Chapter 126 Goodnight and Sweet Dreams (43,000 words) The Moon Rises Over the Bay Area and Jade...
In September, Lumera's world tour kicked off at the Seoul Olympic Stadium in Jamsil. This stadium is very large and can accommodate 100,000 people. A total of 50,000 tickets were released, but there were more than 700,000 people queuing for public sales. Ctrip had more than one million reservations, resulting in another ticket-buying frenzy that sold out in seconds.
Lumera held two consecutive concerts, followed by three stops on her China tour: Hong Kong, Macau, and then three concerts at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. After that, Jiang Tinghan doesn't have to leave and can immediately participate in the 2025 Greater Bay Area Rising Moon Film Music Gala.
This was Jiang Tinghan's first time attending such an official event. It was like breaking down an invisible wall. She met many Hong Kong stars and mainland celebrities, but at private parties, she only spoke a few words to Quan Shunrong and Xu Minghao, whom she was relatively familiar with, and remained silent to the others. She couldn't expect to socialize freely in this situation where she had no relatives or friends around her.
Jiang Tinghan summarized the party as half bad and half good. They seemed serious, but their minds were actually elsewhere. She thought that Quan Zhilong would be more at ease in such a setting. He looked shy and socially awkward, but he always seemed to make new friends out of nowhere. From this, she knew that he was very good at socializing and making new friends.
She was distracted for only a short while before the harsh words brought her back to reality.
Jiang Tinghan didn't react much to this. He had heard plenty of disastrous performances at various award ceremonies in previous years, so he was used to it. But the good ones were also very good. Some veteran and new singers could handle high, low, and long notes with ease, and their endings were clean and crisp. They were technically impressive while also full of emotion.
One of them is singer Lin Zhixuan, who will be collaborating with Jiang Tinghan today. In his song "Never Left," you can't even hear his breathing. His high notes are so loud that it sounds like he's about to ascend the throne in his yellow suit today. I think I heard him sing this song on "Singer" when I was a kid. Years later, I actually heard this song live. I was a little dazed for a moment.
The other party was a very demanding senior. At first, they completely refused when they received the invitation to sing together. It seems that it was only after repeated requests and sending several videos of Coldy's solo performances and a cappella singing that the other party changed their attitude. Ultimately, it was Coldy's strength that played a decisive role, giving the senior the hope of creating new sparks on stage that would be loved by the audience.
The two sang a new version of "I Like You" together, and Jiang Tinghan also had an additional solo performance of "Cold". This song already had a Chinese version, so she didn't need to spend any more effort writing lyrics.
The theme of this event is "One World, One Love". If we have to say, "Cold" is indeed related to love. It is a song created with love in mind.
"Hello, Teacher Lin." Jiang Tinghan, who had finished her makeup and styling, bowed slightly to Lin Zhixuan backstage to greet him. Her legs were a little numb from sitting for several hours without moving, but now she felt much better after walking a few steps.
The other person was quite gentle offstage, and asked with a warm smile, "Will you be nervous going on stage later?"
Jiang Tinghan: "It's alright. I'm more shocked than nervous right now. Teacher Lin's performance was just perfect."
Her tone was very sincere, without a trace of flattery. She always spoke to people in a way that suited them, and whether she could make friends depended on whether she was willing to or not.
It's impossible for her to be nervous. She's been on stage countless times, big and small, and in terms of international influence, she's among the top performers at this gala.
Lin Zhixuan could only laugh and say, "It's hard not to be perfect after practicing for a long time."
Regarding the stage costumes, although this senior had his own ideas, Jiang Tinghan thought they were—not very good.
Actually, many people are like this: either they are exceptionally ugly, or they are just average-looking. Jiang Tinghan is looking for something that is both beautiful and memorable.
So she appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him, explaining how to dress to better match the stage and interpret the performance. Not only does Lin Zhixuan demand perfection from the stage, but she is also a perfectionist and has even decided on the roles for each stage.
Lin Zhixuan sang the original melody, aiming to capture the classic charm. His outfit was inspired by the attire of Hong Kong urban elites in the 1990s. His hair was meticulously styled, and he wore an antique suit with a beige cashmere sweater underneath, revealing a gentle and reserved poetic image.
Jiang Tinghan got a perm with big, wavy, Hong Kong-style textured waves. Because her hair wasn't as long as before, the perm didn't have the same waterfall-like effect, but the slightly shorter black hair had its own unique charm.
She wore a sky-blue, modern Chinese-style cheongsam that resembled a clear sea under the sun, highlighting her beautiful figure. Two small gears hung from her earlobes, which, despite the strong industrial feel of her appearance, did not seem out of place. They seemed to truly function as gears in a precision instrument, connecting the past and the present. She looked like she had a story to tell, both cold and classical. Although she was one of the younger guests present, her aura was by no means weak.
"Tick-tock, tick-tock—" The clock ticked away again and again.
Lin Zhixuan started by setting the tone: "The drizzle and wind soaked the streets at dusk, and after wiping away the rain, my eyes looked up for no reason."
"Looking at the lonely lamplight, there are those sad memories."
"Countless memories welled up in my heart again, and the smiles of the past still lingered on my face."
"May you know now that this is what I say from the bottom of my heart."
Classic old songs are so touching that even the lyrics are incredibly moving. Listening to the melody and vocals again evokes a sense of sadness. Lin Zhixuan previously covered Beyond's "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," and his Cantonese was quite standard. Because of his wide vocal range, he raised the pitch slightly, but it didn't break the immersion at all. As soon as his voice came out, the audience was completely captivated.
As the camera zoomed in, the focus shifted from his refined and gentlemanly attire to the intellectual and poised Jiang Tinghan. Her makeup softened the inherent aggression in her features, making her appear more dignified and gentle.
Jiang Tinghan observed all night. The microphone volume wasn't turned up too high, so it was easily drowned out by the accompaniment. Therefore, she sang louder than usual, her voice still carrying a melancholy and deep affection: "I like you, those eyes are so beautiful."
"I wish I could gently caress you again..."
"That lovely face, holding hands and talking in your sleep, just like yesterday, you and I."
She has a special method for singing a sad love song that will make the audience cry.
Just imagine breaking up with Kwon Ji-yong. It's impossible to predict whether she'll shed tears, but Kwon Ji-yong would probably cry terribly. Although it feels guilty, just imagining him crying so pitifully, with his nose and eyes probably red, does make him look adorable.
Jiang Tinghan never reveals such little tricks; to do so would be to start a world war.
Xiao Long, far away in South Korea, sneezed, rubbed his nose, and continued watching the live broadcast of the gala. Long-distance relationships are truly tough, so tough that even a young master like him has to download an app to watch it. If he were in China now, he could probably watch it on TV. But it doesn't matter; he can overcome any difficulty for love.
Seeing Jiang Tinghan in a cheongsam today, Quan Zhilong felt that everything was worthwhile, and he couldn't say anything else except "Yebo".
Today, the chicken is still being smitten by his girlfriend.
Singing while standing still was too easy for Jiang Tinghan, saving her the space to memorize the positions and movements, which gave her more energy and allowed her to sing more delicately: "I was once so impulsive with ideals in my heart, and I often complained that I had no freedom in loving him."
"May you know this now..."
Lin Zhixuan continued, "This is what I truly feel."
“Say something…” Jiang Tinghan switched to a smooth harmony, her voice like the soft, plaintive sound of traditional Chinese stringed instruments, adding a touch of gentleness to the other person’s powerful singing.
[Oh my god, isn't this some kind of idol who's active in South Korea? Their skills are almost on par with singers!]
I thought she was the type who would sing beautifully, but I didn't expect her to actually sing so well.
[Singing a duet with Lin Daxian is just as good, he's really got something!]
This guy's singing is really something else; he's definitely had professional training. It's a stark contrast to those guys with their generic, unrefined voices.
[Finally, someone worthy of listening! How many mediocre and terrible people were smuggled in before? Is this what idols are supposed to be? Idols should have this kind of talent to appear on stage, right?]
That's impossible. She's already a recognized top idol with exceptional talent. Not everyone can be as amazing as her; she's truly a rare find.
[Who? Who is this? You mean the singer I watched on TV when I was a kid is now singing a duet with me? What kind of dream collaboration is this?]
【I'm at my wit's end! My family nags me every day about blindly idolizing celebrities, but I have to show them this stage that my sister is definitely worth following!】
The live stream chat was filled with countless positive reviews. Fans didn't need to pretend to be casual viewers and just enjoy themselves. They could enjoy the singer's heavenly voice and the praise pouring in from all directions. Although there were still some doubts and criticisms such as "Is he using autotune?", "Is he singing live?", and "What kind of crap is he singing?", they were negligible compared to the number of positive reviews.
They can't do anything about the criticism from passersby; they can't control what passersby say, even if it might attract negative attention and upset other fan groups...
So what if they're unhappy? There are plenty of people who are unhappy with K-pop fans. They were even once given the "glorious title" of "K-pop universal scumbag." As long as they're happy with K-pop, that's all that matters.
[A luxurious place! It briefly saved my ears! There was another one before me who also came back from K-pop, but their pitch was completely off. This one sang pretty well, and their makeup didn't seem too heavy. They look this good even without idol makeup!]
[My friend Kou is known for looking better with minimal makeup. Today's makeup and styling deserve a bonus from the makeup artist. She looks like she's living a life of peace and prosperity. Ahhh, she looks even more elegant in a cheongsam today. She truly is a Chinese beauty (facepalm) (facepalm)]
[So ethereal, it felt like my skull was opened! In short, it was crystal clear (amazing!) (amazing!)]
[What? Isn't this song by Beyond? How come this woman's name is involved in the lyrics and composition?]
The audience's doubts were quickly dispelled. The melody after the chorus was significantly different from the original version, adapted to be more suitable for the stage. The two singers' pitches gradually rose, as if climbing layer by layer into the sky. Soon, their voices pierced through the thick clouds, revealing light and allowing all the pent-up emotions to explode.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the sustained high notes, and finally the melody descended from the clouds, becoming gentle.
Jiang Tinghan's eyes softened, like a warm pool of water in spring, and she began to sing the verse she had written especially for a particular viewer in front of the screen.
The stage ended with a lingering, swaying melody, like the first warm breeze after a rain, followed by the golden sunlight that warmed the whole body.
This alternating warm and cool sound continued until "Cold". She maintained excellent form while standing and singing, looking at the camera as if she were looking at her beloved. Looking at her eyes for even a second longer would make you feel mesmerized, as if you were being deeply loved by this beautiful woman.
The fans, on the other hand, are much more at ease. They've been charmed like this for a long time! Now they can confidently say that they won't be as drool-worthy as they were before.
Yesterday, the first snowflakes fell.
Today, my heart is captivated by you.
Jiang Tinghan sang the Chinese version of "Cold" on stage for the first time, even changing the original English version to the corresponding Chinese. The impact of this performance skyrocketed, and fans' hearts pounded. They could no longer say that they were "not tempted".
Kwon Ji-yong felt that his heart rate was quite normal, but his hand involuntarily picked up his phone to check flights to Macau.
This gala garnered significant attention online, and within a single night, both the best and worst performances were reviewed. The song "I Like You" topped the list of "divine collaborations," so flawless that even those who couldn't appreciate it could only nitpick, pointing out flaws like "Lin Zhixuan's performance was too technically impressive, lacking emotion and relying solely on mechanical skill" and "Jiang Tinghan was too inexperienced to capture the song's depth." However, discerning viewers quietly added this collaboration to their playlists. With both professional and casual viewers contributing to the views, the performance surpassed two million views in a single day, and another million likes are being generated on Douyin (TikTok)...
Keeping a low profile is just basic practice for Kodi.
Coldy, also known as Jiang Tinghan, undoubtedly became one of the most dazzling stars of this year's gala. Her two performances brought her countless new fans, and netizens who were prejudiced against K-pop began to learn about her and her group. Talented people are popular everywhere.
She's a star, her fame and star quality are off the charts. She makes people feel from the bottom of their hearts that she is the morning star hanging high in the night sky, and they are willing to look up at her.
"On a grand scale, there's Yoshiki, Paul Wong, and now Lin Zhixuan. Does Lao Luo also like Coldy? On a younger scale, there's SVT and so on. What a veteran harvester! I wouldn't be surprised if Sister Koo collaborates with anyone."
"How could you forget that most crucial senior! The one Coldy won over so easily—"
*
"Chicken, get out of here, chukahamida!"
At the end of October, Kwon Ji-yong received the Ok Crown Medal of Culture, a presidential honor, at the 16th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, becoming the youngest recipient of the Ok Crown Medal and the highest-level cultural medal in the K-pop industry to date.
The award recognizes candidates based on their domestic and international activities, achievements, and social contributions. In short, it is a commendation and affirmation of an artist's achievements.
Lumera also won an award this year, but the center leader and top-ranked member is not Korean, which is a sensitive issue, so Yoon Ji-chae and Gong Yeon-seo went to accept the award.
Jiang Tinghan watched the live stream at home, feeling deeply moved. Two years ago, when Kwon Ji-yong went to the Incheon Police Station, he walked up those steps, surrounded by cameras aimed at him, all eager to capitalize on the wave of attention that would bring him down from his pedestal.
And now, he stands on a magnificent stage in his country, receiving a cultural medal from the government, holding a trophy and a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
Even among so many formal ID photos, the appearance of a black and white urchin-shaped haircut with its menacing, edgy style still has an inexplicable sense of humor.
“I’ve always admired singers since I was a child, and I still do. I’m incredibly proud to be a singer, and I love and enjoy my work.”
"Besides, there are many predecessors who gave me my dreams. To me, they are like the stars that twinkle every night. I grew up listening to the songs of these stars."
“I’m currently on a world tour, and it’s really amazing. Every day, dreamlike things happen. Before I go to sleep, I usually say goodnight and sweet dreams. Although it sounds casual and ordinary, I feel that it contains a lot of power.”
"If you have a good dream every day, the dream might come true. Even if reality turns back into a dream, you can still have a new dream. If you chase your dreams every day like this, even if not every good dream can come true, at least having a good dream will make you feel good."
Sweet dreams to everyone, thank you.
Kwon Ji-yong concluded his speech with a very simple wish. His words, like his "Good night, sweet dreams," seemed ordinary, but in fact contained a huge and inspiring power. His last sentence, "May everyone have sweet dreams," touched people's hearts.
It's really not easy to be a fan of a good idol. After all, you're separated by a screen and only see the side that the idol wants to show you. Fans can't be sure whether Kwon Ji-yong is a good person, but tonight's fans can say for sure.
—"We feel happy and joyful because of Kwon Ji-yong's words."
The feeling in that moment was real.
He stepped off the stage amidst applause, and only turned on his phone backstage after the entire event had ended.
Jiang Tinghan sent him two messages.
【I go to sleep】
Goodnight and sweet dreams (Dreamcatcher) (Heart)
Judging from the timing, it should have happened after Kwon Ji-yong spoke, so it was clearly a deliberate attempt to tease him.
Kwon Ji-yong couldn't help but smile and replied, "Are you really asleep? (pokes) (pokes)"
Jiang Tinghan didn't reply. Five minutes passed between backstage and getting into the car, and he still hadn't replied. Quan Zhilong almost believed that Jiang Tinghan was really asleep, since he was going on an overseas tour again tomorrow.
But as soon as I logged onto Instagram, @Coldyyy was retweeting a post from Lumera's official account about trophies and medals—30 seconds earlier.
"Really..." Kwon Ji-yong's eyes showed helplessness, but the smile in his tone became even stronger.
[(Poke) (Poke) Miss Coldyyy, please talk to me, okay?]
There was no reply, so Kwon Ji-yong posted another message: [Is that person on Instagram sleepwalking? Did Zoa accidentally retweet it while on your phone?]
The chat window remained silent, but a new reply appeared under Lumera's post.
@Coldyyy: (Thumbs up)(Thumbs up)(Thumbs up)
Kwon Ji-yong: "..."
Lumera's official account had a friendly exchange with their captain: 【Captain, isn't this a bit too old-fashioned? kkk】
[@Coldyyy: Zoa, who was sleepwalking, stole my phone]
Jiang Tinghan replied with a compilation version, but not in the chat box with Kwon Ji-yong, but in the comments section of Instagram.
The next second, the reply was deleted.
"puff--"
With his hair slicked back and dressed in a suit, looking serious and composed, Kwon Ji-yong, who had just received the Jade Crown Medal, laughed without any regard for his image.
Those who constantly accuse others of being Prabhu are actually the greatest Prabhu themselves.
...and also the most kiyo.
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Author's Note: Next time, don't reveal any gossip while I'm writing! You'll be jumping around like a melon-eating weasel.
There are a few extra chapters after the main story ends. I should be able to start writing "Novelist" after another week of rest. [pat on the head][pat on the head]
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