Saturday 20 May 1997 Korea.
Kim Jihu was a college student living in Seoul, South Korea, and he had two main hobbies that defined his weekly routine—gaming and dancing. These two passions weren't just ways to pass the time for him; they were vital outlets that helped him manage the stress of student life. Of the two, dancing held a special place in his heart. He loved the energy, the rhythm, the way it let him express himself without words. At least once or twice a week, he made time to practice, either alone or sometimes with friends, losing himself in the music and movement.
But what truly made his heart race was when those two hobbies came together, especially in his all-time favorite arcade game—Dance Dance Revolution. It was the perfect blend of physical movement and gaming challenge. The game required players to press directional buttons with their feet in time with the beat, simulating real dance steps. For Jihu, it wasn't just a game—it was like performing a live dance routine. He loved the rush of nailing a perfect combo and syncing up with the music.
Now, Jihu couldn't be more excited. The arcade owner of his favorite local spot—a place he'd been visiting since high school—had just told him that a brand-new sequel was being installed: Dance Dance Revolution 2. The moment he heard the news, he was counting the days. A sequel meant new songs, new challenges, and probably new features he couldn't even imagine yet. For Jihu, it wasn't just another weekend plan. It felt like an event.
"Hehehe, I can't wait. I wonder what new features are in DDR 2," Kim Jihu said to himself, practically bouncing with excitement. Every Saturday, without fail, Jihu made his weekly pilgrimage to the arcade. Then on Sundays, he would dedicate time to dance practice—his personal way of staying sharp, both physically and mentally. But today wasn't just any Saturday. Today was the Saturday—the launch of Dance Dance Revolution 2.
With a burst of energy, he made his way to his favorite arcade. This wasn't just any spot—it was a flagship location owned and managed by Red Falcon, a ZAGE subsidiary, and officially named ZAGE Arcades. The place had a futuristic vibe, neon lights reflecting off the polished floor, and posters of iconic rhythm games lining the walls.
It was still early morning, so the arcade was unusually quiet. Only a few regulars milled about, giving the whole place a calm-before-the-storm kind of energy. And there, standing proudly in a sleek corner of the room, were the freshly installed DDR 2 machines—rows of them, bright and spotless, just waiting for their first challengers.
Kim Jihu's eyes lit up instantly. He didn't even hesitate. He dashed to the front counter, where coins for the machines were sold. At this arcade, Z-Arcade Coins were the currency of choice, and one coin was roughly 800 won. Without blinking, Jihu slapped down 16,000 won—enough for 20 full games.
He clutched the bag of coins tightly, practically glowing with anticipation. "This is going to be an all-day marathon," he said with a grin. "Let's go!"
Then, after purchasing the coins, Kim Jihu eagerly walked over to the row of freshly installed DDR 2 machines. They were vibrant, almost glowing, with LED lights tracing the edges and a sleek modern design that made them stand out like jewels among the other arcade cabinets. The display screens were large and crystal-clear, showcasing dynamic visuals that immediately caught the eye. At the moment, no one was playing yet, so the machine's idle screen was in full showcase mode.
On the giant screen, a fully animated 3D group of girls was dancing and singing to a catchy beat. The animation quality was top-notch, smooth and lifelike, with each character moving in perfect synchronization. The song itself had a strange but captivating rhythm—something different, something fresh—and it hooked Jihu instantly.
"Whoa! They look so cool and beautiful," he whispered, completely mesmerized by the performance. The digital girls moved with energy and style, their outfits sparkling under virtual stage lights. The machine was showcasing a performance by none other than the popular group from Zaboru's previous world—Black Pink—performing their hit song "How You Like That." In this current world, however, the group and the song were completely unknown. No one had ever heard of them, and their fame had yet to exist here. Still, the performance looked incredibly polished and energetic, as if pulled straight from a chart-topping music video. To Kim Jihu, it felt like witnessing something revolutionary—an unexpected gem hidden in plain sight.
Jihu's eyes widened with excitement. The vibrant visuals, the thumping bass, the polished choreography—it was like watching a music video come to life. He didn't waste another second. Grinning from ear to ear, he reached into his bag of Z-Arcade Coins, pulled out a few, and slid them into the machine's coin slot with a satisfying clink.
"Alright, let's do this!" he said with a spark of anticipation, stepping onto the dance pad and readying himself for the game to begin.
After he inserted the coins and the game booted up, a vivid menu screen appeared, complete with high-energy music and flashing animations. The interface displayed a prominent option: "Choose a Band!" Five major group icons were featured—Black Pink, Twice, 2NE1, Super Junior, and BTS. There was also a separate section labeled "Singles" for solo performances or miscellaneous tracks. Jihu's attention immediately locked onto the Black Pink icon, his excitement rekindled from the idle screen performance that had mesmerized him earlier.
He selected Black Pink, and the screen transitioned into a stylish selection menu featuring three of their iconic tracks: "How You Like That," "BOOMBAYAH," and "DDU-DU DDU-DU." The background shifted with animated teasers of each music video, matching the beat of the menu music. Jihu hovered over the first option, already drawn to it. "How You Like That" had left a strong impression—it was catchy, bold, and full of attitude. Without hesitation, he confirmed his choice.
Suddenly, the screen shifted again, showcasing a stylish 3D render of the girl group Black Pink in their digital stage outfits. There were four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé—each perfectly animated with smooth, lifelike motions and charismatic expressions. The lighting effects, their outfits, and even their subtle stage interactions gave the performance an authentic concert feel.
Jihu's eyes widened. "Whoa... they're beautiful," he whispered, unable to take his eyes off the screen. He wasn't just watching a performance—he was about to become part of it.
As the camera pulled back to reveal the full stage and the dancers took their positions, the screen flashed a bold, glowing countdown:
READY... SET... GO!
Then Jihu quickly got into position as the music "How You Like That" began playing. The beat dropped hard and fast, and his legs reacted instantly. He started pressing arrow after arrow with his feet, nailing each input with impressive accuracy. His background in dancing showed clearly—his footwork was sharp, clean, and fast. He was completely in sync with the rhythm.
As he maintained perfect combos, the game suddenly responded by cranking up the difficulty in real-time. The arrows began moving faster, the patterns more complex. This wasn't just a performance—it was a test. But Jihu wasn't fazed. He leaned into the challenge, adjusting his steps without missing a beat.
The score meter lit up, showing that the game was rewarding his precision and flow with bonus points. The 3D girls on screen danced in sync with the beat, and their energetic choreography pumped Jihu up even more. The colors, the lights, the sound—it all created a euphoric rush.
He grinned wide, his body sweating from the exertion, but his energy was only rising. The bass vibrated through his legs, and the feedback from every perfect step made his heart race with excitement. It wasn't just a game anymore—it was a full-body performance, and he was thriving in it.
Finally, as the music reached its climax and faded out, the screen declared the end of the song. Jihu stepped back, panting, but smiling with pride. The stage lights dimmed and reset, preparing for the next round.
Jihu grinned wide as the results popped up—he had scored an S-rank, the highest possible rating. "Yes! S-level scores!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. A wave of pride and adrenaline washed over him. He couldn't help but laugh, exhilarated from the high-energy performance.
"I'm going to play every single song available!" he declared with fiery enthusiasm. Without wasting a second, he dove back into the menu and began exploring the rest of the game's catalog. This time, he chose to try songs from other bands—he played a high-energy track from 2ne1, followed by a funky number from Super Junior. Each group had its own unique choreography style, musical flair, and themed stage visuals that made every session feel fresh and different.
As time passed, the arcade grew livelier. More and more people filtered in—some curious onlookers, others OGDDR game fans. Soon, the entire row of DDR 2 machines was filled with players, each absorbed in their own dance battles. The air buzzed with music, stomps, and the beeping of perfect combos.
The atmosphere became electric. Players were laughing, cheering, and some even competing to outperform one another. The music from each machine blended into a chaotic but oddly harmonious soundtrack, creating a space that felt like a mini dance concert.
Jihu looked around and grinned. He clearly have fun.
To be continue