LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 371
Chapter 371: Encore Stage
As we sang “Merry Christmas,” we began to circle the stage on a moving cart.
“Wow—!”
Each time the cart came closer, the audience swayed as if dancing.
Fans on the second floor were shaking their light sticks frantically, shouting something like a cheer.
On the first-floor seats, everyone was shouting and waving their hands.
They were saying something, but with the sound mixing and in-ear monitors in, it was hard to hear.
“Wow—!”
We turned our heads toward the tremendous cheers coming from behind the cart.
The youngest member had taken out his in-ear monitors and was closing his eyes.
He then swept his sweat-drenched hair back to expose his ears, as if wanting to hear the audience’s cheers up close.
“Kyaa—!”
Even with his eyes closed, he wore a faint smile.
It was an obvious ploy for attention.
At that moment, the four of us exchanged glances.
‘Hyung, Jiho is fishing for attention.’
‘I don’t like it.’
‘It’s a tactic that’s all too transparent.’
Exchanging such looks, we all removed our in-ear monitors and smiled faintly.
The fans laughed briefly at our transparent tactic before cheering loudly.
Thus, we held the microphone while riding the cart around the first floor of the concert hall, as if circling a sports field.
Sleigh ride— Ta-ta-ta-ta—
We sang the chorus of “Merry Christmas” with gusto and then threw our Santa hats toward the audience.
With a cacophony of cheers, hands reached out from everywhere.
The heat from the fans was so intense that every time the cart passed in front of them, our bodies felt hot.
“Wow…”
This was the warmth of ten thousand people.
Feeling the tingling on my skin, I stepped off the cart that was right next to the stage.
Following me, Bijoo and Junghyun, along with the other younger members, successfully landed on the stage.
Shivering.
Perhaps because singing on a moving object was frightening, Rihyuk’s legs trembled for a moment.
While Bijoo comforted him, I picked up the microphone with a smile.
“There’s a saying that even a whale dances to praise, but it seems the audience’s enthusiasm has made Rihyuk’s legs shake.”
“It’s a misunderstanding. I’m not shaking at all.”
Rihyuk’s hand holding the microphone was trembling.
“And that saying isn’t a proverb; it’s a book title.”
“So it is.”
Nodding with a smile to the audience, laughter returned.
I took the microphone.
“How did you like the carol? Did it please you?”
As affirmative cheers returned, I pointed to the Korean and Japanese staff below the stage, wiping sweat with Rudolph headbands.
“First, let’s give a round of applause to our Rudolphs who worked hard to make a full round of the concert hall!”
“When we say ‘Rudolph!’ you all say ‘Thank you!’”
Following Bijoo’s words, we led the chant.
“Rudolph!”
“Thank you!”
The staff with Rudolph headbands responded with pleased faces to the chorus of fans, which included our harmonies.
Meanwhile, backstage, Minki hyung nodded as if everything was ready.
I grabbed the microphone.
“Now that we’ve sung an exciting song, let’s set a sentimental mood, shall we?”
“Come on up.”
At Junghyun’s words, the staff came up and handed over the light sticks.
And then.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
The concert hall echoed with the laughter of the fans as Wonseok hyung came up with a stern face.
In his hand was a giant club.
Junghyun received the king stick with both hands as if bestowed a sword and turned his body to show it to the fans.
“Wow—!”
We sent a cue sign to the lighting director.
“Director! Could you please lower the spotlight for a moment?”
The lighting director, who drew an OK sign, immediately laid the spotlight over us.
Ooooh—
Ooooh-oooh—
Amidst our eerie harmony,
Jung-hyun stood in the center, gripping the king’s rod in both hands, mimicking a narration from a movie.
“The one rod to rule all cheering rods.”
“Bong-bong.”
As if saying ‘Amen,’ we echoed ‘Bong-bong,’ prompting laughter from the Soufflés and staff.
As Jiho provided a spooky atmosphere with his whistling wind sounds,
We spoke with serious expressions.
“Behold the absolute rod right here.”
“Come forth, King Rod!”
The moment Jung-hyun pressed ON,
At our signal, the staff prepared to ascend the stage, and the Soufflés in the front row craned their necks.
Whoooosh—
Blinded by the intense light, the Soufflés in the front screamed and shielded their eyes.
“Aaaah!”
Screams overpowered cheers at the maximum brightness.
The light spread through the screen, and the Soufflés covered their eyes, shrieking like creatures struck by light.
And then, in that instant.
Snap—
The lights and the king’s rod went out, and now the staff, wearing sunglasses instead of Rudolph headbands, swiftly climbed onto the stage.
Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh.
I felt the tug on my clothes from all directions.
Jung-hyun turned the king’s rod back on.
Whoooosh—
With a more controlled brightness, Jung-hyun holding the rod elicited laughter from the Soufflés.
Ta-da~!
With the staff’s help, we quickly changed outfits and spread our arms wide as if to surprise.
Instead of Christmas attire, we donned black concert T-shirts for the encore.
Lee-hyuk spoke like a detective explaining a trick.
“The cheering rod was just a sleight of hand, everyone.”
“We’ve changed our clothes!”
Amidst the Soufflés’ laughter, I said,
“The king’s rod is quite bright, isn’t it? This friend here is the grand king’s rod, beloved by local fishermen.”
“A rare cheering rod, one of only two in the world.”
“But it’s ours!”
The youngest’s words were softly translated by the interpreter.
“However, this one is ours.”
The fans made sounds of disappointment, ‘Awww.’
No matter the country, the Soufflés seemed to share a common desire for the king’s rod.
Bijou picked up the mic with a smile.
“I mentioned it recently on the Y app, but if all goes well this year, we might showcase the king’s rod.”
“Please look forward to it. At the next concert, I’ll return as the Emperor Rod!”
At my words, calling it the Emperor Rod, the Soufflés responded with laughter and cheers.
The king’s rod had consistently topped the ‘Most Wanted Merchandise’ list in surveys among Soufflés from Korea and other countries.
We had brought it up once after visiting Ulleungdo.
The company was also positively considering it and planning to release a downgraded version.
While discussing this with my younger siblings, I said,
“There are more stages to come, but for now, let’s wrap up with some closing remarks.”
“So sad! I feel like I’m going to go crazy with disappointment!”
The interpreter’s calm voice resonated.
“It’s disappointing. So much so… I feel like stomping my feet.”
The fans reacted with ‘So cute!’ and the youngest, not quite understanding, beamed with a bright smile.
“Thank you to those who called me cute! In Korea, I’m known as the cutest of all!”
“Thank you for finding me cute. In Korea, I’m called ‘Sejeolgui.’”
We laughed and taught the interpreter and the Soufflés the term ‘Sejeolgui,’ which sounded like a French name.
Then I addressed the fans with my final words.
“Yes, first of all, I really want to express my gratitude.”
Perhaps it’s because it’s a foreign language.
The words I want to say burst out in Korean, but it takes time to pick them out and translate them one by one.
“When languages differ, so do thoughts and cultures. Liking someone is a process of understanding them, and language differences make it even harder.”
These were thoughts I often had while communicating through the Y app or reading English comments on Mitube content.
“Even in such circumstances, I’m truly grateful that you love and cherish New Black,” I said, my voice carrying over the cheers. I waved my New Black lightstick slowly, its name tag fluttering in the dim light.
At my cue, my younger bandmates lifted their lightsticks too.
“As you can see, in this vast world, our faint light alone struggles to shine fully,” I told the fans with a smile.
“Thank you for adding your light to ours.”
The crowd erupted into a thunderous “Wow!”
“And Jung-hyun, please turn off that giant lightstick discreetly,” I joked.
Jung-hyun let out an “Ah,” and switched off his oversized lightstick, prompting laughter from all of us.
I was about to speak about our ‘faint light’ when I noticed the giant lightstick beside me, shining like a proud sun.
After my comment, a massive cheer echoed back.
“I’m really sorry for calling those at the airport scary people,” I continued, starting a chain of heartfelt messages from each member.
Then it was Rihyuk’s turn.
The guy with the flushed ears took the microphone and cleared his throat.
“The original name of this concert was ‘With You,’ right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“People often think of the relationship between fans and singers as ‘For,’ as in doing something for each other. But I think…”
Our main vocalist seemed even more excited today, perhaps because of performing in front of nine thousand people.
As Rihyuk rambled on, Jiho tilted his head and sidled up to me, asking with a gesture, “What’s he saying?”
“He’s making a statement he’ll regret under his blanket later,” I replied with a proud grin.
Jiho cheekily mimed “Right on! Right on!” to Rihyuk, who became even more animated in his speech.
Every time Rihyuk earnestly explained the difference between ‘For’ and ‘With,’ Bijoo fidgeted with his fingers.
“So, I hope we can have a ‘With’ relationship, where we go together. I love you all!”
Our kind Soufflés cheered loudly in response.
Rihyuk passed the microphone to Jiho with a satisfied look after finishing his speech.
Once the youngest member wrapped up his closing remarks, I said, “Shall we set the mood now?”
On my signal, the velvet cloth covering the stage props was dramatically lifted.
A grand piano.
I sat down, secured the microphone to the piano, and gently pressed the keys, eliciting cheers from the Soufflés.
“The second song,” I announced, smiling at my younger bandmates and the thousands of lights around me.
“This song is ‘Starry Light.’”
The crowd’s roar was like thunder.
Amidst the members’ humming, I began to play the soft melody.
@thenewblack.official
(Concert day one in Kobe. “With You.” For more details, refer to the link ‘New Black’s Main Vocalist’s Emotional Concert Experience in Japan!’)
February 19th.
The Kobe World Hall concert series kicked off on Friday and continued through Monday, spanning four days.
A total of 36,000 people.
From the first day to the fourth, we were greeted by an incredibly packed audience each time we stepped onto the stage.
The excitement was palpable from the start, but it seemed to grow as the days went on.
As we became more familiar with our lines and the stage setup, it seemed to influence how comfortably and joyfully we performed.
“Great job, everyone!”
“You all worked hard!”
With that lively atmosphere, we concluded the fourth day of the concert.
Although the Yokohama concert was still ahead, having completed one major event, everyone’s faces were filled with happiness.
After a round of high-fives and taking commemorative photos, our team leader Yoon said, “You all worked so hard preparing for the Kobe concert, especially our staff and stylists.”
“Let’s enjoy the rest of the day with a company card treat. You’ve earned it.”
“Great work, everyone!”
As the staff boarded their vehicles, we chose to head to the hotel.
Seokhwan asked, “Aren’t you guys coming?”
“We’re tired, need to manage our condition.”
As an exhausted facade fell over us, Seokhwan greeted us with a warm smile.
“We all know you’re planning to hop on the Y app.”
Silence.
“There’s always a reason when you guys turn down meat.”
Slumped against the car seat as if drained, we perked up at his words, our eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jiho asked, “How did you know?”
“Because of Junghyun.”
Called out by the team leader, Junghyun tilted his head in confusion.
“Me?”
“Your act of being tired was a bit too clumsy.”
“Ah.”
We nodded in agreement, the reason all too clear.
Seokhwan looked at us, our eyes gleaming inside the car, and said with a laugh, “You’ve all worked hard these past four days. Go rest up in the hotel.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t overdo it on the Y app. Only until midnight.”
We chuckled at his words, reminiscent of a parent from a drama telling their child not to spend too much time on the computer.
Then he waved us off, wishing us a good meal.
“Yay! The concert’s over~!”
“It ended before it even started~!”
Together, we hummed songs in the car, heading to the hotel.
Though drenched in sweat, our faces were radiant, and our eyes and expressions were lively.
The excitement from the concert lingered.
Riding that high, we gathered in the hotel room and fired up the Y app immediately.
“Hi!”
We had turned it on after the first and second days too, but we were too tired to stay on long.
Today, we were ready to spend hours on it.
We waved enthusiastically at our fans, the Soufflés.
“Hello, everyone. Our New Black concert in Kobe has finally…”
“Ended!”
Ba-ba-ba ba-ba ba ba-ba-ba-bam!
Junghyun hit the play button on the ‘Congratulations’ BGM just in time, and we danced along, bending our bodies to the rhythm.
“Now we can finally spend a long time on the Y app.”
“Did you miss us?”
We beamed at the chat window.
“So much.”
“We’ve waited.”
The comments flew up so fast, it was like being swept away in a current.
I couldn’t tell when the Y app’s comment section had gotten so fast.
“Anyway! They all seem really happy to see us!”
“It seems so!”
“Couldn’t read a single one, could you?”
We coughed awkwardly at Rihyuk’s comment.
Jiho adjusted the camera to fill the screen with his face and winked.
“Nice to see you. Jiho cam!”
“Hey! Hey!”
“There he goes, talking about the Jiho cam.”
“Did Jiho just send the fans to hell?”
The confusion escalated with Junghyun’s flustered voice, and the Soufflés’ laughter filled the chat.
I pictured Seokhwan at an Osaka meat restaurant, dropping his chopsticks while watching the Y app.
Amidst the chaos, Jiho asked, “Everyone! What time is it in Korea right now?”
The comments poured in, and the youngest member’s eyes widened.
“Wow! It’s the same time!”
“What exactly did they teach you in school…”
While Rihyuk and I clicked our tongues, Junghyun was carefully searching something on his phone.
“Junghyun is searching right now!”
“Ha-ha-ha!”
As we burst into laughter and applause, Junghyun nonchalantly slipped his phone away.
He continued to engage with the chat.
It wasn’t just because the concert was over, but seeing Korean was incredibly comforting.
This was the first time I’d been abroad for over a week, and I felt a creeping sense of homesickness.
“Yes, anyway, today’s Y app content is, drumroll please~!”
“Kim Junghyun’s International Midnight Snack Journey.”
I laughed, showing off the various snacks we’d bought at the convenience store with Jung-hyun, as if to say, ‘Aren’t you jealous?’
A flood of criticism poured in from the viewers in the comment section.
“Aren’t we doing another mukbang?”
Rihyuk continued after me.
“Well, since we’re going to eat deliciously, those of you who are still feeling peckish might want to grab some chicken, pizza, or pig’s feet to enjoy while watching.”
“New Black won’t take responsibility for your hunger!”
“Ah, this is so much fun~!”
At the word ‘too much,’ we snapped our wooden chopsticks and waved them like magic wands.
Jiho swung his at Rihyuk, saying,
“Avada Kedavra.”
“…”
Rihyuk, looking unimpressed, silently tapped the youngest member’s forehead with a chopstick.
When the youngest complained with a voice full of grievance amidst our laughter,
I continued explaining about the next segment.
“And after the meal, we plan to play New Academy with all of you.”
“Remember, there’s a space-time event at 11:09, so don’t forget!”
After the viewers’ enthusiastic responses,
Rihyuk began to tremble as if warming up at our exchanged glances.
“Shall we do the Y app opening line we’ve been doing for the past four days?”
“Our beloved Seu-weed has decreed.”
“The difference between ‘for’ and ‘with.’ That is precisely the relationship between you and me…!”
While someone’s face turned beet red, we clinked our cups filled with cola and cheered.
“With You!”
We burst into laughter, watching Rihyuk suffer adorably from embarrassment.
After the fourth day’s concert,
Reviews of the last concert in Kobe began to flood in.
-The Kobe concert was the best. Those going to Yokohama, get excited.
-Before seeing them, they looked like cute dolls, but after, they felt familiar, like neighbors or a first love whose job is a comedian?
-The two and a half-hour live felt like wandering in a dream with Bijoo.
-I was the only man in my seat row, trembling with fear, but everyone was kind, and the performance was great!
-I want to keep supporting them…! It was a live show that made me glad to be a fan. Love you, New Black.
-Every time Jung-hyun threw a signed ball, I felt my life was in danger… But face to face, I wouldn’t mind getting hit by my favorite. It’s a feeling that just seems to disappear…
Amidst such happy reviews that would make anyone smile,
Concert stories were also popping up where idol fans gathered.
-Wow… the reaction from the start was amazing.
-The fans’ reactions are so cute, lol. But I think I know what this signed ball story is about.
-(A gif of Jung-hyun lifting a bookshelf with books still on it.)
-I saw a photo of the concert audience earlier, and it was packed.
-Where did all the critics go?
-You must all be grinding your teeth hard, so I’ve prepared this! A link to a dental clinic for molars.
-Are you crazy, lol?
-Seu-weed, I love you.
-Indeed, ‘with’ is better than ‘for.’
While such comments were being posted,
Most of the viewers were crying while watching the live stream that started after the last concert.
‘Ah, it’s so good, but it’s annoying…’
It was incredibly irritating to see my favorites slurping up midnight snacks and various treats, laughing away.
-Oh, this taste…!
-Come on, you’re honestly jealous, right?
-You have to diet? It’s okay. It’s natural to accumulate fat in the cold months of January and February.
With the sound of slurping, sweet whispers followed.
Viewers across the country gave up on their diets and laughed as they ordered their midnight snacks.
‘…Nice.’
While new content was regularly uploaded to MyTube, nothing beat seeing my favorites’ faces live.
I captured every angle that made the members’ faces look pretty.
Woojoo was cracking open a chocolate bar, grinning and joking with his younger siblings.
Feeling good, he patted Rihyuk’s shoulder and laughed, his face flushed…
‘Red face?’
As I wondered about it,
Woojoo blinked in confusion and then stared at the chocolate.
I slowly began to close my eyes.
“…?”
Suddenly, I found myself sprawled across the bed, an arm hanging off the edge.
“What’s going on?!”
“What happened here?”
The members were in a state of panic.
Even the Soufflés, who had been watching, stopped their chatting and stared wide-eyed at the sudden turn of events.
The members, checking for breathing, caught the scent of chocolate and exclaimed,
“This, this is alcohol chocolate!”
“…It says ‘liqueur chocolate’ here. Where did this come from? Does it have alcohol content?”
“Wasn’t this given by the director earlier?”
As I lay there, half-asleep and snoring softly, the members looked at me dumbfounded before moving me to lie down properly.
“Hello, everyone.”
“This is SaBlack.”
With me, the leader, sleeping soundly in the background, the members continued the broadcast with somber faces.