Chapter 49: 《049》

Chapter 49

The electronic music was filled with a futuristic technological feel, matching the overall concept of the stage. The powerful drum beats made people sway involuntarily, while the vibrant notes oscillated up and down. Various instruments were re-edited, bringing a new listening experience.

In the background music, there was also a redemptive chant that appeared faintly in the accompaniment, making the lyrics feel more sacred.

"The city is my cage, strange buildings, alluring neon."

"The city is my cage, the worst city, full of dreams."

The city was the cage imprisoning them, so they had to escape the neon lights, this lost night city.

Unlike all the theme songs of previous survival shows, their theme song prioritized art over popularity. The song selection, arrangement, and choreography were not mainstream like what the public was used to hearing.

The melody built up by synthesizers was full of futuristic technological feel, and the uniform modern dance elevated the artistry of this work.

Difficult-to-understand art needed to be paired with difficult-to-understand concepts, so Jiang Juyou chose cyberpunk. It was unknown, alluring, like dazzling fireworks, unreachable, yet everyone knew its beauty.

When combined with the audition, the music became addictive. The repetitive melody brainwashed people, and by the last part, almost everyone could sing along with the chorus.

And the chorus was the beginning.

The sixty-three trainees on stage were fully immersed in the performance. They stood on the main stage, dancing facing fans on all sides. Changing neon lights were everywhere on the stage, but the only pure white light shone on them.

The entire planning and concept were impressive, and one could even find small concept presentations on this stage. Because they were androids longing for dawn, the light on them was always white.

Corresponding to the white were the lightsticks in the fans' hands. From the various neon colors at the start of the VCR, they gradually changed to white light, starting from the area closest to the stage.

It meant that the area where the fans were was the dawn they longed for, the only white light lit in this dark night.

Despite being a dynamic stage, it made people want to cry. The surge of adrenaline accelerated blood circulation, and a boiling feeling was about to burst from the heart. Emotions came crashing like high waves on the sea.

At the Bridge part, the sixty-three trainees on site had gathered at the center of the main stage and made a neat turn in place with the music.

With the huge moon as the background, the sixty-three individuals faced each other, following the softened music and chanting softly--

"The train is about to arrive at the station, we will eventually part." They raised their hands and pressed their palms to their chests.

"The roaring alarm is the melody I sing for your escape."

"Please carry hope, ride the moonlight, leave this Milky Way, and head towards dawn."

The image on the big screen changed. Under the moonlight, a thin line appeared. As the camera zoomed in, it was a spaceship flying away from that planet.

"Neon signs and sci-fi futurism will become fireworks celebrating the escape."

The planet that became the background of the spaceship in the picture was suddenly hit by cosmic debris, truly becoming the most brilliant fireworks in this starry sky, just as the lyrics said.

"The train is about to arrive at the station, we will eventually part."

"May you leave this Milky Way, reach a new world, and continue writing a new collection of poems."

This Bridge section made fans in the audience cry their hearts out, not knowing whether to wipe their tears or blow their noses.

The earlier part made people's blood boil, but now they were cut to pieces.

The drum beats were squeezed together and intensified. The fast and powerful drum beats directly elevated the music atmosphere. The sound of the alarm added to the ending music, adding a unique charm, emphasizing the musicality and strengthening the storytelling.

The audience sang together--

"As someone who watched the concert, it's worth it. The MV is really expensive, you'll understand when you see it!"

"The MV will also be uploaded to YouTube tomorrow! Then I'll decide whether to buy it or not after watching the MV."

"Hey, weren't you complaining it was expensive? How come it's over 100,000 in just a few minutes?"

"Limited to one digital album per person, first 700 people get a photocard, heh... I... heh... I'm over 90,000 in line..."

"For the first time, I have a concept of how many train conductor sisters there are. So many people, no wonder the photocards are always in short supply no matter how many they sell."

"Everyone was complaining it's expensive, and now it's over 120,000."

"Five yuan for a single track, Random Entertainment is making a killing."

"Why limit it to one per person? So annoying!"

"You can buy it and give it to someone else. If they don't accept it within 24 hours, you'll get a refund!"

"I can't get out of it. I literally can't get out of the opening song. I'm still crying even after I got home."

It wasn't just the fans who were crying; the trainees were too. After the encore performance, they returned backstage where the staff applauded and cheered, even setting off party poppers. The emotions they had been holding back immediately burst forth. Yao Shuo, the crybaby, was wailing the loudest, his tears even wetting the collar of his shirt.

Jiang Juyou stood at a distance, arms crossed, watching with a look of satisfaction.

The concert wasn't just for the fans; it was even more for them. After the final performance, who knows how many of them would be able to stand on stage again.

She watched for a while, then quietly slipped away while they were still celebrating boisterously.

The excitement in reality coexisted with the online world. Various social media platforms were flooded with reports from fans who had watched the concert, with the opening song being mentioned countless times.

As the only original song in the program so far, many fans didn't have high hopes before the concert. After all, how great could a theme song for a talent show be? Weren't they all just mindless pop songs? What could be different?

But after hearing it, the reviews were different. Their theme song was on a completely different artistic level.

The single was now available for purchase, and the songwriting credits were released.

"'Neon Light'"

"Lyrics: Jiang Juyou"

"Music: Org077, Jiang Juyou"

"Arrangement: AnotherMe, Org077"

What surprised all the fans was Jiang Juyou's name on the list. Not only did she participate in composing, but she was also the sole lyricist.

"As expected, Jiang's productions know how to hurt people."

"No wonder it's so painful..."

"Ahhh, what exactly did she write? I want to know too."

"Darling, you'll come back cursing Jiang's productions after you hear the song tomorrow [smile]"

Before listening: Impossible, how could we ever curse Jiang's productions? As long as her face is still there, we can let her off the hook.

After listening: Waaah, indeed, beautiful women know best how to hurt people!