Chapter 636
Chapter 636
Now, everyone knew.
Calling this July the "Month of TeSTAR" wouldn't even begin to do it justice.
Their global digital streaming results were staggering.
Furthermore, as their album sales continued to skyrocket and TeSTAR’s insane total sales figures became public, a massive stir erupted over just how many global fans were joining the fandom.
Of course, it wasn't as if the domestic fans didn't have anything to feel bittersweet about…
Since all these career highs were happening overseas, domestic fans suddenly found themselves consuming nothing but international content.
At most, they could catch a glimpse of TeSTAR’s usual Korean content through the behind-the-scenes videos uploaded to their WeTube channel!
Even as they called themselves shameless, they couldn't help it.
For the past few years since their debut, TeSTAR had almost always focused their activities domestically, so the fans had grown accustomed to it.
The single week of remix music show promotions had vanished like cotton candy washed in water by a raccoon…
Despite these playful complaints, everyone actually knew. It would be difficult for them to film new self-produced content right now during such a busy period.
In fact, even just coming back to Korea would be a challenge.
‘They’ll probably film something once their schedule clears up a bit and they hit a break.’
However, because there was a firm belief that things wouldn't just fizzle out and that there was definitely a plan, the domestic fans were being patient and enjoying this period in their own way.
Then, in mid-August.
[TeSTAR Arrival Airport Live]
Suddenly, a live stream notification popped up from a news outlet.
What started with one outlet spread like wildfire, eventually appearing on every entertainment news channel.
Still, quite a few fans rushed to the airport immediately.
And since the fandom size was already extraordinary, even if only "quite a few" went, a massive crowd was inevitable.
The quiet airport in the early hours of a weekday was suddenly transformed into a bustling scene, with people lining up behind the fences in droves.
Thanks to that, when the live stream started, the crowd came into view before TeSTAR did.
While the viewers watching the live stream whispered about their concerns, they waited for TeSTAR to appear.
Because their status had changed so much over the past few weeks, the atmosphere was dominated by a strange mix of curiosity, anticipation, and longing.
About twenty minutes later.
Shouts and gasps began to be heard on screen first.
Through the opening gate, a tall, striking figure wearing a mask emerged, swinging a suitcase like an accessory.
It was Ryu Cheong-woo, dressed casually in jeans.
Starting with him, the members began to enter the airport through the gate one by one.
Most were wearing well-fitting cotton pants or jeans with basic t-shirts, but the subtle differences based on each member's personality were the highlight.
And the most surprising thing was that the viewers recognized every single one of those individual traits.
Regardless, the sight of TeSTAR standing side-by-side in front of the fence for a moment evoked a strange sense of emotion.
It had been a long time since they had seen "TeSTAR in comfortable casual clothes in Korea."
Smiling faces were faintly visible above and below the contours of their masks.
The members greeted the reporters a few times and spent a brief moment waving to the fans.
However, after only a few seconds, they quickly began to move again.
Even as they clamored to see them for just a bit longer, people understood that it couldn't be helped due to safety concerns.
At the same time, they found it quite endearing.
The way they waved to the fans even while carefully making their way through was still familiar and heartwarming.
“No…”
“We’re in trouble.”
We tried to sneak in, but there were more reporters at the airport than ever before.
“Let’s move carefully.”
“Yeah.”
The airport was so full of the sound of shutters, flashes, and people screaming the members' names to get eye-contact photos that it was deafening.
‘I was planning on starting a live stream ourselves once we got to the dorm.’
The word definitely got out.
If the company hadn't received a report on the airport situation while we were on the plane and prepared an emergency response, it would have been a disaster.
At this rate, the headlines could have easily been "Airport Safety Issues: Is This Okay?" instead of "TeSTAR Returns Home."
“Phew.”
After bowing our heads frantically to get through and climbing into the car, even a few of the members were wiping off cold sweat.
“I mean, we didn't even make an announcement…”
“I am curious as to what channel they used to obtain this information.”
Who else could it be? Some loose-lipped employee at the company probably leaked it.
‘It’s an understandable situation.’
With their workload doubling or tripling because of us, and everyone dying from overtime, it was impossible for everyone to keep their mouths shut.
Because of that, it seems the company is also scrambling to hire new staff.
‘And it seems they’re earning more than enough money for that…’
The investment money I had poured into the company had long since been recovered.
‘I should probably reinvest that.’
Isn't it about time to move past the stage where we could be pushed around because of capital?
As I followed my stream of consciousness, I wiped my forehead and looked outside. A data seller who was pressed against the window trying to get a photo was being blocked by a bodyguard.
‘They never give up.’
Thanks to that, the car just took off.
“Oh boy.”
“Ah, there are fans over there too.”
Keun Se-jin, who was disappointed that he couldn't open the window to greet the fans, eventually rounded up the members to take a few selfies and even uploaded them to social media.
Only then did everyone collapse into the car seats.
“Man~ it’s been a while, Korea.”
“Seriously.”
It was a truly triumphant return home.
“We have to eat Kimchi Pizza Tangsuyuk.”
“You’re amazing, Yu-jin.”
“You’ve become a full-fledged Korean.”
The joy on the faces of the guys bickering over where such a menu choice came from surpassed their fatigue.
At this very moment, TeSTAR’s name was still sitting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was a feat they had achieved for two consecutive weeks.
And it was already projected that they would definitely stay within the top five next week as well.
“Still, home is the best.”
“Yeah.”
Returning to the dorm after so long seemed to make it finally feel real for the members.
The realization that we were currently pulling off something absolutely insane.
“…When we were working while staying in hotels, how should I put it… it felt a bit like a dream or like we were traveling.”
“Did it feel a bit surreal?”
“…! Exactly, that’s it!”
But even after returning to their everyday space, the achievements they had made this time did not disappear.
It seemed they had truly realized that.
“Wow.”
After unpacking in their respective rooms, the guys gathered together, looked at each other in silence, and then grinned.
“Actually… I thought I’d feel pressured and scared once it felt real.”
“And?”
“…But I actually feel more overwhelmed with joy~!”
“Ohhhh!”
The members chuckled and shared high-fives.
If I said there was no pressure from the thought of ‘How are we doing this well?’, it would be a lie, but it seemed everyone felt the same about trying to enjoy the situation.
It was a good attitude.
“The broadcast… Ah, it’s on now!”
“Loviewer! We’re back in Korea! We’re at the dorm!”
“Hi!”
And the guys, who eventually started a live stream, waved their hands wildly and hosted their own broadcast, and I joined in as well.
“Moon-dae should probably cut his hair soon, right? …What? You want me to grow it long?”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh!”
“We’ll take a vote.”
It was a long-awaited time to relax.
It’s not that I was particularly more nervous just because we were overseas, but it was a bit heavy having to constantly appeal our recognition to people who didn't know us well.
Of course, we didn't come back to Korea just to mess around and pull ourselves together without anything big planned.
‘It’s about time to start preparing.’
After the live stream ended following endless goodbyes, Keun Se-jin smirked.
“Ah~ should we get back to our roots?”
“Of course.”
“Efficiency is always better when practicing in the usual place.”
A new tour.
This return was to prepare for the start of this year's concerts.
“And we have to properly promote our concert in Korea too.”
We also had a domestic variety show appearance lined up for our triumphant return.
“TeSTAR! What a surprise!”
“A currently trending legend, global hot stars, universal superstars in this humble place?!”
Usually, it’s considered a standard rule for only one or two members to appear on a variety show with a set format, but when you become exceptionally popular, anything is possible.
“It’s so good to see you!”
“Likewise. We’re really happy to be here too.”
On a set decorated like a secret base or a laboratory, entertainers sitting in white lab coats and glasses welcomed us enthusiastically.
“All of our researchers have been waiting for this moment!”
“Th-thank you.”
The title of this variety show was Analysis Results Are In.
What was this weird, mad scientist skit-like variety show?
“Today’s experimental data is… Ta-da! The chronicle of TeSTAR!”
Behind the filming set, a massive scroll hanging on a giant experimental record board unfurled like a genealogy.
Then, image materials organized like a map began to reveal themselves.
Stage outfits, music videos, events…
It was us.
“We’re going to look at how our TeSTAR has lived so far!”
That’s right.
It was a show that pretended to scientifically analyze the past actions of the guests and told them what kind of people they were, like a psychological test result.
“The DNA we extracted from you in advance… it stands for ‘I’ll tell you everything’ (Da Naega Allyeojulge), right? Anyway, this is the DNA map!”
The writers here are really good at coming up with nonsense.
Anyway, the subjects of this analysis were TeSTAR and its members.
“Now, let’s begin!”
“Ohhh!”
It was a bit of a strange method, but the intended purpose might not be much different from other variety shows.
Highlighting the guests' latest career achievements and creating talking points.
“The most successful singers on Billboard right now! Wow, my hands are shaking just saying it.”
“Can you tell us a bit about your activities? Please… I’m so curious.”
“Ah, then shall we start with this story?”
“I love you, TeSTAR!”
However, the characteristic of this show was to start with current talk like this, making a fuss about ‘how well they’re doing,’ and then gradually trace back to the past like a salmon swimming upstream.
Just like now, after talking plenty about Billboard.
“Now, let’s go back one step on the map. What was TeSTAR like before Billboard?”
“Wow, there’s so much!”
From then on, TeSTAR’s talking points began to pour out as if they were being spilled in reverse, one by one.
The VR concert I had missed for a day.
The fan song that suddenly became popular as a New Year’s song, the stage from the competition program where we beat Iter, Kim Rae-bin’s unique rabbit-concept intro song…
The Waterbomb stage where Steer’s Cha Yu-jin performed.
“Ah, Waterbomb!”
“Was that perhaps the early model for this sexy concept?”
“Haha, maybe so.”
Countless stories were pulled out as we rewound.
The Limestone SF movie OST Black Hole, Promise where we did an underwater stage with a mermaid concept, Midnight and Next which combined two contrasting titles, the two-part traditional concept Haengcha and Haengcha [Present]…
The car accident and the survival.
“The collaboration with that mobile game was also a hot topic!”
“Ah, Section 127! I used to love that game. The shooter was Cheong-woo, right?”
“Haha, that’s right. Thanks.”
The pouring talking points were endless. It was almost unbelievable that we had done so much in just these few years.
Our mouths didn't stop answering, and our hands didn't stop as we moved backward.
“Now, then, the starting point of this map is…”
And finally.
“Here!”
At the very end of TeSTAR’s map.
A classroom set against a mysterious sunset image, located at the very bottom.
<Magical Boy>
TeSTAR’s debut song.
“Do you remember?”
“Of course I remember.”
I quietly looked up at that image.
Including Shining Star, which was the double title.
I remembered all the crazy things we did to get those two songs properly arranged and passed.
‘We even made a PPT.’
Even the fact that these guys insisted on staying up all night by my side to help with work I could have done alone.
“I thought I was going to die.”
“Hahaha!”
I just laughed along as I watched the entertainers laugh.
Is that so?
‘Our map started from here.’
Now, the story of Idol Inc. doesn't necessarily have to come up.
Even that audition program, which was an unbelievably popular hit with the public, could be omitted for the sake of selection, focus, and the flow of the story.
TeSTAR seems to have built an impressive enough career for that to be okay.
To the point where all sorts of thoughts came to mind as we talked our way back up.
I looked at TeSTAR’s history of activities, connected like constellations.
They were numerous.
“Everyone really lived diligently.”
“…Yeah.”
That was for sure.
“And you succeeded as much as you worked hard!”
That was also for sure.
After the filming ended.
Amidst more thoughts than expected, I read the text on my smartphone.
A message that had arrived about an hour ago.
[Congratulations.]
“…….”
[I’m in Korea too. Let’s see each other’s faces.]
I replied.
[Sure.]
The time for settlement had come.