In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

 

  "Oh wow, he's handsome."

  "Which agency did they say this was?"

  It wasn't a technical song, but it was a classic. (Technical song: a song that requires skills/execution from the musician)

  Unlike Wang Jiho, who exuded a fresh charm, this time it felt somewhat skillful and relax.




 

난 여기에 있어요 (I'm here)

이리 와 줘요 내게 와 줘요 (Come over here, come over to me)

왜 그대 오지 않는지 (Why aren't you coming?)

내게 말이라도 해 주오 (Say something to me)




 

  If the first part was intended to grab the attention, then the second part was where emotion would be convey.  In addition, due to the low amount of high notes, it was the perfect part for Seon Wooju, who had not fully developed his skills yet.

  The song gets higher with emotions that are getting built up little by little.




 

나 이젠 기다림도 못 하겠는데 (I can't even wait any longer)

그댄 와 줄 생각을 않네요 (( don't think you're coming)




 

As soon as it reached the highlight, Seon Wooju quickly went over to the side.

The main vocalist finally appeared.  Seo Rihyuk stood in the middle of the stage holding his microphone.




 

사랑아 어디 있느냐 (My love, where are you?)

내 너를 찾아 이 세월을 헤땠는데 (I've spent all these years looking for you)

손이나 잡아 보자꾸나 (Let's meet and hold hands)




 

His skills were different from the ones who were sing before him. Everyone who listened to the song were amazed. The vocals captured the sadness and trendiness well.  In addition, while the main vocalist sang, the other members supported him like back-up dancers.

Even though there were only five of them, the performance was so substantial that it filled up the entire stage. (Meaning like umm it didn't feel empty~)

In the meantime, Jang Sowon said with an exclamation, "Who rearranged the song?"

"Why?"

"Oppa, you didn't hear it? The tone of the song is changing right now."

Yoon Chanhyuk, who was listening, also widen his eyes. It was definitely a song that started with a trot sound to it, but once you started to pay attention, the tone was changing.

It was changing into a pop song.

Maybe that's why even though the main vocalist was singing the chorus of the trot song, the characteristic of the trot sound was significantly reduced.

It felt natural since it was a slow change.

As if to symbolized the change, at the end of the first verse, all the other members fell backstage and the rapper appeared. A heavy rap delivered by a low-pitched voice.




 

들 때 함께해 준 그대 (You've been with me through my rough times.)

언제나 미안했었어 (I was always sorry)

무엇 하나 사 주지 못해 (I couldn't buy you anything.)

미안했던 내 마음 (I felt sorry.)

자랑스런 모습 보여 주고 싶었어 (I wanted to proudly show to you,)

큰 선물은 아니더라도 (Even if it's not a big gift,)

무대 위에 선 내 모습 (Me standing on top of this stage,)

그대의 마음에 담아 주기를 (May it reside in your heart.)




 

  Thanks to the accurate pronunciation, Kim Junghyun's rap was delivered from one to another.  A message to one's parents. 

  All the parent's there smiled warmly.

  Thank you for being with us. It was the theme chosen by the five trainees from LEMON ENTERTAINMENT.  Appreciation to their parents, brothers, and sisters for coming to the performance was the theme that they wanted to express.




 

당신께서 좋아하는 이 노래 (To you who likes this song,)

준비했어 prepare for you (I prepare it, prepare for you.)

So, Let me tell you something (So, let me tell you something.)

우리가 하고 싶은 단 한마디 (Just one word that we want to say. . .)




 

The tempo takes a break and stop.

Kim Junghyun wraps up the rap with a cool smile.




 

고마워 그리고 사랑해 (. . .Thank you and I love you.)





 

 

The song then started up again.

From the first verse filled with trot, it (the song's genre) was different now. However, people were so immerse in the song that they didn't even notice.

"Huh? It's my song?"

Jang Sowon's widen her eyes. Her first single, 'WITH YOU' appeared out with a dance version.  As soon as the rap ended, the five members, who entered the stage, began to dance.

The center was definitely Kim Bijoo.

With a boyish appearance, he danced with a high-level choreography that contrast with it. The audience exclaim at the impact of the gap. (. . .gap-moe LOL)




 

Thanks and thank you (Thanks and thank you)

고마운 마음 접어  (Fold up your thankful heart.)

편지가 됐으니 (Since it's a letter,)

네 마음을 열어 줘 (open up your heart.)

(Bruv. . . correct me above if I'm wrong LOLLLL)

 

 

  Unlike the first verse, people in their 20s and 30s responded to the second verse.  The cheerful instrumental and rhythm created a pleasant and exciting atmosphere.

  The second verse, like the first, continued wonderfully.

  After the chorus, it's the bridge that continues into the third verse.  The calm instrumental begins to rise.  Like waves that move together slowly, the group dance was consistent down to the end of their fingertips.

  The choreography was so precise that to those who didn't even know much about dancing could see the amount of effort that had been poured into the choreography.

  Just in time, the instrumental which has finally crescendo was about to explode.  Seon Wooju, who was dancing at the edge, moved slowly against the currents. 

  However, it was gradually getting faster.  

  He accelerated his legs and moved flexibility, descending down on the floor.  Seon Wooju's body, which moved as if he was sliding around, moved gracefully.

  Like a dolphin that cuts through the water currents,  he slid down and appeared standing in the middle.  It was an elegant move. (Wooju my boi didn't actually slide down haha.  It's like figure of words for him moving through the members elegantly from the edge of the choreography to the center of the stage-)

  There were silent exclamations everywhere.

 

 

* * *

 

 

  I felt at ease when the most nerve-wreaking part of the dance was over.

  'It's done.'

  I was at much relief.

  I played it safe dancing the part where I would stumble in case I would make a mistake.  It felt like 10 years of my indigestion has gone down. (Sentence just means he's feeling relieved)

  The same was true for the others guys.

  I said that I believe in us, but I guess I was worried that we might make a mistake.

 

  Team NEW BLACK's mood had begin to change.  I guess everyone's relieved now.  The expressions that had soften along with the dance line proved it.

  'I'm having fun.'

  It was just that kind of stage.  

  It's coming out better than we prepared.  Going beyond 100%, we gave it over 120% on stage.  It's a bit sad that the song was coming to an end.  It wasn't just me.  Everyone was feeling sad.  I could tell even without a single word.

  For the rest of the stage, I could see the others releasing their all.

  In the meantime, something started to change in my heart too.  

  While practicing for nearly a month, there was an unknown wall that divided the members and me.  However, through this stage, it felt like that wall was finally being torn down.

  No.

  To be exact, it felt like everyone's wall were falling down.  One common bond they had was liking to sing and dance.  Feeling the sense of becoming one, we played the last part.

 

 

Thanks and thank you (Thanks and thank you)

고마운 마음 접어 (Fold up your thankful heart.)

편지가 됐으니 (Since it's a letter,)

네 마음을 열어 줘 (open up your heart.)

 

 

  Seo Rihyuk. . . no, Rihyuk did his best to dance while singing the chorus.  (Our boi Wooju addressing Rihyuk without his last name, 'Seo' commonly means in Korea that he feels closer/comfortable with Rihyuk ^-^)

  As if the last.  

  As if we would never stand on this stage again after this performance.  

  Even if we moved motionlessly, we were in sync with every hand gesture and finally we were at the end of the performance.

  We stood on stage panting.

  ". . ."

  There was a silence for about 2 seconds and then came an eruption of an applause.  

  It wasn't a thunderous applause.

  Honestly, this wasn't the stage of the century but it was right to say it was a good stage.  If we were to chose the best performance in this year's end of the year evaluation, we would chose ours without hesitation.

  But now, the reactions didn't matter anyway.  There was also another thing that was gain.

  On the stage where we poured out everything we practiced, we looked at each other and laughed.  

  It was a good feeling.  I don't know how to explain it.

  A sense of freedom?

  Or perhaps, joy?

  An overwhelming feeling that couldn't be described by anything.  It felt like I could do anything and of course, I wanted to do that anything, together.  When I found my grandma in the middle of the crowd, I smiled brightly.

  Grandma.

  I'm right here.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

  "You did great!  Good job."

  When Mrs. Kim Deoksoon, who was clapping, shed tears, Yoon Seokhwan, who was watching, laughed and said, "How do you feel, grandmother?  Your grandson is great at singing, right?"

  "Hmm hmm."

  Watching her grandson go down the stage, she coughs as if coming to her senses.

  "Well, it's not amazing.  He could have gone on a national singing contest."

  "Didn't you love it a lot a while ago?"

  "Ah, then it's great!  Didn't you like it?"

  "Yes, I also enjoyed it, too.", Yoon Seokhwan said.

  "I didn't know they could do this well."

  I was worried that they might make a series of mistakes like in the evaluation during the first half of the year, but they did so well that it was enough to overshadow such concerns.

  'You guys went through a hard time.  Good job.'

  I gave out a hearty applause.

 

 

* * *

 

 

  STREET BOYS seemed to be nervous from our stage.  They were out of it from the start.

     -     Hel. . .

     -     Hello!  We are STREET BOYS!

  They don't have a good chemistry with the greeting.  (Basically, one member of STREET BOYS said the greeting to early compare to the group, as seen from above)

  I guess they must have practiced a lot.  There were no mistakes, but the stage was lackluster.

  We were aware of the popularity of our stage.

  Confidence is a key importance to a performance mixed with hip-hop and rock, but it (STREET BOYS''s performance) seemed to lack some of it.

  Eventually, the number one spot in the 2013 end of the year evaluation naturally went to NEW BLACK of LEMON ENTERTAINMENT.

 

 

* * *

 

 

  "Director!  We place first!"

     -     Goodness, I'm proud of you.

  Holding a cheap trophy, Director Cho Kyuhwan , who's on a video call, smiled as if he was proud.

  The youngest exclaim with a flush face.

  "Please buy us meat!  Meat!"

     -     Talk with the CEO.  He's going to buy today.

  He said with a smile.

     -     Anyway, congratulations.  You did an amazing job today guys.

  The CEO soon came after and loudly smile in a good mood and told us of the dinner party.  There was also a time for a family reunion.

  "Grandma!"

  As soon as I found my grandma, I ran and hugged her.

  "Let go of me!  You punk!"

 

  "Let's stay like this for a while.  I really miss your scent."

  "Oh my Goodness."

  My grandma also grumbled and soon was patting me on the back.  I held my grandma by the shoulder and widen my eyes which sparkled.

  "How was it?  I did a good job didn't I?"

  "Well.  Y- you. . . you did good."

  "What did you say?  I can't hear you."

  "AH!  You did good job!"

  Oh gosh, you scared me.

  Each of us were talking to our family, but later, the members gather together in one place.  I didn't know why.  I just wanted to be with them now.  We looked at each other feeling fantastic and the corners of our mouth rose.

  "You guys really worked hard."

  "You too, hyung."

  Bijoo said with a smile.

  "Wow, when I first heard you mention that we're going to sing a trot song, I was really worry seriously. . ."

  "It was a blessing from God."

  "That's right, it really was a blessing from God."

  "You also worked really hard, hyung."

  "No, you guys were the one who worked harder."

  With the five of us, it was contest to see who could say the most embarrassing things. ('Embarrassing things' in this case as like complimenting others which you usually don't do making you embarrass since it's out of the norm)

  An unexpected third part intervened in the conversation.

  "Hi."

  We froze the moment we saw the person coming in front of us.  A beautiful women wearing a coat over her shoulders.  With slightly fierce eyes, but an attractive smile around her mouth, singer Jang Sowon was looking at us.

  "Oh- hello! Seonbaenim!"

  "Hi."

  This person, who exuded an aura of experience, was the original singer of the song we played.  Just like when if Jesus suddenly appeared in a church camp, we had no choice but to freeze.  (I'm not kidding when this is actually the sentence LOL)

  "I enjoy your performance.  It was a fun composition."

  "Thank you!"

  As I did a 90 degree bow as a greeting, the other boys noticed and quickly bowed down with their backs all at once across like a wave. (Bowing down 90 degrees to a senior artist is a gesture of respect)

  "Goodness, my ears are burning up.  Just take it easy, relax."

  "We wouldn't dare."

  "I just came to say hello since I enjoy your performance.  As the original singer, thank you.  I thought it would be polite to greet you."

  Jang Sowon smiled and looked at us.  It looked like a predator staring at its prey.

  "By the way, who arranged the song?  Seeing your skills, it doesn't look like the company touch it, but you guys seemingly doing it yourself."

  I raised my hand.

  "I did."

  "Really?  Did you really do it?"

  "Yes."

  "You did good."

  Jang Sowon looked around at us and asked, "I'm going to give you my number.  Who's the leader?"

  "Leader?  We're still. . ."

  I was going to say that we haven't decided yet, but I then blinked.  It was because the four other members were winking at Jang Sowon that it was me.

  Jang Sowon response with a, 'That's right'.

  "You're the leader aren't you?  No wonder."

  She handed over a post-it note with a number on it.

  "Take it.  It's my number."

  "Why are you giving it to us?"

  "I'm preparing a single for my collaboration song.  I was just looking for singers to sing with."

  "With us?"

  We looked at each other.  Is Jang Sowon suggesting a collaboration with us?

  "Take it easy.  I'll talk with the company."

  "Yes, yes."

  "I'll be waiting."

  Jang Sowon, who mimic the shape of a phone with her hand, smiled at us and turned around.  We could only bow our heads admirably against the back of the figure.

  "Amazing."

  Everyone gathered around me as she walked away.  The members looked at Jang Sowon's contact information swallowing their saliva as if they been gifted a ring.  Other people around us, were looking at us like that too.

  "Hey Seon Wooju!"

  Someone came running and grabbed me by the shoulder.  Seokhwan came with a flush face and took turns looking at Jang Sowon who had disappeared into the distance.

  "You, right now. . . no, did you get a collaboration offer from a different singer?"

  ". . . Huh?  Yes."

  "You're so good!"

  Seokhwan suddenly hugged me while expressing emotions like, 'I ended up promoting it for free without spending any money'. (real iffy on sentence)

  "Hey, get away!"

  People around me bursted out laughing due to my disgusted reaction.  It was a good laugh to hear.