Chapter Eighteen: What a Coincidence

times, swallowed the hamburger forcefully, and after letting out a long sigh, asked: "What kind of collaboration stage"“It’s MBC’s New Year Special on January 1st next year, the theme is roantitasy,...Just as countless viewers were still savoring the immersive stage of "butterfly", the television suddenly went black and started playing a VCR. EXO's logo appeared in the center, with snowflakes constantly rising from the bottom of the screen, like an interrupted radio signal.

Then Kai's personal preview video suddenly appeared on the television. He was wearing a coat and walking down the streets of London. The high-quality images made it feel like traveling back decades to the past. At the same time, a line of white text appeared in the middle of the screen, london15：00.

This represents the city where filming is scheduled to take place, and the time it was announced.

After Kai, the individual trailers for the other members appeared one after another. Each screen was very short, only about a second long, and the text in the middle changed constantly. City and region names appeared in English, accompanied by intense drum beats, making it feel like watching a spy thriller.

In the end, ten different trailers shrunk into small screens surrounding the main screen. Each clearly displayed its region and city name in English. Underneath the constantly changing small screens, other text gradually blurred and disappeared, while the first letters enlarged. Finally, the ten letters formed the title of this year's lead song: "callbaby".

After watching this, whether it's the colors, the lighting, or the light and shadow, it feels like a movie trailer. Seeing these ten cities linked together to form the setting for the title song gives many viewers who are seeing it for the first time a strange tremor in their hearts. While praising the concept of this VCR and how handsome the members look, they can't help but feel that S truly deserves its reputation. The skill and effort put into this is simply beyond compare to those smaller companies.

"Call baby, dudududu."

Before they could even process the scene, the camera abruptly shifted to the outdoors. A large screen on the building's facade and the surrounding trees clearly indicated that it was the exterior of SBS's building. As the camera panned down slowly, Kai, sitting in a white convertible, stood up and began dancing along with the music, kicking off the performance.

This scene really surprised many viewers. They hadn't really seen a singing stage debut outdoors before, and couldn't help but complain a little.

This comeback, EXO not only has an interesting concept, but they've also started to break the norm in their music show performances.

"Hey girl, eternal version of fleeting moment."

"The moment of destiny."

"It pierced through me in an instant.

As Kai suddenly bent down, four members appeared in the camera along with the open-top sports car. Following behind was the voice of leader Baekhyun, and the four people kept their hands moving rhythmically, shaking their bodies in unison, displaying a strong sense of rhythm.

"Isn't it amazing, like flowing fireflies."

"The moment our eyes met, oh my."

"Just sit down."

"...."

After the last lyric, Baekhyun pointed with his hand, and the camera quickly turned to focus on the entrance of the building. Someone had been waiting there for a long time, singing their part while slowly backing away. The camera followed him into the building.

Under his guidance, the camera shifted indoors, where scenes that appeared in v were integrated. With a flip of the screen, Pool Kyung-won and Do Kyung-soo, sitting on the sofa with their legs crossed, appeared.

Besides the sofa, there is also a clothes rack and a dressing table here. The clothes rack is neatly arranged with clothes, it looks exactly like a lounge.

Several people used clothes racks as tables and performed a series of actions. Then, Ji Jingyuan and Wu Shixun walked towards the camera one after the other. As they approached, the camera continuously retreated until it reached the corridor. After a series of interactions, Ji Jingyuan pointed at the camera and then suddenly waved his hand at it. The screen quickly rotated, and the next second it was focused on the dazzling stage. The members who were previously outdoors had already prepared themselves. They started the first chorus dance directly with the music.

The world is full of wonders.

"Truth and falsehood are hard to distinguish."

"callbabycallbaby"

"callbabycallbaby."

Like the xologo, the hexagonal stage was fitted with dazzling bright white fluorescent lights. Surrounding it, silver spotlights pierced through the black beams, constantly sweeping across the stage. The synchronized dance group performed under these incredibly cool and dizzying lights, appearing crisp and dashing, captivating the audience.

Including Kim Ji-hee, many fans watching the livestream were already dizzy from the continuous transitions, seeming to have barely reacted before jumping from outside the building onto the sparkling stage.

From start to finish, all the shots are one-take wonders. The transitions between outdoors and indoors, and from indoors to the stage, feel incredibly natural. Several members appear in batches, each with their own unique characteristics. Their movements are both lively and creative. Importantly, the camera work is beautifully designed. Everyone dances with precision and their expressions are well-controlled. It's fun without being frivolous, and the pop-infused music directly pulls everyone's attention and excitement to its peak.

Compared to some previous stages, EXO really looks different.

After a collective thrusting, Ji Jingyuan and his two companions quickly appeared in the dance floor. Their appearance caused a roar of screams that echoed throughout the studio.

Because it was a pre-recorded performance, the audience was filled with EXO fans who supported the group wholeheartedly. Although it was their first stage and there were no agreed-upon fan chants yet, screams and cheers almost never stopped. Every "k," hip thrust, eyebrow raise, even smile could bring fans to an overwhelming excitement.

The camera shot back and forth from left to right, capturing everyone's faces, bodies, and dance moves. No matter the angle, the movements were synchronized and everyone danced with great energy.

After two choruses, with a wave of Kai's hand, the camera pans right. Eunhyuk stands on a small extension extending to the right side of the stage, his hands continuously gesturing and singing. In his ethereal voice, Kai and the other two members enter from both sides, their hands moving back and forth in an intersecting pattern until the final harmony rises. Jiyoung appears in front of the camera, and the four stand in a row facing away from the light, bathed in blue lighting and dazzling lights behind them, giving his face a dreamy aura.

"Music came and woke up the voice in me."

It's you who gave me a new life!

Under the close-up lens, Ji Jingyuan took a step forward with each beat of the drum, tilting his head back and singing this phrase that is the most memorable part of the whole song with a slightly strained expression.

Even though I've seen it many times on V, this live performance is my first time experiencing it. The charm of the live version is completely different from what I saw on V, and it really stirs up excitement in my heart.

"e!"

"x!"

"Oh!"

“Listen!”

After Wu Shixun announced the group's name, Park Chan-yeol nodded, pulled open his jacket and covered the camera directly. The screen suddenly went black for half a second, and the next moment when it was revealed, EXO's nine members had already stood neatly on stage, entering the rap and final chorus dance.

"Ahhhh..."

Seeing nine people on stage, led by Chi Jingyuan in the center, simultaneously extend their hands and lean back with continuous movements, shifting to the left in a stylish crab walk, an indescribable surge of excitement washed over me. The audience members, who had already lost their voices from cheering, let out another wave of cries. Every step of the large group moving above seemed to land on their hearts.

The crab dance at the end of this song is definitely one of its highlights. This very characteristic choreography, as long as it's performed neatly and looks good, can amaze the whole audience as soon as it appears.

This is the result of their tireless practice in the rehearsal room. Those few dance shortcomings have also caught up with the main group under a lot of overtime work and self-improvement. Although they can't achieve perfection, at least they look more harmonious and won't drag down the overall dance effect.

"callbabycallbaby."

"callbabycallbaby." Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

“Thousands of times without getting tired, callgirl.”

The last music faded out, all the members struck their end poses, and rising together with the cheers from the audience was the scream of Kim Ji-hee and her classmates.

Completely different from V, the live stage at a singing performance gives them a unique, heart-pounding excitement. That genuine and natural charm even surpasses the former.

He is handsome enough, but because of the enhancements in post-production, he looks too perfect, which makes him a little distant from reality and slightly distorted.

Just now, after watching the performance, the dazzling lights, tacit cooperation, enthusiastic fans, neat dancing and perfect performance, all these factors combined gave the audience and these fans a kind of indescribable shock, as if they had been baptized. A strong emotion brewed in their chests, urgently needing to be released, they could only shout it out involuntarily.

Today's featured person is...

"Cute, Karami!"

After the myth performance was over, there was an award ceremony. Seeing that 4ute won one, exo clapped and smiled congratulating them from the left side of the stage. A classmate smacked his lips and waved his fist: “Next week’s comeback must get first place! Don't forget to vote for the oppa!”

"Of course I won't forget, but it shouldn't be a problem, right The sound source and sales are both pretty good. The key is that the stage live was really handsome and beautiful. Both songs are great, and I love every stage. I don't know what the online reviews are like now..."

……

"The first person to sing outdoors!"

Today's "Inkigayo" hasn't ended yet, and the hashtag is already trending online.

Some related posts, once clicked on, would have comments constantly flooding in, all about the recently concluded "Inkigayo."

"Today's EXO debut stage can be directly called a god-level performance. The two songs each have their own unique characteristics and are amazing. After watching it, I'm still not calm."

“Yeah, the stage performance of 《butterfly》 is amazing, the sadness really comes across even through the screen. The sweat-soaked white shirt scene totally solidified him as a god in my eyes. Speaking of which, when will the official video for this performance be released I'm dying to see it. 《callbaby》 is also excellent. The sword dance choreography is very synchronized and the lighting makes them look particularly cool. But I think the most interesting part is the outdoor opening and the one-shot transition throughout the whole performance. When I saw it, I was completely speechless.”

The last whole crab was really handsome, I felt like I couldn't get enough of looking at it.

"Didn't anyone else feel the VCR footage before the stage was really cool"

After watching today's trailer and opening stage, I can only say that S truly lives up to its name, and EXO is after all EXO. This stage's set design, lighting, aura, and expressiveness are clearly a different level compared to other male groups. Compared to VIXX earlier, it was truly superior.

"If you want to criticize, just criticize. Is it necessary to step on others to elevate yourself If you don't want to watch, don't watch. Different companies have different resources invested. Even if they are pre-recorded sets and lighting, there will be differences. Resources are limited, and some aspects of performance may not be avoidable. Our VIXX has done a great job already. Please don't smear your own faves."

"Ailee is like that, otherwise so many people wouldn't hate her. She's not smart and she's also a bad talker. She deserves to be left alone by EXO."

"I don't know if it's really AiLi. And whether or not Lake is a lake doesn't concern you. But could you please stop hiding your information anonymously You're being so righteous and straightforward, why are you being so sneaky The person you're talking about is probably an idol who recently returned, right Just reveal their real name and face them head-on. Let's see if your idol will collide with someone next week."

…………

I'm so hungry, what should I eat for dinner

"What else are you thinking of eating Just now Chenghuan said that he still has to run a promotional event later, it's probably just some random burgers."

"Let's just pad it for now, and I'll buy some takeout after we get back to the dorm tonight."

"I don't know what time it will be when I get back…"

Several groups of idol artists walked from the stage to backstage. The narrow passageway was a bit crowded. EXO's members waited in the crowd, chatting casually while they were at it.

Hearing Park Chan-lyeok and Kim Jong-in shouting about being hungry there, Ji-yeong's stomach was also growling a bit. She casually threw out some suggestions for what to eat for supper that night.

He was speaking when he suddenly felt eyes on him. Ji Jingyuan casually glanced to the side and saw the female idol from the girl group GFRIEND who he had met backstage earlier. She wasn't very tall, but she was quite cute.

But he didn't pay much attention either. After a quick glance, he withdrew his gaze and followed the loose crowd of people slowly into the backstage.

Just look then, I'm used to it anyway.

As for the effect, this first stage was really great. After returning to the resting room, the manager even praised us. All the hard work and overtime practice we put in finally showed results. You could see that Jin Jumin and Baekhyun looked much more relaxed.

He gave a simple explanation, packed up his things and left SBS. Then he rushed off to the next appointment.

This stage opening was great, but the real start is back to work now.

……

“You, you, you……”

"Will you just stay by my side"

"Promise me, will you"

If you touch it with your hand, will it fly away Will it break

"Fear, fear, fear."

Minami Namiki was sitting in a corner of the practice room, which was specially prepared for trainees participating in the survival show. She was wearing headphones and watching the replay of EXO's performance of "Butterfly" on Inkigayo today.

She stared at the center of the screen. In the dreamy light of the pale blue, Chi Jingyuan in a white shirt was dancing and humming softly, his eyes glazed over, lost in the moment. For a while, she was completely captivated.

As soon as the audio and video were released at midnight, she watched the video and listened to the song right away. She also watched EXO's comeback stage live just now. However, compared to the cool and sophisticated title track "callbaby", Nako Yabuki seemed to prefer the non-title track "butterfly".

Especially after seeing the stage performance of this song, it's even more so.

The beautiful and soft melody drew her into a fantasy fairytale, the romantic yet melancholy lyrics each seeming to strike her soul, producing ripples of vibration. In her rich emotional world, she seemed to have transformed into a butterfly, flying in the air, able to clearly understand every note of the song, every word of the lyrics.

This song hits her hard in every way, from the lyrics to the melody, the emotions, and even the singer.

Just then, a loud burst of music pulled her back to reality. Nanami Minami raised her head slightly and frowned, pausing the music before taking off an earphone from one side and looking around.

Just as I took off my headphones, the familiar but somewhat jarring music filled my ears.

"Call baby, call baby."

Piriri Hamamoto set up her phone to play a video, and she stood in front of it seriously learning the dance moves. She first broke down each movement, then intently mimicked them repeatedly.

Let out a soft sigh, this relative has been very fond of the choreography in 《callbaby》 since watching v. After class this afternoon, they took some time to learn it, showing great enthusiasm.

Although her talent is still pretty good, she learns very well and has mastered the movements. Even the part where she lifts her leg is done perfectly with great force. It's no wonder she's the one with the most outstanding dance skills among the trainees around her.

After jumping for a while, as if noticing Nanamei's gaze, Momoko Hirayama smiled at her and walked over to turn off the music. She stretched her body and said, "This choreography for 'xo' is really well done. It not only looks good but also feels great to dance."

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"Hmm..."

Naomi Namisui seemed to be thinking about something else, she nodded slightly with a bit of perfunctoriness. After a few seconds of contemplation, her expression became serious as she looked at her: "By the way, oo-chan, do you still remember that Mercedes coupe we saw near the company before The one you said was very handsome"

"Remember, it's the one that Zhou Tzuyu sat on."

Pingtan, while bending over, winked at me and said: “What is it Remember”

"Have you seen the v from 《callbaby》 At the beginning, they gave a special focus on showcasing several luxury cars. Among them was one that was exactly the same as another car shown earlier. I rewound it several times to check, and no matter the color, brand, or model, they were identical."

Naomi Iwasaki furrowed her brow, her cheeks slightly tensed, her expression somewhat serious as she analyzed.

Unlike her companion, Momoi Momo didn't seem to care at all. She stood up and looked at Nanami Mimaki with a strange expression, casually saying, "So what It's just a coincidence."

"...

" Let me know if you'd like to translate anything else!

This person has no idea what her focus is.

Seeing her nonchalant demeanor, Nanami's lips twitched slightly before she said nothing more. She lowered her head, picked up her phone and tapped on it a few times, studying it herself, pouting inwardly:

"What a coincidence..."

…………

After their official comeback, EXO has been incredibly busy, working at a much higher intensity. Their various projects haven't stopped, and after finishing recording "The Stage," they have to begin promotional activities for the comeback. Time is extremely tight, so the company had to reduce the number of concerts and fan signings, otherwise, even the progress of preparing for the next album would be affected.

However, this long-lost busyness actually made Ji Jingyuan feel a sense of fullness and reality. It was as if he had returned to the peak of EXO in his 13th and 14th years.

Meanwhile, as the continuous promotion and impact of their music stage performances began to spread, EXO's popularity and heat rose at a visible speed. Their debut single album "e" was clearly favored by both passersby and fans, with sales figures on the chart constantly increasing over just two days, proving this best.

In this situation, although all members are very tired every day, they are tired and happy.

To be honest, other boy bands would be envious.

The day after the initial stage, early in the morning, Ji Jingyuan and they were called up by their manager to go to a beauty salon for styling. After that, they got on the nanny car and headed to Seoul Hanlim Arts High School in Songpa District, preparing to record KBS's variety show "Entertainment Relay".

"Entertainment Weekly" is a weekly variety show on KBS 2TV, focusing on the latest entertainment news and gossip. While interviewing popular stars at the hottest moments in time, it often features special segments as well.

For example, this time EXO will hold a "surprise guerrilla date" at Hanlim Multi Art School in Seoul. The school, which has already been in communication with the program, will gather many students together and have the invited artists suddenly appear before them without prior notice. This will give them a huge surprise while cameras capture the most authentic reaction.

This pattern is very common in Peninsula variety shows. Girl's Generation, for example, often participated in this kind of activity before. Every time they appeared during their peak popularity, it would cause a huge stir.

However, this kind of "surprise date" is very friendly to popular idols. Seeing themselves so popular will be very rewarding, but for those who are less popular and not well-known, it would make the scene a little awkward.

"By the way, I remember you're from Seoul Arts High School, right Why didn't you go to your alma mater this time"

Ji Jingyuan retracted his gaze from the window and turned to look at Wu Shixun sitting in the last row. "Zhong Ren seems to be a student here too,"

"How am I supposed to know It was arranged by the company and the production team."

Wu Shi-hsuan shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he was unaware of anything, then nodded in response to Ji Jingyuan's subsequent question.

One of EXO's biggest strengths is that the remaining nine members all have pretty impressive educational backgrounds. Not to mention, Ji-sung, who is currently studying at Yonsei University, most of the other members also have university degrees. It's even rumored that Jin-woo, the eldest brother, is preparing for his master's degree, and Baekhyun also has this idea in mind.

Regardless of whether or not it's an art-related major, at least this degree is acquired.

The whole group, excluding the ordinary high school graduate Do Kyung-Soo, has at least Wu Shi-Huan and Kim Jong-In who graduated from arts high school.

But even the least capable two individuals would be considered quite good in other idol groups. The members of the Peninsula idol group generally have low educational backgrounds, mostly graduating from junior high or high school. EXO's average cultural literacy is outstanding compared to this.

This is also a point that AiLi often brags about, frequently leaving her fans speechless and angry.

But speaking of this topic, Ji Jingyuan is actually quite curious about the life of an art high school student. He leaned over and asked with great interest: "What do you usually learn in art high school Is it the same as ordinary high school By the way, how was your academic performance when you were in school"

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First release by Novel Network.s done, everyone went their separate ways. Wu Shixun sent Jiang Seqi back home by car, while Ji Jingyuan sent Choi Se-ri back to the FX dormitory by Park Jae-hyun's car.The black sedan moved slowly al...