Chapter 66: The Moment I Confirmed the Identity

The day felt unusually long.

I washed up roughly and flopped onto the bed.

As expected, the blanket was the safest place.

Lying down, I just stared at my phone screen.

5 a.m.

Like a habit before sleeping, I logged into the music community.

“Uwaaaah! What is this?!”

Startled, I kicked off the blanket and sat up.

Maybe my voice was too loud.

“What’s going on? What’s going on?”

The door swung open and Hyung came in.

“……Are you okay? Did something happen?”

“Yeah. Sorry. It’s nothing.”

“You’re sure it’s nothing? I’m going back to bed then?”

After confirming I was alive, Hyung stumbled back to his room like a zombie.

I sat slanted on the bed and checked the posts.

The music community was filled with talk about me.

[ (BEST) (Verified) Fresh Sierra Blackhole DJing Review. ]

[ (BEST) Sierra Stakeout Day 3 – Blackhole Fancam. ]

[ (BEST) Seo Rabbit is Blackhole? This is basically confirmed. ]

I checked every post.

The reaction was explosive.

Hooaa hooaa.

I took a deep breath and barely managed to gather my senses.

It was a feeling I’d never experienced before.

They were playing detective, assigning meaning to every single one of my actions.

Some posts were honestly a bit embarrassing.

[ Blackhole Fancam Cross-Edit – Face Zoom Version. ]

↳ No, lololol, why is there even a DJ fancam lolololololol

↳ ???? Guys, you’re supposed to listen to the song, not stare at the face;;

↳ I can sense the aura of a handsome man from his eyes.

↳ The focus is so cool.

↳ I’m a guy, so why do I keep watching this?

↳↳ There’s no gender in DJing, just enjoy it!

↳ He looks young, but he knows this track? Block Rockin’ Beats is such a legendary song ㄷㄷㄷ

↳↳ He could be older, you know?

Sometimes I wonder.

I’m not even an idol, and it’s not like my face is shown, so why do these cross-edits exist?

It’s fascinating—really fascinating.

Still, this kind of attention wasn’t bad.

If my DJing video had energized someone’s day, and they enjoyed themselves because of it, then it was fine.

Ah, the UTAR reactions were fun too.

[ Music Power One Take : You Said Time Wouldn’t Stop – Escaped Kids ]

@Znet K-POP

↳ I never get tired of watching this……

↳ The vocalist looks so happy while singing, it makes me tear up.

↳ I’m in my 50s, and my heart’s pounding for the first time in 30 years.

↳ This song is next-level, seriously.

↳ Apparently, it’s by the person who made Super Ride.

↳ UTAR’s center is the DJ.

↳ When are they taking off the masks?

Even though they were all grouped under the “Music Broadcast” category—

Depending on the TV station and the stage setup, the atmosphere felt completely different.

The comments on the YouTube replays were different too.

On top of that—

[ Hidden Gem : Angkora – Escaped Kids ]

↳ ???? This is a UTAR song????

↳ The vocalist swaps vocal cords at will;;

↳ The vibe is insane.

↳ Ha, please perform this on stage tooㅠㅠㅠㅠ

[ UTAR – Angkora COVER ]

[ Cover Legend : UTAR Angkora ]

Before I knew it, the song rankings had overtaken Signum.

[ Real-Time Maron Chart ]

.

.

3rd : Escaped Kids (1 ▲)

4th : Signum (1 ▼)

.

.

11th : Escaped Kids (NEW)

As UTAR’s album gained popularity, even Angkora, which was just a B-side track, began stealthily climbing the Maron Chart.

The ranking going up was good.

However, there was a small problem.

As Angkora started getting attention, more and more of the public became curious about UTAR’s identity.

If it were just a simple guessing game about who they were, it wouldn’t matter, but……

[ I smell Cheongseong in UTAR. ]

Why do I keep seeing Cheongseong in UTAR’s performances? Their stage manners and skills are absolutely not rookie-level. And the way they cover their faces too. The DJ’s the same. How can that possibly be a rookie ㄷㄷㄷㄷ

↳ First of all, the live performance is insane.

↳ I’m also surprised they got a song from Stay.

↳ So I was watching TV with my dad, and he saw UTAR and said, “Wow, I’m seeing a Cheongseong performance before I die.” My dad’s a band fanatic.

↳ 100% Cheongseong.

↳↳ 100% not lol The DJ’s style is trendy, you know.

↳↳↳ Wanna bet?

Ah, and now they’re even betting on it.

The growing number of listeners insisting UTAR was Cheongseong was actually encouraging.

It meant there were still a lot of people who missed Cheongseong and remembered those days fondly, which made me truly happy.

Without realizing how much time had passed, I kept staring at the tiny phone screen.

Outside the window, the sun was rising again.

My heart floated up with it.

A rebellion of middle-aged men.

Or a nostalgic trip back to the days of old bands.

Or maybe just a story we alone could enjoy.

What had begun as a carefree band activity had brought a far greater ripple effect than expected.

‘Really…… it had been fun.’

I felt both proud and regretful.

UTAR’s 1st single album promotions were now nearing their end.

“Yes! This week’s number 1 is Escaped Kids! Congratulations!”

The lively MC’s voice filled the public hall.

Backstage, the huge screen flashed the number “1” in bold clarity.

Confetti flew, and cheers erupted.

In that moment, the UTAR members looked at each other.

Even though we were wearing masks and couldn’t see each other’s expressions—

We knew. Exactly what kind of faces we were making.

“Whew……”

PD Chun Hanyeong quietly looked down at the cue sheet in his hand.

On the last page, one line was written:

[ Escaped Kids – End of Promotions ]

It was over.

This was the last stage.

A beautiful ending.

We put the final period on the same program where we had debuted—Music Stage.

“Why does this feel so bittersweet?”

At PD Chun’s mutter, the youngest PD widened his eyes.

Chun PD’s expression was so serious.

Like the eyes of a child watching over something.

Affectionate, pure…… and somehow even tinged with sadness.

“Kim PD, why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just… your expression, PD-nim, it’s so… sincere. Oh.”

The youngest mimed slapping his own mouth, then cautiously glanced at PD Chun.

“No, I mean…”

It was the first time seeing this expression on Chun PD’s face.

He had always been sharp, always composed.

A man who never mixed emotions into his work.

But now, he was different.

Regardless of what the youngest mumbled—

He was staring fixedly at the UTAR members holding the trophy.

‘So he has this side too……’

The youngest PD could only gaze curiously at the clarity in Chun Hanyeong’s eyes.

The seniors had told him—

Even if you don’t know, act like you do. Even if you do know, act like you don’t.

That was how a youngest PD survived.

But just for today, he didn’t want to do that.

He wanted to share in this warmth.

The clock hands in Chun Hanyeong’s eyes turned backward.

He no longer looked like a senior old enough to be a father—he looked like a young man of the same generation.

“……Please share your thoughts with us!”

The youngest PD’s gaze turned back to the stage.

He fixed his eyes on the DJ, Seo Rabbit, who had taken the mic.

It was a unique band.

Even though YouTube was flooded with UTAR covers and the biggest buzz in the entertainment industry was UTAR’s identity—

They had never once appeared on a variety show.

Only music. That was all.

Perhaps that was why—

The band’s acceptance speech was all the more intriguing.

The identity and core of the band—

Seo Rabbit took the microphone.

“First of all, I’m overwhelmed by this undeserved attention. Thank you. And……”

He had only spoken a few words—

And a staff member let out a short exclamation.

“Oh……”

That comfortable low tone, with a mysterious timbre that made it hard to guess his age.

All eyes turned to Seo Rabbit.

After a brief hesitation, he carefully spoke.

“It seems that at some point, we began locking ourselves away. Whether it was in people’s gazes, in time, or behind some kind of wall.”

Not only the staff who were looking up at the stage—

Even the singers standing next to the MC who announced the ranking all turned their eyes to Seo Rabbit.

His voice was calm.

But not a single word could be let slip past.

Everyone held their breath.

“But through making music and standing on stage, I realized something. We were able to break the mold and escape. And it was all of you, here in this moment with us, who opened that path for us.”

“……”

“Breaking free from ‘us,’ we were able to make music freely. It was truly a happy time. I sincerely hope it was a happy time for you too.”

After finishing his words, Seo Rabbit bowed his head deeply.

Everyone gave brief applause, but thought—

For a DJ, he sure has… a gentle side.

But then—

As if to promise he wouldn’t let expectations down, Seo Rabbit suddenly lifted his chin and shouted like a mischievous kid.

“What is life, really? Being happy is the best! Everyone! Let’s be happy!”

For a moment, a short silence hung in the air.

“Woooooooaaahhhh!”

The fierce cheers filling the public hall swept over the stage.

In that moment, everyone watched UTAR’s final stage with the same heart.

“Kim PD, tell them to set up the stage properly.”

“Sorry?”

“Isn’t there going to be an encore?”

“Ah, right. Encore. We’ve got to see it.”

The 1st place trophy in Seo Rabbit’s hand gleamed under the lights.

“Ahhh… I see this trophy every week, but today it’s shining even more.”

Behind the mask, Taeyoon smirked.

No one noticed—the sly glint in Taeyoon’s eyes, shining brighter than the trophy.

The atmosphere in the studio changed.

UTAR members began their final performance.

PD Chun Hanyeong was still watching them.

The familiar rhythm, the familiar emotion.

However, there was one thing that had changed.

Today was their final stage.

Vocal Bear Moon began the last chorus.

You said time wouldn’t stop.

Even when far apart or looking back, this place is the same.

Because this moment will shine forever.

The lights slowly dimmed, and UTAR’s final performance came to an end.

For a long time, he had directed this stage, recorded it, and shared it with them.

It was a relief.

That he could be there for UTAR’s final moment, and that he could watch them closer than anyone else.

It was a production with no regrets.

The best live stage that a music program could offer.

Just like the UTAR members, Chun Hanyeong had given his all every time.

‘Even if I was curious.’

The members’ identities had been guarded with extreme strictness.

In truth, Chun Hanyeong was the most curious of all.

Should he go find Kim Minsoo and threaten him, rip off the mask in secret, or get them drunk so they’d take it off themselves?

Knowing Taeyoon’s face made it all the more bittersweet for him.

How much more could the other members surprise him?

But—

He respected the band’s identity.

There had been quite a few Western bands who hid their members’ identities.

Mushroomhead, Slipknot, Crimson Glory, Hody……

Some people scoffed, saying, “They’re just a cheap Slipknot knockoff,” or “A clumsy imitation.”

But they had proven they were never behind in music.

Besides—Slipknot’s masks were grotesque, but UTAR’s masks were cute, weren’t they?

‘This time the ending fairy is the drummer.’

With a dazzling ending fill-in that could only be felt in a live stage—

UTAR’s short promotion period ended like this.

It was a wonderful finale.

Just as the stage was about to go completely dark, Chun Hanyeong slowly closed his eyes.

He wanted to savor the lingering feeling a little longer.

Maybe the audience felt the same way.

The audience, and the staff.

They focused on the sound of the vocalist’s breathing flowing into the microphone.

Chun Hanyeong still kept his eyes closed.

Through the monitoring headphones, the vocalist’s breathing was dynamic.

Just like Cheongseong’s Moon Jungbae back in the day.

At that moment—

“Kyaaaaaaahhh!”

A sudden scream exploded out of nowhere, and Chun Hanyeong’s eyes flew open.

Cheers erupted from every corner of the studio.

Furious applause mixed in.

Thunderous shouts and screams burst forth.

What? What’s happening?

There was no special performance in the script.

They wouldn’t be doing something like pulling down their pants on stage, right?

As Chun Hanyeong stood frozen, assessing the situation—

“Uhhuhuhuhhhk.”

He couldn’t help but let out the loudest, most foolish scream of all.

Murmurs.

The most excited person was the sound director.

“Wow, damn. I actually fell for this. Haah.”

Even after roughly running his hand through his hair—

His face was full of elation.

The staff area was more chaotic than ever.

“Who is it? Who is it?”

“……You really don’t know them?”

“That ‘no way’ turned out to be real.”

“Call CEO Kim Minsoo right now!”

“Turn on the lights, lights!”

Pabababak—

The lights, which had been fading to black, burst on at once.

Masks that had fallen to the floor glimmered faintly under the light.

Chun Hanyeong’s gaze slowly traveled upward.

Six silhouettes stood lined up on stage.

His breath caught.

The moment he confirmed their identities, it felt like time had stopped.

“Moon Jungbae……”

The studio instantly descended into chaos.

At the end of his gaze—

“……It really was Cheongseong.”

The ones who had once driven everyone wild.

And who had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

The members of Cheongseong were smiling brightly.

Their masks cast aside.

With the same expressions as twenty years ago.

As if they had been there from the very beginning.

Peacefully, as though finishing a long overdue task.

However, there was one thing that had changed.

Today was their final stage.

Vocal Bear Moon began the last chorus.

You said time wouldn’t stop.

Even when far apart or looking back, this place is the same.

Because this moment will shine forever.

The lights slowly descended, and UTAR’s final performance came to an end.

For a long time, he had directed this stage, recorded it, and been with them.

It was a relief.

That he could be there for UTAR’s final moment, and that he could watch them closer than anyone else.

It was a production with no regrets.

The best live stage a music program could show.

Just like the UTAR members, Chun Hanyeong gave his all every time.

‘Even if I was curious.’

The members’ identities had been guarded with extreme thoroughness.

In truth, Chun Hanyeong was the most curious of all.

Should he go find CEO Kim Minsoo and threaten him, secretly rip off the masks, or get them drunk so they’d take them off themselves?

Knowing Taeyoon’s face made it all the more bittersweet for him.

How much more could the other members surprise him?

But—

He respected the band’s identity.

There had been quite a few Western bands who hid their members’ identities.

Mushroomhead, Slipknot, Crimson Glory, Hody……

Some people scoffed, saying, “They’re just a low-tier Slipknot,” or “A clumsy imitation.”

But they had proven they were never behind in music.

Besides—Slipknot’s masks were grotesque, but UTAR’s masks were cute, weren’t they?

‘This time the ending fairy is the drummer.’

With a dazzling ending fill-in that could only be felt in a live stage—

UTAR’s short promotion period ended like this.

It was a wonderful finale.

Just as the stage was about to go completely dark, Chun Hanyeong slowly closed his eyes.

He wanted to savor the lingering feeling more deeply.

Maybe the audience felt the same way.

The audience, and the staff.

They focused on the sound of the vocalist’s breathing flowing into the microphone.

Chun Hanyeong still kept his eyes closed.

Through the monitoring headphones, the vocalist’s breathing was quite dynamic.

Just like Cheongseong’s Moon Jungbae back in the day.

At that moment—

“Kyaaaaaaahhh!”

A sudden scream exploded out of nowhere, and Chun Hanyeong’s eyes flew open.

Cheers erupted from every corner of the studio.

Furious applause mixed in.

Thunderous shouts and screams burst forth.

What? What’s happening?

There was no special performance in the script.

They wouldn’t be doing something like pulling down their pants on stage, right?

As Chun Hanyeong stood frozen, assessing the situation—

“Uhhuhuhuhhhk.”

He couldn’t help but let out the loudest, most foolish scream of all.

Murmurs.

The most excited person was the sound director.

“Wow, damn. I actually fell for this. Haah.”

Even after roughly running his hand through his hair—

His face was full of elation.

The staff area was more chaotic than ever.

“Who is it? Who is it?”

“……You really don’t know them?”

“That ‘no way’ turned out to be real.”

“Call CEO Kim Minsoo right now!”

“Turn on the lights, lights!”

Pabababak—

The lights, which had been fading to black, burst on at once.

Masks that had fallen to the floor glimmered faintly under the light.

Chun Hanyeong’s gaze slowly traveled upward.

Six silhouettes stood lined up on stage.

His breath caught.

The moment he confirmed their identities, it felt like time had stopped.

“Moon Jungbae……”

The studio instantly descended into chaos.

At the end of his gaze—

“……It really was Cheongseong.”

The ones who had once driven everyone wild.

And who had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

The members of Cheongseong were smiling brightly.

Their masks cast aside.

With the same expressions as twenty years ago.

As if they had been there from the very beginning.

Peacefully, as though finishing a long overdue task.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.