Chapter 47: Rendez-vous (1)

Chapter 47: Rendez-vous (1)

Dancer, singer, performer, and designer. ‘Rendez-vous’ was a project that would bring together four young artists, each an expert in their field.

It was a project that would bring together their struggles and passion to make an ad and music video promoting Yoo Sung Electronics’ Apollo cell phone.

Young people and people working in the art field couldn't be anything but fervidly interested in the Rendez-vous project from the start. It was because they would gather together all the rookies who were in the public eye.

Contrary to popular belief that it was all hype, the quality of the actual ad and music video they released lived up to expectations.

The music used in the ad made it onto the music chart, and even won awards at the Advertisement Music Awards.

One of the goals of the Rendez-vous project was to make it known that Yoo Sung Electronics was interested in art, including music, and was giving it their full support.

The result was a major success. Through the Rendez-vous project, Yoo Sung Electronics not only saw a rise in the Apollo series’ marketing, but was also able to establish an image as a valuable contributor to society.

‘However, the Rendez-vous project loses its luster before long...’

Do Wook, who used to enjoy listening to music used in the Rendez-vous project very much, became bitter when he recalled how dejected he felt at that time.

It was because it was revealed that the ad music was plagiarized. It was the song of an extremely unknown foreign singer from an underground band, so it took time for it to be revealed.

“We received an appearance offer for Do Wook.”

At Director Kwon’s words, everyone’s eyes got big and looked at Do Wook. Do Wook silently waited for Director Kwon to continue talking. Updated chapters at novelhall.com

“It’s not a type of project that requires just one day of shooting...so we had an internal discussion, but we accepted it because it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, for both Do Wook personally, and for the team and company."

It was on a different level compared to the school uniform ads where idols were the main models. He would become the model for Yoo Sung Electronics’ cell phones. For a cell phone ad, something that was considered only possible for the best of the best. It didn’t change the fact that appearing in a project advertisement was in itself an amazing accomplishment, even if it’s not the main ad.

There was polite applause. Ahn Hyung Seo and Jung Yoon Ki, who were sitting next to him, took turns congratulating him, saying, “Good for you, Do Wook!”

“I think you could talk about it in more detail with Team Leader Jo Anna yourself.”

“I understand.”

Do Wook, who as expected did not refuse, answered in a strange tone.

If it went as it had gone in the past, its popularity would be guaranteed, but it was going to be difficult to move on from appearing in an ad that used plagiarized music as a strictly honorable feat.

‘Opportunities should be seized, and crises need a chance to be turned into opportunities.’

Do Wook thought of a way.

***

While Yoo Sung Electronics and Do Wook were going back and forth discussing the project, KK’s first full album Sensation’s repackage album was released.

Once the album was released, “Windy Day” also did well, easily making it into around second or third place on the music chart.

The consensus was that the song definitely went well with the autumn weather, when the sun is hot but the air feels cool when the wind blows. The company had expectations that the song would continue to do well for a long time, since it was a good song to listen to comfortably.

The comeback performance was two days after the music chart results. KK was scheduled to do their comeback performance for ‘Windy Day’ on KVS’s ‘Music Bonus’.

It was a two-week active period, but since it was the first song after their major hit ‘Very Sorry’, the public and fans were very hyped up for ‘Windy Day’.

On top of that, the comeback performance would be performed live. The fans knew KK’s skills so they expressed their anticipation for the live performance, but at the same time, they were anxious. Not only were there a particularly high number of variables when it came to live performances, but there were also a lot of singers whose basic skills were good yet seemed to struggle performing live.

That was also true for the KK members, who were excited and worried at the same time.

“I definitely feel like the first performance is the most nerve-wrecking.”

A simple waiting room made of a tent. Even Suk Ji Hoon, who was always calm, was openly anxious. Oh Baek Ho gave Suk Ji Hoon a vitamin drink.

The members had been relentlessly rehearsing solely for the live performance for a while. They even grit their teeth and pushed through the rehearsals for choreography etc. so that they could give the best live performance no matter what.

However, on top of their nervousness over the fact that it’s a comeback performance and a live performance, it was concerning that it also happened to be a special outdoor show. Music Bonus would broadcast live from the Hwa Sung Hang Goong outdoor square today, since Suwon City’s Hwa Sung Festival was currently going on.

“You did well during the rehearsal. It’ll be fine.”

“Was there such choreography?”

As the fans watched the scene unfold on the screen, they couldn’t hide their confusion. It was the same for fans who were watching the live broadcast. Their movements were so natural that people guessed that it was part of the choreography rather than a broadcast accident.

Oh Baek Ho knew right away that there was a problem with the microphone. Thankfully, the Music Bonus staff also realized that there was a problem with Microphone 2 that Do Wook had been holding.

When Park Tae Hyung, who was splitting the top of the stage with his spectacular footwork, returned behind Do Wook, Do Wook passed off the microphone he was originally holding.

I miss you so much―

You’re coming from so far away―I love you―

Do Wook’s soft voice rang throughout the square. The volume also got better so the poor sound quality of an outdoor stage was not a problem for Do Wook. It was a voice that went incredibly well with the scenery of an autumn night in Hang Goong.

After that, the wireless signal light of Microphone 2 that was passed over to Park Tae Hyung also turned on.

KK finished their performance without any more problems.

Microphone issues were something that could easily happen during a live performance.

Thanks to being mentally ready to deal with various emergency situations while preparing for the live performance, they were able to resolve it on the spot without big problems.

After coming off stage, Do Wook thanked Ahn Hyung Seo and Park Tae Hyung.

Especially when it came to Park Tae Hyung’s sense, he felt he couldn’t praise him enough.

Oh Baek Ho also was generous with his praises for the members for their hard work.

-We can’t call them rookies anymore

-Won’t Kang Do Wook be ok even without a mic? Lol He was loud enough to pierce the sky lol

-It’s a good the stage didn’t have a ceiling hahaha

-I have to admit...All the KK members are talented!

-I only saw Tae Hyung as a baby but he’s all grown up ᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲ

The fan cafe and communities were all overflowing with praise. There was admiration over them as individuals as well as over KK’s teamwork.

A video, starting from when Park Tae Hyung handed off the microphone to Do Wook until when Do Wook’s part was over, was edited into a short version and was shared all over.

Since the members had an accident during their first performance, they were able to take on the rest of the music broadcast performances with peace of mind. It was because they felt that they would be ok even if something should happen.

***

After finishing up his ‘Windy Day’ activities with an early morning pre-recording session, Do Wook changed his clothes and headed out with Manager Oh Baek Ho.

Today was the day of the first group meeting between the Rendez-vous project’s director and the cast at a studio in Gwang Ju, Gyung Ki Province.

He had personally had meetings with the director and staff before, but it was the first time he was meeting the cast in person. The cast was kept in the dark about who else was part of the cast and what field they were from. They planned to capture everyone’s reactions from today’s first meeting for the project video.

As soon as they arrived at the studio, microphones were everywhere and cameras stuck close to him.

On the inside there was a big workspace, and in there, the rest of the cast had already all gathered. Do Wook remembered the cast for this ad.

‘Jazz pianist Kwon Hyul. Graphic designer Na Eun Soo...”

Originally, Yoo Sung Electronics’ Do Wook and the other male singer they were choosing between were both going to be here. However, that person wasn’t present.

“Hello.”

When Do Wook entered and said hello, all eyes turned to him. A man who was wearing giant silver cross earrings said ‘KK?” and recognized Do Wook. The man then got up from his seat.

“You know who I am, right? Man to Man.”

—