Dreamer by Anhelina Ishchenko

Note! Dreamers here

are the viewers of the survival music show. They are the fans who cheer and vote for their favourite contestants in hope that they will make it to the final line up of a newly created boy group

Dreams are meant to be lived otherwise forgotten

Blake’s grandmother used to repeat those words to her grandson almost daily. After learning that her little boy aspired to become a kpop idol, she made it her duty to grant his wish.

Her encouragement keeps ringing in 19-year-old boy’s ears as he climbs the stairs to the stage.

For a brief moment, the stage lights blind Blake. Sweat is dripping down the back of his neck, making the collar of the designer blazer damp.

I need to give this performance my all. This final round is my last chance to appeal to the dreamers* - Blake is thinking to himself while reaching his place on the stage.

“Hello, everyone! Today is The day when our “Survival Music Show” comes to an end, however you shouldn’t be too sad about it, because it also means that a legendary kpop boy band will be finally formed! We all waited for this for such a long time, didn’t we? Remember, your votes will determine the final line up of the group, which will consist of five members. The fate of our contestants is in your hands, so give a warm welcome to the remaining ten trainees”

I have never been this far into the music program…

Grandmother, will I make it this time? Will my dream come true? I don’t want to give up just yet

Blake takes a deep breath.

“Blake! Blake! Look at me!”

“Rowan, I love you!”

“Blake, lets win!”

“Adam, fighting!!!”

The warmth spreads all over boy’s chest. He is so grateful for all the support that dreamers give to him and his teammates. At the end of the day, they want Blake to win as much as he does. Maybe, even more. Once again, he needs to remind himself that he is not alone anymore.

Contestants leave the stage and head to the green room. There they will wait for their turn and watch performances of other people.

***

Two weeks ago

The training center is crowded. Countless members of stuff are running around. Someone with equipment in their hands, someone with makeup bags and brushes, the rest is going over a script with the show host, making sure the filming day will go as smooth as possible.

This hustle and bustle could seem comforting to Blake if it weren’t yet another reminder that the show is soon to come to an end. Today the topic of their last test will be announced.

Will I manage to survive this time?

It was the question that occupied the heads of all the boys. No one dared to say it out loud, but you could see it by the look of their faces, by the movements that were becoming stiffer and stiffer with each dance practice, by the silence that day by day витісняла the buzz of chatter to which all of them were so accustomed.

They entered the filming room without uttering a word to each other. Not long after the cameras started recording.

“Hello, our dreamers. I’m sure you were anticipating this day as much as our contestants did! Today the final mission of “The Survival Music Show” will be announced! Adam, last week you received the highest number of votes, are you ready to hear the instructions?”

“Not going to lie, I have been nervous about the final mission for quite some time. But after receiving so much love and support from dreamers I feel more confident and ready to take on a new challenge. Thank you!”, - bows

“Okay, so let’s find out what the instructions are. Our producers have chosen five songs by worldwide known artists. The contestants will be given two weeks to rearrange these songs and to make them their own. Candidates for the win are allowed to change lyrics or melody of the songs!”

Blake’s heart skipped a beat. The level of difficulty became significantly higher. Before they were always asked to do only covers, but now they have to reinvent the song by the renewed singers.

This mission is not only challenging, but also dangerous. I will need to be really careful when choosing a song, I don’t want the fanbase of the artist to turn against me…

“And now I will announce the songs. The first one Blackpink “You never know”. The second one “Fatal trouble” by Enhypen…”

No. No. I need to avoid those songs…

“…Next one “Butterfly” by BTS…”

I need to make everything in my power to choose this song. It is still known, but was released a long time ago. Wonderful lyrics, I can make it work!

“…The order in which contestants will choose the songs will be decided by the numbers they pull out from this bag”

The announcer approached everyone one by one. Blake’s hands were all sweaty when he took out one of the papers. He was praying for it to be number one. Boy slowly unfolds the piece of paper. This takes some time as the item is shaking violently in his grasp.

Blake furrows his brows, while looking on the neatly printed number. His face is expressionless.

***

“Contestant number four, Blake Kim, please, get ready to go on stage”

This announcement was followed by loud cheers from the boys in the green room.

“Blake, break a leg! Lets win together!”- Adam screamed at the top of his lungs, as Blake approached the exit.

Smiling nervously a 19-year-old boy turned the handle of the door which will lead him either to his dream or to the future full of self-loathing. And he was fully aware of it.

Sorry, grandmother. Only now going onto this stage, maybe for the last time in my life, I finally understand. I will never be able to forget… So, regardless of today’s outcome, I will never give up on my dream. I think, your grandson was misunderstanding your lessons all along…

The lights go off one by one. Everything goes quiet. The stage is devoured by darkness, nothing can be seen. And then…young man appears on the stage. His silhouette fascinates and intrigues fans. Almost inaudible murmurs can be heard.

Everyone expects to hear a soft, yet touching melody that has been so well known to the fans since the day of release. This song has different interpretations. Some people believe that it is about love that slips away like a Butterfly, others think that is has more general meaning. But, it doesn’t matter in which explanation you believe, you still won’t be left unaffected by this song.

The dreamers’ hearts felt as if they were starting to swell, their breathing was becoming shallower. They were ready to feel different stages of hope and groundless grief.

And, finally, the dim blue light lit the stage.

*I still can’t believe it*

*All of this seems like a dream*

*Don’t try to disappear*

The melody filled all the space. However, the English lyrics instead of Korean was not the only thing that surprised the fans. The text was different also. It told them about being afraid of losing something precious.

Of losing the life that is so close to become a dream.

The song was still emotional and thought-provoking. However, Blake gave it not only his own interpretation, he gave it new sound.

His clear and warm voice scares away all the dread and melancholy that audience was ready to feel.

The atmosphere in the room became full of hope. Right now this song was not about being afraid to lose something precious, but about the happiness when meeting with your dream, about the desire to keep it secure as it is as fragile as a butterfly.