Chapter 189
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 189
[Kang Yi-chae is setting K-pop straight.]
Kang Yi-chae’s black hair didn't just set the Noeuls on fire; it sent the entire idol industry into a frenzy.
[The song isn't even out yet, and he’s already won with just his face.
Period.]
[I second that.]
As a member of a group currently at the height of their popularity, and considering he had stuck to bright hair colors for the two years since his debut, it would have been stranger if his black hair hadn't become an issue.
While the exact concept hadn't been fully revealed, he was seen leaning against a railing in a ruin-like setting, staring directly into the camera as if he were about to pierce through the screen.
He even had a thin ring piercing right in the center of his bottom lip.
[I told you.
I told you Kang Yi-chae was the one, damn it!!!!!!]
Dyeing his hair a pitch-black shade that seemed to absorb all light caused his usual lighthearted atmosphere to vanish, replaced by an overflowing, powerful aura.
[Is Kang Yi-chae’s black hair even legal...?]
[I’m drooling...]
Fans had thought it was strange that he’d been wearing nothing but beanies in recent social media photos and B-Lives. Realizing it was for this, the Noeuls rolled around in fits of pure bliss.
Of course, the comeback teaser photos of the other members were also somewhat different from before.
Jeong Da-jun was shown crouching, staring blankly at a pitch-black floor that reflected nothing. Kim Seong-hyeon was leaning against a door, fiddling with a long rifle, yet he had no shadow.
These eerie elements were even more pronounced in Seong Ji-won’s photo.
He was looking into the camera lens with a gentle smile as usual, but the shot taken next to an old three-way mirror inside a cathedral was bizarre.
In the repeated reflections of the mirrors, Seong Ji-won’s third reflection—which should have been there—was missing.
[Aaaaahhh!]
[It looks like a horror concept, help!]
[Seong Ji-won’s face is heavenly, but this is so scary TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT]
The Noeuls, who had unexpectedly encountered a horror theme, felt a chill down their spines that made them completely forget the midsummer heat.
And then,
[Wait, what the hell is this?]
Everyone who saw Seo Ho-yun’s comeback teaser photo shouted, "Holy shit."
Underneath stained glass where light poured through, he wore a pure white turtleneck that clung to his frame, topped with a torn, mottled lace mantilla.
The multicolored light seeping onto Seo Ho-yun’s face as he kept his eyes closed created a feeling that was both holy and strangely unsettling.
[Oh my god...]
[Ah... is this even allowed?]
Such intense stimulation was practically an act of violence.
The faint trace of exhaustion and desperation lingering on his cold face captivated everyone’s gaze.
[I’m sorry, but whether this is a horror concept or a deserted island concept, I will devour it.]
[Even if they suddenly said this was an orchard where they eat apples with ghosts, I’d understand.]
[Oh my god, to think the day would come where I’d be grateful to Daepasung.]
After "Mang-Mang-Mang" was performed at their first concert, fans' private accounts had been filled with curses directed at Daepasung for a while.
The Noeuls, who had been sharpening their blades and vowing to drag the agency to hell if they messed up even once, felt their hearts melt instantly upon seeing the concept teaser photos.
【Four walls, one roof.】
A short while later, the highlight medley was released, featuring narration by Seo Ho-yun.
Since the released photos all had a dark atmosphere, everyone had assumed it would be a "mala-flavored," intense concept.
[What is this??]
However, the melody was more summer-like than expected—refreshing and funky—and the two B-side tracks had a strong lyrical, sentimental feel.
[Wow, I really can't get a read on this.]
Fans everywhere poured out their theories along with their wishes.
[Honestly, I hope it’s sexy... That ribbon was too powerful.]
[TT But I still can't let go of the refreshing vibe like Ocean Trend...]
[I don't need anything else, just let Seong-hyeon show some skin once.]
[└ LOL You’re being too honest ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
A few days passed with the Noeuls dyed in madness, and then, at 6:00 PM.
The music video dropped.
【Falling Down】
Red English letters appeared over a screen flickering with noise like an old film.
Simultaneously, a melody that was clear and brisk, yet grounded in a minor key—giving it a heavy and bizarre feel—began to play.
【Hwi- hwik】
The camera moved rapidly along parched, cracked earth, passing through a street lined with tombstones and through the doors of a cathedral that opened on their own.
【Hwiiii- hwik】
Then, light flooded over the stained glass, and the camera zoomed in on a figure wearing a mantilla with eyes closed, enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colors.
The figure who slowly lifted his eyelids and turned his head was Seo Ho-yun.
【I keep poking at it out of curiosity
You make me wonder about you】
He looked straight into the camera.
【The first time is always the most stimulating】
As Seo Ho-yun slowly curled one corner of his mouth upward, red handprints were stamped onto the window behind him in time with the beat.
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
【Isn't it, my love?】
The horror concept, which was more full-blown than expected, gave the Noeuls goosebumps.
On the other hand, seeing that such high-quality production was now possible made some feel a bit choked up, thinking that Daepasung must have raked in quite a bit of cash.
【Holding hands urgently
Fill it up without holding back
I can't afford to be leisurely】
Seong Ji-won, who had arrived at the cathedral walking calmly, pulled at the back door, but it wouldn't open.
Even as something gradually approached him, he looked more annoyed than anxious. He pounded on the door a few times with his fist, then leaned his forehead against the wood and bit his lip slightly.
【So that this isn't our end】
Bang! Bang!
The scene shifted, and a door of a different color rattled violently.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been leaning his back against it with his arms outstretched as if trying to block an intrusion, slowly slumped down.
【Holding hands urgently
Fill it up without holding back
I can't afford to be leisurely】
The screen then transitioned to Kang Yi-chae standing by a railing.
As he tilted his head slightly, his black hair with split ends flowed down over his translucent skin.
【I keep lingering out of curiosity
Even though I know there won't be a good result】
He poured out a rap as he descended the iron stairs installed outside the cathedral.
【I can't get ready to let go (Noeul)
I want to keep making mistakes
I stepped in out of curiosity and ended up trapped
You can be my divine】
Spitting out each word in a husky voice as if scraping them out, he slickly avoided the undead swarming toward him, passed the camera lens, and tapped on the cathedral window.
【Right now, Do it,
baby love me
I'll give you everything】
At that, the window swung wide open, and Jeong Da-jun popped out with a mischievous grin.
While Kang Yi-chae perched on the railing, the camera lens quickly moved inside, brushing past Kim Seong-hyeon, who was walking while dragging a baseball bat.
【When I try to hesitate, you take my hand
I'm dizzy, I want to follow you
I can't hide it, I love it so much】
Seo Ho-yun roughly pulled off the mantilla, wrapped it around one of his wrists, and tied it tight with his teeth.
【The first time is always the most stimulating
I'm sorry, but I'm a bit fickle
But you like me that way, don't you?】
Beyond him, Seong Ji-won, whose hair was neatly pushed back to reveal his forehead, traced his hand over the stained glass covered in handprints before letting a slight smirk play on his lips.
【Right now, Do it,
baby love me
I'll give you everything】
Then the scene changed.
Against the backdrop of the cathedral under a dark night sky, The Dawn showed off their group choreography. They wore outfits consisting of tight white T-shirts, ripped jeans, pure white sneakers, and various accessories like caps.
Only the faint moonlight illuminated the members' faces.
【The first time is always the most stimulating
I'm sorry, but I'm a bit fickle
But you like me that way, don't you?】
Seo Ho-yun, standing at the center, smiled slightly as he ran a hand through his hair. Simultaneously, the screen transitioned back inside the cathedral.
【Actually, I'm a bit afraid
That you'll get tired of me】
At that moment, the music stopped.
It returned to the beginning, when Seong Ji-won wanted to enter the cathedral.
Pulling his forehead away from the door, he knocked three times. With a creaking sound, the door slowly opened.
【But not right now
Do it, baby love me】
The song resumed. Among the mirrors reflecting Seong Ji-won as he walked leisurely, his shadow was missing from the third mirror.
【If you hate it, I won't do it
When I try to stop, you block my path
(Then I give a small laugh)】
With that, the mantilla tied tightly around Seo Ho-yun’s wrist unraveled and fell to the floor.
【So that this isn't our end】
The screen flickered with noise again, and the title "Falling" appeared in red above the door along with "THE DAWN," before the screen faded to black. The sound of crows cawing could be heard in the background.
[Wow...]
Fans who watched the MV, which threw horror head-first into a refreshing song, were on fire.
[Guys, I was just so visually overstimulated from looking at their faces.
Can someone tell me what it means?]
[I guess there’s no specific concept this time?? They just added a bit of a horror theme to match the summer.]
[Everyone, look.
Their hair is W E T.
That’s the point.
That is all!
└ Ah, damn it ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
While the Noeuls were busy taking screenshots second by second and thirsting over The Dawn,
[It seems like the setting is a world overrun by zombies, and the boys are hiding out in a cathedral.
Looks like survivors living together.]
Seong Ji-won’s fans appeared, weeping.
[Ji-won... Ji-won... TT]
[Our Ji-wonie TT Waaaah.]
And soon, screenshots were attached.
[Ji-won... damn it... TT Ji-won was already dead here TT I thought it was weird since the comeback teasers.
Kang Yi-chae avoids encountering the undead on the stairs, and it looks like the only entrance is that window in the side building he came through, but Seong Ji-won just walked that whole distance.
Plus, the reason it opened when he knocked three times:
>Ask, seek, knock<
It’s a verse from the Bible...
Seong Ji-won, who believed in God, died, and it seems he entered the cathedral—the only sanctuary—by deceiving the others...
'So that this isn't our end.'
Ji-won wanted to play more... and the cathedral was corrupted in an instant...
That’s why it’s 'Falling'... damn it...]
Lee Ji-hyeon’s "concept pervert" nature hadn't gone anywhere.
Instead of extending the Apocalypse Trilogy to five parts, she had decided to pour insane passion into each individual album.
[But there are too many clues;;;]
[The more you dig, the more comes out;;]
Interpretations began popping up on anonymous community sites as well.
[Title: Hey, can this... even be broadcast?
During Shining Star, I was like, 'Wow, I see what these guys' concept is,' but are they completely establishing it with this?
└ Why??
└└ The mantilla... well... it has many meanings, but here it symbolizes purity... But at the end, Seo Ho-yun tied it to his own wrist.
└└ Aaaaaahhh!]
Once the discussion reached that point, everyone started screaming.
They had been so lost in the visual stimulation that they hadn't realized, but thinking back, even the title was significant.
[Wait, then it all connects. Seong Ji-won enters, and Seo Ho-yun, who was guarding the cathedral, loses his purity... That’s why the title is 'Falling'... damn it...]
[Can this be interpreted as a 'Fall' from losing purity? Excuse me, Daepasung, is this right? Is this allowed?]
Then, a lyric discovered by a fan on social media became another hot topic among the Noeuls.
[Yi-chae’s rap.
'I can't get ready to let go (Noeul)'—isn't that a pun on 'Noeul' (the fandom)?
Right? No? It is, right? No?
Am I just over-analyzing...?]
[I’m an Yi-chae fan. 'Let go' (Noeul) = 'Noeul' (fandom). Confirmed!
If you disagree, you’re wrong.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
In reality, the song and MV were like a declaration from The Dawn that they would burn everything for the fans who loved them.
If you dug into the meaning of the lyrics and props, it wasn't much different from a "slave" concept.
Today, too, the Noeuls were using excavators to dig up the clues Lee Ji-hyeon and The Dawn had scattered.
[This is insane...
It’s a twist after a twist after a twist...
I was cursing my head off while working overtime, and suddenly my brain just stopped.]
Later, a behind-the-scenes video of Kang Yi-chae and Seong Ji-won agonizing over the "rap" lyrics was uploaded to The Dawn’s official Nutube channel.
Seeing them huddled together, struggling, fans practically banged their heads against the wall.
[Ah, they’re so cute I could die.
I love this Ji-won and Yi-chae combo so much...]
[One has perfect, upright posture, while the other has his feet on the table with his shoes on like it’s his own house ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ For Yi-chae... the studio is his house...
└└ True...]
While fans were deeply immersed in "Falling Down" because of its many layers of meaning, the general public loved it simply because the song was refreshing and suited the season perfectly.
Seeing it take the #1 spot on the real-time charts as soon as it was released, the Noeuls happily went about their "sming" (streaming).
Even the B-side tracks from the mini-album were taking over the charts.
Among them, the song receiving the most attention was "At Dawn."
[Whoa, what’s up with Kang Yi-chae?]
It was the most different from any style Kang Yi-chae had released before, yet it was overflowing with a lyrical, sentimental mood.
It was a song about a heart full of love that was so unstable and overwhelming that one couldn't even suppress it.
[Kang Yi-chae... you say you’re practicing Halli Galli like crazy on B-Live, and then you go and make something like this behind the scenes?]
[A guy who looks like he’d laugh in your face if you said the word 'love' wrote these lyrics and this song... I love you for that.]
Music critics were also full of praise.
[Wait, and it seems to connect with the titles of the other B-sides.]
[You concept perverts!!!!!!!]
A mini-album packed with clues, a rich production that smelled like money, and a release that satisfied public taste while maintaining and establishing The Dawn’s unique color.
The Dawn’s fans were so happy their gums were practically drying out from smiling so much, but they also gritted their teeth with determination.
[This time, we are absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, damn it, absolutely giving them an award.]
[If we don't, I’m just gonna die.]
Although The Dawn’s stock was at an all-time high, they hadn't been able to achieve the results fans had hoped for during their most recent "Kill the Lights" promotions because of Black Call’s "Kings."
As they had been receiving more attention lately, jealousy and envy had also increased. It was clear that if they didn't prove themselves with their results this time, the label of "just a survival show fluke" would continue to follow them.
And as if the agency knew exactly how hard the fans were firing themselves up, they uploaded various videos and behind-the-scenes photos like fuel at just the right moments.
[Heol, guys, they’re performing the B-side 'At Dawn' too.]
[Aaaaahhh!!!!!]
[Kaaaaahhh!!!!]
And so, before they knew it, the day of their first music show appearance for the title track and B-side had arrived.