Chapter 330
Chapter 330
TeSTAR’s global tour.
While we couldn’t bring the exact musical-inspired production from the Seoul concert, we successfully extracted the core segments and key stage elements to fit the tour.
‘The planning and AR teams are definitely good at their jobs.’
Perhaps because they had just launched as a dedicated label, their productivity had become even more outstanding. It felt like they were finally tasting the sweetness of independence.
For the record, the head of the planning team had snatched the position of label CEO. He was a veteran with a strong sense of self-preservation—someone who wouldn't do anything unnecessary—but his instincts were sharp, making him the perfect fit.
‘He’s not a public figure, so even if a problem arises, he won’t end up as a personal lightning rod for criticism.’
Though I did hear some absurd suggestions during the process.
There was a guy who came up with an idea that should have been saved for at least ten years down the line.
‘An idol as a label CEO.’
The potential for people to find fault with that would be endless. You might as well tell me to just start my own company and be the president. I suppressed a sigh.
Anyway, moving on… the first performance of the tour was a massive success.
[Let me breathe!]
From the moment the final encore song ended until we stepped off the stage, drenched in sweat and water, the cheers continued to roar for a long time.
“Waaaaaa!”
Thump!
Cha Yu-jin, who had excitedly sprinted down the steel stairs, let out a huge laugh.
“That was so much fun! Concerts are the best!”
“Y-Yeah…!”
“I love it even more because the stage was so bright and flashy. We have to do this a lot!”
He must have really enjoyed swinging that light-up sword. I let out a small chuckle and simply shook the water out of my hair.
Bae Se-jin, who was drying his stomach with a towel, spoke up awkwardly.
“Concerts definitely… have a certain charm.”
“Hyung!”
To think the guy who used to look like he was dying from exhaustion and nerves before every stage was now saying something like that.
‘Did he get influenced by becoming roommates with Yu-jin?’
Cha Yu-jin threw an arm around Bae Se-jin’s shoulders and shouted with even more excitement.
“Don’t rest for a week, it’s okay! Let’s do it again! Let’s do lots of rehearsals, too!”
Is that so?
“We aren’t resting for a week.”
“Ah??”
I draped my towel over my shoulder.
“We have to do the Camp.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Yes! I have come prepared to ensure we spend our time productively!”
Only the workaholic was excited.
Wait, didn't you guys all like working?
“Do you guys not want to work?”
“…! N-No, that’s not it…!”
Then what is it?
Following Seon A-hyun’s words, Bae Se-jin turned his head and muttered.
“When you say it like that… usually something ridiculous happens.”
“…….”
“Exactly. Everyone’s scared because Park Moon-dae is being all mysterious~ It’s all Mundae-Mundae’s fau—ack!”
Quiet, you.
I smacked Keun Se-jin on the back. I immediately regretted it when my hand came away sticky with moisture. Ryu Cheong-woo, watching the scene with a warm gaze, spoke up.
“Hmm, so after tomorrow’s Osaka concert, we’re doing the Camp instead of an after-party?”
“Ah….”
The atmosphere began to wilt.
However, no one voiced an objection to replace the Camp with an after-party.
…Are they seriously scared?
‘Did I sound too one-sided?’
Come to think of it, I hadn't properly gathered their opinions. I rubbed the back of my neck and shook my head.
“We’ll have… an after-party.”
“…!”
I relaxed my expression and smiled.
“It’s our first concert in a while, so we should celebrate. We couldn't even do it properly after winning the Grand Prize because we were so busy.”
“Park Moon-dae….”
“Y-Yeah, that’s right…!”
In order to work them hard for a long time… no, in order to work together for a long time, stamina was important.
Satisfied with the heartwarming atmosphere, I nodded.
“Alright, let’s move.”
“Yes~!”
Following the instructions of the staff and their leader, TeSTAR began running through the backstage area, the lingering cheers still ringing in their ears.
I let the others go ahead and slowly left my spot. Keun Se-jin then stuck by my side.
“Mundae-Mundae, you know I was joking, right? Everyone follows you because the results are always good when they listen to your opinions.”
“…….”
“It’s not because you’re forcing them, okay?”
“I know.”
“That’s the spirit~”
I looked at the grinning Keun Se-jin anew. He really was… more than just quick-witted; he was a guy with deep thoughts.
That’s why I was even more certain.
‘He’s definitely waiting.’
Waiting for me to open up about my situation. He’s probably even analyzing the sense of displacement he’s felt so far in his own way.
‘Should I look for an opening during the Camp?’
Maybe while we’re working, once he’s completely exhausted and has lost his critical thinking skills, I could bring up various movies or dramas as examples and….
“Let’s make sure our next album is a success, too.”
Right. I figured that would be your priority.
‘Let’s just focus on working for now.’
The next day’s concert also ended perfectly, in surprisingly good condition and without a single minor injury.
And the after-party concluded at a pleasant, appropriate level.
The foundation was set.
Thanks to that, everyone showed up for the Camp the next day with beaming faces.
“Should we order room service?”
“The manager has brought the laptops for our composition camp!”
Everyone looked healthy after having a good time. They were full of passion, too.
I didn't stop them as they excitedly set up the food and the space.
Instead, I helped out where appropriate and made my move once they had let their guard down.
In the living room of the suite, I turned on the prompter in front of the members sitting side-by-side on the sofa.
[The Direction TeSTAR Should Take]
“A-hyun, A-hyun, look at that. He even prepared presentation materials. He’s totally serious.”
“U-Umm….”
It’s work, of course I’m serious. Did you think I was playing?
“First, I will present the results of my analysis of our current situation.”
Cha Yu-jin quietly set down the popcorn he was eating.
“As you all know, TeSTAR won the Grand Prize at five different awards ceremonies this year.”
“Ooh.”
“But this isn't what we should be looking at right now.”
“Huh?”
I changed the screen.
[Distribution of Loviewers]
[-> Grand Prize Popularity Award Voting Pool]
“These are the voting results for the Popularity Award.”
I reached out toward the screen.
“As you can see, we won the Popularity Award at three ceremonies. What do they have in common?”
“I don't know! Tell us!”
How confident.
“They are the ones that blocked overseas voting. In terms of purely domestic fan power, TeSTAR is within the top two among all singers who made a comeback this year.”
“Wow.”
“Moon-dae, where on earth did you get this data?”
“The internet.”
I continued speaking to the members, whose mouths were hanging open.
“However, the moment overseas K-POP fans join the voting, the situation flips.”
“…VTIC sunbaenims win every time.”
“Exactly.”
I changed the graph to show voting ranks. A few examples of voting results where TeSTAR was 3rd or 4th appeared.
“We even lose to idols from other major agencies.”
“Hmm.”
“We are still definitely weak overseas.”
I reached my conclusion.
This was what I had brought them here to say.
“So, for the next album, I’d like us to properly target the global market. What do you all think?”
“…….”
The members exchanged glances or stared at the presentation materials.
There was no immediate, enthusiastic agreement. Not even from Cha Yu-jin, whose home ground was the US.
I smiled inwardly.
‘That’s how it should be.’
There shouldn't be anyone here who falls for such a naive suggestion.
Instead, a counterargument came.
“If we do well domestically, won’t people overseas eventually notice us? We’ve looked up many cases where groups tried to force an advancement and it didn't go well.”
True. In fact, that was exactly why we hadn't been obsessed with overseas activities until now.
“Since we’ve already won the Grand Prize, I think those who would recognize our domestic success have already done so. Don’t you think it’s time to appeal a bit more by increasing our overseas exposure?”
“Hmm… I see.”
Ryu Cheong-woo seemed somewhat convinced. But the next person jumped in.
“But on the other hand, I’m worried domestic fans might not like it~”
It was Keun Se-jin.
“Of course, we’ll do lots of W Lives and show them plenty of self-produced content, but honestly, there’s a sense of distance, right? Doing that right after winning the Grand Prize might make us look like we lack loyalty!”
I crossed my arms and smiled.
“Right. If the top group in the country suddenly shifts to a foreign-friendly route, it looks like toadying.”
“Hey, it might not go that far, but we should know they’ll feel disappointed and be considerate! That’s what I mean. You know all this, Moon-dae~”
It was a precise point.
“You’re right.”
I nodded.
“That’s why it would be perfect if we went in the form of being invited.”
“Invited?”
“Yes. America calling for us. That way, we can test the waters and increase our exposure while we’re at it.”
“T-Test the waters….”
The vibe shouldn't be that we’re desperate and anxious to break into the US, but rather: “Since they’re calling for us, why don't we go and do some activities~?”
Instead of giving the answer, I only laid out the conditions.
“I’d prefer it if it wasn't overtly related to K-POP. VTIC sunbaenims have already taken over that area.”
“At the same time, I don’t want the reason they called us to look too artificial.”
“And it should have enough buzz to be useful.”
As the words poured out, the members’ faces grew increasingly blank. Right, it’s a tough one, so take your time and think.
But the moment I closed my mouth, someone immediately raised their hand.
‘Oh.’
It was Kim Rae-bin.
“May I share my opinion…?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“Yes! I would like to speak about a field that we have a recent connection with and is being highly recognized in the United States!”
I smiled inwardly. I had a feeling the right answer was coming.
“Where is it?”
“The people from ‘Ruin Factory,’ the company behind Section 127.”
“…!”
“Their new game has also become a huge hit in the US, and I heard a movie is being produced based on that universe. I think it would be good if we challenged ourselves to participate in the OST for that movie!”
“A-A movie??”
Naturally, objections poured in from all sides.
“Umm~ wouldn't it be a bit much to work with them again? It’s not like we made the Starry Melody account for nothing.”
Naturally, the concern was whether linking up with that game company again would be overdoing it.
And to Keun Se-jin’s comment, Bae Se-jin surprisingly provided backup.
“Right! And that company is also owned by T1. It’ll look too much like an internal company plot…!”
In fact, without a company plot, how else would we make contact first? But image was indeed the most important part.
‘If it’s judged as self-praising media play, we’ll just become a laughingstock from then on.’
However, Kim Rae-bin did not withdraw his opinion.
Instead, he released more information.
“…! That could be true. However, from what I have confirmed, the movie is being produced by a different entity, not T1.”
“Where?”
“It is a Hollywood production.”
“…!”
“It is news I saw in the comments while managing the Starry Melody account. Gamers were all looking forward to it, saying that ‘Limestone’ is in charge.”
“Limestone??”
Cha Yu-jin whistled.
“That’s a hero movie production company! [Insanely famous!]”
That’s right. It was the hero movie line under the animation giant notorious for its IP business.
A completely American company.
I spoke up.
“So… while we can make contact quickly through our company, T1, it will effectively look like an American company called us.”
And since the movie studio was another giant with a famous IP, it would also refresh the feeling of being too tied to the game and getting boring.
“Yes! Is that acceptable?”
Acceptable?
It was perfect.
‘He caught Candidate Number One right away.’
As expected, regardless of his social cues, this guy had this kind of instinct. The instinct to pick out interesting things he wanted to do.
“I like it.”
“…!”
“I’m curious what everyone else thinks.”
“I’m in!”
“Of course, me too!”
The votes of approval came quite easily.
The parts they were worried about had been largely resolved, and many seemed interested because it was a fresh challenge.
Finally, Keun Se-jin also spoke up with a smile.
“Alright, let’s work hard on it~”
“Hmm, then we have a conclusion.”
We decided to aim for participation in the OST of a Hollywood hero movie, the pinnacle of subculture.
Scattered applause broke out here and there.
“W-We’ll contact the person who will become the label CEO… and tell him we want to work together, right…?”
“Exactly.”
“Wow.”
“I liked that game. It’ll be good if the movie is well-made.”
Bae Se-jin muttered hesitantly.
“But, what if they don’t accept us…?”
“So what? It’s Limestone’s loss.”
“…Is it?”
Cha Yu-jin shrugged his shoulders, asking why a Grand Prize-winning singer was so timid. The atmosphere lightened up.
‘Good.’
The timing was right. I spoke up.
“Then it would be great if this title track also had a vibe that people drawn in by a hero movie based on a game would find interesting.”
“Right.”
“I think it will be a very interesting project.”
“Hmm, good.”
I smiled.
“Then, starting now, let’s come up with a concept that will work well over there, doesn't look too intentional, and expresses TeSTAR’s color well. Commencing.”
“Commencing….”
And so, the Hellfire K-Pop Camp, rife with brainstorming, began.
However, there was a problem.
Unlike the hobbyist composition camp, the difference between the honor students and the struggling students was becoming starkly apparent.