Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Busan Summer Sea Festival (7)
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"Here's the EverPlanet waiting room. Please stay here until rehearsal starts. And after rehearsal, stick around in this waiting room until the main show if possible. Order your meals separately."
"Got it."
With that, the staff member vanished without a backward glance.
Left alone in the waiting room, we exchanged glances and muttered to each other.
"At least they gave us a waiting room here."
"Yeah, probably because it's an official event."
"Whoa, there's even a sofa."
"I brought a mat just in case."
Han Tae-hee’s words drew an instant reaction from Go Eun-young.
"For real? Where is it?"
"In the van trunk."
"Should I grab it? So we can lie on the floor."
"Sounds good. Hurry and fetch it, maknae."
"Yes, hyungnim!"
Go Eun-young dashed out of the tent like a pixie on a mission from the fairy king. When she returned, she was clutching a real silver mat.
I sat there chuckling as Han Tae-hee and Go Eun-young spread it out on the floor and flopped down on it.
What a bunch of fun guys.
Not long after, our manager hyung arrived along with the staff from our company handling hair, makeup, and styling.
Faces I was completely used to by now.
"Hey, Sun-ah noona."
"Yeah, Jae. Let's start with your hair."
Sun-ah noona, who mainly handled my makeup and hair.
She got right to work on my head and face with her usual diligence.
A few hours later, I looked in the mirror and let out a haha.
'Can't escape the smokey eye after all.'
I should've gotten used to it by now... but nope.
I just resigned myself to it. That was the only way.
Once hair, makeup, and stage outfits were all done, we got the call to head out for rehearsal.
As we made our way to the stage with the members, the overall director for the show addressed us.
"EverPlanet. Three songs total?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"Okay. You know you're the fill-ins, right?"
Whoa. Straight to the point.
I glanced at Park Su-rim, who was answering on behalf of the group.
After a brief silence, Park Su-rim nodded.
"...Yes, we know."
"Let's do it right, properly."
"We'll do our best!"
Her voice as she replied sounded a bit subdued somehow.
'We really have to give it our all.'
So we don't hear any more fill-in talk.
After that, we threw ourselves into rehearsal, matching the music blasting out.
Once rehearsal wrapped, the director's expression seemed a little different.
"Not bad at all? Okay. Just keep it at this level for the main show."
"Thank you!"
It was the obvious outcome. Kinda weird saying it myself, but our kids are pretty good.
* * *
We wrapped rehearsal successfully and came down from the stage. That's when,
"Holy... crap..."
Kim Kwang-myeong let out a sharp yelp and froze in place.
What's up with him? Following his gaze in confusion, I spotted,
"Whoa. Mystic Girl."
"No way. It's Mystic Girl?"
The girl group Mystic Girl was heading our way.
Mystic Girl was a six-member group in their fifth year since debut, popular for their pure image.
As far as I remembered, they had a smooth career with no scandals, peacefully disbanding in their seventh year as members went solo.
Personally, their title track 'Really Lily' was my favorite.
Then Han Tae-hee cleared his throat with a stern tsk, like a drill sergeant scolding his recruits.
"Tsk. Mystic Girl? Show some respect."
"Right?"
"Sunbae Mystic Girl sunbaenims."
"Yeah. Gotta call them sunbaenims."
"Oh yeah?"
"We were careless."
Kim Kwang-myeong and Go Eun-young scratched their heads sheepishly.
Even though the parties in question weren't listening, our members were treating them like Sunbaes. Very polite and proper.
When Mystic Girl finally drew close, we bowed our heads in greeting.
"Hello! We're EverPlanet. It's great to meet you, Mystic Girl sunbaenims!"
"Oh, hi. Rookies?"
"Yes, that's us."
Mystic Girl's leader, Nabi, nodded as if she got it.
"You're in the thick of it right now. Keep at it."
"Yes, thank you!"
"Fighting! We'll cheer you on."
The Mystic Girl members offered their encouragement and headed up to the stage.
Watching their backs, the members murmured among themselves.
"Man, they're so cool. That charisma is insane. Even with the pure concept..."
"Tell me about it, Su-rim hyung. Must be that industry veteran vibe."
"Let's become awesome Sunbaes like that someday, Eun-young."
Good resolution. Hope they keep that mindset going forward.
I sat with the proud bunch behind the stage, watching Mystic Girl's rehearsal.
- Really? You really like me?
My heart's like a lily, blooming pure
Can't believe this reality, I keep shouting really?
My heart burns white-hot like a lily
No denying it—the fifth-year experience was no joke.
The choreography looked soft and simple at a glance, but those intricate formations and hyper-precise beats.
Had to be backed by insane practice hours. I could picture it without even asking.
'I need to work harder too.'
That's the only way to hit that absurd main quest goal.
After watching Mystic Girl's rehearsal, we headed back to the tent to wait for the main show.
As showtime approached, the members grew subtly tense.
"Whoa, so many people."
"It's a big event, so of course."
"Feels like the biggest stage we've done so far?"
"...Think we can pull it off?"
"It's not 'think we can'—we have to."
Everyone nodded at Han Tae-hee's words.
But one member's expression wouldn't loosen up.
I approached him.
"Teddy, you okay? Super nervous?"
"No, no. I'm not nervous."
"Anyone can see you're tense. That doesn't convince anyone."
"...Jae, I'm scared."
I gently grabbed his hand. Ice cold. He was that worked up.
"It's okay, Teddy. You can do this."
"Teddy, you nervous? What to do."
"Looks like he's really stiff. Body's all locked up."
"Oh yeah, there were a few cameras around earlier..."
As Park Su-rim and Lee Jae-oh fretted over him, Han Tae-hee clapped and shouted.
"Hey, hey, we need some warm green tea. Eun-young, mind brewing a cup?"
"Sure thing."
"Kwang-myeong, head to the medical room and ask if they've got any heart pills. Bring some if they do."
"Got it."
At least now everyone knew about Teddy's camera phobia and was pitching in to help him chill.
This was true teamwork. Made my chest swell with pride.
A moment later, Teddy took a deep breath while clutching the paper cup of green tea Go Eun-young had brewed.
"You're good, Teddy. You got this. Who dances better than you?"
"Yeah, our best dancer. Everyone's gonna love it."
With the members' encouragement and a warm cup of tea, Teddy gradually calmed down.
"Okay. I'm not nervous anymore. Gonna show 'em what I got!"
"That's our main dancer!"
Right on cue, the stage staff relayed that EverPlanet should prepare.
I checked my necessary skills and headed out with the guys.
The act before us was nearly wrapping up.
"Kids. Let's nail this."
"We can do it!"
"No nerves."
"Wanna do a fighting cheer?"
At Lee Jae-oh's suggestion, we all nodded.
We piled our hands together, locking eyes.
Eyes full of trust.
Leader Park Su-rim led the cheer,
"EverPlanet!"
"Fighting!"
And the six of us shouted back.
It was go time.
* * *
Busan Summer Sea Festival.
This annual event was like rain in a drought for Busan's high schoolers—a total blessing.
They prioritized local Busan residents for entry, and lining up early got you front-row seats to watch idols perform.
The high schooler verified he was a Busan resident with his sister and slipped into the audience area.
Thanks to lining up early, he snagged a spot just five meters from the stage.
"Worth waiting hours in the blazing sun."
"Right? Last year you slacked off, and we watched stick figures from the back. Remember?"
"...Sorry. But front row this time. Jackpot."
"Yeah."
He grinned as he sat with his sister.
She dragged up last year to rib him, but right now he felt like he was floating.
'Gonna see Mystic Girl noonas up close.'
His heart, buzzing for days over Mystic Girl, pounded even harder at the sight of the stage lights.
"What time's it start?"
"Seven."
"Starting soon."
"Go pee."
"Nah. Hate crowds."
Then—pop!—the stage lights blazed on all at once.
Upbeat festival tunes poured from the speakers, thick with vibe.
"It's starting!"
The Busan Summer Sea Festival had begun.
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.
At the same time, the MC bounded onto the stage. He raised his mic arm high, waving to greet the audience.
"Hello, Busan citizens! Welcome to the 8th Busan Summer Sea Festival. Your MC for the second year running, Busan native Yoo Young-jun. Nice to see you!"
Yoo Young-jun. A comedian from Busan, famous for his witty banter and solid hosting. He handled a lot of local events.
"Wow, looks like everyone's here—moms, dads, young and old, the whole Busan crew. Am I right?"
Laughter exploded from the crowd at his dialect-laced joke.
"Now, let's kick off with performances from our invited artists who came all the way for the Busan Summer Sea Festival. Give 'em big cheers and love. First up! The hot SNS hit 'Miney Miney' by singer Neighbor Honey Bread!"
"Wooo!"
The high schooler shook the balloons his sister brought, cheering loud.
A live performance of the trending 'Miney Miney' from Ustagram? As someone glued to Ustagram daily, he had to hype it.
He enjoyed the acts with his sister.
At first, he cheered enthusiastically for every one. But as time dragged, his energy flagged.
Probably because Mystic Girl still hadn't appeared.
'When are our Mystic Girl noonas coming out?'
No schedule in the program booklet, so he just had to wait. Frustrating as hell.
Then the ninth act ended. The MC introed the next.
"Next up, a comet streaking into the idol scene! EverPlanet! Give 'em a huge welcome!"
EverPlanet? Another no-name idol group?
The high schooler stared at the stage indifferently.
Seeing seven guys rush onstage soured his mood.
'Hurry up and bring out Mystic Girl noonas. What is this guy group?'
Meanwhile, his sister next to him lit up at their entrance.
"Whoa, whoa. Hey, aren't they kinda hot? Seriously handsome."
"Dunno. Looks like clowns with all that heavy makeup... What even is that."
"As your sister, advice: don't say that anywhere else. You'll get stabbed."
"..."
Rebuked by his own blood, the high schooler shut up.
Then he glared at the stage like a critic.
'Let's see how good they are.'
Obviously nowhere near Mystic Girl noonas' level.
Soon the seven guys lined up.
Music blasted from the speakers. The performance began.