Chapter 60

60

[AAAAAAH]

[KKAAAAAAH]

After the music video was released, a little time passed and suddenly everyone on the timeline started screaming. The latecomers, who were confused, scrolled up and saw a link.

[Guys, is this the Apocalypse series? (Link)]

Clicking on the link led to a certain post.

[Title: OceanTrend Second Chance series, opinions are divided, but this is clearly a series. First, watch the music video. This time, the OceanTrend concept is about the members of Deden boarding a train heading to the sea (a clip of Seohyun walking inside the train) (a clip of each member looking around)

However, when walking on the train, sometimes the background distorts, even though the train itself is the same... I found this strange and looked more closely.

(Enlarged background of the train)

When enlarged, the pictures hanging on the train are different. Each picture looks like a masterpiece but actually represents the cards Seohyun flipped in Second Chance. Especially noticeable is Seohyun's card, which was Spades but is revealed in more detail this time.

(Comparison of Tarot and playing cards)

I think this is 'King of Swords.' In Tarot, this card represents a tyrant who acts arbitrarily but logically. This is exactly like Seohyun in Second Chance.

On the other hand, Sungjae's masterpiece is the King of Hearts holding a sword. The concept of regression remains.

So, have we come this far? Everyone thinks it's completely unrelated, just a random insertion, right? Haha, why did the guys with guns suddenly become a sea train? Haha (Haha, I was thinking the same thing)

But I really felt that Daepa-sung is a genius... Haha, Haha, Haha, from ancient times, ..., ..., ..., ..., ..., the sea is...

a symbol of the subconscious...

(Subconscious_drama1.jpg Subconscious_drama2.jpg Subconscious_movie.png)

(Ocean Train music video, the train entering the sea)

This represents not the reality of each member but their subconscious... That's why each background is different...

In other words, the background of Second Chance is reality, but Ocean Train is their subconscious...

... Then, what do they think in their subconscious? I was curious, so I carefully examined the background. The background has English etched in it, and I summarized each member's ideal:

Seohyun: Ultimately, I will do it my way.

Kang: If you can't avoid it, enjoy it.

Kim: I want to protect everyone.

Sungjae: It doesn't matter how many times.

Jeong: ??? (Not shown)

(Jeong, no matter how many times I look, I can't figure it out... It seems intentional, what is he really thinking?)

But now, each member's ideal is very different, so when they all come together, the train itself shakes a lot.

(A clip of the members meeting and the train sinking)

When all the members meet at the end, the strong current coming in means that their ideals are clashing.

Ha... So, even when the train sinks, they all walk without any concern because they have their own beliefs... They don't doubt for a moment...

(I really think Sungjae's indifference to the disaster is amazing)

After that, the box Kim took out was empty. There are various interpretations, so I won't say more. In conclusion, everything in this music video is the subconscious of each member, and the reality is still the post-apocalyptic world of Second Chance.

Many people are angry, thinking that the fresh concept of Ocean Train means they abandoned the previous album concept. I'll summarize a bit. Kids, watch the music video again.

After the post was shared, suddenly theories and interpretations flooded all social media.

[Damn, Daepa-sung is amazing]

[Daepa-sung, come out and give us a bonus!]

[Producers, come out immediately!]

And Lee Ji-hyun, who planned all this, shivered with goosebumps at the accurate interpretation.

No matter how late the fans cried... the live performance of Ocean Train was about to start.

.

.

.

"Welcome to Yuyu Bank! I'm the bank manager, Ju-seong! Summer is almost here!"

Ju-seong focused on the camera, showing a business smile.

Today, Yuyu Bank featured Ju-seong from Black Cole and vocalist Han Chae-ri from White Cherry as special MCs.

In the audience, a triangular-shaped cheer stick was particularly noticeable. It was the day of Deden's comeback.

Ju-seong suppressed a slight eye twitch and smiled at Han Chae-ri, who was standing next to him. They often appeared together as special MCs, so they were known as a visual couple on Naver and were popular among foreign fans. It was just a funny rumor within the fandom.

"Fresh songs are pouring in like summer. What do you think, Chae-ri?"

"Sure, Seong! If there's wind and a million, I feel like I can go anywhere!"

The White Cherry member delivered her lines with great professionalism. However, the real meaning was:

'Look me in the eye when you say something nice.'

'I don't want to.'

Today, the broadcasting station was a jungle.

They were chatting according to the script, but deep in White Cherry's eyes, the emotion "trash kid" was etched.

'Huh.'

Ju-seong, knowing this but already broken up, just smiled even wider.

After finishing the introduction and heading down to the stage to wait, Han Chae-ri, with a deeply annoyed face, sat in one of the two chairs prepared for them. Ju-seong also casually sat down and turned his eyes to Deden's stage.

The members, dressed in light T-shirts and linen shirts to match the bright and cool summer concept, were checking their movements.

"...Are they the top candidates for today's 1st place? Seohyun, I've been getting close to him lately."

"Sure."

"They seem like good kids. Polite and well-mannered. I don't understand why you hang out with Ju-seong."

"Seohyun is good?"

Ju-seong shuddered, remembering his first meeting with Seohyun. No matter how he looked at it, Seohyun was not a good person, and he could bet all his earnings and buildings in Seoul that he was more delicate and kind.

"He's not normal."

"Huh?"

"Much worse."

'Much worse, as in a bigger jerk?'

Han Chae-ri seemed to be in deep thought, but Ju-seong had no intention of clearing up the misunderstanding. It would be hilarious if Seohyun found out.

'He's really strange.'

From the beginning, Seohyun had something. He wasn't like the people in the entertainment industry who entered the field with just a face and a little talent and filled the gaps with effort.

Seohyun seemed to know exactly how to succeed and was running towards a predetermined conclusion. That's why he did so well in the past six months.

'But to go further, he needs talent.'

He's lacking in dance now.

Seohyun, who was checking his in-ear monitors in front of the camera, took his position. The song started, and the camera followed him.

[The sun is shining on your back, hurry and board this train]

"Wow, this live performance is amazing."

Han Chae-ri, leaning on her chin, muttered. Even though live performances with AR are common these days, the removal of MR and live verification in the idol industry are like checkpoints that must be passed. As the live performances of Deden members soared through the audio, anyone could tell they were good at live performances.

"They would probably benefit even more without MR."

"They sing well."

Not bad talent. They hit the beats and pitch accurately. Much better than those who lose half the beats by showing off.

'But the dance...'

Ju-seong groaned, remembering Seohyun's awkward movements in the practice room.

Dance doesn't improve easily. It requires talent, sense, and hard work. Ju-seong, who watched the final episode of Shining Star, knew that Seohyun's dance skills hadn't changed much.

'I have to be prepared for criticism again. Well... he won't care even if he gets criticized.'

Ju-seong, who had accurately gauged Seohyun's ass-backwards attitude, crossed his arms and watched the stage seriously.

Seohyun, whether he knew Ju-seong's thoughts or not, found the right timing and started the choreography.

[The sea train crosses the sun, even if waves cover us, Tide gets high and low]

'Hmm...?'

As the song progressed, Ju-seong's eyes widened.

'What?'

He's good.

Seohyun.

That awkward mover!

Not only does he hit the beats, but he can also do the wave!

"Wow, he can dance."

Han Chae-ri's appreciation was only to that extent, but Ju-seong, who knew the previous Seohyun, was shocked to the point of dropping his jaw.

[The waves push you from behind, hurry and board this train]

"What? What is he doing?"

How can this happen? How can he improve so much in such a short time...?

"Hey, why are you like this? Sit down."

Han Chae-ri, who wanted to let this trash kid be caught on camera and scolded by the director, pulled Ju-seong back as he stood up to get a better view of the stage. However, she wasn't that cruel.

Ignoring Han Chae-ri's complex feelings, Ju-seong's eyes continued to follow Seohyun.

Seohyun maintained eye contact with the camera throughout the performance.

So, Seohyun...

looked like he was a good dancer.

'Is this possible? It can't be just practice.'

[You are the only answer, You are my key]

Ju-seong was in deep thought.

'...So, did he have a hidden talent?'

No.

Seohyun was just a diligent worker who planned well and got a little help from the system.

***

"Wow, amazing."

"Good job, good job."

We were on our way back after two pre-recorded sessions. I'm exhausted, but the young guys are still bouncing around.

Thinking about the ginseng given by Sungjae in the waiting room, I saw Ju-seong approaching.

"Hey."

"Hello."

"Hello!"

It's now a common sight for Ju-seong to appear like a Pokémon, so the members greeted him without any tension. Only Ju-seong had a serious face.

And this guy, as soon as he saw us, started spouting nonsense.

"Doping?"

"Huh?"

"Or how else could you suddenly dance so well?"

"...I sometimes wonder what's in your head, Ju-seong?"

Despite my genuine admiration, Ju-seong didn't seem to be easily convinced, only raising an eyebrow. I couldn't say it was thanks to the item shop in the system window...

'Wait.'

Is doping even a more ridiculous suggestion?

"To improve so much in such a short time, it's just strange."

"Oh, really?"

"It's not just 'oh, really'..."

I've improved my dancing.

Of course, not as good as Kim or Ju-seong, but at least I can move my hips and groove now.

Ju-seong narrowed his eyes and sighed deeply.

"Hey, I'm really curious. How did that awkward mover become like this?"

"Seohyun practiced really hard."

Sungjae chimed in with a smile.

"Exactly. He practiced almost 24 hours a day. I thought Seohyun was going to die."

Nice. The other members, noticing my awkwardness, chimed in to help. Ju-seong, who seemed to have a sixth sense only when it came to this, stroked his chin and muttered.

"...It can't be just practice."

Talent freak...

"Is that all you have to say?"

I quickly changed the topic. Ju-seong, still looking suspicious, decided to let it go for now and went along with it.

"Hmm, the song was good. The stage was beautiful."

"Thank you, senior!"

Kim, who respects Ju-seong, was startled and bowed with a flushed face. Ju-seong accepted the bow with a slightly awkward expression.

"I sometimes... can't believe Seohyun and Sungjae are in the same group."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Fight, Sungjae!"

Ju-seong clenched his fist and shouted, clearly trying to provoke us.

"I hope you get first place~."

"Just words?"

"Huh?"

"Vote."

He chuckled and tapped on his phone, a gesture meaning, "Show some effort and vote, don't just talk." Ju-seong, looking annoyed, grumbled.

"Sometimes I wonder, have you ever taken an MBTI personality test?"

"Yes, I'm normal."

"Bastard..."

Ju-seong grumbled, saying he would send it later, and walked away. I smiled, watching his back.

"First place... is going to be hard."

Even on a special broadcast like today, with Ju-seong and Han Chae-ri as special MCs, it was only given to the top idols, especially the hottest ones, on major networks.

His request to vote was half a joke and half a desire to get first place.

As expected, we didn't get first place when we confidently went up for the final performance. Ju-seong was handing over the trophy to the first-place winner.

I clapped and turned to the members.

Maybe they were disappointed.

"Hey..."

But it was a false