The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 253 The Grammys Explode...

The cheers and shouts of support from those who came to pick him up at the airport have faded away...

After a short rest at the hotel, Gong Cheng went to shoot the cover of Time magazine.

……

On the film set, the flashes of cameras were constantly clicking. In addition to the photographers from Time magazine, there were also photographers and new season clothing sent by three brands: LV, Armani, and Burberry.

Kim Dae-woo brought together staff from the three brands and Time magazine. Since there was only one person, he decided to shoot.

Gong Cheng has a busy schedule this year. Compared to Europe and America, his activities in the first half of the year, mainly in Asia, were mostly related to shooting advertisements for the brand, due to Bombardment Meteor's Asian tour.

The activities in the second half of the year are truly global, which resulted in a backlog of shooting assignments from Europe and America in the first half of the year. Brands had no choice but to send people to Asia for shooting. And just then, Gong Cheng came to New York, and brands from Paris and London also sent people over...

Sending Gong Cheng a haute couture piece for tomorrow's red carpet and Grammy Awards ceremony would also be a great opportunity for the brand to promote and expose itself.

"Next one."

The LV photographer urged his assistant to hand over the new season's items to the brand ambassador, who was simply too busy to handle anything else...

In previous years, when did the three major luxury brands ever chase after one person for a photoshoot?
Fortunately, although the time was a bit tight, the spokesperson's charisma and top-tier global face made the photos come out very quickly.

"..."

Amidst a barrage of flashing lights, in front of a church filled with red maple trees, Gong Cheng, dressed in a dark gray bespoke suit, stood with a sharp tailor that accentuated his perfect physique. His black silk tie was loosely tied at the open collar, and his tousled hair, ruffled by the wind, framed his languid gaze as he looked at the camera...

……

April 26, New York time.

The 60th Grammy Awards ceremony moved from Los Angeles to Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking the first time the ceremony had returned to New York since 2003. Madison Square Garden is located in the heart of Manhattan, above Pennsylvania Station, and is also the home of the New York Knicks.

At 6 p.m., Bombardment Meteor and his entourage got into their van and headed to Madison Square Garden. The awards ceremony was scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m., with the red carpet starting at 7 p.m. Their hotel was in Manhattan, not far from the ceremony venue…

"Holy crap, there are so many people." The closer the van got to Madison Square Garden, the more difficult the journey became.

Fans, media reporters, densely packed...

"I'm so nervous..." Wu Sehun took a deep breath and said.

He never expected that "Don't let loyalty ruin you," after joining Bombardment Meteor, would actually lead to a Grammy.
Outside the car window, you could see many Asian people heading to Madison Square Garden, holding banners and signs of support...

"There are quite a lot of people." Gong Cheng nodded in agreement. Madison Square Garden can accommodate about 2 people. Apart from the singers who came to attend the ceremony and the stage that needed to be set up for some performances, the remaining seats are for the audience.

This year's Grammys, judging from the nominations alone, is undoubtedly the most diverse in recent years. In an era dominated by hip-hop in the last two years, hip-hop music has made history by breaking into a general category for the first time, with "Rockstar" nominated for Record of the Year.

"Peaches" was also nominated for Song of the Year in all four general categories. Makoto Miyazaki received a total of six nominations at this year's Grammys—in all four general categories, for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, etc.

The Bombardment Meteor is nominated for Best Pop Group/Group in the Pop category.

This is why it caused a sensation in Asia.

Song of the Year nominee "Peaches" will also be performed tonight...

Gong Cheng took a sip of water, glanced at the crowded streets outside the window, and wondered how many points he would get tonight...

……

At Madison Square Garden, the canopy of the entrance passage was covered with a red carpet, and media, reporters, and staff stood on both sides of the passage with their cameras and microphones.

Familiar superstars took the stage one after another...

Many of the red carpet looks immediately went viral online.

#LadyGagaRedCarpet#
#Tarot and Taylor Swift suspected of rekindling their old flame#
#Rihanna……#
#Justin Bieber spotted#
#Madonna#
"What about Tarot? By the way, what tier is he considered now?"

"Have all five of them arrived...?"

"Tarot is definitely more popular than A-list artists, but to be considered above A-list... it feels so unreal. He only debuted in 2016, and only made it in the US for a year. He already has six number-one singles, more than Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and his streaming sales are all exploding. Just the other day, 'God's Plan' broke records with 120 million streams on its first day. Who can break that record? And for the past year, it's been all hit singles. Last year, almost all the number-one singles on the Billboard charts were by Tarot. It's making me dizzy..."

"I just don't know which school tonight?"

"Could they really be dating Taylor? Taylor looks a bit pregnant."

"Just look at whether Taylor Swift writes songs for Tarot and you'll know..."

……

On the red carpet, Taylor Swift, dressed in a white high-slit gown and black heels, approached the reporters with a bright smile. Her blonde hair framed her striking features, and her fiery red lips accentuated her sculpted face. She chuckled as she answered a reporter's question, "You asked me how many points I think Tarot will make tonight?"

"It's hard to say, but if Tarot is ignored, he'll become the center of attention."

"What if Tarot wins?" the reporter asked with a smile.

Taylor wore a long dress that exposed her shoulders, with a slightly low-cut neckline. Her slender arms, covered by black sleeves, were crossed over her chest as she smiled and said, "If he wins, he will still be the center of attention." With that, she shrugged with a charming smile.

"Tarot is here!"

"Bombardment Meteor!!!"

As the two were talking, gasps of surprise rang out from the reporters on both sides of the red carpet entrance not far away, and the rows of cameras moved their lenses.

Taylor looked over in surprise. She hadn't seen Gong Cheng for several months. The album production last year had really helped her turn her life around, and last month, she had received a definite answer from Gong Cheng about a collaborative single.

"Oh my god!" The female reporter in front of Taylor couldn't help but exclaim. It was her first time seeing "Tarot" in person. The tall figure in her line of sight stood at the back of the Bombardment Meteor crowd with a light smile. The matte black fitted suit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, making him look even more imposing. The blue scarf on his chest was folded like a rose, and the black shirt collar underneath was unbuttoned, without a tie or bow tie, revealing a silver necklace...

Beneath his tousled hair, his handsome face and nonchalant expression gave him a dignified and noble air, yet also a free and unrestrained spirit.

Compared to the previous rappers on the red carpet, he was naturally much more arrogant; that's his aura!
For a moment, the female reporter was speechless, only then realizing that she had just been ridiculously discussing Taylor's talent with him. He could totally make a living off his looks! She glanced at the many superstars standing around, both men and women, all artists who had come to attend the awards ceremony.

No wonder Tarot is a spokesperson for Aston Martin and LV... making him a sought-after figure among high-end luxury brands.

"How have you been lately?" Taylor walked over gracefully in her high heels, hugged Gong Cheng, and her face was filled with the joy of reuniting with an old friend.

Gong Cheng hugged her, then let go and smiled, "Not bad."

Just as the two stood facing each other, Gong Cheng turned to look at the Grammy's slow-motion photographer. Taylor noticed his gaze, turned her head to look over as well, and smiled as she raised her hand in greeting.

The photographer stared at the moment Gong Cheng turned his head in the lens. His smiling eyes casually looked back at him, but he only smiled and did nothing else. Compared to other celebrities posing and preening on the red carpet, how could it compare to the boy in front of him just turning his head?

"Want to grab a drink tonight?" Gong Cheng unbuttoned his suit jacket and asked casually, thinking that after the ceremony tonight, he could have a couple of drinks with Taylor and chat about the collaboration.

Taylor smiled and nodded, then greeted the other members of Bombardment Meteor, "My treat tonight..."

Following that, the seven members of Bombardment Meteor were photographed in slow motion on the red carpet. Gong Cheng, Oh Sehun, Park Chanyeol, and Lim Young-woong stood at the back, as they were considered to be "180cm tall," while Zhang Yixing, Park Jay, and Jackson Wang stood in the front row...

"Tarot!"

Gong Cheng followed behind the group. He had only taken a few steps when he heard a shout from the red carpet behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Bruno Mars. The two had crossed paths before and had talked a lot about music in Los Angeles last year, but mainly about drinking.

However, their relationship wasn't that deep; this guy was a bit of a gambler.

And unsurprisingly, tonight's grand prize was won by this guy...

After a brief greeting, Gong Cheng greeted the members and then went backstage with Bruno Mars to the awards ceremony. Both of them had performances that night. Katie Holmes, Bruno Mars, and Cardi B were to perform two songs that night.

Gong Cheng performed "Peaches," which was nominated for Song of the Year. When he arrived backstage, he found that many familiar singers had already arrived, all of whom were nominated guests or special guests.

Justin Bieber, Rihanna... and some famous DJs...

……

The 60th Grammy Awards were hosted by James Corden and broadcast live on CBS, CBS, the Grammy website, and various other platforms with broadcasting rights.

After the red carpet livestream ended, the awards ceremony officially began at 9:30 p.m. New York time.

As neon lights shimmered outside Madison Square Garden, and the final shot of the red carpet lingered on Lady Gaga's feathered gown, hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide held their breath and switched channels—the 60th Grammy Awards ceremony was about to begin with James Corden's distinctive British humor…

The host, who became famous worldwide for his "carpool karaoke" on "The Late Show," leaped onto the stage to the beat of jazz drums. The moment the hem of his tuxedo fluttered, the giant LED screen behind him exploded into a dazzling sound wave pattern.

The seats in the front row of the stage at the ceremony were a bit crowded, with people sitting almost shoulder to shoulder at the round tables and among the crowd. However, the atmosphere was exceptionally lively, fueled by the screams of fans behind them and the introductions by the host on stage.

The director's camera panned across the guest seats, where Bruno Mars was leaning over and chatting with Cardi B. Behind them, Taylor was turning his head and talking to Gong Cheng at the Bombardment Meteor table on the other side.

Gong Cheng raised his eyelids, glanced at himself flashing on the big screen, raised his hand, smiled, and greeted him.

A wave of screams erupted, and the camera, no longer lingering, switched to the face of another female celebrity who looked rather young in the back row...

“Billie Eilish…” Taylor introduced him, noticing his curious gaze.

The girl who just appeared in the show signed with Universal Music's New Vision Records in 16 and released her debut EP, "Don't Smile at Me," last year, which reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

In addition, he held his first solo concert tour, "Where's My Mind Tour," in parts of Europe and America two months ago.

Gong Cheng nodded and smiled upon hearing this, "I've seen her content before." Billie Eilish has gained considerable popularity in Europe and America since she first rose to prominence last year...

The opening act featured Kendrick Lamar, U2, and Dave Chappelle, who performed four songs: "XXX," "DNA," "New Freezer," and "King's Dead."

Awards of various sizes were also presented interspersed throughout the performance.

"..."

Half an hour later, Gong Cheng leaned close to Taylor's blond hair and muttered, "I'm leaving now, I need to get ready." As he spoke, Lady Gaga walked over and reminded Gong Cheng that their performance stages were next to each other, one performing "Joanne" and the other performing "Peaches."

Gong Cheng, with his exceptional height, stood up and chatted with Lady Gaga as they walked backstage. Compared to other award ceremonies, the Grammys offered a more relaxed atmosphere, and everyone seemed quite at ease…

"Cooperation? If there's an opportunity, we can." Gong Cheng took a sip of water, stood still, and looked at Lady Gaga, one of the top five female singers beside him. In the West, these five new generation queens of female singers have been the most popular in recent years: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Adele, and Katy Perry.

As for male singers, it's hard to say. There are Drake, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber, but they all have experienced both declines and increases. It mainly depends on the quality of the albums released at the time...

……

Meanwhile, in the recording studio of PRODUCE 48 in Seoul—the classroom for open classes was laid out like a movie theater, with trapezoidal seats behind what looked like a podium and a large screen on which the production team would usually project stage performances of songs for the trainees to reference.

But today, more than ninety trainees and several mentors sat in chairs, excitedly watching the Grammy live broadcast on the big screen.

"Ahhhh! Representative!"

With all the cameras on, Li Huanzhi listened to the screams around him and was quite satisfied.

That's how you record a show to create a good effect!

He glanced at the big screen and could only say that the Grammys really knew how to generate buzz. From the start of the red carpet broadcast, the director's camera seemed glued to that junior's face. Awkward silence? Fine! Lively atmosphere? Fine!

Li Huanzhi felt that the audience's throats were probably hoarse from shouting...

Just then, in the live broadcast, all the lights in the Madison Square Garden audience area went out, leaving only a few spotlights falling from the dome, making both the audience and the stage somewhat dim for a moment.

……

"Ahhhh!"

"TTTarot!!!"

"Aaaaaah!" Screams surged like a tidal wave bursting through the floodgates, creating a sweltering atmosphere under the Madison Square Garden dome. In the heatwave, a mixture of perfume and sweat, countless glow sticks waved wildly, pushing the shouts of "TTTarot!!!" to even greater heights...

Amidst the almost out-of-control cheers, the few remaining spotlights in the venue went out, as if the deep sea had swallowed the last glimmer of light.

Immediately afterwards, the deep blue spotlights poured down like moonlight, and Gong Cheng's figure emerged from the beams of light—on the big screen, he sat at a white piano, the stage beneath his feet a straight aisle, a small circular stage that could only accommodate the piano and him, while at the edge of the stage stood many singers and artists, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, eager to see how this person who had become a global sensation over the past year would perform...

"Ding ding dong~"

Gong Cheng's figure shines brightly in the blues, his slender fingers bowing as he presses the black and white keys. The gentle yet full piano melody opens the piece, lacking the rhythmic beat and drum impact of the released version...

"I got my peaches out in Georgia," a highly recognizable voice followed, clear yet slightly husky, like a whisper or a heartfelt confession... "I get my weed from California~"

A custom-made, silver-white microphone studded with diamonds rested on the piano. On Gong Cheng's closed eyes, dappled sunlight fell in the shadows cast by his eyelashes, like stardust. "I'm looking at you~~~~"

"Slowly, I let your scent seep into my heart~~~"

The many artists below the stage watched the boy on stage, his blues and orange hues blending together. His calm and gentle eyes and his clear yet warm voice made people want to move their bodies...

"I'm saying~"

"Nothing can compare to your caress~"

Gong Cheng released his fingers from the piano keys, opened his eyes, and his pupils fused into amber at the intersection of blues and orange light. Listening to the accompaniment, he took off the microphone, and the drumbeats of the interlude of "Peaches" became denser again, turning the lyrical style of the first half of the song into a hot one.

The lights on the dome of the venue were all lit up with a uniform orange glow, enveloping the entire venue like the orange hues of California.

"I get my peaches out in Georgia (Oh, yeah, shit)~"

Gong Cheng, holding the microphone, waved his arms and swayed his tall figure...

"I get my weed from California (That's that shit)~"

With a casual and carefree air, he high-fived Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars in the audience, then walked along the straight aisle towards the wider stage, saying, "You ain't sure yet, but I'm for ya~"

The way they sang, danced, and ran had a style that blended jazz and hip-hop...

"..."

As the song reached its climax, the atmosphere in the venue became incredibly lively, with screams erupting continuously...

Back in Seoul at JYP Entertainment, the TWICE members were watching Gong Cheng's live stream in their practice room. Lim Nayeon was secretly thrilled, thinking, "I knew it! My boyfriend got to sing at the Grammys with the microphone we gave him!"
"I can't pretend I can't ignore your attraction to me~"

"Don't test my past~"

Mina was engrossed in watching when she suddenly heard the boy on the screen call out a name during the song's interlude, "Sharon!"

She heard the name clearly and immediately trembled, her pupils contracting as she wanted to hear it again. But then she glanced nervously at the other members around her. Well, their English was terrible…

Gong Cheng was performing a song entirely in English. They probably wouldn't even recognize the lyrics if he just randomly made up a couple of lines; they were completely absorbed in listening.

"Sharon!!!"

Just as Mina lowered her head and took out the necklace that Miyako had given her from the collar of her clothes to examine it, a clearer shout came from the live broadcast again, which startled her as if she had been struck by lightning!
Do you want to die, you little thief?

She was clutching a swan necklace, with the word "Sharon" engraved on the back, her English name.

But almost no one in the group knew about this; some even thought her English name was Mina…

But you can't be this reckless, Makoto!
"Sharon!!!"

Gong Cheng shouted again, but the screams in the live stream only grew louder, and even the trainees couldn't help but applaud! Mina hurriedly raised her eyelids to look, only to see Gong Cheng facing the large screen behind the stage in the live stream…

The director cut the camera to the audience, where a blonde fan was holding a support sign and screaming wildly! Her originally pretty face was now flushed red from screaming! The waving light sign read: "Tarot, please call my name, Sharon!"

Mina stood there stunned. Is that reasonable? Isn't it too much of a coincidence?

"Sharon!!!" Gong Cheng raised his hand and shouted with a big laugh. Under his encouragement, the audience shouted the fan's name in unison, "Sharon!!!" as if they were happy that the fan's wish had been fulfilled!
"Sharon!!!"

"Your kiss is the sweetest honey I've ever tasted~" Gong Cheng turned around and continued facing the audience, "I will stay with you until the end of time!~

The audience at Madison Square Garden enthusiastically chanted "Sharon," and Gong Cheng followed suit, singing the next line of the lyrics a cappella...

Mina's face turned as red as if it were about to bleed; she simply couldn't believe such a coincidence...

Cheng-chan, was this a plant you arranged?

She hopes it is...

"So handsome! Oppa!" Son Chaeyoung excitedly shook her head like a pestle being pounded, hugging Mina's shoulders and bobbing back and forth!

Minami gave the little tiger a meaningful look...

……

After the performance of one song ended, Gong Cheng went backstage to get a drink of water before heading to the audience seats in the front. More than half an hour had passed since the awards ceremony began, and the major awards were about to be announced one by one.

"The winner of Newcomer of the Year is..." On stage, presenters Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas chuckled as they looked at their scripts.

On the big screen, the cameras flashed across the five nominees. Gong Cheng arrived late and took his seat, waving to the camera. The other four were Alessia Kara, SZA, Julia Michaels, and Lil Uzi Vert.

“TTTTTTarot!!!”

The shouts from the audience were deafening, and the heart-wrenching support drew the attention of many celebrities.

In the live stream, the chat was flooded with comments, and the viewers seemed even more excited than the five celebrities present at the event.

"It's definitely Tarot! Otherwise, it's a conspiracy!"

"Damn, last year they had 5 number one singles, their album sales were comparable to the Big Five, and their streaming numbers were even more explosive than the Big Five!"

"TTTarot!!!"

"Charge! Charge! Charge! The pride of the Great Cold Nether Kingdom!"

"Can the Koreans upstairs get out of here?"

"..."

Kelly Clarkson, dressed in a black dress, stood smiling in front of the microphone. Without much suspense, she leaned forward and said a name that was not surprising:

"Grammy Award to—TTTTTTTarot!"

The split shots on the big screen quickly converged, leaving only Gong Cheng's figure. His originally calm pupils couldn't help but shrink after hearing that he had won the award. The Bombardment Meteor and his group at the same table immediately raised their fists and laughed loudly!
Congratulatory applause filled the hall...

Gong Cheng stood up and hugged Taylor, who was wearing a white dress, then ignored the other members and walked straight to the stage.

"Congratulations~"

"Thank you." Gong Cheng accepted the Grammy Award under the spotlight. The core design of the trophy is a phonograph's tonearm and record, plated with 24% gold, shimmering with a luster that countless people covet under the lights.

……

The classroom for PRODUCE 48's open class immediately erupted in excitement!
"The representative did it!"

"They really did it!"

"Grammy, oh my!"

Jiang Huiyuan, slightly nearsighted, squinted at the teacher on the big screen. His expression revealed no joy; his impeccably tailored, dark suit exuded elegance, and his handsome, dashing face was presented to the world with an almost criminal air…

He leaned forward slightly, his tall frame subtly adjusting, and gripped the trophy in his hand. "Thank you to all my fans for your support..."

At the same time, viewers around the world watching the live broadcast were immediately thrilled!
……

In TWICE's practice room, Nayeon and the others screamed, covering their heads. As they listened to the male lead's acceptance speech, she couldn't help but tear up...

……

Amidst the global buzz, the Grammy Awards across four general categories were presented. Gong Cheng, sitting in the audience, applauded. Just as he had predicted, Bruno Mars swept all four awards except for Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. His current tally is 4 nominations, 1 win, with 2 nominations remaining…

"Next up is the Popularity category award!"

Gary Clark Jr. and Joe Saylor took to the stage as presenters. "The first award is, Best Pop Artist of the Year."

Gary Clark Jr., being an actor, was very good at livening up the atmosphere. The two introduced the nominees in a back-and-forth manner, and on the big screen, the five nominees and their nominated songs appeared...

Tarot – "Shape of You"

Kelly Clarkson – Love So Soft

Ke$ha — Praying

Lady Gaga - "Million Reasons"

P!nk — What About Us

Joe Saylor didn't waste any time. After glancing at the list of winners, he raised his head, drew out his words, and roared, "The winner of Best Pop Artist of the Year is... Tarot, who's leading the Billboard charts!!!"

"The Emperor of Pop!!!"

Gong Cheng, sitting in the audience, stiffened slightly; the way he was addressed made him feel somewhat awkward…

……

"Winner of Best Pop Album – Tarot!!!"

After Bruno Mars swept up the three major awards, Gong Cheng seemed to be reaping his own trophies as well.

Many singers were whispering among themselves, "Three times?! Six nominations, three wins!"

"Oh my god!"

"..."

Gong Cheng chuckled and went back on stage, standing in front of the two award presenters, Gary Clark Jr. and Joe Saylor. They were the ones who presented the award just now, and now he was the one receiving it...

With 3 wins out of 6 nominations, this is his last Grammy Award this year.

The remaining nominations are for Best Popular Group/Group, nominated by Bombardment Meteor.

The live broadcast room, with its numerous cameras, immediately erupted in chaos!

"Shit, 3 wins out of 6 nominations? Justin Bieber only has 2 Grammys to date, and he's already overtaken him in just one year! He's also surpassed him in the number of number one singles..."

"The nominations for the Bombardment Meteor will be announced soon, and the awards are all in the pop category."

"We're doomed! We've got the Grammys, and the number one single! I wonder how arrogant the Akanas will be from now on..."

"..."

……

As the Best Pop Group/Group award was about to be announced, the members of Bombardment Meteor sat in the audience holding their breath. They were nominated for "Thunder" and currently had a chance of winning, but it wasn't a sure thing...

Competitors included The Chainsmokers & Coldplay's "Something Just Like This," and Zedd and Alessia Kara's "Stay"...

"Bombardment Meteor!!!"

Gary Clark Jr., as an award presenter, seemed somewhat numb when Gong Cheng came on stage again.

He and Joe Saylor were in charge of the pop awards, which included four major awards: Best Pop Artist, Best Pop Album, Best Pop Group/Group, and Best Traditional Album. Except for the Traditional Album award, which went to various artists for "Tony Bennett Celebrates 90," almost all of the other three awards went to Gong Cheng.

"I don't know why, but standing on the podium always breaks my heart..." After the seven members of the Bombardment Meteor stepped onto the stage, Gong Cheng reluctantly moved away from the microphone, while Park Jae-beom held his Grammy Award with reddened eyes...

He dared not even think about it...

Under the spotlight, Gong Cheng raised his eyelids to listen to Xiao Pu's affected words, as if he had breathed a sigh of relief, and looked towards the audience seats in the back row of Madison Square Garden that were lit up like stars...

……

#Tarot Grammy nominations: 6, 3 wins#
#Bombardment Meteor wins Grammy Award#
#60th Grammy Awards: Bruno Mars and Tarot as the Big Winners#
#Tarot's 3 Grammys surpass Justin Bieber, The Bones, and equal Drake, ushering in a new era for the music industry#
#Taylor visibly pregnant, flirts with Gong Cheng on stage at the Grammys, Yoona dumped by Tarot#
(End of this chapter)