Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Translator: Penny
Chapter 66
The M Broadcast Gayo Big Match took place on the evening of December 31st.
Gayo Big Match SPECIAL STAGE
MUSIC MATCH!
A brief VCR showing the groups drawing their match opponents played, and the special stage immediately began.
The rules were simple: each group would choose one song from their opponent's discography and perform the first verse.
Of course, it was a "match" in name only, with no actual winner declared.
The groups performing in the first two rounds were praised for their smooth performances and completed their stages without incident.
Since they weren't true rivals—paired together due to similar seniority or coinciding comeback dates—their fandoms remained relatively calm.
And finally, the highly anticipated final special stage, Round 3, began.
ROUND 3: KICKS vs. Reve
As KICKS and Reve walked out from opposite sides and stood side-by-side on the stage, the cheers erupted louder than in the previous rounds.
- ㅋㅋ Reve wins just based on height.
- No need to watch further. KICKS will win.
- I'm turning off the TV after this stage. No point wasting electricity on the rest.
- Ugh, already bored. Guys, beep me when Reve's stage starts.
Of course, the internet was ablaze with fierce fan wars.
When the lights dimmed, the stage went dark.
A spotlight suddenly snapped on, illuminating KICKS like a highlight beam.
The song KICKS chose for Reve was "One Chance."
Since they couldn't select the song their opponent would perform at the Gayo Big Match, this was practically the only option available.
Their stage outfit—a white shirt paired with a harness and fingerless gloves—suited the song far better than Reve's original formal stage attire.
Wow, they didn't change the arrangement?
They completely revamped the choreography though.
Yeah, this is it! This song needs powerful, synchronized dance moves.
I'm not a fan of either group, but this performance is definitely more eye-catching than Reve's original stage.
KICKS fused acrobatic choreography with their signature synchronized dance moves, creating a performance-focused stage that highlighted their strengths and distinctive style.
You've been given One Chance, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Always approach it as if it's your last chance.
- My eyes are drawn, but my ears aren't.
- How much lower did they lower the key... ㅋㅋㅋ
- That's not how you rap...
└ The unique push-and-pull tension of the One Chance rap part is completely gone...
- Is the rap part the only thing they have to show off? ㅋㅋㅋ Dehada Chueidreama
└ Nope, they can't even do justice to Yuje's vocals as the Main Vocalist.
- The vocals lack that refreshing, cathartic feeling.
While the vocals and rap received harsh criticism, the revamped choreography, especially the chorus section, garnered considerable praise.
- The perfectly synchronized angles are insane.
- As a fan of another group, I have to admit KICKS' performance is a clear win.
- They must have practiced a lot. It really shows, makes me want to vote for them.
- So cool!
- Reve's watching this performance right next to them. Won't they get intimidated?
- I just watched Reve's version, and their choreography definitely feels a bit bland compared to this.
As the first verse ended, the lights above KICKS dimmed, and the spotlight shifted to Reve.
The KICKS members, who had quietly moved to the side, turned off their microphones and whispered among themselves.
"Wow, they absolutely killed it on stage."
"I wonder what song they're going to perform."
"Definitely not 'One Chance.' It's our song, but let's be honest, it's kind of lame."
The familiar intro music began, and the KICKS members stopped talking, turning their heads in unison.
"This madman... what on earth is he thinking...?"
"Why would they choose a terrible song when they have a perfectly good debut track?" the KICKS Leader muttered under his breath.
Reve had selected KICKS' song "One Chance."
It was the title track from KICKS' 2nd Mini Album, and the lowest-rated song among their three releases that year.
The stage outfits were similar to KICKS' signature street fashion.
Okay, let the players enter.
The outlaws of this territory are here.
Anyone who blocks our path
Will be kicked aside and left behind.
After a brief intro, Eden opened the song with his rap, gripping the top of the handheld microphone.
-Wasn't this originally a rap part?
-Looks like they rewrote the lyrics? I don't remember these lines.
-Kicked aside = KICKS, right? LOLOLOL
-Wow, they're tearing it up from the start!
-OMG, they're the undisputed kings of Korean hip-hop.
Let me tell you something: you guys can't even compete with us.
Eden spat out the final line, pointed at KICKS, and turned to join the dance formation.
Standing at the apex of the V-shaped formation, Eden stomped his foot to the beat. The members in the second and third rows followed suit in perfect synchronization.
-Oh... not bad...
-You can tell it's a group dance... lol
-Why do they look so nonchalant? So cocky?
└KICKS' choreography is like that too. Check it out yourself.
Three, two, one, zero.
Countdown over.
No deep meaning, just counting numbers.
Dobin smoothly took over Hajun's part, casually folding his fingers to match the numbers while striking a swaggering pose for the camera.
- Wait, was this song always this good?;;
- It's like they scratched all the itchy parts of the original song perfectly.
- The arrangement is great—it keeps the original vibe while adding something new.
- I can't listen to the original anymore... Reve needs to take responsibility and arrange the second verse too! - When KICKS sang it, it felt like they were just trying to look cool, but these guys sound genuinely threatening. Like they're giving a real warning.
└Yeah, Yoon Eden is a one-man army. The other members aren't scary at all.
"Etch this into your ears:
This is my final warning."
Yuje's high note, raised an octave and delivered with blistering intensity, sparked another explosive reaction.
- Wow, they hit that high note!
- ᄆᄎᄆᄎᄆᄎ They tore it up again!
- Yes! I was so disappointed the original didn't have a high note here!
Watch out
Watch out
If you can't handle it,
Back down when warned.
The song had already reached the chorus.
The intricate choreography and perfectly synchronized knife-like movements flowed seamlessly together.
- What the hell? Did they just bring KICKS' choreography without changing it at all?!
- Holy shit, my boys did synchronized dancing! My boys did knife-like choreography! Fucking hell!
- Yehyeon-ahhh! I knew you could do it! Aaaahhh!
- See?! Reve can do performances too!
Reve, who had always performed free-spirited and relatively simple choreography that barely qualified as synchronized dancing, now executed knife-like movements with perfect angles. The explosive reaction was only natural.
The stage concluded with Reve's ending shot, each member striking their most rebellious poses, standing or sitting at deliberately awkward angles.
- Whoever said our kids would get discouraged, step forward!
- KICKS must be dead by now, lol.
- Wow, this is insane! Vocals, rap, choreography—they completely crushed it!
- They're definitely good.
- Wow, I've completely forgotten about the previous stage!
There was no separate vote, but the results seemed clear.
Yxxtube
(Video)
KICKS Special Stage - "One Chance" (Original by REVE) | 20XX MOO Gayo Big Match
Views: 2.13 million
👍 100,000 👎
Mecu리 • 2 days ago
Everything's good, but they really need to fix the rap and high-note parts first.
Likes: 1,500
sakf242 • 1 day ago
The stage performance was awesome, but listening to the song while watching it felt a bit lackluster.
Likes: 809
└ 쩡쩡 • 17 hours ago
Why didn't they just rearrange it instead of sticking to the original?
유갤 • 1 day ago
KICKS absolutely crushed it in terms of performance.
Likes: 37
└ pot • 8 hours ago
Honestly, it wasn't a complete stomp. REVE's performance was great too.
Yxxtube
(Video)
REVE Special Stage - "Watch Out" (Original by KICKS) | 20XX MOO Gayo Big Match
4.79 million views
👍 190,000 👎
Turning Point • 2 days ago
"They tore it up!"
Likes: 2,400
3522 • 1 day ago
I came back after listening to the original song. Is there any chance we could get the arranged version with the second verse?
Likes: 1,800
└ Kim Seohyeon • 18 hours ago
Seriously, I can't even listen to the original version anymore. It's so bland and boring.
└ adskl • 15 hours ago
The original just doesn't capture the same energy.
└ keyBaek • 7 hours ago
Isn't this comment disrespectful to KICKS? Without the original song, this performance wouldn't exist.
└ 3522 • 5 hours ago
keyBaek, so what if I prefer the better version and choose to listen to it? Why are you picking a fight?
Mayday • 11 hours ago
This performance showcased Reve's potential for synchronized group dances.
Likes: 912
└ dreamday • 11 hours ago
Yehyeon's performance showcased his potential for growth in dance.
└HyunnyHoney • 10 hours ago
How much did Yehyeon practice to pull off this incredibly difficult choreography without a single mistake? 😭😭😭
I stretched out on the dorm sofa, a satisfied smile spreading across my face as I watched the video's views more than double and the comments on KICKS' video filled with exactly what I'd hoped for.
It felt like all the months of grueling work—the remixing and dance practice—had finally paid off.
Choosing a deliberately mediocre song to remix had been worth it.
"I expected the remix to be praised, but I never thought the performance would get this much attention."
"It's always more impressive when someone who's not naturally talented shows improvement, rather than someone who's already good showing off their skills."
"Does that mean we're the 'not naturally talented' ones?"
"Let's be honest with ourselves. I really hate those KICKS guys, but if we put aside our personal feelings, their One Chance choreography was better than our original."
"How can you say that, Eden Hyung... of all people?!"
Kim Dobin stared up at me with a shocked expression, as if he'd been betrayed. I flicked his forehead and retorted, "Will mental victories put food on the table?"
Clinging to mental victories alone won't get you anywhere. It's better to humbly acknowledge our shortcomings, work to improve them, and grow.
Seo Yehyeon, who would normally be bristling with defensiveness and accusing me of passive-aggressive jabs, was surprisingly quiet. Her thoughtful expression made it hard to tell if she'd had an epiphany or was just plotting her next outburst. I hoped for the former.
Reve had abandoned his demanding performance routine largely because of this guy.
Still, he deserved praise for keeping up well without making any mistakes on this stage.
It seemed his skills improved dramatically during main stage performances against KICKS. Maybe we should keep scheduling our activities at the same time as KICKS to push his abilities to their limit.
After serious consideration, I gave up. If I had to keep facing those KICKS bastards, my blood pressure would spike before Seo Yehyeon's skills could improve.
"Hey, even though it's been two days, Happy New Year. Me? I was on stage, counting down. What are you talking about? You wouldn't have watched anyway. Do you think I don't know you? I'm going on vacation soon, so let's catch up then. Yeah, see you."
As I answered New Year's calls from friends, I counted down the days.
Once the Naon Chart Music Awards on January 27th were over, I'd have a break before starting work on the next album.
Of course, we still needed to film enough footage for the reality show beforehand, but I refused to be followed by cameras during my vacation.
The dorm door swung open, and Gyeon Hajun entered, his hands overflowing with shopping bags.
Manager Hyung followed behind, stacking several boxes in his arms.
After getting a call and stepping out, Hajun had returned with a mountain of gifts. I asked him, "Huh? What's all this, Jun-a?"
"Ah... birthday gifts from the fans."
The mention of birthday gifts froze me in place. I quickly checked the date: January 3rd.
Today was Gyeon Hajun's birthday.
Damn it, the penalty countdown for the quest had started again.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny