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Before everyone knew it, another half a month had passed.
Only the remaining top 16 positions could advance to the final stage.
The total filming ti of "Starlight" lasted about four months, from the scorching sumr to the falling leaves in late autumn. In this small cultural and sports hall, many trainee's blood, tears, and laughter were left behind. Alongside it, a waft of the trainees' youth and mories were also left in the crevice of the hall.
As the grand finale of the show, it was also the busiest day for all trainees and the show's crew. The cars of the major dia are parked at the back door. In order to facilitate the live broadcast and interviews with the participants, the crew sectioned off a part of the front door for admission tickets. Many fans and family mbers ca to watch the live stage. For them, it was tantamount that they were able to witness their beloved ones ascend and debut. They didn't want four months of hard work down the drain, after all.
But still, all would have to co to an end today.
Backstage area.
To say it was a ss was underselling it.
Various makeup artists were anxiously applying makeup to the contestants. Today, all original 108 of them have co back – the eliminated contestants now have a chance to appear again, even as a cao. However, their costus were different from the top 16. Besides them, the crew also invited a couple of celebrity guests to help liven up the finale.
Jian Xingsui was helping to arrange Shen Xingchen's clothes. He half-heartedly complained, "Why did you co back from the bathroom like this? Aren't you afraid of making your fans laugh when they look at your sloppy appearance?"
Shen Xingchen snorted lightly: "It's just a crooked collar, how can this young master's charm be damaged by an untidy collar?"
"…"
Jian Xingsui sotis hoped to have half of Shen Xingchen's confident for himself.
Jian Xingsui sighed helplessly, but did not comnt further.
The opening ceremony of the final stage has already kicked off. This ti, the performance hall was far grander from before. It has been fully upgraded, with a 360-degree surround screen, and much bigger overhead lights with various colors. As for the audiences' seating area, it was a huge half-circle that was currently jam-packed. They were also very lively, shouting and cheering at every possible mont.
With the fog from dry ice sprayed up, the instructors appeared on the stage.
Today's instructors were clad in exquisite formal dress. Tuya was wearing a white haute couture dress, Fu Jinxiao was also wearing a rare blue plaid suit, and even Instructor Li also wore a rare formal suit. Today was the night when the debut group was ford, so it was natural that all the instructors put on their best look as a sign of respect.
Instructor Li said to the cara, "Thank you for coming to participate in the finals of this year's "Starlight". On this night, our 108 trainees will complete their graduation ceremony, with our top 16 will be performing their final stage. In the end, the six debutants of this year will be determined!"
Tuya took the conversation, smiled at the cara and said, "So far, the voting channel is still open from 7:00 to 10:30 PM. Don't forget to vote for your pick! This is your last chance, the last sprint before the finale!"
Fu Jinxiao took the microphone, "And also, a special voting channel from Octopus Live app and Sun Live app will also open. All verified mbers are eligible to cast their vote. The most popular contestant in each app will beco the first image spokesperson for the respective application. For voting, you can directly search for 'Starlight' and click on your trainee of choice."
As each instructor spoke their piece, the tense atmosphere began to rise.
Instructor Li went on to introduce: "Tonight we have 16 contestants, and they will form three teams to bring you wonderful performances. Let us look forward to it together!"
When the lights were dimd down, the first group of contestants appeared on the stage.
The song perford by Anran and Li Xu'an was "The Sun", which had lyrical singing and hot rap. Anran's costu today was also very thoughtful, his usual fairy style was changed into a cooler one. The contrast to his usually cute image was very appealing, but also gave his fans a nice surprise. Frenzied cheers roared from the audience:
"Ranran, co on!"
"You can do it! Debut!!"
"I'm Zhi-ge's1As in, Jian Zhi's fan. fan, I will definitely vote for you!"
Including Li Xu'an, there were many popular contestants in this group. When they perford, the arena was also very explosive. The performance of the first group has already started well, and soon the second group also started to perform. Jian Xingsui and his roommates were in the third group, so they have been waiting below.
From the very beginning, Shen Xingchen has been very nervous.
Jian Xingsui looked at him and Ning Ze then said, "Don't be nervous, it's ourlast stage together, we must do a good job on our performance. At least, we have to leave a good final impression on the audience."
Shen Xingchen glared at him: "What are you talking about? Unlucky words, what do you an by our last stage together?"
Jian Xingsui said helplessly: "Yes, yes, I was wrong."
Ning Ze stretched out his hand: "Co on, let's go together."
Other mbers of the third team also leaned over. At this mont, everyone has the sa thought — whatever happens, let it happen. Let's do our best and leave the stage without any regrets.
Soon, there was a shout from the MC on stage, "Let us welco our last, but not the least, team! The song they're bringing to us is 'The World Won't Collapse Easily'!"
They were greeted by enthusiastic applause. Of course, many of their fans also shouted their lungs in excitent:
"Xingchen! Xingchen! You shine the brightest!"
"Suisui, jiayou2literally "add oil". Equivalent to "go for it" or "break a leg"!!"
"My babies! Rush for the top spot!!"
The audience waved the light sticks in their hands, and kept shouting their bias' nas. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and Jian Xingsui saw this as a form of the greatest support for them. He burned in this image in the depths of his heart. He would rember this mont for eternity – in this mont, this dazzling final stage was his.
The team stood on the stage, and the background music slowly swelled up.
After the second stage, Jian Xingsui's musical ability was recognized by the public. So of course, in this final stage, he would show the audience his ability again.
As the lights dimd, the young man standing at center held the microphone, and his low voice cleanly reverberated across the hall, "At the end of the show, the hustle and bustle gradually fades away. At this stage, I'm watching myself perform."
The dance movents of the youths on the stage were gentle but not sloppy.
Ning Ze took a step forward, slotted himself in the center, and sang in a low voice, "I understand very well – all your grievances and uneasiness, all your hidden guilt, all your ups and downs."
The tune slowly picked up. This song was also re-arranged by Jian Xingsui. He dyed the song in his own style – making sure this version fits perfectly without damaging the original charm. Of course, he made better revisions, but he refused to change the core identity of the song, as it would be disrespectful to the original composer.
"No matter how many complex changes happen."
"The world won't collapse easily."
"The false reality, the gap in hope; please hug tightly, and I will not be afraid."
The spotlights danced with the choreography, and the overall lody was still quite low. When everyone was imrsed in the current tone, the tune suddenly rose in a place that no one expected. The contestants' movent span was wider, and the dance movents were quick and detailed. This was a song full of hope and inspiration. It swelled up your chest, filling it with determination for a better future. It easily moved the audiences' emotions.
At the last beat, Shen Xingchen jumped out from behind, slid and knelt on the ground on one knee – it was a very handso visual impact. As he sang with a bombastic voice, his confidence resounded through the audience, "No matter how many complex changes happen, the world won't collapse easily!"
When his singing part ended, the chorus imdiately followed.
"How bad can it be?"
"The future may be unknown."
"Let's face it together, hand-in-hand."
"With a little courage, a little hope, this ti will change."
"A better future dawns over the terrible present…!"
The high-pitched chorus was full of power, as if to blow up the entire venue with burning passion. Whenever it was Shen Xingchen's part, with his bubbling hot emotions, the audience always went wild. His voice was steady, yet his reddened eyes betrayed it. His warm and powerful singing had a lancholic touch in it, as if he was unable to explode it outwards.
At this mont, Jian Xingsui's and Shen Xingchen's eyes t.
With one eye contact, a turbulent undercurrent started whirling. A silent fight comnced – the one who accepted fate and the one who denied it.
This world was filled with filth, injustices, and irresistible fate.
They have no need of words to communicate. Instead, they put each other's shoulders and leaned tightly together. Sweat soaked everyone's backs, their breaths were rapid and uneven. The loud noises in their ears couldn't hide the intense heartbeats they heard inside their own chests. The screams, the cheers, the dazzling overhead lights, it was blinding, like a star collapsing in the vast, dark universe.
The audience reached a fever-pitch high.
"Co on, my baby!"
"You must debut together!"
The number of viewers in the live broadcast room has also reached tens of millions online. Since last night, all fans have been waiting with bated breath.
[The adaptation of this song is amazing.]
[I know everyone is putting their 120%!]
[I don't like listening to adaptations, but I love every song that Jian Xingsui changed!]
On the stage, the contestants stood in a row and bowed to the audience below. For many of them, this was the last stage – their grand finale, their pen-ultimate performance on this stage.
But at this very mont, they knew they had said what they wanted to say. Their performance had succeeded, and that was all that ever matters.
This stage wasn't a loss. They reached their goal.
Everyone has worked hard on this journey. At the very least, they have landed on the top of the mountain; at the very least, they have seen the dawning sun together.
They have not missed everything.
They did it.
If you think the lyrics are cheesy… that would be my fault. I'm bad at this kind of lyrical translation… Just keep in mind that it's 100% cooler in Chinese.
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