The next morning, before Ou Yangguang was even fully awake, Cheng Huan pulled him out of bed to wash up. Still half asleep, he boarded a plane back to Shanghai.
Two hours later, Ou Yangguang and the other members arrived in Shanghai. Outside the airport's VIP passage, fans and reporters, who had already received word, thronged the area. When the M team members appeared, the flashes and screams nearly shook the airport. Ou Yangguang, surrounded by his manager and assistant, quickly passed through. A fan shouted, "Ou Yangguang! Happy New Year!" He nodded in the direction of the voice.
The wind was biting cold, but the enthusiasm of the fans waiting at the airport was enough to melt away the ice and snow. Shouts in Chinese rose and fell: "EXO! EXO!" "Ouyang Guang!" "Luhan!" "Kris Wu!" "Zhang Yixing!"...
The convoy sped towards the Oriental Sports Center. After quickly finishing their breakfast of soup dumplings, xiaolongbao, and pan-fried buns backstage, Ou Yangguang and his team began rehearsing their positions.
After the rehearsal, the makeup artists began applying makeup and styling the members' hair. Ou Yangguang changed into a classic EXO school uniform suit for the performance.
Of course, it was inevitable to greet and say hello to the senior artists attending tonight's event. However, some of them seemed kind and approachable, while others acted arrogantly and looked down on them.
The performances by Oh Sunny and Kim Ji-won, as well as EXO's performances at the MBC Gayo Daejejeon that night, were all pre-recorded.
During the live performance, only EXO-K performed; what the TV station broadcast was a pre-recorded segment.
As the "Golden Couple" who won the Best Couple award at the MBC Entertainment Awards for two consecutive years, they performed a classic Korean song called "Pleasant," with a light, sweet, and catchy melody.
After the host's opening imitation of the stage, the host introduced, "Next, please welcome the 'Golden Couple,' Oh Sunny and Kim Ji-won, to perform 'Likable'!"
The lighting was a soft pinkish-purple, and the stage set had been transformed into a romantic and glamorous atmosphere. Ou Yangguang, hand in hand with Kim Ji-won, walked out from the center of the stage. As the music began, the two smiled at each other and started their performance.
Ou Yangguang wore a white fringed loose-fitting suit with a white t-shirt underneath, and her hair was styled into a youthful and energetic straight style.
Kim Ji-won wore a pink and white tulle dress that matched the European sun color scheme.
Ou Yangguang's singing voice is gentle and clear, while Kim Ji-won's voice is sweet and charming. They don't have complicated dance moves; they simply sway their bodies gently to the rhythm, occasionally making some choreographed interactive movements. Their eye contact is natural and sweet, perfectly interpreting the sweet love in the song.
At the end of the performance, the two stood side by side, made a heart shape with their hands in front of the camera, which elicited enthusiastic screams from the audience.
In the second part, it was EXO's performance stage, and the intro to "Wolf" ignited the entire audience. The thirteen members' dance was powerful and synchronized, full of beast-like explosive energy.
After the performance of "Wolf," the music didn't stop, immediately transitioning to the even more powerful drumbeats of "Growl"! The formation changed instantly, with classic school uniform-style suits drawing sharp lines on the stage. Performing two title tracks back-to-back showcased EXO's stage presence and synchronized dance moves to the fullest.
That same evening, Shanghai's Dragon TV New Year's Eve Gala featured EXO, whose time included interviews, interactions, and performances, lasting a full half hour.
With the host's excited announcement: "Next, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome Asia's super popular idol group—EXO-M!"
Virtual snowflakes floated on the stage screen, and the beautiful and tranquil prelude to "First Snow" flowed out.
Ouyang Guang, Lu Han, Zhang Yixing and others stood in the center of the stage, their slender figures appearing dreamlike amidst the swirling snow.
Ou Yang's clear and emotional voice perfectly conveyed the tenderness and melancholy of this winter love song. The fans' light boards and banners below the stage created a sea of light, and the entire audience sang along.
Before the lingering notes of "First Snow" had faded, the stage lights and rhythm suddenly changed! The iconic intro to "Roar" began, and the members unleashed their full dance power!
"It's dangerous now, I was just about to warn you..."
The Chinese version of "Growl" resounded throughout the venue! Although there were only seven members in Team M, their stage presence was undiminished. Ouyang's center position dance was full of power, and his eyes commanded the entire audience; Jongdae's high notes pierced the entire venue; Luhan's voice was clear and bright; Zhang Yixing's dance elicited screams... The entire venue was engulfed in a frenzy of screams.
After the performance, the seven members bowed, panting. The host came on stage for a brief interaction with them. When asked about his New Year's wishes, Ouyang took the microphone and said in clear Chinese, "I hope EXO can always be with everyone, and I hope everyone is safe and happy. In 2014, we will work even harder!" His words drew a deafening response.
Of course, there was also an interview and interaction segment, where the host invited Super Junior-M and EXO-M to participate.
After each member of the two groups gave a fun self-introduction, they competed in interactive games and gave away gifts to the audience.
Both groups sent representatives to the competition; EXO sent Tao. He wore a bunny mascot costume and was suspended in mid-air by wires, handing out small plush toys as gifts.
The New Year's bells are about to ring out during a five-hour-plus stage performance and live broadcast!
The countdown has begun.
The entire audience chanted in unison: "10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!"
Brilliant fireworks simultaneously lit up the night sky above the sports center and the Bund. Confetti rained down on the stage as the EXO-M members embraced each other, welcoming 2014 with the entire audience.
Ou Yangguang looked up at the dazzling display of colors and the thunderous cheers from the audience... a mix of emotions swirled within him.
At this moment, he stood on the stage of a winter night in Shanghai, surrounded by his teammates who had just finished their performance, with dazzling fireworks and countless loving gazes before him.
2013 ended in the most dazzling and spectacular way.
2014 began with a bang amidst all this noise and brilliance.
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