wavenovel Chapter 1486 DNA
Chapter 1486 DNA
Chapter 1486 DNA
Around 5 p.m., the setting sun in Seoul shone through the window, casting a warm dappled light on my desk.
Choi Ji-yeon had no time to appreciate the comfort. She sat in front of the computer with her back straight, her eyes fixed on the screen, her fingertips hovering over the mouse, looking ready for battle. Even her breathing was a little more rapid than usual.
On her computer screen, several pages were open at the same time: the SM official website, EXO's official fan forum, the reservation page of the music platform, and two long-term active fan groups. She kept refreshing the pages, afraid of missing any new content.
She first opened the exclusive "Yuan Solo Fan Group". The group was unusually lively as the comeback was approaching, with hundreds of messages scrolling by rapidly. They were all comments from fans discussing Ji Kyung-won's comeback style, their tone full of anticipation and enthusiasm.
Choi Jiyeon quickly swiped the mouse and tapped the keyboard, joining the discussion: "Does anyone know about the comeback photo Yuan that SM posted the day before yesterday! I absolutely love it, I've been dreaming about this picture for the past two days."
Several replies popped up as soon as the message was sent:
"+1+1! His youthful energy is off the charts! After all these years in the industry, how come he still looks as young as when he first debuted?"
“Yuan can pull off any style, hairstyle, or hair color; she’s a born idol.”
Someone suddenly brought up the topic: "By the way, ladies, how many copies of our album have been pre-ordered this time?"
"I think it was 180 million yesterday?"
"Yes, yes, I saw it too," Choi Jiyeon quickly replied, her tone tinged with regret. "It doesn't seem like there are as many as I expected. How many did you all buy?"
"I bought ten! I'll keep two for myself and give the rest to friends to boost sales!"
"I bought five copies. Students have done their best. Actually, all the EXO-Ls have contributed a lot. Some of the rich girls I know bought dozens or even hundreds of copies. There were also many fan sites that did group purchases together. It's already very impressive."
"It's all because of that guy who tried to piggyback on the group buy. He's been getting all cocky and provocative every day, taking away a lot of the hype. Otherwise, the pre-sales would definitely have been even higher!" someone said indignantly, making no attempt to hide their dissatisfaction.
“Speaking of that group-buying thing,” another fan asked, “how many Wanna One pre-orders are there now? Aren’t they coming back soon?”
"It seems to be only 50, and their pre-sale has only just started."
Choi Ji-yeon replied quickly, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.
"Isn't it a bit low that it's only been open for a short time? When we started pre-sales, we broke 100 million in just two days."
"They're not even in the same league. I really don't know where they got the courage to challenge EXO."
"Why is the song only released at six o'clock? It's driving me crazy."
"It's obviously because of the events in the US. Now that XO is an international boy group, overseas performance is crucial."
The discussion in the group continued, but Choi Jiyeon quickly switched pages and opened another EXO data group.
This group has several thousand members, is strictly managed, and well-organized. At this moment, the group is unusually quiet, except for the group admin issuing tasks upon their return, their tone serious and professional, like giving battle orders.
"Attention everyone! The album and music video will be released at 6 PM sharp. Now, let's define the roles: the first group is responsible for boosting the play count on music platforms like Melon and Genie, playing all songs from the album on a loop, no muting, no skipping songs, and reporting the data every hour."
The second group is responsible for YouTube music video views. After opening the music video, watch it in its entirety without fast-forwarding or pausing. Watch it once and then replay it. At the same time, like, comment, and share. Use the pre-prepared text in the comment section and do not include irrelevant topics.
The third group is responsible for controlling comments on major forums and social media platforms. If anyone smears or belittles EXO, they immediately step in to refute them, emphasizing the quality of the music videos, the addictive nature of the dances and songs, and generating buzz by using related hashtags.
The fourth group is responsible for chart rankings, maintaining the top spot on all the major music charts. Any unusual activity must be reported in the group chat immediately. Everyone must fulfill their duties, don't slack off, give it your all, and show those idiots who've switched allegiances who truly reigns supreme in K-pop!
As soon as the group admin finished sending the message, the group was instantly flooded with a uniform "Received!" message. Hundreds of messages popped up almost simultaneously, densely packed yet orderly. The thousands of people were like a well-trained army, ready for battle, just waiting for the order to be given.
Choi Ji-yeon quickly typed "Received!", her fingertips trembling slightly with excitement. She was in charge of music platform play counts and MV views, and had made thorough preparations long ago. Multiple playback interfaces had already been opened in the background of her computer, just waiting for six o'clock.
Switching between two group chats and constantly refreshing various websites, Choi Ji-yeon was extremely busy, with fine beads of sweat even appearing on her forehead. However, her face was full of smiles, her eyes were full of enthusiasm, and she was full of energy.
EXO hasn't made a comeback in a long time, and EXO-Ls haven't felt this kind of atmosphere of unity and dedication in a long time either.
Moreover, seeing Wanna One fans provoking and arguing online every day, and watching them try to undermine and provoke others, Choi Ji-yeon had been holding back her anger for a long time. This time, she was determined to do everything in her power to teach those arrogant juniors a lesson.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with manipulating data. In her opinion, that's how the fandom works. If you don't manipulate data, someone else will. Wanna One is definitely manipulating data in secret, and they're even more excessive than them.
To win and maintain your position, you must work harder and fight harder than your opponent.
We're all fans of boy bands, everyone knows who's who.
Time ticked by, and the clock in the lower right corner of the computer screen drew ever closer to six. Choi Ji-yeon's heart pounded faster and faster, and she grew increasingly excited. Her fingertips kept refreshing the SM official website and YouTube page, and she didn't dare to blink for fear of missing the first moment of the MV's release.
Suddenly, both group chats exploded simultaneously. Messages like "It's out! It's out!" "The MV is online!" and "Hurry up, sisters!" scrolled by rapidly. Choi Jiyeon's heart skipped a beat. She quickly logged into YouTube, her fingers almost unresponsive from nervousness, refreshing the page twice before finally seeing the two MVs that SM's official account had just released...
The cover art for the title track "DNA" and another title track "Power" prominently features the nine members of EXO in youthful outfits, with bright colors and full of energy.
Without the slightest hesitation, Choi Ji-yeon immediately clicked on the music video for "DNA," her fingertips trembling slightly.
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
The music video opens with a catchy, almost hypnotic whistling sound, without any unnecessary build-up.
The whistle was clear and cheerful, with a touch of lazy ease. It was unhurried, like a gentle teasing in one's ear. Clear and rhythmic, it immediately grabbed one's attention and whetted their appetite.
The moment the whistle ended, the camera zoomed in sharply, revealing Ji Jingyuan's face first...
He wore a light-colored denim jacket over a white shirt and white casual pants. The simple combination created a bright and stylish look that was both youthful and fashionable, without any sense of incongruity.
A few wisps of hair gently fell above his brow bone, partially obscuring his eyes and making his features appear even softer. His gaze was slightly languid as he looked at the camera, a faint smile playing on his lips. His body swayed gently to the intro, his posture relaxed and composed.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the center of the camera, as if making eye contact with the fans in front of the screen. The next second, he gently pouted and whistled along with the melody. Simple silver jewelry on his fingertips swayed gently with his movements. Sunlight shone through the lens onto his face, his eyebrows and eyes curved, exuding a youthful charm that was as refreshing as sunshine and oxygen.
"omo!!"
In that one glance, Choi Ji-yeon was so handsome that she instantly covered her mouth and almost screamed.
……
"Ah ah ah ah ah!!"
On the other side, Ahn Yu-jin, who had just returned from dinner and was in the practice room watching the MV with her friends, suddenly burst into an extremely clear scream. She was extremely excited, as if something had touched her heart. She waved her hands non-stop, and almost spilled the mineral water in her hands.
He couldn't help but stand up and walk around the practice room, hopping and skipping like a puppy that couldn't control its emotions.
The trainee next to her looked at her strangely and couldn't help but ask, "Yoojin, what's wrong? Why are you so excited?"
"It's EXO! EXO is back! Their new music video, Yuan oppa is so handsome! His whistling is so cool!"
"Whistle?"
You'll see when you see it~
Panting, Ahn Yoo-jin excitedly sat back on the floor, put her headphones back on, stared intently at the screen, and spoke incoherently with excitement.
"What? Is it really that exaggerated...?"
A trainee with a youthful face but tall and long legs seemed to be infected by her emotions. He muttered to himself as he moved closer to Ahn Yoo-jin and stared at her phone.
……
This wasn't an isolated case. At this moment, countless fans across the internet, like Choi Ji-yeon and Ahn Yu-jin, were amazed by Ji Kyung-won's opening whistle scene.
Although it was just the opening scene, this shot instantly became the killing part of the entire music video. The clean-cut youthful vibe, the lazy demeanor, the handsome look, the overflowing youthfulness, coupled with the catchy whistling sound, instantly amazed countless fans.
As the whistling subsided, a lively melody began, and the camera zoomed out to reveal all nine members of EXO.
They were all dressed in bright and stylish clothes, with a youthful street style. Their colorful hair was neatly arranged, with bright yellow, light blue, silver gray, and pink, each color particularly eye-catching.
The songs are unified in style yet each has its own unique characteristics. Coupled with light and lively melodies, they instantly brighten the mood, dispel the fatigue of the past few days, and make people feel much more relaxed.
I recognized you at first glance.
"It was as if they had summoned each other."
"The DNA in my blood tells me this."
"The person I've been searching for is you."
Next, the group dance began. The nine dancers moved in perfect unison, their movements swift and precise. Every turn and every raised hand was perfectly timed, without the slightest deviation.
Especially the wave move, Chi Jingyuan stood at the front of the group, his head slightly lowered, his body swaying gently with the melody, his shoulders, waist and hips exerting force in a smooth motion, his right hand lightly snapping his fingers, the movement was fluid and natural, with a touch of lazy tension.
"Because we are the two who have found our destiny."
"From the day the universe was born."
When the chorus begins, the melody speeds up instantly, with the drumbeats and synthesizer roaring out simultaneously, creating a rhythm as fast as an out-of-control heartbeat, which is extremely impactful.
The nine people moved quickly and instantly formed a line. Chi Jingyuan stood firmly in the first center position. The camera suddenly zoomed in, and his fingertips lightly traced the veins in his other hand. As the deep "DNA" syllable of the synthesizer fell, the neat formation suddenly scattered and exploded. The movements were dynamic and powerful, and every movement was precisely on the beat of the drum.
Just as the chorus was about to end, and the syllable "DNA" fell, the nine members quickly regrouped, their movements so fast it was dazzling.
The nine people stood in a circle, without any communication or eye contact. In time with the rhythm and music, each person reached out their hand and placed it on the hand of the member next to them, holding it tightly.
In a fraction of a second, they formed a tight ring. The scene was so shocking; the nine people were intertwined like two strands of a DNA double helix.
As Chi Jingyuan led the wave, the others followed suit, creating a formation that seemed to surge with energy. The rhythm and excitement, combined with the dynamic melody and classical music, stirred a strong sense of excitement and anticipation in everyone who watched.
It was both visually striking and subtly incorporated the theme of the song "DNA," leaving Choi Ji-yeon completely mesmerized and screaming uncontrollably.
The entire music video is full of youthful energy and vitality. The bright colors, upbeat melody, cool dance, and the clean smiles of the nine members make you smile and feel exceptionally relaxed.
The impact of that youthful energy, mixed with a surge of hormones, made female fans like Choi Ji-yeon feel excited and feverish. Even after watching it once, they still felt like they wanted more.
As the music video nears its end, the scene shifts back to a brightly colored space as the final chorus progresses. The members are bathed in vibrant hues, their smiles radiant, and their emotions reach their peak.
“LA la la la la la~”
“LA la la la la la~”
Everyone lined up, singing along to the melody and dancing in unison against various backdrops.
First, there's a scene of blue sky, white clouds, and geometric color blocks, so vibrant it seems unreal, brimming with youthful energy.
Then the background shifts to deep space, where the dark lighting blurs everyone's outlines, adding a touch of mystery. The two styles collide without feeling out of place.
The music video ended with the last syllable of 'DNA'.
After watching the music video for "DNA", Choi Ji-yeon was still very excited, her eyes shining brightly.
This is a style that EXO has never tried before—light, refreshing, and healing. After listening to and watching it, my mood improved a lot.
Moreover, the dance is very memorable, whether it's the dynamic movements in the chorus or the impressive DNA-like connection of the nine members. Once you see it, you'll never forget it.
The melody was incredibly addictive, especially the opening whistle, which still echoed repeatedly in her ears and mind, refusing to leave.
Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately clicked on the music video for another hit song, "Power".
Unlike the youthful and refreshing "DNA", this music video is more energetic and fun... The nine members of EXO are on a strange planet, transforming into superheroes to fight against monsters. Each of them uses their own unique superpower, which was the original concept of the group. The scene is very similar to "The Avengers", cool and funny.
In the music video, some members tried to look cool but ended up being knocked away by monsters, looking both pathetic and funny. Other members' superpowers looked particularly comical. The exaggerated acting skills, combined with the exaggerated superpower special effects, along with the energetic melody "power! power!" made Choi Ji-yeon laugh non-stop. Her earlier excitement and enthusiasm were gradually replaced by relaxation and joy.
Especially in the second chorus, when Ji Jingyuan sings "power," his body instantly flies into the air, his eyes glow, his whole body is surrounded by bright light, he raises his hands, releases a huge ball of energy, and launches it out.
The visuals are cool yet have a touch of silliness, making people feel both handsome and cute, and unable to help but smile. Choi Ji-yeon was amused and kept laughing.
"Haha~ Now it's really true that the haters were right~"
It must be said that the song "Power" is also very good. The melody is energetic and powerful, and it is somewhat similar in style to "DNA". Both of them are relatively young and refreshing.
After watching the music video and listening to the song, one feels relaxed and happy, as if all worries have been dispelled.
After watching the two music videos, Choi Ji-yeon felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her previous worries and anxieties vanished instantly.
Although I had confidence in EXO before, Wanna One's recent surge in popularity and the arrogance of their fans inevitably made me a little uneasy.
But now, after watching the music videos for these two main tracks, she feels completely confident. Both songs are in her favorite style and far exceeded her expectations. The quality of the songs, the production of the music videos, and the performances of the members are all impeccable.
Putting aside her fan bias, she genuinely believes that both songs are excellent works, combining addictiveness and entertainment value, and that even casual listeners would likely enjoy them.
Of course, she can't shake off the fan filter either.
In her heart, EXO is the best, and no one can compare!
Choi Jiyeon quickly switched back to the fan group. Both group chats were now buzzing with excitement, filled with fans' comments and praise, their voices brimming with pride and joy.
"Help! 'DNA' is so good! I was hooked the moment the melody started, and I can't listen to it on repeat enough!"
"Jingyuan's killing part is killing me! I could weld that whistling scene to the screen!"
"I was moved to tears by the choreography in the middle of the chorus. It was so amazing! This is the kind of skill that leads to the top!"
"Power is hilarious too, both handsome and goofy. How do EXO manage to pull off both styles so well?"
"The MV production is so excellent. SM is truly amazing, their budget is burning through. Compared to that group that just crashed the party, it's like night and day."
"Seeing the superpower setting again, who can understand the sense of redemption and emotion of EXO fans who have been following them since their debut and have always loved this setting? At first, I laughed, but as I watched, I started to cry."
Seeing the unanimous positive reviews in the group chat, Choi Ji-yeon was completely relieved, her face beaming with pride.
Just then, the data group chat started flashing. Clicking on it revealed that the group owner and several administrators had issued another task, their tone still serious:
"Attention everyone, we're about to start artificially inflating the data! Play all the songs from the album on a loop on the music platform without interruption."
YouTube simultaneously played both music videos in their entirety, garnering likes, comments, and shares. The comment control team immediately jumped in, flooding various platforms with posts highlighting the music video quality and the members' performances, especially Jingyuan's "killing part." The chart-topping team closely monitored the charts, reporting any anomalies immediately. They were giving it their all, without letting their guard down!
Choi Ji-yeon's expression changed, and she immediately suppressed her joy and got back to work.
She opened the music platform, played EXO's new album on repeat, turned up the volume, and opened two YouTube pages, playing "DNA" and "Power" respectively, making sure the entire album played.
Then I logged into various social media platforms and started controlling comments and forwarding messages according to the texts given in the group. I worked methodically on every data point, my fingertips tapping rapidly on the keyboard, my eyes focused and determined. Even though I was busy, I was still full of energy.
……
Meanwhile, in Wanna One's practice room, the atmosphere was somewhat somber. As EXO's direct rivals, they immediately watched two of EXO's music videos, with all the members gathered around to watch them intently.
No one speaks.
EXO's style is completely different from theirs. They take a mature and charming route, while EXO has a fresh and youthful style. Their vibrant energy makes them seem like juniors, which makes me feel a little strange and uncomfortable.
What silenced them even more was that EXO's music video was extremely well-produced, showing that SM had invested a lot of resources. The song's melody was highly addictive, and the dance was also very memorable.
Anyone who truly understands the music industry can immediately tell that EXO or SM Entertainment is a level above others in terms of production, filming, color grading, and editing of their music videos.
This is a gap in the company's core strengths.
"It's alright... just so-so, the style is too childish."
After a moment of silence, someone whispered.
"Our style has its advantages."
Kang Daniel took a deep breath, raised his head, looked at the members around him, his eyes firm, and encouraged them with a powerful tone:
"We are not inferior to them either."
"Believe in ourselves, and believe in our fans!"