Chapter 130
Chapter 130
Those who failed to get tickets for TeSTAR’s concert were popping up everywhere.
There were many—truly, many—people.
Furthermore, if you included those who were simply curious about the concert, the numbers doubled or tripled.
These were people who weren't dedicated enough to go through the war of ticketing but were still curious about the performances.
Thanks to TeSTAR’s ticketing video becoming a hot topic for a while, the public recognition they had built through Idol Inc. managed to extend all the way to their concert.
As a result, the concert was being "broadcast" across various communities and social media via audio recordings or low-quality phone videos.
Of course, it was illegal, but since the quality wasn't high enough to affect the demand for the official concert VOD anyway, the general atmosphere was to let it slide.
Because of this, people could chatter away about a TeSTAR concert they hadn't even attended.
Naturally, not everyone was offering friendly interest.
Most attempts at trolling were quickly shut down.
Unless they failed spectacularly, there was a limit to how much one could criticize their skills based on a pirated video that wasn't even an official broadcast.
Interestingly, however, when they were exceptionally good, it was blatantly obvious.
The rave reviews pouring in after the first unit stage led to high expectations for the next one.
But that didn't last long.
Because the combinations consisted of members whose main positions didn't overlap, people couldn't quite picture the result.
As they reacted to the subsequent performances, the anticipation for the next unit stage began to dwindle.
People were immersed in the concert relay, enjoying the group performances that featured intense choreography following a single ballad.
It was right around then that the mid-concert talk segment began again.
However, only two people were holding microphones.
The two were panting heavily, yet they opened their mouths with bright smiles.
[Hello, hi! Gasp!]
[Haa, whew, it hurts in here! But I feel the best!]
[Yu-jin is, whew, out of breath, but he says he’s happy to see you all!]
[That’s right!]
Amidst the audience sending active, positive reactions, the two exchanged light jokes before finally announcing the next stage.
[Next is...]
[Next is!]
[The second unit stage~!]
The two left the cheering audience with the words, "Check the screen for details," and ran offstage with wide grins.
A few seconds later, three people appeared on the screen.
[Is the screen on?]
The features on the screen were clearly visible even to those watching via the relay.
People shared their thoughts as they waited for the second unit’s VCR to end.
[The song we prepared... is Miso-sunbaenim’s "You Are Amazing."]
[Starting right now!]
The screen cut to black as the three waved.
And a moment later.
The streaming screens began to shake violently.
At the same time, sounds of "Huh? What?" flashed by, followed immediately by ear-splitting cheers and screams.
The shouting was so loud that the song could barely be heard, turning into low-quality audio that generated massive noise.
Those eavesdropping on the concert through the relay were startled by the massive reaction but began to get excited.
It was clear that something incredible had happened.
Some video streams even cut out entirely.
Amidst the chaotic reactions, a post finally went up containing the situation.
=========================
[Crazy, Park Moon-dae just now]
The last thing I saw before the stream I was watching cut out.
(Photo)
=========================
In the attached photo, Park Moon-dae was... wearing a sparkling pink sequined ribbon headband perfectly on his head!
Inside the Gymnastics Arena where the concert was being held.
The second unit’s stage began with spotlights hitting three phone booths.
Vrrr—.
The three phone booths that rose onto the protruding stage via a lift were decorated in gentle pastel tones.
‘I have to! I have to capture this!’
Park Moon-dae’s fansite master gripped her camera and swallowed hard. She made a quick deduction.
‘Is it a concept where they lean against the booths and sing?’
Since it was an emotional song from the 80s, she thought they might have arranged it slowly for such a performance.
‘I hope Moon-dae has a lot of parts!’
At that moment, the intro began to play.
The refreshing sound of a xylophone and the cheerful blare of synth brass rhythmically filled the air.
To that exciting beat, the booth doors opened one by one.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
All sorts of flashy decorations, confetti, and balloons burst out from each booth onto the stage.
“...?!”
And through the glitter, silhouettes leaning against the booths in various poses began to appear.
‘Blonde!’
Park Moon-dae was in the center booth.
...Wearing well-fitted jeans, a white T-shirt, and a denim jacket draped loosely over his shoulders!
‘The outfit!!’
Just as the fansite master was about to raise her camera, Park Moon-dae began to walk out of the booth.
Immediately, along with the choreography, the first verse began.
As soon as Park Moon-dae started singing with a smile in his eyes, he pulled something out from behind his back and placed it on his blonde hair.
It was a sparkling... giant ribbon.
“Gasp!”
The choreography, filled with cute gestures that one couldn't even attempt without serious star quality, unfolded with a refreshing energy as he moved his body fluidly.
Meanwhile, his pale face was captured on the giant screen. There were even sparkling glitter stickers under Park Moon-dae’s eyes.
‘Crazy! Park Moon-dae is insane!’
They had reinterpreted an 80s female solo song into a classic, quintessential idol style!
Bae Se-jin sang the next part. On his head sat a light blue ribbon, identical in style but different in color.
Because the choreography focused on fluid and beautiful lines, even Bae Se-jin, who lacked a bit of power, was able to pull it off quite stylishly.
Moreover, his facial expressions were so good that everyone’s gaze was naturally drawn to his face.
Then Seon A-hyun came forward and sang the pre-chorus in his sweet voice. A purple ribbon swayed on top of his head.
‘His face is insane...’
The outfit of a denim jacket over a white T-shirt looked as if it had been born for Seon A-hyun.
And then, the chorus where they all joined in.
Following the choreography, the denim jackets were draped over their shoulders, then slid down below their elbows.
The white shirts were short-sleeved.
The outfits, the hair, the production, the choreography, and the arrangement.
One could feel their determination to show off the incredible charms of an idol.
And that determination worked perfectly.
It was thanks to their faces and star quality, which allowed them to pull off elements that could have been overwhelming if they were even slightly off.
Because of that, the audience watching the stage was in a state of pure delight and peak immersion.
‘Ha...’
The fansite master, who had barely managed to keep her angle fixed without even checking her preview, suddenly realized that the surroundings were filled with immense screams and groans.
She had been so focused on watching Park Moon-dae in full "fan service" mode that she hadn't even realized how loud it was.
‘...I probably screamed too, right?’
Her own clear screams were likely recorded in the fancam.
‘But if there’s a fan who can see that and hold back a scream, then! That person! Is the one who’s weird!’
Suppressing her screams as best as she could, she didn't take her eyes off the stage even during the second verse.
The three idols, who had even plucked balloons from the phone booths, finished the stage brilliantly, showcasing several visually pleasing moves using the balloon strings.
“Haaaaa...”
The fansite master leaned back against her seat, feeling limp, and only then did she realize that the unit had also done an amazing job singing live in the original female vocal key.
It was a side effect of the "talent show" performance.
“The, the fans loved it!”
As soon as we stepped offstage, Seon A-hyun shouted with an excited face. Rarely for him, he was brimming with confidence.
‘Well, it would be hard not to be confident after hearing that.’
The cheers piercing through my in-ears were immense. To give you an idea, I almost missed my cue by half a beat when the second chorus started.
Bae Se-jin, who had been agonizing over his self-respect during the early stages of practice, also calmly admitted it as he pulled off his headband.
“The concept... was a good idea, after all.”
“R-right...!”
Seon A-hyun agreed vehemently. Anyone would think it was his idea.
‘Well, since those two picked the song... to some extent, it was Seon A-hyun’s opinion too.’
I had only offered my opinion after the song was chosen and suggested this concept.
‘Because I thought this would suit the concert best.’
And this choice... was also a matter of the overall concert structure.
‘There are no songs to lighten the mood.’
At best, "Hi-Five" was a fun song, but the rest of the lineup was a bit too conceptual.
It meant we needed to include a song like this in the middle—one that people could just smile and enjoy.
I thought the reaction would be good since it would be a fresh change of pace, but... well, I was a bit surprised that it was even better than I expected.
‘...It was fun, too.’
But there was no time to get lost in thought. We had to change clothes and touch up our makeup immediately before the VCR ended.
In fact, we were already moving even as we talked.
“Whoa~ those ribbons were something else!”
“It’s exciting!”
As we ran to get into our next positions, the other members who were already waiting threw in their comments.
I gave them a moderate response and took my place. The members chuckled as they checked each other’s outfits.
“I’m looking forward to this song.”
“Me too.”
Since everyone knew there was no time, the conversation ended there.
Wooooo—.
The stage machinery in front of us opened, and the audience seating unfolded.
Sparkling lights were swaying throughout the entire massive space. Adrenaline surged at the sight, which felt like stepping into a science fiction movie.
Amidst the cheers that rose again, I began the first line.
-
The third team battle of Idol Inc.
The Moon Rabbit team’s "Waiting is Good" resonated throughout the Gymnastics Arena.