Page 53 of I'll Be the One

As Lana and I walk onto the stage, I think about all the articles I saw on Mom’s phone.The Korean Adele.I’m still not sure how I feel about that nickname, especially since I first heard it from my mom. But honestly? I don’t want to be compared to anyone, period. I want everyone to knowmyname.

I take a quick glance around the audience, ever thankful that, unlike the guy who was just eliminated, I don’t have stage fright. At first, I think I’m seeing things, but then I realize that some people are holding up signs with my face on them, like I’ve seen people do for K-pop stars at concerts. A lot of them have super-nice messages in Korean and English, like GO, GO, SKYE! and WE LOVE OUR QUEEN SKYE. I pretty much avoided social media altogether after the premiere, so I didn’t really know the full scale of people watching the show until now.

This much love after the first episode alone...I try not to let it overwhelm me and instead think back to what Henry said about me being “worth all the hype.” His words make me smile, and I’m still grinning when our music starts.

On our cue, Lana and I stomp across the stage in perfect unison, like we’re going down the catwalk. Lana did ourmakeup so we’d look fierce like Beyoncé, and we’re both wearing curve-hugging black dresses and high heels. I look and feel like a goddess, especially when people start screaming our names.

In the twenty seconds before we start singing, we move along to the beat, following the choreography that I made for the song. The audience goeswild. We’re delivering fierce girl power, and the crowd is all for it.

My voice is lower, so I come in to harmonize with Lana. But just because I harmonize doesn’t mean I’m outshined by her. To make things fair, Lana and I divided the song into parts so we each get moments where we can show off our voices. As we sing, we rotate between staring out at the crowd, at the cameras, and then at each other.

Lana’s mouth quirks into a slight grin when our eyes meet.

It doesn’t take long for me to lose myself in the rhythm and powerful vocals of “Crazy in Love.” When it gets to my solo part, I really let go, letting the music pour out of my mouth like a flood. People scream, and they keep on cheering as Lana takes over and sings her part.

We then go back to singing together, our voices joining forces as we walk hand in hand down the stage. The cheers just get louder and louder so that by the time we finish, I can barely hear the music.

After the song comes to an end. Lana and I smile at each other before slowly dropping our hands back to our sides.

“There you have it, Lana Min and Skye Shin!” Davey announces, running across the stage.

We walk back to center stage as the judges finish scribbling down their notes.

Mr. Park goes first, and he claps loudly before saying, “Brava, ladies. You both did a really good job, and especially Ms. Skye Shin. You really are the Korean Adele. Or maybe even the Korean Beyoncé? I’m assuming the dance elements were your idea.”

I nod, and he gives me a pleased smile. “Thinking like a girl group member already. Well done.”

Next is Bora. She’s actually smiling, something I’ve never seen her do before. But she’s looking at Lana, not me.

“You girls really killed it out there,” she says. “Amazing job.”

When she turns to look at me, though, her smile immediately drops.

Oh boy, here it comes, I think.

“Miss Shin,” she says, “you really are the Korean Adele. I agree with Mr. Park about that. But Adele is in her thirties, while you are a teenage girl. There simply isn’t room in the industry for someone like you. You could have a great career if you were just a bit... thinner. You’re still young enough that losing weight should be easy for you. Why don’t you try a bit harder?”

Lana squeezes my hand tight. With my other hand, I lift the mic to my mouth and say, “Bora, like I told you before, I’vetried my entire life to lose weight. I didn’t always want to, but I was forced to by my mom. I’ve been on really extreme diets when I was a kid, before I realized that I’m perfectly fine the way I am. So, no, I will not ‘try a bit harder’ to lose weight, because that shouldn’t matter in terms of my musical career.”

I expect to be met with silence like last time, but today, the audience explodes into loud cheers. Some people even boo Bora.

Bora’s face reddens, so slightly that I almost think it’s a trick of the light. When she doesn’t say anything in response, I know I’ve embarrassed her. Admittedly, I’m not sure if this is a good thing. On one hand, I’m proud of myself for standing up to her again, but I’m also not sure if this is the smartest thing to do to a judge.

Gary glances at Bora with a nervous smile before turning to face us.

“Both of you really killed it today,” he says. “Good job.”

And that’s that. We go backstage, where Tiffany is waiting for us.

Almost immediately, Tiffany pulls Lana into a tight hug.

“You were amazing,” she says, nuzzling her on the shoulder. She then meets my eyes and releases Lana to give me a hug as well. “Youwere awesome too.”

“Thanks,” I say, unable to keep the tension from my voice. I can’t help it. Like she always does, Bora’s puts me on edge.

Lana notices and gives me a quick nudge. “Hey. Don’t worry about Bora, okay? She’s just one out of three judges. Plus, thinkabout all the kids you’ll inspire around the world when this episode airs! For all we know, you might change someone’s life by standing up for yourself like that.”

I nod, feeling somewhat better. Even though I have no idea what the reality will be, it’s easier to believe that Lana’s right.

---