Chapter 121
As a fan entered and looked through the wreaths, they sat down with a face on the verge of bursting into laughter.
As soon as they sat, they took out their phone and posted on social media.
[(Photo) Showcase wreathsㅋㅋㅋ So funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I saw Muk-ssem’s wreath first because it was in front, and next to it, there was something very imposing, and it was Chronicleㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Thank you, Chronicle seniors, for looking after our kidsㅠㅠ The kindness from unexpected connections is the best.]
┗ [I hope the kids and Chronicle seniors meet on a showㅜㅜ And then lock them in a room and play Pick Heart’s last broadcast (a.k.a. morning drama)]
┗ [Oh, it’s already noisy and so funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
┗ [Honestly, the years of experience between the seniors and our kids are worlds apart, so the kids might be really pressured… But as long as we’re having fun, it’s all goodㅎㅋㅎㅎ]
The unexpected blood relationship between Muk Hye-sung and On Raon revealed in Pick Heart’s last broadcast was widely known not only to fans but also to the general public.
Additionally, the fact that Muk Hye-sung and Chronicle sent separate wreaths became a story with the exaggerated title, ‘A New Male Idol with Five Celebrity Relatives.’
Later, thanks to fans and acquaintances sharing screenshots of posts from various communities, Muk Hye-sung found out about the wreaths his members secretly sent.
Muk Hye-sung was annoyed with the members who, despite being friends for 20 years, still acted immaturely.
However, since sending the wreaths was a good thing, he only warned them moderately in the Chronicle group chat.
[Me] Tone it down.
[Chronicle Joo Yeon-ho] Don’t wanna?!
[Chronicle Han Do-kyung] Saw the picture of you two together, Muk Hye-sung’s getting old tooㅎ
[Chronicle Joo Yeon-ho] Last time I saw, the kid didn’t look like you, he was handsome and cute^^
[Chronicle Lee Ki-joon] Funny guyㅋ Why would Raon look like Muk Hye-sung?? Is he his son? He’s Hana’s son, right???
[Chronicle Kim Sung-young] I feel lonely..!
[Chronicle Han Do-kyung] What’s with the sudden nonsenseㅡㅡ
[Chronicle Kim Sung-young] If I delay more, I can’t get married.. Even if I marry tomorrow and have a kid, I’ll be sixty when they enter collegeㅠ
[Chronicle Lee Ki-joon] Having a kid at this age.. The woman who marries you would be pitiful, so just grow old playing games alone.
[Chronicle Kim Sung-young] (Crying default emoji)
[Me] Don’t do weird things as you age, and take care of your body and mind.
[Chronicle Kim Sung-young] Yesㅠㅠ
[Chronicle Han Do-kyung] Why are we getting scolded suddenly..
Despite the antics of men nearing forty, back at the showcase venue.
“Guys, it’s just the beginning, so don’t stop and keep going. On and on!”
“ORCA!”
Orca, who put their left hands wearing rings together and then threw them up in a cheer, followed the staff’s signal and went up on stage.
Finally, it was 8 PM.
With music that made hearts pound as if something was about to start, the curtain that blocked the stage and the audience slowly lifted.
Orca, appearing on the stage where the curtain lifted, announced the beginning of the long-awaited fan showcase with the performance of their track ‘Fantasy Garden.’
The audience, waving flat temporary light sticks that emitted white and blue light, cheered loudly, creating waves of light.
The choreography of ‘Fantasy Garden’ was considerably lighter compared to ‘Liberation,’ so the members effortlessly held hand mics and performed on stage.
Although there were staff members watching the audience, they pretended not to notice those with filming devices, allowing fans to freely take photos and videos with their phones or cameras.
Next, the group greeting and individual introductions followed.
During the subsequent talk, something unexpected happened.
When MC Bae Se-il asked a question, the members took turns sharing their debut impressions in front of the fans.
Suddenly, Kang Ji-woo, who seemed to be overwhelmed with emotion, started crying halfway through.
Kang Ji-woo was known to be affectionate and full of humanity, but it was hard to imagine this dependable eldest brother actually crying.
The members were taken aback by the tears of their leader, who had looked after them most skillfully just hours earlier at the media showcase.
A fan who had supported Kang Ji-woo since his days as an SS trainee shouted, “It’s okay, it’s okay!” but they, too, were tearing up.
Other fans who knew of his training period through reality shows expressed their sympathy with voices of concern, saying, “Oh no…!”
“Ji-woo didn’t cry and did well during the media showcase earlier. It seems he’s very moved because you all are here in front of him.”
Ban Yo-han, who had been comforting Kang Ji-woo with wide eyes while Bae Se-il got tissues from the staff, spoke to the fans with a smile.
“Ji-woo hyung, we have to show our title song performance now, but you’re crying. Will you be okay to perform right away?”
On Raon followed up.
“Yes. Don’t worry. I can sing well even while crying.”
Kang Ji-woo, dabbing his tears with a tissue, replied in a slightly sniffly voice.
“Really?”
“Yes. Sniff…”
“Then give it a try.”
“Huh?”
Kang Ji-woo, unsure if he heard correctly, asked again, but On Raon urged him once more without hesitation.
“You said you could. We absolutely, definitely have to see if you were lying in front of all these fans.”
The playful insistence brought laughter from the audience.
Kang Ji-woo, not one to back down, fixed his grip on the microphone with a determined look.
“Don’t you need accompaniment?”
When Gyun Seong-ha asked, Kang Ji-woo shook his head, indicating he didn’t need it, and began singing stably, despite having just been crying.
‘Is he a machine? How is he so good?’
Even though the sound staff had deliberately lowered his microphone volume after confirming his exceptional vocal power during rehearsal, his voice filled the spacious showcase venue.
Kang Ji-woo sang a hit song by Rosetta, a 2nd generation idol group, which every Korean could easily sing along to.
On Raon, who had diligently studied Korean pop music since Pick Heart, called out the fan chants at just the right moments, and soon, thousands of fans were following along.
Despite this, Kang Ji-woo’s voice didn’t get drowned out.
“Thank you. I didn’t expect to sing for so long… but everyone responded so well…”
Kang Ji-woo let out an awkward laugh, perhaps finding the situation of singing suddenly after crying a bit ridiculous.
If someone does their job this well, they become likable, even if they’re not your favorite member.
Kang Ji-woo, with his face flushed from crying, laughing, and singing, left a strong impression on the fans present.
“Ah, as expected, Ji-woo’s vocals are solid.”
Thanks to the members who managed well on their own, MC Bae Se-il, who had temporarily lost his role as the host, brought the mood back perfectly with a timely closing comment.
‘Did he plan this outcome?’
To prepare for the next stage, Ban Yo-han went backstage and glanced at On Raon, who had shamelessly suggested Ji-woo sing first. He thought to himself.
That must be it.
On Raon might look like he didn’t understand the ways of the world, but he was quite shrewd in these situations.
Kang Ji-woo, hurriedly getting his makeup touched up, also realized this and thanked On Raon.
Meanwhile, Bae Se-il, still on stage trying to keep the excited atmosphere alive with various comments, received a signal from the staff indicating that everything was ready.
“Thank you for waiting. Let’s get right into the ‘Liberation’ stage!”
The members took their positions on the darkened stage.
Suddenly, the lights flashed on and the intro music started playing.
The same place as yesterday
Just as it is
The moment I look at you
The cold winter air is noticeably heavier than the floating summer midday air.
The song themed around winter felt the same way.
But that doesn’t mean the cool air brushing your cheek can’t be pleasant.
Now it’s time for liberation
Winter
The phrase ‘Winter Freshness’ coined by fans after the teaser was released fit perfectly.
It felt like walking on a clean, untouched snowfield.
Perhaps it was the intense expressions that suggested they would fight and endure to overcome anything, be it winter or whatever else.
Or maybe it was the energy that felt as if they were pouring everything out without thinking about tomorrow.
It was a stage that felt fresh yet serious, and their excellent performance naturally lifted the viewers’ spirits.
Having done it once before, the members were more relaxed than during the media showcase, and the ‘Liberation’ stage ended smoothly, leading into the talk session.
The members took turns performing short bits of choreography from ‘TOXIC,’ ‘Call on Me,’ and ‘Rewind’ in pairs or trios.
Even members who hadn’t appeared on Pick Heart had practiced the choreography in advance, so they could join in seamlessly.
‘TOXIC’ and ‘Call on Me’ were original covers, and the choreography for ‘Eolssu Eolssu’ was created by Seo Moon-gyeol.
‘Rewind’ was particularly notable because Seo Moon-gyeol not only choreographed it but also composed the song, so there were no afterthoughts about why they were performing it.
Except for ‘Eolssu Eolssu,’ fans were seeing the choreographies for the first time in proper form, thanks to Jo In-soo who had previously botched the stage videos and fancams of the Seed trainees. The fans were delighted, capturing the moments with their eyes and cameras.
During this, On Raon had a knack for finding the cameras aimed at him, causing fans’ hearts to flutter suddenly.
Every time On Raon’s gaze met their cameras, it felt as if his handsomeness was piercing through and shattering the lenses.
Fans wished this moment would last forever, but the end inevitably came.
The showcase concluded with a performance of a ballad song that was only available on the CD, not released digitally.
“Thank you so much for coming on this cold day. We, ORCA, will work even harder in the future. Thank you!”
* * *
That night, a person who couldn’t attend the showcase posted a tearful interpretation of the ‘Liberation’ music video on social media.
[On Raon = Winter. Seol Min-da. The white-haired guy is not just a delusion.]