104 - Upki Girl

< The Wild Fox That Enchants Humans > In a place where individuality was celebrated, an unremarkable suit only served to make its wearer stand out even more. Over where Jangwoo pointed, U Yeontak sat with a briefcase perched on his knees. Ever since Upkick Girl debuted, work as a lawyer had suddenly become hectic, preventing him from participating in field activities. But today, it seemed he had carved out some time. With delight, I hurried over to greet him. "Wow, you should've let us know you were coming. We would've saved a seat for you... Though, it seems you've managed to snag the best one already, haha." "It wasn’t a planned stop. I had a meeting scheduled over in Mokdong, but it was canceled last minute." "Oh, I see." "I heard about the fan signing event today, and when I checked with these folks, they said it hadn't started yet. So, here I am." At this, a hushed chant of "Yona yonna yeppeo," akin to a devout "Amen," murmured through the Yonah faithful. The people in the front rows were mostly individual fans who had cherished Yona since the days of her eye contact events. They played a significant role in forming Upkick Girl’s initial fandom. "Will there be a song performance today?" Upon the recent attorney’s question, who had never experienced the ‘Hug Me’ stage live, I confirmed I would, eliciting a wave of information passing through the audience, like sharing answers in a classroom. "They're singing 'Hug Me' today." "There's a 'Hug Me' stage today." "Then, I'll film Hong if 'RoadAtom' can capture Ri-ya?" "Sure, sounds good." Fan-photographers quickly attached lenses to their cameras, assigning each other specific members to focus on. They would later exchange the recorded footage amongst themselves. I fueled their enthusiasm further. "The costumes are brand new today, so please capture them well." "Really?" "We've heard concerns about the lack of solo stage outfits for Yona, so the company paid a little more attention this time." This was met with more grumbles from the uncle-type fans: "The outfits are fine, but how about getting them on some major programs?" "Right, instead of just streaming online or live broadcasts all the time." "Upkick Girl is the only act the company has, isn’t the push a bit lacking?" The unsatisfactory results of 'Hug Me' were likely a source of disappointment for fans as well. Hearing such comments felt unjust, but there was no need to argue. I simply acknowledged their grievances and asked them to look forward to the next album. "Still, the reality streaming this time was fun! 'Poompaengpaeng' was hilarious!" A high school girl fan, a regular at fan meetings, helped shift the atmosphere. It seemed she was referring to the prank segment on the reality show 'Raised Over Your Shoulder Girl Group.' Even attorney God Yeontak admitted to watching it, raising his thumb with a serious expression reminiscent of a soccer coach. "Your screen presence was quite noticeable!" "Oh, that's a bit embarrassing..." "Why? It was such a joy to watch." With that, a wave of half-mocking, half-encouraging chaos spread through the crowd like ripples. "We enjoyed the show, Poompaengpaeng! Haha!" "Welcome back to 'Uppies.'" "Really, please take care of our Seowon!" "Exactly! It’s obvious you only love Eunboogie." "No way! Poompaengpaeng is fair to everyone!" "Totally fair!" "Hahaha!" The fans called me Poompaengpaeng, mimicking the lines the kids had used in broad- cast. I was aware that the show had good reactions from the fan cafes after airing, making me somewhat recognizable. However, as it was a broadcast made for the fandom, the general public wouldn’t know me, but the response here was evidently fervent. Thankfully, any romantic hints a few members held toward me were neatly edited out, displaying only the strong camaraderie and bond between us in the broadcast. While intended differently, the portrayal of us all sobbing and clinging to each other seemed to have left a deep impact. "Manager Jangwoo looks even better in person!" I wasn't the only one gaining fame. Lee Jangwoo's devoted and respectful manner, treating the younger members with utmost formality, garnered him notable affection as well. His good looks didn't hurt, particularly popular among the female fans. One fan went as far as preparing nutritional supplements exclusively for Jangwoo and me. We had always thought of ourselves as shadows, never expecting a day where we'd be so noticed. Considering all the hurdles before debuting, it stirred something emotional within. Returning to the dressing room, Jangwoo and I exchanged words with voices quivering in excitement. “It’s all worth it, don’t you think?” “Wow... I’m truly touched... I owe it all to you, hyung.” “What’s there to thank me for?” “You got me this manager job. Without you, I’d still be...” Jangwoo left the sentence unfinished. Karaoke waiter or celebrity manager. Who could say which was the better job? Yet, in terms of social perception and future prospects, the manager role naturally had the upper hand. It seemed Jangwoo wanted to express gratitude for that change. But in reality, I was the one who owed him thanks. The information interface didn’t suggest recruiting him for nothing. Where else would you find a three-star military driver turned road manager? Swift yet steady on the road, but most importantly, Jangwoo's greatest appeal is his inherent kindness and his ability to work only within his duties and rights. Put simply, he never overreaches, maintaining his own pace consistently. Judging by the fact that Alea, aside from me, is closest with him among the members, it speaks volumes about his character and nature. < The Wild Fox That Enchants Humans > Just by keeping a close watch over Aliya, who requires the most attention during external events, Jangwoo certainly earned his paycheck. "Honestly, I'm grateful to you. If it weren’t for you, I would've never managed all this alone. You make it so much easier for me by handling 'that one' during events and broadcasts." Jangwoo caught on that I was talking about Liya and chuckled. "I haven't really done much. If it weren't for you, I would've quit ages ago." "This is getting cheesy, let's stop." "Alright." "I'm heading to the restroom, so you go on ahead." "Give me that." Handing the gifts from fans over to Jangwoo, I was about to head to the restroom opposite the waiting room. “Whoa, you scared me!” Aliya, in her stage outfit, suddenly popped out of the women's restroom. Her luxurious white velvet, see-through dress perfectly matched the 'fruit juice makeup' concept for 'Hug Me.' It was unusual for her to use the venue's restroom, though. Had she overheard our conversation? Feigning nonchalance, I spoke to her. "Wow, our princess can even go to the restroom on her own?" "I washed my hands." "Hey, no worries about today. Tons of fans are here. The seating spots were already taken in a flash." But Liya had other concerns. She glanced between Jangwoo and me with an insinuating look, then taunted. "You two are spilling honey." "Hm?" "Who could 'that one' be, whom Muno is so comfortable thanks to Jangwoo keeping an eye on? Seowon? Eunbit?" Oh, she heard. "Surely it's not Aliya, right?" "Nah, surely... Jangwoo, Aliya's not 'that one,' is she?" —Click. That little brat Jangwoo slipped into the waiting room alone before I could blink. Liya smirked in triumph. "Muno Muno was betrayed. That's why they say you shouldn't raise animals with black feathers." Black-headed animals, not just animals. "Yeah... such a bad guy..." "And don’t you know the saying that if mice hear words spoken, so do birds?” Day words and night words. "Of course." "So why'd you do that? If you can't say it to someone's face, you shouldn’t say it behind their back. And if you say it behind their back, be ready to say it to their face." Though now that I think about it, you've always been the same, upfront or behind the scenes, utterly unfiltered and on your own path. As modern individuals, always hiding behind masks and acting according to the situation, that’s a quality I somewhat envy. "Could you have said that in front of me?" Liya challenged like a supervisor scolding a subordinate, and I quickly shook my head, giving the answer she wanted. "No, I couldn't have." "Then be careful." She didn't seem particularly upset. Unlike Seowon, in such matters, Liya is quite cool-headed. Because of that, I could easily admit my mistake. "Sorry. I meant to encourage Jangwoo, but I might have missed the point." "Geez. It's like you cause trouble every time I look away for a second." Was it really to that extent? "Alright, from now on, I won't talk behind backs and I’ll speak directly. Let's head in." Just as I was going to enter the waiting room, Liya called me back. "Muno Muno, hold on." "Huh?" "Liya has a favor to ask." She used the word "favor" instead of "command." Wow, she's really changed after that runaway incident. "Sure, tell me." "Later, during 'Heart-pounding Revolution'..." *** "One, two, three!" "The girl group you raised!" "Hello, we're Upkick Girl!" They say fans resemble their idols. When the girls greeted the crowd with their chant on stage, the audience responded with their own witty remarks. "Yona! So beautiful today as always!" "Yeonhong unnie, you’re making us all Yeonhong over you!" "True-rya is truly a gem!" "Seowon nuna! Let’s spend our lives playing PUBG together! My place has a game room woohoo!" "Phahaha!" The youthful voice of a Seowon fan, still in the throes of puberty, sent the venue into laughter. Not to be outdone, a famous uncle-fan of Eunbit sealed the commotion with his deep tenor. "Shim...lad pink-colored Yoo Eunbi! You rule them all!" "Pfft hahahaha!" "What’s that about pinkish-red?" Hah, this is what being an Upkick Girl fan is all about. Even the creativity of uncle-fans in inventing colors made the members and event staff crack up. Bystanders also stopped to focus on the stage. "What’s with the pinkish-red?" As Eunbi responded with some fan-service interaction, Liya replied enviously. "Why, wasn’t it pretty? Pink, orange, and silver." "Oh, was it? Then it's good?" "Yeah, no fan’s going to say something bad to unni." "Then I’ll be pinkish-red. Thanks for the color!" Their innocent banter made the uncle-fans smile happily. Positioned on stage, from front to back, were Yona, Eunbit, Liya, Seowon, and Urihong, with Eunbit typically handling the mic. "Oh, right. I still can’t eat fish because of pinkish-red." "Seriously, how can someone who even dives for mollusks say they can't eat fish?" "Even Liya used to love sushi but hasn’t touched it since that day." "Talking about sashimi is making me crave conveyor belt sushi..." "Whatever it is, you’re always wanting something." When conversation hooligans threaten to derail the talk, Yona steers things back on track. "Today we’ve prepared a game to play with you, fans." “Wooaah!” "Before that, we'll show you our debut song 'Hug Me' on stage. Please enjoy." "Yonna pretty!" "Pfft, thank you so much. Cue the music." —Doomche doomche doomche doomche. Liya's short, intense solo dance was followed by Eunbit’s opening verse. A powerful wave of fans began their synchronized chants. *Eunbit* "When my dark day (Yoo Eunbit!) becomes illuminated by your light (Love you!) Flowers bloom before my eyes. Wrapped in your embrace. Time halts, I don't care (Upkick Girl!)" *Yona* "In a future I never expected (Lee Yona!) you suddenly appeared one day (Love you!) Tears welled up, drawn in as if enchanted. Close your eyes, it’s okay. Everything will be alright (Forever!)" *Seowon* "As long as you’re with me. I need nothing else (Han Seowon!) Even when darkness engulfs me, you’ll guide my way (Stay with me till the end!)" "Everyone together!" When the girls passed the microphones to the audience, the fans responded with full-throated singing. "Hug me! Hug me! Hug me! Hug me! Hold me just like before!" "The warmth of your embrace! The heat of your breath! Freeze my time!" With more fans than ever, the chant was nothing short of spectacular. At this moment, no manager in the world was as proud as I was. *Eunbit* "Hug me, hug me, hug me, hug me, hold me just like before." *Seowon* "The warmth of your embrace, the heat of your breath, freeze my time." At the end of the first verse, Rin Hong's powerful rap part brought the audience to a peak frenzy as always. *Rin Hong* "Uh― when I’m lost, wandering Ooh― when no one believes in me Even if the world laughs, if only you believe in me. I'll follow the light no matter where it leads because with you, I’ll endure everything." *Aliya* "Not true, not from the heart, don’t take my words to heart. Just look into my eyes, my true feelings are there." "Jangwoo, why didn’t this song hit it big? It's really good, isn’t it?" "Yes, it is." Is it the difference between Red Shadow and Upkick Girl? I thought if the song was good, it would catch on somehow, but the difference in group recognition was larger than anticipated. "Thank you!" After the 'Hug Me' performance, the promised 'Heart-pounding Revolution' game was set to commence before the signing session. Utilizing a smartphone heart rate app, the fans stayed still while only the members could induce heartbeats. The measurement time was set at 30 seconds. After explaining the rules and penalties to the fans, a round of rock-paper-scissors determined the sequence. The order was set as Seowon, Yona, Eunbit, Liya, and our Hong. “Who wants to have their heart stolen by Foxy and Wild Seowon unnie? Please come forward!” Seowon's partner had a fierce competition ratio of 16 to 1. After several rounds of rock-paper-scissors, a 32-year-old salaryman who took a day off to attend won the partner spot. "Please share one charming trait of Seowon unnie." "Uh... her singing is great, she's beautiful, and the chic atmosphere she has is mesmerizing." Despite the compliments, Seowon showed no change in expression. In fact, she seemed uninterested in the game itself. As if simply wearing a penalty outfit was no big deal, she looked at the man with expressionlessness akin to a Tibetan fox. "Alright, please face each other." To ensure fairness, I was in charge of measuring and officiating. "Place your index finger on the lens." "H-here?" The man’s hand was shaking noticeably as he pointed it towards the lens, making the audience burst into laughter. Attacks were unnecessary at this point. Just meeting Seowon’s eyes had already delivered enough of a heart shock for the man. "Starting now. One, two, three, start." As I touched the start button, Seowon's lips, shut until now, parted softly. In a quiet voice, she inquired gently. “Is there something you'd like to do with me?” “Y-yes…?” “Wouldn’t you like to try something if we met?” Such innocuous words, yet the man’s heart rate began rising rapidly. “Sing for me?” “I think you can listen to songs online...” Geez, are you trying to pick a fight with a fan... Momentarily shocked, I saw Seowon's eyes shift from dry and indifferent to the deep, captivating gaze she wore on stage. “Let’s hug. I really don’t want a penalty.” Where did she learn such flirting! In a rested state, typical adult male heart rates range from 60-100 beats per minute, meaning in 30 seconds, half of that, 30-50, should be expected. So, what was the heartbeat count for the male fan after hugging Seowon in those 30 seconds? "76 beats." A heart rate akin to rigorous exercise, like a 100-meter dash. We checked the numbers last night as a practice and everyone knew how high the count was. Apparently satisfied with her performance, Seowon issued a challenge to the other members. “If I win, the loser will have to dress up as Gollum.” Dress a girl group member up as Gollum? What started as a playful game suddenly felt quite serious. < The Wild Fox That Enchants Humans > End