Finally, the day that the trainees have been waiting for, the final elimination before the finale. Debut is so close, yet there is still a seemingly endless time until they reach that day. Only twelve trainees will continue on from this point.

1
2 - 3 - 4
5 - 6 - 7 - 8
9 - 10 - 11 - 12

All the girls file into a group as the cameras begin rolling.

Park Jimin (National Rep): Those were some spectacular performances by the trainees a few nights ago... i think they truly embodied the concepts they wanted to show to you. From the cute Summer Dream, to the bold Dumb Dumb, and finally to the fiery Get It, they have worked hard to show their true potential. Let's see the rankings for the week. 

The camera angle changes to show Park Jimin standing directly to the side of the rearranged pyramid.

Let's begin with number ten, the halfway mark from the original number of trainees.

In tenth place this time we have a trainee who was known for her visuals who took on the main vocal position for the first time in the competition.

[INTERVIEW]

Kang Hyunjin (?? // SM): I really want to be in the debut line up again, but honestly i'd also just like to survive...

[END INTERVIEW]

10.
「 KIM SORA ; JYP 」
689,000 VOTES
[ -4 ]

Shin Eunjin (?? // IND): Woah... tenth place and we're already at almost 700,000 votes... how many votes did first place get??

The other girls express their congratulations to the girl, though they are surprised she dropped out of the debut line up. Who would be taking her place?

Kim Sora (10 // JYP):  *beginning to tear up* Ah... i can't believe this! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to make it all the way to the finale, i really didn't see this coming! it's like a dream come true for me to just be here still.

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Kim Sora (10 // JYP): Hi everyone! Thank you so much for voting for me and helping me to get to the finale! Throughout my time on this show, I think i've learned a lot about team work and how to work well with others... being in a group isn't always going to be perfect, but the memories that you make and the passions that you share make it all worth it. It's been my dream for many years now to debut... so please please please look out for me in the finale episode and help me get into the debut line up! I love you guys!

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): For rank nine... a trainee who has been steadily climbing the ranks over the past few weeks.

[INTERVIEW]

Park Athena (?? // PLEDIS): The clue could have been describing anyone from Li Mei to Eunjin.... but both performed really well in the last evaluation, so I think they'll be higher up.

[END INTERVIEW]

9.
「 BAE CHOWON ; INDIVIDUAL 」
690,000  VOTES
[ +2 ]

Hayun immediately pulls the girl into a slightly awkward side hug as the excited trainee is practically jumping up and down in happiness.

Hwang Hayun (?? // IND): That's pretty good Chowon! And you said you were going to go down in rank... you did so good in Summer Dream!

Kang Hyunjin (?? // SM): Yes! Go team Summer Dream! *she does a few moves from the chorus*

She goes up to take the microphone from Jimin, her hands shaking.

Bae Chowon (9 // IND): I think that this is probably the best day of my life... the only thing that would be better is if you could push me up three more seats! *she giggles* I'm not being greedy though, thank you!

The last two ranks have been unsurprising. Both are trainees that tend to fall around the middle of the group.

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Bae Chowon (9 // IND): To be honest I never expected to make it this far... in every other show i've competed on, no one has ever taken me seriously. I've always just been the young korean girl who's dreams are too big for her capabilities, but being on this show has made me realize that there's more to me than I realized. Thank you... for helping me realize that.

[ END INTERVIEW ]

[ INTERVIEW! ]

Yang Li Mei (?? // Yuehua): I'll be honest I'm kind of absolutely definitely terrified... I was rank nine last week, and i was really just hoping to stay there... so i guess now i'm either in the bottom or the top...

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): Number eight has also been jumping up the ranks. She's a solid rapper~

[INTERVIEW]

Lee Chaerin (?? // BigHit): I was hoping it would be Suran. We've gotten pretty close lately and she deserves a high rank.

[END INTERVIEW]

8.
「 HWANG HAYUN ; IND 」
705,000 VOTES
[ +4 ]

This is the highest Hayun has ever ranked, which might make her a threat in the eyes of the other rappers who have been a part of the top six. Though the trainees aren't too surprised, considering she had gotten a lot of recognition for her rap in the last evaluation.

Kwon Choonchee (?? // Yuehua): That's so many votes already....

Misae Nakamura (?? // JYP): Congratulations Hayun! *she gives her a high five as she passes*

Hwang Hayun (8 // IND): I don't want to sound too confident, but i was pretty sure I was going to pass this elimination... but not so high! Thank you for eighth place~ i promise to continue to prove myself in your eyes national producers!

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Hwang Hayun (8 // IND): I've met so many people on this show... some of the most amazing and talented people i've ever met... and unfortunately i've had to say goodbye to most of them. I'm glad that i'm able to continue to prove to you that i deserve to be here, that even through my faults you will give me the chance to improve... it means the world to me! This show has really changed my opinion on a lot of things... even the color pink. Pink is a good color to me now, it makes me think of "pick me" and even though i was c class then, i know i've been able to prove myself since then.

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): Number 7...a vocalist who was in the debut line up last week...

[INTERVIEW]

Bae Chowon (9 // IND): I think this will be Hyunjin... she got a lot of votes during the mission.

[END INTERVIEW]

[ INTERVIEW ]

Kim Herin (?? // BigHit): I think a lot of people underestimate Eunjin... she's really nice and pretty, and she's a really talented singer. I think this is her.

[ END INTERVIEW ]

who will it be... will the trainee's guesses be correct?

7.
「 SHIN EUNJIN ; IND 」
773,000 VOTES
[ -3 ]

Eunjin, though she has dropped out of the debut line up, seems satisfied with position.

Lee Suran (?? // CUBE): Congratulations Eunjin!

Eunjin just smiles at everyone and blows a flying kiss to the camera before accepting the microphone from Jimin.

Shin Eunjin (7 // IND): 773,000 votes?? Seriously! I can't believe this... you guys really are the best. I'm so grateful for this, all i can say is thank you.

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Shin Eunjin (7 // IND): I think i must be dreaming~ i'm really going to be in the finale! Mom are you proud of me? *she giggles* I'm pretty proud of me. I know that i can be a lot sometimes, and that i'm not the most talented trainee, but for the first time in a while i feel like i belong somewhere. Every year, I come to Seoul to audition for companies... and every year I get the same result. But somehow even though I've been rejected more times than I can count, I've managed to make it to the finale! Thank you~ love you guys!

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): Let's reveal the first member of the second to last debut line up.... she was also in the debut line up last week.

[INTERVIEW]

Shin Eunjin (?? // IND): I think it might be Chaerin... I have a feeling this week is the week that she loses her crown. Not that she doesn't deserve it... but i'm sure a lot of us would like to try it at some point.

[ END INTERVIEW ]

6.
「 CHOI SEOHYUN ; IND 」
785,000 VOTES
[ -4 ]

Choi Seohyun (6 // IND): Woah... really? Me?

Suran gives her a light feature that Jimin is currently holding the microphone for her.

Lee Chaerin (?? // BigHit): The votes this week are all so close together...

It seems that even after being kicked out of her original team, Seohyun is still able to shine and keep her place in the debut line up.

Choi Seohyun (6 // IND): I'm so grateful to be in this sixth place chair, it might not seem like much, but it means a lot to me. Thank you for continuing to support me in my journey, i love you guys!

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Choi Seohyun (6 // IND): If i'm honest i thought i was going home the first day... i tend to stick out like a sore thumb because i wasn't born here like everyone else, but never did I think i'd be in the top six for two weeks in a row. When I was filling out the application I didn't even take it that seriously, I just put silly answers in hope to make the reader laugh, but now that i'm here, i don't think i want to leave. So please help me stay in the top six just one more time.

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): In fifth place... rejoining the debut line up after being ranked lower for the past few weeks.

[INTERVIEW]

Kwon Choonchee (?? // Yuehua): It could be me... but it's probably not..

[END INTERVIEW]

5.
「 CHARLOTTE ASHBOURNE ; SM 」
876,000 VOTES
[ +3 ]

Kang Hyunjin (?? // SM): Woo! Let's go my SM sister!

Charlotte seemed pretty excited about her rank, practically skipping over to jin.

Charlotte Ashbourne (5 // SM ): Woop! Let's goooooo! Thank you for helping me make a return to the debut line up.  I really appreciate everything everyone has down for me, especially my team mates in all the evaluations. You mean the world to me!

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Charlotte Ashbourne (?? // SM): There were never really a lot of things on my bucket list. Most of them were from when i was thirteen, and all of them seemingly impossible. Except maybe one... it's my biggest dream to debut in a group as an idol. I might be a foreigner, but I've dedicated so much of my life to this industry, I know I'll never get a chance like this again. I love you all~ thanks for the support?"

Park Jimin (National Rep): Perhaps we should spice things up a little bit. Let's skip up to first place.

Shall we reveal the top two positions?

Kwon Choonchee (?? // Yuehua): Wah... where's Chaerin...

Zhang Weilan (?? // PLEDIS): Athena's up there again, no surprise.

Hwang Hayun (8 // IND): Yang Li Mei... i did not see that one coming....

Bae Chowon (9 // IND): The queen Li Mei has returned to take the throne.

Park Jimin (National Rep): Let's see who's in second place... earning over a million votes...

[INTERVIEW]

Yang Li Mei (?? // Yuehua): Can someone pinch me... am i dreaming? Am I really about to get second place?

[END INTERVIEW]

2.
「PARK ATHENA ; PLEDIS 」
1,032,000 VOTES
[ +1 ]

Yang Li Mei (?? // Yuehua): No way... that's so many votes.

Zhang Weilan (?? // PLEDIS): Congratulations!! I'm not surprised, you did really amazing during the last mission.

Athena takes the microphone with shaking hands at having just been announced as second place.

Park Athena (2 // PLEDIS): Woah... I can't believe this... thank you so much... I really wasn't expecting this! *she begins laughing* Sorry for laughing.. I'm just so happy I... wow. Thank you for this, so so so much.

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Park Athena (2 // PLEDIS): I'm still in shock... a million votes? This show must have gotten really popular... I guess I really want to say how much I appreciate the mentors of this show. They may come across as harsh sometimes, but they're feedback is irreplaceable. I've been dancing for over ten years, but I know I've improved by miles since i joined this show. This show has made me more confident and brave in myself. Thank you!

[ END INTERVIEW ]

Park Jimin (National Rep): And in first place, earning 1,077,000 votes...

[INTERVIEW]

Lee Chaerin (?? // BigHit): I was a little sad to lose the top seat, but i really wouldn't have guessed it would be Li Mei... talk about a plot twist!

[END INTERVIEW]

1.
「 YANG LI MEI ; YUHEUA 」
1,077,000 VOTES
[ +8 ]

Upon seeing her image on the screen, accompanied by a number one, she bursts into tears. Immediately, the remaining girls all hug her tightly.

Lee Suran (?? // CUBE): Don't cry! You have to go give your speech now!

Kang Hyunjin (?? // SM): You deserve this Li Mei! There's no doubt about it.

Yang Li Mei (1 // Yuehua): *sobbing* Ah... someone pinch me... is this a prank or something? where's the hidden camera?

Park Jimin (National Rep): It's not a mistake, Li Mei, you will be sitting in the number one seat this week.

Yang Li Mei (1 // Yuehua): I-I I... I don't know what to even say... thank you.... i really don't think i deserve this, there's so many other talented people that deserve this more than me. But this is the best thing that's ever happened to me... there's no doubt about it.

[ BONUS INTERVIEW ]

Yang Li Mei (1 // Yuehua): Raise your hand is you saw this coming... because I definitely didn't. Since my last speech was really bad, I just want to say that i'll forever be grateful for this. I've always tried to show my best and work hard, and i always end up in the middle, but today I'm number one... tomorrow i probably won't be, so i'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts. Thank you, so much! You don't know how happy i am right now!

[ END INTERVIEW ]

—- [ END EPISODE ] —-

「with eight of the twelve spots already taken, who will be the four trainees to survive... and who will be the three to go home? 」

find out on the next episode of epanoui!

NOTE—
—a bit of a plot twist in the rankings this week huh? sorry for the delays, i'm going to be traveling internationally next week, which will make it very hard to update, but i'll do my best for you <3