Chapter 262
Chapter 262
When TeSTAR’s new music video was first released, the stage style people expected was something like this:
But the stage unfolding right now was exactly… the opposite.
On a black stage, black outfits flashed under fluorescent LED lights and white spotlights.
During the intro, each member entering the center position roughly tore off the mascot head they were wearing and tossed it to the side of the stage, revealing their handsome faces.
Swish.
The glossy eyes of the discarded mascot heads glinted under the moving spotlights.
[Good luck! Come on in
Step on today and go faster
Run, hurry up
The burning giant
The immortal night]
Dressed in form-fitting rider jackets and leather pants, the seven members wove together a thrilling choreography, gliding across the dark stage.
Whenever the background LED neon paint splattered between their movements and collisions, their imposing combat boots cut through the beat.
There was even a member who kicked a discarded mascot head as part of the choreography. It was Keun Se-jin’s part.
The power and relaxed execution gave off a "bad boy" vibe.
It wasn't just Park Moon-dae, the first one to do it; every time a member took off their mask, a burst of brilliant color popped out from underneath.
They were intense colors that contrasted sharply with the black outfits.
[Leaping bravado
Every joint of the piston
The engine bursts and heats up]
The song consisted only of extreme elements—ultra-low bass or high-pitched melodies and rap—but the hook and composition were so good that it stuck to the ears on the first listen.
[Run faster
Split the sky
This is an acrobatics beyond the night]
The rushing sense of speed, which had been building up until just before the pre-chorus drop, shifted its face with a drawn-out exclamation.
[Yeaaaaah—]
Following the fading accompaniment and voice, what broke the brief silence was… a whistle.
[Whi-whiwhi whi-ick!]
Then came the iconic chorus choreography, where everyone moved as one.
The riff melody, which clung perfectly to the song, enhanced the addictiveness and sense of rhythm.
The choreography, resembling a playful mime that split even the smallest beats along with the whistle-like sound, blended in perfectly.
[Jump off]
In the center, Cha Yu-jin, the only one with black hair, smirked.
The fact that the member who was usually in charge of dyed hair was the only one with pitch-black hair actually made him stand out more.
Furthermore, he was wearing glowing orange colored lenses in his eyes.
[No need for a parachute
Just jump
I’m going in, Come in]
The sound of solid boots scraping the smooth floor even made it into the microphones.
The whistle melody was fast and cheerful, but because it used minor notes, it felt somewhat unsettling and mischievous.
[In this night, in the middle of the night
Just stay awake
I’m going in, Come in]
A siren-like scream rode the melody and became the beat.
[Like a drill
Warning Warning Emergency]
The choreography, where they climbed over each other's limbs, struck exquisite poses, and then dropped as if they were on a theme park ride, was intense.
There was no room for divided opinions; it was a performance at the level of a survival program finale.
[That’s ma thrill, Ha!]
The ending arrived like a runaway train.
Dancers, who had appeared with new mascot heads at some point, placed a head on Seon A-hyun—the center of the final dance break—as part of the performance.
Meanwhile, the other members, also wearing mascot heads, took their ending formations.
It was a movement that was both intense and humorous, tilting their masked heads at an angle like wooden puppets.
Screeeeeeeech!
A sound like a bike braking sharply rode the notes and lingered over the stage.
The lights cut out abruptly.
[Drill]
The stage ended just like that.
However, the audience's reaction was only just beginning.
*
From the audience on-site to the real-time streaming chats on the internet, screams, admiration, and hollow laughter overflowed everywhere.
There was no lofty interpretation or deep meaning to the stage.
People were electrified by the crazy performance and the song, which were packed with intentional "WOW" points.
Because that was exactly what this promotional track was made for.
It was a stage that possessed all three virtues: an intense and fun performance, a public appeal that could digest even slightly niche elements as "individuality," and the element of surprise that fans loved.
The hardcore fans stayed up all night excitedly dissecting the stage, savoring the taste of the new promotions.
The fandom's atmosphere, which had cooled down for a moment due to the simultaneous release with Young-rin, heated up once again.
There had never been such a pleasant and appropriate reversal!
And before that joyful time could even end, TeSTAR immediately released the new music video at midnight that day.
[TeSTAR ‘Drill (Night)’ Official MV]
The buzz generated by the stage was passed like a baton to the music video. The volume of mentions exploded once again.
The music video purely extracted the visual beauty and the charm of the group choreography with high density.
Inside a nighttime amusement park glittering with fireworks and neon lights, the members, dressed in exaggerated staff costumes, continued their shooting and acrobatic choreography.
While wearing mascot heads, they rode wild motorcycles with blaring sirens through the Fairy Square.
Because it was performed by members with exceptional star quality, it wasn't cringey; it was just overflowing with charming pressure. It was a bit eerie and strange, making it fun, and above all, it was a feast for the eyes.
Naturally, there were no direct worldview elements visible, but it wasn't completely detached either.
=========================
[The music video is insane, isn't it?]
All the scenes in Drill and Wheel are connected by time.
(Link) Here, the front of the carousel, the front of the Ferris wheel, and the front of the mirror are all the same composition.
I bet there’s more if we look.
=========================
It was because they had woven it symmetrically with the other title track.
The transformation of the daytime's refreshing mystery into the nighttime's aggression and glamor was quite a treat.
And TeSTAR had no intention of using this pre-released title track as a throwaway.
On the second day of ToneA, which was held for two consecutive days, they also performed "Wheel (Day)."
[Turn the wheel
So I can fly again]
It was a beautiful and refreshing performance that utilized camera work to the limit on a massive stage set that looked like they had moved an entire amusement park there.
This stage, which would have been good enough on its own, drew even more attention due to the contrast with the previously revealed "Drill (Night)" stage.
Furthermore, it raised TeSTAR’s reputation by another level.
TeSTAR’s strategy of grabbing all the buzz except for the #1 spot on the digital charts was a massive success.
However, the person who masterminded this plan was clicking his tongue with a somewhat lingering sense of regret.
*
‘The mission clear hasn't popped up yet.’
I frowned as I looked at the mission window where the countdown was still running.
Actually, we did receive one Grand Prize at this ToneA. The Artist of the Year award.
‘It was possible because there were three Grand Prize categories.’
While VTIC took the Album and Young-rin took the Song, we managed to grab one as well.
Even so, since VTIC fans consider it "stolen" due to company issues, it might be a natural reaction.
It’s a similar logic to when we won the Rookie of the Year award.
‘The public has to acknowledge us as Grand Prize material.’
In short, we had to be a top-tier group on the level of the current VTIC. For now, TeSTAR was still in the position of a challenger.
For now.
‘This year, we have to at least get to the point where we’re trading blows.’
Maybe it would be possible with this album.
Perhaps because the fans were determined, the album sales were enormous. 700,000 copies in pre-orders alone. It had increased even since "Call."
…The sales tactic of making four versions of the album and then selling a limited pre-order special edition probably played a part.
Still, the contents were decent, so it wouldn't be against business ethics. We included a photobook, Blu-ray perks, and even a keychain modeled after the mascot heads.
‘The digital charts are also going smoothly.’
Whether the attention-grabbing tactic using the stage worked properly, the pre-released "Wheel" was also climbing back up the charts.
Even this couldn't surpass Young-rin, but the important thing was perception.
‘It makes us look like the trend.’
The more famous the songs from this album become, the less backlash there will be when we hit #1.
At a point where we needed the reputation that we won #1 "because it was deserved" even if our digital scores were lower than Young-rin’s, this was a perfect result.
Similar comments were already appearing.
The success of the strategy was shining even brighter because of the public opinion that TeSTAR had suffered a loss due to a "failure" in strategy.
‘Good.’
We’ll be able to handle the backlash after winning #1 on music shows smoothly. I decided to be satisfied with this.
Actually, even if I wasn't satisfied, there was no time to do anything else.
“Hyung’s mask is really cute!”
“Yeah, yours too.”
“My mask is a tiger, so it’s cool!”
No, that’s a striped cat. I brushed off Cha Yu-jin, who was making an unconvincing claim, and took my position.
Even in the scraps of time between schedules, we had to use the intervals to film choreography videos or practice and memorize scripts.
“Is everyone done looking at their smartphones~?”
“Yeah. The reaction is good.”
I affirmed as I tucked my phone away in a corner.
“Is everyone satisfied with the songs as well? I am curious to know how many similarities you have discovered between the two title tracks!”
“They’re finding them well. Analysis posts are already going up.”
“…! Is that so!”
“That’s good for Rae-bin~”
I looked at Keun Se-jin and Kim Rae-bin, who were starting to put on their masks while happily tidying their dyed hair at the good news.
Specifically, their light-colored hair.
‘That… the color is going to bleed less.’
Everyone seemed to have strong roots as their hair condition was still okay, but the most important thing was that they were sweating in the color they had dyed their hair.
Since all seven of them were like that, it was a total mess whenever we did anything. I felt like the inside of the mascot heads would be dyed before these promotions ended.
‘Everyone’s going to have a hard time maintaining it.’
It seemed like the bathroom would be a mess for a while. Still, since it was a meaningful challenge, everyone seemed satisfied.
‘Because people like it.’
That’s enough, isn't it? It’s just something we have to endure for a month or two.
My hair… well, it has started to get a bit static-prone.
[Hi]
I shrugged my shoulders and performed the choreography cleanly to the music that started playing.
As those busy and eventful days passed quickly, a new schedule plan also came out.
“Oh~ Spring tour!”
“We’re finally doing a concert.”
“I-I’m looking forward to it…!”
It was the concert tour for this year.
I understood that much. We canceled last year’s, so it was about time.
The problem was the scale.
“…A Dome Tour.”
“Yes!”
In Japan, a Dome Tour—large venues that accommodate over 30,000 people—had been scheduled.
I thought it was a joke.
‘An Arena tour would be just right for our size, wouldn't it?’
But it wasn't.
“Starting with Tokyo and ending in Osaka for a total of 6 shows….”
“Oh….”
These bastards actually booked the venues.
…Upon looking into it, it seemed the company higher-ups had been biting their nails while looking at the financial statements for the fourth quarter of last year.
Profits had shriveled up due to the tour cancellation and the hiatus.
So the General Manager made a decision… He overestimated TeSTAR’s concert demand for next year and booked the venues.
One of those was the Japanese Dome Tour.
‘Hmm, this shouldn't work.’
Aren't we below the weight class for a Dome Tour?
However….
“Uh, it’s sold out??”
“…??”
Surprisingly, it worked.
Whether this album had a good reaction in Japan as well, the General Manager’s reckless gamble from last year had miraculously paid off.
And it wasn't just Japan where things turned out that way.
‘What is this?’
The beginning was a promotional idea proposed by Cha Yu-jin.