Chapter 239
Chapter 239
A concert in the format of Park Moon-dae inviting TeSTAR as guests.
There was a possibility that questions like these would be raised:
However, such comments failed to gain traction as public opinion. Park Moon-dae already knew how to prevent this format from becoming a controversy.
‘I just have to flip the cause and effect.’
[All precious donations collected from the audience during the concert will be given to pediatric patients undergoing long-term hospitalization.]
By setting the donation theme to long-term hospitalization, Park Moon-dae naturally became the most suitable person for the role.
‘Because I’m the one who was hospitalized the longest due to the car accident.’
It wasn't that a donation concept was tacked onto Park Moon-dae’s solo concert; rather, it was that "Park Moon-dae was the best fit for this concert format."
Naturally, people came to think that Park Moon-dae was put forward as the host to further emphasize the significance of it being a charity concert.
[TeSTAR to Hold Online Concert for Pediatric Patients]
[“I thought a lot while hospitalized”... TeSTAR’s Meaningful Charity Concert]
And as the press releases went out focusing on TeSTAR as a group, everything settled into that structure.
Because it was a traditional form of good deed that was easily accepted, it received a fairly positive response even from older age groups. It was a good signal for mobilizing an audience.
However, as the image of a charity event became stronger than that of a concert, nitpicking about the format itself naturally followed.
The rebuttal was clear and simple.
In a capitalist society, there was no phrase that quantified sacrifice better than "forgoing profits."
Fans circulated through communities and social media, writing promotional posts about "how meaningful this concert is and how they hope everyone watches it." At the same time, they were deeply moved.
The fans had been gripped by fear and worry for over two weeks, only to witness a miraculous recovery and the exposure of the company’s corruption. On top of that, they saw a successful return to the stage.
With the flood of events and the upward trajectory, the fans were completely immersed in TeSTAR’s situation. Yet, they couldn't quite set aside their worries.
As a performance-oriented boy group, TeSTAR had many title tracks accompanied by extremely intense choreography, represented by Haengcha. And such songs often made up the core stages of a concert.
Naturally, fans debated whether it was okay for Park Moon-dae, who had just recovered from his injuries, to perform such stages back-to-back.
However, public opinion soon shifted to one side.
It was thanks to the fact that it was the first concert content in a long time, and the public sentiment had been very positive since the news broke. The fans wanted to ride this momentum.
Furthermore, to ensure those who were worried didn't feel more upset, promotional banners including the concert format appeared on social media and other platforms.
[Talk Concert with TeSTAR: <As the Heart Leads>]
[♡ We look forward to your participation ♡]
The poster featured an edited image of seven stools on stage bathed in spotlights.
Since the nature of the concert seemed quite different from TeSTAR’s previous ones, which were packed with intense performances, those who were worried were somewhat relieved.
And the platform’s strategy to draw in an audience didn't end there.
Just when people thought "everything that could be said has been said" and no one but fans were talking about the TeSTAR concert anymore...
[Osung’s Treat!]
[☆ Donations will pour in based on the number of viewers for TeSTAR’s <As the Heart Leads>! ☆]
(※ Based on peak real-time concurrent viewers)
Posts about corporate sponsorship started popping up everywhere. It was exactly one week before the concert.
Corporate sponsorship that promised to donate in proportion to the number of people watching the TeSTAR concert. The somewhat ambiguous amount and the petty cautionary notes actually piqued the interest of netizens.
Thanks to that, promotional posts for the TeSTAR concert circulated once again across the internet.
[Free viewing of TeSTAR’s concert plus free donations added, lol.]
[TeSTAR concert ad that’s high on something.jpg]
[☆★ TeSTAR Talk ☆ Con ★☆ When viewing $$ Everyone donates ☜☜ 100 won per person given ※ Viewing is absolutely free ※ ★ Legal opportunity to bleed Osung dry ★ © Saturday 14:00]
It was funny enough that even people who weren't necessarily fans of TeSTAR joined in. Moreover, since there was no room to criticize the intention, public opinion remained soft.
So, the one remaining question was also passed over smoothly.
The question was how a talk concert could properly take place when there was no audience at all. Idols weren't professional MCs or lecturers. It was easy for the result to end up awkward.
Of course, Park Moon-dae was no fool, so from the moment he made the deal with Cheong-ryeo and the platform, the answer to this was being prepared step by step.
However, he was struggling with a different kind of worry at this moment.
“10-minute break~!”
“Huff!”
I need to bulk up. I really need to bulk up.
‘My stamina isn't keeping up.’
I gulped down a lukewarm sports drink, gasping for breath.
‘...As expected, it’s a waste.’
Not being able to use Bacchus meant that my usable time was reduced by about four hours. I had to sleep during the time I should have been monitoring, practicing, and planning just to manage my condition.
Time was flying by.
But if I didn't sleep, my stamina wouldn't hold up, and my efficiency would drop. In the end, I was back to square one.
‘...Should I increase my workout time?’
I’ve put on some muscle through anaerobic exercise, but honestly, it’s not at a level I’m satisfied with. Back when I was in university...
No, let’s think about that after the concert.
If I can just finish this online concert properly, I should be able to clear the status abnormality within the time limit, so I’ll have time to think about other things then.
‘The promotion worked perfectly.’
Looking at the current momentum on the internet, it’s fine. If worst comes to worst, even if I have to do a five-point prostration to delay the lawsuit and visit Japan early next year... it should roughly work out.
...And as things started running smoothly according to plan, another problem began to catch my eye.
“10 minutes are up~ Back to formation!”
“Yep!”
I watched the guy who was hitting Cha Yu-jin’s back with a bright smile.
“…….”
I remained slumped in my seat, staring at him.
Keun Se-jin seemed to flinch for a moment, but he soon asked with his usual easygoing, smiling face.
“...Ah, do you want to rest a bit more?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Got it~”
He sure talks a good game.
But his attitude had definitely changed.
The jokes that almost crossed the line, or the expressions and gestures he used to subtly show when he was annoyed—all of that had vanished. Instead, only a guy who acted like some kind of "reaction robot" remained.
‘He wasn't even like this when we first met.’
In short, it was incredibly uncomfortable. It felt like he was humoring me, or perhaps protesting. And as for when this started... it’s painfully obvious.
- Do you have to say it like that?
- ……!
- Don't be snide. I’m being honest with you.
He’s been acting like this ever since he apologized to me after that conversation in the hospital room.
‘Damn it.’
So I can't even tell if he’s acting like this because his feelings are hurt or because he feels sorry.
‘He’s not the type to just lay it all out and clear the air, either.’
I suspect he’ll keep this up until he feels okay, but the problem is that communication breaks down every time it seems like there’s going to be a disagreement.
- ...So I want to go with these two regardless of the options. What do you think?
- If you think so, then going with that is fine~
- I’m asking what you think. You said earlier we should only do one of the two.
- ...Me? I’m~ like I said, anything is fine? Do whatever makes you comfortable, comfortable~
Is he backing down first, or is he indirectly expressing that even dealing with me is stressful?
Either way, since it’s like this every time, it means his internal state definitely isn't normal either. A guy who loves steering situations his way is throwing away his right to choose every time he clashes with me.
“……Whew.”
Once the concert is over... No, I don't know. It’s not like there’s an actual conflict, is there? I feel like trying to address it might just cause a fight for no reason.
‘Is time the only remedy?’
“Finished! Great work, everyone~!”
“Yahoo!”
“It was perfect, no mistakes!”
As I finished the choreography for the last song, I went into a stretch to shake off the useless thoughts. I heard a voice behind me.
“...Moon-dae~ Is your back okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
...Seeing things like this, it seems he does want to get along.
When I turned around, Keun Se-jin just had an ambiguous smile on his face. He stood there for a moment, then soon grabbed his towel and headed to the back of the practice room.
“…….”
Damn, what am I supposed to do?
Do I really have to deal with interpersonal relationship worries that I never even had as a minor, now that I’ve rejuvenated after three years of preparing for the civil service exam?
I sat on a chair in the corner of the practice room and tilted my head back to look at the ceiling. There was no answer.
It was then.
“M-Moon-dae.”
“…What is it?”
“Um… I-I might be overstepping, but…….”
Seon A-hyun, who had crept up to me, suddenly pierced through to the main point. Though he was a bit off the mark.
“Are you… a-still mad at Se-jin?”
“…? No.”
If anyone’s mad, it’s probably him at me.
However, Seon A-hyun seemed to take my words as a good sign, and sitting down beside me, he began to earnestly defend the guy.
“W-when the car accident happened, Se-jin worked r-really, really hard….”
“…….”
“Talking to the c-company… and coming to the hospital constantly to talk about the surgery… he r-really worked hard! He couldn't even, eat properly…….”
Seon A-hyun’s explanation wasn't detailed or specific. But the emotions of that time seeped through.
The desperate efforts while ‘Park Moon-dae’ wouldn't wake up. And the sadness.
That’s when I realized.
“W-when Moon-dae woke up, Se-jin cried a lot in the car on the way back too…. E-everyone did, but I-I think it was because he was worried about Moon-dae that much.”
That these guys cared about me... even more than I thought.
I was at a loss for words.
“S-so… could you… t-try to think of it in a good way too? I want Moon-dae to be at peace….”
“…….”
I struggled to open my mouth.
“…Alright.”
“……!”
“I’ll try talking to him.”
“Y-yeah!”
Seon A-hyun gave a faint smile, then soon stumbled up at Cha Yu-jin’s call and went to check his bags.
“Hyung! Eat this with me!”
“Huh? W-wait a second...!”
I sat there for a while, then finally made a decision.
And that evening.
“Keun Se-jin.”
“Huh?”
I asked Bae Se-jin for a favor and swapped rooms for a bit. He looked delighted as he packed his things from the living room and moved in.
“…Moon-dae?”
“Yeah.”
So, to put it another way, Keun Se-jin’s roommate for today was me.