Chapter 243
Chapter 243
The monitoring equipment showed VTIC on stage, carrying on their talk fluently without a hint of awkwardness.
[“Actually, the longer you’ve been active, the fewer opportunities you have to cover other idols’ songs.”]
[“That’s true, that’s true! Eventually, you can fill an entire concert with just your own tracks!”]
[“And that’s a wonderful thing. Still, it was really fun preparing a cover stage after such a long time.”]
Even without looking, I knew the comments would be flooded with stuff like, “Honestly, they could’ve wiped the floor with them even without their senior status. They must’ve felt so frustrated lol.”
I started to cross my arms but stopped myself to avoid interfering with the staff member adjusting my microphone.
Those two... they were useless on professional variety shows, but they certainly know how to sound convincing when it’s just them.
“Th-they’re... really good at talking.”
“They’ve been doing it for over eight years; they’d better be.”
“R-right?”
Bae Se-jin replied grumpily to Seon A-hyun’s admiration. It seemed he was still far from pleased about Cheong-ryeo being here.
Well, it was expected. He had been horrified when I first brought it up.
—Why is that crazy bastard coming to an event like this...!!
—The platform belongs to their agency. It would’ve been difficult to refuse.
—Ugh...!
—So... I thought it might be better to just invite the whole group. What do you think?
—...Fine. I guess that’s better.
A long discussion followed, essentially questioning whether we had to hold this concert on that platform in the first place, but Bae Se-jin ultimately lost to the majority vote.
For the record, the only other person who knew that Cheong-ryeo was the bastard I’d had a literal dogfight with during my break was... well, he happened to be in his 'Reaction Robot' state, only capable of saying yes at the time.
—...Really? Okay~ We’ll have to work hard then.
That had been the extent of Keun Se-jin’s reaction back then.
The problem was that he was currently making a very irreverent gesture... Hey, stop pretending to behead someone while fanning yourself.
Looking at them, everyone seemed to be a mix of nervous and on guard, but of course, there was one who was just plain excited.
For example, Kim Rae-bin.
“It was a remarkably adventurous yet sophisticated arrangement! I think it would be very interesting if we also tried a more modern arrangement of the seniors’ 〈San-gun〉 next time. What do you think?!”
“…….”
No, that’s not it.
‘If we go that far, it really becomes a battle of egos...’
It would look like we were saying, ‘You dare use Haengcha like this? I’ll do the same to San-gun.’
Right now, under the guise of a charity concert, we could barely pass it off as a heartwarming atmosphere on the surface, but going that far would be a disaster.
Excited 'Issue WeTubers' would latch onto it, claiming it was a diss track battle rather than a competition program, and then it would turn into a total mess.
Fortunately, before I could speak, Ryu Cheong-woo gently cut Kim Rae-bin off.
“Let’s try it if we get the chance.”
“Yes!”
He looked like he had no idea that 'chance' would never come.
“…….”
Well... I guess it’s fine as long as at least one of them is happy.
Wait, there was one more.
“Let’s use flags too!! Flags are cool!!”
Cha Yu-jin looked ready to compose a whole new song on the spot. Bae Se-jin asked him with a dubious expression.
“...Aren’t you nervous?”
“Why?”
“Because... the people before us did so well.”
“It’s okay. I’m good! Um, we’re good!”
“……!”
A sudden sense of grim determination washed over Bae Se-jin’s face.
“Th-that’s right!”
“Exactly!”
Sure, get yourselves pumped up.
I nodded and added my piece.
“Let’s go out there and give it our all.”
“Y-yeah!”
“Right, Mr. Moon-dae, who insisted so strongly on this concert~”
“Mr. Moon-dae, who scouted a choreographer just one day after being discharged from the hospital.”
“…….”
Even Ryu Cheong-woo?
I’d better nail this stage. The moment we fail, I feel like these guys will hang me upside down and pour red ginseng down my throat.
Of course, I had no intention of failing.
‘Let’s just do it exactly as we prepared.’
I smiled and stood up with them.
Soon, it was TeSTAR’s turn again.
“Whoa!!”
A graduate student sitting in front of her computer was marveling at the VTIC stage she had just watched.
There was no denying it was a truly spectacular performance!
‘Mmm, though I still like the original stage better... it can’t be helped! It’s TeSTAR’s original song, after all!’
She felt another surge of pride for TeSTAR, who had pulled off such a masterpiece as their title track, and also sent her applause to VTIC.
‘Korean idols are seriously so cool~’
That was the review of someone who hadn't tasted the abyss of the industry.
Unlike the general public who were happily praising both, the hardcore fans were clutching their heads, agonizing over what to do.
-F*ck, those VTIC bastards can’t stop themselves from piggybacking, can they? They’re even acting up at a junior’s concert.
-It would’ve been enough with just our kids... The power tripping is seriously disgusting.
-What’s with all that for a guest appearance at a charity concert? Bringing all those dancers... Wow, my blood is boiling.
-I need to get off the internet.
The VTIC side wasn't much different, but as the initial bewilderment and anger subsided, some people began to enjoy it.
The stage had been that overwhelming.
-They should’ve sent them to variety shows instead of doing this. But well, our Victory-babies won, so it’s fine lol.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, I’m gonna use this as a promotional video.
└ Let’s go for another San-gun chart climb. While we’re at it, let’s do Haengcha too. I’m gonna request a VTIC version release, Haha
-It’s so funny how the boys always get a mysterious win without even knowing it. Yeah, this is why I’m a TICA.
-If you have time for this during the first-week sales period, just schedule a fan sign instead ㅠㅠ Ah Shit, a fan war is gonna break out.
While surprise clips of VTIC’s stage were being uploaded across social media and communities.
[“VTIC will be heading out now~”]
[“Please continue to participate!”]
VTIC finished their short talk, gave a friendly farewell, and exited.
Not before pointing at the electronic display where a new prompt appeared.
[The next stage is]
1. TeSTAR covering VTIC
2. TeSTAR covering VTIC..?
The options were similar to before.
However, the option that originally said 'VTIC covering TeSTAR' had disappeared, replaced by a sentence with a mysterious punctuation mark.
-?
-What’s with #2?
-Why is there a question mark lolol
Naturally, the incomprehensible vibe made the comments pick up speed again.
The fans who had logged in because of VTIC also postponed leaving for a moment at the mention of the name.
-Hey, it’s #2 again.
-I’m curious why the question mark is there.
-I feel like something funny is gonna happen, vote #2 quickly.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, this is gonna be fun.
Along with the comments from numerous viewers enjoying the unpredictable options, votes flooded in instantly.
The result was a complete victory for option #2.
‘Is this going to be okay?’
‘I don’t like it because it feels like VTIC’s name will keep coming up no matter what.’
TeSTAR’s fans were uneasy about the prompt itself, but they couldn't say anything to the excited audience, so they quietly waited for TeSTAR’s next stage.
And as usual, the screen suddenly went dark.
Normally, this was when the stage would change and the performance would begin, but...
This time, instead, sound came first from the darkness.
—San-gun
Their claws are hella sharp
Readily tear you apart
“……!”
Those were the lyrics to 〈San-gun〉... the song VTIC had just performed.
-Is TeSTAR doing San-gun too?
-No way, seriously?
-Omg.
Beyond the confused comments, a spotlight hit the stage on screen.
Flash.
It illuminated a table placed on one side of the dark stage. The camera slowly zoomed in on it.
On the table sat a red, retro-style radio with an antenna.
Given the context, it was directed as if the singing was coming from the radio.
But suddenly, a sturdy hand reached onto the table and clicked the radio button.
—No, you can’t…….
The song cut off with a burst of static.
Then, the owner of the hand peeked his head over the table.
It was Cha Yu-jin, wearing a mischievous expression.
[“Hum, hum, hum~”]
Cha Yu-jin hummed the melody of 〈San-gun〉 with an excited face, even shaking his shoulders to the rhythm.
It was the picture of a joyful fan.
But just as the audience’s tension began to relax, Cha Yu-jin suddenly stopped humming and, without warning, grabbed the table and performed a backflip over it!
BBA-BAM!
A cheerful brass sound exploded.
To the beat of the brass, the stage lights around Cha Yu-jin brightened as if they were about to burst, making the surroundings sparkle.
And the stage that unfolded before the audience’s eyes... was a teenage party venue, filled with gold, purple, and red balloons and LED lights.
TeSTAR members were frozen in place, sitting at sofas, bar stools, and tables, holding drinks.
A short silence like a paused tape, and then...
BBABAM, BAM, BBA-BAAAM!
A sophisticated, multi-layered harmony joined the brass.
And around Cha Yu-jin, Ryu Cheong-woo and Lee Se-jin, dressed in denim, rushed in as if soaking into the scene to form a formation.
The moment they grabbed the pillars cluttered with stickers and banners and began to spin, a fast-paced electro-swing accompaniment burst out!
[“Hey partner
Are you thinking of me?
I’m curious, My Owner
Where our connection will go”]
These lyrics, sung cheerfully by a smiling Cha Yu-jin.
It was a song every viewer knew.
-Na-Ssa
-NIGHT SIGN!!!
-???? This?!
That’s right.
The song TeSTAR chose was 〈Night Sign〉, a track destined to remain VTIC’s immortal hit.
The title track of the monster album that sold 1.8 million copies in its first week.
And it was also the song that had handed TeSTAR a K.O. defeat when they released their debut album simultaneously.
The song was known for its sexy lyrics, languid melody, and a contrasting, intense instrumental and performance that boasted extreme difficulty.
However, TeSTAR didn't sing it 'that way.'
-Whoa, I didn't even realize.
-Daebak lolol
-Was it always such an upbeat song?
TeSTAR had completely cranked up the tone with an accompaniment filled with cheerful electric guitars, drums, and disco-style electronic sounds.
The lyrics now sounded like playful, boyish flirting.
[“When our two held hands
Mingle and twist
We’ll remember it again
Night after night”]
From the sofa to the bar, from the bar to the table.
TeSTAR shifted their formation, naturally passing the center spot to the member with the next part.
On a stage without a live audience, there was no fixed 'front.' So, the performance freely changed its center according to the camera angles.
When filming Park Moon-dae lying on the sofa, the camera lowered from the ceiling; for Seon A-hyun sitting at the bar, the camera approached from a bartender’s perspective.
And the members, smiling mischievously, joined the center for large-scale choreography while standing on sofas or the bar.
[“Until the end of this night
Remember my eyes
Like a night sign
Drag you into a trap”]
A multicolored, glowing disco ball sparkled, and confetti exploded.
The members showcased an energy-filled performance that filled the camera, using disco moves with large hand and foot motions to a crisp, snapping rhythm.
It was the perfect atmosphere of early 80s retro high-teen.
-Ah, so fun lolol
-So cute ㅠㅠ
-I’m grooving in my seat right now.
From the position of the junior host, TeSTAR didn't choose a head-on confrontation as if picking a fight.
Instead, they chose a direction that VTIC, with their years of experience, could no longer show as effectively as TeSTAR.
It was the heat and freshness of youth.
[“Whoo~
Whoo, whoo, whoo
Like a night sign”]
The members spun until their cheeks were flushed, ran around, and sang. They carried the song with a clean, respectful vibe, without being overly aggressive.
Moreover, the main vocal part handled by Park Moon-dae evoked a strange sentiment.
Because even VTIC wouldn't be able to sing that part like that anymore.
-Whoa, those high notes;
-The singing is truly top-tier.
-Too bad the main vocal is like that, tsk tsk.
That alone slightly deflated the audience’s hearts, which had been swollen by VTIC’s stage. Their overwhelmed minds had cooled down.
TeSTAR carried the stage cleanly and excitedly with that overflowing energy, never letting the tension drop.
And the difference between #2 and #1 finally revealed itself at the very end.
On that stage that seemed to be concluding as a fun party, the moment the members in their colorful clothes stood in their final formation.
Suddenly, the lighting turned black and white.
Screeeeeeech.
And the members stopped moving, their heads bowed.
On the black and white stage.
A narration echoed.
[“Welcome, welcome
This is the sound calling you”]
It was the chorus of their own song, the nightmare-themed 〈Call (Nightmare)〉.
A sinister voice.
Behind the party venue, a massive banner suddenly unrolled and fell, revealing a giant text in Gothic font.
[To be continued..?]
K-BOOM!!
With the sound of thunder, the members snapped their heads to the side to look at each other.
Like a trailer for a classic American high-teen horror movie.
And... the stage ended abruptly as the lights vanished.
[----.]
Instead, when the peaceful talk set with seven chairs nonchalantly reclaimed the screen.
-????
-Hey, you can’t cut it here.
-Fine, I’ll vote lolol ㅠㅠㅠ
-Show us Call!!!
-Do we have to shoot donations to see it?? Tell us the target amount.
Naturally, after a moment of bewilderment, the comments began to demand a voting window.
Turning the curiosity of comparison into the curiosity of anticipating the next stage.
TeSTAR had dared to use VTIC in such a way, keeping the audience’s attention glued to the screen.
It was a successful plan.
A short while later. During a scheduled commercial break.
Without a moment to rest, we quickly changed clothes and began our social duties with VTIC.
“Wow!! It was really great!”
“...Thank you.”
“Look at that dancing. We can’t dance like that anymore. Everyone, make sure to take your joint supplements early. Knees are the lifeblood of this profession.”
“Whoa, right! I have a product I use, should I recommend it??”
“……That would be great.”
These guys are acting... really friendly.
I glanced back at Cheong-ryeo as I watched the guys I’d only met once on a variety show offer personal advice without hesitation.
“…….”
He was talking to Kim Rae-bin, then looked over here and smirked. Yeah, I see what kind of guys he picked for his group.
“Ah, I just texted you the product name, take a look.”
“Um, yeah.”
I suppressed a sigh and pulled out my smartphone.
The two guys’ eyes sparkled.
“Oh~ I wonder how our names are saved...”
[VTIC Shin-o Sunbae-nim]
[VTIC Chae-yul Sunbae-nim]
“Oh…….”
“You’ve categorized us quite... professionally.”
What did you expect?
I gave a vague nod of thanks for the supplement recommendation and escaped the swamp of this conversation.
“Long time no see, hyungs~”
“Oh, Se-jin!”
I won’t deny that having that guy back me up made things easier.
And a moment later, just before VTIC left for their next schedule.
Instead of a farewell, I heard a question from Cheong-ryeo, who was still in his stage outfit.
No, it was a conviction disguised as a question.
“You got what you wanted, didn't you?”
“…….”
I pulled up my status window.