CH 82

Chapter 82

If the most attention-grabbing topic in the first half of this year was "Pick Eleven," then there's no doubt that the focus in the second half of the year is on the year-end Annual Idol Selection. Whether they are new idol contestants from talent shows or trainees groomed by major entertainment companies, all of them will converge in this idol selection, competing to prove their worth.

Unlike talent shows, the Annual Idol Selection doesn't have separate offline events apart from the final awards ceremony. All nominations and advancements will be conducted online. The selection process will consider various dimensions such as the contestants' value orientation, popularity, and commercial potential. Only those who pass through the stages of preliminary selection, secondary selection, semi-finals, and finals will ultimately win awards.

During the preliminary selection, entertainment companies or individual representatives need to apply to the judging panel. The members of the Annual Idol Selection judging panel will then review the applicants. Those who pass the review will be deemed to have successfully entered the preliminary selection and will receive notifications from the Selection Committee.

On the day when the preliminary selection list is announced, many people are already waiting eagerly on the official website, anticipating the release of the list and sharing the latest updates with others. Discussions about the participating contestants have already started in various celebrity forums and online communities, with some even starting live threads.

"Surely Eleven Girls will be part of it, right?"

"I bet on i9."

“I think Four is also indispensable.”

“Hahaha, is this year's new groups all about numbers? It's all digits!”

Apart from the immensely popular Eleven Girls, another new idol group that's attracting attention is the i9 group, also from a talent show, as well as the reformed group Four. It can be said that even the gods would be envious of their competition.

As the digital clock digits turned into whole numbers, the preliminary selection list was simultaneously uploaded to the Annual Idol Selection official website. Fans immediately searched for the names of their idols on the list, and marketing accounts swiftly updated related information.

Eleven Girls' fans quickly found the group's name under the "New Groups" category. Though it's almost certain that Eleven Girls' popularity guarantees their selection, there's still a sense of unease until it's confirmed. Once fans confirmed that their girls had successfully been selected, they let out a collective sigh of relief and started showing their support.

“So impressive! Go, Eleven Girls, go for it!”

“Sisters, become superstars in the galaxy soon!”

Major marketing accounts also spread the news of Eleven Girls' selection in the preliminary rounds. Coupled with the names of the other new groups, they added some controversial topics to the mix, quickly inflating the hype around the subject.

“Is the domestic entertainment industry in trouble? Limited-time talent show groups make it to the selection; should traditional idol groups worry?”

“Rising in a unique way! Talent shows flourishing on all fronts, overshadowing traditional idol groups?!”

“Evaluating the strength of Eleven Girls, i9, and Four members: which newcomer group will win the title of the highest annual popularity?”

Debates about talent show limited-time groups versus traditionally established idol groups have long been a topic of contention among fans. The incredible success of Eleven Girls this year has reignited this perennial topic, stirring up contradictions between the two sides and generating continuous heat around the subject.

“Haha, limited-time groups are joining the selection? Are they here to embarrass themselves?”

“No way, right? Do fans of limited-time groups really think they're so great that they can beat groups groomed by entertainment companies?”

“It's normal for everyone to have their own preferences; no need to praise one and belittle the other, there's no point in that.”

“Fans of Four, don't come out and make jokes. Some people can't make it abroad and return to China in defeat. Stop boasting about being senior veterans; you've already flopped!”

“After ten years of debut, having to compete for awards with newcomers, it must feel uncomfortable, right?”

Just as fans of different idol groups were engaged in heated arguments, someone suddenly noticed with astonishment that Qiao Dai's name appeared in the individual category as well. This meant that apart from the New Group award, Qiao Dai would also participate in the Annual Idol competition as an individual.

Upon learning this news, online comments exploded.

"??? Am I not mistaken? Qiao Dai is participating in the Annual Idol competition?!"

"Participating as a newcomer? Sister, think it through. The Annual Idol competition is open to all contestants, regardless of gender, team, seniority, or newcomer status."

"Wait, I'm confused. Isn't Qiao Dai a member of Eleven Girls? Can she participate individually? Can someone explain this to me?"

"The Annual Idol competition is a separate track, where contestants can be anyone—male, female, group members, solo artists, seniors, or newcomers. They can only participate as individuals, and the ranking entirely depends on their own abilities. You can't join without a certain level of skill."

In a way, the ranking in the Annual Idol competition could even influence how major companies perceive renamed idols. If one achieves an outstanding rank in the competition, undoubtedly, unprecedented opportunities will await them.

Upon the news of Qiao Dai's participation in the Annual Idol competition, not only were fans bewildered, but even industry insiders were taken aback. Eleven Girls' competitors were left in disbelief.

"Is our Dai dai being valued so highly by the company? I'm crying happy tears for her career!"

"Cool! I never thought sister would dare to go this big!"

"Ahh, Dai dai, we will always support you!"

As a rising popular idol, Qiao Dai's fans understood that her management company wouldn't make a decision without careful consideration. Therefore, Qiao Dai's participation in the Annual Idol competition signifies a deep trust and importance placed on her.

Participating in the Annual Idol competition as a newcomer requires immense courage and solid skills. Who would dare to make such a decision?

But Qiao Dai did it!

Thinking of this, fans couldn't help but feel their blood boiling with excitement.

In the past few months, they had witnessed a miracle on the "Pick Eleven" stage. Qiao Dai had journeyed from a trainee to the center of the stage. Whether it was her performance with the small robot on the first evaluation stage, her traditional dance "Water Treading" in the first round, the Mother Wolf King in the second round, the "Blood Love" performance in the third round, the debut night opening show, or "Rose Boy" in the third public performance, every stage made people jump with joy.

Her progress was so rapid that it made everyone eagerly anticipate and impatiently await her journey to even greater heights.

And this time, will Qiao Dai once again stand out in the Annual Idol competition and surprise everyone?

No one knew the answer to that question, but Qiao Dai's fans were holding their breaths, and a voice in their hearts was telling them—of course.

"Dai dai, go for it!"

"Sister, you're the best!"

Those who had initially thought they would witness Qiao Dai being ridiculed were suddenly at a loss. They couldn't understand how Qiao Dai had garnered so much support. After all, she was still a newcomer!

"Are the fans going crazy? Wake up, be careful your rose-tinted glasses might shatter!"

"Why are some people in such a hurry? Are you so afraid that our Dai dai will block your way?"

"Who would've thought that so many would try to stop us when Dai dai joins a competition? With this much energy, you'd be better off thinking about how to improve your own skills."

The news of Qiao Dai's participation in the individual competition was causing a sensation online. Soon after, someone posted on Weibo and circled two names on the audition list, along with a popcorn-eating emoji.

Within the circled names were Qiao Dai and Nina. They were both listed under Eleven Girls and Four respectively.

"What!? Nina is participating in the individual competition too?"

"Is that really Nina? OMG, this is a bit awkward."

"Oh my, Eleven Girls and Four are competing for the New Group award, and Qiao Dai and Nina are both going for the Idol competition? Aren't they bound to clash?"

"Impressive! One is a popular newcomer idol, the other is a senior member of a well-established girl group. They're directly competing. Is the organizer intentionally stirring up trouble?"

Nina was a seasoned idol who had debuted overseas. She had been developing her career abroad for years and only returned to China this year to join the group Four. This unique circumstance allowed her to compete in both the New Group category and the Idol competition as an individual, just like Qiao Dai.

In other words, regardless of the rankings Qiao Dai and Nina achieve in the Idol competition, their results would undoubtedly be compared to each other.

Unlike Qiao Dai, Nina had been in the industry for a decade, earning her the label of a senior. Although her influence in China was limited due to her overseas activities, she still maintained a dedicated fanbase.

Seeing these two names appear on the list simultaneously caused a collective pause. Everyone understood that these two were destined to clash head-on.

It's going to be a tough battle.

"Nina, someone is participating in both categories just like you."

Nina's manager walked into the office with organized documents. The strikingly attractive woman sat lazily on the sofa, twirling her hair around her fingers. When she heard her manager's voice, she looked up and glanced in their direction.

Taking a deep breath, the manager sat down on the sofa across from Nina and explained the current situation. With a furrowed brow, they said, "Qiao Dai, this is her information. Take a good look. She managed to become a nationwide sensation in just a few months. Don't underestimate her."

As the manager extended a hand to offer the folder, Nina just raised an eyebrow and then casually gestured with her hand, causing the folder to be discarded onto the sofa next to her. She smiled nonchalantly.

She had debuted in the most prosperous idol industry in her country, and her company's senior idols were all top stars who had risen to fame in Asia. So, even though she was back in China now, Nina didn't consider domestic idols a significant threat.

Seeing her manager looking so concerned amused Nina. She spoke, "What's there to worry about? I've seen her performances. They're decent, but so what? I had that level when I was a trainee in Country H. Even if she's doing well, is that really a big deal? I was at that level even before I made my official debut."

The manager was momentarily speechless, feeling a headache coming on.

Nina did possess strong skills, but her problem was her excessive arrogance. If she entered the idol competition with such a dismissive attitude, even if she managed to surpass Qiao Dai, could she confidently overcome all the other contestants?

Thinking this, the manager couldn't help but sigh. Nina's pride stemmed from her overseas debut experience, but paradoxically, this very experience limited her perspective. It made her blindly look down on all domestically-born idols.

"Nina, you—"

Seeing that the manager wanted to reason with her, Nina clicked her tongue in annoyance, gestured dismissively, and stood up. She walked towards the dance studio, speaking in a lackadaisical tone, "No need to worry. Let me tell you a joke—"

Nina let out a lazy yawn and her smile was akin to that of an alluring cat, sending shivers down one's spine. But the arrogance was evident in her beautiful eyes as she continued, "Domestic idols are a joke."

"Nina!"

If someone were to hear that, it could spell the end of Nina's professional career!

The manager was almost driven crazy by Nina's remark. However, Nina just chuckled nonchalantly, smiled, and left the office without a care in the world.

Watching Nina's departing figure, the manager's expression turned complex, their brows furrowing. They glanced back at the materials Nina had thrown onto the sofa, remained silent, but an uneasy feeling began to creep into their mind.

After all, relying solely on past achievements would only last for so long.

Could Nina really surpass Qiao Dai?

She’s not so sure.

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