Composer 'Pineon' found it hard to believe as he scrolled through the article.
“2.05 million copies?? Over 2 million... for a debut album??”
Pineon was a first-tier composer who soared through the idol scene. He had accumulated quite a bit of experience in the industry, but what he was witnessing now was unfamiliar. Perhaps because of that, Pineon quickly closed the article he was reading and searched for other news, scanning SNS and other platforms for updates.
However.
“...This is ridiculous.”
The article he saw first wasn’t a false report. It was pure fact.
Pineon slowly lowered his phone.
His coworkers, gauging his mood, cleared their throats and quietly left the studio one by one, worried about catching stray fire. anwhile, Pineon, perhaps from the stress, kept rubbing his bald head, and eventually, riding the wave, began scratching it vigorously. When his scalp turned red, Pineon muttered in a chilling tone.
“This doesn’t make sense.”
In that mont, he recalled GN Entertainnt, which had rejected his song.
‘Fucking hell......’
Looking at the outco, Pineon had been utterly beaten by ‘Vanguard’. Wasn’t that the case? The song ‘Bloom ’ that GN had turned down was imdiately passed on by Pineon to Big Star Entertainnt. Soon after, ‘Neos’ made a coback with ‘Bloom ’ as the title track, topping the charts and surpassing 1 million in first-week album sales, showing strong performance.
Around that ti, the dia and ‘Neos’ fans were all over it, praising him with cries of “As expected of Pineon!”
But with Vanguard’s debut, both the digital charts and first-week sales were crushed.
While general music charts include variables from the non-fan public, album sales numbers clearly showed that ‘Neos’ had lost in firepower to ‘Vanguard’. Of course, even 1 million copies was an impressive figure.
In today’s era where there are so many ways to listen to music, even 300,000 or 500,000 is considered high.
However, ‘Vanguard’ had sold double that, 2 million.
Naturally, in the idol scene, a first-week sale of 2 million copies wasn’t the highest record. There were records of 4 million and even 5 million. In truth, the 2 million mark had several precedents. So why were people saying ‘Vanguard’ had added another ‘first’ to their na?
Pineon clenched his molars and muttered the answer.
“......A debut album hitting million-seller status. No, selling over 2 million copies is sothing only those ‘Vanguard’ kids have done. Even ‘Neos’ didn’t hit 1 million until their second album.”
Achieving million-seller status in first-week sales with a debut album, ‘Vanguard’ was the first in all of dostic idol history. It was a record of great significance. ‘Vanguard’ had seized a title by outpacing even the most renowned idols right from debut. Whatever the case, at this mont, Pineon thought.
“Ha- ‘Vanguard’ is so fucking annoying.”
It was a confird defeat to ‘Vanguard’ or GN Entertainnt.
Not only for Pineon, but also for the six n who had just seen Vanguard’s first-week sales. The mbers of ‘Neos’.
“Is... is this real??! Is this article legit?!”
“......Looks like it is.”
“2 million copies?? Not even 1 million, but 2 million?!!”
They, too, were hit with shock and irritation, just like Pineon.
“How the hell does a debut album sell 2 million!! We’re at 1 million!”
“I’ve never seen this before- sure, I’ve seen first-week 2 million before, but who sells 2 million right at debut?”
“That’s what I’m saying, it’s weird!!”
“Ah, fuck!! Now reporters are definitely gonna run their mouths saying our firepower lost again!”
‘Neos’ wasn’t new to experiencing these kinds of situations. The idol world was too vast for any group to hold first place indefinitely. But because it was ‘Vanguard’ involved, every mber of ‘Neos’ was agitated. It was likely the result of accumulated pride, the public eye, and surrounding circumstances.
As Pineon and ‘Neos’ seethed with frustration, on the other side, there was a place erupting with pure joy.
Naturally, the ‘Vanguard’ camp.
“Waaaahhhhhh!!”
Stylists, the choreography team, and other staff burst into cheers, while Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung danced joyfully, shoulders bouncing. These days, ‘Vanguard’ had plenty of reasons to scream with joy, and Kang Rojun, too, was caught in the mont, genuinely overwheld with emotion among the mbers.
‘2 million copies?! That’s absolutely insane, isn’t it?!!’
To be honest, the number didn’t feel real. It just didn’t sink in. But so what? In the end, they set a record, so wasn’t that a good thing? Manager Kim Ki-baek, watching it all, appeared drained, but internally, he was genuinely amazed.
"2 million in first-week sales for a debut album. That’s incredible. This record won’t be easy to break. It’s not just the group’s concept, it’s like they’re truly walking an ‘unrivaled’ path... This is interesting, as expected."
Without losing their explosive energy, ‘Vanguard’.
“Alright, let’s move out.”
Headed off to their next schedule.
After that.
The entertainnt industry was abuzz with ‘Vanguard’. The na ca up in conversations among various broadcast insiders.
“‘Vanguard’ finally did it, didn’t they?”
“Not just did it, this is a major incident. Selling 2 million copies with a debut album... they’re practically sweeping up money.”
“They’re dropping bombs every week since debut. At this rate, ‘Vanguard’ is definitely Rookie of the Year.”
“Yeah, it’s a complete win for ‘Vanguard’. ‘Neos’ only hit 1 million, they can’t even compete.”
Actors, idols, and countless staff were all busy talking about ‘Vanguard’. However, many dostic entertainnt companies were in despair. While there may have been so hope left in the digital charts, selling 2 million in albums left no room to overturn it. It was practically ga over.
To make matters worse, they had stacked up yet another ‘first.’
“...2 million copies with a debut album. Hoo- so this is the second record after Gocheok Do?”
“Debut at Gocheok Do, 2 million in first-week sales. On top of that, it’s a debut album with a triple title track, and mbers participated in writing and composing, those are all firsts too.”
“‘Vanguard’ is definitely sothing else. Damn it, we really should’ve avoided ‘Vanguard’.”
The wall that was ‘Vanguard’ was growing ever taller.
And the dia, having found a juicy headline, jumped on it.
《Vanguard surpasses 2 million in debut album’s first-week sales! Sets new K-pop record》
《[StarTalk] 2 million copies in just a week with debut album, ‘Unprecedented Record’ as expected of Vanguard》
They excitedly flooded the internet with articles.
《‘Vanguard’ becos the first in K-pop history to reach million-seller status with a debut album》
《‘Vanguard’ sells 2 million in debut album first-week sales, following Gocheok Do debut, adds another ‘first’!》
The fans went wild.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋInsane!!
-ㄷㄷㄷ2 million copiesㄷㄷㄷ
-Wow....
-Congrats Vanguard!!!
-Why does it feel so good knowing I helped out in that 2 millionㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-First-ever 2 million with a debut album in idol history!!! But this is only the beginning for Vanguard!!!
-ㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠㅜI’m so happy for themㅜㅜㅠ I hope they continue to walk only on flower paths!!
-Neos got totally wrecked??
-After the first-week sales got announced, all the Neos fans disappeared, it’s hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
This buzz kept going strong for at least a few days, and the flas of excitent showed no signs of dying down. Regardless, ‘Vanguard’ got even busier, scrambling to keep up with their schedule. And just when things seed to peak, GN Entertainnt threw more fuel on the fire.
《‘Vanguard’, who set a record with 2 million in first-week sales, chosen as the new model for ‘VORN’!》
It was news of Vanguard’s advertisent deal.
《Ad deal right after debut? ‘Vanguard’ confird as models for ‘VORN’》
《Rojun, the Face of Vanguard, Selected for 'VALT' Advertisent》
Even though their schedule was already packed, ad etings and related appointnts were added for ‘Vanguard’. But that wasn’t the end.
“Everyone, the Japan concert has been confird.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek announced a major project. Kang Rojun and the mbers widened their eyes, and it was leader Rojun who asked for confirmation.
“A Japan concert?”
“Yes. Um- of course, for now, you guys should just focus on your current schedules. The dates and venue are still under negotiation.”
A Japan concert out of nowhere. But perhaps because they’d already had experience with a show-con at Gocheok Do, neither Rojun nor the mbers were flustered for long. Rather, their excitent only grew.
“Will it be the scale of the mini concerts we’ve done before?”
“No. It's not confird yet, but think of it as sothing on the level of the debut show-con. Let’s prepare quickly and rack up yet another ‘first’.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek, who was giving the briefing, inford ‘Vanguard’ about what needed to be done first for the Japan concert.
“Starting next week, we’ll begin recording the Japanese versions.”
Thursday, April 15th, in the afternoon.
Today was the live broadcast of 'Music Beat' on 'JTVM', where ‘Vanguard’ had pre-recorded their performance. The show started at 6 PM. It was currently around 5 PM. With just about an hour left until the live broadcast, one of the waiting rooms for 'Music Beat' was bustling.
Two girl groups were sharing the not-so-large waiting room.
A makeshift curtain had at least been put up to divide the space in the middle. Among one of the girl groups in the room was a familiar face. It was ‘Li So', the girl group connected with ‘Vanguard’ through 'Produce That 100!' Including the fox-faced Ha-young, the mbers of ‘Li So’ were checking their stage outfits and chatting.
“‘Vanguard’ is coming today, right?”
“I heard they are. I think soone said they already finished the prerecording, so they should be coming.”
“Wow- I’m so nervous.”
“Isn’t it a really weird feeling?? Right, Ha-young?”
“...Yeah, it’s kind of surreal. Feels like ‘Produce That 100!’ was just yesterday.”
“Exactly what I’m saying! Hmm, what should we do if we bump into them in the hallway or sothing?”
“Ahh- it’ll be awkward!”
They were chatting away about ‘Vanguard', reminiscing. After all, ‘Vanguard’ was appearing on the live broadcast today. For reference, ‘Neos’ was also expected to show up. In fact, ‘Neos’ was one of the first-place nominees.
Anyway, as the mbers of ‘Li So’ were in the middle of talking about ‘Vanguard', there was a knock on the waiting room door, and their manager checked outside first. Then, smiling, the manager called for ‘Li So', and as the curious mbers stepped into the hallway, they widened their eyes.
And for good reason.
“Sunbae-nim.”
Kang Rojun smiled with his signature eye smile right in front of them. And it wasn’t just him. Standing there in their stage outfits, black suits, were Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung. Seeing them, Ha-young and the mbers of ‘Li So’ froze a little for so reason, and Rojun gave a signal to his mbers.
“Hello, we’re Vanguard.”
As they greeted ‘Li So', leader Rojun handed them sothing. It was an album.
“Our album. We wanted to give it to you.”
Ha-young and the mbers of ‘Li So', seemingly touched, covered their mouths with both hands. While it was customary for rookie idols to hand out albums like this, in this case, it also carried gratitude because of the connection with ‘Li So.’
Flustered, the ‘Li So’ mbers stamred.
Their manager sighed and stepped in.
“What are you doing? We need to give them our album too.”
“Ah!! Right!”
Soon, the album exchange was carried out politely. But ‘Vanguard’ didn’t linger. There were too many people watching and too many places they had to visit. As ‘Vanguard’ walked away, Ha-young and the mbers of ‘Li So’ muttered as if spellbound.
“...Aren’t they already just radiating aura?”
anwhile.
Kang Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung continued to visit various waiting rooms, tirelessly bowing and greeting.
“Hello!! We’re Vanguard!”
They made sure to show their faces and deliver albums not only to senior idols but to a variety of singers. Most responded warmly to 'Vanguard'.
“Wow- this is that record-breaking ‘Vanguard’ album?? Thanks! The song’s really good. I’ll be rooting for you.”
“Thank you so much!!”
Kang Rojun was so busy taking in the sight of singers he had only ever seen on TV that he lost track of ti, while the other mbers looked visibly nervous, their tension clear.
Then, as they headed to the next waiting room, Si-hoo spoke up with difficulty.
“......I’m scared.”
Rojun tilted his head.
“Of what?”
Do-kyung replied in a flat tone.
“The next waiting room is the one for ‘Neos’ sunbae-nim.”
“So?”
“It’s just... awkward, you know? The dia’s been pushing this rivalry narrative.”
Kang-min scratched his head lightly.
“It’s not like we can skip it. Hoo... It’s a liiittle uncomfortable.”
Their managers observed them quietly. Among them, Manager Kim Ki-baek was about to step forward, when Kang Rojun spoke first.
“What’s the big deal? We just go in, do what we’re supposed to, and leave. And if ‘Neos’ sunbae-nim are professionals, they probably won’t care about us anyway.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek slowly nodded.
At this point, ‘Vanguard’ arrived in front of the ‘Neos’ waiting room. Manager Kim Ki-baek knocked, and when the door opened, a man peeked out and saw 'Vanguard'.
“Ah.”
The man, showing a rather flat reaction, turned around and called out to ‘Neos'. Soon, the waiting room door opened, and Rojun and the mbers t ‘Neos’ for the first ti.
“Hello! We’re Vanguard!”
Out of the six mbers of ‘Neos', a few stood up and ca forward, but the rest stayed seated, simply watching ‘Vanguard'. At that mont, Kang Rojun sensed it.
‘Their reactions are a bit cold.’
He could tell the looks directed at them weren’t friendly.
‘I can see the swearing or contempt in their eyes.’
It was a gaze Rojun was all too familiar with.
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