From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Well, of course, it wasn't the exact storyline of his life.

Their parents never separated.

They just died.

However, that would sound very morbid in a very cute song, so June decided to mask their deaths with divorce instead. It was still a sensitive topic, especially for those who had experienced it, so June also wanted to shed light on it.

With the sad revelation, the people quickly realized that this wasn't the cute performance that they signed up for.

"Oh no," Jaeyong said, looking up at the ceiling and fanning his face.

"Don't tell me—"

"Goodness, you're already crying," Casper said, massaging his temples. "I thought you were over this!"

"I thought so, too," Jaeyong exclaimed. "But June just makes me cry so bad, man. I don't know what to do."

Casper clicked his tongue before shaking his head.

"You know, I would usually call you a crybaby at this point. But it's June, so I understand," he sighed.

Jaeyong, despite his tears, shook his head and said, "Simp."

Next came the chorus, which would serve as the foundation of the song.

"At 12, I hated you. It would have been better if you didn't exist.

I would've had a better life if you were seized.

You'd slam the door, I'd shout some more,

Our bond strained but never fully tore."

It was represented by a faster, more intense rhythm. Their interactions became more dynamic, filled with fiery and dramatic exchanges.

They portrayed heated arguments and half-hearted reconciliations. Their faces were animated with anger, frustration, and occasional bursts of laughter, which captured the rollercoaster of teenage emotions.

While the first part showed innocence, the chorus vividly portrayed the love-hate relationship typical of adolescent siblings.

Casper shook his head in amusement.

"Does June really not have a sibling?" he asked.

"Not that I know of," Jaeyong answered. "Why?"

Casper smirked. "He's got it perfectly. This is how I feel about my sisters."

The next verses showed the other milestones that the siblings had reached. The people were more enamored than ever, and they were curious how the story was going to end.

The mentors watching from the waiting room didn't feel like they were in a competition anymore. Instead, it was as if they were watching a show—a very interesting one.

"At 16, boys stood next to you, and I saw you anew,

No longer my little sister but a young woman who grew.

You talked of crushes and dates, secrets you'd confide,

I stood by, protective, with a brother's pride."

For some reason, Mei got emotional during this verse.

She knew that she couldn't relate, yet somehow she felt like she had experienced such things first-hand yet forgot about how it truly felt.

"At 17, you wanted a field trip, but money was tight,

We stayed home, had our own fun, and danced through the night.

We planned our future travels, dreams we'd soon pursue,

With laughter and hope, creating memories anew."

The mood turned bittersweet. However, it leaned more toward a bitter taste once the second chorus hit.

"At 18, "I still hate you," I'd say, with bitterness and spite,

Our arguments were explosive, lasting into the night.

We'd fight over nothing, yet everything too,

The tension between us painfully grew."

As the song progressed, the people were increasingly becoming more invested in the story of the siblings, and they couldn't help but root for a happy ending for them.

Yet, June already knew how it ended.

He looked at their expectant faces and subtly shook his head. They didn't know what was going to hit them.

It was now Mei's turn to sing, and June paid more attention than usual. For the past few days that they had been practicing with each other, June made it a pact to become Mei's personal vocal mentor. Although her parts in the song were quite small, June believed that she had the greatest part of all—the bridge.

It was the part that June usually had, but he wanted Mei to sing it—because he knew that she was the perfect person to portray its emotions.

Then, as the music swelled, the performance took a serious turn.

Mei stood at the center, the music stopping for a second as the realization dawned that despite the fights and misunderstandings, the siblings could not live without each other.

Those behind her moved closer. They performed lifts and supportive holds, symbolizing the strength and support that siblings provide each other.

"At 19, I realized that life was finite, fleeting, and true,

The thought of losing you, a shadow that grew.

Suddenly, every moment with you became dear,

The fights and the laughter, every smile, every tear."

Her rendition left everybody speechless. The girl who always sang with a shaky voice sang those four lines with certainty—

with a sureness that couldn't be shaken.

She meant every line, and it manifested in how she portrayed it.

Then, June stood beside her, the spotlight shining between the two of them.

The people couldn't help but gasp as they saw their faces on the two varying wide screens. At that moment, it seemed like their resemblance became even more obvious—like they were the siblings in the story themselves.

Eyes glistening with tears that didn't want to be shed, the final words were then said.

"At 28, I have a lot of regrets.

The things I've never said, all of the secrets.

Lying on the ground, with no chance of goodbye.

I wonder if this is all there is to life.

Will we meet again? For a second time?

I hoped and prayed until it became mine.

Then, one day, you'll walk down the street.

And you'll smile, but you wouldn't realize it was me."

The lyrics of the song, although pretty confusing, still struck a chord in the heart of the audience...or maybe it was just June.

June already knew that the lyrics were something that only he would understand.

However, he still wanted to include it to serve as closure between him and Mei.

It just seemed like they weren't meant to remain as siblings in every life.

"I can't breathe," Jaeyong said, hard snot filling his nose.

Then, just when the atmosphere seemed almost too heavy, they shifted the gears once again.

The music picked up, returning to the playful, energetic theme that had started the show.

"I hate you more than anyone in the world,

But if the world turned upside down..."

"I'd still choose you."