The arena buzzed with anticipation as the top 18 finalists of the survival show stood under the hot lights, hearts pounding, hands clasped tightly together. They had all worked tirelessly to reach this moment. For some, this would be the beginning of a dream realized and for others, a moment of bittersweet heartbreak.
The host took center stage, holding a black envelope with the names of the final nine who would debut as Block M under Stax Entertainment. The first name announced, coming in at rank 9, was Issac. The crowd erupted in cheers as he stumbled forward, hands over his mouth in shock.
At rank 8, the name Johnny was called. His TurnUp members embraced him immediately, and he made his way to the front, eyes already glistening with emotion. It was his moment of redemption.
Rank 7 went to Josh, a standout dancer who had wowed the judges with his fluid movement and stage charisma. His group hugged him tightly as he moved forward, overcome with joy.
When Suho was announced at rank 6, another roar erupted from the audience. That meant two TurnUp members had now made the debut lineup. Suho, ever the quiet one, bowed deeply and bit back tears as he stood beside the others.
Rank 5 was awarded to Chen, a powerful vocalist with a unique tone that had captured the attention of viewers across the show. The crowd welcomed the decision with massive applause.
Byeongkwan secured rank 4, bringing his confident swagger and precise footwork to the lineup. He grinned ear to ear, overwhelmed at the idea of finally debuting after years of training.
At rank 3, the name Mark was announced as yet another TurnUp member. His teammates roared, lifting him in celebration. It was a magical moment for their group, as it now had three members in the lineup.
The runner-up spot, rank 2, went to Donghun, a charismatic all-rounder whose performance versatility had made him a fan favorite. His smile stretched wide as he accepted his position with grace.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for rank 1. The entire room fell silent as the host held up the final card. "And your number one pick… is Jeren!"
The crowd exploded. Jeren fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. The TurnUp boys ran to him, embracing him in a massive group hug. The last few months of struggle, uncertainty, and hard work had all led to this. Jeren had finally reached the top.
Everyone was ecstatic, especially TurnUp. But amid the joy, there was a shadow. Hoya hadn't been called. The group was one member short. Though the happiness was real, the sting of Hoya's absence was sharp.
Backstage, Tao was pulled aside. He received a phone call from a representative at Floor7, the label representing Chen. Tao's face hardened as he listened. The call was short, but the message was clear as Floor7 was pulling out of the agreement. Chen wouldn't be allowed to join Block M.
Tao informed the production team, and after a hushed conversation among the staff and judges, he returned to the stage. The mic was handed to him.
"There has been an unexpected development," Tao announced gravely. "Due to decisions made by Floor7, Chen will not be able to join Block M."
A stunned gasp echoed through the audience. Chen looked heartbroken. His group members tried to comfort him, but his dreams had just been pulled from under him.
Tao continued. "Because of this, we've decided to give the judging panel the authority to select one more person to complete the lineup."
The crowd, without hesitation, began chanting one name: "Hoya! Hoya! Hoya!" It started in one section and grew until the entire venue was shaking with support for the unchosen TurnUp member.
The judges leaned together to deliberate. Jessi nodded toward Mitsunari, who looked out at the crowd and then at the contestants. He had seen firsthand what Hoya had poured into this competition.
After a few more moments, Mitsunari took the mic. "We heard you," he said sincerely. "And we agree with you. The final member of Block M… is Hoya."
The crowd erupted in wild celebration. Fans jumped to their feet, screaming and crying. The rest of TurnUp surged toward Hoya, pulling him into a joyful, tear-filled embrace. It was a moment of true vindication.
What was usually a cold and calculated judging decision had, for once, listened to the voice of the fans. This wasn't just about performance metrics as it was about heart, about growth, and about justice.
Backstage, even the eliminated trainees were clapping. They had trained alongside Hoya and knew how much he had earned this.
After the show wrapped, the internet exploded with reactions. Fans flooded social media with hashtags like #JusticeForHoya, #BlockM9, and #WeHeardYouMitsunari.
But then another trend quickly surged to the top: "Justice for TurnUp". Fans around the world applauded the group for sticking together, for growing, and for finally getting a shot as all five of its members had made Block M.
That same night, Floor7 released a statement on social media. It read: "Chen will no longer be joining Block M. Instead, he will be debuting as a new member of our group XCITE."
The industry was shocked. XCITE, the group Floor7 created to rival Mitsunari, was now absorbing one of the survival show's finalists. The implications were massive.
Fans reacted with mixed emotions. Some supported Chen, understanding he had no control over the situation. Others were furious with Floor7 for robbing him of a dream. A new trend appeared almost immediately: "Good Luck Flood7 and Chen."
Mitsunari chose not to respond publicly, but behind the scenes, he checked in with Tao, ensuring that all nine Block M members, especially the five from TurnUp, were taken care of.
Block M had been formed not just through performances, but through resilience, loyalty, and the will of fans and judges alike. And as the world turned its eyes to this new group under Stax Entertainment, one thing was certain:
This was only the beginning.