Chapter 52
Chapter 52
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star
-----------------------------------------------------------------
New Black's members were plunged into collective panic.
'What do we do?'
They had never experienced this kind of audio malfunction before either.
Naturally, the members turned to one person.
Seon Wooju.
Just like always when tough situations arose, the members believed their leader would find a solution.
The lighting was so bright that Seon Wooju's facial expressions were visible in real time.
At first, he looked as flustered as they were, then his face went blank before he nodded.
'What could he be thinking?'
As Lemon Entertainment staff chewed out the event agency's employees below the stage and a chill emanated from the reporters.
Seon Wooju took a step forward.
In the silent stage, a soft singing voice began to echo.
Where are we right now?
Unfamiliar sea, unfamiliar air
As Seon Wooju's choreography made his sleeves flutter loosely, everyone below the stage froze in place.
Even the staff hastily fixing the audio.
Even the managers scolding the on-site staff.
Even the reporters who had placed their hands on their laptops with dissatisfied looks.
Everyone stared blankly at Seon Wooju's sudden actions.
Where are you?
I woke up in a remote place
The daze didn't last long. As their leader handled the first verse, the members began their choreography too.
No backing track, but it wasn't difficult.
After practicing it to death over the past month, their bodies moved automatically just from hearing the lyrics.
But the confusion lingered.
'What is Uju hyung trying to do right now?'
With no way to communicate, the members were bewildered, unaware of their leader's intentions.
That was when.
Seon Wooju, who had been doing the solo part up front, held up four fingers behind his back.
The number 4.
They instantly grasped his intent from the gesture.
'He's saying go with track 4.'
They had been wondering because the pitch felt subtly off.
Track 4 on the debut album was also Firework.
An arranged Sing Along version suited for concerts, unlike the original refreshing feel.
Track 4 definitely fit better for an a cappella performance.
'Song is a cappella track 4. Choreo stays the same.'
Understanding the situation, the members seamlessly took over the parts.
From Seon Wooju's part to Wang Ji-ho's.
From Kim Jung-hyun's part to Kim Bi-ju's.
Before they knew it, the panic and confusion that had spread in their hearts vanished without a trace.
They weren't scared anymore.
Because someone had already paved the way ahead.
'For now, just give it our all.'
As they showcased the choreography polished over the past month, the members were too focused on the stage to notice.
That the reporters had stopped typing and were watching them.
* * *
Entertainment IN reporter Oh So-hee let out a sigh.
'They call us reporters here and then what?'
It wasn't even a live broadcast, and they couldn't control a simple audio issue at a mere showcase.
It was absurd.
Of course, it wasn't Lemon Entertainment's fault.
It was entirely the event agency's mismanagement.
But regardless, the frustration was unavoidable.
Reporters were people too.
Running around non-stop for coverage, always on edge for the endless stream of incidents in the entertainment world.
They were bound to be tired.
That's why schedule delays irritated those gauging when photo time and Q&A would happen, when to post articles and head to the next assignment.
'It'll take at least 30 minutes to fix.'
Sighing at the chaotic on-site staff, she tapped her laptop keys.
-New Black Debut Showcase, Disappointing On-Site Management..
She sped up her typing, seeing others writing similar headlines.
Suddenly.
A pleasant voice rang out in the quiet hall.
Where are we right now?
Unfamiliar sea, unfamiliar air
A soft singing voice, like humming.
Oh So-hee looked up.
Perhaps because of the unexpected voice.
Reporters buried in their laptop screens poked their heads out.
What caught their eyes was a member standing center stage.
His face, picture-like under the heavy stage makeup.
New Black's lead vocalist Seon Wooju was singing without any backing track.
'What is he doing?'
Reporters who had been venting complaints about the organizers in their articles looked stunned.
Oh So-hee narrowed her eyes at the stage.
'No way, is he planning to do it a cappella?'
Idol live performances used pre-recorded AR lyrics laid down.
Simply put, if 100 is a perfect live, they lay down about 30 in AR and layer 70 of live vocals on top.
It was natural.
How could anyone perfectly sing while doing intense performances with flips and twists?
That's why pure live without AR maxed out at 70 points no matter how good.
It was better for the company to take heat for poor stage management than New Black's choice, which looked reckless to anyone.
A blunder that could expose their skills and invite ridicule.
It earned points for distracting the irked reporters, but offered no other real benefit.
But soon, she changed her mind.
'......They're good?'
She already knew New Black had solid skills.
As seen with senior group Scarlett, producer Jo Kyu-hwan was infamous for his strict selection.
Plus, New Black had already shown their chops at Music Cafe.
A team with strong basics and great vocal synergy.
Of course, she hadn't thought they were exceptional.
Plenty of top idols had this level of skill.
New Black was just promising team A material.
But watching them perform naturally right now made her rethink it.
In a situation stacked with handicaps—no backing track, unsympathetic audience—how many teams could pull off the stage so smoothly?
Probably none.
'Lemon's sending out real monsters.'
It was such a stellar live that she wondered if the audio glitch was intentional.
Oh So-hee glanced around.
Not just her—other reporters watched the Firework stage with intrigued expressions.
Under the lonely lights casting a dreamy blue glow, the five members moved gracefully.
No MR, but it didn't feel lacking.
If anything, it overflowed.
Like coloring a blank paper, their voices filled the stage densely.
Look over there, that's our firework (Firework)
Our figure adorning the night sky
Centered on main dancer Bi-ju, the members spread like wings.
With it, all members began singing the chorus in harmony.
Like a Firework
We're showing it
Like a Firework
You and my colors
A harmony from five voices, like a choir.
Whether from the joy on their faces as they sang together, or the song's refreshing vibe.
A few watchers cracked smiles.
Most remained expressionless, but everyone there shared the same thought.
No telling when.
But this idol group right here would definitely make it big.
“…….”
Oh So-hee stared at the blinking cursor on her Hangeul document.
-New Black Debut Showcase, Disappointing On-Site Management..
She shook her head and hit backspace.
Then she started a new headline.
Completely different from before.
* * *
At the same time. Backstage.
“Section Chief.”
“Yeah?”
“I asked the on-site staff, and they said audio will take about 30 minutes to fix.”
“Yeah?”
Yoon Seok-hwan replied indifferently.
His gaze was fixed on the members singing the final part of Firework.
“Let me know as soon as audio's back. Hold all the performances after the title track. If they ask what to do first, say start with photo time.”
“Got it, I'll relay that.”
“And Min-gi. These guys seem unreliable from how they're handling this. Keep a close eye nearby. First impression's a mess—screw up once and they might slip elsewhere. We gotta watch ourselves.”
Seo Min-gi nodded and hurried off. Yoon Seok-hwan turned to the press section.
Luckily, things had calmed down.
In entertainment, if broadcasters and PDs are top no-gos, entertainment reporters are priority zero.
Piss them off with their job nature, and you'd see blood.
They're the type to pour personal grudges into articles over something trivial like being a minute late to an interview.
Making them wait 30 minutes? Horrifying to imagine.
-Newbie 'New Black' Debut Stumbles from Showcase
-Poor Event Management Mars 'New Black' Debut Showc
-Oh! to Eek! New Black Showcase Ends, 'Songs Were Good'
He shook his head to dispel the auto-playing headlines in his mind.
Fortunately, disaster averted.
Reporters were reacting positively.
As lights rotated, reporters' faces in the press seats lit up clearly.
All staring at the stage, entranced.
Like gazing at some mystical exotic creature.
Yoon Seok-hwan looked at the culprit behind that reaction.
Seon Wooju dancing so hard sweat droplets flew visibly in the air.
“Causing a scene again, this kid.”
Yoon Seok-hwan grinned fondly.
He'd felt it since TJ days, but the guy was the real deal.
That snap judgment in a flash.
A rookie would've frozen in panic, but how'd he decide this in seconds?
Turned a potential disaster into a boon.
Unlike their usual bored faces at rookie showcases, reporters looked different today.
Not awe from a great show.
More like 'Huh, check these guys out?' curiosity.
Or 'A cappella like this? Best rookie this year?' skill imprinting.
Either way, leaning positive.
Building a good image with reporters was the showcase goal—perfect outcome.
When the stage ended, Yoon Seok-hwan was stunned.
“Huh……?”
Clap clap clap.
Scattered applause rose from the hitherto silent press seats.
Quiet and subdued.
Like encouragement to the performers: good job.
Highly unusual.
'Reporters clapping at a showcase?'
Even TNT's showcases got arms crossed, 'I'll judge you' stares.
These folks clapping, even softly?
They seemed surprised too, suddenly typing away.
“Jeez.”
Only then did Yoon Seok-hwan relax.
He'd been fretting over the crisis, but it resolved better than expected.
He looked at the stage.
New Black members bowing repeatedly to reporters, then exchanging glances and smiling among themselves.
What was so great?
Their looks at each other dripped honey.
“Section Chief.”
Seo Min-gi returned, panting beside him.
“Relayed your instructions. Photo time first.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, Section Chief.”
“Yeah?”
Seo Min-gi held up his smartphone, like he'd remembered something.
“Article's up.”
“Already?”
“Yeah, main page might take till evening, but the article's posted.”
“Who wrote it?”
“Entertainment IN's Oh So-hee.”
“What, Oh?”
A bad premonition hit.
“Wasn't she the first to break the Sixty controversy? Last time, solo on actor-idol dating rumor.”
“Yeah, sounds right.”
Yoon Seok-hwan scratched his cheek awkwardly and took the phone.
Hearing the name of a reporter infamous among agencies made his heart race before even seeing the title.
'Probably from the audio glitch.'
Should he call PR to request takedown? As he pondered, his eyes widened.
-Prepared Rookie 'New Black' Wins Hearts with Stellar Crisis Handling
Yoon Seok-hwan paused.
Scrolled down, up, checked the byline.
Yep, that Oh So-hee.
“......Though on-site management was lacking, New Black turned crisis to opportunity, proving their skills. Their calm handling of the audio issue left a deep impression on reporters; unusually, applause broke out after the title track...... What, same person?”
Even the keywords screamed excessive praise.
'Composed', 'shining', 'beyond rookie level'.
Overly glowing adjectives galore. Clearly smitten with the kids.
“Especially New Black's leader Wooju drew all eyes during the showcase. With his sharp nose like at Music Cafe...... Totally stanned.”
Tension melted reading the praise-filled article.
That sparked it—news of the incident and New Black's handling popped up one after another.
'Reporters liking them more than I expected.'
He'd considered even mild 'Hey, not bad' reactions a win.
This exceeded all forecasts.
Yoon Seok-hwan's mind raced.
If singers are field players, managers and companies are the coaching staff.
His eyes caught a camera as he pondered utilization.
“Min-gi. That central camera shooting—is it ours?”
“Yeah.”
“During photo time, ask the camera guy for the stage video ASAP.”
“Send to company?”
“Yeah, I'll contact PR for press release prep. You send to editing staff. Focus on reporter reactions, snippet the new song.”
“What title?”
Yoon Seok-hwan thought.
'Rookie Poise in Audio Mishap.' Go with that.
A thick smile spread as he watched the members head backstage.
The real fireworks were just beginning.