GIJS

Chapter 63

Jury Cap (朱笠)

As soon as the first stage [ACACIA] ended, all the lights went completely dark.

All that remained was the resonating sound of the bass drum.

The grand sound of the bass drum was a prelude to the stage transition.

The 'Seven Scholars' planned to seamlessly connect the first and second songs, but it wasn't enough to simply stitch together two stages without a plan.

To smoothly transition from the soft, lyrical ballad to the intense beat of the hip-hop track, a stage was needed between the two performances.

"Hmmm, I think we need something in between..."

"How about using the changing of the guard ceremony as a motif?"

"The changing of the guard ceremony?"

"Yes. I saw it on YouTube, and it was quite impressive."

At that moment, Taewoong suggested the idea of the 'Changing of the Guard Ceremony.'

This ceremony, which reproduces the changing of the guard from the Joseon Dynasty and is still performed in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace and other palaces, was popular with foreigners due to its exotic atmosphere.

The idea also delighted the main performer.

After all, it was about recreating an event from his own era.

He played a consultative role to perfectly recreate the changing of the guard ceremony, reviving his childhood memories as much as possible.

As a result, the intermission, which could have been a simple transition, became spectacular.

The melancholy atmosphere had disappeared, leaving only intense anticipation. Just like the changing of the guard, the performance on stage transitioned naturally.

Boom, boom—

The bass drum beat, echoing like a heartbeat, and the solemn procession of flags.

The seven scholars, who had changed out of their white slacks and shirts into dark blue uniforms (simplified military uniforms from the Joseon era), walked out.

The grand and splendid changing of the guard ceremony allowed them to buy time to change clothes.

The title of the new composition, [Concept: 忠], appeared prominently on the rear LED screen.

Although the main performer had thought that the concept might not fit Ju Ha-sung, he had no choice but to express his gratitude for this.

He called him a concept enthusiast.

Concept enthusiast, meaning concept = loyalty.

What a clear and excellent theme!

Ju hyung had directly presented the answer for them who were wandering lost.

He was certainly watching this stage with satisfaction.

Ju hyung, are you watching?

However, unfortunately, Ju Ha-sung could not properly see the stage. His eyes were too cloudy to focus.

Ju Ha-sung had already lost his sanity. To respond to criticism in such a way was unprecedented humiliation and shame.

In that state, seeing the stage was impossible. Even if he could, it would have been painful for his eyes.

Despite that, the powerful voice of the main performer seemed to pierce through Ju Ha-sung's eardrums.

"Yes, our concept is loyalty. A salute to our fans!"

They offered their devotion to our lord, their king!

As the main performer sang the chorus, the seven scholars performed precise military choreography.

The salute-based choreography perfectly matched the dark blue military uniforms.

Betrayal is disloyalty; always in solidarity with you!

Cheers to success, in the eyes of our fans!

Although the mood was completely different from the first song, the audience began to rise from their seats.

The changing of the guard ceremony, which began with a bass drum and a taepyeongso (Korean flute), had erased the impression of the first stage and raised expectations for the second.

Fans, including those with red cheeks, were on the brink of their hearts bursting.

The main performer on stage shone brighter than ever. It seemed he had become even more handsome than on the third stage.

Was it just a feeling, or had he really become more handsome?

But now, it was the heartfelt lyrics he sang that moved the fans more than his changed appearance.

While listening to [ACACIA], fans wondered who the object of his secret love was.

And then, to their surprise, the salute and devotion were directed at them.

The object of that love was none other than themselves!

Whether it was over-immersion or delusion, it didn't matter now.

The fact that the passionate love story continued to the fans made them too excited to stay seated.

As they shouted the names of the seven scholars, the first chorus ended and Taewoong, the protagonist of Verse 1, sprang forward. Although Taewoong still seemed unsure about his singing, he was different with rap.

"Attention, salute! At ease, listen carefully!"

The fans were my benefactors, the five stars in my heart!

If eliminated, I'd probably be at the Military Manpower Administration!

Kwon Taewoong's rise, decided by fans, not me!

Many flaws, but what I have is passion!

Today, ten repetitions of chest and triceps routines!

Fans cheered for Taewoon's passionate and humorous lyrics.

His vocal performance, extending like a military song, was met with Marine Corps applause from the fans, who chanted his name.

"Kwon Taewoong—!!"

"Don't go to the Military Manpower Administration—!!"

"Debut already—!!"

After finishing the verse magnificently, Kwon Taewoong turned around with a military salute, and the next to come forward was Ji Hyunsu.

Every time a new member took the stage, the dancers used the flags in their choreography, decorating the stage.

Click, clack, pat-pat—

The movements, dignified and orderly like the procession of military troops announcing a victory, were precisely in sync with the rhythm. The sound of the firm military boots hitting the stage was meticulously timed.

Though the stage was usually filled with participants alone, this time it was different.

Though usually modest, a true scholar opens his treasure chest generously.

With no more need to save coins, the seven scholars invested all their remaining money into the stage.

As a result, the stage was more lavish and spectacular than ever.

After Hyunsu's verse ended, it was time for the main performer's chorus again.

"Yes, our concept is loyalty. A salute to our fans!"

They offered their devotion to our lord, their king!

With the main performer leading, the members' doubling made the chorus even more intense.

Fans, having become accustomed to the new chorus and key choreography, also saluted and chanted the chorus lyrics as the members did.

Betrayal is disloyalty; always in solidarity with you!

Cheers to success, in the eyes of our fans!

Though the stage was already filled with new elements, [Concept: 忠] had only just completed the first verse.

Right after the second chorus ended, the volume of the bass increased and the beat changed once more.

Producer Ji Hyunsu prepared a surprise dance break segment.

Boom—

At the moment the intense bass dropped.

The seven scholars, who had lined up in a V formation, took out and donned the jury caps (朱笠, red caps) they had been carrying on their backs.

The jury cap, a symbol of high-ranking military officials, was adorned with peacock feathers on both sides to enhance its grandeur.

Boom, boom—

The red-capped Joseon soldiers began performing a flawless military dance to the intense bass rhythm.

Wow—!!

An overwhelming stage that was impossible to suppress cheers for.

Starting with 'Dalmaji' and leveling up in 'Breakthrough,' the sharp choreography seemed to reach perfection in 'Seven Scholars.'

Hand positions on the red cap, angles of steps sliding across the floor, movements of the chest jumping to the strong bass, and even the fleeting expressions seen under the cap.

The seven scholars moved like mirrors and shadows of one another, sharing a single spirit.

As the eight measures passed.

Boom, boom—

This time, the urgent sound of the large drum (대고) was added to the bass.

Bwoo—

As the long and echoing horn signaled the start of the war, the seven scholars simultaneously removed their red caps and held them in their left hands.

Pat-pat!

At that moment, a special mechanism in the cap was activated, making the brim expand to more than double its size. The expanded cap resembled a large red circular shield.

Shield in the left hand, club in the right.

The second dance break was the Joseon military's formal drill.

Click, pat, whoo—

They simultaneously shifted their feet, changed angles, spread the round shield to form geometric patterns, and swung the club at the edge of the stage.

Kyaaaa—

The fans, as if struck in the heart by the club, raised their voices. It was a stage that could not be calmly watched. The scholars always brought newness that exceeded the fans' expectations.

The refined 'formal drill' was fresh, something even idol auditions or high-ranking Pael and Leon had never seen.

"...Who creates such choreography?"

It was indeed fresh. The movements of soldiers from 300 years ago brought back from Joseon. Everything familiar to the main performer was unfamiliar to the people of this land.

Similarly, what was familiar to the people of this era was unfamiliar to the main performer.

But the main performer enjoyed that unfamiliarity. He felt extreme pleasure in learning new things.

The most enjoyable moment was when the culture he knew merged with the modern one.

Just like now, dancing a combination of Joseon military formal training and modern choreography.

As the dance break using the red cap and club came to an end.

The seven scholars, in perfect unison with the final bass rhythm, knelt on one knee and sat down.

Boom—

The sound of the club hitting the floor was perfectly synchronized. Simultaneously, the scholars pulled out the peacock feathers from their caps and threw them into the audience.

Kyaaaaa—

Fans reached out their arms to catch the feathers. The scene, while concerning, also filled the performer with pride.

These fans truly wanted everything they had.

Likewise, the performer also wanted to give them everything.

After the dance break, it was now Hyun-jae and Siwoo's turn. With the delicate flower boys, who were overwhelmingly popular among teens, standing at the front, the high-pitched cheers reverberated up to the ceiling.

"Hyunjae Siwoo—!"

"Hyunjae, look this way—!"

The two's strong point was their sweet voices. To match, the effects on the electronic pipa were reduced, returning to an acoustic sound.

Thanks to producer Ji Hyun-su's meticulous consideration, the vocalists' clear voices resonated even more vividly throughout the venue.

After Hyunjae and Siwoo's verses ended, it was time for the imposing Cha In-hyuk.

Dressed simply in the military uniform, he appeared like a general leading an army, eliciting reactions from women in their 20s and 30s.

"Cha In-hyuk—!"

"In-hyuk's physique is insane—!"

With Cha In-hyuk's verse complete, it was now the performer's turn.

As In-hyuk's verse ended, the scholars once again opened their hats and gathered together.

The hexagon-shaped shields formed a large barrier, behind which the performer was hidden.

Thud, thud, thud—.

The bass rhythm beat once, twice, three times...

Boom—.

As the bass announcing the start of the performer's verse dropped, In-hyuk, at the far back, lifted and threw the performer forward.

At the same time, the six shields parted to clear the way for the performer.

The performer, flying through the air and landing gracefully, gripped the microphone and, with a god-like intensity, began to deliver the lyrics while gazing at the audience.