Chapter 21


    Haha, Hoyun always brims with energy, doesnt he?


    <em>Thank you, Seong Jiwon!</em>


    Seong Jiwon stepped up even before I could speak. Thanks to him, my foolish actions were seen as an enthusiastic human-like expression.


    Without stopping there, the genuinely kind Seong Jiwon added sincerements.


    Our team became more lively after Hoyun joined. He suddenly brought a song he received fromposer Blue Tiger.


    Ah, so youre saying Seo Hoyun brought this single for the group?


    Yes, we were all surprised. We had no connection with theposer before.


    Well, now Im curious How does Seo Hoyun know Blue Tiger?


    Attention was drawn to me. I decided to be as cautious as possible with my words to prevent any unnecessary issues.


    I was just lucky.


    I decided to keep it brief.


    Before I could finish, the reporters typing and camera shes went off, but I didnt crack a smile anymore.


    If theyre curious, let them keep watching.


    Kang Ichae quickly noticed the awkward atmosphere and added more to the conversation.


    He was really cool. He said, Trust me and follow me. I could only admire him.


    Seo Hoyun really has an extensivework. Youre friends with Joo Woosung, right?


    Yes, hes a senior I know from before.


    Senior Joo Woosung came and shared his secret with us this time.


    Please share the secret of yourworking skills with meter.


    The MC yfully winked and flipped the cue card.


    Discussing the stage concept, the music video interpretation, and the albums BTS eventually led to this question:


    You also became famous for catching a thief a few weeks ago, right? Can we hear that story?


    As soon as the question was asked, camera shes went off again, likely hoping for something that would draw views.


    Kim Seonghyeon cautiously picked up the microphone.


    We were taking a break from practice and heading to a convenience store at that time.


    Hoyun immediately noticed.


    And then Seonghyeon rushed out like crazy. I thought Seonghyeon was an action star.


    Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae spiced up Kim Seonghyeons calm story. The reporters feverishly typed on theirptops.


    The headline would probably be something like this.


    [The group that wont stand for injustice: The Dawn The story behind the robbery incident]


    MC: Werent you scared?


    Kim Seonghyeon: Well, I was scared, but when I came to my senses, I had already caught him.


    MC ughs): Thats amazing.


    I could already anticipate the interviews without even reading them. As Kim Seonghyeon continued the story, a sudden spark flew.


    I heard you almost got seriously hurt.


    Yes. I could have been severely injured if Seo Hoyun hadnt caught him.


    <em>Whats going on? This is so unexpected.</em>


    Its fortunate that he wasnt hurt badly.


    The MCughed as I replied cautiously to avoid being cornered.


    Why are you so calm, Seo Hoyun? It sounds like youre just pondering what to have for dinner.


    Hoyun is alwaysposed, so it takes something huge to surprise him.


    Thats right, hes such a big-hearted friend.


    Why am I the only one being targeted?


    As I asked while grabbing the microphone, feeling singled out, the showcase was filled withughter.


    Kim Seonghyeon yfully added something else.


    But he was really surprised to see our fans today.


    Why?


    It seems he didnt know he had fans.


    At that remark, the members and fansughed hysterically. Kim Seonghyeon didnt expect this reaction.


    It was the same for Jeong Dajun.


    I couldnt be the only one to take the hit. Dragging Jeong Dajun into the conversation, he looked greatly flustered.


    Thats right, he kept asking if they were our fans.


    No, everyone was flustered. Why are you doing this?


    Hahaha, The Dawns poprity is indeed remarkable these days.


    As the MC skillfully led the interview, I noticed amotion from one side of the audience.


    <em>Whats going on?</em>


    I nced over with a curious look to see what was happening, and I saw a staff member on the backstage stairs vigorously waving a sketchbook.


    Suddenly, a hunch struck me. Oh, could it be?


    The MC pretended to be surprised after hearing something on the walkie-talkie.


    We just received some fantastic news.


    Yes?


    Seong Jiwons eyes widened. The MC quickly scanned the audience.


    It seems like the fans already know?


    What is it?


    Everyone, shush for a moment! Please keep it a secret!


    As the members tilted their heads and asked the audience, the MC tried to stop them, but words spilled out anyway.


    Briefly, words like chart, mango, and rankings were heard.


    A <em>could it be?</em> atmosphere circted among the members.


    Youll be surprised when you hear it!


    The MC, aiming for more surprise, quickly changed tactics and grinned.


    Our Second Chance song is charting in the top three!


    The members looked at each other with disbelief.


    Mango, Tinkerbell, and Tap  the song has made it onto all the charts! Tinkerbell and Tap are re-entries. Tinkerbell is 56th on the real-time chart, Tap is 71st, and Mango is 89th!


    No one expected such great news during the showcase.


    Reaching the charts is like grasping at the stars for neers who havent made it big. Even with a member who gained fame through apetition program, it was not unusual for the song to linger in the lower rankings and disappear.


    But here we were, a lesser-known idol group from a smallpany with no variety show appearances, entering the music charts after a long hiatus.


    Objectively, it was an unbelievable event.


    <em>I guess I wont have to file for bankruptcy.</em>


    Still, it was something I anticipated.


    It was notmon for a lesser-known idol group to be a sensation, make aeback with a great song, and enter the charts during a showcase.


    Journalists with a keen sense for news went crazy with their camera shes.


    Ill have to analyzeter which factors contributed the most to this oue. Just as I thought this, a hand suddenlynded on my shoulder. The force almost made me fall off my chair.


    Ouch, guys.


    Were on the charts!


    Are we dreaming right now?


    Seo Hoyun, what are you doing? Say hello!


    The thoughts in my head flew away as the overjoyed fools flocked around me.


    Those who seemed like core fans were already shedding tears like rain, shouting at us.


    Dont cry, dont cry!


    Wondering who they were telling not to cry, I looked around to see Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun in tears.


    We, we really


    Jeong Dajun was sobbing uncontrobly, and Seong Jiwon was shedding tears like a faucet that had been turned on.


    On the other hand, Kang Ichae and Kim Seonghyeon were wearing the brightest smiles they had ever seen.


    <em>Ah, these fools</em>


    Normally, he would have ignored it, but Jeong Dajun suddenly clung to him and thanked him.


    Its all thanks to you, hyung. Thank you so much, really.


    He couldnt respond to this. Though Jeong Dajuns tears soaked his shoulders, the stylist wouldnt scold him just this once.


    Its so soggy, you little punk.


    Hyung, but ah, its embarrassing


    Its a big fuss just for entering the charts, not even being number one.


    You know how desperate we were.


    They must have struggled a lot during their long trainee period and the seemingly short one-year journey. Just for charting like this


    I patted Jeong Dajun firmly andforted the other members while joking so only they could hear.


    You have to cry like this again when we get number one next time. Make sure the camera catches it.


    Seo Hoyun, youre really


    Lets say our thanks.


    Ah, right. Thank you.


    Seong Jiwon nodded, and Kim Seonghyeon lined up. We bowed at a 90-degree angle to our crying fans.


    Thank you!


    The MC looked at us warmly while tapping his watch with a sense of humor. It seemed to mean it was time for the next cover song.


    Seong Jiwon, who caught on to this, took the microphone.


    Th-thank you. If it werent for our fans, we couldnt have done this.


    We have so much more we want to say Thank you so much. Weve prepared a lot. Well show you our next performance that weve worked hard on.


    I took the microphone from the flustered Seong Jiwon and made eye contact with each fan in the audience.


    It seems like its time to show you our next performance. Weve prepared with gratitude for our fans in mind. Please look forward to it.


    As I smiled brightly, the fans stopped crying andughed while nodding vigorously. Fans, theyre so cute no matter how you look at them.


    Iforted the members with Kim Seonghyeon and prepared the lineup for the next cover song.


    Can you guys sing?


    Its a charting singers stage. Lets stay focused.


    Kang Ichae giggled. I acted confidently, but I was just as thrilled. I looked at the members with their swollen eyes and clicked my tongue.


    I told you it would go well, you fools.


    It was an expected oue, but I couldnt help but smile seeing their tearful faces.


    ***


    [Title: Today Todays The Dawn Showcase was so touching.


    Why are the kids so emotional???????   I also went and cried when Seong Jiwon cried


    Why??? What happened???


    They entered the charts during todays showcase!! The kids found out on stage  The fans cried, and it was a mess


    There seems to be some word-of-mouth effect  It became a hot topic in themunity


    Theres also some real fan-pick effect It got a lot of attention on SNS, didnt it?]


    [Title: I cried too  Im really relieved To be honest, The Dawn kids have suffered so much  From the robbery to the leak incident


    But there was a lot of noise marketing  In the end, they created a fuss and even charted, they used their heads well


    Whats with thisment? Are you being sarcastic?


    Dont feed the troll]


    [Title: In the midst of all this, Seo Hoyun is so stoic  Im d nobody got hurt Weve worked hard to prepare


    I thought I was at a shareholders meeting


    Ah, but the point is that Seo Hoyun is not familiar with the fans Theres a bit of a gap  So cute


    In a few years, theyll treat you like ATMs and have dead-fish eyes anyway


    Why does this person start a fight in every post?]


    [Title: Whats with Seong Jiwon? Crying just because they charted, wouldnt people think they got first ce? Its just a rookie group I heard he trained for years at a big agency, but his skills werent great.. Seems like Seo Hoyun just hitched a ride on the bus thats being carried by Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu.


    Joo Woosung Lim Hyeonsu Seo Hoyun riding the bus thats being carried (Ah, Im so cool and objective ) Pat, pat, pat, pat!


    What is that


    I enjoyed your outburst  Jiwon is a charting singer now]


    After the showcase ended and everyone went to rest, I received a call from the CEO alone. While traveling with the manager after making an excuse to the members, I searched for the reactions to the showcase. But


    <em>The fans are quite resilient, huh?</em>


    I thought the fans wouldnt be able to handle the sudden rise in poprity, but it was beyond my expectations.


    Of course, there were cases where they took the bait from maliciousments, but it was manageable at this level.


    Upon reflection, the answer came quickly. The Dawn debuted about a year, so there was a small core fanbase, and it was safe to say that they quickly grasped the early atmosphere and practically carried the group.


    Moreover, the concept was more stan-focused, so many fans with some K-pop fandom experience joined.


    I was grateful.


    The feeling of setting up a n youre confident in seeding and confirming that fans who like you have joined was really different.


    Wrapped up in this strange feeling, I put down my phone and confirmed thepletion of the quest.


    [Quest Sess!


    Cheering for Seong Jiwon 1/1, finishing the showcase safely 1/1.


    You have seeded.


    Charm 30, Dance 10, and Singing 10 are added.


    As a reward for the first stage, you receive a special gift.


    You can now view other peoples stats.]


    Hey, would it have been great if youd told me sooner?


    Whats the matter?


    Come on, you shouldve let me know about this kind of thing. Damn it


    Theyre doing this to mess with me. While annoyed, I stared into space and muttered, causing the manager to look back. I lowered my head.


    Its nothing.


    Every time I seeded in a quest, my charm or dance stats increased, and though I couldnt tell for sure, I felt it was reflected in reality. Thats why I thought there would also be some evaluation criteria for other peoples skills.


    But you should have shown me right away!


    I promised myself to definitely try this on The Dawn members and Joo Woosung.


    <em>Is this the reward for the first stage? Are there more rewards toe?</em><hr>


    Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now!


    Also, would you consider making a donation to support our ongoing efforts in tranting new chapters?


    Ready to be a hero? Commission more chapters for everyone to relish (beyond the regr releases), get cool credit, and turbo-charge our trantion speed - it''s all part of the fun!