Second Try Idol

Chapter 385: Red Rouge (4)

Even though our outfits changed every time, each member had their own preferred style that they ended up wearing often. For me, it was usually silk or flowy, sheer clothes. Except for "Joy," I had always worn those kinds of outfits.

Therefore, seeing myself now felt strange. I was wearing a headband, a tight black T-shirt, a leather jacket, and black pants. My makeup was intense, and my outfit was equally bold. Every time I looked in the mirror, I was surprised. This was the same outfit from the music video, but seeing it in the small, confined space of the waiting room felt different.

I wasn't the only one in a striking outfit. The stylists were in a frenzy. Joo-Han was adjusting his glasses, Jin-Sung was fixing his cap turned backward, Jin-Sung had words on his face, and Yoon-Chan had something flowy fluttering under his coat. The only one dressed comfortably was Goh Yoo-Joon in an all-black suit. He was already done getting ready and was taking pictures.

Therefore, all the members envied Goh Yoo-Joon.

“You’re so lucky, hyung. I have to redo my bangs for the next stage.”

“Me too... I have to wash my face and redo my makeup."

Both "Red Rouge" and “Ario 愛" had distinct concepts, so the makeup and outfits were vastly different. "Red Rouge" had intense Hollywood villain-like outfits, while "Ario 愛" was set to have fusion hanbok[1]. Thus, Goh Yoo-Joon was the winner today because he had the least to change.

“What are you jealous of? I still have to touch up my makeup and hair," Goh Yoo-Joon said, raising an eyebrow.

“Just being able to sit there and look at your phone is enviable," Joo-Han replied as he glanced enviously at Goh Yoo-Joon.

It really was enviable. I felt like I needed to move around to wake up. As the hair and makeup session dragged on, the drowsiness I had fought off started creeping back. I couldn't let myself sleep now, or my face would swell. The only thing keeping me awake was the loud conversation between Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon.

With everyone's hair and makeup done, we headed to the stage for the pre-recording. We heard the familiar voices of the Rings, whom we hadn't seen in a while.

‘Is it just me, or are they louder than our last comeback?’

Arriving backstage, we put on our mics. Jin-Sung was the first to rush onto the stage as always. The stage was much larger than before, with an impressive white set that looked like it had collapsed unnaturally.

As we stepped onto the stage, we finally heard the Rings' cheers. Having people who always welcome us with smiles was truly a blessing. We greeted them briefly and gathered around Joo-Han in the center of the stage.

“How have you been?" Joo-Han asked, his voice amplified by the mic.

“Great!!!" the Rings shouted back.

“We've missed you so much. Let's introduce ourselves first. One, two, three!"

“Hello, we are Chrono—!" we started, but the Rings interrupted us.

“We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!!!" they yelled and burst out laughing. It seemed like they had planned this beforehand.

“Hey, that's our line!" Goh Yoo-Joon protested, laughing despite himself.

“You’re doing that here?"

The more baffled we were, the more the Rings laughed.

“You seem to like that chant so much we’re actually considering using it," Goh Yoo-Joon teased with a grin.

“Oh, no... please, no..." Yoon-Chan almost begged, his face bright red.

“Why not, Yoon-Chan?"

Yoon-Chan shook his head vigorously. His embarrassment was evident. "Anyway, no. The 'Park Yoon-Chan group' thing... no way."

Of course, calling ourselves the 'Park Yoon-Chan group' was just a joke. We planned to decide on a proper chant at our next Chronos meeting.

It was funny how the Rings were now playing pranks on us first. We had definitely gotten closer since the concert. Compared to before, when we were nervous in front of them, we now had a much better relationship.

“Okay, Chronos, let's start the camera rehearsal for ‘Red Rouge,’ the director called out.

“Yes!" We stopped our conversation at the staff's instruction and took our positions. The lights went out, and the Rings' excited chatter quieted down completely.

“Standby."

Silence fell. A moment later, the lights came on, and "Red Rouge" began. The jazz melody with strong trumpet and piano sounds, reminiscent of something you would hear in a large saloon in the Wild West, played.

As the camera moved in from outside the set walls, it captured each member one by one. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung sat by the bartender, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan at their tables, and me on a single couch. I locked eyes with the camera, which then slowly moved back out of the set.

We took our positions before the intro ended, and the first part began at the right moment.

♪ Day one, eyes covered by a giant shadow

I thought your words were everything

A gesture to the right

A nod to the left

As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon's first verse started, the members and dancers split in two groups, one heading left, the other right. Goh Yoo-Joon was at the center of the formation, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan to the right, Jin-Sung and I to the left. As the formations shifted, the Rings' cheers and chants followed. Performing with the Rings was always the best.

A defining feature of "Red Rouge" was that the members faced off throughout the stage. The lighting, split into red and purple, highlighted this as it shone on us.

As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon's part ended, Jin-Sung moved forward with the dancers, ready to take the stage by storm.

♪ I wear a gold-plated ring and drown in inferiority

Ah, so heavy that my hands drop to the keyboard

They move uncontrollably

The trumpet sounds intensified, and so did the difficulty of our choreography. We kicked forward by using the momentum to bend at the waist, touching the ground, and then spinning to land facedown. Just getting to this point was exhausting as you could almost hear our stamina depleting.

♪ I feel proud of the most pathetic things in the world

I can't let go of the red button in my left hand, boom n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Matching Jin-Sung's lyrics, we performed a move where we sprang up at "red button" and dramatically fell back down at "boom."

“Our main dancer’s parts need to be the most powerful!" the choreographer had said.

However, Jin-Sung was busy rapping and didn’t dance this part. This routine had been the hardest during practice and still wore me out every time. My muscles were practically screaming. If you looked closely, you'd see all the members grimacing from the effort.

But as tough as it was, it looked amazing to the audience. The Rings' cheers reached their peak. After Jin-Sung's rap, Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han took over. We hid behind the dancers, waiting for my part. The dancers lined up behind me, ready for the next sequence.

♪ Pretending not to care,

I watch you all day

As you planted daggers in the pain,

Thinking about when I will get my revenge

When Joo-Han finished his part, the dancers who had gathered near him quickly scattered left and right. I stood up and walked forward.

♪ You are my shadow

But now give up

Every time I rise, you will only grow darker

I know, it's inevitable

We were about to hit the chorus of the first verse, which had some of the most difficult choreography and formations. Everything had gone smoothly so far. I finished my part without a hitch and was coolly heading back to my spot when I suddenly froze. In the dim lighting, I saw a silhouette moving frantically, hands waving in distress.

Was something wrong? Who was that? They were partly hidden by the dancers, and the lighting was poor. However, it was clear something was wrong. As I got closer, I realized it was Yoon-Chan.

‘Huh? What is he doing?’

He was supposed to move to his spot as soon as I came over. I instinctively stopped and grabbed his shoulder. Yoon-Chan looked at me with pleading eyes. His flowy fabric had gotten caught in his shoe heel, making him unable to move. I quickly knelt beside him. If I just pulled it, the fabric could tear, but it was so tangled that freeing it before his part seemed impossible.

Yanking it might be the only option, but that would leave the fabric dangling from his shoe, and the stylist would definitely cry.

“...”

But there was no time to think. ‘Oh well, it’s just rehearsal anyway. This is the best option I have.’

1. 한복 is traditional Korean clothing known for its bright colors and simple, flowing lines. It usually includes a short jacket and a long skirt for women, or pants for men. People wear hanbok during festivals, celebrations, and special occasions to honor Korean heritage. ☜