Who gets eliminated from the Super Idol Audition?

With the theme for the third trial of the Super Idol Auditions being love, the students paired up to portray the emotional sincerity of love through ‘couple’ performances in the 12th episode of ‘Dream High 2‘. With JB defying President Lee Kang Chul (Kim Jung Tae) by proposing to Shin Haesung (Kang Sora) and thus kindling the flame of a love scandal, the two become closer as they practice for their performance.

Meanwhile, Yoojin (2AM‘s Jinwoon) and Rian (T-ara‘s Jiyeon) work as a team, each with a heavy heart as they diligently strive to achieve first place. Yoojin uncovers the hidden motives of President Kang Chul and producer Shin Jae In (Yoon Hee Sook) of only using him a pacemaker or a bait, for the real super idol, JB, to work harder. Meanwhile, Rian grapples with her past feelings for JB.

After the two teams become emotionally closer with daily practices of the tango, the teams get ready for their final performance. With JB and Haesung giving a cheerful and sweet performance, Yoojin and Rian give a contrasting heartbreaking performance as Rian tells Yoojin, “Love isn’t always that sweet…Just watch, I’ll make everyone on my side.”

Before producer Shin Jae In announces the first place ‘couple’, he surprises the students and teachers with a twist. One student will be named the ‘worst’ and eliminated from the Super Idol Auditions. To the nervous students, Shin Jae In announces “The person eliminated today is…JB.”

Check out the student performances while predicting JB’s reaction!

Ailee and JR: “Summer’s Night” from ‘Grease‘

JB and Shin Haesung: “Bobbed Hair“–Kim Jong Seo

Rian and Yoojin: “Romeo n Juliet“–Clazziquai

Comments

What an interesting twist. It’s actually quite an interesting obstacle to JB’s dream, although I suspect that JB’s tribulations and punishment haven’t even started yet for rebelling against the President. While we don’t know whether JB was actually voted out because of his poor performance, because Haesung wasn’t allowed to shine during the performance, or if there were some manipulations with the result, the final ending integrates the ‘dream’ concept we were starting to lose with all the romance and heart palpitations (that of course, we all loved).

There was no threat to JB because his dream of becoming a singer was to enjoy his “sweet success”. With the employment of Yoojin as the pacemaker, I hope JB not only truly faces a hardship, but that Yoojin will help uncover his ambition and dreams. Yoojin has been jumping sides, from the ‘free-spirited rocker’ to the ‘hoping to become super-idol’, draining my love for him in the beginning of the drama (and don’t get me started on his denial of love for Haesung). What is Yoojin’s true dream, true ambition, without his emotional scars and parents burdening him?

And because it needs to be mentioned, I’ve seen various comments on Rian for this episode including the usual criticism of her ‘bitchy’ attitude in wanting to avenge JB. I actually think that in this episode, Rian’s character was given a more vulnerable and emotional aspect. The tears from her performance, the proposal to Yoojin to sing the more heartbreaking song of love, truly embodied her conflicting emotions. Up until now, viewers only got to see the jealous Rian hurting Haesung and JB, but now they finally get to see the Rian who cares for JB genuinely.