Chapter 71
Chapter 71
The new teaser video began with a cheerful voice.
—Hi-five!
With a school field and a brilliant blue sky as the backdrop, Cha Yu-jin waved at the camera and shouted.
Behind him, the other members could be seen in their choreography formation.
Every single one of them was dressed in perfectly fitted pinstripe baseball uniforms. As they were warming up, the chorus suddenly kicked in, and the members snapped into their positions with sharp, rhythmic movements.
—This shot
Tang Tang Tang
Will hit the mark
—In your heart
Pang Pang Pang
Like a fanfare!
—It’s bursting out!
It was an exciting dance with large movements and a finely subdivided beat.
As the line of the chorus ended, the screen froze on their final pose. They were looking back toward the camera with one leg extended forward.
And a moment later.
[…Cut!]
[Phew!]
White captions appeared over the footage of the members collapsing onto the grass at the director’s signal.
[‘Hi-five’ Music Video]
[First reveal in Episode 2 of <TeSTAR’s Living Together TEST>!]
It was a humorous, dynamic teaser that stood in stark contrast to the previously released ‘Magical Boy’ teaser.
Naturally, the comment section exploded instantly.
The internet was ablaze with people so excited and hyped that the gloomy incident from just before was completely overshadowed.
However, there was also a hint of bewilderment.
It was because the agency was doing its job far better than expected.
And this reaction exploded once more the moment Episode 2 of the reality show aired.
[These are the related image references and arrangement drafts.]
This was because the broadcast showed the members preparing their presentation materials in just one day.
Thanks to the production team editing the timeline smoothly, the General Manager’s unreasonable demands and the mention of the simultaneous release with VTIC were all cut out.
Instead, it highlighted TeSTAR’s passionate efforts to finalize their title track.
Of course, some skeptics popped up.
However, the fans, whose hype meters had already redlined, ignored them after leaving a comment or two. They didn't even really care.
The feeling that this was going to be a hit was already pervasive.
Episode 2 of the reality show was closer to a production diary. However, at the end, they included a bit of variety content showing them at a claw machine.
It was a cut that had been omitted when the horror movie segment was moved up to Episode 1.
It mostly captured the members cutely failing at the claw machine and engaging in "mental victory" to cope.
[That’s right. The machine is weird.]
Episode 2 concluded with Lee Se-jin winning a puppy plushie from the claw machine.
And as the music video preview captions appeared, the atmosphere heated up with tension again.
The moment the mid-roll commercials ended.
The screen changed to a classroom window bathed in bright sunlight.
“The MV is starting.”
“Wa-wait a sec.”
Seon A-hyun came sliding into the living room. At that exact moment, the commercial ended.
Good timing.
I focused my eyes on the screen.
The first scene began with Park Moon-dae… that is, me, looking out the window. It was a blue sky with a blazing sun.
Then, a paper notice was thrust in front of Park Moon-dae’s eyes.
[Sports Day]
[Inter-School Baseball Tournament]
The person holding out the notice was Lee Se-jin.
His usual prickly demeanor was nowhere to be found; he looked like a nervous, model student.
The moment Park Moon-dae looked at the notice and tilted his head skeptically, the intro began.
Fweet!
The song started with a cheerful whistling melody.
It was a modified disco sound that removed the fine beats of the up-tempo drums and layered on electric guitars to bring out a rock feel… or so I was told. Honestly, I didn't know much about that, but it was exciting.
I was just glad that following Kim Rae-bin’s suggestion had completely stripped away the previous "cheap" vibe.
However… due to time constraints, the lyrics couldn't be changed.
—OH, I thought and thought about it
And I’ve made up my mind, Um~
Today, I’m going to throw
I’m going to throw myself
Into your heart~ Shot Shot!
…That should be good enough.
“The choreo is really tight.”
“Yu-jin is practically flying, isn't he?”
“Hehe.”
As soon as the group dance cuts appeared, the members started chiming in.
They were likely conscious of the reality show cameras set up to capture "MV reaction" content.
I already saw the entire storyboard before we started, so there’s nothing particularly surprising.
On the screen, the story unfolded with dance cuts interspersed throughout.
To summarize, the model student Lee Se-jin was trying to gather classmates for a baseball game to pad his student record.
Since he was recruiting people who didn't usually participate in sports day, he ended up gathering all sorts of oddballs and unique characters… that was the gist of the story.
“Moon-dae is in the library club!”
“It s-suits you well.”
I was given the role of someone who mostly stared at books or e-books.
—You need to give off a bit of a mysterious vibe. You know?
The director had emphasized that, but honestly, I don't know about "mysterious"… I just looked like someone whose thoughts were impossible to read.
The next target was Seon A-hyun. As everyone probably guessed… he was in the dance club.
“He’s really good.”
“That is the skill of a professional.”
“Th-thanks….”
Seon A-hyun performing modern dance on screen was certainly impressive. The historical accuracy of him being unable to refuse and getting dragged into playing baseball immediately afterward was spot on.
Next was Ryu Cheong-woo.
“As expected of a national athlete!”
“Everyone! That hyung actually hit the target when he shot that!”
“Haha, I’ve been out of practice, so my form was all over the place.”
He had a scene where he was recruited while doing archery, and of course, it wasn't awkward at all. He wasn't an amateur, after all.
And next… Cha Yu-jin and Kim Rae-bin appeared together.
There was a small comedy skit.
First, Lee Se-jin vigorously opened the door to the sports equipment shed.
Slide!
Inside the shed, Kim Rae-bin and Cha Yu-jin were seen lounging around.
The two of them, looking like total delinquents, stared blankly at Lee Se-jin, who had opened the door.
[…….]
[…….]
[…I’m sorry!]
Slide!
The door that had been opened was slammed shut in an instant.
“Hahaha!!”
“Pfft, that came out well.”
The guys watching the music video burst into laughter.
Honestly, it was funny to me too.
Giving those roles to the two youngest probably makes it even more entertaining.
For the record, they had insisted on playing those "cool" characters themselves.
Did they say they wanted to experience life at the top of the peer hierarchy, even if it was just in a fictional work…?
Recalling Kim Rae-bin’s long-winded explanation made me remember Cha Yu-jin’s bright comment as well.
—That sounds fun!
Anyway, since neither of them had particularly "soft" features, they pulled off the intimidating look quite well.
Finally… Keun Se-jin, who was in the middle of a student council election, was recruited on the condition that they help him campaign.
“Experience really makes a difference.”
“Ah, I probably would have been elected in that world~”
Keun Se-jin spoke slyly and gave a broad grin.
He chose that on purpose.
Since the student council election had come up during his school violence rumors, he seemed intent on using this character in the music video to completely overwrite that narrative.
In any case, the music video ended with a humorous finale where the ragtag bunch somehow managed to beat another school during sports day.
As a side note, Lee Se-jin’s goal—his student record—was included in a post-credit scene as a slight twist.
“Wow!”
“That was fun until the very end!”
It wasn't so fragmented that it was hard to understand, nor was the story so long that it became boring; it provided the perfect amount of entertainment. It seemed to be thanks to the appropriate placement of the group dance cuts.
“Great job, everyone!”
“Well done!”
Words of relief poured out from all sides, fueled by the joy that one music video had been successfully released.
Then, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke up, seemingly with intent.
“Especially… Se-jin, thank you.”
“……!”
“That is correct. Thanks to Se-jin-hyung, even amateurs like us had our cuts come out naturally.”
“Heh, Rae-bin. So the hyungs seemed like a bunch of amateurs to you….”
“Ah, n-no, that’s not what I meant….”
Ignoring the fact that Kim Rae-bin had fallen for Keun Se-jin’s teasing again.
“…….”
Lee Se-jin bit his lip hard, but soon nodded.
Then he added in a small voice.
“…No, everyone did well. And… I’m sorry if my attitude has been poor lately.”
“Ah, no….”
“From now on… I won’t avoid things like that anymore. I’ll get my head in the game.”
Lee Se-jin was clenching both of his hands tightly.
I guess he’s finally come to his senses now that the immediate fire has been put out.
He must have spent the last few days reflecting on the situation.
“I-it’s okay! Y-y-you’re the one who worked hard, hyung….”
“We’re just about to debut. It’s only natural to go through some trial and error.”
“Cheer up!”
“…Thanks.”
Thanks to the others being so easygoing, the atmosphere became warm again.
The slightly awkward air that had lingered for a few days after Lee Se-jin’s incident seemed to have vanished thanks to the music video.
Not that they had suddenly become close enough to bare their souls beyond being coworkers, though.
“Let’s do our best~”
For instance, Keun Se-jin, who was smirking over there, still didn't seem to particularly like Lee Se-jin, but well… it would be stranger if seven total strangers liked everything about each other.
As long as they didn't fight, it was fine.
The atmosphere should look good enough on the reality show.
They’ll probably just edit out the apology anyway.
I rolled my shoulders and stretched. At that moment, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke to us gently.
“Alright, then let’s head back to the practice room.”
“…….”
“…Yes!”
Even the mighty Cha Yu-jin’s response came half a beat late.
Everyone was already sick of practicing because of the forced march they’d been on, but they all knew they couldn't just go to sleep.
This was because there were only three days left until the debut showcase….
“Let’s hang in there, it’s not much longer.”
“Of course….”
“F-fighting!”
After a few meaningless cheers, it was certain that they would be practicing almost all night again that day.
“…….”
I hope a lot of fans show up to the showcase, not just reporters…. That would be at least some consolation.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
I was rubbing my eyes when Lee Se-jin spoke to me. When I turned my head out of politeness, I heard him mutter softly.
“Thanks for writing it with me.”
“…?”
The room?
My brain wasn't working for a moment because I was so tired.
I immediately thought of a more relevant recent example.
“Ah, the handwritten letter?”
“……Yeah!”
Lee Se-jin barked out the answer, then took a breath and calmed himself down.
“…It ended well thanks to you. I’ll definitely pay you back.”
“Sure…. Well, you don’t have to worry about it too much.”
In truth, it was just something anyone could have written if they’d put their mind to it; I just organized it quickly because we were short on time.
So, forget the favor—just don't get into a drug scandal.
Well… to be honest, I had a hunch that the drug scandal might have been related to his previous agency as well.
…I hope some other hidden circumstance doesn't pop up after I’ve thought this.
It’s not like I haven't been stabbed in the back once or twice, so I should stay cautious just in case.
“I said I’d pay you back! …Anyway, thanks.”
Lee Se-jin insisted on shouting one last time before cleaning up after himself and rushing out of the dorm.
Even though we were going to see each other again in less than thirty seconds.
…Both you and I have to go to the practice room anyway.
That guy’s brain definitely wasn't working either due to lack of sleep. I shook my head and started walking.
TeSTAR’s ‘Hi-five’ music video satisfied the fans.
It might sound like a simple sentence, but it actually carried immense weight.
It meant they had met the expectations for the Idol Inc. debut group, which had skyrocketed to the point of breaking through the ceiling.
At the same time, the tears of those who failed to get showcase tickets were overflowing.
While fans who couldn't get tickets were beating their chests in worry and frustration.
In reality, some fans of the eliminated contestants didn't even sell their showcase tickets as scalped tickets.
Let’s see just how well you do.
No one knew if actual booing or a disturbance would occur, but it was certainly a risk factor that Tnet had carelessly overlooked.
And on June 18th, the day the ‘Magical Boy’ music video was released.
The showcase began at 8 PM that evening.