Chapter Sixty-Eight: Entering the Field

tail hung down behind her, resting against the chair back. A few stray strands of air bangs floated on her smooth forehead. Tonight, Pei Zhuhyun's hairstyle was almost identical to what she wore in "..."Why!"

As expected, Zhou Tzuyu's reply came quickly. Just four words revealed her surprise and a hint of obvious panic. She didn't even add an emoji, just replied quickly with a tone that seemed worried she had done something wrong to upset Chi Jingyuan. She even used several punctuation marks to emphasize this tone.

Seeing her reply, Ji Jingyuan, who was chewing on his food, smiled.

Mina and the others weren't wrong. Just like last year's tour, Tzuyu got her ticket from him very early on. After failing to get tickets for the 13th show on the first day of ticket sales opening, the girl gave him a pitiful look, and anyone could tell what she meant. Afterwards, Ji-sung found an opportunity to meet her and gave her the ticket.

But this time, she only got one. The two friends who went to the concert with her and Tzuyu last year are no longer at JYP. One has already returned to China, and the other left JYP to look for opportunities in other entertainment companies. She said that they both seemed to have left because they were eliminated from "Sixteen" and felt hopeless about debuting.

As for her friendships in "Sixteen," she didn't seem to have made any particularly close or intimate friends. The only person she mentioned a couple of times who was somewhat familiar was Song Min-young, a former dormmate.

Last year, I could still come to their concert at the Chi Jingyuan with my friends. This year, I'm all alone.

"Where are you going With the competition this intense, why would you even go to a concert Don't we need to prepare for this week's challenge Are you even serious about debuting Even oo, who is pretty talented, got eliminated. What if you get kicked off Think about how you'll cry then - no one will comfort you!"

He was having a plate of cold mixed rice and pool kyung won, using one hand to operate his phone, still typing very quickly.

"Why are you still smiling while eating" Wu Shixun, who was also eating across from him, looked up at him with strange eyes and a disapproving tone.

You eat your meal and watch me, what a lunatic... Chi Jingyuan was speechless. He glanced at him, his smile faded, and he replied without any politeness: "Because you're funny looking."

"Poof…" Several members beside him couldn't hold back their laughter, even spitting out some. They quickly wiped it with tissues, while looking at Woo Se-hoon up and down, as if he really did look funny.

Ignoring the disgruntled looks coming from across, Ji Jingyuan lowered his head to look at his phone. Besides the conversation with Zhou Tzuyu, there was also a message Namie sent him last night, but he had yet to read it.

I was worried that a few girls who had been drinking might have an accident at night, so I gave them a heads-up. When he replied to my message, he had already started work. Later, when I saw his reply, it was already midnight. At that point, he didn't feel like replying anymore.

It's not a big deal anyway.

How do you know oo was eliminated, I didn't tell you yesterday...

"I wouldn't want to be comforted (scoffs)"

Soon, Zhou Tzuyu sent two consecutive messages. One expressed her confusion and curiosity. She believed she was the only source of information about "Sixteen" for Ji Jingyuan. Since she didn't mention it to him after finishing the recording yesterday, she was puzzled as to how he knew.

The other one is just being stubborn...

"Yesterday evening, I happened to run into..."

Pool Kyung-won didn't make Momoko Tabei cry and go out to relax, and he also blamed Park Jin-young for this kind of thing being said, even facing Tzuyu it wasn't very appropriate, so he just briefly explained the encounter.

“Their group lost both stages in a row, and oo was eliminated in the end... but I also feel like her skills shouldn't have been eliminated so quickly. The others probably didn't expect it either. Yesterday when they were recording the show, pd just announced the lineup, and many people cried directly. Sana and A from Japan looked very sad... But I couldn't cry.”

Although Zhou Tzuyu talked about yesterday's recording situation, to be honest, Ji Jingyuan didn't have much interest in paying attention. Knowing that this girl wasn't eliminated and just needed to survive, he still used it to encourage her: "Look, people who dance better than you were directly eliminated. You're still here watching concerts carelessly Shouldn't you be preparing for next week's assessment"

"I'm not bad at dancing either, right And this episode is kind of like a mid-season break, there aren't any assessment tasks. We just have the Major group practicing some dance moves and then we can perform at a university celebration with Park Jin-young PD to get some screen time. The dance is pretty simple and easy going."

Chou Tzu-yu tried to defend herself.

"University anniversary Which university" Chi Jingyuan was taken aback by this.

As May arrived, it's time for various universities across the peninsula to celebrate their anniversaries. Each university starts contacting idol artists to perform for their students. This kind of commercial performance is a win-win situation: agencies don't charge any performance fees, so the more popular the artist, the better. The higher the hype, the more popular the performance among students. As one of the hottest boy bands at the moment, EXO naturally received many invitations. However, until now, they have only confirmed a performance at Yonsei University, where member Kai attended. They even made time for this special performance between concert schedules.

Chou Tzu-yu and the others are going too, it shouldn't be this coincidental...

According to pd, it should be Yeonsei University.

Even though he had already suspected it, after all, Park Jin-young was a senior at Yeonsei University and the elder of Ji-gyeong's school days, but when he actually saw him, Ji-gyeong was momentarily speechless.

How do you always run into each other everywhere

He pondered for two seconds and typed, "Which day to go The main stage or the sub stage"

A school anniversary won't just be a single day; it usually lasts for several days. Each day, special venues are set up for artists or students to perform. However, the day with the largest audience and most prominent performers is undoubtedly the main stage on the most important day. Many school leaders attend this event, making it a lively affair that rivals official concerts.

“Is it the 15th or the 18th coming Let me check... As for the stage, I don't know, it probably isn't the main stage.”

"I told you so, the show's about to start. What concerts are you watching Stop looking."

"I want to go ~~"

"Where are you going Don't tell me."

Seeing Tzuyu's tone laced with a hint of coquettishness, Ji-seong's smile deepened as he playfully teased her. He then quickly finished his rice, wiped his mouth, opened a bottle of drink and took two gulps. His phone buzzed back to life; he picked it up and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Let's go! Let's see!"

He was obviously a little annoyed, and in a huff, he started acting childishly.

After the meal, we didn't continue chatting. To be honest, I just remembered something from yesterday while eating and wanted to tease her a little. It wasn't that I truly didn't want Tzuyu here.

Although the seats he gave out weren't together, they were actually quite close, all located in the front row near the main stage. Bae Joohyun and the others didn't know if Tzuyu would recognize them, which could cause some misunderstanding. But Ji-yeong wasn't too worried about it, after all, they weren't really sitting together. Besides, forget about Tzuyu...

Pei Soo-ji, he doesn't care at all.

After finishing the meal, I took a short break and immediately started working again. Every time a concert is approaching, it's like this, so busy. It’s much more tiring than coming back to do promotions or variety shows.

This practice continued until May 13th.

……

In the afternoon, many fans have already gathered outside the gymnastics arena at Seoul Olympic Park. There are long queues at several entrances, winding and stretching from inside to outside under the regulation of the security perimeter. Looking down from above, it looks like a few serpentine snakes.

There were still many people at the back, some who hadn't entered because it was early or hadn't bought tickets, but they still wanted to support their idols and see the excitement of the fans. The number of these people was also very large. They sat together in open areas on the outermost edge of the stadium, forming several formations that looked very lively. It was no less spectacular than last year's first show when fans in raincoats lined up neatly outside in the rain. From all angles, it was clear how popular EXO was at this moment, and how devoted and enthusiastic their fans were.

One is desperately preparing, the other is crazily supporting, it can be considered a two-way rush.

Even the security guards and staff at the gymnastics stadium were surprised by the large crowd and their early arrival. While every act performing at this venue on this peninsula is popular and usually sells out stadiums of at least 10,000 people, it's rare to see such a massive and energetic turnout like this.

A cacophony of chatter, rising and falling in waves, created a powerful current of sound that reverberated even across the vast square. Most people weren't alone; they were with friends, boyfriends, or even families who had purchased group tickets to be together. As they excitedly chatted and eagerly gazed towards the front, the air buzzed with anticipation.

There, at the main entrance of the gymnastics arena, hangs a giant promotional poster for this EXO concert, incredibly eye-catching. The poster features nine members in black shirts and pants, arranged artfully with different poses and expressions. Their cold, aloof faces exude an aura that is both captivating and intimidating. Amazingly, even though it's just a flat poster, it conveys a strong sense of depth and space. As soon as you step into the plaza, your first glance will be drawn to this massive billboard, making you keep looking back at it involuntarily.

In the center of the pictorial, Chi Jingyuan's gaze is cold and distant, his hands in his pockets. He is the most eye-catching figure among them, and also the target that many people's eyes follow and linger on.

Below the poster is EXO's specially designed logo for this second tour. It's composed of the letters from the English name of this second tour, with a strong sense of design and fashion coming at you instantly. It seems like the level has suddenly been raised to a new standard, and the aura of a top-tier group is evident.

While it's hard to say about other departments, the design department is truly top-notch. Their level and aesthetic sense are definitely among the best in the industry. Every design they come up with not only impresses fans but also Pool Jingyuan himself.

Outside the stadium, crowds of people surged and thronged, while inside, over 15,000 seats were empty. But on stage, it was a hive of activity. Whether it was EXO itself or the team responsible for the concert, every member of staff was checking the scheduled equipment, the lighting technicians, directors, and PDs were all making final adjustments.

As the long-awaited concert was about to begin, everyone couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness.

"You all remember where you belong and the elevator shift schedule, right ... But if you don't remember, there's no time to teach you."

"Don't worry, brother. We've practiced so many times, it's definitely fine."

But you know, just remind each other when the time comes, don't get nervous.

On both sides, the staff are busy. The VJ in charge of filming is constantly shooting with a camera.

"Alright, last check on the lights and equipment, everyone. Check your earpieces one more time, we don't want any issues. The audience will be arriving soon!"

pd's voice came over, giving a summary of the final preparations.

As the various lights on stage lit up one by one, Ji Jingyuan also began to check his in-ear monitor along with the other EXO members.

Although earpieces are a common and important tool used by many idols, they can sometimes malfunction during formal performances. This can include issues with sound not being audible or clear, as well as electrical faults, which are unfortunately frequent occurrences. EXO has experienced these types of problems a few times during their performances in the past.

However, the in-ear monitors used for the concert were high-quality models specially prepared by company S. After a careful inspection, no faults were found, which was reassuring. After the lighting check, EXO returned to the backstage area for a short rest and to prepare for the official start of the show.

"Even though we've had so many tours last year, I'm still a bit nervous now, gosh, my heart is beating so fast..."

In the lounge, Kim Jun-myeon gulped down a large mouthful of water and let out a long sigh. He felt restless and couldn't sit still on the sofa. He got up and paced back and forth in the room, as if trying to calm his agitated mood.

"That's perfectly normal."

Chi Jingyuan leaned against the sofa, holding a drink but not taking a sip. He felt his phone vibrate and reached for it with practiced ease. "It's normal to feel nervous before going on stage at a big event like this," he said. "But once you get on stage and find your groove, everything is fine."

He was actually beating fast inside, as if he had been transported back to the first concert he held last year. The nervousness of his first tour performance was still the same, even though they were practically veterans at this point.

After opening his phone, he saw several text messages from friends. The first thing that caught his eye was a selfie sent by Zhou Tzuyu. In the picture, she grinned widely, looking goofy. Behind her was the square outside the gymnastics arena and a giant poster of EXO.

Seeing this view of the pool, Yuan smiled to himself and instantly understood the other person's meaning.

Before, he joked about not letting her come. In the end, although Zhou Tzuyu acted strong and willful, ignoring him, it was obvious that she might still have some insecurities in her heart, worrying that Ji Jingyuan wasn't joking or that he would be unhappy. That's why she specially took a selfie video and sent it over as a small test, also as a way to say hello in advance.

She smiled foolishly, her pretentiousness evident.

After casually posting a (expressionless) picture, she started looking at the messages from others. There were ones from Park Soo-hyun, Kang Se-ki, Kim Tae-yeon, and a few other idols she knew in the industry.

Pool Jungwon himself gave out several internal tickets, like Taeyeon and Red Velvet members all came because of him. As for the other EXO members, they naturally have many friends in the industry, and those with wide social circles were even more frequently asked for tickets.

The entertainment industry is like that, as long as you're popular, friends will always flock around you, one after another.

Furthermore, given that there may be female idols who already have a fondness for EXO present today, it's possible that some of them might even be the girlfriends of certain individuals.

"It seems like the audience is starting to take their seats"

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the quiet back room. They immediately knew what was happening.

A few people looked at each other.

"...One last check, then I'll head to the restroom to get changed..."

……

"Is this seating arrangement already at full capacity"

Huang Meiying, accompanied by two members, entered the venue through an internal passage fully armed. They found their seats in the front row near the stage, and after settling down, she couldn't stay still. She looked around with a sigh and said, "There are so many people here, it should be full."

They had insider tickets, allowing them to choose their seats. However, they didn't pick a spot too close. Front row seats are desirable because fans can get closer to the idols and even have interactions with them. They are highly sought after by fans. But these few weren't fans; they had already met EXO privately countless times. This time, they were simply here to support their friend and enjoy the performance.

"What are you talking about That's nonsense!"

Hearing such a naive question, Kim Taeyeon looked around at the empty seats and snorted with a bad temper, replying, "Did you fall for someone and get your brain turned to mush Do you even know how hot XO is right now Do you know how many albums their first three singles have sold"

"I haven't been paying attention to this recently, I'm not you..." While being looked down upon and criticized, Huang Meiying remained unfazed. She smiled sweetly and leaned closer, but when she heard the question, her interest piqued as she asked, "How much"

"Three albums already exceeding 1.6 million combined, and it's just a single album…." Even with her experience weathering storms, Kim Taeyeon was still taken aback by the number, a hint of sour jealousy lingering in her heart.

This is only the third release so far, and there's still a single album coming out along with a main course regular second one. I don’t know what kind of terrifying numbers their sales will reach this year; it’s unbelievable just to think about.

I feel like starting two years ago, sales figures of 10-20 million were considered top tier, numbers that companies and fans would issue press releases and banners to celebrate. But they're becoming less valuable now, the ceiling is constantly rising, and EXO's sales figures are on a different level compared to everyone else.

But you said EXO drove the market, yet out of all idol groups in K-pop, only they have sales figures this high. It's exaggerated. While other groups clearly saw an increase, their growth pales in comparison to theirs. It's not even in the same ballpark.

But if you say it didn't boost sales, up to May, his group's album sales accounted for one-quarter to one-third of the entire peninsula physical record market for the year. Compared to last year, this significantly increased the overall market size, and these numbers are here, there's no way to refute them.

"So high"

After learning this number, Huang Meiying's eyes widened in surprise, and she repeated it in disbelief.

"That's how high it is, you think... their popularity, a fifteen-thousand capacity gymnastics arena is actually getting a little small, a slightly bigger venue would be perfectly fine, even I feel like they could fill a stadium directly." Kim Taeyeon nodded, glanced around the area, seeing the audience continuously entering and taking their seats, with the experience of someone who has been through this before, she commented in a knowing tone.

"It's already confirmed that Exo will be having a concert at the Tokyo Dome when they debut in Japan later this year, and it will even be for three consecutive days. They are very popular in Japan."

Hearing this, Sunny, who had been relatively silent up to this point, finally spoke. Her voice was a little hoarse.

"How do you know"

Kim Taeyeon turned her head in surprise and looked over.

"He casually mentioned it when I was chatting with Jingyuan the day before yesterday."

mask

Tokyo Dome, as a large-scale venue, is highly sought after. Tickets are not always available and require advance booking and coordination of schedules. During their recent meeting, Pool Chingyuan's company had already announced the schedule for the event.

"Ah, x~ Why didn't he tell me"

Her tone was sharp, and looking at Taeyeon, it seemed she was displeased. However, Sunny just casually raised her chin in response.

I don't know if Yuri and Hyo-yeon will come. I heard them talking the other day, saying they were going to come here...

Huang Mei-ying hasn't stopped looking around since she sat down. She chatted with the members beside her while constantly scanning the room.

Although the members of Girls' Generation get along well, their relationships with each other vary in closeness. They also usually spend time with those they are closest to.

At this moment, her gaze landed on a few figures in the front left. She paused, blinked in surprise, and pointed over there: "Hey guys, look, isn't that Red Velvet, our company's new girl group They came too"

First published on Popular Novels Websitent on a personal trip and hasn't come back yet. Oh Se-hun, Kim Min-jae, Park Chan-wook, and a few others went out for a late-night snack, and before they left, Ji-sung asked them to bring some back....