The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 186

‘Finally, finally, finally!’

Song Ji-won felt a surge of euphoria as she turned on her computer.

It’s a bit awkward to say this, but lately she had completely lost her life’s driving force.

The repetitive company work was exhausting.

Even the friends she used to sync schedules with had somehow gotten caught up in real life, making it hard to even drink beer together.

For Song Ji-won, who was feeling lonely, the only light and salt was CENTIX.

But since their fan meeting in early April, official news had completely dried up, causing her to lose her life’s driving force.

The members consistently communicated with fans through Stargram and Milky Way, but there was no comeback news that fans were desperately waiting for.

Honestly, it was ridiculous to blame them for late comeback news.

How much time had passed since 〈Find Me〉 activities ended for them to want another new song already.

There had been talk about how MILLENNIUM’s standards had gotten unreasonably high.

But then, a little while ago, signs of something big started appearing bit by bit.

Specifically, an announcement that CENTIX would appear on a famous variety program!

‘〈Saturday Today〉 was so fun!’

She still vividly remembered Kang Seon-woo and Ryu Si-hwan dancing to the Double Bean Cake song during the snack game.

The variety show content was hot enough, but the CENTIX new song stage that appeared as a spoiler at the end of the broadcast was groundbreaking.

Along with the news that the music video would be released just three days later.

Song Ji-won hummed while accessing NeoTube.

There was still some time left until the promised 6 o’clock, but looking at the concept photos and highlight medley that had been released all at once would make time pass quickly.

‘A full album, a full album. Thirteen whole songs.’

She understood why they had hidden the highlight medley until the very end.

The tremendous volume of thirteen songs played a part, but above all, the last six songs marked as [???] had gathered enormous buzz.

Because anyone could see these were the members’ solo songs!

‘Honestly, I want to hear Si-hwan’s solo song before the 〈Realize〉 music video.’

Song Ji-won had agonized until the very end.

Should she watch the deliciously crafted new music video right on time?

Or should she listen to her bias’s first official solo song first?

After much deliberation, the music video won by decision.

While continuously checking the clock at the bottom of her desktop and refreshing, at that moment.

[Centix 「Realize」 Official MV]

A thumbnail featuring Seong-hwi’s close-up front shot was generated.

After solemnly catching her breath, Song Ji-won clicked on the music video.

「I open my eye

And see the new sky」

As soon as the video started, the intro rang out powerfully.

A melody mixing typical K-pop dance and hip-hop genres.

She could see why Ryu Si-hwan had said on 〈Saturday Today〉 that this song was one everyone could enjoy.

For people hearing CENTIX’s music for the first time, the previous conceptual songs might feel unfamiliar.

CENTIX had chosen a straightforward approach to raise mainstream appeal.

「Reach out your hand

This air that wraps around coldly

Now I know

This is the world you see」

A space impressive for its mountain range covered in white snow.

Ryu Si-hwan, standing on snow piled softly like sand, slowly extends his hand.

A close-up shot that passed in an instant before the part ended struck Song Ji-won’s heart without warning.

「I ran breathlessly

Yes, this is the place

Now I know

Now it’s time for me to open my eyes」

In a background lit only by dark lighting, a white clock is turning.

Chae Ha-ru, who had been sitting blankly looking up at the sky, glances to the side.

Then, just like Ryu Si-hwan’s scene, the camera moves instantly and Chae Ha-ru’s figure disappears.

The first verse bridge with added piano synthesizer.

In an atmosphere where various sounds gradually layer, Kang Seon-woo, who had been standing blankly in a blue rose garden, begins a short rap.

「I tried turning back the clock too

The countless lights reflected in my eyes

Through the light

There was only one thing I had to catch」

Along with the rising beat, wind stirs in the rose garden that had been showing off its blue tones.

Then the petals of the roses that had been blooming wide shoot upward all at once, covering Kang Seon-woo’s figure.

An addictive melody continues as they enter the chorus.

CENTIX performs group choreography standing on what looks like a transparent glass lake.

「We gonna Realize

Don’t look back

Keep the heat up

Without stopping

We gonna Realize, Realize」

Group choreography where they move arms and legs in place while stepping angular moves.

At first glance, the difficulty of the simple movements seemed quite easier than before.

Even so, the members were constantly changing positions to sing the latter part of the chorus.

「Don’t forget, today’s scene

Keep the memories on

Cuz we gonna Realize, Realize」

The heated dance pop melody fades to the end.

It seemed like they might enter with a complete reverse cymbal and start anew.

But after removing additional sound effects, only the original dance beat remains as they move to the second verse.

「Dreams come true

It’s unbelievable but

The Fantasy unfolding before me now

It’s so realistic Mmm」

“What’s with Yu Ha-woon!”

Song Ji-won instinctively screamed.

The youngest who always had a baby-like image.

CENTIX’s youngest, who always looked like a poodle even when deliberately trying to act sexy or cool.

He was showing off mature charm with heavy makeup.

Yu Ha-woon glanced down slightly and flashed an eye-smile before spinning his hand toward the camera.

Following his gesture, the viewpoint switched.

Ma Si-hyeok, standing in an abandoned factory cluttered with all kinds of scrap metal, takes the baton.

「Cuz it was blurry

I was alone all this time

That’s when I knew

My eyes were always covered

Now I throw off the blindfold

Break free」

And finally, Seong-hwi, wearing a dazzlingly bright white outfit, smiles toward the camera.

「Yes, now I understand

Illuminating the cold vision

My star, My planet

That it was always you」

The existing verse was slightly modified.

When the melody falling on the strong beat flowed in syncopation, creating free tempo.

Seong-hwi’s voice, boasting a unique tone, delivers the lyrics as if reciting poetry.

Whether it was intentional or not, the white tones and costume created a noble aura that pierced through the video.

And the lyrics were also heard clearly, word by word, as if emphasized.

Seong-hwi’s visuals, the video aesthetics with capital investment, the expressiveness of the lyrics.

The three elements harmoniously came together, leaving a deep impression.

‘……How does it seem like the music video quality gets higher each time they release one.’

Just like CENTIX’s other music videos, this impression was particularly strong with 〈Realize〉.

Thinking about it carefully, the answer came easily.

‘It feels like they arranged symbolic items for the backgrounds in various ways?’

Fluttering snowflakes, blue rose petals.

Darkness and clocks boasting black and white beauty.

Scrap metal boasting a burnt-like patina under moonlight.

All were devices that contributed to raising the video aesthetics that Rave Entertainment liked.

「We gonna Realize

Don’t look back

Keep the heat up

Without stopping

We gonna Realize, Realize」

「Don’t forget, today’s scene

Keep the memories on

Cuz we gonna Realize, Realize」

After the repeating chorus, the dance break arrived.

「Realize」

The thought that CENTIX’s choreography was easier compared to previous ones flew far away.

A subtle but well-matched ensemble of synthesizer and guitar riffs.

CENTIX performs movements like forming a circle and running forward in accordance with the gradually intensifying tempo.

It’s definitely choreography done without running.

But it looks real thanks to each member living their individuality and twisting their joints.

And as expected, Ryu Si-hwan, who doesn’t betray fans’ expectations, powerfully belts out high notes.

「I won’t let go

Dream this moment」

Ryu Si-hwan’s high notes rushing like a storm, the energetic group dance that doesn’t fade, snow slowly pouring over the lakeside.

CENTIX, who delighted eyes and ears until the very end, forms their final formation following the last beat.

「Realize」

With lyrics mentioning the title as the end, Seong-hwi in the center draws his hand to the side.

Following the direction his fingertips point, the camera falls, and the video ends with the sound of a snowstorm quietly blowing.

“Whew!”

Song Ji-won let out the breath she had been holding while covering her face with her hands.

She had been so immersed that she could feel her skin burning hot.

This song is good too.

Really addictive and light enough to listen to all day while having high completion.

Song Ji-won was still caught in the afterglow of 〈Realize〉, but her reason forcibly moved her body.

‘I need to listen to Si-hwan’s solo song, what am I doing!’

She hurriedly accessed the GrapeFruit app, clicked on CENTIX’s first full album 〈Emancipation〉.

Then she added Ryu Si-hwan’s solo song 〈Curtain Call〉 from the eighth track to her playlist.

Song Ji-won, who put on headphones and savored the song, realized after about 30 seconds.

If all tracks including solo songs were made with this quality.

Tomorrow, all the community platforms she frequented would obviously be paralyzed.

* * *

The day after the music video was released.

I woke up early in the morning to check public opinion.

‘Let me quickly scan through before music show recording.’

The answer would come from the reactions of those who visited the venue, but I still wanted to see the overall public opinion.

I went into the community I usually lurk in and looked through the best posts.

‘Fortunately, many people seem satisfied with the album quality.’

Honestly, aside from other things, we had focused on making this album, which carried the meaning of our first full album, perfect.

The number thirteen songs was absolutely not excessive.

We also wanted to prove that each member possessed outstanding abilities.

Perhaps because we approached it with that mindset, the posts that particularly caught my eye were all praising our solo songs.

I smiled slightly while confirming that my song 〈Curtain Call〉 was getting considerable mentions.

‘We can’t perform solo songs on music shows. Should we hurry and hold a solo concert?’

While secretly thinking about such an unreasonable move, I headed to the shop with the members.

Soon, the manager called us over with an urgent expression.

“Guys, we got scheduled.”

“Huh?”

“Are you talking about music shows?”

“Music shows…… Yeah, similar to music shows. But the scale is completely different.”

The moment the manager showed us his phone screen, tension shot through my body.

The program Joo Han-ul had told me about was finally starting in earnest.