Chapter 348
Chapter 348
TeSTAR’s new song sparked a massive reaction from the very first stage.
First, let’s look at the mainland where it was broadcast.
I typed our US variety show appearance, You Got a Chance, into the search bar. I nodded as I saw the English auto-complete suggestions like "Who are the guys in the jumpers?"
‘Classic.’
A single performance on a major variety show favored by the American public. It meant we had successfully left our mark.
This is why the first major exposure is so important. We didn't grit our teeth and cram all those stunts in for nothing.
“Why are there so many upvoted comments asking why we aren't a band? I guess our acting was too good; everyone’s surprised!”
“Still, it seems that incorporating the sound effects and instruments used in the movie to create a genre similarity in the bridge helped bridge the gap properly.”
“Oh, you’re right. Not many people seem to find the music jarring.”
“Someone here is asking who Cheong-woo hyung is. Can I write the answer?”
“Hold it in, Yu-jin.”
I was even pleased to see the noise and polarizing opinions connecting us to the movie’s image. It was all valuable buzz.
Naturally, traffic to the music video increased, and the growth rate of users on global music streaming sites became noticeable.
‘This is a level of exposure effect that’s hard to expect domestically anymore.’
We were following the exact sequence of reactions that occur when a performance builds recognition. I suppose this part is the same whether it’s at home or abroad.
…In the midst of this, some people were posting cult-like promotional threads subtly mixing truth with nonsense, but I planned to use that too, so I let it slide.
Anyway, the majority of the reviews were positive, so it seemed the domestic audience was riding the high as well.
It was satisfying to see people who would normally ignore such posts, thinking, ‘Fans are just promoting again,’ end up clicking and watching.
Of course, the performance was high-quality enough to satisfy the expectations of those who clicked.
Because of this, the members—who had been hanging their heads after the performance, saying their lungs were about to burst—quickly changed their tune.
“We really have grown. Wow, even our fingertips were perfectly in sync!”
“Y-yes, everyone’s energy was great… It was a cool performance that suited the song.”
“Exactly! I was so cool.”
With Cha Yu-jin’s declaration—now using the past tense correctly—the process of verifying and accepting the truth was neatly concluded.
‘We’ll probably keep going without any further modifications.’
I nodded with satisfaction.
The subsequent Tnet comeback show and domestic music broadcast stages captured domestic public opinion once more.
‘The sub-track is getting good reviews, too.’
We had worked hard to develop a modern noir thriller concept using ‘Black Cat,’ so it would have been a waste to scrap it. We used it for the sub-track.
Unlike the action-packed and aggressive title track, people said it had an elegant charm, allowing those who were disappointed with the main concept to pick and choose according to their taste.
Of course, the people who weren't disappointed liked it too.
As a result, the members’ faces glowed every time we monitored the reactions.
“The reactions to this stage are all great, too.”
“Man, all my fatigue is just vanishing.”
This was the best possible result among realistically achievable reactions.
For TeSTAR, who had spent several eventful years as products of a high-profile survival program, this was a rare, warm environment—neither boiling nor freezing.
Even on articles that popped up in the social section, the top comments were nothing but praise.
In an industry full of attention-seekers, this was practically a drug.
Isn't this the ‘ideal idol life’ everyone dreams of when they choose this career path?
Furthermore, around this time, news about our independent label finally began to break.
[TeSTAR Label, the Start of ‘ORBIT’... “Will Demonstrate Artist Development Capabilities”]
Ryu Cheong-woo smiled as he read the article.
“It meant ‘trajectory,’ right?”
“Yes.”
I came up with it. It wasn't intentional.
‘These guys were trying to give it some unnecessarily grandiose name.’
The first thing the company suggested was ‘Supernova.’
‘Why are you trying to draw aggro with the agency’s name?’
Since it was an internal label under the agency, I didn't think it needed to stand out more than necessary, so I settled it myself.
“It feels like a planetary orbit, so I think it’s perfect. It sounds good every time I hear it.”
“…Thank you.”
Anyway, the fans liked it.
And of course, so did the investors.
Throughout the weekend, good news translating overseas reactions poured in, and fans rejoiced at the overflowing content.
And the general public was already counting their chickens, looking forward to the Billboard charts whose outlines would only be revealed next Thursday.
While feeling burdened by the situation, the fans themselves couldn't help but be expectant, pouring out posts filled with happiness, anticipation, worry, and confusion.
Among them, of course, were discussions about our future moves.
The trolls couldn't even gain traction.
Bae Se-jin spoke in a trembling voice.
“…This is the first time people have been this favorable.”
“I know, right?”
A national favorite. An atmosphere that felt like we would settle in as national idols any moment.
The mood had been great since the music video release, and it remained the same even now, a week later.
Anyone in this situation would nod and say we were ‘walking a path of flowers.’
“Yeah. It’s really good.”
“Ye-yeah…”
However, the faces of the guys saying this didn't wear the relaxed smiles typical of people who had reached a happy ending.
What did they look like instead?
They looked like they were about to break into a cold sweat.
In vulgar terms, it was the ‘Oh crap, what do we do’ face. The face one makes when thinking about an impending disaster.
The reason was… because the time was slowly approaching.
“…But in a little while, we’re going to smash this with our own hands, right?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
“…Enjoy it while you can.”
“Ugh…”
The guys buried their noses back into their smartphones and began to savor the sweetness of public opinion.
And a few days later, the bitterness began to rear its head.
Long before the Billboard chart rankings were out.
On Monday, at the start of the week, an article was published.
[TeSTAR to Appear on Popular US Variety Show… Continuing Their Trendsetting Moves?]
Up to this point, everyone clicked, thinking it was finally happening. They probably thought something like, ‘Ah, they’re appearing on another US variety show.’
But upon reading the article thoroughly, they realized what kind of show TeSTAR was appearing on.
[Don’t Mess It Up]
It was a variety show that wasn't very famous in Korea, so people might tilt their heads in confusion, but the atmosphere changed once those who knew about it started testifying.
To put it simply, it was the kind of variety show that gave people difficult tasks and watched them fail or harassed them to see their reactions. In short, B-list.
Ah…
But TeSTAR’s appearance was only for one segment within the show.
Furthermore, usually ten teams made up one segment, and the total screen time for all ten teams was only seventeen minutes.
‘It’s the perfect setup to look like the worst possible move.’
That wasn't all.
For reference, a fairly sophisticated and famous talk show aired at the same time as this program. Most groups with global recognition, led by VTIC, had performed on that show.
In other words, we could have appeared there but had declined it to appear on this B-list program.
By now, you can guess the atmosphere.
It was even the first time a K-Pop idol was appearing.
The show had a strong local flavor, even among locals, and one of its former producers had even been fired for making xenophobic remarks.
This meant our treatment was unlikely to be good.
What happened after this news made its way across the internet?
“…Hmm, it’s quiet.”
“Yes.”
What else? It was being ignored as if there had been no news at all.
‘I figured as much.’
If they admitted this was TeSTAR’s embarrassing mistake, their sense of vicarious satisfaction would vanish, and it would feel like losing.
Since it didn't fit the taste of national pride they were enjoying, a situation had arrived where everyone pretended not to see it and deliberately avoided mentioning it.
“The fans are being quite quiet, too.”
That was for a different reason.
‘They’re holding back for strategic reasons.’
They were even more annoyed because TeSTAR’s recent momentum was so good, but at the same time, they didn't want to rain on that parade, so they were keeping it hush-hush.
There was nothing to be gained by making a fuss and canceling a scheduled appearance, especially a US variety show, when there was no alternative.
So, overall, TeSTAR’s buzz volume plummeted, and the heated praise and reactions flickered out like a candle.
All that remained were the ‘moral victory’ type of defensive videos from national pride channels that were better off not existing.
“…….”
“…….”
It was a rare situation where we had hurt the public’s feelings but weren't getting cursed out, but it might have been more comfortable to just be cursed at.
Look at that. Even Bae Se-jin, who already knew what this appearance was for, was staring with a mournful face at the overseas reaction translation channels that had stopped uploading.
“…….”
“Hyung.”
“I know. I know it’s a necessary step!”
Right. I told you, it was all discussed.
K-Pop is no longer a strange genre even in the US; it’s a genre with a firm fanbase as a subculture.
While this clearly has great benefits, it also has the effect of making only those who already watch it continue to watch.
‘That’s why we even collaborated with the Limestone movie to avoid that.’
Therefore, we couldn't capture the entire pie that Limestone had grown by simply following the smooth path everyone else took.
Bae Se-jin’s eyes regained their focus, and he nodded.
“…We just have to do well according to our plan.”
“Exactly.”
I shrugged. Then I tapped the shoulder of Cha Yu-jin, who was standing next to me.
“He’s got it all figured out. He’s a local.”
“That’s right. Trust me! I’m good at this!”
“No, I said I trust you!”
I let the two of them chatter and turned to look at Seon A-hyun, who had also stopped monitoring.
Since he had put a lot of effort into this promotion, I thought he might be bothered by the suddenly cooled atmosphere… but the guy was giving me a big thumbs up…?
“I-I obviously trust you…!”
“…Uh. Thanks.”
“Mhm!”
Right, well. If that’s the case, then fine…
‘Final check.’
Loosening my shoulders, I checked the top comments from our last stage, which were still peaceful.
There was quite a lot about me.
Well, those reactions make the stat points feel worth it.
I thought of my status window.
The singing stat that would have an ‘S+’ displayed…
That’s right. I had put my remaining stat point into Vocal.
If I had put it into Dance, which was B+, the letter would have changed to A-. Why didn't I?
It was because I had become certain after seeing and comparing those with various ability grades in person.
That ‘S+ grade is the completed form.’
For instance, there was someone whose Star Quality stat had finally entered S+ with this album.
[Name: Cha Yu-jin]
Star Quality: S+
Now, even if this guy was just told to do a narration to any random song on the street, people would stop and stare. Even his previous tendency to be a bit rebellious and stand out now acted as a highlight.
And… there was someone else in another group whose other stat was S+.
I frowned.
[Name: Cheong-ryeo (Shin Jae-hyun)]
Dance: S+
Cheong-ryeo.
The goal of his S+ Dance grade was an ideal perfectly optimized for a K-Pop group dance center.
The impact and power that come from implementing the intended feeling with precise strength and nuance—‘ideally.’
Even if you gathered a bunch of mediocre C and D grade guys and stood them next to him, he would probably make them look decent.
In fact, considering that an EX grade would likely be at the level of a legendary historical figure, S+ must be the final stage where a human can sublimate something into art.
So, to completely block any possibility of ‘my song not working,’ raising Singing to S+ was the best move.
‘I can’t miss out on that.’
And… there was one more reason why I didn't raise Dance.
…Because I’m not managing a solo act, but a group.
‘There are plenty of guys who are good at dancing.’
It’s not like I’m going to be the dance break center, and for now, B+ is enough to complete this team’s group choreography without any issues.
‘I need to be even more outstandingly good at what I’m already good at.’
Fulfilling one’s assigned role with even a slightly higher quality is more helpful to the team’s overall quality.
And all the other guys did the same.
I looked around with fairly satisfied eyes. The guys who had stopped monitoring looked quite reliable.
Anyway, it was time to use my S+ vocals once more.
We absolutely had to finish this filming well and achieve results…
“Whoa~ It looks like someone among the production staff here posted that our company contacted them directly and volunteered to appear. Wow~ Truly amazing.”
“…….”
I’ll deal with those bastards after filming.