Unplugged Farewell and the Phone That Shatters Rest

Iseo took off her hat and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Even at night, the season was heating up—the clothes she'd worn in case it got chilly now felt stifling in the growing warmth.

"It's about time for us to head out."

The moment Ha Suyeon said that, a roar like "Don't go!!" erupted from the audience.

Everyone reacted this way every time, but it didn't feel rote or insincere—it rang with real heart, which put Iseo in a great mood.

"The Buddha told his disciples, 'Encounters born of affection and love all end in parting'—from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra."

Suyeon spouting her usual cryptic nonsense. Whenever she got on stage, she turned into this kid who rattled off weird stories like that. People were truly unknowable, Iseo thought.

"Even if we part ways after tonight's show, we'll meet again someday. Until then, I hope you all stay healthy! ... We'll wrap things up now with our final song. Thank you!"

Suyeon had mangled the middle part, but she finished without batting an eye at the crowd's reaction. The only tell was her reddened ears.

The lights dimmed again, cold shadows swallowing the stage... Then, on the drummer's cue, Iseo struck her bass, and Suyeon approached the mic and opened her mouth.

Every note of that bass—like the faded Belmont glass bottles tucked away in grandma's old fridge—had the crowd buzzing with joy. No need for anything else. Sound effects, lighting tricks, crowd prompts to cheer. None of it was necessary.

Sometimes Iseo wondered what liquid was sloshing in those bottles, squinting her eyes shut as she watched Suyeon clapping along. Following her own words about emphasizing "raw" and "joyful" performances... but Iseo hadn't expected Suyeon to actually join in.

She'd imagined the usual: cool, detached playing. But seeing this totally different side from her friend, Iseo couldn't help but be shocked.

An awkward but unmistakable "enjoying the stage" vibe. Not the head-down, guitar-focused style that got her internet jabs like "Is that girl a statue?"

How had grandma known to keep those bottles in the fridge?

'It's a good thing, right?'

Muttering that to herself, she launched into her bass solo.

Suyeon had appeared out of nowhere, guitar slung back, shaking a tambourine and waving shyly to the crowd. People danced, or sat clapping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if they couldn't. Not just students—random onlookers too. Everyone united, forgetting what came next, lost in the fun.

Today was a good day.

The hot reception was obvious just from the crowd that night. Plenty of folks who'd cheered wildly and partied hard headed home satisfied—enough to throw off the next act (a big-name artist by reputation).

But this Unplugged show wasn't about that. Sure, raking in revenue and buzz was nice... but if it didn't hit the real goal of "expanding the fanbase," it meant nothing. Not like they did this for one gig; profit-wise it worked, but opportunity cost said otherwise.

And that goal?

"Too early to call it definitively, but it does look like things are going according to plan."

Perfectly achieved.

"Not all the data's in yet... but from Melon and YouTube..."

Go Kyung-min fired up the projector. A chart showing the ratio of 10-20s viewers versus other age groups. Unlike their regular tracks, the unplugged streams showed a starkly different spread.

"Melon doesn't track it directly, but YouTube's algorithm means lots of indirect plays via playlists and recommendations. Most of those folks don't bounce after one listen—they keep going."

In other words, their target 30-50s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠demographic was being reeled in as intended.

He let out a silent sigh of relief. It was a "let's just try it" project, but success beat failure any day.

"Physical sales: No extras or bonuses, just limited pre-order quantities... so not huge volume. Around 2,000 units."

"Should we have added perks?" Lee Hyein asked, a hint of regret in her voice.

But Jeong Yu-young shook her head. "This album wasn't designed for that! Perks make inventory a nightmare if sales don't match. Plus, it's just re-recorded old tracks... skipping them was the right call!"

"Exactly. Physicals are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just a bonus—the real key is streams, live views, and ripple effects."

The streaming release, [Rest], clocked in at 24 tracks total: 8 studio basics, 8 live cuts from Hyeona's college fest, and 8 instrumentals ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tailored for cafes, libraries, or chill spots.

Insts targeted BGM plays; basics aimed for playlist slots. Lives included extra crowd noise to subconsciously spark "Got any full live footage? Wanna check it out."

The strategy paid off big. Unedited full lives: ~200k views. Per-song clips: average ~450k. Counts still climbing, with clear new viewer demographics.

Because...

He didn't check comments often, but peeking at Sky Garden or Becoming a Star ones showed totally different vibes. From age groups less net-savvy... more precisely, stuff like 'Hate to admit it, but this hits like my old self...'

Now he got why every time he posted online, trolls hit him with "boomer", "old fogey", "gramps;;".

Clearing his throat, he spoke up. "So, as planned before, straight into the next EP?"

"Whoa, it's barely been over and you're pushing work already? Workaholic much? Or broke? Need gear?" Yoo Seoha yelped in horror.

But he tilted his head with a grin. "Strike while the iron's hot, right?"

"Please stop..." Jeong Hyeona muttered plaintively, but he ignored it.

Play all you want, do all you can—how do you expect to make it big in music? Gotta give up some things sometimes.

"Short-term, yeah, that could boost sales. College fests opened the door, so TV spots, EP prep and release, aggressive promo tours, even festivals... revenue up for sure. But..."

Go Kyung-min flipped through the PPT to one key slide. Their original goal: "Solo Concert Tour."

"This is what we planned. Broader appeal across ages and nationwide matters more than locking in a niche. So, live tour first. I'll update as it shapes up... Rest up for now."

'Rest, huh.'

He sank into his chair thinking that. A real break after ages. It wouldn't last long—bookings or schedules could pop up anytime—but he wasn't itching for them.

The kids' excitement from earlier lingered.

"Rest time!!"

"Freedom!!"

Before he could even speak, the three bolted out like slaves freshly freed. Even a work maniac like him couldn't pitch "Hey, I've got ideas..." seeing that joy.

How do you rein in kids that happy?

'Still, we could do something this period.' Like guerrilla busking, song camp (group sleepover composes), or residency jams. So many fun options. Sucks to miss them.

"Suyeon-ah!"

"Yes."

As he mulled it over and opened his laptop, a shout came from outside. He shuffled out to find Lee Hyein dressed to the nines, waiting.

Wondering what was up, he squinted and scanned her up and down.

"What's going on?"

"You've got time off after forever. Shopping with Mom."

"... Ehhh... Not really feeling it..."

"What're you saying? We're going. Don't think of it as Mom talking—it's the CEO. Okay? That's an order."

At least it was better than before, he thought. No more dragging him like an old Barbie doll for "First shopping trip with my daughter in ages!"—now Hyein was way calmer. Leisurely strides and all.

"Get that one. Suits you perfect."

"Haven't I bought enough clothes already?"

"You gotta snag what fits. Suyeon-ah. Food vanishes after you eat, houses aren't for show. Of the big three—food, clothes, shelter—clothes are king. Don't skimp on 'em, got it?"

The try-ons showed no sign of stopping, though.

He trailed Hyein, bags in hand. What finally halted her shopping spree? A single call to him.

"Gotta take this."

"Oh? Yeah! Sit here a sec."

They set the bags by a bench. He checked the screen: Chae Hogun from Ho-in Arts University. Long time no see.

"Yes, Ha Suyeon speaking."

"Yes, Professor. Long time. Hope you're well? I should've called first."

Courtesies exchanged, then Chae Hogun cut to the chase.

"Hm... Entering a rest period now. What's up?"