Seven silhouettes ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) rose onto the stage.
For the first time since TeSTAR’s debut, their comeback stage aired on national television.
Internet users were already lining up virtual seats and chatting excitedly.
“TeSTAR not on T-Net music show—this sounds even weirder when you write it out”
“Can we see MusicBomb next week clench its teeth and refuse TeSTAR the top spot?”
“Is TeSTAR the ending for today?”
Talk of T-Net before they’d even appeared was unavoidable.
TeSTAR had long been the icon of success for T1’s K-POP venture.
Even now, after parting ways with T1, that image hadn’t faded.
As long as that image remained, unless something seismic happened to erase their origin... terrestrial broadcasters had no obligation to be overly friendly to TeSTAR.
That’s why TeSTAR landed the slot just before the second-to-last ending.
“TeSTAR’s on already?”
“If I were them, I’d seize this chance and take the ending—look at national TV’s pride lol”
The order by seniority felt almost “strict” compared to their popularity.
Yet regardless of that, everyone agreed the highlight of this week’s KBC music show was TeSTAR’s comeback stage.
And that was enough.
“Let’s begin.”
One stage.
All the effort to bring viewers here for this comeback hype would prove worthwhile.
TeSTAR’s performance began.
[Doong...!]
A monotone riff as if the roar of a hull was pitch-shifted.
As the lights came up, a lavish set resembling a study or a lab appeared, the KIS logo glowing above it.
At the center of that elegant, conceptual stage stood seven figures in a triangular formation—backs turned to the audience.
Slowly, they turned their heads.
The sheen of leather caught the lights.
Tightly fitted leather suits.
“That’s a phantom thief ensemble.”
“Insane.”
The monotonous MIDI tones and electric guitar swelled...
Then, with a crackling SFX, the drop poured in—a bold major-key introduction.
[Reach out with your hand
And rewind my tape]
The formation shattered outward as Park Mundae crossed his arms in a solo gesture, prompting the rest of the members to move in unison.
From the right wing, another member slid forward into frame.
[A heartbeat moment
Slows all your senses]
Dropping to one knee, spinning, then extending one arm in a sharp dynamic move—Ryu Cheong woo’s part. The formation shifted with each gesture of his arm.
“Whoa, look at Cheong woo’s arm.”
“Crazy.”
Indeed.
The choreography built around the theme of “the butterfly effect,” with each solo gesture reshaping the formation.
“Wow.”
“Please give us the camera, please.”
“I need a fixed full-cam lol”
As the stage thundered forward, the drum beat quickened like a racing heartbeat.
[Thrilling contact
In your silent eyes
I find the answer]
Back on vocals after a while, Kim Rae bin wore a unique turtleneck-style phantom thief outfit. He narrowed his eyes at the end of his part, then high-fived the next vocalist as if passing a baton.
Cha Yoo jin stepped up.
[One choice
Go ahead, take it all (one more)
Even if you let go of this hand...]
His pair choreography with Kim Rae bin unfolded crisply like a battle. Meanwhile, Park Mundae and Ryu Cheong woo bolstered the live feel with their doubling.
“So fresh live vocals.”
“Can’t even hear the AR.”
“Only TeSTAR would take on a track this tough.”
Then came a breather that adjusted the tempo.
Only a low voice.
[Let’s start, begin the free-for-all]
Kim Rae bin in the center, jaw and neck in frame.
“...!”
“No!”
Then the pre-chorus.
[Spot the face
I don’t care what’s next
Chaser, today too
Don’t let go of my hand]
Complex off-beat rhythms and challenging ranges, mirrored by an escalation in choreography. In this part, first power fell to Lee Sejin, then the nuanced control of Seon Ah hyun drove the mood.
[Discover it all
Don’t be scared what’s next
Chaser, tomorrow too
Don’t end the twist]
“That leather... who chose the thin black fabric? Wow.”
“How many beats does Ah hyun change? I missed that move.”
Just as the excitement peaked, the chorus dropped.
[Just roll the dice
Trust, take my side]
A stark contrast to the pre-chorus.
A simple rhythm, a punchy main melody, and a catchy riff melody. Three core elements made the chorus memorable, filled out by a slick dance break.
“You can hear their footsteps lining up.”
“They killed it.”
“When did they even have time to rehearse this? TeSTAR are superhumans.”
That signature arm motion, snatching the tempo with unexpected acceleration, matched the phantom thief look perfectly—precise yet strangely sexy.
Comments flew.
“TeSTAR’s still TeSTAR.”
“True self-producing legends.”
“Same vibe but flying even higher.”
“Where are those haters who said they only succeeded on T1’s budget?”
The thrill came from knowing TeSTAR delivered exactly what fans expected.
“Spent the whole first verse in awe.”
“LOL even if nothing else, their stages are fun.”
TeSTAR remained on a high flight from that debut track.
[Yeah, this is the Final round]
The show pressed on into the bridge.
The rough electric sound faded, replaced by soaring keys stacked over the drums.
Bae Sejin delivered the melody cleanly, from low register to mid-high, pure and solid, without unnecessary embellishments.
[Pull me in]
Cha Yoo jin burst out, landing like a big cat with both feet, then taking measured, powerful steps.
Another dance break.
[Just roll the dice
Trust, take my side]
“Pure bliss.”
“Absolutely insane.”
TeSTAR maintained their intensity to the end, flawless in every motion and note, filling the stage completely.
At the ending, Ryu Cheong woo turned in the center and mischievously lifted off a glove—an ending befitting phantom thieves.
The screen filled with roaring fans, and the chat window flew by.
“LOL”
“TeSTAR teSTAR teSTAR teSTAR teSTAR teSTAR”
“Slayed it”
“Give us the replay!”
SNS exploded with words, onomatopoeia, and emojis in sheer excitement.
It was inevitable—they were that thrilling.
Only when reason returned did fans form full sentences.
“Saving everything as soon as it’s up—I realized I saved the same Cheong woo shot ten times.”
“Can’t wait for this promotion.”
“There was that teaser for a reality show outfit, right? Please say there was.”
“Will they do more variety on national TV this round? I’ve been eyeing some shows lol”
The moment they sensed this promotion’s success, happiness maxed out and anticipation soared for future schedules.
Rumors and truths slipped by too.
“Hope that PD who invested in the coin does another variety with them—our bro.”
“OMG lol”
“Maybe they already shot it?”
“Wait, that PD is with T1—I’m not sure if it’ll work. No TeSTAR on T1’s channels lately.”
“Please no.”
“Is T1 acting up?;;”
“Not rumors—schedules might not be out yet, so chill.”
But most were simply brimming with anticipation for the next stage or basking in pride over this comeback response.
Take these top comments, for example.
“TeSTAR—they know what they’re good at, right? lol”
“They’d have to be clueless to not know lol”
Smiling to themselves, a fan suddenly wondered:
When that stage ended, how did TeSTAR feel?
“Great job~”
“Wooo!!”
Greater cheers than their last comeback filled the waiting room.
Even the staff joined in, the scene warm with excitement and passion.
A new company, a new environment, the obstacles they’d never faced before, and their first album born of it all.
Everyone felt deeply moved.
Members even swarmed Park Mundae, who’d been monitoring the pre-recording’s instant reactions.
“Mundae Mundae, how’s it looking?”
“Good.”
“Really...?”
Park Mundae’s simple “good” was rare—he seldom voiced any opinion on public reaction.
And it meant...
“Seriously?”
It truly was overwhelmingly positive, even considering his bias as a member!
The others, stunned at first, soon beamed.
“Wow... TeSTAR’s alive!”
“Haha, they showed us something today!”
“Oh~ Cheong woo hyung!”
Even Ryu Cheong woo riffed on their pre-stage chant, “Ah, TeSTAR’s gonna show something today,” with excitement.
Bae Sejin, breathless with exhilaration, leaned in to see Park Mundae’s screen. Seon Ah hyun smiled brightly and moved aside.
“Uh, here...!”
“......”
Bae Sejin read the unfiltered messages on Park Mundae’s phone.
“Too good to put into words—must watch live.”
“I might cry from happiness.”
“I hope this promotion lasts forever.”
“I have a strong feeling I won’t be in my seat at the concert.”
Those honest waves of expectation and joy hit home.
“...nice.”
“Truly!”
He felt the same joy.
“Good.”
He felt they’d done well—choreography on point, vocals solid.
The leather costumes didn’t breathe, but years of stage experience had made the discomfort barely noticeable.
“......”
And so.
Bae Sejin had to make a certain decision.
It couldn’t be helped.
“TeSTAR members, time to change outfits~”
“Got it!”
He was the first to slip away and change, then made for a corner sofa.
He reopened the memo he’d started jotting down—he’d closed it seconds before the stage, fearing it was too soon.
[Thank you so much for the offer. I’d love to appear in your production, Director.]
He’d written that far, then clenched his teeth and began again.
[...I’d love to appear in your production, Director. But right now I need to focus on group activities so I won’t regret it.]
That was right.
“If it overlaps with our promotion... it can’t happen.”
Even if opportunities never arose during other album cycles, now wasn’t the time.
“What mindset did we all come in with?”
And this time, it truly felt... not just barely keeping up, but like he’d contributed properly to a finished work.
He didn’t want to be the one to pour cold water on it. He understood the idol ecosystem by now.
“Now is the period to focus on group activities.”
Bae Sejin began refining his wording for the call.
[I’m sorry to decline despite your kind offer.]
Then—
“Hyung, what are you doing?”
“...!!”
His heart dropped.
Park Mundae sat beside him, expression curious at what he’d been reading.
“...?!”
Seeing that look of “what were you looking at that startled you,” Bae Sejin froze!
“Nothing! Just some text!”
“It’s a memo.”
“...”
“I was just checking wording because of placement.”
Park Mundae settled into the sofa next to him. Bae Sejin went rigid.
“Did you get a casting offer from that director?”
“L-lower your voice.”
“...?”
Park Mundae thought, That’s too much of a leap. But he went with the flow.
Bae Sejin replied in a serious, hushed tone.
“...Yes. But since it’s promotion time, I’ll decline.”
“You don’t seem like you don’t want to do it.”
Bae Sejin felt a surge of emotion.
Of course!
But he knew he couldn’t lash out—Park Mundae wasn’t wrong.
He took a deep breath and answered more calmly.
“...It’s not about what I want. It’s about timing. This isn’t the right time.”
“Hmm...”
Park Mundae fell silent, then nodded after a few seconds.
“Let’s ask if everyone else thinks the same.”
“...??”
TeSTAR meeting resumes.
