Chapter 172: Symposium (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: Symposium (1)
The official name of the meeting was the "1st Spark Fan Meeting Planning Meeting."
However, in my mind, the title kept degrading into the "Committee for the Great Escape from a Mind-Numbingly Boring Fan Meeting."
I had no intention of sitting through another one of those fan meetings where both the fans and the idols looked like they had nothing to say to each other. I was going to make sure we were thoroughly prepared.
Fortunately, the Spark brats were incredibly enthusiastic about the preparations.
I’d expected at least one or two of them to suggest handing the fan meeting over to the dedicated team, but they all stepped up, insisting they wanted to plan it themselves. It was unexpected.
That was why we were currently huddled together on the practice room floor, scrap paper and laptops spread out haphazardly around us.
Jeong Seong-bin spoke as he scanned a list of content from past idol group fan meetings.
"First, a fan Q&A is a must, right?"
He definitely knew his stuff. Surveys, Q&As, and Post-it questions were indispensable communication channels.
"It looks like a lot of people do cosplay, too. Like movie or anime characters..."
"Oh, I was looking at that, too," Kang Gi-yeon chimed in, agreeing with Park Ju-woo.
"Costumes are good. Since it’s a special event, I think everyone will love it," Lee Cheong-hyeon added. Judging by his choice of words, he didn't seem to fully grasp what "cosplay" actually entailed.
"It’s probably not just putting on some makeup," I added.
A question mark appeared on Lee Cheong-hyeon’s face. But as he took a sheet of paper from Park Ju-woo, his expression quickly turned to one of pure shock.
"What is this? They dress up to look exactly like the characters?"
"That’s what they say. It’s beyond your imagination, isn't it?"
"That’s insane! I definitely want to do this!"
I remembered someone saying something about this on social media once. What was it? A sufficiently advanced muggle is indistinguishable from an otaku...?
"We’re going to sing, too, right? I was thinking an acoustic arrangement of 『With List』 would be perfect for the atmosphere. It’s autumn, so what do you think?"
Lee Cheong-hyeon then began to lament why our team didn't have anyone who could play the acoustic guitar.
"An acoustic guitar is the perfect fit for this vibe!"
"If any of us knew how to play that, we’d be a band idol group, not an idol group," Choi Je-ho grumbled.
At that moment, Jeong Seong-bin spoke up sheepishly.
"Um... if the chords aren't too complex, I can play."
So there was someone who could play. I could practically hear the sound of a blowtorch hitting Park Ju-woo’s burning desire to be a band idol. I glanced sideways, and sure enough, his eyes had gone wild.
"Then I’m doing this, okay? Got it? It’s approved!"
"Sure, sure," Seong-bin laughed, calming the overexcited Lee Cheong-hyeon.
"We should also do Gi-yeon’s random play dance again—the one that was a hit on Awangsil," I suggested.
Kang Gi-yeon’s face turned bright red at my words.
But it was a fact. After he crushed that random play dance, his recognition had skyrocketed. Even his fancams from other stages started trending alongside it, so we couldn't afford to leave this content out.
"The oldest hyungs should do something, too, right?" Lee Cheong-hyeon said, waving a pen cockily.
"I’m sorry, but don't lump me in with Choi Je-ho. I consider our connection in this life to have ended with the fact that we’re the same age."
"Like I’m happy about it," Choi Je-ho grumbled back.
Only the kind-hearted Jeong Seong-bin tried to smooth things over.
"Aw, why are you two like that? You usually get along so well."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. They don't say a single word to each other in their room," Lee Cheong-hyeon’s ruthless exposure ruined the effort.
Jokes aside, I really didn't want to be paired with Choi Je-ho.
First off, my stats were too low. I knew the generous fans tried to frame us as "the oldest hyungs with different art styles," but the intensity of our visuals was just too different.
It was the same with skill. They say Choi Je-ho has "dance lines" even when he does the same moves, while I only ever hear, "Our Iwol always has such sharp angles!"
I was trying my best to practice and at least follow the members' lead, but the reality was that I turned into a slug next to Choi Je-ho. It was so sad I could hardly stand it.
And to be honest... that was only part of it.
Ever since I got my memory data back, I’d felt awkward around him again. It meant the anger I felt toward Choi Je-ho when I first regressed had resurfaced.
Honestly, it wasn't his fault. If he was guilty of anything, it was being so eye-catching that he even caught the eye of Department Head Nam’s daughter.
Besides, the System was doing a good job of blocking my negative emotions. If it weren't for that, my feelings wouldn't have stopped at just "awkward."
Since being around him made me feel strangely uncomfortable, I wanted to avoid collaborating with him for the time being.
"Or we could do a balance game. Making Iwol-hyung the main dancer vs. sending Ju-woo-hyung on a solo variety show."
"Our Gi-yeon, you have a talent for making balance games."
I gave a round of applause for his idea. Park Ju-woo’s face turned pale.
"Guys, the physical samples for your fan club kits are out!"
"Really?"
At Ju-gyeong’s call, we abandoned our practice and headed up to the meeting room. A large navy box sat on the table.
Despite the dark navy background, the box didn't feel gloomy because of the vibrant fireworks printed on it. The colorful, circular fireworks evoked the feeling of a festival.
The small fireworks arranged like a Ferris wheel around the 'A' in 'spArk'—the official spelling—also looked great.
There were many cute items inside.
There were stickers with member signatures and handwritten messages—which I had insisted on including two of, one for collecting and one for using, since fans hate using them up—as well as the group activity reports from the Flowering era and the "Life Six-Cuts" from the With List era. On the name line of the activity report, the end was left blank so fans could write their own name or nickname.
The photos... pixels aren't blown, no smudges on the postcards...
While the others were busy admiring the kit, I was busy looking for defects. It was a habit I’d picked up from filming unboxing videos for proxy deliveries.
"Wow, this diary... it looks really practical."
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s voice became suddenly calm as he flipped through the diary.
"You're right. Maybe I should switch to this one."
Kang Gi-yeon even asked Ju-gyeong if he could get a diary if he joined the fan club.
Of course, I’d worked hard with Indenia to make it both pretty and practical! I’d chosen every single page as if it were a diary I’d use myself!
But if you guys use it, you'll look like idols who are obviously trying to bait people into joining the fan club!
There were other things too, but personally, I liked the 12-piece photo card set we’d put our hearts into. All six members had two versions: an idol version and a daily life version.
I’d had to raid my entire external hard drive of all the photos I’d taken to make the daily life cards.
Among them, my top pick was definitely the one of Kang Gi-yeon smiling brightly amidst soap bubbles.
The coolness of the fountain and the warmth of the sunlight coexisted on his face. Rainbows were coming off the bubbles and his face.
If I had submitted that photo anywhere else but UA, it definitely would have won Photo of the Year. Be grateful, UA.
"We’re finally getting a real fan club."
Seong-bin’s voice trembled. I didn't even have to look to know he was moved.
"That’s right. I know everyone’s busy, but let’s hang in there a bit longer until the fan meeting. Fighting!"
"Fighting!" everyone shouted with spirit.
My heart raced. It was a different kind of tension than a fan sign event.
Won Chae-hee. 27 years old. A former legendary fansite master who had sworn off the idol scene after her bias became a club VIP.
It was only recently that she had unsealed her camera.
The appearance of a handsome man who defied the laws of physics. With the arrival of visuals that signaled a turbulent new era, Won Chae-hee felt her old self die and a new self be born.
I’m just going to test the waters. These days, some rookies have trash personalities from the start.
Won Chae-hee told herself over and over.
Meanwhile, she filled out the application form for the newly opened fan club recruitment, waited for the kit, and on the day it arrived, she immediately ditched the diary she’d been using for six months and covered the new one with the members' handwritten stickers.
She needed to break the habit of spending money the moment she got hooked on something, but it wasn't easy.
I heard there was a lot of talk about the company, but I guess they’re actually working now.
Still, the 1st Generation Sparkler kit was excellent overall. It meant she didn't regret the purchase.
How many pieces of shitty merch had passed through the trash can of Won Chae-hee’s studio apartment? It was a good thing she had disposed of everything that made her sigh and used the money to upgrade her camera lens instead.
When the fan meeting notice was posted, she scoured the community she used to visit daily, digging deep for any posts about Spark.
She checked if these guys had a history of blowing off schedules or if they often gave half-hearted reactions. Most idol fans, exhausted from spending time, money, and even emotions, probably felt the same as Won Chae-hee.
Fortunately, her worries were unfounded. So, Won Chae-hee put her old skills to use and attempted to get a ticket. Her skills from attending every single event of her idols as a fansite master were still intact.
And the moment the "purple grapes" of available seats evaporated...
≫ @minamhunter
Did anyone actually succeed in getting fan meeting tickets?
Bang
Anyone?
A post from a famous Sparkler appeared on Won Chae-hee’s timeline.
≫ @minamhunter
No wonder getting into the Awangsil recording was so easy.
I used up all my life's luck back then.
≫ @minamhunter
Guys, meaningful events like fan meetings are supposed to be held at Gocheok Dome.
Otherwise, it violates some-kind-of-law.
Because I’m going to set UA on fire.
└ Are you the one violating the law?
≫ @minamhunter
No one around me succeeded, so what happened??
Are our boys already superstars????
To those who are going, I trust you'll leave detailed reviews with fiery loyalty. Please, seriously, please.
Social media was buzzing; the competition must have been fierce.
I should go and... try to get a few decent photos.
In the narrow and harsh life of an idol fan, how could one survive without helping each other? Seeing the "named" fan’s wailing, Won Chae-hee decided to exercise her spirit of philanthropy.