Chapter 60
It was an unusually hot day.
The sun was blazing, and the humidity was at its peak.
It felt like being a fish in boiling water.
However, as a former fan of Colors and now a fan of Yoon Cheong, known as a Blue Duck, I had no regrets about coming out today.
Rumor had it that the guerrilla concert would be held at Banpo Hangang Park.
Reports of a stage being set up at Banpo Hangang Park started to emerge one by one.
The Blue Duck’s home was in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
As soon as the news of the guerrilla concert broke, she didn’t hesitate to book a KTX ticket.
A chance to see her favorite’s first outdoor stage with her own eyes?
It wouldn’t come again.
Money could be earned later, but time with her favorite could never be reclaimed if missed.
The Blue Duck set off boldly and managed to arrive in about five hours.
‘Damn the fate of living in the countryside….’
It was only possible because, unusually for a guerrilla concert, they had given a 12-hour advance notice.
Normally, for a country dweller, a guerrilla concert meant?
‘Everyone is happy except me. Everyone except me…!’
It was like that.
Vowing to be born in Seoul in her next life, the Blue Duck entered Banpo Hangang Park.
Just as she wondered where in this vast park the concert would be held…
She saw a crowd of thousands.
Seeing slogans or fans in their hands, it was clear they were fellow Colors fans even from a passing KTX.
‘I just need to follow them.’
Suddenly, the Blue Duck didn’t feel lonely anymore.
“Don’t push!”
“That spot is ours. Can’t you see our bags? Please show some manners.”
“What are you talking about? Saving spots is the height of bad manners, don’t you know?”
“Lower your camera. You’re blocking the view completely!”
…The Blue Duck felt lonely again.
Maybe it was because everyone was hot, but they were very sensitive.
Compared to other idol fans, Colors fans still lacked cohesion and camaraderie.
This was because one of their favorites had to be eliminated.
Naturally, if their favorites differed, there was bound to be a subtle tension.
The only comforting thing was that quite a few people had brought Yoon Cheong slogans, just like the Blue Duck.
‘But there are so many Kim Ryeo-yu fans.’
Kim Ryeo-yu was known for having a lot of core fans.
She was also famous for having a lot of slightly crazy fans.
Thanks to producing both antis and fans like crazy, her fans claimed it was because Kim Ryeo-yu had star quality….
‘It’s probably because her personality is trash….’
These days, she was even on the decline.
She had been on such a decline that a derogatory term, ‘Ryeo-rak-se’, had emerged.
‘On the other hand, our Cheong is completely steady.’
The demand for a visual main vocal never waned.
The Blue Duck knew how rare it was to meet a perfect, all-rounder idol.
Even in Colors, known for its talent, a ‘perfect’ all-rounder was rare.
But Yoon Cheong was truly perfect.
‘It’s not just because she’s my favorite, she’s really perfect.’
While thinking such fond thoughts, someone sat down next to the Blue Duck.
It was someone who had brought a camera and expensive equipment.
“Phew, it’s hot, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yes. It’s very hot.”
The Blue Duck awkwardly greeted the person.
It had been a long time since she attended an offline event, so she felt a bit embarrassed.
“….”
“….”
Thus began the endless awkward waiting time.
“Who are you a fan of…?”
“Yoon Cheong….”
“Me too!”
“Wow.”
And so began the meeting between the Blue Duck and Prism Homma.
***
Time didn’t exactly fly by…
It dragged on.
It was now 9 p.m.
The notice had said the guerrilla stage would start at 9:30 p.m., so it was about time for something to start happening.
[Please wait a moment. Due to the overwhelming crowd, there’s a delay due to traffic control.]
But it seemed something had gone wrong as there was a delay from the expected time.
“Looks like Colors is really popular.”
“Yes. Just by looking, it seems like there are tens of thousands of people. Hangang Park is a crowded place even when nothing is happening….”
“Oh, is this place usually crowded?”
“Yes, it’s extremely crowded. Especially today, being a Friday, it’s packed.”
The Blue Duck, not being from Seoul, didn’t know this.
“I see.”
“We’ll probably get a lot of complaints tomorrow from the non-fans….”
“Colors fans are destined to be cursed at, so they probably won’t care….”
“True, but I’m just worried our favorites might have to apologize again….”
“If that happens, Colors and Mnet will be dead to me.”
“Agreed.”
The two people once again rekindled their anger towards Colors and Mnet.
After another hour of delay.
Suddenly, all the stage lights went out.
“Wow. Looks like they’re coming out!”
At the moment the Blue Duck shouted, the intro of the official theme song of Colors started playing.
Eleven trainees quickly ascended the stage.
“There’s Cheong! Cheong is there…!”
Although the formation had changed a bit due to the reduction from twelve to eleven, it wasn’t difficult to spot Yoon Cheong.
Prism Homma quickly raised her camera, and the Blue Duck opened her eyes wide.
Seeing my favorite in person?
“This is insane.”
“They’re not even in the same league as us.”
“Those Colors guys… keeping this beauty to themselves….”
The Blue Duck was on the verge of tears.
The feeling was different from seeing them in the studio.
This was only the second time seeing them in person, and it felt even more vivid than before.
“She’s wearing the golden pendant again today.”
“Do you think the interpretation is right? The goddess of the rainbow.”
“Yes, definitely.”
The trainees were wearing the same outfits as their first stage.
Having seen these outfits about 12,323 times, one might expect to be tired of them, but they never were.
“They’re starting.”
I am your new color
Paint me, draw me
I’ll color you, I’ll draw you
Kim Ryeo-yu, the center, started with the lead.
Of course, it was followed by tremendous cheers.
“She really is pretty.”
“Not the most conventionally beautiful, but….”
“There’s something strangely captivating about her.”
In the end, the two acknowledged that Kim Ryeo-yu had something.
Well, that’s why she had so many core fans.
But without time to dwell on such impressions,
Like twelve crayons
Like inflated dreams
Color color me
Their favorite’s part came out.
“This is insane.”
“Wow.”
“This is insane.”
“Wow.”
“Hey, this part originally belonged to Hee-on.”
“They gave Hee-on’s part to Cheong.”
“Cheong is really good….”
Hope they don’t nitpick about this.
They were both very happy and worried at the same time.
If anyone criticized Cheong for Hee-on’s part, they’d have to deal with them.
But for now, they were just happy.
“Her beauty updates every day.”
What’s your favorite color?
Tell me that’s me
Next, Ryu Bo-ra’s whispering vocals.
“Wow, Bo-ra is just….”
“She’s not from this world.”
“Being an actress makes a difference. Her features are so distinct….”
Coral coral burst rouge
Color color burst rhythm
“Juhong is really cute.”
“Her part is so small, but she explodes with charm every time she appears.”
“The lyrics are perfect for her too….”
“That part’s fancam hit 100,000 retweets. I added about 10,000 of them.”
“I did the other 90,000.”
I am your new color
Paint me, draw me
I’ll color you, I’ll draw you
After the chorus again.
What all Blue Ducks had been waiting for, Yoon Cheong’s part,
But just for a moment, the rainbow disappears
The only eternal thing is the blue sky
The atmosphere completely shifted with Yoon Cheong’s part.
“!!!”
“!!!!”
The two couldn’t speak anymore, just admiring Yoon Cheong.
I am your whiteboard
The scribbles you wrote become my poem
When Seo Baek-young came out, they finally took a breath.
“Cheong is really….”
“Baek-young is great, but our goddess is….”
Over the rainbow
We’re waiting for you
I’ll steal all your colors
I’ll paint my colors on you
The highlight was sung by Kim Ryeo-yu and Yoon Cheong together.
The song was reaching its end,
“Here comes the final part.”
It was one of the fans’ favorite parts.
The eleven trainees formed a circle, pointing to the center with their hands.
Even with one person missing, there was no sense of disharmony.
Over the rainbow
We’re still here
We’re still blue
“Huh?”
But something was different today.
It should have ended there, but the trainees raised their joined hands together.
The trainees tightly held each other’s hands.
We’re still here
We’re waiting for you
Forever
And Yoon Cheong sang the final part once more, changing the lyrics slightly.
“This is insane.”
“Is this a message for Hee-on…?”
“Damn, I’m tearing up….”
Especially since Yoon Cheong sang it, it was even more meaningful.
When Jo Hee-on left, Yoon Cheong had to endure countless rumors.
Her fans also suffered together.
They fought daily, but the constant trolling wore them down.
Although things had settled eventually—
“I’m so grateful Cheong did this.”
“Feels like a message for us too, doesn’t it?”
“That’s what I think.”
How could they not love Yoon Cheong?
They looked at Yoon Cheong.
And when the song ended completely,
“Thank you!”
Yoon Cheong looked at her fans.