Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Debut Stage
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The day of the first music show filming had finally arrived.
Fans flocked to the broadcast station for the pre-recording.
“Wow. We’re finally inside.”
Even after the head count and identity checks, they had to wait for a long time.
Only after enduring that test of patience could they enter the studio where the pre-recording was taking place.
The stage was a perfect replica of the desolate street from the music video.
Seeing the scale of the set, the fans shifted in their seats with anticipation.
They clutched the light sticks that had barely arrived just two days before the first show recording, waiting for RE-V to appear.
“Waaaaaah!”
“You all look so beautiful today!”
“Congratulations on your debut!”
Dressed in slightly ripped black jeans and tight-fitting black T-shirts, the members of RE-V waved as they walked onto the stage.
“One, two. Hello, we are the rookie idol group RE-V!”
An even louder cheer than before erupted in response to RE-V’s greeting.
“I don’t see a single empty seat.”
At Park Ji-ham's words, the fans almost screamed, *Of course!*
“It’s so amazing. That so many people came to see us.”
Those weren't the words they expected to hear from Haru, who had ranked first throughout the filming of RED CUBE and even earned the nickname 'royalty'.
“Thank you for coming today.”
“We’re the ones who are thankful!”
“This is our first time seeing the light sticks in person. What do you think? Do you like them?”
This time, there was only silence.
And for good reason.
RE-V’s light stick was designed in the shape of a cube.
Distracted by other merchandise like dolls and keychains, they had looked upon the light stick with far too generous eyes.
[Now that I've come to my senses, I can see the RE-V light stick for what it is... lol]
↳ LOL, so it wasn't just me. What a relief.
↳ Is this for real...? I saw it lit up, and it looks like something you'd take to a protest.
↳ The bloody hammer.
↳ The fact that it's called the 'Cube Stick' is kind of infuriating.
↳ Seriously. What kind of name is that, lol. And what I really don't get is why all the other merch is fine, but this one is... like this?
It was because the fans genuinely did not like the design of the light stick.
“Oh. You don’t like the light stick?”
At Seo Yoon-seul's question, the fans hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“No! It’s fine!”
“We’re satisfied!”
The fans forced themselves to say it was okay.
It was such a clunky design that they honestly felt envious looking at other idols’ light sticks, but they couldn't bring themselves to say they hated it outright.
“BRAVE can’t lie, can you?”
The fans scratched their heads at Jung Eun-woo’s remark.
“We worked hard on it, so please look upon it kindly.”
“Okay!”
RE-V got into formation.
Seo Yoon-seul and Park Ji-ham knelt on one knee at opposite ends, covering their eyes with their hands, while the other members stood with their heads bowed toward the floor.
“Waaaaaah!”
The song began amidst the fans' cheers.
To a roaring sound like a passing airplane, Park Ji-ham and Seo Yoon-seul swept their hands inward and rose to their feet.
―you messed up
everything is a mess
Even for me
Jung Eun-woo stepped forward, delivering the first verse.
Their positions shifted naturally into a zigzag formation.
―Let's go somewhere
After an upper body isolation, they bent slightly at the waist and moved backward as if something were pulling them.
―Even without a destination
We walk endlessly
Through this faded city
Like dominoes, they stepped forward one by one.
“Through this faded city!”
The fans had hurriedly memorized the fanchant after watching the video JR Entertainment uploaded last night.
It was unintentional cramming.
―Not knowing what to do
I just follow your words
They placed their palms on their temples and moved their upper bodies from side to side.
―You make me dizzy
And confused
If the choreography's difficulty had been mild until then, it suddenly ramped up to intense from this part on.
Fast footwork and powerful movements.
It was impossible to look away.
―woo
You cover my eyes so I can’t find the answer
‘Seriously. Is this really their debut stage?’
RE-V was a group performing their debut stage today.
‘This is why people look for experienced idols.’
Since every member was re-debuting, not a single one was clumsy or awkward.
Even though they were all holding handheld mics, no one failed to bring the mic to their lips while singing, nor did anyone’s eyes dart around searching for the camera.
‘Experienced idols truly are on another level.’
―I want to get the key to this question
Lee Ho-jun tapped his head with his finger and then crossed the stage diagonally.
―pretty things like you drive me crazy
This was the part that had been revealed first in the teaser.
As they sang while covering their faces and slowly turning their necks, the fans’ hearts ached with a dull throb.
―You slowly eat away at me
And when I’m useless, you’ll throw me away
Like a piece of gum
“Haru. Jung Eun-woo. Lee Ho-jun. Park Ji-ham. Seo Yoon-seul! RE-V MESS!”
As the first verse ended and just before the second began, RE-V turned their backs to the audience.
―Saying the pain is only for a moment
Seo Yoon-seul, who had been standing on the far left of the stage, sang as he walked past the other members.
―You swallow me into despair
After Seo Yoon-seul passed, the members turned again to face the front of the stage.
―woo
You cover my eyes so I can’t find the answer
They covered their eyes with open palms, then lifted their index fingers to reveal their eyes.
With a nod of their heads, they started their footwork again.
―I want to get the key to this question
Jung Eun-woo made a fist and brought his arm down from above to his chest, creating a rebound in his body.
―pretty things like you drive me crazy
Now, the second chorus was over, and the song was heading toward its climax.
Boom.
With the sound of a drum, the music quieted down.
All the members except Park Ji-ham bowed their heads just as they had at the very beginning.
―That love ruins me
His solid vocal tone seemed to enhance the song’s atmosphere.
Lifting their heads slowly to the beat, RE-V bent their knees, rolled their shoulders three times, and then performed a wave.
“Waaaaaah!”
―It’s the
(It’s the)
Park Ji-ham and Seo Yoon-seul made eye contact and harmonized.
―End
Seo Yoon-seul let out a short, high E in the third octave.
Watching him hit the note and pull back in an instant, the fans shook their light sticks furiously.
―woo
You cover my eyes so I can’t find the answer
(Woo hoo woo)
Seo Yoon-seul wasn’t just standing still; he was performing intense choreography while perfectly executing his high-note ad-libs.
‘Wow. How is that even possible? Does he breathe through gills or something?’
Even those who truly disliked Seo Yoon-seul couldn't criticize his level of skill.
―I want to get the key to this question
Haru came forward, moving to the far right with intricate footwork.
It was a move one wouldn't dare try to imitate.
‘What is that? He rubs his right foot and puts his left foot back... I could never do that. If I tried, it would just look like I was flailing.’
―woo
You cover my eyes so I can’t find the answer
It was a repeat of the previous part, but with one difference.
The key.
It had gone up a key.
It hadn't been a low key to begin with, but despite the key change, RE-V delivered a flawless performance.
‘Are rookies even allowed to be this good? I’m so proud I just want to pinch their cheeks.’
―pretty things like you drive me crazy
Lined up in a row, the members of RE-V turned their bodies slightly, raised their right arms above their heads, and then slowly lowered them.
At the same time, the music gradually faded.
The first take of the pre-recording was complete.
“Waaaaaah!”
“You did so well!”
“I love you!”
“You’re the best!”
Voices of praise poured in from all directions.
“Alright, we’ll change our outfits and go one more time.”
This was the main reason for the pre-recording.
For the stage production.
“We’re going to go change, so everyone chat amongst yourselves!”
“Okay!”
After saying their goodbyes, RE-V left the stage for a moment to change.
The fans cleared their throats and rested, preparing to cheer loudly once more.
Before long, RE-V returned, now dressed in light blue striped shirts, light-wash jeans, and white sneakers.
“This is so pretty too!”
The fans were even happier because the outfits were a completely different concept.
Same stage, different vibe.
It felt like they were getting to enjoy two different performances.
“We have a chant, you know? When I say, ‘One, two,’ I want you to shout, ‘Let’s burn it up!’ Got it?”
“Yes!”
Hearing the fans’ resounding answer, the members of RE-V nodded with satisfied smiles.
“One, two.”
“Let’s burn it up!”
After the chant, the pre-recording resumed.