translation by mourningmoor
The reason we chose Samsung Station was because it was the most crowded place.
While getting caught would lead to big problems, it was also the place with the lowest chance of being recognized due to the sheer number of people.
Dressed in a black anorak, black jeans, and a black beanie pulled down low, I completed my full disguise with a black mask.
After a long time, we all got into the car together and arrived at Samsung Station while listening to Gyuhyung’s warnings.
The youngest and Roa were super excited, saying it felt like going on an adventure.
“If we get caught, don’t panic and run away. If you get hurt, it’ll only cause more trouble for us.”
Gyuhyung told us to call him immediately if that happened. Getting injured right before our comeback would only make things worse.
“Got it. We’ll be careful.”
Crowded places are dangerous, but they’re also where my magic power becomes stronger. The mana there is endless.
Honestly, fans wouldn’t put us in danger, and the worst-case scenario would be sasaengs like last time, but I figured I could handle it with magic if things went south.
“We’ll be back soon, so wait here, hyung.”
Leaving Gyuhyung in the car, we quickly made our way to the station.
Walking in a group of five would be too obvious, so we paired up.
Roa and Jaewon walked ahead, followed by Hanjoon and Siu. I trailed behind them slowly.
As we went down the stairs to the underground area, we were genuinely shocked.
A massive photo covered an entire wall.
“Wow.”
Jaewon’s mouth hung open in awe. Roa wasn’t any different.
“What is this? This is insane.”
Hanjoon and Siu were also speechless.
This was on a whole different level compared to the promotional billboard from last time.
First of all, the size was overwhelming.
And the atmosphere of the photo was incredibly dreamy. It was a group concept photo that had been recently released, but it seemed like it had been slightly edited to give it a more urban, hazy vibe.
Against a dazzling white background, five men in black suits struck various poses, each exuding their own charm.
The text on the billboard was also quite impressive.
The radiant light in my heart, light it up.
Comeback on November 7th, 20XX – L.I.T. ~ Mini Album Begin: Leap, now available for pre-order.
Strangely, my heart swelled with emotion.
Me, who’s used to being praised and served, getting moved by something so trivial. It was almost laughable. Back in Armania, there’s a mountain carved with my face, after all.
“Leader.”
Hanjoon, standing next to me and staring at the billboard, let out a quiet sigh.
“We can’t take a photo, can we? People are taking pictures everywhere, so it won’t be easy to get close.”
There was already a long line in front of the billboard. It seemed like everyone was there to take proof photos. If we stood in line and waited our turn, the chance of being recognized would be close to 99%.
But it would also be a shame to come all this way and not get a single photo.
The youngest and Roa already had looks of worry and disappointment on their faces at the thought of not being able to take a proof photo.
“Should we just take it from here?”
“From here?”
It was quite far from the billboard.
“We can include the fans who came to take proof photos in the shot. Actually, taking it from a distance will capture the whole billboard too.”
“Good idea. If we line up too neatly, it’ll look suspicious, so let’s just stand randomly. I’ll go first.”
Jaewon took a few steps back, turned toward me, and made a V-sign. Roa immediately positioned himself. Then Siu moved.
Hanjoon, looking annoyed, slowly took his place.
Standing at different spots like strangers, the members subtly faced me and made V-signs.
Then, they slightly pulled down their masks to show their faces.
I switched my phone camera to selfie mode and turned around, capturing the billboard and the members in the frame.
Half of my face, the members hiding among the crowd making V-signs, and the stunning L.I.T billboard were all in one shot.
Having successfully taken the proof photo, we returned to the van feeling proud.
As we got into the car, Gyuhyung, with a serious expression, looked at us.
“Are you guys okay?”
“Totally fine.”
Jaewon replied excitedly. For a rookie group that just debuted, having a life-sized billboard in one of the best locations was an incredible experience. Not to mention the long line of people who came to take proof photos in front of it.
It was impossible not to be excited.
Jaewon, with a flushed face, made a V-sign with his fingers.
“Mission accomplished without getting caught.”
“Without getting caught?”
Gyuhyung scoffed in disbelief but then let out a sigh of relief.
“Well, you made it back safely, but you guys got caught.”
He then handed over the tablet he had thrown on the passenger seat.
“Your photos are already trending in real-time.”
* * *
Photos of L.I.T’s pilgrimage to Samsung Station were flooding the fan cafe in real-time.
This was the first large-scale billboard project organized by the fans themselves.
Although the fan club wasn’t very big yet, there were many capable fans, and the “big sisters” (T.N.: older, influential fans) had put in a lot of effort this time.
There was one reason for this.
To boost L.I.T’s energy.
Coincidentally, many idols were making comebacks around the same time.
MuteSeven, who had been subtly seen as rivals since debut, the already established second-year group New Boys, the idol band Code 917, and more.
All of them were from big companies, so billboards and various promotional materials were everywhere. The large electronic billboard at the K-Pop Plaza in Samseong-dong already had MuteSeven’s photo on it.
“We’re a small company, but we won’t back down. We protect our own.”
An anonymous Filament posted a funding request, and the “big sisters” responded, setting up a billboard to celebrate the members’ birthdays as well.
But that wasn’t all.
They also held a proof photo event at the Samsung Station billboard.
Pilgrimage Event: Operation to Make Our Stone Shine.
The plan was to post pilgrimage photos with hashtags on SNS to trend in real-time.
Just as the event had been going on for a full day, an unusual pilgrimage post appeared on the fan cafe.
Light has descended upon our holy site.
Drawn by the title, Filaments quickly pushed the post’s views past 1,000.
The title was literal.
L.I.T had appeared at the Samsung Station billboard.
I was meeting a friend at COEX and was about to go on the pilgrimage when I saw two guys walking in front of me. They were tall, skinny, and had faces the size of fists—definitely idols. Don’t be surprised. It’s my idol. Jaewon and Roa ㅜㅜ
At the end of the post, there was a photo.
The one in the black cap was clearly Jaewon, and the one in the gray beanie was Roa.
Comments poured in.
└Oh my god. I’m going to Samsung Station right now.
└Why is my husband there?
└Deploy!!!!!
└I’m going crazy. Why do I have to work overtime today ㅜㅜ The kids are right there.
└ㅜㅜㅜㅜ Let’s pretend we don’t know. If we make a fuss, others will notice, and the kids might get hurt.
└Right. Let’s be quiet, Filaments.
└Filaments at Samsung Station, the light has descended. The light has descended. Everyone, wear sunglasses and close your eyes.
At the same time, other Filaments at the scene posted a few more photos.
The other members are here too.
└What do I do? They must’ve come as a group. Our kids are so prettyㅜㅜㅜㅜ
└Let’s just leave them alone. Filaments, please pretend you don’t know. Please.
Soon, the Filaments created an atmosphere where L.I.T could quietly receive their tribute.
No one acted like they recognized the members, and no one caused a scene.
They just stood at a distance, capturing the members’ moved expressions as they looked at the billboard.
A short while later, a photo was posted on L.I.T’s official SNS.
From left to right: Ichan with half his face in the shot, Roa in a gray beanie smiling with his eyes, Jaewon standing farthest but clearly holding the center, Siu in a lavender bucket hat, and Hanjoon on the far right in a black bucket hat.
It was a proof photo of L.I.T blending into the crowd in front of the billboard.
<Filaments, thank you for the gift. It’s truly the best gift. And thank you for pretending not to know us. ㅠㅠ Thanks to you, we made it back safely. Our Filaments are truly angels. We love you.>
#L_I_T #SamsungStation_Billboard #Filaments_FullOfLove #LIT_Shines_BecauseOfFilaments.
Soon, a fun relay started on SNS.
<Filaments taking photos of LIT, Filaments taking photos of those Filaments, and other Filaments taking photos of them. A never-ending proof photo game.>
These were photos capturing the moment L.I.T’s proof photo was taken.
Photos of L.I.T from various angles quickly decorated the fan cafe and SNS, and finally, L.I.T trended.
#LIT_and_Filaments_KKKShot
Wow. What’s up with L.I.T’s fandom? They didn’t freak out at all and just took photos? Is that even possible?
└Totally possible. That’s just how our fandom is.
└Our stone’s safety comes first.
The more I see them, the cuter they get. Their album on Harame is really good too.
└The members were heavily involved in this album’s production. Especially our leader, Ichan, who composed the title and sub-title tracks ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Wait, he composed? How old are they? They seem so young.
The oldest member, Hanjoon, is 20, Ichan and Siu are 19, Roa is 18, and the youngest, Jaewon, is 17. Of course, in a month, they’ll all be +1.
The attention from people watching the idol-fandom billboard proof photo relay naturally shifted to L.I.T and their new album.
On November 1st, the long-awaited music video teaser for the long awaited was finally released.