Chapter 396: Unleash the Storm
As they settled in their seats, silence remained. The arrival of a very big senior had stunned the three groups, leaving them confused and nervous. Even as the stage lights dimmed, SPADES' aura couldn't be denied. It was also emphasized by the fact they were wearing all-white suits, adding to their glamour. Debuting in 2013 under StarMuse, a prominent entertainment company, SPADES stood as one of the pioneers of their generation, leading the onset of the third wave of K-pop idols. They debuted alongside other boy groups such as XO, BTC, and B2B, and girl groups like BLACKBUNS, EXIT, and OMO GIRLFRIEND. Despite not being the frontrunners of their time, their unique ballad-dance performances left a mark in the hearts of the general public.
Now, SPADES found themselves in the midst of the fourth and fifth generation of idols. It was impressive how their popularity had endured, especially among the broader audience. They definitely weren't as popular as they were before, but there was no doubt that the ten years in the industry had seasoned them. Out of all the groups in the room, their songs were the most known by the general public, which already gave them a slight advantage. Two of their members have even completed their military service, while the other two were currently serving. That is why they entered the show as only four members, as opposed to their six original members.
Jisung leaned closer to June. "I'm so glad they're sitting next to BOYMYSTIC. I don't think I'd be able to handle their aura at all." June chuckled, nodding his head toward Nico. "That guy also looks like he can't handle it, too," he whispered. Since the room was so silent, June's chuckle was heard by none other than the leader of SPADES.
For a second, June thought he was hallucinating when Y, their leader and center, glared at him. However, he quickly shook off the feeling since he never recalled ever meeting the senior idol. Y softly scoffed as he turned to his teammate, Hyunbin. "That June guy just chuckled at us." Hyunbin frowned. "Are you sure?" Y nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "He was definitely looking our way." June, in fact, was just chuckling at Nico. Hyunbin shook his head. "As expected, young idols these days don't have any respect. Back then, we almost kissed the ground with how deep we bowed at our seniors." Y clicked his tongue. "Let's show them the prowess of the third generation of idols." Once everything settled, the horn was heard once again, making the groups focus on the room's entrance. Only one person entered, surprising the groups. Since all of the competitors have been groups until now, they were expecting yet another group to enter. However, this time, a soloist entered. A very familiar soloist. June's eyes narrowed as he stared into the man's seemingly innocent eyes. "Robby?" Sehun whispered. "Robby," June confirmed, still remembering his name. How could June forget the name of the man who put him on the hot seat when he was facing rigging allegations? Robby observed his competitors' faces, a bright smile on his lips. He bowed earnestly, that is, until his eyes met with a familiar pink head. "June," he smirked. They met again. As the spotlight shifted, Robby made his entrance wearing a dark red suit. Almost everyone in the room was aware of Robby's story, so they empathized with the soloist. His journey traced back to the failed season of Rising Stars, where the flow of fortune led to the disbandment of his group. However, Robby, not wanting to accept his fate, ventured into the realms of acting and singing. His appearance on Rising Stars definitely gave him leverage since he landed many side character roles and even had the privilege of performing in intimate concerts just a month after his debut.
Now, he had a pretty large following. His latest drama, 'Stuck Under Your Bed,' in which he played the brother of the main character, was also well-received by the public, which boosted his popularity. He was also quite successful as a soloist, with two of his songs making it into the top ten on the Durian chart. Moreover, he had plenty of collaborations with popular artists, specifically K-rappers, which made him more recognized by K-hip hop fans. Nonetheless, he still had a desire in his heart to become a part of an idol group. Idol groups were more desired, more thirsted over, and more profitable.
That was why there was a slight resentment in Robby's heart. His group would have been the next big thing. Not EVE. So, now, he was ready to beat them at their own game. Robby's spotlight was quickly taken away with the arrival of the next team. For some reason, June already knew the next team was going to be the most unexpected. As they say, the main character always appears at the very end. The lights seemed more vibrant as the group entered, gasps immediately filling the room. If the reaction for SPADES was amazing, then the reaction for the next group was explosive. Even the producers and writers sitting outside the cameras' frame all gushed as the spotlight hit the next group. Jordan's mouth went agape as he gazed at the group's unwavering center. "What are they doing here?" he muttered. "Is this fair? They're already the kings of the fourth generation. What more do they need to prove?" "I want to go home." "They're going to tear up the stage." Murmurs of admiration were heard in the room as the group of five lined up before them.
They sophistically bowed, and even SPADES, their senior group, couldn't help but bow at the popular team. June gazed at the familiar faces of the members, but his eyes focused on the tall man at the very center. He was the only unfamiliar face out of all of them. However, June wondered why he couldn't remember such a face. A face like his was definitely at the SS levels—unforgettable. Then, he opened his mouth to speak, charisma practically spilling from his lips. "1...2..." "Unleash the storm. Good day, everyone. We are CHAOS!"