26. Music Broadcast (3)
Jikbbang's old friend Cheongmi bit the straw and drank an Americano in one shot. She sighed as she checked her phone clock with her eyes wide open.
The debut showcase ended at around 10 PM, and the pre-recording for the music broadcast began at 3 AM. The time in between was vaguely empty.
That's not the only problem. In order to participate in the music broadcast, the number of winners had to be checked in advance, but the check time was 11:30.
In terms of the route, after the showcase ended, she had to run to the broadcasting station, check attendance, and wait again before entering the recording studio.
At that moment, Cheongmi chewed on the straw as a distant emotion surged through her. The camera bag on her shoulder felt like a thousand pounds.
'No. It's been a while since I've had a crush. This is tolerable.'
The one who caught Cheongmi's spirit was none other than Yoo Young from Intro. To be exact, her affection for Yoo Young!
The male idol she used to be a fan of appeared on the social page, and how much she had been like a corpse. She, who had been living with her soulless body, couldn't ignore her heart beating for the first time in a long time.
'Face... Yes, let's look at that face. I'll cheer up when I see it.'
Cheongmi went into her phone gallery and looked at the many photos of Yoo Young she had saved.
How could his eyes, nose, and mouth all be so innocent and handsome? She still couldn't forget the feeling of being struck by lightning the moment she saw him.
'Ha, this is heaven.'
Tiring. Cheongmi, who was leaning against the taxi window, raised her upper body at the vibration that started from her phone. She slid the screen and saw a recent notification. It was a Black Tweet DM.
[Jikbang: Where are you?]
[Jikbang: Are you going to a music show recording?]
The owner of the message was a friend she had known for 5 years who had come over after she had promoted the intro.
Cheongmi immediately recalled the conversation she had had a few hours ago. The reaction of her friend, who had been digging the same idol for the first time in a long time, was roughly this.
'Hey, crazy, me to this young kid... What the heck.'
'Ah~ What can I do about this? You got hit by a young kid without any conscience?
'Please shut up...'
'So who's your favorite? Who did you like?'
'Who would it be? Of course........'
Tiring. A new notification woke Cheongmi from her thoughts.
This time, it wasn't her friend Jikbang, but Cheongmi's public account notification window for Black Tweet.
[Chorongi and 253 others reposted your post.]
[♡ARO_Young♡ and 604 others liked your post.]
...... That's right. Cheongmi is Yoo Young's homma.
After she chose Yoo Young as her favorite, she immediately created a public account and picked up a camera.
The reason she became a homma was simple. She wanted to take a picture of that national treasure-level face with her own hands and share it with others!..... It was just a very personal thought flow.
Since she had already been a homma, there were no issues with equipment or anything else. She just had to do what she had been doing.
Thinking about it now, she thinks the time she stopped being a homma was when she had a harder time adjusting.
[Jikbang: Where are you~~~]
Cheongmi returned to her main account, which was locked, and replied to Jikbang.
[Crazy for Yoo Young: Taking a taxi. The broadcasting station is almost here~~~]
[Jikbang: You are really amazing... What happened to your stamina]
[Crazy for Yoo Young: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Even the taxi driver saw my face and let me get in with coffee]
[Jikbang: Oh my... Don't bother me]
[Crazy for Yoo Young: Yeah ㅠㅠ I'm sorry]
Cheongmi opened her mouth and yawned, then briefly checked outside the window before looking back at her phone.
In the DM window, there was a gift card for a franchise coffee and cake set sent by Jikbang.
[Jikbang: Anyway, good luck...]
[Jikbang: I'd appreciate it if you could take a picture of my kid too]
[Crazy for Yoo Young: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Okay~Let's eat together after this]
[Crazy for Yoo Young: We have to take a good etiquette shot]
[Etiquette shot = 'a photo taken with food and a photo card of your favorite star.']
[Jikbang: Okay, I'll make time...]
As soon as we finished talking, the taxi stopped. After paying the taxi driver and getting out of the car, she saw an unusual group of women dressed in various clothes in the distance.
'That's where they check in.'
Being a hardcore fan's career isn't going anywhere? She looked around while completing various verifications, including identity verification in an instant.
The recording studio entrance is at 3 o'clock, but the broadcasting station that's going into pre-recording today is famous for its long waiting times. On top of that, it's all standing! To replenish her energy, she had to quickly grab a seat at a nearby cafe.
Cheongmi, who was scanning her current location, suddenly came to her senses at the fan manager's words.
"Take this."
"Oh, thank you."
What the fan manager handed her was a warm drink and a hot pack. She was already worried because the weather was cold today, but they took such good care of her. And it was a new label.
Cheongmi felt a sudden surge of emotion and anger.
'Fuck, I hate myself for being touched by this.'
What is an idol fan to the agency? An ATM that uses affection as collateral.
Not knowing that it was Yoo Young's idea, she couldn't help but feel both suspicion and anticipation at the agency's actions.
'...... It's still a label under Pyo Seungsoo. Let's not expect anything like this.'
She just has to see Yoo Young's amazing face. After that, she'll get a photocard from the workshop, take a nap, wake up, watch the mini fan meeting, and take pictures on the way home after the main broadcast!
Cheongmi braced herself while holding the cheering note and attendance sheet that the fan manager had given her in her hands.
***
'Left fence, left fence......'
Cheongmi entered the recording studio filled with anticipation, despite her determined heart.
The camera was already somewhere else, so there was nothing to disturb her now.
'Wow, the stage setting is pretty.'
The first thing that caught her eye was the stage.
On the stage, there were tables and game consoles harmoniously mixed together, and signs, chairs, and small play equipment were decorated here and there. However, the atmosphere was not dark, and playful holograms appeared in the bright lights.
Cheongmi thought her heart was beating so hard that her veins were popping out.
Soon after, Intro members came up on stage one by one.
She saw them in person at the showcase, but as expected, they were all so beautiful that she couldn't get used to them. Cheongmi's first pick was Yoo Young, but the other members were so handsome that she felt a strange sense of pride.
'My kids are making fans feel good with their faces!!!'
She wanted to scream like that. Of course, she didn't actually scream. If she got kicked out, it would be a loss, and the entire fandom could be warned. Not wanting to smear my kids' faces is something any normal fan would feel.
'The costumes are really great. What should I do, Young is cute....'
Unlike the showcase where they borrowed music video outfits (school uniforms and bulletproof vests, yes, that one!), Yoo Young on this stage was wearing a loose-fitting gym uniform with socks and sneakers.
There were three other members who she thought looked good with the outfits. Hwang Bo-kyun had his gym uniform jersey tied around his waist, while Ahn Jungwoo had his uniform up to his neck.
The one who looked the best was Baek Hangyul, who was wearing a large hoodie over his gym uniform. Thanks to the fact that he was holding a hand microphone alone, his sassy impression was somewhat softened, and he looked cute.
'There's a reason he's the center....'
Cheong-mi thought back to Yoo Young's interview and was convinced. It just seemed like the concept was for Baek Han-gyul.
If she had a cheering stick, she would have shook it and calmed down, but the rookie fandom without a cheering stick took a deep breath with an unofficial slogan.
"Hello."
"Please take care of me!"
Since they're rookies, they greet them carefully. Intro asked the fans how they were doing with gestures, following the instructions to reduce private conversation.
The fans followed suit and whispered back, which was really funny.
Intro members stood in formation at the staff's signal. The noise of the recording studio made ears ring, and then the music started with the sound of coins.
As the light pop-style beats began to flow,
the fans chanted the cheers they had practiced in advance to the beat. The cheers and the first choreography movements mixed together, and soon Baek Han-gyul popped out to the right.
- This game has already started, Welcome
- Everything according to my will
Baek Han-gyul, who was crouching down while the others were dancing, raised one corner of his mouth and furrowed his eyebrows.
He lightly raised his left hand and playfully greeted with his fingers and hummed a rap.
- We're already on the board
- I'm addicted to your love
Baek Han-gyul slowly stood up. When he flicked his hand, the bass came in thickly.
- Focus your senses, listen carefully, yes
- Now, I, to you
Cheong-mi covered her gaping mouth. This was because she heard a very small breathing sound after 'to you'. A sound that could not be heard on the audio source. It meant one thing.
'Is this live?'
Hwang Bo-kyun came out in front of Baek Han-gyul, who was mixed in the formation. He performed the next lyrics without wavering, even with large movements. He mixed his voice as if he was exchanging it with Seol Yi-soo.
- Ready to Love and Love, this feeling just started (Game) No time to hesitate
The formation quickly spread out and then gathered again. An Jung-woo was in the center of the large group.
- No need to worry or fret
- Don't worry about anything else and just tell me what you want
Cheongmi opened her eyes wide, touching her arms with goosebumps. Ahn Jungwoo's voice... was really crazy good.
He used his true voice and falsetto without any hesitation, and it felt like his voice was piercing through the sound source.
Seol Yisoo and Lee Aram on either side passed by, and Baek Hangyul also came forward.
An addictive hook flows around Baek Hangyul, who is standing in the middle.
- Roll Roll Roll, Roll Roll Roll
- Victory spreading, stage becoming colored
Intense group dance, Baek Hangyul, who was the only one holding the mic, laughed while expressing the dance concisely with restrained movements.
Even added easy choreography for the challenge.
Lee Aram, who came out on the right, hummed with his unique sweet voice to connect the sound without any breaks.
The moment everyone turned their backs, Ryu Hyun-seung did a choreography that seemed to hold a gun,
- Came back without dying
Yoo Young's husky voice rang out low.
'I am going crazy.'
Cheong-mi bit her lips tightly to close her mouth.
It's because You Young, who had his back to her, turned around and looked straight ahead, found the camera like a ghost, and smiled.
- From now on, my turn, everyone be really tense
- don't miss this love I will never disappear
- (Umm) Step on the traces I left and climb on
Yoo Young interacted with the members in various ways, such as high-fiving or touching shoulders whenever she moved.
- Now, here, to me
Yoo Young, who was standing alone in the middle of the stage, made a heart with his index and middle fingers and broke it.
And then returned to the formation.
He danced precisely while moving sideways, as if water was flowing.
'My kid is a genius.....'
It was surprising that he produced it himself, and it was surprising that he made such a great song, and he dances so well!
On top of that, he was so good at finding the camera, she felt goosebumps how he turned his head and changed his expression in an instant.
After watching Yoo Young's part, Cheongmi was almost out of her mind.
At first glance, she heard Ryu Hyunseung riding a jokdu, Seol Yi-soo and Lee Aram cutely sweeping the stage, and Ahn Jungwoo singing high notes live!
[ "jakdu" means a knife that cuts. On the other hand, we often use the expression "riding a jakdu" as a metaphorical idiom. It means a state in which you are absorbed in something or in a state of ecstasy, and when you work, you have more strength and energy than you thought, and you work without even realizing that it is hard.]
Her mind was completely focused on Yoo Young.
- I'll bring it to you, all of this
She came to her senses when another chorus ended. In the music video, it was a part with 8-bit dot sounds, and in the audio source, it was a normal interlude.
The other members all left, and Ryu Hyun-seung danced alone toward the camera. Cheong-mi shook her head reflexively.
It was the dance break part she had been waiting for.
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