translation by mourningmoor
The neon sign, reminiscent of a 1990s Broadway theater entrance, looked classic yet old-fashioned. Sparks crackled and flew from the worn-out sign before the lights flickered on with a pop.
Then, the small bulbs densely packed across the sign lit up, revealing the words "Begin: Leap" written in a stylish, curvy font.
A melody began to play.
As the fresh and lively EDM track started, the screen filled with a dazzling stage. Five men stood with their backs turned, gradually revealing themselves.
Dressed in sparkling jackets adorned with sequins and vibrant blouses, the members turned around one by one as the spotlight hit them.
Blonde hair with a black jacket, gray hair with a gold jacket, purple hair with a silver jacket, brown hair with a pink jacket, and black hair with a dark green jacket.
As they turned, their enchanting smiles were as varied as the colors of their outfits.
The screen transitioned, and conceptual individual shots of the members flashed by rapidly.
It was so fast that it was hard to tell what was happening.
Then, subtitles appeared.
The fans' reactions were just as varied.
Sun, moon, flower, star, wind = the members' concepts in order, right?
└Yep. That’s what the concept photos were. But does that have anything to do with this?
└It must. That’s why they’re the concept photos.
I captured the last scene that flashed by. (Photo) One thing’s for sure: Chan-nim’s concept is the god of light. Blonde hair ruling the world.
└That’s not it. At a glance, there seems to be a story. Jaewon’s in a school uniform, so he’s a student. Hanjoon gives off a backstreet delinquent vibe.
└Yeah, that’s it. Roa looks like a dancer. A ballerino. Siu seems like an aspiring actor, right?
└I agree.
Then what about Ichan? Ichan was playing chess with a cold gaze.
└Maybe he’s the manager overseeing the ordinary kids? Even at Samsung Station, he was directing the members with just his gaze ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└This seems accurate ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Kim Chanyeong, the director, who had been checking the reactions on L.I.T’s fan cafe, irritably closed his laptop.
Last week, L.I.T’s highlight medley dropped, and today the music video teaser was released. Both were a day later than MuteSeven’s.
But the reactions for L.I.T were noticeably better.
Despite being a day late, the teaser’s views had already surpassed MuteSeven’s. The fan cafe membership was growing daily, and their SNS followers were catching up to MuteSeven’s.
At this rate, even the visible statistics would show L.I.T pulling ahead.
“This can’t happen.”
Chanyeong abruptly stood up and pressed the intercom button.
—Yes, Director.
“Is MuteSeven’s Jung Yoobin here right now?”
—I think he’s in the studio.
“Tell him to come up. We need to discuss something.”
They needed to find a way.
The performance of this mini-album would determine the future of both groups.
“Let’s keep it simple. Please.”
Now was the time to crush L.I.T. Unnecessary trees should be cut down before they grow too tall.
“Once they grow, it becomes harder to cut them down, you know.”
* * *
November 7th, the day Filaments had been eagerly waiting for, finally arrived.
Exactly at 11:59 PM on November 6th.
Those waiting for L.I.T’s music video held their breath, staring at the screen.
And at exactly 00:00.
The official L.I.T logo, in their signature Pantone Ultimate Grey background with Illuminating Yellow, appeared.
A triangle and an inverted triangle. The two separate shapes slowly merged, and the words "Begin: Leap" fell like a bolt of lightning.
The logo disappeared, and the screen filled with bright light.
Then, the scenes from the teaser continued.
A desolate street, an old theater. Sparks flew from the neon sign.
Crackle, crackle.
The sparks were clearly visible in the dark street.
Tap, tap. Footsteps echoed as black shoes came into view.
Polished black classic shoes tapped rhythmically on the asphalt. Then, long, slender fingers reached out.
As the fingers touched a shabby switch, sparks flew with a pop.
The flickering neon sign lit up brightly.
It was the scene from the teaser.
A melody played softly in the distance.
The faint melody grew louder as the man who had turned on the lights opened the theater doors. It was the intro to the title track, Begin.
Then, two doors leading to the stage came into view.
The left door was glossy black with a rainbow sheen. The right door was pearl white with pastel hues.
The man hesitated for a moment before opening the right door.
A wind chime sounded clearly, and the screen brightened.
A luxurious mansion bedroom. Ichan was seen adjusting his outfit in front of a mirror. Then, his gaze shifted toward the camera through the mirror.
His dark eyes smiled coolly as he began to sing.
A trembling walk, nervous eyes
That’s how beginnings are. Everyone knows.
Ichan, dressed sharply in a black suit, fixed his hair and adjusted his tie while looking in the mirror.
Then, he turned and walked down the hallway.
His confident stride had a hint of sexiness.
If you wait, it won’t come. You have to start.
You’re the reason for my beginning.
Ichan reached the end of the hallway and opened a door blocking his path.
The scene changed again.
A school dance studio with sunlight pouring in through large windows.
Roa was adjusting his ballet shoes with precise movements.
Then, he glanced at the camera with a lazy gaze.
Sometimes it might be scary, it’s unfamiliar.
Dreaming is free, and I’ll make my dreams come true.
After finishing his stretches, Roa stood up and executed a turn.
Little by little, I’ll move forward.
For the new start that I wanted.
Roa completed the turn skillfully and opened the tightly shut windows.
Colorful bubbles floated into the blue sky.
Jaewon, neatly dressed in a school uniform, stepped onto the school stage with a slightly anxious expression. But soon, determination filled his eyes.
Tapping the classic standing microphone twice with his fingertips, Jaewon began to sing.
You can’t stop now, it’s just the beginning.
Yeah, just accept it as fate. It was already decided.
Then, he loosened his neatly tied school tie.
Mistakes don’t scare me. Beginnings are like that.
You’re the reason for my beginning.
Next was a shabby warehouse. Though old, the space wasn’t dark.
A fire burned in a drum placed to one side. Hanjoon sat slouched on an old chair, tilting his head up. He looked a bit like a delinquent, but his deep gaze was undeniably sexy.
A life spent running away, I don’t want to live like that.
Start. Anything is fine.
Crash into it. You have to try something.
Run. To the end of fate.
For the new start that I wanted.
Rapping, Hanjoon got on a motorcycle, put on his helmet, and started the engine. The warehouse doors opened.
This time, an interview room appeared on the other side.
Siu, wearing glasses, sat upright, looking at the interviewer. His bright brown eyes sparkled with determination.
You won’t know unless you try.
Where exactly does this path lead?
Who knows? Will a shining tomorrow unfold?
You won’t know unless you go.
Let’s run for a shining start.
The scene shifted back to the old theater’s stage.
L.I.T, dressed in sparkling jackets, began a group dance. As expected from a performance group, the choreography stood out.
What’s there to fear? Tomorrow is coming.
My day is running toward you.
Wait for tomorrow at the end of today.
Let’s start for a shining day.
The bright, colorful stage and fresh music were a feast for the eyes and ears.
Throughout, the members’ expressions were bright, and their movements were light, reminiscent of fluffy cotton candy.
The story continued into the second verse.
Ichan, who had opened the door, walked through the mansion under the spotlight. Roa’s turns transitioned to a stage filled with an audience. Jaewon, standing on the stage, began playing an electric guitar amidst applause. Hanjoon’s motorcycle crossed a bridge bathed in dazzling lights. And Siu confidently faced his interview.
Dark-toned scenes flashed by intermittently, but no one paid them much attention.
Back in the theater, the members, along with backup dancers, delivered an even more dazzling performance. True to their title as idols of light, they filled the screen with brightness.
As the music faded, the screen turned black.
The melody of Begin played softly in the distance.
Then, it returned to the moment the man opened the door.
The man who had opened the white door was hesitating again.
Four shadows approached him.
Finally, the man’s face was revealed.
It was Kang Ichan. The other members approached him from both sides.
After exchanging glances, Ichan, as if making a decision, turned the handle of the black door.
And so, the music video came to an end.
After watching the music video, Yoojung felt a slight haze in her mind.
The verses, the bridge, and the chorus. Even the rap.
There wasn’t a single wasted moment in the song. The sweet verses soothed the ears, the bridge was catchy, and the chorus was highly addictive.
“Our Ichan made this?”
Goosebumps ran from her wrists to her ears.
To think her idol possessed such talent. The wave of emotion felt more like a tsunami crashing over her.
Moreover, the fresh, soft aesthetic blended with the vibrant visuals and high-quality performance. Following Promise, another conceptual music video had been born.
“Did the kids come up with the ideas?”
This is insane. Really.
Ha, these shining idols.
Yoojung, forgetting about her final exams, turned on her computer and entered the fan cafe.
Now, it was time to properly fall for L.I.T.