Chapter 177


    [Title: The Dawn – A Year and a Half of Snooping Around]


    ?? I never thought I’d be writing something like this.


    Anyway, it seems like there are a ton of new fans since <em>Shining Star</em> ended?? so I figured I’d write up my thoughts on just snooping around.


    I’ve been hanging around for a year and a half, though I’m not even sure if you can still call it that… Anyway, before you read, a warning!!


    *These guys are surrounded by a ton of controversies.


    I’ll start with that.


    These days, The Dawn is often promoted as being tame and their content is fun. It’s not a scam. They are actually pretty nice.


    The fans seem experienced, brimming with enthusiasm but usually keeping it civil.


    But there are a lot of controversies surrounding them.If you can’t handle it and don’t want the stress, it’s best to hit backspace and leave.


    *Mentionspares with other idols (like ??? and ???) are present. If that makes you ufortable, leave now.[1]


    If you’re okay with it, keep scrolling.


    The members of the group work really hard, but their first album flopped big time & maybe because they debutedter in life, they treat their fans really well.


    Honestly, at first, it felt like just a business rtionship, but in a year and a half, you can see they’ve gotten quite close.<ol><li>Seong Jiwon (24) Main Vocal</li></ol>


    The future of K-pop vocals, seeding ck Call’s Chae Jeongwoo.


    He was a long-term trainee at D.go and was once the center for the now-fallen ???… Anyway, one look at his face and you can see he dances well too.


    His vocals are just… damn, even now they’re amazing, but when youpare his growth over the past year, it’s insane. He’s undeniably the top of his ss now.


    Personality?? There’s a saying that if Seong Jiwon’s kindness is fake, then there’s no point in trusting humanity anymore.


    At first, I was like, oh,e on??; but if this guy is really faking it, it would be better to wipe out half of humanity… He’s genuinely kind, not just stupidly nice.


    (But this might be limited to members and staff.. I’m not sure since Seong Jiwon isn’t the type to go out much.)


    Initially, he wasn’t like this and was a bit mentally fragile, but it seems he’s toughened up, and now he’s the top dog in The Dawn.<ol start="2"><li>Kim Seonghyeon (24) Leader, Main Dancer</li></ol>


    The undeniable <em>Shining Star</em> pick for the non-fans.


    A lot of K-pop otakus must’ve joined after watching his “Kill the Lights” fancam. His personality is surprisingly gentle, as seen in radio shows or V-Live.


    Looking at his face, you’d think he’d be indifferent or a loner, but he’s quite gentle and sensitive, not fake at all.


    Maybe because he’s been through a lot, he stays quiet during controversies, but cries during happy moments or when something happens to the members, earning him the nickname “Water Man Leader.”


    I heard he has a lot of younger siblings… He gets teased a lot by the members in their content?????? He’s easily fooled and can’t act, which is honestly cute????


    If Seong Jiwon seeds Chae Jeongwoo, then Kim Seonghyeon is more in the Joo Woosung line… Seonghyeon is a bit more powerful, but saying this might rile up the ck Call fandom?~<ol start="3"><li>Jeong Dajun (20) Maknae, Sub Dancer</li></ol>


    Forget everything else, he’s just too cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Did I get caught that he’s my pick? ??


    He grew up withoutcking anything, the perfect maknae role… He’s expressive and honest.


    His dancing is pretty talented, but the rest of his skills are honestly just average…


    …If you think that, go watch the <em>Shining Star</em> unit /watch?v=THe-DAwN_sHiNIn?GSTar2_JdJ


    This guy is seriously something else.


    No arguments. Even if you bring Seo Hoyun’s half-face photo card, I won’t take it. Jeong Dajun is something else.


    I honestly have high expectations??? I think being young is his weapon, but with his career at this age… I’m so excited to see what he’ll do next.


    The other four are quite fond of him, but especially Seo Hoyun treats him like a younger brother ten years his junior??


    Oh, there’s so much to say about Jeong Dajun, but for now, he’s definitely the variety show role.


    Anyone who talks bad about Dajun,e at me… let’s fight.<ol start="4"><li>Kang Ichae (22) Rapper</li></ol>


    Surprisingly, the cleanest member of The Dawn.


    ???? This surprised even me… The shy first impression made me think he’d be popr but might have issues with drinking, smoking, or women, but nope?? None.


    Even Seong Jiwon has controversies because of his former agency… but Kang Ichae has none, just squeaky~~ clean…


    Kang Ichae… He doesn’t hang out with other idols at all. There are no sightings of him.


    When you do see him, he’s always with the members… He gets along well with Jeong Dajun.


    (If you want to nitpick, some of Kang Ichae’s individual fans asionally bash other members, iming they’re always getting a free ride on Kang Ichae’s producing bus.)


    Contrary to his appearance, he’s just a young man who onlyposes and writes lyrics… He gives the members a hard time with his witty remarks, but when he raps, he’s insane.


    I thought he was just naturally talented but seeing him always in the recording studio during <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2 or on V-Live, he might actually be a hard worker…<ol start="5"><li>Seo Hoyun (24) Lead Vocal</li></ol>


    The undeniable <em>Shining Star</em> pick for the non-fans222


    Honestly, you could say I wrote this post just to talk about Seo Hoyun.


    What more is there to say?


    He’s really such a fascinating character… This guy is the epitome of the fierce K-pop spirit these days.


    He’s good at singing and acting, but dancing…


    To be honest, he has improved a lot, but objectively, he’s just average, yet somehow, he always manages to nail it; maybe it’s his unique confidence and aura…


    Even non-fans admit he’s a pure-looking handsome guy… I thought he was just a pretty face, but Noeuls (fans) are drawn to his intense personality.


    At first, fans worried that he’d burn out and copse from running so hard?? but a yearter, we reached the “?? Who are we to worry about?” level of steel mentality.


    The peak of his fierceness was the legendary “Second Chance” Japan /watch!v=THe-DAwN_JP_SEoHOwhOw!


    And the iconic <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2 Final “Stardust” /v/ShiNiN?GstAr2_thEDawN


    Watching that live on TV left my jaw hanging.


    The performance,bined with the situation/story at the time, was just divine… His eyes were glistening, it still gives me chills…


    At first, many people criticized him for being obviously business-like with the members, but it seems to have improvedtely?


    He never shows when he’s having a hard time and treats the fans incredibly well. He doesn’t seem to draw strength from fans, but he tries really hard to give back;; it’s fascinating.


    Seeing him get along with Joo Woosung made me think he’s the type to be overly friendly, but so far, Joo Woosung is the only friend he has from another group… (Well, Joo Woosung is also known for drawing boundaries.)


    Having no friends is an idol’s virtue ??


    Shining Star-rted stuff is down below


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    I wrote a lot, but anyway, please take care of The Dawn.


    There’s been a huge influx of fans after Shining Star, but aside from the controversies around them, they’re a pretty decent idol group?? (Especially since none of them have many friends outside the group^^)


    That’s the end of my year-and-a-half report as a snooping Noeul.


    _____________________________________


    *I realized talking about <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2 is too sensitive, so I deleted it.


    Thement section is a mess ??]


    Seeing this, some Noeuls started spreading the link.


    [If you’ve been sneaky for a year and a half, you’re basically a true Noeul.]


    [???????????????? So funny ??]


    [The denial phase issting a long time…]


    But of course, some fans were visibly upset.


    [Why pretend to be reluctant about mentioning controversies but not delete the post entirely???]


    [Using <em>Shining Star</em>’s narrative for views, seriously fuck off. Are you happy getting clicks with our idols’ names?]


    [Just block them… Don’t retweet, it pisses me off…]


    There were mixed reactions, but one thing was undeniable.


    The Dawn had made it big!


    Previously known only in niche K-pop circles or among hardcore fans, The Dawn received widespread public support after <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2 ended.


    [What’s with their brand reputation ranking~~~!! Eek!]


    [The influx of fans is insane;;;;]


    [Wow, Daepaseong must be making a lot of money.]


    During The Dawn’s hiatus, the Noeuls were buzzing.


    Not just because of various events during <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2, but also because of the massive influx of new fans, leading to a lot of back-and-forth among Noeuls.


    Especially after Seo Hoyun’stest issue, The Dawn’s fans often felt heartache but also pride whenever they saw the rapidly growing number of Noeuls.


    Sometimes, they felt their hopes for the world were shattered.


    As the fandom was in an uproar, The Dawn returned to their main job after a two-week vacation.


    And so began the reality show filming.


    “Ah—”


    In front of numerous cameras, Jeong Dajun appeared, leisurely walking with a suitcase in one hand and an Americano in the other.


    “So this is my new ‘lodging,’ huh….”


    It was a new ce, different from the one The Dawn had moved into a year ago.


    Kang Ichae, who was already sitting on the terrace, responded to hisment.


    “Not bad for amoner’s house, right?”


    “Hmm, it’s better than I thought. It’s a shame there’s no fountain, though.”


    The staff worked silently, ustomed to the youngest members’ nonsensical banter.


    At that moment, Seong Jiwon suddenly appeared on screen like the protagonist of a drama, pumping his fist in the air.


    “Let’s do this, fighting!!”


    “…”


    “Jiwon, this is a new beginning!”


    Kim Seonghyeon, who was walking beside Seong Jiwon with one hand in his pocket, looked at him incredulously.


    “Seong Jiwon, what are you doing?”


    “Seonghyeon, do you want to be the main character’s friend? Theic relief.”


    “Sigh…”


    With Kim Seonghyeon’s sigh, the sound of a suitcase being dragged around could be heard.


    <em>Clunk-clunk.</em>


    Then, a hand lightly rested on Kim Seonghyeon’s shoulder and gently pulled him back.


    “Baby.”


    Seo Hoyun, who wrapped his arm around Kim Seonghyeon’s shoulder and rested his chin there, smiled brightly.


    “Did you wait for me, hyung?”


    “…”


    “…”


    After the chaebol appeared, it was about time for the secondary couple to make their entrance.


    “Argh!!”


    However, Kim Seonghyeon, who was oblivious to this flow, freaked out and jumped about.


    Of course, Seo Hoyun, who had a face of steel, waspletely unaffected.


    Having attended a few counseling sessions, slept well, and even contacted Seo Hojin in the morning, Seo Hoyun was in top condition.


    “That’s brutal…”


    “Being called ‘baby’ by Hoyun-hyung vs. calling Seonghyeon-hyung ‘baby.''”


    “Definitely thetter.”


    Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae, who were serious about being funny, looked at Seo Hoyun with very offended faces, but Seo Hoyun was busy greeting the staff.


    <em>Looks like we made some money.</em>


    The house’syout was noticeably different from their previous dorm.


    There were four rooms, one of which had a terrace.


    The interior was much more luxurious than before.


    “Wow, there’s a dartboard here?”


    “A terrace! This is insane!”


    The dartboard was surely for the show.


    Leaving the excited members to run wild, Seo Hoyun quietly approached the nning team.


    Having skimmed through the proposal in advance, he knew there was going to be a roommate selection, and Seo Hoyun wanted a room to himself if possible.


    “The time hase….”


    “It sure is.”


    Lee Jihyeon roughly rubbed her temples.


    This reality show filming was a significant opportunity for The Dawn, more precisely for Seo Hoyun and Lee Jihyeon.


    Having shaken off burnout and lethargy, Lee Jihyeon was filled with ambition.


    With her recent promotion to deputy manager, she was eyeing to take over the Daepaseong Entertainment’s nning team within the next two years.


    She couldn’t stop here.


    “Hoyun, this period is very crucial.”


    “Yes, I agree.”


    After revealing his family background in <em>Shining Star</em> Season 2, Seo Hoyun had inevitably gained the image of a “pitiful but hardworking idol who lost his parents.”


    While it worked to his advantage temporarily, it had no long-term merit.


    Even the smallest misstep could lead to a major bacsh.


    “You know what you have to do, right?”


    “I’ve already had several meetings with the nning team.”


    His image needed to change.


    If things continued like this, he would be stuck with a nice or quiet image.


    A strong concept was needed to cover the new impression.


    “Do you know when you shine the most, Hoyun?”


    Seo Hoyun’s eyes sharpened.


    When he was being a jerk, scheming, being sarcastic, putting up walls, or only caring for his own people.


    Various things came to mind, but there was only one answer.


    Seo Hoyun tilted his head slightly and raised one corner of his mouth.


    “When I’m giving people a hard time?”


    That was the right answer.


    [1] The fan was referring to ck Call (???) and Try (???).