Interlude: The Post-Concert Frenzy
As soon as the concert wrapped up, people bolted straight home... or whipped out their phones on the subway, or headed to cafes, spilling their guts about the show. There wasn't any law forcing audience members to post reviews. But everyone—from young to old—couldn't help sharing their stories. They just had to.
Just my personal take on the concert.
1. Stage
I saw it was a 360-degree stage and thought, no way it'd be great for watching the performers or the screens. I was wrong. When the lights came up and the session musicians appeared, with floral decorations popping on the screens and all those dazzling effects—it was straight-up extravagant. I started wondering if these kids even care about making money. Then the lighting setup, positioned like some gymnastics routine, hit me with that thought again. The production quality was so insane, I couldn't believe this band was only a year old.
2. Songs
The buildup from the early tracks was killer. By Sky Garden, everyone was losing it—you could feel the energy. If it'd been standing room, people would've been jumping, screaming, total chaos. But the real highlight was the back half. My friend went after watching the documentary and was bawling her eyes out, telling me I have to see it. I hadn't, but it still kinda clicked. The sequence—Over Errors - Bird in Front of My House - Last Chapter—the narrative just flowed perfectly, even without context.
3. Members
They're not idols, so no need to obsess over faces, right? But damn, these girls make you want to. Especially Suyeon... After crying her heart out, not a single unflattering shot on the screen? I was floored. Why the hell is she in a band?? Shouldn't she be an idol? But if she went idol, it'd be a huge loss for Korean music, so nah lol.
...Rock music, dipping its toes into the Korean K-pop market lately, is now shoving its way in full force. Yes, it's the story of Group Sound, who delivered unprecedented results with their debut album Becoming a Star and nationwide tour...
...Group Sound's debut sparked skepticism. Some said their looks screamed 'idol band project,' others griped 'is rock a joke now?' But they smashed through all the hate...
...Post-COVID, rock festivals are booming again, indie bands signaling a wild shift in domestic rock. At the forefront: Group Sound, the essence of Korean rock. As a rock fan, I pray this isn't a one-hit wonder—that rock revives through them. [Playlist Listen]
Reactions poured in from all corners, but what was Group Sound themselves up to...?
"How much you think our settlement from this run'll be?"
"Whoa, Choi Iseo. Activity's barely over and you're on about money. Total capitalist psycho."
"What're you yapping about? You've been weird lately, unnie."
"Always been like that?"
The office hummed with their usual trash-talking peace. Like they couldn't stand losing, it devolved into childish back-and-forth: "Nuh-uh?" "Yuh-huh?" Then Iseo muttered again.
"Yeon-su, you not curious?"
"About what."
"Our settlement. We made bank this time, right? Gotta be decent."
"Hm..."
Suyeon tilted her head slightly. No exact figures—she didn't know the business breakdown. But she could ballpark it. How much they'd raked in.
"Local gigs were cheap tickets, plus that free show ate a loss... Pure revenue-wise, maybe around 100 million won."
"100 million?"
Iseo's jaw dropped, same shocked face. But to Suyeon, the regional tour revenue was pitiful compared to the grind. Low ticket prices, small crowds, but constant travel and per diems.
"And Jangchung? Straight revenue, 500 million."
"500 million?? One day, 500 million?? How?!"
"Duh. 5,000 people times 110,000 won is 550 million. Can't add?"
"Wanna lose all your hair?"
Why's she so punchable? Suyeon wondered, watching Seoha get her hair yanked.
Guess she enjoys it.
"Album sales last checked at 30,000 copies... That's another 50-60 million. Plus merch. All in, total revenue around 1.3-1.5 billion this cycle."
"Whoa... So per person, 100 million each?"
"Doubt we hit 100 mil."
Albums? Stripping it down, performers get 400-700 won per copy. Composers snag 1,000-1,500. Rough math: Suyeon and Iseo around 700-800 won each, Hyeona and Seoha 100-200. At 30k copies, Suyeon/Iseo ~20 mil each, Hyeona/Seoha ~5 mil.
"This feels unfair. Fine with 5 mil for us, but you two getting 20 mil makes ours look tiny."
"It... kinda is tiny..."
They bantered. Real splits would vary—members' tracks on the album. But Suyeon's credits on those too, so not huge gaps.
"Tour profits similar. Factor travel, staging, labor, food, misc... No way it's 100 mil."
Concerts? Roughly, 75% goes to production. Label Echo Sound ran lean, say 60%—net ~200 mil. Split agency 5:artist 5...
"Our cut ~25 mil. So for me and Iseo, ~50 mil total this run. Hyeona/Seoha ~30 mil. Locals add a bit, but nah, peanuts."
"Can I live off music? Confidence just tanked..."
Seoha muttered. No surprise. Surviving on music in Korea? Brutal. Idols or TV regulars only. Rest side-hustle. Even old Seo Myeongjeon did sessions and lessons.
"We're top 1%. Most tours net 10-20 mil per head."
"True, but..."
"For real?? Then why music?!"
"You gotta talk to actual indie folks. Go Hongdae whining 'only 30 mil this year, boo-hoo' to street bands—they make 3,000 won yearly and'll beat you with bats."
Seoha spilled tales: bro ate abandoned park pizzas, another collected bar leftovers.
"Quit the BS," Iseo snapped, but Suyeon knew it rang true. Not the scavenging, but the poverty.
"Anyway, streams add some... But 0.1-0.2 won per play per person. Taxes too."
So they had to go global. Beyond success—riches—world stage or bust.
Regular meeting.
"Settlements by next month. Amount... We'll crunch exacts, but temper expectations."
Go Kyung-min laid groundwork. But Suyeon's estimates had dulled their hype.
Still, tens of millions. Beats a salaryman's paycheck...
"Part of your shares covers label investments."
"What?! More cuts?!"
Iseo shot up, furious.
"Can't forgive company tyranny! Red flags unfurl! Unite! Chains are all we have left!"
Cold stares.
"Sseo-ssi... makes more than us..."
"Sorry..."
Iseo deflated at Hyeona's whisper. Kyung-min, flustered but calming, continued.
"Plans: Another EP if possible, solo concert upper half next year off this momentum. Jangchung sold out—next, gymnastics arena."
Jeong Yu-young's turn. She briskly passed materials, prepped to the teeth. Suyeon grabbed hers.
Predictable.
"And now! As Suyeon-ssi suggested, boss approved... Time to talk Japan entry!"
Truth: They'd maxed Korea. Tour, concert, 10k+ albums, fests. Next level? Bigger sales/fest fees/concerts. Not dramatic jumps. 5k to 10k seats doesn't double profits—costs explode.
"As a business! And you all care about revenue too! For growth, Japan! Key step ahead."
Dramatic flair. Suyeon tensed. What now?
"Next page! Japan's crucial element!"
Suyeon flipped.
Fine for 'Ha Suyeon.' Hell no for 'Seo Myeongjeon.' Any Korean soul's forbidden...
"Time to study Japanese!!"