Chapter 3: The Shattered Staff

#3

[YouTube] KBC Drama Awards – ‘Moonlight Palace’ OST (Yeon)

(Video)

(Comments)

└ Is there anyone here who dislikes Hari?

*Bang*

Anyone else?

– LOL, are you crazy? Hahahaha!

– Haha, of course not.

– ???: I’m here…

*Bang*

└ Hari, do you remember? I told people to fold their arms if they liked Hari in the middle of Seoul, and the Earth folded in half, sending me to the North Pole… If you ever come to the North Pole, just say the word. I’m friends with the polar bears now, lol.

– The opposite side of Korea is the North Pole…

– Shut up and just laugh.

– Lol;;; Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, yes, hyung.

└ Yeon oppa… If you have time, please work part-time at a hospital. Just seeing you makes my mouth drop open and my eyes pop wide open…

└ Hari. Do you remember? That time we went to the Louvre Museum together… We secretly stayed inside past closing time and got caught. You pretended to be a statue, so only I got arrested…

– Hahahahahahahahaha!

– Seriously, lol!

└ Life is a comedy when seen from afar, a tragedy when seen up close, and Ihyeon’s face is a blessing from the heavens…

****

After Hari’s performance, Daon successfully entered the Watermelon chart for the first time. Just as Hari had hoped, Yeon’s immense popularity had flowed directly to Daon.

Of course, Daon was still largely perceived as ‘Hari’s group.’ Nevertheless, the mere fact that people enjoyed Daon’s music made Hari ecstatic, as if they could fly.

Moreover, seeing listed alongside ‘Moonlight Palace’ OST, which they had sung themselves, was an entirely novel sensation.

“Are we actually going to hit number one at this rate?”

Yet, despite the palpable excitement radiating from the other members, Hari found it impossible to smile with a truly light heart.

In their early debut days, they had once discussed the possibility of one member rising to fame before the others. During two years of obscurity, even such conversations had become a luxury, but back then, Hari had never imagined they would be the subject of that discussion.

The entire company buzzed with an elated atmosphere, thanks to Yeon’s success. This bright mood was unprecedented since their debut, and Hari felt just as delighted. However, a heavy sense of burden simultaneously weighed upon their shoulders.

All of their schedules were now concentrated solely on Hari.

Consequently, Hari could neither fully rejoice nor grieve, choosing instead to pour all their energy into practice.

Even as Hari’s mind churned with anxiety, time continued its relentless march.

Before they knew it, Daon was preparing for their stage on KBC Music World.

****

“…How can I be this nervous when it’s not even our debut?”

At Se-an’s murmur, Sanghyeok gazed at him intently. While Se-an was typically prone to nervousness, today his complexion appeared even paler, indicating heightened anxiety. His physical condition must have been poor from the drastic diet he had undertaken.

True to Sanghyeok’s worries, Se-an’s dark circles were pronounced, suggesting he had pulled an all-nighter.

Furthermore, having recently bleached his hair platinum blonde, Se-an truly resembled someone utterly drained of color.

His pallor was so stark it seemed to penetrate even the thick stage makeup. Sanghyeok, resolving to either make Se-an sleep or eat—or both—the moment the performance concluded, called out his name.

“Lee Se-an.”

Sanghyeok added in an utterly calm tone,

“You can do well.”

Se-an nodded in response to Sanghyeok’s words, yet his tension did not appear to have fully dissipated. Sanghyeok, knowing this was an issue Se-an had to overcome himself, offered no further words, merely handing him a bottle of water. When Se-an made no move to take it, Sanghyeok placed it on the table, gesturing toward it with his chin. It was a subtle pressure on Se-an, who had been dieting without even drinking water.

“Besides, it’s different from last time now. There’s no need to be nervous.”

Sanghyeok was doing his best to reassure his anxious members. Despite his seemingly composed face, Sanghyeok’s own hand twitched imperceptibly.

As their leader and eldest member, Sanghyeok always strived to present a steadfast image. Naturally, both the members and Hari themselves had come to rely on such a Sanghyeok.

‘He’s just as nervous as we are.’

Hari silently swallowed the thought that arose upon seeing Sanghyeok’s trembling hand.

Sanghyeok was right. The situation was vastly different from their comeback a year ago. Their performance slot had been moved later, and when they visited other waiting rooms to greet fellow artists, a growing number of people recognized them.

Just a few months prior, they had been certain the group would disband.

Unlike then, they were now ranking within the top 10 on the charts.

Hari suddenly recalled the memories of practicing, constantly tormented by the fear of when the group might disband.

Though their agency hadn’t explicitly said anything, the members had believed they might never again perform as ‘Daon.’

Yet, it was said that after hardship comes joy.

In that very waiting room, a year ago.

The fact that they could perform on stage with the members again still felt surreal.

Therefore, they had to do well.

There was a reason the members were so nervous.

Everyone knew it. This was truly their last chance.

“It’s our turn now. Let’s go.”

At the staff member’s announcement, Sanghyeok gathered the members and stood up. The stylist made final adjustments to their outfits before they went on stage, and each member tried to relieve their tension in their own way. Se-an’s face remained stark white.

Despite needing to go on stage soon, Hari felt their throat constrict and drank water with a hardened expression. Their mouth was dry.

“…Wow, I’m seriously incredibly nervous.”

An indistinguishable voice mingled with the others. Hari thought it might be Se-an.

Backstage, in the dimly lit area where the lights barely reached.

The members exchanged glances, looking at each other’s familiar faces. It had taken a year to stand together on a music show stage again, but the members trusted one another.

Just before stepping onto the stage, Sanghyeok spoke.

“It’s okay to make mistakes. Just endure until the end. Let’s show them everything until the very end, all of us.”

His voice was as firm and powerful as ever.

The members patted each other’s backs and headed towards the center of the stage.

The scorching lights pricked their eyes.

****

Daon stood on stage, with Hari at the center.

The stage was thick with smoke, as if dry ice had been used.

The camera focused on Hari. As the instrumental music began, Hari confirmed the camera light was on and, with a careful touch, untied the cloth covering their eyes. The fabric, once worn by ‘Yeon,’ softly fluttered to the stage floor. Hari slowly opened their closed eyes and gazed at the camera filming them.

The camera then captured the entire stage. Daon’s members, following Hari’s lead, also untied the cloths from their eyes. Following suit, four pieces of fabric dropped onto the stage.

Then, the members struck the stage floor with their staffs. That was the signal.

Flamboyant lights poured down from all directions. It was chaotic, but their bodies faithfully followed the choreography. The fruits of their practice shone brightly.

During the performance, whenever their eyes met, the members exchanged knowing smiles. Dressed in suits with heavy makeup, it was stifling, yet they felt invigorated. Their bodies felt lighter than ever.

It was a successful performance.

Or so they thought.

Except for the ending.

When Hari struck the floor, the tip of their staff met nothing. Quickly lowering their gaze, they saw the staff had shattered miserably. Panic surged through them.

However, they had to complete the ending. As they struggled to maintain their expression and lifted their eyes, Hari found themselves staring directly into the camera. They wished it wasn’t true, but the camera light was on. Hari’s face, staring at the camera, was filled with horror.

The merciless camera’s final shot was of the dented stage floor.

It was, quite literally, an ‘ending fairy’ moment.

****

Hari stared blankly at the backs of the staff members clearing the shattered fragments of the staff.

‘I wish it were a dream.’

It was better than missing a step in the choreography or cracking a note during live singing, but they had never imagined causing an accident like this. It was both absurd and disheartening. In their bewildered state, they hadn’t even brushed off the staff debris clinging to their hands.

It was truly an ending they had never conceived of. Hari watched, dazed, as the staff frantically worked to repair the stage. Their feet refused to move. The thought of having ruined the stage consumed their mind.

It was the members who led Hari away, as they stood frozen, seemingly lost in thought, unable to leave the stage.

‘How could this happen to such an important stage?’

The stage they had worked so hard to prepare was marred because of them. Hari found that fact incredibly difficult to accept.

Today’s performance was undoubtedly a ploy to capitalize on ‘Yeon’s’ popularity. The opening move, where they removed the blindfold and stared into the camera, was clearly designed to evoke the awards ceremony stage. As such, it was bound to draw significant public and media attention.

Of course, the members were acutely aware that this attention might not all be positive. They might be criticized as a trivial idol group trying to piggyback on the drama’s popularity, which was why everyone had practiced with such fierce determination.

Ordinarily, Hari wouldn’t have been this dejected, but this was their first stage in nearly a year. The immense pressure to deliver a perfect performance was overwhelming, and even a tiny mistake caused them to crumble internally. There was a risk that this single mistake could affect the entire group’s evaluation. Since all eyes were already on this stage, Hari had especially wanted to finish without a single error.