Leaky Halls and Unreleased Roads
'Today's show is about two hours long, right?'
She recalled the schedule she'd been briefed on in advance. After filming the performance, a quick background interview, and that would wrap up the day's agenda. They wouldn't start moving again until tomorrow afternoon, so tonight she could drink her fill. Pondering what to eat as she turned the camera on the audience entering after the documentary filming notice.
Most of the spectators looked stunned as they came in. Maybe because the bands were already onstage before they even entered. Some fans even headed down toward the stage, asking if they could take photos with the members.
"Sure thing! Just come up one at a time, though!"
At the bassist’s words, they lined up, snapping pics with the members one by one—a scene that felt pretty novel even to her, with years of camera work under her belt. These days, some acts kept a strict distance from fans as a strategy, never showing their faces. But this close-contact approach... maybe it was an indie label thing they could afford.
"Sorry, everyone, but we need to start the show now. If you haven't gotten your photo yet, please line up afterward."
Time came, and at the guitarist's announcement, the audience returned to their seats.
"Thanks. For today's live concept, given the vibe... you all probably guessed, but we're going for something relaxed. Like halfway between a fan meet and a concert. And yeah, the set's two hours."
"Exactly! We felt like we'd been neglecting our premium members, so we planned this kind of content. What do you think?"
"Love it!" came a shout from the crowd, the band grinning as she kept filming.
After Becoming a Star and a few other tracks, the members set their instruments aside and sat at a table—time for audience interaction. A staffer called for questions, hands shooting up instantly. A mic went to one fan.
"Uh... hi! I'm just curious, like, what do you all do normally?"
"What we do? Hmm..."
"Not during practice, right? I watch anime! Or browse clothes. Can't keep up with new stuff, so mostly finished series. Like Delicious in Dungeon, Witch Hat Atelier. Netflix uploads mostly."
"M-me... I've just been buried in assignments lately... someone’s been drilling us hard on practice, so no time for anything else... Normally? Um... tweets... SNS stuff. Can't share my account, though..."
"Me? Drum sessions. Hunting for fun gigs. Lately, obsessed with jeans. They're surprisingly deep the more you look. Each year, each cut has its legacy vibe. You know? Japanese brands mostly rip off Levi's. Like EVISU—LEVI'S minus L, plus U."
"Practice. Besides that? Composing. Arranging. Working out. What else? Nothing. Stop messing around—I'm serious."
As they shared their lives, one gave a sobering answer amid the mix. More questions flew, until one aimed at Suyeon.
"Um, a question for the leader... If you have a playlist, any recs?"
This I'm curious about too. She perked her ear. For the doc, she'd listened to Becoming a Star and Plastic Nostalgia—way more polished than a typical rock band image.
"Hmm... off the top? Lately... Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightning, Muddy Waters' Mannish Boy. Crossroads too, but I prefer Cream's take. Eric Clapton's Cocaine, Tearing Us Apart, Breaking Point, Cream's full Wheels of Fire and Disraeli Gears... plenty more."
Tracks she'd never heard. Eric Clapton rang a bell, but the rest? Unknown.
"Old stuff's packed with classics. My music's rooted there... Sure, you might think sixties tunes sound boring now. But nah—they don't feel stale or awkward at all. That's music's magic."
"In moderation, maybe. Sixty years back? That's pushing it, no?"
The bassist voiced what everyone thought, but Suyeon pressed on unfazed.
"Everything needs roots. Look at buildings—solid foundation means a real structure. Same with impressions. Rock your music history firm. Fans don't have to dive into blues, but you all should."
It veered toward scolding the members. Just as she wondered if this was okay, Suyeon cut herself off.
"Anyway... next is an unreleased track. Cool?"
A roaring "Yes!!" from the crowd. She reflexively asked the staffer beside her, "Can I film this?"
The staffer dashed up for approval—OK sign given, she swapped batteries. Couldn't miss a new song; great for doc promo.
Meanwhile, Suyeon grabbed a different guitar—yellow with a crocodile sticker. No intro; straight in. Instruments hit perfect sync. Guitar's tight, bouncy tone wove a rich harmony.
A plain soul stands here, countless paths right before their eyes
Not knowing which to choose, vaguely picking one and setting off
Fallen leaves line the empty road, sometimes storms come raging
But the way back is far off—eyes closed, no choice but to walk
Though life flows and spreads, they can't stop stepping forward
Now even the path ahead vanishes, scattering like mere fragments
The song differed from Group Sound's Sky Garden or Becoming a Star. More like something ancient—country-ish, to her untrained ear. Easy listening; tweak it, and it'd fit a cozy old cafe. Hummable, upbeat.
Wish it was longer. Acoustic version would slap...
Not a music expert, but she hummed along. Earworm material for her playlist—appealing to young fans and old-timers like her alike.
The tour rolled smoothly post-first show. Two sold-out 1,000-seat lives in the capital region, then a near-full 700-seater in Chungcheong.
"Chungcheong felt so rural in my head, but nope."
"Wha... duh, provinces have people too."
"Obviously, but... provinces just scream empty, y'know?"
Iseo's words drew an exasperated look from her. Fair if you'd never left Seoul. Seo Myeongjeon had toured deep provinces, even lived in mountains—but without those memories?
"Don't say that outside. Backlash city these days."
Jeong Yu-young's worried warning got a cheery "Got it!" from Iseo. She glanced out the van window at the downpour—like the sky had a hole.
"Typhoon coming?"
"Nah, just monsoon... didn't check forecast."
"Our... show's okay, right...?"
"Who cares? Indoors anyway."
Chatting, they sped to the next stop. Concert tomorrow—rest up.
"What the—"
Rain hammered outside, seeping through closed doors. Muffled voices woke her near the door. The three inside were out cold, so... Jeong Yu-young on a call? What crisis had her ignoring sleeping folks?
Boyfriend cheating? She opened the door.
Yu-young whirled, face ashen at the noise.
"What happened?"
"Uh... uh... hold on. Team leader, one sec. I'll call back."
She hung up, deep breath, eyes on her. Something was off. Not us, right? Limbs went numb.
"W-we... can't use tomorrow's venue."
"Huh?"
Relief hit—not what she feared. But serious, yeah.
"Why?"
"Heavy rain today. Leaked—sound gear's fried. Repairs take days."
"A concert hall leaking?"
Emergency meeting: Go Kyung-min, Jeong Yu-young, 'Ha Suyeon', Park Daeri from general affairs, Lee Junho subbing for the doc team (camera in tow—film this too?). Minimal crew, she muttered.
How does a hall leak?
"It's done. Now countermeasures."
"Other venues?"
"Nope. Nearest is an hour drive, smaller seats."
"Still, rent it..."
"Public hall—officials won't pick up. Even if, availability? Plus hour away means refunds."
"Outdoor stage?"
"Rain tomorrow too."
Park Daeri's words; Go Kyung-min facepalmed. She scratched her head. Normal show's toast.
"Acoustic? No power needed—use the hall."
"Possible, but... why acoustic then? Battery packs? Output issue... wireless amps maybe. Doable-ish."
Go brightened, but Yu-young cut in.
"Tried that—whole hall's out. Lights gone, seats soaked."
"Insane. What do these officials even do?"
Go slammed the table; Yu-young shot a "not in front of outsiders" glance. Park spoke.
"Normal show's impossible... refunds mandatory. Botch it, breach contract—worse headache."
"Ugh. Cancel, chill today, move on?"
"Seems so..."
All nodded; Go stepped out to call the boss. She ran a hand through her hair.
No fix? Refunds inevitable. But skipping a near-sold-out show? Fans expected this—act of God or not, it'd disappoint.
But no venue... Arms crossed, ceiling-gazing, she caught eyes: Lee Junho from doc team. Casual glance, averted quick. Triggered a memory—some singer's concert nearby, broadcasted... roofed outdoor stage? Waterproof.
Overkill? Sure, just refund. But...
Solve this, doc it—guaranteed buzz. Full refunds from disaster, plus free fan concert? Short-term loss, long-term goldmine.