Jangchung Gymnasium: Dreams Fulfilled
The live tour's string quartet took the stage—violin one, violin two, viola, cello. The distinctive timbre of strings, impossible to replicate with just a synthesizer, filled the air and overwhelmed the audience. Following them came the brass trio: trumpet, trombone, saxophone. This lineup already far surpassed a typical band session, but there were even more musicians. Rhythm guitar, bongos and congas on percussion, a tambourine-wielding backing vocalist, a classical piano, and more. It was clear they'd pulled out all the stops, and the audience went wild for the sound pouring from these pros.
The feelings in my heart the day I met you were like crashing waves, pushing today's me just a little further
And right after Ashen Days wrapped up, without warning, Leap Over This Street kicked in. The crowd erupted in applause once more for the spring-scented love song that had once propelled Group Sound's popularity.
Now I want to leap over this subtle distance with you
I want to gift you this wavering, drifting heart
The first song, Ashen Days. The slightly subdued mood had the audience thinking it would start gently, but the lively performance unfolding at the stage's center got everyone bouncing involuntarily.
"Come on, everyone! Applause! Applause! Applause!"
Fueling the fire were the two vocalists seamlessly trading off lines. Choi Iseo handled most of the singing, but whenever crowd response was needed, the mic naturally passed to Ha Suyeon. Once the interaction peaked, it flowed right back to Iseo. It was like they'd rehearsed it to perfection—a slick trick. They'd pulled it off subtly a couple times before in shows, but never this fluidly.
But before anyone could dwell on the questions, the show barreled on. Relentless, upbeat music that never let the crowd's immersion lapse—not even for a second. They played so hard people wondered, Is that girl's arm okay? Isn't she gonna crash from exhaustion?
Whenever I visit Grandma's house, there's always that faded Belmont glass bottle in the old fridge
The liquid I drank that day was, for some reason, my favorite drink inside
Grandma, how did you know? That glass bottle in the fridge... I hesitated till the end, but...
Yet the staging kept evolving. The cheer stayed constant, but the mood darkened at times, spotlights sweeping the crowd. Centralized controls turned light sticks into waves of light, cascades of flashes pouring down like waterfalls.
'I did the right thing coming.'
Se-yoon thought. Concert tickets weren't cheap—big money she had to psych herself up to spend. Her little brother probably felt the same. That's why she'd agonized. Spend on my fave? Or save? Of course, that resolve melted the second she saw the merch stands outside, but even this morning, she'd been deep in turmoil. Cancel, get back over 200,000 won for the siblings, skip the surprise merch spending, lounge in bed scrolling her phone for dinner. Watch fan-cams on YouTube instead.
But now? If I'd canceled... I'd regret it forever. Money can be earned, time made—but this show, this night? Irreplaceable.
The show ripened beautifully. The sink's dry toothbrush, crusted soap, fogged mirror—reflected there.
"We might just become stars!!"
Wrinkled socks, overcast sky, the bus to school—inside it
"We might just become stars!!"
Early on, Iseo had to coax responses, but as the vibe heated up, they came automatically. By their signature track Becoming a Star, Iseo handed the mic to the crowd naturally, and they sang it back flawlessly.
"Everyone, shall we take a quick break?"
"No!!"
As Becoming a Star ended, Iseo chimed in seamlessly. The crowd rejected the break suggestion. Iseo feigned distress—"Guys, we're tired too!"—drawing laughter that echoed through the arena. He smirked.
"Alright, you've been sitting forever. For the finale, let's stretch! Shoulders back, spines straight, tuck in those chins. Herniated discs cost millions, right? We'll take care of your music and your health."
Fans cheered wildly at the deliberate "daeyo" quirk—the "daeyo high school girl" meme from SNS. Even knowing he'd forced it, her cheeks flushed. Twirling her head in thought: 'Never saw this day coming.'
Honestly, he hadn't. Back as Seo Myeongjeon, he'd dismissed it after childhood dreams faded. "This song's solid; maybe a concert someday," he'd told himself, but deep down? No way. He knew himself too well.
As Ha Suyeon? Possible, maybe—but reality and past failures loomed large. Even pushing to book this venue: growth was good, but those seats looked impossible to fill. Still, stubborn grit won. 'Historic spot. I want this stage. Who knows? We might pack it.' Deep down: Impossible. But just once, I wanna stand there as the star, facing the crowd.
And it happened. Sold out, beyond imagination.
Jangchung Gymnasium. Korea's first dome arena. First boxing world champ. Inaugural national wrestling tournament. Even, somewhat infamously, the Yusin regime's Unification and Leadership National Conference. Countless events, matches, rockstars, and bands dreamed of this stage.
"Playing Jangchung means you've made it," someone said. He was one of them.
"Now for the highlight! You all know it—no need to say the name!"
"Yes!!"
Stretches done, Iseo shouted cheerfully. The crowd roared back. Four drumstick cracks rang out, then that iconic bass intro everyone knew.
Late riser, peering out the window—something floats far in the sky
No matter how I stare, can't make it out: paper crane, doughnut circle
And Sky Garden...
The thunderous sing-along from the seats nearly broke her decades of focus. Koreans are famous for it—she knew, being one. But full-throated from start to finish? As a musician, worlds apart.
Iseo froze briefly on bass, then grinned into the mic: "One more time!!"
Today's traveler, the weather's clouds with gold and lightning
Clear or cloudy? Map in hand, trudging on...
Meaningless, just floating there in the Sky Garden
I climb endlessly toward you, my heart for you, the flowing time—all teetering on sand...
Against the choral backdrop, she broke from her spot, circling the stage, eyes on the crowd. They cheered, clapped, stomped in rhythm—endless response, as if today was their happiest.
It stirred old memories. Back when dreams had faded, music just a job. As session master for a past-prime rocker, after two bottles of soju, alcohol-fueled: "Why do these money-losing gigs? Scratching your belly at home pays better."
The rocker replied: "Sir, thousands in the pit staring only at me. Everyone watching, reacting to my every move... Once you feel that, nothing else cuts it."
Back then? Didn't get it. Session or band, stage is stage. What's so special? Cynical resentment.
Now? Crystal clear. Bigger fests, smaller fiery lives—he got it here. Every gesture met with joy, cheers. Light sticks glowing in dark, unified song—eyes locked on the stage's "protagonist." What she'd craved.
Meaningless, just floating there in the Sky Garden
I climb endlessly toward you, my heart for you, the flowing time—all buried in sand, vanishing
Slow steps back to position.
Head bowed, she sang. Afraid lifting it would reveal her. Hide the trembling notes. Gritting teeth, praying the crowd drowned her emotions—unnoticed, untold story of fulfilled dreams.
Sky Garden faded. Darkened stage.
One day, if you choose one path among many
Could I tell you not to go?
Pre-listed setlist closer, Past Errors from Invasion from Seoul 2024—symbolizing Suyeon's history. Post-documentary episode one, her past half-revealed, it hit viscerally. Everyone grasped the meaning.
One day, if you choose one path and regret
Could I say you shouldn't have gone?
"Tomorrow's you wipes tears, but yesterday's you isn't
Tomorrow's you kneels, but yesterday's you was different..."
The chorus sing-along flowed naturally, evoking that old performance vibe. Murmured softly, light sticks swaying side to side—yet voices rang through the arena.
"Today's you... where did you want to go?"
The close. Sensing the end, applause poured from the seats. Band and sessions bowed repeatedly; some fans yelled "One more! One more!"—knowing it wouldn't happen.
"Thank you. Isn't it a shame to just head out?"
"Yes!!!"
But that thought got pleasantly betrayed. Suyeon grabbed the mic unexpectedly. Encore vibes sparked roaring cheers.
"Before the last song, one more I wanna share. Not ours, but something I've always wanted to sing on a night like this... Cool with that?"
"Yes!!!!!"
Thunderous yes again. Suyeon gave a wry smile, conferred with the band. Stage murmured; Iseo and Hyeona descended to chat with sessions, Seoha stayed put.
Lights dimmed again. One spotlight remained, bathing a single figure: Ha Suyeon.
"Usually, you sing hits everyone knows here. This one's obscure... but let's try."
No cue—the song began. Total opposite of Group Sound's sound. Detached cheeriness, melody steeped in years.
"Please listen to Seo Myeongjeon... 'Bird in Front of Home'."