In the past few days, some hardcore players in the had been analyzing the music video for 'Better Me'.

The reason was that there was a strange belief that there would be tidbits related to the game because of the connection with the trailer.

It was controversial, but the more people looked at the music video, the more questionable elements were found.

Although the situation was like saying that it's a nose ring if you put it on your nose and an earring if you put it on your ear, people were also saying to discuss first and see.

However, since no major evidence emerged and the video was not designated as an official collaboration, the story only hovered around the line of suspicion.

And as usual, there was an atmosphere in which people occasionally chanted about the early companions.

At a moment when the topic of the game's early companions was still a trend, TeStar uploaded a late Halloween choreography video.

Even the video started with TeStar members lying on the floor as on the thumbnail.

And as soon as the prelude to 'BETTER ME' started playing, each member stood up and took a different starting position from the original choreography. They took a similar posture to the game's illustration that appeared when entering battle in the game.

Because they were genuinely dressed up, the members who were identical to the trailer, created the same atmosphere by making similar facial expressions.

Cha Yujin even changed the intro.

Afterwards, whenever the most impressive parts of their parts came out, all the members brought out small props that symbolized their characters and briefly copied the battle highlight cutscene.

For the most part, the atmosphere was light and pleasant because hats, flasks, and even a bunch of little light bulbs were used to lighten up the choreography video.

However, Kim Raebin became embarrassed when he knocked over the mannequin while dragging it out of the camera's blindspot during the chorus of his part.

Even Kim Raebin, who was embarrassed, and the members who were holding back their laughter while moving the mannequin together with him, somehow made the song with melancholy lyrics seem funny.

In addition, the members who were brazenly performing these acts and the members who were embarrassed or shy about the exaggerated combat movements, matched with the game characters' impressions.

Thanks to this, the immersion of the people watching the video intensified, and it reached its peak in the last part.

It was a dance break at the end where the originally gloomy atmosphere was relieved and was reaching its climax.

However, the moment the members who danced happily waved their hands and even said those lines, their ending in the game completely overlapped.

The members were just a bit embarrassed and excited during the fun shooting, but the aftermath of it was scary.

The comments were full of people crying.

Even the English comments were pushed back from the top exposure.

Conflicting opinions were recommended and posted at the same time, and many people cried and laughed one after another in the comments.

The atmosphere was the same even in the gaming community where this video was shared.

Because of this, the game players who weren't fans joined the procession with Loviewers crying and laughing in the comments.

The curious foreign fans were confused again because they couldn't understand the situation, but it became more painful after they understood the situation through translation on social media. It was because had not yet launched a global service.

Along with the agony of foreign fans who did not even get a chance to mourn, the Halloween celebration choreography video successfully pulled in the gamers to the channel.

That's how the stormy October with the game collaboration came to an end.

* * *

It was early November. The release of the game collaboration's content was over.

But, of course, the group schedule became busier. This was because the result of this comeback was better than the debut, and the stock price soared.

Just like that, we were running the same kind of schedule.

It was for an advertisement with a high price value.

"Lift up the corners of your mouth and smile."

I held the light stick and tried to smile as much as I could. Fortunately, the director was satisfied with the following instructions.

"Tilt your head this way!"

Tilt...

By the way, I was told that a picture of dog ears would be edited on top of this.

'...Isn't that too far?'

Even the title of the advertisement was this.

Moreover, since this AI character was a puppy, it seemed like they would use Park Moondae more actively.

I wondered if they could just broadcast it on TV as it was, but...

Since it was worth 350 million won in three months, I decided to keep my mouth shut and follow the advertiser's instructions. I should just do it in this case.

"Yes. It's done~"

"Thank you."

Anyway, the shooting went smoothly.

The members who were waiting expressed their joy at the end of today's schedule.

However, Keun Sejin did not take his eyes off his smartphone and only waved his hand with a smile.

Hmm, he wasn't that kind of guy so this didn't feel good.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah, sorry. It's nothing."

Keun Sejin shrugged his shoulders and put back his smartphone.

And Cha Yujin, who was staring back and forth at me and Keun Sejin from the side, blurted out with his eyes shining.

"Is it a girlfriend?"

"...!!"

"What?! No, absolutely not! Hey, what are you saying~!"

"Uaack!"

"Don't you even think about dating!"

"I'm not!"

Keun Sejin shook Cha Yujin several times and then released him. Then he smiled and gave a proper explanation.

"The guys who made their debut in the past suddenly contacted me. Umm~ It was just kind of fascinating?"

Seon Ahyun admired from the side.

"Se-sejin, you really have many friends!"

"Ahaha, well, they're not even friends~ We just know each other?"

Keun Sejin smiled and drew the line.

'I guess he means they only just contacted him now.'

Keun Sejin shrugged and finished his words.

"I'll see their faces next month anyway~"

"H-huh?"

"Ah, you mean at the year-end award ceremony?"

Keun Sejin nodded at Ryu Chungwoo's words.

"Yes. There's less than a month until the first awards ceremony~"

"Wow..."

"It's already that time."

Everyone seemed to have their own lingering emotions at those words. It was clear that they were thinking about the eventful year, starting from to this album.

And I had an inkling.

'I guess we'll go back to the crazy schedule again.'

It was the kind of schedule that had very little free time except for sleeping. We also had to prepare for the year-end awards ceremony in addition.

Even now, it was noticeable that the agency was still trying to narrow down only to those schedules that made the most money.

It's probably hard for them to cut out those things so instead, we should reduce the time we sleep.

As it seemed like I wasn't the only one who thought about it, Kim Raebin raised his hand and talked.

"Then, the preparations for the performance for the year-end awards ceremony will begin soon."

"Mmm."

"...Do we have a lot of separate things to prepare?"

Bae Sejin's careful question, which had nothing to do with the music awards ceremony, sparked strong responses from these K-pop figures here and there.

"Let's have a special stage!"

"Anyway, I think we will make about three separate versions of the arrangement. It is still unknown how much we will participate, but..."

"Ah, the choreography too, wouldn't we make a lot of new things...!"

"..."

Bae Sejin, who had the lowest stat, already had a tired expression, but soon nodded his head. The face that comprehended the situation looked grim.

"...Ah, okay. I should work hard."

"Yeah. Let's work hard and attend many awards ceremonies."

"I like awards!"

"Ah, it would be great to receive it~"

The conversation between the guys who gave up their lives in a refreshing way continued amicably. The problem was that I did too.

'I should focus on the rookie award.'

I could just sleep later. I checked the status abnormality once again.

Since the standard for the expression 'most prestigious' was vague, it meant that you should get the rookie award at one of the three most famous awards ceremonies.

'The awards ceremony performance isn't really related to this, but if the performance seems insincere, even the voters would lose their interest.'

Considering the awards ceremony season that will continue for a month, it meant that we would have to pay attention to the performance as much as possible.

'Well, there are no competitors in terms of results.'

This was definitely more comfortable than before.

"First of all, our Moondae will be in charge of our live performance. Wouldn't that feel at ease?"

"Re-really!"

"Thank you as always."

"...Yeah. Thank you."

"Haha!"

It became a topic of conversation while I was organizing my thoughts. Anyway, the team atmosphere was good.

And that night, on the way in the car, I received a message.

"..."

Wasn't this bastard still on tour?

Anyway, I had no intention to be tricked.

I quickly replied.

After a while, the reply came back.

'I really want to block him.'

I turned off KakaoTalk notifications and turned on the internet. And while browsing about the award ceremonies, I found a post that stood out.