The audience was diverse, ranging from teenagers to men in their 50s. There were groups of men who looked unmistakably like otaku, as well as many couples and families.
After all, Lost Fantasy has a 30-year history, and its combined series have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Recently, the successive successes of the mobile and online versions have attracted a huge number of new users.
The player base was broad, encompassing everyone from core users who could be called veterans, to casual users just stepping into the world of Lost Fantasy.
Nevertheless, the number of otaku was significant. Perhaps this was the classical concert with the highest density of otaku in the world?
This was clearly evident in merchandise sales.
In front of the merchandise counter, located to the right of the ticket exchange booth, the line stretched seemingly endlessly. Program books, soundtrack CDs, character-emblazoned smartphone cases, and mugs were selling like hotcakes.
OTK Games was responsible for product sales. For this event, they had even produced a small batch of limited-edition goods sold only at the concert venue.
Sangyeop sunbae couldn't hide his amazement.
"Wow! Even merchandise sales at an idol concert probably wouldn't reach this level."
It was truly an astonishing fandom.
Taekgyu spoke as if it were obvious.
"Hmph, we don't hesitate to spend money on things we want to buy. We'd rather skip meals than not buy what we desire."
I nodded.
"I remember starving for days back then because you convinced me to skim my school lunch money to buy a game."
"My friend, you enjoyed it thanks to me, didn't you?"
"That's true."
While not on the same level as Taekgyu, who had perfectly cleared every Lost Fantasy game, I had played most of the famous ones at least once.
Thinking back, it felt strange.
Back when Oh Taekgyu and I used to go buy game CDs, I never imagined I'd end up investing directly in a game company and even sponsoring a concert.
Yang Hana arrived with her father. She wore a black dress that exposed one shoulder and had light makeup on. Even without much adornment, her beauty was such that her mere appearance was enough to draw the gazes of those around her.
She spoke to Taekgyu.
"I've been playing Lost Fantasy Online diligently lately too. That's why I'm really looking forward to today's concert."
An immediately positive reaction came back.
"Ooh! Which character?"
"An Archer. The one that shoots arrows."
"How are you planning to build her? Are you going to raise archery skills and go the sniper route? Or learn taming skills and head towards Beast Master?"
Perhaps it was too difficult a question for someone who had just started the game; she looked slightly flustered.
"Ah, um... which one do you think is better? What do you think, Taekgyu?"
Taekgyu kindly answered.
"There are pros and cons to either path..."
A detailed explanation followed about the Archer's characteristics, future development paths, and tips for team play. She nodded diligently, looking like a student in Noryangjin listening intently to a top tutor's lecture.
Challenging a field you don't know well isn't easy.
Ellie watched them and asked me.
"You said Min Ha-young is coming today too, right?"
"Yes. Apparently, he told her he's the Vice President of OTK Company now."
Though from what I heard, it sounds less like he told her and more like he got caught. Still, he managed to keep it secret for a long time.
"Since you said she was Taekgyu's first love, I'm curious about what kind of person she is."
He claims he just liked her, but... isn't that what first love is?
A moment later, Min Ha-young appeared. I had seen pictures before, but this was the first time meeting her in person.
She wore large glasses and her hair was tied back in a single ponytail. Her outfit was a frilly dress with pink stripes. Despite wearing high-heeled pumps, she looked small.
Seemingly unaccustomed to such gatherings, she fidgeted with a nervous expression.
Taekgyu introduced us.
"This is my best friend, Kang Jinhoo. Beside him is his girlfriend, Ellie. You know both of them, right?"
Of course, she would recognize our faces.
Ellie and I greeted Min Ha-young.
"I've heard a lot about you from Taekgyu."
"Ah, hello."
"I heard you started serializing your webtoon. Congratulations."
"Ah... Th-thank you."
Ellie whispered to me.
"She's quite cute. She seems like a good match for Taekgyu."
"You think so?"
If Min Ha-young has a similar disposition to Taekgyu, Yang Hana could be described as the complete opposite. Somehow, I feel like a woman with a strong personality suits Oh Taekgyu better.
"Ah! There's also Princess Anneke, isn't there?"
I thought of Princess Anneke. Being young and having a lively personality, she felt more like a tomboyish younger sister.
"It hasn't been confirmed that she has feelings for him yet, though."
At my words, Ellie smiled brightly.
"Are you sure about that? When I saw them talking before, it seemed like she was quite interested."
"That's because the princess is a fan of Lost Fantasy..."
Ellie wagged her finger.
"Think about it. The person who revived Lost Fantasy is Taekgyu himself. What woman would talk alone with a man she has no feelings for, for three whole hours?"
Princess Anneke had otaku tendencies, enough to have cosplayed at a game show. As Norway actively fosters its IT and game industries with the money earned from oil and gas, she was also effectively serving as a promotional model.
Wait. If things work out between them, does Oh Taekgyu become the son-in-law of the King of Norway?
"..."
Does that even make sense? No matter how much Oh Taekgyu is the epitome of a successful otaku, isn't this too successful?
Yang Hana looked at Min Ha-young and said.
"Oh my, we meet again here. Nice to see you."
"Ah, yes. Hello."
"I heard from Taekgyu that you started your webtoon. Congratulations."
"It's thanks to Taekgyu's help. He still looks over each chapter and gives me advice."
"Is that so? Taekgyu is very kind. I started playing the game recently too, so I think I'll have to ask him a lot of questions from now on. But Ms. Ha-young, if you're busy with serialization, you probably don't have time to play games, do you?"
"Ah, no. I'm going to start too. Authors often get inspiration while playing games."
A superficially friendly conversation unfolded between them, both smiling.
Meanwhile, we greeted other arrivals. The OTK Games representatives from Japan had arrived.
President Ichikawa couldn't make it due to his busy schedule, but Kondo Hayashi, the general music director for Lost Fantasy, came instead.
The young man who worked on the first series had now become a middle-aged man. However, he still oversaw the music and sound effects for the Lost Fantasy series with outstanding skill.
Taekgyu grasped his hands with both of his own.
"Thanks to your music, Director, I played every series happily. I believe all Lost Fantasy fans feel the same way."
After Team Leader Jung Gi-hong interpreted, Music Director Kondo beamed and replied.
"Thank you for saying so, Mr. Vice President. When I was making the game music, I never imagined it would be performed by an orchestra like this. Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity."
***
The orchestra performance began.
Scenes from each series appeared on the background screen in time with the music. From the 2D pixel era to the present, one could witness the evolution of the series alongside the music.
Aside from being game music, it wasn't much different from any other concert. Enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience after each piece concluded.
Takahashi Eiji's piano solo followed, and a famous singer came out to sing the English version of the LF12 opening theme. Even a choir made an appearance. When the choir's voices, reminiscent of a requiem, were added to the orchestra, the atmosphere became majestic and even poignant.
"This is the LF7 battle theme, right?"
I remembered playing it while getting scolded by my mom right after coming home from school.
Taekgyu nodded, his face filled with emotion.
"That's right. To think I'd get to hear this music like this."
When the two-hour performance ended, everyone rose to their feet for a standing ovation.
Everyone looked happy. It meant Taekgyu's plan to create good memories for the Lost Fantasy series fans had hit the mark perfectly.
Ellie also stood up, clapping enthusiastically.
"I thought of it casually as just game music, but it was incredibly moving. After watching the performance, I somehow feel like I want to try playing the game."
I thought for a moment, then said.
"There's always a reason why masterpieces are masterpieces. Try LF10 first. Personally, I found its story the most moving."
"What did you like about it?"
"The graphics still hold up pretty well even now, and the progression system using the License Board makes character building fun. The story itself is pure emotion."
"There's a reason you and Taekgyu are close friends."
"You think so?"
Ellie linked her arm with mine and said.
"I'm not very good at games, so you have to teach me by my side, Jinhoo."
***
['Lost Fantasy Concert' held at the newly opened Korea Music Hall]
The Korea Symphony Orchestra is holding the Lost Fantasy Concert over three days at the newly renovated Korea Music Hall. Originally planned as a single performance, two additional shows were added due to fan requests, yet all seats sold out early. Considering the recent slump in the classical concert market, this can only be described as an unprecedented box-office phenomenon.
CEOs from the business world, including Chairman Im Jin-yong of Seosung Group, President Im Su-mi of Ceylon Hotel, and President Yang Ho-young of CL Chemicals, also attended, gracing the event with their presence.
After the concert, audience members spared no praise, calling it a 'fantastic meeting of games and orchestra.'
OTK Games stated that as the Lost Fantasy series marks its 30th anniversary, they plan to continue creating and providing various forms of content for fans. Korea Symphony Orchestra CEO Park Hyejin shared her thoughts that this served as an opportunity for classical music to become more familiar to the public.
I read the article and said.
"It was a complete success."
The media coverage was overwhelmingly positive. Even music critics who had initially expressed concerns wrote favorable columns, stating that it broke down genre boundaries.
To think that something started as the Vice President's hobby would achieve such great success.
Taekgyu nodded.
"In Japan, virtual idol concerts can draw thousands of attendees. Cultural content can generate infinite value depending on how it's utilized. Well, from the perspective of Korea, which defines games as serious addictions and harmful media for youth, that's probably just a story from another country."
"Which is why we do business in other countries."
OTK Games had already established its new base in Detroit. Korean game companies had also begun relocating. Several other game companies were considering the move as well.
Startled, the government hastily announced plans to nurture and support the industry. After previously pointing fingers and treating games as one of the 'four major addictions,' the mood suddenly shifted to praising them as 'export heroes.' However, the game industry's reaction was basically, 'Haven't we been burned before?'
Two days later, Chairman Im Jin-yong visited the company.
He looked quite exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes looked like they might reach his chin.
"Are you alright?"
"I stayed up quite late last night."
"Is work that busy these days?"
Chairman Im Jin-yong gave an awkward smile.
"Not work, playing a game."
"Excuse me?"
"After seeing the concert, I got curious and tried Lost Fantasy Online. Since it was my first time playing such a game, it wasn't easy. So I asked a new employee for some help and got some training."
Taekgyu was astonished.
"Ooh! How was it? Fun, right?"
"Yes. Even while selling computers and gaming laptops, I didn't quite understand why people played games, but now I think I get it. My level has gone up a bit, so I can now hunt Kanols."
Taekgyu clapped his hands, looking moved.
"Shall I share some items with you?"
"I would gratefully accept. Turns out, quite a few of my company employees play it too. I heard they form alliances and do team play; I'm considering asking if they'll let me join a raid sometime."
"What's your class?"
"Male Paladin."
Taekgyu nodded.
"You happened to pick the class whose name requires the most careful pronunciation. Still, Paladin is the best. Paladin is King!"
"..."
That was truly an inside joke only those in the know would get.
Anyway, the chairman joining the employees' raid team?
If they're raiding a boss monster and don't give Chairman Im Jin-yong buffs or heals in time, causing him to die first, wouldn't all the employees get fired?
Regardless, such a busy person wouldn't have started playing Lost Fantasy Online for no reason.
There must be a good reason he took the time to play the game himself, right?
Chairman Im Jin-yong said.
"Playing the game helped me make up my mind. Seosung Electronics would also like to participate in OTK Games' VRMMORPG development project."