Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 184

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[Title: Analysis of <Fantasia’s> Full-Length Album <Devil Hunter/Execution>]

[Author: Author-nim] [Views: 14,419]

 

[Content: This is just my own personal speculation, so take it with a grain of salt. If you have different opinions, I’d love to hear them. Just take this as, ‘Oh, so some people think this way’.

 

Actually, there isn’t much to go on yet, but I want to talk about the <Execution> image posted on KHJ’s Insta—specifically, the meaning of the word.

 

[[The Execution Image]]

 

The word <Execution> is a noun meaning a death sentence or carrying out a punishment, but it can also simply mean to perform, carry out, or implement a plan. 

 

So the image doesn’t necessarily mean that the nine black dolls shown are literally being executed or sentenced to death. Instead, it could simply mean that something is being carried out upon those nine dolls.

 

Some people have said these dolls represent [TOP9], and I remember things getting pretty heated over that theory for a while. Honestly… I can’t say there’s no chance that’s true. Especially because the image was uploaded after the incident involving SDK and LUH, it naturally feels connected.

 

Personally, though, I think the important part of the image is the doll that’s lying on the ground. I see two possible interpretations, and here’s my own take.

 

First: If the fallen black doll is SDK.

Second: If the fallen black doll is JH.

 

If it’s the first case, then the image could simply symbolize KHJ passing judgment on TOP9. I don’t know why or how KHJ terminated his contract with [TOP9], but I think everyone vaguely senses that something happened that we don’t know about. It might be something only KHJ knows, or it might be a problem that [TOP9], the fandom, and the agency are all intentionally turning a blind eye to.

 

The second interpretation is actually pretty similar. The difference is that instead of becoming the executioner himself, KHJ is saying that he is also included among those who deserve punishment.

 

Now, some people might wonder why JH suddenly comes into the discussion. But honestly, it’s impossible to talk about the relationship between [TOP9] and KHJ without mentioning JH.

 

Everyone thinks only KHJ left [YM], but in reality, JH terminated his contract with [YM] around the same time. Anyone who knows, knows. JH was the person KHJ was closest to among the [TOP9] members; they had the best chemistry. Don’t you find it strange that only KHJ’s name comes up whenever [TOP9] is mentioned? Two people terminated their contracts, so it’s a bit odd. I don’t know what happened either. Only KHJ and the people involved would know.

 

It’s still too early to say for sure… but looking at the interviews where they said they’d put their story into the full album, I get the feeling they might be trying to dig up the events that happened at [YM] and during their [TOP9] days.

 

Of course, this is all just my speculation. Feel free to ignore it.

 

And then the image was uploaded to Lee Unha’s Insta, and I found it really interesting. If KHJ is talking about the outside of the <otherworld>, I feel like Lee Unha is talking about the Inside of the <otherworld>.]

 

[[Lee Unha <Devil Hunter> Image]]

 

‘Right. That… that seems right.’

 

[I think those black dolls represent the demon seen here embracing Lee Unha. That’s probably why the album title is <Devil Hunter>…

 

I don’t know why someone who’s supposed to be a Devil Hunter is standing so close to a demon, but I assume it’s because his class is dark mage. The theories about Lee Unha being the hidden mastermind, which have been emphasized since the first mini-album, seem more credible now…

 

Looking at the blood tears falling, it seems Unha will be given a separate narrative within the <otherworld>, though it’s impossible to confirm for sure right now. Other than that, we can see he’s in a red room and looks like he’s being almost swallowed by the black silhouette… perhaps this album will depict the process of <otherworld> Unha being stained by darkness.

 

[[Joo Wooyoung <Devil Hunter> Image]]

[[Jung Taehee <Devil Hunter> Image]]

 

It makes even more sense when you look at the concept images that came after. See Wooyoung and Taehee? The two of them clearly give off the feeling that they’re standing against the demons. They seem to be in a red room too, though it’s hard to tell, but you can see they aren’t getting close to the demon. Wooyoung has a wound on his cheek and Taehee has one on his neck, but those look like external wounds—ithey don’t have the same feeling as Lee Unha’s image.

 

We’ll know for sure once the rest of the members’ images are released, but I think they’ll probably follow a similar pattern. Again, this is all just speculation. There’s no proof behind any of it, so feel free to ignore it… I just wrote this as someone who enjoys analyzing this stuff.

 

Regardless, as someone who is dead serious about the <Fantasia> lore, I am sincerely looking forward to this. The <otherworld> teasers are insanely exciting, and I’m curious what kind of song will come from this concept. I’m also looking forward to the story outside the otherworld… At first I was wondering, ‘What on earth are these guys doing?’ But the more I see, the more obvious it becomes that they’re taking this concept seriously. Honestly, it’s just fun to watch

 

The most surprising thing is that Unha and Haejun are producing it. I seriously can’t wait to see Fantasia’s version of Fantasia.]

 

It was a very long post. Moreover…

 

‘It actually makes a lot of sense.’

 

It sounded remarkably convincing. Among all the various theory posts popping up as the album teasers were slowly released, this was the most convincing one. Without realizing it, I’d found myself completely absorbed in reading it. Especially because it interpreted the inside and the outside of the other world as two separate narratives.

 

‘I should be studying. Damn it. Seriously.’

 

To put it dramatically, it felt as if frozen time had begun to move again. Dopamine kept exploding inside my head. I felt like I could survive on nothing but seeing Lee Unha’s face.

 

‘I have to study… Ah! I really have to study!’

 

Yet I just sat there, absentmindedly staring at the pictures, as though they were pulling me in. Between the constant news updates and endless theory posts appearing everywhere, I couldn’t tear myself away from my monitor.

 

Watching thousands of fans pool their ideas together, speculate over every clue, and gradually build theories was simply too entertaining. There were all sorts of people. Some zoomed in on photos by the pixel to analyze them, others looked up the etymology of words. There were even those who were so well-versed in the <Otherworld> lore that they interpreted it like a thesis paper.

 

‘This one’s about the fonts? Wait, they’re right! The fonts used inside the other world and outside it are actually different.’

 

There were even theories about the typography itself, as well as interpretations of the crimson rooms each member appeared in.

 

‘Once the concept photos, concept films, and teasers drop, it’s going to be chaos again…’

 

It was no exaggeration to say that the fan community was in a state of celebration all day long. Furthermore, tthe flood of clues showed no sign of slowing down. Not all the members’ images had even been released yet. Starting with Unha, followed by Wooyoung and Taehee, next in line were Hwi, Taeyeol, Suhyeon, and Haejun.

 

Of course, that didn’t mean everything was peaceful. The very theory post I’d just finished reading had already become a battleground in the comments.… There was no way a fight wouldn’t break out. After all, it openly mentioned TOP9 and dragged them into the discussion.

 

[User: Does anyone actually believe this?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThis is a ridiculous conspiracy theoryㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋplease just stop already.]

 

[User: These guys have really gone off the deep endㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋAm I the only one who thinks this concept is way over the top? Devil Hunter, execution, capital punishment… it’s exactly the kind of edgy nonsense you’d expect from their stansㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

 

Of course, there was plenty of public opinion defending <Fantasia>.

 

[User: Seriously, talk about double standards. These people constantly dragged Kim Haejun into everything whenever they got the chance, acting like the downfall of TOP9 was somehow all his fault. Have they seriously forgotten all that already?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’ve seen so many of those posts… Fantasia didn’t even mention [TOP9] directly, so why are you acting so defensive? This is exactly what you guys always do???]

 

[User: I don’t think Haejun is targeting [TOP9] either, but honestly, I hope karma catches up to that fandom this time. I remember that fandom being more serious than anyone about bullying Kim Haejun.It wasn’t just mean-spirited—it was relentless. I’m honestly amazed Kim Haejun stayed silent all this time… ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

 

[User: The psychos were seriously crazy back thenㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ That fandom dug up everything in Kim Haejun’s past to cyberbully himㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

 

[User: I’ve seen so many rumors myself. There were stories about Kim Haejun bringing girls to the dorm, or that his contract was canceled because he drank at the dorm—all sorts of stories. Seeing the people who loved conspiracy theories more than anyone else suddenly whining about conspiracy theories here is just funny.]

 

[User: [YM] is also freaking patheticㅋㅋㅋㅋThey kept their mouths shut when it came to Kim Haejun, but now they’re suddenly asking everyone to refrain from making unfounded speculationㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

 

[[Pro/Con] User: These two fandoms are putting on quite a showㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Meanwhile, Kingdom is just sitting back and enjoying the spectacle.”

 

But regardless of that, it was an undeniable fact that the fire between the two fandoms was growing. In fact, it was becoming a concern. I didn’t truly believe Kim Haejun would target [TOP9], but there was a chance he might finally tell the story of what had happened during the TOP9 days.

 

Because…

 

‘It is something everyone is curious about.’

 

No one knew exactly how Kim Haejun and JH ended up leaving the debut group and terminating their contracts. All that existed were countless rumors spreading like urban legends. Most people only knew the conspiracy theories mentioned in the comments—like bringing girls to the dorm, causing a scandal by drinking, or having a bad attitude.

 

‘JH might have been involved, too…’

 

Of course, because JH had passed away in a tragic accident, he had become something of a sacred ground that shouldn’t be touched. Nevertheless, it had always felt strange that discussions about the TOP9 incident somehow always excluded JH. The surviving TOP9 members had attracted attention for publicly honoring JH after his death…

 

‘But it seemed like the one closest to JH was actually Haejun…’

 

“…….”

 

‘Why did JH end up leaving [TOP9]?’

 

“…….”

 

‘What… what really happened?’

 

The same fundamental question raised in that forum post now surfaced in my own mind. It genuinely felt like one of those urban legends that no one could ever fully explain.

 

‘Should I… should I try looking it up? Is it still there?’

 

The broadcast footage from the survival program [TOP9], and the official content filmed right up until their debut. Since the lineup had changed, most of it had likely been taken down… but even if it was removed officially, surely someone had archived them.

 

‘Jaehee… you’ve really gone crazy. What are you doing instead of studying? Jaehee.’

 

But I’d already made up my mind. I clicked my mouse while staring at the wallpaper of Lee Unha that I’d set on my desktop.

 

<Fantasia> Full Album <Devil Hunter/Execution>

Produced by Lee Unha, Kim Haejun

D-98