The two-day concert ended in great success.
- Please, encore
-No, how could you make something like this and finish it in two days, you crazy bastards (good intention, not true)
- Be sure to buy the VOD when it comes out. This is a recommendation for public interest.
The overwhelming majority of fans who came to the audience showed a favorable response. First of all, it was fun and fresh.
A dramatic concert that embodied a narrative. Since we were good at the stage, we must have eaten half of it.
There was nothing to remove when the status window popped up. The performance was great.
Of course, there were some people who were disappointed in terms of intimacy and communication, but after the W Live after-party as scheduled, it decreased dramatically.
[Congrats ☜ TeStar karaoke opening ☞Congratulations]
We didn't just recite the behind-the-scenes concert, we got selected songs in the form of a karaoke room and ran.
Thanks to that, my throat was a bit strained, but… It was worth it.
'Good.'
I put all the pear bellflower juice I was drinking down my throat.
A cold wind was blowing outside. It looked like the guys who went out would have a hard time.
- Are you really not going, Moondaemoondae?
The guy who asked until the end eventually went out to enjoy just one day off. He deserved it.
Now was the beginning of November, the period of preparing the stage for the end of the year.
What it meant was that we shouldn't expect a day off this year after today.
'No, until about February.'
It would end with an awards ceremony and tour combo.
Today, there was no special contact from the staff. They'd be filthy busy too.
They said that the format of this concert was special, so it was difficult for us to match it perfectly at concert halls or tours.
So, they must be diligently modifying the plan by mixing general concert configurations according to the specifications of various venues.
'It's a busy season.'
Today would also be my last free day, so it was better to clear my head and rest…
Ding!
My smartphone rang.
[VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbaenim: (Image)]
[VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbaenim: How are you?]
"… …"
Was I supposed to say hello? Whenever I had to rest, this bastard would contact me and I had never seen anything good from it, so it was best to just ignore it.
However, when I saw the attached image, I changed my mind.
I thought it was a dog again, but it wasn't, it was a screenshot from an internet article.
["A magical boy who defeats villains with a song!" TeStar 〈T-Holic's Show Business〉 Appearance]
It was a provocation.
I replied to the guy.
[Yes, sunbaenim. We are working hard. So many people enjoyed the photo you sent, so I'm going to accept it now.]
It was an advantage because the reaction was good, so it didn't matter if it was a magical girl or a boy.
It was not a mental victory though, really, there were still stories about that entertainment show on the Internet.
Both in name and reality, we were the hottest rising male idol in Korea this year.
'In the second half of this year, we ran without a single twist.'
Results, recognition, and popularity were not pushed anywhere. If it was an awards ceremony close to T1, it was almost certain that they'd give us a grand prize.
'Is this bastard doing this because he's pissed off?'
But the reply came without a delay.
[VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbaenim: That's right. I was trying to say that it suits you well ^^]
This bastard was completely trying to make me go crazy…
'Was this because everything was settled with the help of Gold 2?'
In that case, I might as well have gotten sent a dog picture. I briefly contemplated whether to just turn off my smartphone.
But at that moment, I didn't even reply, but the phone rang out of nowhere.
[VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbaenim]
"… ?"
What is this?
There might be information between the bullshit, so I answered it for now.
"What are you doing?"
Then a calm voice was heard.
-Hmm… I wonder if you have anything to say to me.
"What?"
What kind of bullshit was he spewing?
Then, there was silence over the phone for a moment, and then a slightly regretful voice was heard.
- So far…
"So far?"
- I'm talking to myself. I just called because I was curious how you were doing.
I didn't think so.
"As I said, I am doing well."
Surely, him saying 'so far' meant that some trick has been played but it hadn't exploded yet.
I asked outright.
"Did you prepare anything else?"
-Hmm?
"You said 'so far'."
Then, the sound of laughter came over the phone.
- Oh, it's really nothing else. I wondered if hoobaenim has entered the country yet. TeStar had a brief overseas schedule last week.
'But that sounds like an excuse.'
There was no sign of manipulation, so I decided to let it go.
- We entered the country.
I see.
"If you have time, you should go to T-Holic sunbaenim's variety show after entering Korea. I recommend it."
I wondered what to do with those no fun bastards. However, the guy answered meekly.
-Oh, those… sunbaenims.
If it wasn't for the phone call, he probably wouldn't have called them sunbaenim.
-Their survivability is really amazing. They have good resilience no matter what happens… I have often admired it.
It was a story that he did everything possible to kill them before, but they survived thus far.
I put it together.
"Sunbaenim is like that too."
-Hm, is that so? Have you ever been in that position?
I didn't know why, but it pissed me off because he seemed to be having fun.
-Anyway, I have no intention of going there, but thanks for the recommendation.
"You're welcome."
He was calm.
'… Even if we receive one of the grand prizes, his position is still strong.'
Well, that was a good thing. It meant that the probability that this bastard would hit me in the back of the head had decreased.
Cheongryeo ended the call with a smile.
-Then, see you at the awards ceremony.
"Yes."
And it actually happened.
The next time I saw Cheongryeo was at an awards ceremony for a major music chart that was scheduled for the last time that month.
• * *
"Ah TeStar, I saw something today… can you give it to me?"
"Of course!"
"Haha!"
Before the awards ceremony begins, the members who finished all preparations in the waiting room look half-excited and half-nervous.
To be honest, if there was a guy who didn't expect to win an award in this situation, then he'd be a weird guy.
… I didn't expect that they had already taken out the champagne.
"Come on, shall we have a toast?"
"Yeah, cheeeeers!"
The guys with the non-alcoholic champagne included in the catering looked like test takers eating glutinous rice cakes right before an exam.
'What… The atmosphere is good.'
Among those who were in such a mood, Ryu Chungwoo pointed out one with a smile.
"Sejin seems to have something to say, can you give us a toast?"
"Me, me?"
"Yes."
"Oooh~"
Bae Sejin's face reddened, but he wasn't angry.
"Great, then…"
Instead, he cleared his throat a few times, then seriously opened his mouth again.
"This year too… It was a lot of hard work, and no matter what the result! Let's not doubt that we worked hard and did well!"
It was surprisingly plausible. I didn't think Ryu Chungwoo pointed him out for nothing.
'Looks like they prepared it secretly.'
"Hyung…"
"I-I think so too… !"
"I am impressed."
The atmosphere was even better.
Keun Sejin also held out his hand with a smile without saying anything.
"I wish us all the best next year! Ah, we still have to do the official chant properly one more time~"
"… Okay!"
"Great!"
And to shouting 'fighting' cheers, the members put their heads together to form a circle.
A relief formation that would only appear right before a sporting event.
It may not be very different in terms of winning and losing and being rewarded.
"Oh, Moondae, your hand!"
I reached out. A familiar slogan came out energetically.
"Ah TeStar, let's show everyone something today!"
"Wow!!"
The adrenaline rushed.
I finished the non-alcoholic champagne in one go, and set the empty glass on the table.
"Then let's go out."
That was how the first awards ceremony began.
The first part of the
A stage for a rookie with good results, a stage with a meaning despite poor results, a stage for rookies from a large agency…
It didn't mean much. It was just that the group with Gold 2 showed up briefly.
Of course, there could be controversy over my attitude, so I took the position of eagerly watching the stage.
After the long first part was over and the second part was over, the long-awaited words came out.
Again after stage and stages have passed…
When the popularity of the person who appeared as an award presenter changed, the effect before the presentation changed.
[The next award is given to the artist who has shown activities that comforted and moved the most people this year.]
Yes.
[This is the Artist Award!]
It was the first grand prize. And it was the prize we were aiming for.
The camera found and recorded the grand prize candidates.
The camera, which arrived right in front of our block, grabbed this table without hesitation.
"Oh…"
"Shh!"
Keun Sejin controlled Cha Eugene. That was right.
Time went by like that.
[The Artist of the Year award winner is…]
The sounds of drums.
Singers laughed awkwardly.
People were swinging their lightsticks.
And finally, the words were spat out.
[… TeStar!]
The camera lit up.
[Congratulations!]
Wow!!
The sound of confetti bursting, the sound of cheers, the sound of music.
And the familiar faces on the billboard. The expressions on their faces, passing bewilderment and entering into joy, were very similar.
The funny thing was, I was no different.
"Ah."
I was expecting to receive it.
I didn't think our award was presented first for no reason. Because they had to subtract us in order of the years active and give the ending to the seniors.
But… Yeah, I'd be honest.
It felt like someone had hit a gong in my head. Goosebumps ran all the way to the inside of my skull.
'The grand prize.'
Were we really riding the waves this year?
Keun Sejin staggered and stood up from his seat. I pulled out of my chair and got up.
It felt like the people around me were clapping, but I wasn't sure. I dragged Cha Eugene, who tapped my shoulder, up to the podium.
My shoulders collided with Seon Ahyeon.
We stood on stage. Bouquets and trophies passed each other.
"Thank you."
As if he was choking for a moment, Ryu Chungwoo removed the microphone from his mouth and spoke again calmly.
"We… We are very happy and honored to receive this undeserved award. Not just this year, but the members who have been working hard every day since our debut."
Ryu Chungwoo took care of each and every one of our fans, staff, and even his parents. I heard him practicing in the dorm, but I listened without him noticing me.
He was the one who deserved it.
That was what I felt.
"… Thank you again."
But just as he was about to say that, someone stabbed me in the back from behind.
The first time I thought it was an accidental poke, but the second time I was sure it wasn't.
"… ?"
What.
'Moondae!'
It was Keun Sejin.
He pushed me. The other guys made a spot and openly vacated the middle.
'What?'
That was how I ended up being pushed to the center. The guys around me tapped on my shoulders. The confetti that was on my nose fell down.
There was a microphone in front of me.
'… That's great.'
Procrastinating to take the last word… Of course not. I laughed and grabbed the mic in front of the audience.
… I was a little bit excited.
'Now that we've gotten it, I should say something.'
That was the moment.
[Mission cleared!]
"… !"
A hologram appeared.
After clearing the abnormal status, it appeared even though I didn't call it.
And I understood the situation a beat late.
'Ah.'
Right.
As I expected, public opinion was important.
It… It was an authoritative object that TeStar received in the public perception of a sense of a grand prize.
'Still, clearing at the first awards ceremony.'
It was a development I liked. I was willing to accept this situation.
But the hologram didn't leave. It pulled out unsolicited words.
[Payment is being settled…]
"… !"
Right now?
The order was odd.
'I have to accept the reward to receive it… fuck!'
I realized that I was mistaken about something.
This wasn't the 'Status Abnormality' that the system gave.
Therefore… It meant that there was no guarantee that what was possible when clearing the status abnormality would be the same now.
The same was true of receiving the reward.
'Unless I'm in the form where I can get the reward right now.'
A cold sweat ran down my neck.
The hologram that appeared in front of me crackled and changed its shape.
[Reward complete!]
Reward: Conversation with Park Moondae
Complete?
At that moment, my vision blurred.
- Park Moondae!
Just like when I first cleared the status quo, when I debuted in
And it was a blackout.
• * *
When I thought about it, it was really strange.
That I, who had never participated in a talent show, had a job dancing and singing in front of others.
Why did I take pictures of idols?
I could say that it was because I could make money, but then why did the people who didn't make money from it film it?
The pleasure I got there…
Was it vicarious satisfaction?
"Heok."
I opened my eyes.
Inside a dark room.
I saw a familiar ceiling. But it had been so long that I didn't feel familiar or welcome… Once upon a time, this was the ceiling of my bedroom.
"… !!"
I got up. And touched my face. I felt glass.
Without running to the bathroom to look in the mirror, this hair, hands, glasses…
My original body.
Ryu Gunwoo, not Park Moondae.
"… … !"
I clenched my fist. And I bowed my head.
'Calm down.'
And this situation.
'This.'
This… I already had a similar experience once.
'The daydream.'
Was this similar to the coma? Even now, was this a dream… …
It was then.
[E-excuse me!]
"… !"
What?
I heard it in my head… No, it was a strange resonance that I didn't know if it was right to hear this.
[I… hyung, why are you here… … …]
I spat out.
"Who are you?"
[Yes, yes?]
It was a tearful sound.
Then a small resonance sounded.
[Pa-Park Moondae.]
"… …"
This… What the fuck was this?