Con― Con― Continue!

We’ll keep moving forward―!

KK’s ‘Continue’ was already playing on < Michelle's Night > studio’s stage with a grand sound.

The members, who were wearing satin suits that Coco had specially prepared for today’s performance, danced the ‘Continue’ choreography that they had rehearsed hundreds and thousands of times before without the slightest mistake.

Honestly, it had been a while since they had done a performance. They didn’t know that their first performance back on stage would be on < MIchelle’s NIght >, but no matter where or what stage, the members were confident.

Do Wook extended his arms wide. They could see Kim Won, who was standing next to him, sweating and grabbing the microphone in preparation to sing his part.

They moved like they had been on that stage yesterday and the day before. No one would think that it was their first performance in a while or that it was their first time performing on an American show.

Under the brilliant lighting, the members’ eyes shone and twinkled.

Girls of various skin colors and hair colors went wild waving placards that had the members’ names on it and Key Ring cheering tools.

They didn’t take their eyes off the members for a second and wanted to capture every moment. Their eye colors were all different too, but the name they were all screaming was the same.

“Aaaaaahhhhh―!”

“KK! KK!”

“Kyaaaa!”

“I LOVE YOU―!!!”

Despite everyone being American, they sang along to the lyrics of the chorus, which was in Korean, in unison.

“We’ll keep moving!”

“For―! Ward―!”

It was an incredible sing along.

“We are still young, forever young―!”

Although it was a little awkward, the audience singing along wasn’t that different from in Korea. If there was an aspect that was a little different, it was that the audience was following along with all of Kim Won’s English rapping without difficulty.

As he rapped, Kim Won ad-libbed as he screamed. Their anxiety had disappeared a long time ago, and it was difficult to control the excitement.

It was a different type of excitement than from overseas concerts.

They had done a K-POP concert in New York before. There were, of course, lots of American fans who were enthusiastic about Korean singers then too. However, they were people who were enthusiasts of K-POP culture, not the general American public.

It was meaningful enough that they had gathered enthusiastic followers, but appearing on < Michelle’s Night > meant that it was possible for them to enter the mainstream market.

Having studied abroad before, it hit closer to home for Kim Won.

It wasn’t that his life abroad had been comfortable and happy all the time. Although it had been a place where people from various cultures came together, there had still been racial discrimination.

Particularly in his middle school days, there had been many white students who would slant their eyes or imitate monkeys.

He had a lot of friends because of his innate positive personality and high academic performance. He wasn’t in a position to be looked down on, but it still happened.

No matter how long he’d lived there, a foreigner was always a foreigner.

However, right now, there was nobody booing Kim Won, who is a foreigner. Everyone was cheering for Kim Won, and shouting to get his attention even just one more time.

Kim Won felt an odd thrill from it.

“I’ll run forever―”

When Ahn Hyung Seo hit the high note of the soaring music, the atmosphere heightened too.

The next part was the dance break with dozens of dancers.

However, the dozens of dancers didn’t come on stage this time. The stage was too narrow to do it as normal. Instead, they edited the choreography for the dance break.

Park Tae Hyung stood in the center, and the members lined up in a triangular formation.

The members danced the original powerful choreography, and Park Tae Hyung looked like a leader standing in front of his unit.

Park Tae Hyung’s choreography was new. His choreography was different from the other members’, but it was harmonious as if it had been the choreography from the beginning. It was intense yet inclusive.

The choreography felt intense yet gentle at the same time.

Park Tae Hyung jumped up as if he were flying and the members, who were gathered, scattered.

“Holy shit!”*
(TL Note: This was said in English)

Exclamations, including swears, flew out from the audience at the sight.

It was the same for Michelle too, who was watching the performance from the talk show area of the studio next to the stage.

Michelle had a surprised expression as she watched the female fans sing along to the Korean lyrics which they didn’t even understand.

Michelle had invited and met numerous stars so far. There were, of course, not only American stars but also stars from other countries who were gaining attention.

However, Americans’ reactions towards them were generally curious. It was difficult to see this kind of enthusiastic response. It was to the point that one might question whether there was this fervid of a response when an American pop star appeared.

At the same time, Michelle could see why so many American girls were fanatical about this Korean boy band called KK.

She thought that during the rehearsal too, but the stage performance was beyond her imagination.

It was new and, above all, they did it well.

Michelle wasn’t a music expert, but she still enjoyed pop music. KK’s song had a trendy pop aspect that could match any recently released U.S. pop songs.

There was something different from the energy American boy bands gave off. They already deserved applause for being able to perform live while doing such an intense dance.

Michelle’s jaw also dropped at the group dance that followed, lead by Park Tae Hyung.

She knew that KK’s full name was King’s Key from her preliminary research. They truly were like a key a king holds.

The performance was like a door that can lead to anywhere. And once you open the door, it feels like thousands, even tens of thousands of feelings flood out, including ecstasy.

Michelle was mesmerized when someone tapped her shoulder.

When she turned around, it was her assistant, whom she had been working with for a long time, with a headset in her ear and holding a notepad.

“Michelle, I’m sorry to interrupt you in the middle of enjoying the performance. But we have urgent news. I think you’ll have to deliver the news during the talk show.”

“What’s going on?”

Michelle asked back, her eyes wide.

“They just now announced the nominees for the BIllboard Music Awards for the different categories. KK has been nominated for the Rookie of the Year Award.”

“Goodness…Do they not know at all?”

“Yes. It was announced just now, so…their handler said they probably won’t be expecting it in their wildest dreams. I think you can just say hello like normal, follow the script, then after the introduction you can tell them the news.”

Michelle smiled cheerfully and nodded her head. They were definitely going to be incredibly surprised, and it was good surprise content for the broadcast.

For KK, as well as for the production team for < Michelle’s Night >, it was undeniably favorable.

Just in time, KK’s splendid performance, which probably would be talked about for a long time, ended.

The members breathed heavily amid the applause and whistles. ‘Continue’ was a song that they always felt drained after performing just once no matter how many times they’d performed it.

< Michelle's Night > was a live program.

The camera turned towards the studio next door.

Michelle sat down in the prepared pose and continued with her remarks as she’d always done.

“It was truly a splendid performance…truly. I can definitely see why all these girls are crazy about them.”

Of course < Michelle’s Night > had a basic outline of a script, but rather than relying on a script, Michelle would say her thoughts as they came to her. That kind of genuineness was also the reason that < Michelle’s Night > had been loved for a long time.

While Michelle was making heartfelt remarks, the KK members quickly got their makeup fixed and cleaned up their clothes.

They were tight on time, so the hands of the makeup artists fixing up the makeup moved faster than the wind.

After confirming that they were done getting ready, Michelle introduced KK again.

“Now then, let’s bring KK out here. I can’t wait to ask them just how and how much one needs to practice to put on such a splendid performance. Also to ask if Do Wook really is an alien!”

Hahaha. Laughter broke out. At the same time, the KK members entered the studio.

“Nice to meet you!”

The members took turns greeting Michelle.

The KK members sat in the guest area side by side. There was also an interpreter with them who was provided by the < Michelle’s Night > production team.

“Then, let’s start with introductions. You’re a boy band that everyone should know, but there might still be people who don’t know who you are, right?”

At Michelle’s cue, Kim Won started introducing himself first. When Kim Won gave a greeting in fluent English, the members, who were feeling the pressure of having to speak in English on a live broadcast, felt the burden lift a little.

In turns, the members gave a simple greeting and said their name.

When Park Tae Hyung, unable to hide his awkwardness, said ‘I….I am Tae Hyung…’ with clear pronunciation, MIchelle laughed and replied,

“Contrary to how you are on stage, you’re so shy right now. Your solo choreography left a deep impression.”

Park Tae Hyung, who was frozen by Michelle’s words that the interpreter translated, also laughed and nodded his head.

“I’m Do Wook. It’s such an honor to be here. And to meet you all as well.”

Lastly, Do Wook gave a greeting and bowed towards the camera.

Michelle responded to how natural he was.

“Ah, he’s that person. No, not person…alien…is it true?”

Michelle asked in a playful tone. Do Wook responded immediately,

“What is the truth in your opinion?”

Michelle laughed at Do Wook’s easygoing response.

“All I’m certain of is that that kind of talent isn’t one you often see on Earth.”

Do Wook thanked Michelle for the compliment. Michelle continued explaining.

“I’ll explain for those who don’t know. Do Wook also does acting. He’s famous as an actor too. He was in an art film and was invited to Cannes for it. The drama he recently filmed has truly become a sensation. He was an alien on the drama. The scene where he uses his superpower was really cool, so there were a lot of people imitating it.”

Michelle gave a kind explanation, paused a bit, then continued.

“Mmmm…I think I should reveal the gift we’ve prepared now.”

Originally, it was time to introduce the song ‘Continue’ that they had just finished performing. When the interpreter translated what Michelle said, the members all had a confused expression at the unexpected turn of events.

“A gift?”

Kim Won asked. Michelle responded,

“Ah, it’s actually not a gift that we prepared. Technically speaking, you could say it’s a gift that the KK fans here had prepared.”

The members were speechless out of curiosity. Even Do Wook had no idea what it could be.

“It’s news that I was given while you guys were performing. Hmmm…”

“Michelle, please tell us already!”

Kim Won, who was impatient, pleaded. Seeing him like that made people laugh again.

“I’m told you’re nominated for the Billboard Music Awards Rookie of the Year Award!”

Michelle’s words made Do Wook and Kim Won’s expressions harden.

The members, who heard the news belatedly through the interpreter, also didn’t show any reaction at all. Michelle skillfully continued her remarks.

“Uh, is there an issue with the broadcast? The screen is not frozen, Please don’t change the channel!”

***

HanNamDong, Director Seo Joong Won’s house.

Director Seo Joong Won’s wife, who greeted him when he came home after finishing work, was frowning at him today too.

It’d already been quite a while since Seo Kang Jun, their son, went abroad as if he were going into exile.

During that time, Director Seo Joong Won had never gone to visit Seo Kang Jun because of his busy schedule. His wife at least went to see him, but ever since she came back from seeing him a week ago, she was always frowning like that.

Unable to adjust to a life where he can’t even speak the language, Seo Kang Jun was becoming more and more broken. He relieved his stress by throwing parties with alcohol every day. He went from living a high life as a celebrity to living in a place where he didn’t get any attention at all overnight, so in a way it was inevitable.

Director Seo Joong Won didn’t even pretend to hear his wife saying they should bring him back to Korea right away.

“I told you, there’s a right time for everything…”

“You’re going to completely ruin his life waiting for that right moment!”

“He’s the one who ruined everything, what do you want me to do about it? I told you to just wait!”

His voice was getting louder and louder. Then, Director Seo Joong Won’s cell phone rang.

Director Seo Joong Won glowered after checking his cellphone. The message from his secretary had a link to an article.

[KK, First in Korea to be nominated for the Billboard Music Awards Rookie of the Year Award!]

—

Next chapter: Director Seo is feeling the pressure from rival KK’s success

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