Chapter 79: The Techniques of an Idol Who Never Fails

After the second VCR, which hinted at a solo performance, ended, Hwang Saebi stood on stage, holding a standing microphone, wearing a casual outfit and with disheveled hair. He had several rings on his hands, including the team ring. Behind him stood the session musicians, who were his former bandmates from middle school.

Hwang Saebi played the guitar riff of what was likely the most famous alternative rock song in history with a pick. As the drum sounds began, Hwang Saebi's raspy vocals filled the venue. The fans screamed at the roughness of his voice, which usually sounded as smooth as possible during the intro.

'Our leader is really determined...'

To blend in with the team, he couldn't just do what he was best at. Therefore, on this solo stage of the concert, Hwang Saebi was showing what he was best at.

After the band performance ended and all the session musicians left the stage, Hwang Saebi walked over and put on the leather jacket that was hanging on the drum stool. Then, after sitting in front of the drums, An Juwon and Shin Jiwoon came onto the stage.

The hot lights dimmed, and a new song with jazz elements played over Hwang Saebi's drumming.

'Free and Clear'

Although all the lyrics were in English and couldn't be understood, it didn't matter. Just by looking at the three of them, the fans were already in a state of confusion. It felt like they had just entered a club, pleasantly drunk, and everything sounded perfect. Hwang Saebi's drumming, Shin Jiwoon's well-articulated rap with a deep voice, and An Juwon's soft vocals pushed the fans into a dreamlike state.

'I have no debts. My success is due to me.'

From the repeated lyrics, the fans could tell that the two 2005-born members, who were still two weeks away from turning 18, were singing to some adults.

The fans expected that the overseas cover performance and the second stage, whose lyrics shouldn't be translated, wouldn't be included in the concert Blu-ray, so they tried to memorize as much as possible.

* * *

While First Light's concert was ongoing, a behind-the-scenes video of the VMC Music Awards' 'Boys' was uploaded to the TYT official YouTube channel.

[Wow... First Light is so boring]

[What's boring? The kids aren't even talking?]

In the behind-the-scenes video of the Boys, the First Light members barely spoke and avoided the camera. Even Min Jihoo, who was usually very talkative, whispered to the other members when he had something to say.

[Why are they whispering in front of the camera? lol]

[Why are they like this?]

As the reactions started to turn negative, Hwang Saebi muttered 'uh' and rolled up his sleeve before standing up and telling the staff,

"I'll be right back, I'm going to our waiting room."

The other members then got up and followed Hwang Saebi back to the waiting room. Inside, Jung Haeun, who was working on his MacBook, closed it.

"Bro!"

Min Jihoo ran over and pointed at the camera.

"There's a camera."

"Uh-huh."

Jung Haeun took a deep breath and looked at the camera.

"They look like this, but they're actually quite shy."

"I don't look like that. Bro, you say I'm cute."

"You're cute, but heavy."

Min Jihoo clung to Jung Haeun's back, and Jung Haeun dragged him to the sofa and sat him down. Meanwhile, Hwang Saebi picked up Jung Haeun's bag.

"Do you have a band-aid?"

"I do, but ask the Boys' staff."

"Me? To people I don't know?"

"Bro, if the leader can't talk to people he doesn't know, what's the point?"

Annoyed, Hwang Saebi covered one of Jung Haeun's ears and took out a band-aid from the bag, applying it to a scratch on his sleeve.

[Jung Haeun is like a peddler]

[Why did he go all the way to his waiting room to get a band-aid? lol]

[He was trying to hide, not show off...?]

[Why is he like this with that face...?]

[The audio is suddenly muted]

[First Light is surprisingly a homebody]

[LOL, but it's true]

[Looking at this, I can understand why First Light's atmosphere changed when Jung Haeun joined. The members really came alive]

[But even Jung Haeun seems a bit uncomfortable with the camera]

[I noticed that too. As soon as the members entered the waiting room, they told the camera where to go]

[Wow, I just realized that]

[If you're not a First Light fan, is Jung Haeun's mental state okay?]

[He's fine with fans, but I'm not sure without them]

[For Haeun, fans are like a universal remedy. He's different without them]

[So he's fine because of the fans?]

[Yeah]

[When I watched the broadcast, I thought he had stage fright, but now I see he just doesn't want to show it. Even the fans don't mention it...]

* * *

While Hwang Saebi and the 05s were performing, Park Sunjae said to Jung Haeun backstage,

"Bro, the reaction is amazing!"

"Uh."

He was so nervous that he could barely respond.

All the members were busy preparing for today's performance, but they couldn't bring up such topics in front of Jung Haeun.

When the members performed their solo stages, Jung Haeun compiled and arranged their ideas, finding ways to connect them.

Because they believed he could handle anything, they accepted all the suggestions, such as covering overseas songs, bringing in their middle school bandmates, and the two 05s performing entirely in English.

Park Sunjae, while adjusting his in-ear monitors, said,

"Bro, you're the freedom of First Light."

Hearing this, Jung Haeun looked at Park Sunjae and managed a smile.

"You always nag."

"They don't listen to you. I do!"

Park Sunjae's charm made Jung Haeun laugh more freely.

"You said it was as hard as covering overseas songs, bro."

That was true. Park Sunjae giggled.

After the concert version of Matteo's performance ended, the stage was covered with a white curtain, and highlights of the year's activities were shown. The curtain then dropped, revealing a stage decorated with Christmas ornaments and a giant tree.

"I wanted a really big tree on the stage!"

This was the stage setup Park Sunjae had requested.

With dancers, Han Hyosuk, Min Jihoo, and Jung Haeun performed a solo stage inspired by the Nutcracker's dances from around the world. The choreography, which utilized the entire stage, was a light and energetic dance with strong dynamics.

Finally, as Park Sunjae sang "Carol," the three members performed a cute and adorable routine, which made the fans, who were already mesmerized, burst into laughter. It felt like a waste of talent for the youngest member. The members, unable to handle the excessive cuteness, all burst into laughter.

* * *

I recommended a more challenging song to Park Sunjae because I wanted to show off our choreography's skills. But he said he just wanted to have fun with the fans. Seeing the fans' joy, I realized he was right.

After the MC segment, the concert continued with the refreshing title track and coupling songs from the first regular album, as well as unit performances.

As soon as I came off the stage, I collapsed on the floor, and the staff quickly brought oxygen masks. The same was true for the other members.

We had warned the production team that even at our age, such an intense stage setup was too much, but we insisted on pushing our limits.

"Members, drink water, even if you have to force it!"

Thanks to this, the backstage area was chaos. The staff had to change the costumes for the next performance and force the members to drink water. In a dazed state, I drank water and then leaned against the wall, talking to Hwang Saebi.

"Lie down for a bit."

"Uh, I might never get up if I lie down."

Hearing Hwang Saebi's pitiful voice, the members laughed, and the production staff were impressed.

"Wow, young people really are the best. They can still laugh?"

"Yep!"

Min Jihoo answered and then grabbed the oxygen mask, looking exhausted. Shin Jiwoon, lying down, asked,

"Who made the setlist?"

Beside him, An Juwon, with a towel over his face, replied,

"Us, including you."

Shin Jiwoon cursed, and Park Sunjae said,

"Jiwoon, 100 million."

"When did it become 100 million?"

"I don't know, just pay 100 million."

While they were all in a daze, the VCR was playing. Even Han Hyosuk, who was the best in physical fitness among us, muttered while looking at the monitor,

"Can you slow it down to 0.5x speed?"

The members laughed again. Laughter definitely helped with recovery.

As the VCR showed the night returning after a day, the fans cheered, guessing the next performance.

We went on stage wearing cozy and warm knits or cardigans.

* *