A few hours ago… Behind the stage set for TeStar's virtual donation concert.
"Do you need water?"
"I'm okay."
Cheongryeo was used to the backstage.
From a small local festival at the time when things didn't go well to a stadium full of VTIC staff members.
He repeatedly experienced all stages of the industry, and the layers of familiarity were forming deep layers within him.
That was why the members of VTIC were also used to the calmness of the leader.
The way he seemed to have been born to do this job, without being disturbed or clumsy in any situation.
So, after their debut, they quickly became calm as well, as if it were contagious.
"Wow, I think I'm trembling."
"I know, right? I guess this is the burden of the guest."
"That's right. Originally, we should do better at someone else's party!"
VTIC chatted eloquently in front of their WeTube upload camera and waited for Cheongryeo to come in at the right time as usual.
It was an appropriate decision.
"It's a meaningful project, so I hope it will be helpful to TeStar hoobaenim."
"That's right~ Thank you for inviting us to a good place, TeStar hoobaenim!"
The members smiled and waved at the camera, and Cheongryeo thought to himself with a smile.
'No, it's a loss.'
Seriously, did they have to say such nonsensical things?
It was unavoidable because the members were selected only by considering the accident rate and stage quality, but no one noticed it too quickIv.
If this was the case, then it'd be shameful to do badly.
'If we do good, then it's good, and if we do bad, then it's bad.'
All of them were guests at their juniors' concert, and besides, they were seniors in the same industry who were going to sing songs made by said juniors.
Of course, he couldn't blame only the members.
'I can't help it because the plan is so good.'
Cheongryeo recalled the conversation during his visit to Park Moondae in the hospital when this appearance was made.
Park Moondae's first proposal for a donation concert.
-How about co-hosting?
-Hm.
At this time, VTIC's schedule was on the verge of turning murderous.
It was because they were preparing for a complete comeback.
After the great success of Cheongryeo's solo album, VTIC's range of motion was greatly freed.
It meant that the attitude of the board of directors, who were hesitant about releasing albums and were worried about VTIC's decline becoming visible, had disappeared.
Thanks to this, the preparation of the album gained momentum without the need for Cheongryeo to make any adjustments.
And, like all idols who were usually in the position of VTIC, they were scheduled to go abroad after appearing on a local music show for a week.
But rehearsing for the stadium tour and preparing for a new concert at the same time?
'It's impossible.'
There would be no time to sleep. Even now, Cheongryeo's sleep time had decreased just by visiting Park Moondae's hospital room.
If it was like this during the preparation period, it would be even worse after the comeback. It was a future determined enough to be uncomfortable to even call it a prediction.
Cheongryeo told the truth.
- Since we are active, we won't have time.
Park Moondae was not too shocked.
-Then, as a guest?
-Hmm.
-If you see a bud that will do well anyway, you'd want to take a step on the platform.
Park Moondae's explanation was clear.
The format of this donation concert would be exclusively contracted with LeTi's platform.
Then, as a gesture of friendship and publicity, LeTi would make Cheongryeo, who coincidentally had a friendship with Park Moondae, appear.
-So, just do a random stage and put a spoon on it.
Cheongreo knew it at that moment.
'He already knew?'
Knowing that joint planning was impossible due to VTIC's current schedule, Park Moondae led the discussion with this structure.
Cheongryeo narrowed his eyes.
'Using me as a guest…'
And he wanted us to do a random performance.
At first glance, it seemed that he was considerate of his senior's busy schedule, but in fact, it meant that he could leave the car and come back.
While TeStar performed a special concert stage that they trained on separately, Cheongryeo would perform a general performance alone.
It was a matter of weight class.
If Cheongryeo did this, his reputation would be damaged.
It may not be as much as Park Moondae appearing as a guest on VTIC's tour, but it was still a risky act.
-How is it?
However, unilateral refusal was also a dangerous situation.
He didn't forget.
'The recording.'
A recording of the conversation at the time of the abduction would be in Park Moondae's cloud storage on his phone.
The main vocalist had already made headlines once. The moment this exploded, it was safe to say that VTIC's career would be over.
However, Cheongryeo judged that there was little possibility of Park Moondae releasing the recording.
'It's going to be a mud fight.'
Park Moondae would also have a big hindrance to his activities. So, it was a hand that could never be used when he still had a mission he had to do.
But… Park Moondae's survival was at stake right now, so if he had to, he could threaten Cheongryeo by mentioning the recording as a bluff.
And at that moment, this friendly relationship would be catastrophic.
Cheongryeo didn't want that either.
So after quick judgment, he smiled.
-Great. A guest appearance.
-Then…
-Ah, all the VTIC members will be there.
-… … !
-Is that okay? I think there will be more viewers.
It was crazy.
If Cheongryeo appeared alone, he could end up with the least damage with the image of a 'guest invited thanks to friendship' even in the event of an emergency.
Perhaps Park Moondae also thought only that much of the worst case that would go back to Cheongryeo.
However, Cheongryeo did not intend to one-sidedly remove his flesh.
-… …
Park Moondae was silent for a moment, but then nodded calmly.
-Okay.
-Yes. Then, let's do that.
So, it was kind of a win-win.
VTIC would come out, so there was a risk of being hit much harder than Cheongryeo alone.
But at the same time, the gains were bigger. Because the two groups would be directly compared.
And since Cheongryeo knew VTIC's stage quality, he clearly judged the odds.
'More than 70%.'
And it made the scale bigger.
- I think it would be fun to change songs with each other.
It was certain that this would fill up the number of audience members that Park Moondae needed.
"… …"
After reminiscing, Cheongryeo smiled.
In the end, it was the scale he put his hand on.
It would be natural for his members to go over with the thought that 'the purpose is good and it looks fun'. Because he chose the members like that. People who were easy to handle.
However, their strength was entirely their main job.
Cheongryeo recalled the condition of Park Moondae.
'400,000 people.'
Did you know what the daily attendance figure was for their online concert last year?
It was 610,000.
It was only a paid count for this platform.
So, as long as VTIC's participation in the group had been decided, there would be no problem with Park Moondae's survival.
'He'll have to bear with the leakage in TeStar's fandom.'
Wasn't this what he did to himself?
He couldn't take responsibility for Park Moondae's regrets.
'Well, should I let him see Kongi?'
Cheongryeo thought about his dog and thought briefly about how to comfort Park Moondae using it.
"Let's go."
"VTIC wins today too! Ah, victorious~"
At the time of their debut, the clumsy cheering slogan given by the director jumped out as a joke from one of the members.
Even after so many restarts, why did that one thing remain the same? Maybe it was because he didn't bother to change it.
Because he always wanted to win.
"VCR ends in 10 seconds!"
Seeing the stage structure open in front of his eyes, Cheongryeo felt a strange tingle creep up his back.
It had been such a long time, so it was unfamiliar.
The sense of taking risks and running towards uncertain results.
It was a challenge.
[Ah.]
A short test sound was heard through his in-ear.
And the stage began.
• * *
The moment when VTIC walked onto the stage and formed a leisurely formation…
Comments were filled with all sorts of question marks, exclamation marks, and cries.
It wasn't just the comments here.
-Hey, VTIC
-It's really VTIC
-TICAs, how come? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Crazy
After seeing the real-time appreciation on social media, people who were surprised and logged on to the TeStar concert appeared one after another.
And the timely pop-up notifications the platform sent out to VTIC subscribers made millions click in bewilderment.
[VTIC has appeared!]
In front of the pop-up notification, there was a logo of VTIC made into an emoticon.
And in that moment of confusion, VTIC took the stage.
Weeing- Weeing- Weeing!
Along with sirens, low drums began to sound like formal applause.
Rough, fast, intense percussion and brass instruments that built tension.
And the symbolic riff melody that fell down.
-Haengcha
-Fuck, they're singing Haengcha?
It was TeStar's representative song, Haengcha.
However, the elegant oriental feel of it had disappeared without a trace.
Instead, technical electronic sounds and an orchestra sprinted over an intense trap beat.
And VTIC, wearing tight-fitting suits and black harnesses and gloves, interpreted the choreography of the parade in a faster and more modern way.
- Come, do it. Today-
Even if I struggle, I can't escape
I'm coming.
And the rapping became slower and more grooved, deftly underpinning the performance.
There was no place for choreography that embodied a gigantic beast like in the original. Instead, it was covered with an angular group dance with an authoritative feel, like a commando with a formation.
Like capturing a beast.
Then, there was the salute-like gesture that followed and a soaring bass.
-Now, he's appeared. Warning and warning, again
The slow and thrilling approach to the arms
Me, me, me, me
-Take off
The tempo of the rap had changed. It poured like a run and encouraged aggression. And then the chorus began.
-The day that finally came, come!
Oh, Oh, Oh…
The accompaniment was suddenly dropped at a different moment from the original song.
-Never get away from me. Yeah
The lazy wave choreography was full of intimidation. And again, a fast group dance with angles began.
In front of the dancers with flags moving like jockeys, VTIC drove like crazy, pushing the stage's movement to the limit.
They no longer had a main vocalist.
However, the lack of vocals was pushed back by rap and performance.
It was all over the place, so the viewers held their breaths and were overwhelmed.
-And.
The comment window suddenly slowed down. The state of extreme concentration made them forget to cheer.
VTIC went wild in the red and blue lasers and the lower and grander riff melody.
And the introduction of verse 2 was omitted along with the performance. The accompaniment jumped right into the part where the bridge of Haengcha should have gone.
The members paused and turned around into a formation.
However, instead of the promised melody, a familiar rap chorus came in.
-Sangun
Their claws are hella sharp
Readily tear you apart
You can't catch it
No, you can't.
And an iconic choreography using their hands and waist began to unfold.
-??
-Sangun?
-Wow, this is here too.
It was one of their signature songs. It was
The melody and bass were intertwined according to the context, and the group gradually grew.
With the addition of the song's most iconic traditional wind instrument reference.
-Make me a Boss
Right, right
VTIC weaved two songs with the keyword 'beast', and the keyword 'traditional wind' and pulled them together.
As if to show who did it first.
As if they completely rearranged 〈Haengcha〉 and made it out of its imitation.
And the attempt was very plausible.
-Fuck, they're cool
- Sangun! Sangun! Sangun!
-Look at the elegance of a song that won the grand prize
This was because the public and fans of VTIC, who were excited about the appearance of a major hit song, reacted enthusiastically to Sangun eating up Haengcha and dominating the second half.
The stage had all the convincing, witty moments.
-Sangun
Their claws are hella sharp
Let me prove it
And then, there was an explosive final dance break.
And with VTIC forming a four-man formation between huge flags, the stage was over.
However, the comments were endlessly sentimental.
- They killed it
-Crazy, as expected from VTIC
- Why are these kids here?
-Goosebumps
- Wow, it's really dope.
VTIC took a deep breath, waved to the dancers as they entered, and smiled at the camera.
Then, they sat down on the chairs that the staff had brought and even spoke a few words.
[Thanks for choosing a good option, everyone!]
[It was really fun~]
Even if the fans had picked the other option, they were going to come out anyway, but they still applauded and praised the intention of planning the concert.
Of course, they didn't forget the jokes either.
[Oh, come to think of it! We are also having a concert~]
[If you are interested, please come and see it! Haha!]
People howled in the comments.
-Guys, I don't have tickets…
-This kind of deceit is too much.
-I understand why you guys became friends with TeStar.
And some fans with tickets also howled under the water.
-ㅠㅠㅠ If you're going to do something like this, you crazy guys, give me a warning
-If you're good at it, you're good at making fans. 1,000 years, 10,000 years, you Muggles ㅠㅠ
-I bought a resold ticket. It's fucking crazy that I bought something like this ㅋㅋㅋ
-LeTi, these fucking bastards, how long are you going to use them to expand your business? It's like this every time because the kids are good
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ It's a bit refreshing. Of course, TICAs who missed the real-time performance would be pissed off, but I was able to watch it in real-time ^^
The atmospheree had completely gone overboard.
They couldn't find anything that disparaged VTIC right away, except for things like 'This is an evil performance to beat their juniors.'
It meant that haters could not bring this stage down with mental victories.
And Park Moondae was watching all of this from backstage.
• * *
If it had been a real-life performance, there would have been a lot of screaming.
I put the water bottle in my mouth.
Scary bastards.
'It's like calling real tigers.'
Of course, I planned to peel off the skin well and dry it.
'I can't let the flow go like this.'
TeStar's next stage was just around the corner.