The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 120 Meeting under the first snow

As Bombardment Meteor blossomed across the Korean music scene, Tarot's name, like the most dazzling firework, resonated in the hearts of many. The filming location for the music video for his solo debut album, "YDP," attracted scores of fans, who checked in and took photos. Judging by their accents, they might be from Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Japan, China, Europe...

"It's my turn, it's my turn~"

"Please take a picture for me."

"..."

As the first snow fell in Seoul, the falling snowflakes were like the song "Falling Flowers" playing in a convenience store...

Sheng Junzhe stood at his window, gazing across the street at the convenience store where Gong Cheng once worked. Many of his fans gathered in front of the door, checking in and taking photos. The residents nearby were already used to it.

"Yongdeungpo District has produced a big star."

As a cartoonist, Sheng Junzhe thought, wouldn't these snowflakes falling on the girls' beaming faces be photogenic? He pulled out his phone and captured a picture. This scene could be incorporated into a comic in the future.

After watching quietly for a while, he walked back to the notebook connected to the drawing board. On the screen, with a colorful brush, he outlined the winding and dazzling name of the group Bombardment Meteor.

Ever since the last comic book was finished, Sheng Junzhe has been conceiving of a new work. Bombardment Meteor is a hot-blooded comic book he recently finalized.

To this end, he collected a wealth of information on Tarot and Bombardment Meteor. He was particularly astonished after reading Tarot's story. His life story, adopted as a child, his adoptive father critically ill in his teens, studying by day and working part-time at a convenience store by night, even getting involved in underworld boxing and debt collection to raise money for his adoptive father's surgery, and yet he managed to get into Yonsei University. These alone were astonishing enough.

Unexpectedly, in March of this year, a street style freestyle song went viral on YouTube and Twitter, earning him the attention of three major music agencies. Without even a single day of training, he debuted as a solo artist on Bandwagon in just three months, and he's incorporated his previous experiences into his album.

While his past was criticized by many, in the eyes of this cartoonist, it was truly passionate. Later, like the typical comic protagonist, he faced public boycotts and fan backlash. Unexpectedly, Tarot went on to form Bombardment Meteor, a group that now shone brightly in the Korean music scene...

The explosive growth of Bombardment Meteor has made this shooting star-like boy even more dazzling. The achievements that Bombardment Meteor has made in just one month of debut are heights that are difficult for other groups in the Peninsula to reach.

[Bombardment Meteor's debut album "Fireworks are eternal" has several hit songs entering the US Billboard charts, with "Fake Love" temporarily ranking at number one on the Billboard digital songs chart...]

"Fireworks are eternal" is at number 136 on the Billboard Album 200, and it's still going strong...

【…】

This information, stored in a document, was compiled by Sheng Junzhe a month ago. However, things changed recently thanks to a video created by Tarot fans titled "After watching this, you'll thoroughly understand Tarot," and the "Fake Love" Tarot livestream, which achieved the fastest hit of over 100 million views.

Currently, [Bombardment Meteor's debut album "Fireworks are eternal" has several hits entering the Billboard Hot 100, with "Fake Love" at No. 65, "DNA" at No. 81, and "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" at No. 97. "Fake Love" has also rapidly climbed to No. 21 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart...]

"Fireworks are eternal" is at number 61 on the Billboard Album 200, and it's still going strong...

【…】

And these figures are still climbing in real time. After Tarot's live stream surpassed 100 million views, more listeners in Europe and the United States became aware of Tarot and the story behind "Fake Love." Sheng Junzhe was well aware of the widespread burning of Gong Cheng's debut solo album, "YDP." That fire not only burned deeply within the nation but had now spread to Europe and the United States.

The audience there mostly enjoys the idea of ​​a personal hero striking back. By then, sales of "Fireworks are eternal" will not only surge overseas, but will also see a new surge in domestic sales.

However, rumors of Bombardment Meteor's disbandment have been making rounds recently, both overseas and at home.

He also didn't know how to draw the next story in the comic.

He always felt that it would be a pity if the group Bombardment Meteor ended abruptly.

Afterward, Sheng Junzhe lit a cigarette in frustration and returned to the window. Under the thick smoke, the number of women checking in at the convenience store downstairs had decreased considerably. The song "Falling Flowers," still playing on repeat, was accompanied by Tarot's warm voice.

"Flying all over the sky, drifting towards you~"

"..."

"I am falling towards you at this moment~" Facing the falling snow, the girls are ready to go to the next stop, about to rush to the promise they made to fulfill with the first snow.

……

Bombardment Meteor's first album "Fireworks are eternal" has sold over one million copies!

[Yesterday's YouTube search volume for Tarot dominated in Japan and the US!]

[The pride of the Great Cold Netherworld! Tarot!]

"Fireworks are eternal" surges on the Billboard Album 200 chart!

"Fireworks are eternal" is gaining momentum after several of its title songs entered the Billboard Hot 100!

Bombardment Meteor fans in Japan are strongly calling for a Japanese album release. It's reported that "Fireworks are eternal" has sold 132 copies in Japan...

This year's biggest winner, JYP, Twice officially took over from Bombardment Meteor and took first place...

Bombardment Meteor is expected to become a top group in 2017

Bombardment Meteor's first meetup caused traffic...

"Shit! I'm on top of you! Can Bombardment Meteor please disband? They're just a limited-edition group, are you stupid? And you still want to be on top?"

"Stupid blogger! Who told Oppa to get out of the peninsula before? Now you're claiming to be the pride of the Great Cold Nation? The Great Cold Thief..."

"Cnm! Oppa is Chinese, what does that have to do with you Bangbang?"

"Ah! Isn't it true that Tarot is so popular that it was cultivated by our Great Cold Nation? I remember a professor saying that the surname Gong originated from..."

"So will Bombardment Meteor disband? Honestly, if Bombardment Meteor doesn't disband, and if their next album can maintain the current quality and momentum, they might really become a top group..."

"Ah! Can those four bastards Bombardment Meteor get out of here right now! Disband! We, BTS, are the ones who will reach the top..."

"Shit! Bombardment Meteor disbanded, and it's not your turn to reach the top, bts, isn't it us xo?"

"You're yelling upstairs! If Bombardment Meteor doesn't disband, you'll keep yelling! You bunch of bastards!"

……

Outside the venue at 91 Kyungkong-do, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Zhao Meiyan was squeezed into the crowd, covered tightly with snow, and the snow fell into her turtleneck sweater. Her face, buried under the white cashmere scarf, looked a little confused.

"Last twenty minutes for admission." The staff at the entrance of the venue urged with a loudspeaker.

"An Ning Haseyo, maybe I can go in first?" The little girl standing behind Zhao Meiyan mistakenly thought that she didn't have an admission ticket and asked in a low voice.

"Yes, sure." Zhao Meiyan was stunned for a moment, then quickly stepped back and motioned the girl to enter the venue first.

She looked at the girl's excited smile, holding a photo in her hand, which looked like the convenience store where Oppa used to work.

It’s great that there are so many fans who love oppa now~
She was happy for Gong Cheng, but a hint of envy flashed through her eyes. She was clutching the ticket to the meet-and-greet; it was really not easy to get one, but as she approached the entrance, she felt a little worried and wanted to back out.

I have been exposed to be in a relationship with Oppa. What if I am recognized by fans again and it affects Oppa?

For a moment, Zhao Meiyan felt a little complicated.

She had witnessed every step of Gong Cheng's journey, and she didn't want to miss this fan meeting, even if it meant just watching him quietly from the audience...

As more and more people retreat, the entry time is about to end.

"Woo woo woo~ How could you raise the price at the last minute?"

"Didn't we agree?"

"But I don't have that much money. How can you raise the price and cheat me?"

A cry of grievance was heard from the crowd, immediately attracting the attention of many people.

Zhao Meiyan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a sobbing little girl, crying and shouting something to the scalper. The scalper ignored the little girl's complaints and turned around to sell the ticket to another girl.

It looked like there was a temporary price increase and the tickets were snatched away.

"Do you like Tarot very much?" Zhao Meiyan loosened her grip on the meet-and-greet ticket, walked forward and asked softly.

"Of course I like Oppa! Wuuuuuuuuuuu... I took a bus from Incheon just to see Oppa, wuuuuuuu..." The little girl choked up again, "We agreed on it online, but he suddenly raised the price and sold the ticket to someone else..."

Zhao Meiyan looked at the album in her arms. The cover of Three of Swords had a small card of Gong Cheng on it, and it looked well-maintained.

"This is for you. Go meet Tarot."

As she spoke, she squatted down, patted the sobbing little girl's head, and stuffed the ticket in her hand into hers.

"Really? Unnie?" The little girl stared at the ticket in her hand with tears in her eyes, a little bit incredulous. "Do you want money, Unnie? As long as it's not too expensive, I can give it to you."

She stood up in a panic and tried to look for her wallet.

"No money, if you like Tarot, don't talk about money~" Zhao Meiyan stopped her from rummaging through her wallet, a smile on her face under the scarf: "Okay, wipe your face and go see Tarot, he doesn't like girls who cry easily..." Oh! I let it slip!
"How do you know? You're just talking nonsense, unnie." The little girl gave her a strange look, then asked in confusion, "Unnie, why did you do this? You don't dislike Oppa, do you? Did you stop being his fan? Or did you see some posts that disparaged him?"

Zhao Meiyan waved her hand and smiled without explaining anything.

How could I not like him? I like him more than any of you~
If I don’t like him, why would I give you the ticket?

The little girl wiped her face and called out to Zhao Meiyan's departing figure, "Thank you, unnie. Goodbye!"

Then, after hearing the staff's urging, she hurried over. When she unfolded the ticket in her hand, the little girl discovered that there were several crescent-shaped nail marks on the edge of the ticket.

……

Inside the venue, the silver-gray sea of ​​support from the fans surged with uncontrollable screams, "Naturally born with divine beauty Tarot!"

"Rapper stay Park Jae-bum!"

"..."

Amidst cheers and spotlights, the four members of Bombardment Meteor walked onto the stage. The setting looked warm and simple: two guitars were placed in front of two long sofas, along with standees of the four members and a large screen behind them with photos constantly scrolling.

"An Ning Hasseyo, we are Bombardment Meteor." Gong Cheng and others picked up the microphone on the table and greeted the fans in the audience with a smile. It was another fan meeting, and Gong Cheng was quite nervous.

But what made him even happier was seeing many familiar faces in the audience. Besides the meet-and-greet interaction, the four members of Bombardment Meteor also had a book signing session. This was his first time doing a book signing.

Kim Dae-woo was also on stage, acting as the MC, occasionally cueing the fans in the audience or the members of Bombardment Meteor on stage.

"Well, before we move on to the next part..." Jin Dae-woo held the microphone, smiling and teasing everyone: "Everyone from Bombardment Meteor, let's watch a video first, shall we?"

As he finished speaking, the lights in the venue suddenly went out, leaving only a silver-gray "galaxy" slowly flowing below the stage.

Bombardment Meteor turned in surprise, looking at the large, gradually illuminating screen behind them. They'd gone over the process with the staff before going on stage, but there wasn't this part?
Gong Cheng looked at Jin Dayu in confusion, not knowing what this guy was doing.

"Hello everyone, I'm Gong Cheng..."

As a familiar voice came from the VCR, Gong Cheng was stunned. It was his own voice.

His photos flashed back and forth in a loving video, recording his funny and handsome moments, as well as his experiences along the way.

"Hello everyone, I'm Gong Cheng..."

In the video, Gong Cheng is standing in the recording studio and greeting the camera. This is the moment when he is recording the pre-release song "Link".

Then, the scene flashed. Before Gong Cheng debuted, and at his only fan meeting to date, he held the microphone and told his fans sincerely, "It's not that we can't meet..."

"To everyone who has shown support and love when I was at my lowest point, I will make you proud one day."

In the video being played, subtitles scrolled 'Oppa, you have always been our pride'.

The screen went black, and then the date June 6.25th flashed by. Singer Tarot made her solo debut.

A cover of Three of Swords stayed in the progress bar of the VCR for a long time, and scrolling comments filled the screen.

"I thought we'd see each other soon after our debut..."

"Everything will be fine, Oppa..."

'We'll wait until next time we meet, right?'

'...'

If it weren't for the scrolling subtitles, Gong Cheng might have thought the VCR was stuck. But he knew what this period of silence represented. It was the raging fire beneath the Three of Swords album cover.

"An Niang Haseyo, can you hear me?"

When the VCR jumped to the next slice again, Gong Cheng on the screen was wearing headphones and was a guest on the "XYHIO Hip-hop" radio station.

"..."

"I really want to hug Gong Cheng Oppa. I don't want to be hugged by you, but I want to hold you tightly. After releasing "YDP", I received a lot of criticism, and many fans left. My album was burned. I often wondered how sad Oppa must be. Does Oppa feel that no one is on his side?"

"If other people hear these words, they might say I'm a fan of Gong Cheng Oppa and get scolded. But it doesn't matter, I made this call to comfort Oppa anyway..."

The aggrieved voice became more and more resolute as it spoke.

"Then let's meet when the first snow falls."

In the fan seats at the venue, many longtime fans shed tears of empathy. They had waited so long for the first snow to fall, and the boy in the video had kept his promise. Only they knew how difficult it had been for the boy standing before them.

"Go to hell, Gong Cheng!"

“Get off the peninsula!”

The camera flashed past the JYP building, where anti-fans held banners and cursed at each other. Gong Cheng, caught on camera, hurried into the office. His eyes, hidden beneath the brim of his hat, showed little expression, but his back remained erect, a figure both heartbreaking and moving.

The rolling colorful barrage made many fans in the venue burst into tears.

Among the barrage of comments filling the screen, perhaps there is one from them.

"It will be sad, right, Oppa?"

'It'll be alright, really.'

"Please, keep going, Oppa..."

'...'

On the stage, Gong Cheng stared at the VCR in a daze, while Jin Dayu stood in the corner, with his back turned, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.

Too old to bear witness to this. No one understood better than him how much this brat had sacrificed, from Gong Cheng to Tarot and then to Bombardment Meteor. Outsiders only saw Tarot blazing across the Peninsula and Bombardment Meteor detonating across Asia, but no one knew the muddy and treacherous path beneath the glittering trousers.

He thought that even a brat like Gong Cheng, no matter how stubborn and recalcitrant he was, would be moved by seeing the fan-made support videos for him. And these were all made by the company without his knowledge and the members of Bombardment Meteor.

In the subsequent vcr, Gong Cheng's self-introduction changed unconsciously.

"An Ning Haseyo, I am Tarot."

JYP, SM and other four companies jointly announced the release of Bombardment Meteor. The screen was frozen on the preview photo of the four members of Bombardment Meteor gathered together.

The pre-release song "Blood, Sweat and Tears" was a huge hit!
The first album "Fireworks are eternal" was released, and initial sales...

The title song "Fake Love" debuted at the top of multiple music websites and has remained at the top to date... The MV has been viewed over 100 million times.

"An Ning Haseyo, we are Bombardment Meteor."

Music Bank, the live-action performance of "Fake Love" has received over 100 million views... 11 No. 1s... B charts are rising...

All the achievements Bombardment Meteor has achieved since their debut one month ago are displayed in the vcr.

Then the picture jumped, and on the black screen, brilliant fireworks effects slowly outlined the group name Bombardment Meteor.

In the blank space, bullet comments scrolled and appeared:
"Thanks Tarot,"

“Thanks Jay Park,

"Thank you, Lay."

"Thank you Lin Yingxiong,"

“Thank you for the wonderful Bombardment Meteor.”

At the end of the video, the fireworks that gathered into Bombardment Meteor dissipated, and a pink sticky note with handwritten words appeared.

"Thank you for becoming a singer,"

"Thank you for being Tarot,"

"Thank you for being the Bombardment Meteor..."

After the VCR finished playing, the Bombardment Meteor members on stage opened their mouths. They were touched by the fans' love for them and Bombardment Meteor, and even more touched by the youngest member standing next to them. They knew only too well how much pressure the youngest member had to bear with the formation of Bombardment Meteor and the release of the album.

There are many things about the youngest member that the fans in the audience don’t know…

After watching the VCR, just as Gong Cheng was about to turn around, suddenly, the fans in the audience raised their support signs one after another, their movements neatly arranged as if they had practiced countless times...

(End of this chapter)