translation by mourningmoor
I think it’s a natural result. The objective numbers already spoke for themselves. But actually experiencing it felt very different from what I had imagined.
The deafening cheers made my ears ring. At the same time, something in my chest tightened.
Kim Jeongsoo kept patting my back to congratulate me, and Yang Seokwoo ruffled my hair. But even so, their expressions and voices were hard to make out.
All I could see were Siu’s teary eyes, Hanjoon’s bright smile as he approached, Roa’s wide, surprised eyes, Jaewon cheering with his fists clenched, and our members. Nothing else.
Without a second thought, we hugged each other.
After patting each other’s backs for a while, we walked to the stage.
Our song played in the background after the MC’s remarks. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this song here today.
It’s not a bad feeling.
Finally, Jaewon, as the representative, received the trophy from the presenter.
Until this moment, it was just a tight feeling in my chest? Not a bad feeling? That was all.
But when I was pushed forward by the members to stand in front of the microphone and looked out at Gocheok Dome, where our Seoul concert had been held, something shifted slightly.
Funny enough, something welled up from deep in my throat.
I held back my words, trying to swallow that strange feeling, and the members urged me to speak.
Then Jaewon finally said, “I think hyung’s going to cry?” At the same time, cheers erupted from the audience, filled with light sticks.
“Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”
The light sticks swayed, and the chant echoed loudly.
Looking at the Filaments, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re doing this again. Trying to make me cry. I have to give my speech, so please don’t make me cry.”
When I joked, the Filaments laughed loudly.
“It’s been almost three years since we met. During that time, I’ve received so much from all of you. You make me want to be a better person. No, you make me want to become a better person.”
‘Artist of the Year’—honestly, it felt like all the hardships until now had been acknowledged, and it felt incredibly good.
“This year, for me, no, for us.”
I raised my hand, pointing to the members and the fans, and continued.
“There were so many good things, and also so many hard things.”
Looking back on the past year, it felt like no amount of words could explain everything.
“But what I realized in the midst of it all is that, whether it’s good or bad, we’re all connected as one.”
Even though I tried to run away beyond the dimensional gate, in the end, I couldn’t sever that connection. That’s why it seems like our bond has only grown deeper and stronger.
“I love the Filaments and the members so much. I’m so happy because of these people. I’m always smiling because of them. I’m so grateful.”
My voice trembled slightly at the end.
As if we were truly connected, the Filaments’ breathing also quieted.
“Can you promise me one thing?”
I couldn’t see the fans sitting far away, but I could see the faces of the fans standing near the extended stage. Most of them had tears in their eyes. They were already ready to cry the tears I couldn’t shed.
“I… really, really cherish you all.”
Then, the Filaments shook their light sticks wildly and responded enthusiastically.
“I’ve only caused you worry, but you’ve given us such a big award.”
The fans in the audience were already shaking their heads.
You didn’t cause us worry. That award is rightfully yours.
The fans shouted at the top of their lungs.
“I love you all so much.”
Then, a cheer close to a scream filled Gocheok Sky Dome.
I slowly looked around the audience, making eye contact with each fan, and then turned around.
“Hanjoon-hyung, Siu-ya, Roa-ya, Jaewon-ah.”
At my call, the members looked at me. These guys also had tears in their eyes.
“I love you.”
Before my words even finished, the members hugged me.
The only ones who understand 100% of what I’m saying are our members. They know how rough the road we’ve traveled has been, how much we cherish each other, and how hard we’ve worked to repay the fans’ love. We know each other.
In the end, the members cried.
The Filaments cried too.
Me?
I cried just a little, without letting it show. After all, I have the dignity of a grand mage to maintain. I can’t cry in front of so many people.
* * *
Just like at the Seoul concert, we couldn’t capture a photo of Kang Ichan crying at the PMA awards. But for the Filaments, it was still a meaningful time.
King Ichan said he loves us. I completely broke down crying.
└I cried my eyes out too. But since I wasn’t the only one crying, I didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
No, our fandom is so funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋ Everyone went in saying they’d make Kang Ichan cry, but they all came out crying themselves. Why can’t we make him cry?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└At this point, Kang Ichan, just cry once. Seriously. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
What? Leader Kang shed a few chick tears. His red nose was so cute and lovable.
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋChick tears?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ That doesn’t suit Leader Kang.
Instead, Siu cried prettily for usㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└Yoon Siu is just a ray of light. Even his crying is so beautiful.ㅎㅎㅎㅎ I’m so looking forward to his drama.
I’ve been crying for days. Ichan’s speeches at every awards ceremony, seriously ㅠㅠㅠㅠ It’s my tear button.
└Me too. Wow, yesterday Junie made me cry like that again.
After PMA, HAMA, and other award ceremonies.
LIT swept through all the award shows.
Filaments watched the award shows and praised themselves for being LIT fans.
Every word the members said was so beautiful, and seeing how well they’ve grown up, the fans felt proud.
Even though they’re not my own children, how can they be so lovely? They all raised their voices in unison.
Then, LIT shared photos and their feelings on SNS after each award, sharing the joy with the fans.
#Lit_LIT #Filaments #Why_Do_We_Look_Like_We_Won_Artist_of_the_Year #That_Artist_That_Fandom #KangChan_ICHAN
Filaments, you’re truly amazing. Downloads, streaming, voting. There’s nothing you haven’t touched. Thanks to you, we keep winning awards. We’ll become a group that works even harder. We’ll become a group that doesn’t disappoint the name Filaments. So let’s… have some coffee.
Lit’s treat. #Lit’s_Reverse_Treat_Time #LitCafe #Let’s_Find_It
Lit Cafe will be open nationwide. Just for one day, December 31, 20XX. Check the link below for locations. (Link)
Even other fandoms envied this legendary treat.
It was truly a festival for LIT and the Filaments, continuing day after day.
* * *
This year’s year-end award shows were swept by LIT.
No one could deny their achievements.
Less than a month after surviving the terror attack, they resumed their world tour and released new songs back-to-back. And just as they had promised, they caught both rabbits.
In ARCHE’s absence, they completely dominated the scene, showcasing their unparalleled presence.
And finally, their new song took over the American market.
It was their first step into the global market.
“I feel great!”
Jaewon shouted.
“I feel amazing too!”
Roa also yelled.
Then, Hanjoon grumbled with a slightly scared face.
“Hey, Park Roa. You can’t even ride roller coasters, but this doesn’t scare you?”
“What’s there to be scared of? If I fall here, Ichan-hyungnim will catch me.”
Siu, who had been smiling brightly at Roa’s words, nodded.
“Right. Since Ichan’s here, I’m not scared at all.”
“Dude, you’re never scared anyway.”
Hanjoon, who had been grumbling, seemed to gather his courage and cautiously sat down next to me.
“But still, it feels good. It’s not even cold.”
Then, he raised his left wrist to check the time.
“Oh, it’s exactly midnight.”
As soon as Hanjoon’s words fell, the Bosingak Bell rang grandly, announcing the change of the year.
“Wow, fireworks.”
As Jaewon said, the fireworks celebrating the new year decorated the dark night sky.
“From here, the fireworks feel like they’re right in front of us, right in front.”
It was true.
I almost regretted not knowing that the top of this tall building, above the rooftop billboard, was the best spot to watch fireworks.
The five of us sat in a row on the billboard and quietly watched the endless fireworks.
“It feels like they’re celebrating us.”
It was Roa.
Then, Hanjoon, who had nodded at Roa’s words, pulled out a small bottle of champagne from his coat.
“Let’s celebrate reuniting, finishing this year well, and the fact that next year looks like it’ll start off great. Let’s go as splendidly as the lyrics say.”
This time, Siu, as if he had been waiting, pulled out paper cups from his pocket.
“Sounds good.”
Hanjoon filled the paper cups with champagne.
Half of it spilled, half of it blew away in the wind. But we were still happy.
We shared the cups among ourselves and raised them as we watched the grand finale of the fireworks.
Then, clinking our overflowing cups, we shouted.
“Happy New Year.”
We welcomed the first day of the new year, sharing the cool champagne that didn’t quite match the cold wind, and wished each other happiness.
We don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to do this “idol” thing, but one thing is certain.
The five of us will keep running forward, together, and as happily as possible. And with the five of us together, we’re not scared or afraid.
Whatever lies at the end of this road, we’ll just go and see, like we always have.
THE END