After the Curtain Falls
After the concert ended.
People shared a wide variety of reactions from their own places, in their own time.
[Review of attending both days at the Gymnastics Arena]
I don't go to concerts much these days, but up until a year or two ago, I used to go to almost every Korean rock band concert out there. I got disappointed and dropped out of the scene for a while, but I made my comeback with Group Sound's concert this time. It was so mind-blowing that I'm writing a review for the first time in my life. I'll focus on my impressions.
1. Overall Performance Quality
To be honest, there are so many bands in Korea who claim to hold "concerts" but just turn on a few lights, sing their songs, and leave. They aren't performing in the true sense of the word; they're basically just doing high-end busking. Think that's not true? There are tons of them. Most of them think that putting up some screens, flashing some lights, and throwing in a few vocal ad-libs is all a concert needs to be.
But Group Sound's concert is on a completely different level. You can immediately tell they know how to put on a real show. The setlist, the stage setup, the lighting, the atmosphere—everything is clearly focused on maximizing the audience's immersion and experience. I could explain it in more detail, but it'd be too long. Simply put, their fundamentals are just different.
2. Setlist
You can really feel how smart they are here. Starting with Garden in the Air instantly pulled everyone in, but they performed it in a completely different style. That way, when it came back as the encore, it didn't feel weird at all—in fact, it made us anticipate it even more. It was a brilliant strategy. And there were other things too...
People who were genuinely amazed by the sheer quality of the concert and discussed it passionately.
[Did anyone else pay close attention to the animations on the screens?]
At first, I thought they were just playing them for visual aesthetic, like a playlist background. But looking closely, it felt like there was an actual storyline and some lore hints. I was totally sucked into it halfway through. I'm not great at analyzing this kind of stuff, but is there anyone here who is??
A "universe" and "story" that had been completely absent until now. People who were deeply immersed in it, spinning theories, and creating fan works.
[I feel so good now that the forced haters are completely wiped out lol]
There used to be these cockroach-like trolls clinging to every forum, constantly hating on them. But after the live concert, they've all completely vanished lol. When a performance of this quality—which even normies acknowledge—comes out, they just can't handle it lol.
Or people venting their frustration against those who had forced themselves to hate the band.
No, but why didn't they play the last song on the first night and only played it on the final night? Isn't this discrimination? F*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck!
Or people expressing their disappointment about the concert.
Yet, despite these diverse reactions, there was a common thread.
First, it felt like there was something more... something beyond a simple farewell.
[But didn't the new song have a different vibe this time?]
The vibe was completely different from their usual songs. It's hard to put into words, but it felt like it had a much more genuine "rock" feel to it.
[Is there any recording of the new song?]
I know recording wasn't allowed, but it's such a shame.
And that Group Sound's performance this time was also incredibly good.
Although nothing had been officially announced, the fans had already pieced it together.
Group Sound was planning to leave Korea for a while and head out into the world.
For both the fans and the band, it was a refreshing conclusion with no lingering regrets... and because of that, it left everyone eagerly anticipating the day they would return.
It was a perfect wrap-up.
"Alright, let's introduce them. These are the new hires for the company. Please introduce yourselves!"
"Yes, hello. I am Lee Seon-hwa, and I will be the PM for the new platform project."
"Hello~ I am..."
One by one, they introduced themselves and bowed in unison.
Hye-in... Mom had mentioned that Group Sound's success had brought unexpected, massive profits to Label Echo Sound. She had also added that she wouldn't let this opportunity slip by and would expand the business.
Those people were likely hired for that very purpose.
"And these people over here! They've been newly hired to manage and assist Group Sound with their debut in Japan! Some of them are actually from Japan!"
"Yes, hello. I am Hiroyuki Sakamata. I have been hired to assist with Group Sound's advancement into Japan. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
He spoke in fluent Korean.
While everyone clapped, another woman spoke in Korean.
However, to Suyun's ears, her Korean was slightly less fluent than the previous speaker's. Her slight awkwardness was noticeable.
"Great! Now that we've done introductions, please return to your seats, and we will continue the meeting!"
After bowing, the people dispersed.
Only Sakamata remained in the conference room, and Deputy General Manager Jung Yuyoung spoke up.
"As we discussed briefly before... we've put a lot of thought into how we should approach the Japanese market. After consulting with the CEO, we've concluded that this method is the best way forward."
With that, Deputy General Manager Jung handed over a document.
Turning the cover page, the text caught Suyun's eye. She read the contents slowly.
Rather than a temporary promotion in Japan followed by an immediate return to Korea, it is deemed far more effective to build a solid foundation in Japan using the existing fandom as a springboard...
"So, we will be renting a dormitory in Japan! While conducting market research, we will work on producing an album and holding performances... That's the direction we'll be taking. It might seem like a detour, but the solid foundation we build will make us much stronger in the long run!"
"Uh, then... excuse me... I have a question..."
"Yes, go ahead!"
"What about... school...?"
"Ah."
A brief silence fell over the room.
Then, Deputy General Manager Jung Yuyoung spoke up.
"We... we'll find a way!"
Suyun lightly twirled a strand of her hair.
"Well, we'll figure something out. We can take a leave of absence, or just drop out if we have to... We're only going to college to make a living through music anyway, and since we've already succeeded, there's no real need to go..."
"I don't think that's right."
At Hyun-ah's uncharacteristically firm response, everyone's eyes widened as they turned to look at her.
Suyun felt wronged. No, seriously, couldn't she even suggest that? She had no idea why everyone was ganging up on her lately...
On the day of departure.
"Hey, we have a huge problem."
"What?"
"What if a massive crowd gathers at the airport just to watch us leave?"
Hearing this, Suyun stared blankly at Iseor's face.
She wondered what on earth Iseor was talking about.
In the past, Iseor had told her countless times, "Stop looking at me like that!" and Suyun had indeed tried to restrain herself from looking at Iseor with pathetic pity... but this time, she simply couldn't hold back.
"Stop looking at me like that!"
"Put yourself in my shoes. How can I not look at you like that?"
"She really is a bit too self-conscious."
"It's not just self-consciousness, it's real! For a band of our level, shouldn't there be crowds waiting at the arrivals and departures gates...?"
"I think you've been watching too much Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube lately, and it's rotting your brain. Go do a digital detox or something."
"What did you say?!"
"Actually... she has a point..."
"What do you mean she has a point! Do you want to get hit, unni?"
Faced with this peak level of absurdity, Suyun turned her gaze out the window.
The car was speeding along.
A clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds. It was a picturesque view.
"Not too long ago, I never would have imagined going to Japan for work," Suyun muttered.
She had been to Japan for work quite a few times in her past life. Sometimes jobs would come from over there, and she had gone on tours as well.
But back then, she was just tagging along with someone else. She had never been the main event.
If I told my past self that things would turn out like this, would he have believed me?
Suyun thought about it, then shook her head slightly.
Of course he wouldn't have believed it. For one, the part about turning into a girl would be impossible to believe even if he died and came back to life.
But that was because it was physically "impossible."
Among all the "unrealistic" scenarios, the hardest one to believe would probably be: "In the future, you will succeed in music and expand globally."
"...Didn't you go to Japan on a business trip not too long ago?"
"Ah, right. I did."
Suyun, who had been lost in sentimentality, was snapped back to reality by Seoha's comment from beside her.
Come to think of it, there was already a precedent.
"Early-onset dementia?"
"At such a young age... tsk tsk... how tragic..."
"...It's not."
Suyun considered arguing back, but decided to just let it go and accept it.
Arguing back would only bring more teasing. Taking it quietly and retaliating during practice later was the true adult way to handle things...
"There really is no one here."
"Told you so."
"Lately... there's been a lot of talk about keeping things low-key..."
"No, but still, shouldn't there be at least a reporter or some fans? I wanted to feel like a real celebrity for once."
"Do you really want to show off like that? We're not at that level yet. Always stay humble, be modest, and focus on your duties..."
Iseor pretended to cover her ears at Suyun's lecturing.
Giving Iseor one last look of pity, Suyun and the group proceeded with the departure process.
The process went smoothly and peacefully, with barely anyone recognizing them. Only the airline staff occasionally flinched in surprise.
"Ah, this mask is so stuffy. I'm taking it off."
"I think it's better to keep it on."
"Unni. What did Suyun just say? Always stay humble, be modest... Who would recognize insignificant kids like us? No one will notice even if we take them off."
"True. It's not like we're on the streets; who's going to recognize us at the airport? It's much more comfortable to just take it off."
After passing through security, they sat down to wait for their flight. Iseor stood up from her seat.
As soon as Suyun agreed with her words, Iseor immediately pulled off her mask as if she had been suffocating, threw it aside, and disappeared somewhere.
"Where is she going?"
"Probably to buy something."
Suyun answered half-heartedly, looked at her phone for a moment, and then raised her head.
Indeed, it seemed like there was no one around to recognize them. Maybe I should take my mask off too.
Thinking this, Suyun pulled off her mask, stood up, and stretched her body.
Then, she spotted Iseor walking back from afar.
For some reason, it looked like there were people following behind her...
"Huh?"
"It's Ha Suyun!!"
"Oh my god! I'm a huge fan!"
"It's Group Sound!"
Iseor, who looked like she was running for her life, brought a crowd with her. The moment they saw Suyun, they began to shout.
Hearing the commotion, people nearby turned their heads.
A crowd gathered in an instant.
"I'm a fan!"
"Can I get an autograph, please?!"
"Just one handshake!!"
[This is an announcement for passengers. Korean Air flight KE0704 bound for Japan will be departing shortly. Passengers who have not yet boarded, please proceed to Gate 5.]
"Excuse us, everyone, we really have to board now...!"
"You said no one would recognize us!"
"...How was I supposed to know?"
Caught between the suddenly swarming crowd and the staff trying to hold them back, Suyun muttered to herself.
If she had known they had gotten this popular, she obviously wouldn't have done that...