GIJS

Chapter 48

This is the essence of an idol performance.

The main dancer of 'Veloce,' Pael, was nicknamed 'Pakkondae.'

Though he appeared to be a cheerful and easygoing person, he was known among fans for his unyielding attitude towards dance and performance.

One of his habits was saying 'essence.'

He believed that a true idol should showcase an essence-filled performance anywhere, anytime.

Regardless of the concept, outfit, or stage equipment used.

If the understanding of the song, choreography, and vocal performance didn't match up, it wasn't a 'performance with essence' in Pael's eyes.

From Pael's perspective, Joo Ha-sung's team 'Warriors' performance of [Suit Up] was a typical 'performance without essence.'

The military concept reinterpretation was fine up to a point.

However, the issue was that the new interpretation overshadowed the original concept of the song.

The fundamental concept of [Suit Up]—that clothes could help you meet another self—was completely lost, leaving only flashy stage effects and high-level dance performances.

Pael had to admit that leader Joo Ha-sung danced exceptionally well.

In terms of technique, he was comparable to idols who had already debuted.

However, the message in his dazzling dance was completely different from the original intent of 'Veloce.' In fact, it was difficult to discern any message at all.

The judging feedback was also challenging.

Though Pael wanted to criticize the performance of the essence-less juniors, he had been advised by Director Woo Kyung-hoon to step away from his 'old-school' frame of thinking, making it awkward to speak candidly.

It was painful to scold the juniors who were proudly asking for praise, saying, 'We did well, didn't we? Give us some compliments!'

In the end, he left a vague review and handed over the microphone. It was indeed a flashy and challenging performance, and Joo Ha-sung had danced magnificently.

But Pael felt frustrated, as if he had eaten a sweet potato without water.

'I hoped [Suit Up] wouldn't be used as a competition song for idols...'

Still, since two teams were competing with the same song, perhaps the other team might show a performance he would like.

He had a slight hope, but it was shattered the moment he saw the cue sheet and members.

The name 'Yu Gunja' was among the members of the second competing team.

Though Pael had never watched the main broadcast of [A-Yuk-Si], he was familiar with Gunja's name. His close friend, Lunatic's Leon, talked about him whenever he could. Director Woo Kyung-hoon of BET also mentioned that if he couldn't debut through [A-Yuk-Si], he wanted to bring him in at any cost.

With all the fuss, Pael watched a few clips. Videos featuring Yu Gunja had millions more views than those of other participants, making them stand out.

"Hmmm—"

Gunja indeed seemed like an interesting participant. However, he wasn't Pael's taste.

A style that grabs attention with concepts rather than skill. Such a character would eventually become tiresome once the repertoire runs out.

To think that a team including such a participant was competing with [Suit Up].

They would probably present an Eastern-themed arrangement and performance this time as well.

However, Pael was certain. No matter how much Eastern themes might be a cheat code, they wouldn't fit with [Suit Up].

He had already struggled with 'Warriors' dizzying reinterpretation; what kind of monstrosity would come next?

Would they present a bizarre performance with modified hanbok and suits, performing fan dance?

"Phew—"

Pael decided to lower his expectations.

Essence or not, it wouldn't be bad to just watch where it would go.

As his friend Leon said, if you can't avoid it, enjoy it. Though he wasn't sure how much enjoyment there would be...

But the moment the lights came on the darkened stage,

"Huh?"

Contrary to Pael's expectation of an Eastern-themed stage and costumes, the five members were dressed in neat suits.

Their outfits reminded him of Veloce's first performance of [Suit Up].

Of course, two of them were barely wearing their suits, with their jacket fronts undone.

"Wow—!!"

"Yu Gunja—!!"

The intense spotlight created sharp contrasts, making the contours of their bodies clear from afar.

Though the center was Hyun Si-woo in a black suit, the ones who stood out were Yu Gunja and Kwon Taewoong on either side of him.

Their muscles weren't as bulky as a physique competitor's, but the defined and well-toned muscles covered their chest and abdomen.

"Kwon Taewoong—!!"

"Insane, insane—!!"

Such definition couldn't be achieved just with makeup. Pael, who was obsessive about body maintenance, could tell just by a glance that they had put in tremendous effort.

While Pael saw their solid chest and abs as evidence of their hard work, fans saw it as a straightforward signal of excitement.

Wow—...

As the lights fell and the bass riff began, the audience's cheers completely engulfed the performance venue.

It was a good start.

While some might think exposure is a cheap device, if it matches the song's concept, it's also a great expression method.

Above all, [Suit Up] is a song about 'the process of dressing.'

While others perform songs about taking off clothes, Veloce sang a song about dressing up neatly. There was also regret for not expressing a more direct kind of sexiness.

But seeing Gunja and Taewoong on stage, Pael belatedly realized that it was a matter of starting off with clothes in the first place.

But what mattered was what came next.

After dressing with essence and getting the audience's cheers,

If the stage ends up being ruined with a bland performance, it would end up being neither here nor there.

'Do well, do well...'

Watching the five boys, Pael was unknowingly cheering them on.

Finally, the first verse began with the melody overlaying the bass riff.

Until yesterday

You took off your boring and blurry self,

Create yourself as you wish.

Take off your boring self—.

"!"

As Hyun Si-woo began the first verse, goosebumps spread across Pael's body.

The offbeat entry of the first verse, the countless hours of practice Veloce had put in to achieve a perfect start.

How many times did they practice to correct the slightly off movements?

How many times did they nag at the members for their habitual moves?

That's how they managed to create the introduction to [Suit Up].

A simple move of walking forward and tapping shoulders with hands.

But because it was simple, it was difficult to bring out its full flavor.

No group was as obsessed with perfecting such a simple move.

Therefore, Pael felt a shiver.

From the part that no one cares about, this essence overflowing with chills!

The perfectly refined introduction captivated every audience. How much effort went into creating this simple movement, instantly convincing everyone.

The audience in the stands seemed to feel the same way as Pael.

Even those who cheered for abs exposure were captivated by the overwhelming start.

Continuing with the turn move.

The positioning of the foot, the angle of the body rotation, the shape of the arms and shoulders, even the way the jacket flutters—all were identical.

How many hours of practice were involved? How did they replicate each other so perfectly?

Without any clue, the oil-free performance continued.

From today

Listen to the voice inside you that was asleep.

Check Pattern, the clothes you wore yesterday.

You wanted something different.

The movement smoothly crossed paths with Ji Hyun-su standing in the center. Pael also knew Ji Hyun-su's face. He was probably the main producer of [Unmannered Ones].

Ji Hyun-su had already proven his abilities with various sources in rich tracks. But [Suit Up] aimed for strict minimalism.

Avoiding the use of various instruments made it challenging to give a different feeling through arrangement. It was even more difficult to add something special while preserving the original flavor.

Yet Ji Hyun-su managed to achieve the difficult task.

From just listening to the initial bass riff.

It wasn't a bouncy and exciting riff. It was a groovy bass that made your hips move rather than your shoulders, calling for an internal dance.

The combination of synthesizers and percussion layered on top revealed his individuality while thoroughly respecting the original song.

Wait, this is a participant-led arrangement?

But the 'Breakthrough' team didn't give Pael a moment to be surprised. This time, with the amplified bass sound, the members Gunja and Taewoong, half-undressed, came to the forefront.

Wow—...

The cheers tore through the sky. Yet, Gunja and Taewoong never excessively exposed their bodies.

They focused entirely on the choreography. But every move was filled with overwhelming power and precision.

Thanks to that, their naturally fluttering shirts presented a delightful view to the audience.

"Wow—!!"

"Gunja, I'm dying—!!"

At this moment, even fans who had cheered for Joo Ha-sung seemed to unite as one.

Finding my outfit that I never imagined.

I was the first to fall for the newness I encountered—.

Following with Gunja's singing.

Gunja, who had been decorating the song's highlights with Eastern-style vocals or pansori-like rap.

However, the part he took this time was the pre-chorus just before the chorus.

Although there were doubts about whether this role suited him, once again, Pael felt a shiver that enveloped his whole body.

Is that really the Yu Gunja he knew?

The pansori performer from the clips was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the vocal performance perfectly captured the essence of the original song.

Without any common banding or vibrato, the melody of the pre-chorus, with its precise staccato, provided auditory pleasure even for a seasoned idol like Pael.

And all of this was achieved while performing intense choreography!

With the drum beats falling, Gunja and Taewong's legs simultaneously spread apart. The bulging quadriceps tightened the suit pants as well.

Fans erupted into cheers once again, but Pael was still in awe of their unwavering live performance.

"...What's up with them?"

Though there was some AR (auto-tuning) applied, even considering that, the live performance was on par with that of established idols. To sing reliably while performing such intense movements requires extreme training of the lower body and core. It's a level of live performance that can only come from sacrificing and giving up many things.

Or maybe they were just born with exceptional physicality.

Pael, who had intended to observe how far they could go, was now completely captivated by this performance.

The "Breakthrough" team's rendition of "Suit Up" was, indeed, the very essence of idol performance as Pael envisioned it.

The deafening cheers, the enamored looks of trainers and judges, filled the venue.

However, the highlight of this performance was yet to come.