GIJS

Chapter 199 I Can't Help But Love Them

Seok Hye-rin, also known as a 'general fan' who supports a wide variety of idols, was present at the first solo concert of 7IN. Known for her outstanding ability to capture high-quality photos of handsome male idols, her SNS had a significant following.

For her, 7IN's first solo concert was an unmissable big event. After all, 7IN was currently the group on the steepest rise. Her followers were also eagerly anticipating photos from the concert.

Despite having her primary fandom, Hye-rin felt a sense of duty to get a ticket for 7IN's concert. Although getting tickets was as hard as plucking stars from the sky, it was not a huge challenge for someone as seasoned in the idol industry as she was.

Sitting in the premium seats with a perfect view, Hye-rin was all set. She kept a close watch on the security personnel while hiding her high-performance DSLR with a telephoto lens between her legs.

"The guards move like this, back and forth."

As if playing a stealth action game, Hye-rin meticulously studied the security personnel's movement patterns. No matter how much the security increased their measures, fan photographers always found a way.

Before the first song started, Hye-rin had already identified all the safe shutter moments. The lighting, background, and white noise were all perfectly set. Now, all she had to do was press the shutter button, like a sniper pulling the trigger on a target.

"Okay, good..."

At that moment, Hye-rin was calm. Although 7IN was good-looking, their gimmicks weren't particularly to her taste. So, she thought she would just take photos mechanically and leave, with a sense of duty rather than personal excitement.

It seemed that another 'general fan' sat right next to her. The friend beside her was still passionately talking about their fandom.

"You're in big trouble. If you see their performance, you won't be able to escape."

"Come on, that's not true. You know I don't have a main fandom."

"Today, you might end up with a new main fandom."

"Are you going to be disappointed if I find them not to my taste?"

"You won't, so it's okay."

The conversation between the two reached Hye-rin's ears. Could it be true that the performance would turn fans into believers? She was skeptical.

Having watched numerous group performances as a general fan, Hye-rin had seen many performances by groups like the performance masters, Velocé, and the ultimate male idol, Lunatic. Yet, it was rare for a stage to captivate her heart instantly.

Moreover, since this was their first solo concert, they likely focused more on showcasing each member's face rather than on the quality of the performance. Given how many emotional faces Hye-rin had seen before, this type of performance would probably not impress her.

Today, she thought she'd just get through the work.

As Hye-rin gripped her DSLR, the lights went out and the first song began. Despite focusing on the security personnel's movements up to that point, Hye-rin's feelings began to change as the performance started.

What first amazed Hye-rin was the dazzling wire action that made the performers fly through the air.

Are they really doing such a crazy performance for a first solo concert?

The attempt itself was surprising, but what was even more astonishing was that the performers executed the high-difficulty moves perfectly while maintaining beautiful expressions.

Is this possible? Are they from the Bolshoi Circus?

With beautiful expressions, the shutter had to work nonstop. With their tiny faces flying everywhere, tracking them was nearly impossible.

Avoiding the strict security and chasing the small faces in mid-air, Hye-rin felt as if she were at a shooting competition. She pressed the shutter button repeatedly.

Suddenly, one of the flying members fell to the ground with a thud.

"Gasp—."

Hye-rin's heart sank, fearing it might be an accident, but she soon realized it was a staged performance and couldn't help but smile.

"Damn, you scared me."

Hye-rin continuously focused her large lens on Hyun-su, Gun-ja, Tae-woong, and In-hyuk, who were reassuring fans with their bright smiles. Seeing Hyun-su's dark circles and Slitherin-like smile made her heart flutter. Was this the Hyun-su effect?

As she tried to shake off the daze, Hye-rin reminded herself that she was there to work, not to fall for the idols. She was there to entertain her subscribers, not to enjoy herself. Despite her efforts to refocus, her pounding heart wouldn't settle down.

Starting with Hyun-su, she began to notice each member. Although the wire action was over, Ha Hyun-jae's presence on the ground showcased a graceful step, as if defying gravity.

Wow, his expression is so pretty. Whatever she shoot, there are no B-cuts. Hye-rin kept pressing the shutter in admiration.

Next up was Hyun Si-woo, a member beloved by general fans. Hyun Si-woo didn't need to sell a character; his face alone was enough to attract attention.

People like him are meant to be idols. He definitely has to be. Even though she seemed to capture him frowning, the LCD screen showed Si-woo smiling brightly, almost like magic.

Is this some sort of magic? Even Hye-rin, who had been in the fan photography world for a long time, was amazed. Every shot was turning out beautifully.

As the performance continued, Hyun Si-woo and Ki Yu-chan switched positions. Naturally, Hye-rin's focus shifted to Yu-chan's face.

Is this the handsome guy next to the handsome guy?

Yu-chan seemed about 8 cm taller than Si-woo, but his face was full of a charming boyish appeal. Although he was shy in daily life, he radiated an unassuming smile on stage, making fans happy.

"Why is he so cute...?"

Hye-rin seemed to be touched by that smile. Despite being the youngest, Yu-chan's face was brightly smiling, pulling Hye-rin in with an irresistible charm. She nearly had her camera taken by security.

"...Hoo, hoo..."

Hye-rin barely escaped security's watch and took another breath. Yu-chan had retreated to the back line, while Tae-woong and In-hyuk moved to the front.

The duo of Tae-woong and In-hyuk, both over 185 cm tall, had dance lines that were exhilarating to watch. Their energy and power rivaled even the most intense dancers like Velocé.

The definition of their arm and shoulder muscles, with their body fat around 10%, was striking. The shining sweat and spotlight accentuated their physiques.

"Wow..."

Although Hye-rin thought she didn't like muscular idols, she found a new taste she didn't know she had. Her fingers on the shutter seemed to have a different opinion than her mind.

Click, click—.

Right, some people like muscular idols too, don't they?

These are for them, definitely.

Hye-rin was trying to convince herself, but her face was already as red as a mask.

While she was lost in taking photos, she almost got caught by security again.

Why does that tough-looking security guard's muscles feel so different from the idols'? They're the same chest, deltoid, and lat muscles, but why does it feel so different?

The first song passed in a blur, and the second song began. The boys, who had worn vintage-inspired outfits for the first song, now appeared in neat, fitted suits. As the prelude to "Suit Up" from "Ayuksi" played, their shoes moved in perfect unison.

The classic idol suit look, neither excessive nor lacking. Hye-rin couldn't help but gasp at the black-and-white harmony.

The basics are the most difficult, she often said. Although extravagant concepts and outfits were not to her liking, few idols truly showcased the beauty of a basic suit.

But the 7IN members were different. They seemed like seasoned idols, effortlessly pulling off a completely different concept without feeling out of place.

Hye-rin's camera, now focusing on Gun-ja in the center, captured a breathtaking moment. Despite being surprised from the start, seeing Gun-ja in the viewfinder made her gasp for air.

Who is this person, really?

She had known Gun-ja as a scholar idol in traditional attire, but seeing him in a sharp suit froze Hye-rin's heart. She had been enthusiastically taking photos until now, but the sight made her heartache and struggle to press the button.

"Wow, wow..."

The fan next to her was also speechless. The person who had dismissed the idea of becoming a fan seemed to have completely forgotten her earlier words.

Hye-rin was in a similar state.

"Whew, whew... What should I do..."

After going through various disappointments with her favorite idols, Hye-rin had vowed never to form a main fandom again. But the charm of the boys and Gun-ja easily shattered that resolve.

Even with her mind half lost, Hye-rin meticulously watched the security patterns. How is it that the muscle-bound security guard feels so different from the idols in suits?

After the second performance, the fans next to Hye-rin excitedly chatted.

"Hey... you were right..."

"See? See? What did I tell you?"

"Wow... But do they have any personality issues?"

"Oh, what personality issues? Gun-ja is the cleanest in the male idol world right now."

"Really?"

The person next to her was already answering.

"Yeah, really. He's known as one of the cleanest idols in the boy group scene."

"Seriously?"

Feeling a strange sense of relief from the conversation of the people next to her, Hyerin was comforted. They were saying that the idols were not only good-looking and charming but also had a very low chance of causing trouble.

"Hehe..."

Hyerin, who had come to the concert with a very businesslike mindset, was now watching the stage with eyes brighter than anyone else in the R section.

As the concert continued, her initial detachment was slowly melting away. Hyerin had initially planned to just work and take photos, but the overwhelming performances and the captivating visuals of the members were making it difficult for her to remain impartial.

"Ugh, what a mess..."

Hyerin muttered under her breath as she glanced at her camera, which was now filled with countless beautiful shots. The idols were making it harder for her to stay objective, and her professional mindset was being challenged more than ever.