Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The area outside the MusicBomb stage, where the third team match was set to take place, was a sea of people.
The vast majority of the crowd weren't even ticket holders; they were people who had shown up just to catch a stray echo of the performance from outside.
A university student, squeezing through the throng to reach the entrance line, found the whole scene irritating.
Why are they all swarming here when they can’t even get in?
She couldn't understand why they were so excited amongst themselves when they couldn't even see the stage.
It was like this during the second match, too, but the scale has grown even more.
She stood in line, feeling fed up. Looking at the length of the queue, it felt like it would take an eternity to get inside.
So annoying.
The people in front of and behind her were holding slogans and snacks they had received from fan distributions. Coincidentally, the name written on those slogans was the same.
[Park Moon-dae ♡ Let’s Debut]
…He’s really gotten popular.
She pouted, recalling the second team match.
She had been in a foul mood because the person sitting next to her was a Park Moon-dae fan, and to make matters worse, her favorite, Kim Rae-bin, had been on the same team as him.
Why do people like that concept-obsessed guy anyway?
She grumbled to herself.
However, she was still in denial about the fact that she had cheered like a maniac the moment their performance ended during that last match. At the very least, she could no longer bring herself to mock Park Moon-dae online.
…Well, he was okay on stage, so I’ll give him a pass.
Trying hard to deny her interest, she looked away from the Park Moon-dae slogan. She didn't know who designed it, but it was pretty, which made her even more annoyed.
“Please maintain order!”
“Don’t push!”
They entered according to their pre-assigned numbers, but once inside, people started sprinting. Since it was all-standing with no seats, the earlier you got there, the better your vantage point.
She managed to grab the fence right in front of the stage.
Yes!!
She couldn't help but praise herself for being the 18th person to successfully apply for the recording. It was a feat made possible by the production team switching back to a first-come, first-served system after the number of applicants exploded.
I’m going to see them right under my nose.
Her heart pounded. However, a long time passed—just long enough for her anticipation to nearly turn into discomfort—before the MC finally stepped out.
“Welcome, everyone, to the third team match of <Re-listing! Idol Inc.>!”
An explosive cheer erupted, a mix of relief that it was finally starting, joy, and lingering irritation.
Just hurry up and start already!!
She screamed internally, gripping the fence tight.
“The theme for this team match is <Self-Produced>! From song selection to stage design, the participants have personally chosen and created every element of the performance!”
Kim Rae-bin definitely did well on this!
Thinking of her 'stock'—who was good at everything except social politics—she cheered along with the other audience members in excitement.
“Furthermore, by analyzing the shareholders' past purchase trends with a big data algorithm, participants who are mutually liked by the shareholders have been placed on the same team!”
At the MC’s words, the audience began whispering, wondering what kind of nonsense that was. It wasn't that they didn't understand the words; they just didn't see the point of such a convoluted method instead of just taking a separate vote.
Regardless, the MC finished the opening with practiced ease.
“It seems your expectations are high! Then, right now! The opening stage will be revealed!”
“Waaaaah!!”
“The song the participants chose is… ‘Waiting is Good’ by the emotional idols, Maxi-mite!”
The audience immediately shifted their focus to the stage. Expectant eyes turned toward the dark stage, wondering if their favorite participant would appear now.
It’s better to come out later, but… ah, I don’t care! Just come out now!!
As if answering that thought, light burst from the stage.
Pshhh—!
“Gasp!”
But it wasn't completely bright. Thick beams of yellow light shot up from beneath the stage. The streaks of light flickered erratically across the still-dark platform.
In the brief glimpses of the stage, only a giant tree stump could be seen.
Then, the sound of a wind instrument echoed.
Wooong—. Woo-woo-woong—. Woo— woo-woo—.
It was the opening daegeum melody of the traditional piece, Suyeonjangjigok. The elegant and mournful notes wandered the stage alone.
Suddenly, a figure lunged out from the left corner of the stage.
It was a chillingly clean somersault.
A tall man wearing a wooden rabbit mask ran out, sliced through the air, and performed a backflip.
“…!!”
The daegeum sound ceased.
As the figure landed on one leg, his durumagi fluttered, revealing a modern suit underneath.
At that moment, the beams of light cutting through the stage vanished completely.
In the pitch-black silence, a voice rang out instead of the flute.
—My waiting is long
And always joyful
Even without accompaniment, the pitch was perfect, sounding as flawless as a studio recording. And by now, the audience knew exactly whose voice it was.
Park Moon-dae…
With a deep thrum of drums, light returned to the stage.
Boom— boom-boom-boom! Boom— boom-boom-boom!
On the stage, five figures in wooden rabbit masks were now standing in a circle. Behind them, a brilliant Milky Way was revealed against the black backdrop, looking as if it were about to spill over.
Then came the group dance.
Sshhh.
The movements, which began slowly and sensually, started to break the beat, becoming increasingly complex and rapid. It reached a point where it looked like a natural phenomenon. Even though the speed changed continuously, making it seem impossible to stay in sync, not a single person missed a beat or a movement.
Following the dance, the silhouette of the heavy drum sounds sharpened, and a modern bassline settled in behind them, providing a weighty balance. Then, the daegeum and processed piano notes began to play atop the layers.
Uhwi— Wiwiwi—
Uhwiuhwi— Wi~~
The moment the drum sounds receded to become a subtle part of the composition, the five men simultaneously raised their rabbit masks to the side of their heads in sync with the choreography.
At the same time, the person on the far right began to sing. It was Park Moon-dae.
—At every corner where I wait for you
I’m always there, heart fluttering
Along with the choreography, Keun Se-jin, who had turned completely toward the stage from the far left, gave a beaming smile.
—There’s no room for anxiety to creep in
Because I already know you’ll surely
The formation split like a martial arts display, and Kim Rae-bin burst out from the back.
—Appear in this place
That we are destined to meet
My heart, so certain of it
Overflows at every step, just like this, ah!
Rae-bin!!
The university student gripping the fence wailed internally. She wanted to scream, but she held it in somehow.
And by the time this rap part hit, she—and most of the audience—noticed something clearly.
They changed all the lyrics to Korean…
Indeed. They had replaced every bit of English that had been mixed into the original song with Korean to match the stage's atmosphere.
As expected, my boy is a genius!
She cried internally, thinking how perfectly the lyrics had been swapped. She didn't even consider the possibility that another team member might have made the change.
However, that thought quickly vanished to the back of her mind as she was sucked into the performance.
—It’s only natural, isn't it?
I know you
And you will come to know me
Taking over from Gold 1, Ha Il-jun’s voice, Keun Se-jin completed the pre-chorus.
—The answer is already decided
Since an inescapable fate is drawing near~
Seon A-hyun stepped out as the center. His rabbit mask was slightly askew, covering his temple. Even so, his face was radiant.
…He really is handsome.
The student felt frustrated because she couldn't bring herself to have any negative thoughts after seeing Seon A-hyun from such a close distance.
Seon A-hyun stood tall and elegant as he began to sing.
—I like waiting
My waiting is long
And always joyful
Huh?
Right at the chorus, familiar movements began to blend in. It was the point choreography from the original song. However, they had added a syncopated footwork to those hand movements, creating a powerful impact.
Swish!
The choreography, which used much larger body movements than the original, was incredibly impressive, especially paired with the fluttering durumagi.
Ah…
The stage was being completed as a romantic and overwhelming historical-drama style, rather than the emotional and simple feel of the original.
—When this waiting ends
I’ll know it’s you I’ll face
My heart is already bright
Park Moon-dae sang the high notes at the end of the chorus. Perhaps the dye had faded during filming, but his hair, now closer to blonde, had been swept back along with his mask.
…Him with his forehead showing is… well, it’s okay.
She tried to suppress her excitement, telling herself it was only because the stylist had given him a legendary level of stage makeup today.
The moment the note ended, Park Moon-dae turned his body completely around.
What is it?
The audience, who had been focused on the participants' movements and expressions, reflexively looked back. A massive, dark blue trajectory was being drawn over the starlight flowing behind the stage.
“……!”
Before they knew it, only the sounds of string and wind instruments remained. Against that background, the dark blue trajectory drew a giant circle. The circle, completed with a trace that looked like it was drawn with India ink, soon glowed blue.
A round, blue light source amidst the starlight. It was Earth, as seen from the moon.
Uhuuu— Uhuuu— Uhu, Uuu——
The participants softly collapsed to the floor and rose again in time with the melody, naturally shedding their durumagi and letting them drift away.
—A daydream as light as a dream
On the way to meet you
The participants were now standing in full modern suits. Their bodies created a short, intense group dance. With full-body movements that were almost like contemporary dance, their bodies drew sharp yet smooth curves. It felt very strange.
The accompaniment, now devoid of percussion, sounded somewhat sensual.
Kim Rae-bin is insane…
“Ugh…”
“……!”
The university student was startled, wondering if she had made that sound, but then realized it was coming from all around her.
—That you’ve been waiting for me too
A vivid déjà vu that tells me so
By changing the lyric ‘déjà vu’ to the Korean equivalent ‘gishigam,’ the sound became even more peculiar, as if it were swallowing the listener.
—So that I never hesitate
When I face the moment of destiny!
Bang!
At that moment, percussion slammed back into the accompaniment. The slightly overt sensuality vanished in an instant.
—I like waiting
My waiting is long
And always joyful
Returning to the chorus, Keun Se-jin stepped out as the center, anchoring the complex group dance. The choreography became even more flamboyant.
—When this waiting ends
I’ll know it’s you I’ll face
My heart is already bright
Then, a low humming followed.
—Hum hu hu hum— huhu DDu-ru Du-ru Du Du
It was the melody of the chorus. Combined with the footwork, it sounded as if someone were singing out of excitement while waiting for someone. The drumbeats in the background sounded like a heartbeat.
The student realized a moment late that Park Moon-dae was layering a harmony an octave higher over this humming. She got goosebumps.
…I thought it was an instrument.
She swallowed hard. On stage, the intro choreography was being varied once more. As the formation shifted incessantly, the five men naturally gathered around the single prop on stage.
Oh?
The giant tree stump. It was the stump of a cassia tree.
Naturally sitting around the stump and leaning against it, they immediately took off their suit blazers and tossed them down.
“…!”
Revealing a male jeogori designed like a shirt, Keun Se-jin looked forward and smiled. He turned his rabbit mask back over his face and sang the final line.
—Please wait for me.
The stage concluded with the blue light of Earth shining down on the Moon Rabbits, who had fallen asleep leaning on each other while sitting on the cassia tree stump.
Then, a cheer loud enough to tear the roof off the studio erupted.
“Waaaaah!!!”
“Kyaaaaah!!”
“Uwaaaa!!”
Below the stage, reactions overflowed—from all sorts of screams to people covering their mouths in shock. Everyone was hyped up because they had seen an incredibly high-quality performance from a combination of high-ranking participants they hadn't expected since the opening.
Moreover, this intensely conceptual stage had something that triggered a fan's heart. Since it was impossible to interpret everything at once, it made one want to watch it again and again to find hidden elements. Surely, many in the audience were already counting down the days until the broadcast.
It’s all over.
The university student, letting go of the fence, muttered with a strange sense of pride. She had only just regained her senses after the stage lights went out, having been screaming her head off.
With an opening like this, the next groups were practically guaranteed to look like they messed up their stages by comparison.
She hesitated for a moment before finally admitting her excitement.
…Well, the October kids are pretty good.
The irritation she had felt upon entering was nowhere to be found. Instead, she was muttering to herself, “They could just add Ryu Cheong-woo and Cha Yu-jin to that group and debut them as they are.”