NOVEL NEXT Chapter 157
First off, Ha-eun’s debut album made quite a splash.
The day before the album release, the finale of “The Sunshine” hit a whopping 27% viewership, wrapping up on a high note.
– ?? What’s this about Ha-eun’s music video?
– Pinocchio’s new song is out.
Across various SNS and communities, discussions about the finale of “The Sunshine” were still buzzing.
Thanks to that, Ha-eun’s debut album drew attention without much promotion.
– Her voice is amazing!
– Why isn’t the king of K-hiphop dead yet? Lol
– The music video is beautifully shot.
– Wow, what’s with the Double Lee featuring?
Songs written and composed by the famous artist Double Lee, who also did the featuring.
Adding to that, a fresh yet not too deviant image from Kim Jung-hyun’s lady-like persona.
The youthful vibe Ha-eun never really showed before caught people’s eyes.
Especially the title track “One Day in Spring,” which received the most attention for its calm yet emotionally charged highlight.
Thus, the album entered the top 20 on the music charts within the first week of release.
The album’s excellent quality and the buzz from “The Sunshine” as its lead actress contributed to its success.
A fan-made video compiling Kim Jung-hyun’s iconic scenes with “One Day in Spring” surpassed 300,000 views in a day.
Ha-eun’s gentle singing voice matched the lingering feel of “The Sunshine” perfectly.
– Ah, I’m about to cry again T_T
– Definitely the best among “The Sunshine” fan movies.
– Can you make a Park Joo-ho version too??
– Ha-eun’s emotions fit so well.
Strictly speaking, the song wasn’t made with “The Sunshine” in mind.
But for viewers who followed Kim Jung-hyun’s life to the end, Ha-eun’s song felt like Kim Jung-hyun’s own.
As a result, Ha-eun’s new songs, including “One Day in Spring,” easily surpassed expectations.
Naturally, Ha-eun’s reputation soared.
That’s why Revé’s cosmetics CF shooting schedule was moved up.
The synergy between “The Sunshine” and Ha-eun’s debut album was bound to positively affect Revé.
Since last year, Sears, which has been using Ha-eun as an advertising model, also saw a significant sales increase.
Thus, Ha-eun received a call from Park Hwan-soo, Sears’ advertising team leader, hoping for continued success this year.
‘Image management seems solid… but.’
Honestly, it feels a bit excessive.
The album release goal was achieved, but things got noisier than Ha-eun expected.
Especially among Ha-eun’s acquaintances.
The reactions from the members of Fantasy Land were the most chaotic.
[Park Mi-so (Mile)] – We’re doomed!!!!!!
[Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] – Strange, someone told me I lack teamwork…
[Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] – (Screenshot of music chart)
[Jung Maria (Cream)] – Why is the ranking so high? Lol
Chats pretending to be scared that “Illusion” would be overshadowed by Ha-eun’s new songs.
Of course, it was all in good fun, with no real concern.
After all, Ha-eun’s DIA was also participating in the “Illusion” performance.
Originally, comparing the famous singer Pinocchio and Fantasy Land wasn’t feasible.
The quality of the songs might not be far off, but the consumer base was worlds apart.
[Jung Maria (Cream)] – OMG
[Jung Maria (Cream)] – I came to a cafe and Ha-eun’s song is playing
[Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] – Thanks to Ha-eun, we’ve all become Hong Gil-dong
[Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] – Can’t even call the youngest the youngest anymore lol
[Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] – DIA, you must be happy there..!
[Lee Ha-eun (DIA)] – Why am I suddenly a dead person?
Thus, amidst the lively chatter in the Fantasy Land group chat about Ha-eun’s debut album.
– Squeak.
“I’m here.”
Entering Double Lee’s studio with Joo Jung-yoon.
They had asked to come to the studio regarding Ha-eun’s album.
And almost simultaneously.
– Bang!
Firecrackers went off beside Ha-eun.
Startled, Ha-eun blinked as congratulations came from Lee Joon and Lee Gun-yeol.
“Ha-eun, your album sold 10,000 copies in just a week.”
“I told you you’d succeed~!”
Bright smiles.
Over a decade of Double Lee’s vocal training paid off, and they were even happier than Ha-eun.
After that, they faced a specially ordered celebration cake.
“We’re going to film a reaction video, so sit on the sofa? Make sure the cake is visible.”
“Ah, okay.”
Thus, Ha-eun’s debut album release reaction video was filmed in Double Lee’s studio.
After Ha-eun’s “Please continue to support me” message, photos in various poses were also taken and uploaded to Ha-eun’s official Instagram.
Later, they shared the sweet cake and chatted.
However, among the things Double Lee and Joo Jung-yoon mentioned, there was one thing Ha-eun hadn’t considered.
“Me… a fan meeting?”
“Yes. Watching your birthday broadcast, you seem good at hosting. What do you think?”
Thus began the discussion about Ha-eun’s first solo fan meeting, currently being planned within Luna Entertainment.
They added that hosting a fan meeting would be beneficial for both Ha-eun and her fans.
“The preparation process isn’t easy, but everyone says it’s worth it.”
Ha-eun thought it sounded good.
Having a direct communication space with fans would strengthen their support.
‘I’ll have to sing, right?’
Ha-eun left a positive opinion about the fan meeting with Double Lee and Joo Jung-yoon for that reason.
Though she’d have to think about what to do for the fans who come to the fan meeting.
Thus, Ha-eun’s fan meeting was almost confirmed.
Then, at Lee Joon’s suggestion to watch the “One Day in Spring” music video, the studio monitor turned on.
Soon, Ha-eun saw herself walking the streets in a school uniform.
Scenes of her singing calmly alone in a balloon-filled indoor studio followed.
However, watching herself sing.
Especially with close acquaintances like Double Lee and Joo Jung-yoon.
‘…Ugh…’
It was somehow embarrassing.
She couldn’t explain why, but Ha-eun couldn’t look directly at herself.
***
“Gasp, gasp…”
“Sound unnie, can you get me some water?”
It was right after the final rehearsal for “Illusion.”
Except for Ha-eun, the members sat in the studio catching their breath.
The following conversations were about the tension or anticipation for the main performance.
“Ha-eun, aren’t you sitting?”
“Ah, no. I have something to think about.”
Thus, amidst the members’ chatter about the 1st anniversary live performance.
Finally, the live waiting broadcast started.
“The broadcast is on~!”
Thanks to promotions by Fantasy Land’s own broadcasts and LUX-affiliated streamers.
The viewer count surged by the second.
Thus, 10,000.
20,000.
30,000.
“Ahhh… I’m not going to look at the numbers…”
“I’m more nervous than during the Fantasy Land interview! Am I the only one??”
The members started to get nervous at the much higher viewer count compared to the Fantasy Land year-end party broadcast.
Unlike the relaxed chit-chat during the year-end party, the fact that they had to perform a live show had the biggest impact.
Yet time passed, and the countdown for the live waiting broadcast had already started.
“Um… everyone, fighting.”
As always, Ha-eun’s calm words brought a sudden quiet.
It felt a bit embarrassing for the older members to be nervous when the youngest, Ha-eun, was so composed.
Soon, the countdown entered the 10-second mark.
Unsurprisingly, the Fantasy Land official channel’s chat was filled with numbers.
– 10
– 10!!
– 9
– 99999
– 888
Thus, as the viewer count surpassed 40,000, the chat turned to zeros.
The broadcast screen switched to a massive concert hall.
｢─────♪｣
With the prelude of “Illusion,” Fantasy Land’s first live performance began.