Chapter 289
Chapter 289
Inside the waiting room before the live broadcast of Tnet’s music program, MusicBOMB.
“Moon-dae, do you want something to drink?”
“Just some water.”
I took a bottle of water from Keun Se-jin, who had volunteered to distribute drinks, and continued monitoring the situation. We still had a decent amount of time left.
‘First, the albums.’
The album sales trends were as expected… no, the inflation was even more severe than I’d anticipated. For both VTIC and TeSTAR.
‘Is it a competitive psychological thing?’
[TeSTAR “The Ocean of Wonder” - 1,317,215]
To think we’d already surpassed 1.3 million copies.
I looked at the sales figures, which had exceeded my projections in just four days, with a bit of a sour expression. Then, I paused as I recalled VTIC’s first-week sales.
How could those crazy bastards sell over 2 million copies in the first week for a repackage album?
‘They’re really hogging it all.’
In this situation, I had to check the numbers even more carefully to ensure we looked like we were neck-and-neck with them. I checked the digital charts.
[7th: VTIC - H.E.L.P.]
[9th: TeSTAR - Promise]
We were breathing down their necks on the daily rankings. We were already trading places on the 24Hits chart, and there was a high probability we’d overtake them soon.
It was because the reaction to this song was as good as expected.
Since it was easy-listening and fit the season well, people who already listened to TeSTAR seemed to have added it to their playlists immediately.
‘It’s a good song to listen to while driving.’
And the buzz generated to attract new listeners was decent. There was the interest gained from releasing simultaneously with VTIC, but…
“A-hyun definitely seems to fit this the best.”
“Right? With A-hyun, I feel like he would’ve looked good even if he’d come out with an actual mermaid tail~”
“The tail was enough! We’re not doing that!”
“Hey, Yu-jin, your tail didn’t even appear in the MV~”
“Haha.”
Hmm. That definitely helped too.
I’m talking about the massive "mermaid concept" bait.
‘Just hearing about it is a bit shocking at first….’
Existing fans are used to how we make our videos, but I could guess how it sounded to the general public: “They’re appearing in the music video dressed as mermaids!”
‘It sounds like a kids’ cartoon or a B-movie.’
I mean, if you think about typical CG, you can pretty much picture it.
However, once people clicked on the music video, lured by the bait, the mermaids only appeared briefly much later.
Even then, it wasn't CG; they used actual animatronic tails, inserting separate shots of just the ends into the cuts to make it look like they belonged to the members.
It was just enough to make the concept of guys in short sleeves playing in the water at a sunset beach believable as a "mermaid concept."
‘If I had to categorize it… it’s more of an indie art film vibe.’
People who clicked expecting to see TeSTAR shirtless, covered in glitter, with full-body CG tails were essentially catfished.
Watching people who were lured by the bait leave while feeling confused yet admitting it was surprisingly good became a great internet talking point. Thanks to that, the MV views were skyrocketing.
And as word of mouth spread that the song was good, it was providing a huge boost to the digital rankings.
‘Of course… it’s still hard to avoid mixed reviews.’
From people like that to those who were genuinely disappointed because they wanted full mermaid costumes, all sorts of reactions were swirling. Regardless, if the majority liked it, it was a success. If anything, it served as noise marketing.
‘I took this much into account.’
The music video wasn't so poorly made that it would become a "dark history" moment to regret years later.
Actually, I had considered only hinting at the mermaids… but I thought that wouldn't be enough bait.
‘We needed impact.’
If we had just gone with a standard travel concept, we never would have been able to create a two-top rivalry with VTIC. The volume of mentions would have been completely different.
‘In the end, image is a battle of momentum.’
It was ambiguous to frame it as "TeSTAR for the public, VTIC for the fandom" because our public recognition wasn't quite at Young-rin’s level yet.
Furthermore, the concept VTIC chose this time was performing even better overseas.
I recalled when we ran into them in the hallway just a moment ago.
Regardless of what they were thinking inside, the VTIC guys greeted us with bright smiles and asked how we were doing, and we shared a reasonably harmonious conversation.
‘There were so many staff members and other singers passing by that we had no choice but to be harmonious.’
And among the well-wishes we offered was this:
These guys had entered the Billboard charts while breaking their own records.
As it turned out, that bizarre cosmic horror concept was a well-known genre with quite a tradition and scale abroad. Thanks to that, their international fandom had surged, and their US schedule seemed packed. They must have aimed for that.
‘If the media plasters this everywhere, we could be completely pushed aside by the "national prestige" angle….’
It’s a relief we at least secured some trendy "hotness" with the mermaid bait before that happened.
I shrugged and stopped reminiscing. The conclusion was obvious.
‘In the end, we just have to kill it on stage.’
We need to use the current attention to elevate ourselves once more through the performance. That’s the only way to maintain this tight rivalry.
I put my smartphone down. Ryu Cheong-woo, who had been listening to Kim Rae-bin’s complaints about Cha Yu-jin, turned his head and asked.
“Going to stretch?”
“Yes.”
It was almost time for the live stage. TeSTAR’s turn was third from the end. After us was a girl group with quite a few years under their belt… and the finale was, of course, VTIC.
Waaaaaaah!!
The show probably arranged it this way to help both sides avoid direct comparison, but since we were sharing the same venue anyway, it didn't mean much.
‘There are a lot of them.’
I looked at the fans of VTIC and TeSTAR, who almost equally split the crowd below the stage, and took my position in the formation.
During live broadcasts, there are many cases where groups don't perform the pre-recorded parts or just go through the motions, but because the audience is so focused, you end up working hard anyway.
‘Fancams of this will be recorded and circulated, too.’
After stepping onto the stage and waving, we took our positions.
The first song was a performance-focused sub-track with a Latin-pop vibe, utilizing chairs.
[Como tu dulce y amargo café
My dear]
Cha Yu-jin took charge of the Spanish in the chorus, delivering flashy choreography and vocals.
‘He’s improved.’
His singing had gotten even better. The thought of checking the status window briefly crossed my mind, but it vanished the moment I realized I was on stage.
[In the hot air, your heart blooms like Charm smoke]
I sang the melodic part at the start of the second verse. After executing a jumping choreography with a spin, I slid to the side, grabbed a chair, and changed formation.
Then, Kim Rae-bin sat alone on a chair for a singing rap.
After that, we successfully cleared the second chorus and the final climax. Adrenaline surged.
“Phew.”
Kyaaaaaaaaak!!
The reaction was great, too.
‘After all, we put a lot of effort into the performance difficulty for this one as well.’
Preparing for the title track that would follow immediately, I looked down at my feet just before the interlude. And without realizing it, I let out a small smirk.
There was something amusing about it.
The current outfits were somewhat unbalanced for the sultry sub-track. They were clothes chosen to match the title track that would be broadcast live.
[Take your STAR
On the day the stars pour down]
Because everyone was wearing jeans and white T-shirts.
‘Yes!’
Park Moon-dae’s first fansite master reflexively clenched her fist in victory upon seeing TeSTAR’s first broadcast outfits.
She couldn't help it; the outfit she liked most from the music video was the first one out.
‘If you hate that, you don’t have eyes.’
Jeans and a white T-shirt—if you have a good body, it’s impossible for it to look bad! Whether they had decided to work out specifically for this comeback or not, everyone’s fit was clear even through the light fabric. She almost instinctively prepared to take clips.
At the same time, potential future outfits flashed through her mind. They’d probably push the music video outfits for the first week. Professional uniforms, vacation wear, beach outfits with robes…
‘…And maybe a mermaid-inspired outfit at least once?’
However, since such an outfit had never appeared in the music video and the mermaid was only a story concept, she quickly discarded the expectation.
‘Looking at the choice for the first broadcast, it seems they plan to push a consistently pretty look without anything experimental. Please, let’s stick to that until the end—oh.’
The stage was starting!
She immediately cleared her head and focused all her attention on the stage on the screen before her.
A refreshing background with a blue sky and white sandy beach. And the stage that unfolded… was like the pure essence of visual and auditory pleasure.
[A sailing island in the sky
We Fly so far]
There were no walking transitions in that choreography. Every step—whether sliding, jumping, or bouncing—contained an element to catch the eye and the rhythm.
Furthermore, the genre of the choreography shifted subtly depending on the part, drawing attention with perfectly fitting, impressive movements.
For instance, Lee Se-jin’s bridge featured leg-kicking movements adapted from tango, and locking popped out during Cha Yu-jin’s chorus.
In the midst of all that, the "empty space" was created solely through differences in speed. No one had a moment to rest. It meant they made people watch in a daze, leaving no room for boredom.
[Make you fly!]
“Park Moon-dae!!”
When the refreshing, cool live vocals were added to that, there was a catharsis akin to drinking a carbonated beverage with ice.
Meanwhile, during the “Take your STAR” part, the point choreography that subtly used gestures and gaze stuck to the song like a sticker. It was extremely catchy.
‘The choreography makes the song sound even better.’
It was a thought that would have moved Lee Se-jin and Cha Yu-jin, who had nearly fought while piecing together the draft to include only choreography people would want to follow.
However, on the screen, they were like pros, finding the cameras with uncanny precision, bringing their expressions and atmosphere to life as they flew across the stage.
The stage devoured time as quickly as the formations changed. Before she knew it, it was the ending.
[To the island at the end of the horizon
Today will sparkle]
Seon A-hyun was captured in a close-up amidst a formation that resembled a wave, utilizing camera work to the limit. The acrobatics that appeared for the first time then, accompanied by emotional vocals and drums, were also impressive.
[Umm~ UmmUmm]
They even turned the members nodding to the final melody while sitting cross-legged into a point choreography. The members, grinning, each made a gesture—like putting an arm around a shoulder or resting a chin on a hand—as the song ended.
Well-maintained, handsome faces were captured on screen one after another.
[TeSTAR - Promise]
“Hah.”
The fansite master only took a deep breath again after the title appeared on the screen and Park Moon-dae’s ending close-up vanished.
‘That was so much fun.’
So, to conclude…
‘This is going to work.’
It felt like even the dance challenges would take off. Since word of mouth had already started, she could already see all sorts of videos being uploaded following this stage reveal.
She’d had a hunch since the music video, but the choreography wasn't insanely difficult, yet it was impressive and addictive. Just looking at real-time social media, similar reactions were pouring in.
“We did it.”
No matter what VTIC fans barked about, the domestic trend was TeSTAR! She predicted the future with satisfaction. And that prediction was set to flow very similarly to reality.
However, TeSTAR wasn't the only one who converted the drawn-in interest into consumption.
“The joy of music that pops! MusicBOMB~”
“This week’s number one is… Congratulations! VTIC!”
The music show MCs politely handed the bouquet and trophy to VTIC.
It was only natural. Based on the tracking period, last week’s results were included today, and if VTIC wasn't number one, it would have been a fix.
“First of all, to the TICA fans who supported us until we received this award………”
I smiled brightly and clapped for the guys giving their winner’s speech. Everyone was doing the same. No idiot here would fail to control their expression.
Though everyone probably had various thoughts inside, in my case… well, you could say I was taking their measure.
‘These bastards are definitely good.’
This was the first time I’d properly watched their stage for this title track with full focus. And it was quite… impressive.
‘They’re really doubling down on their niche.’
They said the music video was a culmination of content their fans would love, and the stage followed the same principle.
‘Intense, stimulating, and high quality.’
They hadn't completely thrown away public appeal, but that intro performance, which looked like they were fighting a snake, was clearly a composition for the fandom.
‘And their stage presence is just too outstanding.’
They aren't gaining new fans at that seniority for nothing.
“MusicBOMB! See you again next week!”
I bowed to the number one guys who were waving, then reached a conclusion as I stepped off the stage.
Although our paths were different this time, it seemed unlikely that either side would stumble on stage.
And in fact, the reactions were similar.
During the following week, TeSTAR continued to climb the digital charts through word of mouth and picks from social platform users. And eventually, what was bound to happen, happened.
=================================
[TeSTAR just overtook VTIC in digital rankings]
: They pushed up to 5th. It seems TeSTAR really is the top-tier for boy group digital songs (Screenshot)
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The digital rankings had flipped with VTIC.
For a while, it was a mess with people asking if the conclusion had practically been reached, but it soon died down. VTIC’s global records were consistently brilliant enough to keep people quiet.
Starting with ‘#1 in 76 countries,’ they had interviews, award show invitations, and an incredible volume of mentions in the English-speaking world, not to mention MV views. It was enormous.
Thanks to that glittering prestige, people kept seeking them out, keeping VTIC’s title track firmly at the top of the domestic charts. It was the same for overall buzz, not just digital sales. We were the ones holding our ground.
‘It’s neck and neck.’
We swept the number one spots this week as planned, but it was still uncertain how perceptions would change by around August.
‘Still, is the satisfying part that the two-top system has been solidified?’
Because you hardly ever see anyone saying “How dare you compare TeSTAR to VTIC” anymore.
We have to maintain this tension until the end of the year.
Keeping that in mind, I decided to wait for the decisive final blow.
And so, the music show day returned once again.
TeSTAR’s third week of comeback performances. And VTIC’s last domestic music show for this album.
Actually, they were supposed to stop appearing last week, but since it was a special episode, it seemed Tnet had practically begged them to stay.
And I realized that this was the first decisive timing.
‘We have to capture public opinion.’
We needed to make the buzz explode once more.
However, I didn't know that I would encounter an unexpected and not-so-welcome situation during this special.
A prospective junior appeared as a special stage guest.
I’m talking about the debut group from this season of Idol Inc.