Second Try Idol

Chapter 81: Debut (4)

Both Q-app and UNET were streaming our debut live. The air was thick with expectation, and our performance kicked off amidst this mounting pressure.

“Now, let's enjoy the two tracks, ‘History’ and ‘Parade,’ from Chronos's debut single The Parade!” Jeong Gyu-Chan's voice boomed across the stage. After his cue, he stepped off the stage, leaving us in the spotlight as the music filled the stage. We found our marks and started to move in sync with the rhythm.

We were familiar with “History” as we had performed it once before. Although this “History” was the edited version from the fourteen-person lineup, it was still filled with poignant vibes and the raw energy of youth.

I took the center, reenacting the solo I had performed during the competition while surrounded by my fellow trainees. Then, starting with Joo-Han, other members smoothly joined our well-rehearsed formation. As I stepped forward for my part, I let the lyrics soar.

The long day ends! I erased all my traces!?

Sure, they had dialed down the mic volume, but nobody said anything about not singing out loud.

“Somehow! I couldn’t hide! The feeling of guilt!!" My voice soared above the AR, loud and clear. I was on fire, delivering every note with an intensity that filled the entire room. This was what a truly powerful vocal sounded like. After I took steps back with Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han seamlessly picked up the next verse.

As I know, the weight of effort! I’ll cheer for you!?

Yes. This was the heart of our “Manager Hyung's Surprise Prank Operation.” If the mic volume was low and the AR threatened to overshadow our voices, we'd just belt it out even louder.

Of course, the dynamic moves of “Parade” might leave us gasping for air, but this was our long-awaited debut, and we were determined to deliver a live performance worthy of it. We danced with all our might and belted out our lines as if Chronos was a powerhouse of vocal talent. Our little act of defiance went unnoticed by everyone except our manager, who knew us inside out. He shot us a quick glare before rushing off backstage.

I believe it’s not the end

If I keep walking

Someday, I will cry once more and stand up

For the last time, one more time, I’ll believe in myself and jump without regrets?

As the final notes of “History” approached, our mics mysteriously gained volume. The manager must have decided that it was better to showcase our real voice than to risk a dual-track mishap. I then grinned, pouring every ounce of emotion into the last lines.

I won’t forget the tears we shed together

Let’s rise together

We’ll meet again among the stars?

The manager was probably fuming, waiting to confront us backstage. However, right now, the stage was ours, and we owned it. As “History” concluded, we swiftly shifted into the formation of “Parade.” The stage lights dimmed to a moody hue, and the dancers slinked in to join us under the subdued lighting. Then came the brooding intro of our title track, “Parade.”

From the get-go, the performance was intense. Chronos and the twenty dancers moved in perfect harmony, executing the choreography as one unstoppable force.

Every movement, from the twist of my body to the thrust of my pelvis, demanded all the strength I could muster. My hair which was styled to sway a bit, fell across my face and obstructed my view almost immediately.

As the members in front cleared the space, Lee Jin-Sung and I leaned forward, getting into our position. I then synced my movements with the guiding gestures of the members behind me. After stretching out my left leg for momentum, I executed a backward roll from a lying position to get up.

The effort was taxing. Even though it was only the prelude, I had to consciously keep my mouth shut to prevent my heavy breathing from being caught by the mic. Kneeling right behind Goh Yoo-Joon, I bit my lip hard and tried to control my breath as I lowered my head. Then, there was a sudden pause in the music.

One, two, three.

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall?

Goh Yoo-Joon's voice resounded in the air as he sang the intro in an almost chant-like manner. Only his voice resonated, clear and solitary, as the music shifted to MR[1], not the original AR. I timed my upper body movements to Goh Yoo-Joon’s voice and then rolled my foot on the ground, using the rebound force to stand up.

It was you who came into my world?

For a moment, we abandoned Chronos’s trademark of each member having unique moves. We dove into a synced choreography, meticulously timed to Park Yoon-Chan's part. This was a difficult part, but the forceful prelude somehow made it feel like a break.

Park Yoon-Chan gracefully stepped aside after his moment in the spotlight, and I surged forward with the dancers to sing my part as my body pulsed with the rhythm.

Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles

You will be by my side

Skyfall, Skyfall?

Then, I collapsed to the floor, facing the audience. A dancer then grabbed my legs from behind and dragged me backward, creating the illusion of being pulled away by an unseen force. In the meantime, Lee Jin-Sung leaped over me as the chorus kicked in.

The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall

Join me

You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more

You need me...?

Though the song was powerful and flamboyant, a trace of melancholy lingered. The high melodies in the accompaniment intertwined with the continuous piano tunes, adding depth to the emotion. After each of our segments came the second dance break—a section specifically designed to comfort our youngest member. The other members then retreated, blending in behind the dancers, leaving just me and Lee Jin-sung for the pair dance.

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

I need you...?

The harsh electronic sounds dissipated, replaced by a stronger piano melody and the addition of violins. The mix of these softer instruments with the remaining beats of the electronic music created a more intense, almost agitated atmosphere. Gritting my teeth, I performed the rolling foot choreography we had practiced tirelessly. Lee Jin-Sung was a step ahead of me and unleashed his energy, dancing feverishly at the center of the stage.

Syncing with his moves, I received a cane from a dancer, and in a swift motion, I kicked the end of the cane, sending it flying to the left to block Lee Jin-Sung's path. He then grabbed the end of the cane and yanked it fiercely, pulling me into position right in front of him.

The music mellowed even more, and I strived to maintain the elegant line of my body as instructed by our choreographer to finish the dance sequence with poise. Then, I knelt and waited.

Joo-Han came from the opposite direction, moved to the center, and started his part.

No matter where you are

I will be there

You don't need to be afraid

Your time has stopped

The time for our hearts to deepen is forever?

As Joo-Han moved behind me, the hands of the other members reached out, touching my back. I swallowed hard, trying to catch my breath. Following this sequence, I lifted my head and sang the last part with everything I had.

Forever?

“...Ugh." As I stood up, my legs wobbled abruptly.

‘It’s a bit sad not to hear cheers after the performance is over.’

Just as I had this thought, a burst of applause and cheers erupted.

“Wow! Amazing!”

“Whoo!”

The journalists, who had momentarily put down their cameras, started cheering for us. It was surprising to receive cheers from them. Even during my time as a trainer, I had never witnessed such a scene. We were dumbfounded but couldn't hide our happiness as we thanked them.

“Thank you!"

“Yes, Chronos was so amazing that I was a bit lost in thought and came up late. Sorry about that. Congratulations on your debut, Chronos. Please move off the stage now."

Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan's words, which congratulated us on our debut and asked us to move off the stage, strangely stuck in my mind. After a long journey of six years... finally. The warmth at the tip of my nose made me press it hard with my hand as we went backstage, where numerous staff congratulated us.

“...Eh? Hyun-Woo hyung is crying!"

“Hey, why cry? Don’t cry."

“I'm not crying."

“Don't cry." I actually didn’t cry, but as Lee Jin-Sung started to tear up, I felt my vision blur as well. “Ah, no...”

I was crying only because of Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon. It was just overwhelming, but I felt like my life was finally moving forward.

***

Meanwhile, a girl was watching Chronos's first showcase on the UNET channel.

“They're really good," her mother commented while she finished her apple.

“Yeah, they are." As the TV displayed Chronos completing their debut stage, she flinched and raised her eyebrows at the sight of Suh Hyun-Woo biting his lip and pressing his nose. Her gaze following Suh Hyun-Woo seemed more than casual.

“Why do these kids all look so good? They sing well too. However, why did they release a separate video and sing two songs? Other artists usually only perform one."

“...Because UNET supports them a lot. It's rare for a debut showcase to be broadcast live like this. They can probably do this because they're competition winners."

“Oh, is that so?"

“I'm going to my room." As she stood up to leave, her mother quickly changed the channel, having missed her drama because of her daughter’s insistence on watching the showcase.

“Yoo-Jin, I’m throwing out everything you left outside!"

“Throw them out. They are trash."

“...Really? You used to say they were your most precious treasure."

Albums, bromides, and various idol group goods filled the front of their house, all belonging to the idol group, River, who had been expelled from the entertainment industry due to social controversies. It took her a year to quit the fandom and another year to finally throw away the goods. She had been their hardcore fan for five years, and only now could she let go of her attachment, thanks to Chronos.

‘Alright, I admit it.’ She had been in denial for a long time.

“Ah, this hasn’t broken yet.” She looked at the camera in her storage box and picked it up. Her hands, fiddling with the camera, felt the familiar touch. She had indeed become a fan of Chronos.

“The first broadcast of Music Case is around 5 PM. Let's go." She decided to give it a go one more time. Suh Hyun-Woo, who had now taken over her computer's wallpaper, was the driving force behind her comeback.

1. A music with vocals removed ?