GIJS

Chapter 62

Our Concept

Under the stage, Yeonji was once again clasping her hands together and was halfway in tears.

This time was truly dangerous. She almost couldn't get the on-site ticket.

It was the first time Yeonji had failed the lottery and felt so frustrated. She considered buying a resale ticket or any other means.

But whether it was luck or not, an additional 50 seats were opened. Thanks to that, she could still stay on-site this time.

As soon as the first [ACACIA> stage started, tears welled up in Yeonji's eyes.

To rearrange the monotone style girl group song [ACACIA> with a focus on vocals.

Just for that daring attempt, she wanted to applaud until her hands were sore, and it was even better. It was so good that her eardrums felt like they were melting.

Like Leon or Pael, Yeonji could immediately tell. His team members were imitating Gunja's singing style.

An advanced fan can distinguish between an expert and a non-expert. Yeonji, who had already analyzed Gunja's style and breathing down to the nanometer, was able to do that.

The reason the team members did this was simple. They must have thought that this was the only way to perfectly capture the mood of the arrangement.

And that calculation was spot-on. Even before the first verse's chorus ended, many audience members were already sniffling, deeply immersed in the stage.

It's a secret love, everyone has experienced such a love at least once when they were young.

Yeonji also absentmindedly touched her nose as old memories surfaced.

"There was a time like that too."

But the past was okay, no matter what. Now there was Gunja. Yeonji was happy just watching Gunja singing and dancing on stage.

From the moment the first verse ended, the movement began. In Gunja's hand, which had moved under the wooden prop, a pipa was now held.

Squeal-.

When Gunja held the instrument, some fans let out small screams. Yeonji was one of them.

Gunja playing an instrument? She can't stand it.

Yeonji, who had already been moved by the geomungo and gayageum performances of [Unmannered Ones>, naturally thought that the pipa performance would be good as well.

Dan, daang-.

She knew it, she had expected it.

Dang, daang, dadang, daang—···.

It was much better than she had imagined.

The mournful melody of [ACACIA> and the timbre of the pipa were like a perfect match, beyond just compatibility.

In fact, the pipa sound had been included in the recording from the first verse, but hearing it live by Gunja felt entirely different.

Every time the long fingers moved and touched the five strings, a shiver ran down her spine. The six boys' dance perfectly suited the timbre and mood.

Honestly, nothing on stage displeased her. It was as if this stage was taking Yeonji to a past scene.

"···I think I'm really crazy···."

Is it just her feeling this way? Has her fan sentiment clouded her ability to view the stage objectively?

Even with such thoughts, looking around, it seemed that everyone was thinking like Yeonji. Everyone was watching the stage with their hands clasped.

Seeing that, Yeonji's shoulders lifted. It felt like her own victory, and her chest swelled with pride.

Now Gunja had become a recognized participant by everyone.

Although only halfway through the first song, Yeonji was already feeling regret. It was so good that it was a pity that the stage would end. But the song flowed by in an instant.

After the beautifully perfect pipa performance ended, the song had moved to the second verse. The first verse of the second part belonged to Hyun-su.

But this time, it wasn't a solo performance of the verse like in the first. This time, delicate harmonies filled every part of the lyrics.

From low to high notes, the wide vocal spectrum of 'Seven Scholars' made this composition possible.

As Inhyuk's solid bass filled the lower range, the higher voices of Yuchan and Hyun-su played above it.

Taewong's usually rough voice, which stood out because of his breath, became quite pleasant when focused solely on singing without choreography.

As the harmonies began in earnest, emotions rose as well.

Though [ACACIA> sings of secret love like the flower's meaning, the narrator's desire to reveal the secret grows as the song progresses.

As if unable to keep this feeling alone any longer, the whispering song turned into a loud cry.

The song of 'Seven Scholars' also matched this appeal.

Like Acacia,

Just like the secret vow I made alone-.

The second chorus burst out even more intensely. The harmonies also layered up, making the heightened emotions clearer.

Looking into each other's eyes and adjusting the dynamics with hand gestures.

The seven boys on stage created a unified sound.

Leon and Pael, who had already filled the stage with vocals alone, knew.

How much practice it took to create this stage.

The way the seven ended their notes was the same. The ratio of breath mixed into the voice was also the same. Therefore, even at the end of the note, the sound did not split into different directions. The voice, rich with breath, mixed smoothly like bubbles without friction.

What are they afraid of

I don't know well either-.

"These guys, they're really practice demons."

"I told you. I felt it last time too; they're intense."

As the chorus intensified, the members of 'Seven Scholars' walked down from the platform and approached the stage front. As the scholars came closer, the audience leaned forward too.

Now the song reached the peak, which could be called the climax of [ACACIA>.

Gunja, standing in front of the The Seven Scholar's members, recited the lyrics of the bridge calmly.

So that one day my presence can be heard.

So that you can feel my scent.

The lyrics, which seemed to convey feelings, echoed in the audience's ears.

As the deep voices of Inhyuk and Taewong, who handled the chorus, filled the lower range, Hyunseok and Yuchan also stepped forward.

Before long, Yuchan and Hyun-su, standing next to Gunja, tightly gripped their microphones.

If that day comes-.

The highest note of the song finally erupted.

Like Acacia—!

Gunja's clear and cool high notes, with Yuchan's sweet harmony a third below.

And on top of that, Hyunsu's high-pitched harmony. Hyunsu's vocal remained steady even in the high notes reaching the third octave.

Ahhh—···.

From the starting point to the vibration's pulse, everything perfectly matched. There was no misalignment in the final note treatment.

The moment they finished holding the note, the three in charge of the high notes felt shivers all over their bodies.

It was a kind of drug-like pleasure that only those who had achieved perfect breathing through endless practice could feel.

Gunja, Yuchan, and Hyunsu, who had neatly handled the climax, looked at each other.

Before they knew it, smiles were on the faces of the three.

They did it, and perfectly so.

But the fans below the stage didn't seem to have the luxury of smiling.

Already, more than half of the fans supporting 'Seven Scholars' were in tears. The thrilling high note climax gave more than just emotion.

It was not just a vocal strength show with high notes. It was a climax created with a clean breath, not damaging the song's sentiment. It was more than enough to stimulate the fans' tear ducts.

"···Sniff···."

"Gunja, Hyunsu···."

"What should I do-."

The seven scholars, who had perfectly executed the bridge, took another step forward. Now the fans were also reaching out to them.

Like Acacia,

Just like that vow made alone-.

Everyone sang the chorus loudly. Even the original artist 'Ponyta' members sitting in the audience, fans of Gunja and the seven scholars, and even the audience who came to support the opposing team.

I'm not afraid,

I think I finally understand-.

They followed the chorus of this hidden masterpiece.

As voices joined together, the stage naturally became grand. The 'Ponyta' members were shedding tears and snot in their excitement.

The unfortunate song [ACACIA> buried by the worst release timing was perfectly revived through the voices of the seven scholars.

"Sniff, our boss will surely be happy, right-."

"···Huh, sis, I'm so happy···."

Yeonji and Gunja's fans were already in a state of over-immersion beyond just being absorbed.

They not only loudly sang the chorus but were even at the point of feeling jealousy towards the love interest in the song, beyond just pride.

The narrator of [ACACIA> said they were secretly in love with someone.
Now, saying that they won't hide their feelings anymore was the climax of this song.

Thanks to the outstanding appeal, [ACACIA> sounded like the autobiographical story of the seven scholars.

Who could this person they love so much be?

As the chorus repeated, that curiosity grew. Even though they knew it was an absurd emotion, over-immersion clouded rational judgment.

The main melody of [ACACIA> created by the pipa sound disappeared, leaving only the droning percussion in the accompaniment.

That empty space was filled with the seven scholars' a cappella and the audience's collective singing.

Like Acacia,

Like the vow I made alone—.

I'm not afraid anymore,

Now I understand—.

Even after the accompaniment faded, the boys' chorus remained flawless. The numerous audience members' cheers supported the seven voices.

They completed the final chorus with an impressive a cappella performance.

Thud, thud—

Now only the low rumble of the drum remained on stage.

[ACACIA] had gripped and shaken the audience's hearts. The emotionally powerful stage even made those who had no interest in Gunja shed tears. Not to mention Gunja and the seven scholars' fans.

Their hearts resonated inside like the drumbeats.

Thud, thud—

Inside, the heartbeat; outside, the drum's sound.

The fans' bodies reverberated both inside and out. The heartbeat joined the drumbeats, creating an even greater resonance.

Thud, thud, thud—...

Even after the first performance ended, the drumbeats did not stop.

Instead, they grew louder, taking over the entire stage.

As if representing the heartbeat of the fans watching the stage.

Or perhaps suggesting there were still scenes capable of making the heartbeat surge.

"... What's going on?"

"Isn't it over yet?"

"I heard there's a second song..."

"Weren't they supposed to stop?"

At that moment.

The entire stage went dark, and the sound of the drum was accompanied by the sound of the taepyeongso*.[*Korean double reed instrument]

"—!!"

Like announcing a new beginning, the long and stretched taepyeongso sound.

Simultaneously, the LED at the back of the stage lit up, revealing the title of 'Seven Scholars'' second original song.

[Concept : 忠]
"Con, Concept-chung!?"

At the same time, a blood-red light fell on the stage. Soon, dancers in military costumes holding gigantic flags made their way across the stage.

The seven scholars walked proudly between the paths created by the flags.

The large flags were all inscribed with the character '忠' (Loyalty).

"Yes, our concept is loyalty!"

With the first lyric shouted by Gunja along with a salute, Joo Ha-sung's eyes widened in shock.