Chapter 162
Outside, people were showering us with more and more love.
But we were spending time with anxious hearts.
This was because, after Ryu Bo-ra went home, we had lost contact with her.
As the time for her return approached and she didn’t show up, we grew worried.
Could her family be forcing her to quit even now?
No way.
I wanted to believe that they wouldn’t go that far with their struggling daughter, but given what we had heard so far, it wasn’t easy to be optimistic.
“Why isn’t Ryu Bo-ra answering her phone?”
Even the usually carefree Kim Geum had a very tense face.
It was understandable because if she didn’t arrive within 10 minutes, we would be late for our music show schedule.
In fact, missing today’s schedule wouldn’t have been a big problem.
Given what had happened, it didn’t make sense that we pushed through with the music show schedule yesterday.
If Ryu Bo-ra said she was struggling, we had already practiced our choreography as four people all night, planning to change it quickly.
However, we had to inform the broadcasting station in advance.
No.
Putting everything else aside.
We were just anxious because we couldn’t reach Ryu Bo-ra.
“Could she be locked up at home?”
“…I want to say that’s nonsense, but it’s too convincing to dismiss.”
Listening to the conversation between Yeon Juhong and Kim Geum, I sighed too.
I knew Ryu Bo-ra’s parents’ personalities well.
I glanced at Seo Baek-young.
Seo Baek-young’s face was also filled with worry.
“Someone should try calling-”
At that moment.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep.
We heard the sound of someone entering the password at the front door.
“Ryu Bo-ra!”
“Bo-ra Bo-ra…! I missed you Bo-ra…!”
“Oh wow. Perfect timing.”
The four of us rushed to hug Ryu Bo-ra.
Ryu Bo-ra let out a deep sigh and then slowly pushed us away.
“You’re heavy.”
What a cold-hearted girl.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Is it hard? How’s your mind?”
“…I’ve heard that question about a thousand times now. If you ask me again, I’ll run away.”
“I’ll be quiet.”
What a gangster deer…
You might be a roe deer, not a regular deer.
“…Let’s go quickly. I’m here now.”
“Are you embarrassed right now?”
“Be quiet.”
Only then did we relax.
That’s right.
Now that Ryu Bo-ra was here, we could go too.
“Thank you!”
The broadcasting station asked us to perform two songs.
But we declined the station’s offer and sang only one song.
Singing two songs wouldn’t change anything.
In times like this, even singing a single line would become a hot topic.
We had to be extremely cautious.
We didn’t want to be criticized for being greedy after an accident.
Especially for Ryu Bo-ra.
Now was not the time to enjoy the attention but to be careful not to mistakenly think that this attention was ours.
We had to be cautious and more cautious.
“They even pushed our slot back a bit further than usual.”
“Because we got first place last week.”
“Honestly, this incident might have influenced that too.”
Ryu Bo-ra spoke in a low voice, and I didn’t bother to deny it.
She’s a smart girl anyway.
Denying it would only make her feel worse.
“Let’s think positively. It’s not negative attention; it’s people cheering us on.”
“…It’s not attention I should be getting, it’s the members who should be getting it.”
The members all showed sympathetic looks at Ryu Bo-ra’s words.
“…Thank you all. It seems late to say this, but.”
“Then if you’re grateful, you can give the acceptance speech for our first place win.”
Kim Geum giggled.
She did this on purpose because she knew that Ryu Bo-ra was more burdened by holding the microphone than anyone else.
The buzz of this week’s topic would be reflected in next week’s results.
Since most of the firepower would wrap up by the second week, the chances of us winning first place this week were slim.
Today was the day we had the highest chance of winning first place out of the five music shows.
“…Okay.”
“Wow. You must be really grateful.”
When Ryu Bo-ra responded so easily, Kim Geum didn’t know what to do.
Why would you say something that wouldn’t benefit you, you fool?
“But Bo-ra, are you really okay?”
I couldn’t help but worry because Ryu Bo-ra seemed too compliant and was pretending to be too calm.
Although I was concerned about the other members as well, she worried me the most.
“Stop asking and just tell me what to say for the acceptance speech.”
“Say whatever you want.”
Why are you asking me?
I’m not a broadcast writer.
Do you think I’m someone who can come up with lines on the spot?
“How can I come up with a speech by myself? We’ve always come up with it together before. Then, Kim Geum, you—”
“You do it alone.”
“…Juhong.”
“Kyuu?”
Yeon Juhong had a look on her face that wouldn’t be swayed even with a knife to her throat.
It seemed like a vein was popping on Ryu Bo-ra’s neck.
“…Baek-young unnie.”
“Today, I think it’s important for you to share your sincere thoughts so that our fans can feel reassured.”
At the mention of “fans,” Ryu Bo-ra immediately clammed up.
It was almost like a cheat code when dealing with her.
“If I make a mistake during the acceptance speech, you’re all dead.”
Everyone seemed to be thinking, ‘Why would we die if you make a mistake?’
But no one voiced it out loud.
“For the second week of March, the first place on <Music Time> this week is—”
I could feel the camera focusing on us.
“Steel Blue!”
With the celebratory fireworks, confetti rained down.
As promised, we handed the microphone directly to Ryu Bo-ra.
Although there seemed to be a fleeting murderous intent in Ryu Bo-ra’s eyes, we ignored it.
“Steel Blue, who overcame an incredible crisis like heroes. And our Bo-ra, who endured a tough period. Please share your thoughts on winning first place!”
Sensing the flow of the situation, the MC quickly redirected the attention to Ryu Bo-ra.
There was no escape now.
All the members held onto Ryu Bo-ra’s shoulders tightly.
In fact, we had all agreed beforehand.
Today, we should let Bo-ra, who must have felt the most frustrated and scared, give the acceptance speech.
Because she never shared her true feelings with anyone, constantly worried about our reactions.
Still… we thought it was right to give Bo-ra the opportunity to greet the fans.
At least that’s what we thought.
And if Bo-ra really didn’t want to do it, she probably would’ve pretended not to know and handed the microphone to me right away.
“….”
She wouldn’t be holding the microphone like that and staring at the audience without saying a word.
“Bo-ra?”
“…First.”
Under the MC’s prompt, Ryu Bo-ra’s lips finally opened.
“First, I want to say thank you and sorry to Everblue. You must have been very surprised and worried. But we are all okay. Thanks to your concern, we are recovering slowly. Thank you for all your support.”
She said she couldn’t do it, but she’s doing well.
I could see the members chuckling.
“We will never forget this moment you have given us… the support and encouragement from our fans.”
Ryu Bo-ra was gripping the microphone so tightly that her hands were turning white from the tension.
She could barely string her words together.
It wasn’t that she was crying or tearing up.
She just couldn’t continue speaking.
When we started to get a little worried,
“And I will never forget the moments my members have given me.”
Ryu Bo-ra concluded her speech.
[Steel Blue, achieves first place for three consecutive weeks]
[Undisputed ‘Top’ Steel Blue, 13 Crowns]
[‘Reverse Climb’ Given by the Public, Sweeps 5 Crowns in the 4th Week]
[How Far Will Steel Blue’s Reverse Climb Go? Aiming for the 5th Week]
[Who Will Win Rookie of the Year? Steel Blue VS Inleven… So Far, It’s ‘Steel Blue’]
[Next Generation Top Girl Group…? Steel Blue, One Step to the Top with 13 Crowns]
Currently, Steel Blue was on a mad streak of success.
In the second week of their promotions, they won 5 music show trophies.
In the third week, they won 3 trophies.
And ironically, in the fourth week, they climbed back up the charts and won 5 trophies again.
A total of 13 trophies.
It was an overwhelming achievement among girl groups of the same generation.
Along with this, Colors’ stock was also rising.
Colors didn’t miss this opportunity and announced plans to release a mini-album within the year.
The media and public now believed that Steel Blue would push forward with individual activities.
They had momentum.
So, it made sense to row the boat while the tide was in their favor.
However.
Steel Blue halted all individual activities.
Despite a flood of variety show offers, they declined everything except the schedules that were set before the incident.
As soon as the members’ existing individual schedules were over, they vanished from the broadcasting world.
I thought Steel Blue would appear a lot more, but they haven’t shown up as much as expected.
Except for shows that were recorded before, they haven’t appeared at all;
I guess they decided not to record anything new.
Are they resting?
It seems like it. It’s a shame ㅠㅠㅠ
Considering what they went through, it makes sense for them to rest.
But it seems like they’ll be back in two weeks since Baek-young and Geum have fixed variety show recordings starting in two weeks.
└ They only get to rest for two weeks ㅠㅠ Don’t the Colors staff realize anything after seeing Yoon-bl sick?
Honestly, I think it’s good that the kids are resting because…
If they pushed individual activities right now, they’d only get criticized for exploiting the tragic incident to gain attention.
It shows they’re thinking long-term, which I appreciate.
Especially if Ryu Bo-ra or Seo Baek-young had appeared, they would’ve been massively criticized…
To be honest, if the kids talked about this incident on shows, people would start accusing them of fabricating the whole thing.
└ Exactlyㅋㅋㅋㅋ There would be rumors about Colors doing noise marketing.
It’s better for them to just take a break now.
If they had pushed the members’ schedules,
there would be nothing but rumors about Colors and CEO Hong being psychopaths.
If the members were seen smiling, people would’ve said they seemed fine and accused them of lying.
I’d like to believe it wouldn’t go that far… but given past incidents, I can’t say anything for sure.
Do hate commenters ever use logic? They’re just out to stir trouble.
Fans had mixed feelings, both disappointed and relieved.
It was a shame not to see Steel Blue as often as expected, but fans were mostly glad that the members were taking a break.
While they were feeling bittersweet about it, unexpected news broke.
?? Steel Blue is appearing on a U.S. variety show today.
?? Suddenly?
They’re on the Phillip Show???
????? Isn’t that a famous show?
└ Yes, it is.
K-pop idols have appeared there occasionally.
└ But that’s for idols who are making a move into the U.S. market, and Steel Blue hasn’t shown any signs of that.
Steel Blue has been getting some international attention lately, but it’s surprising how sudden this is.
Maybe it’s because of the video of the incident? It even made news in the U.S. as a headline overseasㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ Oh right, it’s also been circulating as a meme on OTubeㅋㅋㅋㅠ
Did you see Phillip’s tweet today?
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
[Today, I’ll be introducing the heroes who took down the villains]
[If you want to see me get kicked by the famous Korean martial arts, tune in today :)]
It’s like they’re appearing not as K-pop idols,
but as girls who took down the bad guysㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠ
Maybe it’s because they got a bit of a boost in popularity overseas due to the incident.
Ah, my godㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Ah, Steel Blueㅋㅋㅋㅋ Not appearing as K-pop idols but as heroes is hilarious.
Ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
They’re idols, not movie heroesㅠㅠㅠ
Though they are heroes in my heart.
They said they’ll perform on stage, but that’s not the main point. They were just invited because people find them fascinatingㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
This show often invites interesting ordinary people.
They often interview regular people who became famous through the news.
They’re not on for the whole hour, just talking for about 15-20 minutesㅋㅋ
It seems Steel Blue’s appearance will be similarㅜ
Fans who were worried about a sudden U.S. debut immediately relaxed.
It was clear that they were just appearing as a one-time sensation.
It was literally a variety show appearance.
Since the show was very popular in the U.S., many fans were actually excited.
The general public also found their appearance amusing.
As idols, a U.S. debut could lead to ridicule if it failed.
But appearing on a variety show as brave Korean girls had a different vibe.
As they received everyone’s anticipation,
It’s starting, it’s starting
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋSteel Blue is onㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Steel Blue appeared on American television.