SCT-Novel Chapter 167: Debut (1)
Chapter 167: Debut (1)
《‘Gocheok Dome Debut’ Vanguard, the Beginning of a Flower Path in Front of 20,000 Fans》Articles were being published.
《[StarTalk] ‘Vanguard’, Monster Rookies Start Off with a Legendary Debut as 20,000 Fans Cheer Loudly!》
《‘Vanguard’ Appears Amid Screams That Shake Gocheok Dome》
Hundreds of reporters watching Vanguard’s debut show-con were typing in real-time. The 20,000 spectators surrounding them in every direction raised the decibel level endlessly with their screams.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!!!”
On the main stage that all 20,000 were looking at.
-Sss.
At the center of a giant screen that opened from both sides, Kang Rojun and the Vanguard members were standing. Slightly dim purple lighting and smoke spreading around the four of them. Among the frenzied crowd, writer Kim Se-hee waved her light stick like a madwoman.
‘The opening is killer! But I can’t see the members well.’
Like her, the tens of thousands of other spectators couldn’t see Vanguard clearly yet. Due to the dim lighting, only their silhouettes were visible. But this direction caused the audience to grow increasingly thirsty and impatient, and with every passing second, the screaming grew louder.
Soon, the lighting changed.
On top of the purple, white and blue lights flashed, illuminating the stage. The effect resembled a club. It was only then that the tens of thousands of spectators could clearly see Vanguard.
-Swoosh.
The Vanguard members, who had been standing in a straight line, strode toward the center of the main stage. They slowly drew closer to the fans. Screams and powerful sound effects mixed together, echoing across Gocheok Dome to the point of making one’s ears go numb.
At that moment, a drone filmed Vanguard from above, and the cameras positioned at the front of the stage also captured their full shot.
Soon, Vanguard, dressed in all-black concept suits as stage outfits, arrived at the center of the stage.
They looked out at the 20,000 spectators for a moment.
Kang Rojun.
“……”
He felt a tingling sensation at his fingertips and toes. Overflowing joy. With over 20,000 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, how could anyone remain calm?
‘Honestly… I’m choked up. The sight is so overwhelming, it feels like a dream.’
Because it didn’t feel real, the adrenaline surged even more. He felt like he could do anything, accomplish anything. Perhaps the energy from the countless spectators was reaching him. Not just Rojun, but Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were also slightly trembling, likely feeling the same way.
This was the universe.
At least to Kang Rojun’s eyes, that’s how it appeared. A dim space, ears numbed by exploding screams and cheers, over 20,000 lights shaking. Rojun was certain. This spectacle would be remembered by him for a lifetime. Of course, there would be even bigger stages and more fans one day, but today’s debut stage was in a different category.
A first experience, and a debut.
‘To think so many people would cheer for us.’
For a brief moment, Rojun’s past flashed through his mind. Back when his face was disfigured. Everyone insulted him and cast him scornful looks. But now, all of these over 20,000 people were loving and adoring Kang Rojun.
‘This feels freaking amazing.’
Just as Gocheok Dome was filling with screams.
“Kyaaaaaaaak!!”
This overwhelming energy wasn’t limited to the venue. Vanguard’s debut show-con was being live-streamed on YouTube and various contracted video platforms.
-ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ So freaking cool!!!!
-Finally!! Finally, our Vanguard!!!!
-Ha… Not getting a ticket was truly the worstㅜㅠㅠㅠ I really wanted to go
-I’m tearing up…
-Goosebumpsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Debuting at Gocheok Dome with 20,000 people explosiveㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Vanguard is already legendary!!!
-I should’ve seen this liveㅠㅜㅠ!!
-Congrats!! I’ll support you guys forever!!!
So many fans flooded in that the chat window was practically paralyzed.
While fans both on- and offline were going wild over Vanguard, the members on the vast stage began to move. They stepped slightly away from their original positions, and the lights that had been shining on them turned off.
Gocheok Dome became pitch-dark.
Only the countless glowing light sticks could be seen. Even the previously ringing sound effects stopped. Yet, the audience’s screams only grew fiercer, and dancers waiting on standby joined Vanguard on stage.
This meant the first stage of the show-con was imminent.
Then.
-♬♪
The intro of a song spread throughout all of Gocheok Dome.
A dark, emotional breakbeat. The tens of thousands of fans already recognized this intro. They’d heard a snippet in the released music video teaser.
“Kyaaa!! ‘GreenBee’!!”
“It’s ‘GreenBee’! ‘GreenBee’!!!”
It was ‘GreenBee’.
Soon, on the screen broadcasting the show-con live, white letters promoting the song appeared.
-GreenBee / Vanguard
-Composed by Rojun
-Lyrics by Rojun
It was the track info.
While the title of Vanguard’s debut song ‘GreenBee’ had already been revealed, this was the first time the detailed information was made public, which sent the chat window into a frenzy.
-Omgㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹ Rojun wrote and composed GreenBee??!!
-We already knew he was good at writing lyrics, but he must’ve studied composition too!!
-Ha…..fxxk this place is my grave today!!
-Rojun’s name being stamped right on the lyrics and composition for Vanguard’s debut song is insanely badass
On the Gocheok Dome stage, clapping sounds rang out along with the beat of ‘GreenBee’. Multi-colored lights poured down on the stage, and the members of Vanguard, along with the dancers, began performing the choreography they’d been rehearsing all along.
The cheers and screams were almost loud enough to drown out the song.
But Vanguard and the dancers, arranged like a flower in full bloom, moved precisely along their choreographed positions, as if completely unaffected, flowing with waves.
First out in front was Do-kyung.
-♬♪
He delivered his rap to the audience with a cool and indifferent tone. His facial expressions and eye movements were already immersed in the song’s concept. And it was live. Though not as polished as lip-syncing, the slightly rough breathing sounds added depth and dimension.
Vanguard had already proven their skills since ‘Produce That 100!’
As if to reaffirm that, Do-kyung finished his part cleanly and returned to the flow of the choreography.
Next up was Kang-min.
Behind them, Rojun, Si-hoo, Do-kyung, and the dancers smoothly and dreamily continued the choreography. In key sections, they exploded with intense point moves that oozed wild charisma. Fans in the front-row floor seats, the closest to the stage, felt like their brains were melting from the madness of it all.
“……This is insane. So fucking sexy.”
“This song is so damn good??”
Hundreds of reporters, who’d forgotten about their laptops and were just watching the stage, felt the same.
“Rookies? How do they look anything like rookies? They’re just seasoned idols with insane skills.”
“They’re from an audition idol show, right? But… they’re really good. Maybe it’s because they got some stage experience from ‘Produce That 100!’ They even seem relaxed.”
“And it’s live, live.”
“They’re definitely on a different level from those mass-produced idols. Right?”
Of course, many who knew Kang Rojun or Vanguard were definitely watching their performance right now.
They were probably all screaming from wherever they were.
Around this time, Kang Rojun’s phone, which was lying in the waiting room, vibrated multiple times.
-Bzzz.
-Bzzz.
-Bzzz.
It was clearly either congratulatory messages or notifications from the ‘AI Simulation’ app.
Soon, on stage, lead vocalist Si-hoo laid the buildup, and main vocalist Kang Rojun burst forward from a circular formation to belt out a high note.
The signal for the chorus.
Vanguard and the dancers spread into two lines.
From here, the previously smooth choreography gained intensity. A perfect control of tempo. At the same time, Rojun and the members’ gazes held confidence, pride, and faint smiles.
They were portraying a man of fantasy.
The transition from the first verse into the second was seamless, and the Vanguard members who commanded the stage now seemed to shake off even the slightest nerves, moving wildly and freely.
Before anyone knew it, ‘GreenBee’ reached its end.
The scattered members and dancers regrouped at the center and stomped the floor forcefully.
-Thud!
‘GreenBee’ was over.
Countless lights shined down on Vanguard once again, and ear-shattering screams filled Gocheok Dome. At the same time, a line appeared on the screen being broadcast live.
-Vanguard’s [GreenBee] is now available on major music platforms.
The first stage of their debut show-con had ended.
Moments later.
Rojun and the members, having finished the ‘GreenBee’ performance, were catching their breath behind the closed giant screen.
“Haah- Hahh.”
“Whew-”
However, their faces were filled with excitement. Kang Rojun looked at the members and gave a sly eye smile.
“We killed it, right?”
Si-hoo, who clung to Rojun, was bouncing around.
“It was seriously, really amazing! Wow- what did we just do?!”
Even Kang-min, who wiped a decent amount of sweat off his face, said,
“When I saw those 20,000 people at first, I almost pissed myself…”
Do-kyung also chimed in with his rough tone, full of agreement.
“Hyung too? Me too.”
Their hearts were racing nonstop.
But Vanguard didn’t have much time to enjoy the moment. The MC, who was in charge of hosting the entire show-con, had already come out on stage, and they had to head back out as soon as he called them. Since they didn’t need to change outfits for the intro interview, Vanguard focused on listening to the MC’s voice.
“Hello everyone! Greetings from Gocheok Dome! I’m MC Kim Moon-kwon, hosting today’s Vanguard debut show-con!”
Kim Moon-kwon, a well-known MC and former comedian, showed his professionalism as he addressed the crowd of 20,000.
“Wow- the energy from you fans who love Vanguard is absolutely electric! Vanguard! Today, they are finally taking their very first step here. Everyone, you’ve waited a long time, haven’t you?”
To that question, the 20,000 spectators let out a unified scream.
“Yeeees!!!!!!!!”
Turning a cue card, MC Kim Moon-kwon brought the mic to his mouth again.
“I’ve been waiting a long time too, you know? Amid hot anticipation and popularity even before their debut, Vanguard is finally standing before you today. Congratulations to the members of Vanguard, and it’s an honor to be your MC!”
After delivering his lines for several tens of seconds, he suddenly shifted the tone. He explained that Vanguard’s debut album had been released two hours ago at 6 PM and provided a brief description of the opening track, ‘GreenBee’.
Then.
“Now, let’s bring today’s stars back to the stage! Everyone! Let’s call out the stars together!!”
Gocheok Dome erupted with a thunderous call for Vanguard.
Soon, the giant screen reopened, and the four members of Vanguard appeared before their fans once more. However, unlike the opening, the atmosphere had shifted. Rojun and the other members were all smiling, bowing as they walked to the stage, or waving their hands.
And those members.
-Swoosh.
Took their positions at the center of the stage.
Amid the never-ending screams, the MC approached the Vanguard members.
“Very nice to meet you, everyone. First, please say hello to the fans gathered here at Gocheok Dome.”
The first to take the handheld mic was Kang Rojun, who stood at the front, his black hair slightly damp with sweat.
“Let us greet you, two three!”
At the cue, Rojun and the members shouted together.
“Hello! We’re Vanguard!!”
As the deafening cheers echoed, MC Kim Moon-kwon clapped with his cue card-holding hand and stuck out his tongue in amazement.
“That was intense! Now, please introduce yourselves one by one.”
Once again, Kang Rojun was the first to grab the mic. But he didn’t start speaking right away.
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!”
The screams of 20,000 fans were so loud, he hesitated for a moment.
‘Wow- insane.’
Amazed inwardly, Rojun briefly hesitated. Should I do it now? Or wait? In the end, he held his smile for about five seconds before opening his mouth.
“Thank you- I’m Rojun, the leader and face of Vanguard.”
After Rojun’s self-introduction, the members took turns with the mic.
“Hello! I’m Si-hoo, the eldest hyung and the adorable puppy of Vanguard!”
“Hello, I’m Kang-min, following Rojun hyung as the second face and owner of these calves!”
“Hello- I’m Do-kyung, the maknae and the cold charisma of Vanguard.”
The live chat exploded like a nuclear bomb.
Afterward.
Following the opening interview, a video featuring the Vanguard members’ thoughts and reflections played in Gocheok Dome, while Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were busy changing outfits in the waiting room.
“8 minutes left!”
They had to change outfits and touch up makeup within roughly 8 minutes and then run out onto the stage. Rojun and the members were frantic.
“Ah fuck, these buttons! Why won’t they fasten?!”
“Stay calm! Stay calm!”
They changed clothes so fast their hands were a blur. The next performance after ‘GreenBee’ was a special stage for ‘Bold’, and their outfits were different-colored leather jackets.
Rojun, wearing a red leather jacket, was the first to finish getting ready.
-Swoosh.
While waiting for the others, he turned on the phone resting on the sofa for a moment. It had just vibrated, after all. And the first thing that caught his eye was.
‘Oh?’
A notification from the ‘AI Simulation’ app.
-[You have received ‘Vitality Booster (Passive)’ as a reward.]