I am a Pioneer

Helping Hayashi

One Month later and filming has finally started. The first episode of our new show. Called Project New Dawn, by the way, is now being recorded. The first episode introduces all 18 trainees that will take part. We all have to go through a large number of photos, interviews and various other screen tests and tasks before we finally finish up. The Episode will first introduce each trainee with an interview. There we tell people our name, age, where we are from and the position we would like to take in a new group. We then talk a little about our experiences and what our talents are. Then the interviewer asks us, whether we would willingly give up a position on the group if we felt someone else deserved it. After finishing up my interview, it was reviewed by the head producer and planner. They had a quick discussion before announcing that my interview would be withheld for a later episode, which confused pretty much everyone. I was then made to dye my hair and put in contacts. For some reason, JYP had asked the director to do this, and I was told to keep it like this until I was told that I could revert to my natural appearance.

The crew then recorded us all going through a few practice sessions. The trainees who had been brought in for the show were pretty good. Some had been trainees for longer than most of us and seemed pretty cocky. One even tried to pick a fight with DongBang during a dance session. I decided to hold back with my talents for a little while, just to get a feel for the show, and so as to let the others solidify their positions first. I wasn't worried, as it seemed that JYP had a plan for me, and when it came time for him to reveal it, I would play along as best I could.

Filming for our first episode finished within a week, and we were given a couple of weeks to rest and practice. During that time I got a few messages from the girls from TWICE around June. A couple of the messages mentioned a new friend that they had made. I wanted to meet the girls and hang out, but due to filming in secret, we weren't allowed to interact for a while.

Soon came the 2nd round of filming. It was finally beginning to get interesting. We had been moved to a new 18 person living space for the duration of the filming. The place included a kitchen, Gym, two dance studios and music studios, as well as 6, 3 person rooms. I had been put with Hayashi and one of the younger trainees. His name was Akizuki Akira another Japanese trainee. The boys seemed to hit it off well and got along ok with him as I could speak Japanese. He was 17 years old and had been considering leaving JYP as he was beginning to lose hope. he told us that this was his last chance, and if he failed here, he would go back to Japan and try his luck over there. For this episode, we were all called into a living room-like set and were told to act like we were just waking up and exiting our rooms. In the centre of the living room was a coffee table, which on it sat a white, metallic box with glowing, gold striplights engraved on the sides, giving it a very futuristic aesthetic.

Once everyone is seated, the box lights up and expells a letter from its top with a hiss before shutting down again. Hyun-Shik takes the letter and reads it.

"Dear trainees. Congratulations on being selected and welcome to Project New Dawn! This show has been created to find us JYP's next boy group. One that will shake the foundations of the Kpop industry, and rewrites the rules. They will guide us into a better and brighter future with their music. Throughout this show you will be subjected to many hands crafted challenges that will test your limits and abilities, not only in singing, dancing and rapping. But also in your fashion sense, ideas, teamwork and sociability. I pray that you all take this seriously, but also have fun. Without delay, I now introduce you to the host, and your resident A.I, EVE! Signed JYP."

As soon as Hyun-Shik finished reading the letter, the box on the table lit up again. But instead of releasing another letter, it speaks this time. A female robotic voice speaks to us. "Hello, and welcome to Project New Dawn. I am your host, and monitor, the high-tech A.I, EVE! I have been brought here to help JYP in selecting members for a new 5 person Boy Group. Throughout this show, I will be placing challenges upon you to test various aspects of you. To help me do this, my Brother ADAM will be acting as referee." As she says, we are each given an electronic wristwatch that is designed like EVE, except it is painted black and purple. "A pleasure to meet you all!" The watch says in a male robotic voice after we have attached it to our wrist. "ADAM will be accompanying you everywhere during the show. Whenever you break a rule, fail a challenge, cause harm to another person or sabotage their progress everyone involved with the show, including other trainees here, will be notified by ADAM. You cannot take him off, as this will also set off an alarm. If you follow all rules properly and work together we will have a good time. Now let's get to your first challenge shall we?" After EVE finishes, the tv on the wall turns on and we all turn to face it.

The screen splits into 6 mini screens. Each shows a different Boy Group performing.

Super Junior: Twins

GOT7: If you do

Infinite: Bad

SHINee: Lucifer

Teen Top: Rocking

EXO-K: MAMA

EVE then spoke. "Each team is to pick one of these songs and recreate the dance in public. You will be provided with backup dancers to fill out the group size. Each team will have three of you in it, and you are each to perform in the centre of the formation. (Main and Lead dancer roles). The teams are made up of roommates. This round is the first challenge, so there will be no eliminations however, you are expected to try your hardest!" Everyone in the room is now both excited and nervous. These songs are all famous and well-loved. However, they are also known for their difficult choreography, making us a little nervous as it would be difficult to learn. "Each team will now select the song that they want to dance to, starting with Room 1" EVE announced. The first room of trainees, which is made up entirely of introduced boys picks 'Twins' by Super Junior. It's the easiest of the selection, and you can hear everyone else sigh as it is taken away from them. Next up is room 2 which is made up of Hyun-Shik and two other trainees, including the cocky one that often fights with DongBang. They picked EXO's MAMA as their song. Room 3, made up of DongBang and two of the youngest trainees, both 16 chose If you do by GOT7. You could tell that he wanted to do Bad by Infinite, as that was one of his favourite songs. But he considered the age of his teammates and their abilities, choosing one of the easiest of the songs instead. Next was Room 4 which was Kyu-Bongs room. They picked Rocking by Teen Top, which I thought was one of the hardest of the songs. Kyu-Bong was a good dancer, but I wondered if he would be able to complete this one.

Finally, there were two teams left, and two options. Room 5, which was my team was up. Both options; Lucifer by SHINee, and Bad by Infinite were notoriously difficult in their choreography. Ultimately, after discussing it between ourselves, we selected Lucifer, and the other team got Bad.

After the song selection we were released from the living room to have breakfast, and then begin preparing our dances. We were given 2 weeks to practice the dance, and then we would perform on the streets for the public. The first week was to entirely practice with just us. The second week would have the backup dancers incorporated. Unfortunately for us, we did have a small roadblock.

An announcement was made just after breakfast. Our watches lit up, and ADAM's voice was transmitted. "There has been an update to the rules for your current challenge. Each team has now been dedicated to a role for the dance. The Main dancer for each team is as follows;

1: Hae Joon

2: Seol Young (the trainee who fights with DongBang)

3: DongBang Kyong

4: Sang Chul-Moo

5: Hayashi Roh

6: Eogeum Kyu

All other members will fill the lead dancer/ Sub dancer role. The main dancer must be in the centre of the performance for more than 60% of the dance. That is all" Following the announcement, most teams were happy, and continued on their way. However, our team was not so happy. First of all, Akira was a pro dancer. He was scouted due to his dancing ability. I was known in the company as the next best dancer after DongBang, but primarily known for my vocal ability is the best. Meanwhile, Hayashi, although a sub-dancer was the weakest in skill, and preferred to stay in the background. he was good support but never danced out front. He struggles to learn dances fast, and the more complex stuff took a lot longer for him to learn than others. I knew this was going to be a tough challenge.