The six members of the idol group KAT-TUN, under the banner of Johnny's, watched the other contestants' preliminary rounds with a leisurely air. Their composure was well-founded.
The investment required to create an idol group at a major agency easily reaches billions of won. They were the 'elites' and 'stars,' forged through the agency’s rigorous and disciplined training systems.
The members of KAT-TUN were the prime examples of talent fully blossomed under such meticulous education. In this season of ASAYAN, it seemed there were no groups capable of matching them—with the possible exception of AAA, another powerhouse from a major agency. They possessed the skill, and they had the capital to back it up.
While running through their rehearsals in the waiting room, they watched a group of strange characters called Enfants Terribles on the wall-mounted TV. These were men who had clawed their way this far with nothing but their bare hands, without a single agency to support them.
While one might respect their will and enthusiasm, reality was often cold.
"Their music is good, I'll give them that."
"If they joined a major agency, they’d probably become huge. But not right now."
"No, if we’re talking strictly about skill, they’re on the same level as us."
The performance they delivered in the Round of 16 deserved praise. After seeing that stage, the idols changed their minds. AAA wasn't their only competitor.
Frankly, they believed they could replicate that level of arrangement using synthesizers. However, in terms of the raw expressive power used to realize that sound on stage, the band held the upper hand.
If the idols crafted a performance through discipline and synchronized coordination, the band created theirs through raw freedom. As fellow artists, the members of KAT-TUN wanted to prove that their style of music was just as much an art form as the band's.
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"Alright! We will now begin the lottery for the Quarter-Final matchups! Leaders of each group, please come forward!"
I nodded and stepped toward the machine where Styrofoam balls were bouncing around. Beside me, the leaders of the seven other groups, including KAT-TUN and AAA, began to take their places.
"Now! There are eight balls consisting of four pairs of numbers! Teams with the same number will face off in an all-or-nothing battle for a spot in the ASAYAN Semi-Finals!"
The Host expertly began the interviews, angling for the best broadcast footage.
"Group leaders, please tell us which group you most want to face, and which group you want to avoid!"
I was the first one handed the microphone. Since we had embraced the 'Villain' role for this season of ASAYAN, it was only natural.
"We just play our music. We don't waste our time with useless chatter."
"Haha! And why is that?"
"Because in the end, Enfants Terribles is going to win anyway."
I spoke with an arrogant smirk.
By nature, interviews with rock bands are supposed to be cocky.
And besides, if the 'Villain' acts polite, the story gets boring, doesn't it?
Even if this particular season of ASAYAN was turning into a picaresque novel. As they listened to my answer, the members of the other groups began to glare at us with murderous intent.
*But what are you guys actually going to do about it?*
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"Our group, KAT-TUN, wants to face Enfants Terribles."
"Oh! And what is the reason for that?"
The Host thrust the microphone toward Ueda Tatsuya, the leader of KAT-TUN, who possessed a striking, masculine appearance.
Ueda Tatsuya was a man who took immense pride in his songwriting and composing abilities—a 'star' who had already blossomed with talent in both vocals and rap.
In other words, he was one of the few talents in ASAYAN with the actual skill to challenge Hide, the vocalist of Enfants Terribles.
"I want to break that arrogance of theirs—this claim that only their music counts as music."
"The arrogance of Enfants Terribles isn't 'cool' or 'sexy'; it’s an insult to the seniors who have spent years honing and refining this industry."
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And just like that, our Quarter-Final opponent was decided: KAT-TUN. This is going to be quite an interesting stage.
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