Chapter 144: Come to the Middle

question that was most pressing in their minds at that moment, Jung Seo-yeong and Kim Ji-won's gazes turned toward Ji-gyung as if they wanted to see right through him."Uh…"Ji Jingyuan felt several gaz...After Tzuyu and the others broke up, Ji-won sent a message to Park Jae-hyun. Not long after, Park Jae-hyun arrived, and the two went out for dinner together. At the agreed upon time, they reached the advertising filming location in Samcheongdong.

The advertisement was shot until 3 or 4 in the morning. After barely managing to bid farewell to the staff, he rushed back to his dormitory. He washed up perfunctorily and then fell onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.

The next morning, as soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, they were dragged out of bed by their manager again.

When pushing the announcement back at random, Ji Chengyuan was so handsome. At this time, when he was sleepily following Lee Seunghwan's butt, he was so pathetic.

I didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep all day. Besides taking a nap on the nanny car, I was busy with things all day and couldn't rest at all. I have to keep going until tonight.

However, although it was tiring, Ji Jingyuan had already gotten used to it. It was just that he felt a little uncomfortable when he first woke up. Once the feeling passed, it would be much better.

After getting ready, the members went straight to SBS to prepare for their performance of "December Miracle" on _The Show_.

Originally, 《theshow》 was scheduled to air in the evening. However, since EXO has a concert tonight and can't make it, they had to come early this morning to record it ahead of time.

This time was Chi Jingyuan's first and only stage performance of "Miracle in December," which is actually quite meaningful. It's a pity that it was recorded and not broadcast live.

However, because it was already scheduled to be recorded, the company had released the news beforehand. When recording the stage, the area below was full of EXO fans. They arrived much earlier than Ji Chang Wook and his team, staying there the whole time.

The recording went very smoothly, it only took three takes to finish.

Chi Jingyuan's singing skills have greatly improved. Even performing live with open mics is no longer a problem. "Miracle of December", a well-made ballad, sounds even more moving after being interpreted by Le, the lead singer who joined after Chi Jingyuan. The fans below, called Planet Fans, were somewhat intoxicated by it.

After acknowledging the fans who came early, EXO quickly got into their van and headed to the KINTEX on the mountain. This is also the venue for this year's **TOWN Week.

This family concert has been going on for four days now, and today it's EXO and FX's turn.

These days, whenever they have free time, Chi Jingyuan and the others have been practicing for this concert. Their preparations can be said to be quite thorough.

By the time EXO arrived backstage, FX had already been there for a while, having rehearsed for some time and were now resting.

"Jǐngyuán ah!"

As soon as she saw EXO walking into the lounge, Sulli peeked and when she saw Jiyoung in the back, she immediately jumped up and waved at him with a big smile.

The lounge is full of people at this time, including managers and assistants from FX and EXO, dy and other staff.

She is so enthusiastic that she can easily become the subject of some negative rumors.

But Choi Seol-ri didn't seem to care at all. She directly greeted everyone right in front of them.

Ji Jingyuan also smiled and waved back, and the agents on both sides pretended not to see.

FX's manager said many times to Sulli, but she is that kind of personality, either treating it as if passing wind or even talking back a few words. She never changed after being repeatedly taught and there was nothing they could do about it.

While Lee Seung-hwan would never treat Ji-seong with the same attitude he showed to ordinary members, the difference in treatment was very apparent.

"Hey, you were in Xia Guo for a while recently, so you didn't participate in this collaboration stage. I was really looking forward to working with you."

After Ji Jingyuan sat down, Cui Xueli came over and said with a hint of regret.

"I was too busy then, and I couldn't make it. Maybe next time." Ji-seong comforted him, and the two didn't chat much longer. EXO soon went out for rehearsals under the guidance of their manager.

After two successful rehearsals, the members returned to the backstage to get their makeup and hair done, then had a quick bite to eat until the concert officially began at 8pm.

This new concert brand did very well at the box office, running for nine days in total. Tickets were practically sold out even before they went on sale, and the company reported a total attendance of over 100,000 people. Each day's audience exceeded 10,000 people.

And today's event was completely packed. Right after the official start, there were earth-shaking cheers from the audience. Almost everyone in the venue shouted EXO's name in unison, making it feel like their private concert.

Recently, EXO's popularity has surpassed FX by a considerable margin, especially in terms of fan support. As male groups tend to attract a predominantly female fanbase, they naturally have a significant advantage. Furthermore, many fans present today are here specifically for them.

However, the popularity of fx is also quite good, and there are many fans of the s family. They haven't been neglected much either, and the cheers during their performances are still very loud.

After all, it was a family concert, and overall the atmosphere was excellent. Regular audience members were consistently on an excited high.

This concert was different from usual ones. This time, sttownweek was more active in interacting with idols and the audience. Besides many collaborative stages, there were added interactive segments with fans.

> After more than an hour, the concert entered its final stage. All members of EXO and f(x) appeared together, carrying large bags filled with various small gifts, and threw them towards the fans below on stage.

Chi Jingyuan walked slowly to the left side of the stage, holding a bag. He smiled and waved to the fans while occasionally taking out small gifts from the bag and throwing them at them.

...are not really expensive things, they are mostly souvenirs like keychains, postcards and small cards. Many of them even have autographs from the members, so for fans it's like hitting the jackpot to get one.

Seeing Chi Jingyuan walking toward her, the nearby fans immediately went crazy, screaming at her loudly, and a few even cried out of excitement, unable to control themselves.

"Kongsang Mida..."

"Don't grab..."

Thank you all...

While Pool Jingyuan kept saying thank you, he distributed gifts. Sometimes, he would squat down and lightly tap the hands of a few fans who were closer to him, which made them even more excited.

Seeing Ji Jingyuan here, Cui Xueli also walked over with this bag and interacted with fans from a nearby position.

And before long, I don't know when, Jung So-jung also came over. She had finished giving out her gifts and was standing there with an empty bag facing

She wasn't as self-absorbed as Shirley. She kept chatting with Ji Jingyuan backstage, and now that she was on stage, she couldn't help but sidle up to him.

But with so many people watching on stage, you can't really say much. At most, you just smile at each other and show a bit of family love.

After the gift distribution, today's concert came to an end. It was past 10 o'clock by then. Everyone briefly tidied themselves up and hurried home to get some rest, as there was another identical concert tomorrow.

After a tiring day, Chi Jingyuan finally got back into bed and as soon as he lay down, he immediately fell asleep.

The concert will start two hours earlier tomorrow, at 6:00 PM. The process will be basically the same as yesterday's.

Although we already performed yesterday, as idols we have to give fans the most fulfilling joy with our full passion. All the members were performing like it was their first concert, everyone was so invested.

After the 8 p.m. concert, all members of both EXO and f(x), along with their managers and assistants, gathered at a nearby barbecue restaurant with the concert staff to celebrate the successful two-day event.

A group of people who hadn't eaten properly for two days feasted heartily, and afterwards there wasn't much time to chat. Things have been hectic these days as we approach the end of the year, everyone had busy schedules. After saying goodbye, they returned to their dormitories.

…………

"Yuanxi, don't stand there, come to the middle."

The on-site PD in charge directed everyone to their positions. After looking around, he focused his gaze on Park Ji-won.

Today is the 26th, and after just finishing their concert schedule yesterday, EXO rushed to SBS TV to record a special stage for the music show "Inkigayo" - performing their song "You Are My Miracle".

This song is the biggest gimmick of the 2013 SBS Gayo Daejeon this year. Besides the VCR filmed by Sun Naeun and others before, to attract viewers' attention, the TV station directly invited 34 groups, a total of 125 idol and singers to participate in this song recording.

This includes many of the most popular and talked-about groups of the past two years, such as Girls' Generation, Big Bang, EXO, IU, 2PM, and more, all participating.

This should be the biggest social project in the music industry in recent years. SBS may donate all the proceeds from the song, directly standing on an unassailable position.

At this time, SBS's large recording studio was packed with people. Dozens of idols stood in rows under the PD's direction, arranging their positions.

More than a hundred people wouldn't all come at once, of course. Today was the recording for the first batch of most popular people, in addition to several top groups, like Park Bo-young, issa, Kara, APK, BE, Girls' Day, and f(x) were also at the scene, each standing behind their own positions.

And some less popular idols just showed their faces briefly during the later stages of filming to prove they had participated.

EXO was divided into two teams, Team K stood on the far right of the first row, and Team M stood in the middle of the second row. Both were some of the most eye-catching positions. Even as relatively new idols, they being able to stand in such prominent positions in this large-scale project is a reflection of their current popularity and status.

It seems that PD might be unhappy with the location of the pool in Jingshenyuan.

"Um, PDni, I stand with the members just fine..."

Pool Geon-won stood in the K team's position, his body partially hidden behind Wu Shixun. After hearing PD's words, he hesitated for a moment and raised his hand to speak.

"Oh, all of XO's members are here. You standing in the middle isn't special either, it's a waste."

"You are now both an XO member and the actor playing Jin Tan, a double identity that generates both hype and buzz. This level of heat definitely shouldn't be let go."

PD frowned and waved his hand, pointing to the middle of the first row and giving orders: "Yuanxi, stand here, yes, right there, next to IUxi, that's good."

"Okay, I understand."

Ji Jingyuan was a little helpless. He glanced back at the members, then followed the PD's instructions to the very center of the first row.

He is flanked by IU on his left and two members of 2PM on his right, with four members of Girls' Generation to their right.

This time, only Sunny, Hwang Mi-young, Kwon Yuri, and Seo Hyun came to the recording.

"Senior, anihasa yo."

After Pool View Source had been set, he quietly greeted IU who was beside him.

All the artists who participated in the recording session were naturally styled. At this time, IU had short, brown curly hair and was wearing headphones. Her face looked bright under the suitable makeup.

"Yuanxi, why are you being so polite"

IU glared at him with a hint of playful displeasure, her tone casual and familiar, as if she were talking to an old friend.

But in fact, the two had met a few times before and hadn't really spoken much, let alone become familiar.

"Hee hee..." Since the other party was so enthusiastic, Chi Jingyuan wouldn't put on a cold face. He smiled in response and greeted them with a few simple words in a low voice.

Even in their youth, the four sisters had seen Ji Jingyuan. With so many people around, they didn't say much. They just smiled at each other from both sides as a greeting.

After Ji Chi Jingyuan, PD adjusted things for a while.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, everyone pretty much understood that those who were more popular were seated in the front rows, while those who were slightly less popular were seated in the back.

After everything was ready, everyone began the official recording.

As the two people standing in the middle, Park Ji-sung and IU would naturally have some interactions while singing. When they sang their own parts, they would glance at each other and lightly clap their hands.

Both are experienced entertainers, although they weren't necessarily losing before, this level of interaction is also effortless, their eye contact and laughter look very natural, the effect makes the PD very satisfied.

Actually, it's not quite accurate to call it recording. That's because the audio was already recorded beforehand. Today, the focus isn't on recording the sound, but rather on filming them in the process of recording, kind of like making a music video.

With so many artists here, besides the chorus, basically each group only has one line.

When it's a particular combination's part, the camera zooms in on them for a close-up shot. The performers then show their dedication and passion through their singing. During the chorus, the camera pulls back to a wider shot, even if they have already finished performing successfully.

It sounded simple, but it took from noon until sunset to finish recording.

It takes a lot of face for SBS to be able to gather so many popular groups together to record. Of course, the gimmick of the charity song also played a big part.

After the event ended, everyone greeted each other and said their goodbyes. Park Jin-young brought I-ssa's four people and Sunmi over to greet Ji-gyeong, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder and talking about future collaborations.

When Ji Chang Wook and Park Jin Young were talking, his eyes met with Suzy's for a few seconds. Both of them nodded towards each other, and Suzy even playfully raised an eyebrow at him.

After chatting for a while, Park Jin-young led his people away, and Ji-seong said a few words to Sunny before following the other members out of SBS.

It's still early, so they definitely wouldn't go back to their dormitory to rest. After running two more schedules, they returned to the company's practice room to work on final preparations for their stage at the KBS Song Festival, which will start tomorrow.

It's that time of year again, when the three major TV stations hold their end-of-year stages one after another. As popular as EXO is, they can't escape them all.

In the practice room, preparing for tomorrow's stage, Ji Jingyuan danced while muttering to himself. After last year's experience, he had some resentment towards the heavy schedule of the Peninsula Artists' year-end gathering.

And this year, he seems to be participating in SBS Acting Awards besides his consecutive stages...

"Sigh." She let out a quiet sigh in her heart and comforted herself with those words again.

There's no way around it, who made me popular

First published on the Traditional Chinese Novel Networky howled and ran quickly towards the beach. They reached the waves in one breath, stood there gazing, their faces full of excitement.As busy as they are every day, the EXO members who are always on th...