56 The Black Stars

Online during the radio show livestream.

"Is this a joke? DJ Song actually invited Iris Long to guest in his show?"

"I'm so disappointed. Did he run out of good artists to invite over?"

"He's one of the most respected music critics in the country, but now I think his judgment is becoming questionable. Such a shame that his standards fell to such a degree as to invite someone like Iris Long."

"Hey! Did you not watch Iris Long's performance on 'MusicFest Tonight' last night? If you did, I don't think that you'll still be spouting all that sh*t."

"Oh oh! I watched last night's episode of 'MusicFest Tonight'. Iris Long was amazing!"

"I can't count how many times I watched the recording of her performance last night online. 'Black Star' is stuck in my head!"

"What are you all talking about? I didn't watch her last night. Was her performance really good?"

"Not just good. It was fantastic. Watch it. Here's the link."

After a few minutes...

"Oh my god! Seriously?"

"Ahahaha! I told you."

The livestream reached the part when Iris was talking about her experience working with JJ.

"I don't believe it. She says that she fought with JJ? Hah! I'll eat my slippers if this is true."

"Hey! I remember you. You're here again. You said that you'll eat your slippers if it's proven that Iris is really the one who composed the songs in her album and not a ghost composer. An intern from JJ's record label already proved it, so did you eat your slippers then? Show us the proof! Now you're saying that you'll eat slippers again. You must really like slippers ah."

In response, this particular netizen changed his username to "iEatSlippers" and posted a photo of himself from below the nose to his chest, not showing his whole face. It showed himself chewing on a slipper.

"Ahahaha! Aiyo. @iEatSlippers, you're a real man! Yes, real men should keep their promises."

In the livestream, Iris began singing "Phantom of Your Love".

"Damn it! Who's cutting onions?!"

"My manly tears can't be stopped."

"What is this song? So heartbreaking. I can't stop crying!"

"So beautiful. Hai. Makes me remember a lot of old memories."

"It's so depressing but so beautiful."

"I can just imagine this song as a theme song of a movie. A tragic love story."

The livestream now reached the part when Iris was singing "I Will Survive".

"!!!"

"Oh my god!"

"This is f*cking awesome!"

"It sounds a bit different from the original. I love it!"

"What the?! What am I hearing? She can even do that? Is that even humanly possible?"

"Whoa! Listen to those high notes. How high did she reach that part?"

"I don't care what others say. You're now my idol, Iris!"

"Iris Long, please marry me!"

"Converted Iris Long fan here!"

+98

+1,603

+12,902 likes and counting.

Many of the online viewers messaged their own friends to watch the livestream.

"Hey, check out the livestream of DJ Song's radio show. Iris Long is the guest and she's killing it!"

"First, it was last night's performance on 'MusicFest Tonight'. Now she's conquering DJ Song's radio show. Iris can't be stopped!"

"Goddess Iris, I prostrate myself to you! My blind eyes have been opened to your awesomeness."

"This is the best version of 'I Will Survive' that I have ever heard in my life. Honestly!"

"Damn! I came only now. I want to watch from the beginning. I can watch this livestream again when it's over, right?"

"Yeah, we can watch the recording afterwards. I'm also planning to rewatch it. This is amazing!"

More and more listeners and viewers tuned in to both the radio and the online livestream, curious as to why so many people were talking about it and inviting others to check it out.

Finally, it reached the part when Iris sang "Black Star".

"Oh yes! She's singing my new favourite song now!"

"Here comes my personal anthem!"

"Shower me with courage and inspiration, oh Great Black Star!"

"I'm crying."

"Please release 'Rebirth' now! I can't wait anymore!"

"Wow. The quality of her vocals is even better now that she's just focused on singing and not playing the piano at the same time."

CaptainBlackStar: "I hereby establish the new Iris Long fan club. We will be called the Black Stars! Message me to sign up!"

"Me me me! Lemme join!"

MrsLovePhantom: "Finally, I've been waiting to hear 'Phantom of Your Love' again ever since I heard Miss Long singing it at that restaurant. Hearing her talk about it in the interview, I'm quite proud that I personally witnessed her 'audition' to Mr. JJ. I've been a fan of Miss Iris Long since that moment, so of course I'll join this Black Stars fan club. Let me know how I can be of help with the fan club's establishment."

CaptainBlackStar: "@MrsLovePhantom Thank you! Please accept my friend request and then we can discuss."

JJNumber1Fan: "We promised our idol JJ that we'll support Iris Long. We'll follow our sister @MrsLovePhantom and join Black Stars fan club!"

JJNumber2Fan: "Yeah! We'll follow our sister @MrsLovePhantom and support Iris Long. I love you, JJ!"

JJNumber3Fan: "Agreed! Wherever our sister @MrsLovePhantom goes, we'll go too. Make 'Rebirth' the number 1 album! JJ, I framed the dress that you signed that day!"

CaptainBlackStar: "Wow! @MrsLovePhantom, you brought a lot of people. Thank you very much for the help, ladies. Please accept my friend requests."

"Signed up! Old fan here but seeing the new Iris, I've now turned into a diehard fan! Iris 4evah!"

"Signed up! New fan here! I heart Iris Long!"

"Signed up! WE LOVE IRIS LONG!!!"

+109

+5,038

+23,574 likes and counting.

iEatSlippers: "Might as well sign up too. *munching on a slipper*"

It was at this historical moment that Iris' strongest and most loyal group of supporters was born.