V TV was a channel based in America that specialized in music. In terms of a Korean equivalent, it was similar to TBN, but it was incomparable in terms of size and scale.
While KK was doing their multiple concerts, Team leader Lee Dae Hyung was contacted by two broadcast stations. They were TBN of Korea and V TV of America.
TBN requested TV broadcast rights for the last concert.
In the case of the last concert, they were planning on holding it at a large concert venue so the scale of production costs, from the rental fee to the stage production cost, was on a different level.
Therefore, from the moment they started planning on discussing the concert, it was agreed HIT Entertainment would put up part of the production cost.
Perhaps having guessed this fact, TBN added the condition that they would pay the full production cost.
It was the last concert, so they thought it was absolutely worth investing into even though it was a one-time event. Just as online videos continue to accumulate views, it was possible to do re-runs of broadcasts several times.
Furthermore, if TBN were to be able to broadcast the final concert, the first and the exclusive broadcasts of the ‘Connection’ performances would be on their station.
There were no reasons to reject TBN’s offer.
First off, TBN was not one of the broadcast stations that were the major reason KK initially decided not to do broadcasts.
Also, the condition that they would pay the production cost in full felt like sufficient compensation for not doing broadcasts to stand up against the power of broadcast stations and large agencies.
It would undoubtedly be more troubling for other broadcast stations if the first appearance was on TBN.
Those political reasons aside, TBN’s offer was very appealing.
In terms of performance coverage quality, TBN, which had experience in broadcasting several large performances, would clearly be better than the current meApp broadcasting team.
People at meApp were also trying with the many outside personnel they hired, but it was true that managing a performance at a large concert venue would be very burdensome to them.
However, the planning for this performance belonged to meApp. If a TV broadcast were to happen, the number of viewers for the live broadcast would obviously lessen so it was uncertain if meApp would accent that.
Despite that, meApp accepted TBN doing a broadcast.
If the production cost was fully paid it would lessen the burden on meApp, and from meApp’s perspective, they had already enjoyed as much of the promotional effects as they could.
Rather, they could enjoy indirect promotional effects from TV broadcasts.
They wouldn’t suffer a loss either, so instead of making unnecessary fuss out of greed, they decided to accept HIT Entertainment’s decision as much as possible.
From meApp’s perspective, KK was like a founding contributor who helped the new Internet broadcasting platform called meApp get established.
In that sense, they didn’t intend to let the relationship end after the concerts but, instead, to maintain it well and produce various content together moving forward.
Thanks to that, HIT Entertainment didn’t have to lift a finger.
They didn’t have to pay for the production cost they had originally agreed to pay, and it just happened to work out that they’d get to appear on a TV broadcast. Furthermore, they planned to increase the quality of the concert with their now-abundant funding.
Rehearsal time the day before the final concert.
Unlike other guerilla performances that lasted only about an hour, The last concert taking place tomorrow was a two-and-a-half-hour concert.
The concert length was no problem at all even if it was KK’s solo concert.
Except for a few new songs from their new album, the set list for the latter half was the same as the set list from their last overseas concert tour so it didn’t require a lot of practice, but to have a perfect concert they had to practice.
“Will we be doing something with V TV too?”
Ahn Hyung Seo, who had been on his phone because they got a brief break, asked Do Wook.
He asked because he thought Do Wook might know something since he was personally in contact with Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung regarding various things.
“I thought it might be that V TV will broadcast the last concert. But they said that’s not the case so I’m curious.”
“Yeah, I haven’t heard anything about it either.”
After the meeting with V TV, Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung said he’d fill them in on the details after the final concert.
The members, who had guessed that it had to do with broadcasting the final concert, only became more curious when they were told that that wasn’t not the case.
Do Wook was curious too, but he didn’t have an opportunity to ask because of the very hectic daily concert schedule.
‘He must have his reasons for saying he’ll fill us in later…’
Do Wook thought as he wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead with a sports towel.
Rehearsing the concert set list consumed a lot of physical strength, similar to that of the actual concert.
They felt so weak from the rehearsal that had continued all day long that they couldn’t even make a fist properly.
Despite that, the reason that Do Wook was able to smile as he wiped his sweat was because as much sweat as they sweat, they always that much back, no, even more back, in return.
“Still, it’s nice that we don’t have to worry about how many fans will come tomorrow.”
Ahn Hyung Seo said as he put the cell phone he was briefly looking at back in the corner of the rehearsal hall. Do Wook nodded his head.
“Since it’s sold out.”
“Huhu. Sold out. Selling out of all the seats is always thrilling! I can’t wait to stand on the stage. Right? When it’s on the stage, even if we’re doing the same thing, it feels less difficult than during rehearsal.”
“Yes. How can I explain it, you can just feel the energy…”
“That’s right! Like, it feels like some kind of chi gets poured into me. I guess you get addicted to that feeling. I think we’re a bit addicted to performing right now.”
“Addicted…”
Do Wook deeply agreed with what Ahn Hyung Seo said.
The guerilla concerts started off as a new breakthrough to replace broadcast appearances, but now they seemed to have gotten addicted to the thrill.
To the excitement and cheers.
The thrilling feeling they get as they do a concert was perfectly captivating the KK members.
Therefore, even though it was an exorbitant schedule of a concert every 3 days, the members were hanging in there. There were members who, although they were feeling disappointed that tomorrow would be the final concert, were also thinking that they’d like to do even more concerts moving forward.
“Let’s go through Connection one last time and get out of here!”
Jung Yoon Ki, who had been sprawled out in the corner like a corpse, jumped to his feet and yelled when the promised 15 minutes of break was over.
The KK members stood back in formation in the center of the rehearsal hall.
***
Then, Sangam World Cup Stadium.
The explosive energy in the concert venue was dozens of times greater than from other days.
On top of the grass lawn where a soccer ball should be rolling around, seats were crammed in.
In order to set up the stage, the people in charge of the concert had to work all night, sweating, but they had been suffering together for about a month, so, with the knowledge of everything they had learned so far, they moved in perfect sync.
Their opinions about KK’s guerilla concert were very positive regarding how they were treated, not to mention the concert itself.
Most of the people hired through outsourcing companies, from stage management to crowd control, were daily workers. It was inevitable due to the industry practice of signing contracts for each concert.
Therefore, even though they work without days off, it’s difficult to receive good treatment unless you’re at an experienced manager level.
It’s commonly said among people who work in this field that it’s lucky to even get minimum wage. That was especially the case for most stage hands.
However, at least during these KK concerts, they could take pride that they received the best treatment. Not only did they receive minimum wage, but also meals, night pay, and holiday pay without fail.
It sounds straightforward, but this was the first time during their careers as stage hands that it happened.
Since they’d be working together for the long period of one month, the KK members felt that they should pay close attention to the treatment of the workers even if it took a lot of the production budget.
The company Friends, HIT Entertainment, and the KK members would make enormous profits through the concerts, but they knew that most of the people who worked to make the concerts possible worked in very poor environments.
HIT Entertainment also agreed with the members’ opinion.
The excessively flashy concepts for the performance was removed and replaced by labor cost.
This allowed the workers to feel a little more rewarded for their work, even though they were physically tired.
They could easily feel how much KK, the host and main character of the concert, was looking out for them.
The decision to treat the people involved better didn’t just benefit the workers. Ultimately, they were all working people. They gave their all for KK’s concert, and thanks to them the concerts proceeded smoothly no matter when or where.
Issues that infuriated either the people involved or the host, which often happen during other concerts, were almost nonexistent.
Therefore, it wasn’t just KK who felt disappointed that this was the last concert.
The expressions of the workers preparing to let the audience in for the final time showed mixed feelings.
The disappointment shared by many people was put behind them and the concert started. The last guerilla concert that would be broadcast on meApp, of course, but also TBN.
After finishing the performance for the first song ‘Connection’, there was a surprised, almost astonished, expression on the faces of the members who were standing on the stage.
Even as they were performing they weren’t doubtful, but the audience, whom they couldn’t see perfectly because of the blinding lights, started to become visible.
For several seconds the members just stood there, frozen, unable to even give a greeting. The ear-piercing cheers continued without giving the members a chance to give their greeting.
“Hey, we need to give a greeting!”
Jung Yoon Ki, who came back to his senses the quickest, yelled like a leader that they should give a greeting.
Even that one remark from Jung Yoon Ki caused an outpour of cheering.
69 thousand people.
‘No, you could even say 70 thousand people…’
Do Wook turned his head and looked up at the audience. They tried to stay unwavering, but there is no singer who wouldn’t waver in front of 70 thousand people.
KK had performed at the Dome before, but this was the first time there was an audience of 70 thousand. It felt overwhelming.
The number of people who logged onto meApp at the same time from all around the world to see KK’s final guerrilla concert was 800 thousand. There was bound to be a substantial number of people in Korea watching on their TV too.
An unimaginably high number of people were watching KK’s every gesture and footwork.
The members, who came back to their senses because of Jung Yoon Ki’s words, timed it between chants and gave a greeting.
“We’re KK!”
“Kyaaa―!”
“KK!”
“I love you!”
There was a brief silence even after they gave a greeting.
The members, who were touched by the enormous crowd who came to see them, had to calm themselves down first.
Do Wook adjusted the microphone and said,
“Thank you.”
Do Wook’s face was shown on a huge monitor screen that was hanging in front of the World Cup Stadium. It was hard to tell whether it was sweat from having just finished the performance or tears, but Do Wook’s eyes were teary.
“To be able to perform in front of this many people……. It’s so…….”
Do Wook, who had never had a problem expressing his opinion at any moment, was speechless.
The members laughed as they looked towards Do Wook. Their eyes were teary too. They were so happy at this moment.
“Do Wook, you’re saying you’re happy, right?”
The youngest, Suk Ji Hoon, helped Do Wook. Do Wook nodded his head and smirked because he felt silly having to get help from Suk Ji Hoon because he was speechless.
“Yes. I’m happy.”
When Do Wook said he was happy, everyone watching felt happy.
The numerous people watching today’s performance were all people who had felt a lot of joy thanks to Do Wook, and they wished for his happiness.
“Are you guys ready for tonight?!”
After each member gave a remark, Kim Won, who couldn’t contain his excitement, shouted and the fans also started shouting. The audience of 70 thousand screamed as one.
An incredible cheer rang out into the sky.
***
KK’s final concert was the definition of a huge success.
TBN recorded its highest rating ever. It was the first time they exceeded the peak ratings of ‘Get Ready 1999’.
As a cable broadcast station, it was an incredible record.
Other broadcast stations started scrambling to contact HIT Entertainment.
At that time, overseas fans were sending heartfelt messages to KK on FaceNote with hashtags.
It was exactly as the V TV representative told Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung thought as he saw the messages pouring in with tremendous momentum.
‘This really might have good odds.’
—
Next chapter: Someone from KK’s past returns and it is not pleasant.