick one of your songs to get it over with?"

Evan opened his mouth to speak, but Jaeyong brought his mic down. The two of them shared a silent conversation. They knew how much hard work and effort they put into the performance. However, retaliating will only make matters worse. They'll only be branded with a bad image at the very start of the season.

"Jaeyong's voice also doesn't match the first part of the song. I can't help but compare the original with this one," Bone continued. "It would have been better if you chose another song. You guys aren't RAVEN from now on. You're aspiring idols."

"That is noted, mentors," Jaeyong said despite the heavy feeling in his heart.

Minho sighed. "Who picked this song?"

Evan turned to their Japanese member, Akira. It was him who had suggested that they try to go back to the past and perform their old song.

"It was me," Jaeyong said, taking the blame for their wrong song choice. His two members wanted to say something, but he gave them a stern look.

"Ah, that's disappointing," Minho said. "Let us deliberate for a while before giving you your stars."

The trainees whispered among themselves as the mentors deliberated.

"Ah, what a shame. I was looking forward to their performance the most."

"Yeah, I'm even better than them, right?"

"I guess the group crumbled for a reason."

Jisung looked down at his lap as he heard the chatters around him.

"They're so mean, brother," he said to June. "RAVEN made a big decision to come here. I don't know why they're getting so much hate."

"It's normal," June said. "They've been placed on a higher standard, so the judging is quite biased. Besides, their song choice wasn't the best. I think they'll be around the same level as us."

"What?" Jisung exclaimed. "Then, does that mean we'll get to train with them?" he asked with sparkling eyes. "I can't wait! I'm going to ask for a picture with Jaeyong."

June shook his head. This young teen was still innocent, after all.1

"Four stars—Evan and Akira."

"Three stars—Jaeyong."

Evan and Akira felt quite bad for their leader, but Jaeyong continued to look unfazed.

"Thank you, mentors," they said in unison, bowing before they exited the stage.