By Aid Salvacion
There are different claims on discrepancies to Kingdom: Legendary War. But nonetheless, all six groups are actively showing their true colors and phases in the competition.
Amidst the days wherein fans waited, an audio file that put the competition into a hot seat was leaked. The audio shared a heated conversation between the broadcasting host representatives, JYP company management, and international entertainment corporation Labyrinth Hub. It was with regards to the participation of one of the members of Stray Kids, and the music broadcast channel allegedly disqualifying him.
The public knows that Leon was first a well-known producer, short film director, and choreographer before his debut. This has guaranteed him experiences that are quite different from any other trainee debuted idol. Thus, the channel has seen his other professions and merits to his name, as overqualification to the competition. A fact that both of the boys' companies talked out against, stating that if the groups competing had different years of experience and gaps between debuts then what makes Leon different?
The leakage has certainly upset fans, others claiming that they are putting the boy on too high of a pedestal. But it did worry STAY, the official fandom of Stray Kids, and his personal supporters if he were to participate. To pacify the public and give a brief clarification, Labyrinth Hub has released a statement.
Good day to the public.
This is the Labyrinth Hub, one of the companies representing artist Leon who is also a member of Stray Kids. His group is already announced to be part of the final lineup of a competition. There are allegations on whether he would participate or not. After thorough discussions, prior to the release of the leaked audio, we are assuring the public that Leon will participate. The grounds of his participation are like any idol in the competition.
Thank you.
The announcement that was quick to be released on the day of the leakage has pacified many. But still left a few fans in a heated debate. What is your opinion about his participation? Share it with us in the comment section below!
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Backstage all the members were already feeling the atmosphere building up. The set made especially for the events to unfold in months' time had doubled pressure on its participants. But everyone took this opportunity in a different light. Yet they were not alone in facing this, they were with their team and that was always an assurance.
"We're really here, hyungs." The maknae whose outfit reflected the strength and essence of the group's identity couldn't help but speak this aloud. Because perhaps stating it in words heard by others and not just to himself, will make the experience more real. Yet even if he did not admit it, that he was feeling anxious, his hyungs knew. How did he know that? By the way, Leon gently placed his hand on the maknae's shoulder, not even squeezing it but giving extra warmth and a reminder that they were going to brace through this together. Anxiety is normal but don't let it suffocate you alone for in this room no one stands alone. Something that the maknae needed, and even the others did, who felt the warmth as they exchanged strength.
Once the music, that amplified their presence to come forward had given them the signal to enter. This was it. And with Han and Hyunjin leading, they entered the space wherein another group, The Boyz, greeted their arrival by standing and calling the group's name.
It was perfect really, how the episode took a flashback real quick to the conversation the group had together for the introduction stage. Why was it perfect? Because even if Leon smiled, and glanced around, he couldn't help but go back to what they talked about.
It was true, this was the first competition the group would be participating in as a whole. It was not for their representation, but for themselves at the front.
"I should do well."
"I'm very nervous."
It was good that his specific reaction wasn't front and center in the video. For his seating beside Hyunjin and Seungmin had hidden him from the public, something important if they were to rule in the past for his disqualification.
He might've said nothing but his quick check to Chan as the camera paneled away was a moment not needed to present now. For his confidence might set other people off but this was what the group needed to stay on their track. To remember that they would do their best but do not extinguish what they had built, a kingdom other than this competition. "We always do. It's a bit different but we're facing the unknown once again as a team."
The teasing of the Boyz was sweet and cute. But Leon acknowledged their words, he knew the hardships they went through to reach the steps of this palace and he no doubts also acknowledged that they deserved this spot. And he loved the words they exchanged, it brought the sense of healthy competition. Something that they all had to put into their mindset. Of course, he knew his team was always a bit different, for instead of just admiring the set, they pointed out different cameras used. Another day to be a Stray Kids member.
And just like he thought, it sunk into them as they took their seats. Even he could not break away the stiffness that climbed his spine, not allowing his form to relax much as he sat next to Lee Know and Changbin. But even if he was focusing on himself and his members, who were in their own worlds yet shared the core of the competition, he felt their stares. As the Boyz went through their outfits and muttered against themselves about their wonders of the fierce clothing used by Stray Kids. Was it fierce? Yes. The tattoos spoke out, their makeup enhanced, and their outfits did the final touches.
Yet to activate all the power in them, they had to turn on their stage presence once it officially started. So even if the tattoos on his hands and arms taunted him, he knew that it would soon fade once Stray Kids do their thing. Yet for now, the awkwardness seeped into the uncovered parts of their devices. Such as the arrival of each group, some had close friends and smiled but it didn't remove any piece of the bustling upcoming. Each arrival though was magnificent in its own way. Such as Ateez clearly introducing themselves to those they were to stay on the same side of the stage.
Then came BTOB, a group all the three others were excited to meet. These were their idols themselves, and it was such an honor itself to be seeing them perform live even in these circumstances. But what made their entrance even more special is that as seniors, they were the ones who took initiative to make the platform like a home. Removing the excessive formal approaches they see not too important to show. And the bonus of flustering Chan, who he heard muttering to himself how small he felt. The English exchange did remove some of the tensenesses. But it returned quite humorously when the next group entered, the next group who towered over his own team very much...SF9.
They had the obvious presence of idols, and the other groups couldn't help but bask in that. The way they just stood there and seemed like very established gentlemen, who jokingly bowed to BTOB who hissed away from it. But at this exchange, Leon forgot about how they too might recognize him. It's not that he didn't want to, he respected them very much, and to be seen as an equal on this show was vastly amazing. Yet he didn't wish to highlight too much on his other professionalisms unless it was conceptualizing for their performances. But sometimes you have to just accept the inevitable.
Like one state that sets off the others in your direction as well. Convenient truly as Leon was right in the center of Stray Kids seating arrangement. Eliciting the perfect view for SF9, the first sharp gaze of Taeyang whose mouth whispered words to the rest, and soon they all were focusing on him. Something that not only the boy noticed, but the other teams as well, and his own. And to not be rude even if his nervousness tried to subside communicating emotions well, he smiled a greeting at them with a head bow. An interaction that would be inserted into the episode itself for the obvious past wonders about Leon and SF9.
The good news was the attention was taken off of him when the last group was to enter. Ikon, that surely had everyone waiting for their eyes on the entrance. Perfect timing for Chan to reach out his hand to squeeze Leon's own. This was the fear Leon shared with the group, privately and not for broadcast. But even if the conversation wasn't in the episode, it was still a factor of anxiety at his play. Something that might set him off, and Chan did not even think of the performance first but the boy instead. That Leon was okay with the possibilities of these things arising amidst the competition.
While the small but brief assurance almost dominated the whole memory of Leon, it was brought away by Changbin's excitement. All the boys knew of the obvious admiration the young rapper had, and he was not afraid to show it outwardly. The two 'wow's that left his mouth, that was also remarked by Wooyoung had set Leon biting his lip. Not wishing for his laugh to be misinterpreted.
But this was it. It was beginning, and no turning back should even be considered.
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Leon hasn't talked much throughout the show. His silence was to observe and to decrease the spills brought by his anxiety. But how could he hold himself back from reacting to BTOB? One group that had greatly inspired the OSTs the Labyrinth Hub would first release.
Leon: They were...even more, ethereal than I thought they were.
And a memory came back to him. One that only he and a few people knew, none of the members did. It had something to do with a letter he addressed to BTOB. Who knew that it would come back to him on this day.
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Taeyang: The thing we are just curious about is performing it on the Kingdom stage. Not only because we are showing the viewers, and the groups. But there's this one specific person whose group is participating that has something to do with what we are to perform.
What fans found hilarious is SF9 didn't even name-drop him. Maybe dropped clues, with words and stares towards the individual. But they were the ones to edit in Leon's reaction as they entered and prepared. Making it obvious that the certain individual they were talking about, who the channel tried to discredit for things in relation to this, was Leon.
We are curious about your specific thoughts going into their performance, Leon.
His face might've held a small smile. But the ways his eyes sighed on their own made fans know he himself was pissed with what the channel was doing. Right at the heart of the problem, they decided to push him further into the boiling water that they have set.
Leon: I'm really looking forward to it because their main image is something drastically unique to them. So to see them perform with all the other groups is a waiting game, one could say.
Too bad for the music channel that he too knew how to play this game. After all, a business mind does not turn off anytime.
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"Changbin, let's hope we'll be tall in our next life." The sudden conversation sparked after the performance of SF9 had almost caused Leon to choke on hair. But his hand that suddenly gripped his thigh had instead taken the pressure of gasping. Trust these members to break off the ambiance and add in a bit of coated brilliance through mischief.
"They're our senior on this show."
"Oh right. Right."
Oh, how this banter could break the molds that tried to restrain their personality. But could not take away all the crippling feelings of what's next, and what if.
"The team we will choose next is...It's Stray Kids." There are diverse reasons to choose whose next. And whatever was aired out, it's not something to focus on. There are many more things to focus on, and why establish motives when everyone just wants to show themselves and earn what they all deserve.
No one held unreasonable expectations. Rather most held curiosity and expectancy to view what they performed. And that was something they needed to take advantage of, as they said there was no time for warm-ups.
"You got this, Lix. If it doesn't go as planned, as long as you gave your all and don't injure yourself. That is what we wish." Oh, Leon. If only you knew what wandered the younger boy's mind besides his worry for slip-ups.
As they discussed their worries and the willingness they had to catch their members at where they might fall, there were still a few left. Two were shared by Felix. "In all honesty, besides myself, I'm worrying about Leon hyung. His main trick isn't something the others can do because it's a move that requires training and body memory."
Changbin had a hard time explaining the worry and the complexity of the same concern. His face that was confident for his team still had implications of their concern on the possible injuries. Not the mistakes. "Leon, he's well prepared for this. But we can't help but just want to make sure, right?"
Even the leader was to voice out his concern. He loved the confidence Leon had, and all the lengths he went to make sure it was perfect. But maybe this time, he needed the assurance. Unlike Felix wherein they can be the ones to lend their power with him, he wanted to make sure they can do the same for Leon. "At first we asked ourselves whether we would risk the trick. But we established that the introduction stage is no warm-up. It's about solidifying who Stray Kids is, even the sides we haven't shown the public yet. So we added it in, and there were no mistakes every time he did it. But we can't do it every practice because it's very taxing to Leon's body but what if he falls? The injury...I just hope that we can catch him in case the worst happens."
With all these, does the universe have faith to also allow the performance to be executed cleanly?
But what was left to regret? You're on stage, and it's your time. Take it, and they did just like in any opportunity granted. This is Stray Kids.
How many more surprises was this group going to pull out? This question had reigned the minds of the other idols who had the honor of seeing the so-called monster performers. A misconception of their performance was it might be like the others or similar. But no, it was something you could only identify to Stray Kids. Their voices held a tone crafted for their own yet so pleasing, their choreography so smooth and with stunts that had everyone leaning forward, and the props they used to incorporate their statement more. Is there more to this? The answer is yes. And the group is giving a hint in this introduction. Such as the level of skill Leon had from stunting.
Leon had not taken much center time yet, which was usual for fans. But they just knew how one Leon moment was enough to spark the room, and they were right. And the crowd of five groups, and hosts had just experienced it. Even some of the staff who monitored were still surprised that the move was not pulled each rehearsal. But here it was, perfectly executed. Free run parkour, that required jumping over Seungmin, even I.N who was preparing his part, as he sang to the last of his lines and sank to his knees. A perfect smooth landing that would allow him to continue on in the other parts of the choreography with the group.
Something that seemed to be done effortlessly had paid off. This risk had most sincerely amazed, with the awestruck faces that the camera panned over. And even the verbal reactions that some were able to let out.
ATEEZ Wooyoung: That was...oh my god!!!!
BTOB Minhyuk: insane just insane
SF9 Youngbin: That's something, not just anyone could just pull off.
It wasn't just applause. It was genuine amazement, and to get that reaction from other global Kpop groups is a step they crossed over. Or as one of the members said as they took off the microphones, they crossed a river. "Felix! You did so amazingly." And maybe a few more compliments to boost a few members would help. For he recognized the relief in the younger boy's eyes, and the pride that shined through for no mistakes made. "You did amazing too, hyung! Everyone was so amazed by your free run. Even I was!"
"Let's eat late-night snacks!"
"Lamb skewers."
Yes, indeed a good meal was well deserved. But what imprinted more into Leon was how proud the team was of themselves and that was the mindset they needed to continue. But of course, he too wanted food, and his card was for sure the one to be charged even if the boys protest. I mean...he did call for the restaurant for lamb skewers and other delicacies ahead. He also paid already so...nothing they can do but just fill themselves up so that the food won't go to waste right?
A/N: I hope this was worth the wait? I honestly love all the colors each group is presenting but as this is book is a narrative for Leon, I hope most understand why the scenes I inserted are the following. For sure that I'll be writing as it goes on, but spaced out for fair play. Besides this, I have a question if you may.
1. Are there groups you wish for me to write an added member? I only do male members for boy groups and female members for girl groups. If you wish for a soloist you may also suggest, and their company if you have any in mind.
So far I have three groups under suggestion, all of which are possible to be added into the Salvacion family through time. But the earliest new member would be in early next year, so I could know them more also. The groups suggested so far are ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, and MONSTA X.
Lastly <3 thank you. I'll message a more profound message soon but for now, I hope everyone knows how deep my gratitude runs for everyone. - Aid.