#th: 노래BATTLE (S2 EP1)

[lgcminseo]

Easily.

Seojin was teasing her, but she didn't want an easy win. Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the show? Additionally, she didn't want the staff to intervene with their battle like he slyly pointed out. She figured that the production and the man, who genuinely was as curteous as he was talented, had to cater to the guest of the episode. All of it was out of her control. She couldn't sulk in front of the camera, stomp her foot like she would have had it just been the two of them in the noraebang room. In that moment, she realizes how easily she reverted back to her younger self when she was around Seojin. He had slowly become an older brother figure in her life whether he had been giving a choice or not was a question for another day.

She wanted a fair and square chance at beating the older man. However, the vocals were only one part of the show, and entertaining the viewers with following through ( or, epically bombing ) on the challenges was equally important. Her best rendition of a flamingo seemed to not have been enough, or the man was purposefully answering the incorrect animal to push her buttons. At least, she expected her flawlessly graceful fish catching pose to be praised in the comments. Her lower lip juts out into a faint pout, stopping completely out of frustration and missing a line from the final verse.

Ah, he had managed to get under her skin...

Would her momentary lapse of judgment cost her? Minseo deflates when the "95" score appears on the screen, dramatically plopping down on the couch and stretching out her legs in front of her. There went her goal for a knockout win. "I'm going to beat you at your own game..." She threatens into the microphone, rising to her feet with a determined gaze, but she flashes him a cheeky smile afterwards. "What if I choose your challenge?"

After receiving the green light, Minseo returns to the folded papers, mixing them around until she's satisfied with her final choice. She unfolds the paper, showing it to the camera whilst she reads out the words out-loud, fully smiling before she even finishes reading the challenge. "Eat hot peppers!" Had anyone smile so widely like her on the show? Maybe, she needed to keep her competitive nature a bit closer to the surface.

There is a sense of pride brimming from Seojin seeing Minseo so confidently introduce herself. He should have never had any doubt that she would do well. The awkward kid who went to school with his brother soon grew up enough to hone her skills and wiggle her way into a spot in the company's newest girl group. He cannot say he is not impressed her vigor the past three years, and it is something he admires — even as someone five years older. He allows her to take charge of the show for the time being, carefully taking a step back as she chooses her song and challenge.

"No— Well, at least no knock outs from me. I'm convinced either the machine has a grudge against me or the staff are actively working to sabotage me." He shoots the staff in question a challenging look full of playful skepticism, unable to stop himself from breaking into a smile when several of them laugh. His voice takes on a more gentle tone when he returns his attention toward Minseo. "You can do it. I'm sure you'll end up winning over me, easily."

Of course, he is utterly endeared by her display of an animal, and impressed by her dedication to the act. "Hm... a crane? No... Elephant," each answer is intentionally incorrect. "You might have to flap your wings or something if I'm gonna guess this right." He is not so certain how to react around Minseo. Therein lay a skepticism about how her fans may react to him or if she might be judged by his own viewers. It is a risk having an idol on his little show; let alone one from a trending new girl group. Instead of lamenting over it as she sings, he grabs for a tambourine prop and sways along to her singing.

When the song comes to an end, he flourishes the instrument in her direction as a way to cheer her on, watching the numbers appear on screen with expectant eyes.

[lgcminseo]

Standing to the side only had her questioning herself what she was doing on a variety show, or how she had arrived to the point that there was no getting out of the shoot. She had felt anxious the entire morning, but the current circumstance was the best one for her to attempt at becoming a bit more comfortable in front of the camera. It wasn't that she had a dull personality, or was too awkward to only offer silence. Her experiences had been very limited and she was too hyper-aware of how she came off on camera, or too focused on the person's expression to gauge whether or not they were upset about her inexperience.

Sure, she could see a variety show like a natural conversation between two people, but there was an important element where she had to be entertaining for the viewers too. It was too much pressure. Seojin was someone that she had grown closer to the past year. She didn't see him as a friend. That would be too presumptuous of her, but she knew that he cared about her in a way a mentor does or an older brotherly figure would. If anything, he would be patient enough with her and probably fill the silence should her mind go blank on camera.

Throughout the introduction, Minseo had fixated on his hand gestures, stopping herself from copying him like she would have had he two of them been the only people in the room. "Hello, everyone!" With his signal, she steps forward to greet the camera and the host with natural bow and following it with a wiggling of her fingers, hands framing her face. Her eyes close briefly, pushing down the bout of shyness that overwhelms her. "I'm Nova's Seo Minseo, whose mission today is to beat the legendary trainee, Park Seojin! Has there ever been a knockout win?" She turns to make eye-contact with the older man, visibly smirking when she references one of the host's favorite pastimes. "Am I being too confident?"

"My first song will be Orange Caramel's My Copycat. I'm really hoping that I don't regret it..." She excitedly hums when she steps forward to pick her first challenge, creating an entire show out of pulling the folded paper. She carefully unfolds the paper, showing it to the camera while she reads the the following written instruction: "Act like an animal." Her eyes glint with amusement at the animal that pops in her head, reaching for the microphone. "Would you be able to guess what animal it is?" She fixes her posture, standing up as straight as possible to 'elongate' her neck when the music begins playing. She challenges herself to have one leg up like a flamingo in the water throughout the song, going as far as to mimic picking up algae or shrimp from the 'water' below.

노래BATTLE (S2 EP1) ✱ @lgcminseo

Far be it from Seojin to have expected a second season for his beloved show but he arrives on set with a rare showing of all-smiles; albeit a tad lopsided. A staff member behind the camera remarks that he has been smirking for the entirety of the shoot preparation. He immediately shifts his expression with a swipe of his hand, revealing his usual resting expression instead.

With his hands gesturing wildly despite his stoic expression, he paints a picture of dissonance as he speaks — loudly, at that. "Everyone, welcome to the second season of Noraebattle," he holds his hand out to the camera, that signature smirk suddenly reappearing. "If you've been watching the show so far, you should know the rules but I'll give you a refresher."

After detailing the concept, he nods toward Minseo, silently indicating with his eyes for the younger to step forward.

"Our guest for the day is a rookie idol who only just debuted last month. You should already know a bit of her voice by now, right?" When she steps into frame he makes a show of clapping, but keeps his mannerisms a bit subdued for the time being. He entrusts the editors to splice over an edit of her name and group.

"Do you want to do an introduction of yourself? Have you already decided what songs you're gonna beat me with?"