Chapter 257
Chapter 257
The end of the year.
As it was a time to wrap up the old year and welcome the new, the world of popular culture was buzzing with various events and anniversaries.
Naturally, those interested in K-pop were also starting to prepare themselves to watch the related festivities.
Of course, TeSTAR—who had been a literal bomb of hype this year, whether they liked it or not—was not left out of the conversation.
==============================
[TeSTAR will probably win a Grand Prize too]
They deserve one at the ceremonies that give out multiple Grand Prizes. Didn't they get one at ToneA last year?
Their hype was so good this year that I think they'll get them here and there. Especially with the accident and everything.
==============================
It was the classic "Is TeSTAR Grand Prize material?" bait.
First of all, "Spring Out," which was released at the beginning of the year, was a digital single, so it had no records other than digital sales, putting it on hold.
"Call (Nightmare)," released after that, was a definite annual hit, but the problem was that they couldn't promote it for very long before the car accident happened.
The potential for the promotions to explode even further had unfortunately stopped at a moderate level due to the accident.
Since one of the members had even fallen into a coma and the airing of pre-recorded variety shows had been postponed, it was even harder to shake off that "somehow unfortunate" feeling.
So, even though they had refreshed their image with the charity concert, it was true that it felt somewhat lacking to call them perfect Grand Prize material.
Furthermore, the trolls knew it too.
They knew it would be difficult for TeSTAR to make another comeback in the second half of this year.
TeSTAR's antis were actually cheering and enjoying the news of TeSTAR's sudden vacation.
This was because they considered it an "impossible to recover this year" verdict.
However, it was around that time that a rumor-like article surfaced.
[TeSTAR, Countdown to a Year-End/New Year Comeback?]
According to "an industry insider," the article claimed that TeSTAR was preparing for a comeback with their first stage planned for an award ceremony.
If the article was true, the promotions would be split precariously between the second half of this year or the first half of next year.
The underlying reactions of the hardcore fans were quite mixed.
This was because, from late November to mid-December, the year-end and New Year specials tended to steal the spotlight from new songs.
Unless it was a carol aimed at the Christmas vibe, it wasn't a very good move for such an important period.
Especially considering that ToneA, the award ceremony hosted by T1, was in early December, one couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.
In the midst of that typical pre-comeback tension where anticipation and anxiety intersected...
A new article was published on a large scale.
[ToneA, From the End of the Year to the Start of the New Year... January Hosting Announced]
News broke that ToneA would be held in January.
Various rumors circulated as to why—from difficulties in casting presenters and securing large overseas venues to a reorganization of music sites—but nothing was certain.
The important thing was that the hearts of TeSTAR fans were finally at peace.
By this point, public interest had shifted.
It wasn't about making up for this year anymore; the question of whether they would hit a home run next year was right in front of them.
Instead of focusing on whether TeSTAR would win a Grand Prize at the upcoming ceremonies, interest shifted more toward the results of this comeback.
The car accident issue, the successful charity concert, the VTIC trolls, and finally, TeSTAR's latest comeback performance after hitting a home run with their variety show!
And as TeSTAR's appearances in various year-end music programs were officially confirmed, fans were slightly excited to taste their "main job" for the first time in a while.
Furthermore, photos of the members heading to the practice room after enjoying their vacation were uploaded to TeSTAR's account every day or two.
[Vacation's over! Now that we're practicing, I feel great~ (Bear emoji)]
The members looked excited and happy.
Fans waited for TeSTAR's year-end stages with a strange sense of pride and fulfillment that comes from liking an "idol who is serious about their main job."
Since there were no issues with the comeback date, the atmosphere was calmly positive.
And TeSTAR was making more plans than the fans had predicted.
The first move was revealed not long after.
Among the flood of promotional articles for year-end programs, most were about special stages or segments, and one of them included a poster.
[MBS Music Festival Collaboration Stage List Revealed? A Glamorous Lineup from Great Seniors to Monster Rookies]
A banner-style poster image made of black silhouettes.
Among them was a silhouette familiar to fans.
It was TeSTAR's main dancer, Seon A-hyun.
TeSTAR intended to spend this year-end actively as an advertisement for their next album.
And by the time the article was published, TeSTAR had already entered year-end preparations.
"Let's have a snack!"
"Here."
"..."
Cha Yu-jin looked at the carrot stick in his hand in horror.
"This isn't a snack!"
"Do... do you want an apple...?"
"Yes..."
Taking the apple from Seon A-hyun, Cha Yu-jin chewed on it sadly.
Crunch, crunch.
'His teeth are certainly strong.'
I clicked my tongue.
For now... this group was controlling their diet to bring back the muscles that had disappeared during Chuseok, with the year-end season right around the corner.
No matter how high Cha Yu-jin's basal metabolic rate was, he had been living a dissolute life, so he needed careful management.
Of course, there were those who didn't need it.
"I... I have tomatoes too, not just apples...!"
Like Seon A-hyun, who managed his body out of habit. This guy hadn't gained any weight even during Chuseok.
"I like tomatoes with sugar!"
"Th-that's not allowed..."
"Uuuu..."
Cha Yu-jin trudged over and sat in the corner of the practice room.
He'll be like that for about ten days. Even though he's eating plenty of meat.
'Should I supply him with some protein bars?'
As I was mentally organizing suggestions to send to the nutrition expert, I saw Seon A-hyun looking disappointed while holding the cherry tomatoes.
"You eat them."
"O-oh, no! I'm fine."
Seon A-hyun put the container of cherry tomatoes back into the refrigerator.
I watched him without much thought, then checked the current time on the LED attached to the refrigerator door.
"I think you need to leave within an hour."
"O-oh? ...Yeah."
That's right. Seon A-hyun had a solo practice schedule for the past few days.
It was because he was performing a special collaboration stage for the MBS year-end program on December 31st.
It was predictable, but it was one of those stages where the broadcasting station pressured the agencies to pick one member from each popular group and combine them.
Since everyone was incredibly busy, they hardly ever met, but anyway, he had already received the video for his individual part and finished mastering it.
'It took him three hours.'
This is why guys who are good at dancing have an advantage. Honestly, it's true that learning choreography is more physically taxing than learning a song.
Furthermore, Seon A-hyun had even participated in some of the choreography drafts for this title track.
This time, we had received choreography drafts from more than seven places and combined them, so the fact that he managed to push his own choreography in was no small feat.
'He has talent.'
Even the style of the movements wasn't his major, modern dance.
So, a collaboration stage or whatever... seeing as he got a good part, there shouldn't be any problems with the performance.
Since TeSTAR had the best name value, he'd get good camera time too.
I nodded. There were no problems.
"Do a good job."
"...Okay!!"
Seeing Seon A-hyun all fired up, it should turn out well.
Of course, it wasn't just Seon A-hyun. Just listen to Bae Se-jin muttering next to me.
"...Me, presenting an award."
"Hmm? It's for the Child Actor award. It suits you well. Moving around might be a bit of a hassle, though..."
"Me! Presenting an award!"
"...Let's calm down, Se-jin."
From presenting at film festivals to commemorative stages at entertainment award ceremonies.
We had carefully picked out substantial schedules that had the potential to generate articles without being excessive.
Everyone had agreed to use their spare time this way instead of running year-end events.
'...The settlement money for this quarter will be cut in half.'
Still, it was a profitable venture. It was also an effective way of promotion.
So, after filtering them by name value, I didn't reject them and took on one or two myself... but it's a bit unsettling.
'Why did this offer come to me, of all people?'
I think there would have been a more suitable member than me... well, if they really want to use me.
'It doesn't matter.'
I shrugged and put my headset back on.
I intended to re-check the third recording. This title track had to turn out well, no matter what.
'Let's do this right.'
And the end of the year approached like an arrow.
A few weeks later, on a Friday night in early to mid-December.
Netizens were waiting for the very first public broadcast music program of the returning year-end season.
No, let me correct that. There were plenty of people who just wanted to watch the clips or only care about their own idols who would appear late in the show.
Still, since everyone might show up at least once during the opening, the fans of the performers watched the beginning out of courtesy.
A large broadcasting hall shining brilliantly with lights.
[☆Gayo Daejeon☆]
[Sangam Hall Live Broadcast]
And finally, the ones who appeared at the commentary desk were... male and female MCs dressed up in sparkling outfits.
However, their faces were extraordinary.
[Hello, Gayo Daejeon viewers!]
They were smiling slightly, and while they were the definition of a handsome man and a beautiful woman, they weren't from the expected professions.
It was because they were three active idols.
And the most popular ones at that.
[I'm Chae-yul from VTIC!]
[Young-rin from Saint You.]
[And I'm TeSTAR's Park Moon-dae, the youngest MC.]
Park Moon-dae on the screen poked his cheek with a subtle smile. The seniors standing next to him hurriedly suppressed their laughter.
The comment section exploded at the unexpected lineup of first-tier elite members.
For the record, not even the ones who cast them expected this to actually work out.