As the curtain rose, Do-hyun appeared on the extended stage. The audience was a sea of colors. From the standing area to the second floor, the sections were a vibrant rainbow.
Looking out, Do-hyun almost teared up. He cherished the purple waves he’d seen before, but witnessing the new rainbow of cheering sticks, introduced during this European tour, deeply moved him. His world felt completely filled with rainbows.
However, he couldn’t cry from the start. Do-hyun was a professional. He launched into five songs without a break. The songs with more complex choreography were saved for the second half.
After finishing the fifth song while playing guitar, Do-hyun expressed his gratitude and greeted the audience.
“Hello, everyone! This is Na Do-hyun! I’m so happy to see you all. Are you enjoying the show? Please look forward to the rest of the performance!”
Do-hyun’s English had improved significantly during his time in the United States. He could now fully express himself without an interpreter, allowing him to confidently address the international audience.
“I know some of you are also familiar with Korean. Thank you for coming. Some of you traveled from Korea, and many others came from all over to see the show. Thank you so much for being here! I’ll do my best to give you a great performance! See you at the next stage!”
Do-hyun went backstage to change into his second outfit. The second VCR [Video Cassette Recording, a short video played during concerts] began playing. While the first set mixed folk and rock, the second setlist featured upbeat songs with light choreography. Some songs had no choreography originally, but fans wanted to see Do-hyun dance, so they added some. The VCR reflected this refreshing change.
“Wow, Na Do-hyun really put a lot into this,” a member of the press corps in the VIP seats exclaimed. The elaborate stage setup was evident, and the VCR offered a different charm compared to the SoFi Stadium concert.
“Can you imagine how much it cost just to set up the stage?”
“I know, right? This is what a real superstar’s stage looks like. It’s on another level compared to SoFi Stadium… The company is really flexing its financial muscle.”
“Exactly. We should take some 기념 [ginyum – Korean for commemorative] photos.”
The reporters all pulled out their phones to photograph the stage. Kim Myung-ho, Yoon Min-hye, and Yoo Ha-na were among them. The female reporters, in particular, were completely captivated by Na Do-hyun’s charm.
With the official distribution of cheering sticks, even the press box sparkled with light. Reporter Yoon and Reporter Yoo happily waved their cheering sticks, unconcerned about what the other reporters thought.
“Na Do-hyun! Na Do-hyun! Na Do-hyun!”
The press corps was moved by the sight of fans from diverse backgrounds chanting Do-hyun’s name. The fact that a Korean singer, a male solo artist no less, could command such a crowd was surprising. The sight of the 40,000 to 50,000-seat concert hall was breathtaking. They couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.
Soon, Do-hyun reappeared. He had traded his neat suit for a sweatshirt, tight-fitting pants, and work boots. Even his slightly styled bangs added to the look.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
“Na Do-hyun!”
“Do-hyun, I love you!”
Shouts erupted from the crowd.
Exclamations continued from the press box.
“Wow, he’s really something… He’s incredibly handsome, even for a guy to admit. I never thought of Na Do-hyun as *this* handsome before… He’s really showing his true colors on this stage…”
“The moment Do-hyun’s face appeared on the screen, I was a goner. I totally fell for Na Do-hyun.”
“I feel like I’ve been hit hard by Na Do-hyun… How can I explain this feeling? Actors should act, and singers should sing to be cool, after all.”
Even the male reporters watched the stage with their mouths agape. The female reporters had long succumbed to Do-hyun’s *homme fatale* [French for deadly man, a seductive and irresistable man] charm. The public relations team leader and members smiled, pleased with the reaction.
Even without relying on entertainment programs to build his image, Do-hyun was performing so well that positive articles were guaranteed.
Only a select few celebrities in the entertainment industry didn’t need the public relations team to craft their image, and Do-hyun was one of them.
“Our Do-hyun is really amazing, isn’t he?”
“I know, right? That’s why he’s the celebrity reporters favor most. He’s truly incredible.”
“It’s no surprise reporters treat him so well. Do-hyun is amazing. I can’t wait to see what kind of articles come out this time. The fan interviews were full of positive comments… I’m so glad I brought the reporters to Wembley.”
PD [Production Director] Lee Jun-hyuk and the CEO were also impressed by Do-hyun’s increasingly polished appearance. PD Lee Jun-hyuk, who had first brought Do-hyun to Hue Entertainment, was lost in thought, comparing Do-hyun’s low self-esteem during those early guide vocal recordings to his current presence.
‘I never imagined he would become such a great singer. I made the right choice… To become a singer recognized not only domestically but worldwide, to captivate Wembley like this… He’s truly amazing. Na Do-hyun.’
* * *
The concert was scheduled for two hours. However, Do-hyun, driven by his passion for the stage, performed for a total of three hours, including the encore songs. Even that was cut short by the staff. Had they not intervened, he might have set a four-hour record.
Do-hyun came off stage, drenched in sweat.
“Do-hyun, you were incredible! You killed it tonight. I knew you would, but I didn’t expect you to completely destroy the stage like that.”
Do-hyun smiled, touched by Kang-ho’s words.
“Thanks, 형 [hyung – Korean for older brother or close male friend]. I did kill it, right? Haa… It’s tough. Did I overdo it? Tomorrow, I want to try a four-hour performance. I even want to try a 24-hour performance from December 31st to January 1st!”
“Hey… You’ll get vocal cord nodules! Singers need to protect their voices. You know how hard it is to recover once your voice is gone, right?”
“I know, but what can I do if it feels so good? I think I was born to be on stage. I can’t imagine myself without it.”
“Wow… Na Do-hyun. You’re a genius with a dangerous obsession.”
“Um… I’m not a genius, but thanks for the compliment, 형.”
Kang-ho wasn’t alone. The youngest stylist was there too. While Do-hyun was focused on the performance, she had returned. Do-hyun was happy to see her.
“막내야 [maknae-ya – Korean for youngest, used affectionately], you’re finally back?”
“Yes, 오빠 [oppa – Korean for older brother, used by females]! I’m finally back. I didn’t think I’d be able to come back… But the team leader was kind enough to let me… So here I am.”
Do-hyun was relieved that the stylist team leader had allowed her return. Seeing Kang-ho and her being affectionate made him a little jealous, but what could he do? They were engaged.
“막내야, just a moment.”
Do-hyun whispered to her.
“Why?”
“…I don’t know if you’ve told the team yet, but congratulations on getting back together, and congratulations on your upcoming marriage. You haven’t forgotten that I’m singing at your wedding, right?”
She looked at Do-hyun with tearful eyes.
“오빠, are you really going to sing for us? Is that a joke?”
“You’re asking the same question as Ho-ya 형. I said I’m really going to sing for you, and I’m not joking. I mean it sincerely.”
“I’m so touched… I heard it from Ho-ya 오빠, but honestly, I know Do-hyun 오빠 is busy, so I didn’t think he’d have time to sing at our wedding… I thought it was half a joke. But I’m so grateful that 오빠 said this… And… I heard that you bought me a plane ticket to come to England.”
Do-hyun had casually asked Kang-ho to buy her plane ticket with his card, knowing she’d be away from Kang-ho for a long time during the European tour. Kang-ho initially hesitated, but couldn’t refuse Do-hyun’s generosity. Kang-ho did as Do-hyun asked, and she was able to rejoin the team.
Do-hyun smiled and said, “Have fun with Ho-ya 형,” and moved away.
Do-hyun went straight to the hotel, as he had another performance the next day.
He planned to remove his makeup after arriving.
However, he encountered a problem.
Numerous fans lined the street to see Do-hyun’s 퇴근길 [toegeungil – Korean for the way home from work, often used to describe celebrities greeting fans on their way home]. His car couldn’t get through.
Do-hyun briefly lowered both windows and greeted them. He also asked them to step back so they could meet again at tomorrow’s performance. At his request, the fans moved aside, and the car was able to leave safely.
Back at his hotel, Do-hyun carefully removed his makeup. Kang-ho, watching him, exclaimed,
“Hey, why is your skin so good? It’s glowing!”
“형, I’m getting such thorough care. If my skin *didn’t* glow this much… that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?”
“Still… Even with all the care in the world, some people just can’t achieve that. Ah, that’s right. Your juniors are here to see you. Are you going to invite them in?”
Icarus’s Hyun-ho and Seok-won had come to England to see Do-hyun. When Do-hyun nodded, Kang-ho said he’d leave and went to another room. Do-hyun contacted Hyun-ho and Seok-won and told them his room number. Soon after, they knocked on the door.
“Oh, Hyun-ho. Seok-won.”
“형!”
“선배님 [sunbaenim – Korean for senior]!”
The two hugged Do-hyun and raved about how awesome the stage was. Do-hyun smiled shyly and thanked them.
“형, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the Wembley stage… I want to perform on the Wembley stage someday too. I wish I could be like 형. Well, Wembley seems too ambitious… I’d be happy even with Jamsil Main Stadium [a large stadium in Seoul, South Korea].”
Do-hyun encouraged Seok-won, saying he was capable of challenging Wembley Stadium.
“형, we both bought 형’s merchandise too. When we were in line, 형’s fans recognized us and asked for our autographs. So… Please sign our T-shirts!”
Seok-won joked, handing over Do-hyun’s T-shirt. Hyun-ho handed over his, not wanting to be left out.
Do-hyun signed the T-shirts.
“형, you know we’re coming to tomorrow’s show, right?”
“Oh? You’re coming tomorrow too? Won’t you be tired?”
Seok-won and Hyun-ho shook their heads.
“Tired? How could we be tired watching 형’s performance!”
“I’m going to set a new record tomorrow. I’m thinking of trying a four-hour performance for the first time in Na Do-hyun’s career. What do you guys think?”
Hyun-ho spoke up.
“형, then can’t we be surprise guests?”