The atmosphere was thick with nerves and excitement as the lights dimmed inside Stax Entertainment's massive performance hall. The 13 girls stood backstage, fidgeting with in-ear monitors, wiping their palms, and rehearsing under their breath. The first challenge was brutal: perform a solo cover of a past K-pop hit chosen by the producers that was a defining moment to show individuality, stage command, and vocal or rap skills. It was all or nothing.
First to take the stage was Rina, the 18-year-old dancer from Japan. She had been given the challenge of covering Mayze's "Charmer", a sultry, dance heavy track known for its complex footwork and cheeky delivery. The moment the beat dropped, Rina transformed and was oozing confidence with every glide and spin, her expressions commanding attention. By the end, even the backup dancers seemed like supporting characters. Rina had owned the stage.
Next came Eunbi, the 16-year-old main vocal trainee from Korea. Her assigned track was KIK UP's "Showstopper," a high energy vocal powerhouse anthem. Despite her young age, Eunbi nailed the belts and vocal flips. She may have trembled walking on stage, but when she hit the final chorus note and the audience erupted, it was clear she was a force.
Third was Minae, a quiet 17-year-old rapper from Korea, performing VIRE's "Code Nineteen." A gritty and fast-paced rap track, Minae's flow surprised the judges. Her pronunciation was clean, her rhythm tight, and she even added her own twist with a confident mid-track ad-lib. Jessi was seen nodding throughout her performance.
Yumi, 19, representing Taiwan, was next with MASH's "Cycle." A melancholic ballad with jazzy undertones, it was a risky pick for someone new to the stage. But Yumi's voice trembled just enough to feel real, and she pulled the judges in with her emotional delivery. Bella whispered to Seunghee, "That one felt honest."
Fifth was Sohee, the 20-year-old trainee often called the "leader" by the others. She was given KIK UP's "Fighter", a motivational pop-rock anthem. Her stage presence was magnetic, her voice filled with conviction, and her fists pumped with each chorus. She wasn't just performing a song; she was leading a revolution.
Following Sohee was Aiko, 18, with KIK UP's "Jealous." A flirtatious and smooth performance, Aiko leaned into her natural charisma. Her eye contact with the camera, her soft yet controlled voice, and her subtle dance movements made the crowd swoon.
Then came Haerin, 16, the tough rapper/dancer who had arguably the most difficult challenge: performing Mitsunari's "Smoke & Mirrors." With its dual rap-vocal structure and erratic beat drops, it's a beast of a track. But Haerin brought a sharpness and hunger that turned heads as Jun clapped mid-performance, impressed by her precision.
Jisoo, 21, had the honor of covering Mayze's "I Do," a soft ballad loaded with vulnerability. Her maturity came through in her restraint. She didn't over-sing as she delivered each lyric as if it were a confession, and the performance felt like a diary entry brought to life.
Up next was Lani, 17, from the Philippines, performing AXA's "Light In The Sky." A dreamy and atmospheric pop track, Lani's visuals were stunning, and her soft vocals carried just enough breath to blend with the ethereal instrumental. Luna smiled wide as Lani hit the final note with a gentle vibrato.
Then came Chaelin, 20, a fierce rapper who performed WA8's "Zoom." The swagger, the timing, the delivery and it all felt professional. Yeonho watched, proud, whispering "That's how you do my song." Chaelin's outfit and movements reflected her identity: unapologetic and bold.
Yurina, 18, followed with AXA's "Lucky." Her delicate tone carried the melodic verses with precision. She brought a lightness that worked perfectly with the song's carefree theme. Her subtle expressions made her feel like a commercial model living a dreamy pop life.
Mizuha, 19, took to the stage with LYO's "Rowdy," a fast and unpredictable hip-hop anthem. It was a daring choice, especially since it meant high choreography and fast vocals. But she pulled it off with fire in her eyes. Her agility and delivery impressed even Mitsunari, who didn't blink once during her performance.
Last to go was Jieun, 19, covering KIK UP's "Troublemaker." From her outfit to her confident smirk, she embodied the rebellious theme of the song. Her voice cracked once, but instead of panicking, she smirked and leaned into it, winning points for stage presence and recovery.
After the final note ended and the stage lights dimmed, the judges were asked to give feedback, starting with Jessi.
"Some of y'all came out here like rookies. But a few of you? Felt like debut-ready idols. Minae, Haerin, Chaelin…you girls? You came to eat."
Seunghee followed: "I was surprised by how many of you weren't just singing but feeling the song. Jisoo, Yumi, Eunbi... your emotions hit me. That's rare at this stage."
Yeonho grinned. "Not bad at all. Chaelin, thanks for doing 'Zoom' justice. I think all of you gave it your all. I can see potential in every one of you."
Luna smiled warmly. "I see so many different styles, which is great for group chemistry. Rina, Aiko, Yurina.. you girls had charm written all over you."
Bella nodded. "To everyone who took a risk vocally or conceptually, thank you. You made the show exciting. Keep pushing that edge."
Jun stepped forward. "I was looking for who understood the song's intent. That goes beyond talent. It's about interpretation. And a few of you did that masterfully."
Finally, Mitsunari approached the center. "You all did something brave today. A solo stage, no backup, no excuses. I'm proud of you." He turned to the screen behind him. "But as we know, there's always a first place."
The screen lit up with the rankings from 1 to 13. After a dramatic pause, the name in the #1 spot was… RINA. Gasps and applause filled the studio.
"Rina, congratulations," Mitsunari said. "You are automatically advancing into Round 3."
Rina stepped forward, trembling with joy, bowing multiple times. The other 12 girls clapped, some with bittersweet smiles.
"Now," Jun said, walking over, "it's time to reveal your Round 2 units. Two girls per team. These pairs were chosen based on your complementary strengths and stage potential."
The screen shuffled and revealed the unit pairs:
Eunbi & Minae Yumi & Sohee Aiko & Haerin Jisoo & Lani Chaelin & Yurina Mizuha & Jieun
The girls looked at each other with surprise, some excited, others a bit nervous.
"Round 2 will test your chemistry," said Bella. "You'll have to rely on each other. You win together or fall together."
"Make no mistake," said Jessi, "this is going to be harder. You got three days to prepare. Then it's game time."
"Good luck," Mitsunari said, smiling with pride and warning. "Because this is only the beginning."