Chapter 243   On the monitoring equipment, the VTIC members could be seen chatting away without any awkwardness whatsoever.   “The fact of the matter is, the longer you are in this industry, the less common it is that you get to cover another idol’s music.” “That’s right! We’re able to perform entire concerts with just our own songs!” “Which is absolutely amazing, by the way. But, it was quite fun to get to do this again.”   There were probably a bunch of people in the chat saying things like, Yeah, you guys win every time, even if you don’t take your seniority into account! It must have been frustrating that you couldn’t do fun covers anymore. I felt the urge to cross my arms but caught myself so that I wouldn’t interrupt the staff member currently adjusting the wires on my microphone. The two members chatting away hadn’t had what it took when it came to a real variety show, but were perfectly capable of talking between themselves on stage. “Th-they’re good at this, aren’t they?” Ahyeon said. “Of course they are. They’ve been idols for over eight years,” Bae Sejin said grouchily. “I-I guess so,” Ahyeon replied. Bae Sejin wasn’t happy that Cheongryeo was here. I’d been expecting that. He’d been very shocked when I first brought up the subject.   “Why would that lunatic be invited to our concert?” “The platform belongs to his agency. I don’t think we can refuse,” I’d said. “Ugh!” “I think it’ll be better if we just invite the entire group instead of just him. What do you think?” “Right. That is better.”   There had been a long discussion after that regarding whether we really had to do the concert on LeTi’s platform, but in the end, Bae Sejin had lost to the majority in a vote. The only other guy who knew about the kidnapping that had taken place during our vacation… happened to be doing his best impression of a robot at the time.   “Oh? Okay. I guess we’ll have to give it our best, then.”   That had been it as far as reactions went from Big Sejin. The problem was that he appeared to be displaying his unhappiness quite openly, even if he was a little late to the game. Hey! Don’t make a throat-slitting gesture while pretending to fan yourself! While this seemed to suggest that all of the members were a little nervous about VTIC’s performance, some of them were simply excited—Raebin, for example. “That was quite an adventurous but sophisticated arrangement. I think it would be fun to arrange their song ‘Sangun’ in a more modern way sometime! What do you think?” No, that’s not what we want to be doing. If we take it that far, things will get serious. VTIC and their fans would probably take it as a personal challenge, as a follow-up to what they’d done with “Present.” It would be a close thing, but since this was a charity concert, we would probably be able to get past this without much controversy. There would be no avoiding trouble if we did as Raebin proposed, however. We weren’t on a competition show, and the drama WeTubers would excitedly jump on the bandwagon, accusing both groups of trying to one-up each other. Then real pandemonium would break out. Thankfully, Chungwoo cut him off gently before I could say anything. “Let’s give it a shot another time, if the opportunity arises.” “Okay!” Raebin appeared to have no clue that such an opportunity would never appear. Well, at least one of us is happy. Actually, strike that. There’s one more. “Let’s use flags, too! Flags are cool!” Cha Eugene looked ready to write a whole new song on the spot. Bae Sejin asked him wryly, “Aren’t you nervous?” “Why be nervous?” “The group that performed before us did really well.” “It’s fine! I’m good at this! I mean, we’re good at this!” “…!” A determined expression suddenly appeared on Bae Sejin’s face. “R-right!” he said. “Yes!” Yeah, pump each other up. I nodded to them and said, “Let’s do our best.” “Y-yeah!” Ahyeon said. “Okay, Moondae. You really wanted to do this concert, after all,” Big Sejin said. “He even hunted down a choreographer on his first day out of the hospital,” Chungwoo said. Not you too, Chungwoo. It was looking like we were really going to have to kill it on our next performance. If this went sideways, my members would probably tie me down and stuff my mouth full of ginseng. Not that I had any intention of allowing our performance to go sideways, of course. Just stick to the plan. Smiling, I got to my feet with them. It would be TeSTAR’s turn soon.   ***   “Wow!” The graduate student was sitting in front of her desk, marveling at the VTIC performance she’d just witnessed. She was in complete agreement with the internet on this one—it had been an amazing performance! Hmm. I like the original performance better… but that’s a given! The original song was by TeSTAR, after all! Feeling proud that TeSTAR had produced and performed such an incredible song for their title track, she also applauded VTIC’s efforts. Korea’s idols are truly amazing! It went without saying that she was someone who knew very little about the darker side of the industry. Unlike the casual fans, who were excitedly complementing both groups, TeSTAR’s dedicated fans were tearing their hair out.   - Goddamn it, can’t VTIC ever be content? Do they really have to crash a younger idol group’s concert like this? - It would have been good enough for the TeSTAR members to hold the concert by themselves… They were probably forced to invite VTIC. Disgusting - They brought backup dancers and everything when they were just guests at a charity concert? Wow, I don’t even know what to say to that - That’s enough internet for today   The VTIC fans’ reactions were not so different, but as the initial anger and confusion died down, some people were beginning to come around to the performance, largely thanks to how impressive it had been.   - They could have just done a variety show if they had time for this sort of thing. Still, VTIC won. That’s enough for me lol └ LMAO I’m going to show this off whenever I’m recruiting new fans └ Let’s drive Sangun up the charts again! And Present along with it. We can ask for a VTIC version as well - I love how VTIC sometimes wins without even trying… This is why I’m such a big fan of them - Just hold a fansign if you have time to do this in your first week of promotions T_T Gosh, people are going to be so upset over this   As VTIC’s surprise stage was uploaded to social media and across various online communities, the group wrapped up their conversation on stage, said a friendly goodbye, and left.   “That’ll be all from us, guys!” “Have fun at the concert!”   They pointed at the screen behind them, which now featured a new question.   [The next stage will…]

1. Feature TeSTAR covering VTIC
2. Feature TeSTAR covering VTIC (?)

  The options were identical to the last question, but the second option, which had originally read, “VTIC covering TeSTAR,” had been replaced.   - ? - What’s with the second option - And why is there a question mark there? Haha   Naturally, this confusing turn of events had the chat fired up again. The VTIC fans who had started leaving the concert delayed their exit, seeing that their favorite group was being mentioned again.   - Let’s go with the second one again - I’m curious about the question mark - I think it’ll be something funny. Go with #2, guys - LOL this is hilarious   Countless viewers seemed to be having fun with the puzzling options, and they quickly sent in their votes.  

2. Feature TeSTAR covering VTIC (?) (179557)

  The second option attracted the overwhelming majority of votes, in the end. I wonder how this will go? I’m not sure if I like this. VTIC will probably keep being mentioned. TeSTAR’s fans were made nervous by the question but waited quietly, not wanting to ruin things for the excited audience. As usual, the screen faded to black. This was where, normally, a different set would appear, signaling the start of a new performance. Instead, they heard a voice first.   - Sangun Their claws are hella sharp They’ll readily tear you apart   “…!” These were the lyrics to “Sangun,” which VTIC had just performed.   - TeSTAR is doing Sangun, too? - Holy cow - Oh my gosh   As the chat expressed their confusion, a spotlight appeared on the stage, shining down on a table that had appeared to one side of the dark stage. The camera zoomed in on it slightly. On the table sat a red, old-fashioned radio with an antenna. It seemed as though the music was coming from this radio. Then a determined hand appeared in the tight shot, pushing a button on the device.   Oh, no you don’t…   The song cut off, replaced by static, and a face popped up from behind the table. It was Eugene, who wore a mischievous look on his face. He excitedly hummed the melody of “Sangun,” even going so far as shimmying to the beat. It was obvious he was a fan of the song. As the viewers began to relax, however, Eugene suddenly stopped, planted his hand on the table, and flipped over it. Cheerful brass notes exploded from the speakers, and the lights went up all around him at the same time, lighting up his surroundings. The viewers now saw what looked like a teens’ party filled with golden, purple, and red balloons and LED lights. The members of TeSTAR were sitting on the sofa and bar stools or perched on the tables, holding drinks or lounging. None of them moved. There was a brief silence, as if the song was coming from a tape that had stopped.   The brass exploded to life again, blasting sophisticated, harmonious notes. Chungwoo and Lee Sejin, wearing jeans, slid in beside Eugene to create a formation. As they spun around pillars covered in stickers and banners, the beginning of their choreography, a fast-paced electro-swing accompaniment started.   Hey partner Thinking about me? I’m curious, my master How will we connect this time?   Eugene smiled and cheerfully sang the lyrics to a familiar song.   - NS - Night Sign! - What! They’re singing this?   TeSTAR had chosen to cover “Night Sign,” a song that would go down in history as one of VTIC’s greatest hits—the title track for the album that had sold a monstrous 1.8 million copies in the first week. It was the same one that had knocked TeSTAR out of the running at the time of their debut because it had been released in a similar timeframe. The song had sexy lyrics and an indolent melody, while also incorporating powerful instrumentals, all accompanied by a performance that contrasted with those things, making it a very difficult song to pull off. TeSTAR, however, did not sing it like that.   - Wow I had no idea - No way! - Was the song always this exciting?   TeSTAR had turned the tone of the song much more upbeat using electric guitars, drums, and electronic disco sounds to flesh out the accompaniment. The lyrics now sounded like childish flirting.   When those hands Grip each other and intertwine We’ll remember it again Night after night   They moved from the sofa to the bar, and from the bar to the tables, smoothly passing the focus of the stage to the next person each time they shuffled around. There was no front for a performance without a physical audience present, so the cameras had free range to change the angle and where the center was. When it came time for Moondae, who was lying on the sofa, to take his place at the center, the cameras descended on him from the ceiling. For Ahyeon, who sat on a bar stool, the camera showed him as if it were the bartender. The members laughed playfully and stood on the sofa or the bar, all coming together when it came time for the choreography to kick up in energy.   Until the end of the night Remember the look in my eyes It’s like a night sign Pulling you into a trap   Colorful glow-in-the-dark mirror balls glittered, and confetti exploded all around them. The members executed clean, staccato disco movements that used sweeping gestures of the hands and feet, filling the shot with energetic choreography. It was a perfect recreation of retro teen style from the eighties.   - This is so good! LOL - So cute T_T - I’m bopping in my seat   As the host and a newer, less experienced group, TeSTAR had not chosen to engage in a head-on battle. Instead, they chose to go in a direction that VTIC could no longer use as effectively as TeSTAR given their years in the industry—the vitality and freshness of youth.   Whoo! Whoo, whoo, whoo Like a night sign   The members spun around, ran, and sang until their cheeks were red. They presented the song in a retro style that was clean and not too over the top. Adding another dimension, Moondae’s cover of the main vocalist’s part resonated with the audience, stirring odd emotions. VTIC could no longer sing this part of the song.   - Wow, those high notes - His singing is truly unmatched - Why did the main vocalist have to go down like that?   This alone was enough to deflate some of the enthusiasm the audience had for VTIC’s performance, reminded of the unfortunate incident. TeSTAR carried on at this level of exuberance, sure to never let the energy flag at any point, thrilling and clean from start to finish. The true difference between the two performances finally revealed itself toward the end. As the exhilarating party that was their cover of the song seemed to be coming to an end, the members in their colorful outfits settled into formation for the final lines, and the lights suddenly turned black and white. The members hung their heads and froze in place. The image on screen now appeared in grayscale, and a narrator’s voice spoke.   Welcome, welcome This sound is calling out to you   It was the chorus of “Nightmare,” their own song. The voice was dark and ominous. A large banner at the back of the party set suddenly peeled off the wall, and large, gothic letters were displayed.   [※To be continued…?※]   Thunder crashed, and the members suddenly twisted their heads to look at each other with fear. It resembled a scene in an old-fashioned American teen horror. Then the lights went out all at once, indicating the end of the performance. The peaceful set containing seven chairs reappeared on the screen as if nothing had happened.   - What just happened? - Wait, you can’t just stop there - Fine, we’ll vote T_T - Show us Nightmare! - Do we have to donate to see it? Tell us how much   Naturally, the chat began requesting another vote after they’d worked through their initial confusion. The urge to compare the two groups had been swept away by their curiosity about the next stage. That was how TeSTAR had dared to use VTIC’s music against them, in order to keep their newly gained audience watching. Their plan had been a great success.   ***   An ad break began on the back of our performance. We immediately changed into new clothes and chatted with VTIC, observing the social niceties. “Wow! That was great!” “Thank you,” I said. “Did you see them dance? We can’t dance like that anymore. You guys need to start taking medication for your knee joints. They’re the most important part of longevity.” “That’s right! I can recommend some to you if you’d like. I take them myself.” “That would be great…” These bastards are acting like we’re the best of friends… Listening with a polite expression as the guys I’d met only once before, at a variety show recording, gave me personal advice, I glanced over at Cheongryeo. He was talking to Raebin but took the time to grin in my direction. I know exactly why you chose these guys. “I just texted you the name of the product. Take a look.” “Uh, thank you,” I said, repressing a sigh as I pulled out my phone. The two of them suddenly looked very invested. “We’d love to know how you saved our names in your phone—”   [Shino (VTIC)] [Chaeyul (VTIC)]   “Wow…” “That’s very… professional…” What were you expecting? I nodded in thanks for their supplement recommendation, then extricated myself from the conversation. “Hey, nice to meet you again!” “Wow, if it isn’t Sejin!” I couldn’t deny that I appreciated Big Sejin’s help at times like this.   Moments later, as VTIC was about to leave for the next item on their schedule, Cheongryeo asked me a question in lieu of a goodbye. He was still wearing his stage outfit. His question was more like a statement of fact than anything else. “You got what you wanted, didn’t you?” Saying nothing, I called up the status window.