boyutpedia Chapter 160: Acceleration (9)
Chapter 160: Acceleration (9)
The members of ‘Vanguard’ appeared at the music video filming site, where dozens of staff had gathered. The first outfit was a school uniform, and their makeup was already done. Everyone had naturally styled hair covering their foreheads, and the makeup wasn’t too heavy.A natural vibe.
With the arrival of the protagonists, the attention of the staff was all focused on ‘Vanguard’, and Kang Rojun and the members were busy bowing and greeting as they entered.
“Hello-”
“Hello!”
“Hello.”
Dozens of staff warmly welcomed ‘Vanguard’. Although a few days of intense all-night shoots were scheduled, the atmosphere was mostly cheerful, and soon, cameras from the ‘Vanguard’ YouTube channel flocked around the members.
Thanks to that.
‘The cameras are on us already, just smile for now.’
Kang Rojun immediately put on a smiling expression. At the same time, he was feeling quite a strange emotion.
‘It’s been a while since I wore a school uniform.’
The school uniform outfit felt quite awkward. He had already heard about it and tried it on beforehand. But actually wearing the school uniform on set made him feel like a real high school student.
On top of that.
‘Isn’t almost the entire shoot in uniform today?’
Most of today’s outfits were school uniforms. Of course, the details and colors were different for each cut. In other words, this was the concept for ‘Flying Bell’, one of Vanguard’s debut songs. Anyway, as the ‘Vanguard’ members walked to the set, the YouTube team asked a question.
“Do you like today’s outfit?”
Kang Rojun kept his smile and answered honestly.
“It feels a bit awkward since it’s been a while, but I do like it.”
Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung joined in.
“It’s kind of awkward for me too……”
“I don’t really feel anything.”
‘Vanguard’ continued a short interview-like segment with the YouTube team. Meanwhile, the MV director and key staff watched the members and nodded approvingly.
“As expected, no awkwardness at all. Putting them in school uniforms makes them look like students right away. Is it because they’re all so good-looking?”
“Styling plays a big role at times like this. Besides, they naturally look young, don’t they? What do you think, Director?”
“We’ll have to see it on camera, but just looking at them now, I don’t see any issues. But that member, Si-hoo? Is he really the oldest?”
“Right? He looks like he could be the youngest or somewhere in the middle.”
While the nearby staff were praising the ‘Vanguard’ members, they especially commented on Kang Rojun.
“…Rojun’s visuals are insane. With that face, he could pull off anything, uniform or not.”
“That’s what I’m saying. He’d shine even in a tank top, wouldn’t he??”
They clicked their tongues in awe.
“He’s a super handsome guy, an ultimate visual, all those things I’ve heard… but he’s really- wow.”
“He’s so good-looking it’s almost scary.”
“Seriously. If he came up and talked to me, I’d probably freeze on the spot.”
“Kind of feels like… he’s drawn in a different art style?”
In the meantime, the ‘Vanguard’ members arrived in front of the MV director. After a round of appropriate greetings, the director showed them the storyboard and explained the shoot.
“We’ll start with the group dance cut. The song is ‘Flying Bell’. From the group full shot, we’ll add bust shots of two members. Don’t just keep looking at the camera. If I give a signal from the front, look straight ahead. Smile as much as possible.”
“Yes!”
“Yep! Got it!”
“This might feel difficult since it’s your first time, but think of it like during dance practice. That’ll make it a little easier. You’ll get the hang of it as we go. Let’s give it a try.”
After the first briefing, the director signaled standby to the entire staff, and Kang Rojun and the members entered the first set. It had a classroom-like vibe, decorated with brightly colored flowers. As the members stood in their designated spots, the styling team rushed over. It was to make final adjustments to their outfits.
Starting with Si-hoo,
“Ugh, I’m nervous.”
The members spoke out their nervous heartbeats. Even Rojun, who was relatively used to cameras and filming, felt his heart race. After all, it was finally the first music video shoot. Still, maybe because of their training during ‘Produce That 100!’, the nerves quickly settled.
Soon.
“Standby!!”
The styling team who had been with the members quickly withdrew, and dozens of staff fell silent. Before anyone realized, the ‘Vanguard’ members appeared on the director’s monitor.
And then the director fired the starting shot across the wide set.
“Action!”
At the same time, a short vibration buzzed on Kang Rojun’s phone.
-[Hidden Mission ‘First Music Video Shoot of Your Life!’ has been completed! You have been awarded 15 coins as a reward.]
The song ‘Flying Bell’ blared powerfully across the entire set.
-♬♪
Along with it, the members of ‘Vanguard’ began their choreography. The angle started with a group full shot. Soon, flower petals were sprinkled down like snow over the members, and a slow smile spread across the lips of the director watching the monitor closely.
‘What’s this? I thought they’d be nervous, but they’re all doing great?’
‘Vanguard’ was like fish in water.
After that.
The music video shoot progressed more smoothly than expected. Considering it was their first time, the ‘Vanguard’ members pulled it off impressively well, so much so that the staff, who were used to MV shoots as part of their routine, gave them high praise.
“They’re good. Usually, people freeze up during their first MV shoot and get stiff, but there’s none of that with Vanguard.”
“Contestants from audition variety shows adapt quickly. They grew up with cameras on them from the start. Maybe it’s just in their nature.”
“Could be we’ll wrap this faster than expected??”
In fact, not only Kang Rojun but also Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung quickly immersed themselves in the shoot. Thanks to that, the group dance cut got an OK after just three takes.
“Cut!! That was good! Now let’s move on to solo cuts!”
Next were the solo shots. These solo cuts, which focused on each member individually, involved a bit of acting. The first to stand in front of the camera was Kang-min.
“Action!”
It was a shot emphasizing facial expression, with no need for choreography. He just had to smile while reaching out toward the falling flower petals. But as expected.
“Cut. Let’s go again, Kang-min nim! Please smile subtly, subtly.”
It was a series of retake requests.
“Again!”
Not just Kang-min, but Si-hoo and Do-kyung were the same.
“Let’s try again!”
Repeated re-actions and directing. Each member seemed to need at least ten retakes. However, Kang Rojun was different.
“……OK!”
Rojun got an OK on the first try. The MV director was even tempted to get greedy.
“Rojun nim! That was really good, let’s turn the camera a bit and try one more take.”
“Yes.”
The group cut shoot took less than an hour, but as soon as they moved to the solo cuts, two hours had already flown by. Still, the first solo cut somehow wrapped up. There were countless shoots like this ahead, though.
-Swish.
The director and key staff gathered in front of the monitor to review what they had shot so far. First up were Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung.
“Looks like they practiced a bit. The visuals are improving noticeably.”
Next was Kang Rojun’s footage.
“Whew! As expected, maybe because he has the presence of an actor, he’s just flying.”
“He’s the only one who doesn’t give off an amateur vibe. Feels completely like a pro.”
“Hmm, seeing it like this, the difference with the others is pretty obvious, don’t you think, Director?”
“Well, nothing we can do. We’ll just keep repeating takes with the other members to get the best cuts, and the rest we’ll have to fix in editing.”
With their outfits changed.
-♬♪
The music video shoot of ‘Vanguard’ continued.
Meanwhile, at ‘BG Pictures’.
Manager Kim Ki-baek, who had left the MV shoot, was now at a meeting at ‘BG Pictures’, where Kang Rojun’s scenario for ‘Blood Hunt’ was in the final stages of storyboard work and casting. Of course, the Culture Drawer team was also present.
Manager Jang Hak-seon attended, but Director Yoo Ji-heon, who was a top-tier director currently extremely busy, was not present.
The discussion, of course, revolved around Rojun as a screenwriter and as an actor. Then, with a weak smile, Manager Kim Ki-baek brought up a topic.
“Hmm- so when is ‘BG Pictures’ planning to announce anything about Rojun nim?”
Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa from Culture Drawer seemed curious as well and nodded, and the response came from the good-natured Manager Jang Hak-seon.
“We were actually thinking of checking in with GN Entertainment or Culture Drawer soon, since pre-production is now about halfway through. What timing do you think would be best?”
Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa responded first.
“‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ has just begun its media push with the script reading and so on, so rather than following that immediately, I think about a week later would be best. What do you think, Manager Kim Ki-baek?”
“Right now, ‘Vanguard’ is in the spotlight with their debut showcase having sold out all seats. I think the best timing would be just before that event.”
Manager Jang Hak-seon slowly stroked his chin.
“The showcase is on April 5, right? Then… you’re saying we should make the announcement in the last week of March.”
The timing was appropriate. It would feel like combining forces with both ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ and Vanguard’s debut showcase. At present, Writer Rojun’s domestic activities had been quiet since ‘Rental Lover’. However, if it were revealed that a top-tier director like Yoo Ji-heon was making a film based on Kang Rojun’s scenario.
‘Our ‘Blood Hunt’ could also enjoy a significant trickle-down effect.’
It was a win-win for everyone.
Moreover, ‘Blood Hunt’ wasn’t just Kang Rojun’s work as a writer, it would also be his debut film as an actor. So, the impact would be doubled.
At that moment, Manager Kim Ki-baek chimed in.
“But wouldn’t it be a bit dull to just make an announcement as is?”
Manager Jang Hak-seon tilted his head.
“Pardon? Do you have something in mind?”
“Well- nothing grand, really. I was thinking, what if we built some buildup first?”
“By buildup, you mean?”
“What if we first drop some breadcrumbs to get the fans rolling the snowball themselves? Hmm- right now, the ‘Vanguard’ YouTube channel is doing really well.”
“Yes, I heard. It already has over five million subscribers, doesn’t it?”
Maintaining his faint smile, Kim Ki-baek continued.
“Yes. Among the uploaded videos, there’s some casual content of the members’ daily lives. I’ll slip in the ‘Blood Hunt’ script, with Director Yoo Ji-heon’s name on it, just enough to catch the eye. Then, naturally, fans will start spreading the rumors. That ‘bait’ will grow over time. And when it’s nicely ripe, ‘BG Pictures’ can make the official announcement.”
“Ah-”
“Then, because of the buildup that’s already in place, the impact will be much greater. The public loves that sort of thing. The thrill of uncovering a hidden truth, and the euphoria when it turns out to be real, especially if it’s something that benefits their favorite star. And the press? They go even crazier over unofficial leaks than official news.”
“……”
For a moment, Manager Jang Hak-seon thought Manager Kim Ki-baek was more capable than he appeared.
‘He looks unmotivated on the surface and somewhat weak, but turns out he’s quite the thinker? Interesting character.’
As a result, Manager Kim Ki-baek’s idea was
“Understood. Let’s proceed as you’ve suggested.”
Approved.
Back to the present.
The first shoot of Vanguard’s music video wrapped up only by late night. But that was just the beginning. In fact, the ‘Vanguard’ members and MV filming team gathered again early the next morning, on the 3rd.
“Action!”
Filming resumed. An ongoing all-nighter. All the ‘Vanguard’ members, including Kang Rojun, were filled with fatigue, but they couldn’t rest. If anything, the crew’s exhaustion was heavier than theirs.
Still, the atmosphere on set remained relatively bright, and as the fast-paced shoot continued over several days, time slipped away for everyone.
One day, then two.
Finally, on the afternoon of the fifth day since shooting began.
“……OOOK!! Great work, everyone!”
With the director’s powerful signal,
“Thank you for your hard work!!”
“Thank you so much!!!”
The ‘Vanguard’ members, all dressed in all-black outfits, greeted every single staff member non-stop. Soon, Rojun muttered inwardly.
‘Somehow, it’s over. Feels a little bittersweet, though.’
Because the music video shoot for ‘Vanguard’ had officially ended.
The next day, Sunday the 7th, Kang Rojun and the members were on the move from early morning. Though the MV shoot had ended, their schedule was far from over. However, today, instead of heading straight to GN Entertainment, they had to stop by somewhere else first.
The van carrying ‘Vanguard’ stopped at an outdoor parking lot.
Once the members got out, they were met with the sight of a grand stadium.
“Wow-”
It was Gocheok Dome, where their debut showcase would be held. Excitement filled the eyes of Rojun and all the members. At that moment, Manager Kim Ki-baek, who had gotten out from the passenger seat, spoke with a faint smile.
“If that’s how you react just seeing the outside, you might faint when you see the inside.”
He guided the ‘Vanguard’ members inside. For reference, the stage construction at Gocheok Dome was in its final stages. So there were still plenty of construction workers around, and shouts and loud banging sounds echoed everywhere. The more that happened, the more Kang Rojun’s heart raced.
Then, as they walked down the hallway ahead, Manager Kim Ki-baek turned to the members.
“Let’s start by getting up on the stage.”
Before long, the ‘Vanguard’ members set foot on the vast stage. The moment they stepped onto the still-unfinished stage.
“……”
“……”
They were completely speechless. As Kang Rojun looked out at the 20,000-seat arena stretching endlessly in front of him, a surge of electricity ran through his entire body.
‘It’s so marvelous it’s like…another world.’
How could one describe such enormity? The seats were empty, and yet the sheer grandeur they exuded was overwhelming. And when those seats would be filled with over 20,000 fans?
Rojun’s body tingled with excitement, and the corners of his mouth subtly twitched upward.
‘I get it now… why they call this the dream stage.’
At the same time, Manager Kim Ki-baek’s tired voice rang out.
“Um- Stage construction will be done this week, so we’ll need to start preparing for the rehearsal, right?”