LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 250
Chapter 250
[8. Again – ORCA]
‘Awesome!’
Entering the top spot on the music charts!
Upon closer inspection, the other tracks were also safely on the charts.
This was partly because ‘Again’ had more mass appeal than ‘Liberation’ and ‘Dream,’ but also because the fandom had grown significantly and solidified by overcoming external trials over the past few months.
The unexpected helper was the media, which poured out provocative articles about dissing True in the ‘Again’ music video.
The incidents experienced by trainees from True, including On Raon, at True Entertainment had already caused nationwide outrage once, and Seed’s daring provocation was enough to reignite the dying interest.
Moreover, just yesterday, a shocking article came out that Oh Hyun-jin had been sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment by the police, bringing True Entertainment, which had been quietly seeking a chance to make a comeback, back to the surface to face significant humiliation.
Curious members of the public who watched the music video to see how they dissed True ended up liking the song and searched for the new track ‘Again’ on music sites.
– “I thought it would be a hip-hop song since they dissed True, but it’s exciting and good.”
– “I’ve been feeling down lately, but this song healed me. The lyrics are very touching and good. I support you.”
– “They must have gone through a lot at such a young age, but it’s nice that they shared their stories through music so that we can empathize with them.”
– “I think it’s a good song to listen to when you’re having a hard time. The weather is getting colder and gloomier as autumn comes, so I’ve been feeling down, but this song gives me strength.”
Most reactions were exhilarating and supportive, but there were some who defended True.
[Honestly, isn’t targeting the company a bit too much (subject: ORCA)?]
I honestly don’t know if this needs to be done.
They didn’t just target the group with issues but criticized the entire agency.
Not all the idols at that company caused problems. If I were one of those idols, I’d feel very wronged…
I feel like they just want to use the controversy to attract attention and engage in noise marketing.
I’m writing this because I think handling it lightly might overshadow the serious issue of school violence.
Of course, this opinion was not widely agreed upon.
– “Who is this?”
– “Of all the places to shield, you’re shielding True?”
– “Yeah, Huntred = school violence idol, True = school violence agency.”
– “Pathetic.”
– “The essence is being blurred by posts like this.”
– “Haha, is this person an ally?”
– “Judging by the continuous strange rumors about True, it’s fair for the entire company to be criticized.”
– “A few months ago, when True was being criticized all over the communities, weren’t you worried about their idols then? I don’t remember seeing posts defending True back then. Now that the victims are expressing their opinions, you’re posting stuff like this. It’s too obvious, isn’t it? Who are you to say it’s being handled lightly? The ones handling it lightly were the journalists who made sensational headlines, not Seed, who carefully gave the kids a platform to grow.”
The notable rise of the prominent rookie idol group also stirred up the idol community.
[ORCA’s title track ‘Again’ entered the Pitch Chart at 8th place / All other tracks also entered the chart]
Guys, ORCA entered the Pitch Chart at 8th place!
(Photo)
17th -> 13th -> 8th!
First week sales: 6.7>10.9>[email protected]
Our little whales are growing steadily, step by step, and it’s so satisfying.
– “Oh, this turned out well! Congrats, ORCA.”
– “Going strong, congrats, congrats.”
– “The charts have been pretty empty lately, but the song is doing well.”
– “Looking at the user numbers, it feels like the charts are a ghost town…”
– “Yes, I prayed for a comeback during the empty charts, and I’m so happy it came true~! We’re going to make the most of this empty house!!!”
– “No, I’m a fan of another group, but how are the charts empty these days? The top ranks are a total old guard party.”
– “Liftin’s concept still seems a bit unstable and inconsistent, but ORCA seems to have firmly established themselves this time.”
┗ “At least we know the commenter is neither an ORCA fan nor a Liftin fan.”
┗ “Stop causing trouble and get lost.”
– “I heard they’re not that popular overseas yet, but their album sales are good… They sold over 1.5 times more than last time.”
– “I don’t really feel their popularity domestically.”
– “There have been a lot of new fans from variety shows, and this is likely their last comeback of the year + it’s the first time they’re releasing three versions, so the fans bought with all their might! I’m not obsessed with the sales numbers, but I’m glad they’re doing well.”
– “Watching the kids talk in the showcase videos, it seems they’ve grown a lot, not just in skill and performance but also mentally. It makes me proud.”
– “They skyrocketed thanks to Pick Heart from the start, so how is this a step-by-step growth?”
┗ “Honestly, they’re not growing step-by-step but on the fast track.”
┗ “Sigh…”
┗ “These party poopers who ruin the mood don’t even get to eat soup.”
[ORCA’s Growth Is Not Step-by-Step]
“They’re in their second year and made it to the top ten on the Pitch Chart with their third album.
At least call it an elevator growth, not step-by-step.”
“I feel a bit… whenever I see ORCA fans denying the help from Pick Heart… It feels like they’re trying to steal the pie from truly struggling smaller groups.”
– “It’s step-by-step.”
– “It’s step-by-step?”
– “Anyone would think ORCA is a well-funded group, not a small agency one.”
– “ORCA fans see it as step-by-step growth, yes.”
– “I’m tired of hearing this.”
– “You think elevators are easy? At least compare them to Jupiter or Upon, or at worst, Labirynth.”
┗ “Those two are in another league… ORCA isn’t quite at that level.”
– “It’s true that ORCA is doing well as a rookie boy group, but not to that extent.”
– “The comments are hilarious, full of put-downs and disregard.”
– “Since they’re growing well, mind your own idols.”
– “That Pick Heart thing… So who else did well from Pick Heart seasons 1, 2, 3 other than ORCA and Liftin? If you insist it’s all thanks to Pick Heart, shouldn’t all the other offshoots be doing well too? By the time they’ve released three albums and reached this level, it’s thanks to their hard work, not Pick Heart, so stop it.”
┗ “Hmm.. saying it’s solely thanks to the members sounds like an overstatement.”
┗ “So should we overlook the nonsense that they succeeded solely because of Pick Heart, which hasn’t even compensated for the biased airtime and rigging?”
┗ “Why are you so mad?”
┗ “How could I not be mad?”
– “ORCA’s first step might have been high, but they’re indeed growing step-by-step. There are groups that can’t sustain growth despite initial buzz and fall flat.”
* * *
On the way back after finishing the showcase.
We were exhausted, having not considered our stamina and run around excitedly on stage after a long time, but our eyes were sparkling more than ever.
Perhaps that was why the car was even noisier than when we had left in the morning.
“Wow, when the fans were chanting ‘Again!’ earlier, it felt like I had a telepathic connection with them, and I got goosebumps all over my arms.”
“Me too.”
“On Raon is a genius.”
“Ah, stop saying that.”
“Our youngest is a genius!”
“Stop it!”
Seizing the moment when the excitement had not yet subsided, I took the opportunity to change the embarrassing topic and express my ambition.
“When we do our concert, let’s definitely make this the encore song.”
“Wow, I love that idea.”
“Did you compose this song just for that?”
“Ah, you caught me.”
“Do you think we’ll have our concert next year?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Gwak Sang-hyun, who likely had a rough idea, but he just shrugged his shoulders as if he knew nothing.
I, worried that the Airies might have realized I was ‘HAZE’ due to some bold remarks during the showcase, checked SNS.
– “Who is this composer HAZE that they specifically thanked?”
– “Well, it makes sense because the song is so good, reallyㅠㅠㅠㅠ HAZE, you’re a genius.”
– “My heart was racing to the beat of ‘Again’ earlier, so I looked up what else HAZE composed, but it was just ‘Again’…”
– “It could be a coincidence, but there’s a theory that Raon is HAZE. Maybe the composer is a fan of Raon?”
– “Judging by what they said, it seems like HAZE and our kids are pretty close. I’m curious if they know each other personally.”
Fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t yet fully arrived at the conclusion that ‘On Raon = HAZE.’
Meanwhile, the two goofy hyungs who had missed the showcase were teasing Gyun Seong-ha, who had burst into tears when the Airies sang him a birthday song at the showcase.
“Seong-ha, did you really not know today was your birthday?”
“I didn’t know.”
“Did you cry because you were touched, or because you were sad thinking we wouldn’t celebrate your birthday because we’re busy?”
“I didn’t cry!”
“If it made you that happy, should we get a cake and have another birthday party at the dorm?”
“Ha, please be quiet….”
Taking advantage of the moment, I quietly spoke to Seo Moon-gyeol, who was sitting next to me.
“Hyung, is your knee okay?”
I had been worried about Seo Moon-gyeol’s injury for a while and finally decided to just ask him directly from time to time.
It’s better to ask directly and clear my mind than to keep worrying and not be able to focus on my own work.
I had a special skill for reading Seo Moon-gyeol’s expressions, so I could tell if he was trying to hide his injury when I asked him directly.
Some might consider such concern to be a nuisance, but Seo Moon-gyeol was Seo Moon-gyeol.
If Seo Moon-gyeol ever found my concern annoying, I would seriously have to consider if Seo Joo-won had possessed his body.
Seo Moon-gyeol, who had been staring at me, nodded slightly.
“I’m fine.”
Yes, he’s fine.
For now.
* * *
Meanwhile.
In front of the dormitory, a group of sasaengs who hadn’t gone to the showcase were waiting for ORCA, drawing disapproving glances from the nearby apartment residents.
“By the way, why haven’t we seen those crazies around lately?”
“Yeah, it seems like they haven’t been dropping off gifts at the dorm either… I don’t think we’ve run into them at all.”
“What’s going on? Did they move to another fandom? Maybe they got tired of the kids acting high and mighty since they’ve gotten a bit more famous.”
“Honestly, their high-and-mighty attitude is annoying, but there’s no other group as entertaining to watch these days.”
“True.”
“Agreed.”
“Anyway, I heard their parents threatened to take away their cards and cars if they got reported to the police one more time.”
“For real? That’s pretty intense.”
“If that’s the case, it’s a win for us since we get more opportunities to monopolize like today.”
Laughing without regard for the looks they were getting, the sasaengs were delighted, as if the story had nothing to do with them.
At that moment, one sasaeng spoke up in a small voice.
“Actually, I heard a rumor from someone I know….”
“What is it? Did those bitches really get screwed?”
Curious about the whereabouts of the other unseen sasaeng group, everyone focused on the one who had spoken.
“They all disappeared overnight, and there’s a missing person report filed with the police….”