Tension filled the Stax Entertainment practice studios as the ten remaining girls prepared for Round 4. The news that only five would debut in the final group hung heavy in the air. Every girl knew they had to leave everything on the stage this time.
The challenge for Round 4 was a twist: both groups would perform different renditions of Kik Up's iconic hit "Troublemaker." The song, known for its fierce energy and layered choreography, demanded vocal finesse and synchronized stage presence.
The two groups of five were announced. Group A consisted of Rina, Sohee, Yurina, Jieun, and Haerin. Group B was made up of Mizuha, Chaelin, Yumi, Eunbi, and Jisoo. Both teams quickly split off to begin practice, guided by vocal and dance mentors assigned for this round.
Group A chose to lean into a sultry and bold concept, drawing inspiration from Kik Up's original version. They kept the traditional arrangement but heightened the dramatics with styling and lighting choices.
Group B, on the other hand, reimagined "Troublemaker" with an edgy, trap-inspired intro and fresh harmonies. It was risky to diverge from the original, but the judges had said time and again that standing out was critical.
Practices were intense. Rina showed improvement in her control and expressions. Jieun, known for her vocals, worked to push her performance to match the energy of the choreography.
In Group B, Mizuha was once again surprising everyone. Though not originally seen as a standout, she was catching up fast. Chaelin and Yumi took the lead in choreography, while Eunbi and Jisoo worked together on harmonization.
The mentors were tough this round. Bella from MASH visited both rooms and told the girls not to rely on previous rankings. "A single mistake now can cost you your spot."
Performance day arrived with heavy hearts and hopeful energy. Group A was up first. They entered the stage in black and red, owning the fierce concept with confident expressions.
Rina opened the song with controlled vocals and surprising charisma. Sohee followed with a sharp rap verse that brought the energy up. Yurina's mid-verse flips and footwork drew cheers.
Jieun showed her vocal strength once again, smoothly transitioning into the song's climactic bridge. Haerin's final note added drama and sealed the performance with applause from the studio audience.
Group B came next. They entered in street-styled outfits with a hip-hop flair. Their intro already felt new, giving the judges something unexpected.
Mizuha took center for the opening, her voice calm but commanding. Chaelin followed, her presence sharp and clean. The chemistry in this group was undeniable.
Yumi handled the high note with grace, balancing power and tone. Eunbi and Jisoo played off each other's moves, giving the group a dynamic duo feel.
The trap-style breakdown mid-song was executed perfectly. The dance break at the end had Jun from Stax nodding with approval, impressed by their creativity.
After both performances, the judges huddled together. Seunghee was the first to speak, commending both groups but noting that Group B took a huge risk and made it work.
Luna praised Group A's professionalism and polish, particularly Haerin and Yurina's consistency. Bella pointed out that Jieun had grown steadily every round.
Jessi said Group B felt like a unit already. "That remix didn't just work; it elevated the song."
Yeonho highlighted Mizuha's continuous improvement. "She started this show unknown, and now she's a contender."
Mitsunari, watching Mizuha with a quiet pride, acknowledged that she had turned her potential into action. "No matter what happens, she's proven herself."
The host announced the winning group: Group B. The room erupted. Group B had taken a creative risk, and it paid off, giving them safety from elimination.
Group A stood quietly, knowing the reality as they were at risk. Only three out of five of them would make it to the final eight.
After a long deliberation, the judges returned. Jun was the one to speak this time. "This was a hard choice. Each of you has grown but we must choose two to leave today."
The first girl announced as safe was Yurina. Her performances had been consistently strong since the start.
The next safe contestant was Jieun. Her growth arc and strong vocals solidified her spot.
The final safe contestant was Haerin. Her subtle strength and versatility impressed all the judges.
That meant Rina and Sohee were eliminated. There were tears and hugs as they thanked everyone for the opportunity.
Rina bowed deeply, saying, "This journey helped me find myself again." Sohee, holding back tears, said she would keep training and hoped to debut someday.
The judges praised both girls for their courage and heart. Mitsunari told Sohee, "You were fire on stage. This isn't the end."
As the eight remaining girls stood onstage, the reality of the finale approaching hit them. One more round. Only five would debut.
The girls were now told they would be competing in a final concept round with all-original songs. Each girl would be assigned a track tailored to their image and voice.
Mizuha, still wide-eyed from the announcement, looked at the other seven. She wasn't supposed to make it this far but now she had a real shot.
Chaelin and Yumi shared a moment backstage, realizing they might be in direct competition next. They also promised to root for each other.
Jieun and Yurina, safe again, sat side by side reviewing their past stage footage. "Let's go all the way," Jieun said, holding out her fist. Yurina bumped it with a grin.
Eunbi sat with Mizuha, the two girls sharing stories of how they almost didn't even audition. "Now look at us," Mizuha said, smiling shyly.
Haerin remained focused. She pulled out her notebook where she tracked feedback. "We can't afford to slack now. It's the last lap."
The top 8 girls were given a week to prepare for the finale. As they left the stage, they were greeted with cheers from the eliminated contestants who had come to support them.
Tao and Mitsunari watched from the wings. Tao leaned in, whispering, "Think any of them could be the next you?"
Mitsunari smiled, eyes focused on the stage. "No. They're going to be the first them."
And with that, the top 8 prepared for their final test as their performances would decide their place in Stax Entertainment's first girl group. The pressure was high, but so was the hope.