Chapter 599
Chapter 599
"Phew."
This was a solo fan of Kim Rae-bin—no, a fan who now harbored a deep, grudging affection for the entire group.
Seeing the upload notification from TeSTAR’s WeTube account pop up, she moved to her PC. Her fingernails clicked rapidly against the mouse. As always during a comeback season, a sharp sense of anxious anticipation pierced her heart.
‘Rae-bin already did the solo intro last time, so it’s probably too much to expect him to hog it again… Ah, I don’t care. Just give it to him!’
The logic was simple: the one who cooked the meal knew best how to eat it, so shouldn't the one who composed the song be the best at expressing it?
Moreover, this was a truly critical moment. Even she, who usually maintained a "I don't care about anything else, just let Kim Rae-bin succeed, damn it" attitude, could feel it in her bones.
Because… the subtle indicators were already there.
‘The followers on the big-name translation accounts have nearly tripled.’
For context, these translation accounts didn't translate English into Korean; they translated Korean activities into English. In other words, the number of foreigners wanting to keep up with TeSTAR’s news had surged.
It was a sign of global demand—specifically, an indicator of fan growth.
And they were currently on tour. The fact that the numbers were creeping up like this even when it wasn't an official promotion period meant there was even more latent demand yet to surface.
‘Foreign kids who got interested through the tour are digging through TeSTAR’s old content and making new accounts left and right.’
Just glancing at her social media timeline, she could feel a certain quickening. It created a strange tension even among the fans.
The feeling that the timing had finally arrived.
In truth, TeSTAR had consistently built up elements that appealed to overseas audiences and achieved results. From the game collaboration led by 127 Section to movie appearances and variety shows… every major piece of content had global hooks and charms.
Thanks to that, TeSTAR’s international fandom was by no means small for their size. However, they hadn't had that one explosive, "hottest thing on the planet" moment that swept everything away yet.
—Ah… it feels like they’re just one step away!
If there were no possibility at all, she wouldn't care, but because it felt so close, it was even more tantalizing. It was almost frustrating.
In that sense, the moment the fans saw this tour going viral amid rave reviews from global critics, they felt it too.
—This… if we play our cards right, it’s going to blow up.
It wasn't a reaction built on nothing. The fact that TeSTAR had gained the image of a "unique, conceptual singer-songwriter group" through this tour would have been impossible without the content they had steadily built up. It meant their efforts to satisfy both domestic and international fans hadn't been in vain.
This was why even she was feeling nervous.
‘I mean… if I’m like this, the all-fans must be busy counting their chickens before they hatch.’
Normally, she would have worried that if TeSTAR became more popular overseas, they would naturally neglect domestic activities and just tour constantly, but…
‘Well, unless the company suddenly gets sold, I doubt that’ll happen.’
Surprisingly, even a somewhat aggressive solo fan like her didn't worry about that anymore. They were no longer under T1, who were money-hungry and incompetent. Even back then, the members had fought tooth and nail to create content; now that they were independent, the chances of them phoning it in were even lower.
Basically, she was just all-in on them becoming even more successful.
‘Thinking about how I almost lost my mind when people said they lost their roots during Epic… seriously, you guys better do well.’
TeSTAR had been active for years without a break. She hoped this group wouldn't fade away or end up as a dud this time, but truly, insanely explode.
“……”
Kim Rae-bin’s fan found herself making a sentimental wish without realizing it.
“Ugh, whatever!”
Immediately after, she shook her head as if disgusted with herself and snapped out of it.
‘Let’s just watch the intro!’
She logged onto the internet with a combative spirit, but… she saw something she really didn't want to see.
[VTIC Members Discharged Simultaneously... "Returning to Our Main Jobs This Instant."]
“Agh! Dammit!”
It was an article about VTIC’s discharge. An idol group that had won Daesangs and Billboard awards was being discharged together after syncing their schedules? Naturally, the public was buzzing.
—They’re coming to restore order to a slack K-pop scene.
—Syncing their discharge dates, those madmen... I can feel the grit from here (this is a compliment).
—Guys, I’ve been saving up for 18 months for this.
VTIC had only mentioned they would "see everyone soon" and hadn't officially announced a comeback date to the press yet. However, everyone predicted they would be back within the year.
‘What a show.’
She twitched an eyebrow, thinking that if they’d been in the industry that long, they should just go be directors at the company already.
Anyway, she took another deep breath.
"Phew."
Just as she was about to watch TeSTAR’s intro music video as intended… she caught a short spoiler on social media.
‘Are you kidding me? Hah.’
It was about the main figure in the intro.
—The i-i-i-intro Seon A-hyun is craaa;zy
“……”
‘So it was him.’
As expected, they didn't give it to Kim Rae-bin. Putting Rae-bin at the forefront with some high-budget old-school hip-hop is the shortcut to making the world go wild, but these people have no taste.
Kim Rae-bin’s solo fan tapped her PC irritably.
“Ugh.”
Now, thanks to the annoyance, her anticipation was gone; she just wanted to get it over with. But the moment she saw the thumbnail…
“……”
She was momentarily speechless.
Against a backdrop of clear yet misty flowers and grass, a face as bright as the moon floated. Streaks of light seeping through the gaps of a parasol scattered across his cheek, jaw, and eyes. Even the way his eyelids were slightly lowered was so elegant… it was like a masterpiece.
It was an aesthetic so striking that even she, who didn't particularly care for Seon A-hyun, was captivated.
‘His face… I’ll give him that.’
Her irritation vanished. She finally pressed the play button.
Immediately, the screen was filled with scenery.
“…!”
An elegant, light-drenched spring garden—or perhaps nature itself—unfolded as enchantingly as an Impressionist landscape painting. The sound of butterflies and birds filled the air.
[Toutes les couleurs ont ton nom.]
Amidst the sounds, a French narration whispered like a song. A slow accompaniment began to play. Then, the subtitles appeared.
—ALL THE COLORS
HAVE YOUR NAME.
The white text soon vanished, and the beautiful background shimmered again like a watercolor painting. Then, piercing through those static colors alone, came a tall dancer dressed in white.
‘Ah.’
It was Seon A-hyun. Wearing an outfit somewhere between dancewear and slacks, he started crouched down before rising with steps that traced elegant lines.
Then, he opened his mouth.
[Morning glory
Staining everything in purple
I can smell the scent
I can’t stop the trembling]
His arms and legs moved with sharp, graceful precision to the very tips of his limbs, drawing circles.
“……”
Every movement unfolded on the screen at angles so perfect they felt dramatic. A solo dance in the light.
[My blue is gone
I’m not sad anymore
That bluebird is you]
An overwhelming sense of artistry, as if a masterpiece had come to life. Like the lyrics delicately retracing the rainbow colors of a prism, the screen was a feast of every hue. And the snow-white Seon A-hyun boasted a presence that caught the eye remarkably well, yet he blended into the scene as if he belonged there.
It was enough to silence any argument about why Seon A-hyun was the one in the intro.
[From green to gold
My emotions are ripening
With all your moments]
With his fingertips trembling slightly, Seon A-hyun reached toward the corner of the screen and softly pulled his arm back. Then, from his fingertips, someone else’s hand entered the frame…
‘Huh?’
Appearing beyond Seon A-hyun’s interlaced fingers was the hand of a black ballerina. Seon A-hyun gently embraced the ballerina and began to perform a pas de deux.
However…
[Until my cheeks turn red
We match our breath together
I keep meeting you, And then, Eden]
“……”
‘This is insane.’
The black ballerina moving with Seon A-hyun wasn't a person. It was a mannequin with a black torso and delicately connected joints. Using only his own strength and technique, Seon A-hyun triggered the recoil of the joints, pulling off the performance as if it were a real pair dance.
From penché to pirouette. Like lovers.
[And your final color is]
The screen, which had looked like a Monet painting on a sunny day, gradually turned red as the song progressed, becoming more flamboyant and emotional. Then came the climax. The camera angle slowly shifted sideways along with the dancer’s movements.
Before she knew it, Seon A-hyun was standing before a body of water.
[in the Sunset]
Carefully, devotedly, Seon A-hyun placed his foot lightly upon the surface of the water. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward, gliding across the lake.
“…!!”
[Red is yours
your color, your name]
Dramatic, beautiful harmonies echoed in her ears as if exploding. The mountains, wildflowers, and grass across the lake swayed. Red sunlight poured onto the face of the water.
[More dazzling than the morning
I approach for a kiss]
Everywhere his feet touched, parabolas formed, and the sunset shimmered. Seon A-hyun danced passionately on the water with the torso, which was now draped with disheveled bouquets of flowers.
[(Red is yours)
Even after the sun sets
And the moonlight falls
In a color I won’t forget]
And this was where the scene from the thumbnail appeared.
‘Ah.’
Seon A-hyun, grazing his hand just below the water, pulled out a rod wrapped in white cloth. It was a parasol. But he didn't use it for himself; he respectfully held it over the torso.
He elegantly splashed water as he unfurled the parasol, tilting it toward the torso in his arms. He even wrapped his large hand around the torso’s waist. It gave off a strange sexual tension and a poignant feeling.
Yet the song remained clear and pure.
[Red is yours
your color, your name]
All the way to the other side of the water. Seon A-hyun continued his elegant and passionate dance with the torso, using the parasol as part of his flamboyant movements.
Before long, they reached the edge of the lake.
[U- Um, u- Umm]
Seon A-hyun’s feet, now stepping onto the darkening land, were captured on screen. He walked softly and arrived at a hill covered in a thick layer of flower petals.
The center of the hill was shown in a close-up. It was a white coffin.
“……”
Seon A-hyun respectfully and delicately placed the parasol on top of the torso. Then, with a smile, he stepped into the open coffin and closed the lid.
Before the sun could set.
Thump.
The screen turned black without a sound. Then, a whispered narration.
—Les rêves ne finissent jamais.
Soon, the black screen split open. Light pierced through the gap. Beyond the opened view, boys in casual clothes looked down at Seon A-hyun with smiles.
It was the members. Their faces were relaxed, as if they had been laughing and chatting as usual.
—Comme, une chanson d'amour.
Park Moon-dae reached out and helped Seon A-hyun up. Before she knew it, he was also in casual clothes.
[Did you sleep well?]
[Yeah.]
Seon A-hyun stood up. The sight of them walking away together was captured leisurely along with a soft accompaniment…
Until it suddenly reached a crescendo.
[in the Sunset—]
The moment the accompaniment peaked.
Thud.
Something black fell to the side, obscuring the screen.
“…!”
It was the black torso, holding the parasol.
“……”
The video ended there.
[♪♪♩- ♬♩♪♪-]
Listening to the melody of the song’s chorus playing over the ending credits, Kim Rae-bin’s fan sat still for a moment. This intro had stimulated all five senses.
“……That.”
And then she realized. It wasn't just the fans who were putting all their expectations, tension, and effort into this album.
Their singers knew it too.
‘They’re dead serious.’
It was clear they had poured every ounce of their strength, skill, and time into this. Seeing an intro produced with such charm and perfection that she couldn't even guess how long they had prepared for it, Kim Rae-bin’s fan clenched her fists.
“…Let’s go, damn it!”
Excitement and anticipation surged. A sense of duty, something she had never felt before, even took root in her heart.
‘If the intro is this good, what the hell did they do for the title track!’
She laughed triumphantly as she watched the reactions flooding social media and online communities.
But a short while later.
—W-w-w-wait, this is crazy
“…?!”
Something happened that no fan could have imagined. One night, a video was suddenly released.
But it wasn't a TeSTAR video.
[VTIC – ‘Serpent’ Official M/V Teaser 1]
“…!!”
In the thumbnail, a sharp-featured, handsome man sat on a marble chair with his bare back to the camera, looking over his shoulder. It was Shin-o.
And the concept was…
—Th-th-this is Sweet Night
—Oh my god, the babies who used to smile in sweaters are doing this now ㅠㅠ
The Afterlife.
It was VTIC’s debut concept. They had taken their very first concept and brought it back as an intense reprise, polished to the absolute limit.
—The grit is legendary...
“Holy… are you kidding me…”
The storm had begun.