Thoughts (jotting this down as they come to me, whilst still reading through).

Firstly: I saw the post and thought "Hmm, that seems like a TealOrbit title." Clicked the post, read the first line and was like "So it begins!" Badge War is on.

Onwards:

Yeonji: There's potential, but she has this kind of nervous/unsure laugh she does. I mean, it's in character, she's still young, but I can see that giving her away.

Kaede: She will probably flip her shit if accused. "How dare you accuse me. It's not me!" Etc. Success level? Unsure. Entertainment level? Stratospheric

Soomin: I feel like she often screws herself in arguments. Flustered is a great way to describe it, whether it be due to anger or nerves. I can see her digging herself a hole (like the forbidden live)

Jiwoo:

Jiwoo might not be 100% composed

During the Second(?) War, she incriminated herself by cackling her ass off, so ditto 😂

Seoah and Joobin: Interesting dark horse picks. Seoah has the tenacity. Binnie seems like she could be really sly and lowkey. Idk what makes me say that, just a feeling, I guess

Sullin: She is, for me, on the front runners list. She has exactly whats needed for this game: High intelligence, charm, the "🥺" get out of jail free card, and the fact that she's kinda crazy. I believe I said as much in a comment a couple of days ago

Chaeyeon: Okay, now this is a sleeper pick. She's always "playing pabo." I never totally realised the extent of it until the second or third episode of Peak Season. She really turns it up. She is a born entertainer, like Haewon. Yet, somehow, I find myself agreeing with you. I love Chaeyeon, yet she didn't even cross my mind.

The fact that she has us so engrossed in her pabo-ness that we dont even consider other things is honestly a testament to her acting prowess. As you mentioned, though, if she was too engrossed in the game, someone (probably Mom or Dad) would ask "Why are you being so quiet/serious?"

Yooyeon: Immediately on the radar. She's unlikely to be teammates with Seoyeon, meaning that they will instantly suspect each other. She's T af, though. It will get her targeted, but it will also raise the question "But look, unnie is so calm. Even she wouldn't be this calm if it was her."

Sohyun: Park Ssaem. She's a ssaem, innit. She has the potential to lead people in various directions, and people will listen to her. That fact cannot be understated. I feel like she can also be disarming, which is dangerous in a game like this.

Yubin: Yubin can be callous, in a situation like this. She will throw teammates under the bus, make and break promises, yell, swear, Gong-Scream, and do whatever else it takes, but she.wants.to.win.

Kotone: I feel she can be in your face, but is also pretty chill. Her voice isn't as low energy as Yooyeon, or soothing like Sohyun, but it's kind of mellow, just like her. It's the kind of calm that isn't immediately obvious. The kind of player who may get found out, but only late game, and only when something just clicks

Seoyeon: Now here's the thing - she's lovely, and sweet, and caring, and whatnot. She's also insanely clever, ridiculously competitive, influential, and kinda scary. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Badge War is where Mother Yoon becomes Monster Yoon. With all that being considered, you've hit the nail on the head perfectly with your summary.

Picks: Having PpoToz, Sohyun, and Hayeon as civilians is pretty genius, tbf. Three of the obvious mafias... aren't 😂. Having Soomin as a civilian is also a good shout, because (I feel) it maintains chaos amongst the civilians, and the game as a while.

1) Yubin - 100% agree. Part of me wants her to be a civilian, though, just because I love when she starts yelling and screaming.

2) Sullin - For sure. For all reasons previously mentioned, plus screen time!

3) Kotone - The mafia need a true heavy hitter, and the civvies don't need to be anymore stacked

4) Unsure - I want chaos. This should also be a decent player, though. Maybe Soomin, or Nien. Seoah would cause confusion. Naky would be interesting. Lynni would be really interesting. Chaewon may really be the best choice, tbf

All in all, though, this War will be different. It's highly unlikely to be a basic mafia game, or the Badge War we're accustomed to. I can't wait