"We Simply Can't Give Up": GRID Trainees Take Busking Stage And Open Up About Second Chance at Debut

Two months after their first attempt at debuting ended in disappointment, five trainees from GRID Entertainment returned to the stage on October 16, hoping that a second season of "Idol Till I Die" could finally bring them closer to achieving their dream of becoming K-POP idols.

Matthew, Lukas, Samuel, Cai Jinxin and Oh Junhee took to the stage near the Rainbow Fountain at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul, performing and reconnecting with supporters who had continued following their journey despite an uncertain future.

The five previously participated in six weeks of pre-debut promotions and evaluations through the first season of "Idol Till I Die." However, the program ultimately concluded without an official debut after the agency determined that the trainees were not yet ready.

Now returning as five members, the trainees are preparing to continue their journey through a second season of the program. However, whether this new opportunity will lead to an official debut remains uncertain.

For the members, being given another opportunity to prepare for debut has carried particular significance following the disappointment of their first attempt.

"After experiencing the failure of our debut, I even questioned whether I was someone who deserved to stand on stage again," Junhee admitted. "I seriously wondered whether continuing to chase this dream was the right decision."

Lukas similarly revealed that repeated failures had gradually affected his confidence, prompting him to reconsider what he truly wanted before deciding to try again.

"I had time to think about why I chose this path in the first place and I realized again that what I had dreamed of from the beginning was inspiring people through music and connecting with others on an emotional level," he said.

Despite the uncertainty, the trainees appeared determined to demonstrate how much they had grown since their first attempt. Ahead of Friday's performance, the five spent two days promoting their busking event across some of Seoul's busiest neighborhoods, including Myeongdong, Seongsu and Hongdae.

By the time the busking began, supporters carrying banners and cameras had gathered near the stage. What initially appeared to be a relatively small audience continued to grow as the afternoon progressed, with curious passersby joining established fans to watch the performance.

For Lukas, seeing supporters gather over the course of the three-day promotional period provided renewed motivation. "The fact that they have stayed by our side for so long and continue to believe in us gives us a kind of strength we cannot find anywhere else," he added.

The trainees opened with "WYA," an upbeat track featuring a catchy melody and energetic performance. Although technical difficulties disrupted the opening number, the members returned to perform it again after the sound issues were resolved, receiving enthusiastic cheers from the audience.They continued with "Who Are You Loving Now," a song drawing on the melodic pop sound of the 2010s, reminiscent of the era when bands such as Maroon 5 dominated mainstream radio.

Between performances, the five introduced themselves and reflected on their experiences since their initial debut preparations came to an end, speaking about their determination to continue pursuing their ambitions despite the setbacks they had encountered.

However, one of the most meaningful moments came during their performance of "Spark," an English-language song whose lyrics appeared to reflect the uncertainty surrounding their journey. "I don't want to lose my spark, because I came this far," the members sang.

For five trainees whose first opportunity to debut had already slipped away, the song's message of perseverance carried particular significance.

Cai Jinxin also expressed how much the track meant to him personally, adding an emotional dimension to the performance. His determination to continue pursuing a debut extends beyond as he previously sought opportunities through "Boys Planet" and "Boys II Planet," as well as multiple auditions in China, encountering repeated setbacks along the way.

"I kept trying, failing, trying again, failing again, and trying once more," Jinxin recalled. "Maybe it's because of that spark, maybe it's because of my dream of debuting, or maybe it's because of the promises and emotions I share with my fans. But I simply can't give up."

Across the rest of the performances, the five trainees demonstrated a sound that incorporated the accessible melodies of 2010s pop alongside contemporary electronic production, suggesting an interest in combining familiar musical influences with more experimental elements.

Beyond the performances, the event provided an opportunity for the trainees to speak directly to supporters about their ambitions and the uncertainty surrounding their future with Matthew stating, "Moving forward, we would like to perform on bigger stages, so would you like to come along?"

"I want to show everyone how much I've grown and what kind of potential and abilities I have," he added. "I also want to prove to myself that all the effort and sacrifices I've made until now were not in vain."

Lukas similarly emphasized that the group had much more to offer saying, "Thank you for not giving up on us." Samuel echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the encouragement the trainees had received from those in attendance. "Having you cheer for us like this gave us a lot of strength," he said.

Reflecting further on the support he had received, Samuel admitted that he had been particularly moved by fans who continued to believe in him despite recognizing his shortcomings.

"I think this is the first time I've felt something like this," he said. "It's incredibly moving and I'm grateful that there are people who continue to support me even though they know my shortcomings."

For Samuel, the opportunity to continue preparing for debut alongside the other members has also strengthened his determination to improve, knowing how many supporters are hoping to see them succeed.

Cai Jinxin also addressed the audience in Chinese, prompting enthusiastic cheers and highlighting the international support. The experience proved particularly emotional for him as he said, "I saw people holding up my name and calling out my name. I even saw many familiar faces, including fans I met several years ago," he said.

"It's amazing that people still remember me after all this time and even come in person to support me."

Junhee, meanwhile, expressed his determination to repay that support through an official debut saying, "Even when I was seriously considering whether I should continue chasing this dream, there were fans who continued to support us and sincerely wished for our debut."

"I realized once again that I truly love being on stage, and that the desire to perform is still very much alive within me." He emphasized that his ultimate goal extends beyond simply debuting, explaining that he wants the group to become a source of pride for its supporters.

As the performance drew to a close, the group returned to "Spark" for an encore, this time moving closer to the audience and interacting more directly with supporters. The decision brought the event full circle, with the song's message of refusing to lose hope serving as a fitting conclusion to an afternoon centered on perseverance and second chances.

While the busking demonstrated that the trainees have retained an enthusiastic audience, their future remains undecided. The first season of "Idol Till I Die" concluded without producing a debuting group, and there is currently no guarantee that the second season will deliver a different outcome.

For Matthew, Lukas, Samuel, Cai Jinxin and Oh Junhee, the challenge is therefore not simply to regain attention but to prove that they have developed sufficiently to move beyond the trainee stage and that they are not prepared to abandon their ambitions.

Junhee made that determination clear by saying, "we want to show why we absolutely must debut, and why it has to be us," he said. "We will make sure to show that answer on stage."

Whether "Idol Till I Die" Season 2 will finally provide the debut opportunity they have been pursuing remains to be seen.For now, however, the five appear determined to keep their dream alive, even without knowing when, or whether, they will officially debut.