The opening strains of ‘Jeongji’ bled into the grand hall, wrapping around the stage. As fragmented beats pulsed and grew louder, the once-dark stage exploded in a wash of bright light.
At its center stood Ha-young, clad in a tight short-sleeve top and loose-fitting jeans. She began with a light sway of her shoulders. Contestant number 10, meant to take the first verse, was nowhere in sight. Just then, a heavy drumbeat slammed through the hall,
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