translation by mourningmoor
As L.I.T got busier, the Filaments also became busier.
On October 17th, the official L.I.T homepage released the timeline leading up to the comeback.
October 18th ― Tracklist, Concept Photo 1: Star
October 19th ― Concept Photo 2: Wind
October 20th ― Concept Photo 3: Flower
October 21st ― Concept Photo 4: Moon
October 22nd ― Concept Photo 5: Sun
October 23rd ― Concept Photo 6: Begin
October 24th ― Concept Photo 7: Stay
Each subtitle would reveal five individual concept photos of the members and two group shots. Then, finally, the album pre-orders would begin.
October 25th ― Highlight medley release, pre-order sales begin (available at YES 25, HitTracks, and IntoPark)
October 26th ― L.I.T lightstick sales begin, 2nd concept photo 1…
November 1st ― Music video teaser release…
And on November 6th at 6 PM, the digital release would drop, followed by the long-awaited music video for the title track of the mini album, <Begin>, at midnight.
It was a long wait, but for the Filaments, it was the start of a three-week-long festival.
Finally, the much-anticipated October 18th arrived.
As promised, Blade Entertainment released the tracklist.
Begin (Title)
Into the L.I.T
Stay (Sub Title)
소년에게 (To Me)
Call by KING
Service Track: Begin (Dark Version)
A storm swept through the L.I.T fan cafe and various idol communities. On the same day, HS Entertainment also released MuteSeven’s tracklist.
But MuteSeven couldn’t beat L.I.T in terms of buzz.
The reason was the concept photos released alongside L.I.T’s tracklist.
<Concept Photo 1: Star>
The sky was a deep, ink-like blue, filled with stars. Floating somewhere in the vast universe, a man sat curled up inside a transparent bubble, so beautiful it was almost blinding.
He wore a bishop-sleeved white blouse, black slacks, and was barefoot.
With his ankles crossed and knees drawn up, the man rested his face on his knees. His drowsy eyes and dreamy expression were captivating. It was L.I.T’s visual genius, the fairy Yoon Siu.
I’m speechless. Is this a human or a fairy?
Yoon Siu’s light brown hair and gray contact lenses are god-tier.
L.I.T vs. MuteSeven? L.I.T wins. Not just a win, but a landslide victory.
└What are you talking about? MuteSeven’s photoshoot came out super sexy.
└No, YOU’RE the one talking nonsense. MuteSeven isn’t the sexy group anymore. They’re the ‘Almond Boys’ now.
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ their image got wrecked by that ad ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└What’s with the Almond Boys? They look so awkward.
└ㅠㅠㅠㅠ MuteSeven fans are crying. HS Entertainment, what were you thinking? Who came up with the idea to dress them in almond-themed outfits? ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
While L.I.T’s stock rose with the Skin Therapy ad, MuteSeven attempted an image transformation by endorsing a health drink called Almond Boys.
Their overly beastly image had become too strong, so they aimed for a softer transformation. Of course, it didn’t go as planned, and they ended up with a somewhat ridiculous image.
That’s not to say MuteSeven’s concept photos were childish or ridiculous. As a top-tier group, they had the best photographers creating stunning visuals.
The photoshoot was sexy, dynamic, and energetic.
It’s just that MuteSeven’s image no longer matched that vibe.
The gap between L.I.T and MuteSeven widened even further with the release of the second concept photo.
<Concept Photo 2: Wind>
On a massive tree that seemed to sway in the cool autumn breeze, Hanjoon sat leaning against a thick branch.
With a calm expression, Hanjoon wore a long white shirt reminiscent of a traditional robe, holding a fan in his hand.
The buttons undone to mid-chest and the layered leather bracelets on his wrist gave off a very hip vibe.
At the end of Hanjoon’s gaze, beyond the large branch, a gust of wind swirled. The source of the wind seemed to be the fan in Hanjoon’s hand, but his face remained indifferent.
Wow, our indifferent Hanjoon-daeng has gotten even more handsome.
└Looking at his broad shoulders, I’m reminded of that photo of him changing clothes. Sasaengs are bad, but that photo was a blessing.
└Please don’t say that. Hanjoon-daeng would be horrified.
Is our Hanjoon-daeng becoming a sexy idol?
The Filaments spent the entire day swooning over Hanjoon’s toned muscles visible through his blouse.
Then, the third photo was released, and the Filaments stopped paying attention to MuteSeven.
The game was already over.
<Concept Photo 3: Flower>
True to its title, it was a photo as beautiful as a flower.
It was also a photo where the mischievous and energetic Jaewon showed off visuals rivaling Siu’s. Plus, his hair was purple.
Against a white face, a white blouse with elaborate ruffles, and a sky covered in dark gray clouds, the photo felt almost like a black-and-white image. But the lovely red lips, purple hair, blue contact lenses giving a hint of blue in his eyes, the large flower resting on his outstretched palm, and the pink petals scattering below his hand were all vividly colored, almost blindingly so.
In a month, he’ll be eighteen. Balancing on the edge between boyhood and manhood, Jaewon delivered his best look, with a subtly curved lip that exuded sexiness.
“Our baby bunny is growing up so fast. Kyahhhh >.<”
“My heart is being assaulted. This world’s wild bunny is beating my heart mercilessly. I might have to sue this baby bunny.”
└“I’ll sue too. I’ll get the judge to declare that Kim Jaewon is my husband.”
<Concept Photo 4: Moon>
The fourth photo’s star was Roa.
Sitting at the tip of a crescent moon, tilted like a movie studio logo, Roa held a yoyo instead of a fishing rod. With indifferent eyes, he looked down at the world below the moon. It felt like the perspective of a judge, a god looking down on the world, sending chills down your spine.
Wearing a sharp-collared shirt, black shorts, suspenders, and silver-gray hair, Roa exuded a strong androgynous vibe, blurring the lines between boy and adult, man and woman.
I’ve heard of the moon rabbit, but a moon squirrel? I’ll believe it from now on. Roa, I love you ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Moon squirrel, I agree ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I love you too, Roa.
Roa’s chubby cheeks are disappearing ㅠㅠ Where did those round cheeks go?
└With his cheeks gone, his facial features are standing out more. He’s no joke.
Roa’s hair has gotten so long. The wavy gray hair is so good. It’s my type.
And finally, the concept photos of L.I.T’s leader, Kang Ichan, were released.
<Concept Photo 5: Sun>
The Filaments unanimously declared they knew the sun would be Ichan and started swooning even before the photo was released. And when it was revealed, chaos ensued.
Because Kang Ichan’s hair was dyed gold.
* * *
"As expected, Ichan hyung's photo got the best reaction. It's hot."
I had slightly grown out my short hair, added some waves, and boldly dyed it blonde, and the response was immediate. But I wasn’t entirely satisfied.
Compared to the radiant golden hair of my original body, this was just child’s play. A plain, ordinary blonde.
At first, I considered infusing even a single strand of hair with magical energy, but after seeing the reaction, I abandoned that thought.
Even this level seemed to be breathtakingly beautiful in this world.
"I really like hyung-nim's pose. It makes you look like a real magician."
Roa and Jaewon had been examining my photo and holding a critique session. Then, Roa subtly mimicked the gesture of my hand.
"I think we could even incorporate this into the choreography. Place the left and right hands like this and move the fingers…"
"Wow, I should’ve said I’d wear this blouse. Ichan hyung’s outfit is way more glamorous."
"Yah, do you think you can just argue your way into wearing it? Hyerim noona decided this from the start. This outfit is perfect for hyung-nim."
"With the blonde hair and all, you really look like a king. A slightly corrupted king, but still. Anyway, King Ichan, acknowledged."
A slightly corrupted king.
I pretended not to hear Jaewon’s comment and focused on stretching.
The photo concept was, as Jaewon said, a "corrupted king."
[Ichan-ssi, you have that vibe, you know? A king who has achieved everything, owns everything, but is bored with life and has gone slightly mad? Let’s go with that feeling.]
I was confident in that vibe. It was my life, after all.
But I didn’t choose the kind of corruption that would destroy the world. That was too demon king-like. The corruption I chose was abandoning my duties and turning my back on the world.
Maybe that’s why. The concept photo was filled with the languidness of a powerful being who had turned away from the world.
The left palm faced upward, the right palm faced downward, creating a space between them to dominate the sun. But the king’s eyes no longer held any emotion. The weariness of a being who could either shatter the sun and destroy humanity or simply turn a blind eye was perfectly captured in the concept photo.
"Hyung-nim, hyung-nim. The idol communities are going crazy. Our follower count is skyrocketing."
On the first day, as Siu’s photo was released, not only did our SNS followers increase, but the number of fan cafe members also exploded. If this keeps up, the number of Filaments will skyrocket when we recruit for the second fan club.
"Wow, our song is climbing the charts. We’ve finally charted."
The reaction came from the first day. The Filaments worked hard to spread the photos, and even people who didn’t know us started showing interest. Thanks to that, our streaming numbers also increased.
Yes, keep growing like this. All of this will count toward the awards ceremony scores.
Everything was going according to plan, flowing just as it should.
"Let’s start the afternoon practice."
Just as Ji Youngjun ssaem entered the practice room to announce the start of afternoon practice, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw a message.
2000-Year-Old Trash
Hoobae-nim. Are you doing well?
It’s the Demon King again. This bastard sends a message every now and then to check in. But this time, he sent a rather long text.
2000-Year-Old Trash
You’re still not responding. Don’t you think it’s about time we meet? After all, we’re the only ones from the same hometown.