The audience was diverse, ranging from teenagers to n in their 50s. There were groups of n who looked unmistakably like otaku, as well as many couples and families.
After all, Lost Fantasy has a 30-year history, and its combined series have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Recently, the successive successes of the mobile and online versions have attracted a huge number of new users.
The player base was broad, encompassing everyone from core users who could be called veterans, to casual users just stepping into the world of Lost Fantasy.
Nevertheless, the number of otaku was significant. Perhaps this was the classical concert with the highest density of otaku in the world?
This was clearly evident in rchandise sales.
In front of the rchandise counter, located to the right of the ticket exchange booth, the line stretched seemingly endlessly. Program books, soundtrack CDs, character-emblazoned smartphone cases, and mugs were selling like hotcakes.
OTK Gas was responsible for product sales. For this event, they had even produced a small batch of limited-edition goods sold only at the concert venue.
Sangyeop sunbae couldn't hide his amazent.
“Wow! Even rchandise sales at an idol concert probably wouldn't reach this level.”
It was truly an astonishing fandom.
Taekgyu spoke as if it were obvious.
“Hmph, we don't hesitate to spend money on things we want to buy. We'd rather skip als than not buy what we desire.”
I nodded.
“I rember starving for days back then because you convinced to skim my school lunch money to buy a ga.”
“My friend, you enjoyed it thanks to , didn't you?”
“That's true.”
While not on the sa level as Taekgyu, who had perfectly cleared every Lost Fantasy ga, I had played most of the famous ones at least once.
Thinking back, it felt strange.
Back when Oh Taekgyu and I used to go buy ga CDs, I never imagined I'd end up investing directly in a ga company and even sponsoring a concert.
Yang Hana arrived with her father. She wore a black dress that exposed one shoulder and had light makeup on. Even without much adornnt, her beauty was such that her re appearance was enough to draw the gazes of those around her.
She spoke to Taekgyu.
“I've been playing Lost Fantasy Online diligently lately too. That's why I'm really looking forward to today's concert.”
An imdiately positive reaction ca back.
“Ooh! Which character?”
“An Archer. The one that shoots arrows.”
“How are you planning to build her? Are you going to raise archery skills and go the sniper route? Or learn taming skills and head towards Beast Master?”
Perhaps it was too difficult a question for soone who had just started the ga; she looked slightly flustered.
“Ah, um... which one do you think is better? What do you think, Taekgyu?”
Taekgyu kindly answered.
“There are pros and cons to either path...”
A detailed explanation followed about the Archer's characteristics, future developnt paths, and tips for team play. She nodded diligently, looking like a student in Noryangjin listening intently to a top tutor's lecture.
Challenging a field you don't know well isn't easy.
Ellie watched them and asked .
“You said Min Ha-young is coming today too, right?”
“Yes. Apparently, he told her he's the Vice President of OTK Company now.”
Though from what I heard, it sounds less like he told her and more like he got caught. Still, he managed to keep it secret for a long ti.
“Since you said she was Taekgyu’s first love, I’m curious about what kind of person she is.”
He claims he just liked her, but... isn't that what first love is?
A mont later, Min Ha-young appeared. I had seen pictures before, but this was the first ti eting her in person.
She wore large glasses and her hair was tied back in a single ponytail. Her outfit was a frilly dress with pink stripes. Despite wearing high-heeled pumps, she looked small.
Seemingly unaccustod to such gatherings, she fidgeted with a nervous expression.
Taekgyu introduced us.
“This is my best friend, Kang Jinhoo. Beside him is his girlfriend, Ellie. You know both of them, right?”
Of course, she would recognize our faces.
Ellie and I greeted Min Ha-young.
“I've heard a lot about you from Taekgyu.”
“Ah, hello.”
“I heard you started serializing your webtoon. Congratulations.”
“Ah... Th-thank you.”
Ellie whispered to .
“She’s quite cute. She seems like a good match for Taekgyu.”
“You think so?”
If Min Ha-young has a similar disposition to Taekgyu, Yang Hana could be described as the complete opposite. Sohow, I feel like a woman with a strong personality suits Oh Taekgyu better.
“Ah! There's also Princess Anneke, isn't there?”
I thought of Princess Anneke. Being young and having a lively personality, she felt more like a tomboyish younger sister.
“It hasn't been confird that she has feelings for him yet, though.”
At my words, Ellie smiled brightly.
“Are you sure about that? When I saw them talking before, it seed like she was quite interested.”
“That’s because the princess is a fan of Lost Fantasy...”
Ellie wagged her finger.
“Think about it. The person who revived Lost Fantasy is Taekgyu himself. What woman would talk alone with a man she has no feelings for, for three whole hours?”
Princess Anneke had otaku tendencies, enough to have cosplayed at a ga show. As Norway actively fosters its IT and ga industries with the money earned from oil and gas, she was also effectively serving as a promotional model.
Wait. If things work out between them, does Oh Taekgyu beco the son-in-law of the King of Norway?
“...”
Does that even make sense? No matter how much Oh Taekgyu is the epito of a successful otaku, isn't this too successful?
Yang Hana looked at Min Ha-young and said.
“Oh my, we et again here. Nice to see you.”
“Ah, yes. Hello.”
“I heard from Taekgyu that you started your webtoon. Congratulations.”
“It’s thanks to Taekgyu’s help. He still looks over each chapter and gives advice.”
“Is that so? Taekgyu is very kind. I started playing the ga recently too, so I think I’ll have to ask him a lot of questions from now on. But Ms. Ha-young, if you’re busy with serialization, you probably don’t have ti to play gas, do you?”
“Ah, no. I’m going to start too. Authors often get inspiration while playing gas.”
A superficially friendly conversation unfolded between them, both smiling.
anwhile, we greeted other arrivals. The OTK Gas representatives from Japan had arrived.
President Ichikawa couldn't make it due to his busy schedule, but Kondo Hayashi, the general music director for Lost Fantasy, ca instead.
The young man who worked on the first series had now beco a middle-aged man. However, he still oversaw the music and sound effects for the Lost Fantasy series with outstanding skill.
Taekgyu grasped his hands with both of his own.
“Thanks to your music, Director, I played every series happily. I believe all Lost Fantasy fans feel the sa way.”
After Team Leader Jung Gi-hong interpreted, Music Director Kondo bead and replied.
“Thank you for saying so, Mr. Vice President. When I was making the ga music, I never imagined it would be perford by an orchestra like this. Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity.”
***
The orchestra performance began.
Scenes from each series appeared on the background screen in ti with the music. From the 2D pixel era to the present, one could witness the evolution of the series alongside the music.
Aside from being ga music, it wasn't much different from any other concert. Enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience after each piece concluded.
Takahashi Eiji’s piano solo followed, and a famous singer ca out to sing the English version of the LF12 opening the. Even a choir made an appearance. When the choir's voices, reminiscent of a requiem, were added to the orchestra, the atmosphere beca majestic and even poignant.
“This is the LF7 battle the, right?”
I rembered playing it while getting scolded by my mom right after coming ho from school.
Taekgyu nodded, his face filled with emotion.
“That's right. To think I’d get to hear this music like this.”
When the two-hour performance ended, everyone rose to their feet for a standing ovation.
Everyone looked happy. It ant Taekgyu's plan to create good mories for the Lost Fantasy series fans had hit the mark perfectly.
Ellie also stood up, clapping enthusiastically.
“I thought of it casually as just ga music, but it was incredibly moving. After watching the performance, I sohow feel like I want to try playing the ga.”
I thought for a mont, then said.
“There's always a reason why masterpieces are masterpieces. Try LF10 first. Personally, I found its story the most moving.”
“What did you like about it?”
“The graphics still hold up pretty well even now, and the progression system using the License Board makes character building fun. The story itself is pure emotion.”
“There’s a reason you and Taekgyu are close friends.”
“You think so?”
Ellie linked her arm with mine and said.
“I’m not very good at gas, so you have to teach by my side, Jinhoo.”
***
[‘Lost Fantasy Concert’ held at the newly opened Korea Music Hall]
The Korea Symphony Orchestra is holding the Lost Fantasy Concert over three days at the newly renovated Korea Music Hall. Originally planned as a single performance, two additional shows were added due to fan requests, yet all seats sold out early. Considering the recent slump in the classical concert market, this can only be described as an unprecedented box-office phenonon.
CEOs from the business world, including Chairman Im Jin-yong of Seosung Group, President Im Su-mi of Ceylon Hotel, and President Yang Ho-young of CL Chemicals, also attended, gracing the event with their presence.
After the concert, audience mbers spared no praise, calling it a ‘fantastic eting of gas and orchestra.’
OTK Gas stated that as the Lost Fantasy series marks its 30th anniversary, they plan to continue creating and providing various forms of content for fans. Korea Symphony Orchestra CEO Park Hyejin shared her thoughts that this served as an opportunity for classical music to beco more familiar to the public.
I read the article and said.
“It was a complete success.”
The dia coverage was overwhelmingly positive. Even music critics who had initially expressed concerns wrote favorable columns, stating that it broke down genre boundaries.
To think that sothing started as the Vice President's hobby would achieve such great success.
Taekgyu nodded.
“In Japan, virtual idol concerts can draw thousands of attendees. Cultural content can generate infinite value depending on how it's utilized. Well, from the perspective of Korea, which defines gas as serious addictions and harmful dia for youth, that's probably just a story from another country.”
“Which is why we do business in other countries.”
OTK Gas had already established its new base in Detroit. Korean ga companies had also begun relocating. Several other ga companies were considering the move as well.
Startled, the governnt hastily announced plans to nurture and support the industry. After previously pointing fingers and treating gas as one of the 'four major addictions,' the mood suddenly shifted to praising them as 'export heroes.' However, the ga industry's reaction was basically, 'Haven't we been burned before?'
Two days later, Chairman Im Jin-yong visited the company.
He looked quite exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes looked like they might reach his chin.
“Are you alright?”
“I stayed up quite late last night.”
“Is work that busy these days?”
Chairman Im Jin-yong gave an awkward smile.
“Not work, playing a ga.”
“Excuse ?”
“After seeing the concert, I got curious and tried Lost Fantasy Online. Since it was my first ti playing such a ga, it wasn’t easy. So I asked a new employee for so help and got so training.”
Taekgyu was astonished.
“Ooh! How was it? Fun, right?”
“Yes. Even while selling computers and gaming laptops, I didn't quite understand why people played gas, but now I think I get it. My level has gone up a bit, so I can now hunt Kanols.”
Taekgyu clapped his hands, looking moved.
“Shall I share so items with you?”
“I would gratefully accept. Turns out, quite a few of my company employees play it too. I heard they form alliances and do team play; I'm considering asking if they'll let join a raid soti.”
“What’s your class?”
“Male Paladin.”
Taekgyu nodded.
“You happened to pick the class whose na requires the most careful pronunciation. Still, Paladin is the best. Paladin is King!”
“...”
That was truly an inside joke only those in the know would get.
Anyway, the chairman joining the employees' raid team?
If they're raiding a boss monster and don't give Chairman Im Jin-yong buffs or heals in ti, causing him to die first, wouldn't all the employees get fired?
Regardless, such a busy person wouldn't have started playing Lost Fantasy Online for no reason.
There must be a good reason he took the ti to play the ga himself, right?
Chairman Im Jin-yong said.
“Playing the ga helped make up my mind. Seosung Electronics would also like to participate in OTK Gas' VRMMORPG developnt project.”
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