Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Ever since I acquired the 'Catchy Ear' trait, which amplifies my ability to recognize a good song, I don't think I’ve ever failed a song selection.
And with that in mind, the chorus of the song Gold 1 sent me—their upcoming title track—was… honestly, really good.
I’m not talking about it from a technical or artistic standpoint. I mean that even after just one listen, the song sticks in your head.
It had extreme mass appeal.
‘Damn it.’
Of course, there was still no chance TeSTAR would lose in terms of overall performance.
The problem was that people were bound to start talking nonsense.
‘The current situation isn't one where I can just let that slide.’
First of all… this was the current atmosphere surrounding TeSTAR’s latest album, Chakho-gapsa.
To start, the critic rating on the most famous music review site in the country was four stars.
It was the first four-star rating given to an idol’s new release this year.
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The Aesthetics of Balance.
To achieve harmony, elements must be distinct. From the Moombahton of 〈Rhythm〉 to the Synth-pop of 〈Breath〉, various 'dishes' are woven together using traditional Korean instruments as ingredients, culminating in the title track 〈Haengcha〉, which serves as the centerpiece of this full-course meal.
In a recent trend dominated by singles and mini-albums, the boldness of attempting consecutive full-length albums with less than a six-month interval is backed by a well-structured foundation.
……
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The only criticism added at the end was that the 'craftsmanship felt obsessive and the structure of the title track was conventional.'
The critics had praised it far more than I had expected. Naturally, this was a huge boost to the group’s prestige.
Furthermore, the international response was clear.
With visible results in music video views, album sales, and global streaming charts, love calls from overseas began pouring in.
We already had performance schedules lined up for a semi-major English-speaking talk show and a Japanese morning program.
Even though it was an extreme performance-heavy track—far from 'easy-listening'—its domestic digital chart performance was also excellent.
‘We’re at number four right now, aren't we?’
According to what I’d overheard at the company, the influx of official fan club members was accelerating even faster than the last album, and we were reaping the full benefits of that.
So, to summarize all these indicators: this comeback was a golden opportunity to secure both commercial success and artistic recognition, firmly cementing our place in the top tier.
In short, we were just about to throw open the doors to a crazy prime era.
But imagine if the group Gold 1 belongs to—Golden Age—makes a simultaneous comeback and starts dragging TeSTAR into the conversation, especially when they’ve come out with a damn good song.
‘People will definitely start saying things like, "Golden Age has the better song, but TeSTAR only won because of their fans."’
In other words, the 'hype' would drain away from the perception of both the fans and the general public.
The reputation TeSTAR was just about to earn—that of a 'top-tier group successful in all aspects'—was at risk of being reduced to just a 'boy group with a large fandom.'
With entry into the top tier right before our eyes, I had no intention of letting us get held back here.
‘We have to go on a large-scale tour.’
To avoid a sudden death via Status Effect, TeSTAR’s momentum couldn't falter until the next comeback.
‘I need to make sure public opinion continues to highly value TeSTAR’s current album.’
After some thought, I quickly reached a conclusion.
‘The answer is National Pride.’
I needed to make the domestic public feel proud of the common ground they shared with TeSTAR.
Just enough so it didn't feel too artificial or excessive to the point of causing a backlash.
I let out a short sigh and belatedly replied to Gold 1’s message. Several others had already posted their responses.
[It’s a great song and very easy to listen to. Congratulations, hyung.]
I kept it clean and concise to ensure their company couldn't use it in some weird way.
Gold 1 was simply grateful.
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): ㅠㅠ Thanks, guys!]
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): Ha, I hope the reaction is good… I’ll have to work hard.]
Gold 1 seemed a bit anxious, and after a brief conversation, he ended the chat with a joke.
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): When we meet at the music shows next week, can you sign a CD for me…? My younger brother is going to kill me.]
However, an hour or two later, the group chat rang again.
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): Guys, I’m really sorry, but would it be okay if I mentioned in an interview or something this week that you guys complimented the song?]
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): No, it’s just that they keep asking questions to try and start a fight, and it’s scary.]
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): Ah, the gap between God-star and us is so huge, but they keep doing that, so my legs are shaking… Save me.]
Look at this.
‘That’s a no.’
He might be sincere, but there was no telling how his company would use it.
Wouldn't it be perfect for media play, with headlines like 'Golden Age’s New Song Even Recognized by Rivals TeSTAR'?
I quickly typed a message before the others could reply.
[Would that be okay? I’m worried that it might be framed as you leaking the title track to another group through your Aju-sa connections, hyung.]
Immediately after, a private message arrived.
[Keun Se-jin: lol nice]
As expected, he had been intentionally staying quiet.
And even without Keun Se-jin needing to back me up and set the mood, a terrified reply from Gold 1 came back instantly.
[Ha Il-jun (Hyung): Heh, that could actually happen; thanks, Moon-dae. This crazy company almost sold me out because they’ve lost their minds.]
‘So the company really did advise him to do that.’
They really were something else.
It seemed Gold 1 himself didn't even harbor a sense of rivalry toward TeSTAR because the gap in their status was so large, but it was clear he trusted his company.
‘I’m jealous.’
The contrast with our place was striking.
Suppressing a sigh, I called our company.
‘I’ll have to request the exact dates myself.’
Checking every single thing personally was the only way to avoid getting stabbed in the back by this company.
The week after Park Moon-dae checked Golden Age’s title track.
A reaction video was uploaded to a major WeTube channel.
The channel was famous for creating unique situations to elicit interesting reactions, so celebrities had been appearing on it frequently lately.
However, it was the first time people from this specific field had appeared.
[Traditional Musicians React to the Latest K-POP (feat. TeSTAR) | NAYA]
It featured people who performed traditional Korean music.
The video was filmed with each participant individually and then edited together.
[Hello. I am Baek Ju-bin, a traditional vocalist.]
[I held a Gayageum recital at the National Gugak Center last year.]
[My most recent performance was… Cheoyongmu?]
The video briefly introduced the artists' backgrounds with some footage and then began with simple questions.
[NAYA: Do you listen to K-POP?]
[I know the famous ones, more or less.]
[No.]
[Yes. I like it.]
While their reactions varied, the sentiment the video emphasized was this:
[I suppose it’s quite different from the music I usually do.]
Then, the channel’s production crew opened a laptop and had the traditional musicians watch a music video.
To be precise, it was a teaser.
[NAYA: I’m going to show you a K-POP music video that’s currently on the trending list.]
[Um… should I just watch it?]
[One, ten, hundred, thousand… the unit is ten million. Wow.]
[3, 2, 1, I’m pressing play.]
Click.
Soon, the video in question was broadcast on a small screen within the frame.
It was the teaser for TeSTAR’s new song.
[Oh, this?]
And the traditional musicians… they started smiling the moment Seon A-hyun’s solo part came on.
[So this is why you showed it to us!]
[It’s the Gayageum.]
Of course, elements other than the main instrument were extremely close to K-POP, but the traditional musicians still found it quite interesting.
[They used it very cleverly.]
[The movements… they mixed some of that in too. There’s an arm movement used in Taepyeongmu.]
[Wow, he’s really handsome! Someone like him should have come to our side (?).]
But when Cha Yu-jin’s solo part followed immediately after, the reaction grew a bit stronger.
[That wasn't the end??]
[Oh, this person is very cool too! The Kkwaenggwari suits him perfectly!]
[…Wait, the length of this video… hold on.]
[NAYA: Please keep watching. (Laughs)]
The traditional musicians ended up watching the first verse of every TeSTAR member’s solo song.
Accompanied by visuals that practically screamed 'massive budget.'
[Oh…….]
The reactions, which had started as mere politeness, grew more intense as they became immersed in the video.
In particular, the most explosive reactions occurred the moment the traditional instruments from each solo song layered together to create the title track.
[Whoa!!]
[Ah, so these were all parts of a whole!]
[How on earth did they come up with this idea??]
[These instruments are usually used in different contexts, so there’s probably no case where they’re all used together… Oh, it’s very fresh.]
[NAYA: We’re told the members themselves came up with these ideas while producing the songs.]
[That’s truly amazing!]
And the moment Ryu Cheong-woo appeared, they even became immersed in the story.
[Is he a monster? Earlier in the book, a monster…….]
[Mmm~ I get it. Look. First of all, this guy is a Gumiho.]
[Really? …Ah, then could the guy at the very beginning be Cheoyong? I think so.]
Then, the production crew dropped a bombshell.
[NAYA: Why don't you ask them yourselves?]
[What??]
And from off-camera, the TeSTAR members appeared.
[Park Moon-dae: Hello. I’m Park Moon-dae of TeSTAR.]
[Cha Yu-jin: Hello! I am Cha Yu-jin. I’m TeSTAR!]
[Oh my god!]
The TeSTAR members appeared in each video, either alone or in pairs, and sat across from the traditional musicians.
They then created fun and heartwarming scenes with the shocked musicians.
[Ah, I really enjoyed the video!]
[It was totally… like a genius. The best.]
[You’re even more handsome in person.]
[Um, excuse me… are your eyes really uncomfortable…….]
[Bae Se-jin: ??? Ah, no…. I, well, I was a child actor…….]
[Ahhh! Oh no, I’m so sorry! Your acting with the blindfold was just so realistic!]
The raw reactions resulting from their mutual fluster provided a long stream of friendliness and laughter.
And at the end, the tone shifted slightly toward a more touching and serious conversation.
[Actually, as we continue this work, we sometimes feel like we’re drifting away from the public. Thank you for showing us such a wonderful fusion.]
[Park Moon-dae: It’s thanks to you that we were able to learn and use the wonderful sounds traditional instruments make. Thank you so much.]
[Let’s both keep working hard!]
[Cha Yu-jin: Great! Let’s hug!]
And to keep the lingering feeling from becoming too heavy, the situation concluded with a bit of humor.
[Cha Yu-jin: But I’m actually American! I like Kkwaenggwari!]
[????]
The traditional musician’s face became a mask of confusion.
[T-That’s good……. Even foreigners like it (?)]
The video ended there.
And as if it were only natural, the video quickly racked up hundreds of thousands, then millions of views as soon as it was uploaded, taking its place on the domestic trending list.
And it wasn't just this video.
TeSTAR performed on a WeTube channel specializing in choreography videos while wearing full Hanbok, and in previews for terrestrial variety shows, they appeared playing their respective traditional instruments.
They were emphasizing the appealing points of this album at a level that suited the content without being excessive.
After diligently laying the groundwork with the nuance of 'TeSTAR is promoting our country’s traditional music,' the agency began flooding the main portals with articles about TeSTAR’s overseas schedules.
It was a bomb dropped just as Gold 1’s group was barely beginning their first week of promotions.
The operation was a success.
And anyway, they couldn't even sit in a formidable position like 'the symbolic group representing Korea' with just this much.
Because VTIC existed.
However, not everything went exactly as expected.
The filming of TeSTAR’s first overseas schedule for this promotion.
The backstage area, which would normally be busy with various checks, was a chaotic mess of urgency and worry.
“Kim Rae-bin!”
“Are you okay??”
“I-I don’t kno…….”
His face pale, Kim Rae-bin reached for his right foot before hurriedly pulling his hand away. He was clearly in severe pain.
“Rae-bin, don't touch your foot.”
“Is there a kit??”
“Let me see!”
The staff hurriedly removed his shoe and carefully checked his condition.
The top of his foot, which was bleeding, was visibly swollen.
‘Damn it.’
I almost bit my tongue.