please please use black background,
the edits look much better :")

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Only exactly 12 of you will make it into class TORCH. These trainees are…

Trainees ELSIE QUINN,

SHIM SEOHYUN,

LEE GYEOUL,

HAN CHAERI,

HEO HAEIN,

AHN JUNGHWA,

HAN EUNJI,

NA HANEUL,

IM HEIRAN,

LIU MINGXIA,

HORIKOSHI KAISARA,

and HWANG EUNKYUNG.

Congratulations.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ JIAN HUREN (S) ] : To be completely honest, I was very disappointed. It's not even a rank or anything, but I was so confident that I'd do well.

[ ASUKI TAKARI (S) ] : I wanted to show what I was confident in, show what I can do. But if I can't even do that well, what more can viewers expect of me?

TRAINEE YEON CHAERIN STARTS TEARING UP…

[ YEON CHAERIN (S) ] : (wipes her tears) I'll only show a better side of me from now on.

━━━━━━━

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Now some of you may be wondering, what even is the point of getting into this class?

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Firstly, it means you've done well on this first evaluation. That being said, it's no time for you to relax. The rest of the trainees should let this serve as motivation to work harder. But most importantly, the trainees in TORCH will get a sort of "benefit" this time.

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : Ah, I was hoping I wouldn't hear that word…

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : Huh? What word?

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : "benefit"-

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : Oh, he said there'll be a benefit? Sorry, I'm bad at paying attention (laughs)

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : Elsie! Just because you did well and were praised doesn't mean you can lose focus (laughs) just kidding!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Remember that video each of you filmed right before coming here?

[ KANG CHAERYEONG ] : Ah right, I almost forgot about that!

BEFORE ARRIVING ON SET,
EACH TRAINEE HAD FILMED A SHORT
INTRODUCTION VIDEO OF THEMSELVES!

DON'T YOU WANT TO LISTEN
TO LEE DAHYUN'S BEAUTIFUL VOICE?

HOWEVER!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Only the videos of the trainees in TORCH will be shown first. They will be shown at the end of the next few episodes, and this will serve as a great benefit to not only make yourself more well known to the viewers, but also let other trainees know of your skill, and increase your chances of being chosen on someone's team.

[ LIU MINGXIA (S) ] : That really is a huge benefit…

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : It's okay MINGXIA! We'll work hard and prove everyone that we're talented too!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : As for the rest of the videos, they will either be aired much later, or simply be uploaded onto a separate website later on, reducing chances of attracting the audience.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : In your classes, we'll also taking note of the effort you put in, and this will play a part in your ranks. But besides effort and charms, what's the last factor?

[ TRAINEES ] : Popularity!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : That's right. However, while you might be thinking popularity amongst viewers is important, being "popular" amongst the other trainees, or whoever you work with, is equally important. What's the point of being an angel on camera, but terrible behind the scenes? 

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : For this coming evaluation, each of you trainees will vote for the trainees you like most. Not just the ones you think are most talented, but the ones you like in general.

[ IM YESEUL (S) ] : It sounds unfair at first, but the truth does hurt - even after we debut, we're not only going to be judged on our talents and skills, but also our personality and even looks.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : After voting has ended, you will be split into your different grades for the first time, to give you a better gage of how hard you'll need to work for your dreams.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Alright! Finally the tiring serious part is over. It's time for us to kickstart your journey!

[ HAN EUNJI (T) ] : Are we already going to get started with training?

[ AHN JUNGHWA (T) ] : Things are really going too fast here…

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : (laughs) Why do you girls look so stressed? Smile!

WHAT'S THE FIRST THING ON
SCHEDULE FOR THESE GIRLS?

━ ROOM ONE ━

LEE DAHYUN
HAN CHAERI
BAE BOYEON
LEE AERIM

[ HWANG EUNKYUNG (S) ] : Finally! I'm so tired~

[ LEE AERIM (S) ] : I know right? And we literally just got here...

━ ROOM TWO ━

ELSIE QUINN
IM HEIRAN
HAN EUNJI
HWANG EUNKYUNG

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : I claim top bunk!

[ IM HEIRAN (T) ] : Go ahead, I'm not climbing those steps after all the training we'll go through, have fun!

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : Oh…

━ ROOM THREE ━

KANG CHAERYEONG
HAN SEOLJI
ASUKI TAKARI
IM YESEUL

[ ASUKI TAKARI (S) ] : I'm so happy to room with you guys!

[ IM YESEUL (S) ] : Same! Let's open our suitcases, I wanna see what you guys brought!

the four girls open their suitcases

ASUKI TAKARI STARTS PULLING OUT 
CUTE JAPANESE PLUSHIES…

ANIME MERCH?

[ KANG CHAERYEONG (S) ] : Haha! She's so cute!

[ IM YESEUL (S) ] : She really is a unique one (laughs)

AFTER UNPACKING, THE TRAINEES GATHER FOR

THEIR FIRST TRAINING SESSION!

THE [ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 ] CLASS TRAINEES WALK TO THEIR TRAINING ROOM...

[ LEE AERIM (S) ] : Wait, is that the other class's training room?

[ YEON CHAERIN (S) ] : Wow, it's so big!

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : It looks so perfect… But we haven't seen ours yet so we don't know! Maybe it'll be similar…?

[ IM YESEUL (S) ] : Hey, I like this!

A ROOM WITH SLIGHTLY LESS SPACE,

BUT CERTAINLY SUFFICIENT FOR THE 12!

[ ASUKI TAKARI (S) ] : Either way, less space means we can be closer to each other!!

the other trainees laugh

MEANWHILE, OVER AT THE OTHER CLASS…

[ NA HANEUL (T) ] : I'm so excited to find out who our mentors will be!

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : I know right! Who do you guys want to see?

[ HEO HAEIN (T) ] : IU!!!!! I mean, it would be nice to see her… She's my role model!

[ SHIM SEOHYUN (T) ] : Same, I'm such a big fan of her!

[ ELSIE QUINN (T) ] : Well for me, my role model would be Apink's Bomi! Her dancing is amazing, learning from her would be a dream…

AT THAT MOMENT, SOMEONE WALKS IN…!

[ ?? ] : Hello girls~

WHO WILL THEIR FIRST
MENTOR BE?

HEIZE, A SINGER, SONGWRITER,
COMPOSER AND RAPPER UNDER STONE ENT!

[ CHOI JIYEON (T) ] : Oh my god! Seriously?

[ BAE BOYEON (T) ] : Seeing her here is so fascinating…

[ HEIZE | M. ] : You guys are looking at me as if I'm a god (laughs) I'm Heize, your vocal mentor!

the trainees cheer loudly

[ HEIZE | M. ] : How's your first day going so far?

[ NA HANEUL (T) ] : Tiring- I mean, great!

[ HEIZE | M. ] : (laughs) Well, that's completely normal, but I'm here to help you guys improve so it'll get easier! Firstly, can I ask which of you are the vocal trainees?

TRAINEES SHIM SEOHYUN, HAN CHAERI,
HEO HAEIN, AHN JUNGHWA
AND HAN EUNJI RAISE THEIR HANDS!

[ HEIZE | M. ] : Alright! I'm going to take a look at everyone's vocal range and style, I'll play a string of notes on this piano and you can just repeat it! Would any of the five of you like to go first?

TRAINEE AHN JUNGHWA VOLUNTEERS!

[ HEIZE | M. ] : Great! Let's see…

HEIZE plays some scales and
t

rainee AHN JUNGHWA repeats them

[ HEIZE | M. ] : I notice you sang in lower registers for the audition, but your voice is much stronger at higher octaves! If you train hard enough, I'm sure you will be an outstanding vocalist.

MEANWHILE, IN THE OTHER CLASS…

[ ?? ] : Hi trainees! I'm XXX, your dance mentor for this show!

[ IM YESEUL (S) ] : Seriously?!

[ HORIKOSHI KAISARA (S) ] : Have you seen her dancing??

[ LEE DAHYUN (S) ] : This must be another one of my imaginations...

WHO DO YOU THINK THE
OTHER MENTORS WILL BE?

NEXT TIME ON EQUINOX...

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : After a few days of training, are you ready to receive your first evaluation grades?

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Oh my god, are we getting the first mission?

[ SEO AHYOUNG ] : I'm so nervous but excited at the same time!

[ IM HEIRAN ] : Hallo~ Greetings from your one and only graceful dancer, IM HEIRAN from RBW who can dance to any genre with passion!

trainee IM HEIRAN is seated on a
wooden stool with a canvas beside her,

holding up a board with a self-written profile!

[ IM HEIRAN ] : Hello viewers, I'm ran-jumma! (laughs) I sometimes end up nagging to those who are close to me unintentionally. I don't really know why but it just became a habit of mine, acting and saying things like a middle aged lady (ahjumma in korean) out of the blue frequently, which makes my friends call me this often.

[ IM HEIRAN ] : I don't hate it though, I think it sounds kind of cute- oh wait don't let them know that!

[ IM HEIRAN ] : Let's see… my role in the group would be the protector! I'm very protective when it comes to my people, it's just a natural instinct of mine. I even have the skills to become a bodyguard; I rarely get frightened, plus I do have a black belt in Taekwondo, so nobody should underestimate me just by my appearance! Alright?

trainee IM HEIRAN tries to shoot an
intimidating look, but ends up cracking up

[ STAFF ] : What do you think is the most charming thing about yourself?

[ IM HEIRAN ] : Hmm… I mostly hear that my broad smile can bring up someone's mood! I find that surprising since I'm not cute or good at aegyo, but I guess my sincerity comes out in my smile.

[ STAFF ] : Now that auditions are coming up, what grade do you think you'll be in?

[ IM HEIRAN ] : I'm aiming for Equinox. I've been well known to the public after being part of SM Rookies for 3 years, but that's not the main reason I chose this - I believe setting this goal will enhance my confidence in a way. If I'm overestimating myself, it's alright, and instead I'm going to prove that I'm worthy. Giving up doesn't exist in my life.

[ STAFF ] : That's inspirational! Could you say a word of advice to any viewers who are struggling as well?

[ IM HEIRAN ] : My life motto is ❝ Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of anyone else. ❞

[ IM HEIRAN ] : I do have seniors who I look up to, most of them are very talented dancers but I never try to copy the way they dance or act in general. I prefer to do things in my own unique way instead of trying to copy someone else. To me, role models only exist to give me motivation, and I hope I can do the same for others. 

[ IM HEIRAN ] : That's all for today, thank you for watching and please continue to support me!

IMPORTANT NOTE
━ I'll post the link to the voting form here with more details in 24h! I'll try to tag all the users but otherwise please check back, this will also serve as an active check!

hope you liked this chapter!

qotd; do you like seeing these scenes
of the trainees and their training sessions,
or would you like to just see more of
the missions in future?

let me know if there's something
you want to see more/less of,
i'lll really appreciate it a lot!

for the classes, and in future as well,
if you have any questions on how the 
judging was done please pm me !!

or you can comment here ahh

just as a note, evaulations are what will sort you into your "grades" - equinox, mist, etc. this will happen once before the missions start, and subsequently after every elimination.

eliminations are the only time you will receive a numerical rank, and will occur once every two missions! if you have any questions do ask me :)

who do you think the mentors will be?

thanks for reading!