Chapter 146
“Thank you for your hard work~!”
“Good job, everyone.”
Today, we filmed a bank advertisement.
To be the ambassador of a bank. In reality, it’s not just about recognition; being a conservative industry, banks tend to hire highly trustworthy models.
I knew they were targeting the younger generation aggressively when selecting models.
In my previous life, Inleven held this position.
But in this life, we shot this advertisement.
It was probably possible because our song <Falling Blossoms> received a great response from middle-aged and older generations as well.
Even though they targeted the younger generation, having a good image among the middle-aged and older generation was a plus.
“Your voice has such depth^^ It’s different from Seo Na-yoon’s, but it’s wonderful to listen to.”
“It was a song that brought back memories, haha. I’m glad I have a song I can enjoy with my daughter.”
There were many grateful reactions, which made me even happier.
I thought, this is why I sing.
Let’s see, the next schedule is for recording the next album.
As I got into the car and checked the members’ expressions, they all looked very tense.
This happens every time it’s recording time.
Why?
“Everyone, brace yourselves today.”
Because Kim Geum says things like this…
“Why do we always have to brace ourselves?! Can’t we just enjoy the recording?!”
“It will be enjoyable if you do well; it will be painful if you don’t.”
I heard Yeon Juhong mutter, “She’s crazy.”
“It’s a relief that the title track is decided.”
“Cheong’s new song is absolutely amazing.”
Kim Geum looked at me with burning eyes.
“Next time, I’ll definitely be chosen for the title track…!”
“But your song was chosen as a double title track.”
“But it’s not the main one! I need to keep striving until I’m picked as the main.”
She’s impressive, but why is she so scary…
I took the headphones off Kim Geum’s head.
“Rest your ears while we’re on the way.”
“I can’t. I need to give you all feedback later, so I have to start now…”
“We’re going to be up all night anyway, so why overdo it now?”
“Okay.”
Kim Geum smiled at the mention of staying up all night.
The other members, however, looked terrified.
I’m sorry… I can’t help it either…
“Cheong, did you check the email I sent?”
“I’m looking at it now.”
I took out my tablet PC and checked the email Yeon Juhong sent.
“Oh, all the concept references are here.”
“Yes! How is it?!”
I reviewed each material Yeon Juhong sent and nodded.
“It’s really good. The ideas are exactly what we discussed. I think the fans will love it.”
“These days, it’s not just about putting songs in an album; it’s about including more than that.”
That’s true.
So we also focused on the album’s appendices and various elements this time.
Then Yeon Juhong came up with an idea, and everyone immediately agreed.
After that, Yeon Juhong became the co-art director of this album, creating it with us.
“I hope this album will be something that fans can receive and enjoy playing with.”
Yeon Juhong blinked rapidly.
“It’s a shame it’s just a single, though!”
“But we have an intro, the title track, and a double title track. I hope the next album will be a full-length one.”
Since the gap between the last album and this one isn’t too long, we needed time to reorganize.
Not just for me, but for Kim Geum, who also composes, to manage her stamina.
We also need to create songs for the next album.
I laughed when I saw the appendices Yeon Juhong made for this album.
It was so like Yeon Juhong to create this.
“How did you come up with this? It’s not something from our generation.”
“Retro is in trend these days. I was so exhausted from looking things up that I fell asleep and had a dream.”
“A dream?”
“A dream of playing with my mom when I was young.”
Ah.
That’s cute.
I gave Yeon Juhong, who was looking at me with expectant eyes, a candy as a compliment.
“Good job.”
“Do you think I’m a kid?! Giving me candy?!”
“…Hmm…”
You are a kid…though.
I almost said that but avoided her gaze instead.
“By the way, the fans seem to dislike our company a lot these days. Cheong, have you seen it?!”
Then, Yeon Juhong leaned forward from the back seat.
“Ah. I saw it too. It’s because the Season’s Greetings delivery is delayed.”
“Which company delivers Season’s Greetings in February?”
Kim Geum shook her head next to me.
“We put a lot of effort into thinking of the concept for that.”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe the company is a bit chaotic these days.”
I sighed.
It seemed to be taking longer than expected for CEO Hong to take over the company.
Finding the spy from Moment was also facing difficulties.
With the company atmosphere in disarray, the Steel Blue staff seemed mentally preoccupied.
“I’ll check it out.”
“And please tell the CEO about our next album hints. Make sure to…somehow.”
“Okay, okay.”
Wait a minute.
When did everyone find out that I contact CEO Hong?
I suddenly looked at the members in surprise, and they all grinned.
…They know everything about me.
I need to live more secretly.
***
There was a person.
She hadn’t been a fan of Steel Blue for long.
It wasn’t during the popular “Make a New Color” era, nor during <Blue>.
She was hit by a sudden wave of fangirling during <Falling Blossoms>.
As they say, becoming a fan is like a car accident.
One day, while watching videos recommended by OTube’s algorithm without much thought, she saw the stage video of <Falling Blossoms>.
And she became a fan.
However, she brainwashed herself into thinking she wasn’t a full-fledged fan.
I only like Yoon Cheong, I only like Yoon Cheong… she repeated to herself.
But regardless of her firm resolve, her body had already brought her to the Colors Store.
When she came to her senses, she was here.
What’s the Colors Store?
It’s a place that sells all Colors merchandise.
Why was she lining up in front of it at 3 AM?
To buy the Season’s Greetings she couldn’t get last year because she hadn’t become a fan yet.
(*Season’s Greetings: A set of New Year-themed goods released by celebrities every year.)
Usually, Season’s Greetings are shipped at the end of the year or early the following year.
However, something must have gone wrong during the production process because Steel Blue’s Season’s Greetings shipping schedule was significantly delayed compared to the other idols in Colors.
In compensation for the late delivery, Colors promised to produce additional stock and release it offline.
And this was the result.
Steel Blue fans lining up at 3 AM.
But everyone here was all smiles.
She couldn’t understand the current situation.
‘It’s freezing cold, so why is everyone smiling…?!’
It was February.
Being told to stand outside at dawn in this weather seemed too harsh.
…Of course, I chose to come here myself.
There was no other way.
After seeing the reviews of the Season’s Greetings, I found out that the Yoon Cheong photo card included was absolutely amazing.
It was… the photo card taken on the day of the <Falling Blossoms> performance!
Since it was the stage where she first became a fan of Yoon Cheong, she absolutely had to have it.
Some people told her, “Aren’t you too much of a solo fan?!” but true fans don’t care about that.
She was indeed a solo fan, but she wasn’t an anti-fan who hated the other members.
In fact, she was more of an “all-fan” who liked all the members.
She just… really, really liked Yoon Cheong as her one and only.
At that moment, she overheard a conversation behind her.
“What time do they open here?”
“They’re opening an hour early today, at 8 AM.”
“At least that’s something, honestly.”
“These Colors guys… kind but also mean…”
That’s exactly right.
I’m grateful they’re releasing more merchandise… but… the limited quantity is infuriating… still, thank you for releasing it offline for fans like me with slow internet… but the quantity…! You guys…!
They should make more in advance!
Then there would be no reason for decent fans to line up at the crack of dawn.
“I think even Colors were surprised. Our firepower is too strong.”
“Do they really think it won’t sell out? Hah, three seconds flat.”
“Even as a fellow otaku, I’m surprised. Don’t underestimate Everblue…”
“Most of the time, the Season’s Greetings for new groups are the most generous. Everyone’s risking their lives to buy it.”
“That’s true.”
“At least it’s not a limited edition. It’s ongoing so you can buy it all year long. They said you can buy it individually from March, so we were all like, what’s up with Colors…?”
“But receiving Season’s Greetings in March…! A fan’s pride can’t accept that.”
“That’s true too.”
“The members said they asked for a diary in this year’s goods. Isn’t this asking us to write a fan diary?!”
“I didn’t even diligently write a diary in elementary school, and now I’m supposed to write one.”
Nodding unconsciously at all the valid points, she realized her mistake.
Oh no.
With a strong sense of inner camaraderie, she had slipped up.
She spent her time listening to her fellow comrades’ conversations.
Before she knew it, it was 8 AM.
The doors of the Colors Store swung open.
Fans orderly processed one by one to purchase their Season’s Greetings.
She did the same.
Hugging her precious Season’s Greetings box, she returned home.
Thinking she couldn’t view this monumental merchandise alone, she set up her camera and adjusted the angle perfectly.
Unboxing, begin!
‘Oh, this is the diary the members mentioned.’
The sky-blue retro-styled diary was really cute.
It was adorable how the members had written “It’s my birthday!” on their respective birthday slots.
Next was the photo card unboxing.
First… three of Yoon Cheong’s photo cards.
One with the <Falling Blossoms> concept, one in casual wear, and the last one with the Season’s Greetings concept.
They were all so beautiful.
The fan smiled widely, feeling the composition was worth every penny.
Now, it was time for the other members.
While deciding which to look at first, a particular card caught her eye.
It was Yeon Juhong’s photo card set.
Who was Yeon Juhong to this fan?
The cute youngest member who was close to Yoon Cheong.
That was about it.
However, this time, the card seemed to stand out like fate.
‘What’s this?’
The moment she picked up the card.
She felt a new world opening up.
Thus, this fan’s identity transformed into a Juhong fan.