Today was the day of the Zephyr Gala.
Although 12 hours of broadcasting, the Zephyr Gala is divided into five relay broadcasts; an hour opening ceremony, 3 hours of education and tourism exhibition, 3 hours festival of art and performances, 2 hours of the red carpet, and the last 3 hours of the award ceremony in an indoor venue.
As the opening act, Stardust was given priority to use the stage and backstage. Backed by Starlight power they also got the most spacious fitting room.
The atmosphere was immediately rushed the moment they arrived. The makeup artists immediately cleaned the members' faces and the fashion stylists prepared the Stardust stage outfits.
After a year of being part of the group, a habit was established. as well as how the staff treated each member. Of course, they are still professional and kind but they also pay more attention to some members for other reasons.
Cindy was always the first to get the make-up done matched by a costume without too many accessories. As well as matching her not-so-obtrusive persona, the staff also knew that Cindy wouldn't complain. The impression that she doesn't talk much is misinterpreted as being a pushover.
It's also not a bad thing for Cindy because she had the freest time compared to the other members.
"Hey! You!"
A yelling came behind her made her confused.
A man in casual clothes smiles at Cindy, "You came to the Re-Youth audition before, right? I'm Ali, the assistant director from that day. I kept trying to contact you but you didn't reply."
"Oh, hello. I'm sorry Mister, I haven't checked my email lately."
"I know you look familiar, you are actually a Stardust member."
"Ah, that… I wasn't coming as their member, Mister. So I choose my original label."
"Don't worry about it. I understand, sometimes there are people who have a stigma about idols trying to act."
"Thank you for your understanding, Mister."
"I'm sorry that you weren't chosen for the role, but I wanted to offer you a drama. This manuscript was written by a friend of mine and he has signed a contract with Arthur Luo. I'm saying this because your sword performance yesterday was really cool. The audition for the female lead will be in 3 days, by then I wish you can convince Starlight to let you audition publicly. If you want to take a look I will send you the script."
"Really?"
"Of course, besides my family and I was rooting for you on the show."
Cindy couldn't help to grin, "Thank you so much."
"(It's not a problem, we are from the same hometown after all.)"
.
.
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When it came to the awards ceremony, the red carpet was one of the ways for people to watch some of their favorite artists to show their personal taste and some rendezvous interview, the public also anticipating the arrival of their favorite.
As this event is mainly sponsored by the government and few domestic establishments, except for the MCs - the queue for arrival and appearance was completely randomized by a draw. The public might get a newcomer as the final appearance or even the senior and big star from the beginning, they might also saw the behind the scenes master first before the artist.
Behind the red velvet line along the red carpet, the reporters were lining upholding their microphone and SLRs. On the other side was the place reserved for the fans, holding the signboard, merchandise and pen, and cameras that were no less sophisticated than those of reporters and crews for the sake of getting photos from nominees and invitees.
While behind the scene, the broadcasting crew set up the various cameras with 4K resolution to satisfy the viewer's desire for quality.
The blinding lights and thundering excited screams were heard all around outside the venue.
The invitees and nominee cars' finally arrived one by one.
The first to greet the fans and viewers was this year's host squad; the national MC – Saja Lim, the winner of last year's best actress – Lydia Paek, and the behind-the-stage MCs line up arriving respectively greeted the fans and media.
Stars and masters of various fields arrived in their best clothes, showing their best side. Some were charming, some were elegant. Others show up with matching outfits with their plus one or bandmate. Monochromatic, colorful, and innovative dresses and suits keep arriving – enriching the viewer's experience and the fans' scream.
Waving and smiling to the camera, posing for the in-site media reporters, and also greeting the fans. The stars and masters were all professional yet very warm, radiating a welcoming feeling to the screen.
The inner hall of the Zephyr Gala venue was all dark, even the 4K camera for the online audience only showed a black screen.
The subtle melody immediately filled the hall and there were five spotlights illuminating the main stage. The gigantic high definition behind showed nine silhouettes in front of the standing microphone.
Starless, deafening night
Starry, glamorous fight
The tyranny, deprivation
The epiphany, an illusion
HA HA HA HA HA
Open up your eyes, wake yourself up
Baby, I'm precious
Baby, I'm glorious
Baby, I am me
They said I didn't have it
They said I ain't built for it
They said I got nothing but my looks
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
You keep on talking behind, that's why you running behind
Still make a plan B, how low you can be
Meet this baby
This somebody
That nobody
I ain't need no baby
Think about it, think about it
I got nothing to think about
I am pretty, healthy, sexy
I am smart, I am tough,
If you know like me say
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
I have it, I got it, I build myself for this
It started with an acapella ballad, turned into some gothic nuance, and ended up with a hip-hop dance beat.
Stardust grabbed attention to their voice while singing and dazzled the audience with their overall performance. The 3 minutes show was a masterpiece combining 3D technology and a live band. Stimulating the senses of the audience to really make them feel like in the same venue.
Fee personally collaborated with the program's crew to successfully deliver this performance to the audience.
The thunderous applause ended their performance and the nine of them run back to their waiting room. Thankfully they were just there as the opening act and didn't need to perform anymore - unless those who need to perform solo.
The make-up room was cleared for another group and they immediately separated into another waiting room.
Cindy becomes unemployed again and chooses to return to their van. She opened her tablet and was immediately hooked by the script Mister Ali sent her.
Flower Generals was a costume drama based on a novel of the same name. This drama told the story of the Hua siblings of the Southern Kingdom who were separated by war and then meet at a military academy.
The ignorant younger brother was taken prisoner and enslaved in the enemy country - the Northern Kingdom then sent as a spy to his homeland under a false identity named Lian Cheng. There he attended the royal military academy and met a bright and ambitious young man named Lin Zi. Without knowing Lin Zi's identity as his older sister, the two became friends after various twists and turns in completing their studies.
The period of the truce that had ended made the two countries suspicious of each other and prepared for war again. Lin Zi may be smart but she was blinded by love, she volunteers to disguise herself to the Northern Kingdom.
Reunited with Lian Cheng, various incidents make the two of them realize their identity but they have gone too far into the power struggle intrigue. They cannot escape from this war.
The reason why she remembered this drama was because Cindy herself was a fan of the novel. She waited for 2 years for the novel to end and cried for 3 days 3 nights because of the tragic ending of the novel. This drama was planned to have 48 episodes in length and the female lead audition started the day after tomorrow.
Cindy was so caught up in the drama that she realized that there was a loud knock on her windshield.
Pressed the windshield button, her head perked a little to check out the speaker.
"Miss Li. We meet again."
Cindy saw this face everywhere all the time, even the wallpaper of her electronics got his face plastered on them. But she is certainly sure she never met this male god.
"Can I help you, Senior?"
"I don't think we can discuss this in the open air, how about you unlock the door and let me in?"