Episode 8 - Don't Be Scared ☆ My Darling Noah is Watching!

"**Don't Be Scared ☆ My Darling Noah is watching!**" ( 떨면 안돼☆오빠가 보고 있다! ) is the eighth episode of *Shining Star*. It first aired on December 4, 2017 on MBC, and was posted on the YouTube channel on February 25, 2019.

## Synopsis

*A lot is at risk for both Hera and Nara after they discover Friday will be judging an upcoming mission to determine who makes an appearance on television.*

## Summary

Nara has fallen asleep in the living room while watching a performance when her mother storms into the room and scolds her. They bicker until Nara gets a message informing her of an article talking about Shining Star School featuring an image of Melody. Her mom changes her tune, calling someone she knows to brag.

At school, Nara uses a disguise -glasses with fake eyebrows and mustache- to show off the performance evaluations of the school to everyone. See-a begins to chew her out until Nara shows her the article in question, and as Jin explains to Hendel his suspicions as to why she came to school so early, they wonder if anyone would be foolish enough to fall for her so-called disguise. They are shocked as Yena stops by and asks who "*this person*" is.

With newfound confidence Nara walks with all eyes on Melody. Including the envious glare of Dolls, with Rose and Lily wasting no time to insult the article for choosing them of all people. Hera gently chastises them by saying they should congratulate the measly group for at least getting this recognition. Before she can say more, everyone runs off after discovering the boys from *Friday* have come to the school, leaving her to stand in the empty hallway.

In the crowded auditorium, Nara impatiently awaits for her *darling Noah* to arrive while Yena observes her and See-a with admiration. See-a is very smart, and Nara is great at disguise, she feels very lucky to be with them. Just then the lights go out, momentarily alarming everyone until Friday appears on stage. They put on a performance that drives everyone crazy, with Shirley becoming momentarily distracted until Jackie brings up that they were called in to judge the next mission. The winner will not only get to work on a promotional video for the school with Friday, but Noah will personally be giving them a coordi from the brand *Eternal Crescendo* known as Passion Rock Coordi. Realizing this will be their real, first time exposure on television excites everyone in the room.

In the staff room, Calliope and Big Jay discuss the importance of determining who is an idol and who is just a fan. Which is why this mission may be a cruel one, but also very important.

In one of the rooms, Dolls are practicing when Hera stops the music suddenly. She is worn out and displeased, leading Lily and Rose to wonder if something is wrong, noticing how off she seems to be today. They wonder if she may like Noah but it doesn't seem to be that, unaware of her observing an ornament in her hand. Hera suddenly storms out of the room.

In another room, the group watch as Nara intently follows a performance of Friday. It's not like her to do this, but Hendel is sure the girls will be fine. Just then, Nara's mother comes into the room with some food for everyone. Everyone happily sits down, unaware of Hera being nearby. She pauses to observe them from the window and opens her locket to see an old picture of her and her mother, and she thinks about the past. Back when she was little and would often sing and dance for her mom. But one day, after winning a competition she returned home to find her missing. Hera decides that for her sake, she must win this opportunity.

Back at home the girls prepare to get training, but Nara isn't inspired at all by now. See-a and Yena deduce that she needs some inspiration and encouragement from Noah- but because he's not there Jin will have to fill in. He vehemently refuses to wear a mask of Noah of all people, but Yena manages to persuade him by stroking his ego a bit. As soon as he puts on the mask Nara quickly perks back up and they get started.

The following day, the girls watch Hera as she continues to practice. Lily's still convinced it's because of Noah but Rose doesn't see it, while Yena and See-a quickly notice Nara has gone missing. As their turn is coming up they quickly track her down backstage, adoringly admiring Noah at the judging panel. See-a chews her out for making such flimsy excuses when she claims she was there waiting for them, and they change into their chosen Coordi. Unfortunately, because of Nara being so focused on Noah watching her that her performance suffers and everyone notices.

In the waiting room, Nara wonders what Noah thought about her. She isn't aware of the mood until Jin joins them and criticizes her for not earnestly performing. Nara thinks about it and feels remorse after realizing he has a point. See-a is pretty angry, but when Nara apologizes and promises not to do it again, she decides to give her another chance and accepts.

It's then Dolls is called on stage, and as expected they manage to blow away the audience with their performance. In comparison to Nara's poor performance, everyone notes how much Hera has improved since the last mission and that she's really giving it her all today.

Dolls win the Mission, much to Hera's joy as she thinks about her mother. She hopes she is watching her. Meanwhile, Nara isn't very disappointed by the loss considering she knows how poorly she did. She will do her best as a true idol from now on to make sure this won't happen again.

At home, Nara, See-a, and Yena watch Hera's performance with Noah. Yena and See-a try to remark that it isn't very good for Nara's sake, but she's not upset at all. She compliments Hera for looking like a real idol, and the girls happily note how inspired she's become suddenly.

At her office, Calliope observes a screen displaying the students when she pauses on Hera and Nara's profile images. As she looks at their skill marking, a feline appears to ask if she believes one of them has what it takes to rise to her fame, and she thinks she might have just found a new, precious gem, honing in on Hera.