Chapter 281: Passion and Fantasy
【The King of Girl Groups — IZONE!】
【You are the challengers!】
【Both declarations are so strong!】
【Everyone has a reason not to lose. As expected of a long-awaited showdown, it’s so passionate!】
【Passionate girls ITZY, go!】
【Great Demon King IZONE, go!】
Bullet comments covered the entire live stream. Following the declarations of the two groups, the members of ITZY stepped onto the stage.
The ITZY fans present at the venue let out deafening cheers the moment the five girls appeared.
The title track ITZY brought this time was “Warm Blood,” the self-titled lead single from their first full album, which Jeon Soyeon took full charge of producing.
Jiang Shu did not intervene in this song, “Warm Blood,” from beginning to end. He wanted to see what level of fusion and bond Jeon Soyeon and ITZY could achieve without his involvement.
This song was something Jiang Shu had never heard before, but in terms of audio-visual effects, Jiang Shu felt that “Warm Blood” and “Wannabe” were on par, and in terms of listening experience, “Warm Blood” even surpassed “Wannabe.”
Under the blessing of this song, a peak work representing the “Girl Group Producer” bond, could ITZY truly contend with the “fantasy fairy tale,” which was most suitable for a stage explosion?
Jiang Shu wasn't entirely sure, but he was looking forward to it.
On stage, the five members of ITZY had already taken their positions.
After more than three months of warm-up, success or failure hinged on this moment!
Buzz!
The prelude to “Warm Blood” suddenly began, and the members, whose dance moves had long become instinct, started to dance with the music.
This battle for the top had officially begun.
Backstage.
The twelve members of IZONE stood at the entrance to the stage, watching ITZY on stage. There was no usual pre-performance banter; each of them stood quietly in place.
Some closed their eyes to rest, some repeatedly reviewed their dance moves, some silently rehearsed lyrics…
Everyone looked very serious.
Promotional videos are for trash talk, and while trash talk is trash talk, when it's time to be serious, there can be no ambiguity.
ITZY was not an opponent they had encountered before. This opponent, who had climbed up from the third tier step by step, was the closest group IZONE had met since their debut.
All data aspects were very close; except for a slight deficiency in individual member popularity, other data were excellent.
If they still approached ITZY with their usual mindset, they might genuinely stumble.
In the promotional video, they seemed indifferent, but only they knew how much pressure this senior group, which had climbed from the foot of the mountain, brought them.
“Whew…”
Kim Minju stood in place, taking deep breaths. For this first full album concept, she was the main C and lead dancer. Her mental state largely determined the audience's first impression of their comeback.
If it were a usual comeback, it would be fine; there would be nervousness, but only a little.
But this time was different. Facing the surging senior group, all she could do was try her best to withstand the pressure and perform in her best state.
“Ouni, don’t be nervous, we’ll win,” Ahn Yujin patted Kim Minju’s shoulder and whispered.
“Mm.” Kim Minju nodded perfunctorily. It was easy to say, but how could she not be nervous?
Ahn Yujin comforted Kim Minju, then turned to look at Zhang Yuanying, who was standing nearby, spacing out.
She was the least nervous one, even having time to daydream while standing there.
That's right, among the seventeen people tonight, she was the youngest and had the highest popularity, so her sense of nervousness was indeed the least.
This time, the stage outfits adopted an all-white color scheme: white long-sleeved women’s shirts with black and gold ties, white shorts, and white high heels. The most classic stage outfit for “fantasy fairy tale” was also displayed on the big screen at this moment.
ITZY's stage outfits were colorful, passionate girl style, while IZONE's stage outfits did not particularly emphasize the “fantasy” concept but rather focused on visual effects.
Stage outfit design generally involves two aspects: leaning towards the concept or leaning towards visual aesthetics. Stage outfits that achieve both exist, but they are not common.
This time, ITZY and IZONE leaned towards the former and latter, respectively, neither achieving both.
Dynamic and stirring music echoed in the studio, accompanied by the fans' cheers, creating a powerful momentum.
The short three-minute performance put immense pressure on IZONE, who were waiting backstage. As the regular MC announced, leader Kwon Eunbi was the first to snap back to reality.
“Yeorobun, Hwaiting!”
“Hwaiting!” The others also gradually came back to their senses and joined in the cheering.
Audience seats.
Jiang Shu watched IZONE, who were gradually appearing from backstage. Before he could think deeply, a cheering sound much louder than when ITZY appeared came from behind him.
Both fan bases were holding their breath, determined not to lose in terms of momentum!
However loudly ITZY's fans cheered just now, they had to cheer even louder!
The members of IZONE lined up, bowed to the audience on stage, and then quickly took their positions.
Kim Minju steadily stood at the center position, while Sakura stood behind Kim Minju.
Zhang Yuanying and Ahn Yujin were to Kim Minju’s left and right. The choreography of “fantasy fairy tale” had always highlighted IZONE’s four Cs.
In the past, IVE dominated the world with their twin-star double C. Now, IZONE would also ascend to the top of the second generation with their unique four-C system.
As the surrounding lights dimmed, leaving only the stage lights, the orchestral prelude to “fantasy fairy tale” suddenly began.
What followed was the perfectly synchronized dance steps of the group, the epitome of the term “knife-like choreography.”
Before IZONE, the term “knife-like choreography” had not yet been coined. It was not until IZONE's appearance that this large group of twelve people brought the audience the shocking visual experience of what “knife-like choreography” truly meant.
When twelve people stood on stage and danced in perfect synchronization, the visual impact was a shock that K-pop audiences had never seen before!
“fantasy fairy tale” specifically used orchestral music, the most captivating arrangement for a live performance. The moment numerous instruments blended together and resonated in the studio, the entire world seemed to be illuminated by this battle anthem.
Li Xiuman sat to Jiang Shu's left, with his arms crossed over his chest.
The moment the music of “fantasy fairy tale” began, and after seeing the spirit of all IZONE members and their knife-like choreography, Li Xiuman already had the answer regarding the outcome of today’s battle.
Compared to “Warm Blood,” which was rock and passionate, the difference in the conceptualization and production of the arrangement was clear when compared to “fantasy fairy tale,” which, despite its name, was grand and majestic live.
A complex arrangement is not necessarily better, nor are more chords necessarily better.
4536251, the most basic chord progression, yet countless popular songs come from this progression.
“Blue and White Porcelain,” “Stranded,” “Hugging Back to Back,” “Those Dreams You've Dared to Chase,” and so on.
The complexity of “fantasy fairy tale”'s arrangement was by no means overwhelming compared to “Warm Blood,” but the auditory effect gave Li Xiuman the answer the moment the music began.