translation by mourningmoor
Concert Map
Without any prior notice, a push notification was sent to fans who had pre-ordered L.I.T's album. It stated that the album had been handed over to the delivery service and that a <Concert Map> had been included in the package exclusively for pre-order buyers.
What on earth is a concert map? Filament stayed up all night speculating over and over again.
As dawn slowly broke, the zombie-like Filament, barely functioning, dragged themselves to KBC Public Hall for the pre-recording in Music City.
Even while waiting in line outside the broadcasting station, that was the only thing they talked about.
Among them were Inyoung, Juhee, and Yoojung.
"Unnie, it really seems like a concert, right?"
At Inyoung’s question, Yoojung nodded.
"It's 100% a concert. It's about time."
It's been a year and a half since their debut, and thanks to their nonstop activities, they have more than enough songs.
Not to mention, their fandom has grown so much that they could easily hold a concert at an arena-level venue like Gocheok Dome.
"But why isn't the company making an announcement?"
"They'll probably do it today? Or maybe they want us to see it in person when the packages arrive today."
Since the albums were shipped out yesterday, the earliest deliveries would arrive today. That means they’d finally find out what the <Concert Map> really is.
"Ugh, please let it be a concert."
Inyoung clasped her hands together, praying desperately.
Juhee immediately followed suit.
"Please, please, please."
"Ah, unnie."
Inyoung wrapped her hands around Juhee’s and called out to her.
"You guys are the ones behind the Jamsil Station billboard, right?"
"Yeah. Me, Inyoung, and Irene."
"Irene-unnie too?"
No way.
"But she's in the U.S.?"
"She kept insisting on doing a billboard event. Plus, she covered half the cost."
"Wow. Seriously, you unnies…"
Inyoung just opened and closed her mouth, swallowing her words, before clinging onto them.
"Next time, please let me in on it too."
The L.I.T comeback billboard covering an entire wall at Jamsil Station had left a deep impression on her.
The layout was perfect—framing the edges with casual paparazzi shots and placing a large official group photo of the five members at the center.
The smaller paparazzi shots were all unreleased photos, making it fun to take time admiring each one.
"Unnie, speaking of paparazzi shots, there was one with the members standing in front of the billboard at Samsung Station, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Juhee and Yoojung nodded proudly.
"When was that? Did they go there separately?"
"It was the dawn of fan support day. They came to check the installation of the billboard."
Juhee and Yoojung had kept those paparazzi shots to themselves instead of posting them. If they made them public and it became a big issue, there was a chance some people would twist it and use it against the members.
"Seriously? Isn't it usually just sending money and being done with it?"
"Not at all. I usually just wire the money and check later, but this time, I went early in the morning to check the installation myself. The members came too, probably to show their sincerity."
"That's not something they could've done unless they were really dedicated."
Yoojung said, praising the members. Inyoung wholeheartedly agreed.
"You guys should've posted about it on Universe. Everyone would've been even more touched."
Juhee and Yoojung immediately shook their heads.
"No way. There are too many hyenas looking to tear them down lately."
Between T.I.ONE’s Taei and Möbius’ Junhee, some rival idols had been acting out lately, clearly feeling threatened by L.I.T’s rise.
It was proof that all eyes were on them.
Make one mistake, and people would tear them apart. Show results, and others would try to bring them down.
If they looked even a little tired, people would call them arrogant. If they shared heartwarming stories, people would claim it was fake, just for PR.
With popularity comes more haters—it was an inevitable part of this industry.
"This is a transition period. If they push just a little further, no one will be able to touch them. That's why they need to break into the first-tier groups as soon as possible."
The plan was to compile L.I.T’s good deeds into a documentary once they secured their position among the top-tier groups. That timing was expected to be around the end of this album's promotional cycle.
The agency must have known this too—hence, the concert card.
"Anyway, our job is to support them so that no one can ever look down on them."
As Juhee spoke with determination, Inyoung and Yoojung nodded back, just as serious.
* * *
The long-awaited comeback stage of L.I.T has begun.
Filaments filled the audience seats, waving their filament light bulbs as they waited for L.I.T to take the stage.
When the stage director finished explaining the proceedings and precautions before disappearing, the audience fell silent. They knew that their singer would appear soon.
―Hello, Filament.
Even before appearing, Jaewon’s voice flowed through the speakers.
He had greeted them first through the mic while walking onto the stage.
―Hi, everyone.
Roa’s voice was heard next.
Then, the five members slowly emerged from the back of the stage.
They were dressed in black pants, white shirts with different designs, and flashy black jackets, each with a unique design.
Roa and Jaewon wore neatly buttoned shirts with narrow ties, while the other adult members sported dazzling shirts with their buttons undone halfway, creating an incredibly sexy stage outfit.
Their makeup was also tailored to match the outfit and mood, making them look exceptionally mature and provocative.
Filament let out screams that were close to shrieks.
In response, the five members gently curled their lips into smiles.
“It’s been a while since we’ve met on stage.”
Ichan, who spoke in a soft voice, glanced at the members.
Then, as if responding to their leader’s cue, the members greeted in unison.
“Two, three. Hello, we are L.I.T.”
Once again, cheers erupted.
Ichan, who had been watching the fans with warm eyes, raised the microphone as the cheers subsided.
“Did you eat breakfast before coming here?”
At Ichan’s question, sporadic responses of I ate! and I didn’t! burst out from different directions.
Then, a Filament suddenly asked if the members had eaten.
Jaewon, smiling brightly, answered.
“We haven’t yet.”
The audience went wild again.
You have to eat your meals! Kim Jaewon, eat your food! Don’t starve! You’ll get sick! If you get sick, we’ll sue!
Everyone was united in worrying about the members' health.
The five members laughed joyfully at Filament’s reaction.
At that moment, the stage director signaled that the performance was about to begin.
Ichan, nodding in acknowledgment, raised his mic again.
“It’s so early in the morning, so it must have been really cold outside, right? When you leave, make sure to grab some gimbap and warm soup. There’s still some time until the second pre-recording, so eat while you wait.”
Another reverse fan support event in just two weeks.
Filament let out loud cheers.
“Oh, and we’re going to eat breakfast there later too, so don’t go anywhere and just wait for us.”
Before the shocked Filament could even respond, the stage lights changed.
That was the signal—the performance was about to begin.
With hearts swelling, ready to burst, Filament welcomed L.I.T’s comeback.
The grand melody and L.I.T’s voices filled the public hall, and Filament fervently cheered them on.
* * *
Filament, who had just finished the first pre-recording, exited the public hall and received a lunchbox at the entrance, one by one.
The lingering emotions from the overwhelming stage of music and dance had yet to fade, and when they were handed a lunchbox adorned with the album jacket photo, their excitement peaked.
It was at that moment.
A voice rang out from afar, amplified by a megaphone.
“Filament who came for the pre-recording, please gather over here. There will be a mini fan meeting.”
The lobby of the public hall erupted with excited shouts from Filament.
Even though they let out cheers, Filament did not rush. Maintaining order, they calmly moved to the designated location as instructed.
Originally, the event was planned to be held outside, but because of the cold weather, the broadcasting station provided a meeting room, making everyone even more careful.
Determined not to cause any trouble for their singer, Filament sat quietly, clutching their lunchboxes tightly while waiting for L.I.T.
A short while later, L.I.T entered, still dressed in their stage outfits, guided by the protocol team.
As they received enthusiastic cheers and camera shutter sounds, L.I.T took their seats.
The first to speak was Ichan.
“It was announced as a mini fan meeting, but in truth, it’s more of a casual meal gathering.”
The space was packed with 300 people, and there wasn’t even a microphone.
Despite the cramped seating, everyone had happy expressions.
“Let’s eat breakfast together.”
Without needing to say much, sharing a meal together was already a meaningful connection.
Jaewon chimed in.
“For now, you can rest assured because Siu hyung didn’t make this.”
The meeting room was instantly filled with laughter.
“Let’s eat and chat comfortably. Us.”
As if simply eating together wasn’t overwhelming enough, L.I.T saying ‘Let’s talk. Us.’ in such a sweet tone made the meal gathering feel as grand as a dinner show.
They shared various conversations while eating their beautifully arranged kimbap, inari sushi, and a few pieces of fruit.
Most of the topics were about the process of making the new album and updates on the members’ recent activities.
Then, a Filament suddenly raised their hand and asked a question.
“Are we finally getting a solo concert?”
It was the question everyone had been waiting for.
And the long-awaited answer finally flowed from Ichan’s lips.
“When we dream, you all make it happen. And when you dream, we make it happen for you.”
How could someone say something so beautifully? Deep sighs of admiration endlessly flowed through Filament.
“I believe that our dreams and your dreams come together as one—that’s what a concert is.”
At those words, Filament, with their mouths stuffed full of kimbap, could only cover their mouths with their hands, unable to even scream, choking in excitement.
“Yes. We are holding a concert. The details are included in the <Concert Map>.”
Roa followed up on Ichan’s words.
“It’s a solo concert, and it will be at the end of January.”
Not wanting to be left out, Jaewon cut in.
“Gymnas… mmph.”
But before he could finish, Hanjoon quickly covered his mouth.
“This is as far as spoilers go.”
Finally, Siu, with a bright smile, wrapped it up.
“The concert is important, but please also give lots of love to this album’s promotions. Thank you.”