BTW, did they show the videos of contestants in their hometowns in this week's episodes? I seemed to have missed it?
They usually make one or 2 episodes out of the hometown visits. Sony staff accompanied them and they shot some special stuff that has not been made public as yet.
while the contestants prepare for the grand finale (at which usually the top 12 or top 15 usually perform) they will give them time to practice by airing the hometown visit stuff for a weekend.
I find these episodes boring and usually skip that weekend episodes but I might watch it this time as I would like to see it 😬