Live Tour Hype
In the practice room, Kim Cheol-yeon looked up from his guitar at the voice calling out.
"Bro, did you see the article?"
One of the band members. His slightly excited tone piqued Cheol-yeon's curiosity—what kind of news had the guy brought?
"You know that band, Group Sound. I saw the article about their Seoul concert selling out. It was insane."
"I saw it. But isn't that old news?"
"I just saw it now."
"You gotta keep up with the industry news in real time if you're in this game."
He gave the guy a light scolding and turned back to his guitar. Group Sound's box-office success and its ripple effects. He had no intention of changing the direction of the music he'd been making for decades. But for the people out there grinding in the scene right now, it had to be a massive influence. Proving that in the Korean market, you could succeed as a band—with that kind of music, no less.
'The problem is their success is kinda down to raw genius.'
"Come to think of it, that opening act offer you floated back then—was that for these girls too?"
"Ah, yeah, it was."
Cheol-yeon recalled the recent incident. It was his juniors' first big show, and he was worried about ticket sales, so he'd casually asked, "Want us to open for you?" Sure, Taylor'd and Group Sound's fanbases didn't overlap much, but it could've helped a bit.
"But they turned it down."
"Really? I thought they went for it."
Their response back then had probably been, "We'll give it a shot on our own."
"I asked when I heard they'd booked the place, but they said they were good. Honestly, there aren't many bands that could fill a venue like that right now."
It stung his pride a little, but he was even more impressed. Even if their fanbase had thinned out, Taylor'd still had name value. They were even headlining festivals under their own name. Having a 'big-name band' open would have been pretty tempting.
Yet they'd said no. Cheol-yeon wouldn't have been too disappointed if they'd accepted... but hearing the rejection actually made him feel good.
"We couldn't have done it either, huh?"
"We couldn't hit those venues anymore... well, we could, but the crowd probably wouldn't show. For girls, you gotta be top-tier to pull that off."
He thought back to the old days. Not even the 'golden age of rock' the old-timers always rhapsodize about, but the 2000s... bands still had real power then. Of course, that incident blew it all to hell.
It had rewritten history in so many ways.
"Wonder what they'll show us this time."
He muttered as he glanced at his phone. Group Sound's tour schedule, with countless lives under their belt and only the final Seoul concert left. They'd tackled a monumental, reckless itinerary no one else had dared, and now the end was in sight.
Back at the government-funded Band Pioneer project, he'd seen potential in them—promising kids with a bright future. But he never imagined this.
Who could have? Busting through controversies, winning Invasion from Seoul 2024, taking a hiatus, then dropping their debut full-length Becoming a Star for indie history books. TV appearances, legendary shows, and now this insane nationwide tour that no sane person would attempt.
"They deserve the success. If they can't make it, Korea's music scene has no future."
He nodded unconsciously, mumbling to himself. He couldn't help but wonder what they'd do next.
As one song wrapped up, a hand shot up amid the loosening atmosphere. Everyone cut off mid-chat—it was practically Pavlovian.
"Good. It's good, but..."
'It's not...'
She always started with good, then spent forever nitpicking—what was the point? Seoha wondered but knew better than to ask outright. Teasing Suyeon on other stuff felt unlimited, but music? Try it, and you'd get dragged outside for a talk that terrified even her.
"Listening back, the string parts need more life. Push an extra beat, add more punch. Staccato—short and snappy, bam, bam, bam... liven up those strings. The brass section..."
Suyeon rattled off notes on the arrangement. For her age, the other session musicians should've pushed back, but none did.
'Yeah, they've worked with her before.'
They knew her skills, her temperament. That's why they sat there like lambs, taking direction.
Seoha thought that, but it also hit her bittersweetly.
'We used to be the session players... now we're the ones hiring them.'
Back at Juhyeon's concert, she'd thought, 'Session gigs like this, build experience, and we'll make it.' Not long after, roles reversed.
"...drum? Drums?"
"Huh? What?"
"It was wobbling a bit. Anyone else, maybe fine—but not you. We're building tension on purpose, that excited vibe. If you get swept up and lose your cool, the whole band's screwed."
Tense stuff. As Seoha shrank, Suyeon tilted her head, eyeing her.
"If bass and drums hold steady, cool. But our bassist? Once you go off, she'll think, 'Wait, is that right?' and follow."
"No! Well... yeah, kinda..."
Iseo couldn't deny it. Suyeon sighed deeply.
"Stay ice-cold. Channel the energy, but you're the anchor. Hold that stance."
"Great work, everyone!"
Practice over, sessions gone. The four settled in a café.
"Whatcha doing?"
Three sprawled, exhausted; Suyeon scribbled in a notebook. Iseo peeked.
"Setlist. The production company's doing final checks, so I'm reviewing."
Not neat writing—doodles everywhere. Full album tracks, EPs, unreleased, unperformed, all mixed. Surprisingly orthodox compared to past lists.
"Sky Garden near the end? We always opened with it lately."
"Overplayed it. For this concert, classic flow's better. Early shows needed the hook..."
Suyeon stared intently, arrows up and down. Iseo poked her cheek on impulse.
Cold glare: What? Iseo deflated, slurping her iced latte.
"Oh, right."
Iseo bolted upright. Big day ahead.
"The doc's first episode drops today. Can we watch at your place?"
Suyeon's face screamed what the hell? Seoha ignored it.
"Gotta watch together."
"Your place, then we head home after, right?"
"What? It's late—crash here."
"...Is my house a hotel?"
Suyeon muttered in disbelief, but the three, already planning to stay, didn't hear a word.
Group Sound documentary. Debuted barely a year ago. But the hottest band in Korea's music scene right now. When word dropped of a doc on them, reactions varied wildly.
Network pushing them? They deserve the hype? Why them?
All over the map. But one common thread:
'Gonna be fun!'
Not some half-assed 'national tour' hitting a few cities—a real nationwide grind. By four stunning girls who were also the scene's hottest act. Plus label staff tagging along? Endless stories.
Timing perfect: tour not over yet. Finale needed for full series, but this gave that 'live doc on ongoing events' vibe.
"Everyone's hyped. Our story, but can't miss it."
Iseo, in pajamas, munched snacks from Hyein in the living room. Girl-heavy sleepover meant lots of skin, but crumbs on the blanket bugged her more.
"Eat over a plate. Crumbs."
"Aww~"
"I'll clean it!"
"It's fine, Suyeon. Eat up, Iseo~"
"Thanks~"
Iseo stuck out her tongue. Tempted to yank it, but nah—friends.
"Not starting yet?"
Hyeona, fresh from shower, tousling hair. Seoha, glued to phone, smirked slyly—community site?
"Starting now."
Iseo announced. She glanced at the ceiling. That awkward interview... hoped it stayed cut.
Early on: tour purpose, intro to Group Sound. How'd they dig up old footage? School gig and Paradox live. Impressed by the team's research, she skimmed community headlines. Not headline-level buzz yet.
"Were we that tense back then? Nah."
"TV's like that. Looks like total drama from clips alone."
She propped her chin, answering Iseo. Broadcasting sells intrigue.
Luckily, not Invasion from Seoul 2024-level drama; quickly downplayed as no big deal. Others sighed in relief—she thought they were overreacting.
'At least that part's safe this week.'
Timing-wise, doc wrapping up.
"Kinda fun."
"Embarrassing..."
"Happens to everyone. Your own voice sounds weird."
Kids shared takes; she relaxed—no awkward interview this ep. Nothing major, but still...
The flow shifted. Past stories: quick hits on Iseo, Seoha, Hyeona... then stalled at 'Ha Suyeon'.
The three girls perked up; she scratched her head, glancing at Hyein.
Here it comes. Premiere hook.
Commercial break timing. Of course this ep. The girls' faces—indescribable. She just said,
"What. Why."