We departed from Gimpo Airport in the early morning and flew to Tokyo. After a nearly three-hour flight, we arrived overnight at the hotel where the SM family was staying in Tokyo. The company and the company had already booked a room for Ji Kyung-won and Do Kyung-soo, and they traveled all the way.
Lao Dun didn't say anything, just closed his eyes and rested.
I woke up early the next morning and followed my teammates to the Tokyo Dome for the first stage. Because I arrived two days late, EXO had much less time to practice together than other groups, and they were going to play tonight.
You should take this time to get familiar with the performance.
Fortunately, it is a family concert, and EXO only performs four new and old songs on stage. The dance is already very proficient, so there is nothing that needs to be practiced. It will be OK if you are familiar with the venue, moves, and equipment.
The several SM Town family concerts in July are still part of the same tour as last year. They are all part of SM TOWN's fourth world tour. There are not many changes in the performance program. Except for EXO, who just returned this year,
SHInee and other groups have added one or two new songs to their performances, but the rest is the same as last year. Ji Kyung-won still has a special stage "all for you" with Son Seung-wan, and a four-person collaboration with Luna and Henry.
First, there was the rehearsal for XO's own group, and then there was the rehearsal for the collaborative stage with other people. They were busy until the afternoon when they were finally finished. They gathered with the members at the backstage of the venue, taking a rest while queuing up and styling, waiting for the concert in the evening.
Tokyo Dome is one of Neon's most famous stadiums. It is also very professional when hosting events such as concerts. At the same time, the supporting equipment and backstage are much more luxurious than ordinary small venues.
The overall decoration of the backstage is in a white tone. It seems that the overall tone is a bit cold, but the lights are very bright and warm. Various staff, as well as agents, assistants, and backup dancers of various combinations are busy walking through it, watching
It was very lively up there.
Each group under SM has its own separate lounge. However, when the show is approaching, many people, except for those who are not styling or have their own things to do, will choose to hang out with other acquaintances or backstage.
The hall gathered together to chat.
Chi Jingyuan had just finished styling. He followed several members out of the lounge and found a sofa nearby. Not long after he sat down, someone blocked him in front of him.
"Yeah, you adapted my song like that?"
As soon as Kim Taeyeon walked into the hall, she glanced at Chi Kyung-won who was sitting next to him and was chatting with Kim Jun-myeon. She opened her legs and rushed over.
She stood in front of her with angry eyes and looked a little annoyed, looking very angry. Huang Meiying and others who were following her were lined up on both sides like subordinates, responding to Chi Jingyuan's greetings and watching the show with laughter.
Obviously, Kim Taeyeon was talking about the "Infinite Challenge Gayo Festival" that was broadcast yesterday. After the first episode was broadcast, due to the interesting program flow and strong and surprising guest lineup, related entries quickly appeared on the Internet.
Among the hot searches on many websites, Chi Jingyuan's masked performance of "If" was even followed along with it.
Apparently, he estimated that Wang Ci'er's prank stage was seen by the real owner, and he happened to be caught red-handed at this time.
"Nuna, do you think my imitation looks like it?"
Chi Jingyuan didn't panic at all. He first stood up and said hello to several sisters, then narrowed his smile and looked a little proud: "I went to see a few live performances of your song, and just that performance
I practiced the movements in front of the mirror for a long time..."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Huang Meiying and Cui Xiuying next to them burst out laughing.
Cui Xiuying was the most lively. She stood directly on the spot, with her feet in front and back, pretending to have a standing McCann in front of her and arranged it specially. Finally, she put her hands on her lower abdomen and caressed her face, her expression was focused and devoted.
She opened her mouth and sang a few lines with an expression on her face, and then she finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, complaining mercilessly: "Jingyuan looks like she has done her homework. The way she sings this song is so artificial, the others really
It’s impossible to learn.”
"Hahaha..." The people next to her laughed even harder, especially Huang Meiying.
"Yeah, be quiet!"
Kim Taeyeon was a little embarrassed and turned around and yelled fiercely. Unfortunately, no one seemed to care about her authority as captain.
Seeing that this girl was so laughed at by her own members that she couldn't even get off the stage, Chi Kyung-won still explained and comforted her: "Actually, I didn't do it specifically, but because I was too nervous to sing Taeyeon's Noona song, so I forgot a little bit."
word."
This is just a lie. How could there be a professional idol forgetting large sections of his lyrics on stage, saying ‘ahhhhhh’ the whole time? What’s more, it’s a pre-recorded program, so even if you forget it, you can re-record it.
However, Kim Taeyeon seemed to really believe it after hearing it. She crossed her arms and weighed her head, looked at him, and then nodded with a reserved expression: "Humph... That's it, I believe it!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. The special laughter of 'hohoho' resounded in her ears. At the same time, she reached out and patted Chi Jingyuan hard on the shoulder.
Obviously, this girl wasn't angry at all. She probably felt very happy because Chi Jingyuan sang her song in the variety show.
She simply sat down in the free space next to the sofa, turned around and motioned to Huang Meiying and the others to help themselves, and started chatting casually with a smile: "Why do you think of participating in Wucha's Music Festival?"
"Of course, the program team sent an invitation to the company to pick it up. I remember it was already the last moment. The first episode was recorded within two days of signing the contract."
"Jingyuan, do you want to go out tonight? The nightlife in Tokyo is really exciting at night, especially hot." Huang Meiying pulled a stool across from her and sat down. Although she was wearing a skirt, she still crossed her legs boldly.
"I arrived in Neon early this morning and didn't get much rest. I'll probably stay in the hotel after today. I'll probably go to bed early."
"Oh, I knew it." Huang Meiying blinked and pursed her lips at Kim Taeyeon, as if she had expected it.
Chi Jingyuan smiled apologetically, looked around, and asked curiously: "Hey, why don't you see Senior Yoona?"
"Are you really a fan of hers?" Sunny crossed her arms and sneered, then explained casually: "I called, do you want Yoona to sign your autograph when I get here?"
"Well, no need."
"Ha ha."
Apart from Ji Kyung-won, everyone else from Girls’ Generation and EXO are also relatively familiar with each other. The two groups of people gathered here and laughed and chatted. The atmosphere was very good. After a while, several members from SJ walked by.
Come, after seeing it, I immediately came over.
The members of SJ are different from the members of EXO. In comparison, they make a lot of noise. They like to joke and do some physical comedy. As soon as they came here, the place became a lot more lively. There was no shouting.
Broken.
As the time for the performance approaches, there are more and more people in the hall. The more senior artists naturally chat together, but there are also some people who look extremely restrained and dare not even sit down in the corner.
, stood there very awkwardly, looking at the other seniors who were laughing and having fun in the hall, seeming a little envious.
These people are SM rookies, the company's trainees who also participated in SM TOWN. Although there are several groups of male trainees that have not been disclosed to the public, it is basically known within the company that they are the new generation of male trainees that SM is preparing to launch next.
It is said that the group will officially debut next year, and Lee Soo Man's plan of 'infinite expansion' that has always been very similar to that in advance will be realized with them, so it seems that they will launch several sub-units in succession.
Red Velvet originally planned to use this 'wireless expansion' mode, but after adding the fifth member Jin Yelin this year, it received strong resistance from fans, and the impact was very bad. So far, Jin Yelin is the most disliked among Ledbebe fans.
She is a popular member, but she is often criticized and insulted by people online.
I don’t know how Red Velvet, who debuted like that last year, can have so many “four old fans”.
Because of this and other reasons, SM stopped trying this project with Ledbebe, so Lee Soo Man put all his expectations on this boy group that will debut next year, and the family concert will also
To bring them along, there are three or four stages for one performance, and they often post some videos of members practicing on the Internet. It can be said that they take it very seriously.
It's a pity that as trainees, these preparatory boy group members don't seem to be very popular in the SM family at this time, especially people like EXO. Even if they don't say anything, it's obvious that there is no enthusiasm for them.
Although SM has been working hard to promote things like family love, to be honest, it is actually quite ridiculous when there is a competitive relationship with each other. It is enough to show it to the outside world. Even if it is true, it is just that the relationship is better in private, or the status is relatively high.
under equal circumstances.
In terms of time, EXO was launched in 2012, four years after SHinee debuted. This new boy group will be launched next year, which is also four years apart from EXO. It is normal for new groups to be launched in a four-year cycle.
However, now that XO is at its peak, no one wants to see a new boy group come out to replace their position or take away their resources.
For example, several members of Park Chanyeol complained about the new boy group several times in the dormitory. Their voices were full of complaints, not only against the new boy group, but also against the company.
Chi Jingyuan is more open-minded about this, but it may be because he is not worried about his own resources and popularity, so he is confident, but in fact, he also understands the psychology of other members.
But to be honest, even if a new boy group debuts, if they want to reach the level and position that EXO is today, it really can't be achieved by simply working hard, or by concentrating resources with the company's praise.
These trainees seemed a little reserved in this hall. When there were no cameras filming, few debut artists took the initiative to talk to them. It wasn't until a few people from red velvet came over that Jin Yelin and Jiang Se, who looked familiar to them,
Only Qi and the others walked over and said hello with a smile, and stood there chatting for a few words.
It wasn't until the venue manager came to inform that the concert was about to begin that everyone got up to make final preparations.
SM company has been deeply involved in the neon market for many years since BOA. In the future, basically every generation of artist groups will try to develop the neon market after their popularity in the peninsula is stable. They have formed their own reputation and brand, so every time
SM TOWN can attract a large number of viewers.
The packed venue with 50,000 people looks quite shocking from below, and is very obviously different from the venue with 10,000 or 20,000 people.
Although EXO has not yet officially debuted in Neon, their popularity here is already considerable.
With the two songs "Roar" and "WOLF", as well as this year's newly added "Call Me Baby" and "Boy with Luv", the group has a total of four songs on stage, which can arouse strong cheers and screams every time they appear on stage.
That is to say, TVXQ's popularity and status in the neon market is unshakable. Looking at the enthusiasm and cheers of the audience, XO is not inferior to the other seniors who have been working here for many years, and even somewhat surpasses it.
Especially "Boy with Luv", although it is the original Korean version, it seems to be particularly popular with the audience. The sound of the support and the overall atmosphere are obviously a level higher, and the neon audience at the scene is actually the same as Ariel from Peninsula
, in the chorus part, the entire audience started to sing in unison. The extreme sound instantly overwhelmed the impression and reverberated throughout the venue. Chi Jingyuan, who was performing on the stage, was so shaken that he almost made a mistake in his dance.
The concert officially started with the collaboration stage between Ahn Chi-hyun and J-Min, and ended with "HOPE" more than two hours later.
"It's very dazzling."
"Incredibly charming."
"Hold each other's hands."
All participating artist groups put on pink 'SM TOWN' shirts and all re-entered the stage. They dispersed to the corners of the huge stage and sang together to perform this classic closing song, generally waving to the audience.
EXO was also divided into several groups. Chi Jingyuan casually followed a few members and walked toward the sub-stage on the left. Although he was holding a microphone, he did not sing a word and waved completely.
He started to interact with the fans below, and from time to time he smiled and interacted with Jin Junmyeon in front of him.
He casually looked left and right, and there were artists scattered all over the stage. In the opposite direction to them, several people from FX and Red Velvet were gathered together. Amber looked like a boss, holding Kang Seulgi and Kim Yelin in her arms.
Jumping up and down, Bae Zhuhyun was watching and laughing.
Chi Jingyuan walked to the edge of the stage, gently shaking his head to the music of "Hope", and glanced to the side with his peripheral vision, and found that the three members of Girls' Generation had also coincidentally walked to their side at this time.
Stopped next to him, and standing on the right side of Chi Jingyuan happened to be Lin Yoona.
This sister is also wearing the same pink family short-sleeved shirt, blue denim shorts underneath, and a pair of slender long legs wearing white sneakers. They look neat and pretty and slender.
Her long, slightly curly black hair was pulled into a side ponytail and rested on the shoulder next to her. She also wore a pink and white hairband on her head. She stood there without singing a word, grinning at the fans below.
He kept waving his hands, looking lively and fresh.
She really deserves to be the face of Girls' Generation. I haven't seen Chi Jingyuan for a while and I feel that this girl looks a lot younger. She attracts the attention of the people around her as soon as she stops there.
As if feeling his gaze, Lin Yuner also turned her head and looked over. After exchanging a glance with Chi Jingyuan, her eyes that were smiling just now were bent a lot. The pair of lying silkworms in front of her eyes were extremely eye-catching, making her eyes
The decoration is very delicate and at the same time, it also gives people a sense of closeness similar to coquettishness.
The two looked at each other and smiled, then turned back and continued waving below, and then stayed here until the song "Hepo" came to an end, and everyone began to return to the main stage and stood in a row.
EXO reunited, and Ji Kyung-won stood at the edge of the group. Coincidentally, right next to him were Lin Yoona and several girls from Girls' Generation.
At the final curtain call of the concert, everyone standing in a row naturally held hands and bowed deeply towards the bottom of the stage. This time, the SM Town family concert officially ended.
Dozens of artists lined up to leave the stage and headed backstage. Because there were so many people and it was crowded, they moved very slowly.
He walked very slowly in front of him, Chi Jingyuan moved unsteadily, and the smell of Zhou Qingming's perfume and the faint smell of sweat mixed together and filled the surroundings, which was unexpectedly good.
"Why did Sunny Ernie ask me to sign your autograph?" At this time, Lin Yoona, who had been walking in front of Chi Jingyuan, suddenly turned around, looked at him with twinkling eyes and asked.
"Forehead……"
Chi Jingyuan was immediately stopped by the question, and the smile on his face froze for a second. After a pause, he squeezed out a smile and said, "Ani, Sunny, that was just a joke."
"Really."
Lin Yuner chuckled, her bright eyes looked a little playful, she nodded with a smile without asking any further questions, took a step back and stood side by side with Chi Jingyuan, and started chatting casually.
Although they haven’t really communicated much in recent times, and the two of them are not particularly familiar with each other, there seems to be no barrier between Yoona and sunbae at all. Her tone and smile are very familiar, which makes people feel very comfortable. They didn’t talk to each other until they were backstage.
Say goodbye..
Speaking of which, this girl is really quite tall. Wearing flat shoes, she is only a little shorter than Chi Jingyuan, who keeps his head down.
After the concert, they had a small meeting and then disbanded. EXO found a Japanese restaurant to have a meal together and then returned to the hotel. After a short refreshment, they began to discuss where to go to play in the evening.
In the group, there are people like Ji Kyung-won and Kim Min-seok who don't like to run around, and there are also people like Park Chanyeol and Kim Jong-in who like to be lively. Basically, as long as it is an overseas activity, if conditions permit, they will go out to see the local prosperity.
Park Chanyeol said that he met a well-connected person in the neon circle through a recommendation from a friend. He was said to be well connected and could introduce some artists from the neon community to each other, and they made an appointment to hang out together in the evening.
However, Chi Jingyuan and others did not go. He was indeed a little tired from not having a good rest at night, so he planned to play with his mobile phone and watch TV before going to bed.
After the members dispersed, he returned to the hotel room. After taking a shower, he lay on the bedside and played with his mobile phone, reading the news to kill time.
Suddenly the screen went black and the phone vibrated. A call came in. It was Jiang Seulgi.
"Hey, don't worry..." Chi Jingyuan answered directly and responded.
"Jingyuan, have you gone out? Are you in the hotel?" Jiang Seulqi's familiar voice came from the phone, and she sounded like she was in a good mood.
"No, I'm lying in the room." He glanced at the time and replied lazily.
"That's great!"
She shouted in surprise when she heard it, and there seemed to be other people's voices mixed in next to her. It sounded a bit like Son Seung-wan.
"We are in the leisure area on the fifth floor of the hotel. Do you want to come and play together? We happen to have few people."