The roar of thousands shook the dome arena as banners were waving in every direction as spotlights darted across the crowd. The massive LED screen at the back of the stage caught everyone's attention with a white title in bold silver letters saying,
"THE NEXT BLOCK"
For weeks, the industry buzzed with rumors.
Which labels had risked sending their trainees?
Or even, which idols would take the gamble of survival?
Now however for the first time, the answers would be revealed. Only nine out of one hundred contestants would claim the dream to debut as part of Block M.
Two figures walked onto the glowing center stage. The first was MC Huizi, a living legend who was once the most respected rapper of his generation that had retired at the peak of his career. Huizi left behind a career filled with groundbreaking albums and tonight he was dressed in a sleek suit with his long hair tied neatly back as he gripped the microphone with an authority that made the arena hush at once.
Beside him stood a women named Minah who was a former girl group star turned actress, glowing with a warm smile and confidence that balanced Huizi's sharp edge.
"Welcome," Huizi began as his voice deep and steady had started resonating through the dome. "This is more than a show as this is where boys become men, where trainees become idols, and where nine futures will be decided."
He let the words sink in as the crowd was roaring in anticipation before he continued.
"Tonight, one hundred contestants will enter before your eyes. They come from every corner of this industry. Trainees from big labels, small labels, and even some who already stood on stage and debuted before. However, only nine… will walk away as Block M."
Minah raised her mic. "To make this journey even more intense, we will reveal each contestant to the audience tonight"
Will your favorites appear?
Will rivals face each other on this stage?
It all begins now!
The arena darkened and the LED screen flashed as the names of the labels popped up one by one as Huizi and Minah announced them,
"Bright Entertainment"
"Dreamline Media"
"StarHill Entertainment"
"Our Legacy Records"
"PULSE ENTERTAINMENT"
"Harmony Entertainment"
One by one they had been introduced and then Minah said, "Wolf Entertainment"
A label known for debuting actors had sent a trainee shocking everyone, and out came a trainee named Joris. He was tall, foreign, and the audience loved his appearance. Other trainees gossiped over his athletic appearance.
Now the audience was alive with anticipation. Every new label brought new dynamics and already whispers of favorites spread among the crowd.
The lineups of trainees continued to enter in waves. As one by one, the groups filled in spreading across the massive stage. Now at this time sixty contestants had walked out, the floor was a tapestry of personalities and ambitions of trainees with nervous smiles, clenched jaws, and determined eyes. Huizi and Minah guided the 60 trainees to a section designed for them on the side and as they took a seat, Huizi's voice deepened as the lights dimmed. "Now… we welcome a face from Floor7 Entertainment!"
The arena buzzed instantly as Floor7 was known for precision and power, with their former boy group VIRE and their brand-new boy group called XCITE. XCITE had just debuted and had already shaken the industry. VIRE was a group who put Floor7 on the map and now they had XCITE, so everyone in the audience was wondering, who could they possibly send here?
"Ladies and gentlemen please welcome, Chen."
The arena erupted with screams, gasps, and disbelief.
Chen walked slowly onto the stage; every step was deliberate. He didn't wave or grin as he simply bowed, with his sharp eyes scanning the arena like he already won the competition. As other contestants shifted uneasily, whispers breaking out in frustration
"Chen why?
Why's he here?"
"They put him on this show instead of in XCITE?!"
"He's their money maker online on social media videos"
"Why did Floor7 let him join"
"Aren't they afraid they could lose him if he debuts here"
Even Minah couldn't hide her shock. "This… is unexpected. Floor7 has shocked us all tonight as many had thought Chen would debut in XCITE, but here he is, competing for Block M instead."
Chen took his place with his expression unreadable and his calm composure only deepening the mystery.
After the shock had died down, the contestants continued entering. Idols from mid-tier companies, underground rappers signed just for this chance, and more foreign trainees eager to make their mark and by the time ninety-five contestants had walked out, the stage was nearly full. Huizi announced that only one label was left to introduce.
Huizi's voice dropped lower, his tone full of weight.
"And now… our final introduction of the night. The lights focused on the label name, WeUP Entertainment."
The arena gasped as the name itself was just as shocking as Floor7. WeUP had just debuted TurnUp a year prior as they were a five-member group making waves with their hard-hitting style and international promotions. Why would WeUP send anyone to a survival show?
Then the screen flashed again and changed to...
Turn Up
The arena shook with noise as half cheers, and half in disbelief. Fans screamed...
"No way!"
"Why would WeUP risk this?!"
Contestants on stage turned their heads in shock. Even Chen's lips twitched into the faintest smirk of his first thought of competition.
From the shadows of the tunnel, five silhouettes appeared. The crowd erupted as the lights revealed them as Jeren the rapper, Mark the lead vocalist, Suho the leader, Hoya the main vocalist and Johnny the dancer all entered.
The TurnUp members walked side by side, each exuding presence as they've been on stage before. Jeren's calm gaze swept across the stage. Mark's jaw was tight with determination. Suho offered a polite bow. Hoya smiled and bowed while Johnny, tall and relaxed, grinned faintly.
The noise was deafening.
"They're idols already!"
"TurnUp is here?! Competing?!"
"How can anyone else stand a chance against them?"
Huizi let the reaction linger before raising his microphone. "Yes, you've heard correctly. WeUP has sent TurnUp into this competition. Tonight, they will stand alongside ninety-five other contestants… but they will not be given special treatment. They fight for their place in Block M, the same as anyone else."
TurnUp bowed deeply to the crowd and to their new rivals. However, their calm, confident presence only heightened the tension. Contestants whispered among themselves, some already frustrated, others nervous. The stage had been set.
As the cheers slowly died down and the introductions were concluding, Huizi stepped forward with his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
"One hundred contestants stand before you. All with different labels, different backgrounds, as some are rookies, and some are veterans. However, in the end, only nine will remain."
Minah smiled warmly though her words carried weight.
"And remember… they don't yet know what waits for them at the end of this road and for now, all they can do… is fight."
The lights dimmed, leaving the contestants in a tense silence.
No one said it aloud, but the thought was the same.
This wasn't just a competition anymore.
It was a battle of the stages.