Interlude: Donut Squad's Sweet Debut

"Of course, that's an impossible goal for the time being."

"Why?"

Lee Hyein asked back with a hint of disappointment at Go Kyung-min's words. He brushed his hair back slightly before replying.

"For starters, our fandom just isn't mature enough yet."

Selling a ton of albums doesn't mean crowds will flock to concerts, and packed concerts don't guarantee album sales either. That's because they're completely different kinds of content.

In the 2020s, albums are more like merch and collectibles. With more people who don't own CD players than those who do, albums aren't practical anymore. They're just vehicles for extras like photocards, postcards, and bromide prints.

Concerts are different. They're about selling an experience—a few hours of live music and that fleeting sense of liberation. You might keep photos, videos, or memories, but nothing tangible remains.

"The two have different consumption patterns and audiences. To put it extremely, albums are something you can skip if you're broke. But skip concerts to save money? You'd starve to death. The price gap is huge. For example..."

Go Kyung-min waved a sheet of data. It was album sales figures showing Group Sound's fan age demographics.

"Looking at the sales data, our fans are mostly late teens to early twenties, with some early teens too. Totally expected. Sky Garden blew up through SNS and challenges, so naturally, that's our core demographic. But..."

"They don't have money."

"Exactly."

Go Kyung-min nodded at Lee Hyein's words. Teens and twenties—in an era where people start jobs later and later in Korea, their financial power is basically zero. Sure, SNS is full of boasts about luxury goods and golf outings these days, but...

"Cold hard truth: Plenty of people skip meals to flex online, but few skip meals for concert tickets. SNS is for showing off, but going to a concert isn't something you brag about in the same way."

"Hmm..."

Lee Hyein scratched her head, eyeing Go Kyung-min. She didn't fully get it, but it made sense. As someone deep in B2B, it was a headache, though.

"So a solo concert tour... probably not happening anytime soon. But as a long-term goal, we should keep it in mind—that's why I included it."

Ignoring Ha Suyeon, who seemed to be shooting him a slight glare, Go Kyung-min pressed on.

"This year, our main focus is groundwork for a second full album or single—solidifying the fanbase. Building foundations, basically. So our fans can afford 100,000-won tickets."

"100,000 won?!"

Choi Iseo yelped in surprise. But the response came from elsewhere.

"That's standard for most concerts these days! Premium tiers hit 200,000 won! 100,000 is the baseline!"

"The... baseline?"

"Yes! Baseline!"

"We could price lower, sure—cut our profits. But honestly, we're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠here for the money. No need for charity. The public already agrees 100,000-plus is fair. And cheaper won't bring in no-shows anyway."

"True. Whether 50,000 or 100,000, it's priced for people who can spend freely."

Go Kyung-min nodded at Yoo Seoha's reply and flipped the PPT slide. It listed Group Sound's upcoming schedule: TV appearances, small lives, rock festivals, fanmeets, and more.

"Things'll get busy in a whole new way from now on. Let's all hustle for great results by year's end."

With that, Kyung-min wrapped up.

* * *

She stepped off the subway and took a deep breath. Still a ways from the venue, plenty of time till start... yet the tension wouldn't fade. A first for her in this life. Well, "this life" was barely two decades old.

The call that broke the ice was from a friend—her name lit up the smartphone screen.

"What."

"Nah, just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got here. Why?"

"Yup, not rigged~ Shoulda lived nicer, y'know? I hooked you up with radio tickets before—karma points deducted for lazing in bed. That's why."

"Yeah, I'm at the fanmeet~ You absolutely can't come~"

Click. She glanced at the screen, chuckled, and picked up the pace. Gotta arrive early for free merch.

Group Sound's first fanmeet. Official name: Group Sound Premium. Fan-voted nickname:

Why Donut Squad? Lyrics from Sky Garden: "round donut." Bassist/vocalist Choi Iseo said, "Round donut? Uh... I like 'em, so that's how it happened."

And it stuck. Shame—the cool old name,

, got scrapped for official club status. Something about government ordinance confusion.

Anyway, first fanmeet was lottery for official club members only. Club dues felt steep, so free fanmeet was a balm. Plus, most first-gen members won (except her friend). Felt like starting together with everyone.

"Grab your merch~"

At the venue: scattered chairs. Familiar voice at entrance—from EBS event merch giveaway. Club president? Handing out acrylic keychains with rainbow donut characters.

"Here ya go~ Oh! You're that girl from before."

"Uh? Oh, yeah..."

"Enjoy the fanmeet~"

She scratched her head at the warm greeting and headed to her seat. Weird vibe.

"Hello, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nice to see you. Group Sound leader, Ha Suyeon here. Fanmeet's kinda awkward, huh. Someone said I talk fine on broadcasts or interviews, but ramble onstage. You probably don't know, but that's skill. What skill? Stalling till content's ready."

Laughter at Suyeon's brutal honesty. Then from the crowd: "Dae-yo, just once please!"

"Who said that? Dae-yo? I'd love to, but time's up. Gotta move on... Why? Still early? Wanna get hit? Next up now. Uh, MC Choi Iseo volunteered. Shame—I wanted more chat time... Take it quick or it's 10 hours chromatic for you. Chat with Iseo, see you later~"

"Yes, hello! Choi Iseo! Today's quiz: How to deal with our irresponsible leader dumping unwanted stuff? 1! Impeach! 2! Let it slide! 3! Spread embarrassing vid online for mob roast... Ow! Stop! See? This is her!"

Suyeon dashed onstage, playfully smacking Iseo. More laughs galore.

Corner: Reading heart letters aloud.

"Lemme read. Suyeon, serious talk via this corner. Listen up. One member's fashion sucks. Won't name, but flashy patterns. Your recent fit seems influenced—wash that brain before it's too late..."

"She's nuts. Thinks she's a fashionista? I won't say I dress great, but you? Buying bulk 'menhera' from Mercari and rotating?"

Corner: Pick most hated member.

"Why three votes on me?"

"Just... asking that... no shame..."

"Fans, she has zero self-awareness. Remember Sky Garden recording? Big package came—she was curious. Portable bed. Set it up in studio, said no leaving till rehearsal perfect. Thought joke, but they locked her in? And she asks why three votes? Shameless!"

Light games, talk, Q&A, members saying fan requests. Etc.

"See you in part 2! Short break!"

So happy.

Part 2: Autographs, handshakes, member performances. She floated, awaiting bliss. Great mood.

* * *

"Ugh, throat's toast. Talked too much. Yo, water."

"No hands? No feet?"

Yoo Seoha grumbled, tossing a bottle. He bantered, then chugged.

Fanmeet. In his youth, smaller scale—pub hops with 20-30 fans, drinks, guitar. Free booze lured him sometimes; he'd gather folks when lonely.

But past feels vs. now? Worlds apart. Why? Age, people, who knows. Bottom line: now was more fun. Even with past boozing, smoking, partying.

"Fun, right?"

He looked up. Iseo watching.

"Yeah."

"Sorry to staff, but script would've sucked. Didn't fit us."

"Kinda... fanfic vibe..."

He nodded at Hyeona's agreement, tilting his head. Part 2: performance. Swapped jazzmaster for hardcase Stratocaster—not recent stage fave, black Strat.

Go all out?

Tuning barely off. Tweaked headstock via tuner. Table phone buzzed.

"Yo, grab that."

Hyeona handed it. Phone to ear, shoulder-clamped:

"Yes, Ha Suyeon speaking."

"Ah, yes... but who is this? Didn't save the number."

Brain scan: Kim Jiyeon... of Kim Jiyeon's Music Letter? With Taylor'd's Kim Cheol-yeon, late-night music show.

"Ah, hello. Long time. What brings you? In fanmeet now."