The monitoring equipment showed VTIC smoothly continuing their talk on stage without any awkwardness.
[To be honest, the longer we've been active, the less often there are needs to cover the songs of our fellow idols.]
[Right, right~ In our concerts, it's always filled with our own songs!]
[That's a really great thing. But still, it's been a lot of fun preparing for our first cover stage in a while.]
Even without looking, I was sure comments like 'Yeah, they could've managed to pull it off even without any rank badges. Must have felt unfair ㅋㅋ' were probably flooding in.
I was about to cross my arms but held back. I didn't want to get in the way of the staff adjusting my microphone.
Those two guys, they had no forte in variety shows, but they knew how to talk among themselves quite adeptly.
"Th-they're good at talking..."
"They've been doing this for more than eight years so they obviously should be."
"R-right?"
Bae Sejin curtly responded to Seon Ahyun's admiration. It seems he wasn't very happy that Chungryeo came here.
Well, that was to be expected. The first time I mentioned it, he was appalled.
- Why would that crazy bastard be in this event..!!
- Probably because the platform belongs to his agency. It might be difficult to refuse.
- Ugh...!
- So... I think it's better to just invite the whole group. What do you think?
- ...Yeah. That might be better.
Afterward, a lengthy debate ensued that devolved into 'should this concert be held on that platform in the first place', but Bae Sejin ultimately lost the majority vote.
For the record, the other guy besides Bae Sejin who knew that Chungryeo was the bastard I got into a dog fight with on my vacation... well, at that time, he happened to be in the state of a 'yes' shouting reaction robot.
- ...Is that so? Alright~ I guess we'll have to work hard.
That was pretty much the extent of Keun Sejin's reaction at the time.
The problem was that at this current moment, he was making a fairly inappropriate gesture... Hey, don't pretend to behead him while fanning yourself.
Looking at this, everyone seemed to be nervous and wary, but of course, there were some who were just excited.
For example, Kim Raebin.
"It was a rather adventurous yet refined arrangement. Next time, I think it would be fun if we rearranged the sunbae-nims <Sangun> in a more modern way! What do you think?"
"..."
No, that's not it.
'If we go that far, it'll really become a head-to-head fight.'
It would seem like we were thinking, 'How dare you use 'Present' like this? We'll do the same with 'Sangun' too then.'
Right now, the concert was teetering on the edge of a heartwarming atmosphere thanks for the fact that it was a charity concert. However, if we went that far, it would truly be hopeless.
Excited news WeTubers would join, asking what kind of diss battle was this when it wasn't even a competition program, and that would be when a real all-out mess breaks out.
Fortunately, before I had a chance to speak, Ryu Chungwoo gently interrupted Kim Raebin's words.
"If the opportunity comes, let's give it a try."
"Yes!"
His expression seemed to say that that opportunity is never going to come.
"..."
But well... I suppose it was fine if at least one person was happy.
No, there was one more guy.
"We should use flags too! Flags are so cool!"
Cha Eugene appeared to be ready to write a new song. Bae Sejin, with a bewildered expression, asked the guy.
"...Are you not nervous?"
"Why would I be?"
"Well... because the people before us did so well."
"It's okay. I'll do well! I mean, we'll do well!"
"...!"
Bae Sejin suddenly had a face of solemn determination.
"That-, that's right!"
"Right!"
Yeah, that's the spirit.
I nodded and spoke.
"Let's do our best."
"Y-yeah!"
"Sure, Moondae-ssi, who strongly insisted on this concert~"
"Moondae-ssi, who recruited a choreographer just one day after being discharged from the hospital."
"..."
Even Ryu Chungwoo?
I better perform well on stage. The moment I messed up, these guys would probably hang me upside down and pour red ginseng into my mouth.
Of course, I had no intention of messing up.
'Let's just do as we've prepared.'
I smiled and stood up, following the guys.
Soon, it was TeStar's turn again.
* * *
"Uwah!"
The graduate student sitting in front of her computer was admiring the stage of VTIC she had just witnessed.
There was no denying that it was a fantastic stage!
'Hmm, the original song is still better though... but what can I say! Since it's originally TeStar's song!'
She felt a renewed sense of pride for TeStar who had pulled off such a masterpiece of a title song, and also applauded VTIC.
'Korean idols are really amazing~'
This was the opinion of someone who had not yet tasted the abyss of the industry.
Unlike the general public, who excitedly praised both groups, the die-hard fans were clutching their heads and talking about if this was actually a good thing.
- Can't these f*cking whoTIC bastards keep their spoons to themselves? It's embarrassing that they even came to their hoobaes concert.
- It would have been good enough for the kids to do it themselves... This abuse of power is seriously disgusting.
- What's with them dragging all their dancers to a charity concert where they're just guests... Wow, I'm disgusted.
- I should disconnect my internet
It wasn't too different on VTIC's side either, but as the initial confusion and anger subsided, some people began to enjoy it.
Because the stage was so powerful.
- Instead of doing this I would have preferred they were sent to do a variety show, but they won so it's okay.
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, we should work hard to write our sales video
└ Let's have Sangun climb the charts once again. While we're at it, let's have Present too, and ask VTIC to release their version.
- It's so much fun every time they win an inexplicable victory that only they don't understand. That's right, this is why I'm a Tica.
- If you have time to do something like this during the initial comeback period then hold a fan signing event ㅠㅠ Ah, there's going to be a f*cking dog fight.
At the moment when VTIC's stage unexpectedly appeared on various social media and communities...
[VTIC is going back in~]
[We kindly request your participation!]
After concluding their brief talk and friendly greetings, VTIC went in. As they tapped the display board, a new phrase appeared.
[The next stage is]
1. TeSTAR covering VTIC
2. TeSTAR covering VTIC...?
It was similar to the last one.
However, the phrase 'VTIC covering TeStar' had disappeared from its original position, and a new sentence with an ambiguous sign was now filling that space.
- ?
- What's number 2?
- Why is there a question mark?
Needless to say, the comments gained momentum again as the viewers were unable to understand the meaning.
Even VTIC's fans who were about to leave, paused momentarily when they saw the name mentioned again.
- Hey, it's number 2 again
- I wonder why there's a question mark
- I feel like something funny will happen so quickly go for #2
- ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This looks fun
With the words of numerous viewers who were excited by the unpredictable appearance, votes were cast in an instant.
2. TeSTAR covering VTIC...? (179557)
The result showed a clear victory for option number 2.
'Is this okay??'
'I don't really like how the topic of VTIC keep appearing.'
While TeStar's fans hesitated about the option itself, they didn't want to say anything against the enthusiastic audience. So, they quietly waited for TeStar's next stage.
And as usual, the screen suddenly went dark.
Typically, this would signify a change of stage, the common way to start a performance. However, this time, instead of that, sounds emanated from the darkness.
- THE LORD OF THE MOUNTAINS
THEIR CLAWS ARE HELLA SHARP
READILY TEAR YOU APART
"...!"
These were the lyrics of Sangun... that VTIC had just performed.
- TeStar is also doing Sangun?
- Oh my god, no way
- Heol
Beyond the bewildered comments, spotlights descended on the stage.
Clack.
It illuminated a table that had been placed in the darkness on one side of the stage. The camera zoomed in on it.
On the table was a red retro-style radio with an antenna attached.
Given the situation, it seemed as though the song was playing from the radio.
But suddenly, a sturdy hand reached on the table and pressed a button on the radio.
- NO, YOU CAN'T...
With a crackling noise, the song abruptly stopped.
Then, the owner of the hand lifted their head onto the table.
It was Cha Eugene with a mischievous face.
[Hum, hum, hum~]
Cha Eugene, with a cheerful expression, enthusiastically hummed along to the melody of Sangun, even swaying his shoulders to the rhythm. It was clear to anyone that he was excited like a fan.
However, just as the audience was starting to relax, Cha Eugene, who had suddenly stopped humming, without warning, grabbed the table and did a backflip behind it!
BBA-BAM!
A cheerful brass sound erupted.
To the sound of the brass, the stage lights burst into life around Cha Eugene, sparkling brightly around him.
And on the stage in front of the viewers... was a teenage party, filled with gold, purple, and red balloons and LED lights.
TeStar members were seen sitting on sofas and barstools, holding drinks and looking frozen.
A short pause of motionless silence, like a tape stopped, and...
BBABAM, BAM, BBA-BAAAM!
Various brilliant chords filled the brass harmony.
And around Cha Eugene, as if seamlessly blending in, Ryu Chungwoo and Lee Sejin rushed in to join and formed a formation.
They grab the pillar cluttered with stickers and banners, spinning around it, and as they begin their choreography, a fast-paced electro-swing interlude burst out!
[Hey partner,
Are you thinking about me?
I'm curious, my owner,
Where our relationship will go]
These lyrics were sung cheerfully by Cha Eugene with a smile on his face.
It was a song that everyone in the audience knew.
- Night Sign
- It's Night Sign!
- ???? This one?
That's right.
TeStar's selection was <Night Sign>, which will remain as VTIC's immortal hit song.
The title track of the monster album that sold 1.8 million copies in its initial release.
And it was the song that was released simultaneously with TeStar's debut and resulted in a K.O. verdict.
This song was known for its challenging performance intensity with its sexy lyrics, languid melody, and a contrasting intense instrumental, and performance.
However, TeStar did not sing it 'that way.'
- Wow, I didn't expect this.
- Amazing ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Was this such an exciting song?
This was because TeStar elevated the tone with a cheerful electric guitar, drums, and disco-style electronic instrumentals.
The lyrics sounded like playful flirting.
[When our two intertwined hands
Mix and twist,
I remember again,
Night after night]
From the sofa to the bar, from the bar to the table.
TeStar moved in formation, naturally handing over the center to the member of the next part.
Without a live audience, there was no frontal view of the stage, so the focus of the performance shifted freely depending on the angle of the camera.
When filming Park Moondae, who was lying on the sofa, the camera came down from the ceiling, and when focusing on Seon Ahyun sitting at the bar, the camera approached from a bartender's point of view.
The members playfully laughed, and while standing on the sofa or bar, they joined the energetic choreography in the center.
[Until the end of this night,
Remember my eyes.
Like a night sign
Drag you into a trap]
The colorful luminous mirror ball sparkled, and confetti exploded.
The members performed energetic choreography for the cameras, incorporating disco moves that involved large hand and foot movements with snappy rhythms.
It had a distinct early 80s retro teen vibe.
- Ah, this is so exciting ㅋㅋㅋ
- So cute ㅠㅠ
- I'm dancing while sitting on my seat
From the perspective of being hoobae show hosts, TeStar did not opt for a direct confrontation, as if they were going to fight back.
Instead, they chose a direction in which VTIC, an experienced group in the industry, could no longer outperform TeStar.
They specifically aimed to capture the youthful enthusiasm and freshness of their early years.
[Whoo~
Whoo, whoo, whoo
Like a night sign]
The members twirled, jumped around, and sang until their cheeks turned red. They delivered the song with precision and respect, yet not too aggressively.
Moreover, the main vocal part performed by Park Moondae evoked a strange feeling.
Now, even VTIC wouldn't be able to perform that part in the same manner.
- Wow, the high notes;
- His singing is really amazing
- This is why he's the main vocalist
This alone slightly quench the hearts of the audience who were excited about VTIC's stage. The overwhelmed heads cooled down.
TeStar carried the stage neatly and excitedly without drooping, with the same overflowing energy.
And the difference between options number 1 and number 2 was only revealed at the end.
At the end of what seemed to be an exciting party, the colourfully dressed members stood in a final formation.
Suddenly, the lights went black and white.
And the members stopped moving, heads bowed.
On a black and white stage.
A narrator's voice echoed.
[Welcome, welcome
This is the sound calling for you]
It was the chorus of their song, <Nightmare>, which had a nightmare concept.
A dark and eerie voice.
Behind the party background, a giant banner suddenly unravelled dropped, revealing a huge text in gothic font.
[To be continued...?]
Bo-boo-boom!!
With the sound of thunder, the members suddenly turned their heads and looked at each other. Like a trailer for a classic American teen horror film.
And then... the lights faded, and the stage abruptly ended.
[----.]
Instead, a peaceful stage set with seven chairs appeared on the screen naturally.
- ????
- Hey, you can't end it like that
- Fine, I'll vote ㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠ
- Show us Nightmare!!!!
- Do we need to donate to see it?? Tell us the required amount.
Of course, after a moment of confusion, comments naturally started asking for a voting window.
Transforming curiosity to anticipation, the viewers eagerly awaited the next stage.
TeStar boldly utilized VTIC, holding the audience glued to their screens.
It was a successful plan.
* * *
A short while later, during the scheduled break with advertisements, we quickly changed our outfits and started socializing with VTIC.
"Wow!! That was amazing!"
"...Thank you."
"Look at you dance. We can't dance like that anymore. You guys better start taking your joint supplements, your knees are your life in this job."
"Oh, right! I have some products I take. Would you like recommendations?"
"Of course."
These guys were... acting very friendly.
Watching these guys, whom I had only met briefly on a variety show, freely offer personal advice, I glanced over at Chungryeo.
"..."
He was chatting with Kim Raebin and gave a sly grin when he looked in our direction. Right, I get why he chose these guys for his group.
"Oh, I just texted you the product names. Please take a look."
"Hm, yes."
I stifled a sigh and pulled out my phone.
The two guys' eyes lit up.
"Oh~ By any chance, how do you have our names saved..."
[VTIC Shinoh sunbae-nim]
[VTIC Chaeyul sunbae-nim]
"Oh..."
"You labelled it very... professionally."
What did you expect?
I mumbled my thanks for the supplement recommendations and quickly escaped from this conversation swamp.
"Hyung-nims, it's been a while~"
"Oh, Sejin-ah!"
I couldn't deny that it was convenient to have that guy backing me up.
And a little while later, just before VTIC left for their schedules.
Instead of saying goodbye, Chungryeo, who was still in his stage outfit, asked me a question.
No, it was an affirmation in the guise of a question.
"Did you get what you wanted?"
"..."
I accessed the status window.