[TS] Starting the Broadcast - Chapter 119

"The time to savor the hidden power of songs. Mystery Music Show King of Masked Singer, I'm your unbiased MC Han Sung-joo. Nice to meet you!"

Wooooah-!

"Whether the newly crowned King Clown can continue his winning streak... Your Majesty? Would you like to greet the viewers first?"

"Ahem! Ah, the clown who came last year~ came back without dying. Hello, I'm King Clown!"

Wooooah-!

Voice modulation is quite amazing.

A strange mechanical voice that makes it impossible to guess the normal voice.

When Han Sung-joo asks how much he prepared, Clown confidently says he'll continue his winning streak and raises his hand in the air with a fighting spirit.

"Kang Gura, do you think Clown's challenge for consecutive wins is possible?"

The screen turns to the judges' seats.

Kang Gura, a comedian with impressive sunglasses and protruding lower jaw who can be called the main judge of King of Masked Singer, opens his mouth.

"Personally, I feel regretful that no king with 3-4 consecutive wins has appeared on King of Masked Singer recently. In fact, what has raised the popularity of King of Masked Singer so far was the existence of long-term kings. Starting from Music Champion to Unrivaled in the East... Anyway, I hope Clown does well and continues his winning streak."

"I see. Whether Clown can safely keep the throne this week too... We'll now start the first stage of round 1 duet songs!"

Wooooah-!

The screen changes and pre-recorded footage showing the participants is displayed.

The introduction screens of "Igloo" and "Eskimo" from the first pair pass by with narration, and the figures of the two walking out of the passage with security guards are shown.

"Wow, that igloo is well made. The mask fits perfectly."

"Doesn't it feel like they'll sing well?"

Impressions from the judges' seats towards the participants walking out of the passage.

Soon the two take their place at the center of the stage.

A moment of silence.

Along with sparkling stage effects, the drum lead starts and the song begins with keyboard sounds.

Igloo started first.

"Do it right. You're really a Bad boy. Just curiosity, not love."

From the start, attention is focused on the unexpected husky voice.

It was the song "Run Devil" by popular girl group Girls' Time.

"The numerous men on your phone are women with just one letter changed. The Perfume stinks to my nose. Explain whose it is."

"Woooah!"

"What? It was a woman?"

I thought they were a bit short, but considering the Eskimo mask's appearance, it was quite unexpected that it was a female participant.

But well... If there were no other masks left, it must have been an unavoidable choice.

Anyway, it was an extremely feminine and clear voice contrasting with Igloo's husky voice.

Would it have suited better if they had switched masks?

Regardless of my impression, the song was progressing smoothly.

Igloo showing strong and powerful charm, and Eskimo with calm yet unwavering solid basics.

I thought Eskimo would have no chance of winning if the stage continued like this.

'It's not a calm song and it's not arranged that way either, so emphasizing emotion fails to bring out the charm of the original. Their skills seem similar, but the choice is regrettable.'

I thought Igloo was a singer and Eskimo was a bit ambiguous.

Or maybe a singer but a member in charge of dance in a girl group?

The song ended with moderate response from the civilian judges.

The celebrity judges raising the program's response rate by clapping, jumping up from their seats, and overreacting.

As the stage is cleared, the two participants return to the center... MC Han Sung-joo appears from behind.

"The first pair's stage of round 1 duet competition has ended. Now then, first! Starting with Lee Young-seok, the lyrical poet of the music industry... You enjoyed the two's stage very much."

"Yes! In my opinion, is it a song I want to hear again, or a voice I want to hear again... Here, I had a conflict."

"Ooooh!"

"Igloo's control of speed and rhythm, skills and techniques were good... They sang like a beautiful silk snake."

Igloo's figure reacting by wriggling on the spot at Lee Young-seok's praise.

"Ah, I like it. The reaction comes immediately."

"There's also a soulful and bluesy feel, and when rapping, I felt they had skill in slightly adjusting the tone of their voice."

"You left a very good review. Then how did you hear Eskimo's side?"

"This person chose the wrong mask."

"What? The mask?"

People's gazes focus on the sudden mask criticism instead of commenting on the singing.

After a brief pause, Lee Young-seok smiles and says:

"No, this clear voice doesn't match an Eskimo mask. Maybe an Alps girl mask, but not this."

"Ahaha! Is that so?"

"Right, the voice was really gentle and pretty."

"I think so too."

Voices of agreement towards Lee Young-seok pop up here and there from the celebrity judges' seats towards Han Sung-joo asking back.

Han Sung-joo waves his hands and says:

"No, I'm not the mask maker. Don't blame me. Anyway, is that all you have to say to Eskimo?"

"To add a bit more, Eskimo's voice stimulates men's hearts. From what I see, I'm sure some have already been captured."

Swish-!

When Lee Young-seok turns to look at the celebrity judges' seats, several people make gestures of hurriedly avoiding with playful movements.

The civilian judges giggle seeing that sight.

Starting with Lee Young-seok, the celebrity judges' impressions continued for a while.

"Good! Now, I'll approach these people while showing some special talents. First is Igloo, who says they'll do an impersonation. Let's hear it!"

It was special talent time.

Igloo's impersonation and Eskimo's dance follow, along with the celebrity judges' reactions to them.

But suddenly comedian Shim Bong-sun jumps up from his seat and shouts loudly:

"I know! I know who it is."

"Oh boy, oh boy. What nonsense are you going to say now."

Kang Gura, who has the concept of bullying Shim Bong-sun on the program, immediately retorts.

"No, senior, you're always like this only to me."

"It's because you always say weird things. Try to guess correctly for once!"

"Hahaha, let's hear Shim Bong-sun's opinion first. Mr. Shim Bong-sun?"

Happy that Han Sung-joo took his side, Shim Bong-sun makes a gesture of zipping his mouth to tell Kang Gura to be quiet, while Kang Gura sits down with a frown.

Laughter flows from the civilian judges' seats watching that.

"Looking at Eskimo dancing, the movements are precise when receiving a one-shot. At that timing, making big movements or stabbing clearly! This is definitely a girl group. I know it instinctively."

"Oh, I think so too."

Opinions agreeing come from the celebrity judges' seats at the plausible opinion.

Kang Gura pouts, seemingly displeased.

After that, numerous guesses about age, occupation, personal connections, etc. were exchanged.

And the time of choice approached.

"I will announce the result of the first pair's battle in round 1. The celebrity judges' opinion and civilian judges' opinion differ! The difference in votes is 9. A close match..."

Wooooah-!

"The winner of this battle is... Now revealed!"

Tense music plays and the screen goes back and forth between the stage and judges.

And soon after, the screen zooms in on Igloo.

"The winner is, is! Igloo!"

Wooooah-!

"The result is 54 to 45... Please move quickly to the waiting room, and congratulations once again."

Igloo disappears beyond the passage while hopping.

Now only MC Han Sung-joo and Eskimo remain at the center of the stage.

"To find out who this person is, let's listen to the solo song they prepared. Please give a big round of applause!"

Wooooah-!

The result was as expected.

Music plays and Eskimo's prepared round 2 competition song begins.

The judges listening to it.

At that moment, a knock is heard from outside.

"Mysterious Magician H, it's time to prepare."

"Okay."

The next stage was Elsa and Anna... Then it was my and Alice's turn.

"Win. Well, round 1 should be obvious."

"Ahaha."

Both Producer Bae Il-man and I were relaxed because we already knew Alice's skills well.

I carefully opened the door and followed the waiting security guard.

The familiar waiting place behind the stage.

I can see Elsa waiting a little distance away.

Cheers heard from afar.

Eskimo must have taken off the mask and revealed their identity.

"You can move now."

A voice from the front.

Following the security guard's guidance, the owner of the Elsa mask was stepping onto the stairs and entering the passage.

Wooooah-!

Is this the power of the Elsa mask?

It seemed like the biggest cheer so far.

"Let's go."

I moved to the place where the Elsa mask was waiting until just now.

One chair sitting alone.

I sat there and quietly closed my eyes.

When the battle between Elsa and Anna ends, it will truly be my stage.

My stage that will be broadcast on public TV on December 5th, unless someone commits a huge broadcasting accident.

'Phew......'

I take a deep breath and calm my mind.

The set's walls vibrating with 'boom boom' from the music and civilian audience's cheers.

Thinking that this will soon be directed at me on stage, excitement rather than tension rises.

Am I really made for the stage?

The singing sound fades and it becomes quiet.

Seems the stage has ended.

Now they'll listen to the judges' reviews of the song and the special talent time will follow.

Then comes the choice.

Dividing winners and losers...

[You can do well.]

'I know.'

My efforts so far are the source of my confidence.

I check my condition while lightly loosening my neck.

I'm fully prepared.

Thump, thump-!

Soon after, footsteps are heard from the passage.

The one who appears is Elsa.

They pass by me, fully showing the leisure of a winner.

"Please stand in front of the stairs."

Nod-!

At the security guard's request, I stand up from the chair and stand at the entrance of the passage.

Now it really begins.

The singing sound gradually decreases.

The loser's prepared round 2 competition song has ended too.

Following the security guard's guidance, I climb the stairs and take one step into the entrance of the passage.

I walk through the passage dyed with light.

The brilliant stage lighting.

Finally, my time has come.