translation by mourningmoor
Yoojung and Mina were watching a live stream broadcast by someone in Korea.
The sound of shutters breaking through the cheers conveyed the tension of the scene vividly.
“Juhee, she’s filming well, right?”
“She’s a pro.”
Yoojung smiled brightly at Mina, who was worried, and handed her a beer can.
The moment Mina opened the beer can, the participants of K-KON were seen exiting the arrival gate.
“Oh, they’re coming out. It’s Möbius’ Kim Jeongsoo.”
Yoojung, who hadn’t even taken a sip of her beer, fixed her eyes on the screen.
A moment later, Mina spat out the beer she was drinking, and Yoojung spilled the beer she was holding.
“What’s going on? Why is our Ichan like that?”
As the arrival gate opened, Siu appeared first, followed by Ichan, dressed in black with fluttering wings attached.
“Oh my god. Is he a butterfly? A fairy?”
Seeing the antennae on his head and the magic wand in his hand, it seemed he was a fairy.
“What’s going on? Our leader, known for his chic style, why is he like this?”
“Wait. What’s up with Jaewon?”
Behind Ichan, Jaewon appeared wearing a pig headband and a pig tail.
Roa followed, filming the two of them.
Unlike Jaewon, who seemed to be in high spirits, Ichan looked visibly annoyed.
Then, the Filament broadcasting the live stream called out to the members.
―Ichan-ah. Look here and wave just once.
Ichan, who was walking past indifferently, glanced over and raised his hand. An awkward smile briefly crossed his lips.
Next, Jaewon passed by, drawing a V with his fingers.
Roa bowed his head, and Hanjoon waved with a smile.
“What’s going on? The kids.”
Mina burst out laughing and started searching through other NewTube channels.
“It’s here too.”
It was a live stream broadcast from the path leading to the parking lot.
Ichan and Jaewon, having exited the airport building, stood side by side taking photos.
“What did they do? Did they play a game?”
“A penalty or something?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s highly likely.”
Yoojung burst into laughter.
“So cute. No, not a cat and a rabbit, but a fairy and a pig?”
“It kinda suits them. It’s adorable how they even have a magic wand.”
Mina, who had been browsing the internet, laughed while reading the fans’ reactions that were starting to pour in.
“Everyone feels the same. The kids’ visuals tore through the photos today, and Ichan’s chicness remains unchanged even as a fairy.”
“I completely agree.”
Yoojung quickly captured the video and uploaded it to her SNS.
She hoped that K-POP fans in the U.S. would show a lot of interest in L.I.T..
They’re performing in a foreign land, and it would be sad if the cheers were weak.
“Everyone, please show lots of interest. Take good care of my babies.”
As Yoojung tapped away at the keyboard, Mina looked at her with a pleased expression and said,
“You and Juhee are really devoted.”
Mina, who had finished a can of beer, crumpled the can and got up.
“One flies all the way to the U.S. to take photos and cheer. The other provides support from the rear. L.I.T is lucky to have such devoted fans.”
“And you, unnie, don’t seem like that, right?”
Yoojung, who had stopped typing, turned around.
“Huh? Are you leaving?”
Mina, who had thrown away the beer can, was getting ready to leave, carrying her bag.
Mina, who had neatly packed the SD card Yoojung gave her, waved her hand.
“Yeah. As you said, this body is also devoted, so I need to go home and finish writing my column. This month is a special feature on L.I.T..”
“Amazing. A special feature for the kids.”
Yoojung, who had followed Mina to the entrance, pointed at the SD card in Mina’s hand.
“Editor Kang? Feel free to use the photos I gave you in your article. Got it?”
“Thanks, girl.”
Mina, who had left a deep impression, opened the front door.
“I’m off.”
Yoojung shouted after Mina as she walked away.
“Take care, unnie. Write a holy article wishing for the successful U.S. debut of our shining stars.”
And Yoojung’s wish came true the very next day.
* * *
Juhee and Inyoung, who arrived early at the Staples Center, started their activities wearing L.I.T. supporter T-shirts.
Irene and a few American fans joined the supporters, and they neatly laid out the items they had prepared from Korea on a mat.
This place had a truly festive atmosphere.
Everyone was busy hosting small events, volunteering as supporters for their favorite idols.
Inyoung connected a Bluetooth speaker and played L.I.T. 's music. Irene unfolded the placards she had prepared herself and spread the word about L.I.T..
They actively promoted L.I.T. to people who showed interest, handing out stickers, photo cards, and fans.
Filaments who had flown all the way from Korea also came to support Juhee. Juhee had heavily promoted on NewTube that she would be hosting an L.I.T. supporter event for a few days.
Then, Inyoung called Juhee.
“Unnie, unnie.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s a Filament from Brazil. I sometimes translated your videos for them.”
Inyoung, who had just received a DM, shared the good news.
“They said they’re here today. They’ve prepared a cover dance. Should we join them?”
Of course, we should join. It’s more effective to fight big than to engage in small skirmishes.
That way, Americans, who love big things, will take notice.
“Tell them to come right away. We must join forces.”
* * *
We arrived in LA two days ago, finished rehearsals yesterday, and today, the day of the performance, we arrived at the Staples Center around 5 PM.
It’s clear that the U.S. reacts more passionately to Hallyu than France.
The fans’ reactions to us were also more enthusiastic in the U.S.
No, the U.S. was reacting more sensitively to us than we had anticipated.
“This is a good sign. After all, the home of pop is the U.S. The U.S. is the biggest market in the world, and if the U.S. acknowledges you, the whole world will.”
PD Pyo had been diligently observing the fans’ reactions since we arrived.
He gathered information from various SNS platforms, NewTube, television channels, music magazines, and other media, not missing anything related to L.I.T..
“It’s pretty good. First of all, the music seems to be hitting the mark, and your visuals are being well-received too.”
Of course, that’s the result.
The music is hitting the mark because I made it that way.
I put so much effort into it, from aesthetics to the third ear.
And as for visuals…
While they don’t compare to my true form, this body is decent enough to look at.
At first, I thought it was just a walking corpse, but with some effort, it became quite presentable. Plus, my very existence is radiant.
Still, I didn’t expect it to transcend races, so the U.S. reaction is a bit surprising.
“Let’s finish today’s stage beautifully and have fun tomorrow. Okay?”
You say “have fun,” but you’re just going to make us work.
I smirked and finished preparing to get out of the car.
“If we do well on today’s stage, how about giving us a separate vacation instead of just letting us have fun tomorrow?”
As I brought it up, the members, who had been quiet, perked up their ears and showed interest.
Perhaps feeling pressured by their reactions, PD Pyo coughed awkwardly.
“A vacation?”
“Let us go on a trip with the kids.”
“A… trip?”
The kids all nodded in unison.
It was something we had discussed among ourselves after finishing rehearsals yesterday.
We said that after wrapping up “Jungle,” we should go to Jeju Island together. Eat delicious food and sleep to our hearts’ content.
Since everyone liked the idea, I agreed.
The problem is whether we can take the vacation.
“We’ve hit a million, achieved what you wanted with ‘Jungle,’ and we’ve done enough, right?”
PD Pyo nodded reluctantly.
Then, the kids’ eyes filled with anticipation.
“Alright. Let’s finish today’s stage beautifully first, then we’ll think about it. Okay?”
By then, the van had arrived at the red carpet.
PD Pyo, who was awkwardly smiling, quickly gestured for us to get out.
That guy, seeing him like that, it seems he has no intention of giving us a vacation. None.
But things won’t go as PD Pyo wants. I plan to intervene.
“Anyway, think about it carefully. Okay?”
I tapped PD Pyo’s shoulder and followed the kids onto the red carpet.
“Waaaaah!”
Cheers and the sound of shutters erupted continuously.
The members’ eyes widened in surprise.
They hadn’t expected this level of cheers in the U.S., not Korea.
I didn’t show it, but I was also surprised.
A tingling sensation ran down my spine. It’s not a bad feeling.
We waved at the cameras and followed the staff’s guidance to the photo zone.
The kids’ faces were filled with pleasant excitement as they followed behind me.
As we stood in the photo zone in the official order, flashes went off everywhere.
As always, we greeted according to the slogan and showed the poses we had prepared for the cameras.
Then, the MC’s question came.
“As expected of a trending idol. You’ve come in a very splendid look today, but when you arrived… um… you were a bit cute. Was it a penalty?”
The MC, who seemed to find it adorable, smiled affectionately and held the microphone out to me.
Instead of a question about the new song, it was about the event. This isn’t right. I smiled awkwardly and tilted my head.
“Um. Whether it was a penalty or not, please wait for episode 11.”
With a playful smile, I promoted our self-produced content and stared at the MC. It was a hint that there were no other questions.
Finally, the MC glanced at the question sheet and quickly asked about the new song.
“Your new album is out. Today, at LA K-KON, you’ll be performing your new songs and for the K-POP fans. How do you feel about it?”
Yes, this kind of question should have come first.
I handed the microphone to Roa, and he calmly answered as prepared. A few more questions were asked, and the members took turns answering, concluding the red carpet event.
Then, we immediately moved to the performance venue.
As we entered, someone called out.
“Ichan?”
Inside, the CEO of H-NET was smiling brightly and waving.
Hanjoon immediately shook his head.
“Ichan, you monster. For a second-year idol, you’re mingling so casually with such a big shot.”
Yeah, it must seem strange.
The CEO of H-NET, known as the epitome of arrogance and authoritarianism, is only this bright with me.
“If you’re jealous, hyung, you should also keep your eyes on the ground. I’m just being favored because I found his lost ring.”
I tapped Hanjoon’s shoulder and approached the CEO of H-NET.