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‘Jaebum’s empty space’ was big
2PM’s first stage in 35 days ‘silence + nervousness’ continuation
Insecure vocals • choreography error… purposeful movements awkward

Before they stood on stage the 6 members put their hands in one place and as if they were emphasizing their resolve they looked into each others eyes. Though they smiled with great effort, their faces became stiff quickly. As much as it was an eagerly awaited stage, it seems that the news was received that fans rejected it. And so 2PM, with Jaebum’s leave, stood on stage after 35 days. Within the anxiety and anticipation, on the 10th, through the <2009 Dream Concert> 2PM made a comeback(?) stage, and we tried to capture the atmosphere of the backstage.

# ‘Filled’ space and ‘Empty’ space

Their faces moments before they went on stage were tragic. They were not able to easily hide their nervous faces. It even seemed like newcomers preparing for their first stage.

Their order was the last stage of the first part. The members getting their mics ready, waiting with ‘silence’ for their turns. Wooyoung and Junho kept taking deep breaths. Taecyeon in the least looked leisurely (relaxed) as he, with every detail, stood (have been standing) on stage with Baek Jiyoung in rap featurings. As they moved their heavy steps, one staff shouted a cheer towards them. As this staff was about to yell something, they suddenly put on a depressed expression. It was the shape that nothing particular came to mind to say. He (the staff) awkwardly clapped loudly.

The music of <Again & Again> flowed out and the members began to squirm around on stage. As expected Jaebum’s space was big. It looked as though something was lacking. Maybe because they were nervous that their bodies also seemed heavy. Nickhun’s vocals were insecure and Junho’s steps were a bit slow. It seemed as though they were trying to grasp the center of Taecyeon who received the loudest cheers. It looked as though the 6 members were purposefully moving to mend the space where Jaebum was missing. There was no image of Jaebum grasping his head with his study arm muscles. And the song was over.

# ‘Forbidden word’ Park Jaebum

The 2PM members we met in front of the waiting room seemed bright than we thought. They shared their regards with the people and colleague singers that they had not seen in a long time. Sometimes they also posed with some fans who wanted to take pictures. And some members also said their hellos first to the reporters. The members’ expressions were bright but their words were careful. No long conversations were held.

Soon an awkward silence flowed as they headed for the waiting room. It seemed the members were saving the things they wanted to say. And liked those who listened, the staff on stage, there was nothing to say to them. In the short conversations, not talking about (that) one person was a common rule. The members and their acquaintances did not say the word of ‘Park Jaebum’ out loud to each other. And as if they were being restricted, they only exchanged regards carefully. Even though a month has passed, it was a moment where the sensitivity of the ‘Jaebum situation’ was reconfirmed.

This was continued on stage. During the song there was exactly once when Jaebum’s name came out. During the last part (of the rap?), Taecyeon, who is in charge of the rap, shouted Jaebum’s name. The staff who were back stage all met eyes in that instant. It seemed that a staff overlapped their arms in a ‘x’ shape to another staff to reassure them (each other). Their mouth shape was saying ‘not broadcasting’. Whether they knew of the situation backstage or not, the repeated cries of ‘Park Jaebum’ from the guest seats echoed into the autumn night sky and was spreading.

# In another different stage….

The expressions of the members coming down from the stage were bright. It was a reassuring image as if their wounded digestion went down. As soon as they came down from stage Junsu released a smile he had been holding in towards the company camcorder. Even so it seemed the members’ thoughts were complicated, and it showed on their faces. It was because of the circumstance that they could not be satisfied that they had completed a stage safely in a long time. The worry of whether they would be able to stand on another stage skimmed their faces.

There were colleagues waiting for them outside in the waiting room hallway. The most warmly received was their ‘brother group’ 2AM. They spent some time for a short celebration(?) and exchange of regards. But the members who just came down from the stage, as if their nervousness was suddenly releasing their faces, were filled with fatigue. And they changed their clothes and as if they were running away from the event they slipped out. Without much of a goodbye, they left desolated.

There is friction between the fandom and the company about their alternate thoughts laid down about the promotion plans. Both parties are correlating if it is for Jaebum and the 6 members. This was the day when the loudness was at its highest peak. In the real performance the main characters, the members were in a situation where they could only upkeep the ‘silence’ being forced on by both sides. 2PM who stood on stage in 35 days, leaving behind another piece of homework, they promise another stage with an unknown time.

CREDITS: Kim Sunghan Reporter wing@sportshankook.co.kr @ hankooki.com (SOURCE) & G-race @ 2ONEDAY (TRANS)
http://news.hankooki.com/ArticleView/Artic…tm&ver=v002