From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Chapter 1003: A Dramatic Performance

"Alright, team!" Jaeyong exclaimed as they stood beneath the stage.

They were getting ready to appear on stage. However, their introduction and VCR were still yet to play before they performed.

"The one and only DAWN!" Hana excitedly exclaimed, making the boys put on their game faces.

Then, the familiar sound of their VCR was heard throughout the venue, making the crowd go quiet in concentration.

- The performances are quite short, right?

- That's because there are too many artists this year.

- I hope they gave DAWN more time to perform.

- It already feels different. Their VCR has started!

Everyone turned their attention to the screen where DAWN's VCR had just started.

It began with a panoramic shot of a sprawling landscape painted in deep hues of navy and silver, the stars shimmering like scattered diamonds.

Standing atop a hill, June's figure came into view. His midnight blue hanbok fluttered dramatically in the breeze, almost camouflaging against the night sky.

- Dang, is this a movie?

- Untouched Souls part two?

- What is this? Do they have a song that requires this kind of atmosphere?

- I don't know! All I know is that I'm excited. DAWN always eats with the concepts.

The members of CHAOS shook their heads as the first scene played.

"When did they have the time to film all of this?" Haruki muttered, finding them impressive since he knew how hectic their schedule was.

Behind June, the rest of the members started appearing one by one.

Their eyes seemed to reflect unseen battles—with each member engrossed in the role that they were given.

Whispers were through the rows where idols sat, LUNAIRE leaning forward with intrigue, their amusement from earlier replaced by genuine interest.

Of course, the audience didn't think it was just a dramatic save.

Instead, it was a metaphor, clear as day, for what they had endured as a group.

The hall erupted with soft murmurs of understanding and admiration. In a moment where drama met reality, DAWN had managed to pull the entire room into their story.

The screen faded to black, and the stage lights flickered on like stars re-emerging after a storm.

Silence, a deep, anticipatory silence, enveloped the audience as the stage slowly illuminated. A single spotlight landed on Casper, who sat cross-legged with an unfamiliar instrument cradled in his arms.

"The gayageum?" Hana whispered, audible only to Taehyun beside her. Even the idols exchanged glances, puzzled but curious.

Most astras were aware that Casper knew how to play the guitar.

However, he now held the traditional Korean zither as though he had spent a lifetime mastering it.

His fingers danced across the strings, and a hauntingly beautiful melody filled the space.

It was their song—To My New Beginning.

However, instead of it being a song of hope, it sounded more like a cry for help.

- Only a second has passed, and I fear this is already the best performance of the night.

- So true. They should have performed last!

- Casper is so freaking hot when he's serious.

Idols in the audience, from CHAOS to LUNAIRE and even ZTC12456, sat frozen, eyes locked on the stage. The audience seemed to breathe in unison, waiting for the next move.

Then, a figure stepped out from the shadows, walking to the front of the stage.

It was June, his expression composed but intense, eyes scanning the sea of faces before him. He took a breath, and the moment stretched as the crowd collectively leaned in.

And then, he opened his mouth and began to sing. Not in the style the world had come to know him for, but in a traditional Korean pansori tone.

Mimi's eyes comically widened.

"He can sing this genre, too?"