The sixteen finalists gathered onstage in practice clothes.
I tried not to stare at the empty seats climbing toward the ceiling. I'd performed at Olympus Hall before, but the finale setup was different: extra screens, camera cranes, and strips of colored tape covering the stage floor.
Coach Miyeon approached with Director Park.
"Today is for blocking, lighting, and cameras," Director Park announced. "Mark your vocals and save your energy for tonight."
She pointed toward the elevator platform embedded near the back of the stage.
"You'll rise on that platform for the opening number. Stay inside the yellow safety markings until the lift stops and you receive the movement cue. Strictly no improvising."
Jisoo raised his hand. "What happens if somebody forgets?"
"We stop the lift sequence," she replied. "Which is why nobody will forget."
He lowered his hand.
"The distances are larger than in Practice Room 1," Miyeon added. "Your formations haven't changed. Your steps need to."
