Chapter 413: Opening
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 413: Opening
Saturday. There were still five hours left until the concert was set to begin.
Forget the doors opening—even the waiting lines hadn't officially formed yet, but Baek Hae-won had arrived early.
‘You said the concert is in the evening. Why are you leaving so early?’
‘I have to buy merch!’
Unexpected support had come her way for this endeavor. Her brother, Baek Hae-in, had sent her the substantial sum of 50,000 won.
‘What’s this for?’
‘You said you were buying merch. Buy something decent, not those dolls.’
‘I feel sorry for you, not knowing the charm of a cotton doll.’
Baek Hae-won was not one to refuse money. With 50,000 won from her dad, 50,000 won from Baek Hae-in, and transportation support from her mom, Hae-won had scraped together every bit of her emergency savings. With a heart as full as her wallet, she took her place in the MD line.
Her bag soon grew heavy.
Actually, it had been heavy since she left home. If the battery efficiency of the "Spirit of the People Stick"—which was what the fans called the lightstick—hadn't been so good, she would have had to pack twice as many spare batteries.
Hae-won bought two T-shirts and two ball caps. As the saying went, you could never have too many black shirts or black hats.
After finishing her shopping, she joined some acquaintances who were gathered on a nearby bench. Everyone was busy inspecting the merch they had just bought for any defects.
After a small surprise party they had prepared to celebrate her finishing the CSAT, they naturally began pouring out talk about Spark.
"Did you see the 'Powder Magazine' person's lightstick? The presence is insane."
"The lightstick is one thing, but that nickname is just so intense..."
"All Sparkler nicknames are like that."
"No, but did you guys see this Season's Greetings?"
"Is there anyone here who hasn't seen it?"
They took proof shots with their lightsticks against the concert banners, exchanged stickers and snacks, and even finished analyzing the fashion styles of Sparklers based on their bias. By then, the sun was slowly beginning to set.
"It's so funny how everyone whose bias is Je-ho is wearing #FF6600 somewhere on them."
"Are you making fun of the Orange Squad right now?"
"I heard Cheong-hyeon’s father just showed up in the parking lot."
"Ugh... he's probably staying inside the car."
"Do you think Seong-jun will come?"
"The chance of seeing Jeong Seong-jun in person is lower than winning a Spark fan sign slot."
"Everyone, shall we go line up for entry now?"
Time flew as they chatted. After their tickets were checked, Hae-won and her friends scattered to their respective sections inside the venue.
Hae-won’s ticketing had been a success. A center seat in the first row of the first floor. Her finger joints were still in peak condition.
As she went to find her seat, Hae-won discovered an A4-sized orange box placed on every chair. It was a reverse fan gift.
Hae-won hurried to her seat.
Welcome, Sparklers!
Before even taking off her coat, Hae-won opened the box. It was packed with a bundle of baked goods, a slogan, a mini concert poster, a photocard set, and a small hand fan.
There was also a small, straight glow stick. According to the instructions, it already had batteries, so she flipped the switch. A bright red light attacked her eyes. Red lights began flashing here and there throughout the venue.
≫ I-wol did it again
Hae-won posted a photo of the bright red glow stick and then turned it off. She continued reading the rest of the instruction sheet.
Prepared by Spark! Emergency Stick User Manual for a Safe Concert Experience.
.
.
.
Even though it was a seated standing arrangement, meaning accidents were less likely, Spark was thorough. They were exactly the same as when they had used maps to police stations as wrapping paper for reverse fan gifts.
To be honest, Hae-won had never once worried about the agency's finances. Fans aren't ignorant of how much a company skims off the top. They have a good idea, but they tolerate it because they love the artists.
But right now, all she could think was that she wanted Spark to make even more money.
I love the reverse gifts! It boosts Sparklers' spirits and makes us happy! I'm so glad for your warm consideration! But stop spending your own money!
While Hae-won was tearfully packing away her entry kit, the person in the seat next to her arrived. They were dressed in a calm black outfit and had a lightstick decorated with a large black ribbon. It was a Kim I-wol fan.
The Kim I-wol fan opened their bag. A white, round body was visible inside.
‘It’s a homma.’
Hae-won immediately checked the location of the security guards. The fansite master was also a pro. After a brief rustling sound, the bag was closed seamlessly with the sound of a zipper.
But a homma was a homma, and Hae-won had her own work to do before the concert started. She had to post as many reviews as possible before more people gathered and the data stopped working.
If someone asked what kind of review she could possibly write when the concert hadn't even started...
≫ If I’d known you guys were giving out fans, I wouldn't have brought my portable one.
But wow, it’s the first concert in the middle of winter—how did they know the venue would be hot?? This is the kind of foresight you only see at a veteran SBN’s concert.
≫ What am I going to do with these idols who feel the need to give us something to eat no matter what they do?
≫ The message on the photocard is so touching.
...It was stuff like that. Hae-won seriously contemplated whether she should start a Sparkler vlog channel.
While she was reading through the posts mentioning the gift boxes one by one, a new post appeared on Jjae-i’s account. It included a proof shot of Kim I-wol’s photocard inside a black ribbon toploader...
‘Wait a second.’
...The fansite master right next to her was putting a toploader back into her bag. Hae-won saw it clearly. The big ribbon toploader!
‘It was Jjae-i!’
Since the place was packed with Sparklers anyway, it wasn't an impossible coincidence, but it was still shocking.
"Excuse me."
Jjae-i even spoke to Hae-won.
"Where is the switch for this?"
Jjae-i was holding the Emergency Stick. She must have seen Hae-won’s flashing light show earlier. Hae-won hid her flustered state and showed her where the switch was with as much kindness as she could muster.
"Thank you."
Jjae-i offered her thanks.
No, thank you. If it weren't for you, Jjae-i, I would have lived my whole life without seeing high-definition photos of Kim I-wol in a sky-blue Kaisuit... If security comes, I’ll throw my body in the way to hide you...
Hae-won made a silent vow, sobbing inwardly. She had thought it would be a comfortable experience since it was seated standing, but she had a feeling this was going to be a very dynamic viewing experience.
At that moment.
The lights in the ceiling began to turn off one by one.
It was time for the concert to begin.
The concert title that had been displayed on the large screens on either side of the stage disappeared. In its place, a VCR began to play. The familiar UA meeting room and the members appeared.
『Right before we open the concert, we need to give a signal that something is starting. How does everyone want to decorate the opening?』
Jeong Seong-bin asked, making eye contact with each member.
『First... all the lights should go out.』
At Choi Je-ho’s words, the main light—the only one on—flickered off. Small screams erupted from all over the venue.
『It would be nice to hear the sound of instruments or the session being tuned...』
As soon as Park Ju-woo finished speaking, the sound of an electric guitar echoed from the dark stage. The thumping bass felt like it had been transposed directly from the beating of Hae-won’s heart.
『Let’s put up a stopwatch too! It adds suspense!』
On the large screen in the center of the stage, the stopwatch Lee Cheong-hyeon requested appeared. The milliseconds ticked down rapidly.
『How about turning on a bright spotlight right where we first appear?』
A bright blue light poured onto the center of the stage. Even though she was in the floor section and sitting in a chair, Hae-won knew instinctively. That spot—it was a lift.
『I want to see all the lightsticks turned on, too.』
As Kim I-wol said, orange lights flickered on in all the lightsticks one after another. Fans screamed and waved their sticks.
『I...』
Jeong Seong-bin clasped his hands together.
『I want the first song to be "Flowering."』
All the lights on the screen went out. The sound of a heavy iron gate opening echoed through the hall. At the sound of footsteps walking through the darkness, people raised their lightsticks above their heads.
『Call for me
Until your heart bursts!』
Simultaneously with the newly arranged intro, the lift rose from the floor and the members burst out. Confetti exploded from the very first song.
『There are times
When a single dream feels vivid』
The owner of the intro, Kim I-wol, made his appearance. His voice, soft yet powerful, was exactly as it had been when Hae-won first heard him sing.
『The power that keeps me
From falling asleep
In the darkness of a long night』
When Choi Je-ho stands at the center of the stage, you realize what kind of group Spark is.
Hae-won and the other Sparklers were reminded anew every day through Choi Je-ho that no one could ever be like Spark.
『Ignite the spark
In the fuel of wishes
A single signal flare
Sent into the night sky』
Kang Gi-yeon sparkled most when he was under the lights. No matter what dance he performed or what expression he made, his eyes shone. That glint held too much to be dismissed as mere passion.
『You know, we were
Born like a miracle』
Every line Kim I-wol sang was captivating...
『Even in the darkness
The candle burns
Shining and lighting the way』
...And Lee Cheong-hyeon took over, adding to the song's perfection.
Doing everything perfectly, no matter where he was placed or what role he was given.
There was no better way to describe Lee Cheong-hyeon.
『Ring the alarm
Let the cheers explode』
Just listening to Jeong Seong-bin’s singing made one’s heart swell. Even when many people listened to Jeong Seong-bin’s ballads, Hae-won always thought Spark’s songs suited him best. Because there was a sense of elevation in his tone.
『Until the world heats up
And boils over』
The members of Spark often said that there was nothing but music in Park Ju-woo’s life. It was because when Park Ju-woo sang, he seemed to become one with the song.
Listening to Park Ju-woo’s live performance made it feel as if all traces of other people had been erased, leaving only that voice and yourself alone in the world.
『A clear goal
Becomes the engine』
『Kick off the ground and rise
To cut through the night
Where the Milky Way flows』
The screen filled with tiny stars. A purple galaxy twinkled beyond the starlight.
『Look here, I’ll show you
A one-time magic』
『Without anyone knowing
Pierce through the sky
Scatter like fireworks and shout』
Lee Cheong-hyeon shouted into the microphone. As if drawn by the call, Choi Je-ho returned to the center.
『My name』
Pillars of fire shot up along the lines of the stage. The heat washed over Hae-won.
But it had no effect on Hae-won, who had already been burning hot for a long time.
The sound of fireworks exploding was layered over the track.
『Ring the alarm
Let the cheers explode』
『Until the heart boils
And overflows』
They were out of breath, dripping with sweat, yet they wore happy smiles.
The Spark that Hae-won had first fallen for was right there before her eyes.