Practice Room 1 smelled like sweat and floor polish when I arrived at nine-thirty.
All sixteen finalists were scattered across the floor, stretching or reviewing footage on their production tablets. Coach Miyeon stood beside a choreographer I didn't recognize.
"Han Jiwon-ssi." Miyeon waved me forward. "We're starting with Rise Up! You remember the original choreography?"
"Yes."
"The finale version has revised formations, camera transitions, and an extended bridge. We kept your position, but everyone practiced around the empty space while you were away. We'll correct the spacing together."
Jisoo raised his hand. "Does that mean we all have to relearn it?"
"Minor corrections," Miyeon replied. "And we have two hours, so please stop volunteering questions."
Jisoo lowered his hand.
The familiar opening burst through the speakers. For a moment, I remembered performing it during the first evaluations, when simply surviving the opening round had seemed impossible.
