Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 95: SILENT ENCOURAGEMENT

AS expected, the contestant who followed Song Jiwoo struggled quite a bit. The contestant missed several steps and seemed to be out of sync, which made the mentors’ feedback even tougher. The mentors didn’t hold back, pointing out every mistake clearly. After this, two more contestants performed, but neither of them could keep up with the choreography either. Both stumbled through the routine, forgetting moves and missing their timing. The mentors’ expressions grew even more serious, showing clear disappointment as they watched each mistake unfold. So, of course, their commentaries became harsher and harsher.

The atmosphere in the practice room plummeted as the mistakes piled up. What had started as a place full of excitement and anticipation quickly turned tense and uneasy. Contestants shifted nervously, some casting uneasy glances at the mentors, whose expressions grew more disapproving with each performance. The energy in the room grew colder, and the hopeful buzz was replaced with silence and stiff movements. Even those who hadn’t performed yet felt the weight of the mentors’ growing frustration, making everyone second-guess their own readiness.

Haneul had anticipated things would unfold this way, but that didn’t make him immune to the pressure. His heart was pounding, showing just how much he dreaded being called next to perform. No matter how composed he appeared on the outside, a chaotic mix of frustration and anxiety churned within him. He tried to keep it all under control, but inside, he was anything but calm.

Following another round of intense criticism, Taeyang’s name was the next to be called.

Haneul’s eyes drifted over to Taeyang without thinking. Unlike Haneul, who was merely pretending to be calm, Taeyang appeared genuinely unfazed. He strode into the center of the practice room, head lowered. When the music kicked in, he lifted his gaze to meet the mentors’, flashing them a bold, mischievous grin.

As the music flowed through the room, Taeyang moved with a steady rhythm. Each step was sharp, hitting the beat with precision. He didn’t stumble or miss a single move; it was clear he knew the routine well. There was a confidence in the way he carried himself, as if he had rehearsed this a hundred times.

While his dancing wasn’t flawless, there was an undeniable ease in the way he performed, like he was comfortable in his own skin and trusted his body to do exactly what was needed. Not only that, he matched his facial expressions to the lyrics, adding depth to every line.

What truly held everyone’s attention, though, was his presence. He didn’t just follow the choreography; he owned it, making even the simpler moves feel alive. His gaze was steady, never faltering, and there was a spark in his eyes that drew people in. It wasn’t that his technique was perfect, but his energy and charisma filled any gaps. He made it hard for people to look away, and for a moment, it felt like he was performing on a real stage, not just a practice room.

Haneul couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as he watched Taeyang. In that moment, it was as if he was glimpsing the Jung Taeyang of ten years into the future. He was reminded of exactly why Taeyang was celebrated not just for his music but for his unforgettable stage presence. This quality was what had propelled him to such fame, making it clear why he had risen as high as he had.

As Haneul watched Taeyang, his nerves slowly melted away. It felt like he had become just another fan again, completely drawn in by Taeyang’s presence. Any anxiety about his own performance slipped from his mind; in that moment, all he wanted was to keep watching.

At that moment, he couldn’t be sure if it was merely his imagination, but through the reflection in the practice mirror, their eyes seemed to meet. Haneul didn’t know if it was just a coincidence, yet Taeyang held his gaze, steady and unwavering. In that instant, the other’s gray eyes appeared to offer a silent message: there was nothing to fear. His hard work wouldn’t betray him. Even if it was all in Haneul’s mind, the reassurance felt almost real, and in that moment, his anxiety seemed to melt away entirely.

As Taeyang’s performance came to an end, the mentors began sharing their feedback.

Dyna spoke, keeping her gaze steady on Taeyang. "You have a strong presence; from start to finish, you captured the attention of everyone in the room. But don’t rely solely on that. Your movements need a bit more polish, especially the transitions. They’re clean, but smoothing them out will make everything flow better. Remember, in dancing, even the smallest of details matter."

Choi Minhyuk nodded, pleasantly surprised. He had assumed Jung Taeyang might be here because of connections, ready to deliver sharp criticism if Taeyang stumbled. But, to his surprise, Taeyang had performed well. In fact, including that one dance prodigy and a few other strong dancers from the morning group, Jung Taeyang would likely rank among the top ten in terms of skill. And that was without factoring in his impressive stage presence.

Good. At least he didn’t have to worry about how he would deal with some untalented young master.

"I agree with Dyna. Your energy was great, exactly what we want to see. But keep that intensity consistent throughout. There were times it felt like you were holding back, particularly in the footwork. Make every step count."

Dyna nodded again. "Exactly. Your presence is natural. Now focus on those details. Don’t just grab the audience’s attention—make sure they can’t look away."

Taeyang made a slight bow. "Thank you. I will keep that in mind."

He turned and walked back to his position, but not before casting a quick glance in Haneul’s direction. Noticing that Haneul seemed visibly more at ease, a small, satisfied smile appeared on Taeyang’s face.

In the next moment, Dyna called out the name of the next contestant.

"Please step forward, Haneul-ssi."

Haneul was momentarily startled, but quickly regained his composure. Taking a steadying breath, he stepped forward, positioning himself and waiting for the music. As soon as the music began, he took a breath—and then, he danced.