Unplugged Album
“Well, wouldn't that be a bit tough?”
He voiced his refusal first to the proposal. The band members looked at him in surprise, and Hyeona even opened her mouth to speak.
“Why… why?”
“Why? We're pros now, signed to a label. We can't just do whatever we want, and even if we could, it wouldn't fly. For example, if you, Hyeona, did a school performance on your own, it'd just be a personal gig. But if the whole band goes out there, wouldn't that cause issues?”
He figured this case was a bit different from regular busking or free shows. Those initial ones were designed for promotion, but this felt like straight-up saying, “Sorry, but could you just do one free event for us?” Totally different vibe.
“Still feels okay to me.”
“I think so too, but that doesn't mean we can just unilaterally decide to perform without consulting the company. Unless it was something like repaying a session fee— we didn't do tons, but we got paid properly each time, right?”
Hyeona's friends nodded in agreement. But even as he said that, he wanted to explore ways to make this opportunity work.
Nothing beats university festivals for cash flow.
Compared to concerts or festivals, the workload was incomparable. Usually just 3-4 songs, and 7-10 would make you a massive “bargain.” Entering that market was like “printing money” in today's slang.
That's why he wanted to keep this chance alive. If played right, it could yield solid results.
“It's definitely a good opportunity.”
In the irregular meeting with no one else present, Team Leader Go Kyung-min stroked his chin and muttered that after hearing him out.
“University festivals are peak season, for sure! Especially at a music college, showing ‘minors outshining the music majors’— that's prime internet buzz material!”
“But the problem is we can't just jump at every good opportunity. They're not officially inviting us, so if we take the stage: stage setup? Other costs? And is undervaluing ourselves a smart move? Stuff like that.”
He nodded as he listened. The vague reluctance was crystallizing into specifics— potential losses in multiple areas. Still, it was a good opportunity. If they could perform at university festivals and word spread like “That band killed it at another school's fest,” they'd rake in serious revenue.
And a taste of the show might draw them to our full concerts later.
With that in mind, he glanced at the other two. After a brief exchange, Go Kyung-min spoke up.
“Like Suyeon said, even weighing all the factors… it's clearly a good chance. So now it's our turn.”
“Your turn?”
“Yes. Sitting back and waiting for you all—especially Suyeon—to bring solutions every time feels too shameless. I'll talk to the school on our end, so the band should focus on the music.”
Jeong Yu-young nodded at Go Kyung-min's words. He started to say something but let it go. They didn't think that way anyway, and since the label was stepping up, no need for him to butt in. They were busy enough.
Group Sound's now-solid fandom, the Donut Squad. Among them, a rumor had been circulating for days—plausible but hard to believe, unverified.
“Heard from a friend: that Group Sound band? Coming to our uni fest. Friend's friend in student council overheard them talking about it.”
Anyone with sense knows “friend of a friend” weighs as much as “total BS” or “just spitballing.” Zero credibility.
But Group Sound fans lost all reason because it involved their “fave.” They stalked current students' SNS, searched daily. After endless digging, their conclusion:
‘Friend's friend's friend's friend knows a student there. That friend's friend's friend's friend's buddy is tight with keyboardist ‘Hyeona’ from Group Sound. They were messing around recording the unplugged album together… and somehow it led to them getting booked recently.’ Chain goes back to eighth cousin twice removed. Some diehards bought it hook, line, sinker; others canceled everything that day to prove their faith. Chicken race of devotion. No show? Back to normal life—not jumping in the Han River levels of crazy. And the faithful's reward: the uni fest poster. Group Sound's name bold as hell.
Screw the exams.
Exams four times a semester, but Group Sound's “first uni gig”? Once-in-a-lifetime. Near-first offline event too, and per her friend's sister's friend, it's unplugged like on Kim Jiyeon's Music Letter. How to miss that?
Striding forward, first uni visit. Mom said “Go motivate yourself at a campus!” but she skipped—ironic now.
But kinda cramped.
Multi-campus school maybe? Kept walking past scattered booths, lecture-goers. Plenty with instruments, art supplies—total arts uni vibe.
She replied to the fan club prez, then sat on a bench under a tree by the buzzing stage setup, scrolling her phone. Skimmed idle community chatter, checked today's lineup.
Damn, with this roster, our band's got real weight, right?
Everyone else famous—heard the names, the music. Group Sound slotted in? Made her puff up with pride.
“You here?”
“Yo, when'd you arrive? Snagged seats this good? Crazy early.”
“Like an hour ago. You owe me big— who saves spots for friends like this?”
Friend plops into pre-saved seat, hands over unseen Group Sound merch without a word.
“Prez was handing these out. Figured you skipped.”
“... Ooooh~ Knew you had game?”
“Grillz? Who says that?”
She hammed it up theatrically, grabbing the merch. Unexpected gift. Chatting and eyeing it as first act—a male idol—hits the stage. Screaming fans.
“Know 'em?”
“Used to listen… Heh, now I dig ‘real’ tunes. This fake stuff? Nah.”
“Full band geek now.”
Watched the idol quietly, bantering. Half-joking, but true. Used to scream like the crowd for hot guy idols. Now? Meh. Answer came later.
After a few acts, stage setups shift. MC climbs up as instruments stack.
“Last stage! …Not quite, but today's semi-highlight! The one with our uni students! Curious?”
“Yess~!”
MC banters: Who's it? Must be huge for students onstage. Recording gear preps too.
“Ready? Here they are! Group Sound!”
Thunderous applause. The reason she dragged here: Group Sound.
“Hey everyone. Didn't expect so many to know us fresh off debut. Seen Kim Jiyeon's Music Letter? Hands up if that's how. Wow, tons—nice. That show launched us.”
Suyeon with her usual rambling greeting. She giggled at the joke, glancing around. Seemed more non-students now.
“This stage: for our great… uni students. Keyboardist here is a freshman. Jeong Hyeona and friends' unplugged show. Honestly, prepped forever—hope you enjoy.”
Will it land?
More enter for unplugged. Cheers. She clapped, hopeful but unsure. Limited show—fan must-see. But fest energy match? Music Letter was chill.
“Listen to Sky Garden.”
Late evening, gaze out the window—something floats far in the sky
Paper cranes, origami donuts I can't make out no matter how hard
And the sky garden
Dimming lights. Stark shadows. Members' faces obscured. Starts with familiar tune amid unease—cheers anyway. She watched warily. Stunned.
This... totally different vibe from Music Letter?
Music kicks in—way livelier than before.
Today's weather on this road: clouds with gold and lightning
Can't tell clear or cloudy, just following the map, trudging on
Not just music changed. Stage vibe too. Shadows dance: Bassist Choi Iseo grooves half-dancing. Student players sway rhythmically. Biggest shift: Suyeon.
Endlessly rising in this sky garden of unknown meaning
My feelings for you, the flowing time—all sand
I'll totter and fall, so stay still always
Usually stoic, strumming or singing blankly. Today? Shadowed smile, constant clapping, foot-stomping. Awkward but cute moves. Vibe infects crowd fast. Not like earlier idol frenzy. Sitters rise, others nod or tap. Music felt in the body, not just ears. It owned the stage.