NOVEL WEB Chapter 233
Chapter 233: When a Workaholic Leader Takes Power (2)
The reason Hah Jin chose the song ‘Into It’ for his first performance was nothing special.
‘I liked the grandeur of the song… that’s what I said.’
The lyrics alone suggest a simple message: ‘Forget everything and go crazy today,’ but I remembered he liked the song for the fast-paced drums and bass rhythm.
True to his word, with a light finger snap, Hah Jin’s song began with a speedy rap that hardly allowed for a breath. In sync, Hah Jin moved powerfully under the solitary spotlight.
Suho suddenly recalled the backstory of this performance that Hah Jin had shared with him.
“You’re going to create the choreography yourself? Are you sure? Time is tight.”
“Ah. I’m not making it now, but something I did before.”
“Before? When before?”
“Um… a long time ago?”
The ‘long time ago’ he mentioned with a raised eyebrow and a smile was clearly referring to a past that Suho himself did not know about. It was probably the time Hah Jin occasionally referred to as the ‘first round.’
“I had prepared it for the end-of-month evaluation… but I quit before the monthly review, so I never got to perform it anywhere.”
“But since I had already prepared it, I would practice this song whenever I wanted to loosen up.”
Hah Jin moved dynamically on the screen.
Despite the flashy movements, everything surrounding him was very monotonous.
Darkness, the stage, the lighting, and Kang Hah Jin in black clothes and bare feet.
That was all there was to the video.
You know where this rhythm is headed
Move, now
Tonight, we’re going to set the stage of the moon on fire
In fact, this video was originally planned with a more spectacular location and a variety of visual effects. It was because Hah Jin was opening the long-term project, and there was an opinion that we should put some effort into it, even if it meant spending more budget.
However, the staff who visited the practice room and saw Hah Jin’s live performance for the first time unanimously agreed to remove all the elements. Nothing could surpass the energy and rhythm that Hah Jin’s movements provided.
Suho watched as Hah Jin’s black-dyed hair beautifully swayed in time with his movements for this video. In the video, Hah Jin seemed truly happy just to be dancing, completely immersed in the song and focused on the dance.
Occasionally, Hah Jin’s silhouette was revealed through the simple black T-shirt he wore. There were also scars on his arms that he hadn’t managed to cover up, all of which were scratches and bruises from practicing.
Suho didn’t know, but these were also evidence of the effort Hah Jin, who had brought his military physique through skills, put into maintaining that physique through daily exercise and practice.
“I hardly danced at all after I returned from the military and started job hunting seriously.”
“You know how it is. You can go to karaoke for singing, but for dancing, you need to book a practice room…”
“So, by the time I was twenty-seven or twenty-eight, I had almost forgotten how to dance. I just didn’t do it…”
Thump, Hah Jin steps onto the stage barefoot.
With such flair, it was curious how he ever thought of living as an ordinary person. Hah Jin’s movements had a sparkle that was incomparable to anyone else’s. The ‘white light’ that Ji Suho had felt when he first wanted to cast Hah Jin was powerfully felt even through the monitor.
Movements as familiar as breathing flowed smoothly.
Hah Jin’s gaze met the camera precisely as he lightly touched his body with both hands and slid to the left. His smile, without any calculation, was enough to captivate anyone.
In Suho’s mind, the last words Hah Jin said with a smile that contrasted with his current expression overlapped.
“But this… I couldn’t forget it even after years. Every single move.”
“…Did you do all this just to use it now?”
As the music became more intense, so did Hah Jin’s movements. The flashy camera work that quickly switched scenes synergized with Hah Jin’s energy.
Suho put down the beer he was holding and watched Hah Jin’s video intently.
Although he was ignorant about dance, he had gained some insight from doing this job for a long time…
Hah Jin’s choreography had a different feel from that of Wonho or Yugeon’s creations.
“Wonho is more… faithful to the basics. He seems to construct the most standard framework for the music.”
On the other hand, Yugeon often came up with catchy points that were not confined to a framework. Perhaps because he hadn’t formally learned to dance for long?
It seemed like he didn’t really have the concept of ‘creating’ choreography. It was more of an instinctive sense. ‘Just moving like this in this part seems cooler.’
“Well… that’s what talent is, I guess.”
Then what about Hah Jin?
Suho now watched Hah Jin again as he headed towards the climax of the song.
The camera work moving in sync with Hah Jin’s gestures,
The sudden direction change from an extreme close-up to a long shot in tune with the song,
Hah Jin’s choreography offering variations in movements at unpredictable timings.
Watching the video where not a single element was untouched by Hah Jin’s hand, Suho thought of a word that could encompass Hah Jin’s talent.
“He really knows how to direct, Hah Jin does.”
He knew exactly how to pique the audience’s interest, where to explode to make the audience gasp.
And that was a completely different kind of talent from Yugeon’s instinctive sense of bringing out a new feeling.
“Probably, it’s a sense he could develop because he had been in the audience’s position for a very long time, and in the director’s position.”
Even after leaving the stage, it was the sense created by the times he wanted to stay near the stage somehow.
Despite everything, Kang Hajin still doesn’t fully trust himself.
Compared to before, when he wanted nothing to do with this life, it’s a significant improvement, but…
“Don’t be dull. Show your passion, feel the joy in impulsive movements. Dive in, don’t hesitate,” the song’s last scene urges.
As the climax approached, everything halted abruptly, and the stage, once filled with a single spotlight, burst into countless lights.
The stage seemed ablaze with red and brilliant colors, and Hajin, clad entirely in black, swallowed all the dazzling light.
“We’re going to set this dream stage on fire today,” Hajin declares, filling the stage alone, gasping for breath, lifting his head.
Elegant cursive writing appears next to Hajin’s face, positioned on the right side of the screen.
Until the video ends, Hajin smiles, steadies his breath, and gazes into the camera.
Suho watches this and resolves, “If he can’t believe in his talent… I’ll have to make him.”
That’s what a manager is for.
Ji Suho smiles faintly and closes his tablet.
Kairos’s monthly project ‘LET US’ is a long-term content where members release their musical works solo or in units, typically once or sometimes twice a month.
Regular variety shows and buzz are great, but nothing is more effective than the keyword ‘excellence in one’s main job’ to extend the lifespan of an idol ‘singer’ and solidify fan loyalty and core.
As proof, Hajin’s video, which kicked off the first start, has received quite a favorable response, not only from Destiny but also from other fandoms.
Kang Captain @strongjin
Guys, Hajin’s LUD is already at 870k 😲
Just a bit more to a million
Let’s all watch it 10 times a day
(Screenshot of Hajin’s LET US DANCE video views)
[Hajin rolls up the nerd cliché deliciously]
(Today’s Kairos carving edition GIF of nerd Hajin transforming into LET US DANCE Hajin)
The cliché that removing glasses changes one’s personality was real, ah
To officially roll this out, ah!!! Ah!!! You learned perverts!!!1
Wow, it’s crazy
Damn, I’m drooling
Kang Hajin was definitely a nerd magnet until recently… In fact, that was the right level of nerd for Hajin
It’s really amazing, black hair suits him so well
They say that Jini planned all the outfits and conceptsㅠㅠㅠOur baby princess fairy is so admirableㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠ
Already looking forward to the year-end stage…
[A legendary solo performance video of a male idol currently showing a trend in views]
[Is Kairos’s monthly release only once a month?]
[Stidels, let’s all write one LET US item we want the kids to do]
And normally, Kang Hajin, the official nerd magnet of Kairos, would be smiling contentedly at these reactions.
But now, he’s in a car heading to a music broadcast schedule, hearing unexpected words from Ji Suho.
“…You want me to oversee it? Me?”
“Not oversee exactly. I think it would be good if you participated in the planning stage of the kids’ content.”
Suho suggests that Hajin consider planning the ‘LET US’ content for the other members.
The content, meant to showcase each member’s individual capabilities, naturally places the greatest importance on the opinions of the members themselves.
Some members are still young and inexperienced, and since content composition is new to everyone, Suho hopes that Hajin, who is more skilled than the others, will contribute his ideas.
“As you know, this LET US has had a decent response overseas. There’s been positive feedback since it became known that you participated actively not just in the choreography but also in the concept and direction.”
“Well… that side likes the ‘artist’ image, after all.”
“It’s not just about targeting overseas. Our biggest weapon as Miro artists is ‘self-production.’ Let’s take this opportunity to maximize that aspect. You also had fun preparing for this LET US.”
Unable to find a retort to Suho’s words, Hajin just scratched his chin with his fingers.
He had been thinking that this month’s Kairos was enough to fill the void, but Ji Suho seemed to think it was time to go even further.
“Do it, hyung. I think it’s a good idea,” Taehyun encourages, pushing Hajin’s back, who sits beside him, checking the script for today’s music broadcast.
Since Kairos’s performance will be live without pre-recording today, MC Taehyun and special MC Hajin are the only ones moving to the broadcast station ahead of the other members.
“Should I give it a try?”
“You know you like this kind of stuff, brother. You’re good at it. Once the members get used to it, they can take over, but wouldn’t it be better if you guide them and provide ideas at the start?”
“Well, I’m not saying you have to decide right now. The next project is already prepared by Siwoo, so it’s all good. Just take your time to think about it.”
While Suho and Taehyun were encouraging Hajin, the car arrived at the broadcasting station’s parking lot. Fans waiting for Taehyun and Hajin’s arrival were shouting nearby.
“Guys, hold on a sec. I’ll clear the way and open the door for you.”
“Ah, Director. Can I talk to Hajin for a moment before going up?”
“With me?”
As Suho was about to get out to clear the surroundings, Taehyun grabbed him, seeking a private moment with Hajin. Both Suho and Hajin turned their gazes to Taehyun, who reassured Suho with a laugh as if it was nothing.
“I just want to go over the script before heading up. It’s embarrassing with so many staff members in the waiting room…”
“Ah, I see. Well, there’s still time. I’ll go get my pass issued first and check the waiting room. Call me when you’re done talking. Don’t worry, there are guards up front.”
“Thank you!”
As soon as Suho got out of the car with a smile, Taehyun’s polite grin vanished, replaced by a serious expression. Hajin, watching Taehyun with a puzzled look amidst his own restlessness, finally spoke up.
“What’s embarrassing? You do fine even when a hundred people pass by. What’s going on? You look scared.”
“It’s just… I have something to say, and it’s not good if others hear it.”
Taehyun looked at Hajin with a heavy expression, ready to share his concerns.
“It’s about Siwoo, brother.”
“Brother? What about him?”
“He’s not sleeping.”
“…What do you mean?”
Confused by Taehyun’s words, Hajin furrowed his brows. Taehyun bit his lip once more before repeating himself.
“He’s not sleeping. I’ve never seen Siwoo brother sleeping.”