While Kang Rojun was fully focused on the final shoot of 'Blood Hunt', news of his donation was becoming a much bigger topic than expected.
《Rojun proves his character with a 200 million won donation/Photo》
《[StarPick] First paynt in? ‘Vanguard’ Rojun donates 200 million won for children with disabilities》
《200 million won donation by ‘Rojun', how long has it even been since his official debut?》
Originally, Rojun had thought of donating around 100 million won. That amount alone is an enormous sum, but perhaps due to rembering his past self, it ended up becoming 200 million. This was entirely Kang Rojun’s decision. In any case, news of Kang Rojun’s donation quickly spread among various dia outlets.
《Fans react to Rojun’s 200 million won donation: “Both looks and character are handso!”》
《[IssuePick] How much was Vanguard’s first paynt? Rojun generously donates 200 million》
It didn’t take long for the public to catch on.
The ones who reacted the fastest were, of course, the fans.
-So cool, Rojun!!
-200 million ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ
-Rojun going wildㅋㅋㅋㅋ just donates 200 million like that
-What’s up with these journalists’ headlines;; have they ever donated even ten thousand won?
-But… how much was Vanguard’s first paynt… to donate 200 million…
-Aweso!!!!!
-Wow… Rojun really doesn’t just have a super handso face, he’s got it all, seriouslyㅜㅜ
-Isn’t this a first too? A rookie idol donating 200 million just a few months after debutingㄷㄷ
-Rojun’s vibe is insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋlooks and character are top-tier!
-Wait, he just casually donates 200 million like that??
-Amazing… looks, personality, talent… what on earth does Rojun not have…
Naturally, the general mood among fans was full of praise for Kang Rojun, but as the news of the donation gradually spread to more people.
-It was just GN donating under Rojun’s na ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-↑Are you stupid? If that were the case, why wouldn’t they donate under Vanguard’s na?
Negative comnts began to show up from ti to ti.
-200 million… it’s a lot, but with the way Vanguard’s blowing up right now, couldn’t he have donated more?
-Are you insane? Have you even donated 200 won?
-That guy ca just to stir shit, don’t feed him
-If he just debuted and can already donate 200 million, how much has he madeㅋㅋㅋ idols really make money so easily
-Just shut it… Rojun’s not only doing Vanguard, he’s also writing, acting, lyric-writing, composing… working a hundred tis harder than you
-GN should sue bastards like that
-Don’t worry, if you take screenshots and send them to GN, they’ll collect data and sueㅇㅇ
But those negative comnts were few and far between.
Whatever the case, the story of Kang Rojun’s donation continued to heat up the internet for hours, and Rojun, who had no idea about it while acting for 'Blood Hunt',
“Cut!! Okay! The shot ca out great, Rojun-ssi. Great work today.”
“Thank you, Director-nim!”
only realized what was going on after all filming had wrapped. It was when he had finished saying his goodbyes to the 'Blood Hunt' team and got into the van. The styling team showed Rojun the donation-related articles. Seeing that it had unexpectedly beco a hot topic, Kang Rojun was a bit taken aback.
“So many articles ca out? Whoa.”
It was a donation he did because he wanted to, because he liked doing it, but so many articles had been published. The fan reactions were also intense. As Rojun curiously read through the articles, his manager explained.
“Donations usually do get so press, but since it was you who donated, and ‘Vanguard’ hasn’t been out for long, I think that’s why more reporters sward. Above all, the donation amount is big.”
The manager's briefing continued, suggesting there were quite a few other reasons as well.
For a brief mont, Rojun felt a flicker of concern. With this much buzz, would there be misunderstandings about the process or his intent behind the donation? But then he quickly shook it off.
‘Whatever people think, I did it because I wanted to and because I liked it.’
Whether there were misunderstandings or his intentions got distorted, as long as Kang Rojun himself was satisfied, that was enough. He recovered in re seconds. After all, there would be more people who understood. And of course, GN Entertainnt wouldn’t stay silent either.
After checking a few more articles,
-Swoosh.
He took out his laptop.
‘Let’s get to work.’
The next day, May 30.
From early morning, the ‘Vanguard’ mbers had gathered at GN Entertainnt. Standing in front of them, Kim Ki-baek, the team manager, was reciting the schedule in his usual frail tone.
“Starting tomorrow, ‘Flying Bell’ promotions will begin.”
After about ten days of rest, 'Vanguard' was about to start promotions for their second title track. Judging from Kim Ki-baek’s calm rundown of the upcoming schedule, the ‘Flying Bell’ promotions, despite having a concept that was 180 degrees different, felt similar to 'GreenBee', but was lighter in terms of intensity.
First of all, the overall promotion period was shorter.
And aside from the major schedules, it seed a bit more relaxed compared to 'GreenBee'. Not to say it wasn’t busy. Just that it was slightly better than the hellish 'GreenBee' period.
“‘Flying Bell’ will be on music shows for just one week. Only pre-recordings will be done, and we’ll skip the live broadcasts. We’ll have to move at dawn for a few days, but just hang in there.”
Even the music show schedule was noticeably reduced.
In truth, music shows are more about announcing a coback or helping rookie idols gain exposure. Popular idols typically do a few appearances and then step back. So artists don’t appear on them at all. Given the explosive recognition 'Vanguard' had since debut, they could’ve graduated from music shows a long ti ago. With their current status, just appearing on one music show was practically a loss.
Still, since 'Vanguard' was technically a rookie idol group, GN was maintaining appearances.
Of course, the group’s continuous string of music show wins since debut was a major factor, but more than half the reason was for the fans. So at this point, it was only natural that 'Vanguard' started cutting back on music show appearances.
Now they had to fill in the schedule gaps with sothing else.
Because a massive event, the Japan concert, was just around the corner.
Soon after, Kim Ki-baek continued the briefing regarding the Japan concert.
“Um- construction at Saitama Arena, where the Japan concert will be held, will be completed in a few days. We’ll head to Japan starting June 5, about a week from now, to begin on-site rehearsals.”
With the concert date looming close, Kang Rojun’s heart thumped again. Along with that, the terrifying screams and cheers of the 20,000 fans from their debut showcase echoed in his ears.
‘This ti, there’ll be even more fans than back then, and it’s in Japan. I wonder how that will feel.’
He had already experienced a mini concert in Japan, but this ti the audience size was ten tis larger. It was only natural that, as the concert approached, the tension of Kang Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung would be peaking.
However, it wasn’t fear.
‘I just want to be on stage. Right now.’
If anything, it was closer to restlessness.
After that, 'Vanguard' started of their 'Flying Bell' promotions.
Their first schedule was a music show pre-recording. From early morning, Kang Rojun and the mbers moved into action. Unlike 'GreenBee', this ti they wore pastel-toned school uniforms as their stage outfits, and hundreds of fans clutching light sticks went wild for Vanguard’s refreshing concept.
“Kyaaaaa!!”
“Insane...... what is this refreshing vibe!!”
After finishing the pre-recording, 'Vanguard' completed as much of their dostic schedule as possible to prepare for the Japan concert. Filming for Flying Bell’s YouTube and SNS content, various pictorials, events, fan signings, added advertisents, live broadcasts, and more.
As a result, a few days were basically erased from their calendar.
At the sa ti, 'Vanguard' kept up late-night practices, and after practice, Rojun and Si-hoo often stayed in the studio composing until dawn. The reason, of course, was the main the song for 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. Because of all this, it had beco rare for the 'Vanguard' mbers to return to their dorms, and every departnt at GN Entertainnt was swamped with work.
Especially because the songs requested from various composers for the 'Tale of the Strange Moon' collaboration were starting to co in.
Then, on the afternoon of June 3, the song Rojun and Si-hoo had been working on was.
“Rojun-ah, let’s finish it tonight, even if we have to stay up.”
Nearing completion.
In the early hours of the 4th.
With Si-hoo wearing a hairband and Kang Rojun in a cap, they listened to the just-finished track in the studio.
-♬♪
It began with a sharp pluck of the gayageum. The rhythm gradually quickened. The atmosphere evoked an image of celestial beings at play. Then, alongside gongs and taepyeongso, other traditional Korean instrunts joined in. The grand intro created by the layered sounds. Soon, the beat kicked in with the gong at its center.
This was the main the song for 'Tale of the Strange Moon', created by Kang Rojun and Si-hoo.
After listening through both the first and second verses, Si-hoo stretched and smiled faintly.
“Whew- done. I’m satisfied. How about you, Rojun?”
“I like it too, but I want to tweak it a little more.”
“Sure. Try it out and let hear it.”
Within a few seconds, Si-hoo spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of worry.
“But… do you think the song we made will actually get chosen?”
Kang Rojun shrugged his shoulders casually.
“Who knows.”
“Manager said they’re being super picky because it’s such a big project.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely big. No matter how much I’m the writer of ‘Tale of the Strange Moon', if other composers’ songs are better, the CEO will probably go with those without hesitation.”
“I get it… but it’d still be kind of disappointing.”
“We’re using company money for this collab too, so they’re going to look at it objectively.”
Seeing Si-hoo’s expression darken slightly, Kang Rojun changed the subject to lift the mood.
“Hyung, what do you want to na it? Got anything in mind?”
“Title? Nah. You know I totally suck at that stuff. What about you, Rojun?”
Crossing his legs slowly, Kang Rojun thought about 'Tale of the Strange Moon', which he was writing. Then he mixed that with 'Vanguard'. The answer ca surprisingly quickly.
“…What do you think about the title ‘Royal Procession’?”
“‘Royal Procession’? What’s that supposed to an?”
“Roughly like the king’s parade. It captures the historical drama feel of ‘Tale of the Strange Moon', and also gives off the vibe of ‘Vanguard’ making a grand entrance.”
“Oh, that’s good. I like it!”
Just like that, the title of the song they composed was confird as 'Royal Procession', and with a big yawn, Si-hoo said goodbye to Rojun and headed off to the nap room. On the other hand, still full of energy, Kang Rojun played 'Royal Procession' once more.
‘It turned out exactly how I wanted. Just like I imagined.’
He smiled, clearly pleased with 'Royal Procession'. Plus, his composition skills had greatly improved. He was now nearing a perfect score, so it made sense.
‘All the composition and lyric-writing practice I’ve been doing really paid off.’
Even with the 'AI Simulation', the practice he put in was being fully stored in Rojun’s mind and senses. As he continued creating songs like the ongoing Song No. 5', he would soon beco a master composer. Smiling wider, he listened to 'Royal Procession' a few more tis, then picked up his phone.
To launch the 'AI Simulation'.
Kang Rojun’s thumb tapped on 'AI Automation'. He began working to add a final layer of perfection to 'Royal Procession', and the 'AI Simulation', which requested an appropriate amount of coins, produced results before long.
-[Applying… Application Complete!]
'Royal Procession', now even more flawless. Listening to the version sent by the 'AI Simulation', Rojun chuckled and murmured to himself.
“As expected, ‘AI Simulation’ is still a top-tier master.”
Much of 'Royal Procession' hadn’t changed. The foundation was left intact, with only the outer layers polished slightly. This also served as proof that both Kang Rojun and Si-hoo’s composition skills had significantly matured.
After a few hours passed, in the morning, the upgraded 'Royal Procession' was handed over from Kang Rojun to GN Entertainnt. That morning, Rojun and the mbers were already on their way to the salon. In the afternoon, they had a long group practice scheduled.
Because tomorrow, on the 5th, they would fly to Japan for the first rehearsal at the concert venue.
By the ti Rojun and the mbers arrived at the salon, in GN Entertainnt’s main conference room, CEO Ha Seo-hwan, along with executives and departnt heads, were gathering. Judging by the solemn expressions, it seed they were assembled for a fairly important matter.
Once most of the attendees were in place, CEO Ha Seo-hwan, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt, gave the instruction.
“Let’s begin.”
Several staff mbers stepped forward and started operating their laptops. Soon, various songs began to fill the eting room.
First track, second track, third track. All pieces fitting for a historical drama atmosphere. It made sense, since all these songs playing now were candidate songs that arrived for the 'Tale of the Strange Moon' main the song.
Then the sound of gayageum from 'Royal Procession' filled the eting room.
-♬♪
Traditional Korean instrunts layered with a beat followed, reaching the ears of CEO Ha Seo-hwan, the executives, and everyone present. So executives unconsciously nodded or slightly bounced their shoulders slightly to the rhythm.
At that mont, CEO Ha Seo-hwan murmured quietly.
“I can’t even rember the previous songs.”
*****
TL Note: Hi, this novel is now completely translated into English. All the translated chapters are available on my Patreon. I will try to release 1 to 2 free chapters daily from now on until it is completed for free readers as well.*****
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