Chapter 439
Chapter 439
Controversy, promotion, and even synergy.
VTIC’s charity concert proceeded with meticulous and precise timing, orchestrated by a former "Reset Syndrome" sufferer who had spent his entire life as an idol.
Of course, Ju-dan was the one who had technically planned the concert, but...
‘Hmm.’
Ju-dan nodded as he watched everything unfold smoothly.
A catastrophic downward event—the literal collapse of a building—had been restored as if it had never happened. When a grand finale concludes with such perfect happiness, it’s only natural for a tension-free success story to follow immediately after.
‘Everything’s going to go well—’
“Ju-dan.”
“Yes.”
The moment he heard the voice, Ju-dan quickly put his smartphone away. It wasn't because he felt a habitual sense of pressure from his leader, but because it was a reasonable expectation.
And honestly, on a biological level, wasn't it only natural for him to feel a certain amount of awe and fear? Despite that youthful, fresh face, Cheong-ryeo was a being who had accumulated his sense of self over an immense span of time. There was surely a reason why humanity had respected their elders since ancient times.
‘Stay calm.’
Ju-dan muttered under his breath.
Cheong-ryeo, the man in question, glanced at Ju-dan’s behavior and spoke.
“I told you it was fine even if you didn't check.”
“It’s a hobby.”
“Hmm.”
Instead of saying something like, "Don't do it if I told you not to," Cheong-ryeo simply stared at him for a moment before walking away. It was a silent permission.
Quite generous... No, it wasn't generous. Permission? Even for a leader, that was an excessive abuse of power!
‘But he’s been that kind of character since before debut.’
That feeling of being pressed down from a great height, rather than being directly snapped at.
‘As a group leader, he is the highly efficient type.’
That was why VTIC had remained strong for so long.
‘I thought I’d be ruined by the time of contract renewals.’
Well, a different member had been ruined.
Ju-dan decided to push those thoughts aside for now. Instead, he recalled the internet reactions to the VTIC concert he had been looking at earlier.
First, the negative ones.
There was a minority opinion that it reminded them of TeSTAR’s charity concert held right after their car accident on the same platform. However, those comments had mostly vanished thanks to the news of TeSTAR’s guest appearance.
Of course, Ju-dan admitted that TeSTAR’s "audience participation" method was quite novel.
‘But that’s a niche strategy that only works for heavy internet users.’
What he—well, VTIC—had planned was a charity concert with a more classic and glamorous flair. And it worked.
However, he didn't deny that TeSTAR had been a help. TeSTAR’s (already teased) surprise VCR appearance in Part 2 was a pretty fun element.
[Park Moon-dae: I’m Moon-deng, your counselor for the day.]
[Maltese: (Silent screaming)]
A Maltese puppy character with its paws up covered its mouth. It was the fan who had requested a consultation from Park Moon-dae. To maintain anonymity, the applicants’ worries were shared while they were overlaid with the animal characters of the members giving the advice, like a VR filter. It was quite cute and heartwarming.
And funny, too.
‘A humorous device to adjust the tempo in the middle of an intense performance.’
[Seon A-hyun: First, please have a glass of warm water.]
[Rudolf: (Hiccup)]
[Seon A-hyun: Th-that should help with the hiccups, too...]
“Aw, so cute!”
“A-hyun is working so hard, it’s really good to see.”
Ju-dan nodded to himself several times while filming the ‘VTIC Reacts to Charity Concert’ content with the other members. This reaction video itself was content to be released soon.
Specifically... after they enlisted.
“...”
Good grief.
‘Enlistment.’
He had thought he would quit this job before that massive hiatus, but strangely enough, he was still doing it.
Ju-dan nodded.
‘...Still, since there’s so much content to consume, the fans probably won't turn into outsiders.’
Three types of original content, two free digital singles and music videos, and even a cinematic trailer to connect their universe. Thinking about it all gave him a sense of certainty.
Of course, Cheong-ryeo had made them.
‘Just when did he start preparing all this?’
The man himself was only going for six months next year, yet he had churned out this much hiatus content. Perhaps this was why it was hard for Ju-dan to recklessly rebel against such a superhuman leader.
Anyway, the screen moved on. After the VCR ended, at the point where the stage should have appeared...
[A Visit to TeSTAR’s Counseling Site!]
Suddenly, VTIC appeared, making a surprise visit to TeSTAR’s pension.
This was the true surprise. If Ju-dan were to check the internet on his turned-off phone, he would have seen countless exclamation marks and excited reactions.
[Wh-what?!]
[Huh? Seniors?]
Even the TeSTAR members on screen looked like their eyes were going to pop out. This was an unscripted moment.
‘Heh.’
Ju-dan felt a secret sense of pride. It was all for the sake of a great reaction.
Regardless, after greeting each other warmly, they shared some pizza and had a short conversation about the charity concert and its meaning.
Then... the scenario was for them to join forces. First, TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae spoke up.
[We’re very sorry and disappointed that we couldn't participate with a performance.]
[Don't be sorry! You even did the counseling just to participate somehow!]
[That’s right, you’ve done more than enough.]
While TeSTAR looked at each other shyly, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke with a smile.
[Thank you. Then we’ll just leave it at being disappointed.]
[In that case...]
Chae-yul replied with a bright face. He was the perfect member for this.
[How about we try a short one here? A performance!]
[!]
[We have lights here... and everyone here is a pro at prepared performances!]
[Wahaha!]
And so, a stage that looked completely spontaneous was confirmed.
[Let’s go outside!]
The sun had already set. It was a pension nestled in nature, far from the city lights, but it had one advantage. Being a pension, it had a large front yard lined with lamp lights.
[Ooh!]
[You guys were doing the counseling in such a cool place.]
VTIC and TeSTAR, who naturally ran out to the front yard in excitement, hesitated for a moment before giggling.
[What should we dance to?]
[Yeah, we haven't thought about it!]
Then, TeSTAR’s Lee Se-jin put his arms around his members’ shoulders and grinned.
[Since it’s our seniors’ concert... isn't it only right to do a senior’s song!]
[Ooh~!]
Of course, the lineup was all prepared. Even so, to pull off those lines so naturally—he truly was a man of such high social skills that it made Ju-dan uncomfortable. Ju-dan nodded.
Anyway, the song was decided, and the idols stood in a circle in the front yard, clapping.
[Music, please!]
Under the twinkling lamps and the stage lights turned on by the staff, the night grass glowed. Against the dark backdrop, as the familiar intro began to play...
[Ah!]
[Oh, I love this one!]
The idols jumped out, their steps crossing in an exciting, lighthearted rhythm. Then, the intro rang out like a group chant.
[Hey partner!
I wonder if you’re thinking of me]
Night Sign.
VTIC’s immortal masterpiece, released around the same time as TeSTAR’s debut song, filled the front yard. It was a song with a dark, languid, sexy concept that had been excluded from the charity concert setlist, but here, it was different.
[Remembering again
Night after night]
As the atmosphere lifted like people jumping at a concert or a party, even this song showed off the strengths of a hit track. A song everyone knew. The excitement that came from shared empathy. Even though the choreography wasn't originally meant to feel like this.
While the two groups mingled and laughed, a few members at a time took turns coming forward to follow the choreography. It was a picture of VTIC occasionally stepping back to give their juniors a spot, and TeSTAR doing their best to enjoy their seniors' song without overstepping. Because there were members who had spent time together before, the balance looked easier and more natural.
And when the chorus hit...
[Until the end of this night
Remember my eyes]
They instantly fell into formation and performed the signature choreography. Because it followed a spontaneous party-like atmosphere, the perfectly synchronized movements looked even more impressive.
[Um, Um]
The camera work captured the individual members laughing or enjoying themselves. The movements were more excited than the song called for, but strangely, it fit.
[Like a night sign]
Gestures and cool, spontaneous dance breaks filled the song at a fast tempo. But they knew when to let loose.
[Woo!]
Following that collective exclamation, the idols broke formation and laughed brightly.
“Ah...”
“That was so much fun!”
The VTIC members, who were filming their reaction while watching the screen, made a fuss as they remembered that time.
And as Ju-dan turned his head, he saw it. Cheong-ryeo was also wearing a faint smile.
“Yeah.”
[Night sign!]
After the final line shouted like a chant, the members checked each other's positions and posed in an ending formation that felt several times larger.
Whish— Bang!
Fireworks exploded in the sky above them, and the spontaneous stage ended. Along with the sound of laughter.
[Wow!]
[Thank you!]
Behind the faces waving at the camera, the colors of the fireworks were captured emotionally. it was a mid-concert finale that left a swelling afterglow, perfectly suited for a charity concert.
The viewers' reactions were fitting as well.
However, one question remained in the minds of both fandoms that would never be solved.
*
“Ah~ that was fun!”
“We’re heading out now!”
After the VTIC guys raided us and filmed the performance video in the pension yard.
Since it was the end of their concert preparations, VTIC immediately started getting ready to leave. And TeSTAR, as juniors should, gave them a sincere send-off.
I was replaying the stage in my head.
‘It was decent.’
It had been a while since I’d faked hearing a song for the first time like that, but since everyone was a veteran, it came out quite naturally. If I had to pick a VTIC song, choosing a hit from before TeSTAR’s debut would have been safer, but honestly... it shouldn't be a problem.
‘They’re going to the military anyway.’
In idol group relationships, every problem that isn't romantic stems from competitiveness. Since they’re going on hiatus and won't be competitors anymore, the fans will probably react more generously.
It was then.
“Moon-dae!”
“Yes.”
“Aww, we’re back to using formal speech!”
Jin Chae-yul, who had changed his clothes, smiled broadly.
“Can I contact you when I’m out on leave? Let’s see each other often. When we do, let’s drop the formalities like before!”
“I’m always down for that.”
Of course, if a problem arises, I’ll be busy.
Anyway, Chae-yul nodded vigorously, then lowered his head slightly and whispered in a small voice.
“And once we all enlist, Jae-hyun hyung will be all alone. Emotionally, I mean.”
I don't think it was much different before you enlisted, though.
“You’ll keep in touch with Hyung and Kong-i, right? Like I said before, he’s such a mountain-spirit-like person that I’m worried he might even forget to eat!”
No, Cheong-ryeo will probably eat very well, focusing on protein and fiber.
But I nodded.
“I’ll try.”
“Great!”
Chae-yul left after a (pointless) hug with a bright face. Then Ju-dan, who had been listening, slunk over and spoke with a mysterious expression.
“Chae-yul hyung has some emotional and irrational parts. It’s because he attaches too much meaning to interpersonal relationships.”
“...”
“Still, socially, people tend to accept what he says more easily. It’s surprising.”
No, it’s not.
Anyway, I decided... not to forget what Chae-yul said. Just that much.
And a few days later.
VTIC’s charity concert ended in great success. And with a surprise release of a high-quality fan song MV, the rest of the members, excluding Cheong-ryeo, really did enlist that month.
Seeing the press photos felt a bit strange. Was it because I had been in a group with those guys who were under 20 until not too long ago?
[“Salute! I’ll be back.” VTIC Shin-o’s Salute <Hanseong Star Photo>]
“By the time it’s our turn, the military service exemption bill for popular culture might have passed...”
“Hyung, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.”
“...”
Our turn would come soon enough, but that was still a few years away. Before then, we might even receive a national medal that allows for the postponement of enlistment.
‘I should make that the next goal.’
I nodded.
“Why are you nodding?”
“Because I think a good song is coming.”
I put down my smartphone in the middle of the studio. I could see Seon A-hyun recording in the booth with a nervous face.
And the next runner, Lee Se-jin, glanced at the VTIC news on my phone, and when our eyes met, he said casually.
“Hmm~ January comeback?”
“January comeback.”
The condition for receiving a national medal? In K-pop, the precedents are clear. Global recognition and critical acclaim. Simply being successful isn't enough. You have to be the absolute best in this genre.
The top tier that VTIC had held in a tight grip until now.
‘I’m going to devour it all during their military hiatus.’
Starting with the special stages at this year’s award ceremonies where VTIC is absent, I’ll take control of everything.
“There’s not much time left.”
We began to briskly prepare to sweep the empty house.
And so, the end of the year arrived.