Chapter 119
Gyun Seong-ha, who was looking at the script, at least outwardly seemed very calm.
“On stage… appearance… people… able to see… grateful… that’s what the members… will show….”
No. Considering the speed of his mumbling was about three times faster than usual, it would be reasonable to say that it was far from stable.
An earthquake, college entrance exams, debut….
With all kinds of problems hitting at once, Gyun Seong-ha, who responded to every hit, might be inwardly confused and disoriented.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
Oops.
I belatedly shifted my gaze to my script, but Gyun Seong-ha was already staring at me with sharp eyes.
“Sigh….” Gyun Seong-ha, who had sighed audibly, put down his script and stared straight at me.
“You and the hyungs worry too much about unnecessary things.”
Look at this guy, talking recklessly just because no one else is around. Does he think I’m easy?
Gyun Seong-ha picked up a bottle of water from the desk and drank it in big gulps. Then he spoke.
“I once filmed a movie.”
“A movie? What kind of movie?”
“You’d know if I told you? You can’t even name three blockbusters right away.”
“I know three.”
“Name them. Only Korean movies.”
“Difficulty, Green Zone. Uh… Harmony…!”
“You know? Then name one more.”
“……”
As I fell silent, exposing my lack of knowledge, Gyun Seong-ha’s gaze became piercing as if to say, “See?”
It had been quite some time since the members, including Gyun Seong-ha, discovered that my knowledge of popular culture was generally poor.
However, regarding Korean popular culture, they seemed to understand that it was because I had lived in the United States for a long time.
Though it’s a problem that I also don’t know much about overseas culture.
Not wanting to be seen as ignorant, I diligently studied popular culture, especially focusing on music, whenever I had the time.
I just hadn’t had time to check out movies yet.
Seeing my expression, Gyun Seong-ha continued, as if he couldn’t understand how I didn’t know.
“Anyway… I had a fairly significant role and even attended the premiere.”
“Oh.”
I didn’t know that.
“I made a bit of a mistake while answering a question from a reporter.”
Of course, since it was a mistake, it didn’t seem to be a good memory for Gyun Seong-ha, who furrowed his brows.
“It was almost ten years ago, and back then, the internet wasn’t as developed as it is now, so people laughed off a child’s mistake quickly. But now, I’m not a child… If I make a mistake, it doesn’t just hurt me. That’s why I keep preparing.”
“……”
“……What?”
“No, you’re still young.”
“……”
[‘Gyun Seong-ha feels insulted by being called young by a kid. Gyun Seong-ha’s favorability -0, current favorability +31]
[‘A slightly insulted Gyun Seong-ha’s mentality is slightly recovered.]
Oh?
“It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s best not to, but today, because of the college entrance exams, most things will get buried.”
“If you call that encouragement, just stay quiet.”
Again, a notification popped up, saying ‘A slightly insulted Gyun Seong-ha’s mentality is slightly recovered.’
It seemed like scenes of Gyun Seong-ha hating to lose passed by like a film tape.
At that moment, I realized how to handle this guy with a fragile mentality.
* * *
Journalists continued to stream into the showcase venue right up until the media showcase was about to start.
The snow hadn’t stopped yet, so the journalists who had just come in had half-melted snow on their heads and shoulders.
Seo Reporter, who had arrived a little earlier, waved to greet Park Reporter, whom he knew well.
“Ah, you’ve come?”
There was a hint of lament or complaint in Seo Reporter’s words as he asked if Park Reporter had arrived.
Park Reporter nodded wearily.
“What’s this suffering on a snowy day? Of all days, it’s also the college entrance exam day.”
“What can we do? It’s not the first time they’ve done this….”
‘They’ referred to True Entertainment.
In fact, most reporters had already attended the comeback showcase of True’s girl group ‘Anne’ before coming to Orca’s debut showcase today.
It was a busy schedule with no room for leisure, even as a courtesy.
Scheduling events on the same day, especially at almost the same time, was very rare.
Entertainment industry professionals tried to avoid overlapping events as much as possible.
The problem was that Orca’s schedule had been set long before Anne’s, and True had pushed their schedule through regardless.
Even though Anne was a senior, typically, the party that scheduled later would adjust their time or date, but True had no such consideration.
Due to the constant snow, the road conditions were poor, and many reporters hadn’t arrived yet.
However, since True was a major company and usually sent out relatively influential artists at times like these, the reporters, though annoyed, had no choice but to go to True first.
‘Still, the fact that so many came despite it being the college entrance exam day means Orca has decent buzz.’
‘If needed, we can tie it with Breaker or Lifting and release it….’
The reporters, who had similar thoughts, were chatting quietly or setting up equipment when it was almost time to start.
“Finally, on November 30, 2017, Orca, who will shake up the music industry, makes their official debut.”
With Bae Sae-il’s humorous introduction and Orca’s group greeting, the debut media showcase began.
Orca immediately showcased their stage for ‘Liberation’. Since neither the music video nor the song had been released yet, it was essentially a premiere.
Of course, only photos would be published immediately, and video footage would be uploaded by tomorrow.
Despite grueling practice and tight rehearsals, some members couldn’t hide their slight nervousness as it was their first performance in front of people.
For example, Gyun Seong-ha, who had no survival experience.
However, such nervousness gradually disappeared during the performance.
They felt more vividly than ever that the other members beside them were supporting the stage sufficiently.
In fact, five members on stage had similar thoughts. Although not as much as Gyun Seong-ha, they, being human, were also slightly nervous on their debut stage.
‘Making rookies perform live right away?’
‘How bold… That’s how rookies should be.’
The reporters quickly uploaded their articles.
[Orca Jiwoo, ‘Stable Live Performance’]
[Orca, Talent ‘Liberated’ on Debut Stage]
[(Photo) On Raon, Unbelievable Visuals]
After the stage performance.
Orca, each holding a microphone with their name tags, smoothly engaged in a brief talk with Bae Sae-il, as discussed in advance.
Then the time for reporters’ questions began.
At first, the questions seemed mundane.
“Hello, I’m Minseo Park from New Star News. First, congratulations on your debut. Recently, many rookie singers are debuting. In particular, yesterday, the debut of Lifteen, composed of trainees from the audition program, was announced. Could you please share your thoughts on Lifteen, who could potentially be strong rivals in the future?”
Would you like to become rivals?
Especially since the relationship between Orca fans and Breaker fans had soured due to manipulation issues, this question could be even more dangerous.
It was also an awkward question for Kang Jiwoo or Gyun Seong-ha, who did not appear in Pick Heart, to answer.
As Bae Sae-il took his time summarizing the reporter’s question to give the members some time to think, Ban Yo-han signaled that he would answer.
“Ah, yes. Yo-han?”
Ban Yo-han took the microphone.
“First of all, thank you for the question. We genuinely congratulate our friends, hyungs, and dongsaengs who worked hard with us. The members of Lifteen also cheered for us a lot before our showcase today.”
Forget about rivals, we’re close with them.
After that, a reporter even brought up the Pick Heart manipulation issue and asked how they felt about it, but that was within the expected range.
Feigning ignorance, exchanging questions and answers with smiling faces, the short media showcase came to an end before they knew it.
* * *
As the reporter showcase was nearing its end.
The area near the showcase venue was somewhat chaotic due to the fans who had gathered long before the fan showcase began.
Fans’ anticipation grew with every article and accompanying photo uploaded online by reporters during the media showcase.
Seeing that all the members had survived in the article photos was quite encouraging.
‘They must look even more amazing in person, right?’
What stood out at the scene was the long line of fans waiting to buy official goods, including makeshift light sticks.
Despite the cold weather, fans in thick clothing had lined up long before the showcase started, causing those who arrived relatively late to worry about the stock running out.
In addition to official goods, many people were handing out slogans and photo cards, just like during Pick Heart.
And at 6 o’clock.
‘It’s up!’
[ORCA ‘Liberation (Winter)’ MV]
The music video for ‘Liberation’ was released.
* * *
As darkness fell.
The camera eerily panned over a calm sea, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
The song began simultaneously as the sound of the waves subsided on the sandy beach.
The same place as yesterday
As it is
The moment I look at you
Seo Moon-gyeol, with his slightly navy-tinted black hair, opened the song.
As his river-like dance unfolded gracefully, the tie around his neck rose and fell pleasingly. It was a confident movement in the face of newfound freedom.
The boundary simply
Flips over, change up
The camera quickly swirled around, capturing Gyun Seong-ha with his dark brown hair instead of Seo Moon-gyeol.
You don’t need permission anymore
Spark a movement
Before Gyun Seong-ha continued the dance, the camera caught his wavering gaze up close, anxious due to the uncertainty of the uncharted path ahead.
Escape from the messed-up script
I don’t know moderation
You know it too, set me free
Ban Yo-han, predicting the upcoming challenges and with a composed gaze, soon lifted his mouth into a confident smile.
As the camera moved slightly to the side, it focused on On Raon, who had a unique, innocent look that could go anywhere and become anything.
While the other members were sequentially moving into formation and performing the choreography in the background, the blurry focus and the central figure of On Raon caught all the attention at first glance.
It’s time for liberation
Winter
And then, the perfectly synchronized group dance, with every detail from neck tilts to toe angles aligned, unfolded.
As if waiting, the snowstorm enveloped us
But don’t worry
Kang Jiwoo’s challenging voice dropped with an icy determination.
My heart is blue
And burns like fire
Rookies, just stepping into the arena, often pose the greatest threat despite seeing nothing.
Don’t worry about freezing cold
Freedom, anxiety, confidence, innocence, challenge.
They all belonged to the boys embarking on their beginning.