boyutpedia Chapter 173: Music Show (3)
Chapter 173: Music Show (3)
Composer 'Pineon' found it hard to believe as he scrolled through the article.“2.05 million copies?? Over 2 million... for a debut album??”
Pineon was a first-tier composer who soared through the idol scene. He had accumulated quite a bit of experience in the industry, but what he was witnessing now was unfamiliar. Perhaps because of that, Pineon quickly closed the article he was reading and searched for other news, scanning SNS and other platforms for updates.
However.
“...This is ridiculous.”
The article he saw first wasn’t a false report. It was pure fact.
Pineon slowly lowered his phone.
His coworkers, gauging his mood, cleared their throats and quietly left the studio one by one, worried about catching stray fire. Meanwhile, Pineon, perhaps from the stress, kept rubbing his bald head, and eventually, riding the wave, began scratching it vigorously. When his scalp turned red, Pineon muttered in a chilling tone.
“This doesn’t make sense.”
In that moment, he recalled GN Entertainment, which had rejected his song.
‘Fucking hell......’
Looking at the outcome, Pineon had been utterly beaten by ‘Vanguard’. Wasn’t that the case? The song ‘Bloom Me’ that GN had turned down was immediately passed on by Pineon to Big Star Entertainment. Soon after, ‘Neos’ made a comeback with ‘Bloom Me’ as the title track, topping the charts and surpassing 1 million in first-week album sales, showing strong performance.
Around that time, the media and ‘Neos’ fans were all over it, praising him with cries of “As expected of Pineon!”
But with Vanguard’s debut, both the digital charts and first-week sales were crushed.
While general music charts include variables from the non-fan public, album sales numbers clearly showed that ‘Neos’ had lost in firepower to ‘Vanguard’. Of course, even 1 million copies was an impressive figure.
In today’s era where there are so many ways to listen to music, even 300,000 or 500,000 is considered high.
However, ‘Vanguard’ had sold double that, 2 million.
Naturally, in the idol scene, a first-week sale of 2 million copies wasn’t the highest record. There were records of 4 million and even 5 million. In truth, the 2 million mark had several precedents. So why were people saying ‘Vanguard’ had added another ‘first’ to their name?
Pineon clenched his molars and muttered the answer.
“......A debut album hitting million-seller status. No, selling over 2 million copies is something only those ‘Vanguard’ kids have done. Even ‘Neos’ didn’t hit 1 million until their second album.”
Achieving million-seller status in first-week sales with a debut album, ‘Vanguard’ was the first in all of domestic idol history. It was a record of great significance. ‘Vanguard’ had seized a title by outpacing even the most renowned idols right from debut. Whatever the case, at this moment, Pineon thought.
“Ha- ‘Vanguard’ is so fucking annoying.”
It was a confirmed defeat to ‘Vanguard’ or GN Entertainment.
Not only for Pineon, but also for the six men who had just seen Vanguard’s first-week sales. The members of ‘Neos’.
“Is... is this real??! Is this article legit?!”
“......Looks like it is.”
“2 million copies?? Not even 1 million, but 2 million?!!”
They, too, were hit with shock and irritation, just like Pineon.
“How the hell does a debut album sell 2 million!! We’re at 1 million!”
“I’ve never seen this before- sure, I’ve seen first-week 2 million before, but who sells 2 million right at debut?”
“That’s what I’m saying, it’s weird!!”
“Ah, fuck!! Now reporters are definitely gonna run their mouths saying our firepower lost again!”
‘Neos’ wasn’t new to experiencing these kinds of situations. The idol world was too vast for any group to hold first place indefinitely. But because it was ‘Vanguard’ involved, every member of ‘Neos’ was agitated. It was likely the result of accumulated pride, the public eye, and surrounding circumstances.
As Pineon and ‘Neos’ seethed with frustration, on the other side, there was a place erupting with pure joy.
Naturally, the ‘Vanguard’ camp.
“Waaaahhhhhh!!”
Stylists, the choreography team, and other staff burst into cheers, while Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung danced joyfully, shoulders bouncing. These days, ‘Vanguard’ had plenty of reasons to scream with joy, and Kang Rojun, too, was caught in the moment, genuinely overwhelmed with emotion among the members.
‘2 million copies?! That’s absolutely insane, isn’t it?!!’
To be honest, the number didn’t feel real. It just didn’t sink in. But so what? In the end, they set a record, so wasn’t that a good thing? Manager Kim Ki-baek, watching it all, appeared drained, but internally, he was genuinely amazed.
"2 million in first-week sales for a debut album. That’s incredible. This record won’t be easy to break. It’s not just the group’s concept, it’s like they’re truly walking an ‘unrivaled’ path... This is interesting, as expected."
Without losing their explosive energy, ‘Vanguard’.
“Alright, let’s move out.”
Headed off to their next schedule.
After that.
The entertainment industry was abuzz with ‘Vanguard’. The name came up in conversations among various broadcast insiders.
“‘Vanguard’ finally did it, didn’t they?”
“Not just did it, this is a major incident. Selling 2 million copies with a debut album... they’re practically sweeping up money.”
“They’re dropping bombs every week since debut. At this rate, ‘Vanguard’ is definitely Rookie of the Year.”
“Yeah, it’s a complete win for ‘Vanguard’. ‘Neos’ only hit 1 million, they can’t even compete.”
Actors, idols, and countless staff were all busy talking about ‘Vanguard’. However, many domestic entertainment companies were in despair. While there may have been some hope left in the digital charts, selling 2 million in albums left no room to overturn it. It was practically game over.
To make matters worse, they had stacked up yet another ‘first.’
“...2 million copies with a debut album. Hoo- so this is the second record after Gocheok Dome?”
“Debut at Gocheok Dome, 2 million in first-week sales. On top of that, it’s a debut album with a triple title track, and members participated in writing and composing, those are all firsts too.”
“‘Vanguard’ is definitely something else. Damn it, we really should’ve avoided ‘Vanguard’.”
The wall that was ‘Vanguard’ was growing ever taller.
And the media, having found a juicy headline, jumped on it.
《Vanguard surpasses 2 million in debut album’s first-week sales! Sets new K-pop record》
《[StarTalk] 2 million copies in just a week with debut album, ‘Unprecedented Record’ as expected of Vanguard》
They excitedly flooded the internet with articles.
《‘Vanguard’ becomes the first in K-pop history to reach million-seller status with a debut album》
《‘Vanguard’ sells 2 million in debut album first-week sales, following Gocheok Dome debut, adds another ‘first’!》
The fans went wild.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋInsane!!
-ㄷㄷㄷ2 million copiesㄷㄷㄷ
-Wow....
-Congrats Vanguard!!!
-Why does it feel so good knowing I helped out in that 2 millionㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-First-ever 2 million with a debut album in idol history!!! But this is only the beginning for Vanguard!!!
-ㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠㅜI’m so happy for themㅜㅜㅠ I hope they continue to walk only on flower paths!!
-Neos got totally wrecked??
-After the first-week sales got announced, all the Neos fans disappeared, it’s hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
This buzz kept going strong for at least a few days, and the flames of excitement showed no signs of dying down. Regardless, ‘Vanguard’ got even busier, scrambling to keep up with their schedule. And just when things seemed to peak, GN Entertainment threw more fuel on the fire.
《‘Vanguard’, who set a record with 2 million in first-week sales, chosen as the new model for ‘VORN’!》
It was news of Vanguard’s advertisement deal.
《Ad deal right after debut? ‘Vanguard’ confirmed as models for ‘VORN’》
《Rojun, the Face of Vanguard, Selected for 'VALT' Advertisement》
Even though their schedule was already packed, ad meetings and related appointments were added for ‘Vanguard’. But that wasn’t the end.
“Everyone, the Japan concert has been confirmed.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek announced a major project. Kang Rojun and the members widened their eyes, and it was leader Rojun who asked for confirmation.
“A Japan concert?”
“Yes. Um- of course, for now, you guys should just focus on your current schedules. The dates and venue are still under negotiation.”
A Japan concert out of nowhere. But perhaps because they’d already had experience with a show-con at Gocheok Dome, neither Rojun nor the members were flustered for long. Rather, their excitement only grew.
“Will it be the scale of the mini concerts we’ve done before?”
“No. It's not confirmed yet, but think of it as something on the level of the debut show-con. Let’s prepare quickly and rack up yet another ‘first’.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek, who was giving the briefing, informed ‘Vanguard’ about what needed to be done first for the Japan concert.
“Starting next week, we’ll begin recording the Japanese versions.”
Thursday, April 15th, in the afternoon.
Today was the live broadcast of 'Music Beat' on 'JTVM', where ‘Vanguard’ had pre-recorded their performance. The show started at 6 PM. It was currently around 5 PM. With just about an hour left until the live broadcast, one of the waiting rooms for 'Music Beat' was bustling.
Two girl groups were sharing the not-so-large waiting room.
A makeshift curtain had at least been put up to divide the space in the middle. Among one of the girl groups in the room was a familiar face. It was ‘Lime Some', the girl group connected with ‘Vanguard’ through 'Produce That 100!' Including the fox-faced Ha-young, the members of ‘Lime Some’ were checking their stage outfits and chatting.
“‘Vanguard’ is coming today, right?”
“I heard they are. I think someone said they already finished the prerecording, so they should be coming.”
“Wow- I’m so nervous.”
“Isn’t it a really weird feeling?? Right, Ha-young?”
“...Yeah, it’s kind of surreal. Feels like ‘Produce That 100!’ was just yesterday.”
“Exactly what I’m saying! Hmm, what should we do if we bump into them in the hallway or something?”
“Ahh- it’ll be awkward!”
They were chatting away about ‘Vanguard', reminiscing. After all, ‘Vanguard’ was appearing on the live broadcast today. For reference, ‘Neos’ was also expected to show up. In fact, ‘Neos’ was one of the first-place nominees.
Anyway, as the members of ‘Lime Some’ were in the middle of talking about ‘Vanguard', there was a knock on the waiting room door, and their manager checked outside first. Then, smiling, the manager called for ‘Lime Some', and as the curious members stepped into the hallway, they widened their eyes.
And for good reason.
“Sunbae-nim.”
Kang Rojun smiled with his signature eye smile right in front of them. And it wasn’t just him. Standing there in their stage outfits, black suits, were Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung. Seeing them, Ha-young and the members of ‘Lime Some’ froze a little for some reason, and Rojun gave a signal to his members.
“Hello, we’re Vanguard.”
As they greeted ‘Lime Some', leader Rojun handed them something. It was an album.
“Our album. We wanted to give it to you.”
Ha-young and the members of ‘Lime Some', seemingly touched, covered their mouths with both hands. While it was customary for rookie idols to hand out albums like this, in this case, it also carried gratitude because of the connection with ‘Lime Some.’
Flustered, the ‘Lime Some’ members stammered.
Their manager sighed and stepped in.
“What are you doing? We need to give them our album too.”
“Ah!! Right!”
Soon, the album exchange was carried out politely. But ‘Vanguard’ didn’t linger. There were too many people watching and too many places they had to visit. As ‘Vanguard’ walked away, Ha-young and the members of ‘Lime Some’ muttered as if spellbound.
“...Aren’t they already just radiating aura?”
Meanwhile.
Kang Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung continued to visit various waiting rooms, tirelessly bowing and greeting.
“Hello!! We’re Vanguard!”
They made sure to show their faces and deliver albums not only to senior idols but to a variety of singers. Most responded warmly to 'Vanguard'.
“Wow- this is that record-breaking ‘Vanguard’ album?? Thanks! The song’s really good. I’ll be rooting for you.”
“Thank you so much!!”
Kang Rojun was so busy taking in the sight of singers he had only ever seen on TV that he lost track of time, while the other members looked visibly nervous, their tension clear.
Then, as they headed to the next waiting room, Si-hoo spoke up with difficulty.
“......I’m scared.”
Rojun tilted his head.
“Of what?”
Do-kyung replied in a flat tone.
“The next waiting room is the one for ‘Neos’ sunbae-nim.”
“So?”
“It’s just... awkward, you know? The media’s been pushing this rivalry narrative.”
Kang-min scratched his head lightly.
“It’s not like we can skip it. Hoo... It’s a liiittle uncomfortable.”
Their managers observed them quietly. Among them, Manager Kim Ki-baek was about to step forward, when Kang Rojun spoke first.
“What’s the big deal? We just go in, do what we’re supposed to, and leave. And if ‘Neos’ sunbae-nim are professionals, they probably won’t care about us anyway.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek slowly nodded.
At this point, ‘Vanguard’ arrived in front of the ‘Neos’ waiting room. Manager Kim Ki-baek knocked, and when the door opened, a man peeked out and saw 'Vanguard'.
“Ah.”
The man, showing a rather flat reaction, turned around and called out to ‘Neos'. Soon, the waiting room door opened, and Rojun and the members met ‘Neos’ for the first time.
“Hello! We’re Vanguard!”
Out of the six members of ‘Neos', a few stood up and came forward, but the rest stayed seated, simply watching ‘Vanguard'. At that moment, Kang Rojun sensed it.
‘Their reactions are a bit cold.’
He could tell the looks directed at them weren’t friendly.
‘I can see the swearing or contempt in their eyes.’
It was a gaze Rojun was all too familiar with.