Chapter 319: Lead-off Hitter (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 319: Lead-off Hitter (1)
Releasing our first double title track was a constant stream of new challenges. There was twice as much to prepare and three times as much to do. It was a grueling time for everyone.
But as they say, sweetness follows the struggle. Spark’s comeback was able to proceed exactly according to the planned schedule.
Thanks to the manager sharing the schedule, the group chat was buzzing non-stop.
Thank goodness. We spent a fortune this time, but it looks like we won't be in the red. Though "a fortune" was only relative to what we’d spent in the past.
I almost hit a breaking point trying to memorize two different dances in such a short time, but I pulled through. My two teachers took turns keeping a close eye on me.
Truly, a teacher's grace is as high as the heavens. I almost bought them carnations for Teacher's Day but held myself back.
'The highlight medley is out, and the teaser drops this evening.'
I felt like I had finally said a complete goodbye to those last-minute, rushed comebacks.
This is the kind of environment I wanted. Work requires planning, capital, manpower, and time!
I was checking the schedule with satisfaction when Park Ju-woo caught my eye, sprawled out in the corner of the practice room.
Perhaps because we’d put him through a rigorous workout regimen for the athlete concept, the recent Park Ju-woo was experiencing a strange phenomenon: his muscles were growing, yet his stamina was plummeting.
"Hyung."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"I don't think... I'm going to make it to the finals..."
Park Ju-woo was talking nonsense. I gave him some warm encouragement.
"You can do it, Ju-woo."
"Really...?"
"Of course. We don't have many club members. If you're gone, we lose by default."
"Well, that would be a problem..."
To his credit, Park Ju-woo wiped his sweat and stood up bravely. Good boy, good boy.
"If you look at it that way, aren't we already disqualified? Baseball is played with nine people."
I was right in the middle of boosting Park Ju-woo’s spirits when Kang Gi-yeon threw cold water on the mood.
"I'll... take two turns at bat..."
"No. We'll just tell Choi Je-ho to hit three times."
"Is attacking all that matters? Who's going to play defense?"
Even Choi Je-ho jumped in to argue about the logistics. You heartless S-types. From today on, I’m going back to being a firm believer in MBTI.
Baek Hae-won hadn't been able to sit still since 5:00. The teaser was set to drop at 6:00, but her heart had been racing since she opened her eyes this morning.
≫ It’s been 180 million years since I started waiting for 6 o'clock
Time just won't pass
Even after posting on social media and playing the highlight medley on loop for an hour, she couldn't calm her fluttering heart.
And for good reason...
'A sports concept for a refreshing idol is a total cheat code!'
...The highlight medley imagery had been designed with the stitching of a baseball. And there was even a smudge of dirt in the corner!
'Please, let there be slim-fit or skinny pants, long socks, and spandex uniforms...'
Baek Hae-won spent the remaining time devoted to prayer.
As if in response, the Spark channel sent out a notification.
≫ spArk ‘On A High Note (OAHN)’ Official Teaser
The main focus of the teaser was Kang Gi-yeon. His face, looking slightly upward with the shadows of leaves dancing across it, left a deep impression.
Moreover, for a mere teaser, it was 50 seconds long. It was a length that felt generous.
'Let’s go, youth sports drama!'
Baek Hae-won clicked the thumbnail with an excited heart.
The sound of a murmuring crowd and a bass drum blended together as the background audio.
Walking through a stadium tunnel, Kang Gi-yeon faltered at the light leaking from the exit.
The camera zoomed in on Kang Gi-yeon’s back. Five hands brushed past, patting him on the back.
'Is Gi-yeon the center?'
While no specific member was designated as the "main" for every album, there were always members who drew more focus. This time, it seemed to be Kang Gi-yeon.
The moment Kang Gi-yeon stepped out onto the sun-drenched field.
The screen transitioned to the vast green grass of the baseball stadium and a group choreography shot of the members in various baseball uniforms. The long socks Baek Hae-won had prayed for tightly wrapped their calves.
Standing at the center of the formation, Kang Gi-yeon and Jeong Seong-bin adjusted their helmets and gave refreshing smiles. The sound of an aluminum bat hitting a ball echoed in Baek Hae-won’s head. Kkang, kkang.
Kang Gi-yeon, who told you to roll up your sleeves like that? Who told you to expose your shoulders and bare skin under the natural light! And Seong-bin, you're the older one—instead of keeping your younger brother in check, who told you to wear a wristband! Don't you know fangirls will find a way to assign meaning if the wristbands on both hands are different colors?
Before she could even get a good look at the other members, the background changed again. This time, it was a locker room.
Choi Je-ho, who had been sitting on a bench, took off his catcher's mask and shook his head from side to side with his eyes closed. Unlike the other members, a 'C' was written on the chest of his uniform. The moment she locked eyes with Choi Je-ho, Baek Hae-won found herself holding her breath.
He had looked like a primitive wildman on Unmanned Rest Stop, but it seemed his royal dignity hadn't gone anywhere.
The screen shifted back to the choreography—in what felt like a short three-second clip, Baek Hae-won didn't miss Kim I-wol’s skin glowing under the natural light, Park Ju-woo’s luminous dark grey eyes, or Lee Cheong-hyeon’s seemingly longer legs—and then back to the baseball field.
Kang Gi-yeon grabbed a rosin bag, coating his hands in white powder.
Facing the wind, Kang Gi-yeon blew the rosin from his hands with a soft puff.
『End』
Baek Hae-won slammed her desk.
"If idols are going to start playing baseball! They should show us until the bottom of the ninth!"
Baek Hae-won was indignant at UA’s lack of business ethics. At the same time, she was incredibly happy. It meant she loved the teaser.
You can tell how much recognition you have by the number of articles written about your comeback.
Unlike the past, when I had to write the debut press releases myself, this time, reporters were publishing articles they’d written themselves as soon as the teaser was released.
[☆] The Symbols of Refreshment, Spark, Returns
Being called the "symbols of refreshment" already felt a bit excessive, but still.
And it’s not like we ever went that far away. We were pretty refreshing during What I Want to Say, too. Was the problem really turning Choi Je-ho into a chain-bound ghost? I gave him a good role this time, so it should be fine, right?
While Jeong Seong-bin checked the records on my smartwatch, I kept my brain working. When you have more to do, it’s easy to forget the most important things.
I had to keep reminding myself. The current KPI is to successfully hold the concert, and as the system said, if I don't prioritize my main job, I could run into trouble.
'I can't let my guard down.'
I slowly steadied my breathing. Jeong Seong-bin, who was monitoring my heart rate, gave me the okay sign.
"Alright, let's practice again!"
At my words, the guys who had been resting gathered one by one.
As I had requested, the difficulty of the choreography had increased significantly. I didn't think Spark’s previous performances were easy, but the physical exertion required for this one far exceeded them.
As a result, even though everyone had increased their food intake, their jawlines were getting sharper by the day. It was painful to watch.
Especially Lee Cheong-hyeon... I don't know what kind of resolve he’d made, but he looked like his soul had been put through a thresher after repeatedly tearing apart, reassembling, and overturning the song until the very last second. It was a miracle he had the memory to learn the choreography in that state.
"Are you okay?"
It was bad enough that even Choi Je-ho asked after him. Lee Cheong-hyeon looked haggard, but at the same time, he smiled with a face that showed a mature beauty he hadn't possessed at his age before. Sparklers, I think I finally understand what "melancholy beauty" means.
"Once we wrap up this promotion well, should I suggest to the company that we go on a group vacation?"
Since he’s a guy who loves group activities, I threw the idea out there, and Lee Cheong-hyeon bit the bait immediately.
"A vacation? All of us together?"
"We could go separately, too. It's not mandatory. Resting when you can is the most important thing."
"No, no. I like group vacations. What about you guys? Kang Gyeon?"
At the mention of playing, Lee Cheong-hyeon regained his vitality like the Dot Iwol I’d last watered.
"Let's go somewhere with water. Won't it be the off-season by the time we finish promotions? Oh my god, I'm already excited!"
Jeong Seong-bin barely managed to calm the bouncing Lee Cheong-hyeon. I guess I should submit a corporate card request during the last week of broadcasts.
The music video for 『On A High Note』 opens with Kang Gi-yeon transferring to a new school.
Kang Gi-yeon fails to adapt to the new environment and lingers on the fringes.
Choi Je-ho stops Kang Gi-yeon by pulling on his backpack strap as he walks home alone, followed by Park Ju-woo, who leans an arm on Choi Je-ho’s shoulder and watches Kang Gi-yeon with interest.
Kang Gi-yeon’s voice flows out in time with the beat.
『Challenges are scary』
Kang Gi-yeon, dressed in a summer school uniform, takes the mound and throws a ball.
Jeong Seong-bin stands with his arms crossed, Lee Cheong-hyeon crouches beside him with a bat resting against his chin, and Kim I-wol lies on a bench, barely turning his head to watch Kang Gi-yeon.
『Maybe because it’s the first time
I keep hesitating』
The fresh atmosphere and bright visuals pair well with the high-pitched melody.
『But the reason I can’t stop is』
『Because this time
Is fun』
The clean voice of Kim I-wol and the pure voice of Jeong Seong-bin fill the song in turn.
The choreography of the members, dressed in matching white uniforms, is light and energetic.
Even as they step and tilt their heads to the shifting notes with perfect precision, there is a sense of ease.
In the excessively bright, color-corrected footage, Lee Cheong-hyeon’s pale pink hair stands out vividly. Their baseball cleats, hitting the beat perfectly, are highlighted against the backdrop of the green grass.
『The beginning is hard』
Kang Gi-yeon slowly melts into the group. He touches the heart of the strict vice-captain, Jeong Seong-bin, by bringing him water, and he pulls a reluctant Kim I-wol off his feet to drag him to the field.
『The feeling of racing
Down an unknown path』
Choi Je-ho takes in every one of Kang Gi-yeon’s small actions. Choi Je-ho’s part plays in sync with the scene.
Then, Kim I-wol and Park Ju-woo sing short verses in succession.
『But the reason I keep climbing』
『Because these memories are precious』
The members practice while covered in dust, and a tournament bracket moving up step by step announces Spark’s advancement to the finals.
『Because they make my heart race』
Against the backdrop of a part sung by Park Ju-woo and Kim I-wol together, Choi Je-ho, who had been agonizing in the locker room, takes off his catcher's mask as if he has made a firm decision.
Soon after, the shot of Kang Gi-yeon’s back from the teaser appears.
His teammates strike his back one by one in encouragement. Buoyed by that support, Kang Gi-yeon’s feet step onto the field, and the hot, blazing sun is shown in a fast-paced sequence.
As if splashed with carbonated water, Lee Cheong-hyeon’s refreshing voice pours over the drums that split the beat into fine pieces.
『Until I run and soar
Until my ragged breath
Reaches my throat
Until my whole body
Floats away』
Paper confetti announcing the opening ceremony flutters from the sky. One-shots of the members who successfully made it to the finals pass by one by one.
The fast tempo and rhythmical accompaniment, reminiscent of a cheering song, give the feeling of watching a massive game.
『Under the clouds floating
In the blue sky』
『Shout it out, loud』
While Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo exchange lyrics seamlessly, heading toward the song's climax.
Kang Gi-yeon stands on the most prominent spot of the field: the mound. Behind him, the members can be seen holding their defensive positions.
Kang Gi-yeon’s eyes sparkle as he catches a ball flying from the front. Choi Je-ho puts on his catcher's mask and takes his position. Having finished his preparations while fiddling with the rosin bag, Kang Gi-yeon grips the ball. Dust rises from beneath his feet.
『Play ball!』
Taking his stance, Kang Gi-yeon throws the ball with speed. A close-up of Kang Gi-yeon’s exhilarating smile transitions to a shot of the scoreboard, which hasn't given up a single point throughout the game. A whistle sound, polished as if recorded specifically for the track, rings out in time with the chorus.
The members' joyful expressions are captured in slow motion. The dust that had been settled on the stadium floor is covered once again by confetti, rosin powder, and the members rushing toward Kang Gi-yeon.
As the video nears its end, Kang Gi-yeon, sitting on his bed in a dark room, sends a message.
Me
[Hyung]
[Why did you choose me as the starter?]
The song's instrumental plays softly in the background.
Captain
[Because you're good at baseball.]
Kang Gi-yeon’s eyes can't leave the screen.
As the camera pulls away, the bags packed for the departure, the old uniforms hanging on the wall, and the aged posters in the room come into view one by one.
Finally, when the camera is very far away, only the dark room—where it’s difficult to identify objects in detail—and a small, bright light remain.
『End』
With the text announcing the end, the music video finally comes to a close.