GIJS

Chapter 83

In a place with children, what's all this about music chart rankings? Gunja knew what it meant.

If music show competitions are held on a real stage, music chart rankings are battles fought in the virtual space. It's like an arena where thousands of contemporary music tracks compete for supremacy.

Just yesterday, news came that Min Kang-hoo's "Favorite" had claimed the top spot.

Now it was time to reveal 7IN's music chart ranking.

The seven members gathered around a tablet PC.

"... Did, did we make the charts...?"

"Of course. With our teaser power, we even beat out the Favorite hyungs."

"You never know, Favorite is a group with such a strong core."

"Hey, why are you sounding so weak all of a sudden?"

"Ahaha, relax everyone~ If it doesn't go well this time, we can do better next time~"

"Let's check now."

"Ahhh, noooo—!"

With a slightly trembling voice, In-hyuk clicked on the "Lime" music chart's TOP100.

Yesterday's number one, Favorite, had already slipped to fifth place. With a nervous expression, In-hyuk slowly scrolled down.

"Please, please..."

Soon, the name of [Origin] appeared. The title track's ranking was 17th.

"—!?"

At the moment of seeing the rank, all the members except Gunja jumped up and hugged each other.

"Wowwwww—!!"

"Hyun-su hyung, we did it—!!"

"What do you mean, 'I did it'! We all did it together!"

"Wow, wow, what is this!? Isn't this crazy—!?"

"Ahahaha, ahahahahaha—."

As the members all jumped around excitedly, Gunja also got up and joined in the celebration.

"Haha, yeah, yeah. Good job, everyone."

Though he was also excited, Gunja honestly didn't fully understand the situation. Since Favorite hyungs were number one, he hoped they'd at least be in the top 10.

17th place. It was honestly a bit disappointing.

However, seeing his colleagues' joy, Gunja decided to set aside his disappointment. After all, how could you be full after just one meal?

Yet, it seemed he couldn't fully hide his feelings.

"Huh? But why does the Seonbi hyung look like that?"

"Yeah, he looks like he's not satisfied."

"Ahaha, Gunja seems not satisfied with 17th place~"

"No, it's not that..."

Hyun-su, who had expected this, laughed and patted Gunja on the back.

"Hyung, that's your charm."

"Hmm? Charm?"

"The person who's the best always doesn't know much, right?"

"Gunja, let me explain."

Hyun-su started explaining. According to the "Lime" TOP100 chart system, it's almost impossible for a new release to rank at the top immediately unless you're a top-tier artist.

Most new and mid-level idols usually start around the 80s and move up over a day.

Even Favorite, who was number one yesterday, was in the 60s when they first entered the charts.

"Favorite hyungs were also in the 60s?"

"Yeah, but we're at 17. This is amazing."

"Moreover, [Concept: Loyalty] was at 23, [Unmannered Things] at 28, [Dream of Dreams] at 33, and [PLAY!] at 41. All tracks charted!"

"!"

Only then did Gunja realize why his colleagues were celebrating so much. And the excitement didn't end there.

"If we're 17th on Lime, then on Hexmusic and Aladin—"

Other charts like 'Hexmusic' and 'Aladin' rank differently. They still give a lot of weight to real-time streaming and downloads.

In other words, it's possible to reach the top rankings immediately upon release, unlike Lime.

Yu-chan, with trembling hands, opened the 'Hexmusic' chart. This time, there was no need to scroll. Their name was at the very top of the chart.

"——!?!?"

"Wowwwww—."

First place within an hour of debut.

Even with the reality camera filming them, the members were in chaos in the living room of their dorm.

"Whoa, I almost swore—!!"

"Don't! Tae-woong, get a grip! You're an idol!"

"Number one! Hyung, Gunja hyung! Woong hyung!"

They also checked the 'Aladin' chart, where [Origin] was also in first place, easily surpassing Favorite's new song.

"Ah, Aladin is also number one! Hyungs, we're first!"

"This is insane, is this real?"

"Wow, wow..."

Only then did a genuine smile spread across Gunja's face. Seeing that pure, bright smile, the members burst into laughter.

"Puhaha, look at him showing his gums."

"This hyung is secretly ambitious."

"Gunja, are you happy about being number one?"

Gunja nodded with a happy expression.

"Of course!"

Though Gunja preferred harmony over competition, winning first place in a battle was satisfying. He didn't want to finish poorly after starting.

Moreover, it was music made through everyone's hard work.

Gunja kept looking at 7IN's name at the top of the chart. Feeling that their efforts were acknowledged made him tear up a little.

"Everyone, thanks for all your hard work."

Gunja hugged each of his colleagues tightly. Yu-chan, who was still seventeen, looked bewildered, as if he couldn't believe this reality.

"Yu-chan, are you laughing or crying?"

"... I, I don't know. Is it okay for me to be this happy...?"

"Of course it is."

"... Is, is it?"

"Of course, you're a good son."

"Oh, right. Um, Mom!"

Finally coming to his senses, Yu-chan called his parents, crying as he shared the news of their number one ranking. Listening to the call, it seemed like Yu-chan's parents already knew about the top spot.

Even though Gunja calls his parents every morning and evening, seeing Yu-chan made him think of his own parents. Wanting to share the good news, he picked up the phone, only to receive a call from his mother.

"Mom."

– Gunja! Congratulations on being number one!

"... Thank you."

– No need to thank me, I'm more grateful. Thank you for being born as my son! These days, your mom and dad's shoulders are so high, they won't go down!

"..."

Hearing the news of being number one made him smile, but hearing his parents' voice brought tears to his eyes.

The warmth of hearing thanks for being born as their child was truly touching. The mutual gratitude between parent and child was so beautiful.

As Gunja wiped his tears with his sleeve, Tae-woong, who had been doing handstands and clapping, walked over with big strides.

"What's wrong, are you crying?"

"No, I'm not crying."

"Did you call your parents? What did they say?"

"My parents said their shoulders have become power shoulders."

"What? What does that mean?"

"I don't really know."

"Is that so? Maybe it means their shoulders are tense. Isn't that what it means?"

"... Yeah, I guess so."

Gunja nodded as he sniffled.

He was truly thankful for meeting such lovely friends. He felt that with these friends, they could achieve any result.

As the members were still caught up in the excitement of their chart-topping success.

The dormitory door creaked open, and Manager Lee Yong-jung peeked in.

"Congratulations on being number one, everyone!"

"Manager, thank you—!"

"Sorry to say this while you're all excited, but we have a schedule to get to!"

"Yep!"

"Let's go to the showcase! We need to meet with the reporters and fans!"

"Yep—!!"

The members energetically responded and got up from their seats. It was the beginning of their mini-album activities.

* * *

After finishing their makeup and styling, they headed to the showcase venue.

The members were all sitting in their seats, nodding off. It was probably the result of the showcase rehearsal that had continued until early the previous morning.

"They really do look pretty even when they're asleep."

The manager, Lee Yong-jung, chuckled as he glanced back at the members through the rearview mirror.

Despite the high rank and the fact that he still had to work on the road, Lee Yong-jung was quite happy working with 7IN.

He had seen many idol groups so far, but this was the first time he had met such fun friends.

It was the same during the showcase preparation meeting.

The team leader, Seo Eun-woo, who valued respecting the members' opinions above all, had asked if there was anything special they wanted to do for the showcase.

While other members seemed to have no particular ideas, Gun-ja's eyes lit up as he looked at the calendar.

"July 13, 2022... that's June 15 in the lunar calendar."

"Yes, according to the calendar."

Gun-ja murmured quietly while his big eyes sparkled as he looked at the calendar.

"Yudu."

"Pardon?"

"That day is Yudu (流頭)."

"Huh?"

The sudden appearance of the word "Yudu" made Seo Eun-woo, who was always calm, adjust his glasses and take a deep breath. However, Gun-ja remained endlessly serious.

"Yu... what did you say?"

"Yudu."

"Phew, I didn't hear that wrong."

"I suggest having a Yudu feast at the showcase."

At the mention of a Yudu feast, some of the female team members spewed their drinks out, as if sprayed by a water cannon. The other members, excluding Gun-ja, were nearly gasping for breath from laughter.

Only Gun-ja maintained an endlessly serious and reverent demeanor.

"A Yudu feast?"

"Yes."

"And you want to have a feast with that?"

"That's right."

Seo Eun-woo's expression darkened at Gun-ja's unexpected suggestion.

Not only was the request for a feast of nipples surprising, but a Yudu feast? Was he suggesting having a party with that at the showcase?

However, Seo Eun-woo tried to stay calm and handle the situation step by step.

First, he stabilized his own trembling mouth corners and pupils.

"Please calm down. This is an important matter."

"Huff, cough, yes..."

After briefly regaining order in the chaotic meeting room,

"Yu Gun-ja, thank you for the good suggestion."

Now, he had to calm Gun-ja down.

"But I think a Yudu feast would be difficult."

"Why is that?"

"It's simple. 7IN is a rookie idol group."

"Pardon?"

"I don't know what you've seen online, but..."

Suppressing his laughter once again, Seo Eun-woo continued,

"A breast party doesn't suit a rookie idol group."

"...?"

"?"

"...??"

"??"

At the mention of a breast party, Gun-ja looked at Seo Eun-woo with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "What are you talking about?"

"A breast... party?"

"Yes."

"What is that?"

"Wasn't Yudu feast referring to a breast party?"

"Pardon?"

With a look of distaste, Gun-ja retorted.

"What kind of indecent talk are you making?"

"!"

Seo Eun-woo's face turned bright red with embarrassment. At a loss for words, Seo Eun-woo's silence was taken over by Gun-ja.

"The Yudu I mentioned wasn't that Yudu."