Chapter 8 - 공연 (GONG-YEON)[Performance]

A week has finally gone by and now I could start dancing! The choreographers already sent me the dance moves through a video yesterday and I've been reviewing the video for a while now. So far it's just been bugging me in a way. It was too simple. Too plain and generic to fit with this song. I was only going to be walking every time I sing. The least they could do is add some sick hair flips or spins. I've been practicing for the last hour and my muscles are already feel stiff.

"Hey you're doing great! Just remember to keep your head up, don't stare are your feet. You chose to make the dance a little more advanced, so you better make this work."

The words of my tutor were on repeat, every little mistake allowed for some learning experience. Some lost hope, seeing that my planned choreography was too extensive to learn in only three days. But that didn't stop me from trying. I went to the speaker and tapped the replay button on my phone. I stood in my stance, which was me facing away from the audience, casually walking away for a few feet until the slow beginning started.

Naneun geugeos-i oneun geos-eul

Gyeolko boji anh-assda,

Geugeos-eun gichacheoleom na-ege

Tagyeog-eul gahaessda

(I never saw it coming, it hit me like a train)

I spun around, flipping my hair and pumping out my chest, emphasizing the movement with my both my hands. Then I turned to my right, stretching out my arm to the ceiling and shakily bringing it back down to my chest with the beat before slinging it to my left.

geudeul-i naleul boass-eul

ttae nun-i banjjag-yeossda

(The eyes sparkled as they looked upon me)

I did a few spins to the left, alternating feet as I stopped and covered my eyes. I slowly kneeling down to find myself in a kneeling position.

geu ttaebuteo nae

insaeng-i bakkwieossda.

(From then on my whole life changed)

I shot up, spinning both my hands by my chest quickly to make them blur in the mirror. I pumped my chest again, using it a momentum to bring me closer to the mirror by a foot. My gaze looked away from the mirror as the music halted for only a second. It started once again, I turned my head to the right to resemble a slap across the cheek.

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

I slowly and causally spun around on my toes, as if I was starting a ballad as the beat became quieter and quieter until the chorus started, releasing a swell of sound.

modu changed

(Everything changed)

johdeun nappeu deun

(For better or for worse)

modu changed

(Everything changed)

naneun sigan-eul doedollil su eobs-eossda

(I could not turn back time)

For the dance segment I did a long break dance. It was similar to I.O.I's performance back at the 2016 MMA's. I guess it was loosely based on it anyway. I finished it all off with a standing cartwheel, also known as a move called the 'Illusion' and a simple back flip. I landed back on my feet and looked at the mirror with an intense gaze before outstretching my left hand up and my right hand down. I quickly connected my hands in a circular motion around me and walked closer to the mirror.

naiga deul-eogam-e ttala

nun-i ttoggat-i yujidoeeossseubnida

(As I grew older, the eyes stayed the same)

wieseo naleul bomyeonseo,

yeojeonhi salang-ui

siseon-eulo naleul jikyeobogoissda

(Looking at me from above, still watching me with their loving gaze)

geuleona ildan naega

wilo boass-eul ttae,

naneun amugeosdo bonda

(But once I look up, I see nothing)

I used the fast paced beat to move my body in a choppy glitchy way, facing the mirror the whole time. I moved my arms to my chest to form an 'X' before using my hands to form a heart over both sides of my chest.

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

The beat quicken even more and the footwork at this moment made my legs and feet blur with every quick and sharp move. My arms stayed at my sides until I stretched them out on either side of me, moving them back in front of me. I thrust myself backwards as I did that, completing a front flip right after.

modu changed

(Everything changed)

johdeun nappeu deun

(For better or for worse)

modu changed

(Everything changed)

The fast beat ceased, being replaced by a grand piano playing a quiet and soft melody. My next line echoed as the silence followed.

naneun pogi haess-eo

(I gave up)

A loud bang and sudden dubstep reappeared to lighten up the mood. This was the final chorus. This is where I put everything I've got. I spin around on my heel once before stopping myself and grabbing my neck in a choking manner with my left hand, my right slid up my thigh in a flirty way. I did another hair flip and two body rolls to the right before doing another 'Illusion'. The quick movements of my legs moving left and right reflected the way my arms caressed my body teasingly. The quick hip movements went unnoticed due to my sweater but I knew I wouldn't wear one on stage. As the chorus reached it's climax I did some more acrobatics, landing a back flip on my two hands and lifting one arm up. When I was holding my body up by my arm I used the momentum of my legs to spin myself upside down for at least three seconds. I swing my feet forward so I landed on my back. Still being a ways away from the mirror I lifted myself up using my abdomen alone. With the last few seconds I winked at the mirror, imagining a camera stationed right there, and turned around.

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

nae salang-eun seongjanghago seongjanghaessda.

(My love grew and grew)

nae mujoega nal-a gassda

(My innocence blew away)

modu changed

(Everything changed)

johdeun nappeu deun

(For better or for worse)

modu changed

(Everything changed)

naneun sigan-eul doedollil su eobs-eossda

(I could not turn back time)

And, with that last line, I walked away from the mirror. Small beads of sweat clung to my forehead as I fell to my knees.

"I did it!"I cheer, wiping my forehead and rolling onto my back."Yes yes yes!"

"That. Was. PERFECT!!!"cried my choreographer."Your movements were so precise it was mesmerizing!"

"I couldn't have done it without my perfect choreographer!"I compliment."I just need to practice it for a few more hours and tomorrow we can start shooting the MV!"

We put up a camera and went through the whole routine over ten times at least, focusing on parts that could be tweaked to create a better image for the audience. The backup dancers would have much more simple parts in order to keep all the attention on me. They started filing into the room just as I finished. 

'This is so exciting! I can't wait for tomorrow!'

I grab my things and walk out of the studio before it got too crowded. I left the main building and walked over to my motorcycle. I put on my jacket and drove back to the dorms. Today the streets were covered with leaves and the cool air finally started to sting my hands. It was finally the beginning of fall. I'm glad I decided to wear my leggings and white leg warmers in this weather. Parking my bike, I walked inside and took off my helmet. I hurried up the stairs and headed to the fourth floor. I knocked on the door across from mine and called for my host.

"Kookie-ah! Are you in there?"

There was footsteps from inside and the door opened to reveal a smiling Jungkook.

"Hi! Come in."he smiles, holding the door while I enter and take off my boots."I'm glad you decided to come."

"No problem, I had nothing else to do today anyway."

I looked around at their dorm. It was a bit messy, a few stacks of papers here and there but besides that it looked organized. I sat on the large couch and combed a hand through my hair.

"So how's your day?"I ask, facing Jungkoook while he poured both of us some juice.

"Well, today we practiced early this morning and were able to convince our manager to let us leave a bit early. Most of the others are out shopping for groceries. I think Jimin-hyung stayed to practice."he says, sitting right beside me."What about you?"

"I was practicing this morning too. I just need to shoot the MV for my debut for the next few days."I sigh, rubbing my temples.

"I'll make sure to watch it when it's released then."

"Thanks. So, do you wanna go out today?"I ask, trying to hide my giggles when I saw him choke on his drink."Sorry, I just thought you'd want to, like, get something to eat."

"Jin took the car so..."he says sheepishly.

"I've got my motorcycle. Do you want to go anywhere? This was your idea."I remind, sticking out my tongue at his shyness.

"We can try...hmm...I've never actually been out without Jiminie or Tae-hyung with me."he thinks, wriggling his fingers as he thought."I usually stay home."

At that moment an idea came to mind like a light bulb turned on in my head."I know, I'll show you my secret spot in Seoul! I bet your friends haven't showed you it before."