Chapter Three: The Concert Begins

Time quickly passed, and at eight o’clock in the evening, Chen Zhe’s first world tour concert—also his inaugural solo performance—officially began.

With a sudden bang, the lights at the venue went out, plunging the entire space into darkness. The noise from the audience gradually faded, the crowd fell silent, and everyone focused their attention on the direction of the stage, as if waiting to understand what was happening.

Abruptly, a piercing alarm sounded throughout the concert hall, lasting several seconds. Red spotlights swept in from all directions, scanning over the spectators and eliciting waves of screams—this unexpected opening clearly delighted them.

The sweep of the spotlights lasted only a short while before the red beams converged on the stage, focusing on its very center. The harsh alarm ceased, and a figure clad in a white hoodie, head lowered so his face was obscured, slowly rose from beneath the stage.

The red lights extinguished and white beams illuminated him. The giant screen behind displayed a close-up of his face, prompting an eruption of excited screams from the crowd, for the man was none other than the star of the evening, Chen Zhe.

A few seconds after Chen Zhe appeared on the big screen, the white spotlight faded, the venue lights came on again, and the audience saw that he was surrounded by a group of dancers.

As the lights brightened, the unique saxophone-driven intro of the music began to play. Hearing the prelude, the audience began to tap their legs and clap their hands instinctively, as if moved by some primal force.

"Turn it up!" Alongside the intro, a voice in English called for the volume to be raised. With the drop of that phrase, the pulsing electronic beat kicked in, and Chen Zhe and the dancers began clapping to the rhythm, their faces shining with excitement—for this was a truly joyful song.

"Somebody save your soul 'cause you've been sinning in this city, I know." As the rhythm built and the atmosphere reached a fever pitch, Chen Zhe sang the opening lyric while executing a series of demanding dance moves, instantly igniting the energy in the crowd.

"Too many troubles, all these lovers got you losing control." Singing and dancing without pause, Chen Zhe moved in perfect synchrony with the dancers. Their collective jump and mid-air spin created a powerful visual impact for the audience.

"You're like a drug to me, a luxury, my sugar and gold." Following the dancers, Chen Zhe performed stylish, fluid choreography, a far cry from the awkwardness he once showed when pressured to dance on variety shows at the beginning of his career.

"I want the good life, every good night you're a hard one to hold." Chen Zhe continued to sing and dance with ease. The song’s infectious melody and distinctive, dazzling dance added layers of meaning to the performance.

"Cause you don't even know." With this lyric, the dancers abruptly froze, as if gathering strength for an explosive release. The audience, watching this moment, grew quiet in anticipation.

"I can make your hands clap." At the precise instant when Chen Zhe sang the opening word, the audience—held back for so long—burst into cheers, as if unleashing all their pent-up emotion. When the final "clap" was sung, the crowd joined Chen Zhe and the dancers in applause.

"Said I can make your hands clap." With the second "clap," the audience continued to clap along with Chen Zhe and his dancers, perfectly in time with the rhythm. The clapping dance was something every audience member could follow, embodying the concert’s spirit. With "Handclap" as the opening number, Chen Zhe successfully drew the crowd into the celebration, instantly heating up the atmosphere.

"So can I get a hand clap?" As the music reached its final section, Chen Zhe and the dancers clapped their hands once more, and the audience followed suit.

"Ah!!"
"Zhe, you’re so cool!"
"Oppa, you’re the best!"
"Ah!!!!"
"Everyone, to show our sincerity, we must not stop. So I’m sure none of you want to pause, right?" Chen Zhe bowed to his fans in gratitude, then rose, slightly out of breath but not seriously winded. After all, it was a dance track, and exhaustion was only natural.

Upon hearing Chen Zhe’s words, the audience erupted into screams again.

"Since tonight is a night of revelry, let’s unleash our wild side!" Taking a deep breath and regaining composure, Chen Zhe removed his hoodie, revealing a white tank top and his toned physique. He tossed the hoodie vigorously into the crowd, where it landed in the hands of a female fan, prompting another round of screams.

As Chen Zhe finished his declaration, the intro to "ANIMALS" kicked in abruptly, the stage lights went out, and his figure was swallowed by darkness. The big screen began playing the song’s music video. Less than twenty seconds later, the stage lights came up again, revealing Chen Zhe in his white tank top and the dancers, now changed into new outfits.

"Baby I'm preying on you tonight."
"Hunt you down, eat you alive."
"Just like animals, animals, like animals."
"Maybe you think that you can hide."
"I can smell your scent from miles."
"Just like animals, animals, like animals."

In the VIP section, two figures wearing baseball caps sat watching Chen Zhe’s intense performance on stage.

"Krystal, Chen Zhe’s 'ANIMALS' music video is really well done!" The sturdier of the two girls, arm draped around her companion, smiled as she spoke to the girl focused intently on the stage.

These two were none other than Jung Soojung and Choi Jinri, the youngest members of Function. Hearing Jinri’s words, Soojung nodded, then shook her head, choosing not to respond directly and keeping her eyes fixed on the stage.

"Well then, please allow me a short break and let my forever friends take over for a moment." After three high-energy dance songs performed consecutively, Chen Zhe’s stamina was nearing its limit. Slightly winded, he adjusted his breathing and smiled as he waved to the audience.

After Chen Zhe bowed to the fans, the stage lights went out again. When they came back on, Chen Zhe had vanished, replaced by the six members of Apink—Park Chorong, Yoon Bomi, Jung Eunji, Son Naeun, Kim Namjoo, and Oh Hayoung—dressed in their signature white stage outfits for "LUV."