[ENG] Behind the Scenes of the ALNST 2nd Anniversary Pop-up Store
Hello, it's TEAM. Forma+9! Since we've put a lot of effort into the illustrations for the 2nd anniversary pop-up store, we wanted to share the making of our main concept illustrations. Given that the setting is woven into the artwork, we think you’ll enjoy it even more with the merchandise.
01. Establishing the Main Concept
The main concept of this pop-up is medical horror. While Anakt Garden appears to be a music academy on the surface, it also functions as a training facility to produce ALNST champions, conducting cruel experiments to create exceptional pet-humans. We wanted to depict the idol training process as part of this experimental narrative.
02. Concept Sketching & Setting Development
We wanted to combine the medical horror elements we've been developing with idol training to create a new concept. Our goal was to evoke a sense of fear that resonates with you, stemming from a society that prioritizes results and achievements over human compassion.
VIVINOS's sketch
Before we dive into the actual work, our lead director, VIVINOS, laid out what kind of training took place at Anakt Garden. The list of experiments is as follows:
MIZI_C+_subject of experiment (Dance practice)
Mizi's experiment focuses on dance training. She dances using special equipment for precise monitoring, and unlike the sketches, we wanted to intuitively showcase her form. With her eyes covered, designing a unique and beautiful silhouette for her costume was crucial.
TILL_A+_subject of experiment (instrument practice)
This experiment observes how the human brainwaves react and change while playing the guitar. Till, being skilled with instruments, naturally earned himself an A+.
IVAN_D_subject of experiment (Image-making training)
Ivan is tied to an operating chair, undergoing correction of his smile and posture. His million-dollar smile is also a result of meticulous training and correction.
SUA_A_subject of experiment (Singing training)
Sua is in vocal training. I wanted to portray Anakt's educational approach, which utilizes a cult-like system to brainwash the children. The children at Anakt put their hands together and sing every day with vacant eyes, honoring a false deity as instructed. But Sua, Ivan, Till, and Mizi sing with agency, fueled by their love for others. That's why their songs stood out, and they successfully passed the final evaluation with excellent results to participate in ALNST.
HYUNA_A+_subject of experiment (Superiority test)
This depicts the process of determining physical and intellectual genes classified as superior. Hyeonu is looking at Hyuna with concern.
LUKA_A+_subject of experiment (Heart rate variability)
This training involves controlling heartbeats to induce the fear of death. This rigorous training is exclusive to Luka.
03. Working on the Illustrations
With the concept and settings in place, it's time to get down to work! The illustrations for this pop-up store were created by lead director VIVINOS and co-director QMENG. From sketches to the final product, we continued to exchange our ideas until completion. Typically, VIVINOS provides QMENG with a rough sketch and the broad framework of the concept. Then, QMENG adds detailed elements and unique points for each character to complete the illustrations.
04. Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading this month's Patreon update! Please remember that the content shared here is confidential and not for external distribution, though creations derived from these Patreon contents are welcome. We appreciate your ongoing support and hope you stay tuned for more from ALNST!
translation: Amy Baek
Comments (58)
A lot of people say Suas hands are often like that due to the captivity she's in. This experiment could also be a good reason why she often has her hands held together in a lot of photos. (Seems like a daily routine?)
Ivan’s ACTUALLG broke me bc THE CRUSH GAUGE?? it’s so mean omfg
"this rigorous training is exclusive to Luka" OF COURSE it is🥀🥀
Oh this hurt me so badly
HIS MILLION DOLLAR SMILE
Thank you for all your work!!!
Thank you for all your hard work. I love how you design all the details for the characters. It’s clear that everything was chosen with such care. Each character has their own unique traits and story, even in still images, not just in the MV. I especially love Ivan’s design, and the more I learn about his story, the more I love him!
Thank you for your hard work 🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️
Ivan!!
Luka's broke my heart:(
Probably not as broken as his heart :3
the art of luka clutching his chest and crying distress always makes me so sad 😭 medical horror is so interesting to me!! ty for sharing!
Poor luka :(
Thank you guys so so much. This was really interesting to read👍 Also when will we get an Ivan cover?🥺
hopefully soon 🙏🙏
I enjoy these sketches sooooo much! I need more products from the pop-up store yaaaaaay( my wallet is screaming)
MY POOR KIDS. THEY SUFFERED SO MUCH
His😭😭million😭😭dollar😭😭smile😭😭
Thank you for sharing💖 I hope next round focuses more about Hyuna and Luka! There’s so much we don’t know about them and they’re such intriguing characters.
so basically hyuna is an alpha
jk love the tidbits and fhe early sketches, ty for your hard work as usual!
It's so interesting how Luka has been taught to fear death for so long whereas Mizi is just learning the horrors of death and loss. And even more interesting how because of this Luka doesn't fear the death of others and is so much less empathetic than Mizi 😭😭😭
This is so well done, as always🙌!! I’m still curious on Hyuna’s though! Hers is very interesting, and I feel like there’s so many ways to think of it.
i loveee the concept for the popup store!! 🩷thank you lore drop...
operation infiltrate anakt garden and destabilise them from within is a-go! …get away from my children 💔 thank you vivinos for the lore drop, changed my life as always :)
Just an amazing concept and idea. It definitely was eerie and unsettling when I visited the venue. Can we also get a behind the scenes with the cutey bunny concept? 😆
Luka... :(
i love medical horror!!! thank you so much for your work vivinos!!
lore drop is so fire ‼️‼️ thank u vivinos
I'm always saddened by Luka's training. Although it's easy to paint him as the villain, it's also easy to pit humans against each other while forgetting they are not in charge of their own fate or upbringing. Very curious as to how the 'crush gauge' works, as well as how Hyuna's genes were modified to be superior? The medical horror was very much achieved with this one 👌 ✨
🙂↕️🤌🏻 going to read better when I’ve gotten some rest, but the bit about Luka…. Mwah I just love this story so much 😭 the care and respect you have for these characters is so beautiful. It’s so apparent how loved they are, and it makes them so real 😭 I’m getting emotional I gotta go to bed haha. Thank you as always for giving us such an… idk the word to use… enriching experience? Thank you for everything 🥹 I just spent $200 on merch and $220 on shipping it to me loooool the love is so real 🤡🙂↕️🤭💕
Thank you guys for all the hard effort.☆☆ I bought almost all the merch because medical horror is one of my favorites. Thank you ! ☆
TY!
Luka’s upbringing is really so extremely distressing. The note of cardiac arrest on that concept is so horrifying omg. Especially considering his pre-existing heart condition as well. That’s really so horrid and really puts into perspective how he responds on stage and to others. He’s really been living in consistent fear of death and being brought close to it for so long.
CRAZY LORE DROP
Thank you for your work!! THEY ALL LOOK SO GREAT 🥹🥹🥹❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
hi belphie 👋
Hello pookums.
I love how they really planned this all out with care and love for this popup
This was very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the insight on the merchandise! I really enjoyed the medical horror theme as I think it's a good reminder of what the cast and other kids at Anakt Garden endured
Medical horror so good hhhhh
LUKA WAS PUT THROUGH HELL OHMYGOD 😭😭😭
Oh neat I wasn't really feeling the sense of fear when looking at them though but the final products were really nice a must buy if I could say so myself thanks for the update and background ☺️☺️
This is so amazing, specially the fact that Ivan's charming smile has been revealed to be trained! and I also love Lukas original training such an interesting way ! ♡ tysm
im not even a luka fan, i actually dislike him, but his childhood was truly painful and traumatizing. he was just a kid and he didnt deserve that. his heart rate testing looks extremely brutal, and its one of the only times we see him suffering or showing intense emotion. he was just a kid, it breaks my heart 🙁 it looks extremely painful and scary.
Fantastic creations and merch! Definitely bought a lot ❤️🥲
WOOHOO
IHGMMD IM EARLY
HEARTBEAT CONTROL??????? OH MY GOD?????
amazing work as always !!! <33
i love the thought put into the unique concepts!!
OMG THIS IS SO COOL???
IM HERE
first. i love this.
YEAAAA
OMG
omg hi vivinos i love you