Chapter 257

Chapter 257

The end-of-the-year period in the entertainment industry was when things wrapped up for the year and preparations began for the coming of the next. It was packed with various events and commemorative dates. Anyone who was interested in K-pop buckled in for the onslaught of events.

- We’re hearing rumors about an MBS collab this year

- Is T1 doing their awards ceremony overseas again this year? They are so obsessed with selling tickets

- The way I see it, VTIC and Youngrin will take one daesang each for physical albums

Be it voluntary or otherwise, there was plenty of talk about TeSTAR as well—there had been a lot of buzz about them this year.

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[I bet TeSTAR will get a daesang, too]

They could definitely get one at an awards ceremony that gives multiple daesangs. They got one last year at ToneA, didn’t they? TeSTAR was talked about so much this year, I bet they’ll get plenty from various places. There was the accident, for starters

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- ?? Why? Are they going to get a daesang out of pity for being in a car accident?

- Typical Loviewers

- LOL they should objectively reach the top tier before asking for the daesang!

- Don’t pretend to be baited. These aren’t TeSTAR fans. They’re trolls.

Trolls were discussing whether TeSTAR deserved a daesang or not. “Spring Out,” released early in the year, had been a digital single and had no performance metrics except on digital platforms, which meant any evaluation regarding the track didn’t carry a lot of weight.

“Nightmare,” which had come after that, had certainly been a hit. But the problem was that their promotional cycle hadn’t lasted long before being rudely interrupted by the car accident. Though it could have grown to be something much bigger, its spread screeched to a halt because of the incident.

Because one of the members even fell into a coma and the release of variety shows they’d already filmed was delayed, it was even more difficult to ignore the feeling that things could have been better. Even if the charity concert afterward had been a success, it didn’t seem guaranteed that TeSTAR would get a daesang. What was more, the trolls were aware that it would be hard for TeSTAR to do another comeback in the time that remained in this year

- TSuns can’t do a comeback right away. I guarantee it

└ This. The agency’s probably cringing as we speak. They don’t want to get criticized again LOL

- I wish they’d just get to it already. Let their joints wear out so they can become useless and retire T_T

- It was obvious they were going overboard even during the charity concert LOL. I’d rather see the old VT*C members LOL. Old is gold

TeSTAR haters were loving the current state of affairs, which suggested that the group was effectively on a forced holiday. They fully believed that the year was unsalvageable for them. It was at this time that an unsubstantiated rumor appeared on the internet in the form of an article.

[Countdown to an end-of-year comeback for TeSTAR?]

The article explained that TeSTAR was preparing a first-stage comeback for the awards ceremonies “according to an anonymous member in the industry.” If the article was right, the promotional cycle would just slide in before the end of the year, or perhaps the early half of the next year. TeSTAR’s die-hard fans responded in a variety of ways.

- They’re finally coming back T_T There hasn’t been much content since the island variety show. I’m so excited T_T

- A first stage performance at an awards ceremony? At such an important time?

- Huh? What’s the worry? Plenty of idols have done comebacks at the end of the year. And it won’t have any impact on the digital or physical sales, since they often start counting in December

└ It’ll cut the yearly chart figures in half since sales will still be going strong in January

- The end-year specials will be prioritized over any variety shows. There won’t even be any proper promotions, damn it

From the end of November to mid-December, the end-of-year special episodes and show would actually detract from the potential popularity of the song. Unless they planned on releasing a Christmas carol or something, it wasn’t a particularly good play. Given that ToneA, the awards ceremony hosted by T1, fell in early December, fans couldn’t help but feel that something wasn’t quite right.

- If T1 forced them to come back for their awards ceremony, I will be so pissed

- Let’s just support their first promotions in six months. I’ve already withdrawn from my savings

And so excitement and anxiety combined with the typical tension preceding a comeback. Then a big article dropped.

[ToneA shifts focus from winding down to starting up a new year… Event to be held in January]

It was the news that ToneA would be taking place in January instead of December. There was much talk about the potential reasons for this, including the invitation of the award recipients, problems with renting a large performance hall overseas, or even an overhaul of their streaming site, but none of that was certain. What mattered was that TeSTAR fans were put at ease.

- Phew. No wonder

- I feel so much better after seeing this article

- Yes. This is the way.

- I guess they can make the rounds of the remaining awards ceremonies in January and do a few music shows at the end of the month

The public grew less interested, since TeSTAR wasn’t trying to make up for lost time at the very end of the year. What was important was whether they hit a home run in the next, and the results would become evident very soon.

- I guess TeSTAR’s comeback falls in very early January

- My god that means full coverage by yearly charts

- The tension among the top groups is palpable already. I wonder how things will turn out. This is so fun to watch!

Instead of focusing on whether TeSTAR would win a daesang at the upcoming awards ceremonies, people grew more interested in how well the comeback would perform. TeSTAR had been involved in a car accident, held a successful charity concert with none other than VTIC as guests, and even turned out a hit variety show, after all.

- This is going to be a hit if they can put together a good song. It’s impossible to deny LOL

- To be honest, TeSTAR has always been stellar with doing promotions at the perfect time. T1 might be greedy bastards, but they’re good at this sort of thing

- I heard rumors that TSuns is producing a full album this time around. What do you guys think? What are the chances they’ll mess up by trying to go too hard

└ You wish LOL

- Does TeSTAR ever stop working? I expected them to take another year off, at least, just so they could recuperate

As TeSTAR’s appearance at various end-of-year music shows was confirmed, the fans grew excited at the prospect of finally getting some proper content.

- I love it! Performances!

- Please don’t push yourselves too hard, no matter what you do. We appreciate you for just making music again, guys T_T

- I’m going to get a ticket to go in person no matter what!

Every couple of days, TeSTAR’s account uploaded photos that the members had taken of each other after returning to the practice room, their vacation over.

[Vacation is officially over! Being back at practice feels amazing! (bear emoji)]

The members seemed enthusiastic and happy.

- I read all their uploads. They look healthy. I was so relieved

└ Yeah, there’s something about seeing their photos that sets you at ease. I’m not worried at all anymore, just excited haha

As they awaited the end-of-year appearances, the fans felt an odd sense of pride that their favorite idol group was so serious about their craft. The comeback date having been pushed back, there were no worries in that regard. Everything was coming along nicely.

- Now I’m just waiting for the update regarding their scheduled appearances

- What would an orchestral version of “Nightmare” sound like?

- I’ll bet my Moondae photocard that “Spring Out” is going to get a traditional instrument remix performance

└ If you’re wrong, can I have your photocard?

└ LMAO

TeSTAR was preparing more than the fans knew—the first sign of what was to come was revealed before long. The many articles meant to promote end-of-year shows were always dropping hints at special performances. One such article was posted with a poster attached.

[MBS Gayo Daejejeon collab stage name list revealed? Fancy lineup including everything from big shots to extremely talented rookies]

The poster contained black silhouettes, and some of the figures seemed familiar to the fans.

- Hey, isn’t that silhouette Seon Ahyeon?

- I think it is

- Oh, Ahyeon’s getting a special stage T_T

It was Seon Ahyeon, TeSTAR’s main dancer. TeSTAR planned to spend the end of the year actively promoting their next album. By the time the article had gone up, they had already begun preparations.

***

“Let’s eat snacks!” Cha Eugene said.

“Here.”

Eugene was visibly shocked upon seeing the carrot that had been handed to him.

“This isn’t a snack!”

“W-want an apple?”

“Yes…”

Eugene accepted an apple from Ahyeon and took a sad bite, chewing with a loud crunching noise.

He’s got pretty strong teeth. I bit my lip. Our group was on a controlled diet in order to restore the muscles that we’d lost during Chuseok. We had our end-of-year season coming up, after all. Even if Eugene had a fast metabolism, he’d been pretty lax with the food. He needed careful management. This wasn’t the case with everyone, though.

“Th-there’s also tomatoes… if you want them!”

Ahyeon, for instance, seemed to stay fit as a matter of instinct. He hadn’t gained any weight even during Chuseok.

“I love sprinkling sugar with tomatoes!”

“Y-you can’t have that…”

“Oh…”

Eugene trudged over to a corner of the practice room and sat down.

He’ll mope for the next ten days, at least. We were eating plenty of meat, but even so.

Should we get him some protein bars? I mentally sifted through some suggestions we could make to our dietician, then looked over at Ahyeon, who looked disappointed as he held a handful of cherry tomatoes.

“You eat them,” I said.

“N-no! I’m okay.”

Ahyeon put the container back in the fridge. I stared at him without any real thoughts, then checked the time on the fridge’s LED screen.

“I think you’ll have to leave within the hour.”

“H-huh? Yeah…”

Ahyeon had to spend some more time in the practice room on his own the last few days, since he had a special collab stage scheduled on the MBS show on December 31. It was the usual stage born of the broadcast stations pressuring agencies to send a popular member from each group so they could be combined. The individual members participating in the collab didn’t really get to meet, given how busy they all were, but they’d all been assigned their parts and sent footage so they could learn them.

It only took him three hours. This was why it was nice to be good at dancing. Frankly, learning choreography was far more taxing than learning a new song. What was more, Ahyeon had taken part in putting together the demo for our title track’s choreography.

“Wow! That’s not bad!”

“Y-you think so?”

“Of course I do! What do you think, Mr. Director?”

“Yes. I think it’s very impactful… And the formation will look great on camera, Ahyeon.”

This time, we’d done things properly by taking seven or more drafts and combining them. It wasn’t an easy feat to see his own choreography selected in the process.

He’s got talent. Plus, the moves he’d suggested were not from modern dance, which was his major. A collab would not be a problem for him at all. I could see the part fitted him well, and he would have no problems with the performance. Because TeSTAR was the most popular group participating, the cameras would be trained on him too. I nodded. There was no issue here.

“Have a good one,” I said.

“Yeah!”

Ahyeon seemed determined, too. This would go well. He wasn’t the only one with this attitude, of course. Bae Sejin was muttering something as he stood next to me.

“I can’t believe I’m about to win an award…”

“Huh? Oh, the child actor award? I think it suits you. Getting there might be a bit of a hassle, but—”

“I… I’m getting an award!” he shouted.

“Calm down, Sejin…”

From receiving a film festival award to a commemorative stage at one of the entertainment awards ceremonies, we’d accepted any worthwhile schedule that wasn’t too excessive on our time and energy but was likely to generate news. Everyone in the group had agreed to dedicate our free time to such things, since we weren’t promoting or touring this year.

I guess our payouts this quarter will be halved, at least. We’d still profit plenty, though, and this method of promotion was effective.

After sorting all the invitations I’d received by name value, I’d accepted a couple as well… though I wasn’t sure how I felt about them.

Why would this offer come to me? I had a feeling I wasn’t the most suitable member, but if they wanted me on it, then I could oblige.

What does it matter? I shrugged and put on my headset, settling in to check our third recording again. The upcoming title track had to be perfect.

Let’s do this. The end of the year hurtled closer.

***

It was Friday night a few weeks later, in early-to-mid December, and the netizens were waiting for the very first national TV music show of the end-of-year season.

- Who’s watching SBC Gayo Daejeon today? Am I the only one…?

- LOL is that today? Time flies

- Beep me if my idols come on

└ How old are you again?

Actually, most people just intended to watch clips online after the show was over, or simply tune in to see their favorite idols who were likely to appear later on in the show. Even so, the opening sometimes included everyone, albeit briefly, so fans of anyone in the cast watched the start of the show as a courtesy.

- It’s starting

- Wow!

- Let’s see how many nugu artists they managed to cram in this time!

The large performance hall shone with bright lights.

[☆Gayo Daejeon☆]

[Sangam Hall LIVE]

The emcees, two male and one female, came out on stage dressed in formal dress. The emcees were not the people the viewers were expecting, though.

“Hello, Gayo Daejeon viewers!”

They smiled sweetly, all of them very handsome and pretty, but they were actually very active idols, and among the best in the game.

“I’m Chaeyul from VTIC!”

“And I’m Youngrin from Saint U.”

“And I’m TeSTAR’s Park Moondae, the baby emcee for today.”

Park Moondae gave his signature odd smile, pressing a finger to his cheek cutely. His companions quickly repressed their laughter.

- ??

- That’s nuts. Look at that lineup of emcees

- LMAO

- Those are some insanely popular idols

The comments went wild at the sight of such elite idols. The thing was, not even the emcees themselves had known this would happen.