The stage was set, bathed in the sentimental hues of the stage lights. The crowd began to settle down as the first notes of the song resonated in the studio.
The electric guitar sound made the audience immediately exclaim, taking them back to the time when they first heard such an iconic intro.
"Dad used to sing this song at the karaoke, right?" Jia asked with a small smile on her face.
Cindy nodded, her gaze focused on the stage.
"I fell in love with him because of this song," she said. "He sang it with such sadness, so despite his lack of vocal skill, I was immediately hooked."
Mimi placed her hand over her heart. This song was frequently sung during karaoke nights when she had fun with her friends. It was a song she didn't expect to come out in Surprise Disguise Singer. However, she wasn't complaining.
Meanwhile, June hadn't heard of the song before. However, the first time he heard it, he was pleasantly surprised. It was released a little less than ten years ago, but it sounded very modern. Nonetheless, it still held the nostalgic band sound that touched everybody's heart.
It was a song that spoke of the dazzling life of a party-goer. However, beneath the flashy parties, addictive vices, and plenty of friends he had, nothing could ever fill the void in his heart. It definitely needed to be sung with plenty of emotions, all while keeping the strong, low-to-mid-tone vocals that characterized the song.
For the first part, Pearl Boy stepped forward, his mask gleaming under the stage lights as he prepared to unleash his voice upon the eager crowd.
"In the glare of neon lights, I stand,
A figure masked in shadows deep.
The music pounds, the crowd demand,
Yet in my soul, a secret I keep."
With the first few lines, June's wise guess of Pearl Boy being young was merely strengthened.
His voice carried a raw innocence that tugged at the heartstrings of those listening. With each note, he painted a vivid picture of longing and yearning.
However, his singing wasn't without any flaws. It might be because of his lack of experience or his adjusting voice, but the low notes were a little bit shaky. It definitely added to the emotion of the song; however, from an expert's perspective, it sounded unsupported.
The veteran singers in the panel tilted their heads to the side, not failing to notice this flaw, even jotting it down on their notes.
As his melody faded into the air, Tongman emerged from the shadows, stepping forward so he was now at level with Pearl Boy.
The people were honestly not expecting a lot, especially with his ridiculous costume. Other contestants with funny costumes were eliminated in the first round, and they expected the same for Tongman.
June let out a deep breath into the microphone, setting the tone for his first lines. Then, he finally sang.
"I'm the life of the party, they say,
But what of the life I lead?
In the midst of the light, I sway,
Yet in darkness, I still plead."
The bass kicked up, merely accentuating the rock elements of the song. However, the audience was still caught up with Tongman's voice.
His voice, rich yet soothing and with supported lower to mid- tone rock notes, resonated with a maturity beyond his years. With each word, he breathed life into the lyrics, infusing them with a depth that captivated the audience.
However, his emotions weren't the most impressive part of his singing.
Instead, it was his singing skill itself.
The panel of judges turned to each other with raised eyebrows, wondering how such well-supported notes came from a man with a tong on his head.
Mimi frowned in confusion, finding his voice familiar. However, she couldn't pinpoint it in the end.
Guitarman, too, felt that the pink and yellow figure was someone he knew.
June smiled as he observed the audience's agape mouths from beneath his mask.
Come to think of it, a lot of time had passed since his last live performance. The last he could think of was during the finale of 'King of Kings.' However, from then on, there has been a drastic improvement in June's voice, with his current status being an SS.
He was saving up his vocal skill improvement for their comeback. However, since he was singing as Tongman and not as June in front of an unfamiliar audience, he felt that it was alright.
Moreover, he was confident that the people who had heard his voice before would also have a hard time guessing his identity due to the improvement in his vocal skills.
If back then, he struggled singing low notes, he was now confident in singing them with proper vocal support.
Jia tilted her head to the side in confusion, looking at Tongman intently—from his head to his toe. Then, she let out a small gasp when she finally realized who he was.
"I'm the life of the party, they claim,
But what of the life I've lost?
In the midst of the cheers, I feign,
Yet at what cost?"
As the chorus hit, the audience was treated to a harmonious blend of voices, the contrasting timbres of Pearl Boy and Tongman melding together in perfect synchrony. There was a freshness to their tones—a purity that resonated with each lyric.
"The flashing lights, they blind my sight,
A lighthouse in the night's embrace.
But what lies beyond, shrouded in plight,
Is a mystery I cannot face."
However, beneath the surface lay a subtle irony, where they were able to portray the melancholic lifestyle of the 'Life of the Party.'
The audience enjoyed the two's rendition of the rock song, especially the raspiness in their voices.
However, as the song progressed, it became increasingly clear where the audience's fondness lay.
Although Pearl Boy's voice was undeniably enchanting, with its youthful innocence and commendable vocal skills, it was Tongman who effortlessly commanded the stage, drawing the crowd closer to his side.
